3:57 PM
Christ The King Parish
The Holy Father notes insightfully that faith is not content alone. It is not merely knowledge of those intellectual propositions that one might find in the Catechism of the Catholic Church or in the documents of Vatican II. One can read and know what’s in these documents or may know the content of doctrine and devotion without ever having faith. Faith believes, but it believes ultimately in “someone”! To profess faith is to believe in one God who is love: the Father, who in the fullness of time sent his Son for our salvation; Jesus Christ, who in the mystery of his death and resurrection redeemed the world; the Holy Spirit, who leads the church across the centuries as we await the Lord’s glorious return (porta fidei, 1).
Why a Year of Faith?
Pope Benedict XVI has called for this special year as an invitation to “an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord, the one Saviour of the world” (Apostolic Letter, Porta Fidei, 6). He hopes it will inspire in all believers, “the aspiration to profess the faith in fullness and with renewed conviction, with confidence and hope. It will also be a good opportunity to intensify the celebration of the faith in the liturgy, especially in the Eucharist, which is ‘the summit towards which the activity of the Church is directed... and also the source from which all of its power flows’ (Sacrosanctum Concilium, 10). At the same time, we make it our prayer that believers’ witness of life may grow in credibility. To rediscover the content of the faith that is professed, celebrated, lived and prayed, and to reflect on the act of faith, is a task that every believer must make his own, especially in the course of this Year” (Porta fidei, 9).
Although there will be many public celebrations and common confessions of faith, the specific aim of this year is that every Christian may rediscover “the journey of faith so as to shed ever clearer light on the joy and renewed enthusiasm of the encounter with Christ” (Apostolic Letter, Porta Fidei, 2).
Your Christ the King Parish family has been very busy putting together a host of learning sessions, a Parish Mission which has been scheduled for February 16, 2013, a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land in October of 2013, and a variety of Bible Studies, Retreats, Seminars and Workshops that will take place throughout the coming year. In addition, our parish website, www.christtheking.ca, facebook page, www.facebook.com/CTKRegina, and parish bulletins will be used to share invaluable resources and reflections to help you and your family answer the Holy Father's “summons to an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord, the One Savior of the world.”
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ABOUT THE “YEAR OF FAITH”
1. What is the Year of Faith?
At certain times in the history of the Church, popes have called upon the faithful to dedicate themselves to deepening their understanding of a particular aspect of the faith. In 1967, Pope Paul VI announced a Year of Faith commemorating the 19th centenary of the martyrdom of Sts. Peter and Paul. The 1967 Year of Faith called upon the Church to recall the supreme act of witness by these two saints so that their martyrdom might inspire the present day Church to collectively and individually make a sincere profession of faith.
This upcoming Year of Faith is an opportunity for Catholics to experience a conversion – to turn back to Jesus and enter into a deeper relationship with him. The Pope has described this conversion as opening the “door of faith” (see Acts 14:27). The “door of faith” is opened at one’s baptism, but during this year Catholics are called to open it again, walk through it and rediscover and renew their relationship with Christ and his Church.
2. Why is the Year of Faith this year?
With his Apostolic Letter of October 11, 2011, Porta fidei, Pope Benedict XVI declared that the Year of Faith will begin on October 11, 2012 and conclude on November 24, 2013. October 11, the first day of the Year of Faith, is the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II) and also the twentieth anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. During the Year of Faith, Catholics are asked to study and reflect on the documents of Vatican II and the catechism so that they may deepen their knowledge of the faith.
3. How are Year of Faith and New Evangelization linked?
The New Evangelization is a call to each Catholic to deepen his or her own faith, have confidence in the Gospel, and possess a willingness to share the Gospel. The New Evangelization is first and foremost a personal encounter with Jesus Christ; it is an invitation to deepen one’s relationship with Christ. It is also a call to each person to share his or her faith with others. The Year of Faith, just like the New Evangelization, calls Catholics to conversion in order to deepen their relationship with Christ and to share it with others.
4. How does the Year of Faith affect the average Catholic?
Every baptized Catholic is called to be a disciple of Christ and proclaim the Gospel. The Year of Faith is an opportunity for each and every Catholic to live out the everyday moments of their lives with faith, hope and love. This witness is necessary for proclaiming the Gospel to family, friends, neighbours and society.
Prepared and published by Liturgy Committee
Christ the King Parish Regina
17 November 2012
Come Holy Spirit! Fill Us With The Fire Of Your Love!
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