The Eucharist: the source and summit of our lives.
God makes himself known by recalling his all-powerful loving, and liberating action in the history of the one he addresses: "I brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage." The first word contains the first commandment of the Law: "You shall fear the LORD your God; you shall serve him. . . . You shall not go after other gods." God's first call and just demand is that man accept him and worship him.
Adoration is the first act of the virtue of religion. To adore God is to acknowledge him as God, as the Creator and Savior, the Lord and Master of everything that exists, as infinite and merciful Love. "You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve," says Jesus, citing Deuteronomy.
To adore God is to acknowledge, in respect and absolute submission, the "nothingness of the creature" who would not exist but for God. To adore God is to praise and exalt him and to humble oneself, as Mary did in the Magnificat, confessing with gratitude that he has done great things and holy is his name. The worship of the one God sets man free from turning in on himself, from the slavery of sin and the idolatry of the world. (CCC 2084, 2096)
The whole concern of doctrine and its teaching must be directed to the love that never ends. Whether something is proposed for belief, for hope or for action, the love of our Lord must always be made accessible. (CCC 25)
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the formal process in which adults become Catholic. The RCIA is based on the principle that the process of conversion proceeds gradually, in stages. Resources for individuals and parishes are available.
The Office for Worship is a resource for the liturgical life of the people of the archdiocese. Through workshops, newsletters and other publications, staff members provide formation and information to all who are engaged in liturgical ministry.
The saving words and deeds of Jesus Christ are the foundation of what he would communicate in the Sacraments through the ministers of the Church. Guided by the Holy Spirit, the Church recognizes the existence of Seven Sacraments instituted by the Lord.
The sacrament (of Holy Orders) configures the recipient to Christ by a special grace of the Holy Spirit, so that he may serve as Christ’s instrument for His Church. By ordination, one is enabled to act as a representative of Christ, Head of the Church, in his triple office of priest, prophet and king.” (CCC 1581)
The archdiocese has 189 parishes in 10 counties throughout southeastern Wisconsin and more than 640,000 registered Catholics. Active membership in a parish provides people the opportunity to enrich their faith life through worship within a community.
To obtain sacramental records from parishes that have closed, please submit a request with our Archives Office.
For answers to Canon Law (Church law) questions: Chancery Office chancery@archmil.org 414-769-3340
For answers to general liturgical or sacramental questions: Office for Worship oremus@archmil.org 414-769-3349
For information on child preparation for the sacraments: Office for Catechesis 414-758-2242
3501 South Lake Drive St. Francis, WI 53235