To reunite all his children, scattered and led astray by sin, the Father willed to call the whole of humanity together into his Son’s Church. The Church is the place where humanity must rediscover its unity and salvation. The Church is “the world reconciled.” She is that bark which “in the full sail of the Lord’s cross, by the breath of the Holy Spirit, navigates safely in this world.” According to another image dear to the Church Fathers, she is prefigured by Noah’s ark, which alone saves from the flood.

Catechism of the Catholic Church no. 845

Later in this unit, they will learn more about Noah and the Great Flood and the meaning of the story. God has always desired that all of humanity be united in love with each other and with Him. This was God’s plan from the beginning of creation and has remained His plan for all of human history. Sin, in all its forms, cuts us off from God and made it necessary for Him to save us. Thus, the Church, established by Jesus Christ, is the means by which salvation is communicated to us in this age.