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What We Believe

The Catholic Faith can be traced back to the Apostles, handed down to them from the mouth of Jesus, in an unbroken succession for nearly 2,000 years. The Nicene Creed was written centuries ago to help Christians remember the important beliefs of the faith. In the Nicene Creed, we identify the four marks of the Church. The four marks of the Church are not characteristics that the Church creates or develops or learns. They are qualities that Jesus Christ shares with his Church through the Holy Spirit:

One
Just as God is one in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, so also is the Church one. The founder of the Church is Jesus Christ, who brought us back to God and made us into the family of God. The Church is one in the Holy Spirit, who dwells in those who believe.

Holy
The Church is holy because the Church lives in union with Jesus Christ, the source of holiness. Through the Holy Spirit the Church leads others to holiness. The holiness of the Church is seen in the love that the members of the Church have toward one another and the many sacrifices they make for the sake of the world.

Catholic
Catholic means “universal.” The Church is universal in two ways. First, the Church is catholic because all baptized people are part of the Church and the Church possesses the means of salvation. Second, the mission of the Church is universal because the Church has been sent to proclaim Christ to the entire human race.

Apostolic
The Church traces its tradition directly from the apostles; therefore, the Church is considered apostolic. With the Holy Spirit the Church preserves and continues the teaching of the apostles. The pope and bishops are the successors of the apostles.

What does it mean to be Catholic?

To be Catholic means to be pursuing a life fully alive in Christ. This means pursuing Jesus in personal prayer and especially in the sacraments, building community in the Church, placing your whole life at the disposal of Jesus, and striving to live a life of holiness, as laid out for us by Jesus in the Scriptures and Holy Tradition.

    The life of a Catholic Christian is a radical life, but it is also the most joy-filled, amazing life you could possibly live!

      How do I become Catholic?

      Becoming Catholic is a process that involves building your own personal relationship with Jesus, investing in the Church community, receiving the knowledge of Christ and His Church, and going through several different 'rites' to become 'fully initiated'.

      OCIA stands for Order of Christian Initiation (formerly RCIA, Rite of Christian Initiation). It is the official name for the process of becoming Catholic. This involves teachings, classes, meetings with a sponsor, rites within Mass, and finally, receiving your sacraments in the Church. For those who have already been baptized in another Christian denomination, at the end of your journey (really, just the beginning of a new journey!) you will receive your first Holy Communion and Confirmation. If you have never been baptized, you will go through the same process, but you will also be received into the Church first through baptism.

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