HOLY FAMILY PARISH CONTACT INFORMATION

1 Lloyd Avenue Florham Park,

New Jersey 07932

RECTORY rectory@holyfamilyfp.org

Phone 973-377-1817 Fax 973-377-6350

www.holyfamilyfp.org

Rev. Thomas Rekiel, Pastor Rev. Krzysztof Liwarski, Parochial Vicar Rev. Frederick Walters, Pastor Emeritus Deacon Peter M. Fiore Deacon William Ward, Retired Director of Music Ministry, Randy Hertzog Parish Bookkeeper, Robyn Morris Parish Secretary, Celeste Walsh Pastoral Minister, Virginia Akhoury Director of Faith Formation, Dr. Suzanne Herold CCD Director, Anne Giedlinski Youth Coordinator, Daniel Wikstrom

Director Holy Family School, Mary Smith Assistant Director, Toni Fiore School Bookkeeper, Tammy Zebick FINANCE COUNCIL

Ralph Aurilia 973-951-6508 Bob Cottam 973-887-1232 *Anne Feith 973-966-1314 Peter Fiore 917-880-9601 Roger Siara 973-822-1661 *Michael Prokop973-301-0678 Bob Scirocco 973-377-1387 Fred Summa 973-822-3362

*Parish Trustee

Sunday Mass Schedule Saturday 5:30 pm

Sunday 7:30, 9:00, 10:30 am, 12:00 pm, 7:30 pm

Daily Mass Schedule Monday-Friday 8:15 am,

12:10 (During Lent) Saturday 8:15 am

Holy Day Schedule Vigil Mass, 7:30 pm

7:00, 8:15 am, 12:10, 7:30 pm Sacrament of Reconciliation

Saturdays, 4:30 to 5:15pm Mondays, 7:00 to 8:00pm

(During Lent)

Mass Schedule

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT

FEBRUARY 25, 2018

PARISH DIRECTORY

Holy Family Annual Soup Supper

Our Annual Lenten Soup Supper takes place Wednesday March 7th in the church hall beginning at 7:00 pm and continuing to 8:30 pm Bring a pot of soup, if you can, and share with your fellow parishioners, a simple but deli-cious meal. At the same time make a donation to the hungry of what might have been spent on a more elaborate meal. All are welcome. Homemade soup, bread, soda, coffee & tea will be served. ****************************************************************************************

Name:_____________________ # of Guests _________ I will Bring a Soup _______ Or RSVP 973-377-1817 or email rectory@holyfamilyfp.org.

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MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK MONDAY, February 26, 2018 Lenten Weekday 8:15 - Elinore Sieber - Robert Lisanti 12:10– Anthony LaSpina, 8th Anniversary TUESDAY, February 27, 2018 Lenten Weekday 8:15 - Robert O’Donnelly - Matt O’Conor 12:10 WEDNESDAY, February 28, 2018 Lenten Weekday 8:15 - Donovan Carl Wikstrom - Trea Pugh/Bougades 12:10 - Robert Mercuro, Jr. - Anna Fernicola - Regina Ventola THURSDAY, March 1, 2018 Lenten Weekday 8:15 - Anna Prokop - Robert Lisanti - Special Intention 12:10 - FRIDAY, March 2, 2018 Lenten Weekday 8:15 - Anthony Giedlinski, Sr. 12:10 - Angela Nucci - Marian Mercuro SATURDAY, March 3, 2018 Lenten Weekday 8:15 - 5:30 - Gene Miranda - Marie McCoy SUNDAY, March 4, 2018 3rd Sunday of Lent 7:30 - People of Holy Family Parish - Carl Krah - Angela Lepore 9:00 - Angel Prado - Milt Leighton - Lenore DeCoursey 10:30 - Gene Miranda - Camilo Sanchez - Harriet Semple 12:00 - Emily Mulligan - Connie O’Connor 7:30

PRAY FOR THE SICK : James Connolly Sr., Fr. Fred, Peggy Schneyer, John Mahoney, Kate Monteforte, Stephen Matuszek, Theresa Veverka, Steven Reich, John Veverka, Dave Kreutzer, Curt Price, Ted Gleichmann, Bedley Byers, Mary O’Connor, George Padkowsky, Peter and Antonette Sena, Martin Chiarolanzio, Sr., Sloane Dyer, Anne D’Innocenzio, Ken Eberle, Betty O’Connor, Jonathan Tagorda, Orie McMorrow, Barbara Froetscher, Francesca Champion, Gene Taylo, Barbara Leighton, Esther Walsh, Judith Prestage, Nick Bergamotto, Steven Pilla, Denise Bergamotto, Jean Walsh, Keith Northridge, Paul Grace.

