Diocese of Novaliches

Mother of Divine Providence Parish

KAPILYA NI SAN MIGUEL ARKANGHEL (KSMA)
Orchids St, Payatas A, Quezon City

SPIRITUAL FORMATION TOPICS

Session Theme Objective Topics

Session 1: The Apostolic - To explain why valid 1. The Foundation of Authority
The Vine Authority and ordination and the “keys of a. The Apostolic Succession
and the Communion of the kingdom” are essential b. The power of the keys
Branches the Roman for a community to be truly
Catholic in communion with the 2. The Difference in Validity
Church Roman Catholic Church.

Session 2: Living the - To provide a refresh on the 1. The Creed

Our Faith in Catechism: core pillars of catholic 2. The Sacramental Life
Focus The Four (4) teachings, ensuring the 3. The Life of Prayer and Mary
Pillars of our community is aligned with 4. Practical Preparations for
Catholic life the magisterium before the May 24 (First Mass)
first official mass.

TIMELINE

Date and time Activity Venue Person-in-charge Materials

needed
PPT Presentation
May 9, 2026,
Session 1: The Vine and Ryan and Alfie Projector
Saturday, 3PM- MDPP
the Branches (or Catechist) White Screen
5PM
Snack
PPT Presentation
May 17, 2026,
Session 2: Our Faith in KSMA Ryan and Alfie Projector
Sunday, 3PM-
Focus (Chapel) (or Catechist) White Screen
5PM
Snack
May 23, 2026, Print-out of
Saturday, 4PM- Confession MDPP PPC/PFC “Panalangin ng
6PM Pagsisi”
Fr. John, PPC/PFC, Exe
May 24, 2026, First Holy Mass KSMA Mass Kit and
Com, KSMA
Sunday 8AM (Pentecost Sunday) (Chapel) Servers
Community
Everyday Activity KSMA Rosary, Rosary
Holy Rosary KSMA Community
4PM-5PM (Chapel) Guides

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 Session 1
THE VINE AND THE BRANCHES
The Apostolic Authority and Communion of the Roman Catholic Church

Objective: To explain why valid ordination and the “keys of the kingdom” are essential for a
community to be truly in communion with the Roman Catholic Church.

Introduction:

The Vine and the Branches ¿

Jesus said: The image of the vine and branches teaches us that the Church is not merely a
human organization or a gathering of believers. The Church is a living communion rooted in
Christ Himself. Just as branches receive life from the vine, Christians receive spiritual life
through communion with Christ and His Church.

A branch separated from the vine may still resemble a branch outwardly, but it no longer
receives life from the source. In the same way, communities separated from apostolic
communion may preserve many beautiful elements of Christian faith, but fullness of
ecclesial communion requires union with the Church founded by Christ upon the Apostles.

The question then becomes: How did Christ intend this communion to continue through
history? The answer lies in apostolic authority.

1. The Foundation of Authority

a. The Apostolic Succession – Christ Founded a Visible Church. Jesus did not
simply leave behind a book or a set of teachings. He established a visible
community with leaders entrusted with authority.

He chose the Twelve Apostles and entrusted them with His mission:
 To teach (Prophet)
 To sanctify (Priest)
 To govern His people (King)

Christ said to the Apostles: Luke 10:16 — “Whoever listens to you listens to me.”

This authority was not meant to end with the death of the Apostles. The mission of the
Church had to continue across generations.

What is Apostolic Succession?

- Apostolic succession is the continuous passing on of apostolic authority through the

laying on of hands from the Apostles to bishops.

This means:

 The bishops of today are successors of the Apostles.

 Their authority is not self-appointed.

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  Their ministry comes through an unbroken line reaching back to the Apostles
themselves.

We see this already in Scripture when the Apostles replaced Judas: Acts 1:20-26
The Apostles understood that their office was meant to continue.
Why Apostolic Succession Matters?

Without apostolic succession:

 there is no assurance of sacramental validity,

 no continuity of teaching authority,
 and no visible unity established by Christ.

