40. Conclusion: the truth is symphonic

CONCLUSION: THE TRUTH IS SYMPHONIC
THE FOUR PILLARS OF FAITH PRESENTED IN THE CATECHISM ARE INTERCONNECTED PARTS OF A WHOLE
It is not by proselytizing that the Church grows but by "attraction."  Our faith is not a set of rules but a way of life. What we believe gives rise to how we worship, pray and live. Only in the mystery of the incarnate Word does the mystery of man take on light. God is Love and the mystery of creation and redemption is that God made us in his image and likeness so that we could inter into a communion of love with him. After we estranged ourselves from him and one another through sin, he revealed himself to his chosen people and chose Mary to be the earthly mother of his divine son. The Father's love is greater than sin and death. Jesus established his Church so that through the power of the Holy Spirit we could share in his redeeming love until the end of time. Human history is rife with the discordant notes of human infidelity but the love of God always prevails. Scripture and Tradition speak with one divine voice and Faith and Reason together lift up the human spirit. The Mass and the Sacraments are a graced response to God's love for us. Morality is the coherent way that Christ's goodness resonates in our intentions, decisions and actions. Prayer is how we respond intimately and personally to Christ's love. Let us be united in proclaiming and living the Faith for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

39. The Lord's prayer

39. THE LORD'S PRAYER
WITH THE OUR FATHER JESUS BOTH TAUGHT US HOW TO PRAY AND GAVE US A SUMMARY OF THE GOSPEL
Compendium 578-598 Matthew 6:913 Luke 11:1-4
The Our Father embodies the Beatitudes, which are a self portrait of Christ and a blueprint for holiness. The true home of the Our Father is in the Eucharist which embodies its seven petitions. The Our Father allows us to speak to God with the very word of God.  "Our" means it is a prayer of unity for all humanity. "Father" means we are already brothers and sisters and one holy family. "Who art in heaven" lifts us up to his glory. We ask God to feed us, forgive us, sustain us in temptation and to free us from all evil. "Hallowed be the name" means we want his holiness to envelop the whole earth. "The kingdom come" asks for the civilization of love to be realized. "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven" asks that we may imitate the lives of Jesus and Mary in total obedience to the Father for the salvation of the world. "Our daily bread" recognizes that we do not live on material food alone but we need the Eucharist and every word of the Gospel. "Forgive us our sins" acknowledges the power of God's love to heal us. "As we forgive" echoes Jesus's "Blessed are the merciful" and is the only path to peace and joy. "Lead us not into temptation" asks for strength and perseverance with a clear understanding of right from wrong. "Deliver us from evil" proclaims that Jesus has conquered sin and death and the Devil for all of us forever. "Amen" echoes Mary at the Annunciation and Jesus at Gethsemani and is our assent to this prayer which must rule our lives.

38. How to pray better

38. HOW TO PRAY BETTER
THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER DISPOSES US TO RECEIVE THE GIFT OF FAITH AND GROW IN FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD.
Compendium 566-577 Psalm 27
Where to pray? The best place is in  church before the Blessed Sacrament. At home it is good to have a special quiet spot. When to pray? We should pray morning and evening prayers, before and after meals, whenever faced with a temptation or difficulty and as often as we can so as to punctuate the day and have a prayerful spirit in everything we do.
What to pray? The daily scripture readings are excellent, the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the Rosary, Mercy Chaplet, the Angelus, Come Holy Spirit, the Magnificat, a favorite prayer from one of the saints such as the Memorare from St. Bernard of Clairvaux, "Make me an instrument of your peace", etc.the Liturgy of the Hours. FORMS OF PRAYER: Vocal (alone or with a group); Contemplative (a gift of the Holy Spirit which allows us to surrender to Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration - like lovers gazing at each other and content to just be together in silence), Meditation (marshaling our interior powers and focusing on the mysteries of faith and relationships through readings). Distractions: focusing on ourselves and material concerns instead of the things "above". We must ask the Holy Spirit to create in us a clean heart and steadfast spirit with knowledge of our sinfulness and need for repentance and humility. When our prayer seams "dry" we must use willpower to be vigilant and persevere. We must ask for a clean heart and steadfast spirit and the Holy Spirit will transform our heart and make visible the 12 fruits of his Spirit. By meditating on the Passion of Jesus we enter into his constant prayer for us at the right hand of the Father.