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM - Sundays of each month at 1:00pm. Baptism preparation for parents first Tuesday of the month. Phone rectory for details and information. SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE—Please call the rectory at least one year in advance to make arrangements for a wedding. HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL - An environment for growth in faith, values and knowledge. Tiny Tots (2 1/2 yrs. old), Pre K 3 &4, & K. For further information, please call the school office, 973-377-4181, www.holy-family-school.org. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION - A program of religious instruction for grades 1 through 8. Confirmation preparation for high school students. For further information, call the Religious Education Office, 973-377-3101, hfreducation@gmail.com SOCIAL MINISTRIES Ministry to the Homebound: Mary Scirocco, 973-377-1387 Ministry to the Hungry: Anne Platoff, 973-822-0430 Sharon Carr, 973-568-5932 KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS - Dr. McDowell Council - For information, call Joe Guerin 973-615-1635. For Hall rentals, call Ralph Aurilia at 973-301-0297. PRO-LIFE MINISTRY - Frank and Barbara Tinari, 973-822-0084. Important Contact Information: New Jersey Right to Life (njrtl.org) 732-562-0562. CENTERING PRAYER meets at 7:30 p.m. in the K of C Hall on Monday nights. ROSARY is prayed each day at 7:50 a.m. (before the 8:15 Mass). MIRACULOUS MEDAL NOVENA is prayed on Mondays after the 8:15 a.m. Mass. EUCHARISTIC ADORATION The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed for veneration on the First Friday, after the 8:15 mass until 9:45 a.m., (including confessions) and every Thursday after the 8:15 mass.

DONATION OPPORTUNITIES. FOOD PANTRY Thank you for all you do to support the Food Pantry. This week’s item are rice and complete pancake mix. Please do not leave food that is expired we cannot give that to our clients. Sharon @973-568-5932, Anne @ 973-822- 0430. RELIGIOUS ITEMS FOR THE MISSIONS Ginny Akhoury is collecting religious items, prayer cards, novena booklets, medals, small statues, rosar-ies (broken ones will be repaired) crucifixes and greeting cards, for distribution around the world. These items will be sent to missions in Africa, India, the Philip-pines and many other locations. Please leave any contribu-tions in the baskets at the doors of the church. CATHOLIC CHARITIES Please help support our local programs by donations of clothing, shoes and household items in our donation bin located in the parking lot. STOCKS AND SECURITIES DONATIONS: When making this kind of contribution to Holy Family Church please contact Celeste at 973-377-1817 x 0 so that she may get the information from you in order for you to receive a receipt of the donation.

COFFEE & CAKE SUNDAY Calling all Bakers! On Sun-day, March 4, we will be having our monthly Coffee & Cake gathering after the 7:30, 9:00 & 10:30am masses. Baked items are appreciated.

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February 25 Family Based CCD 5:30pm CH Youth Group 8:15pm CH February 26 Family Based CCD 6:30pm CH Confession 7-8:00pm Bible & Sacraments Study 7:00pm CH Centering Prayer 7:30pm K/C Hall February 27 Men's Soccer G 8:00pm February 28 Stations of the Cross 8:45am Family Based CCD 6:30pm CH March 1 Family Based CCD 6:30pm CH March 2 Stations of the Cross 7:00 March 4 Coffee & Cake Sunday 10th Grade Confirmation 6:00pm March 5 Confession 7-8:00pm Bible & Sacraments Study 7:00pm CH March 6 Men’s Soccer K of C Meeting 8:00pm March 7 Stations of the Cross 8:45am Soup Supper 7:00pm CH March 8 Finance Meeting 8:00pm March 9 Stations of the Cross 7:00pm March 10 Family Based CCD 9:30am CH St. Patrick’s Day Party 7:00pm G March 11 9th Grade Confirmation 6:00pm Youth Group 8:15pm CH

PLEASE REMEMBER IN PRAYER those serving in the military: LTC Timothy Renahan USA; Matthew Manzione, USA AS1 Brian Schramm, USN; Capt Stephen Scirocco, USMC; LCpl. Stephen Hanily, USMC; Sgt. Chad Jennings, USA; PFC Patrick Montuore, USMC; Sgt. Jared K. Nucci, USA.

