Christ the Teacher Institute of Religious Studies Parish Component Hand Book Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls DVD s 1-7
DVD I Revelation and the Response of Faith I. Introduction a. God slowly reveals Himself, as in a relationship b. Analogy of a couple getting to know one another II. Why does God reveal Himself to us? a. His plan for us b. His desire for a relationship with us III. How does God reveal Himself to us? a. Gradually, incrementally b. Salvation history c. The coming of Jesus 2
IV. Jesus: the fullness of revelation a. Jesus is the final Word of the Father V. Transmission of Divine Revelation a. Sacred Scripture b. Sacred Tradition c. The Magisterium VI. The truths of divine revelation and us a. They are lights on our journey VII. Our response: faith a. Listening b. Examination c. Obedience 3
Towards a Catholic Worldview I. What is a Worldview? a. How one views and understands reality, the world in which we live b. Everyone has one, implicitly or explicitly c. A worldview truly in accord with reality is coherent & consistent II. What is a Catholic Worldview? a. Recognition of God s existence and activity b. Centered on Jesus Christ c. Lived in the Church 4
III. What are its characteristics? a. Open to and aware of all of reality b. Recognizes the full dignity of the human person, body & soul c. Integrates every dimension of human life d. Seeks and values truth, goodness & beauty in all places and cultures 5
Sacred Scripture I. Sacred Scripture is God s word addressed to humanity a. It is a love letter from our heavenly Father to us b. It is his word, expressed in human words c. God chose to reveal Himself & His plan of salvation to us II. Divine authorship a. The primary author of Sacred Scripture if God Himself b. Sacred Scripture is written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit c. It is impossible for SS to contain error III. Human authorship a. Scripture expressed in human words b. Scripture was written by men as well as by God c. The human authors are real authors, although not the primary author 6
d. They made full use of their abilities and powers e. This is a mystery f. The importance of human authorship IV. Interpretation of Sacred Scripture a. The human element b. The divine element V. Jesus & Sacred Scripture a. Finally, we recognize that Jesus is the center of all Revelation b. Everything in the Old Testament leads up to Him c. Everything in the New Testament refers back to Him d. In some way, he is the subject of the entire bible 7
Trinity I. Introduction a. The Trinity: the central mystery of our faith b. The foundation of our faith II. The Trinity was revealed to us a. We couldn t have known it apart from God revealing it to us III. The natural desire for God a. We see this desire manifested throughout history b. It is present in everyone, even an atheist c. Polytheism d. Abraham & loose monotheism: Belief in one God above all other gods 8
e. Moses & strict monotheism: there is no god but God f. Jesus and the revelation of the Trinity IV. Trinitarian Monotheism a. God doesn t live in isolation b. God is a community of love c. What this means for Christians: community & human dignity d. God desires to share his life & love with us 9
DVD II Incarnation I. Introduction a. Prayer b. Meaning of the word incarnation II. The Incarnation as an Event a. The experience of the Apostles b. The meaning of the Incarnation for us c. How we experience this event 10
III. The Reasons for the Incarnation a. To reconcile us with God b. So that we might know God s love for us c. To be a model of holiness for us d. To make us partakers in the divine nature IV. Jesus: both God and Man V. The place we see the face of Jesus: the Church 11
Holy Spirit I. Symbols of the Holy Spirit a. New Testament b. Old Testament c. Various Cultures II. The Power of the Spirit a. The creation of man in Genesis b. Pentecost III. The Holy Spirit in the Nicene Creed a. Giver of Life b. Proceeds from the Father and Son 12
IV. Sacred Scripture on the Holy Spirit s role a. Lead us in prayer b. Guide us in truth V. Gifts of the Holy Spirit a. Confirmation: Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit. b. Strengthening of the gifts given at Baptism c. Their focus: God s work in us d. The Charismatic Renewal VI. The Spirit gives us hope in our lives 13
