Catholics believe that there is only one God. While this God is one being, he exists as a relationship between three distinct persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit. God is a Trinity! Our knowledge of this doesn’t come from human reasoning or philosophy, rather God’s nature was revealed to us through Jesus.
Jesus founded the Catholic church, as the tangible way he’d be present and active in the world for all time. The word catholic means ‘universal’, because Jesus’ church is all-embracing across the entire world, for all time. The Catholic church is today the oldest, continuous institution in the world, having been founded 2000 years ago.
Catholics believe that salvation is made possible only through Jesus Christ. Indeed, salvation is relationship with Jesus Christ. Hence we believe that while it is something that begins here on earth, it is only fulfilled in eternity. While we profess that baptism is the entryway to salvation, we must also cooperate with God’s grace throughout our lives to actualise this salvation.
There are many ways Catholics pray: reading the bible, vocal prayer, song, art, contemplation, the rosary, reading. Prayer is not just a mental activity, but can engage the entirety of the person: the intellect, the emotions, the body, the senses, the imagination etc. There is individual prayer, as well as communal prayer, and communal worship. The supreme form of worship for Catholics is the Mass.
The Mass is the supreme form of prayer and worship for Catholics. The Mass is both a commemoration of God’s love and an infilling of God’s love. It has two main parts. In the first part, we listen, reflect and apply the teachings of the Bible. In the second part, we unite with God in a very intimate way through receiving Eucharist, which Catholics believe to be Jesus’ very body and blood. The Mass is so special because it gathers all the separate streams of our lives, and offers it to God in an act of thanksgiving.
For Catholics, the fullest expression of salvation is entry into God’s family. Hence we freely relate with Mary and the Saints because they are already part of God’s family. Here’s an image that may help: when a bride marries a bridegroom, she naturally marries into the bridegroom’s family as well. In likewise way, when we unite with and ‘marry’ Christ, we marry into his family, including the angels, Mary and the Saints. Note that we do not pray to them (for prayer is reserved for God alone), rather we can ask them to pray for us and inspire us.
Jesus continues to be present and active in the world through his church. In a particular way, he ministers to us through the seven Sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Holy Matrimony, Priesthood and the Anointing of the Sick. But what are they? A sacrament can be best defined as “a visible sign, of an invisible grace.” Each sacrament uses physical, visible symbols (such as bread, wine, water, oil etc.) to channel the love of God to us. Just as Jesus became the physical means to access God’s grace, so the sacraments are to us. While the sacraments are the normative means of grace, God is certainly not limited to the sacraments! For example, many people receive God’s love and healing through creation, through beauty and through other people.
The Pope is the latest successor of the apostle Peter, upon whom Jesus Christ founded his church. It’s staggering to think there is an unbroken line of succession of popes for 2000 years. As such, the Pope is a symbol of the continuation and authenticity of Christ’s teaching, whose very authority comes from Christ himself. Note that the Pope as a person is no different from you or I: a sinner, who is prone to both virtue and vice. However the Pope as an office (a position), is a beautiful symbol of unity, clarity and the shepherding heart of Christ.
If you’re keen to become a Catholic, or have further questions about Catholicism, we’d love to hear from you! Typically if you’re an adult, you’d enrol in a program called the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), which will provide the spiritual, intellectual and human preparation necessary for you take the next step! You may also consider joining one of the parish’s Alpha courses as a prelude too to learn about the faith! For more information, contact the parish office. Email us at: admin@stbenedicts.com.au or ring us on (03) 9808 2492
St Benedict's Catholic Community / 301 Warrigal Rd, Burwood Victoria, Australia