Our Catholic Faith Living What We Believe CHAPTER 4 The Church: The Body of Christ Where Christ Is, There is the Church What is Church? More Descriptions.

OurOur Catholic Catholic FaithFaith Living What We BelieveLiving What We Believe

CHAPTER 4CHAPTER 4

The Church: The Body of ChristThe Church: The Body of Christ

Where Christ Is, There is the ChurchWhere Christ Is, There is the Church

What is Church?What is Church?

More Descriptions of the ChurchMore Descriptions of the Church

Membership and Ministries in the ChurchMembership and Ministries in the Church

Marks of the ChurchMarks of the Church

Ecumenism: The Church and Other Ecumenism: The Church and Other Religions Religions

Chapter 4 Chapter 4 The Church: The Body of ChristThe Church: The Body of Christ

Where Christ Is, There is the ChurchWhere Christ Is, There is the Church

““Basin Theology”: Pilate vs. JesusBasin Theology”: Pilate vs. Jesus

challenges the followers of Jesus to challenges the followers of Jesus to choose what their role will be in the Church choose what their role will be in the Church

The Church is Christ’s presence in the worldThe Church is Christ’s presence in the world The Church is our Mother – nurturing The Church is our Mother – nurturing

and sustaining us through lifeand sustaining us through life Jesus’ presence in the Church by Jesus’ presence in the Church by

the power of the Holy Spirit the power of the Holy Spirit guarantees her ultimate success guarantees her ultimate success



Ways of understanding the word Ways of understanding the word churchchurch

“ “family of the Lord”family of the Lord”

“ “those called out, convocation, assembly”those called out, convocation, assembly”

God’s Chosen People in the Old TestamentGod’s Chosen People in the Old Testament

the community of Catholics the community of Catholics that assemble to worship that assemble to worship

the local gathering of Catholics the local gathering of Catholics in a particular neighborhood in a particular neighborhood

the worldwide gathering of those the worldwide gathering of those who have faith in Jesus Christ who have faith in Jesus Christ



The Church as a Mystery of God’s LoveThe Church as a Mystery of God’s Love

the visible realitythe visible realitythe visible realitythe visible reality

the invisible realitythe invisible realitythe invisible realitythe invisible reality

The ChurchThe Church



The Church as a Mystery of God’s LoveThe Church as a Mystery of God’s Love The Church is both a means and a goal of the great The Church is both a means and a goal of the great

mystery of God’s love for usmystery of God’s love for us Each Person of the Blessed Trinity had Each Person of the Blessed Trinity had

a role in the planning of the Church:a role in the planning of the Church:

God the FatherGod the Father

created the created the world which world which

foreshadowed foreshadowed the Churchthe Church

Jesus ChristJesus Christ established established the Church the Church on Peter and on Peter and the Twelve the Twelve ApostlesApostles

The Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit came on came on

Pentecost to Pentecost to make the Church make the Church holy and lead her holy and lead her in its mission of in its mission of preaching the preaching the

Good News to all Good News to all

The Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit came on came on

Pentecost to Pentecost to make the Church make the Church holy and lead her holy and lead her in its mission of in its mission of preaching the preaching the

Good News to all Good News to all

Chapter 4 Chapter 4 The Church: The Body of ChristThe Church: The Body of Christ What is Church?What is Church?

The Church is: The Church is:

pilgrim

an earthlycommunity

blessed withheavenly

riches

the Brideof Christ

a visiblesociety and

spiritualcommunity

Christ’svineyard

God’s buildingand farm

the flock of Christ

organizedhierarchically

and the mysticalbody of Christ

ourmother

God’sfamily



Four Images of the Church from the Four Images of the Church from the CCCCCC

Body of Christ● A communion of people with God● The unity is achieved especially

in the holy Eucharist● Because of Christ we are linked

in a special way to the poor, persecuted, and suffering

● Each Catholic is important to the health of the Body of Christ

As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though

many are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one

body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free

persons, and we were all given to drink of the one Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:12-13

Temple of the Holy Spirit● The Holy Spirit dwells in the

Church to give it life● The Holy Spirit is the soul of

the Church● The Church is “the sacrament

of the Holy Trinity’s communion” with us (CCC; 747)

● The Holy Spirit works through its members to continue the work of Salvation



Four Images of the Church from the Four Images of the Church from the CCCCCC

The People of God● It is of God● Membership is by baptism● Has Jesus as its head● Has dignity and freedom as

children of God ● Obliged to follow the law of

love● Is to be salt of the earth and

light to the world● God’s Kingdom is its destiny

Sacrament● Jesus and his Holy Spirit are

present● A visible sign of Christ in

our world● Unites people from all over

the world● Is a sign of the unity of all

humankind● Is an instrument to bring

about Salvation



What makes a person a member of the Church?What makes a person a member of the Church?

