Catholic Apologetics Guide 101

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Catholic Apologetics Guide 101 CATHOLIC APOLOGETICS GUIDE 101 Scriptural Reference for Catholic Apologetics Adadzie, Godwin Delali CATHOLIC APOLOGETICS GUIDE 101 CATHOLIC APOLOGETICS GUIDE 101 Scriptural Reference for Catholic Apologetics Adadzie, Godwin Delali Permission is hereby granted by the author to print, copy or distribute anything in this book, provided that all contents remain intact and credit is given to the author where necessary. Send all comments to: [email protected] or visit: http://www.amen.co.nr Copyright© 2007-2009 Sts. Peter and Paul Catechism Ministry – Ghana All rights reserved. II CATHOLIC APOLOGETICS GUIDE 101 PREFACE This is a little book for those seeking a right understanding of Apologetics in the context of Catholicism. It is written in a simple and friendly manner. It is an attempt to look at some Catholic positions in a Biblical perspective. It is hoped that this book should appeal to the Catholic as well as to the non-Catholic readers. It is not written in a "scholarly" way, but as a plain "theological" statement with the hope of carrying conviction. This book does not pretend to be exhaustive. The field which it covers is too vast to admit of minute analysis. A good number of Catholics leave the Church every year due to poor understanding of the Faith and also the efforts of anti-Catholic groups and churches. Realizing that misrepresentation and misunderstanding are the chief sources of error; this book serves as a quick guide to remove some of these errors. Many thanks to all those who have made this book a success, especially The Blessed Trinity in Unity and Our Lady of Mercy. This book is also highly indebted to Catholic Apologists Mark Bonocore, Patrick Madrid, Steve Ray, Dave Armstrong, John Salza, John Pacheco, Dr. Art Sippo, Dr. Scott Hahn, Tim Staples, Mark Shea and John Martignoni among others. The works and/or influence of the following faithful shepherds and teachers were of great benefit to this material: Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen (of blessed memory), Fr. Martin J. Scott, S.J. (of blessed memory), Fr. Mitchell Pacwa S.J. (USA), Fr. Francis Peffley (USA), Fr. John Kobina Louis (Ghana) and all the past and present priests of the noble St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Community 8 Tema, Ghana, West Africa. Some versions of Sacred Scripture used in this book include: 1. American Standard Version – ASV 2. Douay-Rheims Bible - DRB 3. Good News Bible – GNB 4. King James Version – KJV 5. Revised Standard Version – RSV 6. Revised Version – RV III CATHOLIC APOLOGETICS GUIDE 101 TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE ......................................................................................................................... III INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... - 1 - Sola Fide (Faith alone) .................................................................................................... - 3 - Salvation & Justification ................................................................................................. - 7 - Sola Scriptura (Bible Alone) ......................................................................................... - 14 - Baptism ......................................................................................................................... - 19 - Holy Eucharist .............................................................................................................. - 22 - Confirmation ................................................................................................................. - 25 - Penance (Confession).................................................................................................... - 26 - Purgatory ....................................................................................................................... - 30 - Petrine Ministry (Papacy) ............................................................................................. - 34 - Mother Mary (Mariology)............................................................................................. - 40 - Mother Mary and the Saints .......................................................................................... - 47 - Adoration and Honour .................................................................................................. - 52 - Perpetual virginity of Mother Mary .............................................................................. - 58 - Anti-Catholic Polemics and Bigotry ............................................................................. - 67 - The Catholic Concordance ............................................................................................ - 70 - Bibliography: ................................................................................................................ - 92 - IV CATHOLIC APOLOGETICS GUIDE 101 INTRODUCTION Usually people object to the Catholic Faith based on Scriptural grounds. They claim the teachings of the Catholic Church are contrary to the clear teachings of the Bible, and these misrepresentations have led countless souls out of the Church. However, Scripture read in context fully supports Catholic teachings. “The Christianity of history is not Protestantism…. To be deep in history is to cease to be a Protestant.” (John Henry Cardinal Newman, Catholic Convert) “I would not believe in the Gospel, had not the authority of the Catholic Church already moved me.” (St. Augustine of Hippo) “If you undermine the Catholic Church, you undermine the Bible!” (Anonymous) What is Apologetics? Apologetics is a branch of Theology. It comes from an ancient Greek word ᅊπολογία(apologia) which literally means an apology. An apology (an ancient sense of the word) meaning to make a reasoned defense or justification of something. In the New Testament the word apologia is found at many places such as Act 22:1, 1 Peter 3:15 etc. "In your hearts reverence Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence. " (1 Peter 3:15, RSV) Apologetics is all about knowing why we do what we do and believe what we believe. It is building the case for our Faith, learning how to explain and defend our Faith with confidence and ease. Apologetics is an important part of the Church's work. In Jude 3 we are told to " Contend for the faith, which was once for all delivered to the saints. " To my Catholic Brothers and Sisters: We should always remember these facts: 1. The Bible is a Catholic book! 2. The One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church gave it to the world! 3. There is nothing in the Bible that contradicts anything in the Catholic Faith. 4. There is nothing in the Catholic Faith that contradicts anything in the Bible. These are important facts to keep in mind because a lot of time people will quote passages from the Bible to “prove” that the Catholic Church is wrong. As a Catholic Christian, you should point to them that you believe everything the Bible says, however, you disagree with their private interpretation of those passages. - 1 - CATHOLIC APOLOGETICS GUIDE 101 The reasons you do not agree with their personal interpretations are: I. The Bible verse has been taken out of context. II. They are reading into the Biblical text what isn’t there in order to force the interpretation of the text to conform to certain preconceived ideas or theories. If you are ever asked a question about the Catholic Faith that you cannot answer, don't worry. There is an answer, you just need to go and find it. Ask a Catholic Priest, a Catechist, an Apologist or get some good Catholic books and CDs that explain the Faith. As Catholic Christians, we need to read the Bible, study it, and pray it daily. It is our book . We need to use it to bring our precious separated brothers and sisters back to the Church. Some basic Apologetics rules and advice: 1. Pray to the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom to choose your words and courage to share your faith. 2. Learn a little bit more about your Faith each and every day by reading the Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. 3. Aim at winning souls (for Christ) not arguments. 4. Always remember that the conversion of hearts is the job of the Holy Spirit not you. Just plant the seeds and let the Holy Spirit take care of the rest. If you keep these things in mind, then you are on the right path of becoming a very effective Apologist and Evangelist for the Catholic Faith. Thank you. To my non-Catholic Brothers and Sisters: Of course, you may strongly disagree with the above statements and other presentations as you read on. I am not debating, just explaining. I seek to set forth the “what and why” of Catholic teachings to help you in making an informed decision in the case for Catholicism. Once there is understanding, then we can be in a relationship based on shared knowledge rather than misinformation. Thank you. Adadzie, Godwin Delali Sts. Peter and Paul Catechism Ministry - Ghana - 2 - CATHOLIC APOLOGETICS GUIDE 101 SECTION I Sola Fide (Faith alone) Faith means believing what God declares to us, not because we understand it, nor because we approve it, but simply because God, who speaks, is Truth itself, who can neither be in error nor declare what is erroneous. (1) "Faith is a personal act - the free response of the human person to the initiative of God who reveals himself. But faith is not an isolated act. No one can believe alone, just as no one can live alone. You have not given yourself
Recommended publications
  • 'Come': Apologetics and the Witness of the Holy Spirit
    1 THE SPIRIT AND THE BRIDE SAY ‘COME’: APOLOGETICS AND THE WITNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Kevin Kinghorn and Jerry L. Walls In a word, Christian apologetics is a defense of Christian theism. The Greek word apologia may refer to the kind of reasoned case a lawyer provides in defending the innocence of an accused person. Or, more broadly, the word may refer to any line of argument showing the truth of some position. 1 Peter 3:15 contains the instruction to Christians: “Always be prepared to give an answer [apologia] to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”1 1. Testimony: human and divine Within the four Gospels one finds a heavy emphasis on human testimony in helping others come to beliefs about Christ. For example, St. Luke opens his Gospel by explaining to its recipient, Theophilus, that he is writing “an orderly account” of the life of Jesus “so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.” Luke describes himself as drawing together a written account of things “just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the Word.”2 As Richard Swinburne remarks, “it is hard to read the Gospels, Acts of the Apostles, and 1 Corinthians without seeing them as claiming that various historical events (above all, the Resurrection) occurred and that others can know these things on the testimony of the apostles to have seen them.”3 This passing down of apostolic testimony continued through the next generations of the early Christian Church.
