2023-2024 Course Descriptions
First/ Second Grade (ages 6-7):
Young Chorister
Teacher: Mr. Paul Thomas May, MM and Dr. Lenora Cuccia
Course Description: The youngest grades are taught fundamentals of singing and memorization of sung prayers. The children are instructed on how singing, and the Mass are connected, and which Mass parts are sung during different times of the year. Children in this age group do not sing in the choir loft for the Masses during the school year.
Lives of the Saints
Teacher: Miss Aquila Forbeck
Course Description: This course will cover Bible stories and a variety of saints. Students will discuss each saint’s heroic virtue with age-appropriate crafts, games, and activities to aid in learning. Necessary materials will be provided.
The Story of Civilization
Teacher: Mrs. Joelle Riethmiller
Course Description: This program reflects “a new emphasis in presenting the history of the world as a thrilling and compelling narrative. Within each chapter, children will encounter short stories that place them directly in the shoes of historical figures, both famous and ordinary, as they live through legendary battles and invasions, philosophical debates, the construction of architectural wonders, the discovery of new inventions and sciences, and the exploration of the world.”
Volume II: The Medieval World continues the journey, picking up where Volume I left off just after the conversion of Emperor Constantine. Children will watch the seeds of Christendom being planted in the soil of Europe thanks to colossal figures like Sts. Ambrose, Patrick, and Benedict. The wonder of the Medieval world comes alive with brilliant tales of knights, crusaders, castles, and inventions.
Preparation for First Penance and First Holy Communion
Teacher: Fr. Smith, FSSP
Course Description: This course will be a thorough preparation for First Penance and First Holy Communion. Its successful completion will fulfill the requirements to receive each Sacrament.
Please Note: This course is not interchangeable with the Sunday program. Students must enroll in one or the other. Students must be in 2nd grade and are to reach age 7 by October 1.
Text: The New Saint Joseph First Communion Catechism
* Course descriptions are taken from TAN where applicable.
Gym Program
Course Description: Practice and develop skills in activities that will help students maintain fitness throughout their life including cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, muscular strength, and muscular endurance. Students will also learn the rules and strategies for various games such as basketball, volleyball, and dodgeball.
Third/Fourth Grade (ages 8-9)
Young Chorister
Teacher: Mr. Paul Thomas May, MM and Dr. Lenora Cuccia
Course Description: The youngest grades are taught fundamentals of singing and memorization of sung prayers. The children are instructed on how singing, and the Mass are connected, and which Mass parts are sung during different times of the year. Children in this age group do not sing in the choir loft for the Masses during the school year.
Stories of the Bible
Teacher: Mrs. Mary Ellen Turletes and Miss Rachel Gabig
Course Description: This course will utilize the text The Story of the Bible. Our young readers will “discover not only the sanctity and wisdom, but the excitement of the stories and events that shaped human history and brought about our salvation.”
The Story of Civilization
Teacher: Mrs. Joelle Riethmiller
Course Description: This program reflects “a new emphasis in presenting the history of the world as a thrilling and compelling narrative. Within each chapter, children will encounter short stories that place them directly in the shoes of historical figures, both famous and ordinary, as they live through legendary battles and invasions, philosophical debates, the construction of architectural wonders, the discovery of new inventions and sciences, and the exploration of the world.”
Volume II: The Medieval World continues the journey, picking up where Volume I left off just after the conversion of Emperor Constantine. Children will watch the seeds of Christendom being planted in the soil of Europe thanks to colossal figures like Sts. Ambrose, Patrick, and Benedict. The wonder of the Medieval world comes alive with brilliant tales of knights, crusaders, castles, and inventions.
Gym Program
Course Description: Practice and develop skills in activities that will help students maintain fitness throughout their life including cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, muscular strength, and muscular endurance. Students will also learn the rules and strategies for various games such as basketball, volleyball, and dodgeball.
Fifth/Sixth Grade (ages 10-11)
Choristers
Teacher: Mr. Paul Thomas May, MM and Dr. Lenora Cuccia
Course Description: For girls and boys with unchanged voices. This choir, along with the Acolyte Schola, sings for two Masses each semester. Both proper and ordinary chants of the Masses are assigned to the students and are rehearsed during class time. Occasionally, students are assigned to listen/practice from home as a part of their coursework. Students have varied experience with singing, but all are expected to sing to their own capacity and are given professional instruction from the Music Director.
The Story of Civilization
Teacher: Fr. Cortes, FSSP
Course Description: “This program reflects a new emphasis in presenting the history of the world as a thrilling and compelling narrative. Within each chapter, children will encounter short stories that place them directly in the shoes of historical figures, both famous and ordinary, as they live through legendary battles and invasions, philosophical debates, the construction of architectural wonders, the discovery of new inventions and sciences, and the exploration of the world.”
Volume II: The Medieval World continues the journey, picking up where Volume I left off just after the conversion of Emperor Constantine. Children will watch the seeds of Christendom being planted in the soil of Europe thanks to colossal figures like Sts. Ambrose, Patrick, and Benedict. The wonder of the Medieval world comes alive with brilliant tales of knights, crusaders, castles, and inventions.
Gym Program
Teachers: Mr. Brian Whittaker, Mrs. Laura Carney, Mrs. Jessica Rosenberg
Course Description: Practice and develop skills in activities that will help students maintain fitness throughout their life including cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, muscular strength, and muscular endurance. Students will also learn the rules and strategies for various games such as basketball, volleyball, and dodgeball.
