OF THE

CATHOLIC CHURCH

UNIQUENSS

08 November 2015:

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Before We Begin

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful

and kindle in them the fire of Your love.

V. Send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created

R. And You shall renew the face of the earth. Amen.

V. Let us pray.

O God, Who taught the hearts of the faithful

by the light of the Holy Spirit,

grant that, by the gift of the same Spirit,

we may be always truly wise,

and ever rejoice in His consolation.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

STRICTLY FOR CATECHUMENS,

RECEPTION CANDIDATES & CONFIRMANDS

1 minute

Use only ONE WORD to complete the sentence

(POSITIVE or NEGATIVE)

The Catholic Church is

Sinners and saints

Around the globe

Dignity of human life

Sanctity of marriage and family

We compiled the Bible

Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition

2000 years

1 billion family members

Sacraments of the fullness of Christian Faith

Peter, you are the rock

Chaotic and hurting world vs. Something

consistent, true and strong

CCC 770: The Church in history yet transcends it.

Started off with only 12 apostles and today there

are 1.25 billion Catholics around the world.

The First Two Thousand Years

The First Two Thousand Years

Empires have come and gone, kingdom have come and gone, systems have come and gone, Romans have come and gone, Nazis have and gone, communism has come and almost gone.

The Church is persecuted since day one until today,but the Church has survived and will continue to survive.

The Church is Gods enterprise.

You are about to inherit a family tradition of more than 2000 years.

Whom Do We Believe In?

Believe in God alone (CCC 150)

Believe in Jesus Christ,

the Son of God (CCC

151)

Believe in the Holy Spirit (CCC 152)

Believe in One, Holy,

Catholic and Apostolic

Church (CCC 748)

7

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI,

Porta Fidei, 2011, Para 1

Faith is to believe inone God who is Love:

- the Father, who in the fullness of time sent His Son for our salvation;

- Jesus Christ, who in the mystery of His death and resurrection redeemed the world;

- the Holy Spirit, who leads the Church across the centuries as we await the Lords glorious return.

8

What is a Church?

CCC 751

ekklesia (Gk)

1) religious convocation/ assembly

2) the People of God

The Church is

Human

Physical

Visible

Divine

Spiritual

Invisible

The Church isboth human & divine

The Church Came First Before the Bible

33AD, Jesus left us a Church.

The teaching of Jesus was preserved by the Church.

This Church, led by the Holy Spirit, guards the deposit of faith.

300-400AD, the Church compiled the early bible canon.

What happened in the first 400 years?

33 AD, Jesus died, resurrected &

ascended into heaven???

300-400AD, the Church

compiled the early Bible

Canon

400 years without Bible!

No Teaching Authority?

No Governance?

No Truth?

382AD Council of Rome

The complete Bible Canon

Who Gave the Church the Authority?

It was by the Apostolic Tradition that the Church

discerned which writings are to be included in the

list of sacred books.

CCC120

Authority of the Church does not come from the

Bible alone (Sola Scriptura).

Rather the authority of the Church comes from

Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God.

1 Corinthians 15: 3

I delivered to you what I also received.

1 Corinthians 11:2

I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I have delivered them to you"

2 Thessalonians 2:15

So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter.

2 Thessalonians 3:6

Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is living in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. 15

The Catholic Church

Oral Form

(Sacred Tradition)

Written Form

(Sacred Scripture)

16

Deposit of Faith = Word of God =Jesus Christ

John 20: 30-31

There are many other

signs that Jesus worked in

the sight of the disciples,

but they are not recorded

in this book.

These are recorded so that

you may believe that Jesus

is the Christ, the Son of

God, and that believing this

you ay have life through

his name.17

18

Sacred Tradition

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2 Thessalonians 2:15

So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter.

What does Jesus say about the Church?

Anyone who listens to you, listens to me; anyone who rejects you rejects me, and those who reject me reject

the one who sent me. (Luke 10: 16)

I will give you the key to heaven: whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth will be

loosed in heaven. (Matthew 16: 19)

19

The Church governs, teaches and sanctifies.

