Provides students with the means of understanding the interrelationship of the various components of the Catholic Church. Acknowledging the importance of historical perspective, this book emphasizes the living church and what it is today. The course is structured around those themes that represent church practice and belief such as the church as the people of God, the church as servant and the church as sacrament. Each theme has an historical component tracing the theme through major periods of church history and providing insights as to how the church has come to its contemporary expression. With review questions, journal assignments, vocabulary terms, projects and prayer ideas for each chapter. Paper, 8.5 x 11, 336 pages. Approved by the Bishops’ Committee. (©2006)