Questions on the Catholic Faith

QUESTIONS ON THE CATHOLIC FAITH

Saturday, July 7, 12

KEITH ALLEN’S QUESTION:BAKIT KAILANGAN NG CATECHISM?

To evangelize like the apostles. Catechists are “lay apostles”

Working with priests to spread our faith in God.

Evangelization means to tell people the “Good News” that Jesus has come to save mankind from sin and death.

Catechism is missionary work.


CHRISTIAN MISSIONARIES

Christians who so love God that they go to distant places away from their family and all they know to teach pagans/non-believers or people of different religions about God.

Martyred missionaries - die for their faith in and love for Jesus (unwelcome in many places)

Martyr - from the Greek word “martys” meaning “witness”


The 70 DisciplesEarly Missionaries

In the Gospel of Luke 10: 1-24, Jesus sent 70 of his disciples, early followers of Jesus, to different places to preach the Gospel.


THE MARTYR AND THE MISSIONARYSAINT STEPHEN AND SAINT PAUL


SAINT STEPHEN

First disciple of Jesus to be martyred for his faith.

Was classmates with Saul (later St. Paul)

Was a Christian among Christians, and full of the fruits of the Holy Spirit - humility, gentleness, purity, kindness, charity - that many admired him

Head of 7 disciples named by the Apostles as deacons to do works of charity and spread the Gospel.


SAINT STEPHEN

The perfect minister of charity and the Gospel.

He knew divine scripture by heart.

Fearless in his service of God in the face of adversity.

Was a great speaker and defended Jesus in the Jerusalem tribunal. Criticized the chief priests for their hard-hearted resistance to the Holy Spirit and for putting to death Jesus, the Messiah all Jews had been waiting for.

Was stoned to death.


Stoned to death for his beliefs.

Question:

Doesn’t this sound familiar? Hindi ba’t pinagtatawan at kinukutya ang maraming Kristiyano ngayon?


STEPHEN PRAYED FOR SAUL

Stephen prayed for Saul and all who persecuted him and Christians.

Stephen’s brave sacrifice converted many to Christianity. People marveled at the unwavering devotion of Stephen to Jesus and began to believe.

Saul persecuted Christians - “...entering house after house and dragging out men and women, he handed them over for imprisonment. Acts 8:3b

It is believed that St. Stephen’s prayer for Saul led to his conversion.


On the road to Damascus to persecute Christians... The Lord said,“Saul, why are you persecuting me?”“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” (Acts 9:5b)


CONVERSION OF SAULCREATION OF A MISSIONARY

On the road to Damascus to arrest Christians, Saul had an experience that converted him from Judaism to Christianity.

Realized he had been blind to the truth and resolved to work tirelessly to bring people to God. “...present everyone perfect in Christ. For this I labor and struggle, in accord with the exercise of his power working within me” (Colossians 1:28b-29). “For our gospel did not come to you in word alone, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and [with] much conviction” (1 Thessalonians 1:5a).


CATECHISM IS WITNESSING

So why do we need Catechism?

To learn and experience the truth that God loves us so much that He sent His Son to save us from sin and the results of sin (death)

To realize the value of this gift of ETERNAL LIFE with our Father in heaven, and to cherish it, to nourish it.

To turn away from all that separate us from God.

And finally, to become “catechists” to others, to spread our faith, by telling others of the love of God.


JENNIE LYN BATAS’ QUESTION:BAKIT NATIN KINO-CONSIDER NA BIRHEN SI MARY

GAYONG NAGKAROON NG MARAMING KAPATID SI JESUS. MAY MGA KAPATID NGA BA SI JESUS.

In the Annunciation, Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and said “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are

you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” The Angel told Mary that she was to give birth to the Son of God.

Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do

not know a man?”And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:34-35)


Annunciation


VIRIGINITY OF MARY, CONT’D

Many Protestants deny Mary’s perpetual virginity because some text in the Bible refer to the “brethren of Jesus”

2nd century document “Protoevangelicum of James” tells of Mary being virgin before, during, and after Jesus’ birth

States that St. Ann, Mary’s mother, had promised Mary as a “virgin for the Lord” to work in the temple. (vow of chastity)

Joseph as guardian of Mary’s vow of virginity, a widower and much older than Mary, had children from a previous marriage.


