Inspired Catholic...Yes, We Exist!

by Tina Coffey

My tagline for Parish Book Clubs is: Be informed, be inspired, be active, and be Catholic.  I arrived at this after pondering what things had transpired inside of me to change me from who I was to who I am now on the journey to become.   For me personally, I love experiencing those “Ah hah!” moments.  Whether the inspiration comes from a movie, a book, prayer, or even some encounter in nature - it is that moment when you feel like you have a new understanding or perspective of something and you just marvel at it.  Some may recognize it as divine revelation.

As a cradle Catholic my faith is certainly something I always loved but definitely did not fully understand or appreciate.  Like so many Catholics, I went through the motions but considered myself a fairly good person because I attended Mass regularly.  By the grace of God, somewhere along the way, something began to change inside of me.  

I wouldn’t say that I experienced some radical conversion.  Rather, my transformation was a slow process.  In retrospect, I’m amazed at God’s infinite patience with me.  In recent years, my love, understanding, appreciation, and fervor for my Catholic faith has grown exponentially.  I can’t seem to learn enough.  I consume books and articles, video presentations and even classes and they only seem to make me hungry for more.  

How did this happen?  Ten years ago, my weekend reading consisted of whatever weekly gossip magazine was available at the grocery store checkout.  I enjoyed this type of reading knowing that what was printed might or might not be true but I justified it because I told myself, “I just want to mentally check out and not have to think.”  While there is not really anything wrong with that, I have come to appreciate my time here on earth and I don’t want to waste it “not thinking.”  

Tonight I watched a Youtube video as part of some supplemental material for a class I’m taking.  The video is a presentation by Christopher West who is known for his work regarding Theology of the Body.  Theology of the Body is a teaching that Pope John Paul II first revealed to the world.  I will admit that I started to read one of West’s books on the topic but had trouble getting into the book. Until I started taking this class, I was familiar with the subject matter but not thoroughly educated on it.   However, after watching tonight’s video, I feel like I had one of those “Ah Hah” moments.  

West said something in the video that literally brought me to tears.  He describes the analogous relationship of Jesus and the Church to that of a husband and wife.  As in a human marriage, the wife must be open to receiving the husband’s seed.  Only then can she have life within her.  In the same way, the Church which is made up of all of humanity must be open to the gift of divine life being offered by Christ.  What he said next is what really opened my mind up to a new thought.  Mary was so open to God’s will that she was able to literally conceive divine life within her.  Think about that for a moment.

By the grace of God, here was a human being who was conceived without sin.  There was no sin within her.  Sin is what blocks us from God.  It is what separates us from our loving Father.  She had no sin and because of that fact and the fact that she chose to conform her will to His, that Divine Life was made manifest in her womb.  That is powerful!!!

I’ve learned over the years that if I have difficulty grasping something I may have to put it down for a while and come back to it at a later time.  Sometimes we just aren’t ready to understand something fully or appreciate what it has to offer us.  I will be picking up that book on Theology of the Body and attempting to read it again.  

It is a great feeling to be inspired.  We can’t be inspired unless something prompts us.  I want Catholics to take a second look at their faith.  Pick up a book and actively pursue learning more.  If you have a disagreement with Catholic teaching, learn about it.  You will be amazed at why the Church teaches what she teaches!  Once you begin to learn and have those “Ah Hah” moments, you will find yourself motivated to take action in the world around you and then somewhere along the way, you will realize that you are in fact a Catholic!

*Note:  You can find that Christopher West video and books by West here.


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A Priest's Point of View on Celibacy

by Tina Coffey

Have you ever wondered what priests think of the vow of celibacy?  Personally there are aspects of the religious life I've always been curious about.  It wasn't until recent years when I became actively involved in my parish and had the opportunity to get to know my priests that I discovered they are actually regular people!  I certainly recognize that they have an indelible mark on their souls as a result of Holy Orders and because of them we are able to receive the Sacraments.  This is something we can never take for granted.  We should pray for our priests and appreciate them.  

What I mean is that they enjoy regular things like everyone else. One of our parish priests is an avid golfer and boxes to stay in shape.  The other has quite the sense of humor and has just taken up learning how to cook.  The post below is from a young priest who was a former associate pastor in my local parish and low and behold, he is a regular guy too!  The following is a reprinted post that he shared on facebook (It has been reprinted with his permission).  He is a great example of the kinds of priests that are coming out of the seminary in recent years. They are passionate about the Catholic faith and not afraid profess what she stands for.

