Living the Faith

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Living the Faith

“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”
Acts 20:24

Christian faith is not primarily a set of principles or a philosophy to follow; rather, it is a way of life. It involves seeing the world in the light of the Gospel and striving to live in accordance with it. No two lives are exactly the same: each person experiences their own joys and struggles, failures and successes. Yet everyone lives guided by what they believe to be important, right, and life-giving.

For Christians, this guidance comes from the teachings of Jesus and the faith as presented by the Church. Each person is invited to live their own unique life shaped by this faith. Whether rich or poor, young or old, healthy or ill, married or single—whatever one’s background, strengths, or weaknesses—Catholics believe that life can be meaningful, fruitful, and fulfilled when lived according to the teachings offered by Christ and His Church.

A way of Life

Catholicism is more than a set of beliefs; it is a way of life, a Christian way of life – primarily a life  driven by the acceptance of the teachings of Christ and formed on prayer. However, there are obligations that must be observed including:

  • The attendance of Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation
  • The sacrament of reconciliation (Confession)
  • To receive communion
  • To observe the rules on fasting and abstinence
  • To obey the marriage laws of the Church
  • To support the Church

The Church’s Year

There are seasons to the Liturgical Year each represent significant events in the life of Jesus, each is marked by the use of certain prayer, scripture readings and colours (Both worn by the clergy and via the Altar cloth)

beginning on the first Sunday of Advent, where in Church the Prophet’s Candle is lit to symbolise Hope, we wait for the arrival of Jesus;

Christmas where we learn the story of Jesus’ birth and celebrate his gift;

Epiphany the revelation of Jesus to the world;

Lent, a time of repentance and fasting which lasts for 40 days to remind us of the Hebrew’s 40 years of wandering in the wilderness and Jesus’s 40 days of testing in the wilderness, begins with Ash Wednesday and

takes us to Holy Week – the most sacred of days encompassing Palm Sunday, Holy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday;

Easter; tells of Jesus resurrection from the dead, his appearance to Mary and his disciples and his ascension into Heaven.

Then comes Pentecost (also known as Whitsun), this season marks the fulfilment of Jesus’ promise to gift the Holy Spirit to his disciples, to baptise them with the Holy Spirit, remembered as the birth of the Church as the disciples moved to Evangelise and bring people into the family of the Church.

Throughout the year there are further feast and holy days such as:

Candlemass – (or The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple) – when Jesus is presented at the temple as a baby to be inducted int the Jewish faith
The Annunciation – when the Angel Gabriel appears to Mary to announce that she will conceive a child.
All Saints Day – commemorates the belief that there is life after death, where all those that follow Christ will be reunited in heaven.
All Souls Day – a commemoration of those that have died.
Mothering Sunday – a time to remember and be thankful for the Mother Church and are all mothers everywhere.
Trinity Sunday – celebrating the “Trinity” of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit
Corpus Christi – Latin for Body of Christ – we celebrate the Eucharist – where through the power of the Holy Spirit we offer bread and wine to God and it becomes the body and blood of Our Lord.
The Assumption – marking the taking up into heaven of Mary, the Mother of Jesus.

Retreats and Pilgrimages

Catholics are encouraged to partake in both Retreats and Pilgrimages both designed to bring you closer to God.

Retreats are designed to allow you to step away from daily life to pray, reflect, heal and encounter God. Retreats can be guided, focused on service, silent or stays at monastic houses.

Pilgrimages  – a journey (often walked in the footsteps of saints and martyrs) to enrich the spirit, deepen the connection to faith and our relationship with God.
Important destinations are, The Holy Lands, Knock in Ireland and Guadalupe in Mexico, Lourdes France, Fatima Portugal, Vatican City and the Camino de Santiago.