A community may sincerely believe in Jesus, preach the Gospel, and perform worship, but if
it lacks valid apostolic succession, it lacks the fullness of ecclesial authority entrusted by
Christ to the Apostles.
The Roman Catholic Church teaches that apostolic succession preserves:

 authentic doctrine,
 sacramental life,
 and unity with the universal Church.

b. The Power of the Keys – Christ Entrusted Authority to Peter. Among the
Apostles, Jesus gave a unique role to Peter. He declared:

Matthew 16:18-19 — “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church …
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.”

o The “keys of the kingdom” symbolize governing authority.

o In the ancient kingdom of Israel, the keeper of the keys acted with the
authority of the king. In giving Peter the keys, Christ established a visible
office of leadership within His Church.

This authority includes:

 teaching in Christ’s name,

 governing the Church,
 preserving unity,
 and safeguarding true doctrine.

Communion with Peter – The successors of Peter are the Bishops of Rome — the Popes.
Therefore, communion with the Roman Catholic Church is not merely emotional or symbolic.
It involves real ecclesial communion with:

 the Pope,
 the bishops united with him,
 and the apostolic structure established by Christ.

The Church is one because Christ intended it to be visibly united.

2. The Difference in Validity

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Valid vs. Invalid Ordination – A major question arises: Can any community simply appoint
its own ministers and claim apostolic authority? The Catholic Church answers: NO.
For ordination to be valid, it requires:
1. Proper form
2. Proper intention
3. Proper matter
4. A validly ordained bishop

This means a bishop must himself stand within apostolic succession.

Why This Matters?

The sacraments are not merely symbolic acts. They are actions of Christ through
the Church.

If ordination is invalid:

 the Eucharist is not validly consecrated,

 absolution in confession is not sacramentally effective,
 and apostolic authority is absent.

This is why the Catholic Church carefully distinguishes between:

 communities with valid apostolic succession,

 and communities without it.

Communities with Valid Apostolic Succession – The Catholic Church recognizes valid
apostolic succession in several ancient Churches, such as:

 the Eastern Orthodox Churches,

 and some Oriental Orthodox Churches.

Although not in full communion with Rome, they possess valid bishops and sacraments
because apostolic succession has been preserved.

Communities Without Valid Apostolic Succession – Many Protestant communities

emerged centuries after the Apostolic age and separated from the historic episcopate.
Because apostolic succession was not preserved, the Catholic Church teaches that their
ordinations are generally invalid.

This does not mean:

 their members do not love Christ,

 or that God is absent from their lives.

Rather, it means the fullness of sacramental communion established by Christ is

lacking.

The Catholic Church still recognizes: the sincerity of faith, the power of Scripture,
and the work of grace among them.

But full communion requires unity in: faith, sacraments, and apostolic authority.

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Conclusion: Christ established one Church rooted in the Apostles. Apostolic succession and
the power of the keys are not merely historical traditions or human structures. They are the
means Christ gave to preserve: truth, unity, sacramental grace, and communion throughout
history. Like branches connected to the vine, the Church remains alive through communion
with Christ and the apostolic foundation He established. Therefore, valid ordination and
communion with the successors of the Apostles — especially the successor of Peter — are
essential elements of full communion with the Roman Catholic Church.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. Why did Christ establish a visible Church instead of leaving only written teachings?
2. Why is apostolic succession important for preserving unity and doctrine?
3. What do the “keys of the kingdom” symbolize?
4. Why does the Catholic Church distinguish between valid and invalid ordinations?
5. How does communion with the Church help us remain connected to Christ, the true
Vine?

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 Session 2
OUR FAITH IN FOCUS
Living the Catechism: The Four (4) Pillars of Our Catholic Life

Objective: To provide a refresh on the core pillars of Catholic teaching, ensuring that the
community remains united in faith, rooted in the Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church,
and spiritually prepared before the first official Mass on May 24.

INTRODUCTION

Opening Reflection

Before a chapel becomes a place of worship, it must first become a community of faith.
The Church is not merely built by cement, wood, or roofing sheets — it is built by believers
united in Christ.
As we prepare for our first official Mass, we also prepare our hearts.
This gathering is our opportunity to revisit the foundations of our Catholic life through the
four great pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

These pillars help us answer four important questions:

1. What do we believe? → The Creed

2. How do we worship? → The Sacramental Life
3. How do we pray? → Prayer and devotion
4. How do we live as a prepared Catholic community? → Practical preparations for
the First Mass

1. THE CREED: “What We Believe” – The Creed is the summary of the Catholic faith
handed down from the Apostles. Every Sunday, when we recite the Creed, we are not
simply repeating words — we are professing our identity as Catholics.

a. Why is the Creed Important?