Read what Father Joe Post says about priestly celibacy:

As Pope Francis continues making waves with his humble and passionate service to the Church as Pope, I'm assured that his love and commitment to the celibate life is an important part of that sustaining humility and passion.

Since I have been ordained almost 6 years now, I have been asked numerous times why priests are still "forced" to be celibate? or When will the Church finally get with the modern times and change it? As this article states, "No one understands it anymore." Well first of all, celibacy is not "forced" upon any man that answers the call to the priesthood. Many are called and few are chosen, and that few choose to sacrifice and offer up that part of their lives for the greater glory of the Church. Let's face it in real terms, sex is a beautiful part of the way we love one another. It comes with a great responsibility. This responsibility, fully lived out within the sacrament of marriage, expresses the two becoming one flesh, and bringing life into the world. What a great joy and a great responsiblity by a husband and wife to live out that love. In the same way, celibacy is that same love, sacrificed and offered by a priest as a gift to the Church. Although the physical actions aren't a part of it, the disposition of the priest's heart and love are directed to the Church. Even married couples are called to celibacy at times in their marriage. Yet "sex" is merely fornication, aka a sin, unless the heart is directed in love and humility for the other and is open to life. Likewise a priest whose heart is not focused and humbled for the good of the faith in service to the Church will also find himself in sin and his ministry will be misguided. Celibacy is a wonderful gift, that like sex within marriage, if properly lived out has amazing life-giving and sustaining ability. 

Secondly, just because common society has lost its understanding on what celibacy is, does not mean that we should abolish it to get with the times. If the Church applied this idealogy to other parts of it's ministry, we would be the Church of "here today, gone tomorrow." If it not understood or appreciated, all the more opportunity to education on what a gift it is. There is a tragic and fatal movement of approach and understanding moving through our society, that when encounter Definitions and Traditions that we no longer agree with, we need to simply re-define them or abolish them. This is fatal to the sustaining of any body of people because it throws out long-standing beliefs and customs that have endured centuries of growth and success, unity and virtue. Creating a "whimsicle society" that wants to constantly change and re-define itself leads to fragmentation and ultimately failure. 

One of the aspects of the "Priesthood Scandal" is just how tragic the impact of the heinous actions of those priests were felt in the world. Why? well because the reality of it is that people know that their priests are called to live that life of virtue and sacrifice, and to lose that focus on virtue and sacrifice, they not just affect their own identity, but more so the identity of the Church they serve and the image of Christ. 

The spousal love I have for the Church, is a complete offering of self to her service. As great and wonderful the joy a couple shares in that nuptial union, that same joy is experienced in the many different sacraments I celibrate. For it is not the physical action that defines the joy and the gift, but the heart that is open and offering that outward sign of love. Besides, not every aspect of love will ever be understood in this life, part of the mystery of love, is just that, to remain a mystery that continues to draw us closer to the author and creator of love, Christ. For man is not created to know and understand everything. For where we are limited as individuals, we are unlimited in our community. That community (the Church) is brought forth and sustained by both a nuptial of man and woman (Married life), and a celibate love (priesthood) that make together live out the Sacraments we are given.

As Pope Francis continues making waves with his humble and passionate service to the Church as Pope, I'm assured that his love and commitment to the celibate life is an important part of that sustaining humility and passion.

Since I have been ordained almost 6 years now, I have been asked numerous times why priests are still "forced" to be celibate? or When will the Church finally get with the modern times and change it? As this article states, "No one understands it anymore." Well first of all, celibacy is not "forced" upon any man that answers the call to the priesthood. Many are called and few are chosen, and that few choose to sacrifice and offer up that part of their lives for the greater glory of the Church. Let's face it in real terms, sex is a beautiful part of the way we love one another. It comes with a great responsibility. This responsibility, fully lived out within the sacrament of marriage, expresses the two becoming one flesh, and bringing life into the world. What a great joy and a great responsiblity by a husband and wife to live out that love. In the same way, celibacy is that same love, sacrificed and offered by a priest as a gift to the Church. Although the physical actions aren't a part of it, the disposition of the priest's heart and love are directed to the Church. Even married couples are called to celibacy at times in their marriage. Yet "sex" is merely fornication, aka a sin, unless the heart is directed in love and humility for the other and is open to life. Likewise a priest whose heart is not focused and humbled for the good of the faith in service to the Church will also find himself in sin and his ministry will be misguided. Celibacy is a wonderful gift, that like sex within marriage, if properly lived out has amazing life-giving and sustaining ability. 