TITHING Last week’s collection was $8,808.00 (last year was $9,096.00).

Thank you for your continued generosity to Holy Family.

Join Deacon Pete The Bible and the Sacraments. The Bible and the Sacraments is a dynamic video based look that ex-plores the deep spiritual roots of the sacraments. By illuminat-ing the relationships between the Old and New Testaments and their connection to the rites of the Catholic Church, the bible and the Sacraments reveals the sacramental nature of God’s lov-ing and saving plan of humanity. Sessions will be held on Monday evenings at 7:00 pm in the Church Hall. Come and bring a friend.

Confessions - Mondays 2/19-3/19 7:00-8:00 pm

8 Reasons Not to Go To Confession Before Easter 1. I haven't been in a long time. Reply: That's why you should go now. 2. I'm embarrassed. Reply: Human beings say and do embarrassing things. All of the time. Don't let embarrassment keep you from receiving God's grace. 3. The priest might yell at me. Reply: I hope that doesn't happen. The priest is a sinner too. And, I'm guessing that 98% of the time, priests are just really happy to be able to be hearing confessions. It's when we feel most like a priest! So, I think our inclination--especially before Christmas--is to be happy that we are being used in the way that God intended. If you do get one of us during that 2% cranky period, chalk it up to us being tired and that we are sin-ners too! 4. I'm afraid the priest will think less of me. Reply: When I hear confessions, I am grateful for the privilege to be welcomed into the messiness of someone's life. I'm think-ing how great it is that this person is confessing his or her sins. I'm not thinking any less of the person. Quite the oppo-site. Oh yeah, and the priest is a sinner too. 5. It's been so long, I forgot exactly what I'm supposed to say. Reply: Say, "Father, it's been so long I forget exactly what I'm supposed to say." The priest is going to be delighted that you are there. He's not worried that you don't remember the Act of Contrition. (And by the way, if you're really stuck on the Act of Contrition, here is a good one: "Lord Jesus Christ, Have Mercy on Me a Sinner. Amen." 6. I'd like to go, but there are certain things I really don't want to say. Reply: "Abortion, gossip, envy, masturbation, pornography, fornication, adultery, lying, being cheap, refusing to forgive, not praying, not going to Mass, deceiving, looking lustfully at oth-ers, using the Lord's Name carelessly or inappropriately, receiv-ing the Eucharist unworthily, sullying the good reputation of another, being hateful, being filled with pride, cheating, stealing, not contributing faithfully and generously to the works of the Church, and at times despairing of God's mercy and at other times presuming too much on God's mercy." If I heard any of that or ALL of that in a single confession, I would think, "Praise God!! What a beautiful and great confession." The more honest a confession, the better. When we open our wounds to the Lord, His grace floods those wounds and heals them. 7. I'd like to go, but I'm really busy. Reply: If you wanted to go, you'd go. So, go. 8. I really haven't done anything wrong. Reply: You REALLY need to go!

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“I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH” The Church in the Plan of God

2 Sunday of Lent – February 24/25

147. What does the word Church mean? The word Church refers to the people whom God calls and gath-ers together from every part of the earth. They form the assembly of those who through faith and Baptism have become children of God, members of Christ, and temples of the Holy Spirit. 148. Are there other names and images with which the Bible speaks about the Church? In Sacred Scripture we find many images which bring out vari-ous complementary aspects of the mystery of the Church. The Old Testament favors those images that are bound to the people of God. The New Testament offers images that are linked to Christ as the Head of this people which is his Body. Other imag-es are drawn from pastoral life (sheepfold, flock, sheep), from agriculture (field, olive grove, vineyard), from construction (dwelling place, stone, temple), and from family life (spouse, mother, family). 149. What is the origin and the fulfillment of the Church? The Church finds her origin and fulfillment in the eternal plan of God. She was prepared for in the Old Covenant with the election of Israel, the sign of the future gathering of all the nations. Founded by the words and actions of Jesus Christ, fulfilled by his redeeming death and Resurrection, the Church has been man-ifested as the mystery of salvation by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. She will be perfected in the glory of heaven as the assembly of all the redeemed of the earth. 150. What is the mission of the Church? The mission of the Church is to proclaim and establish the King-dom of God begun by Jesus Christ among all peoples. The Church constitutes on earth the seed and beginning of this salvific Kingdom. 151. In what way is the Church a mystery? The Church is a mystery in as much as in her visible reality there is present and active a divine spiritual reality which can only be seen with the eyes of faith. 152. What does it mean to say that the Church is the univer-sal sacrament of salvation? This means that she is the sign and instrument both of the recon-ciliation and communion of all of humanity with God and of the unity of the entire human race.

