Revision PageEdexcel GCSE |
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Worship
& Celebration A.
The Sacraments. A sacrament is “an outward sign
of inward grace”. It is a religious act which has a spiritual meaning
given to it by the words and actions of Jesus. Through the Sacraments
Catholics grow in the love of God. There are seven sacraments. Baptism, Confirmation and The
Eucharist are all sacraments of initiation through which the person
becomes a full member of the Church. Reconciliation and Anointing of
the Sick are sacraments of healing. They are concerned with receiving
forgiveness, strength and healing. Marriage and Holy Orders are
sacraments of ministry, ways in which we are called by God. These two
sacraments are looked at elsewhere. B.
Baptism.
Baptism is the first sacrament of initiation.
Initiation means ‘bringing into membership of, learning to belong’.
In baptism the person becomes a Christian, they receive the new life of
God within them and they begin their journey of faith. Baptism means
immersed in water. Signs and Symbols of Baptism
WATER:
A symbol of
life and death (death to sin and rising to new life with God). WHITE GARMENT: A sign of a
new beginning, new life and new faith with Jesus Christ. OIL:
There are 2 kinds: CATECHUMENS - a symbol of
strength CHRISM - a symbol of being chosen for a special task. CANDLE: This is a symbol of the child receiving the
light of Christ. Jesus is the light of the world. WORDS and GESTURES: The key words in the ceremony when
the water is poured over the baby’s head are: "I baptise you in
the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen”.
The sign of the cross signifies the saving power of the crucifixion of
Jesus. The child now belongs to God. Infant Versus Adult Baptism
In the Roman Catholic Church as in many other churches infants are baptised and their parents and godparents take their baptismal vows on their behalf. In other churches e.g. the Baptist church people are only baptised as adults - this is called ‘Adults or Believer’s Baptism’. The person makes a conscious choice to be baptised. C. Confirmation. Confirm means to strengthen/make clear what has already
been agreed. At confirmation the person makes their baptismal vows for
themselves. This sacrament seals a person with the gift of the Holy
Spirit. The person receives the strength and courage to be a witness for
Christ in the world. The person becomes a religious adult living their
Christian life with knowledge and understanding. Signs and symbols of Confirmation. THE LAYING ON OF HANDS: A sign
that the power and strength are being given by God through the power of
the Holy Spirit. CHRISM: a sign of being set apart
for an important task. A sign of being strengthened by the Holy Spirit
to meet the difficulties and challenges of being a Christian. SIGN OF THE CROSS: A sign that the
person belongs to God, it seals them in the love of God. SIGN
OF PEACE: The dove is a symbol of the Holy spirit. This brings a person
peace with God and others. NAMING:
In the Bible God always called people by their name before giving them a
special task. A name given at Confirmation is a sign that they too are
being given a special task - to be a witness to Christ. D.
Eucharist. The origin of the Eucharist is
found in the Passover recounted in the book of Exodus. Jesus celebrated
the Passover meal with his disciples the night before He died. Jesus
made it clear that he was the Passover lamb, who would die for
forgiveness of sins. At this meal, the Last Supper,
Jesus took the bread and said ‘This is my body’ and the wine
and said ‘This is my blood’. Jesus told His apostles to repeat this
celebration in memory of Him. The first account of the institution of
the Eucharist is found in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. Eucharist means thanksgiving. It
is also known as Mass and Holy Communion.
The Eucharist should have an
effect on a Catholic’s life. Attendance at Mass does not in itself
make someone a good Catholic. People must live in the spirit of the
Eucharist; they have responsibilities to contribute towards the
community life of the parish, to pray for the church, to act to help the
poor and to live in fellowship/ be friendly with all God’s children. Outline of the Mass. 1.
Greeting and Penitential Rite (welcome and ask forgiveness) 2.
Liturgy of the Word (readings and homily) 3.
Creed (statement of belief) and Prayers of Intercession 4.
Offertory (bread, wine and gifts brought to the altar) 5.
Preface and Eucharistic Prayer (priest representing Jesus
consecrates/blesses the bread and wine) 6.
Our Father, Sign of Peace, Lamb of God. 7.
Communion (receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ under the
appearance of bread and wine) 8.
Blessing and Dismissal ‘Love and serve the Lord’ E. Reconciliation. This sacrament of healing is also called penance or
confession, however reconciliation is the preferred term as it expresses
more about the meaning of the sacrament. To be reconciled is to be at
peace with, make friends again, to heal anything that may separate us
from God or each other. Forgiveness of sin is a key Christian belief.
Jesus in His ministry and His teachings preached the good news that God
will forgive those who are repentant. If a person is sorry for their
sins and has a change of heart they will receive God’s forgiveness and
be reconciled with God and others. (parable of the Lost Son/Forgiving
Father, Zacchaeus) Catholics believe that the sacrament is important because ·
It is a chance to examine the way they live to become better
people. ·
It removes sin and the feelings of guilt that may accompany
it ·
It might be difficult to admit to sin but there is a sense
of relief after doing so ·
Person becomes close to God and God comes close to them. Stages in the sacrament. 1.
Contrition: sorry for having sinned, the change of heart
following an examination of conscience. Sin cannot be forgiven unless
the person or penitent is truly sorry. 2.
Confession: admission of responsibility, telling the priest your
sins 3.
Absolution: the forgiveness of sin by the priest through the
power of the Holy Spirit. 4.
Satisfaction: the penitent tries to make some recompense for sin,
make amends. They are given a penance by the priest. This may be prayer,
or an action to help others. F. The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick The main purpose of this sacrament is to assure a sick
person of God’s concern and love. This sacrament brings a sick person
closer to Christ. They receive the grace (love and power) of the Holy
Spirit. It may also encourage others to follow Christ’s example and to
care for those who are ill. Symbols. LAYING ON OF HANDS: A sign of the coming of the Holy Spirit,
who brings the strength and courage to fight or to accept the illness. ANOINTING OF HEAD AND HANDS: A sign of healing, soothing,
comfort, relaxation, peace and consecration to Christ. The sick person also receives forgiveness of sins in
confession, and the Body and Blood of Christ in Holy Communion as part
of this sacrament of healing. When should the Sacrament be Given? ·
When a person is dangerously ill. ·
Before a major operation. ·
To an elderly person because of general frailty ·
To sick children to comfort them ·
To an unconscious person if they would ask for this
sacrament if they were conscious. G.
Important Bible Passages Mark
1:9-11 The Baptism of Jesus. Matthew
28:18-20 The Commission. Acts
2
The Apostles received the Holy Spirit. Mark
14:12-25. Matthew 26:26-30. Luke 22:14-20. The Last Supper 1
Corinthians 11:17-29 St Paul’s teachings on the Eucharist. Matthew
25:31-46 The Final Judgment, The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats. Luke
19:1-10 Jesus and Zacchaeus Forgiveness and repentance Luke
15:11-32 Parable of The Lost Son or Forgiving Father. James
5:14-15 Important passage for understanding Sacrament of the Sick.
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