37. The essentials of prayer

37. THE ESSENTIALS OF PRAYER
GUIDED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE CHURCH, WE LEARN TO PRAISE, THANK AND PRESENT OUR NEEDS TO GOD
Compendium 548-565 Romans 8: 26-27 Psalm 145
The essentials of prayer are perfectly found in the Eucharist: Blessing,  Adoration, Petition, Intercession, Thanksgiving and Praise.
The prayer of Adoration acknowledges that we owe our very existence to God. In Petition we present our spiritual and material needs. Intercessory prayer includes not only our family and friends but all those in need and even for our enemies that they will be touched by the love of Christ. Eucharist means "Thanksgiving" and we join in Christ's perfect thanksgiving and Praise when we  participate in this sacrament. We pray for his Kingdom which is realized when we live the commandments in the spirit of the beatitudes. We ask for forgiveness and intercede for one another especially for our enemies that we may be reconciled. We never pray alone but always with and through Christ who makes our prayers acceptable and worthy and enables us to pray without ceasing with the angels and saints.  Prayer formulas help and guide us in prayer. The Rosary is a powerful meditation on the life of Jesus with Mary, The Icon of prayer, and the Magnificat summarizes the heart of the Old Testament.
Parents are the first and most important and essential teachers of their children in the ways of prayer and faith.

36. Prayer: a gift from God

36. PRAYER: A GIFT FROM GOD
SCRIPTURE TEACHES US THE MEANING OF PRAYER AND PRESENTS US WITH MODELS OF DISCIPLESHIP.
Compendium 534-547 John 17: 1-26
Prayer is the raising of one's whole heart and whole mind to God. We offer him praise, seek his Will and his friendship, ask for our needs, beg forgiveness, support one another and God is very pleased that we generously intercede for each other. Abraham with his unconditional obedience; Moses and the Ten Commandments, David singing of the generous goodness of God with the Psalms, and the prophets are models of prayer and friendship with God. Jesus made his whole life a prayer to his Father and gave us the perfect prayer, the Our Father. Jesus exemplified the purity of heart, openness to God's will, intrepid faith, love for enemies, vigilance and self sacrifice necessary in true prayer. The Beatitudes are a restatement of the Our Father. Mary, who taught Jesus how to pray, gives us the Magnificat which is a prophecy of the Beatitudes. The Rosary is a perfect summary of the prayer filled life of Jesus through Mary.
Prayer is God's gift to us to lead us to full communion with the Holy Trinity and one another.

35. living in truth

35. LIVING IN TRUTH
CHRISTIANS HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO PRACTICE HONESTY AND INTEGRITY IN ALL THAT THEY SAY AND DO.
Compendium 521-526 Dt 5:20 Matthew 5:33-37
Greed and fear are the cause of lies and create scoundrels. When our word is our bond we build trust engender, cooperation and serve the common good.
We must seek to live the truth in charity. Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Life, his followers must guard against deception, duplicity, distorting the truth and  hypocrisy. The Christian must bear witness to the Truth even with his life. False witness, perjury and lying and causing the innocent to be punished are grave evils. The eighth commandment also forbids Rash Judgement, Calumny, Gossip, Slander and Defamation. Flattery, Complaisance (silence against falsehood) and adulation are also forbidden. The eighth commandment requires discretion in speech and respect for the seal of secrecy with confessors and other counsellors. . Truth is beautiful and that which is truly beautiful proclaims the Truth.

34. Stewardship of this world's goods

34. STEWARDSHIP OF THIS WORLD'S GOODS
OUR WORK AND CIVIC RESPONSIBILITIES ARE ROOTED IN HUMAN DIGNITY AND THE COMMON GOOD
Compendium 503-520, 531-533 Dt 5:19,21 Matthew 6:21
The seventh and tenth commandments: DO NOT STEAL, DO NOT COVET YOUR NEIGHBOR'S GOODS; instruct us to be generous and just stewards of God's blessings and creation. Love of neighbor is necessary to create a well ordered society. The right to own private property is an expression of human dignity but it is not an unlimited right which deprives others of a fair share of opportunities or is contrary to the common good. The parable of Lazarus and the poor man instruct us about our obligation to take care of the poor and to live justly, with temperance and prudence. The seventh commandment requires that we return what we have stolen. It forbids unjust wages and fraud. Financial systems must be ethical and at the service of the human person. Unbridled Capitalism and Totalitarian Government both offend human dignity. We must be aware that Labor is a path toward holiness.
Citizens must actively engage in civil affairs as witnesses of authentic Gospel values. We must imitate Christ's detachment from this world's goods and live the beatitudes.

33. God's plan for life and love

33. GOD'S PLAN FOR LIFE AND LOVE
THE VIRTUE OF CHASTITY IS NECESSARY TO PROTECT AND PRACTICE THE TRUTH ABOUT MARRIAGE, SEXUALITY, AND HUMAN LIFE
Compendium  487-502 527-530 Dt 5:18 Matthew 5:27-28
Chastity is a gift from God and a virtue which calls us to self mastery and  is necessary in all states of life in order to build a culture of life. Even married couples are called to purity. "Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God" The purpose of human sexuality is to express the exclusive love of husband and wife in a manner which is open to procreation. The sixth commandment forbids adultery, lust, masturbation, pornography, fornication, homosexual acts, prostitution and rape. Sterilization and contraception are forbidden. Abstinence is the only acceptable means of spacing pregnancy. Artificial insemination and fertilization are forbidden. Divorce, polygamy, incest, cohabitation outside of marriage, and same sex marriage are forbidden.
The sacraments, prayer, mortification and temperance are necessary for control of our passions by the power of reason. For consecrated souls celibacy is the means to keep an undivided heart. For married couples conjugal chastity is essential to express exclusive love open to procreation. Children are not a "right" nor a burden and adoption is a wonderful option. Chastity leads us to generosity and joy.

