(Source:
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1997)
- Q…
What are the Sacraments of the Catholic Church?
A…
There are seven sacraments of the Catholic Church.
Baptism: Confirmation: Eucharist: Penance
or Reconciliation: Anointing
of
the Sick: Holy Orders: Matrimony:
(Source:
St. Ailbe Bulletin Insert 1999)
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- Q… How do I become
Catholic?
A…
New
born children become Catholic by receiving the Sacrament of
Baptism. Adults commonly receive instruction in the
Catholic faith which prepares them for receiving the
Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. This
adult instruction is called the Rite of Christian Initiation
of Adults (RICA). Arrangements and appointments can be
made
by calling the St. Ailbe rectory 773-374-2345
(Source: St. Ailbe Bulletin Insert
2002)
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- Q…
Where does the word Catholic come from ?
A…
The term "Catholic" is in the Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian
creeds
Ignatius of Antioch
"Let no one do anything of concern to the Church
without the bishop. Let that be considered a valid Eucharist
which is celebrated by the bishop or by one whom he ordains
[i.e., a presbyter]. Wherever the bishop appears, let the
people be there; just as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is
the Catholic Church" (Letter to the Smyrneans 8:2 [A.D.
110]).
Cyprian of Carthage
"They alone have remained outside [the Church] who,
were they within, would have to be ejected.
. . . There [in John 6:68–69] speaks Peter, upon whom the
Church would be built, teaching in the name of the Church
and showing that even if a stubborn and proud multitude
withdraws because it does not wish to obey, yet the Church
does not withdraw from Christ. The people joined to the
priest, and the flock clinging to their shepherd in the
Church. You ought to know, then, that the bishop is in the
Church and the Church in the bishops; and if someone is not
with the bishop, he is not in the Church. They vainly
flatter themselves who creep up, not having peace with the
priest of God, believing that they are secretly in communion
with certain individuals. For the Church, which is one and
Catholic, is not split or divided, but is indeed united and
joined by the cement of priests who adhere to one
another" (Letters 66[67]:8 [A.D. 253]).
The Apostles’ Creed
"I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic
Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Amen" (Apostles’ Creed [A.D. 360 version, the first
to include the term "Catholic"]).
Council of Nicaea
I
"But those who say: ‘There was [a time] when he [the
Son] was not,’ and ‘before he was born, he was not,’
and ‘because he was made from non-existing matter, he is
either of another substance or essence,’ and those who
call ‘God the Son of God changeable and mutable,’ these
the Catholic Church anathematizes" (Appendix to the
Creed of Nicaea [A.D. 325]).
"Concerning those who call themselves Cathari [Novatians],
that is, ‘the Clean,’ if at any time they come to the
Catholic Church, it has been decided by the holy and great
council that, provided they receive the imposition of hands,
they remain among the clergy. However, because they are
accepting and following the doctrines of the Catholic and
apostolic Church, it is fitting that they acknowledge this
in writing before all; that is, both that they communicate
with the twice married and with those who have lapsed during
a persecution" (Canon 8).
"Concerning the Paulianists who take refuge with the
Catholic Church, a decree has been published that they
should be fully baptized. If, however, any of these in times
past have been in the clerical order, if indeed they have
appeared spotless and above reproach, after being baptized,
let them be ordained by the bishop of the Catholic
Church" (Canon 9)
(Source:
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1997)
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-
Q…
What
are some of the differences between the Catholic and the
Protestant versions of the Bible?
A…
The chief difference is in the omission of
seven complete books and parts of two others from the Old
Testament in the Protestant versions. The books omitted are:
Tobias: Judith: Wisdom: Ecclesiasticus:
Baruch I Macabees: II Macabees: Esther: (part) Daniel: (part) These
omissions should certainly be a matter of concern and
investigation. The entire Christian world accepted all of
these books as the inspired Word of God until the
Reformation.(16th Century)
Reading of the Bible has always been encouraged by the
Catholic Church. The Catholic Bible far outsells all other
Christian Bibles worldwide. The very first Christian Bible was produced by the
Catholic Church--compiled by Catholic scholars of the 2nd
and 3rd century and approved for general Christian use by
the Catholic Councils of Hippo (393) and Carthage (397). The
very first printed Bible was produced under the auspices of
the Catholic Church--printed by the Catholic inventor of the
printing press, Johannes Gutenberg. And the very first Bible
with chapters and numbered verses was produced by the
Catholic Church--the work of Stephen Langton, Cardinal
Archbishop of Canterbury.
