Preserving and Sharing Catholic Beliefs PDF

Introduction: Preserving and Sharing (pages 183-184) 1. Why is the Church apostolic? What is the reason for her existence? The Church is apostolic because Christ sent her into the world. She has an identity and a reason to exist only because of this connection with Christ and his Apo...

Introduction: Preserving and Sharing (pages 183-184) 1. Why is the Church apostolic? What is the reason for her existence? The Church is apostolic because Christ sent her into the world. She has an identity and a reason to exist only because of this connection with Christ and his Apostles. 2. True or False? It is the catholic nature of the Church that helps her to remember and preserve all she has been taught all the way back to the Apostles and to Jesus himself. False. It is the apostolic nature of the Church that helps her to remember and preserve all she has been taught all the way back to the Apostles and to Jesus himself. 3. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Church remains faithful to her apostolic nature in three ways. List these below. (a) The Church is "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone" (Eph 2:20). (b) The Church remains faithful to the teachings of the Apostles. (c) The Church remains apostolic by faithfully accepting the teaching, sanctification, and guidance of the Apostles through their successors, the Bishops, and particularly the pope, the successor of St. Peter. Section 1: Remembering Who We Are (pages 185-189) 6. True or False? To be a member of the Catholic Church is to acknowledge the authority of a sacred communal memory that gives you a part in her identity. True. 7. Explain what God revealed these ancestors of our Faith: o Adam and Eve – God revealed himself to Adam and Eve and did not withdraw his revelation even after they sinned. o Noah - God revealed himself to Noah and guaranteed that the unity of humankind would be re-established bit by bit through time and place. He also promised that nature would never again destroy the world. o Abraham - God chose Abraham to be the father of all believers. From his descendants, God formed a chosen and holy people, Israel, in the hope of their Salvation. 8. Briefly note the meaning of each of these terms: o Private revelation - supernatural communications that God gives to certain people. These revelations may take the form of apparitions (things that are seen) and locutions (things that are heard) that tell us more about God. o Apparitions - things that are seen.  o Locutions - things that are heard. 9. True or False? The Magisterium of the Church at times recognizes private revelations as authentic and all Catholics are required to believe them because they are part of the Church’s Deposit of Faith. False. The Magisterium of the Church at times recognizes private revelations as authentic, but Catholics are not required to believe them because they are not part of the Church’s Deposit of Faith. 10. In whom did God reveal himself most fully? God revealed himself most fully in Jesus Christ. 11. True or False? Jesus Christ is the completion of God’s Revelation, and everything you need to know about Salvation and sanctification is available in him. True. 12. What is the Apostolic Tradition? The Apostolic Tradition is the heritage of faith contained in Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition, handed down in the Church from the time of the Apostles, from which the Magisterium draws all that it proposes for belief as being divinely revealed. Section 2: How the Church’s Memory Is Preserved (pages 190-193) 16. In what two ways was the Gospel handed down? o The Gospel was handed down through oral preaching by the Apostles and in written form by the Apostles and others. 17. Define these terms: o Sacred Scripture – It is the divinely inspired writings that make up the Bible. o Sacred Tradition – It is the living transmission, or "handing on," of the Gospel message. 20. Briefly explain the three ways to read Scripture according to Dei Verbum. o (a) Paying attention to the Bible as a whole. o (b) Reading the Bible in light of the Sacred Tradition of the Church. o (c) Being attentive to the analogy of faith. 22. Define the canon of Scripture. o The Canon of Scripture is the official collection of inspired books of the Bible. 24. What are examples of Sacred Tradition?  o Examples of Sacred Tradition include: creeds, doctrines, hierarchical structure, the liturgy, types of prayer, and social teaching and practice. 25. True or False? All Catholics help to pass on Tradition. o True. 27. True or False? The term Magisterium comes from the Latin word for “authority,” and it applies to both Sacred Scripture and tradition. o False. The term Magisterium comes from the Latin word for "teacher" (magister). It applies to both Sacred Scripture and tradition. Section 3: How the Church’s Memory Is Shared (pages 194-202) 29. True or False? One’s acceptance of the tenets of the Apostles’ Creed and other Church dogma is essential to have a complete Faith and the deepest possible relationship with God. o True. 30. What two things need to be remembered about Church dogma? o (a) They are infallible and irreformable. o (b) They cannot change in their essence. 