Catechism of the Catholic Church I. Introduction II. Origins of the Catechism: the Extraordinary Synod of 1985 III. Purpose a. A new presentation of the Faith b. Written primarily for the bishops IV. Role of the laity V. The Catechism bears witness to the faith a. Its format is not argumentative VI. Contents of the Catechism a. Creed b. Sacraments c. Commandments d. Prayer 14
VII. A unified work a. Hierarchy of truth b. References to Scripture c. Indices to saints and church documents d. Thematic index e. Various aspects of the Catechism VIII. Part I: the Creed IX. Part II: the Sacraments of the Church X. Part III: Christian Living & Morality XI. Part IV: Prayer in Christian Life XII. Conclusion a. Using the Catechism effectively 15
DVD III Magisterium I. What is the Magisterium? a. Analogy of Democracy II. The Church is an authoritative institution a. The doctrine of private judgment is a widespread way of thinking in our culture b. But it s not the way of Jesus Christ or of His Church c. The Church has a hierarchical structure, not a democratic one d. This structure has been present since the very beginning, with the Apostles III. The Magisterium refers specifically to the Church s teaching authority a. Jesus gave the Church the authority to teach as He taught b. This refers to matters of faith and morals c. This isn t dependent on the personal qualities of those in authority d. The teaching office doesn t refer to a literal place 16
IV. How the Magisterium exercises its authority a. Normally: the Pope and Bishops in union with him b. The Charism of Infallibility V. The relationship of the faithful to the Magisterium a. Their right to be taught sound doctrine b. Their responsibility to observe the teachings of the Magisterium c. cafeteria Catholicism d. The Church: our Mother VI. The Precepts of the Church a. The meaning of positive laws b. The five precepts 17
Gospels I. The Gospels: the source for the life & teaching of Jesus Christ a. The Gospels: the Good News about Jesus II. Three levels of the teaching of the Gospels a. The actual life and teachings of Jesus b. The oral tradition about what Jesus did and said c. The written record of that oral tradition: the four Gospels III. The Gospels tell us the honest truth about Jesus a. No contradictions among them b. But differing authors with differing intentions & audiences c. Complementary perspectives IV. Matthew, Mark, and Luke a. The Synoptic Gospels b. Matthew i. Many Old Testament quotations ii. Written to Jews and Jewish Christians 18
c. Mark i. The shortest Gospel ii. Written to gentile Christians iii. The suffering of the Messiah d. Luke i. Written to gentile Christians ii. Salvation and mercy are for all people V. John a. High Christology VI. Passages a. The beginning of Luke s Gospel b. The end of John s Gospel VII. The Gospels and knowledge of the heart 19
God the Father I. We Believe in One God II. God reveals His Name 20
III. God the Father as Creator IV. Our Responsibility to God 21
Jesus Christ I. The Gospel: the Power of God for Salvation a. There is one Gospel b. Christ is the event of the Gospel c. The Gospel and the Gospels 22
II. The Paschal Mystery a. Paschal = Passover b. Mystery c. The events of the Paschal Mystery d. We live the event of the Paschal Mystery 23
Redemption I. What is Redemption? II. Why do we need the Redemption? 24
III. Who Redeems? a. Five key beliefs about Jesus Christ IV. How are we redeemed? a. The Paschal Mystery b. Four Moments of the Paschal Mystery 25
DVD IV Church I. Intro a. The Church is a divine & human reality, & as such, is a Mystery b. Because the Church is a mystery, it can be understood from a variety of perspectives II. Why the Church? a. Why does the Church exist? b. What the Church is not c. The Church is a life d. The Church is where we encounter Jesus Christ III. The Church, the Body of Christ a. St. Paul developed the image of the Church as the body of Christ 26
b. By Baptism, we are all joined to Christ c. We all belong to that same body of Christ, even in our differences d. Having been joined to Christ, we constitute a body, w with Him as the head e. There is only one body f. It is not our body IV. The Church is the People of God a. All those who are baptized into Jesus are constituted members of the Church b. The Church isn t just the priests & popes it s all the baptized c. It is the people of God d. The entire People of God is called to be a priestly, royal, & prophetic people 27
