The Faith We Believe: Unpacking the Creed Prepared by David Dayler, Discipleship and Parish Life Office, and Anne Jamieson, Catechesis Office

What is a creed? Creed comes from the Latin “credo” We live in a time when people are suspicious of ‘belief’ Credo is better translated as “this is where I rest my heart” or “this is the most profound truth I hold”

We all believe something

What do you believe? What you believe is where you stand On what do you stand? Is it stable? Comforting? Sure? What you believe is what you hold What are you holding onto? Is it helping you live the life to which you are called? What you believe is what you are stretching for To whom do you stretch out your arms?

May this be an opportunity to rediscover your joy! Have you ever rushed through the Creed at church? Has it been a while since you really thought about what we profess? Welcome! May this be an opportunity to rediscover your joy!

SESSION 1

Opening Prayer We stand before you, Holy Spirit, conscious of our sinfulness, but aware that we gather in your name.   Come to us, remain with us, and enlighten our hearts. Give us light and strength to know your will, to make it our own, and to live it in our lives. Guide us by your wisdom, support us by your power, for you are God, sharing the glory of Father and Son.  

You desire justice for all; enable us to uphold the rights of others; do not allow us to be misled by ignorance or corrupted by fear or favour.   Unite us to yourself in the bond of love and keep us faithful to all that is true. As we gather in your name may we temper justice with love, so that all our discussions and reflections may be pleasing to you, and earn the reward promised to good and faithful servants. Amen. (This prayer was said before every session of Vatican II.)

I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth….

Scriptures for Reflection: Genesis 1: - 2:4 and Genesis 2: 5-25 Job 38 Psalm 148 Isaiah 44: 24

Reflection Questions: The Genesis stories can make us feel that Creation was a one-time event. How do God’s words to Job change that?   How do the words from Isaiah strike you? The Lord of the whole Universe is the same Lord who forms us in the womb.

Creation

Let us pray + Be praised, my Lord, for Brother Fire, O Most High, all-powerful, good Lord God, Be praised, my Lord, for Brother Fire, to you belong praise, glory, through whom you give us light in the darkness: honour and all blessing. he is bright and lively and strong.   Be praised, my Lord, for all your creation and especially for our Brother Sun, for Sister Earth, our Mother, who brings us the day and the light; who nourishes us and sustains us, he is strong and shines magnificently. bringing forth fruits and vegetables of many kinds O Lord, we think of you when we look at him. and flowers of many colours. Be praised, my Lord, for Sister Moon, and for the stars which you have set shining and lovely in the heavens. for those who forgive for love of you; and for those who bear sickness and weakness Be praised, my Lord, in peace and patience for our Brothers Wind and Air - you will grant them a crown. and every kind of weather by which you, Lord, Be praised, my Lord, for our Sister Death, uphold life in all your creatures. whom we must all face. I praise and bless you, Lord, Be praised, my Lord, for Sister Water, and I give thanks to you, who is very useful to us, and I will serve you in all humility. and humble and precious and pure.

SESSION 2

Opening Prayer We stand before you, Holy Spirit, conscious of our sinfulness, but aware that we gather in your name.   Come to us, remain with us, and enlighten our hearts. Give us light and strength to know your will, to make it our own, and to live it in our lives. Guide us by your wisdom, support us by your power, for you are God, sharing the glory of Father and Son.  

You desire justice for all; enable us to uphold the rights of others; do not allow us to be misled by ignorance or corrupted by fear or favour.   Unite us to yourself in the bond of love and keep us faithful to all that is true. As we gather in your name may we temper justice with love, so that all our discussions and reflections may be pleasing to you, and earn the reward promised to good and faithful servants. Amen. (This prayer was said before every session of Vatican II.)

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary….

Scripture for reflection: Psalm 46:10 Psalm 62:5-8 Psalm 130:5-8 Luke 1:26-38 ( for longer study group sessions)

Reflection Questions: Has God ever asked something which seemed impossible? What has been one of the hardest things God has asked of me? Is God asking anything of me now?

