1. INTRODUCTION TO CATHOLICISM NATURE: Cardinal Virtues

2. JOURNAL Get a YouCat and read n. 342:  What does it mean to be a saint?  Why must I do my work well in order to “sanctify” it (that is, to make it holy)?  How am I going to work on making my schoolwork holy?

3. Becoming who we were made to be!  NATURE AND GRACE  Human nature= in God’s image and likeness Moral virtues; can and should be known by everyone Deut. 30:11-14 Rom. 2: 14-15 We still fail to do good Our human nature is fallen  We know what to do but fail to do it Moral virtue “disposes” us to holiness

4. Becoming who we were made to be!  Grace= gift from God—by which we become like Him CCC grace is “favor, the free and undeserved help that God gives us to respond to his call to become children of God, adoptive sons [and daughters], partakers of the divine nature and of eternal life” Grace builds on nature.  Theological Virtues are not known by everyone Only by grace

5. So, What is a Virtue?  Virtue  “virtus”- Latin, meaning “human excellence, merit or moral perfection” To be good at being a human being = to be virtuous  A virtue is an habitual and firm disposition to do the good  Actions and habits  Opposite of virtue is vice.

6. Cardinal Virtues  Cardinal virtues are “hinge” virtues  Why we cultivate VIRTUE?  YouCat n.300 Virtue forms our character Freely Joyfully Easily Doing the good

7. Cardinal Virtues  Prudence Habitual disposition to know what the right thing is in each particular circumstance Must do it too! It is the “form” of all the virtues

8. Cardinal Virtues  Justice “constant and firm will to give what is due to God and to neighbor” Always considers the common good

9. Cardinal Virtues  Fortitude Habitual disposition that ensures firmness in difficulty and pursuit of the good Conquer fear! Triumph over evil!

10. Cardinal Virtues  Temperance Habit of moderating the attraction of pleasures Always knowing and choosing (and desiring) the right amount, at the right time Knows “how much” and desires it

11. Cardinal Virtues and Grace  We can naturally know and deliberately choose to do the moral virtues.  We fail  We can only reach moral perfection with God’s help  Pray for Virtue!

13. INTRODUCTION TO CATHOLICISM GRACE: Theological Virtues

14. Theological Virtues  Grace:  Theological Virtues are “infused” directly by God  Intellect and free-will are not sufficient in themselves to attain these virtues  They fulfill and enliven the moral virtues  “they make us capable of acting as his children and of meriting eternal life”

15. Theological Virtues  Faith:  The virtue by which we believe in God, in all that He has revealed through scriptures and His Church. Matt. 16:13-17  Without charity Faith is “dead”

16. Theological Virtues  Hope  Virtue by which we desire our true happiness, and trust that the Holy Ghost will give you the grace to attain it.  Helps us “persevere to the end” to be joyful in trial

17. Theological Virtues  … and the greatest of these is  Charity  Virtue by which we love God above all things, and love all people and things for His sake Jn 14: 23-24  Binds all virtues together—forms and enlivens them all; makes us Holy. I Cor. 13:1-13

18. INTRODUCTION TO CATHOLICISM The Mass and Sacraments

19. Mass and the Sacraments

20. Sacraments  A Sacrament is an outward sign of an inward grace, instituted by Christ, for our sanctification  Catholic Christians have seven sacraments Baptism Confirmation Eucharist Penance Anointing (extreme unction) Holy Orders Matrimony

21. Sacraments  Why did Christ initiate sacraments?  Our body and soul are intimately united  Develop habits of thinking and acting, humility and respect by our gestures and responses  We give back to God in the only way we know how

22. Sacraments  Signs  some signs and symbols signify something that teach us about God  Efficacious signs:  These are the sacraments, that God works through to give us grace.

23. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass  The celebration of the Eucharist is the source and summit of our Christian life “Take then and eat the body of Christ since now you have become members of Christ in the body of Christ. Take and drink the blood of Christ. So as not to be cut off, eat that which unites you; so as not to think little of yourself, drink what is the price of your person.” – St. Augustine

24. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass  The Eucharist is the summary of Salvation History  The person of Jesus Christ, his work and His presence  The sacrifice of the Hebrew people  The liturgy (public worship) of the Early Christians  The heavenly liturgy we read about in Revelation

25. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass  The Mass is  Memorial celebration  Sacrifice  Banquet feast  And communion And it teaches us about our faith if we have full and active participation