Secondly, just because common society has lost its understanding on what celibacy is, does not mean that we should abolish it to get with the times. If the Church applied this idealogy to other parts of it's ministry, we would be the Church of "here today, gone tomorrow." If it not understood or appreciated, all the more opportunity to education on what a gift it is. There is a tragic and fatal movement of approach and understanding moving through our society, that when encounter Definitions and Traditions that we no longer agree with, we need to simply re-define them or abolish them. This is fatal to the sustaining of any body of people because it throws out long-standing beliefs and customs that have endured centuries of growth and success, unity and virtue. Creating a "whimsicle society" that wants to constantly change and re-define itself leads to fragmentation and ultimately failure. 

One of the aspects of the "Priesthood Scandal" is just how tragic the impact of the heinous actions of those priests were felt in the world. Why? well because the reality of it is that people know that their priests are called to live that life of virtue and sacrifice, and to lose that focus on virtue and sacrifice, they not just affect their own identity, but more so the identity of the Church they serve and the image of Christ. 

The spousal love I have for the Church, is a complete offering of self to her service. As great and wonderful the joy a couple shares in that nuptial union, that same joy is experienced in the many different sacraments I celibrate. For it is not the physical action that defines the joy and the gift, but the heart that is open and offering that outward sign of love. Besides, not every aspect of love will ever be understood in this life, part of the mystery of love, is just that, to remain a mystery that continues to draw us closer to the author and creator of love, Christ. For man is not created to know and understand everything. For where we are limited as individuals, we are unlimited in our community. That community (the Church) is brought forth and sustained by both a nuptial of man and woman (Married life), and a celibate love (priesthood) that make together live out the Sacraments we are given.


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Redefining Things

by Tina Coffey

Something has been on my mind lately.  It is the effort that human beings make to re-define things. Let me make clear before I go any further that I do not believe in discrimination of any form.  I believe firmly that we are all beloved children of our Heavenly Father and I believe that He calls each and every one of us into relationship with Him.  We are all uniquely created.  Each of us has gifts but as a result of original sin, each of us also has tendencey toward sin.  I believe that our tendencies toward sin are as unique as our gifts.  

That being said, I want to focus on one particular thing:  re-defining things.  I started researching the definition of "marriage" and where the term came from.  I also looked into the history of marriage and I found that based on what resource I look at, the definition is different.  Most people who have a strong opinion about the subject know that the Catholic church defines marriage as "a covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament." (CCC 1601)  This is the definition I choose to believe because, as a result of my free will, I have chosen to be obedient to the Catholic Church.

I consider myself open to listening to others even though I may not agree with them.  I started thinking.  Why do we have a definition for anything if everyone has their own explanation for something?  Some people will look at history, others the bible, still others look to themselves to define things.  As I pondered this, I thought is there any authority that is undeniable that everyone must accept as fact?  Then it came to me!

What is?  What is - is the answer!  I realize this may not make sense at first and some may try to misinterpret it. Let me offer an explanation.  In the natural world the union between a man and a woman produces life.  Without this, the human population would go extinct.  That is a fact.  Ideally, the union should be exclusively between one man and one woman and happen in a natural way.  Otherwise other conflicts arise.

I think by re-defining words, particularly words pertaining to things that exist in nature we kind of "devalue" definitions altogether. 


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The Value of the Rosary

by Tina Coffey

The following selection is taken from a brief personal testimony that I was asked to share with my parish church several years ago.  I still strive to say the rosary daily.  Sometimes I am more successful than other times.  I can tell you that when I have been vigilent in my desire, the Lord has granted me peace and vision.  I think it is worth sharing, especially for readers who may not see the value in this prayer.  

When I sat down to write this, I asked myself if this was possible. How am I going to truly reach hundreds of people in a matter of minutes? Rather than continue to tell myself how impossible this was, I decided to pick up the very tool that I was challenged to share with you today. I picked up my rosary and began to pray. The following is what God gave to me. I ask you to open your minds and hearts to hear my story.

What is the Rosary? It is the truth, a history, a weapon against evil, and finally a tool that can increase faith and grace.

The Rosary is the story of a real family and the events in their lives.

It is the story of good news, a visit with a family member you love, the birth of a new baby. It is proud moments parents have for their child and also the fear and worry a parent experiences.

