Grace Thompson
Catholics are called to be a part of a Christ-centred community that views Jesus Christ as the foundation. They are called to care for one another and to use their unique gifts and talents for the good of the community and the world. Catholics are called to recognize the need for forgiveness and to see the sacrament of reconciliation as a means to receive this gift. They are called to worship and praise God by living a sacramental life and striving to follow Jesus' teachings in their lives. They are called to love God above all else and to love others, to practice forgiveness and mercy, and to care for the poor and helpless. Catholics are also called to work for peace and justice in the world and to respect the dignity of every human being.
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What You'll Learn
- Catholics are called to care for one another and to use their gifts for the good of the community
- Catholics are called to worship and praise God by living a sacramental life
- Catholics are called to recognise the importance of prayer and to develop an active prayer life
- Catholics are called to strive to respect the dignity of every human being and to eliminate prejudice, oppression, poverty, violence, and injustice
- Catholics are called to preserve the Bible and other written works through monasteries and libraries
Catholics are called to care for one another and to use their gifts for the good of the community
Catholics are united by their belief in God as their loving Father and creator. They believe in God's limitless love, which sustains and supports them daily. This love is made manifest in the sacrifice of his Son, Jesus Christ, who suffered, died, and rose from the dead to save humanity and offer the gift of eternal life. As such, Catholics share Jesus' vision and model their lives after his example of love.
Catholics are called to care for the poor and helpless, to eliminate prejudice, oppression, poverty, violence, and injustice, and to respect the dignity of every human being. They are committed to the protection of all human life, from conception to natural death.
Catholics also recognise the importance of prayer in developing an active prayer life and strengthening their relationship with God. Prayer prevents them from losing touch with their loving God and isolates them from a God who desires intimacy and closeness. Catholics also pray to saints, asking for their intercession, believing that God hears the saints' prayers on their behalf.
Catholics are always welcome in the Catholic Church, which will always be their spiritual home.
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Catholics are called to worship and praise God by living a sacramental life
The seven sacraments, accepted throughout Christianity before the Reformation, are essential to the Catholic faith. In addition to the Eucharist, another important sacrament is that of reconciliation, or penance, which was established by Jesus himself. Through confession and forgiveness, Catholics can heal their relationships with God and their community.
Living a sacramental life also involves recognizing the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit in the Church, given by Jesus at Pentecost. The Spirit imparts spiritual gifts to the community, as found in the Bible, and enables Catholics to continue developing their faith and relationship with God.
Catholics are called to live a sacramental life by following Jesus' teachings: loving God above all else and loving others, practicing forgiveness and mercy, and caring for the poor and helpless. They strive for peace and justice in the world, bringing God's kingdom of peace, unity, and love to a world filled with conflict and division.
Additionally, Catholics are committed to the protection of all human life, from conception to natural death, and to respecting the dignity of every person. They work to eliminate prejudice, oppression, poverty, violence, and injustice. Through their unique gifts and talents, Catholics contribute to the good of their community and the world, united with fellow believers worldwide.
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Catholics are called to recognise the importance of prayer and to develop an active prayer life
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that prayer is a dialogue of love between God and the human person. It is a personal and intimate encounter with God, who desires to be in communion with each individual. Prayer is not merely an external act but an interior disposition of turning towards God, seeking to know and love Him. It is a recognition of God's presence and a response to His call.
Catholics are called to develop an active prayer life by dedicating time and effort to prayer. This means making prayer a priority in their daily lives, not just during Mass or in times of need. Prayer requires commitment and perseverance, as it is through consistent prayer that Catholics deepen their relationship with God and come to know His will for their lives.
Through prayer, Catholics express their love, adoration, and thanksgiving to God. They also bring their petitions and supplications, trusting in God's providence and care for their needs. Prayer is a source of strength, peace, and guidance, enabling Catholics to see the world and others through God's eyes of love and compassion. It is a means of grace, empowering Catholics to live out their faith and serve others.
Developing an active prayer life also involves recognising the different forms of prayer, such as contemplative prayer, which is a silent and reflective dialogue with God, and liturgical prayer, which is communal and expressed through the sacraments and traditions of the Church. Both private and communal prayer are essential for spiritual growth and communion with God and the Catholic community.
