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Theology

Weld 1000 Intro to Welding Tech
Church HistoryComparative Religion

The purpose of this course is to develop a stronger understanding of the history of the Catholic Church. It is important that we develop an understanding of the fortitude and sacrifice shown by key figures in the Church and the developments that occurred due to their persistence and courage. A stronger understanding of the history of the Church and its major developments will allow us our own introspection and reflection on how we, as individuals, are committed to the Church. The goal of Church History is to understand how God has driven human history, the Catholic Church as an institution, and each of us as individuals.
Ethics & Law/ Apologetics & Life Ethics

This one semester course on Catholic apologetics will enable the student to engage in a conversation about the fundamental principles of the Church and explain clearly with effective reason the truth of those principles of faith on which the Church is grounded. As the authors of the class text state in their preface, “We are certain that the Christian faith is true; we are only a little less certain that the very best thing we can possibly do for others is to persuade them of this truth…; we are a little less certain, but still confident, that honest reasoning can lead any open-minded person to this very same conclusion” (Kreeft & Tacelli, 9).

Although human rights play an obviously important international role, philosophers have found human rights puzzling and difficult to justify. What does it mean to say a person has a moral right or a human right? What is the relationship between human rights stated in international covenants and human rights that are said to be morally binding? Aside from questions about the nature of human rights, the course will consider possible justifications for human rights, both legal and moral, as well as arguments that there are no human rights. The course will take up the issue of whether it is possible to adopt human rights while respecting the diversity of human cultures, religions, and moral views.
History of St. Benedict

This course moves through the chronology of the history of Saint Benedict to examine the broad themes that have shaped the religious order of Saint Benedict. While tracing larger trends and identifying common experiences, we will also pay close attention to the specific experiences of individual Monks in order to shed light on the differences and similarities among other religious orders. Throughout, we will investigate the ways in which notions of religious life have changed over time and how a wide variety of men have responded to the shifting and contested cultural, political, and social roles in religious life. The reading of The Rule of Saint Benedict will allow the students to investigate the development of the Benedictine local community, emphasizing its people, institutions and heritage.
History of the New Testament

The purpose of the course shall be to accommodate the rights and desires of those teachers and students who wish to teach and study the New Testament and to familiarize students with the contents of the New Testament, the history recorded by the New Testament, the literary style and structure of the New Testament, the customs and cultures of the peoples and societies recorded in the New Testament and the influence of the New Testament upon law, history, government, literature, art, music, customs, morals, values, and culture. The topics may include the historical background and events of the period; the life of Jesus of Nazareth; the parables of Jesus; the life and travels of Paul; and the influence of New Testament history and literature on subsequent art, music, literature, law, and events.
History of the Old Testament

The purpose of the course shall be to accommodate the rights and desires of those teachers and students who wish to teach and study the Old Testament and to familiarize students with the contents of the Old Testament, the history recorded by the Old Testament, the literary style and structure of the Old Testament, the customs and cultures of the peoples and societies recorded in the Old Testament and the influence of the Old Testament upon law, history, government, literature, art, music, customs, morals, values, and culture. Topics may include historical background and events of the period; the history of the Kingdom of Israel; the poetry of the Old Testament; the influence of Old Testament history and literature on subsequent art, music, literature, law, and events, including recent and current events in the Middle East.
Introduction to Ethic and Moral Issues

This course serves as an introduction to philosophy through a number of central issues in moral philosophy. We sometimes say that an action is morally right or wrong. In this course we will ask a number of questions about such claims in order to better grasp the nature of morality. With respect to all of the questions we will investigate competing answers and critically engage with them to examine their strengths and weaknesses. First, we will ask what we are doing when we say that an action is wrong: are we expressing a negative emotional reaction to it, offering our personal opinion, or making an objective claim about the action that it is possible to be mistaken about? Second, we will ask what makes actions right or wrong: is it the consequences of the action, or whether or not we have a duty to perform the action, or whether or not good people characteristically perform those actions? Lastly, we will consider how these different views of the rightness or wrongness of action might give us guidance on a number of contemporary moral issues. Is it wrong to eat meat? What should society do with people who commit horrific crimes? Is abortion morally permissible?
Introduction to Philosophy

