ECCLESSIOLOGY

Slide 1:ECCLESSIOLOGY

A Study of the Church

Slide 2:MODELS OF THE CHURCHAvery Cardinal Dulles, S.J.

1). The Political Society Model: A society identified by visible characteristics such as structure and hierarchy. Pro’s and Con’s 2). The Body of Christ Model: Fellowship and spiritual communion. Pro’s and Con’s

Slide 3:MODELS OF THE CHURCH

3). The Sacramental Model: The Church is a sign and an instrument of the invisible Christ/ God. Pro’s and Con’s 4). The Pilgrim People Model: A special people on the way, walking by faith with trials and errors, a community. Pro’s and Con’s

Slide 4:MODELS OF THE CHURCH

5). The Church as a Servant: To make a positive contribution to all people/ to work for peace, liberation, justice, development and reconciliation. Pro’s and Con’s: 6). Other models?

Slide 5:The Roman Curia:How the Church is Run

The Vatican: Vatican City State The Holy See: highest governmental authority in the Catholic Church. Pope: Benedict XVI Secretary of State: Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone, SDB. Nuncios: Canada: Archbishop Luigi Ventura.

Slide 6:The Roman Curia

Congregations Tribunals Secretariats Commissions and Councils

Slide 7:Further Organization of the Church

Cardinals: elect the pope and represent various countries. 2 in Canada: Toronto, Montreal Archbishops: large or historical dioceses In Ontario: Ottawa, Toronto and Kingston Bishops: heads of dioceses such as Hamilton, London, Peterborough, Sioux Ste Marie. Auxiliary Bishops: assist bishops Monsignors

Slide 8:Further Organization of the ChurchPriests

Diocesan Priest Diocese of Hamilton Obedience and Celibacy Works in parishes Religious Order Priest Religious Order such as S.J., C.R., O.P. Vows of poverty, chastity and obedience Community, charism, spirituality Teacher, doctor, parish, lawyer.

Slide 9:Religious Orders

Members of communities who may be priests, brothers or sisters. Brothers: men who are not ordained but live in community, profess the vows and work in a community. Sisters: women who live in community, profess the vows and work in a community.

Slide 10:Religious Orders

Superior General: the international leader General Council: assistants to the SG. Provinces: local areas of the order Canadian, USA, Polish and Brazil Provincials: leaders of local provinces. Provincial Councils: assistants to provincials. Members

Slide 11:Religious Orders

500 members of the Congregation of the Resurrection (C.R.’s) We work in parishes, schools, health care and retreat centers. We work in Austria, Australia, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Germany, Israel, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Tanzania, the Ukraine and the USA.

Slide 12:The Laity

Men and women who are not ordained or members of religious orders. Single, children, widows/ers, married, divorced. The majority of the membership of the Church. We are the Church!

Slide 13:Excellent Catholic Parishes

Paul Wilkes,2001 Paulist Press, NY. Also author of The Seven Secrets of Successful Catholics. COMMON TRAITS OF EXCELLENT PARISHES: APPROACH: 1). Are looked upon as missionary outposts: face conflict of culture

Slide 14:EXCELLENT CATHOLIC PARISHES

Look at community needs, dreams and mores/ tailor message to certain place and people Like Jesuit missionaries who inculturated themselves in the customs and culture of the people. 2). Maintain the Edge: constantly scrutinize themselves to ask:

Slide 15:EXCELLENT CATHOLIC PARISHES

What works? Why? What does not work? Why? or Why not? Don’t settle for mediocrity. 3). Have a “HABIT OF BEING” Warm welcome, relevant homilies, good religious ed for all, expectations of what might be. Andrew Greeley: music, welcome, homily

Slide 16:EXCELLENT CATHOLIC PARISHES

4). Are accepting and forgiving: you are welcome here whoever you are. No hoops to jump through, no questions asked. 5). Are innovative and entrepreneurial: See new needs and try to meet them. 6). Are willing to take risks: blessed are the risk-takers!

Slide 17:EXCELLENT CATHOLIC PARISHES

Not afraid to change, to tithe, to give teenagers a reason for coming to church, to push the envelope. 7). Are willing to make mistakes: do no fear failure and are fools for Christ. INSTITUTIONAL LIFE: 8). Rules apply but are applied intelligently: know the dogmas, codes and laws but have informed pragmatism.

Slide 18:EXCELLENT CATHOLIC PARISHES

9). Ideology and Church battles have little place: intramural church battles do no win converts or promote more participation. Enter into dialogue on celibacy, women’s ordination, homosexuality etc. 10). A different kind of Authority is present: derives from reflection and sensible practice. Honors people’s free will and does not beat people into submission. Present Faith and invite people to grow.

Slide 19:EXCELLENT CATHOLIC PARISHES

11). Have a long term pastor: it takes awhile to get to know people. 6/12 COMMUNITY: 12). Based around an idea and relationship: the parish is the Church for most people. People will find a church that is fulfilling Not always the local parish church.

Slide 20:EXCELLENT CATHOLIC PARISHES

13). Forms the core of their lives: people find strength, are encouraged and become vibrant proactive witnesses of the Faith. 14). Many communities within the community: many communities or areas of interest, small faith communities, many groups gather. THE WORK:

Slide 21:EXCELLENT CATHOLIC PARISHES

15). Enough for All: expect lay people to take on responsibilities, recognize talents. 16). Believe in Quality: pay top salaries to get top-notch staff, spend money for first class religious education for all. SPIRITUALITY: 17). Spirituality at the Center: prayer is most important in all activities/ help people find God here.

Slide 22:EXCELLENT CATHOLIC PARISHES

18). Offer a place to find God here: adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, feeding the hungry, ladies club, mens club, CYO, religious ed, social gatherings. Holy Family Parish, Inverness, IL 1). Family Conscious Ministry 2). Communications Ministry 3). Relevant Homilies.

Slide 23:EXCELLENT CATHOLIC PARISHES

8 Ministering Committies: 1). Worship, 2). Family Life, 3). Communications, 4). Outreach and social justice, 5). Evangelization and catechesis, 6). Pastoral care, 7). Operations, and 8).Youth.

Slide 24:FOUR PILLARS OF A PARISH

1). Mission from Jesus: Luke 4 A sharing in this. What is our mission? 2). Members: the people: who are they? 3). Ministry: word, worship, service What are we doing? 4). Management: leadership, organization and planning. Are we good stewards?