Frequently Asked Questions
What do Catholics believe?
During
the celebration of a Catholic Mass, the participants in the congregation at
one point profess their faith when reciting the Nicene Creed. What is
stated in the Nicene Creed is what Catholics believe.
We believe in
one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is
seen and unseen.
We believe in
one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the
Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten,
not made, one in Being with the Father. Through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of
the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man.
For our sake he
was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered, died, and was buried. On
the third day he rose again in fulfillment of 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.
We believe in
the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father
and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He
has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and
apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We
look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.
Amen.
(Source: Leaflet
Missal, South Holland, IL, 2000)
Frequently Asked Questions
What
are the Sacraments of the Catholic Church?
There are seven sacraments of the Catholic Church.
The following is a brief explanation of each of the seven.
Baptism:
The first of the seven
sacraments, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments.
Baptism is the first and chief sacrament of forgiveness of sins because it
unites us with Christ, who died for our sins and rose for our justification.
Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist constitute the Sacraments of initiation by which a believer receives the remission of original and
personal sin, begins a new life in Christ and the Holy Spirit, and is
incorporated into the Church, the body of Christ. The rite of Baptism
consists in immersing the candidate in water, or pouring water on the head,
while pronouncing the invocation of the Most Holy Trinity: the Father, the
Son, and Holy Spirit.
Confirmation:
One of the
ensemble of the Sacraments of Initiation into the Church, together with
Baptism and Eucharist. Confirmation completes the grace of Baptism by a
special outpouring of the gifts of Holy Spirit, which seal or confirm the
baptized in union with Christ and equip them for active participation in the
worship and apostolic life of the Church.
Eucharist:
The sacrificial
memorial of Christ and His Body. The liturgical celebration of Eucharist is
the Source and summit of the Christian life, and the great act of
thanksgiving and praise to the Father. At the heart of the Eucharistic
celebration are the bread and wine that, by the words of Christ and the
invocation of the Holy Spirit, become Christ's Body and Blood. The structure
of the celebration unfolds in two parts which have been preserved down
through the centuries: - the gathering, the liturgy of the Word, with
readings, homily and general intercessions; - the liturgy of the Eucharist,
with the presentation of the bread and wine, the consecratory thanksgiving
and communion.
Penance or Reconciliation:
The
liturgical celebration of God's forgiveness of the sins of the penitent, who
is thus reconciled with God and with the Church. The acts of the penitent B
contrition, the confession of sins, and satisfaction or reparation B
together with the prayer of absolution by the priest, constitute the
essential elements of the Sacrament of Penance.
Anointing of the Sick:
Is
administered by a priest to baptized persons who are seriously ill or in
danger of death from sickness or old age. The ritual includes laying hands
on them, praying for them in the faith of the Church and anointing them on
the forehead and hands with blessed oil. The proper effects of the sacrament
include a special grace of healing, comfort and forgiveness of sins.
Holy Orders:
The Sacrament of
Apostolic Ministry by which the mission entrusted by Christ to his Apostles
continues to be exercised in the Church through the laying on the hands.
This sacrament has three distinct degrees or Orders: deacon, priest, and
bishop. All three confer a permanent, sacramental character.
Matrimony:
A covenant or
partnership of life between a man and woman, which is ordered to the
well-being of the spouses and to the procreation and upbringing of children.
When validly contracted between two baptized people, marriage is a
sacrament.
(Source:
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1997)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Catholic Church?
The Catholic Church is the Church established by
Christ on the foundation of the Apostles, possessing the fullness of the
means of salvation which He has willed: correct and complete confession of
faith, full sacramental life, and ordained ministry in apostolic succession.
The Church is catholic or universal both because she possesses the fullness
of Christ's presence and the means of salvation, and because she has been
sent out by Christ on a mission to the whole of the human race.
(Source:
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1997)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become Catholic?
Newly born children become
Catholic by simply receiving the Sacrament of Baptism. Adults commonly
receive instruction in the Catholic faith which prepares the individual for
receiving the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. This adult
instruction is called RCIA. RCIA is an abbreviation for the Rite of
Christian Initiation of Adults.
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm
a divorced Catholic. Can I still receive the sacraments of the Catholic
Church?
Yes,
divorced Catholics, who have not remarried, can still receive the Sacraments
of Eucharist, Penance, and Anointing of the Sick. A CATHOLIC WHO HAS
REMARRIED OUTSIDE THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS TO PURSUE AN ANNULMENT BEFORE
RETURNING TO THE SACRAMENTS.
For
a divorced Catholic to again receive the Sacrament of Matrimony, it must be
determined by a diocesan Tribunal [a Catholic church court] that the first
marriage was an invalid marriage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I return to the
Catholic Church?
An individual who is a baptized member of the Church, but for whatever
reason has not been a practicing member can come back to the Church and
receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. Such a person may want
to contact a nearby Catholic Church to discuss coming back to their faith.
Making an initial phone call to a Catholic parish secretary is a great first
step. The parish secretary can identify for the individual, members of the
parish staff to welcome you back.
For
more information, contact Sr. Margaret Mach, VSC, Director, Evangelization
Office, Diocese of Cleveland at 216-696-6525, ext. 2540 in Cuyahoga county;
or at 800-869-6525, ext. 2540 anywhere in the State of Ohio. Her e-mail
address is mmach@dioceseofcleveland.org