Catholic Community of Bertie County, NC at P.O. Box 1394, Windsor, NC 27983 US - Who Are Catholics?
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Who Are Catholics? |
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We Catholics are Christians who believe that God became human in the person of Jesus Christ to show us how to live and love forever. He is present in us, his Body on earth. We proclaim the Good News of Jesus by living a life rich in worship and service. (John 1:12-14; Ephesians 1:22-23; Matthew 28:19-20).
We Believe in God
We believe God created the universe from nothing. We come to know who God is by reading his Word, the Bible. We believe God is at work in us and in all creation, reconciling all things to himself. (Hebrews 11:3; Ephesians 2:9-10).
We Follow Jesus
Jesus Christ is our Lord and brother. We worship him as God's own Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. We follow him and try to imitate him. Jesus paid the price for our sins by his death on the cross and won for us eternal life by his resurrection. Jesus guides us now as head of the Chruch by the power of his Holy Spirit living in us. (Matthew 1:18-21; John 14:6-7, 12-14; Acts 10: 37-43; Colossians 1:15-20).
The Spirit Is Our Life
The Holy Spirit carries on the work of Jesus in us. The Spirit prays in us, opening our minds and hearts to know, love and serve God. The Church receives life from God's Spirit, and in the Spirit we wil live forever. (John 15: 26-27; 1Corinthians 2:12-13; Romans 8:26; Acts 1:8).
The Bible Brings Life
We accept the Bible as God's inspired Word, and seek to live it in our time and place. When we read and practice God's Word, we find life to the fullest. In the Bible we discover God's will for our lives. (Luke 4:4; Hebrews 5:12; James 1:21-24; 2Peter 3:9).
We Are the Church
The worldwide family of God is the Church. Christ lives in the Church to reconcile us to God and strenghten us. Through us, Christ reconciles the world to God. We trace our ministries back to the early Church of Rome, with St. Peter as head, and before that to Jesus and his first disciples. We stand together with Christians everywhere to "lift up Jesus for all the world to see." (Ephesians 2:19; 1Peter 2:9-10; 2Corinthians 5:17-21; Romans 12:5-8; Acts 15:7-12; Revelation 2:23).
We Share God's Life
The Catholic Church is rich in worship and symbols from the Bible: water, oil, bread, and wine. We baptize with water into the death and resurrection of Jesus for the remission of sins. Every Sunday we celebrate the Lord's Supper as we share the Body and Blood of Christ. (Romans 6:3-4; Matthew 26:26-28).
We annoint the sick for healing. We confess our sins to receive God's forgiveness. We have room under our roof for many varieties of prayer. Some people commune with God more quetly, while others pray in more active, colorful ways. (James 5:14; 1John 2:1-2; Matthew 6:6; Acts 10:30-33).
Jesus Is Our Savior
We believe that God loves all people so much he sent his Son, Jesus, to save us from sin and to lead us to eternal life. We come to shre eternal life by confessing faith in Jesus. We live out our salvation daily by witnessing to Christ together in community. (John 3:16; Romans 5:1-2; Acts 4:33-34).
Our Mission Is Love
Being Catholic Christians means serving God and our brothers and sisters by a life of prayer and selfless giving. We seek to let God's love radiate in our families, neighborhoods, and communities. We seek Jesus in everyone we meet, in our work, and in all we do. We look forward to the day when "God will be all in all." (Galatians 5:13-14; Romans 12:9-18; John 13:1-17; Philippians 1:5; 1Corinthians 15:28).
Summary: The Apostles' Creed
We believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
We believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He 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, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
Becoming a Catholic
People from all backgrounds are always welcome at Catholic worship services. There is room in the Catholic Church for people of all types and races, whether rich or poor. Everyone is welcome to be a Catholic. (Matthew 25:35; Galatians 3:27-29).
QUESTIONS?
If you have questions about any Catholic teaching or practice, or would like a free Bible, contact us, the Catholic Community of Bertie County, North Carolina P.O. Box 1394 Windsor, N.C. 27983 or by calling Father Mike 252-724-2030 or Brother Virgil 252-724-2029.