Quick Summary

The authority of the Catholic Church comes directly from Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God.

The Catholic Church handed down the Divine Revelation in two forms i.e. Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture; both are equally important

and complement each other.

The Catholic Church discerned and decided which books are inspired by the Holy Spirit and to be included in the Canon of Bible.

The Catholic Church came first. Then the Bible.

NEXT: The Catholic Church is in Gods plan of salvation

One Holy Couple

(Adam & Eve) - Gen 1-3

One Holy Family (Noah)

- Gen 9

One Holy Tribe (Abraham)

- Gen 15

One Holy Nation (Moses)

- Ex 24

One Holy Kingdom (David)

- 2 Sam 7

One Holy, Catholic & Apostolic Church (Jesus) - Mk 14

The History of Salvation

In the Beginning (Gen 2: 21-24)

Jesus On the Cross (John 19: 30)

Consummatum est

It is consummated

Consummatum:

Consummate

To make complete/

perfect/ valid a

relationship

Church foreshadowed in creation & OT, instituted by Christ,

revealed by the Holy Spirit, for it was from the side of Christ

that came forth the sacrament of the Church. (CCC 766)

John 19: 31-37

The Church is the Bride of Christ

Eve came from the side of AdamThe Church comes from

the side of Jesus Christ

Eve was the bride of Adam The Church is the bride of Jesus

Christ is the Head of the Church

(Ephesians 5: 23-32)

Inseparable.

One head,

one body.

Christ sacrificed Himself

for her to make her holy.

God will continue

to be faithful.

Jesus Instituted the Catholic Church

Jesus appointed the Twelve.

(Mark 3:13-19)

He gave them authority and power

to teach, to sanctify & to govern.

(Luke 9:1-6; Matthew 28:19-20, 18: 17-18; John 20: 23; Mark 16: 15-16)

He appointed Simon Peter

as the leader & His Vicar on earth.

(Matthew 16: 13-19; John 21: 15-17)

He sent the Holy Spirit to be

the Soul of the Church.

(Acts 1: 8, 2: 1-4) 27

What?

Who?

Why?

Threefold

Mission

The Early Church

These remained faithful to

the teaching of the

apostles

to the brotherhood

to the breaking of

bread

and to the prayers

Act 2: 42

The Early Church

Members of the Church pooled & shared their material resources in communion of earthly goods. (Acts 2: 44-47; 4: 32-37)

Jerusalem was filled with preaching, miracles & wonders worked through the apostles by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2: 43; 3: 1-26)

The apostles proclaimed boldly the good news despite orders to stop preaching by the authorities. (Acts 4 & 5)

Many died for their faith. (Acts 6 & 7)

Conversion of Saul, a Pharisee & most ferocious persecutor of the early Church. He became Paul, the great Christian missionary. (Acts 9)

The Church isboth physical and spiritual

I believe in

one, holy, catholic and apostolic church.

(Nicene Creed)31

The Church is ONE

One Body of Christ

(1 Cor 12: 12-30)

One Spotless Bride

(Rev 22: 17)

One Sheepfold (Flock)

(Jn 10:16)

Jesus prayed that we may all be one (John 17: 21)

There is one body and one spirit one faith. (Ephesians 4: 4-5)

The Church is only ONE

She acknowledges one Lord,

confesses one faith,

born of one Baptism,

forms only one Body,

is given life by one Spirit,

for the sake of one hope (cf.

Eph 4: 3-5),

at whose fulfillment all

divisions will be overcome.

CCC 866

The Church can only be ONE

If faith is not one,

then it is not faith.

(St Leo the Great)

There is only one faith

because there is only one God,

not gods.

There is only one Truth,

not truths.

(Pope Francis, Lumen Fidei, 2001, Para 37)

The Church is ONE??

Today there are more than

40,000Christian denominations.

When we are not happy,

we break away & set up a new denomination.

This is the Tower of Babel of our time.

The Church is meant to be only ONE

I pray not only for these,

but also for those

who through their teaching

will come to believe in me.

