St. Wendel Catholic School

Ms. Sharon Vogler

Degress/Endorsements 
Bachelor degree in Middle School Education from Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN
Social Studies and Language Arts  with a minor in Learning Disabilities
Master degree in Religious Education from Loyola University New Orleans

Biography
I grew up in Ireland...Indiana.  My parents still live there.  I have one brother who is married and they have one daughter.  Moving to AL, MS, LA is always a possibility.  I describe my history in "liifetimes."  I have lived several lifetimes in various places with a wide variety of careers...teaching,     working with adults with disabilities, medical transportation, case worker in a junior/senior high school, coordinator of religious education, an instructor for Brescia University with our diocesan core curriculum classes and a director of religious education.

I am beginning my eighth year living here in Vanderburgh county.  This is the second longest amount of time that I have lived in one place. I am the director of religious education at St. Joseph Parish Vanderburgh County.  This year I am working as the coordinator of the REACH program for the Evansville West deanery. 

Fun Facts                                                                                                                                         
I love reading for pleasure! Typically, I read mysteries.  I have read all seven years of Harry Potter.    Most recently I completed the Chronicles of Narnia.  What stories of adventure and Christianity! 
I have lived in Orange and Greene counties - once I thought maybe I should try for Brown and White, also, but I haven't yet.  

I love to travel and see new things.  I am in love with the state parks of Kentucky.  Especially the "moonbow" at Cumberland Falls.  My favorite city I've ever been so far is New Orleans, LA (before hurricane Katrina - I've not been there since Katrina.)  My second favorite is San Francisco, CA.  I am anticipating the coming of the musical stage play "Wicked" to a local theater.  All I know is that it is the story of the witches of Oz, and I'd love to know their stories.

Each year I discern a new "adventure" for my life.  Two years ago it was hosting a foreign exchange student from Japan.  A great  experience!  If you've ever considered it...do it!  If you haven't considered it...consider it! 

An Ageless Faith for a New Generation

Catholic Diocese of Evansvile

Religion Curriculum

Grade 7 - History of the Catholic Church

• The Beginning
• The Developing Community
• Early Christian Organization
• The Peace of Rome and the Church
• Challenges and Developments
• The Middle Ages and the Church
• Challenges to Church Unity and Authority
• The Protestant Reformation
• The Catholic Counter Reformation
• Catholic Church in the U.S.

   Grade 8 - Part I - Code, Cult and Creed:  Catholic Belief, Celebration and Prayer

• Our Desire for god
• We Believe in One God
• We Believe in One Lord Jesus Christ
• We Believe in the Holy Spirit
• We Believe in the Holy Catholic Church
• We Believe in One Baptism for the Forgiveness of Sin
• We Believe int eh Resurrection of the Body
• We Believe in Life Everlasting
• Amen

                        Part II - Christian Moral Living

• Conscience and Decision - Making
• Christian guides to formatin our conscience
• Summary Commandments
• Catholic Teaching on Social Justice

Part III - Christian Celebration (Prayer, Living Catholic Faith)

• Sacraments
• Prayer
• The Lord's Prayer
• Models of Prayer
• Techniques of Prayer

Content

As part of our learning this year, the students will be experiencing different prayer styles...memorized prayer, guided meditation, reflection, etc.  Each Wednesday, we will use contemporary music for prayer.  We will reflect on the message of the song for our lives as Catholic Christians today.  If they wish, students have been asked to bring their music in on Tuesday so I can preview it for language, and we will use it for prayer on Wednesday.  In addition to only appropriate language, CDs/cassettes must be legal.  They cannot bring music that has broken copyright, been burned without permission. 

Textbooks/Supplies

Since the religion textbooks are non-consumable, each student is asked to have a notebook/folder or binder with paper and a section for religion class.  I want them to have a designated place to keep their religion class work.  Students are asked to bring their textbook, notebook/folder/binder, Bible, and art box to class each day.