Beyond the Classroom
A Guide to Teaching Theology in Catholic Schools
Ryan Bilodeau is a Theology teacher at Bishop Brady High School in Concord, NH. Outside of school, he extends his passion for Catholicism by assisting parishes and Catholic organizations in enhancing their digital outreach. Ryan's latest venture, the Catholic Cases app, serves as a tool for Catholics facing moral quandaries. A proud resident of Maine, Ryan cherishes his marriage to his beautiful wife, Ann. Outside of work, Ryan's interests span across politics, marketing, and Boston sports.
The 6 pillars of a successful theology curriculum
In Beyond the Classroom: A Guide to Teaching Theology in Catholic Schools, set for release in 2025, theology teacher and author Ryan Bilodeau explores how theological education in Catholic high schools must go beyond traditional instruction to meet the needs of today’s students. Many come from non-Catholic or non-practicing backgrounds, making it essential to engage them on multiple levels. The book is built on six key pillars, which serve as a framework for guiding educators in this new landscape.
Integrating the Sacramental Life
The first pillar, Integrating the Sacramental Life, highlights the importance of incorporating opportunities for prayer, Mass, and sacraments into daily school life. Allowing students to experience God’s grace directly through the sacraments is vital for their spiritual formation and growth.
Partnering with Families
The second pillar, Partnering with Families, focuses on the essential role of working with parents and guardians, especially when faith formation might not happen at home. By fostering relationships and offering resources, educators can extend theological education beyond the classroom and create a support system that nurtures both the student and the family.
Service Learning: Faith in Action
The third pillar, Service Learning: Faith in Action, emphasizes connecting community service with theological instruction. By participating in service projects, students learn to live out Catholic social teachings, developing compassion and responsibility through real-world application of their faith.
Meaningful Field Trips and Guest Speakers
The fourth pillar, Meaningful Field Trips and Guest Speakers, provides students with immersive experiences that connect theology to culture and society. Field trips to cathedrals, monasteries, or Catholic charities, along with guest speakers, allow students to witness the Church’s influence and learn how faith can be integrated into their daily lives.
Leveraging Social Media to Reach Students
Finally, the fifth pillar, Leveraging Social Media to Reach Students, acknowledges the importance of meeting students where they are—online. By using platforms like Instagram or YouTube, educators can share faith-based content and foster a sense of community, making theology relevant and accessible outside of the classroom.
Integration of Faith and Learning through Campus Ministry Collaboration
This sixth pillar emphasizes the importance of working closely with the campus minister to offer reflective programming that deepens students' understanding of the material covered in class. By integrating spiritual reflections and faith-based discussions into academic subjects, students can better connect their schoolwork with their personal faith journey. This collaboration helps foster a holistic approach to education, where intellectual growth is paired with spiritual reflection, guiding students toward a deeper understanding of their vocation and the role of faith in everyday life.This approach ensures that the programming is directly tied to the themes and lessons learned in class, providing meaningful opportunities for reflection that resonate with both their academic and spiritual development.
About
As Catholic high schools face the evolving spiritual landscape of today’s students, Beyond the Classroom: A Guide to Teaching Theology in Catholic Schools emphasizes the need to reimagine how theology is taught. Grounded in six essential pillars, this approach moves beyond traditional classroom instruction, recognizing that many students come from non-Catholic or non-practicing backgrounds. By incorporating the Sacramental life, engaging families, fostering service learning, organizing impactful field trips, and leveraging social media, this book equips educators with practical tools to form students more holistically—spiritually, intellectually, and personally.This guide by Ryan Bilodeau serves as a resource for those passionate about not just teaching theology, but shaping young hearts and minds to embrace a faith that extends beyond the walls of the classroom. Whether you're an experienced theology teacher or new to Catholic education, Beyond the Classroom offers strategies to meet the unique challenges of educating in today’s Catholic schools.
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