Chapter Fifteen
Jesus taught his followers to show their love for him by loving and forgiving others.
Jesus told parables to help us understand.
“The Forgiving Father” or “The Prodigal Son” shows us how to turn back to God.
God is constantly calling us to turn back to him.
Conversion: turning to God with all one’s heart
Jesus shared his authority to forgive with his apostles.
Since the beginning of the Church, forgiveness of sins has first taken place at Baptism.
The Church celebrates God’s forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This is
why it is called a sacrament of healing.
Sin: a thought, word, deed, or omission against God’s law
Mortal sin: freely choosing to do something you know is seriously wrong; breaks the
friendship with God
Venial sin: less serious sin that weakens our friendship with God
Reconciliation: sacrament in which our sins are forgiven and our relationship with God
and the Church is strengthened and restored.
We are reconciled with God and one another
We are forgiven
We are called to forgive others
Reconciliation with God and the Church contributes to peace and reconciliation in the
world.
Justice is based on the belief that all people are equal.
Sin leads to unjust situations and conditions in society.
Social Sin
Prejudice
Poverty
Homelessness
Crime
Violence
Chapter Sixteen
Conscience: our ability to know the difference between good and evil, right and wrong
Examination of Conscience: determining whether the choices we have made showed
love for God, ourselves, and others.
Four Major Parts of Reconciliation
Contrition: heartfelt sorrow for our sins
Confession: we confess or tell our sins to the priest
Penance: action to show we are sorry for our sins and will try not to do it again
Absolution: our sins are absolved or forgiven; we are reconciled with God
Two Ways to Celebrate Reconciliation
Individual
Communal
Penitent: someone seeking forgiveness
The Church requires us to celebrate the sacrament at least once a year.
Act of Contrition: a prayer that allows us to express our sorrow; also known as Act of
Sorrow
Only a priest can hear our confession and forgive sins
Seal of Confession: the priest can never, for any reason whatsoever, tell anyone what we
have confessed
Words of Absolution: remind us that our reconciliation comes about by the
mercy of the Father,
the saving action of Jesus, and
the presence of the Holy Spirit
God’s grace allows us to turn to Him and open our hearts to him.
Chapter Seventeen
Jesus heals those who are sick; he wanted to heal them from sin, too
Jesus’ healing of the sick and forgiving of sins were signs of the power to save us and
bring us God’s life.
By his death, Resurrection, and Ascension Jesus has victory over death. Because of
Jesus, suffering and death no longer have power over us. HE IS OUR SAVIOR!
Jesus wanted all people to feel God’s power and presence, so he shared his ministry with
the apostles.
The apostles traveled teaching and healing in Jesus’ name.
Strengthened by the Gift of the Holy Spirit, the apostles healed many people and brought
them to believe in the Risen Christ.
The Church continues Jesus’ healing ministry.
The beginning of the Anointing of the sick is in the letter of St. James.
All sacraments bring us closer to God and one another.
Anointing of the Sick: God’s grace and comfort are given to those who are seriously ill or
suffering because of their old age.
*Those who receive the sacrament receive strength, peace, and courage to face
the difficulties that come with serious illness. The sacrament
~renews their trust and faith in God
~unites them to Christ and his sufferings
~prepares them, when necessary, for death and the hope of eternal life
In the anointing of the sick, we proclaim or faith in God’s mercy.
All who are baptized are joined together in the Body of Christ.
Out of this love for Christ and his body we work to help others feel better.
The Church cares for all who are sick.
All of us can visit those who are sick and pray with them
Chapter Eighteen
As Christians we believe that when we are suffering, Jesus is with us sharing our pain.
He understands our pain and suffering because he suffered and died on the cross.
Our care for those who are suffering helps us grow closer to Jesus.
Trust in God, prayer, and hope can help all of us through the difficult times. We learn to
rely on God and our faith community.
The Anointing of the Sick continues Jesus’ saving work of healing.
~Christ comforts the person and suffers with them
All of us in the Church have a responsibility to those who are seriously weakened by
sickness or old age.
The sacrament is for all the faithful that need it.
~Children, adults, and the elderly are invited to be strengthened by God’s grace
in times of serious sickness.
Main Parts of Anointing of the Sick
~Prayer of Faith: been an important part from the beginning of the Church
~Laying on of Hands: sign of blessing and calling of the Holy Spirit upon the
person
~Anointing with Oil: sign of the power and presence of the Holy Spirit; also a
sign of healing and strengthening
Sacrament usually begins with the Liturgy of the Word which is followed by
Communion.
Those being anointed are further strengthened and nourished by the word of God and by
the Body and Blood of Christ.
Holy Communion joins them with the parish community.
Viaticum: Latin for “food for the journey”
Communion given to the dying.
It strengthens them as they prepare for death and hope for eternal life.
Last Sacraments: Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, and Eucharist as viaticum are
sometimes celebrated together as the “last sacraments”
Chapter Nineteen
Mary is the first and most faithful disciple.
Annunciation: the name given to the angel’s visit to Mary at which the announcement was made
that she would be the mother of the Son of God.
Mary was chosen by God from among all the women of history to be the mother of his Son.
Mary’s love for God brought her to accept his invitation and to believe in his Son completely.
Mary teaches us to trust in God’s will for us.
The Magnificat: Mary’s response to Elizabeth; also called The Canticle of Mary
Immaculate Conception: Mary was free from original sin from the moment she was conceived
Mary did not sin and had a pure heart.
Assumption: God brought Mary, body and soul, to live with him forever in heaven
Saints: followers of Christ who lived lives of holiness on earth and now share in eternal life with
God in heaven.
Titles for Mary; they help us understand Mary’s role in our lives and the Church
~Blessed Virgin
~Mother of God
~Mother of the Church
Litany: Greek for “prayer”
Mary is honored all over the world by prayer. There are many feast days in her honor.
Rosary: devotion to Mary; Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be over and over again.
Mysteries recall special times
Joyful
Annunciation
Visitation
Birth of Jesus
Presentation in the Temple
Finding in the Temple
Sorrowful
Agony in the Garden
Scourging at the Pillar
Crowning with Thorns
Carrying the Cross
Crucifixion
Glorious
Resurrection
Ascension
Descent of the Holy Spirit
Assumption of Mary
Coronation of Mary
Mysteries of Light
Jesus’ Baptism
Wedding at Cana
Kingdom of God
Transfiguration
Institution of Eucharist