32. In defense of human life

32. IN DEFENSE OF HUMAN LIFE
WE ARE COMMANDED TO PROTECT AND PROMOTE THE GIFT OF HUMAN LIFE AT ALL OF ITS STAGES
Compendium 466-486 Dt 5:17 Matthew 5:9
"Thou shalt not kill" unequivocally forbids the taking of human life from conception to natural death. Those who have the responsibility for the lives of others must defend themselves and those entrusted to their care. Capital punishment is practically impossible to justify in most societies. The right to life is not endowed by the state but rather is a gift and commandment of abundant life from the Creator God. War must be avoided vigorously by eliminating economic and social injustice and discrimination and only a last resort in defense against serious and sustained unjust aggression. Mass destruction and genocide are crimes against humanity. Conscientious objectors must be permitted to perform alternate community service. Prisoners of war, wounded soldiers, and innocent civilians must be treated humanely and orders to the contrary must not be obeyed.  It is legitimate to use drugs to manage pain but not to hasten death. Organ transplants and experimental treatments must have informed consent of the patients. Ordinary medical care must not be withheld and euthanasia is forbidden. The dying must be supported by loving care, prayer and the sacraments.

31. The family in God's plan

31. THE FAMILY IN GOD'S PLAN
THE COMMANDMENT TO HONOR ONE'S FATHER AND MOTHER REFLECTS THE FAMILY'S ROLE IN THE CHURCH AND SOCIETY
Compendium 455-465 Dt 5:16 Sirach 3:2-7,12-14
The family is the "original cell" of society and is not a human invention but rather a gift from God for the benefit of the spouses and procreation and formation and education of children. The family is the Domestic Church where faith and virtue are imparted and develop. The basic lessons of, prayerfulness, love and service to one another, truth, honesty, discipline, and respect are inculcated and reinforced. The Eucharist must be at the center of family life just as it is at the center of Church life. The Government must protect public morality, parents rights, and private property but only in rare and extreme cases is it legitimate for government to intervene in family affairs. Eventually children must care for their parents when they are in need. Finally our love for Christ must exceed our love for parents and children.

30. Loving God above all

30. LOVING GOD ABOVE ALL
THE FIRST THREE COMMANDMENTS PERTAIN TO OUR DUTY TO LOVE GOD WITH OUR ENTIRE BEING
Compendium 434-454 Exodus 2:2-17 Matthew 19:16-19
By becoming one of us Jesus revealed the love of his Father for each of us. The Ten Commandments given to Moses, is God's covenant with his chosen people, Israel, and universally apply to all people of all times not as a restriction but rather a pathway to freedom and happiness as children of our infinitely loving and merciful Father. Jesus, in his words and life summed up the Ten Commandments into two: Love God with your whole being and your neighbor as yourself.  "I Am the Lord your God. You shall not have other God's before me. We live the first commandment through the virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity. With faith we reject heresy, apostasy, and schism, as well as presumption and despair. Charity demands that we love God above all things and that we reject ingratitude and indifference and false pride which leads to hatred of God and our fellow man. With freedom we must prayerfully search for God and avoid the modern false God's of Power, Money and Pleasure. Demon worship and superstition are enemies of God. Aggressive atheism ridicules God and practical atheism ignores God. Idols and false images are forbidden but true images of Jesus and the saints remind us of heavenly realities and are not worshiped in themselves.
God's name is Holy and we should only use in blessings and honoring him. Never should we curse or swear with his name. Genesis tells us that God rested on the Sabbath as a covenant that man should use this day in thanksgiving for all creation. We must obey the Sabbath with rest from worldly pursuits and devote time to  our relation with God and one another. The Sabbath is celebrated on Sunday because this is the day of the Resurrection of Jesus.
it is the first and most important precept of the Church to attend Mass every Sunday. The Eucharist must be the center of our lives so we are able to live the Commandments in the spirit of the beatitudes.

