Slide 1

This is a slide for the first movement

What does it all mean?

The human person is religious by nature and calling. God seeks us and we seek God.

When profound moments impact our life, faith engages us in the quest for greater meaning.

God is both the common Creator and common destiny of all people.

This common bond unites all humanity in the search for greater meaning to life.

•When have you experienced an unforgettable moment?Where were you? Who was with you?

•How do such experiences impact your faith in God?

What does it all mean?

The movement to restore unity among Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox Christians is known as ‘ecumenism’.

The Catholic Church respects and recognizes God’s grace and truth in all faith traditions, including non-Christian traditions.

‘Interreligious dialogue’ refers to the Catholic Church’s dialogue with non-Christian religions.

One Body in Christ

All Christians must work for Christian unity with love for one another and faithfulness to Jesus.

Theme song from World Youth Day 1993:

We are one body, one Body in Christ,And we do not stand alone; we are one Body, one Body in Christ,

And he came that we might have life.

What are some of the things that come to mind when you think of the Church as the Body of Christ?

One Body in Christ

Communion:•includes our fellowship and union with Jesus and other baptized Christians;•has its source and summit in the celebration of the Eucharist;•is the deepest vocation of the Church

In fostering unity among Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant members of the Body of Christ, we must:• pray together• foster knowledge of each other• value human service

The Catholic Church and the Orthodox Churches share a profound reverence and deep appreciation for worship and the Sacraments, and for the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the universal Church.

One Body in Christ

All Christians share in the ministry of reconciliation,healing the wounds dividing not only the Churchbut also the entire human family.

For the ‘Church is both the means and the goal of Gods plan’ (Catechism, no. 778).

Think about your own family, school, circle of friendsand local community, and whatever disharmony and discord exists within those groups. What are some possibilities for restoring harmony?

How can you be a reconciler among family and friends?

Sharers in the Covenant

Dialogue with our Jewish brothers and sisters is vital for our understanding of the Catholic faith.

The Jewish people are our ancestors in faith. We inherit from them: • God’s invitation to live in covenant with him;• the Scriptures of the Old Testament;• a shared longing for the fulfillment of God’s reign at the end of time.

The Old Testament helps Christians understand more fully who Jesus Christ is and his mission in the world.

Sharers in the Covenant

God entered into Covenant with. . .• Noah and every living creature• Abraham• Moses and the Israelites

Israel is. . .•the priestly people of God•called by the name of the Lord•the first to hear the Word of God•the people of ‘elder brethren’in the faith of Abraham

The prophets of ancient Israel constantly pointed to a New Covenant with all

humanity through the promised Messiah.

God, the Creator and goal of all people of faith

Christianity, Judaism and Islam stand together in their profession of one God, who is the Creator.

Devout Muslims pray five times a day and throughout their life seek to fulfill the great pillars of the Islamic faith.

Faith in AllahDaily prayers

FastingAlmsgiving to the poor

Holy pilgrimage to Mecca

Cardinal Dulles, S.J.

• Avery Dulles was baptized a Presbyterian but converted to Catholicism and eventually became a Jesuit priest.

• At one point on his faith journey he doubted the very existence of God.

• In 1936, while at Harvard University, he had an experience that opened his eyes to the existence of an all-good omnipotent God.

• In 2001 Blessed Pope John Paul II named Fr. Dulles a cardinal of the Church. He was the first American theologian to receive this honor who was not a bishop.

• Cardinal Dulles published twenty-three books and wrote more than 750 articles on many theological subjects.