Our 2025 Catechumens and Candidates group will review the different leaders of the Church and how their roles and responsibilities continue Christ’s mission. Christ is the head of the Church while the Pope, the Bishop of Rome, is the recognized leader of the Catholic Church on earth. We will talk about what is meant by papal infallibility and, in particular, specific conditions that must be present for a teaching to be safeguarded from error by the Holy Spirit. Titles of others ordained to serve and shepherd the Church are: Auxiliary Bishops, Archbishops, Cardinals, Diocesan Priests, Religious Priests, Pastors, Associate Pastors, Monsignors, Transitional Deacons and Permanent Deacons.
Praying for our Church leaders should be part of our daily prayers as well as praying for vocations to the religious life. All Saints Parish is blessed to have three dedicated Priests and one Permanent Deacon shepherding our parish community.
Heavenly Father, You invite each of us to serve You through life which is Your gift. May Your grace encourage men and women to heights of holiness through service to the Church as priests, sisters, brothers and lay ministers. Make me an instrument to encourage others to give of themselves and challenge me to do the same. Amen. (usccb.org)
Some of our instruction will be in regards to the Church being both an institution and a living body.
Why did St. Paul call the Church “Christ’s Body”? As we find in 1 Corinthians 12, the Body of Christ is “one body, many parts” in “one Spirit”. St. Paul was reflecting on the overall formation of the Church. His words reveal that just as the human body works together, so all of us in the church join in a shared purpose, with God, using our spiritual gifts.
The Church is the means by which people in every age have come to know Jesus and his life-giving message. How do I use my faith, time, generosity and other gifts to bring Christ to others? The foundation of our Faith, the emphasis, is not learning about the Church, but learning and desiring to be the Church.
All Saints offers opportunities to be disciples of Jesus through its many ministries. Becoming involved in one or two (or many!) not only helps bring Christ to others but it deepens our relationship with Him as well.
Do others see me as the Church?