May they all be ONE,just as, Father,

you are in me

and I am in you

Prayer of Jesus to the Father (John 17: 20-21)

The Church is meant to be only ONE

St Paul warned the Ephesians of

three threats to the Churchs unity:

Arguments between

Christians

Eph 4: 14-15

Diversity in service

Eph 4: 7-11

Unorthodox teaching

Eph 4: 4-6, 12-13, 16

The Church is meant to be only ONE

Ephesians 4: 3-6 Call to Unity

Take every care

to preserve the unity of the Spirit

that binds us together.

There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

and one God and Father of all,

over all, through all, and within all.

There is one Body,

one Spirit,

just as one hope

is the goal of your calling by God.

NEXT: The Church is HOLY

The Church is HOLY

The Most Holy God is her author;

Christ, her bridegroom,

gave himself up to make her holy;

the Spirit of holiness gives her life.

She is the sinless one made up of sinners

CCC 887

The Church is HOLY

Jesus makes the Church holy by sending us the Holy Spirit, the soul of the Church (Jn 16: 4-15)

Temple of the Holy Spirit (CCC 797)

The Spirit of truth will guide us into complete truth (Jn 16: 13)

41

You are Peter

and on this rock

I will build

my community.

And the gates

of the underworld

can never

over power it.

(Matthew 16: 18)

Gods household, the Church of the living God

is the pillar and support of the truth.

(1 Timothy 3: 15)

The Church is CATHOLIC

From the rising of the sun to its setting.

Is catholic since Pentecost and commissioned by Christ to make disciples of all nations.

St Ignatius of Antioch ~200AD, Where the bishop is, there is the Catholic Church.

Universal Wholesome teaching of the Apostles must be accepted as a whole, not bits and pieces.

She professes the fullness of the faith.

She bears in herself and administer the totality of the means of salvation.

Totality

CCC 868

The Church is APOSTOLIC

She is built on the lasting foundation:

the twelve apostles of the Lamb (Rev 21: 14)

The Church is APOSTOLIC

Jesus Christ, Son of

the Living God

St Peter St LinusSt Pope

John Paul II

Pope Emeritus Benedict

XVI

Pope Francis

(266th

Successor of Peter)

The deposits of faith has been passed on through

uninterrupted line of apostolic succession

The Apostolic Succession

The Church is APOSTOLIC

Lasting

(Rev 21:14)

Indestructible

(Mt 16: 18)

Infallible in the truth

(Mt 16: 19)

CCC 869

The Church isboth visible and invisible

If not ON EARTH? Then where the H***?

Jesus ChristJesus Christ

Church MilitantChurch Militant

Church PenitentChurch Penitent

Church Triumphant

Church Triumphant

Three Dimensions of the Church

The Church is the People of God

49

PopePope

CardinalsCardinals

Archbishops

& Bishops

Archbishops

& Bishops

PriestsPriests

DeaconsDeacons

ReligiousReligious

LaityLaity

Infallibility

Truth 1: The Pope is not infallible on his own. The Pope works with the College of Bishops.Truth 1: The Pope is not infallible on his own. The Pope works with the College of Bishops.

Truth 2: The Church is infallible when she preserves and teaches the deposit of truth revealed by Jesus.Truth 2: The Church is infallible when she preserves and teaches the deposit of truth revealed by Jesus.

Truth 3: The Pope is infallible when he teaches ex cathedra (from the chair) in matters of faith and moral.Truth 3: The Pope is infallible when he teaches ex cathedra (from the chair) in matters of faith and moral.

Truth 4: Decision is final and immutable; and must be binding on the entire Church.Truth 4: Decision is final and immutable; and must be binding on the entire Church.

Pope Francis, Lumen Fidei, 2001, Para 37

The Church is the mother of our faith.

Love Jesus but hate the Church?

You cannot have God

for your Father

if you do not have

the Church

for your mother

(St Cyprian, c. 200-258 AD)

The Church is our Mother

The Church is an old

woman with many

wrinkles and furrows.

But she is my mother.

And no one

strikes my mother.

(Fr. Karl Rahner, SJ)

What Does the Church Do?

