Holy Spirit Catholic Schools
The Six Strands of Religious Education
Celebrating
Jesus is Everywhere. Why Church?
“The liturgy is never a mere meeting of a group of people, who make up their own form of celebration… Through our sharing in Jesus’ appearing before the Father, we stand both as members of the worldwide community of the whole Church and also of the communion of saints. Yes, in a certain sense this is the liturgy of heaven.”
-Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI in God and the World (YOUCAT P. 102)
Principle of Celebrating:
Because liturgical services are celebrations of the church, the whole community celebrates. The effects touch individual members differently, according to their role and actual participation. The rites, therefore, “should be celebrated with the faithful present and actively participating.” (Second Vatican Council) (CCC 1140)
The celebrating assembly is the community of the baptised who are consecrated by the holy priesthood of Christ, the sole priest. (CCC 1141)
“Liturgy” originally meant service on behalf of the people. In Christian Tradition, it means God’s People participating in “the work of God.” Through the liturgy, Christ continues his redemptive work in, with, and through the Church. (CCC 1069)
For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them. Matthew 18:20
Official Teachings
Catechesis promotes a deeper knowledge of the liturgy and leads to a true and “liturgical life” for the disciple. We are all called to a more full, active, and conscious participation in the liturgy of the Church. (GDC 85)
Liturgy becomes exciting when one senses that God Himself is present under its sacred signs and its precious, often ancient prayers. (YOUCAT 167)