Chapter 8. The Church was a gift from Christ to ensure that we would never be separated from the way...
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Transcript of Chapter 8. The Church was a gift from Christ to ensure that we would never be separated from the way...
The ChurchThe Church was a gift from Christ to
ensure that we would never be separated from the way of truth in our lives.
The Church is a WHO, not a WHAT…The assembly of people who have been
called and gathered by God to be His holy people, who, fed by the Body of Christ, become the Body of Christ to the world
The human family of GodWE ARE THE CHURCH
The word CHURCHTakes on different meanings in
different contextsSometimes we use it to speak of all
Catholics“catholic” means universal, so the
universal church refers to all the Baptized who profess fidelity to Christ and the Catholic Church.
The local church refers to the faithful of a particular diocese
The church may also refer to a particular parish: IC church, St. Michael’s church, etc.
The Faith of the ChurchThe Eight essential articles of Catholic Faith
There is one supreme, eternal, infinite GodThe good will be rewarded (those who die in a
state of grace go to Heaven)The Trinity: Three Persons in One GodJesus Christ became man (and died for our
Redemption)The doctrinal statements (found in the
Apostle’s Creed)The Commandments (of God and the Church)Sacred Tradition AND Sacred ScriptureAll that the Church teaches (faith and morals)
The Work of the TrinityThe Church was planned by the Father
God planned to gather mankind to himself from the beginning
The Church was founded by ChristJesus fulfilled the Father’s plan in His ministryJesus founded a community and gave them
the authority to teach and heal in his name
The Church is revealed by the Holy SpiritPentecost as the beginning of the Church’s
ministry in the world.
The Church Fathers-aka- the Fathers of the Church, were
important Christian writers who clarified Church teaching in the first 8 centuries.
They have doctrinal authority, and their unanimous agreement on an issue represents the Church’s interpretation of Revelation
Sts. Athanasius, Augustine, Jerome, Pope Clement I, Ignatius of Antioch, Polycarp, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Gregory of Nazianzen, John Chrysostom, Pope Gregory the Great, Maximus the Confessor, and John of Damscus.
Doctors of the ChurchA collection of thirty-three men and
women whose teachings have been especially important in understanding Christian Doctrine
Men include Sts. Thomas Aquinas, Augustine, Leo the Great, Ambrose, Gregory the Great, John of the Cross.
Three women: Catherine of Siena, Teresa of Avila, Therese of Lisieux
The Magisterium The Church’s teaching authority
Parallels the hierarchy of the Church as established by ChristPeter and ApostlesPope and Bishops
The Church nurtures the faithful as “Mother and Teacher”
The Magisterium isguided by the Holy Spirit and teaches infallibly in matters of faith and morals
The Magisterium The Church has taught the same truths
without change since its founding by Christ.
Comprised of the bishops of the Church united with the Pope.
Apostolic succession: refers to the fact that the Pope and bishops today are in a direct line of succession from the Apostles themselves
The PopeSuccessor of St. Peter (the rock on
which Christ built His Church)
This office would later become known as the papacy
Primacy of Peter refers to the authority of the Pope as successor of St. Peter
The PopeThe Vicar of Christ: a title of the Pope
which refers to the Latin vicarious - “in the person of”; the Pope acts “in the person of Christ”
Pope’s authority over the Church is full, supreme, and universal
Pope clarifies matters of faith and morals
Pope helps to preserve the unity of the Church
Infallibility Means “free from error”
The Magisterium is considered infallible in matters of faith and morals
Papal Infallibility is made possible through the Holy Spirit to keep Church members free from error.
Church teaching develops as modern challenges require new application, but is never reversed or nullified.
InfallibilityThe Pope is considered “infallible”
when he speaks “ex cathedra” (from the chair of St. Peter)–Dogma from First Vatican Council,1870
When the Magisterium, the bishops of the world, united with the Pope, agree on particular matters of faith and morals, the resulting teaching is infallible.
Electing the PopeA papal election is called a “conclave”
Held 15-20 days after the death of a Pope
Cardinals of the World unite in Rome to begin deliberations in the Sistine Chapel
They take an oath to uphold the procedures, to maintain secrecy, to disregard outside influences, and to defend the liberty of the Holy See.