29. God's salvation: law and grace

29. GOD'S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE
THE MORAL LAW, ROOTED IN DIVINE WISDOM AND WRITTEN ON THE HUMAN HEART, IS FULFILLED IN OUR LIFE WITH CHRIST
Compendium 415-433 Romans 2: 15
"Natural Law", which is known naturally by reason, is an inherent sense of right and wrong written on our hearts by the creator and is the basis of rights and duties of individuals and communities, but is not clearly perceived by everyone at all times.  The Ten Commandments summarize and confirm natural law and unchanging moral truth. The natural law is brought to perfection in the Beatitudes and witness of Jesus Christ in his life death and resurrection. The grace to live the Beatitudes is a gift of the Holy Spirit. We are "justified" by Jesus Christ through the sanctifying grace of Baptism and Repentance which are necessary to maintain our souls in grace throughout our lives. "Actual grace allows us live the circumstances of our daily lives in conformity with the Beatitudes. Grace does not infringe upon us but frees us to fulfill our ultimate desire for complete happiness in God's love. Morality becomes a continual hymn of praise and thanksgiving to God our Father.
The  Precepts of the Catholic Faith are a necessary guide to living a life of Beatitude as Jesus proclaimed.
The five precepts of the Church:
You shall attend Mass on Sundays and on holy days of obligation and remain free from work or activity that could impede the sanctification of such days.
You shall confess your sins at least once a year.
You shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season.
You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church.

28. The human community

28. THE HUMAN COMMUNITY
SEEKING AUTHENTIC HUMAN DEVELOPMENT , THE CHURCH PROMOTES SUBSIDIARITY, SOLIDARITY AND THE COMMON GOOD.
Compendium 401-414 1Peter 2:13-17
We can only find happiness in community. God is a community of Persons, Father, Son, Holy Spirit and all who are called to friendship with him. The human family is modeled on the Holy Trinity. The human person must be the principle, subject and end of social institutions.
SUBSIDIARITY: the family is the basic unit of society and must not be deprived of its fundamental authority by the State or higher institutions which must be at the service of the basic unit of society and the common good. There must be a priority of ethics over technology, and persons over things.
The Common Good is the sum of those conditions of social life which allow social groups and their members relatively thorough and ready access to their own fulfillment and must be sought using morally licit means. The dignity of each person especially the most vulnerable must be respected. Unjust or immoral laws are not binding. Solidarity requires that we must work for a more humane society with generous charity for the most needy because we are all created in God's image with a rational soul and are destined to share the same eternal happiness with him.

27. Virtue and vice

27. VIRTUE AND VICE
A WELL FORMED CONSCIENCE AND THE PRACTICE OF VIRTUE LEAD US TOWARD HOLINESS AND AWAY FROM SIN
Compendium 370-400 Galatians 5:22-23
Our conscience is formed by the inner voice of God and the natural law etched on our souls by God which recognizes right and wrong, good and evil such as not doing unnecessary harm to others. In baptism and confirmation we receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit (wisdom, understanding, counsel, knowledge, fortitude, piety, fear of the Lord)  We can never do evil so that good can come from it. We should treat others with the same dignity we wish for ourselves. We should accept others without condoning evil. We must recognize that we do not know everything and we can be wrong. When we make good habits we grow in the virtues of Prudence, Justice, Temperance and Fortitude. Virtue is the habitual and firm commitment to do good and avoid evil. Faith is believing that God is Truth itself and leads us to Hope for eternal life which is the reward for living the present moment well in Charity to all. The fruits of living the virtues are Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience, Faithfulness, Goodness, Gentleness, Generosity, Modesty, Self-control and Purity.
The vices are Pride, Envy, Greed, Lust, Anger, Sloth and Gluttony. These sinful habits damage our relationship with God and one another, diminish human solidarity and cause evil to gain power in the world. Sin is a thought word or deed that is offensive to God who is Love. There are also sins of omission when we fail to do good that we should do. Mortal sin is deliberate and grave offense committed with full knowledge and consent of the sinner and separates the soul from God and risks the loss of eternal life. We must never cooperate in the sins of others. The Sacraments of Baptism and Confession free us from sin and restore the life of Christ in us.

26. Morality, Freedom and Human Dignity

26. MORALITY, FREEDOM AND HUMAN DIGNITY
CHRISTIAN LIFE AND MORALITY, LEAD TO, RATHER THAN TAKE AWAY FROM TRUE FREEDOM AND HAPPINESS
Compendium 357-369 Matthew 5:1-11
Everyone wants to be happy. Sometimes happiness is sought in all the wrong places. Money, power and pleasure cannot bring lasting happiness. Jesus teaches us the source of true and lasting happiness in the Beatitudes. The Beatitudes are the self portrait of Jesus who demonstrates how to be fully human and by living them we become like him. Good intentions do not guarantee good results. True Freedom and happiness requires taking responsibility for our actions. The end does not justify the means. Freedom is God's gift to humanity and is not endowed by any human institution. Human dignity requires correct choices. Killing innocent people is an example of objective evil. Our moral choices are a decision for or against God.

Wrong choices diminish our freedom and can enslave us to drugs, alcohol, and sex.

