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Lyndsey Serino Ms.

Erin Workman ENC 1101 December 3, 2013 Assignment 4 Feature Article Audience: College students in a World Religions class

A Deeper Look at the Catholic Church Community

Ever wondered what its really like to be Catholic? Weve got the inside scoop about what goes on day-to-day and how Catholics lives are really affected by their religion. This is one lesson you wont find in a textbook!

Catholic Background To start with the basics, Catholicism is a branch of Christianity. Catholics believe in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They are taught that Jesus is the miracle son of the Virgin Mary, born on Christmas day and raised from the dead on Easter. Catholics read the Bible, which contains stories from Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The Pope is the head of the church and he resides in Vatican City. Most Catholics attend a weekly mass lead by a priest. During this mass prayers are said and Communion is given out. In The Seven Sacraments order to receive this bread and body of Christ you must have received the sacrament of Holy Eucharist. Catholics undergo the seven sacraments throughout their life. They are also expected to follow the Ten Commandments.

The Ten Commandments

What does it mean to be Catholic? The Catholic faith is not a very strict religion. You dont have to stop in the middle of the street and pray at a certain time of day. You can pray whenever you want, wherever you want. Personally, I go to church once a week and do a service event for my church once a year. This does not make me any less Catholic than the man sitting in the pew next to me who attends a mass every morning! The Catholic Church is a very active community, but you decide how involved you want to be. You can donate store-bought cookies for a bake sale or you can run the whole bake sale, taking charge of who is bringing what and when they will be bringing it. No matter what part Members taking part in a bake sale

you choose, the event could not go on without both volunteers. The Catholic community posses many common traits; faith is, hands down, the greatest of them all. Being Catholic simply means reflecting the work of God. Smiling at someone on the street, or helping a neighbor with yard work would be excellent examples!

What do Catholics do for the community? People of the Catholic faith are very giving. During mass, a basket is passed around for donations to places in need. Fundraisers such as food drives and bake sales take place.

They also collect toys for underprivileged children during Christmas time, and school supplies in the fall. These are just a few of the many ways Catholics give back to their community. I have spoken with Frank, an active Catholic Church member, and he has taken giving back to the community to a whole new level! Frank has just completed a ministry in Kenya, Africa. Representing donor communities he visited children in slums, orphanages, and law clinics where conditions were beyond deplorable. Their faces- they say it all, Frank explains. Hundreds of kids,

Frank embarked on a mission trip to Kenya

living in total oppression raised their weak

voices and sang hymns for Frank and other Catholic community members who helped with him. The kids exhibit faith where one would think despair would be understandable. He plans to return again next year. He is also in preparation to do missionary work in a six-week program in Taiwan in the spring of 2014.

What does the community do for Catholics? Not only do the many organizations that Catholic communities help benefit from this service, but so do the members of the community. Their hearts are filled with a sense of satisfaction after seeing

Catholics show kindness to all those around them

the smiling faces of people they have helped. They truly make a difference in the lives of the underprivileged. Members show their faith and kindness to everyone in the community and in turn the Catholic Church gives them an even stronger faith and opportunities to let it shine. These people feel good when doing good for others. It also allows them to see different perspectives. Frank explained how his mission trip to Kenya opened his eyes and allowed him to view things in a whole new light. By helping others, members of the Catholic community see just how privileged they are and how life changing it is to make a difference.

Being Catholic is more than just going to church every Sunday. The faith these community members possess shows in every aspect of their lives! These people truly make a difference in the community while the community is making a difference in them.

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