1. 1. Members of the Catholic Church are baptized Christians Members of the Catholic Church are baptized Christians who: who: ● accept Jesus as Lord and Savior accept Jesus as Lord and Savior ● accept the accept the entire system of Salvation Christ left the Church entire system of Salvation Christ left the Church ● continue Christ’s work of Salvation

2. Catholics minister God in the Church in different ways: 2. Catholics minister God in the Church in different ways: ● the hierarchy the hierarchy ● the laity the laity ● the consecrated lifethe consecrated life

3. Baptism into the Church makes each 3. Baptism into the Church makes each Catholic a child of God with equal dignityCatholic a child of God with equal dignity

What makes a person a member of the Church?What makes a person a member of the Church?

1. 1. Members of the Catholic Church are baptized Christians Members of the Catholic Church are baptized Christians who: who: ● accept Jesus as Lord and Savior accept Jesus as Lord and Savior ● accept the accept the entire system of Salvation Christ left the Church entire system of Salvation Christ left the Church ● continue Christ’s work of Salvation

2. Catholics minister God in the Church in different ways: 2. Catholics minister God in the Church in different ways: ● the hierarchy the hierarchy ● the laity the laity ● the consecrated lifethe consecrated life

3. Baptism into the Church makes each 3. Baptism into the Church makes each Catholic a child of God with equal dignityCatholic a child of God with equal dignity



Three categories of membership in the Church Three categories of membership in the Church The The hierarchyhierarchy – the order of ministry established by – the order of ministry established by

Christ on the Apostles and their successorsChrist on the Apostles and their successors The The laitylaity – any baptized Catholics who have not – any baptized Catholics who have not

received Holy Orders nor belong to a religious statereceived Holy Orders nor belong to a religious state The The consecratedconsecrated or or religious lifereligious life – can be members of – can be members of

the hierarchy or laypeople and include hermits, the hierarchy or laypeople and include hermits, consecrated virgins, secular institutes, different consecrated virgins, secular institutes, different apostolic societies, and men and women in religious apostolic societies, and men and women in religious ordersorders



Catholics share in the three ministries of ChristCatholics share in the three ministries of Christ

BA

PT

ISM

PRIESTLY (sanctifying)Offering yourself with Christ in his sacrifice to the Father

PROPHETIC (teaching)Becoming witnesses of Christ’s truth to the world

KINGLY (governing)Serving those in need



Ways the Pope and bishops exercise their prophetic role:Ways the Pope and bishops exercise their prophetic role:

1. 1. Magisterial teachingMagisterial teaching – the task of the Magisterium is to proclaim the Gospel, build up Christian love and service, and see the proper administration of the sacraments – the task of the Magisterium is to proclaim the Gospel, build up Christian love and service, and see the proper administration of the sacraments

2. 2. Ecumenical councilsEcumenical councils – such councils bring the Pope and bishops together to offer unified teachings – such councils bring the Pope and bishops together to offer unified teachings

3. 3. InfallibilityInfallibility – when it comes to essential matters of faith and morals, the Church is free from error – when it comes to essential matters of faith and morals, the Church is free from error

ONEONE The profession of one faith The profession of one faith

which goes back to the time which goes back to the time of the Apostlesof the Apostles

Divine worship celebrated in Divine worship celebrated in common, especially in the common, especially in the Seven SacramentsSeven Sacraments

The succession of bishops The succession of bishops from the time of the Apostles from the time of the Apostles to todayto today


Marks of the ChurchMarks of the Church

HOLYHOLY Christ is the model for her Christ is the model for her

holinessholiness The Holy Spirit lives in herThe Holy Spirit lives in her God uses her to bring his life God uses her to bring his life

and light into the world, to and light into the world, to sanctify hersanctify her

She has “the fullness of the She has “the fullness of the means of Salvation” means of Salvation”

CATHOLICCATHOLIC Christ’s presence gives her Christ’s presence gives her

the the fullnessfullness of the means of of the means of SalvationSalvation

She follows Jesus’ command She follows Jesus’ command to go out to all peopleto go out to all people

She teaches everything that She teaches everything that Christ taughtChrist taught

Each local diocese is in union Each local diocese is in union with the Holy Father with the Holy Father

