11. Marks of the Church
IN THE WEEK AHEAD
Our Questions
There are so many churches in our country and they all seem
to be competing with each other.
How can a simple fellow know where to turn?
What to Read
In US CATHOLIC CATECHISM
Chapter 11 : Four Marks of the Church p. 125-135
In your Bible:
Acts 2:43-47
John 17:21
Ephesians 4:3-5
Matthew 16:18
Glossary
Reformation = 16th century movement for the reform of abuses in the Roman Catholic church ending in the establishment of the Reformed and Protestant churches.
Ecumenical = the effort to reconcile all Christians in one only church (CCC# 822)
Infallible = incapable of making doctrinal errors.
Particular church = diocese
Catholic Practice
Catholics drop in to a church for a “visit”, time spent in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. Most suburban or small town churches are open during the daylight hours.
Checking on What I Understand
There is a set of fun and stimulating quizzes that will confirm what you know and challenge what you do not yet know. Go to St. Edward Church website < www.saintedwardshelton.org> and click on “Becoming Catholic”. Choose lesson eleven and do do the self-correcting on-line <quiz 11>
Getting Personal
If you have been raised in a religion that stresses bible reading and sermon in its service, what feelings have you experienced when you attend a liturgical service in the Catholic Church?
GOING DEEPER
Books
In the CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH (#811-870)
Video –
Francesco is a 1989 docudrama relating in flashback St. Francis of Assisi's evolution from rich man's son to religious humanitarian and finally to full-fledged saint. The film was based on Herman Hesse's Francis of Assisi,
Monsier Vincent (1947) Vincent de Paul led a remarkable life. Born into poverty, sold into slavery in Africa after being kidnapped at sea by Turkish pirates, he eventually rose to become a trusted advisor to queens, princes, and nobility. Even more remarkable was the way this unassuming priest used his influence and abilities to bring about major change in social consciousness throughout France.
Music –
The Church’s One Foundation
All Are Welcome
SUPPLEMENTARY
History of the Church
I.The Apostolic Church ( AD 33 until the death of the last apostle)
A.The first converts made by the apostles were on Pentecost Sunday
1.They came from a Jewish background so continued to worship in the synagog and the temple.
2.The Jewish leaders turned againsst the tiny group, and killed St. Stephen (a deacon and the first martyr)
3.They dispersed throughout the Roman empire but especially Antioch
B.Aa rabbi, Saul of Tarsus, extended the persecution of the early church
1.He was miraculously converted on his way to Damascus & baptized
2.When James and Peter learned that some Gentiles in Antioch wished to become Christians, Barnabas sent for Saul (now) Paul to assist
C.St.Paul himeself made three missionary journies to Asia Minor and Greece before he was imprisoned.
II.The Age of the Martyrs
A.Identify problems early christians had & analyze issues:
1.Being called atheist because don't accept pagan gods
2.What is a Christian's identity? Neither pagan nor Jew
3.Eating meat offered to pagan good & then resold in market
4.School where Christianity could be maintained for young
5.Carving statues of pagan gods
6.Intermarriage
7.Violent games
8.Tolerating the death penalty
9.Fighting in an unjusts war as a soldier
10.Dressing in a worldly fashion (mascaraa, wigs)
11.What should be the cost of holding to your beliefs?
B.Story of a martyr: St. Vitus;
1.tutor St. Modestus & servant St. Crescentia
2.Lived in S. Italy, son of a senator Hylas
3.Converted to Christianity age of 12 & baptized w/o parents knowledge
4.As miracle worker attracted attention
5.Father Hylas & Valerian tried to break his faith
6.Escaped by boat guided by angel to Lucania
7.fed by food brought by eagle
8.In Rome he healed son of emperor Diocletian
9.expelled evil spirit but attributed to sorcery
10.cast into cauldron of molten lead, pitch, resin
11.emerged as from a refreshing bath
12..a lion crouched before him & licked his feet
13.put on rack "iron horse" & limbs disslocated
14.storm arose destroying pagan temple; then died
15.Patron of storms; protection against vicious animals-
III.The Age of Imperial Christianity
A.Place number on Map for following events:
1.England - where Constantine became emperor on death of his father
2.Milvian Bridge - where he had his vision of the cross
3.Constantinople - where he moved HDQ of Roman Empire
4.Nicea - where Ecumenical council declared Jesus to be God
5.Hippo - where Augustine was bishop
B.. Divisions in the Church
1.Heresy
a.Arianism - Jesus not truly God but superhuman
b.Manicheism - world bound by two forces, good and evil. Flesh is evil; spirit is good
C.Schism
D. Story of St. Augustine
1.354 Augustine born of St. Monica & Patricius
2.387 Baptized Catholic by Ambrose
3.391 Ordained a priest in Hippo,N. Africa
4.395 Elected bishop
5.403-412 Opposes
a.Donatists - no unholy person could be a member of the church.
b.and Pelagians - man can get to heaven on his own without God's grace or Christ.
6.430 Dies during seige of Arian Vandals
7.Stealing fruit
8.Illegitimate child, Areodatus
a.Became a Manichean
9.His conversion at invitation of child - "Take & Read"
E.What brought about the conversion of Emperor Constantine?
1.Background
2.312 Edict of Milan by Emp. Constantine
IV. The Age of Monasticism
A.background; fall of Rome 410 - Alaric
1.Attilia the Hun
2.Pepin
3.Charlemagne
B.civilization decayed; Dark Ages
1.Moslems
2.Norsemen
3.Magyars
C.Story of St. Benedict of Nursia
1.Monte Cassino
2."Work and Pray"
D.Pope Gregory the Great
E.St. Augustine to England
V.The Age of the Friars
A.Jesus: in Mt 19:21 Go, sell your possessions & give to the poor. You will then have treasure in heaven.
B.heresies
1.Waldensians - rejected all authority,
2.Albigensians - Satan is god of evil; God of goodness is Archangel Michael
a.suppressed by secular leaders violently
3.Catharsists
a.spirtists - saved by divorced from material world
b.suicide code by starvation, poison, phlebotomy
c.
C.Corruption in the Middle Ages
1.great wealth of monasteries
2.church had privileged place in rule of life
3.bishops were rich and corrupt
D.Crusade
E.Story of St. Francis
1.Wealthy family
2.wan ted to become a knight but fell sick
3.Father took him to bishop's house
4.stripped naked
5.Conversion
6.mendicant
7.never ordained a priest
8.Restoration of St. Damian
a.Vision told him to rebuild "my house:"
9.Really meant his church
10.Simplicity attracted the common people
11.Establishes Franciscan order
a.visits Pope Innocent III
b.Poor Clares
12.initial rule replaced by modified rule
13.Love of nature
14.Stigmata on Mt Alverno where he retired
15.Turn away from ideals of poverty
16.Church would own the property donated; firars have the use of it
17.Cardinal Ugolino
