In keeping with the goal of Jesuit High School, the Theology Department supports the development of the total person for each student: intellectual, emotional, physical, and spiritual. As a Jesuit and Catholic institution and a department formed in Ignatian spirituality and pedagogy, our mission is to inform and form young men of faith, a faith founded on our belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Along with two major programs, Campus Ministry and Christian Service, the Theology Department has a special role in and focus on the spiritual formation of our young men. While they provide meaningful and challenging experiences of prayer, reflection and service, Theology classes provide a framework and vocabulary to help the student analyze and critique his personal experience in light of the tradition of faith.
The Theology Department offers a comprehensive program of academic integrity that aims to provide both knowledge and understanding of Catholic Christian beliefs and practices. Courses are designed to be appropriate to the development of our students and be respectful of their personal faith and commitment. At the same time, we wish to challenge these young men to a deeper intellectual understanding of, more profound personal reflection on, and more faithful commitment to their conviction that is reflected in their desire to be of service to others. Our hope is that this desire becomes reality in their daily life.
Enduring Understandings
It is the hope and commitment of our Theology Department that as a result of the courses we offer and the work, our students will understand:
All people are created in the Image of God, and our students will come to know themselves as sinners who are intimately and unconditionally loved by God.
The calling to know the person of Jesus Christ more intimately, to love him more dearly, and to follow him more faithfully, responding to our call to discipleship, ministry and friendship with Jesus.
The experience and grace of suffering, death, and resurrection.
Alejandro Báez, S.J. is a Jesuit of the California Province. He
graduated with bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from St. John’s
Seminary College and a master’s degree in Music Education at New
York University, where he concentrates on vocal performance and
choral/instrumental conducting. He has a teaching license in the
State of New York and California. Alejandro has also pursued his
musical education at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, the
Julliard School of Music and Westminster Choir College of Rider
University.
Theology 1: Introduction to Catholic
Christianity Grade Level: 9 Length: One Semester Type of Course: Required Core Course Criteria for Enrollment: All Freshmen must
enroll
In keeping with the “Expected School-Wide Learning Results” and
the “Profile of the Graduate of Jesuit High School at
Graduation,” the Theology Department identifies the following
characteristics of a student who has completed his course of
studies. While not already fully realized in any one
student, it is our desire that the student has shown significant
growth in these areas. By graduation the student has a(n):
Students enrolled in Social Justice must complete the following
assignment during the summer. Students enrolled in semester 1
will turn in their assignments to their Social Justice teacher on
the second class meeting of the
semester. Students enrolled in Social Justice
during the 2nd semester must place the assignment in the
designated box in the Main Office by Wednesday August
31.
Mrs. Katie Maynard is in her seventh year of teaching theology at
Jesuit High School. In 2005, she finished her M.A. in
Theology at the Jesuit School of Theology at the Graduate
Theological Union at Berkeley. Currently, she serves as
department chair and teaches Social Justice to juniors
and World Religions to seniors. Katie is a moderator for
the Peace & Justice Club on campus, and helps to lead the
summer service immersion at Loaves & Fishes in
Sacramento.
Michael Cheney has been involved in Ignatian education since
1984. He has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Spanish
from St. Louis University, and a Masters in Religious Studies
from Mt. St. Mary’s College. He teaches sophomore Christian
Morality and senior Ethics. He also serves as the
Director of Faculty Development.and a spiritual director of
the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola..
Julian Climaco, S.J. entered the Society of Jesus in 2004 and is
currently in his third year of teaching theology and choral music
at Jesuit High School. A classically trained pianist and
vocalist, Julian has served as music director, pianist, and
chorister for several music ensembles in the Greater Los Angeles
Area, San Francisco, and New York City.
Fr. Michael Gilson, S.J. entered the Society of Jesus in 1991
following two years of service in the Jesuit International
Volunteers in Belize, Central America. He was ordained a
priest in 2002. Fr. Gilson has taught and served on the
Boards of Trustees at Saint Ignatius College Preparatory in San
Francisco and Brophy College Preparatory in Phoenix. He
currently serves as the local superior of the Sacramento Jesuit
Community and teaches in the theology department.
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