It is life's celebrations and miracles: baptisms, weddings, living out your calling,

It is tragedy: worry and fear, facing fears, facing the evil in this world, and finally facing and coming to terms with death.

It is overcoming the odds, winning a battle that seems impossible, experiencing justice, and eternal rewards.

All the events I named are not generic life events but real emotions and experiences felt and lived by Mary, Joseph, and Jesus.

The rosary is not just a set of beads used as a guide for repetition. It is the symbol of the story of the life of Jesus. Knowing and meditating on his story causes growth in our spirits and strength for our souls. It connects us to him as human beings who experience the same things and enlightens us in our own struggles.

I am a cradle catholic who lived a typical life of catholic school and going to mass on Sundays - not much else. I miscarried a baby 12 years ago and faced the question we all face. Why God?? Why have you abandoned me? When you ask that question, just as Jesus did on the cross, it is not abandonment but rather an invitation by God to make a choice: "Turn towards me and I will give you what you need or turn away and lose everything."

I chose to turn toward him because I felt I had no alternative. I was desperate for children and I knew He was the only way. I found peace and safety in the rosary because I felt, "who would understand my pain better than the Blessed Mother." It was a baby step, that has led to hundreds of baby steps in my faith.

Faith is not a giant leap you can take and be done with. It is a lifetime of steps forward and backward. Each step gives you growth, knowledge, peace, and understanding.

I challenge and invite each of you to pick up a rosary. Learn how to pray it. Take a baby step on your path towards communion with God.
As Catholics we use the terms communion and eucharist synonymously. Our goal as a parish council is to recognize and share that the eucharist is in fact the source and summit of our faith.


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Defining Freedom

by Tina Coffey

Lately with all that is happening in the United States, I have been thinking a lot about freedom and what it really is.  I looked up the definition of freedom and it reads: "the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint."  That seems simple and clear enough but there is another aspect to freedom that I want to touch upon.  The part of this defintion that I want to focus on is the part that reads "as one wants."

Why do we, as human beings "want" things?  More specifically, what kinds of things do we want?  I think it is fair to assume that we want health, happiness, security, good relationships, and so on.  Many of us also want nice things like homes, cars, money in the bank, and other material things.  Those things in and of themselves aren't bad things.  Many also value the freedom to say whatever we want and to do whatever we want.  In America especially, we value this idea of "freedom."

I would pose this question:  Are you a slave to the things that you want?  By this I mean, do the things that you want control your decision making?  If they do, you aren't actually free at all.  You are a slave.

Let's go back to the dictionary.  The definition of a slave reads: "a person who is the legal property of another and is forced to obey them."  Now this part gets kind of tricky because it involves being super honest with yourself.  We all have these internal conversations where we justify things and they can happen almost in an unconscious way.  Are you a slave to the things you want?

I will use myself as an example.  I like clothes, jewelry, purses, shoes, etc...  What the heck?  I like shopping in general.  Not just shopping for myself but for my children and my husband.  When I'm shopping, I have these little internal conversations with myself where I justify why I should get something.  "It's on sale and with my coupon, I really can't pass it up."  "I need this because it will make me look skinny."  "My old black boots are really outdated.  These are better"  You get the idea.  But the problem is that the desire isn't fulfilled by buying things.  In fact, I find when I shop sometimes the desire increases.  Do I really need these things?  Of course not!  I want them.  Am I always in control of the situation.  Honestly, no.  I can go in my closet right now and pull out half of the items and I would never miss them.

Some people would argue that I'm not hurting anyone, so what is the big deal.  The big deal is that when we let our desires - the things we "want" control our decision making, we are in fact slaves!

This same thought process holds true for the big issues like abortion, sex outside of marriage, contraception, murder, rape, stealing, over-eating, etc...  I know, I know.  I'm stepping on toes with some of those topics, but this is the part where you've got to be honest with yourself.

Envision a world where we humans had self-discipline and instead of doing anything we wanted, we did what we should do - the right thing.  Can you imagine?  I think of John Lennon's famous words:  "Imagine all the people, living life in peace."  

I know we are not perfect and are incapable of doing the right thing all of the time, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try. Pray for God's grace when you are struggling with temptation. Think of these lines from the "Our Father" - "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."  God's will is what is done in Heaven.  That's why it's heaven.  When our will aligns with his, imagine how great our world will be. Receive the Sacraments regularly and you will be amazed at how what you want becomes the right thing.  Truly become free.

