Running head: ​Catholicism

Catholicism

Daniel Urbieta

Arizona State University

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Abstract

The purpose of this project is to gain information on the catholic church in hopes of

understanding the beliefs and structure of the church. Along with gaining a basic consensus of

the church, this research hopes to debunk any false stereotypes that many outsiders believe to be

true. The overall goal is for the audience to understand and connect with the people of the

catholic church and learn what they actually believe in before coming to any judgements or

criticism.

Keywords: Catholicism, Church, Eucharist

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What Is Catholicism?

Section 1, Question Bank

The purpose of my research is to gain general knowledge about the beliefs and practices of

the catholic church and what it means to them and how they interpret these things. After gaining

a general knowledge of the church, I want to dig deeper into interpretation and meanings of the

church in order to debunk stereotypes that many people believe in. I am curious about learning

how the church reacts to the world and how they handle negative stereotypes that negatively

affect their image as a religion. I also hope in finding a common goal that all the members have

for becoming a catholic, whether that will be helping themselves, their community or the world. I

want to find their purpose that they believe to have as catholics.

“Central Research Question”

-What is catholicism?

“General Inquiry/Observation Questions”

-What do Catholics believe in?

-Why is the cross so significant in the catholic religion

-What is the importance of the Virgin Mary?

-What is the Eucharist and what does it mean?

“General Interview Questions”

- Can you take me through religious practices that you’re involved in everyday? Like when you

pray, what do you pray about?

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-How long have you been catholic?

- How does being catholic make you feel?

- What sacraments have you completed?

-Have you experienced a miracle? What was the miracle if you're comfortable explaining?

-What is your story for becoming a catholic?

- What does it mean to be a catholic to you?

- What objects have significant importance to you and the church and why?

-What are some common misconceptions and stereotypes that most people associate with the

Catholic Church?

-What do you hope the church can do to help in their respective community?

-How do you as a community react towards outsider negative views?

-How do you react to the LGTBQ community and their signs against religion and the church?

“Interview Questions for Specific People”

Aida Urbieta:

-​​Have you experienced a miracle? What was the miracle if you're comfortable explaining?

-​​What does it mean to be a catholic to you?

-How long have you been catholic?

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Alberto Urbieta:

-​​Have you experienced a miracle? What was the miracle if you're comfortable explaining?

-​​What does it mean to be a catholic to you?

-How long have you been catholic?

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Section 2, Sites of Inquiry​​.

Sites of Inquiry Contact / Location Dates / Times

St. Catherine Catholic Fr. Alonzo Saenz (Priest), St. Mass at St. Catherine
Church, Phoenix, AZ Catherine Catholic Church, Catholic Church, Phoenix,
Phoenix, AZ AZ. Attended on 10/7/2018

Immaculate Conception Aida Urbieta (928-210-0466), Confessions at Immaculate

Catholic Church, Yuma, AZ Immaculate Conception Catholic Conception Catholic Church,
Church, Yuma, AZ Yuma, AZ. Attended on
10/13/2018

St. Francis Catholic Church, Alberto Urbieta (928-210-7202), Mass at ​St. Francis Catholic
Yuma, AZ St. Francis Catholic Church, Church, Yuma, AZ. Attended on
Yuma, AZ 10/14/2018.
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Section 3, Inquiring into Objects /Artifacts

Part 1, Summarize the experience, including responses and notes (~200 words):

When I got my hands on the Catholic Bible, first thing I observed was the sheer size of the

book. The Bible is massive, and contains over 1300 pages. The bible was slightly tearing and

definitely showed that it had some age to it, the pages turning to a pale yellow color, the spine

creating a concave showing that it has been opened a lot. In the first couple of pages, a message

straight from the vatican was printed right on the second page. Not only was the bible filled with

what Catholics believe to be the word of God, but the pope at the time had the obligation to send

a message to the readers of this holy artifact. Just from the fact that the holiest icon in the world

gives himself the obligation to have the vatican send a message to be printed on this Bible shows

the sheer importance of it within the catholic faith. The bible tells stories of Jesus Christ and how

he lived, explains set principles, guides christians to live a life on earth that would lead to eternal

life, shows the immense power and mercy of God, and much more. The Bible contains the word

of God and is considered to be sacred to those who study God’s word.

