Article by Phoenix writer Colleen Bayley ’23:
St. Thomas Aquinas League is a philosophy and theology club here at Kellenberg Memorial High School. It is a club centered around the doctrines and focuses of Catholicism. The moderator, Mr. Ruhl as well as Mr. Barbier and Miss Doodian, ask a question at the start of the club that one of the members has sent in anonymously.
The students respond and debate the question as the moderators add on to the previous questions to get the students to think further. In this way, students can look through their faith in a different and deeper perspective.
This club takes place on Mondays from 3:30 to 4:30 and Tuesdays from 3:00 to 4:00 in the Emmanuel dining room and is open to any students in the high school. The club has become very popular and has had over 70 participants in attendance.
One question discussed on Monday, November 29th, was “Is our relationship with God anyone’s business but our own?”
When asked about the club, Mr. Ruhl said, “Aquinas League is a place where students can ask questions they have about the Catholic faith and their own life in the Church. As moderators, we are here to facilitate the conversation and direct the students towards the beautiful truths the Church has to offer. Most importantly, we hope that students come to see that there are answers to their biggest questions and that we can help them to learn how to find them.”
Junior Jillian Byrne, an active member of Aquinas League commented that, “Aquinas club really pushes our mindset and comfort zones. We’re questioned about things we never think about in our lives. My friends and I are challenged every week with a new philosophical or debatable question. This club really has helped me with my public speaking and I’ve made tons of new friends. I really recommend it to any student.”
St. Thomas Aquinas League is an ever growing club at Kellenberg challenging its members and offering insight into some of the biggest theological questions.
