Unit 1 begins a study of the marks, or characteristics, of the early apostolic Church. Young people will learn how the marks were there from the beginning and are the basis for present beliefs about the Church. Refer to the Unit Opener in The Story of Our Church. We Are Called Use the unit song before or after opening prayer, during a prayer celebration, at the end of a session, or during special celebrations. Apostolic: Founded on the Apostles Our faith, summarized in the Apostles' Creed, is the same as the faith of the first apostles. Holy: Jesus Christ in the Sacraments In the sacraments, we meet the risen Christ. We become the Church—God's holy people. Catholic: Open and Respectful of All The word catholic means "universal" or "open to all." Catholics are called to welcome all people. One: Praying for Unity In the Church, no one ministry (or minister) is more important than another. The stories on these pages follow the last chapter of each unit. They introduce social justice issues from a Catholic perspective. "They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers." —Luke 2:42 The Church exists in the unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus gathered a community of disciples who became the Church after the resurrection. The traditional identifying marks of the Church are unity, holiness, catholicity, and apostolicity. In different times and places these marks have been expressed in different ways. The Church today expresses these marks through respect, compassion, justice, freedom, and solidarity with the poor. • One  Catholics are one in faith, in the sacraments, and in Church leadership, but enjoy much diversity of gifts and of people who receive them. • Holy  The sacraments are valid ways in which to experience God’s profound love. Christ’s presence in the sacraments helps participants become holy, living lives of service. • Catholic  The Church is catholic and speaks to the whole world about the message of Christ and how it should be lived today with the active intervention of the Holy Spirit. • Apostolic  The Church has remained faithful to the teachings of the apostles, and the leadership of the Church has been passed from them. • When I name the marks of the church while praying the Nicene Creed, what images come to mind? • What diversity within our Church’s oneness do I most appreciate? Why? • How can I be a sign of holiness to others? Books Catholic Customs & Traditions – A Popular Guide Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-89622-515-1 Many Faces in God’s House – A Catholic Vision for the Third Millennium USCCB, 2001, #5-421 Videos Pope John Paul II – His Life and Teachings (3 hrs.) These two tapes tell the life story of the pope from Poland; includes liturgies celebrated by John Paul II. Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-7831-1229-7 Church Without Borders (60 min.) Examines shared experiences of youth from the United States and Latin America. USCCB, #5-412