17. One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic

17. ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC, APOSTOLIC The four marks of the Catholic Church are essential to understanding the Body of Christ. Compendium 161-176 Matthew 28:19-20 1. Christ founded only one Church, and entrusted it to Peter and his successors in communion with the bishops. 2. In spite of the problems and divisions due to human frailty and sinfulness, there exists in the Church a fullness of Truth, sacramental life and communion. 3. We believe in One God, we share one faith, one sacramental life, one common hope in Jesus Christ, one apostolic succession, we are one in charity. 4.Oneness in Christ is our mission and our destiny. Ecumenism is our obligation. We must all pray and work for unity in Christ. The source of our oneness is the Trinity: one God in three divine persons. 5. The Church is first of all the body of Christ, which is all Holy. The Church provides all that we need to respond to the call to holiness. Mary and the saints show us how to participate in God's truth, goodness and love and assist us with their prayers. Holiness is not only our goal, it must also be our way of life in the present moment in constant renewal through the sacraments. 6. The Church is Catholic because her mission is to all nations and to bring the totality of the Christian Faith. We must work and pray to bring non practicing Catholics back to church and also promote unity with non Catholic Christians by our Faith and witness. We have a special affinity to those of the Jewish faith as the first to receive the Word of God. Many non Christian faiths reflect God's truth and goodness. We must foster understanding with other religions for the common good. Non Christians can be saved if they sincerely seek God and follow their conscience. Those who know the truth of the Church and reject it imperil their salvation. 7. Christ founded the Church upon the Apostles when he "sent" them to proclaim the Good News. The Church adheres to and hands on the teachings of the Apostles. The bishops are the successors of the Apostles in communion with the Successor of Peter. By the Sacrament of Holy Orders the mission and power of the Apostles are transmitted to their successors, the bishops, thereby maintaining the link to the Church's Apostolic mission, faith and origins. 8. Our obligation to be One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic is a reality in the Church which we must individually give witness to in our personal and community life, to fail to give this witness is to fail at being one, holy, Catholic and apostolic. It is to fail at being the church of Christ. 9. We must be for others, live, breath, eat, sleep, think, work, rest, pray for others. Whether in person, by mail, by phone or the Internet, our communication with others must include the Trinity, all for one and one for all as Jesus taught us.