Staying Catholic

 What do Catholics believe?

What are the core beliefs of the Catholic faith?

 

The core beliefs of the Catholic faith are found in the Nicene Creed. Here’s what it says:

 

  • I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.
  • I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.
  • I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified who has spoken through the prophets.
  • I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

 

To view a brief video summation of the Creed CLICK HERE .

 

Who started the Catholic Church?

We are the original Christian Church, which began when Jesus himself when he said to the Apostle Peter, “You are the rock on which I will build my church. The gates of hell will not prevail against it.” Every pope since then has been part of an unbroken line of succession since Peter, the first pope.

 
What do Catholics believe about the Bible?

Catholics believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God. From the beginning of Christianity, the Catholic Church defined the canon of Scripture – the books you find in every Christian Bible – and defined what it meant to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Through the centuries, it’s the Catholic Church that preserved the Bible, as well as many other written works, through its monasteries and libraries.

 

What does the Church mean by “sacred tradition”?

In the early Church, the Gospel was preached by those who had known Christ, or who had known his Apostles. The Apostles handed on their preaching and writing to all generations through bishops, who continue to preach the truth revealed in the Gospel. This living transmission of the Word of God is called tradition, which is distinct from Scripture, but closely tied to it. Tradition infuses the entire life of the Church, and along with Scripture, comprises the deposit of the Word of God.

 
What happens at a Catholic Mass?

Early in the history of the Church, there was the belief that when Jesus said at the Last Supper, “Take this and eat – this is my body; take this and drink – this is my blood,” he was giving us the gift of his real presence in the form of bread and wine. We call this the Eucharist – a name that comes from the Greek word for thanksgiving. The Catholic Mass is a Eucharistic celebration and a celebration of God’s word in Scriptures.

 

Why do Catholics tell their sins to a priest?

The sacrament of reconciliation (also called penance or confession) was created by Jesus himself when he said, "‘As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained’" (John 20:21–23). The idea of confessing our sins to another person is also in the Bible. In James 5:18, the Apostle tells us, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed.” The sacrament of reconciliation is known in the Church as a sacrament of healing.

 

What do Catholics believe about Mary?

Mary is honored as first among the saints because she is the mother of God and the mother of the Church. We believe Mary was conceived without sin (meaning, she didn’t have the stain of original sin), and that God preserved her from sin so that she could be a perfect vessel to bring his son into the world. Being human, however, she still had free will, which means she had the power to say “yes” or “no” to God when his messenger, the angel, came to her. The fact that she willingly said “yes” is an example for us of love and submission to the will of God. As with the saints, we ask Mary to pray for us to her son and to the Father and the Holy Spirit.

 

Why do Catholics pray to saints?

We believe that holy men and women who have come before us still pray for us and aid us. We call them saints, and many of our churches are named for them. When we pray to saints, we ask for their intercession (the same way you’d ask your family or friends to pray for you), so that God hears not only our prayers, but also the saints’ prayers on our behalf.

 

Do Catholics pray to statues?

No. We pray to God. Along with the words of Scripture, images can illuminate the Gospel message and inspire us with the memory of saints. We believe God is present in beauty – and so we have commissioned and preserved some of the world’s greatest artworks. Without the sponsorship of the Church, Michelangelo would never have painted his famous Sistine Chapel nor carved the Pietà.

 

What is the Catechism of the Catholic Church?

The word “catechism” comes from the Greek word, catechesis, or oral teaching. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a compendium of the essential teachings of the Catholic faith.

 

How does someone come back to the Catholic Church?

There’s a saying, “Once a Catholic, always a Catholic.” If you were baptized into the Catholic Church, or if you received any of the sacraments when you were younger, you’re still a Catholic, even if you don’t go to Mass or pray anymore. In short, the Catholic Church will always be your spiritual home, and you’re welcome home any time. How? Just show up. Visit a parish, talk to the pastor or one of the priests, or a parishioner and let them know you’re there. We want to welcome you home and help you renew a relationship with Jesus Christ that will be the source of your happiness now and for all eternity!

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WHY: God loves you for who you are right now, but He loves you too much to let you stay that way!

