CREDIBLE CATHOLIC PRESENTATION 6 GUIDE WHY BE CATHOLIC? Fr. Robert J. Spitzer, S. J., Ph.D. From content by: Adapted by: Claude R. LeBlanc, M.A.

Transcription

1 CC PRESENTATION 6 GUIDE CREDIBLE CATHOLIC WHY BE CATHOLIC? From content by: Fr. Robert J. Spitzer, S. J., Ph.D. Adapted by: Claude R. LeBlanc, M.A. 1 Magis Center 2017

2 Welcome to CREDIBLE CATHOLIC! WHAT IS THE PROBLEM? It is unbelief and skepticism. In our culture, derision of religion, God, the soul, Jesus, and the prospect of finding spiritual meaning in suffering, are not only tolerated but preached and sometimes even celebrated. Many are already infected by the faulty messages which are delivered in four popular, but inaccurate, secular myths. These myths, in one form or another, are as follows: Myth 1: Science and faith are incompatible, and since science is true, it has replaced religion. Myth 2: Human beings are like every other animal merely a complex of atoms and molecules. We have no soul, no eternal destiny, and no transcendent nature. When we die, we die. Myth 3: There is no explanation for why an all-loving God would allow suffering. Therefore, suffering is fundamentally negative and a loving God probably does not exist. Myth 4: There is no evidence for Jesus as an historical figure, and therefore his resurrection or divinity. If Jesus did exist he was just an interesting prophet, but not a Savior or the Son of God. The 2016 Pew Research Center s Religious Landscape Study indicates that over 40% of millennials have abandoned their faith to unbelief because these four challenges have not been adequately addressed. Unless we specifically and effectively address these challenges to faith, the percentage will continue to grow. What can be done? WHAT IS OUR SOLUTION? Credible Catholic, a Magis Center curriculum correlated to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, was specifically created to address these myths. TABLE OF CONTENTS GENERAL INTRODUCTION.. 4 Presentation 6: WHY BE CATHOLIC? Presentation Notes. 6 Activities Handouts. 17 Assessment (and answer key). 21 Student and Presenter Surveys.. 23 Magis Center

3 CREDIBLE CATHOLIC PRESENTATION 6 GUIDE WHY BE CATHOLIC? From content by: Fr. Robert J. Spitzer, S. J., Ph.D. Adapted by Claude R. LeBlanc, M.A. Magis Center Chapman Ave. Christ Cathedral Tower of Hope, 9 th Floor Garden Grove, CA Magis Center Magis Center 2017

4 CREDIBLE CATHOLIC Presentation 6 Why Be Catholic? Table of Contents GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS Content: This presentation is primarily derived from the Credible Catholic Little Book (CCLB) 6 which can be found at crediblecatholic.com. The presentations are interactive, with prayers, questions for discussion, videos and activities. You will find that most of the slides are self-explanatory. If you are using the version without voiceover, it is suggested that you or one of your students read it aloud, then you can comment about it or lead a discussion related to it. The questions on the slides are included to encourage student participation, at your discretion. Handouts: Students do not need to write down what is on the slides. You can simply make a copy of the following pages, with images of the slides and additional notes, for their use. There are a few places where notes can be added by the students but the commentary should provide them with what they need. Opening & Closing Prayers: It is recommended that you have the whole class read these aloud to establish that you expect their participation. Videos and Audio Files: These are introduced on the previous slides so that you are prepared for them. They automatically start when the next slide is opened. There is a discussion question included with each video. If you wish to use it, ask it before changing slides. When leading a discussion, it is important to establish trust on the part of your students, so let them answer the questions without correction (unless you believe they are being malicious). The content of each presentation contains the Church s teachings on the topics, so you do not need to give correct answers to the discussion questions. Time Required: Each presentation was designed to be easily covered in 120 minutes. If you have less time, use your discretion in limiting some discussion, omitting an activity (or activities), skipping a video (or videos), and assigning the assessment for homework (see the chart on the next page for recommendations). If you find you have extra time, use it for further class discussion and/or to encourage your students to brainstorm how this information can be used to confront the challenges to faith they face. If you can, add personal anecdotes and examples as appropriate to enhance student learning. You may consider reading through the assessment questions beforehand to help you decide what to emphasize. Magis Center

