Students in Good Hope Country Day School’s high school World Religions class welcomed Deacon David Capriola for an engaging discussion on Christianity and, more specifically, the Catholic faith.
Deacon Capriola explored distinctive features of Christianity, including the roles of Natural and Revealed Theology, as well as foundational Christian doctrines expressed in the Nicene Creed. His presentation invited students to consider larger questions surrounding faith, reason, belief, tradition, and the historical foundations that have shaped Christian teaching over time.
The visit also gave students an opportunity to move beyond learning about a major world religion through texts and classroom discussion and instead engage directly with a knowledgeable member of our local faith community. Students were able to listen, ask questions, consider another perspective, and deepen their understanding through conversation.
Experiences like this complement the goals of our Cambridge curriculum, which encourages students to become curious, thoughtful, and engaged learners. Rather than simply memorizing information, Cambridge learning challenges students to ask meaningful questions, examine evidence and ideas, consider multiple perspectives, communicate thoughtfully, and develop informed conclusions of their own.
Those skills are particularly valuable in the study of world religions. Understanding a belief system requires students to consider not only its history and foundational teachings, but also how those beliefs are understood and practiced by people today. Engaging respectfully with perspectives that may be familiar or different from their own helps students develop the critical thinking, communication skills, cultural awareness, and global understanding that are central to a Cambridge education.
The conversation with Deacon Capriola provided an authentic opportunity to put those skills into practice while strengthening the connection between classroom learning and the wider St. Croix community.
Good Hope Country Day School is grateful to Deacon Capriola for sharing his time, knowledge, and perspective with our students and for contributing to a thoughtful and meaningful learning experience.
