describe what catholics mean when they say the church is one.
the unity in the trinity of one god, the son, and the holy spirit.
jesus christ, who came to restore unity among all people and god.
the holy spirit, who brings about the communion of the faithful.
describe what catholics mean when they say the church is holy.
it is the body of christ - the holy one of god.
the holy spirit dwells in it.
it is set apart from the rest of creation because of its intimate connection to god.
describe what catholics mean when they say the church is catholic.
it is whole and complete.
it is for all people.
the church teachings are based upon the whole of revelation: all of scripture, teachings of the apostles, and the understanding and witness of christians.
describe what catholics mean when they say the church is apostolic.
it has been sent into the world by christ.
it remains faithful to its apostolic nature.
where is catholic faith rooted?
in god who became incarnate in history in the person of jesus christ.
why can't christian faith be separated from a relationship with the church?
because where the church is, god is.
what is faith?
a free gift from god, and without god's help we could not believe. an authentically human act- it is our response to god's gift. contact with the mystery of god.
how does the gift of faith begin?
it may come in a moment or it may be part of a gradual process. it is not something that happens all at once and for all of time.
how should faith be sustained?
prayer, study, reflection, and the regular reception of the sacraments. should be exercised by loving action.
what must a true disciple of christ do and why?
join with others because our faith must be communal as well as personal. the church believes that we can be united in faith.
what is our belief rooted in?
in the ancient israelites' belief that anyone who looked upon the face of god would die because god is so much beyond human comprehension.
why does god choose to be mediated to us through that which is familiar and understandable?
so that we might know, understand, and experience god better without being overwhelmed.
what does our community's faith make it possible for us to do?
to know and love god more fully and to live as members of the one body of christ.
what do the formal structures of the church help individuals and communities do?
establish, express, and maintain their identities as believers. they make our communal relationship with god visible and tangible.
the movement and activities which seek to promote religious unity within the christian church and among all the people of the world. it is the reconciliation of all christians in the unity of the church.
what is the nicene creed?
a statement of the church's beliefs issued at the first ecumenical council at nicaea in 325 and later confirmed at the council of constantinople in 381. it taught that jesus is of the same substance as god and thus divine.
what were the teachings of paul, ignatius, irenaeus and others formalized in?
formalized in the nicene creed.
what do the four marks of the church help to do?
help us to understand how the church is the sacrament of christ.
how are catholics united?
a profession of one faith received from the apostles, common celebration of divine worship/sacraments, and apostolic succession through the sacrament of holy orders.
what is the assembly established by christ to be god's presence in the world and to continue christ's own work?
what are three aspects of catholic faith and practice that are particularly important in giving form to holiness?
the moral teachings of the church.
the evangelical counsels.
what are the evangelical counsels?
poverty, chastity, and obedience. the aim of them is to help a person remove everything from his or her life which might hinder the ability to love as christ loved.
how does the church remain faithful to its apostolic nature?
by recognizing that it is built upon the foundation of the apostles.
by following the holy spirit.
by accepting the continued guidance of the apostles through apostolic succession.