Creed IVC

May 8, 2008

Before Class

• Read Chapter 12 in U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults
• Read handouts (optional)

Homework

• Read Chapters 18-19 of U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults
• Read handout: Praying to Mary: Idolatry or God’s Will?
• Read other handouts (optional)

To Make Up an Absence

If you are unable to attend this class, please submit to the instructor at the next class written responses to all three of the questions below. Each response should be 2-3 paragraphs in length and address the question completely. Include the question at the top of your response.

Chapter 12. Mary: The Church's First and Most Perfect Member

1. How would you explain to others the connection between Mary as the Mother of God and all her special gifts: her Immaculate Conception, perpetual virginity, and Assumption? Why is it important to understand that Mary, too, needed to be redeemed?
2. "What the Catholic faith believes about Mary is based on what it believes about Christ, and what it teaches about Mary illumines in turn its faith in Christ." (CCC no. 487) Illustrate this statement using at least three of the Marian dogmas described in this chapter.
3. Explain why Mary is called "the Church's first and most perfect member." How is she also the Mother of the Church?