Middle School religion at St. Peter's
The Program
In middle school, students have religion class each day. The courses give students an opportunity to read, learn about, and pray with sacred scripture and the teachings of the Catholic Church. In addition, the students engage in activities, discussions, and service projects that help them to apply their faith to every day life.
Each grade level also has an annual retreat. The sixth grade retreat focuses on the Works of Mercy and the charism and ministry of the Sisters of Mercy in San Francisco and the St. Peter's community. The seventh grade retreat, in partnership with the Faithful Fools ministry in the Tenderloin District of San Francisco, gives students an opportunity to prayerfully experience how they can show mercy in our city. The eighth grade Confirmation retreat is a three-day overnight retreat at the CYO Retreat Center in Sonoma County in which students better understand their important role in the Body of Christ that is the Catholic Church.
Teachers
Ms. DeCastro
6th and 7th Grade Religion
Karla DeCastro is a highly qualified teacher with a Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education, majoring in Math. She has also completed her Master's degree in Mathematics Education and is currently enrolled in the Master's program in Educational Management. Karla has gained valuable experience teaching in both public and private schools. She taught for two years in Waukegan, IL, at a middle school, and for four years in the Philippines, at a middle school. In addition to teaching, Karla enjoys several hobbies, including acting, biking, dancing, and traveling. She has acted as Mother Mary for Christmas, Mary Magdalene for six years during the Lenten Season - Resurrection, and Angel for Resurrection. Karla's passion for education and dedication to her students make her an exceptional teacher. Teaching is not just a profession for her - she calls it a PASSION.
MRs. nina FUAAU
8th Grade Religion
Mrs. Fuaau has been teaching at St. Peter’s since 2014 and has a rich knowledge of the neighborhood and secondary education. She serves as the eighth grade homeroom and middle school language arts teacher. Aside from teaching the literary classics, she also piques students' interest in writing through her comic book and film-script writing electives. Mrs. Fuaau earned her bachelor of arts degree in liberal arts with a concentration in English from Saint Mary’s College of California. She continued on to graduate school, earning her single subject teaching credential from California State University, East Bay. After completing school, she entered into the Lasallian Volunteer Program where she served in Yakima, Washington as a high school English teacher. Mrs. Fuaau moved back to the Bay Area shortly after, where she continued teaching in the east bay, serving both in elementary and high school classrooms prior her time at St. Peter's.
Middle School Religion Courses
6th grade religion
Sixth-grade religion focuses on the Catholic teachings introduced to us all through the Old Testament of the Bible. Special focus is given to express what Catholics believe, how they worship, how they pray, and how all of this translates into living as a Catholic.
7th grade religion
Seventh-grade religion focuses on the New Testament and the understanding of the life and teachings of Jesus. There are a variety of texts and resources we use, including the Breakthrough Bible for Young Catholics and Blest are We. They study the four Pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church: Doctrine, worship, morality and prayer. Students work on developing a personal relationship with Christ and in putting their faith into action.
8th grade religion
Eighth-grade religion focuses on the history of the Catholic Church and how it developed its traditions and doctrines. There is also a deep exploration of the guiding principles of Catholic social justice, focusing on how we can serve our own communities. The eighth grade is also a year of sacramental preparation during which students who choose to get confirmed seek a deeper understanding of their Church, its beliefs, and their own role in it.
