The Catholic Church-Chapter 1 Flashcards
Church
The term “Church” has three inseprable meanings:
1) The entire People of God throughout the world
2) The diocese which is also known as the local church
3) The assembly of believers gathered for the celebration of liturgy, especially the Eucharist.
In the Nicene Creed, the Church is recognized as One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic- traits that togethether are referred to as “Marks of the Church”
Diocese
AKA a “particular” or “local” Church
The regional community of believers, who commonly gather in parishes under the leadership of a bishop. At times, a diocese is determined not on the basis of geography but on the basis of language or rite.
Liturgy
The Church’s official, public, communal prayer. It is God’s work, in which the People of God participate. The Church’s most important liturgy is the Eucharist or the Mass.
Kingdom of God
The culmination or goal of God’s plan of salvation, the Kindom of God is announced by the Gospel and present in Jesus Christ. The Kingdom is the reign or rule of God over the hearts of people and, as a consequence of that, the development of a new social order based on unconditional love. The fullness of God’s Kingdom will not be realized until the end of time. Also called the Reign of God or the Kingdom of Heaven.
Fathers of the Church (Church Fathers)
During the early centuries of the Church, those teachers whose writings extended the Tradition of the Apostles and who continue to be important for the Church’s teachings.
Foreshadow
To represent or prefigure a person before his or her life or an event before it occurs.
Incarnation
From the Latin meaning “to become flesh,” referring to the mystery of Jesus Christ, the Divine Son of God, becoming man. In the Incarnation, Jesus Christ became truly man while remaining truly God.
Grace
The free and undeserved gift that God gives us to empower us to respond to his call and to live as his adopted sons and daughters. Grace restores our loving communion with the Holy Trinity lost through sin.
Bishop
One who has received the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is a succesor to the Apostles.
