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!”
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?
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?
I was recalling this Catholic Update from a few years ago:
http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/ac0904.asp
hope the link works
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.
Good call with the protestant version!
However I am sure they do not say “We believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.”