1. Within the Body of Christ
The Church
Within the Body of Christ

2. Journey We join a journey already in progress
Past
Creation, “The Fall” and The promise
Salvation History
Jesus
Church
Present
Baptism brings us into membership in the Church
We continue Jesus’ saving actions within the Church
Future
We join the Church in heaven
The people of God have been on this journey since creation.
The People of God are the Church.
Begins at creation
Is formed or takes shape with Abraham and the OT leaders
Is instituted or established by Jesus
Is made visible at the Pentecost

3. The Church is… Trinitarian Christ- Centered Community
Trinity is the central mystery of our faith
Unity of three equal, consubstantial, yet distinct persons
Christ- Centered
Jesus is the Alpha and Omega
The Way, the Truth and the Life
Teaches us about the Father and gives us the Holy Spirit to guide us
Gives us the sacraments as a means to salvation and shows us the moral path to salvation
Community
Humans are relational in the same way the Trinity is
Church community transcends the physical world and includes the community in heaven and in purgatory

4. The Church is… Sacramental Eucharistic Biblically Based
A sacrament is a gift from God that leads us back to God. It reveals God to us and celebrates His love for us through Jesus and the sacraments
Eucharistic
Everything is rooted in the Eucharist, that is Jesus’ presence with us
Community
Proclaimed word
Ordained minister
Consecrated bread and wine
Biblically Based
Teachings based in Old Testament and New Testament and the interpretation by the Church

5. The Church Has Marks or Characteristics
One
One source
One soul, the Holy Spirit
One body in Christ
Holy
Jesus sacrificed Himself for the Church
The holiness of the Church makes its members holy.
Catholic
The Church is for all people, everywhere
We are called to discipleship with the guidance of the Holy Spirit
Apostolic
Founded by Jesus and built on Peter and the Apostles
They passed the authority given to them by Jesus on to the Pope and Bishops, (Magisterium)
The Church continues the mission begun by Christ and passed on to the Apostles.

6. The Church is active in Society
Advocates Justice
The Church emphasizes seven principles of social justice
The Church through its charities provides direct aid to people in need
Has a positive view of creation, the world, and human nature.
Faith and reason are partners
God reveals himself in Scripture
God is present in the world and can be known by natural

7. A Common Destination
“God made us to share His love and to have a relationship with us both here on earth and in Heaven”

8. Because of Original Sin, obstacles appeared on our road

9. Within our Faith Communities we find the help we need to overcome those obstacles & complete our journey

10. All humans come from God and are created to return to Him

11. Why??? For the Glory of God… And the Good of the World.
All that we have comes from God so when we use what God has given us we are giving glory and praise to God for His gifts. We should not seek the glory because without God nothing is possible; it is only with God that we are able to accomplish anything
And the Good of the World.
All that God has given us is for us to use for collaboration among all people, not for our own benefit alone