Electing the PopeTwo ballots may be cast each day
2/3 of electors must agree
After each vote, ballots are burnedIf no pope has been elected, smoke will
be blackWhen a new pope is elected, smoke will
be white
The candidate must accept his office as Pope before the announcement is made
Electing the PopeThe first duty of the Pope is to select a new
name
He is given papal vestments, is given the Fisherman’s Ring, and addresses the crowd in St. Peter’s square
A cardinal will announce: “I announce to you great joy: We have a Pope!” (Habemus Papam)
The new Pope gives his first Papal Blessing (Urbi et Orbi: to Rome and the World)
The bishops, shepherds of the local ChurchThe source of unity among local
churches.
Their duties include: teaching the faith, celebrating the Eucharist, and guiding the Church as pastors. They are assigned to a particular diocese and direct administration there.
Who is our local bishop?
The bishopsPeriodically, the Pope will convene an
assembly of all the bishops of the Church… these are called Ecumenical Councils.
There have been 21 in Church history
Vatican II was the most recent (1962-65)
Church as MysteryThe mystery of communion between
God and his people
Despite being made up of sinful people, the Church is holy through the Blessed Trinity
The structure of the Church is founded in a community of love and founded on the New Commandment of Love
Church as MysteryThe Sacrament of Salvation
Calls mankind to conversion and repentance
The Holy Spirit dispenses grace and sanctifies the People of God through the Church and her sacraments
CommunionA sign of communion with God AND
unity among believers The means by which this communion is
maintained
Church as MysteryThe People of God
The “New Israel”God’s chosen people, bought with
Christ’s blood
The Mystical Body of ChristChrist promised to remain with his
ChurchChrist is head, each member unites to
Him, and plays a unique role in the plan of salvation
Church as MysteryThe Bride of Christ
Christ is the lover, the Church is the belovedAll of us are bound in a communion of loveThus the Church receives feminine pronouns
The Family of GodJesus used filial imagery throughout scripture
Priests, Prophets, and KingsBy Baptism, we share in Jesus role as priest
(sacrificing in our personal lives), prophet (witness to others), and king(service to those in need)
Church as MysteryThe Kingdom of God
KoG was established in this world (by Jesus)The presence and action of God within the
Church
Pilgrim ChurchWe are on a journey toward Heaven; the
Church is on a journey through time
Our MotherGives birth to new sons and daughters of
God
Church as MysterySheepfold or Flock
Jesus as Good Shepherd; lays down His life for sheep
Provides for his flock through ministry of the Church
Fertile Land, Branches of the VineLand cultivated by GodJesus is the vine, we are called to bear good fruit
Temple or BuildingHouse built on solid groundJesus as cornerstone/foundation, we are the living
stones
Can non-Catholics be saved?“All salvation comes from Christ the head
through the Church which is his body”
Those who are saved are necessarily members of the Church
Non-Catholic Christians as separated brethren are accepted by their Baptism.
Those who will never know Christ, through no fault of their own, are entrusted to God’s mercy
The Church is obliged to evangelize, bringing people into the Body of Christ.
The 5 PreceptsAttend Mass (Sundays and HDO’s)
Confess grave sins (at least 1/year)
Receive Communion during Easter (Ash Wednesday to Trinity Sunday)
Fast and abstain (on appointed days)
Contribute to the Support of the Church ($, time, talents, works of charity)
The 4 MarksUnity, Holiness, Catholicity, and Apostolicity
OneOneness of Church’s teaching/ministryOne Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, One Body,
life through One Holy Spirit, strives to overcome divisions
HolyHoliness flows from Christ’s death on the
crossChrist instituted the sacraments to maintain
and pass on his holiness
The 4 MarksCatholic
Universality of the ChurchAll people, without exception, are called by God
and his Church. The Church Christ founded lives on in the
Catholic Church with the fullness of faith
ApostolicBuilt on the foundation of the ApostlesOffices of the Apostles maintained in Pope and
bishopsIdentified by their submission to the authority
of St. Peter’s successor, the Pope.