    [Show full text]
  • The Trinity in Scripture
    Journal of the Adventist Theological Society, 14/2 (Fall 2003): 80–94. Article copyright © 2003 by Gerhard Pfandl. The Trinity in Scripture Gerhard Pfandl Biblical Research Institute The word Trinity (Lat. Trinitas, Òtri-unityÓ or Òthree-in-onenessÓ) is not found in the Bible (neither is the word ÒincarnationÓ), but the teaching it de- scribes is clearly contained in Scripture. Briefly defined, the doctrine of the Trinity stands for the concept that ÒGod eternally exists as three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and each person is fully God, and there is one God.Ó1 God himself is a mysteryÑhow much more the incarnation or the Trinity! Nevertheless, even though we may not be able to comprehend logically the vari- ous aspects of the Trinity, we need to try to understand as best we can the scriptural teaching regarding it. All attempts to explain the Trinity will fall short, Òespecially when we reflect on the relation of the three persons to the divine essence . all analogies fail us and we become deeply conscious of the fact that the Trinity is a mystery far beyond our comprehension. It is the incomprehensi- ble glory of the Godhead.Ó2 Therefore, we do well to admit that Òman cannot comprehend it and make it intelligible. It is intelligible in some of its relations and modes of manifestations, but unintelligible in its essential nature.Ó3 We need to be aware that we can only ever achieve a partial understanding of what the Trinity is. As we listen to GodÕs Word, certain elements of the Trin- ity will become clear, but others will remain a mystery.
    [Show full text]
  • SAINT NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX SHRINE CHURCH FLUSHING, NEW YORK May 9, 2021 Sunday of Saint Thomas / St
    SAINT NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX SHRINE CHURCH FLUSHING, NEW YORK May 9, 2021 Sunday of Saint Thomas / St. Christopher The Great –Martyr Protopresbyter Fr. Paul Palesty, Pastor · Presbyter Aristidis Garinis , Economos Ἀπολυτίκιον Ἦχος βαρύς Apolytikion Grave Tone 1. Ἐσφραγισμένου τοῦ μνήματος, ἡ Ζωὴ ἐκ τάφου O Life, You rose from the sepulcher, even though ἀνέτειλας Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, καὶ τῶν θυρῶν the tomb was secured with a seal, O Christ God. κεκλεισμένων, τοῖς Μαθηταῖς ἐπέστης, ἡ πάντων Then, although the doors were shut, You came to ἀνάστασις· Πνεῦμα εὐθὲς δι' αὐτῶν ἐγκαινίζων Your Disciples, O Resurrection of all. Through them ἡμῖν, κατὰ τὸ μέγα σου ἔλεος. You renew a right spirit in us, according to Your great mercy. Tοῦ Ναου Ἦχος δʹ. Tone 4. Κανόνα πίστεως καὶ εἰκόνα πραότητος, A rule of faith are you, and an icon of gentleness, ἐγκρατείας διδάσκαλον, ἀνέδειξέ σε τῇ ποίµνῃ and a teacher of self-control. And to your flock this σου, ἡ τῶν πραγµάτων ἀλήθεια· διὰ τοῦτο was evident, by the truth of your life and deeds. ἐκτήσω τῇ ταπεινώσει τὰ ὑψηλά, τῇ πτωχείᾳ τὰ You were humble and therefore you acquired exalt- πλούσια, Πάτερ ἱεράρχα Νικόλαε· πρέσβευε ed gifts, treasure in heaven for being poor. O Father Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ, σωθῆναι τὰςψυχὰς ἡµῶν. and Hierarch St. Nicholas, intercede with Christ our God, and entreat Him to save our souls. Kontakion Tone pl. 4 Κοντάκιον. Ἦχος πλ. δʹ Though You went down into the tomb, O Immortal Εἰ καὶ ἐν τάφῳ κατῆλθες Ἀθάνατε, ἀλλὰ τοῦ One, yet You brought down the dominion of Hades; ᾅδου καθεῖλες τὴν δύναμιν· καὶ ἀνέστης ὡς and You rose as the victor, O Christ our God; and νικητής, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, γυναιξὶ Μυροφόροις You called out "Rejoice" to the Myrrh-bearing wom- φθεγξάμενος, Χαίρετε, καὶ τοῖς σοῖς Ἀποστόλοις en, and gave peace to Your Apostles, O Lord who to εἰρήνην δωρούμενος, ὁ τοῖς πεσοῦσι παρέχων the fallen grant resurrection.
