CATECHESIS
Jesus empowered the Church to continue His mission when He said, Full authority has been given to me both in heaven and on earth; go, therefore and make disciples of all the nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to carry out everything I have commanded you. And know that I am with you always, until the end of time. Matthew 28:18-20
IN HIS IMAGE GOD CREATED THEM MALE AND FEMALE
OPENING PRAYER (WELCOME GOD INTO OUR STUDY)
Heavenly Father, you have made us in your Divine image. In your image, transform us, that we may be a more faithful reflection of your love on earth and be faithful stewards of your creation. In Jesus’ name, we pray.
CATECHESIS (STUDY THE FAITH)
REFERENCES FROM CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC CHURCH 2ND EDITION
CCC 355 – 358 In the Image of God
CCC 362 – 365 Unity of Body and Soul
CCC 369 – 373 Male and Female, a unity of two
CCC 374 – 379 Original Integrity
“Then God said: “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures that crawl on the ground. God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:26-27
Human nature is made up of matter and spirit. “Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (soul) and man became a living being. Genesis. 2:7 The soul images God in consciousness, in intelligence, in love, and in freedom to choose.
Our souls are created at our conception and do not perish when separated from the physical body at death.
The Catholic Church teaches (CCC #366) that every spiritual soul is created immediately by God – it is not “produced” by the parents – and also that it is immortal: it does not perish when it separates from the body at death, and it will be reunited with the body at the final Resurrection.” 
God created sexual and gender differences. He created us male and female. Both have one and the same dignity in the image of God. God is neither man nor woman. God is pure Spirit.
God created man and woman together and willed each for the other. Man discovers woman as another “I,” sharing the same humanity. “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh. Genesis 2:23
In marriage, a man and woman relates in a communion of love that images the Holy Trinity. This married love is intended to be creative and generative in producing new human life according to God’s blessing, “Be fruitful and multiply.” Genesis.1:28
CLOSING PRAYER (PRAY THE FAITH)
Loving God, after creating the universe, you formed man out of dust from the earth and breathed into him a soul that would never die. Help us to use our minds to know you, our free will to love you, and one day bring us home to eternal life with You forever and ever. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
LIFE APPLICATION (LIVE THE FAITH)
1 We image God in our soul’s capacity to know, act freely, and make moral judgments based on an informed conscience.
How well am I imaging God right now?
How can I exercise these soul qualities more effectively?
2. God purposely created masculinity and femininity. male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:26-27
What does God’s word say to you about Gender Identity?
Man and Women in union in marriage imitates the love relationship in the Holy Trinity and fruitful in producing new human life according to God’s blessing, “Be fruitful and multiply.” Genesis.1:28
How does this fact of God’s plan affect support for same-sex marriage?
3. How does I am made in image and likeness of God affect the way I view others especially the less desirable?