5 CC P13 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS, pg. 2 If you wish to use most or all of this presentation s components, but do not have sufficient time, you can split it into two or more presentations as you see fit. Recommendations Based on Available Time Minutes: Presentation Text Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Discussion Questions No Yes Yes Yes Yes Videos No No Yes Yes Yes Activities No No No Yes Yes Assessment No No No No Yes Required Preparation: Knowing how busy teachers and catechists are, we have tried to make these presentations easy to use. Generally, after reading these General Instructions, you can start the presentation and follow the Presentation Notes from beginning to end. For additional preparation, you may find it rewarding to read through the applicable CCLB (as noted above). If more information is desired, you can reference the Credible Catholic Big Book (CCBB) and/or the other additional resources shown at the end of each presentation. Using the Presentations: All Credible Catholic presentations are free online and can be played on your smart device or computer from our website with no special apps by electing the PLAY button. You may also download them in PDF format by selecting the SAVE button. You may need Adobe Acrobat Player, Adobe Flash Player and/or QuickTime Player (all free online) for the embedded videos and audio files to play in the PDFs. Student and Presenter Surveys are provided at the end of the presentation guide. We would appreciate it if you would administer and send them to us, either to the address at the front of this guide, or by scanning and ing them to teach@magiscenter.com. To show our appreciation, we are offering a 25% discount on any one of the products for sale on our website for each class survey you submit. Need Help? If you have questions, contact us at teach@magiscenter.com and we will try to get back to you promptly. 5 Magis Center 2017

6 CC Presentation 6: Why Be Catholic? Table of Contents PRESENTATION NOTES 4. There is a natural, and universal, desire for humans to share what they find important and beautiful. Why should faith be any different? 1. Presentation 6 Title Slide 2. Presentation 6 Copyright Slide 5. Teresa of Avila ( ) was born and lived in Spain. She entered a Carmelite convent when she was eighteen, and earned a reputation as a reformer, writer and mystic who experienced divine visions. She founded a convent, and wrote the book The Way of Perfection for her nuns. Other important books by her include her Autobiography and The Interior Castle. This saying comes from a poem she wrote entitled Christ Has No Body. You can find it at: s/teresa_of_avila_christ_has_no_body.shtml 3. Opening Prayer Notes: 6. Why do We Need a Church? Magis Center

7 7. There is a common perception today that truth is relative, and that there is no such a thing as a right religion. But, we must ask ourselves, Can a church (or churches) founded by humans be as right as the Catholic Church founded by Jesus himself? 10. ACTIVITY 1: The Need for a Recognized Authority in the Church. What state would the Catholic Church be in without the authority of the successors of St. Peter and the Apostles? Would it be like Protestantism? 8. The division in Protestantism is a scandal to the rest of the world. Jesus said: I pray that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. (John 17:20-21) For example, it is claimed that Ghandi once said, I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ as why he was not a Christian. 11. Without this authority, who s to say that any interpretation (there are at least 35,000 of them) is correct or not? A Catholic introduction to understanding the Bible can be found at: 9. CHAPTER 2: The Primacy of Peter and his Successors 12. Catholics believe this on the authority of the word of the resurrected Jesus Christ. Notes: 7 Magis Center 2017

8 13. More information about the religious divisions in Israel at the time of Jesus can be found at: (See notes for slide 8 for John 17:21.) Jesus said: The Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you. (John 14:26) 16. A video explaining why Peter is the rock, mentioned in Matthew 16:18, can be found at: Can you imagine an institution not having someone in charge of it? Imagine a Church without a pope and bishops. How different would it be? 14. How could 2 nd or 3 rd century Christians resolve disagreements or misunderstandings after all of the Apostles died, and before the New Testament was made available, without apostolic successors? Then, how could they resolve disagreements and misunderstandings about the Bible without those same apostolic successors? 18. OPTIONAL ACTIVITY: There is a handout for use with this slide in the Presentation Guide. 15. The Primacy of Peter and his Successors Notes: Magis Center

