Marks of the Church The Church is Catholic

Catholic? Catholic comes from the Greek word katholikos, universal Catholic has two meanings – Catholic: Founded by Christ – catholic : contains the fullness of Christ and has a mission to all people

How is the Church Catholic? The Church has it all – Possesses the fullness of Jesus Christ Jesus is fully present in the Church – Received the fullness of the means to salvation Divine gifts given to the Church through the Holy Spirit – Fullness of faith – Fullness of the seven sacraments – Fullness of the ordained ministry passed down from the apostles The Church calls to all – Sent to the whole world – Gather all people as one

Catholic Throughout the Ages St. Cyril of Jerusalem 4 th century – Extends over the whole world – Teaches universally and completely all doctrines that all should know – Brings the whole human race in subjection to godliness – Treats and heals all sin – Possesses every virtue St. Thomas Aquinas 13 th century – It is everywhere in the world – No one is rejected, (man/woman, master/slave,) – Crosses all time, began with Abel will last until the end of the world

The Fullness of Christ The Church – All three references have the fullness of Christ and the full means of salvation The entire community of God’s people around the world The local community or diocese (archdiocese) The community assembled for liturgy Particular Churches are fully catholic when they are in communion with the Church in Rome – Early Church when new communities of Christians struggled with misleading teachings they turned to the Churches established under the authority of the apostles Preserved the full authentic apostolic teaching Church in Rome had both Peter and Paul who preached and were martyred there Peter’s successor is the Bishop of Rome and therefore the head of the Church Fullness of the Sacraments – Touch a person from beginning to end Initiation- lay the foundation for a Christian life Healing- continue Jesus’ work of comprehensive and total healing Ministry- reflect the different aspects of the Church’s universal mission to and in the world

Relationship with All People The Church and Christian communities – Ecumenical movement Eastern Catholic Church- in fullness with Church – Icons, celebration of sacraments, iconostasis, married priests Eastern Orthodox Church- not in fullness Protestant ecclesial communities- not in fullness The Church and non-Christian Religions – Jews Links that bind us – monotheistic – Jesus was Jewish – God revealed Himself through the old covenants – God gifted the Jews with the promise, the Law, the call – Muslims Monotheistic Trace to Abraham Prayer, fasting and almsgiving Believe in the virginity of Mary Believe in judgment and resurrection – Hindus & Buddhists Contemplate divine mystery – All others Made in the image and likeness of God