1. Who’s Who in the Catholic Church
Catholic Digital Resources presents . . .
Who’s Who in the Catholic Church
© 2008 Terry Modica, Catholic Digital Resources – catholicdr.com
(c) 2008 Catholic Digital Resources catholicdr.com

2. Who’s Who in the Catholic Church
Q: What is “the Church”?
The word “church” means “convocation” or assembly of people who have been redeemed by Christ.
It's a community of faith.
It's the family of God.
We gather in a church building to be nourished by…
the Word of Christ
and the Body of Christ (the Eucharist)
to become the Body of Christ.
Therefore, the Church is the Body of Christ on earth.
Also called the Mystical Body of Christ.

3. Who’s Who in the Catholic Church
The Church
It is the means by which Christ continues his work of salvation in the world.
The Church began on Pentecost, after Christ ascended to heaven and sent an outpouring of his Holy Spirit to all believers.
The Church will be perfected at the Second Coming of Christ.
The Church is both visible and spiritual, both human and divine.
The Church is a sign for the world that shows humankind's communion with God and invites others to join in this communion.
It is a hierarchical society.

4. Q: Who is the head of the Church?
Who’s Who in the Catholic Church
Q: Who is the head of the Church?
A: Jesus Christ.
Read Colossians 2:19
Jesus founded the Church.
Before Jesus ascended to heaven, he commissioned his disciples to continue his ministry.
Read Mark 16:15-20
Q: What is a disciple?
A: A student learning from Jesus.
Q: Who in this classroom is a disciple?
A: All of us! (Catechists too)

5. Q: What is an Apostle? A: One who is “sent” by Jesus to teach others.
Who’s Who in the Catholic Church
Q: What is an Apostle?
A: One who is “sent” by Jesus to teach others.
Q: Who are the 12 Apostles?
Read Luke 6:12-16
Shortly before Jesus was crucified, he ordained Peter to be the leader of the Apostles.
Read Matthew 16:15-19
Peter was the first Pope.
See the "List of Popes" hand-out.

6. Q: What is the "Pope"? A: The leader of the Catholic Church.
Who’s Who in the Catholic Church
Q: What is the "Pope"?
A: The leader of the Catholic Church.
Also called the “Vicar of Christ”.
He serves as the principle agent (representative) of Christ who is the Head of the Church.
Also called the “Roman Pontiff”
because the Pope is the Bishop of Rome.
Before Christianity, the head of religion in Rome was the Pontifex Maximus (Latin for Supreme Pontiff).
After Christianity became an important religion in Rome, the Pontiff served as the Bishop of Rome.

7. Who’s Who in the Catholic Church
The Magisterium
The Magisterium is the teaching office of the Church responsible for making sure that the Deposit of Faith is taught without error.
Nothing it teaches is new or made up by humans.
It relies on the help of the Holy Spirit and scholarly research going back to earliest times
to interpret the Word of God correctly
and to make sure that all official teachings of the Church are accurately based on Scripture.
All Catholics are obliged to trust the teachings that the Magisterium guards.
The teachings are explained in “Church documents”.
They are available online at

8. Q: Is the Pope “infallible”?
Who’s Who in the Catholic Church
Q: Is the Pope “infallible”?
Infallibility means “immunity from error”.
The Pope is not infallible, but he speaks with infallibility when he defines:
a doctrine of faith or morals
for the purpose of uniting the whole Church.
It is always based on a universal agreement already existing among the whole Body of the Faithful (clergy and laity).
A Pope speaks with infallibility…
not because he has a new invention of the faith,
but when the world's influence erodes a dogma, making an official proclamation necessary
in order to stop misunderstandings and heresies.

9. Q: What is a “Bishop”? The head priest of a diocese.
Who’s Who in the Catholic Church
Q: What is a “Bishop”?
The head priest of a diocese.
The word “diocese” comes from Greek (dioikesis), which means: a household managed by an administrator.
A diocese is a grouping of parishes.
A parish is a local community of believers.
Q: What is the name of our diocese?
Q: What territory is covered by our diocese?
The Diocese of Rome is the primary diocese, also called:
the “See of Peter”
the “Apostolic See”
the “Holy See”

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11. Who’s Who in the Catholic Church
The roles of the laity
The Church was founded on the collaboration of laity and clergy working together to bring others to Christ, to build Christian community, and to provide faith formation.
Laity are needed in various ministries of the parish.
A Pastoral Administrator
helps the pastor handle non-sacramental responsibilities of the church.
The Director of Religious Education (DRE) or Coordinator of Religious Education (CRE) or Pastoral Associate (PA)
assists the pastor by overseeing the faith formation of children and adults.

12. Who’s Who in the Catholic Church
The roles of the laity
Lectors or Readers assist the priest at Mass by reading the scriptures
except for the Gospel, which is always read by the ordained clergy.
Q: Why?
A: The Gospel contains the words of Christ, and the clergy are Christ’s representatives.
Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist assist the priest in distributing Communion.
Q: Who is the "Ordinary Minister of the Eucharist?"
A: The priest
"Extraordinary" means "outside the ordinary".

13. Who’s Who in the Catholic Church
The roles of the laity
Music Ministers include the Director of Music, the choir, musicians, and song leaders.
Acolytes or Servers assist the priest at the altar.
This role is often given to children to encourage them to become active in Church ministry.
Q: What are other ministries that laity do in our parish?

14. Thus, the local parish Church is a community of believers
Who’s Who in the Catholic Church
Thus, the local parish Church is a community of believers
who serve the kingdom of God together…
participating in the mission of Christ…
to transform the world…
sharing each person's unique gifts and abilities.
The extent to which parishioners do not get involved in this mission is the extent to which a parish is not fully energized as Christ’s presence in the world today.
Q: In what ways does the world need the Body of Christ to be more actively involved today?