9 19. The Primacy of Peter and his Successors 22. The Primacy of Peter and his Successors 20. More info.about Pope Cement 1 is at: VIDEO 1: Why Do We Need a Pope? 21. More info. about St. Ignatius of Antioch is at: More info. about St. Irenaeus is at: More info. about St. Cyprian of Carthage is at: Notes: 24. There is a hesitancy among some Christians to put their trust in a human authority, so they trust in the Bible s authority instead. But, how can the Bible have any authority apart from the Church that wrote it, chose which books to include in it, was given the Holy Spirit to understand Jesus teachings, (John 14:26) and has the mission to teach the world what Jesus commanded? (Matthew 26:20) 9 Magis Center 2017

10 25. The Primacy of Peter and his Successors 28. VIDEO 2: How the Church Approves Miracles 26. Science can only investigate phenomena within our physical universe. A miracle, by its very nature, involves a supernatural intervention beyond science s ability to detect. More info. on the Church s teaching on miracles is at: ommon-misconceptions/the-churchs-teaching-onmiracles.html 29. What objections would people make if they thought the standards were too easy or too rigid? 30. CHAPTER 3: The Supreme Intercession of Mary 27. The Primacy of Peter and his Successors Notes: Magis Center

11 31. Info. about the role of Mary in the Church is at: The Supreme Intercession of Mary 35. The Supreme Intercession of Mary 32. The Supreme Intercession of Mary 33. Some question if St. Juan Diego was a real person. Information about his historicity is at: Notes: 36. More info. on the miracles associated with the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is at: 11 Magis Center 2017

12 37. The Supreme Intercession of Mary 41. The Supreme Intercession of Mary 38. The Supreme Intercession of Mary 42. VIDEO #3: The Impact of Our Lady of Guadalupe 39. The Supreme Intercession of Mary 40. The Supreme Intercession of Mary 43. Info. on Catholic teaching about saints is at: Notes: Magis Center

13 44. Information about miracles attributed to the prayer of Padre Pio (while he was alive) is at: GLISH/Miracles.htm 47. The Intercession of the Saints 48. The Intercession of the Saints 45. Info. about Consiglia de Martino s cure is at: /the-cure-of-signora-consiglia-de-martino/ 49. Info. about the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist (Transubstantiation) is at: The Intercession of the Saints Notes: 13 Magis Center 2017

14 50. More info. about this miracle can be found at: The Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist 54. The Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist 51. The Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist 55. VIDEO 4: Argentina s Eucharistic Miracle 52. The Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist Notes: 56. See the link for slide 49 for more information. Magis Center

15 57. More information on how miracles point us toward the Cathoic Church can be found at: VIDEO 5: God Wants Everyone to be Catholic 61. What the Catholic Church has that other Churches have lost 58. More information on what non-catholic, Christian churches have lost can be found at: ACTIVITY 2: Write a Commercial for the Catholic Church 59. What the Catholic Church has that other Churches have lost Notes: 15 Magis Center 2017

16 63. Closing Prayer 64. Presentation 6 Additional Resources Slide 65. Credits Slide Notes: Magis Center

17 Name: Period: Date: Table of Contents CREDIBLE CATHOLIC Presentation 6 ACTIVITIES Why Be Catholic? ACTIVITY #1: The Need for a Recognized Authority in the Church Answer the following questions: 1) What would happen if a professional sport did not have referees or umpires? Why? 2) Would it matter if the players promised not to cheat? 3) How does this relate to the need for a recognized authority in the Church? Answer 1 Answer 2 Answer 3 ACTIVITY #2: Write a Commercial for the Catholic Church Imagine you work in advertising and the Bishop wants your agency to write four 30-second radio commercials titled, Why Be Catholic? Commercial 1: The Primacy of Peter and his successors. Commercial 2: The intercessory roles of Mary and the Saints. Commercial 3: The real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Commercial 4: What Christians miss out on by not being Catholic. Write the commercial assigned (about 50 words) based on what you learned in this presentation. Share it with the class. 17 Magis Center 2017