“The good man is free, even if he is a slave. The evil man is a slave, even if he is a king.”

—St. Augustine of Hippo


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Sleeping in Eucharistic Adoration?

by Tina Coffey

At our recent book club meeting one of our questions centered around the noise and business of life and how to escape it.  We have a diverse group in our book club which, I think, is a good thing.  Because of this, I purposefully posed the question, "Is there anyone present who has never been to Eucharistic Adoration and if not what may be holding you back?"  I made sure to offer possible reasons like:  not sure what to do, don't have the time, etc...  I wasn't trying make anyone uncomfortable by posing this question but rather I was trying to open up an opportunity for questions and discussion.  It worked!  We had two people share that they had never been and immediately other group members started sharing how wonderful their experience was in Adoration. The conversation continued as people shared the peace they experience and how they look forward to that hour.  People were also honest about how sometimes getting there may be inconvenient but once there, it was worth it.

However, as we all began to share our experiences candidly something else came out.  Nearly everyone admitted to having fallen asleep in Eucharistic Adoration.  Now I will admit that I have fallen asleep on more than one occasion and as I shared with the group, I always felt bad and was reminded of when Jesus reprimanded the disciples for falling asleep in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:39-46).  But after listening to everyone else share the same experience, it got me thinking.  I went back and looked at that passage in Luke.  Jesus says, "Why are you sleeping?  Get up and pray that you may not undergo the test?" When we are with Jesus in adoration, we aren't really with Him in a similar circumstance.

So I explored another quote that kept coming into my mind as I pondered this.  It is St. Augustine's famous quote, ""You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you."  This one really resounded with me because Adoration is where we go to just "be" with our Lord.  When I go, I truly feel myself begin to "rest."  I don't mean that I purposefully go in to take a nap.  I mean that when I walk in my mind is racing with all of stuff that consumes us in this world.  "What is the best school for my son?"  "We need to save more money."  "How secure is my husband's job?" You know the drill.  We are absolutely consumed with the worries of this world.  When I step into that chapel, slowly these things seem to melt away and I am just with my God.  There are times when I pray the rosary or go there to read a book that I really need to focus on.  Mostly I just go in to be quiet and listen.  I always think of this verse when I go in:  "Be still and know that I am God."  (Psalm 46:10) That may be my favorite verse in the bible.  "Be still...know that I am God."  You could ponder those words for a lifetime and still not completely be able to believe them or understand them.

This stillness or rest is a gift from our Heavenly father.  He is offering us a break from ourselves and the world to experience a little taste of Heaven.  After all, Heaven is where we our with our Father forever in eternity.  Being with HIm in Eucharistic Adoration is a foretaste of that heavenly peace that surpasses all understanding that St. Paul describes to us in his letter to the Philippians.  (Philippians 4:7)  That mental rest leads inevitably to a physical rest and I guess that is why so many of us have experienced falling asleep in the presence of our Lord. 

So the next time you feel overwhelmed, anxious, worried, fearful, hopeless, or any of the other myriad or negative emotions that seem to plague us in this world, I invite you to a place of complete rest from all of these things.  I invite you to Eucharistic Adoration.

*On a side note, those two ladies received personal invitations from other group members to go to Adoration with them and will be going for the first time.  A personal invitation is always the best way to share something new with someone and to evangelize.

This classic collection offers rich meditation material before the Blessed Sacrament, providing prayerful souls with insights gleaned from the wealth of Church teaching and tradition. The selections are drawn from a variety of sources and times. They come from the Old and New Testaments, the Church Fathers, great saints, popes, councils, traditional prayers. These prayers and meditations offer a rich view of the Eucharist, and their unique perspectives are intended to aid us in our understanding, appreciation and worship of this Sacrament of Sacraments. "A treasure trove offering the finest jewels in prayer, meditation, Church teaching and the wisdom of the Fathers, all focused on Our Lord Jesus Christ present in the Holy Eucharist. This book offers so much to help us in the great revival of Eucharistic Adoration spreading through the Church." - Msgr. Peter Elliott , Author, Ceremonies of the Modern Roman Rite "This beautiful book of prayers and meditations fills a real need experienced by hundreds of thousands whose spiritual lives are being prayerfully enriched by Christ present in the Eucharist." - Fr. Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R. "A treasure-chest of the Church's prayer and devotion to the Eucharistic Lord! This book will serve as a valuable resource for one's personal prayer and reflection before the Most Blessed Sacrament." -Cardinal John O'Connor '