Vocations I. The Sacraments of Service: Holy Orders & Marriage a. The Consecrated Life isn t Holy Orders b. Holy Orders: Bishops, Priests, Deacons c. Priesthood of the Faithful given at Baptism d. Marriage as a Sacrament of Service II. Holy Orders a. Meaning of orders b. Bishops c. Priests d. Deacons 28
e. Difference between Holy Orders and Priesthood of the Faithful f. The College of Bishops g. The College of Priests h. Priests and Celibacy i. Women and the Priesthood III. The Consecrated Life a. The Evangelical Counsels: Poverty, Chastity, Obedience b. Varieties of Consecrated Life IV. The Generous Single Life 29
Role of the Laity I. Introduction a. Matthew 20:1-4 b. The people called by Jesus the Church has a mission to the world c. Vatican II spoke of the role of the laity d. That is the focus of this presentation II. Who are the Laity? a. Before Vatican II, most definitions of the laity were negative b. Beginning with Vatican II, the Church has sought to change that c. So, who are the laity? Lumen Gentium 31 d. What distinguishes the laity from the ordained & consecrated? 30
III. What is their role in the vineyard? a. LG 31 again b. Pius XII referred to the laity as living on the front lines of the Church s life c. John Paul II has called on the laity to help evangelize & re-evangelize the world! d. What does proclaim the Gospel mean? e. Ministry or Apostolate? f. What is required? 31
Baptism I. The Scriptural Command to Baptize II. The Meaning of the Sacrament of Baptism 32
III. The Way the Sacrament of Baptism is Celebrated IV. The Rights and Responsibilities of the Baptized 33
Confirmation I. Introduction II. The Essential Teaching on Confirmation a. By the Sacrament of Confirmation, baptismal graces are completed; we are strengthened by the Holy Spirit and bound more closely to the Church. III. Explanation of Church Teaching a. Jesus anointing with the Holy Spirit b. The Effects of Baptism c. The Three Outward Signs of Confirmation i. Imposition of Hands ii. Anointing with Sacred Chrism Oil iii. Sign of Peace 34
d. The Effects of Confirmation i. A Deepening of Baptismal Grace ii. The Imparting of an Indelible Spiritual Mark (Character) e. Preparation for Receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation f. Conclusion IV. Prayer 35
DVD V Eucharist I. Eucharist in Context a. Nature of Man b. Incarnation c. Sacrament II. Importance of the Eucharist 36
III. The Nature of the Eucharist a. Fourfold celebration of the Sacrament b. Transubstantiation IV. Requirements for Reception a. Be Catholic b. Be Prepared 37
Reconciliation I. Why Are We Here? II. Sinners Who Need a Savior III. The Sacrament of Penance IV. The effects of sin V. Awareness of our sinfulness a. Interior Repentance VI. Consequences of Sin a. Mortal Sin b. Venial Sin VII. God s undying love 38
VIII. The Power to forgive sins: the Sacrament of Reconciliation a. The sacramental seal IX. Elements of the Sacrament a. Contrition i. Two Types ii. Examination of Conscience b. Confession c. Absolution d. Penance/Satisfaction X. Spiritual Effects of the Sacrament XI. Indulgences 39
Marriage/Sexuality I. Introduction II. Vocation a. Why did God create us? b. What is a vocation? c. Self-giving love d. Purposes of Marriage e. Ephesians 5 f. Spiritual Life in a Marriage g. Chastity, Marriage & Vocation III. Covenant a. Biblical Usage: a permanent change in relationship 40
b. The Gospels on Marriage s permanence c. Marital Sexuality d. Contraception e. Natural Family Planning IV. Sacrament a. Ministers and witness of the marriage b. A liturgical act c. A public act d. No impediments e. No constraints f. Between two baptized g. Annulments & remarriage 41
Liturgical Year I. Introduction II. Why do we need a Liturgical Year? III. Overview of the Liturgical Year IV. Evolution of the Lord s Day 42
V. Seasons of the Liturgical Year a. Advent b. Christmas Season c. Ordinary Time d. Lent e. Easter Season f. Resumption of Ordinary Time VI. Sanctoral Cycle of the Liturgical Year 43
Prayer I. Prayer: What is it? II. The Heart: the Source of Prayer III. Charity: the Soul of Prayer IV. Humility: the Foundation of Prayer V. Diversity in Prayer 44
VI. Liturgical Traditions and the Prayer of the Church VII.How do we teach Prayer? VIII.The Spiritual Battle IX. How Do I become a Person of Prayer? 45
