The curriculum for use in Catholic Secondary schools is called Understanding Faith

In a famous statement St Anselm described theology as "Faith Seeking Understanding".

It is in this sense that the programme described here is called Understanding Faith.

We commonly speak of faith in two distinct yet related ways -

1.      The faith in which we believe – that is the Catholic Faith ‘which comes to us from the Apostles'.

2.      The faith by which we believe.  This faith is a gift from God.  It cannot be taught by parents or teachers or anyone else.

The word "Faith" in the title Understanding Faith refers to both these meanings.

In the first place Understanding Faith is a programme designed to help students know, understand and appreciate more about the Catholic Faith.

In the second place it is an important component in the Catholic school's role of assisting parents in helping young people mature in faith.  It does this by providing opportunities for students to reflect on the relationship between their own personal faith and the faith of the believing community we call the Church.

Benefits to students

• All students complete assessment in Religious Education.
• All students have the opportunity to receive the sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation each year.
• All students experience ways of praying that help them develop a relationship with God that will sustain them, whatever their vocation in life.
• All students have the opportunity to develop a clear understanding of the Scriptures, the Teachings of the Church, and the living Catholic Tradition and its relationship to other Christian Churches and other Religions.
• All students are given the opportunity to experience thinking critically and reflectively about issues of human development sexuality, morality and current social issues generally, from an informed Catholic perspective.