We Believe

A junior high catechist writes that he does the following exchange with his students:

If you meet someone at an airport or wherever and said you were Roman Catholic, and they asked what you believe, what would you say? Suppose they were Muslim, Buddhist, or another Christian denomination.

I tell them the answer can be found in something we say at EVERY MASS!!!

Our Profession of Faith.

We then review it word for word, slowly. We discover it is the fabric of our Faith and with that said Faith is the gift from God to believe!

I challenge them to not just chime the words……we believe…da…da….da. and instead say it OUTLOUD and confirm our belief as Roman Catholics!

To that, I say, “Amen!”

About Joe Paprocki 2742 Articles
Joe Paprocki, DMin, is National Consultant for Faith Formation at Loyola Press, where, in addition to his traveling/speaking responsibilities, he works on the development team for faith formation curriculum resources including Finding God: Our Response to God’s Gifts and God’s Gift: Reconciliation and Eucharist. Joe has more than 35 years of experience in ministry and has presented keynotes, presentations, and workshops in more than 100 dioceses in North America. Joe is a frequent presenter at national conferences including the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, the Mid-Atlantic Congress, and the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership. He is the author of numerous books, including the best seller The Catechist’s Toolbox, A Church on the Move, Under the Influence of Jesus, and Called to Be Catholic—a bilingual, foundational supplemental program that helps young people know their faith and grow in their relationship with God. Joe is also the series editor for the Effective Catechetical Leader and blogs about his experiences in faith formation at www.catechistsjourney.com.

5 Comments

  1. Good idea however the same creed is recited by most Protestant denominations as well as Catholics. It’s great that we have common beliefs. What makes us different? Liturgy and the sacraments, certain moral teachings, what else?

  2. Good point, Lauretta. Certainly our sacramentality is the key. Also, our hierarchy, our understanding of the Church as the Mystical Body of Christ, our understanding of Tradition. What else?

  3. Lauretta, good article from a good source (American Catholic) and a good author (Thomas Groome). Note at the end of the article, that it is drawn from a book that Groome has written on the subject.

  4. Good call with the protestant version!
    However I am sure they do not say “We believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*