Christian Morality
Fr. James E. De Fillipps
Final (exam) Paper
Making moral choices in our modern world can be confusing and difficult. With so many temptations and influences pulling us in all directions, and the pressures of life driving us toward the seemingly “easy” path, it is comforting to know that Jesus
Christ, through His Church, has blessed us with clear moral framework to guide us towards salvation which leads to happiness. The Church never forces anyone to believe what she teaches. Faith itself must be free (CCC 160). But to help guide us to choose what is best for ourselves, according to the way He made us, He gave us the
Church and all her moral teachings.
Objective: All students will offer a detailed exploration of one of the moral issues listed below.
Your exploration will be divided into (5) parts.
Part 1: Introduction (Tell me your moral issue.) (2.5pts)
Part 2: Societal Norm
( A norm is a group-held belief about how members should behave in a given context. Sociologists describe norms as informal understandings that govern society’s behaviors. (15pts)
Part 3: Church Teaching (This is the part that gives your exploration substance. A clear understanding of the who, what, where, and why of the select Church Teaching is imperative and where a majority of your grade will be earned.) (50pts)
Part 4: Defense of Church Teaching (The PROPER use of Church documents, the
Catechism of the Catholic Church, Church Fathers (Aquinas, Augustine) etc. is vital to the defense of Church Teaching. This also includes all taught material.) (30pts)
Part 5: Conclusion (Restate your introduction) (2.5pts)
Appendix: Opinion (10pts E.C.) (I did not plagiarize in any way. Sign your name)
Moral Issues in Catholicism
Abortion
Euthanasia
Contraception and Infertility
Abstinence and Chastity
Assisted Suicide
Marriage/Divorce
Homelessness
Homosexuality
Stem Cell Research and Cloning
Pornography
Illegal Immigration
Torture
Suicide

Paper Guidelines:
 Minimum (4) pages – Maximum (6) pages (not including cover sheet/work cited/Opinion)
 Times New Roman
 Size 12
 1 inch margins ALL around
 Page numbers (bottom right hand corner)
 Double-Spaced
 Utilization of Proper Grammar
 Section titles
 Cover Sheet (Identification of Moral Issue, Name, Date)
REVIEW OF PAPER (NOT MANDATORY) MAY 16 TH THROUGH EMAIL
DUE DATE MAY 21 ST THROUGH EMAIL ABSOLUTLEY NO LATE PAPER WILL BE
ACCEPTED!
ANY DETECTION OF PLAGARISM WILL RESULT IN AN AUTOMATIC (0) ON
ASSIGNMENT AND (F) FOR THE MARKING PERIOD.
Code of Personal Honor and Integrity “THE HONOR CODE”
Embracing moral and ethical growth, the Code wishes to foster a superior environment for academic growth. Each student is encouraged to develop a reputation built on respect for one’s self and others as well as a standard of honorable behavior. Students are therefore expected to conduct themselves at all times in a manner which brings honor to themselves and
St. Joseph HS; therefore, they should refuse to engage in any activity which would be considered dishonest, or that which would contribute to a disrespectful and unsafe environment.
The faculty and administration regard testing and grading as important, integral components of the educational process. Any action on behalf of a student deemed deliberate, subversive or contrary to appropriate behavior is regarded as cheating, and in conflict with our Catholic philosophy of education.
Since St. Joseph’s recognizes that dishonesty (including cheating and plagiarism) is unacceptable; for the purpose of this regulation, dishonesty shall include cheating in any form. It is not restricted to but includes:
(1) copying another student’s homework;
(2) working with others on projects that are meant to be done individually;
(3) looking at or copying another student’s test or quiz answers;
(4) allowing another student to look at or copy your test or quiz answers;
(5) using any other method to get test/quiz answers;
(6) taking a quiz or test in part or whole to give to another;
(7) plagiarism, copying information without proper source attribution, to steal and pass off the ideas or words of another as one’s own: Use a created production without crediting the source; paraphrase: a restatement of any text, passage, or work from any source (including the Internet) giving the meaning in another form, (also see
Webster’s Dictionary) or submission of either non-original term papers, reports, projects, or oral presentations;

(8) the demonstration through actions, words, work, or implication, that cheating has occurred (including on-line assignments)
Any student found to be cheating will automatically be given a failure for that and a Saturday Detention. Any student suspected of cheating will be dealt with by his teacher (the possibility of failure remains). Any failure due to cheating will be reported to both the Dean of Students and the Dean of Studies. The faculty member will notify the parent/guardian
(honor society membership is forfeited).
By their enrollment at St. Joseph High School, all students agree to abide by this code, basically asserting they will make every effort not to lie, cheat, steal, or damage anything, or anyone; nor will they conceal anyone who behaves in such a manner. This includes but is not limited to computers and web sites (e.g. MySpace, You-tube, etc.—this includes on-line assignments). Because St. Joseph holds academics in high regard, depending on the circumstances, the student may be liable for review by the administration as to his future at St. Joseph’s (along with any penalties attached).
CHEATING, PLAGIARISM, ETC. (EVEN ONE TIME) CRITICALLY HURT HONOR
SOCIETIES MEMBERSHIP AND INDUCTION as well as a member of any club, activity or sport.