William Beesley
Theology Teacher
Palma High School
Salinas, California
2009-2010
Palma Mission Statement Palma is dedicated to providing young men an
excellent college preparatory education in a Roman Catholic environment that
embraces The Essential Elements of a Christian Brother Education and challenges each individual to develop
spiritually, intellectually, morally, physically and socially.
Palma Educational Philosophy Palma
is a private college preparatory school, owned and operated by the Congregation
of Christian Brothers, whose purpose is to educate boys in grades seven through
twelve. Palma seeks to give a quality Catholic education to the young men of
the area by offering them the opportunity to prepare themselves to enter institutions
of higher learning. As an extension of the family, Palma promotes the
educational mission of the Roman Catholic Church through the formation and
harmonious development of the whole-person by challenging the young man to grow
spiritually, intellectually, physically, socially, and morally in light of Luke
2:52, "Jesus, for his part, progressed steadily in wisdom and age and
grace before God and men." The Christian Brothers, along with their lay
colleagues, endeavor to influence the young men placed in their care by
parents; the faculty and staff undertake this effort with the same vision
Brother Edmund Rice had when he began his out-reach to the poor in Ireland
nearly two hundred years ago. Palma, as a Catholic school directed by the
Christian Brothers, is missioned to evangelize and to catechize by fulfilling
the four apostolic goals: spreading the Gospel message, building a faith
community, celebrating the faith and performing service to those in need.
Expected
Schoolwide Learning Results (ESLR's) Palma High and Junior High School will challenge
each young man to develop spiritually/morally, intellectually, physically and
socially. The Palma Expected Schoolwide Learning Results are:
- Spiritual/Moral:
living as individuals with a strong foundation in Christian values and
beliefs.
- Intellectual:
demonstrating an appreciation for learning in a changing world by thinking
and acting critically, independently, creatively and collaboratively.
- Physical:
developing the knowledge to make healthful choices, to maximize skills for
lifelong enjoyment of physical activity, and to master sportsmanship.
- Social:
interacting with others effectively and in a manner that reflects the
Christian values of respect, compassion and service.
Philosophy
of the Department of Theology "Finally, brothers, whatever is true,
whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worth
of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you may have learned
and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you.
(Philippians 4: 8-9)
An authentic program for religious education in a Catholic school
must encompass the threefold ministry of the Church as described by the
National Conference of Catholic bishops in their pastoral letter, To
Teach as Jesus Did, "The
educational mission of the Church is an integrated ministry embracing three
interlocking dimensions: the message revealed by God (didache) which the Church proclaims; fellowship in the
life of the Holy Spirit (koinonia);
service to the Christian community and the entire human community (diakonia)."
As a result of this statement, our overall objective is to guide our
students within the experience of the Palma faith community (koinonia), to find fulfillment in their lives through
knowledge of God's love and plan for redemption as revealed in Sacred Scriptures
and our Tradition (didache),
and to find fulfillment by an authentic Christian response to that Revelation (diakonia). These elements, with the support of Palma's
Campus Ministry, are then celebrated sacramentally and liturgically to fulfill
the evangelizing and catechizing mission of Palma Junior High and High School.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church is regarded as an essential
resource and guide in the Theology Department's participation in the school's
mission.
The
Essential Elements of an Edmund Rice Christian Brother Education
Blessed
Edmund was given the grace to respond to the call of Jesus by identifying with
Christ in the poor. His example evoked a deep awareness of God's loving
presence in all with whom he came in contact. He awakened within them a
consciousness of their dignity as children of God. He invited his followers to
share his gospel insight, and empowered them to reach out to the needy, especially
the materially poor.
The life of
Blessed Edmund Rice - businessman, husband, father, widower, religious brother,
teacher, and founder - challenges all involved in Christian Brother education
to live and teach gospel values in today's world. His charism inspires the
Essential Elements of a Christian Brother Education:
"Edmund
Rice was moved by the Holy Spirit to open his whole heart to Christ present and
appealing to him in the poor (1984 General Chapter)."
The Essential
Elements of a Christian Brother Education:
In ministry
begun by Jesus Christ and inspired by the vision of Blessed Edmund Rice, a
Christian Brother education . . .
Evangelizes
youth within the mission of the Church.
* A
Christian Brother education proclaims the Good News of Jesus Christ.
* The
Gospel message of Jesus permeates the curriculum, the activities, and all other
aspects of a Christian
Brother education.
Proclaims and witnesses to its Catholic identity.
* A
Christian Brother education gives priority to religious formation through
formal religious
instruction and through opportunities for faith development and service by means of liturgies, retreats,
vocation awareness, daily prayer, and other programs.
* A
Christian Brother education joins in the sacramental life of the Church,
witnesses faith life
through the prominent use of signs and symbols, fosters devotion to Mary, and
is in union with the Church
through commitment to service and formation of community.
* Catholic
identity permeates all endeavors of Christian Brother education: all classes
and activities,
procedures and policies, services and programs.
* All
staff involved in Christian Brother education give daily witness to their
integral role in
the community's faith formation.
* Stands
in solidarity with those marginalized by poverty and injustice.
* The
policies, the structures, and the climate of a Christian Brother education
witness and promote
concern for the disadvantaged.
* A
Christian Brother education includes advocacy and education for peace and
justice, care
for the earth, and global awareness. It prepares students to work toward the
creation of
a just society.
* A
Christian Brother education actively encourages ministries that work with and
for the poor
and marginalized.
* Education
and support for mission areas at home and abroad characterize Christian Brother education.
* A
Christian Brother education establishes tuition and scholarship policies that
open its education
to the poor.
Fosters and invigorates a community of faith.
* Christian
Brother education witnesses and celebrates Gospel values.