Incarnation

Let us pray in these words that the priest prays on Christmas Day + O God, who wonderfully created the dignity of human nature and still more wonderfully restored it, grant we pray that we may share in the divinity of Christ, who humbled himself to share in our humanity. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen

SESSION 3

Opening Prayer We stand before you, Holy Spirit, conscious of our sinfulness, but aware that we gather in your name.   Come to us, remain with us, and enlighten our hearts. Give us light and strength to know your will, to make it our own, and to live it in our lives. Guide us by your wisdom, support us by your power, for you are God, sharing the glory of Father and Son.  

You desire justice for all; enable us to uphold the rights of others; do not allow us to be misled by ignorance or corrupted by fear or favour.   Unite us to yourself in the bond of love and keep us faithful to all that is true. As we gather in your name may we temper justice with love, so that all our discussions and reflections may be pleasing to you, and earn the reward promised to good and faithful servants. Amen. (This prayer was said before every session of Vatican II.)

He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead…

Scriptures for reflection: John 11: 38-44 John 20: 11-29 and all of John 21 Luke 24: 30-31 John 4: 42

Reflection Questions: Why did Lazarus take his burial garments with him and why did Jesus leave his behind in the tomb? What does the resurrection teach us about forgiveness?

Paschal Mystery

Truly, he is risen!

SESSION 4

Opening Prayer We stand before you, Holy Spirit, conscious of our sinfulness, but aware that we gather in your name.   Come to us, remain with us, and enlighten our hearts. Give us light and strength to know your will, to make it our own, and to live it in our lives. Guide us by your wisdom, support us by your power, for you are God, sharing the glory of Father and Son.  

You desire justice for all; enable us to uphold the rights of others; do not allow us to be misled by ignorance or corrupted by fear or favour.   Unite us to yourself in the bond of love and keep us faithful to all that is true. As we gather in your name may we temper justice with love, so that all our discussions and reflections may be pleasing to you, and earn the reward promised to good and faithful servants. Amen. (This prayer was said before every session of Vatican II.)

He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

Scriptures for reflection: John 16: 7-10 Acts 1: 9-11

Reflection Questions: In what way is the Ascension a going, a coming and a staying? In what ways is Christ present in the Church and in our lives today? What are some ways in which I can exercise a ministry of presence?

Ascension

All join in the refrain: We are not alone. We are promised the Spirit is with us.

SESSION 5

Opening Prayer We stand before you, Holy Spirit, conscious of our sinfulness, but aware that we gather in your name.   Come to us, remain with us, and enlighten our hearts. Give us light and strength to know your will, to make it our own, and to live it in our lives. Guide us by your wisdom, support us by your power, for you are God, sharing the glory of Father and Son.  

You desire justice for all; enable us to uphold the rights of others; do not allow us to be misled by ignorance or corrupted by fear or favour.   Unite us to yourself in the bond of love and keep us faithful to all that is true. As we gather in your name may we temper justice with love, so that all our discussions and reflections may be pleasing to you, and earn the reward promised to good and faithful servants. Amen. (This prayer was said before every session of Vatican II.)

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen

Scriptures for reflection: Acts 2: 1-4 Isaiah 11: 1-5 John 13:35 John 14: 15-17

Reflection Questions: Why did Jesus, in John’s Gospel, speak of the coming of the Holy Spirit and the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit among us in terms of love? In what way is my body a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19)?

Holy Spirit

We will pray a litany of both the gifts and the fruits of the Holy Spirit.   Let us pray + For the gift of Wisdom, We thank you, Holy Spirit. For the gift of Understanding, For the gift of Right Judgment, For the gift of Courage, For the gift of Knowledge, For the gift of Reverence, For the gift of Wonder and Awe,

For the love in our lives We acknowledge your great works, Holy Spirit. For our peace, For patience, For kindness and goodness, For faithfulness, For gentleness, For self-control, As we rediscover our joy,

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your spirit and they shall be created And you shall renew the face of the earth. Amen.

For further resources contact: Diocesan Library 700 King St. West, Hamilton 905- 528-7988 , ext. 2252 Or David Dayler Director, Office for Discipleship & Parish Life 905-528-7988 ext. 2226 ddayler@hamiltondiocese.com