The Church: people of God, �body of Christ, temple of the Spirit

153. Why is the Church the ‘people of God’? The Church is the ‘people of God’ because it pleased God to sanctify and save men not in isolation but by making them into one people gathered together by the unity of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

154. What are the characteristics of the people of God? One becomes a member of this people through faith in Christ and Baptism. This people has for its origin God the Father; for its head Jesus Christ; for its hallmark the dignity and freedom of the sons of God; for its law the new commandment of love; for its mission to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world; and for its destiny the Kingdom of God, already begun on earth. 155. In what way does the people of God share in the three functions of Christ as Priest, Prophet and King? The people of God participate in Christ's priestly office insofar as the baptized are consecrated by the Holy Spirit to offer spir-itual sacrifices. They share in Christ’s prophetic office when with a supernatural sense of faith they adhere unfailingly to that faith and deepen their understanding and witness to it. The peo-ple of God share in his kingly office by means of service, imitat-ing Jesus Christ who as King of the universe made himself the servant of all, especially the poor and the suffering. 156. In what way is the Church the body of Christ? The risen Christ unites his faithful people to himself in an inti-mate way by means of the Holy Spirit. In this way, those who believe in Christ, in as much as they are close to him especially in the Eucharist, are united among themselves in charity. They form one body, the Church, whose unity is experienced in the diversity of its members and its functions. 157. Who is the Head of this body? Christ “is the Head of the body, the Church” (Colossians 1:18). The Church lives from him, in him and for him. Christ and the Church make up the “whole Christ” (Saint Augustine); “Head and members form, as it were, one and the same mystical per-son” (Saint Thomas Aquinas). 158. Why is the Church called the “Bride of Christ”? She is called the “Bride of Christ” because the Lord himself called himself her “Spouse” (Mark 2:19). The Lord has loved the Church and has joined her to himself in an everlasting cove-nant. He has given himself up for her in order to purify her with his blood and “sanctify her” (Ephesians 5:26), making her the fruitful mother of all the children of God. While the term “body” expresses the unity of the “head” with the members, the term “bride” emphasizes the distinction of the two in their per-sonal relationship. 159. Why is the Church called the temple of the Holy Spirit? She is so called because the Holy Spirit resides in the body which is the Church, in her Head and in her members. He also builds up the Church in charity by the Word of God, the sacra-ments, the virtues, and charisms. “What the soul is to the human body, the Holy Spirit is to the members of Christ, that is, the body of Christ, which is the Church.” (Saint Augustine) 160. What are charisms? Charisms are special gifts of the Holy Spirit which are bestowed on individuals for the good of others, the needs of the world, and in particular for the building up of the Church. The discern-ment of charisms is the responsibility of the Magisterium.

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MONEY COUNTERS NEEDED On Monday morn-ing we have teams of volunteers who come in to count the Sunday collection. We are in need of help. The commitment is once a month for about an hour and half. If you are interested please contact Bob McCoy @973-514-5980.

Holy Family Youth Group

Holy Family has formed a new Youth Group.

The group will meet on February 25th at 8:15pm in the church hall. The group is open to students who have made their Confir-mation and older. The group will focus on strengthening our faith, prayer, friendship as well as organizing a mission trip dur-ing the summer.

H F Y G . P

. You only need to send us your recipes with the expla-nation of preparation .

Please send recipes to steveprokop914@gmail.com

We offer the following services, call to set up an appointment: SNOW REMOVAL, DOG WALKING, TECHNOLOGY HELP, LAWN MOWING ,TUTORING All funds will benefit the Youth Group and help offset the cost of a summer mission trip.

Please call or text Steve Prokop (973.647.9876) or Father Thomas (973.452.5256) for further information.

HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL REGISTRATION REGISTRATION IS BEING ACCEPTED FOR TINY TOTS (2 1/2 YRS. OLD) PRE K 3, PRE K 4, KINDERGARTEN Information about Holy Family School can be obtained by call-ing 973-377-4181 or visiting the school office. Individual visits

and tours can be scheduled by calling the school office. ENROLLMENT IN KINDERGARTEN REQUIRES THE CHILD TO HAVE REACHED HIS OR HER FIFTH BIRTHDAY BY OCTOBER 1.

ROSARY Brooklake Assisted Living Facility on James St. is looking for volunteers to lead the resi-dents in the Rosary on Thursday mornings at 10:00 AM. If you are interested please contact Celeste at 973-377-1817 or email rectory@holyfamilyfp.org.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS FISH FRY by the Thistle of Lyndhurst!

When: Friday March 23, 4:30-7:30pm Where: Holy Family Gym, Tucker Ave. Florham Park Cost: $10 children, $17 Adults (Presale ends 3/19) prices at door Children $13, Adults $20

Purchase tickets at kofc2248.org

CHESS “ROUND-ROBIN” TOURNEY Sponsored by: Florham Park/Madison Knights of Columbus for students grades 3 –8 who live in the local area. Most play 7 to10 games! When/Where: Saturday, April 7, 8:30am to 1:00pm in the Ho-ly Family Gym, Tucker Street, Florham Park. (Note – There will be limits of 30 players for each division (60 total) don’t wait to register!) Cost: $8.00 ($20 for 3 from a family) by 4/2, regis-tration at the door at 8:00am sharp, $10.00, (no family discount) Checks: Payable to “Knights of Columbus”, PO Box 540, Flor-ham Park, NJ 07932, include parents’ & players names address, phone #, grade and school. Email address encouraged. Ques-tions: Joe O’Brien, at 973-301-1864. CHESS CLINICS OFFERED LEADING UP TO TOURNEY! For all students grades 3-8 on Sundays from 2 to 3:30 PM. Clinics will run on Sundays from 2/18 to 3/18 in the Knights Hall for free. Come, learn the basics and play the game of Chess!

FLORHAM PARK VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT will be holding a Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, March 11 at Fire Headquarters on Brooklake Rd from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.

HOLY FAMILY WOMEN’S CORNER Upcoming Event for Women at Seton Hall

ALIVE IN CHRIST Renewing Our Families, Saturday, March 3, 8:00 am-4:00 pm.

Register online @www.rcan.org/womenscommission. For more information email: Catholic Women@rcan.org

or call 973-497-4545 . Continental Breakfast and Lunch included, Cost: $25.00.

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12-DAY FAITH VACATION to BELGIUM AND HOL-

LAND, October 1-12, 2018, hosted by Msgr. Ray Kupke; $4098.00 per person from Newark. For more information please contact Diane Miranda at 201-887-2214 or email miraculousmom@yahoo.com.

The Church is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic III Sunday of Lent - March 3/4