Science
Foundations of Science
Teacher: Dr. Koniers
Course Description: “The Foundations of Science introduces children to the wonders of the natural world considering God’s providential care over creation” This course is “an extensive scope of scientific studies, from animals and plants to the galaxies of outer space and the depths of the ocean, to cells and organisms, to the curiosities of chemistry and the marvels of our planet. Still more, it reveals the intricate order found beneath the surface of creation and chronicles many of the Church’s contributions to science throughout history.” This year will cover: Space: A Tour of the Cosmos and Cells and Systems: Living Machines.
Seventh/Eighth Grade (ages 12-13)
Church History
Teacher: Dr. Phillip Cuccia
Course Description: This class will examine the history of the Catholic Church from its Old Testament roots, to its foundation by Jesus Christ and its subsequent 2,000 years of growth. Students in this class will write a short research paper and will make two oral presentations during the year. The text for this class will be Fr. Orlandis’ A Short History of the Catholic Church.
Choristers
Teacher: Mr. Paul Thomas May, MM and Dr. Lenora Cuccia
Course Description: For girls and boys with unchanged voices. This choir, along with the Acolyte Schola, sings for two Masses each semester. Both proper and ordinary chants of the Masses are assigned to the students and are rehearsed during class time. Occasionally, students are assigned to listen/practice from home as a part of their coursework. Students have varied experience with singing, but all are expected to sing to their own capacity and are given professional instruction from the Music Director
OR
Cantors: This is a small portion of the Mater Dei Choristers responsible for singing portions of the chants. This group is both assigned and auditioned from all treble voices. Girls of all ages are given this assignment for additional academic rigor and younger treble voices (both boys and girls) may audition into this group if they have sufficient singing ability. This group has added responsibility of additional music and is meant to serve as the leaders for the Mater Dei Choristers. Additional technical singing instruction and tips are given by the Music Director to this group; all are asked to sing to the best of their ability and are always given proper preparation for their responsibility.
Preparation for Confirmation
Teacher: Fr. Cortes, FSSP
Course Description: This course will be a thorough preparation for Confirmation and its successful completion will fulfill the requirements to receive the Sacrament. Please Note: this course is not interchangeable with the Sunday program. Students must enroll in one or the other. Students must be in 8th grade and age 13 by time of reception.
Text: The New Confraternity Revised Baltimore Catechism III, by Rev. Francis J. Connell, from Seton Press.
Gym Program
Teachers: Mr. Brian Whittaker, Mrs. Laura Carney, Mrs. Jessica Rosenberg
Course Description: Practice and develop skills in activities that will help students maintain fitness throughout their life including cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, muscular strength, and muscular endurance. Students will also learn the rules and strategies for various games such as basketball, volleyball, and dodgeball.
Drama- Fundamentals of Acting
Teacher: Dr. Lenora Cuccia
Course Description: This class will build students’ basic acting technique through practical exercises including voice, diction, movement, pantomime, memorization, vocal recitation, duo scenes, and monologues, culminating in the performance of a one-act play. No homework most weeks. Once roles are distributed, students may expect 15-20 minutes of memory work per week. Note: girls must wear leggings under their dresses since this class involves active movement.
High School Courses:
Sacred Scripture: St. Matthew's Gospel according to St. Thomas Aquinas
Teacher: Fr. Smith, FSSP
Grades 9 - 12 (age 14 and up)
Course Description: Using St. Thomas's Commentary on St. Matthew's Gospel, the students will follow the entry of Christ into the world, the preaching of the Sermon on the Mount and the expansion of this teaching through Our Lord's life, and Our Lord's departure from the world by.
Text: The Gospel of St. Matthew, Handouts.
Music Program directed by Mr. Paul Thomas May, MM, assisted by Dr. Lenora Cuccia
Acolyte Schola: For older boys who have changed voices. With the Choristers, this group sings for Masses throughout the school year Since this group of students is older on average, more difficult chants are assigned. Students are given listening assignments and strategies for practicing at home. Again, students have varied experience with singing, but all are expected to sing to their own capacity and are given professional instruction from the Music Director and/or another qualified musician when possible. These students have the added responsibility of vesting in cassock and surplice and may also be a part of the Mass procession.
Cantors: This is a small portion of the Mater Dei Choristers responsible for singing portions of the chants. This group is both assigned and auditioned from all treble voices. Girls of all ages are given this assignment for additional academic rigor and younger treble voices (both boys and girls) may audition into this group if they have sufficient singing ability. This group has added responsibility of additional music and is meant to serve as the leaders for the Mater Dei Choristers. Additional technical singing instruction and tips are given by the Music Director to this group; all are asked to sing to the best of their ability and are always given proper preparation for their responsibility.
Gym Program
Teachers: Mr. Brian Whittaker, Mrs. Laura Carney, Mrs. Jessica Rosenberg
Course Description: Practice and develop skills in activities that will help students maintain fitness throughout their life including cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, muscular strength, and muscular endurance. Students will also learn the rules and strategies for various games such as basketball, volleyball, and dodgeball.
Drama- Fundamentals of Acting
Teacher: Dr. Lenora Cuccia
Course Description: This class will build students’ basic acting technique through practical exercises including voice, diction, movement, pantomime, memorization, vocal recitation, duo scenes, and monologues, culminating in the performance of a one-act play. No homework most weeks. Once roles are distributed, students may expect 15-20 minutes of memory work per week. Note: girls must wear leggings under their dresses since this class involves active movement.
Preparation for Confirmation
Teacher: Fr. Cortes, FSSP
Course Description: This course will be a thorough preparation for Confirmation and its successful completion will fulfill the requirements to receive the Sacrament. Please Note: this course is not interchangeable with the Sunday program. Students must enroll in one or the other. Students must be in 8th grade and age 13 by time of reception.
Text: The New Confraternity Revised Baltimore Catechism III, by Rev. Francis J. Connell, from Seton Press.