The purpose of this course is to understand the major movements within the history of Western philosophy as they relate to the study of Christian theology. We will focus specifically on Socrates’s call to live “the examined life” and the ways in which his call challenges us not only to ask questions, but to allow ourselves to be called into question. In doing so, we will discover that philosophical reflection is an important conversation partner for the study of Christian theology, as well as a profound source of personal, intellectual, and spiritual growth.
Jewish Studies
World Area Studies Int World Religions

This course is designed to introduce students to religions from around the world. Primarily, this course will look at Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and East Asian Religions. In addition, this course will begin by questioning the idea of religion and category of world religions. Unfortunately, since this is just an introduction with little time to focus on each respective religious tradition, students should not consider their knowledge of these traditions exhaustive. Rather, this course should be thought of as a springboard from which students can pursue their interests in the various religious traditions. The course will engage the “fundamental‟ aspects of each tradition, identifying key concepts, themes, terms, and figures. Moreover, the course will examine how each religious tradition is integrated into various cultures; this not only includes the indigenous culture of the given religion, but how it is expanding around the globe due to the rapid globalization of the century.

This is an academic study of religion. That means that the class will be examining these religious traditions from a point of views that aims for objectivity. However, at times we will point out the stark differences between prescriptive and descriptive religion, that is, how religion is understood (often textually) and how it is lived by its practitioners. Although this is an academic study of religion, students should nevertheless remember that these religions hold incredible importance around the world and to many of your fellow students in the class. Therefore, students are expected to be respectful of the traditions and others when speaking in discussions.

Jason Pascual

Theology Teacher / Theology Department Chair

(912) 644-6518

Seton Hall University - Bachelor's of Science

jason.pascual@bcsav.net
Bio
Mr. Pascual spent 16 years as a teacher and athletics coach at Bishop Kenny High School in Jacksonville, Fla. During his time there, he taught in the religion department, primarily teaching freshmen and sophomore religion. In athletics, he served as Assistant Baseball Coach for 16 years and Assistant Football Coach for 12 years. After leaving Bishop Kenny, Mr. Pascual came to BC and is now in his second year at the school. He is currently serving as Theology Department Chair and Assistant Baseball Coach. In the summers, Mr. Pascual coaches for Cannons Baseball University, a travel baseball organization based out of Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, and Miami. Mr. Pascual, his wife, Sarah, and their three children live in Savannah.
Matthew Hershey

Theology Teacher

(912) 644-6513

Saint Vincent Seminary

matthew.hershey@bcsav.net
Bio
Br. Matthew taught Elementary Special Education in Pennsylvania for three years while coaching youth soccer and working part-time at a beer distributor on the weekends. Perhaps this anticipated his decision to enter Saint Vincent Archabbey in 2013 to become a Benedictine monk where, among other jobs, he worked at the gristmill. Weeks after taking Solemn vows in 2017, Br. Matthew was assigned to BC to teach Freshman Theology and live in community in beautiful Savannah. He enjoys reading, music, and “letting our two dogs take me for walks.”
David Klecker

Benedictine Prior / Computer Science Teacher / Mathematics Teacher / Theology Teacher

(912) 644-7015

Purdue University - Undergraduate
Georgia Southern - Graduate (Masters)
Saint Vincent Seminary - Latrobe PA (M-Div)

david.klecker@bcsav.net
Bio
Fr. David grew up in Saint Paul Minn., and attended Purdue University, graduating with a Computer Science degree in 1997. He worked professionally with web development for five years, then in 2000 felt very much called to religious life and joined a Cistercian Abbey in 2004. When that abbey closed, Fr. David joined the St. Vincent community of Benedictine Monks in Latrobe, Pa. He completed his seminarian degree in 2017 with classes from Rome, Washington, D.C., and St. Louis, and then was ordained in 2018. Fr. David went back to school in 2017 and earned a master’s degree in Computer Science. He is currently the prior of the Savannah Priory, where there are five Benedictine monks. His hobbies are golfing, hiking, and biking when possible. Fr. David also likes to study film.
Eli Lob

Theology Teacher

(912) 644-7000

eli.lob@bcsav.net
Bio
Rabbi Lob grew up in Chicago and attended schools in Chicago, New York, and Israel. After living in Israel for eight years, he moved to Savannah with his wife and children. He is a Rabbi at Congregation Bnai Brith Jacob, and oversees both the Savannah NCSY teen programming chapter, along with various other chapters in Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina. The Savannah NCSY Chapter received numerous awards under his leadership.

