The document discusses a confirmation class being held at St. Joseph's Cathedral. It includes an opening prayer, introductions between students, and a discussion of the Church in light of biblical covenants. The class covers how Jesus fulfilled God's promises by establishing the Church and the kingdom of God present through faith in Christ and membership in the Catholic Church.

1. St. Joseph’s Cathedral
Cathedral Confirmation ClassCathedral Confirmation Class
Chapter 3 – The Church in Light of the CovenantsChapter 3 – The Church in Light of the Covenants

2. The Church: The Church in Light of the Covenants
Poornima D’SouzaPoornima D’Souza
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3. Prayer - The Apostle's Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of
heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son,
our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius
Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He
descended into hell; the third day He rose again from
the dead; He ascended into heaven, is seated at the
right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence
He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I
believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church,
the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the
resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
Goal : Learn about the Church as recited in the Creed

4. Reflect on what you hear...
*New Learning
*Ah-ha's
*Connections
Discussion Guide

5. First, Let’s get to know each other…
 When you think about Jesus – what is the first thing that comes to mind?
 If you could add two commandments to the existing ten, what would they be?
 What is the kindest thing that someone has ever done for you?
 Weirdest thing you have ever eaten?
 What do you think delights God above everything else?
 Besides murder and violence – what do you think the worst kind of sin is?
 What are the best parts about being a part of St. Joseph’s Cathedral?
 What is your favorite bumper sticker?
 When you were small – which superhero did you like?
 If you could change the world what would you do?
Introduce yourself and answer one question from the list below:

6. Self Expression Through Art.
Instructions for the activity
Take 5 minutes to draw a picture that conveys who you are!
No words or numbers.
I will collect the pictures from you.
Show the pictures to the group
You try to guess who drew it.
 Each artist will then explain how your work expresses who you
are!

7. Ch:2 – Review – 2 mins
 review your notes
 consult with your partner to fill in missing points and
seek clarification
 fill in the gaps

8. Ch:2 – Review
 After the Fall, God promised to send a
Redeemer, the “seed” of the woman who
would bruise the head of the serpent.
 This is the Protoevangelium – discussion today
 God makes covenants in the Old Testament with
people like Abraham, Noah, Moses, David.
 The great nation promised to Abraham is first
realized in the people of Israel.
 The prophet Jeremiah spoke of a “new covenant”
that God would establish with his people.
 God’s aim in salvation history was and remains to
restore the communion (friendship) b/w humanity
and himself broken by Original Sin.

10. Chapter 3 – The Church in Light of the CovenantsChapter 3 – The Church in Light of the Covenants
This chapter we will discuss…
The way God completed the plan.
The Church founded by Christ
Fulfillment of the covenants and promises
of the Old Testament

11. Ch:3 – Learning Objectives
 To Understand that Christ fulfills the promise of
a Redeemer made in the Protoeveangelium of
Genesis.
 To learn that Christ is King
 but of a kingdom not of this world.
 Christ calls all people to enter the kingdom through
faith and repentance
 the Kingdom of God is present in the Church

12. Talk to your partner – discuss the answer
Report out to the group:
Why did Jesus come into the world?

13. The Birth of our Savior and King
 The Protoeveangelium in Genesis – God promised
a Redeemer.
 The incarnation fulfills this promise.

Annunciation – Mary would conceive and name her child
Jesus and he would have the throne of David and reign
over the house of Jacob.
 (This is why the Gospels begin with Genealogies, to prove Jesus’ ancestry to David and Jacob).

Jesus means “Savior” and he will be the Messiah or
Christ meaning “anointed one” = King.
 Christ came as a king and heir of David but it
wasn’t the kingdom most Jews were expecting

14. The Kingdom of God
 The Kingdom of God is a key theme of Jesus’
public ministry.
 The “good news” or Gospel of salvation is the
preaching of his kingdom

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand;
repent, and believe in the gospel.” Mk 1:15
 Christ invites everyone to respond to the good news through
reception of the Gospel message and their repentance. This is
how they enter his kingdom.