The Church in Action

Jesus in his earthly ministry:

Jesus in his earthly ministry:

Calls & make disciples

Strengthens

Forgives sins

Feeds

Heals the sick

Commissions and sends out

Now, the Church faithful to our Lords command,

continues his mission by administering the

Sacraments.

Now, the Church faithful to our Lords command,

continues his mission by administering the

Sacraments.

Sacrament of Baptism

Sacrament of Confirmation

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Sacrament of Eucharist

Sacrament of Anointing

Sacrament of Holy Orders

Sacrament of Holy Matrimony

Jesus is the Head of the Church

Christ is the image of the unseen God.The Church now is the image of the unseen Christ.

Christ is the image of the unseen God.The Church now is the image of the unseen Christ.

The sole Church of Christ whichin the Creed we profess to be

one, holy, catholic and apostolic,subsists in the Catholic Church.

(CCC 870)

The sole Church of Christ whichin the Creed we profess to be

one, holy, catholic and apostolic,subsists in the Catholic Church.

(CCC 870)

Jesus is the Head of the Church

Is there SalvationOutside the Catholic Church?

YouCat #136

The Church respects everything in other religions that

is good and true. She respects and promotes freedom

of religion as human rights. Yet she knows (and

professes) that Jesus Christ is the sole redeemer of all

mankind. He alone is the Way, the Truth and the Life

(John 14: 6).

YouCat #136

The Church teaches that all men who by no fault of their own do not know Christ but

sincerely seek God and follow the voice of their conscience can attain eternal salvation.

However, anyone who has recognized that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life but is unwilling to follow Him, cannot

find salvation by other paths.

The Churchin the world

but not of the world

1.25 Billion Catholics

Mother Tongue??

The Church in the Modern World

What concerns the humans, concerns the Church

The Holy See was granted permanent observer state (i.e.,

non-member state) status on 6 April 1964.

In that capacity, it has the right to attend all sessions of the

United Nations General Assembly, the United Nations

Security Council, and the United Nations Economic and

Social Council to observe their work.

Accordingly, the Holy See has established permanent

observer missions in New York and in Geneva and has

been able to influence the decisions and

recommendations of the United Nations.

A Persecuted Church

The blood of the martyrs, the seed of our faith.

If the world hates you,

you must realize that

it hated me before it

hated you

If they persecute me,

they will persecute you

as well

John 15: 18-20

The End of Time (Rev 22: 17, 20)

The Spirit and the Bride say, Come!

And let him who hears say, Come.

Come, Lord Jesus.

The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

Jesus was twelve years

old.

Follow his parents to the

Temple for Passover

Feast.

Jesus was left behind.

Mary and Joseph finally

realized Jesus was missing.

After three days, they

found Jesus in the Temple. 70

I am with you always

till the end of timesThe Church has survived

and will survive.

Luke 1: 41-49 Matthew 28: 20

Sharing & Reflection

Why do I choose or remain to be a Catholic?

What makes you proud to be a Catholic?

The Creeds are brief formulas of faith

that make it possible for all believers

to make a common profession.

(YouCat #26)

The Nicene Creed

I believe in one God.

the Father almighty

maker of heaven and earth

of all things visible and invisible

The Nicene Creed

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,

The Only Begotten Son of God,

born of the Father before all ages.

God from God, Light from Light,

true God from true God,

begotten, not made,

consubstantial with the Father;

through Him all things were made.

The Nicene Creed

(Please bow while praying this)

For us men and for our salvation

he came down from heaven,

And by the Holy Spirit was incarnate

of the virgin Mary,

and became man.

The Nicene Creed

For our sake he was crucified

under Pontius Pilate,

He suffered death and was buried,

and rose again on the third day

in accordance with the Scriptures.

The Nicene Creed

He ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory

to judge the living and the dead

and his kingdom will have no end.

The Nicene Creed

I believe in the Holy Spirit

the Lord, the giver of life,

who proceeds from the Father and the Son,

who with the Father and the Son

is adored and glorified,

who has spoken through the prophets.

The Creed

I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.

I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins

and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead

and the life of the world to come.

Amen.

THANK YOUAND GOOD NIGHT!!