THEOLOGY

God comes to us in experience.  So, theology is to explore the religious dimension of human experience.

Theology is an ordered attempt to bring an intellectual and insightful formal expression of the human experience of faith in God.  For centuries theology has been defined as "faith seeking understanding" (St. Anselm of Canterbury).

With this understanding, we make a commitment to continue personal spiritual growth. 

Pope John Paul II has given this definition of spiritual growth: a continued process of an individual maturation of faith and a likening to Christ according to the will of the Father under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

This growth is individualized and involves the action of the Holy Spirit bringing each of us to fully embrace the mission of the Church.  It is not primarily an intellectual speculation on Christ's teachings, but rather a commitment to learning God's ways and living them.  But as Catholic Christians we are called to be continually involved in the transformation of our own lives through a deepened knowledge of God through faith and revelation.

Tools for growth include prayer, scripture reading, studying the mysteries of our Catholic faith, obedience to God's Word, witnessing in action and words, and openness to the power of the Holy Spirit.  Our purpose is to lead others to Christ and we can do that only when we are firmly joined to Him. 

"All this is done by God, who through Christ changes us from enemies into His friends and gives us the task of making others His friends too."