THE PROFESSIONALS CHARACTER AND VIRTUE

What you do speaks so loudly. I cant hear what you are saying. The medium is the message. The moral character and virtues of the person are revealed in the moral responsibilities they assume and in how they act. How they exercise their professional role depends a great deal on who they are. So the first step in constructing an ethical framework for professionals is to give careful attention to character and virtue. Three traits most desired in a Christian professional: 1. being of service without regard for public recognition 2. integrity (this describes one who honors commitments by carrying out promises despite pressure to compromise 3. generosity (this is a general description of those who are a Christian example that others can respect) Three characteristics most detested: 1. being undisciplined (this includes self-indulgent behaviors that shock or offend, such as professional misconduct in the inter personal relationship) 2. being self-serving (this refers, for example, to the one who avoids intimacy and repels people with a critical, demeaning attitude, or belittles a person in front of others) 3. immaturity ( this generally describes those who exercise self-protecting behavior when buffeted by the pressures of the profession). CHARACTER *It refers to the kind of person who acts in a certain way. It focuses on inner realities of the self: motives, intention, attitudes, dispositions. *It is caught as much as it is taught. VIRTUES *They are habits of the heart. That is to say, they are qualities of character (of the heart) acquired through repeating the actions corresponding to the virtue (habits). For instance, through the practice of generosity, we become a generous person

The Church: A Community with Mission

MISSIONARY RESPONSIBILITY

not something added not a specialized activity but belongs to the very essence of the Church the Church is essentially a missionary

The Concept of Mission MISSION the term actually given to those special undertakings by which the heralds of the gospel are sent out by the Church and go forth into the whole world to carry out the task of preaching the gospel and planting the Church among people or groups who do not yet believe in Christ. EVANGELIZATION the bringing of Good News into all strata of humanity, and through its influence transforming humanity from within and making it new. A complex process made up of VARIED ELEMENTS: The renewal of humanity Witness Explicit proclamation Inner adherence Entry into the community Acceptance of signs Apostolic initiative THIS SPECIFIC MISSIONARY TASK a dynamic process in which the Church is planted becomes a young Church becomes a mature Church taking care of the work of evangelization in its own situation and participating at the same time in the universal missionary work of the Church.

MISSION AND EVANGELIZATION AS CONCRETIZED IN THE LIFE OF CHRIST AND HIS APOSTLES

being sent (Mt. 10:1) JESUS the one sent by the Father > to bring the Good News to Israel (Jn. 3:17; 4:34; 6:38; 9:4) > to the poor and afflicted on leaving this earth, Jesus sends forth the apostles (Jn. 20:21) and authorizes them with signs of the Holy Spirit. Apostle means one sent after the 12 the Church will keep on sending apostles and missionaries

How was this concretized by the Early Christian Community? Let us look at the MISSIONARY WORK OF THE EARLY CHURCH.

I.

Pentecost the event that marked the beginning of the Church movement Acts 2:1-13 Symbolism: Wind = cf. Gen. 2:7 = a symbol of life, breath of God: the source of life Holy Spirit Fire = cf. Ex. 3:2; 13:21 = a symbol of Gods presence gave them strength and zeal to proclaim the gospel of Christ to the world.

II. The KERYGMA: The Faith Proclaimed by the Disciples AA 2:22-23, 31-33 Content: Jesus foretold by the prophets killed God raised him to life made Lord III. Conversions followed cf. Acts 2:42-47 IV. Marks of the Early Church *Acts 2:42-47 I. Fidelity to Christian teaching II. Brotherhood vs. 44-45; 4:32-35 III. Breaking of the Bread IV. Prayer V. Persecution Set In (FIRST WARNING) A. Peter and John were arrested, sent to prison, and brought before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court. They were strictly charged not to speak and teach in the name of Jesus.

2 Apostles Response 20
B.

Acts 4:19-

The Imprisonment of the Apostles (2nd WARNING) *Acts 5:17- 42

C. The persecution of Stephen Stephen: one of seven deacons chosen by the apostles to be their helpers in serving the brethren and in preaching (Acts 6:1-7) VI. The Dispersion (Diaspora) Jerusalem Cyprus Judea Samaria Acts 1,8 Phoenicia Note: This marks the Syria beginning of the cf.

spread of Christianity

VII.

