Key Concepts in Catholic Faith and Evangelization

Fiat

Mary's 'yes' to God's will in his invitation to bear the Son of God at the Annunciation.

Sanctify

To make holy.

Holiness

Comes from 'halig' meaning 'whole'; to be in a state of goodness and free from sin; being exactly who God created us to be.

Catholic / Katholikos

'Universal' or 'pertaining to the whole.'

Evangelization

To preach the Gospel.

Proselytizing

Pressuring or coercing someone into faith.

Inculturation

The gradual acquisition of the culture and norms of one culture by another.

Primary evangelization

Preaching the Gospel to those who have never heard about Jesus before.

New evangelization

Re-evangelizing or re-proposing the gospel to the de-christianized; sharing the faith that has been nearly lost by secularization; how to best minister to this generation.

Why is the Church holy?

Jesus loves the Church as His Bride, and so makes her holy, as He is holy.

What does the holiness of the Church refer to?

Her Founder, Jesus — not the condition of her members.

Steps to Canonization

1. Servant of God (case opened) → 2. Venerable (determination) → 3. Blessed (beatification) → 4. Saint (canonization).

How many miracles for canonization vs. martyrdom?

Saints need two miracles; martyrs need only one to be canonized.

Why should we never fear loving Mary too much?

She is the mother of Jesus — to love her is to love Jesus.

How is Mary a model of holiness?

By saying 'yes' to God's will at the Annunciation, Mary shows us how to embrace God's plan fully.

Ways to grow in holiness

Grow in relationship with God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit); grow in relationship with the Church; follow the precepts of the Church; be your unique self.

Precepts of the Church (1)

Attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation.

Precepts of the Church (2)

Confess your sins at least once a year.

Precepts of the Church (3)

Receive the Eucharist at least during the Easter Season.

Precepts of the Church (4)

Observe days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church.

Precepts of the Church (5)

Help to provide for the needs of the Church.

What allows the Church to be one, holy, catholic, and apostolic?

The guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Why is the Church catholic?

Like the Trinity, she is whole and complete. She exists for all people and is the means of salvation for all people.

Are local churches catholic? How?

Yes — they fully possess the presence of Christ made manifest in the Eucharist.

Who shepherds a diocese?

A bishop.

Who shepherds parishes?

Pastors, or priests.

How does Pentecost show the Church is universal?

The Apostles spoke in many tongues, showing the Church was made for all people. Many accepted the faith and carried it back to the rest of the world.

What is the problem with being 'spiritual but not religious'?

We become our own gods — but we are not always right and do not know everything. It also lets us avoid the demands of religion that call us to act and think differently.

What is Moral Therapeutic Deism?

A way of thinking that says religion is just about being nice, providing comfort, and that God exists but doesn't really involve himself in our lives.

Why do we need the New Evangelization?

As the world changes, we need new approaches to faith that can meet people where they are.