15. Speaking in Parables
 Jesus teaches us about the Kingdom through
Parables

Parable of the Sower

Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds

Parable of the Mustard Seed
Video ~Matthew 13:24-43 Parable of the Weeds, Mustard Seed, Yeast and Explanation
http://catholicconfirmation.wikispaces.com/Chapter3

16. The Kingdom of God
 Pope Benedict XVI says the Kingdom of God is…

…Christ present among us now

…Present in the hearts of the faithful who follow the
Gospel message

…Is the Church, as we grow in holiness toward heaven.

17. Talk to your partner – discuss the answer
Report out to the group:
Where is the Kingdom of God?

18. The Kingdom of God ~Visible and Invisible
 The Kingdom of God exists perfectly only in
Heaven, but is present now to us in imperfect ways.
 The Kingdom is invisible as a spiritual reality within
the hearts of the faithful.
 It is a state of communion or friendship b/w God
and humans that God intended at creation.
 The faithful and the structure of the Church are the
visible presence of the Kingdom on earth.

19.  Christ appointed twelve Apostles to be with him
and sent them out to preach. (Mk 3:14-15)
They were the leaders of all the followers of
Christ which are called disciples
 Jesus equipped the twelve to be the foundation
of his Church.
 The Apostles would lead the Church until the
end of time by appointing successors to fulfill
their responsibilities
 Those successors are called Bishops
Christ Calls the Twelve Apostles

20.  St. John proclaimed Jesus to be “the lamb of
God, who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn
1:29) at the start of Jesus’ public ministry
 Video ~ The Passover Lamb
http://catholicconfirmation.wikispaces.com/Chapter3
The New Passover

21.  Jews – The lamb was tied to the Passover
lamb, symbolizing Israel’s salvation from
slavery in Egypt in the time of Moses
 The blood of the sacrificed lamb was sprinkled
on doorposts and homes to protect Israelites
from the 10th
plague and helped free them from
captivity
 The Jews celebrated Passover every year to
remind them of God’s rescue from Egypt.
The New Passover

22.  Passover Lamb symbolizes Israelites
deliverance from slavery
 Jesus as the new lamb would be sacrificed and
shed his blood to deliver all humanity from
slavery to sin
 Christ was this New Lamb as pointed out by
John the Baptist
The New Passover

23.  Last Supper LK 22:19-20 (p.27 in red).
 This is the institution of the Sacrament of the Eucharist, the first Mass,
and beginning of the “new covenant”.
 Christ is present in the Eucharist in a unique way called the Real
Presence.
 His Body and Blood are truly present after the consecration of the bread
and wine by the priests.
Consecration of the Holy Eucharist
Video - http://catholicconfirmation.wikispaces.com/Chapter3
The Last Supper

24.  The Church fulfills the promise made after the Fall of Adam and Eve
 The Church fulfills the covenants with Noah, Abraham, Moses, David
The Church Fulfills the Covenants and Promises
Old Testament New Testament
Adam - Disobedience New Adam- Christ – Obedience/death
on a cross
Noah - Flood waters Christ – waters of the Sacrament of
Baptism
Abraham - blessing Christ - extends God’s blessing -
world
Moses – Qahal -
Assembly
Christ – Church – Assembly
Twelve Tribes of
Israel
Twelve Apostles

25. The Church Fulfills the Covenants and Promises

26. The Church Fulfills the Covenants and Promises

27. Conclusion
 “The Old Testament is revealed in the New”
St. Augustine
 we come to understand the Old Testament
covenants and prophesies and events better after
we read the New Testament.
 The Old Testament points to and foreshadows the
New Testament events always leading/pointing to
Jesus Christ.

28. Complete the work sheet

29. Questions or Comments

30. References
 Hahn, S. The Church: Sacrament of Salvation (1998). Didache Series: Midwest Theological
Forum
 http://www.stjosephcathedral.net/
 http://www.omniglot.com/
 www.wolframalpha.com
 http://www.peternewbury.org/
 http://jackywinter.com/
 http://insight.typepad.co.uk/
 http://www.funny-icebreaker-questions.com/
 http://www.bannersandawards.com/
 http://www.jacobswellnj.org/
 http://whatshotn.wordpress.com/
 http://thegospelmessenger.weebly.com/uploads
 http://www.crossroad.to/

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32. THE END.