The Catholic Church

church architecture

ambo

part of sanctuary

Announcing Bible readings as Word of God

Altar

place of sacrifice of Christ

central part of sanctuary

Priest consecrates bread
and wine to become
Body and Blood of Christ

After mass communion
place in Tabernacle

outside mass bow to altar when there is
no tabernacle

celebrate eucharist

Tabernacle

used to store holy communion

genuflect towards it

used for private and public worship

font

used for baptism

washes away all sin

makes us Christians, members of God's family
and members of the Church

one baptism for all

at the front of the church to show link
with eucharist

stations of the Cross

shows sacrifice of
Our Lord

in pictures for those who cannot read

used particularly during Lent

private and public prayers

statues

used to honour those who have
followed Our Lord

reminder to Christians that
we can follow Christ well

those who have died are also part
of the Church

Catholics do not worship statues,
ONLY GOD

Mary, Mother of God, the most common statue

she is worthy of honour, not worship

she was conceived without stain of sin, known as
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

in Catholic tradition, remained a virgin

gave birth to Son of God,
called Mother of God

some major feast days

annunciation, 25th march

Angel Gabriel tells Mary she will conceive and
bear the Son of God

Subtopic

Christmas

Immaculate Conception,
8th December

Assumption, 5th August

at the moment of death,
Our Lady taken, body and soul,
to heaven.

feast shared with Orthodox Christians,
who call it the Dormition

decoration and furnishings

for

helps to focus mind

God becomes man, therefore not breaking
the first Commandment

long standing tradition in apostolic Churches

reminder of what we can become

reminder of living and dead

God created beauty

against

breaks commandment

can be a distraction

fear of seeming idolatry

seven sacraments

definition

sacraments of iniation, bringing fully into the Church

baptism

baptism is a sacrament which washes
away Original Sin, makes us Christians,
members of God's family and members of the Church

symbols of baptism

water

cleanses

gives life

refreshes

oil

catechumens

prepares for baptism

chrism

used to anoint those asked by God to
complete a task in life

king David and Our Lord both anointed with oil

used to anoint prophets, priests and kings

a mixture of olive oil and balsam

olive oil used as medicine and fuel

candle

Christ as the light of the world

Christians called to let light of
Christ shine in their lives

the light spreads, as does the faith

gives direction in times of darkness

white garment

shows purity of soul

no stain of sin

necessary for salvation

Go therefore to all nations
and baptize them
in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit....

The only way we know of by which we can be saved.
(catechism of the Catholic Church)

baptism of Our Lord in the River Jordan
by John the Baptist.

arguments for and against
infant baptism

for

Cornelius and all his household, in Acts, were baptized, including children

tradition of all apostolic Churches

brought up from childhood to follow Christ

grow in love of Christ

join the family of God and the Church

make own commitment later, in confirmation

jews circumcised at 8 days to bring them into Jewish faith

against

baptism should be a personal choice, not forced

no personal commitment

can come to know Christ without baptism

Jesus baptised as adult

confirmation

Pentecost- the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Promised by Christ

disciples hiding in upper room

afraid they would be arrested
for being followers of Jesus

Holy Spirit came in form
of tongues of flame

received courage to preach about Christ

word means strengthening

person chooses confirmation

renews baptismal promises

becomes an adult, a
soldier, in the faith

symbols

laying on of hands

ancient symbol

used in the Bible

passing on the Spirit

anointing with oil

ancient symbol - chosen for a task

oil strengthens

oil of chrism

ordinary minister is the bishop

eucharist

sacraments of vocation

marriage

union of one man and one woman

a permanent union until death

"what God has joined together,
man must not separate

no divorce and then remarriage
in Catholic Church

annulment recognises that sacramental
marriage did not take place.

reflection of God's love
which is for ever

2 purposes of marriage

procreative

life giving

open to having children

no contraception

unitative

2 become 1

remain always faithful

no sexual conduct
outside the marriage

no sex before marriage

no adultery
(6th commandment)

holy orders

origin

ranks

married clergy

female clergy

sacraments of
reconciliation/forgiveness

confession/reconciliation

sacrament of the sick