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Annulment is the term for the process where a tribunal (a Catholic Church court) declares that a marriage thought to be valid actually fell short of at least one of its essential elements required for a binding union.
The Bishop is regarded as a shepherd who has responsibility for the pastoral care of his diocese. A bishop oversees the ministerial and administrative life of a diocese which is made up of local communities (parishes) of the faithful.
Catechesis forms disciples in a systematic and comprehensive understanding of the Christian faith, calling them in turn to share the beauty of the Good News with all the world. The Church’s catechetical mission is the call to lead all people to relationship with Jesus through a deeper understanding of His teachings.
The clergy are men who have answered the Call to the Sacrament of Holy Orders to be ordained as Deacon, Priest, or Bishop. The fullness of Holy Orders is made present in the ministry of the Bishop. Priests and Deacons participate and support the Bishop’s ministry of governance, sanctification, and teaching.
The Curia is the administrative body of the Catholic Church. The Curia is made up of ministerial offices which direct the vision and mission of the Diocese.
A diocese is group of churches, in a given territory, headed by a bishop. A diocese is divided into parishes that are each overseen by a Pastor or Administrator appointed by the Bishop.
A friend and follower of Jesus who discovers, follows, worships, and shares Jesus with others. A Missionary Disciple is a friend and follower of Jesus who helps others discover, follow, worship, and share Jesus.
The process of getting to know Jesus as a personal friend and letting his life influence and shape your actions and words to become more like his.
A special retreat sponsored by the Diocese that illuminates the connection between the teaching methods of Jesus and the diocesan pathway of making disciples to help individuals and parishes deepen their missionary discipleship.
The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. The term Eucharist originates from the Greek word eucharistia, meaning thanksgiving. The presence of Christ in the Eucharist is REAL, TRUE, and SUBSTANTIAL.
Evangelization is the Proclamation of the Good News. In the process of evangelization, the Church accompanies others in their spiritual journey, leading them to deeper personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The Church exists to evangelize.
The Gospel is the authentic accounts of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The Gospels are attributed to the four Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The Greek word for gospel (evangelion) is translated good news.
The kerygma is the proclamation of the truth that God loves us so much He gave His only Son, Jesus, to save us from sin and reconcile us to loving relationship with Himself and with each other. The word kerygma is Greek for proclamation. At the heart of the Christian faith is the proclamation of the Good News.
The Liturgy is the church's official act of worship. It includes the Liturgical Calendar the celebration of the seven sacraments, including the Mass, and the Liturgy of the Hours.
The Mass is the central act of worship in the Catholic Church. The Mass is divided into two main parts: the Liturgy of the Word which includes Scripture readings, homily, the Universal Prayer; the Liturgy of the Eucharist which includes the offering of the gifts, the Eucharistic Prayer and the reception of Holy Communion.
Ministry refers to the Church’s charitable work in pursuit of the salvation of souls. It can include ordained ministry such as liturgical leadership and administration of the sacraments. It also includes all forms of lay ministry: providing formation in the faith for both children and adults, serving the poor, visiting the sick, or providing service at Mass such as a reader or Extraordinary Minster of Holy Communion at Mass.
An ecclesial community entrusted to a Pastor, Pastoral Leaders or Administrator, under the authority of the Diocesan Bishop, to lead the faithful in the pastoral care of souls both within the parish and its mission field.
Saints are those who died in friendship with Christ and now live in the joy of heaven. Saints, canonized or not, are worthy of our imitation as they are examples of heroic virtue, lives of service, and their courage in the face of death for the faith. All Christians are called to be saints.
Sacraments are outward signs of inward grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church for our sanctification. There are seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.
The Trinity is the central mystery of our faith that God is one in Three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Three Persons are both truly distinct from one another, in relationship with each other, and united as one in the Godhead.