(Source:
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1997)
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Q……Why
do Catholics honor Mary?
A….Catholics
honor Mary: because she is the mother of Jesus, the
Son of God. Certainly this fact alone makes her unique among
all the millions of creatures of all times. We honor men and
women of the world for less dignity and less important work.
Catholics honor Mary because Mary was honored by God the
Father, Who chose her as the mother of His Divine Son, and
sent His angel to announce
this choice to her.
Catholics honor Mary because the Son loved her as His own
mother.
The following texts of Scripture demonstrate the honor paid
to Mary.
The sincere seeker will want to read the entire texts.
Isa. 7:14 - Prophecy of the virgin birth.
Luke 1:26-28 - The Annunciation by the angel.
Luke 1:39-56 - The Visitation: "Blessed art thou among
women...."
Matt. 2 :11 - Visit of the Magi.
Matt. 2:14-21 - Flight into Egypt.
Luke 2:41-50 - Loss of the child Jesus in the temple.
Luke 2:51, 52 - The Child went down to Nazareth and was
subject to them.
John 2:1-11 - Marriage feast at Cana.
John 2:12 - She went to Carphanaum with Jesus.
John 19:25-28 - Foot of cross.
Mark 16:1-10 - At tomb.
Acts 1:15 - Pentecost.
(Source:
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1997)
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Q…Why
is it that Catholic priests do not marry?
A,,,,The Church has always considered marriage as a
Sacrament and something sacred. The fact that priests do not
marry is not a condemnation of marriage. The reason is that
priests VOLUNTARILY give up the married state in order that
they may give themselves entirely to the service of God and
the care of His people. This is a disciplinary law of the
Church; and the Church, for good reason, may dispense from
the law.
St. Paul gives this as the reason in his Epistle to the
Corinthians:
"I would have you free from care. He who is unmarried
is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please
God. Whereas, he who is married is concerned about the
things of the world, how he may please his wife; and he is
divided." I Corinthians. 7:32, 33
In the Eastern Churches connected with Rome, priests are
permitted to be married men provided they marry before they
become deacons. The Roman Church will also allows a married
Episcopal priest to convert and become a Catholic priest
while remaining married. However, the Church continues
to emphasize the importance of celibacy and its belief that
priests can enter into Holy Orders with an undivided heart,
fulfilling the sacrament as it was intended.
(Source:
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1997)
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-
Q----For
a long time I’ve felt I had no place in the Church I felt
a lack of sensitivity to issues and needs that I struggle
with until I came to St. Ailbe Catholic Church.
A….
Your needs are important and unique
to you. St. Ailbe Catholic Church tries to address all of
"God’s people concerns" through the continued
works from the Ministries, Pastor, Deacon and staff,
who are always available. This is a place to bring your
story, we may be
able to help you find a welcoming place to encounter Christ
(
From "Conversation with a friend" by JS2002)
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-
Q---They
say the Church has a human side. Well, the last face I
saw in the Church was all-too human! I don’t know if the
person responsible for my leaving the Catholic Church ever knew the damage that
she did. I still remember the moments. I was insulted, hurt
and I left angry. It was a long, long time before I went into a Catholic Church—that’s how painful
that experience was. Now I have begun to wonder: Should I
let one person’s action exclude me from God’s gift of
faith?
A…The
humanness of the Church is real—but that cannot excuse
inhumane behavior that results in alienation. If you have
been on the receiving end of misunderstanding,
insensitivity, or hostility from a representative of the
Church—and have turned your back on the Church family
because of it, here is a place to begin your
“re-connection.” Welcome to St Ailbe. We cannot erase
what happened to you. However, we can
offer hospitality, charity and
a listening ear.
"It's would be easy to love a Church that's
perfect—if you find it on earth. If you learn to love the Church
with its imperfections means you have accepted Christ's
risk, to hand the Church over to human beings. Because
Christ made that risk, means there will always be a
challenge to love all people of the Church. All of our
defects are going to be, as widely visible as our assets.
("Catholic
World" 1992)
PRAYER
OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSI
Lord
make me an instrument of Thy peace.
Where
there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where
there is injury, pardon.
Where
there is doubt, faith.
Where
there is despair, hope.
Where
there is darkness, light.
Where
there is sadness, joy.
O
Divine Master; grant
that I may so much seek to be consoled as to
console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love; for it is in giving that we
receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
When we don't accept Jesus' Church with its human
side, we give an unrealistic and phony message to the younger
generation of what the
Church expects of us and what being a true Christian really
means .