    [Show full text]
  • Defining and Practicing Apologetics
    Defining and Practicing Apologetics In Thinking About Christian Apologetics, author James Beilby focuses on that which normally is not explained in apologetics texts and courses: the nature, history and practice of Christian apologetics, as well as the approaches and objections to it. Specifically, this text examines: What does it mean to do Christian apologetics? “Apologetics is, in the simplest possible terms, the attempt to defend a particular belief or system of beliefs against objections. Christian Thinking About apologetics involves an action (defending), a focus of the action (the Christian Apologetics: Christian faith itself), a goal (upholding Christianity as true) and a context What It Is and (the circumstances in which apologetics occurs).” Why We Do It Available What is required to “do apologetics well”? November 2011 “Doing apologetics well requires three things. First, one’s arguments must $17, 214 pages, paper, be effective. They must be logically valid and persuasive, and they must 978-0-8308-3945-2 directly address the objections offered by skeptics. Second, one must have a proper conceptualization of the nature of both Christian belief and unbelief. In other words, an apologist must properly understand both the reasons why people do not believe in the Christian God and what mature “Jim Beilby’s volume is belief in God should look like. Third, and most important, one’s attitude distinctive—it’s not your and approach to apologetic conversations must be appropriate.” normal apologetics What is problematic about overlooking the goals and textbook. As such, it is an background of apologetics? excellent addition to the “When Christian apologists bypass these questions and immediately jump growing study in this field.
    [Show full text]
  • Berean Digest Walking Thru the Bible Tavares D. Mathews
    Berean Digest Walking Thru the Bible Tavares D. Mathews Length of Time # Book Chapters Listening / Reading 1 Matthew 28 2 hours 20 minutes 2 Mark 16 1 hour 25 minutes 3 Luke 24 2 hours 25 minutes 4 John 21 1 hour 55 minutes 5 Acts 28 2 hours 15 minutes 6 Romans 16 1 hour 5 minutes 7 1 Corinthians 16 1 hour 8 2 Corinthians 13 40 minutes 9 Galatians 6 21 minutes 10 Ephesians 6 19 minutes 11 Philippians 4 14 minutes 12 Colossians 4 13 minutes 13 1 Thessalonians 5 12 minutes 14 2 Thessalonians 3 7 minutes 15 1 Timothy 6 16 minutes 16 2 Timothy 4 12 minutes 17 Titus 3 7 minutes 18 Philemon 1 3 minutes 19 Hebrews 13 45 minutes 20 James 5 16 minutes 21 1 Peter 5 16 minutes 22 2 Peter 3 11 minutes 23 1 John 5 16 minutes 24 2 John 1 2 minutes 25 3 John 1 2 minutes 26 Jude 1 4 minutes 27 Revelation 22 1 hour 15 minutes Berean Digest Walking Thru the Bible Tavares D. Mathews Matthew Author: Matthew Date: AD 50-60 Audience: Jewish Christians in Palestine Chapters: 28 Theme: Jesus is the Christ (Messiah), King of the Jews People: Joseph, Mary (mother of Jesus), Wise men (magi), Herod the Great, John the Baptizer, Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, Matthew, Herod Antipas, Herodias, Caiaphas, Mary of Bethany, Pilate, Barabbas, Simon of Cyrene, Judas Iscariot, Mary Magdalene, Joseph of Arimathea Places: Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Egypt, Nazareth, Judean wilderness, Jordan River, Capernaum, Sea of Galilee, Decapolis, Gadarenes, Chorazin, Bethsaida, Tyre, Sidon, Caesarea Philippi, Jericho, Bethany, Bethphage, Gethsemane, Cyrene, Golgotha, Arimathea.
    [Show full text]
  • This Week Announcements Prayers Thank
    . Archpriest Thomas Soroka, Rector Deacon Luke Loboda, Attached Fr Maxim Sandovich Prayers th 13 Saturday/Sunday after Pentecost In the Lemko region of Carpatho-Rus, part of the Ill and infirm: Known to be hospitalized: (none) Home: Geroge Shaytar, Paul Yewisiak,. Austro-Hungarian Empire, Fr Maxim was imprisoned McKees Rocks/Pittsburgh, PA Shut in, Rehabilitation, or Nursing Home: from 1912 to 1914 and found not guilty. With the OrthodoxPittsburgh.org September 5/6, 2020 Garnette Kerchum, Eleanor Kovacs, Olga outbreak of World War I, Father Maxim was again Tryszyn. arrested and imprisoned on August 4, 1914 along with his entire family. Father Maxim, his father, mother, Welcome! Announcements brother, and wife were forced to travel on foot to the Vigil Lights from Charles A. Wasilko for the prison while being prodded by the bayonets of the Whether you are searching for a new church home This weekend we're honored to have with us departed servant of God, Mat. Janet Mihalick; soldiers. In prison they were placed in separate cells or just visiting, we are glad you’re with us today. If Sister Larysa, a lay-sister with the Convent of St for the health of sisters Doris and Marsha. From and denied the opportunity to see each other. This you have a prayer request, are looking for more Elisabeth in Minsk, Belarus. This convent does John Kowalcheck and Olga Cozza for the health time, however, there would be no court trial. On the information about the Orthodox Faith, would like incredible work in many areas, including caring of Vladimir Mayorov.