25. The sacraments of vocation

25. THE SACRAMENTS OF VOCATION
THROUGH HOLY ORDERS AND MATRIMONY, CHRISTIANS ARE GIVEN SPECIAL GRACES AND A PARTICULAR MISSION
Compendium 321-353 Hebrews 7:26-28 Matthew 19: 4-6
Melchizedek foreshadowed the kingly priesthood of Christ, who offered himself on the cross to reconcile men to God. This is the heart of the sacramental priesthood that Christ shares with our  priests. Priests are empowered to act in the very name of Christ. Their priesthood is indelible. The celibacy of the priesthood for the sake of the Kingdom is a beacon for fidelity to those called to holiness in marriage. These distinct vocations strengthen each other and share the same mission of the Church.

Deacons preparing for the priesthood are "transitional" and there are also "permanent" deacons who assist in the liturgy and sacramental life and especially caring for the needy.
Only the Bishop can confer the Sacrament of Holy Orders.
Bishops are successors of the Apostles. They are called together with their priests and deacons to set hearts on fire with love for Christ and his church.

Marriage: Created in the divine image, man and woman are complementary. Unity-in-difference is at the heart of marriage. Man and woman are made for each other and for procreation and education of children. Spouses, united to Christ, are called to form a family which is a community of Faith, Prayer and Virtue. Divorce, contraception and same sex marriage are the arch enemies of this indelible covenant  designed by God to be permanent, faithful and fruitful.  A valid marriage requires the free and conscious consent of the man and women.

Marriage with a non Catholic requires an agreement that the children will be raised Catholic.

24. The Sacraments of healing

24. THE SACRAMENTS OF HEALING
THROUGH THE SACRAMENTS OF PENANCE AND THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK THE CHURCH CONTINUES CHRIST'S HEALING MINISTRY
Compendium 295-320 James 5:14-15
God's love and mercy is greater than our sins. On that first Easter evening, Jesus instituted the sacrament of Forgiveness and empowered the apostles and their successors, bishops and priests, to forgive sins.

Although Baptism gives us a new life in grace, there is still a tendency to sin as a result of the Fall: concupiscence. Mortal sin separates us from God and venial sin weakens our relationship with him and one another. The Sacrament of Reconciliation restores those relationships. We are called to lifelong conversion and that is made possible by this sacrament. We can show our sincere repentance for sin through prayer, fasting and giving alms. We cannot receive the Eucharist if we commit mortal sin until we go to Confession. The confession of venial sins helps us to grow in virtue and resist temptation. We prepare for confession by examining our conscience with the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes and the 7 Virtues and 7 Vices. Confession removes eternal punishment and reduces temporal punishment due to sin. Indulgences can further reduce or eliminate temporal punishment for ourselves  and the souls in purgatory. This Sacrament also brings peace, serenity and joy.

We must resolve not to sin again and to avoid occasions of sin.

General Absolution without individual confession is only used in grave emergencies.
The Anointing of the hands and forehead of the sick and aged with holy oil unites them to the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ and prepares them for eternal life and forgives sins if they are not able to confess. It can often help physical healing.

23. Loving the Eucharist

23. LOVING THE EUCHARIST
WE MUST GROW IN UNDERSTANDING OF AND REVERENCE FOR THE EUCHARIST
Compendium 271-294 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
The Eucharist is the very sacrifice of the body and blood of Christ on the cross perpetuated throughout the ages. When we worthily partake of the Eucharist we participate even now in the life of God. The Eucharist puts us into communion with the Trinity and with one another. Through ordination, the priest is conformed to Christ so that he can re-enact the words and deeds of Christ: "this is my body", "this is my blood of the New and everlasting Covenant". The Eucharist contains the entire spiritual wealth of the Church as it brings us into community with the Blessed Trinity and with one another. For this gift we must show infinite "Thanksgiving" which is the meaning of "EUCHARIST".

The deliverance from sin which we experience in the Eucharist was foreshadowed by the Passover of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.
The sacrifice of the cross and the sacrifice of the Eucharist are one and the same sacrifice.
The un-bloody sacrifice of the Eucharist is the most perfect and effective prayer we can offer with Christ.
Transubstantiation is the real transformation of bread and wine into the body and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ. To receive worthily we must be members of the Catholic Church and be in the state of grace which is confirmed by the Sacrament of Confession. There is a one hour fast before communion. Our demeanor and dress reflect our respect for the Eucharist. 

