ARE YOU

AN EXCELLENT CATHOLIC?
A CHECK LIST TO
ENHANCE OUR
CATHOLIC LIFE
REV. DR. KUMAR RAJA

KL, MALAYSIA
14.06.2014

1. HOLY MASS

Meaningful
participation in
the most
important of the
Catholic
worships.
If not daily, on
Sundays
With the entire
family

WHY IS MASS SO IMPORTANT?

It is the memorial of the sacrifice of

Calvary. We are re-enacting the paschal
mystery everytime.
It is the most acceptable offering to God
the Father- because we are offering His
own Son, in whom He was well pleased.
Vat II says it is the source and summit
of our spiritual life
All the great saints, holy men and
wemen have received their grace from it.

2. CONFESSION
Meaningful
participation in the
most unique sacrament
that heals our soul,
mind and body.
If not monthly, atleast 4
times a year.
During the annual
retreat, make a long
and detailed
confession.

WHY IS CONFESSION SO IMPORTANT?

It is the sacrament established by Jesus

(Jn 21- Jesus mandate to the apostles)
It renews our life of grace and removes
all our sins.
We get psychological, spiritual, social
and spiritual healing.
Suicide rate is the lowest among the
Catholics partly because of this
sacrament.
It is an act of praising Gods mercy.

3. THE BIBLE

Word of God is the

lamp to our life.
Daily reading in
the mass,
familyprayer and
personal reading.
Praying the
psalms and the NT
for our guidance,
OT for inspiration

WHY IS BIBLE SO IMPORTANT?

It contains Gods words that give us life

and light.
Word of God cleanses us, strengthens
us, guides us and teaches us.
All the saints and holy men and women
drew their inspiration from the Word of
God.
All our devotions and celebrations are
based on the scriptures- directly or
indirectly.

4. PERSONAL
PRAYER

There are 3 types of prayer:

1.Personal Prayer
2.Group/ Family prayer
3.Community prayer /Liturgy
Catholics neglect the
personal prayer.
Praise & Worship, reflection,
personal commitment to be
included.

WHY IS PERSONAL PRAYER SO IMPORTANT?

Jesus, with all his busy life, found time to

pray to God alone.
It is in the personal prayer can we raise
our hearts in thanksgiving or supplication
of the most intimate nature.
It is the personal prayer that makes our
family prayer or community prayer easy
and meaningful.
Those who do not have the habit of
personal prayer find the mass boring and
unintersting.

 Reading good
books nourishes
our spiritual life.
Lives of saints,
writings of the
Popes and good
Catholic writers.
Enhance your
theology,
spirituality and
church history.

5. SPIRITUAL
READING

WHY IS SPIRITUAL READING

SO IMPORTANT?

It is the fuel for our spiritual life.

It gives energy for our prayer and life.
We learn theology behind all the liturgy,
sacrament and the church life.
Attending good retreats/ spiritual
conferences also enhance our spiritual
knowledge.
Worship alone is not enough to be an
effective Catholic, recognize the social
dimension of your spiritual life.

6. FASTING
An important traditional
spiritual practice:
1.Fasting of food
2.Fasting of media
3.Fasting in your speech
Every Friday is the day of
this triple-fasting.
Encourage your friends
and family to observe
this.
It puts your value system
in right perspective.

WHY IS FASTING SO IMPORTANT?

It is in losing something that we are able

to gain something more valuable.
It is an effective way of demonstrating
that God is more important than food,
entertainment and socializing.
In other words, we avoid modern
idolatry by the triple fasting.
The triple fasting also helps us in our
physical, social and psychological well
being.

 Another traditional
prayer & weapon.
All the saints and
popes used it.
It is not a Marian
prayer, but a Christcentred prayer.
Difficult because it
is contemplative,
reciting and
reflecting on the
mysteries of Jesus
life and ministry.

7. HOLY
ROSARY

WHY IS ROSARY SO IMPORTANT?

It is one way of identifying yourself as a

Catholic.
All those hold it in their person
experience physical and spiritual
security.
It is one of our long cherished
traditions.
We focus on the mysteries of the Lord
along with praying with our Blessed
Mother.

8. RELATIONSHIP
Take the spirituality to
another plane of life: your
relationship with God,
spouse, children/parents,
neighbours, colleagues
Without genuine
relationship, prayer
becomes ineffective
(example of Pharisees
prayer & offering with a
strained relationship)

WHY IS FASTING SO IMPORTANT?

It is in losing something that we are able

to gain something more valuable.
It is an effective way of demonstrating
that God is more important than food,
entertainment and socializing.
In other words, we avoid modern
idolatry by the triple fasting.
The triple fasting also helps us in our
physical, social and psychological well
being.

 Giving, sharing and

losingcrucial
aspects of spiritual
life.
OT insists on 10%
NT encourages to
give 50%, 100% or
as happily as you
can.
Develop the habit of
giving believing in
Jesus words give,
you will receive (Lk
6:36

9. GIVING

WHAT CAN YOU GIVE ?

Money to the Church, the Poor

Time to your parish, neighbours,
those in need.
Service what you can do by way of
your skills, talents and expertise
Support by way of encouragement,
appreciation to the parish, diocese, to
those in need.

10. WITNESSING

Prayer in Action.
In your words, action,
work and life.
Prayer in Action.
Christianity spread
because of the
witnessing of the early
Christians
Even now what is
missing in us is the
witnessing part.

HOW CAN YOU WITNESS?

Honesty and commitment in your
work place.
Using positive and encouraging words
Distributing CDs, books, rosaries, etc.
Visiting the sick, the poor and the
prisoners.
Do not be afraid to share your God
experience with others.
Start with our own Catholics the Reevangelization

CHECK THE
10 STEPS

Check all the ten

steps
Improve the weak
areas
Ask someone to
assess you on the
ten point scale
Improve the
quality of your life
and mission