The Church is a mystery that can never be fully understood, but is best defined as the People of God - people from all times and countries who have responded to God's call to be holy. The Church is a community of disciples who are one in their faith in Jesus, and like Jesus, the Church is both human and divine, with God present and acting within it. Jesus is the founder of the Church and the Holy Spirit sanctifies and makes the Church holy through grace, dwelling within believers.

1. The Mystery of the
Church

2. •The word church means “convocation”, or
people called together
•The Church is a mystery
•A mystery of faith can never be fully
understood

3. •The mystery of the Church can best be
defined as the People of God
-People from all times and all countries
who believe in God and have responded
to God’s call to be holy

4. •The Church is a community of disciples
•Community comes from the Latin word for
oneness; Church members are one in their
faith in Jesus
•Disciples are followers of Jesus
•Like Jesus, the Church is both human and
divine.
- It is a human society in which God is
present and acting

5. •Jesus is the founder of the Church. He spoke of
the Church as His Kingdom on Earth
•Mary was given the title Mother of the Church
during the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965)
•The Holy Spirit is the Sanctifier.
-to sanctify is to make holy. Through grace,
the Spirit dwells in us and sanctifies the
Church
-Grace is a sharing in God’s own life 

6. * St. Joseph is the patron saint of the Church