1. THE NATURE AND FUNCTION OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH a brief overview
Nature and Function of the Church
Catholic Digital Resources presents . . .
THE NATURE AND FUNCTION OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH a brief overview
© 2008 Terry Modica, Catholic Digital Resources – catholicdr.com
(c) 2008 Catholic Digital Resources catholicdr.com

2. In this presentation, we will cover:
The Nature and Function of the Catholic Church
In this presentation, we will cover:
The Church was founded by Christ to lead all believers to heaven.
The Apostolic Succession has continued the leadership of Christ.
Revelation by Scripture and Tradition is how Jesus continues to reveal himself.
The 7 Sacraments are gifts through which Jesus continues to purify us.
The Mission of the Church is the mission of Christ continuing to lead people to heaven.

3. The Church was founded by Christ
The Nature and Function of the Catholic Church
The Church was founded by Christ
We are all sinners.
We cannot get to heaven by our own efforts, because we don't always obey God.
We turn away from God to do things our own way, and thus we break our unity with the Father who gave us life.
This leads to eternal death: Hell.

4. Q for group discussion: When did Jesus begin this mission?
The Nature and Function of the Catholic Church
The Church was founded by Christ
Jesus was born (God became man) to be the Son who always obeyed the Father.
As the divine Son, who loves all of God's children, he took our death upon himself on the Cross on Good Friday.
His resurrection gives us eternal life if we follow him: Heaven.
Q for group discussion: When did Jesus begin this mission?
A: Whenever he began to tell others the truth about God.

5. Q: When did his mission end?
The Nature and Function of the Catholic Church
The Church was founded by Christ
Q: When did his mission end?
When he died on the cross?
When he was resurrected?
When he ascended to heaven 40 days later?
Which do you think is the right answer?
A: It has never ended!
Read Matthew 16:13-19
Jesus trained all of his apostles to continue his mission.
He put the Apostle Peter in charge of the mission.
He gave his Holy Spirit to all of his followers.

6. The Apostolic Succession
The Nature and Function of the Catholic Church
The Apostolic Succession
The Apostles established church communities.
They put leaders in charge of the local community and then continued traveling to spread the Good News of Jesus throughout the territory.
The Apostles were the first bishops.
Peter was the first Pope (the first head bishop).
The local leaders were the first priests.
Deacons were assigned to help get some of the work done that the priests didn't have enough time to do.

7. The Apostolic Succession
The Nature and Function of the Catholic Church
The Apostolic Succession
We still have this hierarchy today.
Jesus ordained the first Apostles by calling them and commissioning them to continue his leadership.
They ordained the next generation of priests.
Some priests became bishops, who ordained the next generation of priests, and so on, in an unbroken chain of ordination.

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9. Marriage The 7 Sacraments
The Nature and Function of the Catholic Church
The 7 Sacraments
Marriage
What happens in a sacramental wedding ceremony?
Jesus in the priest unites the husband and wife.
This is why it's a sin to "put asunder what God has joined".
God unites himself to the couple during this Sacrament.
God offers supernatural help to the couple to work through difficult problems and keep their vows of commitment.

10. Holy Orders The 7 Sacraments What happens when a priest is ordained?
The Nature and Function of the Catholic Church
The 7 Sacraments
Holy Orders
What happens when a priest is ordained?
Jesus in the bishop commissions new priests to have the same mission that Jesus had.
Jesus in the priest continues the ministry of Jesus.
This is why it is Jesus administering the Sacraments, not the priest himself.

11. The Mission The function of the Church is 3-fold
The Nature and Function of the Catholic Church
The Mission
The function of the Church is 3-fold
Strengthen the believers
Evangelize others
Make the world a better place
The Church is the Body of Christ on Earth.
We gather as a community to strengthen our faith and grow in holiness.
Our love for one another is a witness of Jesus' love, which helps others have faith in Jesus.
We are Jesus' hands, his feet, his voice today, sent into the world to change it…
bringing the kingdom of heaven to earth …
on our journey to heaven as we follow Jesus.

12. Nature and Function of the Church
Let us pray: Holy Spirit, strengthen us to grow in faith, share the faith, and make our world a more heavenly place. Amen!
(c) 2008 Catholic Digital Resources catholicdr.com