18 Name: Period: Date: Table of Contents CREDIBLE CATHOLIC Presentation 6 OPTIONAL ACTIVITY Did Peter s Actions Demonstrate that he Understood his Authority? Read the following Scripture passages and decide for yourself! Reading 1: (from Acts 1:15-26) During those days Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers (there was a group of about one hundred and twenty persons in the one place). He said, My brothers, the scripture had to be fulfilled which the holy Spirit spoke beforehand through the mouth of David, concerning Judas, who was the guide for those who arrested Jesus. He was numbered among us and was allotted a share in this ministry For it is written in the Book of Psalms: May another take his office. Therefore, it is necessary that one of the men who accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus came and went among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day on which he was taken up from us, become with us a witness to his resurrection. 1) Did Peter establish the succession of the Apostles by proposing the election of a successor to the Apostle Judas? How? Reading 2: (from Acts 2:14-31) Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed to them, You who are Jews, indeed all of you staying in Jerusalem. Let this be known to you, and listen to my words. These people are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: darkness, and the moon to blood, before the coming of the great and splendid day of the Lord, and it shall be that everyone shall be saved who calls on the name of the Lord. 2) Was Peter the spokesman for the Church at Pentecost? How? Reading 3: (Acts 15:7-12) After much debate had taken place, Peter got up and said to them, My brothers, you are well aware that from early days God made his choice among you that through my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, bore witness by granting them the holy Spirit just as he did us. He made no distinction between us and them, for by faith he purified their hearts. Why, then, are you now putting God to the test by placing on the shoulders of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they. The whole assembly fell silent, and they listened while Paul and Barnabas described the signs and wonders God had worked among the Gentiles through them. 3) Did Peter make authoritative decisions like expanding the Church by preaching to Jews and Gentiles? How? It will come to pass in the last days, God says, that I will pour out a portion of my spirit upon all flesh. Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. Indeed, upon my servants and my handmaids. I will pour out a portion of my spirit in those days, and they shall prophesy. And I will work wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below: blood, fire, and a cloud of smoke. The sun shall be turned to Magis Center

19 Name: Period: Date: Table of Contents CREDIBLE CATHOLIC Presentation 6 ASSESSMENT Why Be Catholic? Modified True or False: If a statement is true, mark it true. If false, make it true by striking through what is false and writing a correction on the lines provided It is unnatural for people to want to share their faith. There are many good reasons for belonging to a church. Is seems clear from Scripture that Jesus intended for there to be many different Christians churches. Catholics believe that when Jesus established His Church He gave Peter and his successors authority over it. There are many miracles associated with the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Saints throughout the centuries. Miracles associated with the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe are still being discovered today. In order for a person to be declared a Saint by the Catholic Church, three medically verified and scientifically unexplainable miracles are required. Catholics believe that Mary and the Saints have their own power to perform miracles. Catholics believe here are two kinds of miracles associated with the Eucharist; the Real Presence of Christ (transubstantiation), and human flesh and blood miracles. The miracles associated with Mary, the Saints and the Eucharist indicate God s disapproval of the Catholic doctrines connected to them. 19 Magis Center 2017

20 CREDIBLE CATHOLIC Presentation 6 ASSESSMENT ANSWER KEY Why Be Catholic? Table of Contents Modified True or False: If a statement is true, mark it true. If false, make it true by striking through what is false and writing a correction on the lines provided. FALSE 1. TRUE 2. FALSE 3. TRUE 4. TRUE 5. TRUE 6. FALSE 7. FALSE 8. TRUE 9. FALSE 10. It is unnatural for people to want to share their faith. natural There are many good reasons for belonging to a church. Is seems clear from Scripture that Jesus intended for there to be many different Christians churches. did not intend Catholics believe that when Jesus established His Church He gave Peter and his successors authority over it. There are many miracles associated with the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Saints throughout the centuries. Miracles associated with the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe are still being discovered today. In order for a person to be declared a Saint by the Catholic Church, three medically verified and scientifically unexplainable miracles are required. two Catholics believe that Mary and the Saints have their own power to perform miracles. do not believe Catholics believe here are two kinds of miracles associated with the Eucharist; the Real Presence of Christ (transubstantiation), and human flesh and blood miracles. The miracles associated with Mary, the Saints and the Eucharist indicate God s disapproval of the Catholic doctrines connected to them. approval Magis Center

