Mid-Term Exam Study Guide
As we discussed in class, it is helpful to categorize your information. Giving information some
context by linking it with related information will help you understand and retain it.
When you read the questions below, do the following to help you study:
 Make sure you understand the question
 When you check to make sure you can answer a question, make sure that you can fill in
the details. For example, if you are working on the question “When, where, and why was
the order (the Sisters of Mercy) founded?” you want to make sure the “why” has lots of
detail about the problems Catherine was trying to address and the ways she wanted to do
that. The “where” would include Ireland, Dublin, and Baggot Street.
 It is helpful to go from “big ideas” (concepts and themes) to the supporting details and
then back to the big ideas as you study.
Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy
When was Walsingham founded and by whom?
Basic facts about Catherine McAuley
When and where was she born?
What was her family like?
When did she die? How much had the Sisters of Mercy spread by that time?
The founding of the Sisters of Mercy
What was life like in Ireland when the Sisters of Mercy were founded? Why?
When, where, and why was the order started?
Whose influence led Catherine to found the Sisters of Mercy?
Think of both spiritual and monetary influence
Catherine and the Mercy Legacy
What is the Mercy charism and how is it lived out today?
What is Catherine’s Suscipe?
What are the four themes of Mercy spirituality?
What is the significance of “a comfortable cup of tea”?
When did the Sisters first come to the US and where did they start?
Describe each of the critical concerns
Parts of the Roman Catholic Mass
Be able to define the following terms:
Mass
Liturgy
Eucharist
Rite
Be able to list the four major parts of the Mass.
You do not have to memorize every part of the Mass, but you need to know the following:
How many readings are there in the Liturgy of the Word?
What is the homily?
What are the Prayers of the Faithful?
When does the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ?
What is communion?
100 Questions About Catholicism
You do NOT have to know the questions, but you need to know the categories in which we have
divided them, and you may be asked to reflect on a few of the questions we developed.
Infancy Narratives
Know the basic story of the birth of Jesus (the Christmas story)
In which two Gospels are infancy narratives found?
The two stories differ in what way (each one has an important part of the story but is also
missing part of the story – which one is which?)?
Be able to name a few examples from the stories that illustrate Jesus' human nature and his
divine nature.
Beliefs About God
What creed summarizes the basic beliefs of Christians? What does the word “creed” mean?
What is monotheism? What is polytheism? Is Christianity monotheistic or polytheistic?
Is there anything greater than God?
The prefix “omni” means “all” – be able to define and use omnipresent, omnipotent, and
omniscient, and apply each to Christian belief about God.
Why is it important that we say the God was not created?
Explain the relationship between God as Love, God creating humans as an act of love, and God’s
desire to have a real relationship with each of us. What does free will have to do with this?
Why is there no conflict between scientific knowledge and Catholic faith?
Be able to define the other qualities of God which we discussed: forgiving, holy, relational,
compassionate, judge.
Beliefs About Jesus
Be able to write about Jesus being both fully divine and fully human.
Be able to define such terms as:
Consubstantial
Incarnate
Resurrection
Emmanuel
How is Jesus like other humans, and how is he unlike other people?
When do Christians celebrate Easter?
Be able to define other names of Jesus such as: savior, brother, teacher, and Prince of Peace
Catholic Social Teaching
Be able to define and give an example of each of the seven principles of Catholic Social
Teaching.
You may be asked to choose one principle and write about why you think it is important; be
prepared to do this.