WHAT:  We are calling this spiritual path “Stations of Lifelong Faith Formation.” Catholics understand stations per the liturgical calendar, and of the course the Stations of the Cross, which serve to assist us in pondering the luminous. These stations are primarily based on a pastoral plan of the U.S. Bishops (see below). 

HOW: This is a self-guided spiritual journey to strengthen various aspects of your faith life. The key is to take some time with each of these stations. 

 1) DISCIPLE: Knowledge of the Faith (See the Catechism, nos. 26-1065; General Directory for Catechesis, nos. 84-85, 87.)

  • Recognize communion with Jesus Christ as the definitive aim of all catechesis.
  • Explore the Scriptures so that adults may be hearers and doers of the word.
  • Become familiar with the great teachings of Christianity (its creeds and doctrines) and their place in the hierarchy of truths—for example, "the mystery of God and the Trinity, Christ, the Church, the sacraments, human life and ethical principles, eschatological realities, and other contemporary themes in religion and morality."
  • Study the Church's teaching on the dignity of the human person in its social doctrine, including its respect-life teaching.
  • Learn the richness of the Church's tradition, explore the theological and cultural heritage in which faith is expressed, and gain perspective on contemporary events and trends through an understanding of church history.
  • Develop the philosophical and theological foundations of the faith and appreciate expressions of Christian thought and culture.
  • Learn the meaning and practical relevance of current church teachings as presented by the pope, diocesan bishop, Vatican congregations, and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

2) SACRAMENTS: Liturgical Life (See the Catechism, nos. 1066-1690; General Directory for Catechesis, nos. 84-85, 87.)

  • Understand, live, and bear witness to the paschal mystery, celebrated and communicated through the sacramental life of the Church.
  • Learn and embrace in one's life church doctrine on the Eucharist and the other sacraments.
  • Acquire the spirituality, skills, and habits of full, conscious, and active participation in the liturgy, especially the eucharistic liturgy.
  • Value the dignity of the baptismal priesthood and of the ordained priesthood and their respective roles in liturgical celebration and Christian mission.
  • Appreciate and appropriately participate in the Church's daily prayer, the Liturgy of the Hours, and learn to pray the psalms, "an essential and permanent element of the prayer of the Church."69

3) MORALITY: Moral Formation (See the Catechism, nos. 1691-2557; General Directory for Catechesis, nos. 84-85, 87.)

  • Understand how the "entire Law of the Gospel is contained in the ‘new commandment' of Jesus, to love one another as he has loved us," and promote each disciple's formation in the life of the risen Christ.
  • Study the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, and the moral catechesis of the apostolic teachings, and live in accord with them.
  • Appreciate the dignity, destiny, freedom, and responsibility of the human person, together with the reality of sin and the power of God's grace to overcome it.
  • Learn how to acquire and follow a well-formed conscience in personal and social life, clarifying current religious and moral questions in the light of faith, and cultivating a Christian discernment of the ethical implications of developments in the socio-cultural order.
  • Recognize, defend, and live by the truth of objective moral norms as taught by the Church's magisterium in its moral and social teaching.
  • Promote a thorough catechesis on the Gospel of life so that respect for life from conception until natural death is honored in personal behavior, in public policy, and in the expressed values and attitudes of our society.
  • Live a lifestyle reflecting scriptural values of holiness, simplicity, and compassion.

4) PRAYER (See the Catechism, nos. 2558-2865; General Directory for Catechesis, nos. 84-85, 87.)

  • Become familiar with the diverse forms and expressions of Christian prayer, with special attention to "the Our Father, the prayer which Jesus taught his disciples and which is the model of all Christian prayer."
  • Experience and appreciate the richness of the Catholic ascetical-mystical tradition as it has taken form across the centuries in diverse historical and cultural settings.
  • Develop a regular pattern of personal prayer and spiritual reflection, recognizing vocal prayer, meditation, and contemplative prayer as basic and fruitful practices in the life of a disciple of Jesus.
  • Engage in shared prayer with others, especially family prayer, as well as at parish meetings and in small communities of faith.
  • Recognize and encourage practices of popular piety and devotion that help believers express and strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ.

5) COMMUNITY: Communal Life (See the General Directory for Catechesis, nos. 84, 86-87.)