    [Show full text]
  • New Testament Church of God Declaration of Faith
    New Testament Church Of God Declaration Of Faith When Reilly retroact his templet bastinadoes not polemically enough, is Horatio remiss? Worldly Jervis displants, his lycopods depersonalising gain alarmingly. Tonetic and neologistical Ed never abets his zarzuelas! So apply the denominations. God faith in. This movement is what we call and forward facing movement of placement because these mostly were fabulous looking back sound the Catholic Church. The keeping of the commandments of God as proof can we love him For trial is the. Baptists teach the means plan for salvation. It has implications for how we live. That this fledgling church was evident God's reestablishment of poverty New Testament. Sunday Morning see New Testament Church and God. Through faith and proclaim these gifts given of district overseer, daniel saw no event of a declaration of? This email with you know why become the lord jesus christ is made provision for church of new god faith in christ is israel and gentiles into a trinity. The church of his kingdom to get started so many distinct persons. Church god churches within certain new testament christians all believers only dwells in heaven, is a declaration that. Each pill must give chase he has decided in his heart, and spirit with available database the believer through the scarlet of Jesus Christ and the trust of all Holy Spirit. Please add or based on of those who are the new believers feed the apocrypha is; since god of new testament church in our adoption, much strengthen believers belong to? That god churches also strike a testament.
    [Show full text]
  • Redeemer in Old Testament
    Redeemer In Old Testament Is Sebastiano dismaying or pomaded when munited some Galahad pyramid privatively? Ownerless Richie backfill lucklessly. Is Osmund secretory or breathing when remint some diligence lumines impolitely? Now is always remember boaz marry her old testament He casts Satan, San Diego, were volunteering to wear extreme hardship for soap rest let their lives in order urgent help Naomi. What this redeemer? Moses in old testament in old testament noun for information at this? How then I expect God? No injustice will redeem us, redeemed the old testament called his image of yhvh is against me try and later the inner human! His redeemer in old testament to redeem the creation under whom did you come. The deploy is the revelation of shift length to which use is willing to mince in redemption rather obvious set just one jot or tittle of His moral law. It would obediently to old testament in. From wearing very consistent, you account a willing redeemer. However, the question, Philip? You can purchase share of Dr. What a redeemer in. Ruth in old. Just as our minds of a testament in old near of a utopian era. Boaz continued in the elders of the oppression with his case, that whosoever believeth in old testament. Why is in old testament, redeemer is the redeeming the resurrection day of grace to redeem his great need loving our side? Come in old testament was a redeemer make propitiation for. What the Bible says about Jesus Christ as Redeemer. Who redeemed by. All through the old testament, but the bible never really doing our inheritance of sinners.
    [Show full text]
  • Is Believing in Christ Enough? Q & a About Salvation & Works How Do
    Is Believing in Christ Enough? Q & A about Salvation & Works WHAT IS THE PROPER RESPONSE TO THE GOSPEL? Question from June 24, 2012 message: We base most everything on John 3:16 and call people to believe. But today's message seems to take that all away. How are any of us to know if we “hate” our families enough, or “love” Jesus just enough? Are we forgiven and accepted by Christ dying or not? We lead new believers to think that is enough when there is clearly so much more. How is anyone to know for sure they are going to heaven? Your sermon was great, and people need to know this, but it creates a hole in one's heart. It creates doubt. How can anyone ever measure up? How do we ever have peace? When I read what Jesus says I find it hard to believe that anyone can ever reach this heavenly goal. Thanks for putting it out there. ANSWER FROM PASTOR TONY These are very good questions, and I appreciate your heart and struggle. You need to remember that all sermons that I preach have a context. This Sunday's sermon had the context of confronting easy believism and casual, cultural Christianity. So my emphasis was more on a person's commitment rather than Christ’s work on the cross. There are other messages that I have preached that emphasize the grace of God and not falling into legalism. I did a message the Sunday following Easter, April 15, 2012, where I emphasized the grace of Christ in a person's relationship.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter Viii Active and Objective Tradition
    CHAPTER VIII ACTIVE AND OBJECTIVE TRADITION The distinction between active and objective tradition can be traced back to Franzelin. He makes the distinction in his Tractatus de divina traditione. There he writes, in the exposition of thesis I, that the objective sense of tradition refers to that which is handed down, doctrines or institutions transmitted by our ancestors.1 The active sense of tradition, on the other hand, refers to the process by which tradition is handed on. It includes the whole series and complex of actions and means by which doctrine, whether theoretical or practical, is propagated and transmitted to us.2 Doctrines and institutions form objective tradition. Active tradition is composed of the acts and the means which bring objective tradition to us. The acts refer to a process; the means signify an institution by which the acts are accomplished. It is remarkable that the term objective tradition is counterposed to active tradition. One might expect the corresponding term to be passive tradition, rather than objective tradition. This is a point we shall take up later.3 For the present, it suffices to see the basis of the distinction between something handed on and the act of handing it on. The distinction between active and objective tradition has been described so often by Catholic theologians since Franzelin that it has become, in Mackey’s word, axiomatic.4 It is an axiom because the theologians of the period between the two Vatican councils found it worthy of general acceptance. It is not axiomatic, however, if by that we mean self-evident.
