Our Catholic Roots

Chapter 1

What is the meaning of life?

There is no correct definition of the meaning of life.

No person really knows what the meaning of life is.

There are many theories that are being debated by theologians on what the meaning of life is.

Some theories? There are many different theories as to

answer the question “What is the meaning of life?”

One of the most basic theories is “To live your life as a good Christian.”

In order for one to fully understand what this means, we must first understand what the word Christian means.

Christian…?

The definition for the word Christian is as follows.

Webster’s Dictionary defines a Christian as “a person professing belief in Jesus as the Christ or in the religion based on the teaching of Jesus.”

Are we Christians or Catholics?

The questions every instructor gets asked every year.

The answer is we are BOTH! Say what??? Yes, the true name for our

religion… e.g. what we call ourselves is “Roman Catholic Christian”

Roman Catholic Christian? Roman: Meaning we follow the pope

in Rome. Catholic: Meaning we follow the

teachings on the Apostolic church, and believe them to be true and accurate.

Christian: Meaning we follow Jesus Christ.

Hence, Christian.

A higher power in history?

Some of the most greatest rulers believed that God exists.

Queen Elizabeth of England, one of England's most prosperous and most loved queens… molded her entire life after the Virgin Mary, even though she was not a Catholic, but a protestant. History even recognizes her as the VIRGIN queen. Her father was King Henry the Eighth, founder of the Church of England.

Famous people who believe in God! Mel Gibson Traditionalist Catholicism Mel Gibson belongs to a

Catholic sect that does not accept the reforms of the Second Vatican Council. "Vatican II corrupted the institution of the church. Look at the main fruits: dwindling numbers and pedophilia." - Time, January 27, 2003

Nicole Kidman Catholicism The award-winning actress was raised Catholic and has increasingly returned to her religious roots since divorcing Scientologist Tom Cruise. "Catholicism guides me. I certainly have a strong belief. I try to go to church regularly, and I try to go to confession." - Catholic.org

J.R.R. Tolkien Catholicism The author of the Lord of the Rings was a devout Catholic for most of his life. He played a significant role in the conversion of his friend C.S. Lewis.

Andy Warhol Catholicism The pop-artist was a devout, church-going Catholic.

Oscar Wilde Anglicanism, Catholicism The witty writer Oscar Wilde was a deathbed convert to Catholicism, which had long appealed to him. Washington Times

Believing God is not to far out there

Many important people believe in God with out question.

That is not to say everyone does. We are taught to respect the opinions

and diverse thinking of everyone. However, it is up to us to spread and

defend our fiath when the time comes.

What God is not…

Nature The Universe Mother Earth Animals God created all of these things;

therefore, it is impossible for him to be any of these things.

The Bible? Who wrote it?

The bible was written through Divine Inspiration brought forth by Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John… the four gospel writers of the New Testament.

It is for this reason that the Bible within these four chapters are very similar in their messages, but very different in their wording.

Words to know!

Divine Revelation Faith Divine Inspiration Bible