APOSTOLICAPOSTOLIC She is the Church Christ She is the Church Christ

founded on the Apostlesfounded on the Apostles She continues to hand on the She continues to hand on the

teachings of the Apostles teachings of the Apostles She is taught, made holy, She is taught, made holy,

sanctified, and led by the sanctified, and led by the College of Bishops, whom College of Bishops, whom Christ appointed as Christ appointed as successors of the Apostlessuccessors of the Apostles


Ecumenism: The Church and Other ReligionsEcumenism: The Church and Other Religions

Ecumenism Ecumenism Unity among Christians is rooted in Baptism, Unity among Christians is rooted in Baptism,

even among those who are not professed even among those who are not professed CatholicsCatholics

Means of holiness outside Means of holiness outside the Catholic Church:the Catholic Church:

(1) Scripture(1) Scripture

(2) the life of grace(2) the life of grace

(3) faith, hope, and charity (3) faith, hope, and charity

Ecumenism Ecumenism Unity among Christians is rooted in Baptism, Unity among Christians is rooted in Baptism,

even among those who are not professed even among those who are not professed CatholicsCatholics

Means of holiness outside Means of holiness outside the Catholic Church:the Catholic Church:

(1) Scripture(1) Scripture

(2) the life of grace(2) the life of grace

(3) faith, hope, and charity (3) faith, hope, and charity


Ecumenism: The Church and Other ReligionsEcumenism: The Church and Other Religions

Ecumenism Ecumenism The Holy Spirit is working among all The Holy Spirit is working among all

Christians today helping them to achieve Christians today helping them to achieve a closer unity to our Lord and Saviora closer unity to our Lord and Savior

Ways to foster ecumenism:Ways to foster ecumenism:

(1) pray with our Christian brothers and sisters(1) pray with our Christian brothers and sisters

(2) study the truths of the Church so they can share (2) study the truths of the Church so they can share with others with others

(3) learn about other Christian denominations (3) learn about other Christian denominations

(4) work with other Christians in service and social justice(4) work with other Christians in service and social justice

Ecumenism Ecumenism The Holy Spirit is working among all The Holy Spirit is working among all

Christians today helping them to achieve Christians today helping them to achieve a closer unity to our Lord and Saviora closer unity to our Lord and Savior

Ways to foster ecumenism:Ways to foster ecumenism:

(1) pray with our Christian brothers and sisters(1) pray with our Christian brothers and sisters

(2) study the truths of the Church so they can share (2) study the truths of the Church so they can share with others with others

(3) learn about other Christian denominations (3) learn about other Christian denominations

(4) work with other Christians in service and social justice(4) work with other Christians in service and social justice


VOCABULARYVOCABULARY EvangelizationEvangelization (96) (96) ChurchChurch (96) (96) MysteryMystery (99) (99) SacramentSacrament (100) (100) Efficacious symbolEfficacious symbol

(101)(101) LaityLaity (102) (102) LiturgyLiturgy (102) (102) HierarchyHierarchy (106) (106) Evangelical counselsEvangelical counsels

(107)(107) InfallibilityInfallibility (109) (109) Marks of the Church Marks of the Church

(112)(112)

Canon lawCanon law (110) (110) CanonizationCanonization (114) (114) CatholicCatholic (114) (114) ApostleApostle (115) (115) HeresyHeresy (117) (117) ApostasyApostasy (117) (117) SchismSchism (117) (117) EcumenismEcumenism (117) (117) Great SchismGreat Schism (118) (118) ProtestantProtestant (118) (118)

Lord, grant that I may always allow myself Lord, grant that I may always allow myself to be guided by You,to be guided by You,

Always follow Your plans,Always follow Your plans,

And perfectly accomplish your Holy Will.And perfectly accomplish your Holy Will.

Grant that in all things, great and small,Grant that in all things, great and small,

today and all the days of my life, today and all the days of my life,

I may do whatever You require of me.I may do whatever You require of me.

Help me respond to the slightest prompting Help me respond to the slightest prompting of Your Grace, so that I may be Your of Your Grace, so that I may be Your

trustworthy trustworthy instrument for Your honor.instrument for Your honor.

May Your Will be done in time and in May Your Will be done in time and in eternity – by me, in me, and through me. eternity – by me, in me, and through me.

AmenAmen

St. Teresa of AvilaSt. Teresa of Avila

Pra

yer

for

Gu

idan

ce

Pra

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for

Gu

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Our Catholic Faith Living What We Believe CHAPTER 4 The Church: The Body of Christ Where Christ Is, There is the Church What is Church? More Descriptions.

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