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Part 2, Principle Quotes or Observations with an explanation of value:

​ or I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to
1. “​ F

harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and

pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me

with all your heart.” - Jeremiah 29:11-13. The significance of this quote shows the

promise that each and every catholic believes in. Catholics believe that God has a plan for

everyone, and that God will guide you on a journey to put you exactly where you need to

be.

2. “​This is how God showed his love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the

world that we might live through him. - 1 John 4:9” This is significant in the catholic

faith because God sacrificed his one and only son to die on the cross for the sins of the

world and showed his everlasting love by doing so.

​ eloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been
3. “​ B

born of God and knows God. - 1 John 4:7” The significance this quote plays is huge in

the catholic faith. The Catholic church is taught to love each and every person no matter

the situation, God is seen through all people and all people are to love one another as God

loves us.
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Part 3, Reflect on the process, occurrences, and results of this research, including inferences
about the significance of your observations and interview responses. (~300 words):

Looking back at the experience of observing the Bible, I can say that I was truly amazed.

The catholic faith as represented through the Bible shows nothing but peace and love between all

mortal beings. The Bible contains so many great references, answers, and philosophies that I

truly believe catholics and non catholics all around the world should hear and live their lives by.

With the small number of pages I have read so far in the Bible, I am hooked and want to read

more and am very tempted to read it all. The experience of reading the bible in St. Catherine

Catholic Church in Phoenix, Arizona was remarkable, it was as if the words in the bible spoke to

me and read me rather than me read it. I started to read it and was able to tie so many experiences

in my life with what the bible was saying, as if the Bible knew what I have been through. It is an

experience that could only further be described if you try it out for yourself, and I highly

recommend that to everyone I know. You can easily see the significance of the Bible in the

catholic faith. The bible contains the word of God and tells its followers how to live a life

through Jesus Christ. The New Testament documents and tells the church the life Jesus Christ

lived throughout the Gospels of Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John, giving christians an example of

a perfect human being living and serving though God. Excerpts of the Bible are read everyday in

mass and are followed by Homilies from the priest giving further explanation of what the Bible

is saying and calling for catholics and christians to do. To say the Bible is important in the

Catholic church is an understatement, the significant of it rains down on every single part of the

faith and the people involved in it.

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Section 4, Inquiring into Place

Part 1, Summarize the observation, including responses and notes (~200 words):

St. Catherine Catholic Church looks old and worn down from the outside. The all brick

structure is noticeably wearing away but still beneath all the wear and tear, the overall structure

of the church is still beautiful. The church has three huge archways in each entrance to the

church with crosses on top of each arch. The church also has a towering bell tower that sounds

every half hour and is connected to the church with a glorious cross on top of it. The whole

church is surrounded by beautiful artistic window panes of enormous size which show pictures

of Saints, Jesus Christ, and Bible references. The inside of the church is in the shape of a cross,

there is a south wing, north wing, west wing and an east wing where the priest and servers sit.

