Useful Terminology
Bishop:
The chief priest of the diocese (the word derives from the Greek word episcopus meaning an overseer) who shares with priests their general ministry but in a senior leadership role within a diocese. He fulfils the pastoral roles of teacher and Shepard. The Bishop of our Diocese is Bishop Colin Campbell.
Catholic:
The term is understood in a number of ways, 'Catholic' comes from the Greek term meaning 'universal' or 'world-wide'. So that the term refers to a communion of churches who are linked especially through the Bishop of Rome (the Pope). Sometimes called the 'Roman Catholic Church' for that reason.
Creed:
A formal statement of faith and a summary of Christian beliefs. The most familiar are the Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed.
Crucifix:
A cross with the figure of the crucified Jesus upon it. Used by Catholics to bring to mind the suffering of Christ. Our school has a large crucifix situated in our gardens. Upon the cross is a number of key words and images reflecting the special character of our school. The images were created by one of our Y8 students.
Diocese:
The administrative unit (normally a geographical region) of the Church presided over by a bishop. Our school belongs to the Dunedin Diocese which encompasses all of the Catholic schools from Oamaru to Southland.
Eucharist:
From the Greek word meaning 'thanksgiving'; the term used to name the sacrament popularly called the 'Mass'. Sometimes the term is used to describe consecrated elements received in communion.
Grace:
The gift of God's love and help which is given to humankind freely, without any previous efforts on our part.
Holy Water:
Water which has been blessed by a priest. Catholics touch themselves with the holy water as they make the sign of the cross on entering a church as a reminder of their baptism. It is also used to bless certain objects to recognise their sacredness.
Host:
The wafer of consecrated bread which Catholics receive at Holy Communion. It is usually round and thin for convenience, and there are two sizes - the larger is used by the priest at the altar.
Liturgy:
From the Greek words meaning, literally 'the work of the people'; it is used in the Christian Churches for public, formal acts of worship.
New Testament:
The books of scripture written, it is thought, from approximately the years between AD 50 and no later than AD 120, which recount the life of Jesus and contain letters attributed to some of Jesus' earliest followers, reflecting on his message.
Old Testament:
The collection of sacred books of the Jewish scriptures, sometimes called the Hebrew Bible or Hebrew Scripture, which are included together with the New Testament to make up the book called the Bible.
Parish:
A smaller geographic region in each diocese, with its own priest. Our St Thomas Aquinas Parish has Father Hamesh Wyatt residing in the Presbytery located at the back of the school.
Pope:
The Pontiff of the Catholic Church, known as the Holy Father. The Pope is the bishop of the diocese of Rome. The word pope come from the Greek pappas meaning 'father'. The Pope of our Catholic Church is Pope Francis.
The chief priest of the diocese (the word derives from the Greek word episcopus meaning an overseer) who shares with priests their general ministry but in a senior leadership role within a diocese. He fulfils the pastoral roles of teacher and Shepard. The Bishop of our Diocese is Bishop Colin Campbell.
Catholic:
The term is understood in a number of ways, 'Catholic' comes from the Greek term meaning 'universal' or 'world-wide'. So that the term refers to a communion of churches who are linked especially through the Bishop of Rome (the Pope). Sometimes called the 'Roman Catholic Church' for that reason.
Creed:
A formal statement of faith and a summary of Christian beliefs. The most familiar are the Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed.
Crucifix:
A cross with the figure of the crucified Jesus upon it. Used by Catholics to bring to mind the suffering of Christ. Our school has a large crucifix situated in our gardens. Upon the cross is a number of key words and images reflecting the special character of our school. The images were created by one of our Y8 students.
Diocese:
The administrative unit (normally a geographical region) of the Church presided over by a bishop. Our school belongs to the Dunedin Diocese which encompasses all of the Catholic schools from Oamaru to Southland.
Eucharist:
From the Greek word meaning 'thanksgiving'; the term used to name the sacrament popularly called the 'Mass'. Sometimes the term is used to describe consecrated elements received in communion.
Grace:
The gift of God's love and help which is given to humankind freely, without any previous efforts on our part.
Holy Water:
Water which has been blessed by a priest. Catholics touch themselves with the holy water as they make the sign of the cross on entering a church as a reminder of their baptism. It is also used to bless certain objects to recognise their sacredness.
Host:
The wafer of consecrated bread which Catholics receive at Holy Communion. It is usually round and thin for convenience, and there are two sizes - the larger is used by the priest at the altar.
Liturgy:
From the Greek words meaning, literally 'the work of the people'; it is used in the Christian Churches for public, formal acts of worship.
New Testament:
The books of scripture written, it is thought, from approximately the years between AD 50 and no later than AD 120, which recount the life of Jesus and contain letters attributed to some of Jesus' earliest followers, reflecting on his message.
Old Testament:
The collection of sacred books of the Jewish scriptures, sometimes called the Hebrew Bible or Hebrew Scripture, which are included together with the New Testament to make up the book called the Bible.
Parish:
A smaller geographic region in each diocese, with its own priest. Our St Thomas Aquinas Parish has Father Hamesh Wyatt residing in the Presbytery located at the back of the school.
Pope:
The Pontiff of the Catholic Church, known as the Holy Father. The Pope is the bishop of the diocese of Rome. The word pope come from the Greek pappas meaning 'father'. The Pope of our Catholic Church is Pope Francis.