Jan 1 ICCH Sunday mass, 12:30pm

Catholics are the largest single denomination among religions in the United States. We have certain basic beliefs and practices which unite us with other Catholics throughout the world. Many of our beliefs can be found in other Christian religions, but some are distinctively Catholic.

We believe that God is the Creator of all things and that Jesus is the Son of God who was born on this earth. Therefore, we believe that Jesus has two natures: divine and human. Jesus preached God's message and brought God's love to people. Jesus died and rose from the dead. Catholics believe that Jesus' presence continues in the world through the Church by the power of the Holy Spirit. We believe that there is one God who is present in three Divine persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Our belief is that the Church has the authority to teach and continue to discern the will of God through the pope and the bishops. Catholics believe that the Scriptures contain sacred revelation from God which forms the basis of our beliefs and our moral code. Besides being people of the Bible, we are also a people of tradition. Tradition, for Catholics is more than a long history; we base our teachings also on the faith experiences of the many people who have made up the Catholic Church over the past twenty centuries.