Comunicación y Gerencia

Introduction to
the Catholic
Church
7th Grade Faith Formation

Kristin Esparza
Founding of
the
Catholic
Church
 Origins of the Catholic Church
Who founded the Catholic Church?

How did/does Jesus become present in the Church?

Who was the first Pope and who picked him?

When did the Holy Spirit come?

What does “Catholic” mean?

How is the Church a Sacrament?

What does “infallibility of the Church mean?

 Who founded the Catholic Church?
Jesus did!!
The whole life of Jesus (the Word made flesh) was the
foundation of the Church. [514-521]
Jesus prayed, and then He gathered his inner circle of
12 apostles.
He gave the 12 apostles the full power of the
Father : “Amen, I say to you, whatever you
Bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and
Whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed
In heaven.” (Matthew 18:18)
 The Last Supper
At the Last Supper, Jesus actually
gave himself to the 12 apostles.
They became one body with Jesus.
Jesus spoke of the “new testament” or
new Covenant. The new relationship
was based on the law of love. [1339]
Jesus commanded, “Do this in
remembrance of me.” (1 Corinthians
11:24) because he knew that He would
not be visible to His followers and this
was a way for Him to be present with
them.
Who was the First Pope?
Saint Peter
Peter means “Rock”
Jesus said, “And so I say to you,
you are Peter, and upon this rock I will
build my church, and the gates of the
netherworld shall not prevail against
it.” (Matthew 16:18)
 When did the Holy Spirit come?
The birth of the
Church actually
occurred on
Pentecost.
That is when the
sending of the
Holy Spirit
occurred publicly.

Holy Spirit + People Cooperating + Christ’s

Presence = the Church
 What does Catholic mean?
Catholic means Universal
The Catholic Church is the Body of Christ with
Jesus as the head.
Pentecost
 How is the Church a Sacrament?
A Sacrament is a visible sign of God’s invisible
presence.
The church is THE sacrament, and THE main
visible image of God on earth.
What is Infallibility of the Church?

Jesus gave the church 2 things:

1.) The job of spreading the Gospel
2.) The Holy Spirit to help
Since Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to guide the Church, we
can never be wrong in the basic matters of Christ’s teachings.
[2035, 2051]
Because the Pope is the Head of the Church, when he
speaks on matters of faith or morals, the Holy Spirit protects
him from errors.
 Quick Review
Define: Sacrament
What is the main visible sign of God’s presence
On Earth?
The Church is the _____ of Christ?
How did/does Jesus share himself intimately
with us?
Who founded the Catholic Church?
Who was the first Pope?
What does the word “catholic” mean?
Whatever the Church binds on eath will also
Be bound where?
Jesus’ inner circle of followers were who?
What is Pentecost?
What job did Jesus give the Church?
What is infalliability?
Comunicación y Gerencia

Any
Questions??

7th Grade Faith Formation

Kristin Esparza