32. True or False? Each time the Magisterium declares that a particular statement or concept is part of the Deposit of Faith, Catholics are obliged to accept that the assertion is true. o True. 33. Explain the difference between infallibility and indefectibility. o Infallibility is a gift of the Holy Spirit whereby the pope and the bishops are preserved from error when proclaiming a doctrine related to Christian Faith or morals. o Indefectibility ensures that the Church will never depart from teaching the truth of Faith. When does the pope teach infallibly? o The pope teaches infallibly when he teaches as a pastor of all the faithful, is proclaiming a definitive doctrine pertaining to Faith or morals, and does so intending to use his full authority in an unchangeable decision.  True or False? Four years before Pope Pius IX’s infallible proclamation of the Immaculate Conception in 1854, Mary told St. Bernadette, “I am the Immaculate Conception.” o True. True or False? Catholic are obliged to believe and uphold Church dogma; to do otherwise is to commit heresy. o True. What was the prayer of the father whose son was possessed by a demon? Write it below. o "I do believe; help my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24) Section 3: How the Church’s Memory Is Shared (pages 194-202) 42. Explain how the essential role of the Holy Trinity provides deep insight into the meaning of Divine Revelation. o The Holy Spirit is the one who allows us to receive Christ, share the good news, and understand Divine Revelation. The Holy Trinity is a reminder that the relationship between Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is the source of love, life, and salvation. 43. True or False? All of Church teaching has the status of dogma. o False. Not all of Church teaching has the status of dogma. Only the most essential beliefs are defined as dogma, while other teachings are simply doctrine. 44. True or False? A doctrine is any belief that has the official approval of the Magisterium and all doctrine is based upon the Revelation of God in Jesus Christ which is expressed in dogma. o True. 45. Explain the difference between definitive doctrine and authoritative doctrine. o Definitive doctrine: is based on the revelation of God but needs protecting or explaining. They are irreversible and irreformable.  o Authoritative doctrine: are drawn from the Church's reflection on Divine Revelation. They are not infallibly taught, but authoritatively taught with the help of the Holy Spirit. 46. True or False? Authoritative doctrines are taught authoritatively and infallibly with the assistance of the Holy Spirit. o False. Authoritative doctrines are taught authoritatively but not infallibly. 47. Give examples of each of these types of doctrines: o Definitive doctrine – Purgatory or the Church’s teaching about Mary's Immaculate Conception. o Authoritative doctrine – the Church’s just war principles, prohibition of artificial birth control. 48. What are two reasons why a Catholic may struggle with accepting a particular doctrine of the Church? o Lack of Understanding: Individuals may struggle with accepting a doctrine if they don't have a sufficient understanding of it. o Fear of Change: Catholics may be reluctant to accept a doctrine if they fear that it will require changes in their lives or require them to change their own beliefs. **50. Circle the statement below which is not one of the precepts of the Church, ** o Confess sins at least once a year. o Help provide for the needs of the Church. o Receive the Eucharist at least during the Christmas season. o Attend Mass on Sundays and holy days. Section 4: Apostolicity and Church Leadership (pages 203-207) 51. What are the three main tasks of the pope and bishops? o To teach o To sanctify o To govern 55. Explain the purpose of the teaching of the bishops both for those with Faith and those without it.  o For those with Faith: The bishops' teaching aims to strengthen their faith and understanding. o For those without Faith: The bishops' goal is to call them to belief and teach them the mystery of Christ. 57. What is the USCCB and who comprises this group? o The USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) is the national body of bishops in the United States. This group includes the entire body of bishops in the United States and hundreds of support staff. 58. True or False? Guided by the Holy Spirit, the college of bishops, in union with the pope, exercises the gift of imperfection when teaching about or protecting Christ’s Revelation on matters of Faith or morals. o False. The Church exercises the gift of infallibility when teaching about or protecting Christ's Revelation on matters of Faith or morals. 59. What is the goal of the Church’s apostolic ministry? o To extend God's Kingdom and gather all those redeemed by Christ as one People of God.