There are beautiful statues of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and St. Joseph. All the statues have

white candles placed in front of them and the virgin mary has beautiful roses and flowers at the

base of her statue. The church has seating arrangements for many people. The wooden benches

are places in rows on each wing leaving an open space in the middle of all the benches and

leaving space to the left and right of the benches for walkways. The east wing where the priest

and servers sit during mass, contains a huge cross with Jesus Christ on it surrounded by candles

and a table where the priest turns bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ.
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Part 2, Principle Quotes or Observations with an explanation of value:

4. The Virgin mary statue is surrounded with flowers, roses, candles, and petitions. The

significance of this shows how important the Virgin Mary is to the catholic faith and how

they pray to her because they believe she has a direct connection to Jesus since she is his

mother

5. The church has the word “Sanctus” written above the table where the priest turns bread

and wine to the body and blood of Jesus Christ. The word means Holy, once again

showing the belief of utter holiness belonging to Jesus Christ, God and the Holy Spirit

6. The church was built in the shape of a cross. This is significant because the cross is a

sacred symbol in the catholic church symbolizing the passion of Jesus Christ dying on the

cross for the sins of the world.

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Part 3, Reflect on the process, occurrences, and results of this research, including inferences
about the significance of your observations and interview responses. (~300 words):

The church is such an important place within the catholic community and catholic faith. The

church has so many events throughout the week and year that so many catholics and non

catholics can be apart of. St. Catherine Catholic Church holds masses everyday throughout the

week including Sunday masses, they also hold confessions three times a week on Monday,

Friday, and Saturdays for Catholics to practice reconciliation, and the church is open to anyone

at almost anytime. What is great about the last point is that the church seems to designate

specific time during the day for people to walk into the church to pray. I can not say exactly what

it is, but something about a quiet church is so peaceful. The experience felt by reading the word

of God while sitting in his temple is something that truly leaves you in awe. I interviewed Aida

Urbieta who is an active catholic and helps serve the church by being an announcer of a mass

every Sunday. She described the church as sacred and as a place where everyone can come

together and pray and give thanks to God. She also finds the church as a place where the

eucharist can be celebrated, where we can all become one body of God, and where we can

explore and interact with new people and cultures since Catholics within her area are a mix of all

kinds of ethnicities. Aida mentioned how she enjoys going to the church for confessions, prayer,

adoration, and information on events, the bible and classes to enhance her faith. The church is a

symbolic place for all catholics and it has turned to an area where all catholics can practice and

boost their faith. The church to the catholic faith is a catholic’s home, it is a place that is filled

with nothing but benefits for the catholic faith and is a sanctuary and safe place for many to walk

into and enjoy

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​Section 5, Inquiring into Activities/Events

Part 1, Summarize the observation, including responses and notes (~200 words):

When I walked through the beautiful archways to enter the church for mass, I was greeted by

a giant stunning window pane that showed what looked to be St. Michael, the archangel,

thrusting a sword to the head of a snake. Once inside, those attending are allowed to sit wherever

they please, however even a couple of minutes before the mass started, it seemed that many

where already standing on the border of the church walls because the available seats have

depleted. To start the mass, a bell was rung and everyone in the church stood up as the priest and

servers appeared from behind the altar and a song was sung in unison with everyone in the

church that was orchestrated by a choir on the balcony of the back of the church. The priest

started the mass with the sign of the cross and everyone in the church followed him in doing so.

The priest then went on for those in the church to ask God for forgiveness for the sins we have

thought, what we have done, and what we have failed to do. Next was the first reading, then the

second reading which were read by members of the church. Next the Gospel was read by the

priest and the priest followed the Gospel with the homily. Then petitions were made, and the

eucharist was distributed out to those who have completed their first communion sacrament and

then a final blessing was said and the mass ended.

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Part 2, Principle Quotes or Observations with an explanation of value:

7. Towards the last three quarters of the mass, the priest tells the audience to show each

other a sign of peace, and everyone hugs and shakes hands with the people around them.

The significance of this shows the principle that catholics posses which is that we are all

brothers and sisters of christ, and that even though you might not totally know someone,

you are connected and loved by everyone.

8. “This is my body, it shall be given up for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Do this in memory of me.”. The significance of this is the catholic belief that once

consecrated, bread and wine actually turn into the body and blood of Jesus Christ, and is

extremely sacred for only those who are worthy to take him.