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What is My Purpose?

by Tina Coffey

For as long as I can remember, I have asked myself, "What is my purpose?"  Although I feel like I have a better understanding of how I'm supposed to live my life, my answer is always evolving.  I have a tendency to try to complicate things and then I just get overwhelmed and want to give up.  I have come to recognize that the devil uses this strategy to paralyze me and prevent me from doing God's work.  When I find myself falling into this trap, God speaks to me in my thoughts and reminds me to keep it simple. “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:3) 

The Balitmore Catechism poses this question:  "Why did God make you?"  The answer: "God made me to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this world, and to be happy with Him forever in the next." This seems simple enough.  Loving God is to know Him and serve Him.  

I do love God.  My mission is to show Him by doing His will and today as I read these words from the Catechism, I was reminded in a special way of what he is calling me to do, especially as a layperson.  I invite you to spend some time reading and reflecting on this section from the Catechism of the Catholic Church. 

II. THE LAY FAITHFUL

897     "The term 'laity' is here understood to mean all the faithful except those in Holy Orders and those who belong to a religious state approved by the Church. That is, the faithful, who by Baptism are incorporated into Christ and integrated into the People of God, are made sharers in their particular way in the priestly, prophetic, and kingly office of Christ, and have their own part to play in the mission of the whole Christian people in the Church and in the World."

The vocation of lay people

898     "By reason of their special vocation it belongs to the laity to seek the kingdom of God by engaging in temporal affairs and directing them according to God's will. ... It pertains to them in a special way so to illuminate and order all temporal things with which they are closely associated that these may always be effected and grow according to Christ and maybe to the glory of the Creator and Redeemer."

899     The initiative of lay Christians is necessary especially when the matter involves discovering or inventing the means for permeating social, political, and economic realities with the demands of Christian doctrine and life. This initiative is a normal element of the life of the Church:

Lay believers are in the front line of Church life; for them the Church is the animating principle of human society. Therefore, they in particular ought to have an ever-clearer consciousness not only of belonging to the Church, but of being the Church, that is to say, the community of the faithful on earth under the leadership of the Pope, the common Head, and of the bishops in communion with him. They are the Church.

900     Since, like all the faithful, lay Christians are entrusted by God with the apostolate by virtue of their Baptism and Confirmation, they have the right and duty, individually or grouped in associations, to work so that the divine message of salvation may be known and accepted by all men throughout the earth. This duty is the more pressing when it is only through them that men can hear the Gospel and know Christ. Their activity in ecclesial communities is so necessary that, for the most part, the apostolate of the pastors cannot be fully effective without it.

The participation of lay people in Christ's priestly office

901     "Hence the laity, dedicated as they are to Christ and anointed by the Holy Spirit, are marvelously called and prepared so that even richer fruits of the Spirit maybe produced in them. For all their works, prayers, and apostolic undertakings, family and married life, daily work, relaxation of mind and body, if they are accomplished in the Spirit — indeed even the hardships of life if patiently born — all these become spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. In the celebration of the Eucharist these may most fittingly be offered to the Father along with the body of the Lord. And so, worshipping everywhere by their holy actions, the laity consecrate the world itself to God, everywhere offering worship by the holiness of their lives."

902     In a very special way, parents share in the office of sanctifying "by leading a conjugal life in the Christian spirit and by seeing to the Christian education of their children."

903     Lay people who possess the required qualities can be admitted permanently to the ministries of lector and acolyte. When the necessity of the Church warrants it and when ministers are lacking, lay persons, even if they are not lectors or acolytes, can also supply for certain of their offices, namely, to exercise the ministry of the word, to preside over liturgical prayers, to confer Baptism, and to distribute Holy Communion in accord with the prescriptions of law."

Participation in Christ's prophetic office

904     "Christ ... fulfills this prophetic office, not only by the hierarchy ... but also by the laity. He accordingly both establishes them as witnesses and provides them with the sense of the faith [sensus fidei] and the grace of the word"

To teach in order to lead others to faith is the task of every preacher and of each believer.

905     Lay people also fulfill their prophetic mission by evangelization, "that is, the proclamation of Christ by word and the testimony of life." For lay people, "this evangelization ... acquires a specific property and peculiar efficacy because it is accomplished in the ordinary circumstances of the world."

