Chapter 2

Called to Community

The Faith of the Church

• The faith of the Church, of all those who have come before us and articulated what it means to be Catholic, is the faith we share and grow in.

• The faith of all those who make up the Body of Christ, the Church, encourages us so that our faith grows and develops.

• The faith as revealed and passed down from the Apostles through the teachings of their successors, the popes and bishops, forms our own faith.

• The faith of the Church provides for our belief, holding us up and supporting us as we try to understand and accept all that God has made known to us.

• The faith of the Church gives substance to what we believe and teaches us in our faith.

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What is faith?

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What is faith?

Faith is a supernatural gift God gives us to accept the truth of what he has revealed. Faith requires our free response.

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How is faith unique to humans?

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How is faith unique to humans?

Faith involves use of our intellect and free will, both of which are gifts unique to humans.

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What is the Church’s role in our faith?

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What is the Church’s role in our faith?

The Church professes and lives out the faith and supports and makes individual faith possible.

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How are we the Body of Christ?

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How are we the Body of Christ?

We are baptized into the Body of Christ and participate as both individual members and as a community of believers in continuing Christ’s mission.

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What does the prophet Micah teach us about what is “good” and how does this relate to our moral life?

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What does the prophet Micah teach us about what is “good” and how does this relate to our moral life?

Micah tells us that what is “good” is to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God. If we practice these three things, we will be leading a moral life.

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Who and what are the guides we have on our path to the Father through the Son?

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Who and what are the guides we have on our path to the Father through the Son?

We have many guides including the Apostles, Saint Paul, the early Church fathers, and other men and women saints. We have guides such as the popes and bishops and the teachings they have presented. We have a tradition and body of moral teachings to show us to the way to love.

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What are the precepts of the Church?

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What are the precepts of the Church?

The precepts of the Church are laws that help us live as faithful Catholics; they help us connect our moral life and the liturgical life.

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What is the common priesthood of the faithful and how do the precepts of the Church connect to it?

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What is the common priesthood of the faithful and how do the precepts of the Church connect to it?

The common priesthood of the faith is all of us who, baptized in Christ, offer our lives to God. The precepts of the Church help us do this.

Effects of the Eucharist

Each time you receive the Body and Blood of Christ:

• You become more closely united with Jesus, and the bonds of love between him and you are strengthened.

• Your union with him contributes to the unity of the whole Church with Christ.

• All your venial sins are forgiven if you are sorry for them.

• Your life of virtue is strengthened.

• You are given more protection from the evil of moral sin.

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Why are the sacraments important to our individual vocations?

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Why are the sacraments important to our individual vocations?

The sacraments open us up to the action of Christ in our lives, and lead us to deeper understanding of how we are called to participate in his mission.

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How does the Eucharist help a Catholic live faithfully?

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How does the Eucharist help a Catholic live faithfully?

The Eucharist unites us with Jesus and through our participation in it we contribute to the unity of the Church, our venial sins are forgiven, our lives of virtue are strengthened, and we are given protection from mortal sin.

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What is the liturgical year and how does it impact our journey of faith?

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What is the liturgical year and how does it impact our journey of faith?

The Church unfolds the whole story of salvation in the liturgical year. Through the seasons of the year we come to know Jesus in a different way and insert our own personal stories into the community’s stories of discovery, conversion, and renewal.

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What is the Sanctoral Cycle and how does it help us respond to God’s call in our own lives?

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What is the Sanctoral Cycle and how does it help us respond to God’s call in our own lives?

The Sanctoral Cycle is the schedule of fixed dates on which we celebrate events from Mary’s life, commemorate the Apostles, martyrs, and other saints. Learning more about these people’s lives helps us see how ordinary people who trust in God’s plan can accomplish extraordinary things.

Confirmation

Confirmation seals us with the Holy Spirit in order to:• Perfect the grace of our Baptism.

• Root us more deeply as children of God.

• Place us more firmly in the Body of Christ.

• Strengthen our bond with the Church.

• Associate us more closely with the Church’s mission.

• Bear witness to our Catholic faith both in word and deed.

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What role do parents and adult family members have in a child’s sacramental life?

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What role do parents and adult family members have in a child’s sacramental life?

Catholic families bring their children into the faith through Baptism, and teach and nurture them in the faith.

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Why is the Sacrament of Baptism so important to our faith life?

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Why is the Sacrament of Baptism so important to our faith life?

Baptism is the beginning of a lifelong journey of faith. Baptism forgives the original sin of our first parents — Adam and Eve — and begins our relationship with God. We enter into the sacramental life of the Church.

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What happens in the Sacrament of Confirmation?

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What happens in the Sacrament of Confirmation?

Confirmation seals us with the Holy Spirit and perfects the grace of Baptism. Confirmation roots us more deeply as children of God, placing us more firmly in the Body of Christ. It strengthens our bond with the Church, associates us more closely with Christ’s mission, and helps us bear witness to our Catholic faith in word and deed.

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How are parents called to be teachers of the faith?

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How are parents called to be teachers of the faith?

In the Rite of Baptism, the Church tells parents that they are the “first teachers” of their children. They teach primarily through their love, dedication, and good example.