What is the Church?

Build a Church!Using whatever materials you find and your own creativity, demonstrate the elements needed for a Church. If we dont have the materials you need, you can draw or write themYou have FIVE MINUTES TO COMPLETE THIS TASK!Need cardboard, poster board, tape, staplers, scissors and markers1What is Church? Parish: Its All Of Us!

Visible, structured, human organizationPope

College of Cardinals Can you name a cardinal?

Visible, structured, human organizationArchbishop/BishopArchdiocese/diocese

?Visible, structured, human organizationParishPastor (In solidum team)Pastoral/cluster CouncilParish committeesParish staff

What is Church?

Three Images of ChurchFrom the Catechism of the Catholic ChurchPeople of GodBody of ChristTemple of the Holy SpiritPeople of GodYou are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, Gods own people. (1 Peter 2:9)

People of God

As Gods people, we recognize that through our baptism, we are called to celebrate the Risen Christ and continue his ministry in the world.

9Body of ChristFor just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. (1 Corinthians 12:12, 27)

Body of Christ

This image of the Church recognizes how intimately connected the Church is to Christ. We believe that Christ is the head, and that every person within the Church is needed to make up the body.

11Temple of the Holy Spirit Do you not know that you are Gods temple and that Gods Spirit dwells in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16)

Temple of the Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit was given to us by Jesus and that the Spirit continues to guide the work of the Church and dwell in each member of the Church.

13What is Church?

These images help us to understand that our Catholic Church is more than just a collection of people who happen to come to church on Sunday. Christ began the Church to continue his mission here on Earth and each of us, through baptism, have a role within the Church.

Distribute stewardship cards/first fruits exercise14What is Parish?

Our parish is one part of the larger Catholic communitybut it is still an important part. Each parish is expected to minister to the people of the parish through the ministry of the parish priest and all the People of God who are a part of the Church.

15Canon Law

Canon Law (528-529) outlines what the pastoral work (ministries) of a parish is

16 Promoting the Eucharist and all the sacraments, especially the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Promoting the Eucharist as central to the faith and celebrating Mass and all the sacraments, especially the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

17Teaching the Faith

Teaching the faith to children and adultsthrough classes, homilies, and other programs.

18Promoting the Spirit of the Gospel

Promoting the spirit of the Gospel, including its relevance to social justice.

19Encouraging Personal Prayer

Encouraging personal prayer, especially in the family.

20Creating Community

Creating community within the parish and reaching out to those who are in need of physical or spiritual healing.

21Reaching out to those in need

Reaching out to those who are in needthe poor, lonely, and suffering.

22Reaching out to the sick and dying.

Reaching out to those who aresick and those who are dying.

23Fostering the Christian family.

Fostering the growth and strength of the Christian family.

24Promoting the laity

Promoting the role of lay people in Christs mission.

25Promote the parish, diocese, and universal Church

Helping all Christians to have concern for the parish, diocese, and universal Church and to involve themselves in its work.

26The Role of the ParishPromoting the Eucharist as central to the faith and celebrating Mass and all the sacraments, especially the Sacrament of Reconciliation.Teaching the faith to children and adultsthrough classes, homilies, and other programs.Promoting the spirit of the Gospel, including its relevance to social justice.Encouraging personal prayer, especially in the family.Creating community within the parish and reaching out to those who are in need of physical or spiritual healing.

Reaching out to those who are in needthe poor, lonely, and suffering. Reaching out to those who are sick and those who are dying. Fostering the growth and strength of the Christian family.Promoting the role of lay people in Christs mission.Helping all Christians to have concern for the parish, diocese, and universal Church and to involve themselves in its work.