Words of wisdom
from an older parishioner.
I had an uncle who refused to go to church. I
remember My Grandmother saying to him, ‘Yes, you don't
like Father________ so you don't go to church. You don't
like the bartender either, but you go to him for a whiskey when you
want one!’
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-
Q… Does
the Church welcome single Catholics?
A….Yes, single people bring an abundance of gifts
and resources to the Church. Single people quite often
without the obligations of
marriage life have more freedom to avail themselves to
the community and/or to Church
service. The Catholic Church has always regarded the single life as a
valid
vocation. Jesus provides
a model of a single adult living His life outside the
mainstream of both marriage and religious life. His life of
solitary faithfulness reminds us that the Church needs its
single Catholics as much as they need the Church.
(Source:
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1997)
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Q----“I
don’t know how I left St. Ailbe Church. There wasn’t
really
any one reason. Life just moved on, and so did I. Career,
relationships, other concerns…became more important, perhaps no
one noticed I was
gone and maybe I wished someone would have come looking for
me. I have always believed in God. Lately, I feel Someone is...
(Is it God’s Spirit?), calling me home to the Church? Where can I
re-connect?”
A…
Life these days is filled with plenty of
distractions. We are pushed and pulled in a lot of
directions. At one time or another, strong commitments
beckon, and we seize hold of them. In the process, we may
lose our grip on important values. When our priorities
shift, and older, familiar values reappear, it may be time
to look again at the faith-family that once was “home.”
Welcome to St. Ailbe. We wish to re-acquaint you with the strong roots of
your Catholic faith.
(
From "Conversation with a friend" by JS2002)
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Q…..What
has happened to me? As a child I believed in God with
all my heart. I have drifted away. I need as an adult
the tough and challenging messages of the gospel. I have
looked everywhere but the church. I know am still missing
something. Is a stronger message being preached in the
Church today?”
A… 1 Corinthians 13: 11-13 "When I was a
child, I used to talk as a child, think as a child, reason
as a child; when I became a man, I put aside childish
things. At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but
then face to face. At present I know partially; then I shall
know fully, as I am fully known. So faith, hope, love
remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love."
Saint Paul professed an “adult”
faith, and challenged others with the heart of Christ’s
message and meaning for people. He made a clear distinction
between thinking in “childish” ways and adult ways in his letters: He knew that the Spirit keeps pace with
our human development and calls to us as we grow and
develop. Come to Church you will now hear with adult ears.
The Word will be understood and accepted in a different way.
Within the Church, that Spirit needs our vigorous,
challenging voices to proclaim Jesus, and for you to hear that
message. Welcome to St Ailbe Catholic Church, a place to
bring your heart.
(
From "Conversation with a friend" by JS2002)
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Q…I’m
told I don’t belong... I was told that having an
abortion makes me a sinner and an outcast to the Church. I want to attend
Church again. Can I come to Church and begin healing without being judged?”
Q...“I’m a
male partner of a woman who had an abortion. I can no longer
deny I have shared in this act. I want to deal with how this
is affecting me
spiritually? Can you help
me do this?”
Q...“Someone I know and love had an abortion. I am a
Christian and I have
lots of confused feelings about this. I don't want to end
this friendship. Can the Church help me find a way to
not cast stones or not to be so judgmental?”
A…. No
matter what has happened, you can always come back to the
Church. God’s mercy and forgiveness knows no bounds.
This is a place to start healing. You are welcome here at
St. Ailbe Catholic Church. We want to offer you the
compassion of Christ, the companionship of fellow Catholics and a path to understanding and healing.
Most dioceses in the U.S. have Project Rachel, the
post-abortion healing ministry. If you would like to receive
a referral to the ministry in your area, contact the
National Office of Post-Abortion Reconciliation &
Healing at 1-800-5WE-CARE. They also have a website that
your might find helpful. It is www.marquette.edu/rachel.
(
From "Conversation with a friend" by JS2002)
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Q…
What's so bad about living together before marriage?
A,,, Living together before marriage was almost
becoming an acceptable way of life. This trend started
becoming a popular way of life... since 1980. Long
enough for numerous studies and surveys to conclude these
living arrangements are dangerous for humans.
So as cohabitation becomes more popular, its negative effects –
especially on women – are becoming more apparent.
