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	Word	Definition as found in Blest Are We
	adoration	One of the four kinds of prayer. Without using words, we tell God in our hearts and minds how great he is.
	altar	The table used to celebrate the Sacrifice of the Mass.
	ambo	A tall pulpit, or lectern, used to read Scripture during Mass.
	anointing	Using holy oil, a priest anoints the forehead and hands of the sick.
	Anointing of the Sick	Sacrament of healing that brings Jesus’ comfort to people who are very ill, old, or near death. Using holy oil, a priest anoints the forehead and hands of the sick.
	apostle	Person chosen by Jesus to witness his life, death, and resurrection and then preach his Gospel.
	Apostles’ Creed	A short explanation of what Catholics and many other Christians believe.
	apostolic	One of the marks of the Church that tells we are faithful to the teachings of Jesus and his apostles.
	authority	To have the right to do something.
	Baptism	A sacrament of initiation by which we become members of the Catholic Church.
	baptismal font	It holds holy water and is used for Baptism.
	bishop	The leader of a diocese.
	blessing	A sacramental that gives praise and thanks to God.
	catholic	To be open to anyone.
	Christian	Anyone who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
	Church community	Friends and followers of Jesus Christ working together to celebrate Mass, the sacraments and spread Jesus’ teachings.
	commitment	A promise to service.
	Communion of Saints	All people, living and dead, who believe in Jesus Christ.
	compassion	Able to understand someone’s problem and wanting to help make it go away.
	Confirmation	A sacrament of initiation that makes us stronger in our faith.
	covenant	An agreement, or promise, made between persons or groups of people. God makes a covenant with his people.
	creed	A statement of faith like the Apostles’ Creed which sums up the teachings of the Apostles.
	crucifix	A cross that bears the figure of Jesus Christ.
	deacon	A person ordained to help the priest by serving the parish community in many different ways.
	devotions	Special prayers that honor a saint.
	disciple	A friend and follower of Jesus.
	domestic church	A family that teaches us how to love and respect others.
	Easter candle	It is lit at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. It reminds us that Jesus is the Light of the World.
	eternal life	To be happy with Jesus Christ forever in God’s kingdom.
	Eucharist	A sacrament of initiation, it is a sacrifice and a sacred meal of thanks in which God gives us the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ to make us his people.
	faith	Belief and trust in God.
	God’s family	God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit together with all created beings including angels, people and animals.
	Good News	Jesus Christ’s message that he is the Son of God and was sent to save us from our sins so that we might have everlasting life.
	grace	God’s life within us that fills us with his love.
	Great Commandment	God’s rule that teaches us how to love God, others, and ourselves.
	guidance	To be lead and shown the way by the Holy Spirit so that we can make right choices.
	hallowed	To be holy.
	heaven	Unending happiness with God and all who love him.
	holy oil	A special oil used in some Church celebrations and for other special ceremonies like Baptism and the Anointing of the Sick.
	Holy Orders	Sacrament at the service of communion that celebrates special service in the Church as a bishop, priest, or deacon.
	Holy Trinity	The three Persons in one God--the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
	initiation	The way that new members learn about and are welcomed into a group.
	justice	To be fair and respect everyone by following Jesus’ teachings.
	kingdom of God	Jesus’ promise of everlasting life in which there will be great joy without sadness.
	lay person	Any baptized person except a bishop, priest, or deacon who tries to spread the Good News.
	liturgy	A special way to worship and praise God. Members of God’s church come together to celebrate liturgy.
	Liturgy of the Hours	The common prayer of the Church. It brings together members of the Church everywhere to pray for peace.
	living water	The eternal life and happiness that Jesus offers to the Samaritan woman at the well.
	marks of the Church	Signs that show the Catholic Church as one, holy, catholic, and apostolic.
	Matrimony	Sacrament at the service of communion between a man and woman that celebrates their covenant to love and serve each other forever as husband and wife.
	meditation	One of the four types of prayer. In meditation, we pray without using words so we can listen to God.
	mercy	To treat someone in a kind and forgiving way.
	ministry	The work that God calls us to do, to serve others by working for peace and justice.
	missioner	A person who follows Jesus Christ’s call to tell others about the Good News.
	mortal sin	When we turn completely away from God’s love. If we commit a mortal sin, then we can no longer share in God’s life until we ask for his forgiveness in the sacrament of Reconciliation.
	neighbors	All the people created by God. We love God by loving them.
	original sin	The sin of the first people on earth. We have received this first sin from them.
	Paschal mystery	The way that Jesus saved us from our sins by his life, death, Resurrection, and Ascension.
	peace	The calm, good feeling of being together with others and God. Peace follows forgiveness.
	peacemaker	A person who is fair and respects others.
	Pentecost	The day the Church was born when Jesus Christ’s disciples received the gift of the Holy Spirit.
	presence	The feeling that someone is close by. The presence of Christ makes us happy.
	presider’s chair	The priest who presides at, or celebrates, the Mass sits there at times during the Mass.
	Reconciliation	A sacrament of healing that celebrates the gift of God’s love and forgiveness.
	religious	Men and women who commit themselves to live in communities as priests. brothers, or nuns and to serve others in a very special way. They make promises to God and to their communities of brothers and sisters to lead simple lives.
	respect	To believe all people are valuable by acting kindly and patiently toward others.
	Resurrection	Jesus Christ’s rising from death to new life.
	Rosary	A special prayer that honors Mary, the Mother of God.
	sacrament	A celebration of God’s love through which Jesus Christ becomes present to us by the power of the Holy Spirit.
	sacramental	Something that reminds us life is holy and helps us to receive God’s grace.
	sacraments at the service of communion	The celebrations of Matrimony and Holy Orders in which a person answers God’s call and promises to serve Christ, the Church and others as married person or ordained man.
	sacraments of initiation	The celebrations of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist in which we are welcomed into the Church. In these sacraments, our faith is made stronger through the Holy Spirit.
	sanctuary lamp	A lighted candle to show that the Blessed Sacrament is present in the tabernacle.
	Scripture	The name we give to the written word of God that we read in the Bible.
	sin	The choice to be selfish and turn away from God’s love.
	tabernacle	A special place in church where the Blessed Sacrament is kept.
	talents	The abilities or gifts to do something well so that we can serve others.
	Ten Commandments	God’s rules that were given to Moses to help us live in peace by loving God, others, and ourselves.
	trespass	Doing wrong to others.
	venial sin	When we do not follow God’s plan in some small way. Venial sins hurt our friendship with God.
	vocation	God’s call to use our talents to do as Jesus Christ teaches.
	word of God	God speaking to us in Scripture.