Exclusiveness to Jews At first only Jews were received into the Church. They were Jews of Palestine or of the Diaspora, which means Jews living outside Palestine in the Greek-Roman world. The Apostles had addressed their message only to Hebrew communities. The Universality of Christianity * Acts 10 A symbolic vision that taught Peter that the Mosaic Law that forbids certain foods was now abolished and that the pagans, whom Israel had considered unclean, were also to be sanctified by the grace of Jesus Christ. The Jewish faithful were amazed that the grace of the Holy Spirit had been poured forth on the Gentiles. But God had made His will very clear. 2 Centers of Christianity Antioch = (the capital of Syria), became the center of Christians converted

VIII.

IX.

from paganism. Here, the followers of Christ were first called Christians Jerusalem Christians = hub of Jewish

X.

The Conversion of Paul

Acts 9

Who was Saul? A Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, born at Tarsus, a city of Cilicia, of devout Jewish parents who had become Roman citizens. Saul was his Jewish name and paul his Roman name. As a young man, he

had come to Jerusalem to study the Law of Moses. He became the persecutor of Christians because for him they were a threat to the Mosaic Law. He thought they were corrupting the true religion by proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah. The Great Revelation! For St. Paul, love for Christ was heard the very voice of Christ indelibly linked with love for the Church. Had he not identifying Himself with His followers. I am Jesus whom you are persecuting? Paul had not hunted down Jesus of Nazareth and dragged Him into prisonSo the only answer was that Christ and His followers were one. Paul: The Apostle to the Gentiles

The Council of Jerusalem 50 AD Acts. 15 Issue: Some of the Jewish Christians began to insist that the gentile converts should observe Jewish rites and customs. Resolution: The Church had decreed that converts need not observe Judaic customs. Salvation is by Faith in Christ not by the Mosaic Law.
XI.

XII.

The Growth and Spread of the Church Pauls 1st Missionary Journey 1. Antioch (in Syria) 14. Antioch 2. Cyprus (Salamis & Paphos) 3. Attalia 4. Perga 5. Antioch (in Pisidia) 13. Attalia 12. Perga 11. Antioch

6. Iconium 7. Lystra 8. Derbe Pauls 2nd Missionary Journey 1. Derbe 2. Lystra 3. Iconium 4. Antioch 5. Galatia 6. Mysia (Troas) 7. Samothrase 8. Neapolis Thessalonika 9. Philippi Pauls 3rd Missionary Journey 1. Galatia 2. Phrygia

10. Iconium 9. Lystra

18. Antioch 17. Caesarea 16. Ephesus 15. Cenchreae 14. Corinth 13. Athens 12. Beroea 11. 10. Amphipolis

18. Ptolemais 17. Tyre

3. Ephesus 4. Macedonia 5. Greece 6. Macedonia 7. Troas 8. Assos 9. Mitylene Chios

16. Patara 15. Rhodes 14. Cos 13. Miletus 12. Trogyllium 11. Samos 10. opposite

19. Caesarea 20. Jerusalem ARREST Pauls death: Rome

WORK IN GROUPS:
Guide the group in a creative exploration of what Church means to them. Allow an hour or hour and a half. Begin with a few moments of quiet time, during which each person reflects on her own experience. Then form working teams of 4-6 persons each. Give each team a large sheet of newsprint or an overhead transparency (and appropriate writing materials). Give them a threefold task: a) b) Share: talk together about what Church means to you. Create a symbol: As they share, they are to work toward a consensus as to a symbol or picture they feel best expresses

what they mean by Church. They draw the symbol c) a verbal or picture on the paper or transparency. Define: Then they are to agree on definition of Church as they understand it. The brief definition is then written on the same paper or transparency as their symbol. When the teams are ready, they share with the entire group what they have created. A spokesperson from each team explains and answers questions. Challenge them to find biblical, liturgical, or doctrinal parallels to their own symbols and definitions.
Course Code Catech 302 Course Title Ethics for Psychologists
Course Description: This course deals with an understanding of ones career or work both as a Profession and a vocation. A framework for assessing moral responsibilities of the professional person will be drawn based on the developments in theological and professional ethics. The following topics will be brought into focus: theological foundations for ethics, the moral duties entailed in being professional and specific moral issues pertinent to the discipline.