9. “Amen”. The significance of this single word is quite unique in the catholic faith, it

means “I believe”, and it used frequently throughout the mass to signify their belief in

God and his works.

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Part 3, Reflect on the process, occurrences, and results of this research, including inferences
about the significance of your observations and interview responses. (~300 words):

Looking back on the experience of attending a catholic mass, I was truly amazed to

see how the mass was able to bring people of all kinds of backgrounds together.

Everyone in the church might have their differences, but when they are in mass they are

united as one through the catholic church. Catholics who were at the mass were also

extremely respectful and extremely kind and open to everyone. There were people

dressed up all kinds of ways. There were men wearing tuxedos, polos, pants , shorts,

t-shirts, etc and not a single person cared about a dress code. It seemed as if the church

just prioritized the fact that they wish all to come and want no restrictions upon anyone

who wishes to attend their sacred mass. The atmosphere is super friendly, and even if you

have never attended mass before, you can easily blend in with everyone else in the church

and be apart of what they partake in. You can tell the importance of mass to the catholic

church just from reading the Ten Commandments. The third commandment says to keep

the sabbath day holy, meaning go to church every Sunday. That is why we see many

people attending sunday mass rather than other weekday masses. The big event that

comes during mass is communion. This is where members of the church who have

received their first communion and do not have mortal sin can receive and eat the body

and drink the blood of christ. This is a privilege in the catholic faith as no catholic thinks

they are worthy enough to take the all ever holy body and blood of their Lord Jesus

Christ. To receive that holiness is such a blessing to many and it is in every catholic’s

best interest to receive eucharist as often as possible when they attend mass.
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Section 6, Inquiring into People/Person

Part 1, Summarize the observation, including responses and notes (~200 words):

Aida Urbieta seems like such a sweet lady with nothing but good intentions for the world.

She has been a catholic for 56 years and is a commentator for Sunday masses. Aida is an avid

catholic and is super active in the church, she has completed all her sacraments of the church

which are: Baptism, reconciliation, eucharist, confirmation, anointing of the sick, marriage, and

holy orders, and attends all the events that she can attend in her church. When i was conducting

the interview, I couldn’t help but recognize the noticeable passion that Aida was speaking with.

You were clearly able to see and hear the importance of the church to her and how much she

loves to be apart of it! When asked what she hopes the church can do for its community, Aida

said, “One day I hope the youth can all hear the good news (gospel) and be determined to make

amazing change in this world.” She believes that the only way for the world to master world

peace is through people working through God’s grace.

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Part 2, Principle Quotes or Observations with an explanation of value:

10. “The youth is the face of change in this church and in the world.”. The significance of

this shows how much support and attention the church wants to put into their youth

following.

11. “I am proud to be a Catholic.”. The significance of this shows the passion and love Aida

truly has for the catholic and her calling to serve.

12. “I feel like i have a big responsibility of sharing the good news (gospel)​.”​The significance

of this shows how catholics believe that we are all called to serve God and we all have a

duty.
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Part 3, Reflect on the process, occurrences, and results of this research, including inferences
about the significance of your observations and interview responses. (~300 words):

The interview I conducted with Aida was truly inspiring, to see such passion that one person

posses to serve her God at all means necessary. During my interview with Aida, she told me

about her amazing story where her oldest son, Jorge, had a sudden brain aneurysm at their home

in Yuma, Arizona. She told me that her son came over to her and told her that he had a headache,

and during that conversation just kept saying that the headache was getting worse and worse at a

rapid rate to the point where he couldn’t stand anymore. Her husband and her rushed Jorge to a

hospital nearby where doctors immediately told them that they needed to fly Jorge to a trauma 1

hospital in Phoenix as soon as possible because he had a brain aneurysm that ruptured and was

losing blood at a rapid rate. Jorge was flown into Banners hospital in Phoenix and was rushed

into emergency surgery. The damage has already been done though. Doctors told Aida and her