Consider
the following findings that research on cohabitation has
discovered:: Women who live with a male have a lower probability of
being married than women who do not... People who live together outside of marriage report
poorer relationship quality and more fights or violence
leading to a higher mortality rate in domestic violence than
their counterparts in marriages... The longer a couple lives together, the less likely
it is that they will marry... People who live together before marriage are 50 to
100 percent more likely to divorce than people who don’t
live together because they have established living habits
that are hard to change when they become married.... There are
many other startling statistics about the harmful
effects of living together outside of marriage.
From a
Catholic and Christian perspective, living together is
designed for marriage. Without the commitment of marriage it
has been statistically proven that the relationship between the two
live-ins often will
result in many problems: distrust, betrayal, breakups, mental and or
physical abuse, crisis pregnancies and
possibly abortion. These events have become the results
developed from a "no committed life style and
relationship".
(*University of Chicago Study/2/8/00)
Although it takes courage to do one thing when the rest of
society is doing another, the arguments against living
together outside of marriage are powerful from both a
Catholic and now a sociological perspective. After
going through almost 100 studies on cohabitation, performed
by Ivy league colleges and Government agencies local and
federal they finally concluded that the biblical plan for
the family (marriage) is not an archaic dinosaur of the past;
it is the
very best way to live and the very best way to bring satisfaction, health, and
stability to men and women who choose to live together.
The Catholic Church is based upon a system of truth, not on
the desires of society. Indeed, what makes being a Catholic
difficult is the sacrifice involved to not go the way of the
world. We often are forced to sacrifice what we most desire
for the sake of what is good and we most often find that
what is good is better and less complicated and works better
for one's self and for
the world.
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Q…I’m thinking
of returning to the Church but I’m not sure where to
begin. Can you help?
A….If you are looking for a Church the doors of St.
Ailbe are always opened. St. Ailbe Catholic Church , 9015 South Harper
Avenue, Chicago, IL 60619 Welcome you.
St Ailbe mass schedule is Weekday
Masses , are held in the Rectory
Chapel 8:30 A.M. Services held in the Church: Weekend
Masses , Saturday 7:00 P.M.,
Sunday 8:00 A.M. and 11:00 A.M. If you wish to Call:
773-374-2345 or Fax: 773-374-7096 or Email STAILBE@aol.com
If you want to learn with others, an excellent
way to begin is to go through your parish’s RCIA (Rite of
Christian Initiation of Adults) process. Contact the Pastor,
Deacon or Director of Religious Education.
(
From "Conversation with a friend" by JS2002)
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-
Q... What is the importance of the
sign of peace during the Mass?
A... The first words Jesus said to his apostles after
his Resurrection were" Pace be with you" (John 20:21).
After that their feat disappeared. By offering each other
the Sign of Peace at Mass we share that peace with the
entire Body of Christ.
Jesus also told us to reconcile with one another before approaching
the Altar of God (Matthew 5:23). Thus, the Sign of peace is
a gesture of Reconciliation with those around us before
coming to the altar to receive the Holy Communion.
(Source:
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1997)
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- Q... Does the Catholic
Church have programs for the Youth? What does St. Ailbe
offer?
A... Yes, our hope for the future is in our youth. They
are the Catholic Church of the 21st century. Their formation
(or lack thereof) will determine how the Church of Christ
will move forward (or backward) with her mission of saving
souls. No work on earth could possibly be more important.
St.
Ailbe Catholic Church has a Youth for Christ Ministry, Black
College Catholic Tours, Praise Dancers, Young Adult Ministry
and there are many activities which involve youth participation. You
can acquire information by calling the Rectory
773-374-2345.
(Source:
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1997)
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|
| We live in a society that is often in opposition to
Christian values. In fact society occasionally lures us from our
principals without our realizing it. That happens because we
lose focus and sight of what is right or wrong. Renew your
faith strengthen your faith and values. Childhood
religious education is not enough to guide a lifetime of adult
moral judgments. Meditate on scripture, study the teachings
of the church refer to the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Reflect
on the Gospel readings each Sunday. Ground your
decisions and actions in Jesus words and deeds. Stay
close to the Holy Eucharist. This is a most personal and
intimate encounter with Christ. We cannot help but be changed
when we take His body and blood into our own. Refer
to the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes. You know you are on
the right path if your decisions are with the spirit of these
laws. Never rely on conscience and judgment
alone. Prayer keeps our hearts open to God's guidance and God
can do much more with an open heart.
(*Catholic World June 1999)
In renewing or strengthening your faith you will have many questions:
St Ailbe Catholic Church Welcomes You With An Open Heart.
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