22. Born anew and Strengthened in the Faith

22. BORN ANEW AND STRENGTHENED IN THE FAITH
THE SACRAMENTS OF BAPTISM AND CONFIRMATION ALLOW US TO SHARE IN THE LIFE OF THE TRINITY
Compendium 250-270 Romans 6:3-4 Titus 3:4-6
Baptism can be by immersion or pouring of water. We are born anew by Baptism to a life in Christ which cancels sin and death. We are confirmed to this new life by the Holy Spirit at Confirmation and nourished daily by the Eucharist. Baptism confers the Holy Spirit and the virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity. It also brings us a share of the kingly priesthood of Christ as members of his body. Noah's Ark and the Red Sea were forecasts of the drowning of sin and death and acquiring new life through the waters of Baptism. The crossing of the waters of Jordan to enter the Promised Land forecasts our passage to eternal life through Christ's death and resurrection. With the Holy Oils, Confirmation strengthens us with the courage and power of sanctifying grace and  allows us to share in the mystery of Pentecost. Christ calls us to bring this new life to all nations without exclusion of anyone. Infants become "children of God" through Baptism and after the age of reason confirm their parents commitment to life in Christ by their profession of faith. Baptism cancels original sin and all sins committed prior to baptism for adults. The baptized share the responsibility to attract others to the faith and prepare them for life in Christ and help them to grow in holiness. Those who die for the faith before being baptized are considered Baptized by the blood of Christ. Those who desire baptism but do not have the opportunity are considered baptized by their intention. The unborn who die in the womb are confidently entrusted to the infinite love and mercy of God their true Father and creator who cannot abandon his own creation. 

21. Celebrating the Church liturgy

21.CELEBRATING THE CHURCH'S LITURGY
THE SACRAMENTS OF THE CHURCH BOTH SIGNIFY AND MAKE PRESENT GOD'S  TRANSFORMING GRACE.
Compendium 224-249 Revelation 7:9-11
All the events of Christ's life become a present and living reality through the Sacraments and liturgy.
Baptism and Confirmation are indelible marks that make us adopted children of God and are received only once. Holy Orders is also an indelible mark and is only received once and allows the ordained to act in the person of Christ in the celebration of the liturgy.
The effectiveness of the Sacraments does not depend on the personal worthiness of the minister. It is a most serious obligation for both the minister and the recipient to pursue personal holiness through the sacraments. The sacraments do not act mechanistically. When it is celebrated faithfully, prayerfully and joyfully, The Sacramental life of the Church has a logic and beauty all of its own that emerges and leads us to long to see God in heaven.  Water, bread, wine, and oil are necessary signs that accompany the words that give them sacramental power and grace. The Church carefully distinguishes what is unchangeable and what can be adapted by culture in the liturgy.

20. Worshipping in Spirit and Truth

20. WORSHIPPING IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH
GOING TO MASS IS MUCH MORE THAN JUST AN OBLIGATION FOR FAITHFUL CATHOLICS
Compendium 218-223 Matthew 26:26-28
Liturgy means "public service". In the Mass, the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are made present and active.
The liturgy is the source and summit of the Church's life and mission. It is the celebration of the paschal mystery, - Christ's  death and resurrection. It is the highest and best means by which Christ continues to act on our behalf to sanctify us, redeem us from our sins and enable us to share in the life of God. The words and gestures of the liturgy not only remind us of Christ's saving words and deeds but actually make them present and active in our midst. The liturgy contains the mystery of God's loving plan to save us. Through the Liturgy, the Holy Spirit as the soul of the Church, brings us to ponder and deepens the new life Christ has won for us by his death and resurrection so that we can worship the Father in Spirit and Truth.

19. Communion, Firgiveness, and Everlasting Life

19. COMMUNION, FORGIVENESS, AND LIFE EVERLASTING
CONCLUDING THE CREED, WE PROFESS OUR BELIEF IN THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS, BAPTISM AND THE FINAL RESURRECTION
Compendium 194-217 1Corinthians 51-57
Communion means that God invites us to share in his inner life, the Trinity, not to seek our own interests but to put ourselves at the service of one another.
"Saints" include not only the canonized but also the souls in purgatory and those still alive seeking holiness. Christ has given us his mother as the Mother of all saints and our most powerful advocate with him.
Baptism is the first Sacrament for the forgiveness of sins. Christ also established the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the forgiveness of sins committed after Baptism. "Who's sins you forgive are forgiven them and who's sins you retain are retained" John 20:23
The separation of our bodies from our souls at the end of this life will not last for all eternity. We are called to share in the Resurrection in Christ. Those who die in the grace of Christ and have no further need of purification will share the happiness of Heaven. Others who need further purification will go to "Purgatory". We can help the souls in purgatory with prayers, Masses, good deeds and sacrifices offered in Christ.
Hell is the separation from God for all eternity. Those who freely choose to remain in mortal sin condemn themselves to Hell. God wants all to be saved but respects free will.
We look forward to the Second Coming of Christ, although no one knows when it will be, and then Christ will be all in all.

