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Links
- The Bible
- Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)
- U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults
- Bishop Robert Barron: Catholicism Study Program
- Joe Sixpack Answers
- Knights of Columbus: Catholic Information Service
- The Luke E. Hart Series: Booklets 1-20
- The Luke E. Hart Series: Booklets 21-30
- Vincentian Priests and Knights of Columbus: Catholic Home Study
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Catholic Information Service: The Luke E. Hart Series
Based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Luke E. Hart Series seeks to provide answers to three basic questions: What do Catholics believe? How do they worship? How should they live? Anyone seeking a better understanding of Catholic faith and morality will find this series an essential resource.Catholic Information Service (CIS)
The Luke E. Hart Series: Booklets 1-20
The Luke E. Hart Series: Booklets 21-30
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What Every Catholic Should Know
Revelation & Scripture
The Total Deposit of Faith:
Consists of both Scripture and Tradition
The Books of the Bible (the "canon" of Scripture):
46 books in the Old Testament
27 books in the New Testament
The Four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
The task of giving authentic interpretation of the Word of God:
Is entrusted to the Magisterium, the living, teaching office of the Church.
The Creed – The Faith Professed
The Apostles’ CreedI believe in God, the Father almighty,creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. AmenThe Four Marks of the ChurchThe Church is One
The Church is Holy
The Church is Catholic
The Church is ApostolicThe Sacraments – The Faith Celebrated
The Seven SacramentsBaptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation,
Anointing of the Sick, Matrimony, Holy OrdersHoly Days of Obligation in the United States- The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God: January 1: We honor Mary, Mother of God
- Ascension: Fortieth day after Easter: Jesus ascended into heaven
- Assumption: August 15: Mary was taken into heaven, body and soul
- All Saint’s Day: November 1: We honor all the saints in heaven
- Immaculate Conception: December 8: Mary was free from sin from the first moment of her life.
- Christmas: December 25: We celebrate the birth of Jesus
Days of Fasting (for adults)Ash Wednesday & Good Friday
Days of Abstinence (for all those over the age 14)Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all Fridays in Lent.The Commandments – The Faith Lived
The Two Greatest CommandmentsThe two great commandments that contain the whole law of God are:
First, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind, and with thy whole strength;
Second, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.Matthew 22:34-40
"And one of them, a doctor of the Law, putting him to the test, asked him, "Master, which is the great commandment in the Law?" Jesus said to him, "'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind.' This is the greatest and the first commandment. And the secon is like it, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself'" On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."The Ten Commandments- I am the Lord your God. You shall not have strange gods before me.
- You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.
- Remember to keep holy the LORD's day.
- Honor your father and mother.
- You shall not kill.
- You shall not commit adultery.
- You shall not steal.
- You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
- You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.
- You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.
The BeatitudesBlessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall posses the land.
Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Precepts of the Church (Duties of a Catholic Christian)- To keep holy the day of the Lord’s Resurrection (Sunday). To worship God by participating in Mass on every Sunday and holy day of obligation. To avoid those activities (like needless work) that would hinder worship, joy, relaxation.
- To lead a sacramental life. To receive Holy Communion frequently and the Sacrament of Reconciliation regularly.
- To study Catholic teachings in preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation, to be confirmed, and then to continue to study and advance the cause of Christ.
- To observe the marriage laws of the Church. To give religious training, by word and example, to one’s children. To use parish schools and catechetical programs.
- To strengthen and support the Church – one’s own parish community and parish priests, the worldwide Church, and the pope.
- To do penance, including abstaining from meat and fasting from food on the days appointed.
The Cardinal VirtuesPrudence, Justice, Fortitude, TemperanceThe Theological Virtues
Faith, Hope, CharityThe Corporal Works of MercyFeed the Hungry
Give drink to the thirsty
Shelter the homeless
Visit the sick
Visit the imprisoned
Bury the dead
Give alms to the poor.
The Spiritual Works of MercyCounsel the Doubtful
Instruct the ignorant
Admonish the Sinner
Comfort the Sorrowful
Forgive all Injuries
Bear wrongs patiently
Pray for the living and the deadGifts of the Holy SpiritIsaiah 11: 2-3
Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, Fear of the Lord
Fruits of the Holy SpiritMatthew 7:17-20 and Galatians 5:22-23
charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastityThe Seven Capital SinsPride, Avarice, Envy, Wrath, Lust, Gluttony, SlothThe Our Father – The Faith PrayedThe Lord's PrayerOur Father,
Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
CCC, page 661