1. The Marks of the Church
The Church is Holy

2. Why is the Church Holy? Both Human and Divine
Visible reality in the people, buildings, clergy, laity, the scripture etc.
Invisible as a bearer of divine life
By the power of the Holy Spirit we “see” the divine aspect of the Church through the visible reality
Relationship with the Trinity
Created by God
Loved by Jesus
Guided by the Holy Spirit
Has God’s Holy Gifts
Means to holiness
Scriptures, Sacraments, models of holiness, leadership of the Apostles and all things for salvation

3. Divine Presence
By the power of the Holy Spirit we “see” the divine aspect of the Church through the visible reality
Liturgical Prayer
Scripture readings; the Word of God
Eucharist: Real presence of Jesus
People: “Wherever two or more are gathered I am there”
Priest (Bishop): Ordained as representative of Christ

4. Call to Holiness Perfect holiness Fall short on Earth
Perfection lies in the future
Love
At the heart of holiness
Glimpse into the eternal communion with God
Encounter love within the Church
We are all called to love, some in more specific ways
Desire to be Holy
Take time for worship, prayer and reflection
Choose your friends wisely
Fill your heart and mind with holy things

5. Sinners and Holiness Church aids in repentance and conversion Sinners
Sorrow and contrition for sin
Conversion
Change of heart turning away from sin and toward God
Sinners
All members, including the leaders, are sinners
The Church is focused on saving people from sin

6. Church Makes us Holy Through God’s Grace
Grace: The free and undeserved gift of God’s loving and active presence in the universe and in our lives. It empowers us to respond to His call and live as adopted sons and daughters. Grace restores our loving communion with the Trinity that was lost as a result of sin.
Supernatural Grace: *Transcending the power of human intellect and will
*Going beyond

7. Types of Grace
Sanctifying grace
Heals our human nature and restores us to friendship with God
Infused in our soul by the Holy Spirit
Actual grace
God’s intervention in our everyday actions. Important for conversion
Sacramental grace
Graces proper to the sacrament
Matrimony – grace to love each other the way Christ loves the Church
Special graces (charisms)
Special graces of the Holy Spirit
God’s grace will not automatically make us holy without our cooperation

8. Communion of Saints Faithful followers of Christ here on Earth
Faithful that have died and are being purified in **Purgatory to join God in heaven
Faithful who have already attained the perfect holiness and glory of heaven, *seeing God as He is
**A state of final purification or cleansing that one may need to enter before entering Heaven
*Beatific Vision

9. Saints Intercessors and intermediaries NOT worshipped or prayed to
Models of Holiness
“Face of Christ in the world”
Living and the dead help each other by prayers
Honored and venerated
Feast days interspersed in the liturgical calendar

10. Patron Saints Saints we ask for help in certain situations
St. Anthony of Padua lost items
St. Blaise throat
St. Gerard pregnancy
St. Anne mothers
St. Francis of Assisi environment
St. Joseph carpenters, workers
happy death
St. Dymphna mental illnesses

11. Mary, Model of Holiness Perfect Model of Holiness New Eve
Unties the knot that Eve bound with her disobedience
Obedient to God’s mission, fiat “let it be done”
Immaculate Conception
Conceived without original sin
Assumption
At her death she was assumed into heaven
Intercessor and Mother of the Church
“God-bearer” Theotokos