Holy Spirit and the Church

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints

Holy Spirit: Key truths

Third Person of the Most Holy Trinity who proceeds from the Father and the Son Worship him as God just like the Father and the Son The Spirit is sent into our hearts (Galatians 4:6) so that we might receive new life as sons of God.

Names of the Holy Spirit

Consoler Spirit of Christ Spirit of Truth Sanctifier Fire of Love Come Holy Spirit, Fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love.And you shall renew the face of the earth.

Pentecost
50 days after the Resurrection Coming of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles Birthday of the Church
Sends it out on mission Guides it to all truth

Quiet guest of our soul: Augustine

The Church
We are the Church

God yes, Church no?

Ratzinger: means a God I create based on my desires and whom I can manipulate
God is an individual who is before me, with a concrete reality. We should not separate God from the reality in which he is present and speaks

Do I really have to go to Church?

Jason Everts reply

Church
Ekklesia: People assembled by God; Convocation Body of Christ Temple of the Holy Spirit

Mystery
Simultaneously human and divine.

Purpose: The Church's first purpose is to be the sacrament of the inner union of men with God. = establish the Kingdom of God in all nations

Four Marks
Creed: One, holy, catholic and apostolic Essential features and distinguishing marks Given by Christ

One
On this Rock (Cephas) I will build my Church One Christ:
One Truth One Deposit of Revelation One Head of the Church: Pope One Set of Sacraments

Holy

Why? Jesus Christ has joined himself to his body Church and Christ are one thing
St. Therese

Sinners in Church: break away like broken branches (not even we can destroy it Saints: unity with the vine

Catholic
Universal / Related to the whole
1. All the means of salvation

(sacraments, scriptures, teachings of the faith) 2. For all men of all places
Christ is fullness of salvation

Apostolic
Built on the Apostles Apostles = sent Apostolic succession
Office is transferred by ordination

Fruitfulness of apostolate living union with Christ (Christ who lives in me)

Christs faithful

Laity : 1 B (99+%)

Priests 408K

Religious / Consecrated life - 137K priests, 783 k

women, 55k - men

All Baptized = Christian faithful

Radical equality equal in dignity, sharing in one mission of Christ Functional diversity different roles

Functions
Clergy (hierarchy=sacred rule) shepherd and feed the flock because no one can give grace to himself Laity direct temporal activities according to Gods will Consecrated Life remind us of our last end, union with God

Lay vocation
Priest offer spiritual sacrifices, eucharist, prayer, sanctified work. Pastor leader: manage earth with moral values: justice, truth, good
Serve most needy

Prophet teach doctrine, ethics. Personal advice.

What did the greatest of all saints do?

Love Jesus with all her heart Ponder things in her heart Teach the baby Cook food Fetch water Sew clothes Wash clothes Clean the house Help the neighbors Support Joseph

Communion of the Saints

We are one body in Christ: triumphant, suffering and militant.
Tradition is the democracy of the dead.

Church is One body: the good of each is communicated to the others

Goods form a common fund Every sin harms the communion