The Assembly The word Church means Assembly. It is the gathering of Jesus' disciples who have been called together in community. When the disciples come together they: Remember the Good News that God is calling them and all creation to new life and so they give God Praise and Thanks. Celebrate this Good News in action. The Sacraments, for example Baptism and Eucharist, are the actions of the Church. Renew their commitment to live what they believe and celebrate by living in right relationship with others and reaching out to their neighbor in loving service.

Jesus came to reveal the Good News of God's Way of Life (the Kingdom) to us. He is the Sacrament of God.

A sacrament is like the first vehicle of an army convoy. It is, at the same time, both part of the convoy and a sign of more to come. The sacraments reveal God's loving presence and point to what is to come. In his own person and his own life, Jesus reveals God's Way of Life. Sinners are forgiven, the sick are healed, the dead raised to life and people taught to give praise and thanks to God as they love one another.

With the coming of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, God began to create a new world, but there is more to come. The Church exists to carry on the Mission of Christ, and like the rest of a convoy, makes real today what Jesus made real in his time, namely God's love for this world and all people. Just as Jesus is the Sacrament of God, so the Church is the Sacrament of Christ.

When we say that the Church is a mystery, we are simply saying that the relationship between the Risen Christ and his disciples and the disciples with one another is one that can keep on developing much as the relationship between a husband and wife.

Different images, each revealing a different aspect of this relationship, have been used to describe the Church. It is the Body of Christ (1 Cor 13:27). It is the Vine and the Branches (Jn 15:5). It is the flock of the Good Shepherd (Jn 10:1-18).

Because the Church consists of people who live in particular times and places it receives and manifests their gifts and limitations. Indeed from one perspective the Church is very much like other human organizations and institutions.

Just as Christ was the visible manifestation of God's loving presence in the world , so the Church, the disciples of Christ, are called to that same mission. In order to keep the Church focused on its mission, certain members of the community are chosen to lead and guide the Church.

Bishops, Priests, Deacons:

These are Bishops, Priests and Deacons (the hierarchy). The role of the Bishop is to ensure unity within the local Church and the Universal Church. The primary responsibility of the priest is to proclaim and celebrate the Good News. The Deacon is ordained to lead the community in providing loving service to others.