major theological topics

Catholicism

the beliefs and practices of a Catholic Church

enduring learnings

relationship with God, love of dear neighbor, dignity of self, care for God's creation

relationship with God

knowing the only True God; having an intimate, personal relationship with Him rather than just knowing about Him

love of dear neighbor

the practice of the love of God through seeing him in other people and doing Good for them

dignity of self

the inner feelings and attitudes of self appreciation as a creation of God

care for God's creation

acting as stewards for our physical environment because it was created by God

the four marks of the church

apostolic, one, Catholic, holy

apostolic

mark of the church; the Church was founded by the apostles

one

mark of the church; the unity of creed and worship, Christians are united into a single whole by the church

Catholic

mark of the church; emphasizes the universal nature of the Church

holy

mark of the church; worship is the bride of Christ

apostolic succession

the method whereby the ministry of the Christian Church is held to be derived from the apostles by a continuous succession

catholic social teachings/CST

an area of Catholic doctrine concerning matters of human dignity and the common good in society;
Life and Dignity of the Human Person
Call to Family, Community, and Participation
Rights and Responsibilities
Preferential Option for the Poor
The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
Solidarity
Care for God's Creation

life and dignity of the human person

CST; The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society

call to family, community, and participation

CST; The person is not only sacred but also social, so we must pay attention to how we organize our society so as to make it equitable for all people

rights and responsibilities

CST; the importance of upholding the Catholic faith and virtues in society

preferential option for the poor

CST; preference being given to the well-being of the poor and powerless of society in the teachings and commands of God as well as the prophets and other righteous people

the dignity of work and the rights of workers

CST; the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers must be respected—the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to the organization and joining of unions, to private property, and to economic initiative

solidarity

CST; the virtue enabling the human family to share fully the treasure of material and spiritual goods

value

a person's principles or standards of behavior; one's judgment of what is important in life

principle

a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior or for a chain of reasoning