161. Why is the Church one? The Church is one because she has as her source and exemplar the unity of the Trinity of Persons in one God. As her Founder and Head, Jesus Christ re-established the unity of all people in one body. As her soul, the Holy Spirit unites all the faithful in communion with Christ. The Church has but one faith, one sacramental life, one apostolic succession, one common hope, and one and the same charity. 162. Where does the one Church of Christ subsist? The one Church of Christ, as a society constituted and organized in the world, subsists in (subsistit in) the Catholic Church, governed by the Suc-cessor of Peter and the bishops in communion with him. Only through this Church can one obtain the fullness of the means of salvation since the Lord has entrusted all the blessings of the New Covenant to the apostolic college alone whose head is Peter. 163. How are non-Catholic Christians to be considered? In the churches and ecclesial communities which are separated from full communion with the Catholic Church, many elements of sanctification and truth can be found. All of these blessings come from Christ and lead to Catholic unity. Members of these churches and communities are incor-porated into Christ by Baptism and we so we recognize them as brothers. 164. How does one commit oneself to work for the unity of Christians? The desire to restore the unity of all Christians is a gift from Christ and a call of the Spirit. This desire involves the entire Church and it is pursued by conversion of heart, prayer, fraternal knowledge of each other and the-ological dialogue. 165. In what way is the Church holy? The Church is holy insofar as the Most Holy God is her author. Christ has given himself for her to sanctify her and make her a source of sanctifica-tion. The Holy Spirit gives her life with charity. In the Church one finds the fullness of the means of salvation. Holiness is the vocation of each of her members and the purpose of all her activities. The Church counts among her members the Virgin Mary and numerous Saints who are her models and intercessors. The holiness of the Church is the fountain of sanctification for her children who here on earth recognize themselves as sinners ever in need of conversion and purification. 166. Why is the Church called “Catholic”? The Church is catholic, that is universal, insofar as Christ is present in her: “Where there is Christ Jesus, there is the Catholic Church” (Saint Ignatius of Antioch). The Church proclaims the fullness and the totality of the faith; she bears and administers the fullness of the means of salvation; she is sent out by Christ on a mission to the whole of the human race. 167. Is the particular Church catholic? Every particular Church (that is, a diocese or eparchy) is catholic. It is formed by a community of Christians who are in communion of faith and of the sacraments both with their Bishop, who is ordained in apostolic succession, and with the Church of Rome which “presides in chari-ty” (Saint Ignatius of Antioch). 168. Who belongs to the Catholic Church? All human beings in various ways belong to or are ordered to the Catholic unity of the people of God. Fully incorporated into the Catholic Church are those who, possessing the Spirit of Christ, are joined to the Church by the bonds of the profession of faith, the sacraments, ecclesiastical govern-ment and communion. The baptized who do not enjoy full Catholic unity are in a certain, although imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church. 169. What is the relationship of the Catholic Church with the Jewish people? The Catholic Church recognizes a particular link with the Jewish people in the fact that God chose them before all others to receive his Word. To the Jewish people belong “the sonship, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, the promises, and the patriarchs; and of their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ” (Romans 9:4, 5). The Jewish faith, unlike other non-Christian religions, is already a response to the revelation of God in the Old Covenant.

170. What is the bond that exists between the Catholic Church and non-Christian religions? There is a bond between all peoples which comes especially from the common origin and end of the entire human race. The Catholic Church recognizes that whatever is good or true in other religions comes from God and is a reflection of his truth. As such it can prepare for the acceptance of the Gospel and act as a stimulus toward the unity of humanity in the Church of Christ. 171. What is the meaning of the affirmation “Outside the Church there is no salvation”? This means that all salvation comes from Christ, the Head, through the Church which is his body. Hence they cannot be saved who, knowing the Church as founded by Christ and necessary for salvation, would refuse to enter her or remain in her. At the same time, thanks to Christ and to his Church, those who through no fault of their own do not know the Gospel of Christ and his Church but sincerely seek God and, moved by grace, try to do his will as it is known through the dictates of conscience can attain eternal salvation. 172. Why must the Church proclaim the Gospel to the whole world? The Church must do so because Christ has given the command: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spir-it” (Matthew 28:19). This missionary mandate of the Lord has its origin in the eternal love of God who has sent his Son and the Holy Spirit because “he desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). 173. In what sense is the Church missionary? The Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, continues the mission of Christ himself in the course of history. Christians must, therefore, proclaim to everyone the Good News borne by Christ; and, fol-lowing his path, they must be ready for self-sacrifice, even unto martyrdom. 174. Why is the Church apostolic? The Church is apostolic in her origin because she has been built on “the foundation of the Apostles” (Ephesians 2:20). She is apos-tolic in her teaching which is the same as that of the Apostles. She is apostolic by reason of her structure insofar as she is taught, sanctified, and guided until Christ returns by the Apostles through their successors who are the bishops in communion with the suc-cessor of Peter. 175. In what does the mission of the Apostles consist? The Word “Apostle” means “one who is sent”. Jesus, the One sent by the Father, called to himself twelve of his disciples and ap-pointed them as his Apostles, making them the chosen witnesses of his Resurrection and the foundation of his Church. He gave them the command to continue his own mission saying, “As the Father has sent me, so I also send you” (John 20:21); and he promised to remain with them until the end of the world. 176. What is apostolic succession? Apostolic succession is the transmission by means of the sacra-ment of Holy Orders of the mission and power of the Apostles to their successors, the bishops. Thanks to this transmission the Church remains in communion of faith and life with her origin, while through the centuries she carries on her apostolate for the spread of the Kingdom of Christ on earth.