Christian Faith

Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction. - Deus Caritas Est

CCC 155: In faith, the human intellect and will cooperate with divine grace: “Believing is an act of the intellect assenting to the divine truth by command of
the will moved by God through grace.

Expanding and Integrating Knowledge
Anyone who hears my words and puts them into practice is like the wise man who built his house on rock. - Matthew 7:24

A DeSales Graduate should be able to:

1) Demonstrate integration of knowledge and skills in applying multidisciplinary approaches to solving problems.
2) Build upon their existing knowledge, develop new skills, and expand understanding in light of the Gospel.
3) Connect knowledge and experience from different disciplines.
4) Utilize various perspectives when dealing with issues.
5) Value learning.

CCC 2500: Truth is beautiful in itself. Truth in words, the rational expression of the knowledge of created and uncreated reality, is necessary to man, who is endowed with intellect.

Thinking and Reasoning Skills

The body is one and has many members, but all the members, many though they are, are one body; and so it is with Christ. - 1 Cor. 12:12

A DeSales Graduate should be able to:
1) Collect, organize, interpret and draw conclusions from data.
2) Use a variety of strategies, personal skills and time management to solve problems.
3) Examine information objectively and evaluate critically.
4) Actively draw from the teachings of the Church in the development of greater thinking and reasoning skills.

CCC 155: Methodical research in all branches of knowledge, provided it is carried out in a truly scientific manner and does not override moral laws, can never conflict with the faith, because the things of the world and the things of faith derive from the same God. The humble and persevering investigator of the secrets of nature is being led, as it were, by the hand of God in spite of himself, for it is God, the conserver of all things, who made them what they are.

Communication and Technology
Jesus replied, “Scripture has it: ‘Not by bread alone is man to live but on every utterance that comes from the mouth of God. - Matthew 4:4

A DeSales Graduate should be able to:

1) Communicate with clarity, purpose and understanding.
2) Use listening, observation and reading skills to interpret data.
3) Communicate their faith horizontally in their words, deeds and actions, and vertically in prayer and seeking grace.
4) Recognize the impact their words and actions have on others.
5) Morally and ethically use technology in accordance with Catholic principles.

CCC 2293: Science and technology are ordered to man, from whom they take their origin and development; hence they find in the person and in his moral values both evidence of their purpose and awareness of their limits.

Work Ethic
Keep the mandate of the Lord, your God, ...that you may succeed in whatever you do wherever you turn. - 1 Kings 2:3

A DeSales Graduate should be able to:
1) Accept responsibility and ownership of his/her own work.
2) Work independently and cooperatively in groups.
3) Demonstrate that attendance, promptness, and preparedness are critical for success.
4) Obey legitimate authority including following directions, procedures and rules.
5) Recognize their duty to continue their education/formation and become a productive member of society.

CCC 2427: Work honors the Creator’s gifts and the talents received from him...By enduring the hardship of work in union with Jesus, the carpenter of Nazareth and the one crucified on Calvary, man collaborates in a certain fashion with the Son of God in his redemptive work.

Social Awareness and Responsibility
Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me. Matthew 25:40.

A DeSales Graduate should be able to:
1) Have a true perception of his/her abilities and how best to use them in God’s plan.
2) Be charitable toward all, especially the poor.
3) Take responsibility for personal actions and act ethically.
4) Utilize a well-formed conscience when exercising civic duties.
5) Demonstrate respect and justice toward creation, self and others.

CCC 2459: Man is himself the author, center and goal of all economic and social life. The decisive point of the social question is that goods created by God for everyone should in fact reach everyone in accordance with justice and the help of charity.

Interpersonal Skills
Keep careful watch over your conduct. Do not act like fools, but like thoughtful men. - - Ephesians 5:15

A DeSales Graduate should be able to:
1) Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills.
2) Work independently and cooperatively.
3) Treat others with respect including active listening and caring for others.
4) Demonstrate by their actions the theological and cardinal virtues.
5) Deal charitably with the conflicts which arise while living in a pluralistic society.

CCC 1833: Virtue is a habitual and firm disposition to do good.