  • Pursue personal and spiritual growth in human and Christian maturity.
  • Cultivate the human values and Christian virtues that foster growth in interpersonal relationships and in civic responsibility.
  • Nurture marriage and family life to build up the Church of the home.
  • Share actively in the life and work of the parish, and foster the potential of small communities to deepen the faith and relationships of members, to strengthen the bonds of communion with the parish, and to serve the Church's mission in society.
  • Learn the Church's teaching on the nature and mission of the Church, including an understanding of the Church's authority and structures and of the rights and responsibilities of the Christian faithful.
  • Support the ecumenical movement and promote the unity of God's people as a constitutive dimension of fidelity to the Gospel.

6) APOSTLE: Missionary Spirit (See the General Directory for Catechesis, nos. 84, 86-87.)

  • Cultivate an evangelizing spirit among all the faithful as an integral element of their baptismal calling, of the Church's nature and mission, and of a Catholic way of life.
  • Respond to God's call whether as lay, ordained, or religious, and develop a personal apostolate in family, Church, and society.
  • Motivate and equip the faithful to speak to others about the Scriptures, the tradition and teachings of the Church, and one's own experience of faith.
  • Explore and promote the applications of the Church's moral and social teaching in personal, family, professional, cultural, and social life.
  • Understand the importance of serving those in need, promoting the common good, and working for the transformation of society through personal and social action.
  • Appreciate the value of interreligious dialogue and contacts, and promote the Church's mission ad gentes in the local and universal Church.

7) SCRIPTURE (Note that while the original Bishop's pastoral plan had the above six dimensions, that incorporate elements of Scripture, this station focuses exclusively on understanding the Holy Bible. See CCC Article 3 and click on> http://www.usccb.org/bible/understanding-the-bible/index.cfm )

  • Bible reading is for Catholics. The Church encourages Catholics to make reading the Bible part of their daily prayer lives. Reading these inspired words, people grow deeper in their relationship with God and come to understand their place in the community God has called them to in himself.
  • Prayer is the beginning and the end. Reading the Bible is not like reading a novel or a history book. It should begin with a prayer asking the Holy Spirit to open our hearts and minds to the Word of God. Scripture reading should end with a prayer that this Word will bear fruit in our lives, helping us to become holier and more faithful people.
  • Get the whole story! When selecting a Bible, look for a Catholic edition. A Catholic edition will include the Church's complete list of sacred books along with introductions and notes for understanding the text. A Catholic edition will have an imprimatur notice on the back of the title page. An imprimatur indicates that the book is free of errors in Catholic doctrine.
  • The Bible isn't a book. It's a library. The Bible is a collection of 73 books written over the course of many centuries. The books include royal history, prophecy, poetry, challenging letters to struggling new faith communities, and believers' accounts of the preaching and passion of Jesus. Knowing the genre of the book you are reading will help you understand the literary tools the author is using and the meaning the author is trying to convey.
  • Know what the Bible is – and what it isn't. The Bible is the story of God's relationship with the people he has called to himself. It is not intended to be read as history text, a science book, or a political manifesto. In the Bible, God teaches us the truths that we need for the sake of our salvation.
  • The sum is greater than the parts. Read the Bible in context. What happens before and after – even in other books – helps us to understand the true meaning of the text.
  • The Old relates to the New. The Old Testament and the New Testament shed light on each other. While we read the Old Testament in light of the death and resurrection of Jesus, it has its own value as well. Together, these testaments help us to understand God's plan for human beings.
  • You do not read alone. By reading and reflecting on Sacred Scripture, Catholics join those faithful men and women who have taken God's Word to heart and put it into practice in their lives. We read the Bible within the tradition of the Church to benefit from the holiness and wisdom of all the faithful.
  • What is God saying to me? The Bible is not addressed only to long-dead people in a faraway land. It is addressed to each of us in our own unique situations. When we read, we need to understand what the text says and how the faithful have understood its meaning in the past. In light of this understanding, we then ask: What is God saying to me?
  • Reading isn't enough. If Scripture remains just words on a page, our work is not done. We need to meditate on the message and put it into action in our lives. Only then can the word be "living and effective."(Hebrews 4:12).

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To read more about the U.S. Bishop's pastoral plan CLICK HERE.