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Catholics are called to strive to respect the dignity of every human being and to eliminate prejudice, oppression, poverty, violence, and injustice
The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of every human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. This belief is the basis of all the principles of Catholic social teaching. Respecting human dignity means recognizing that every human being is created in the image of God and redeemed by Jesus Christ. Therefore, every person, from conception to natural death, has inherent dignity and a right to life consistent with that dignity. Human dignity comes from God, not from any human quality or accomplishment.
Catholics are called to respect the dignity of every human being by striving to eliminate sinful inequalities that affect millions of men and women. These inequalities are in open contradiction to the Gospel, which demands that we strive for fairer and more humane conditions. Excessive economic and social disparity between individuals and peoples of the human race is a source of scandal and goes against social justice, equity, human dignity, social peace, and international peace.
Catholics are called to work towards the elimination of poverty, which is largely the outcome of structural decisions about resource distribution. The Church teaches that all of Creation is a gift given equally to all of humanity to be shared so that every person has the necessary resources to live a life that reflects their dignity. This includes not just material basics but also opportunities to fulfill one's potential. The Church upholds the right to private property, but this right is not absolute and should always be ordered towards common use and the duty to share, especially by not taking more than one needs.
Catholics are also called to eliminate prejudice and discrimination, particularly against marginalized groups such as homosexual individuals. The National Conference of Catholic Bishops in 1991 stated that "homosexuals...should not suffer prejudice against their basic human rights... They have a right to respect, friendship, and justice. They should have an active role in the Christian community." Catholics are called to confront their own fears about homosexuality and curb the humor and discrimination that offend homosexual persons.
Furthermore, Catholics are called to confront a culture of violence that is destroying the lives, dignity, and hopes of millions of people. This includes violence in homes, schools, streets, the nation, and the world, as well as verbal violence and the celebration of violence in media, music, and video games. Catholics can work with their local Catholic Charities agencies to support and utilize shelters and hotlines for abused family members, provide financial support and volunteer assistance, and organize recreational programs for at-risk youth. They can also advocate for public policies that prevent and combat crime, restrict dangerous weapons, promote safe communities, and help lift people out of poverty.
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Catholics are called to preserve the Bible and other written works through monasteries and libraries
Monks reproduced important religious manuscripts, including the Bible and other theological texts, often creating beautifully illustrated copies known as illuminated manuscripts. This labour-intensive process ensured that many classical works, philosophies, and historical texts were preserved for future generations. The Catholic Church's efforts to preserve knowledge extended beyond its own texts, as monks also copied and protected classical writings that might have been lost otherwise.
The preservation of ancient knowledge by the Catholic Church is not limited to the Middle Ages. Even in modern times, monks continue to play a vital role in preserving ancient texts around the world. For example, a project initiated by Benedictine monasteries in Austria involved microfilming Latin manuscripts in European Benedictine libraries to protect them from potential destruction due to war or other calamities. This project expanded to include the manuscripts of other religious orders, universities, and national libraries, resulting in a vast archive of Western manuscripts.
Additionally, the Ethiopian Manuscript Microfilm Library project, in collaboration with an American scholar, aimed to microfilm manuscripts in Ethiopian monasteries and churches. This initiative helped preserve the ancient Christian community's unique perspective on the biblical canon, which had not undergone the narrowing seen in other parts of the early Christian world. The Catholic Church's monasteries and libraries have been instrumental in safeguarding not only the Bible but also a diverse range of written works, ensuring that knowledge and cultural heritage are preserved for future generations.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholics belong to a Christ-centered faith community that views Jesus Christ as the foundation. Catholics share Jesus’ vision and model their lives after Jesus’ example of love. Catholics are called to care for one another and to use their unique gifts and talents for the good of the community and the world.
Catholics believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God. They believe in God, who is their loving Father and creator. They also believe in the Holy Spirit and in the Spirit’s powerful presence in the Church today. Catholics believe that God sent them his beloved Son, Jesus Christ, who suffered, died, and rose from the dead, to save them and offer them the gift of eternal life.
The Catholic Church has various practices, including the Mass, the Eucharist, the sacrament of reconciliation, and prayer. The Church also celebrates the feast of the Assumption, devotions to Mary, and various liturgical Marian feasts throughout the Church Year. In terms of relationships, the Church teaches that sexual intercourse should only take place between a married man and woman and should be without contraception. The Church does not recognize divorce as ending a valid marriage.
