Glossary

(Greek kanon, rule, measure) Used by the Church to describe the full and final list of writings which the Church believes are inspired by God and which belong to the Catholic Bible.

In general, today the term "Catholic" refers to those Christians who profess a continued tradition of faith and worship and who hold to the Apostolic succession of bishops since the time of Christ, in union with the Pope.

Catholic Social Teaching is based on the belief that God has a plan for creation, a plan to build his kingdom of peace, love and justice. It is the tradition of papal and episcopal reflection about how we live this vocation (the call to treat everyone as brothers and sisters) for the common good in our world.

A gift that flows from the Holy Spirit; in reference to a religious order Charism refers to the particular character or values that are evident in their apostolic work.

The Church is the whole body of Catholic Christians who follow Jesus in the way they live, worship and express their faith.

Laws which guide how people should behave in their dealings with God and other human beings. The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) were given by God to Moses and they form the basis of the relationship or covenant between God and the people of Israel. Jesus summarised all the commandments in the twofold command of love of God and love of neighbour.

A series of comments, explanations, or annotations: a commentary on the Bible; news followed by a commentary.

Confirmation is the sacrament in which, by the imposition of hands, unction and prayer, a baptised person is filled with the Holy Spirit for the inner strengthening of the supernatural life and for the courageous outward confession of faith. (Ott, Ludwig. 2017, Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma)

Often called the prayer of the heart. This form of prayer is silent, wordless and is simply being in the presence of God.

A radical reorientation of the whole life away from sin and evil, and toward God. This change of heart or conversion is a central element of Christ's preaching, of the Church's ministry of evangelisation, and of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation.

The knowledge and information that teachers are required to teach and that students are expected to learn in a given unit content area.

The seven Corporal Works of Mercy are the kind actions by which we help other people. They include feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, welcoming the stranger, visiting the sick and imprisoned and burying the dead.

The gathering of the Apostles at Jerusalem to decide on the observance of the Mosaic precepts by the converts to Christianity. They declared: "It has been decided by the Holy Spirit and ourselves not to saddle you with any burden beyond these essentials: you are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from the meat of strangled animals and from fornication. Avoid these and you will do what is right" (Acts 15:28-29).

Beyond the witness to himself that God gives in created things, he manifested himself to our first parents, spoke to them and, after the fall, promised them salvation (cf. Gen 3:15) and offered them his covenant. God made an everlasting covenant with Noah and with all living beings (cf. Gen 9:16). It will remain in force as long as the world lasts. God chose Abraham and made a covenant with him and his descendants. By the covenant God formed his people and revealed his law to them through Moses. Through the prophets, he prepared them to accept the salvation destined for all humanity. (CCC70-72)

The way God (who has always existed) made everything and gave life to everything. Creation also refers to everything in the universe that exists.

As creator, God is the one who made everything from nothing, who made "heaven and earth".

A summary statement or profession of Christian faith, e.g., the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed. The word "Creed" comes from the Latin credo, meaning "I Believe," with which the Creed begins. Creeds are also called symbols of faith.

Cross-curriculum priorities enable students to develop understanding about and address the contemporary issues they face.