Catholic teaching accepts the natural truth that the family is the basic human society. On top of its natural dignity, the family has been raised by Jesus Christ -- by virtue of the Sacrament of Matrimony -- to the nature of a "Domestic Church".
        The wider community of believers more commonly known as "the Church" is best understood in turn to be the "Family of God", a communion of persons with God as Father, we as children (through, with and in Jesus Christ His Son), and with a divinely appointed mother, Mary the mother of Jesus.
        To better understand the deep reality of the Church as family and the Christian family as Church, Simbahayan has prepared diagrams accompanied by basic explanations. These paradigms or models aim to foster a common understanding of the subject matter from which further understanding can be pursued. Paradigms are not merely theoretical, but are meant to influence practical decisions and the organization and delivery of family ministries.