Our Father I. The Importance of the Lord s Prayer II. Two Groups of Petitions a. First Group focuses on God b. Second Group focuses on our human situation III. First Group of Petitions and the Kingdom of God IV. Place of the Lord s Prayer in Scripture, Liturgy and the Sacraments 46
V. Addressing God as Our Father VI. The Lord s Prayer as a method of prayer a. Adoration b. Petition c. Contrition 47
Truth, Beauty & Goodness DVD VI I. Introduction II. Truth a. Definition b. Natural Law c. Revelation d. God is Truth e. What is Truth? 48
III. Beauty a. Art IV. Goodness V. We are called by God 49
Mary I. Mary s place in God s plan a. The Fall and Original Sin b. Mary s involvement in the Incarnation & Redemption II. Mary, Mother of God a. Sacred Scripture b. Sacred Tradition i. Apostles Creed ii. Council of Ephesus, 431: Mary as Theotokos III. The Immaculate Conception a. Definition of the doctrine b. Mary: Preserved from the stain of original sin c. Scripture d. Pope Pius IX, 1854 IV. Mary s Perpetual Virginity a. Definition b. Pope St. Martin I, 649 c. Virginity before Jesus birth: Isaiah, Luke 50
d. Virginity during Jesus birth e. Virginity after Jesus birth f. Mary as a model V. Mary s Assumption into Heaven a. Pope Pius XII, 1950 b. Mary s sharing in Jesus victory c. Did Mary die? VI. Mary: Mother of the Church, our Spiritual Mother a. Mary & John at the foot of the Cross b. Mary, the New Eve c. At the Annunciation, and at Calvary d. Mary s participation in Jesus mediation between God and man e. Our Mother in the order of grace VII.Devotion to Mary a. Difference from adoration (latria) given to God b. Unique level of veneration (hyperdulia) c. Caution against both excess & defect in Marian devotion d. The Rosary 51
The Last Things: Death, Judgment, Purgatory, Heaven, Hell I. We were created to be divine partakers in the life of the Trinity through out Baptism II. Our life on earth is about preparing for the life hereafter: eternity. 52
III. Haven must be our ultimate goal IV. We have to our very last breath to chose for or against God. 53
Beatitudes I. Why Learn the Beatitudes? II. Beatitudes a. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the Kingdom of God is theirs b. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted c. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth 54
II. The Beatitudes (continued) d. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied e. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy f. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God g. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called Sons of God h. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. 55
Ten Commandments I. Introduction II. Catechism themes of Christian morality III. The Moral Law a. Four expressions of the moral law b. The Natural Law 56
IV. The Ten Commandments and the Twofold Commandment to Love V. The Content of the First Three Commandments 57
Social Justice I. What is Social Justice? II. The Core Issues of Social Justice a. Respect for the Dignity of the Human Person b. Essential Equality of Human Persons 58
II. The Core Issues of Social Justice (continued) c. Solidarity d. Respect for the Goods of Others e. Economic Activity & Social Justice f. Love for the Poor 59
Conscience Formation I. What is our Conscience? II. Why Must I Form My Conscience? III. The Upright, Moral Conscience a. Perception of the Principles of Morality b. Application of those principles in particular circumstances c. Judgment of concrete acts d. Requirements: Interiority & Responsibility IV. Wine Making and Conscience Formation 60
V. How Do I Form My Conscience? a. Scripture b. Faith & Prayer c. Examination of Conscience d. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit e. Other Christians f. The Teachings of the Church g. What Happens if my Conscience isn t well formed? VI. Sources of Errors of Judgment in Moral Conduct VII.Temptation a. Steps in Temptation b. How to Combat Temptation & Sin 61
Anointing of the Sick I. Sickness and God s Plan II. Jesus: the Divine Physician III. Where May I be Anointed? IV. How Often May I Be Anointed? V. Elements of the Rite a. Introductory Rites b. Liturgy of the Word 62
c. Liturgy of Anointing d. Liturgy of Holy Communion e. Concluding Rites VI. Graces of the Sacrament VII.The Last Rites a. Differences from Anointing b. Apostolic Pardon c. Commendation of the Dying 63