The Church Christ in the World Today Unit 4 Mr. Salter

Unit 4 Articles 16 The First Mark of the Church 17 Bonds of Unity 20 Why is the Church Holy? 21 The Church Makes Us Holy Through God’s Grace 25 The Meaning of the Word Catholic 26 Catholicity: The Fullness of Christ in the Church 27 The Church’s relationship with All People 28 Universality and Diversity 29 The Apostles Continue Jesus’ Mission 30 Apostolic Tradition 31 The Successors to Peter and the Apostles 32 The Apostolate of the Laity

16 - The First Mark of the Church Marks of the Church – essential characteristics of the Church; One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic One One Church, One Body of Christ, One Unity One - as the Trinity is one Pope the symbol of unity Diversity Unity is not uniformity (we do not strive to be the same) People (race, ethnic, cultures, ages) and Gifts are diverse Worship is diverse (liturgical rituals are passed down) Sin threatens the unity of the early Church (and today)

17 - Bonds of Unity Visible and invisible bonds of unity Unity of Faith Creeds (Nicene and Apostles) Creed is a visible sign of unity States our core belief in the Trinity and the Church Unity of Worship 7 sacraments (centered in the Eucharist) Eucharist includes: proclamation of Word, thanksgiving, consecration, reception “Honesty” of non-Catholics receiving communion p.69 Unity of the Apostolic Succession (passing on of Christ’s authority to Peter’s successors)

20 - Why is the Church Holy? The Church is Both Human and Divine Visible (human) Invisible (divine) The Church exists for the sole purpose of sanctifying its members 4-D glasses The Church is Holy Because She Has God’s Holy Gifts The Church is God’s instrument of salvation (ship) The Call to Holiness Holy but imperfect; perfect holiness will be achieved in heaven Love is at the heart of holiness (divine love is like God) We can be holy through prayer, friends, a life filled with holiness

20 - Why is the Church Holy? The Call to Holiness Holiness and Sinners We encounter God’s love through Scripture, Sacraments, personal prayer, relationships and knowledge p.82 St. Therese of Lisieux “Our vocation is simply to love” Holiness and Sinners Sinners do not distract form the Church’s holiness Individuals are called to ongoing renewal and sanctification Repentance and Conversion (a lifelong “2nd conversion”) Hospitals are evidence of the Church’s healing ministry

21 - The Church Makes Us Holy Through God’s Grace It is All about Grace Grace is a free and undeserved The holiness of the Church is a result of grace Grace is supernatural, meaning it transcends the human intellect and will Grace can only be “known” by faith Specific Types of Grace Sanctifying Grace – “state of grace”; habitual grace Actual Grace – grace provided at a moment Sacramental Grace – via the 7 sacraments JP II - Day of Pardon All Christians admitting wrongs and asking for forgiveness, in the year 2000

25 - The Meaning of the Word Catholic Catholicity: The Church has it All Small “c” - fullness of Christ and mission to all Capital “C” – refers to the proper name Catholic Church She posses the total means of salvation Catholicity: The Church Call to All We are all from one Creator; He desires all return to Him The Church is a sign (sacrament) of that oneness Thomas Aquinas (13th century) and the Word Catholic Universal i.e. everywhere in the world, all are accepted, for all time

26 - Catholicity: The Fullness of Christ in the Church Church – convocation or assembly of people Three distinct references for Church: People of God globally Local Church – diocese (called a particular Church) Assembly at liturgy (parish) The Communion of Saints and universal Church is present Catholicity and the Roman Catholic Church Apostolic Churches The Church of Rome took on special authority Peter and Paul ended their evangelization in Rome St. Irenaeus stated that Rome held a preeminent authority on all Church maters College of Bishops recognize the Bishop of Rome as their visible leader The Fullness of the Sacraments Provide grace in the totality of life

27 - The Church’s Relationship with All People The Church and Non-Christian Religions Ecumenism - Ecumenism takes as it starting point that Christ founded just one Church, not many churches; hence the Roman Catholic Church has as its ultimate hope and objective - that through prayer, study, and dialogue, the historically separated bodies may come again to be reunited with it. The RCC recognizes all Christian faiths seek God and contain some truths Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life Christians, Jews, Muslims are monotheistic The Church’s Relationship with Jews God chose to enter into an unconditional covenant with the Jewish people Many people are anti-Semitic The Church’s Relationship with Other Religions Hindus and Buddhists are polytheistic Individuals can follow a path to God on their own effort

28 - Universality and Diversity The Church Reconciles & Embraces Diversity Unity means striving to embrace differences in the name of Jesus The diversity of canonized saints reveal a wide range of people, backgrounds, races, nationalities The Eastern Catholic Churches Eastern Catholics are in full communion with Rome There are 21 Eastern Catholic Churches (most separated during the schism in the 11th century) Icons, iconostasis (a wall that separates the alter from people) Additional Examples of Diverse Catholicity Pilgrimages, religious dances, dress, music, shrines, icons

29 - The Apostles Continue Jesus’ Mission The Church is Apostolic in Three Ways The Church is built on the foundation of the apostles With the Holy Spirit the Church preserves and hands on the teaching of the apostles The Church continues to be taught, made holy and led by the successors of the apostles Who Is an Apostle? One who is sent Jesus Sends His Apostles Just as the Father Sent Jesus “As the Father has sent me, so I send you” to: Proclaim the Kingdom of God Heal the sick and cast out devils Raise the dead Forgive sins

30 - Apostolic Tradition Appointing Successors The Faith of the Church Jesus is the fulfillment of Divine Revelation Entrusted the Apostles to herald the mission to all peoples Bishops are the successors to the apostles Clement (96) writes that the apostles should send successors Sacred Tradition refers to the handing on of the truths taught by Jesus Protestants believe Sola Scriptura (truth from Scripture alone) The Faith of the Church The source of faith is the Church; therefore faith is both personal and ecclesial Passing Down the Apostolic Tradition Oral Tradition, Written Tradition Deciding on the canon of Scripture (46 OT, 27 NT) God as Trinity Matters of Faith and Morality

31 - The Successors to Peter and the Apostles The Apostles and the Bishops Holy Orders – the sacrament of Apostolic Succession Conferred by the laying on of hands Episcopal – priest who become bishops Ordination imprints a sacramental character on deacon, priest and bishop Peter and the Pope Pope is the Bishop of Rome Peter was given the keys to the Kingdom Peter was weak and very “human”, but still chosen to lead The Church interprets this as authority to govern the Church, power to absolve sin, make doctrine and disciplinary decision College of bishops act in communion with the Pope The Church is not a democracy (Jesus is the head)

32 - The Apostolate of the Laity We Are Sent Activities that fulfill the nature of the work of the Church All members of the Church are sent to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God Jesus Christ is the source of grace, strength, virtue Lay people are non-ordained ministers whose apostolate is to “love” What Does a Lay Apostolate Look Like? We “live” our apostolate in our everyday life by acting, proclaiming, “being Jesus” Living the charism of the Basilians