In addition to teaching at BC, Rabbi Lob has taught at Rambam Day School for many years, and offers adult education at Congregation Bnai Brith Jacob. He has given educational presentations at St. Vincent's Academy on topics relating to the Holocaust and Biblical studies. He also ran a Jewish Student Union at Savannah Arts Academy. Rabbi Lob has two undergraduate degrees in education, and a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling. He is a licensed professional counselor and works with clients in a private practice, clinical setting.

Rabbi Lob enjoys going on outings with his wife and children, and offering exciting and impactful leadership opportunities for local Jewish teenagers. He also enjoys playing football and baseball, and was a pitcher on his hometown baseball team.
Barnabas O'Reilly

Theology Teacher

(912) 644-6542

Saint Vincent College - Bachelor of Arts
Saint Vincent College - Master of Arts
Saint Vincent College - Master of Divinity

barnabas.oreilly@bcsav.net
Bio
Fr. Barnabas O'Reilly is originally from Johnstown, Pa. He graduated from Saint Vincent College with a degree in biology in 2012 and entered Saint Vincent Archabbey in 2015. He was recently ordained a priest in May of 2022, and teaching at BC is his first official assignment as a priest. He enjoys fishing, the outdoors, and rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is passionate about sharing his Catholic faith and is excited to be a new member of the BC community!
Kate Swann

Theology Teacher

(912) 644-6519

University of Georiga - Bachelor of Arts
Georgia Southern University - Master of Arts in Teaching

kate.swann@bcsav.net
Bio
After graduating from UGA in 2015, Ms. Swann worked with the Girl Scouts of the United States helping to create programing for Girl Scout troops. This is where she fell in love with education and started teaching World History at South Effingham High School in 2018. She completed her M.A.T. at Georgia Southern University in 2021 and joined the Benedictine faculty in the Theology department in August of that year. Ms. Swann is a Savannah native and lives in Sandfly with her family, her dog Hawkeye, and her goat Bucky.
Gregory Visca

Theology Teacher, Head of Campus Ministry

(912) 644-6542

St. Vincent Seminary

gregory.visca@bcsav.net
Bio
Fr. Gregory Visca, O.S.B., joins the Benedictine Military School Theology Department from Saint Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe, Pa., where he completed his second year of simple vows and a second year of theological studies in the seminary. Fr. Gregory is pursing a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in Monastic Studies. He earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy from St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami, Fla.

His discernment of a religious vocation spanned four more years after his time as a missionary until he entered the novitiate at Saint Vincent Archabbey as a novice in 2018 and made first profession of vows July 10, 2019. He has worked in the office of vocations and as assistant master of ceremonies, sacristan, and assistant gift shop manager as juniorate assignements.

In 2021, he was assigned to teach theology at Benedictine Military School. He returned to Saint Vincent in the fall of 2022 to complete his studies for the priesthood. He was ordained to the diaconate on Nov. 26, 2022, by Most Rev. Larry J. Kulick, Bishop of the Diocese of Greensburg. Fr. Gregory was ordained to the priesthood June 10, 2023, by Most Rev. Larry J. Kulick, Bishop of the Diocese of Greensburg, in the Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica.

Fr. Gregory enjoys reading, learning about monasticism and Christian spirituality, and evangelization. He also is enthusiastic about technology, video games, multimedia, and community life. Over and above all things is his deep love for Christ, which he desires to share with the people of God through authentic witness and service.

Fr. Gregory was born in Kent, Ohio, before moving to Tampa, Fla. In eighth grade, he started to seriously discern a religious vocation. After graduating high school, he applied to enter seminary for the Diocese of St. Petersburg, where he spent six years in formation.

Benedictine Military School

Benedictine Military School
6502 Seawright Drive
Savannah, GA 31406
912-644-7000