Blog Archives

The Sacraments - VCAT

8/31/2015

This installment begins the second section of the VCAT. Just like the Catechism itself, this section focuses on the Sacraments. The Sacraments were given to us by Jesus as signs and symbols of his love for us. They are ways that God is active in our lives today and allow us to share more fully in Jesus' mission and grace. Through the Sacraments, we are strengthened to live out our faith and become Christ to others.

This video introduces the seven Sacraments and briefly describes their purpose. Each Sacrament will be addressed more fully in later videos, but this video is a great introduction and summary. So which is your favorite Sacrament? Let us know in the comments.

To watch more VCAT videos, visit www.vcat.org.

Forgiveness of Sins - VCAT

8/27/2015

Sin is a reality in all of our lives. We all experience it and we all struggle with it. This installment of the VCAT concludes the discussion of the Creed by examining our belief in the forgiveness of sins. Fr. Joseph presents here both the human struggle with sin and the glory of God's mercy and forgiveness.

God's forgiveness is truly a great and powerful gift. While we all fall, it is comforting to know that we can turn to God with an earnest heart and strive to overcome our faults and failings. It is through this mercy and forgiveness that we are able to find peace of mind and soul. All of us fall. But with God's help, we can all rise again. What does God's forgiveness mean to you? Let us know in the comments.

To watch more VCAT videos, visit www.vcat.org.

Pray For Me - VCAT

8/24/2015

Each Sunday at Mass, we recite the Creed and affirm that we believe in the Communion of Saints. Have you ever thought about what that really means? The Communion of Saints includes everyone who believes in Jesus, both on earth and in eternity. As members of this Communion, we are called to serve as examples for each other and pray for one another. This VCAT video looks at this task from the perspective of someone struggling to find his way. No matter what is going on in our lives, we are all called to be saints. Thankfully, God has given us the saints in heaven to serve as examples of how we can live our lives. But one thing we should never do is decide it's impossible to follow God's path. As Emma says in the video: "If you don't want to follow Jesus that's one thing, but don't say you can't." So how can you be a better member of the Communion of Saints? Let us know in the comments.

To watch more VCAT videos, visit www.vcat.org.

This Is My Church - VCAT

8/20/2015

The creed states that the Church is "one, holy, catholic and apostolic." Together, these four attributes are referred to as the Marks of the Church. This installment in the VCAT series focuses on this portion of the creed. In it, a family is depicted talking about their relationship to the Church and what it means to them. This family is representative of the universal Church in that it includes people of different ages, genders and ethnicities. Yet all are welcome and feel part of the Church. What is Church to you? Tell us in the comments.

To watch more VCAT videos, visit www.vcat.org.

Chris Padgett on Fire With the Holy Spirit - VCAT

8/18/2015

So far VCAT has featured videos about God the Father and God the Son. This installment turns our attention to the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. In this video, Chris Padgett describes who the Holy Spirit is and how He affects our lives. He describes the way the Spirit moves us and directs us to go out into the world and change it.

We've all been given the Spirit, first at Baptism and then later at Confirmation. This message of evangelizing and being Christ to others, therefore, applies to each of us. It is important that we not forget this third person of the Trinity and pay special attention to the way the Spirit is acting in our lives and what He is directing us to do. So how is the Spirit active in your life right not? Let us know in the comments.

To watch more VCAT videos, visit www.vcat.org.

You're Dead. Now What? - VCAT

8/13/2015

Have you ever thought about what happens when you die? This installment in the VCAT series addresses just that question. We all know that when we die God will judge us based on the kind of life we lived. But it can often be confusing trying to figure out the fine points between Heaven, Hell and Purgatory. No one really knows what these places are like, but this video does an excellent job of explaining the differences and what the Church teaches will happen after we've died. So watch the video and then go to the comments and let us know what you think the afterlife is like.

To watch more VCAT videos, visit www.vcat.org.

Where's the Body? - VCAT

8/10/2015

Having examined the day Jesus died, VCAT turns to the day He rose from the dead. This is done by telling the story from the perspective of the Roman soldiers guarding the tomb. The two guards, Sempronis and Alexander, try to figure out what to tell Pilate about where the body went. After examining all of the evidence, they come to the conclusion that Jesus must have come back to life as this is the only reasonable explanation.

Through this humorous examination of Easter Sunday, the filmmakers demonstrate how truly miraculous Jesus' Resurrection was. One by one they run through other possible explanations and, one by one, reject them all. By having Roman soldiers engage in this discussion, it lends objectivity to the discussion which would not be there if it were Jesus' followers having the debate. Take a look at their debate and tell us what conclusion you come to in the comments below.

To watch more VCAT videos, visit www.vcat.org.

That 1 day - VCAT

8/3/2015

This installment in the VCAT series takes a look at the importance of 1 day. Through a series of numbers and statements, the video builds to show the importance of Good Friday, the day Jesus was crucified. By presenting Jesus crucifixion in this manner, the filmmakers are able to emphasize both the enormity of what Jesus did and the profound effect his sacrifice had on us individually and on the world as a whole. It is only through this sacrifice that we have been saved, and this sacrifice was made at a time when none of us were worthy of it. Take a look at it and let us know your reaction in the comments below.

To watch more VCAT videos, visit www.vcat.org.

And Became Man - VCAT

8/3/2015

This installment of the VCAT series focuses on the line in the creed which states: "By the power of the Holy Spirit, He was incarnate of the Virgin Mary and became man." The teens and Bishop Bransfield reflect on what the incarnation means. Together, they examine questions about choosing where to be born, choosing your family and choosing how you die. By examining these questions, they are able to reflect on the Incarnation and help it make sense for us as individuals. So what does it mean that Jesus "became man"? Take a look and find out.

To watch more VCAT videos, visit www.vcat.org.