21 Presentation 6: Why Be Catholic? STUDENT SURVEY Table of Contents School Name Grade Level Date Please choose the answer that best fits your responses: 1. Did this presentation have voice-over (audio throughout)? yes no 2. Before viewing this presentation, I had of this topic. much knowledge some knowledge no knowledge 3. I understood this presentation: very well well not that well 4. I found this presentation: very interesting interesting not that interesting 5. (Select all that apply) I liked the: information images videos discussions activities Comments: 6. (Select all that apply) I disliked the: information images videos discussions activities Comments: 7. This presentation had a impact on my faith. very positive somewhat positive somewhat negative Comments: 8. This presentation would have been better if: 9. Would you like to see a similar type of presentation on another topic? Yes No If so, which topic(s)? 10. Would you recommend this presentation to a friend? Yes No Why or why not? PRESENTERS: Scan surveys and them to: teach@magiscenter.com or mail them to: Magis Center, Chapman Ave., Christ Cathedral Tower of Hope, 9 th Floor, Garden Grove, CA Magis Center 2017

22 Presentation 6: Why Be Catholic? PRESENTER SURVEY Table of Contents School Name Grade Level Date Please choose the answer that best fits your responses: 1. Did this presentation have voice-over (audio throughout)? yes no 2. Before presenting this, I had of this topic. much knowledge some knowledge no knowledge 3. I found the Presentation Guide in preparing for this presentation very helpful somewhat helpful not helpful Comments: 4. I found it to present this presentation. very easy somewhat easy somewhat difficult Comments: 5. My students participated in the discussions. very well somewhat well somewhat poorly Comments: 6. My students participated in the activities. very well somewhat well somewhat poorly Comments: 7. This presentation would be better if: 8. Would you like to present on other topics in this style? Yes No If so, which topic(s)? 9. Would you recommend this presentation to a colleague? Yes No Why or why not? PRESENTERS: Scan surveys and them to: teach@magiscenter.com or mail them to: Magis Center, Chapman Ave., Christ Cathedral Tower of Hope, 9 th Floor, Garden Grove, CA Magis Center

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24 What is CREDIBLE CATHOLIC? CREDIBLE CATHOLIC is a Magis Center 20-module curriculum designed to confront the secular and anti-religious challenges of our culture head on. It is correlated to the four parts of the Catechism of the Catholic Church as follows: Part One (Catechism of the Catholic Church - CCC): The Profession of Faith CC1 Scientific Evidence and Philosophical Proof of God s Existence CC2 Medical Evidence and Philosophical Proof of a Soul CC3 Proof of Jesus Resurrection and Divinity CC4 The Significance of Jesus Life and Teachings CC5 The Trinity, Incarnation, and the Last Things Part Two (From the CCC): The Celebration of the Christian Mystery CC6 Why Be Catholic? CC7 The Inspiration and Canonicity of the Old Testament CC8 Jesus and the New Testament CC9 The Sacraments, Part 1 The Sacred Eucharistic Liturgy CC10 The Sacraments, Part 2 Baptism, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Holy Orders, and the Anointing of the Sick CC11 The Sacraments, Part 3 Marriage CC12 Sacramentals, Devotions, and Traditions Part Three (From the CCC): Life in Christ CC13 True Happiness CC14 Suffering, Spiritual Evil, and Jesus' Defeat of Satan CC15 The Seven Deadly Sins CC16 Contending with Evil Through Virtue and Prayer CC17 Personal Ethics and Social Ethics Part Four (From the CCC): Christian Prayer CC18 Relationship with Christ and Spontaneous Prayers CC19 Why Would an All-loving God Allow Suffering? CC20 Examen, Discernment, and Contemplation CREDIBLE CATHOLIC modules contain the following products: 1. Presentation - slide presentations with optional voiceovers, 2. Presentation Guide - Adds information, activities and quizzes, 3. Little Book - A summary of the Big Book and the primary source for the Presentation, 4. Big Book - 1,500+ pages in 20 volumes, the foundation of the Credible Catholic Modules. At crediblecatholic.com, everything is free online and printed materials may be purchased Magis Center