Faith is the courage to accept acceptance.
- Paul Tillich
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.
Amen
Religion is grounded in human experience. Amongst life's tensions, pleasures, happiness, contentment, disappointments and ambiguities we sometimes experience that something else may be going on. The something else can be a dramatic event or it may be the peace of a sleeping baby, a beautiful song, the briskness of an early morning walk or a day with friends.
This 'something else' can also be described as the other - a sacred moment - the ultimate or a transcendent experience.
Religion is a human activity which attempts to relate our life to this something else, the other, which may be at work in our universe.
For Christians, these glimpses of the other are glimpses of God. Our clearest glimpse of God however comes in Jesus, his unconditional love, his befriending of society's outcasts, his concern for the poor and hungry, his compassionate healing of the sick, his promotion of a just society and the ultimate redeeming sacrifice of his life.
God's Spirit brings peace, patience, kindness, tolerance, generosity, gentleness, tenderness, perseverence, serenity, openness, respect for the freedom of others.
Any holiness the Church has, any work of service or act of love a member of the Church does is the gift of the Holy Spirit. To people of faith the Holy Spirit is the intangible presence, the giver of life the animating force that unites humanity today, enlives people and enables them to relate with God.
This understanding and the courage it takes to rist being accepted by God, is itself a gift. Faith is not self evident and lacks empirical proof. It is not so much a matter of the mind comprehending something so much as the whole person being drawn into friendship with God. Faith is not an act but a way of life, and as such is also expressed through a life of love, lived in hope.
To bring the Good News to all who have not heard it and to serve the needs of the community is the mission of the Church and intrinsic to its life of faith. For example, when a member of the Church shows compassion to another person, God is seen to be compassionate.
"We are called by the Gospel to share our faith with others but our witness must be authentic. The rediscovery of our own faith is the precondition for making Christ known, because faith alive is the only witness that will be heard in a society which has not understood the Christian story, or has not yet heard it."
- from 'Faith Alive', NZ Catholic bishops 1999
Christians share a common vocation to follow the call of Christ to become witnesses to his Gospel. A number are called to serve and witness as priests and/or members of a religious order.
In the light of our faith the Nathaniel Centre seeks to bring understanding to often complex bioethical issues.
FaithCentral is an internet-based resource that seeks to promote the special character and support the teaching of religious education in Catholic secondary schools.
Caritas Aotearoa-New Zealand advises the Catholic bishops on social justice issues and manages the Church's aid and development programmes.
The NCRS runs adult extramural courses in faith and personal development, scripture, Church history and sexuality. It is also responsible for religious education programmes in schools and parishes.
The NZCEO works with schools and dioceses to promote an understanding of Catholic education and liaises with government departments and other relevant organisations on matters relating to Catholic integrated schools.
Mahitahi means 'people working together' and this office seeks to find people with skills and expertise to work on projects in Oceania, in partnership with the local people.
As part of the unceasing quest to draw all Christians together, the Catholic Church is actively involved in faith sharing, dialogue, liturgy and community projects. The National Commission for Ecumenism advises the Church in its search for Christian unity.
The Catholic Enquiry Centre provides information about the Catholic faith to all enquirers.
The National Liturgy Commission is responsible for the development of liturgical practice and understanding, providing the Church with a pool of expertise in liturgical matters.
Copyright 2008 Catholic Communications for the NZ Catholic Bishops' Conference
