Catholicism The truth behind the Religion you think you know

History Christianity is a religion that did not start all by itself. It is a religion that has evolved from the Hebrew Culture or Jewish Religion which is why the Torah (Jewish holy book) is part of the our Old Testament and why we share a common history with Judaism. Our History starts with the creation of Judaism and the father of Judaism is Abraham roughly 1900 year B.C

History Continued The shared history with Judaism ends with the Old Testament. The lessons and stories of Isaac, Noah, Moses, King David and Solomon, all come from the Judaic Faith The Catholic Tradition also continues with rise of Christianity and it begins with the birth of Jesus- Christ, between the years 5-0 B.C Right up until Jesus-Christ is crucified many still believe that Jesus was a Jew since he was brought up in the Jewish faith.

Until he starts his ministry Jesus continues the Jewish the practices of the Jewish faith but starts to challenge some of the doctrines. After the death and resurrection of Jesus it is then that Christianity breaks from Judaism. Hence known as Christianity (people who believe in that Jesus-Christ was the son of God and die for our sins and our salvation.

311 A.D Edict of Milan issued by Emperor Constantine recognized Christianity is an officially recognized Religion in the Roman Empire. Council of Nicaea 325AD: Christianity becomes the official Religion of the Roman Empire, and the all the books in the bible as we know it are decided. There were 3 Great Schisms (Conflicts) i.1054: Start of the Great Schism between the Eastern and Western Churches; it marked the separation of Eastern Orthodox and the Roman Christian Church ii.The Great Western Schism 14 th and 15 th centuries where there was times 2 Popes representing the Roman Church, Clement VII (in France) and Urban VI (in Rome) iii.The Protestant Reformation during the 16 th century

1095 –the late 1200s The Crusades was designed to Reconquering the Holy Lands (present day Israel and Palestine from the Moors) Spanish Inquisition late 1400s- 1500s: Turned the powers of the Papal Inquisition over to the Monarchs. Purpose was to force the conversion of Jews and Muslims to Catholicism in other words to maintain the Catholic religion in Europe Roughly were killed during the 350 period.

1517: the 3 rd Schism – The Protestant Reformation Led by Martin Luther signaled the beginning of the Reformation and the greatest split of the Catholic Church. He had written his 95 theses (issues that they had with the Church): The abuses of Indulgences, buying and selling of the Clergy, Christians should have a personal relationship with God, Bible written in the peoples vernacular language etc.

First Vatican Council 1868: Declared that the Pope is infallible but the teachings of the Pope must be based on, or at least not contradict, Sacred Tradition or Sacred Scripture : Ecumenical Council of the Vatican II. In many cases modernized the Catholic Church; examples the masses will no longer be in Latin, the priest will face the congregation, more participation of the laypersons, and more dialogue with other Religious denominations.

People and Culture Some of the more important individuals are: St. Thomas Aquinas, Christopher Columbus, Johann Gutenberg, Pope John Paul II, Mother Theresa, Albert Einstein, Louis Pasteur, Galileo Galilei, Beethoven, Michelangelo, Bono (U2 singer), and J.R.R. Tolkien, Pope Francis I The Catholic Church is stronger and a part of our lives whether we recognize it or not: -Catholic schools: Glenmary & Good Shepard -Churches: St Peter’s Cathedral, St. Paul Cathedral, Notre Dame Cathedral, -Organizations: Development and Peace, Knights of Columbus, Women Catholic League, St Vincent de Paul Society. Celebrations and Holidays that have know become more and more secular. -Publications: Western Catholic Reporter

Mount Sinai

Lourdes France, Grotto of Massabielle

Our Lady of The Rosary, Fátima

Notre Dame - Paris, France

The Church has strong view on certain issues: Marriage and Priesthood: -believe that Priest should not marry because they are to devoted their lives to the Church and God’s work, hence “Vocation” marriage the role and responsibility of the husband and wife is to each other and the family, otherwise it would create jealousy.

Abortion: - The 6 th Commandment states “Thou shall not Kill” from the Book Exodus - In the eyes of the Catholic Church abortion is killing a life. - Catholic Church takes a positon of Pro-Life and that life begins at the moment of Conception, and not at 21 days, 3 months or 9 months. Homosexuality: Pope Francis did clarify the Church’s position some what: The person is not condemned but the act is for many in the Catholic Church. Pope Francis made the comment of who is he to “Judge You” - If go back to the teachings of Jesus; his whole time on Earth Jesus never judged, but loved everyone no matter who they were. That is something that we some live up to.

The Environment: Pope Francis and the Church has recently taken the stance that Climate Change and Global Warming is a Human Rights Issue. That is not to say that Pope Francis is not against Capitalism, but it needs to regulated. Addressing Poverty: Need to address the abuses of Capitalism

Values, Beliefs and Traditions Traditions and Rituals: -7 Sacraments: i. Baptism ii. Eucharist iii. Reconciliation iv. Confirmation v. Marriage vi. Holy Orders Annulment (Divroce) vii. Healing of the Sick Can happen multiple times Not just when individuals Are about to die.

Other traditions New Years Day: A day of holy obligation Ash Wednesday that starts the Lenten Season ( 40 days…Catholics abstain from certain acts and luxuries) Holy Week: Psalm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday Accession- Jesus-Christ Ascend to Heaven Advent Preparation for the coming of Christ Christmas The sign of the Cross:( prayers, mass, grace and a sign of our faith) RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults)

Beliefs The Trinity : That God the Father, Jesus-Christ the Son and The Holy Spirit are three yet one. Transcendence: That Jesus-Christ die on the cross, rose from the dead, is arisen to heaven The authority of the Bible Belief of Creationism Immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary The Ten Commandments and the 7 virtues are the moral guidelines to our behaviours

Beliefs The message(s) and goal of the Catholic faith can be found in the 10 Commandments i.Eternal Salvation is within you -That God loves you -The Golden Rule

Prayers and Rituals Our Father Apostle Creed Nicene Cree Hail Mary Glory be to the Father Prayers before meals

The Mass The Mass is very different to other religions It does have a structure: -2 readings -1 gospel -The Eucharist is the highest part of the Mass. - We believe that the wine and bread are the blood and body of Jesus-Christ

Major Elements in the world Catholic Schools Catholic Churches Major holidays are attributed to the Catholic Religion (Valentine’s Day, Good Friday and Easter Monday, Thanks Giving, Halloween, Christmas). Vatican City is its own Country, and not a Nation-state -Catholic schools: Glenmary & Good Shepard -Churches: St Peter’s Cathedral (Vatican city), St. Paul Cathedral (England), Notre Dame Cathedral (France), -Organizations: Development and Peace, Knights of Columbus, Women Catholic League, St Vincent de Paul Society.

Other Issues Position on: i.Stem Cell Research ii.Euthanasia iii. Assisted Suicide iv.Birth Control v.Premarital Sex vi.