The New Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism Lesson 11 The Catholic Church

The New Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism

Lesson 11

The Catholic Church

Our Lord gave Peter charge of His sheep and said that Peter would die for them too

We read in the Holy Bible:

11

        I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

 15

           When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?"  He said to him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs."

16

        He then said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?"  He said to         him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."  He said to him, "Tend my sheep."

17

        He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?"  Peter was          distressed that he had said to him a third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him,            "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you."  (Jesus) said to him, "Feed my sheep.

Explanation

Jesus our Good Shepherd

            The Church is the sheepfold of Christ, our Good Shepherd.  In the Church, Christ teaches His sheep, He feeds them, He heals their wounds, He guides them to heaven. 

The Apostles were helpers of Jesus

            Jesus started His Church while He was on earth.  He picked a group of men to help Him.  They were His Apostles.  An Apostle is one who is sent to take the place of someone else.

            Jesus told His Apostles to go all over the world.  He said to them, “Go into the whole world and preach the gospel to every creature.  He who believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he who does not believe shall be condemned” (Mark 16, 15-16).

Jesus made Peter head of His Church

            Jesus chose Peter to be the head of the Apostles.  “You are Peter and upon this rock I will build My Church” (Matthew 16, 18).  The word “Peter” means “rock.”  Before Our Lord ascended into heaven, He told Peter, “Feed My sheep.”

The Pope is the successor of Peter

            Peter was the first Pope.  He took Christ’s place on earth.  He was the “Vicar of Christ.”  There have been many Popes who headed the Church since Saint Peter, over two thousand years ago.  Our Pope today is the successor of Peter.  And the bishops are the successors of the Apostles.  The priests are their helpers.  They lead us and show us the way to heaven.

Practice

Listen carefully when the priest preaches.

CATECHISM

65. What is the Church?

            The Church is the congregation of all baptized persons united in the same true    faith, the same sacrifice, and the same sacraments, under the Holy Father, the           Pope.

66. Why did Jesus Christ found the Church?

            Jesus Christ founded the Church to bring all men to eternal salvation.

  

67. To whom did Christ give the power to teach, to sanctify, and to rule the members of His Church?

            Christ gave the power to teach, to sanctify, and to rule the members of His Church to the Apostles, the first bishops of the Church.

68. Who are the successors of the Apostles?

            The successors of the Apostles are the bishops of the Church.

69. Did Christ Give special power in His Church to any one of the Apostles?

             Christ gave special power in His Church to Saint Peter by making him the head of the Apostles and the chief teacher and ruler of the entire Church.

70. Who is the successor of St. Peter?

            The Successor of Saint Peter is the Holy Father, the Bishop of Rome.

71. Who helps the bishops in the care of souls?

            The priests, especially parish priests, help the bishops in the care of souls.

Discussion Questions

1.                              What do we call the sheepfold of Christ?

2.                              How does our Lord help His sheep?

3.                              Why did our Lord choose twelve Apostles?

4.                              Which Apostle did He pick to be the head one?

5.                              Who takes Our Lord’s place today as Shepherd of the Church?

True or False

1.                              Jesus founded the Church when He was on earth.

2.                              St. John was the first pope.

3.                              The Church leads us to heaven.

4.                              The Apostles were the helpers of Jesus.

5.                              St. Paul was the head of the Apostles.

Fill in the Blanks

1.                                                      Jesus said to Peter, “Feed My………….”

2.                                                      Jesus takes care of us through His ………….

3.                                                      The Church leads us to………….

4.                                                      The head of the Church today is called the………….

5.                                                      The priests help the………… in caring for souls.

Other Readings from the Bible

1.                                          Our Lord chooses His Apostles,                     Luke 6: 12-16

2.                                          He sends them out to preach,                    Luke 9: 1-6

3.                                          He chooses Peter to be the head,             Matthew 16: 13-20

Class Liturgical Action

Learn to recite together the prayer of the Canon of the Mass

(a prayer for the Church)