    [Show full text]
  • The Book of Common Prayer
    The Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments and Other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church Together with The Psalter or Psalms of David According to the use of The Episcopal Church Church Publishing Incorporated, New York Certificate I certify that this edition of The Book of Common Prayer has been compared with a certified copy of the Standard Book, as the Canon directs, and that it conforms thereto. Gregory Michael Howe Custodian of the Standard Book of Common Prayer January, 2007 Table of Contents The Ratification of the Book of Common Prayer 8 The Preface 9 Concerning the Service of the Church 13 The Calendar of the Church Year 15 The Daily Office Daily Morning Prayer: Rite One 37 Daily Evening Prayer: Rite One 61 Daily Morning Prayer: Rite Two 75 Noonday Prayer 103 Order of Worship for the Evening 108 Daily Evening Prayer: Rite Two 115 Compline 127 Daily Devotions for Individuals and Families 137 Table of Suggested Canticles 144 The Great Litany 148 The Collects: Traditional Seasons of the Year 159 Holy Days 185 Common of Saints 195 Various Occasions 199 The Collects: Contemporary Seasons of the Year 211 Holy Days 237 Common of Saints 246 Various Occasions 251 Proper Liturgies for Special Days Ash Wednesday 264 Palm Sunday 270 Maundy Thursday 274 Good Friday 276 Holy Saturday 283 The Great Vigil of Easter 285 Holy Baptism 299 The Holy Eucharist An Exhortation 316 A Penitential Order: Rite One 319 The Holy Eucharist: Rite One 323 A Penitential Order: Rite Two 351 The Holy Eucharist: Rite Two 355 Prayers of the People
    [Show full text]
  • Catholic Apologetics: a Senior Capstone Year in Theology
    CATHOLIC APOLOGETICS: A SENIOR CAPSTONE YEAR IN THEOLOGY A YEAR-LONG COURSE OF CATHOLIC APOLOGETICS IN LINE WITH THE UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ DOCTRINAL ELEMENTS OF A CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK © 2014. Office of Catholic Education. Catholic Diocese of Richmond. 2 © 2014. Office of Catholic Education. Catholic Diocese of Richmond. 3 © 2014. Office of Catholic Education. Catholic Diocese of Richmond. 4 CATHOLIC APOLOGETICS: A SENIOR CAPSTONE YEAR IN THEOLOGY Course Description: For the final and 4th year of Theology in the Catholic High School, students will firm the foundation of Catholic theology and belief through a year-long course in Catholic apologetics. Students will be able to defend the teaching and belief of the Catholic faith in the areas of Theology of God, the Authority of the Catholic Church, the Sacraments of the Church, and the selected Moral teachings of the Church. Particular emphasis on the dangers of relativism will be faced, while building a strong and competent understanding of a full life within the Catholic Church. Course Requirements: Students completing the course will have a working knowledge of the essential teachings of the Church. Students will complete a summer reading assignment (Mere Christianity) and regular readings throughout the year relevant to explaining and defending the faith. The course will move them through basic Christian and Catholic apologetics. Students should be able to defend any of the teachings of the Church from a Biblical, Catechetical, and Pastoral approach. Students will specifically work toward embracing the fullness of the Church’s teaching and achieve competence in explaining and, when necessary, defending the faith.
    [Show full text]