VIRIGINITY OF MARY, CONT’D

Before Jesus died, He entrusted His mother to John "Woman, behold your son!" and to his disciple "Behold, thy mother!" in John 19:26-27. If Mary had other children, Jesus would have entrusted Her to them and not to His disciple, John.

Brethren - “Brother” in Hebrew meant any male relative that a person did not descend from. (eg. the husband of your true aunt). If a person is directly descended from a man, regardless of the number of generations, the person is said to be a “Father”; No word for “cousin”.


http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Bible_(American_Standard)/John#19:26

http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Bible_(American_Standard)/John#19:26

JENNY ROSE CORNEJO AND RAVEN’S QUESTION:BAKIT KAILANGANG MAGSIMBA TUWING LINGGO?

One of the 10 Commandments “Thou shall keep holy the day of the Lord.”

"Where two or three come together in my name, there am I in their midst" (Mt. 18:20)

Jesus Himself instituted the Holy Eucharist during the Last Supper before His passion and death by crucifixion. Jesus asked that we receive His Body and Blood (through the Eucharist) “Take this all of you and eat it. This is My Body which will be given up for you.” “Drink this Blood, the blood of the new and everlasting covenant. It will be shed for you and for all men so that sins may be forgiven. Do this in memory of Me.”


Jesus instituted the Eucharist during the last supper and asked us to remember Him in the Eucharist.

Today we remember Jesus sacrifice in the

Holy Mass.


BAKIT KAILANGANG MAGSIMBA TUWING LINGGO?

We receive the grace of God when we receive Holy Communion. We are strengthened as we affirm Jesus as our Lord and God by accepting Him in the Eucharist.

We go to Mass on Sundays to obey Jesus, to remember Him, and to be together as the family of God.


CARMELA MONTECINO’S QUESTION:WHAT ARE THE PARTS OF THE MASS AND WHY ARE THEY

IMPORTANT?

2 Major Parts: Liturgy of the Word and Liturgy of the Eucharist

Gathering: Gathering in Church, the assembling, is to bring us together into one united body, ready to participate by giving of ourselves, by breaking bread together.

Greeting: The celebrant will ask us to join him in making the Sign of the Cross. He will intone: "The Lord be with you," to which the congregation replies: "And also with you." Then the priest may very briefly introduce the faithful to the Mass of the day.

Penitential Rite - consisting of the "Confiteor" (I confess). penitential words included in it. It is a prayer giving faithful praise to the Lord and imploring his mercy.


PARTS OF THE MASS

Gloria - The "Gloria" is an ancient hymn in which the Church, assembled in the Holy Spirit, praises the Father and the Son.

Opening Prayer

Liturgy of the Word - Readings, Responsorial Psalm, Gospel, Homily (catechism on the readings)

Prayers of the Faithful - petitions, things that we are asking from God

Profession of Faith - “Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again.)


PARTS OF THE MASS

Liturgy of the Eucharist

Preparation of Gifts

Thanksgiving

Acclamation (Santo, Santo, Santo)

Consecration - when the bread and wine are miraculously turned into the body and blood of Christ. (“My Lord and My God”

Offering - offering the sacrifice of the Mass to God, offering ourselves to God as well.


PARTS OF THE MASS

Intercessions - Acknowledging that the Mass is being offered in communion with all its members living or dead, who are called to share in God’s salvation.

Communion Rite

Lord’s Prayer - “Ama Namin”

Rite of Peace - Peace be with you

Lord, I’m not worthy to receive you....

Communion - we receive the body and blood fo crhsis.

Concluding Rite


JENNY ROSE CORNEJO’S QUESTION:ANO ANG KAILANGANG GAWIN PARA MAGING TUNAY NA

KRISTIYANO?

Judaism had so many laws that confused many people.

When Jesus was asked what the most important commandment was, Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is, “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord” (One and Only God) Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'

“The second is this, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' There is no other commandment greater than these."


GRACHEL LO, MADEL MALLARI, RODERICK PANGANIBAN, RIEZEL SAMERA ’S QUESTION:

BAKIT KAILAN NG PAULIT-ULIT NA DASAL GAYA NG ROSARY?

Any prayer, whether repeated (like the Rosary, novenas) or not (personal prayer), is acceptable to God.

Repeated prayer - It is like saying I love you to God. Is there a limit to the number of times we should tell God that we love Him?

