The following is a comprehensive description of what Catholicism is--in as little a bite as possible, and with the aim to welcome you into our fold. Please don't be overwhelmed!
The Catholic Church is a community joined together by our profession of faith, grounded in Scripture and Tradition, by our celebration of the seven sacraments or the visible signs instituted by Christ to give grace, and by our unity with the universal Church in communion with the Pope, the bishop of Rome and successor of St Peter. Our faith is founded on belief in God, the Holy Trinity which is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe that for our salvation, Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, was born of the Virgin Mary. He came as the fulfillment of the promises of the Old Testament. By His suffering, death, and resurrection, He destroyed the lasting power of sin and manifested the love and mercy of God. As the Good Shepherd, He seeks out the lost to reconcile them with the Father. By the sending of the Holy Spirit and rich gifts of grace, we are invited to enter into a new life. Jesus entrusted us with the gift of the Eucharist, His Body and Blood, which we celebrate at Mass and other holy days.
The Church is called “one, holy, catholic, and apostolic”. ‘One’ because of her unity in faith, hope, and charity; ‘holy’ because of her Founder and the grace of God at work within her; ‘catholic’ because of the universality of her mission and members; ‘apostolic’ because of her foundation on the apostles and her call to go forth in mission. The Church brings us into communion with people throughout the world, as well as, connecting us with the great saints who have gone before us. However, the Church is also a home for sinners, supporting us as we seek to live our baptismal call. For this reason, the Church is both holy and always seeking conversion.
Founded on the twelve apostles, the Church is sent by Christ to continue His mission in the world. We are called to the two-fold commandment of charity: to love God with all our strength, and to love others as Christ has loved us. We draw near to God in the silence of personal prayer, as well as in common prayer and most especially the celebration of the sacrament of the Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Christ, at Mass. We draw near to others through the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. All people are invited to become living members of the Body of Christ in a manifold richness of vocations: lay or as clergy; married, single, or consecrated. We seek to experience the joy of the Gospel and put our gifts at the service of others. By all these gifts of prayer and holiness, of charity and concern for those in need, the Church prepares for the fullness of the heavenly kingdom.
Mass is the celebration of the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Holy Eucharist. Please join us for prayer and worship, all are welcome.
In the Church's liturgy the divine blessing is fully revealed and communicated. The Father is acknowledged and adored as the source and the end of all the blessings of creation and salvation. In his Word who became incarnate, died, and rose for us, he fills us with his blessings. Through his Word, he pours into our hearts the Gift that contains all gifts, the Holy Spirit. Catechism of the Catholic Church 1082
The Church recognizes seven sacraments or ceremonies that point to what is sacred, significant and important for Catholics. They have a visible and invisible reality; a reality open to all the human senses. We can only grasp their God-given depths with eyes of faith.
We believe sacraments are at the same time, both signs and instruments of God’s grace. Jesus gives us this basic information in word and deed to communicate His love and direction for the world. Guided by the Holy Spirit, He uses the ministers or the Church to administer the Sacraments.
There are seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Holy Matrimony, . They are sometimes divided into three categories:
Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist
Sacraments of Healing: Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick
Sacraments of Vocation: Holy Orders, Holy Matrimony
These seven sacraments touch all the stages and important moments of the Christian life. They give birth and increase, healing and mission to the Christian’s life of faith. Thus, there is a certain resemblance between the stages of natural life and the stages of the spiritual life.
Jesus shares His Holiness with us through the Sacraments, so that we, in turn, can share His message of holiness to the world. Because of the importance of the Sacraments there is generally education and preparation before they are received. Children are prepared in Catechism classes and receive the Sacraments at age appropriate times while Adults, new to the church, receive them as part of Rite of Christian Initiation or RCIA.
Learn more about the Sacraments