This witness of life, however, is not the sole element in the apostolate; the true apostle is on the lookout for occasions of announcing Christ by word, either to unbelievers ... or to the faithful.

906     Lay people who are capable and trained may also collaborate in catechetical formation, in teaching the sacred sciences, and in use of the communications media.

907     "In accord with the knowledge, competence, and preeminence which they possess, [lay people] have the right and even at times a duty to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church, and they have a right to make their opinion known to the other Christian faithful, with due regard to the integrity of faith and morals and reverence toward their pastors, and with consideration for the common good and the dignity of persons."

II. THE LAY FAITHFUL

897     "The term 'laity' is here understood to mean all the faithful except those in Holy Orders and those who belong to a religious state approved by the Church. That is, the faithful, who by Baptism are incorporated into Christ and integrated into the People of God, are made sharers in their particular way in the priestly, prophetic, and kingly office of Christ, and have their own part to play in the mission of the whole Christian people in the Church and in the World."

The vocation of lay people

898     "By reason of their special vocation it belongs to the laity to seek the kingdom of God by engaging in temporal affairs and directing them according to God's will. ... It pertains to them in a special way so to illuminate and order all temporal things with which they are closely associated that these may always be effected and grow according to Christ and maybe to the glory of the Creator and Redeemer."

899     The initiative of lay Christians is necessary especially when the matter involves discovering or inventing the means for permeating social, political, and economic realities with the demands of Christian doctrine and life. This initiative is a normal element of the life of the Church:

Lay believers are in the front line of Church life; for them the Church is the animating principle of human society. Therefore, they in particular ought to have an ever-clearer consciousness not only of belonging to the Church, but of being the Church, that is to say, the community of the faithful on earth under the leadership of the Pope, the common Head, and of the bishops in communion with him. They are the Church.

900     Since, like all the faithful, lay Christians are entrusted by God with the apostolate by virtue of their Baptism and Confirmation, they have the right and duty, individually or grouped in associations, to work so that the divine message of salvation may be known and accepted by all men throughout the earth. This duty is the more pressing when it is only through them that men can hear the Gospel and know Christ. Their activity in ecclesial communities is so necessary that, for the most part, the apostolate of the pastors cannot be fully effective without it.

The participation of lay people in Christ's priestly office

901     "Hence the laity, dedicated as they are to Christ and anointed by the Holy Spirit, are marvelously called and prepared so that even richer fruits of the Spirit maybe produced in them. For all their works, prayers, and apostolic undertakings, family and married life, daily work, relaxation of mind and body, if they are accomplished in the Spirit — indeed even the hardships of life if patiently born — all these become spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. In the celebration of the Eucharist these may most fittingly be offered to the Father along with the body of the Lord. And so, worshipping everywhere by their holy actions, the laity consecrate the world itself to God, everywhere offering worship by the holiness of their lives."

902     In a very special way, parents share in the office of sanctifying "by leading a conjugal life in the Christian spirit and by seeing to the Christian education of their children."

903     Lay people who possess the required qualities can be admitted permanently to the ministries of lector and acolyte. When the necessity of the Church warrants it and when ministers are lacking, lay persons, even if they are not lectors or acolytes, can also supply for certain of their offices, namely, to exercise the ministry of the word, to preside over liturgical prayers, to confer Baptism, and to distribute Holy Communion in accord with the prescriptions of law."

Participation in Christ's prophetic office

904     "Christ ... fulfills this prophetic office, not only by the hierarchy ... but also by the laity. He accordingly both establishes them as witnesses and provides them with the sense of the faith [sensus fidei] and the grace of the word"

To teach in order to lead others to faith is the task of every preacher and of each believer.

905     Lay people also fulfill their prophetic mission by evangelization, "that is, the proclamation of Christ by word and the testimony of life." For lay people, "this evangelization ... acquires a specific property and peculiar efficacy because it is accomplished in the ordinary circumstances of the world."

This witness of life, however, is not the sole element in the apostolate; the true apostle is on the lookout for occasions of announcing Christ by word, either to unbelievers ... or to the faithful.

906     Lay people who are capable and trained may also collaborate in catechetical formation, in teaching the sacred sciences, and in use of the communications media.

907     "In accord with the knowledge, competence, and preeminence which they possess, [lay people] have the right and even at times a duty to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church, and they have a right to make their opinion known to the other Christian faithful, with due regard to the integrity of faith and morals and reverence toward their pastors, and with consideration for the common good and the dignity of persons."

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