Many Christians dismiss the Rosary as “vain repetition” referring to Matthew 6:7, which reads: “But when ye pray, use not vain repetition, as the heathens do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking” (KJV).


“VAIN REPETITION”

“As the heathens do” - Jesus was referring to “empty” or “vain” vocal prayer as practiced by the pagans, “who feared to omit from their prayer the name of one god or the mention of one request.”

The key word here is “vain” or “empty,” not repetition. Pagans then believed that their gods had human-like traits, that they were fickle and petty and had to be impressed with their incessant vocal prayers. It wasn’t “repetition” that Jesus did not want, it was praying to false gods and praying without sincerity.


REPEATED PRAYERS

Jesus Himself taught a prayer that He meant to be repeated. “The Our Father/Lord’s Prayer”

All prayers --- a response to God’s love. As God reveals Himself to Man, man responds to Him in prayer. (Catechism, 2567)

Christian tradition has maintained 3 major expressions of prayer: vocal, meditative, contemplative. -- three basic traits in common-- composuire of heart.


REPEATED PRAYERS

Rosary - a vocal prayer, also a meditative prayer on the mysteries of the life and death of Jesus

We remember the joyful events in Jesus’ life such as the annunciation, Jesus birth, being presented at the temple.

We remember Jesus passion/suffering and death on the cross. We remember the glorious events in Jesus’ life in which His divinity is revealed.

The power of our prayers does not come from how we feel during prayer, but on the grace of God given through our steadfast discipline (1 Cor. 15:58; cf. Catechism, 2725).


REPEATED PRAYERS

A regular recitation of the Rosary helps us to develop the discipline that is needed to grow in our faith. It develops obedience and faithfulness to our Lord.

Sometimes, we do not feel like praying the Rosary or going to Mass but if we overcome our feelings of laziness and dryness, we will develop a stronger, more unshakeable faith in God as we strive to remain faithful to Him in the little things that we can do.

Regularity and frequency of prayer need not depend on how we feel. The Rosary is an exercise in steadfastness/persistence. The mere act of reciting the Rosary is a movement toward God.

Same with praying other repeated prayers such as novenas and devotions.


MADEL MALLARI’S QUESTION:IN THE 10 COMMANDMENTS, IT IS SAID THAT WE SHOULD NOT HAVE OTHER GODS. BUT WHY ARE THERE SO MANY

SAINTS IN CHURCH THAT PEOPLE PRAISE?

This is a popular misconception that is being spread about Catholicism by other Christian religions.

There are 3 Churches:

Church Triumphant Saints, those who are in heaven

Church Militant

Christians on earth who are living; who struggle against sin, the devil and "..the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high

places" (Ephesians 6:12).

Church Suffering Christians in Purgatory


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christians

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christians

ABOUT SAINTS

We adore and worship God alone and no other.

Saints - people just like us who have lived their lives for God, who did all things for the love of God, who served God by serving the needy.

Saints in heaven are our champions -- they are the ones rooting for us. Their work is to pray for the Church Militant, that we may strive to live according to the laws of God and be forgiven our sins.

We do not worship saints, we only ask for their help to pray to God for our needs. (Prayer and worship do not end when a person dies and saints continue to pray in heaven.)


ABOU T SAINTS

There are many patron saints that we can ask for help and prayers. They become patron saint of something that is related to their experience or journey while here on Earth.

For our part as Church Militant, we must pray for a world that has become too materialistic, a world that has forgotten about God. We must pray for the forgiveness of our sins.

We also pray for the forgiveness of the sins of the people in Purgatory (Church Suffering), because there is nothing they can do to get out of Purgatory except for our prayers. This is why we should make it a practice to pray for our loved ones who have died.


JAMILLE JOY REYES, JUVELYN SAMONTE, JANINE VILLEGAS AND JOMAR VISCO’S QUESTION:

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM CHARITEACH? WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

The goal of Chariteach is simple - it is mainly to teach you about the love of God

To shepherd you who are babies in the faith towards the right direction in the middle of all the noise that you hear around you.

GOD = Love = Charity

God is the source of all love and charity is love in action.

Chariteach also aims to equip you with the right values and understanding of the different things that happen around you. (eg. happiness, sorrow, anger, forgiveness, bullying, atheism, relativism, etc.)


Spiritual

Questions on the Catholic Faith