And
Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become
fishers of men.
~ Mark
1:17~
|
Cornerstone
Old Catholic Community
2200 Minnehaha Ave. East,
Saint Paul, MN 55119
About
Our Community
|
|
Independence
We
are members of the worldwide Old Catholic Church. An
inherent part of Old Catholicism is our "grass roots"
nature: the foundation of our administrative structure
is the royal priesthood of the baptized (as was true in
the early, united Church). We share a bond with our
fellow Old Catholics, and all Catholic churches, in
our common history and
essentials of faith. |
|
|
Dogma and
Liturgy
Being
welcoming (ecumenical) is an essential part of our
parish identity. All are welcome to our liturgy
and scripture studies. All baptized Christians may
receive the Eucharist and be confirmed.
Learn more about the sacraments.
We celebrate the
mass as participants, not as mere spectators. We gather around
our altar when our priest consecrates the Eucharist.
We follow the dictum
of St. Augustine of Hippo: "In essentials, unity. In
non-essentials, liberty. In all things, love.". Our shared,
essential dogma is defined by the Gospels and
Ecumenical Councils of the early, united church. Our members
are free to hold and consider other ideas, such as those taught
by other Catholic churches, so long as they do not contradict
the Gospels and Ecumenical Councils.
|
|
|
Marriage and
Family
Married life
is a calling. Marriage
exists for the physical and spiritual nurturing of the
partners. However, not everyone is called to parenthood. Those
that are called to parenthood should still be prudent.
Contraception is therefore a private matter for husband and
wife.
Our clergy will perform
commitment ceremonies (sacramental marriage) for couples of the
same gender just as they would for couples of opposite gender.
To be a parent is to play a
tremendous role in God's Creation. We support and bless all who
bring new life into the world. We support and bless all who are
called to shepherd that life to maturity, whether by adoption or
by birth.
Divorce can
sometimes be the best course of action for two people, so we
permit remarriage. Divorce does not
prevent you from receiving the Eucharist.
|
|
|
Clergy
Our bishops
are in the Apostolic Succession, the historic line of
bishops that runs from Our Lord Jesus Christ to all
validly consecrated bishops today.
See the Apostolic Succession of our Bishop.
Our clergy and
bishops may be male or female, and may be in a sacramental marriage with a member of
the same or opposite gender.
Celibacy is a calling. Married life is a calling. As the married Apostles attest,
celibacy is not an intrinsic part of a vocation to ordained ministry. Celibacy and married life each offer different gifts to the clergy. A church that has clergy following
both ways of life is greatly blessed.
|
|
|
Social
Ministry
Each
of our parish members pursues a ministry according to their
calling and schedule. As our parish becomes bigger, we will be
able to do organized social ministry as a parish.
We currently have a
Food Basket program to support Casa de Esperanza (a women's
shelter). We also have special projects throughout the year.
|
|