Through offering our support, we enable our people and our communities to grow, to become missionary and to thrive. We are working towards all of our churches becoming outward-looking churches.
As Catholics, our beliefs are grounded in the teachings of Jesus Christ and the traditions of the Church. The following are some of the core tenets of Catholic faith that define who we are and guide our lives:
1. **The Trinity**: Catholics believe in one God who exists in three persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. This central mystery of the Christian faith affirms that God is both one and relational, inviting us into a personal relationship with Him.
2. **The Incarnation**: We believe that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, became incarnate (took on human form) through the Virgin Mary. His birth, life, death, and resurrection are central to our faith, as He came to redeem humanity and offer salvation to all.
3. **The Sacraments**: The Catholic Church recognizes seven sacraments as essential means of grace. These sacraments—Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation (Confession), Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony—are vital for spiritual growth and the life of the Church.
4. **The Eucharist**: Catholics believe in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, where bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ during the Mass. The Eucharist is central to Catholic worship, fostering communion with God and the Church community.
5. **Scripture and Tradition**: Our beliefs are rooted in both Sacred Scripture (the Bible) and Sacred Tradition (the teachings and practices passed down through the Church). Catholics hold that the Magisterium, or teaching authority of the Church, interprets and safeguards these teachings.
6. **The Church**: We believe that the Catholic Church is the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church founded by Christ. The Church serves as the body of Christ on Earth, providing a community for believers and a means of grace through the sacraments.
7. **Salvation**: Catholics believe that salvation is a gift from God, offered through Jesus Christ. While we are saved by grace, we also believe that faith must be lived out through good works and adherence to God’s commandments. This relationship of faith and works is essential to our journey of faith.
8. **The Communion of Saints**: We believe in the communion of saints, which connects all members of the Church—those on Earth, in Heaven, and in Purgatory. Saints intercede for us, and we can seek their guidance and support in our spiritual lives.
9. **Eternal Life**: Catholics believe in the promise of eternal life with God after death. We affirm the resurrection of the body and the final judgment, where each person will be held accountable for their choices and actions in this life.
10. **Social Justice**: The Catholic faith calls us to promote social justice and the dignity of all human life. We believe in the inherent worth of every person, and we are called to serve the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized in our communities.
These beliefs form the foundation of Catholic identity and shape how we live our lives in service to God and one another. As Catholics, we are called to grow in our faith, deepen our relationship with God, and actively participate in the mission of the Church.