* A
Christian Brother education provides a disciplined, safe atmosphere in which
students are
free to grow and take responsibility for their own learning and for the life of
the community.
* Caring,
compassionate relationships characterize a Christian Brother educational community.
Celebrates the value and dignity of each person and nurtures
the development of the whole person.
* A
Christian Brother education values the diversity of the human family and seeks
to reflect local diversity in its
student population and professional staff.
* Strong
programs of personal, professional, and pastoral care are integral to a
Christian Brother
education.
* A
Christian Brother education embraces human fragility and welcomes God's
healing.
* Christian
Brother education values co-curricular activities, special events, and other programs that are important to
students' complete education.
* A
Christian Brother education strives to provide just remuneration for its staff.
Calls for collaboration and shared responsibility in its
mission.
* Christian
Brother education empowers all members of the community to share responsibility
in the shaping of its mission.
* A
Christian Brother education collaborates with parents, the primary educators.
* A
Christian Brother education fosters collaboration with other Christian Brother ministries
on local, regional, and international levels to address common concerns and to celebrate a common heritage.
* A
Christian Brother education encourages a deeper understanding and living of the
charism of Blessed
Edmund.
* A
Christian Brother Education promotes active participation in governance by
boards and diocesan
officials.
Pursues excellence in all its endeavors.
* Strong
academic curriculum, high expectations, and a quest for excellence characterize
a Christian
Brother education.
* A
Christian Brother education develops a curriculum that promotes the harmonious growth of the whole person, fosters the
development of higher-order thinking, and prepares
its students for life-long learning.
FALL SEMESTER OF SOPHOMORE THEOLOGY- NEW TESTAMENT
I. Course Description:
The
purpose of this course is to encounter Jesus Christ with both heart and mind
through an in-depth study of the New Testament. It covers the historical Jesus: his social, political,
geographical, and religious environs, and his teachings about the Reign of God.
It also focuses on JesusÕ death and resurrection and their significance to the
early church as shown in Acts and the Epistles. In addition, students are encouraged to reflect on the
context and meaning of the Christian Scriptures in their everyday lives.
II. Course Objectives: Aligned to
PalmaÕs ESLRs, students in this course will:
¥recognize
the religious, cultural, political, and historical circumstances into which
Jesus was born and grew to maturity
¥ identify the major
events, teachings, and actions of JesusÕ life
¥ attain a deeper
understanding of Jesus as both human and divine
¥explore the meaning of
JesusÕ life, death, and Resurrection, the Ascension,
and Pentecost, especially
as they relate to studentsÕ own lives
¥ Demonstrate recognition
of the direct connections between Jewish and Christian scriptural texts
¥ Understand the
religious truth found in the message of Jesus by studying his words and actions
in its proper historical andcultural context
¥ Appreciate the ChurchÕs
understanding of Jesus as the Redeemer and the Son of God, and his significance
to Christians today
¥ Grasp the role of Paul
and his role in the spread of Christianity and the importance of his theology
of Christ and the ChurchÕs necessary roles in the salvation of the world
III. Grading Scale: Please review the 2008/2009 Palma Student and Parent
Handbook (Timetracker), p. 9-10.
IV. Grading and
Expectations
¥ Participation is
not measured by the frequency or volume of a student's questions, comments and
insights but by one's total and undivided attention
V.
Assignment Guidelines
¥ All assignments
must be dated, labeled, and neatly presented.
¥You are expected to bring your textbook, Bible,
notebook and writing materials to class every day.
¥ At least once a
week but probably more, I will check to make sure that you have ALL your books and
materials with you.
¥Malfunctioning
computers, disks or printers are not acceptable excuses for late work.
¥ As a general
rule, late work is not accepted; excused absences are an exception.
If you are absent,
it is your responsibility to
find out about any assignments missed and to catch up on class notes. If you
miss a quiz or a test, you will take that test/quiz the day you return at
lunchtime.
VI. Class Rules Anything that disrupts the learning of others will be
dealt with between the teacher and the student with notifiction to the
studentÕs parent or guardian.
VII. Contact Information
William Beesley
Palma High School
919 Iverson St.
Salinas, CA 93901
Phone: (831)
422-6391
Email: beesley@palmahs.org
VIII. Academic Integrity Policy
A
Palma student is expected to live and respond according to Christian values in
both individual and community (ESLRs) matters. He is expected to demonstrate integrity and honesty in all
of his work. Cheating and
plagiarism will not be tolerated at Palma. Cheating is defined as the act of obtaining or attempting to
obtain credit for academic work by use of any dishonest means. Plagiarism is defined as the act of
presenting ideas, words, or specific substance from another and offering them
as oneÕs own work, without giving credit to the source. Examples of cheating
and plagiarism include the following:
1)
Copying, either in
part or in whole, from anotherÕs homework, quiz, or examination.
2)
Discussion of
answers or ideas relating to the answers on an examination or test when such
discussion is prohibited by the teacher.
3)
Using notes, Òcheat
sheetsÓ or otherwise using information or devices not considered appropriate
under the prescribed test conditions.
4)
Submitting work as
oneÕs own when it has been done in part or whole by another person; this
includes homework, research, or work previously submitted by oneself or another
student.
5)
Altering or
interfering with the testing or grading procedures; this includes disruptive
behavior during tests.
6)
Copying electronic
materials.
7)
Allowing another
student to copy oneÕs own work.
8)
Submitting work to
more than one teacher for course credit, without prior approval.
9)
Knowledge of and
toleration of any cheating or plagiarism.
10)
Using intimidation
or bribery to obtain work from another student.
Please
review the 2008/2009 Palma Student & Parent Handbook (Timetracker), p. 13-14.