husband that they will do whatever they can to save Jorge’s life, but he only has a 10% chance of

living, and if he lives, the damage would be permanent. He wouldn’t be the same anymore. The

left side of his body would be paralyzed, most of his memory and speech will be gone, he will

have trouble walking, and he would be in bed rest at the hospital for eight months. The doctor

told Aida that him and his staff will all pray for him in the operating room and that if they

believed in God to pray for Jorge too. Aida was on top of it of course, praying like she never has

before and telling all her sisters and family to pray, calling for the whole catholic community to

pray for Jorge. And to everyone’s surprise, Jorge survives after three twelve plus hour surgeries,

and not only that, he was released from the hospital in five days and suffered no permanent

damage whatsoever to his brain. Jorge went on to complete his bachelors in electrical
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engineering and got his masters in business administration and has a beautiful family of three

children. The doctors to this day are still amazed at Jorge’s remarkable survival and recovery and

the Doctors themselve call it a miracle from God. Aida said it was a moment where she realized

that your faith will always be tested, but as long as you trust and believe in God’s plan, you will

see his true love and grace. Sometimes we suffer so God can give us an opportunity to grow and

believe. There was no other explanation for what happened to Jorge. It was nothing short of a

miracle.
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Section 7, Soundscape Links

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1X-bWx61Rv7z2pzTpFS5gR1v0x7WZPd1u

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1HUYq8esCaSi-sEyIEhcrcz9e2l5a6T8n

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1KbrV2OtvdEEOyf2Pql2OgGs21nAWlrfE
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Section 8, WP3 Proposal

With my research on Catholicism and the Catholic church, I was able to receive an up close

and personal experience with the religion and learn the basics of their beliefs and their goals that

they wish to accomplish through the church. I was able to ask questions and interview members

of the church and talk to them in hopes of receiving honest answers. From my interview with

Aida Urbieta, I was given my first encounter of the passion that the members of the church

contain for their religion. Aida, who is not only a member of the church, but is also an

announcer/commentator for Sunday masses at Immaculate Conception Church, explained to me

the significance of being a catholic to her. She feels like she has a duty or calling in this world to

spread the “Good News” (gospel) to as many people as she can. She also went on to say that as a

catholic she loves God and feels his love for all of us everyday and she most importantly

mentioned that she feels like she belongs to the church to serve others and not to be served. I

conducted this research to truly understand Catholic beliefs and to add on to prior knowledge and

to try to debunk common stereotypes that negatively affect the church. During this day and age,

it is a common theme for people to use stereotypes and other forms of opinionated claims rather

than facts to make assumptions and judgements upon a group of people. Recently with the

uprising of the LGBTQ movement, the church has been put under a lot of scrutiny and

sometimes reported to be a hate group towards the LGBTQ community because of their

“beliefs”. During those movements and pride marches, lots of posters and signs were used to

derail and disrespect the church like saying “God hates F***”. I saw these marches and frankly I

was disturbed, not by the reason for the LGBTQ movement, but for the hate that was displayed

towards the people of the church during this movement. It really got me thinking and it got me to
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ask myself, “What did the church do to deserve this kind of treatment?”. I wanted to conduct this

research to find answers as to if this treatment is truly called for or if the public is horribly

misinformed. I gathered general and interesting information that I truly believe can shine a light

on the catholic church in hopes that many can read in order to understand the church a little more

and create informed assumptions or judgments on the church rather than stereotypical

assumptions and judgment. Given my research, I propose an essay that will inform the audience

about the true beliefs of the Catholic Church and the love that they have for everyone and the

whole world to unite the church with communities that have negative stereotypes towards the

church.
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References

[Supply bibliographic citations for any secondary sources consulted during your primary

research]

The Apostles’ Creed

http://www.rosary-center.org/apostcr.htm

Urbieta, Aida. (2018, October 18th) Phone Interview

Urbieta, Alberto. (2018, October 18th) Phone Interview