In the mid-18th century, Pope John XXIII called an ecumenical council to address new issues in the Church and society.

Only ordained Christians cooperate in the building up of the Body of Christ.

The Second Vatican Council emphasized the role of laity as the People of God.

The decisions made at the Second Vatican Council continue to shape how we practice our faith today.

The goal of the Second Vatican Council was to explore how Church teaching could be made clearer.

Meetings called by the pope to discuss matters of doctrine and pastoral care are called Synods.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that we should wholeheartedly devote ourselves to the glory of God and to the service our neighbors.

The decisions of a synod become official teachings of the Church.

The pope has authority to call for an ecumenical council, a gathering of all the world's bishops.

We receive the grace and strength to live holy lives through the sacraments, especially the Eucharist.

At the First Vatican Council, two changes made in the Church were the allowance of prayers and Scripture reading in a language other than Latin and the acceptance of lay ministers.

During the Second Vatican Council, Church leaders stated that the Eucharist is the high point of our lives as Catholics.