Religion Department Vision Statement:

The Religious Studies Department, in light of our world’s growing ecological and humanitarian crises and with a view towards a cosmology that examines the human place in God’s creation, is committed to a curriculum that nurtures each student’s individual spiritual growth and promotes a sustainable global society, universal human rights, economic justice, and a culture of peace.  As people of faith, our work is guided by Gospel principles, Catholic Social Teaching, and the charism of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary.

St. Mary's religious studies curriculum follows the spiritual, emotional, and intellectual development of the student. The four-year course of study provides young women with a foundational understanding of human development, Catholic Christian theology, the major historical religions of the world, and ethics and social justice.

Introduction to Religious Studies and Christology
Grade: 9
Prerequisite: None
Credit: Requirement/1.0
Length: 1 Year

Religion 9 reviews and deepens the student's understanding of the basic beliefs of the Catholic faith and invites each student to examine her own personal faith. Areas of study include the dignity of the human person, God, the Holy Spirit, the Church and its role in the world, the sacraments, Christian morality, conscience formation, and prayer. A major portion of the course focuses on the person of Jesus as depicted in the Gospels. The course also covers the development of the Christian person as she interacts with God, herself, and others. Areas studied are human development, family, peer relationships, and human sexuality. The class provides students with a common background of concepts, experiences, and values that will prepare them for the future. First semester is integrated with either Visual Arts or Integrated Computer Applications.

Comparative Religions and Hebrew Scriptures
Grade: 10
Prerequisite: None
Credit: Requirement/1.0
Length: 1 Year

Religion 10 examines the human search for God. Students explore major world religions and are encouraged to explore their own journey of faith. Religion 10 attempts to answer the question "What is religion?" by investigating the great religions of the Eastern and Western world. Parallels are drawn between Christianity and Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Judaism, and Islam and the respective attempts to explain the purpose of life and the nature of the Creator. Students also study the Hebrew Scriptures, focusing on the Hebrew people, their role in biblical history, and their unique relationship with God.

Ethics and Social Justice
Grade: 11
Prerequisite: None
Credit: Requirement/1.0
Length: 1 Year

Religion 11 furthers the understanding, growth, and development of Christian values, conscience, human behavior, freedom, and law as well as the reality of evil. Students investigate current moral questions and issues facing the Christian world today such as hunger, poverty, war, distribution of wealth, and other social justice issues.

Introduction to Theology and Psychology
Grade: 12
Prerequisite: None
Credit: Requirement/1.0
Length: 1 Year

The first semester course, Introduction to Theology, examines what theology is and some of the critical shifts that have taken place in how theology is developed. Various theologies are explored including Classical and Liberal theologies, Liberation theologies, and Feminist theologies. The course also focuses on the growing importance of Ecological theologies in light of increasing ecological concerns. Students are given opportunities for theological reflection on personal experience. The second semester course, Introduction to Psychology, will cover the following topics: learning, memory, thinking, human development, personality theories, social relations, group behavior, socio-cultural diversity, and human sexuality. These courses help prepare the student for college level theology, philosophy, and social development science courses.

Christian Leadership
Grade: 12
Prerequisite: One successful semester in CMS and permission of the instructors
Credit: Selective/0.5 (can be used to fulfill Religion requirement)
Length: 1 Semester

Christian Leadership will allow opportunities for leadership training as well as theological reflection. This course will examine the following topics: Fowler’s stages of faith development, an introduction to theology, the practice of prayer and leadership skills. Students will be encouraged to explore their own spirituality and to continue their own faith journey. Students in this course are active participants on the Campus Ministry and Service Team (CMS).

Social Justice through CMS
Grade: 11
Prerequisite: One successful semester in CMS and permission of the instructors
Credit: Selective/0.5 (can be used to fulfill Religion requirement)
Length: 1 Semester

Social Justice through CMS will allow opportunities for leadership training as well as theological reflection.  We will examine the concepts of social and ecological justice from a faith perspective.  We will endeavor to promote a compassionate outlook while trying to understand the underlying causes of inequality and lack of sustainability, as well as weighing possible solutions.  The process will engage praxis, that is, acting upon reflection and reflected upon action.  Students in this course are active participants on the Campus Ministry and Service (CMS) Team. 

Campus Ministry & Service Team
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Introduction to Religious Studies, successful completion of application process, consent of the Instructors and Assistant Principal for Student Life
Credit: Selective/0.25
Length: 1 Semester

This course in Applied Theology is offered as an elective in the art and practice of Campus Ministry and Service. CMS will focus on the art of pastoral ministry and its application in prayer, worship, faith sharing and service in the life of the student. Blending theory and practice, a semester of CMS explores an in-depth understanding of liturgy, community prayer, Christian service and project planning. CMS builds a community of faith and supports the journey with God through student involvement and leadership in community service, worship and retreats. Based on the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the values of our Catholic tradition, it confronts the needs of the world and the questions of our day. CMS promotes a spirituality of reverence, the interconnectedness of all life, and responsibility to our earth and one another.

Religion Department

• BA Religious Studies, Gonzaga University
• Teaches Religious Studies, Ethics, and Psychology
• Model United Nations Advisor

• BA Theology, Creighton University
• MA Theological Studies, University of New York
• MTh Theology, University of New York
• Teaches Theology, Ethics, Hebrew Scriptures, and Social Justice

Daniel Hemmen

• BS Theology, University of Portland
• MA Education, Portland State University
• Teaches Theology, Social Justice, Christology, Hebrew Scriptures, and Comparative Religions

Randy Kollars, Campus Minister

• BS Business Administration/Marketing, California State University at Sacramento
• MA Pastoral Studies, Regis University, Denver
• Teaches Religious Studies, Christology, and Campus Ministry

Jessica Pierce

• Ed.M The Harvard Graduate School of Education
• Academic Counselor
• Learning Center
• Teaches Study and Study Skills, Christology, and Comparative Religions

Michael Reinbold

• BA Philosophy, St. Thomas Seminary
• M.Div. Theology, St. Thomas Seminary
• Teaches Latin, Hebrew Scriptures, and Comparative Religions

• BBA Marketing, University of Notre Dame
• MAT Education, University of Portland
• Teaches Comparative Religion, Christology, Christian Leadership, Social Justice and Campus Ministry & Service Team.

Faculty and staff may be contacted by phone at 503 228-8306 or by e-mail: webmaster@stmaryspdx.org. Address subject line to the specific teacher.