The course aims to deepen the students awareness of ethical responsibility in this work and allow themselves to be guided by the code of ethics related to their discipline. Course Objectives: 1. To heighten the students awareness of ethical responsibility embedded in their profession. 2. To develop a theological-ethical framework within which to assess the ethical responsibility of being a professional person. 3. To clarify personal values and expectations regarding ones moral responsibility as a professional. 4. To appreciate the kinds of ethical challenges one will have to face in the field of work. 5. To elicit a sense of moral responsibility and accountability in ones life as a co-worker. Course Content: Module 1: Module 2: Module 3: Module 4: Professional Module Module Module Module 5: 6: 7: 8: Specific Moral Issues Pertinent to Human Life: abortion and euthanasia Specific Moral Issues Pertinent to Sexuality: PMS and masturbation The Dynamics of Power in the Work Area Ethics in Training and Consulting MID TERM EXAMINATION CATECH 101 OBJECTIVES: To assess the students understanding of: a. the meaning of revelation and faith b. the relationship between Israels experience and mans experience today Levels of Moral Evaluation Four Phases of Consciousness Ethical Issues in Human Resource Management Moral character and Duties Entailed in Being A

I.

Recall: Choose the best answer. Write the corresponding to your choice on your answer sheet.

letter

1. During what stage of the formation of the Bible was Divine Inspiration necessary? a. stage of lived-experiences b. oral transmission stage c. written stage d. all of the above 2. What kind of inspiration was needed in the written stage? a. oral inspiration b. pastoral inspiration c. scriptural inspiration d. all of the above 3. In the first eleven chapters of Genesis, the primary object of the author was a. historical b. scientific c. theological d. both a and b 4. On the fourth day, God created the luminaries. What significant message is conveyed by the author in the said passage? a. the manner by which the luminaries were created by God b. Yahweh is the only God (monotheism) c. The array of day 4 is related to what is created on day one d. The luminaries may be worshipped as gods 5. The phrase be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it is best seen in the case of a. a man forming a family of 10 children b. a childless couple who is open to artificial insemination in order to have a child c. a couple who is open to having children whom they can support

d. a couple who does not intend to have a child because they cannot afford to support him. 6. The phrase let them be masters is best interpreted as a. man functions as another god b. man functions as the absolute ruler of Gods creation c. man functions as a steward d. all of the above 7. The meaning of the Sabbath Rest is best applied in a. going to mass everyday to be sure that you receive God in the Eucharist b. man resting with God in paradise after creation c. man sharing in the endless rest of God after completion of work d. going to mass first hour on Sunday 8. God made the two great lights is best interpreted as a. the inspired writer elevates the luminaries to a higher level b. the author separates the light from the sun and moon c. the writer pictures the sun and moon as the lords of man d. the writer shows that God alone is to be thanked for the gift of light 9. What is the purpose of Genesis creation stories? a. to explain how the world was created b. to explain the evolution of man c. to point out the origin and reason for mans existence d. to show the pattern of creation done in 6 days 10. to Man as Gods image consists primarily in his capacity a. use his intellect by inventing extraordinary machines b. relate with God c. use Gods creation to benefit himself d. all of the above

11.

The a. b. c. d.

authors interest concerning the garden of Eden is geographical botanical theological scientific

12. Which of the following can best explain the cause of suffering in the world today? a. Gods intention to bring suffering to a persons life b. Gods intention to make a person realize his fault c. mans decision to disobey his creator d. the devils desire to create chaos in the world 13. What does the image of God in man mean? a. he has absolute dominion over other creatures b. he has the power and the freedom to do anything he wants c. he has the authority to bring the world to its apex of development d. he can take the place of his Creator in this world

14. With regard the formation of the Bible, which of the following statements is the most correct? a. God dictated his message word for word to the sacred writers b. the message of God has been shared orally first before it was put in writing c. the message of God has been experienced and passed on to others before it came to be written d. the Bible is totally free from error 15. Which of the following is not in line with the objective of Biblical Criticism a. to be discriminating b. to accept everything literally c. to discover the literary style used by the writer d. to find out the message conveyed by the author II. IDENTIFICATION: Identify the meaning of the following symbols. Answers should be limited to one sentence each

1. Serpent 2. Fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil 3. Garden of Eden 4. Adam and Eve 5. Nakedness III. MATCHING TYPE: Match column A with column B. write the letters only A 1. male and female he created 2. bone of my bone 3. a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife 4. be fruitful and multiply 5. God rested on the seventh day 6. a helper like himself 7. man is created in Gods image and likeness 8. let them be masters 9. the earth was formless and desolate 10. and they become one body

a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i.

B darkness and emptiness of the universe man is endowed with intellect and freewill woman complements man, but not a mere service appendage unity of nature of man and wife the distinction of the sexes is of divine origin man rules in the name and place the monogamous nature of marriage is God willed completion of work sexuality is viewed as a blessing from God

j. Gods full acceptance of all creation k. The strong attraction of male for female enables him to leave the security of his family.