Every week in Mass, we say, “We believe in one holy catholic

and apostolic Church”So, what does that mean?!?

The Four Marks of the ChurchOneHolyCatholicApostolic

One Church• One in Faith– The Nicene Creed is said

at every Mass every week

• One in Worship– Go to any Catholic

Church, and the Mass will be the same!

– Liturgy of the Word– Liturgy of the Eucharist

• One in Governance– Joined together under

the leadership of the Pope and the Bishops

• One in Charity– Follow Jesus’ command

to love one another and show an active concern about members of our community

Holy Church• Founded and redeemed by Jesus• Members are led to be holy like God– Through the Seven Sacraments which are…– Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Penance,

Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Matrimony• Guided and given life by the Holy Spirit

(sanctified)– The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are…– Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Knowledge,

Fortitude, Piety and Fear of the Lord

Catholic Church• Catholic means “universal,

worldwide, total, for all”– Strives to preach the good news of salvation

to ALL people– Teaches the TOTAL message of Jesus Christ–Offers ALL that is necessary for salvation

Apostolic Church

The Apostles were the early leaders of the Church. The Pope and Bishops are their

successors.

Peter

Andrew

JamesJohn

PhilipBartholomew

Thomas Matthew

James

Judas (Thaddeus)

SimonMatthias

Organization of the ChurchMisconception• Pope

Cardinals

Archbishops

Bishops

Priests

Catholics

Actual Hierarchy• Pope (1 head)

Bishops (2946 diocese, cathedrals)

Priests (219,583 parishes)

Catholics (1 Billion members)

Hierarchy Facts• The Pope is the head of all dioceses and all parishes.• The Bishops are the head of their diocese and all

parishes within their diocese.– Archbishops are NOT over bishops; archdioceses are NOT

over dioceses!– They are usually in bigger areas like cities.

• Cardinals are Bishops given the title of Cardinal when chosen by the Pope– They have additional privileges but no higher rank than other

Bishops

• Priests are heads of their parishes.

Who is……our Pope?…our Bishop?…our Pastor?

Pope Benedict XVI

Bishop Joseph McFadden

Father Chester Snyder