The Creed:

 Unites Catholics around the world

 Protects true doctrine
 Connects us to Apostolic teaching
 Reminds us of God’s plan of salvation

b. Main Parts of the Creed

b.1. Faith in God the Father

 Creator of heaven and earth

 Source of all life
 Loving Father who provides for His people

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 b.2. Faith in Jesus Christ

 True God and true Man

 Born of the Virgin Mary
 Suffered, died, and rose again
 Savior of humanity

Central Truth: Our faith is centered on Jesus Christ. Without Christ, Christianity loses its
meaning.

b.3. Faith in the Holy Spirit

 The Spirit guides the Church

 Gives wisdom, strength, and holiness
 Continues Christ’s work in us

b.4. Faith in the Church

We believe in:

 One
 Holy
 Catholic
 Apostolic Church

The Church is not merely an organization. She is the Body of Christ.

2. THE SACRAMENTAL LIFE: “How We Worship and Receive Grace” – The sacraments
are visible signs instituted by Christ to give grace. Catholic life is sacramental because God
uses ordinary things to communicate extraordinary grace.

The Seven Sacraments

A. Sacraments of Initiation

1. Baptism

 Entry into the Church

 Cleansing from sin
 Becoming children of God

2. Confirmation

 Strengthening by the Holy Spirit

 Becoming witnesses of Christ

3. Holy Eucharist

 The source and summit of Christian life

 Jesus truly present: Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity

B. Sacraments of Healing

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 4. Confession/Reconciliation

 Restoration of grace
 Healing of the soul

5. Anointing of the Sick

 Spiritual and sometimes physical healing

 Strength in suffering

C. Sacraments of Service

6. Holy Orders

 Bishops, priests, and deacons serving the Church

7. Matrimony

 Sacred covenant of husband and wife

Focus on the Eucharist – As we prepare for our first Mass, we remember: The Mass is not
just a gathering. It is the sacrifice of Christ made present. The Eucharist is:
Thanksgiving, Sacrifice, Communion and Presence

Practical Reminder Before Mass

Encourage the community to:

 Attend with reverence

 Dress modestly
 Arrive early
 Participate actively
 Receive Holy Communion worthily

3. THE LIFE OF PRAYER AND MARY:“How We Grow Closer to God” – Prayer is our
relationship with God. Without prayer, faith weakens. A Catholic community grows strong
when families pray together.

A. Forms of Prayer

1. Adoration – Praising and worshipping God

2. Contrition – Asking forgiveness
3. Thanksgiving – Gratitude for blessings
4. Supplication – Presenting our needs to God

B. Importance of Daily Prayer

Encourage:
 Morning offering
 Evening prayer
 Family rosary
 Reading Scripture
 Grace before meals

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C. Mary in Catholic Life – Mary always leads us to Jesus. She is:

 Mother of God
 First disciple
 Model of obedience
 Mother of the Church

Catholics do not worship Mary. We honor her because God honored her first.

The Rosary

The Rosary:
 Helps us meditate on Christ’s life
 Brings peace to families
 Strengthens faith

Encourage the chapel community to pray the Rosary together regularly.

4. PRACTICAL PREPARATIONS FOR MAY 24 (FIRST MASS):“Preparing Our

Community Spiritually and Practically” – Preparing for the first Mass is not only about
physical arrangements — it is also spiritual preparation.

A. Spiritual Preparation

Encourage the community to:

 Go to Confession
 Pray as families
 Avoid conflicts and divisions
 Reconcile with one another
 Participate actively in preparations

B. Liturgical Preparation

Ensure:

 Cleanliness of the chapel

 Proper altar preparation
 Liturgical ministries are organized
 Readers and choir are prepared
 Sound system and seating are ready

C. Community Participation

Invite everyone to contribute:

 Time
 Talent
 Service
 Prayer

The first Mass is not only the blessing of a chapel — it is the beginning of a mission.

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D. Reminder About Reverence

The chapel is a sacred place. Teach the community:

 Silence before Mass

 Respect inside the chapel
 Proper attire
 Proper disposition during worship

CONCLUSION: A strong Catholic community is built on: Right belief, Right worship, Deep
prayer, Faithful service. As we prepare for May 24, may we not only build a chapel for God —
may we become a community where Christ truly lives.

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