Week 2 - (09/15/07) - “God’s Plan for Man”

“Are Catholics Christian?”
Week 2 09/15/07
www.geocities.com/laurence_gonzaga/study.htm

“God’s Plan for Man”
I. Opening Prayer
a. St. Thomas Prayer for Students
II. Review
III. Read Pope Benedict XVI’s Homily of Sept 2, 2007 for the Youth
IV. Why Do Catholics Believe That?
a. Purgatory
V. Study of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)
a. “God’s Plan for Man”
b. Structure of the Catechism
c. CCC # 1-25
VI. Closing Prayer

Pope Benedict XVI’s Homily of Sept 2, 2007 for the Youth

Why Do Catholics Believe That?
Purgatory

1. Nothing impure can enter Heaven
2. If we die in a state of grace (no mortal sins on the soul), but still have some venial sins, bad habits, etc., we are still impure
3. So, if there is sin in this life, and none in the next, and if we are still sinning until we die, then between death and Glory, there must be a way we are purified.
4. This state or place is called Purgatory.

Study of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) - “God’s Plan for Man”

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Don't Be Seduced, Benedict XVI Tells Youth
Says World Needs Daring Christians

LORETO, Italy, SEPT. 2, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI invited half a million young people to go against the current in a world seduced by violence, despotism and "success at all costs."The Pope's appeal resounded at the closing Mass today in Loreto, where the Holy Father arrived Saturday for an encounter with youth from Italy and around the world."There are so many messages, above all through the media, that are being directed toward you! Be vigilant! Be critical!" the Pontiff exclaimed.Most of the young pilgrims had spent the night under the stars or in large tents. There were 150 bishops and 2,000 priests who concelebrated the Eucharist with the Pope.Benedict XVI spoke to the youth a few kilometers from the Italian national shrine, where, according to tradition, Mary’s house was carried stone by stone from Nazareth. He explained to the young people that the humility that they heard about in the Gospel passage read at Mass ("Whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted," Luke 14:11) is not "the way of renunciation but of courage."Under a scorching sun, the Bishop of Rome told the young people: "The message is this: Do not follow the way of pride but the way of humility."Go against the current: Do not listen to the interesting and seductive voices that today from many parts propose as models lives of arrogance and violence, of despotism and success at all costs, of appearances and having, of harm to being."Media influenceSpeaking of the enormous influence that media desire to have on young people, he told them: "Do not follow the current produced by this powerful attempt at persuasion."Do not be afraid, dear friends, to prefer the 'alternative' ways indicated by true love: a sober way of life attentive to others; affectionate relationships that are sincere and pure; an honest commitment in study and work; deep interest in the common good.”The Pope encouraged them to not be afraid "to appear different and be criticized for that which might seem foolish or unfashionable.""Your fellow young people, but also adults and especially those who seem the farthest from the mentality and values of the Gospel, have a profound need to see someone who dares to live according to the fullness of humanity manifested in Jesus Christ," he said."The way of humility, dear friends, is therefore not the way of renunciation but of courage,” Benedict XVI emphasized. "It is not the result of a defeat but the outcome of a victory of love over egoism and of grace over sin."

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SUMMARY:

Covered: God’s Plan for Man - CCC #1-25
(http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/prologue.htm#I)

1. God wishes all to be saved, but not all respond to God’s call.
2. Salvation comes from Jesus Christ alone. If anyone is saved outside of the Church, while being invincibly ignorant of the true faith, it is because of Jesus Christ.
3. God is always near, inviting us to become His adopted children. From children of wrath, we become children of God.
4. The Apostles were sent to evangelize the world.
5. Followers of Christ are called to hand on the faith, from generation to generation, as if by hand to hand.
6. The law of believing (lex credendi); The law of living (lex vivendi); The law of worship (lex celebrandi); The law of prayer (lex orandi).
7. Catechesis is the Church’s efforts to make disciples of all nations.
8. Its purpose is to educate and instruct them in this life.
9. Catechesis is an education in the faith by teaching Christian doctrine in an organic and systematic way.
10. The timeline of the Christian faith: The initial procalamation of the Gospelàdeveloping the reasons for faithàexperience of Christian livingàparticipation of the life of God through the Sacramentsàbecoming part of the church communityàbecoming an apostle of Jesus Christ.
11. Catechesis draws from the councils. The Council of Trent formally organized catechesis.
12. The catechism is directed to all those who are responsible for catechesis, but not only the clergy and religious, but the lay persons. It is not only directed to Catholics, but also all Christians. It is not directed to Christians only, but all religions. It is not only to those who believe in God, but also atheists.
13. Purgatory is the final stage of the sanctification process; it is the place or state where we are being purged of the remaining temporal stains of our already forgiven sins.