Theology Department

Faculty Members

Mr. Sean Joyce Whipp (Department Chair)
Mr. Rob Chesire
Ms. Mattie Germer
Mr. Tom Hoover
Mr. Bill Laird
Mr. Dave Lawler
Ms. Katherine Leach
Mr. Paul Lickteig, S.J.
Mr. Steve Monzu
Mrs. Kathy O'Keefe
Mr. Charles Olsen, S.J.
Rev. Jim Sinnerud, S.J.

Theology Department Philosophy
The Theology Department responds to God's invitation to share with our students the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, as lived through the Christian, Catholic, and Ignatian traditions. With the Gospel message as our foundation, we endeavor to open ourselves and our students to the Divine Love that whispers in our hearts and in the movements of our graced but often dissonant world. We hope to educate young men as leaders within a community of disciples who actively witness to a faith that does justice. Following in the tradition of St. Ignatius of Loyola we strive to form young men with discerning Spirits who, while growing in awareness of their gifts, are contemplatives in action always seeking the greater glory of God.

Departmental Themes

• To develop in each student a deep, abiding faith in and relationship with Jesus Christ and response to the concomitant call to participate in the life of the Church.

• To inspire the movement beyond academic excellence toward a more challenging task of conversion from selfish interest to God's interest which is characterized by a commitment to doing the work of justice.

• The development of a community of faith—between students and teacher— reflecting in our work, prayer, and play viable witness to the presence of God in our midst.

• Growing knowledge of and respect for other expressions of faith.

• Attending to all aspects of students’ growth with special care for the whole person as a physical, spiritual, intellectual, emotional and social being.

• To provide concrete opportunities for students to participate in service oriented activities as well as moments of solemn reflection to help students strike the delicate balance required of contemplatives in action.

• To encourage students to stand with Jesus Christ against the often destructive elements of our modem culture.

• Service to others is the ultimate indicator of our success.

Theology Outcomes for Prep Students

These outcomes are derived from Creighton Preparatory School's Grad at Grad document. They state expectations in concrete and demonstrable terms.

   1.        Illustrate a basic understanding of the person of Jesus Christ, His redeeming mission, as well as the embodiment of that mission in and through the Church.

   2.        Illustrate a basic understanding of Catholic dogma and doctrine in light of the Catechism of The Catholic Church.

   3.        Demonstrate the importance of Sacraments, with an emphasis on the centrality of the Eucharist, in the life of Catholics.

   4.        Illustrate a basic understanding of the history of the Church.

   5.        Examine the variety of Christian life-styles as ways to respond to the Baptismal call to life and service.

   6.        Demonstrate an understanding of liturgical seasons and feasts.

   7.        Demonstrate an understanding of Ignatian spirituality and discernment.

   8.        Read, interpret and apply Hebrew and Christian Scripture to life.

   9.        Present a reasoned rationale for being Catholic or a person of faith.

10.        Make moral decisions in consideration of Church teachings.

11.        Apply Catholic principles of interpersonal relations (e.g., peers, family, work, society, Church, etc.)

12.        Critique societal structures in light of Catholic social justice principles and apply these principles to social and personal situations.

13.        Demonstrate the relationship between faith and culture.

14.        Use appropriate resources to plan and participate in liturgy and other prayer experiences.

15.        Use a variety of prayer forms to enrich and express personal and communal spirituality.

16.        Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between faith in Jesus and being a "person for others."

17.        Use effective community building skills in relating with others.

18.        Acknowledge and affirm the diverse cultural expression of Catholicism.

19.        Demonstrate an appreciation for faith community as the way we come to know God.

20.        Engage in service to the community (e.g., family, parish, local, national and global) in response to the Gospel call.

21.        Exercise responsible stewardship for the gift of creation.

22.        Rejoice in his own gifts and limitations in responding to God's loving call to life and service.

23.        Celebrate the presence of the Sacred in experiences of sacramentals, symbols and rituals.

24.        Endeavor to find God in all things and strive for the greater glory of God as discerned through the tradition of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

25.   Acknowledge and affirm the diverse cultural ways of coming to know God and expressing that faith through the many non-Catholic traditions.