18. The Christian Faithful

18. The Christian Faithful
INSTITUTED BY CHRIST, THE HIERARCHY AND THE VISIBLE STRUCTURE OF THE CHURCH ARE PART OF GOD's PLAN
Compendium 177-193 Matthew 16:18-19
There is a true equality among the members of the Church in their dignity as children of God.
The HIERARCHY of the Church includes bishops , priests and deacons. Bishops and priests speak and act in the very person of Christ. Deacon assist in preaching and teaching and especially in serving the poor and needy. The popes are the visible foundation of the Unity of the Church down through the ages. The Pope is the "Vicar of Christ" and supreme pastor of the God's people and exercises immediate, universal, and supreme power over the whole Church. The college of bishops in unity with the Pope also exercises supreme authority over the Church. Every diocese is a local manifestation of the universal Church.
The Magisterium, the bishops in Union with the Holy Father, and priests in union with their bishop, exercise the office of teaching, sanctifying and governing.
The baptized accept and live the faith in accordance with the Magisterium.
The Magisterium is charged with authentically interpreting God's Word in scripture and tradition and to ensure that the faith of the Apostles is handed on.
Even when doctrines are not infallibly proclaimed, they are to be accepted with religious submission of intellect and will understood in the context of love. Dissent from Church teachings short circuit missionary discipleship.
The laity, which means "people", share in the priestly, prophetic and kingly office of Christ as they build a civilization of love according to God's plan as parents and witnesses of a holy life at home and in the workplace.
Consecrated men and women, both lay and ordained, take vows and dedicate their lives in chastity, poverty and obedience in order to lead all members of the Church to greater holiness and dedication to Christ and his mission.

17. One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic

17. ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC, APOSTOLIC
The four marks of the Catholic Church are essential to understanding the Body of Christ.
Compendium 161-176 Matthew 28:19-20
Christ founded only one Church, and entrusted it to Peter and his successors in communion with the bishops. In spite of the problems and divisions due to human frailty and sinfulness, there exists a fullness of Truth, sacramental life and communion. We believe in One God, we share one faith, one sacramental life, one hope in Jesus Christ, one apostolic succession, one in charity. Oneness in Christ is our mission and our destiny. We must all pray and work for unity in Christ.

The Church is first of all the body of Christ, which is all Holy. The Church provides all that we need to respond to the call to holiness. Mary and the saints show us how to participate in God's truth, goodness and  love and assist us with their prayers. Holiness is our goal.

The Church is Catholic because her mission is to all nations and to bring the totality of the Christian Faith. We must work and pray to bring non practicing Catholics back to church and also promote unity with non Catholic Christians by our Faith and witness. We have a special affinity to those of the Jewish faith as the first to receive the Word of God. Many non Christian faiths reflect God's truth and goodness. We must foster understanding with other religions for the common good. Non Christians can be saved if they sincerely seek God and follow their conscience. Those who know the truth of the Church and reject it imperil their salvation.
Christ founded the Church upon the Apostles. The Church adheres to and hands on the teachings of the Apostles. The bishops are the successors of the Apostles in communion with the Successor of Peter. By the Sacrament of Holy Orders the mission and power of the Apostles  are transmitted to their successors, the bishops, thereby maintaining the link to the Church's Apostolic mission, faith and origins. To be One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic is a reality in the Church which we must individually strive to realize in our personal and community life

16. The Church

16. THE CHURCH, THE BODY OF CHRIST, IS A SIGN OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD ON EARTH.
Compendium 147-160 1 Corinthians 12:12-14,26-27
At Pentecost the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles and Mary and the mission of the Church began in earnest. Christ lives and acts in and with his church, especially through the preaching of the Word and the Sacraments. "Ekklesia" are those who are called and gathered in Faith and Baptism to become children of God, members of Christ, and temples of the Holy Spirit. As members of Christ we are called to live our vocation, faithfully and robustly, for the common good.
"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you" Matthew 28:16-17
The Church does not only point to the Kingdom of God, it is the Kingdom of God in seed form, teaching us to live in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
We are called to live the new commandment of love, to be the salt of the earth, and the light of the world, leading all to God's Kingdom already begun on earth.
The Church is the Body of Christ and we are the members of that Body. The Church is the Bride of Christ and we are the children of that Bride. The Church is the Temple of the Holy Spirit and we are the living stones of that Temple through Faith, Worship and Service, through the Sacraments and sharing the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

15. I believe in the Holy Spitit

15. I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Third Person of the Holy Trinity is the "Driving Force" of the Church's Life
Compendium 136-146 John 14:16-17,26
To be the Third Person of the Trinity does not mean to be less important. The Holy Spirit is worshiped and glorified and co-equal to the Father and son. The Trinity is a splendid mystery of God's inward communion of life and love of which we are destined to share fully.
The Holy Spirit is our Advocate, Counselor, Comforter and The Giver of Life.

The Holy Spirit is "Living Water" at Baptism and "tongues of fire" at Pentecost. The Spirit descends as a Dove at Christ's baptism. He is the inspiration of the Prophets. Through the Power of the Holy Spirit Mary conceived and became the mother of Our Lord and Our Blessed Mother.
The Holy Spirit enables us to pray and proclaim the saving Gospel of Truth And Love, he restores divine likeness in those who are baptized, confirms his gifts at Confirmation, empowers priests to bring forth the living presence of Christ in the Eucharist, imparts forgiveness in the sacrament of Penance. When we open our hearts to the fruits of the Holy Spirit we bring forth a rich harvest of new life and love.
"Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful."

