My dear Parishioners,

Peace! The ninth article of the Apostle’s Creed is “I believe in the Holy Catholic Church.” There are thirty-five (35) In Brief passages in the Catechism of the Catholic Church regarding this article of the Creed. The following is a reflection on article 866.

There are four (4) “Marks of the Church”: One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic. These are like God’s “trademark” by which we can recognize that Church which was founded by Christ the Lord. The Catechism highlights seven (7) aspects of the oneness of the Church in light of Saint Paul’s letter to the Ephesians 4:3–6.

Holy Mother Church is one in that she worships the one only God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Holy Trinity is our one only God who we adore. We know the one Lord because He has revealed Himself in the fullness of time in Jesus Christ who alone is the way and the truth and the life (cf. Galatians 4:4; John 14:6). The many saints venerated by Mother Church are honored because of their love and fidelity to the one and only Lord by whose grace they became holy.

While there are twelve (12) articles in the Creed the Faith which Christ entrusted to the Apostles and their successors is one (cf. Matthew 28:19–20; Acts 5:42; 1 Timothy 6:3–5; Jude 1:3). While there are seventy-three (73) inspired books in Sacred Scripture, together they convey the one faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who has both created us and redeemed us in Christ (cf. Matthew 1:2; 22:32; Mark 12:26; Luke 13:28; 20:37; Acts 3:13; 7:32).

We believe in one Baptism. So long as water is used and the Trinitarian formula (I baptize you [be baptized] in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit) is used and the intention to baptize is present and the one being baptized has the desire, either personally or by proxy (parents and godparents in the case of infants) it takes. Baptism is the origin of all Christian unity, even if still imperfect in our day. All the baptized are one in Christ who is brother and Savior of all the baptized. All the baptized have been adopted by the one Eternal Father and made temples of the one Spirit. We become dwelling places of the one Spirit in holy Baptism which allows us to cry out “Abba Father” “Jesus is Lord” (cf. Romans 8:11, 15; 1 Corinthians 12:3).

Among the many gifts given in holy Baptism is the one hope the baptized have for Heaven, life on high with Christ Jesus (cf. Philippians 1:20; Colossians 3:4).

Let us do all that we can to safeguard the unity of Mother Church by cooperating with God’s grace given us in holy Baptism. By holding fast to the one deposit of faith we live the obedience of faith in the communion of Christ’s bride, Mother Church (cf. Romans 16:26; Jude 1:3).

God bless you!

Father John Arthur Orr