14. At the right hand of the Father

14. AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER
The risen Lord remains present to the church today as we work to build his kingdom on earth
Compendium 127-135 Ephesians 1:17-23
The Resurrection of Jesus was not a resuscitation. Those who Jesus brought back from the dead eventually died but when we are resurrected on the last day our bodies will die no more.
The Resurrection confirmed that Jesus was truly God and the truth of all he said and did. We share his risen life now through the life of grace and we hope one day to share in his resurrection when our lowly bodies will be transformed in the pattern of his own glorious body.
Jesus is seated at the right hand of God interceding for us and he also remains with us through the ministry and sacramental life of the Church. With the first Christians we look to the heavens and pray "come Lord Jesus".

13. The Paschal Mystery

13. THE PASCHAL MYSTERY
In the liturgy of Holy Week, we commemorate Christ's Passion , Death, and Resurrection.
Compendium 112-116 John 13:1
These events are inseparable and stand at the center of our faith.
The Hebrew word "paschal" means both "the passing over" and "passage".
In the Exodus the homes of the Israelites, marked by the blood of the sacrificial lamb, were "passed over" by the Angel of Death thereby sparing them so they could make the passage from slavery to freedom. "Passover" is not just an historical celebration but a living memorial.
This first Passover anticipates Christ's shedding his blood for us as the sacrificial lamb to free all from the slavery of sin. With Baptism in Christ we pass over from sin to a new and eternal life with Christ. Christ is the new Moses who definitively interprets the Law and the Prophets.
We cannot impute guilt for the death of Jesus on those who historically participated in bringing it about. Christ died for all our sins and as Christians we bear a greater responsibility for sin. But God sent his Son in expiation for our sins. Jesus assumed our humanity in order that it would become the very means of our redemption. The entire life of Christ was a free offering to the Father to carry out his plan of salvation. He announced the Kingdom, confirmed it with miracles, took our sins upon himself, cancelled death and showed us the path to everlasting life.
"Do this in memory of me" Jesus not only commands the Apostles to recall but also reenact the very same mystery of love. "As often as you eat this bread and drink this blood you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes."1   
"Obedient unto death" Jesus' agony unmasks the enormity of our sins. Obedience is the key to our reconciliation with God and with those we have harmed. Jesus invites us to take up our daily cross and walk with him. We await with Mary as the sadness of death gives way to the joy of the resurrection.

12. Christ Gave Himself For Us

12. Christ Gave Himself For Us The season of Lent invites us to repent and encounter the Kingdom of God Compendium 106-111 Mark 1: 12-15 Lent is a time of renewal. We ask for the grace to strengthen our prayer life, practice fasting and to mortify our senses and give generously of ourselves to those in need and to participate more deeply in Christ's sacrifice of love and the sacraments of confession and communion. Lent is about recovering our Baptismal innocence and victory over temptation. We read about Christ's struggle with Satan in the desert over power, wealth and self-indulgence which reminds us of Adam and Eve's encounter with Satan and Israel's struggle in the desert. The Transfiguration on Mount Tabor foretells the changing of our lowly bodies into his glorious body. Moses and Elijah are there because Jesus fulfills the Law and the Prophets. In the Sunday readings Jesus invites the Samaritan women at the well to repent. The man born blind emphasizes our need for the light of Christ in our lives. Lazarus is brought back from death. The prodigal son returns. The woman trapped in adultery is freed. Nicodemos reaches out to Jesus in secret. The miracles announce the Good News that Love conquers sin and Jesus has vanquished Satan. Peter will confess Jesus is the Son of the Living God. The Messiah-King enters the New Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. We sit at table with Jesus on Holy Thursday as he gives us himself as food for our journey. We stand with Mary and John at the foot of the cross on Good Friday and keep vigil on Holy Saturday as we await the Light of Christ.

11. Born to save us

11. Born to save us Born of the Virgin Mary, Jesus brings new life to the world Compendium 98-105 Ephesians 1:3-14 The eternal Son of the Father was incarnate by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. Jesus is the only Savior of the entire human race. He is truly the Son of God in both his human and divine natures because he is only one Person. He is the Son of God in his divine nature and son of Mary in his human nature. Mary remained a perpetual virgin and his "brothers and sisters" were actually close relatives. Mary's pure love and spiritual motherhood are extended to all who are saved and she has an essential role in God's plan of redemption. She is the ultimate model of the Church in her purity and motherly love. We can learn much by meditating on the"hidden life" of the Holy Family. Jesus received the baptism of repentance by John the Baptist, although he was sinless, he identified with us, sanctified the waters and prefigured our baptism by the Holy Spirit and water through which we begin to participate in the eternal life Jesus won for us by his cross and resurrection.