Beliefs and Practices

Formulas of Catholic Doctrine

Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12)

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart (or pure of heart), for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness (or righteousness’ sake), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.

Communion Regulations

As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion. We are encouraged to receive Communion devoutly and frequently.
In order to be properly disposed to receive Communion, participants should be conscious of no grave sin and normally should have fasted for one hour.
A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord without prior sacramental confession except for a grave reason where there is no opportunity for confession. In this case, the person is to be mindful of the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, including the intention of confessing as soon as possible (CIC, can. 916).
A frequent reception of the Sacrament of Penance is encouraged for all.

Communion Fast

We are expected to fast from food or drink for at least one hour prior to the reception of Holy Communion.

Four Gospels

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John

Holy Days of Obligation - On these days, there is an obligation to attend Mass and to refrain from servile work as much as possible.

Mary Mother of God - January 1
Ascension of the Lord - 40 days after Easter or the following Sunday (celebrated on the 7th Sunday of Easter in the Archdiocese of Dubuque)
The Assumption of Mary - August 15
All Saints Day - November 1
The Immaculate Conception of Mary - December 8
Nativity of our Lord or Christmas - December 25

Liturgical Year

Advent-Christmas Season (Christmas day until Sunday after Epiphany)
Ordinary Time
Lent (Ash Wednesday until Holy Saturday)
Easter Season (Easter Sunday until Pentecost, 50 days after Easter)
Ordinary Time

Parts of the Mass

Introductory Rites

Gathering Song
Greeting
Penitential Rite (or blessing and sprinkling with holy water)
Glory to God
Opening Prayer

Liturgy of the Word

First Reading (usually from the Old Testament)
Responsorial Psalm
Second Reading (usually from one of the letters of the New Testament)
Gospel Acclamation
Gospel
Homily (an explanation of the readings)
Profession of Faith (Creed)
General Intercessions (Prayers of the Faithful)

Liturgy of the Eucharist

Preparation and presentation of the gifts
Prayer over gifts
Preface
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord
Eucharistic Prayer (during this prayer the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus)
The Great Amen
Communion Rite
- The Lord’s Prayer
- Sign of Peace
- Breaking of the Bread
- Lamb of God
- Reception of Communion
- Prayer after Communion

Concluding Rite

Blessing
Dismissal

Regulations for Fast and Abstinence

Fasting is refraining from food or drink to some degree.
Abstinence is refraining from eating meat.
In the United States, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast and abstinence, and all Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence.
The obligation to abstain from meat binds all Catholics 14 years of age and older. The obligation to fast, limiting oneself to one full meal and two lighter meals in the course of a day, binds Catholics from the ages of 21 to 59.

Seven Sacraments

Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist
Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation; Anointing of the Sick
Sacraments at the Service of Communion: Holy Orders and Matrimony (Marriage)

The Four Cardinal Virtues

Prudence
Justice
Fortitude
Temperance

The Four Last Things

Death
Judgment
Hell
Heaven

The Fruits of the Holy Spirit

Charity
Joy
Peace
Patience
Kindness
Goodness
Generosity
Gentleness
Faithfulness
Modesty
Self-control
Chastity

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Wisdom
Understanding
Counsel (Right Judgment)
Fortitude (Courage)
Knowledge
Piety (Reverence)
Fear of the Lord (Wonder and Awe in God’s Presence)

The Golden Rule (cf. Mt 7:12)

Do unto others as you would have them do to you.

The Five Precepts of the Church

You shall attend Mass on Sundays and 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.
You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church.

The Seven Capital Sins

Pride
Covetousness
Lust
Anger
Gluttony
Envy
Sloth

The Stations of the Cross

Jesus is condemned to death.
Jesus accepts his cross.
Jesus falls the first time.
Jesus meets his mother.
Simon helps Jesus carry the cross.
Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.
Jesus falls the second time.
Jesus meets the women.
Jesus falls the third time.
Jesus is stripped of his clothes.
Jesus is nailed to the cross.
Jesus dies on the cross.
Jesus is taken down from the cross.
Jesus is placed in the tomb.

The Ten Commandments

I, The Lord, am your God. You shall not have other gods besides 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 your 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 neighbor’s goods.

The Three Theological Virtues

Faith
Hope
Charity

The Two Commandments of Love

You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.
You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:37-39)

Works of Mercy

The Seven Corporal Works of Mercy

Feed the hungry.
Give drink to the thirsty.
Clothe the naked.
Shelter the homeless.
Visit the sick.
Visit the imprisoned.
Bury the dead.

The Seven Spiritual Works of Mercy

Counsel the doubtful.
Instruct the ignorant.
Admonish sinners.
Comfort the afflicted.
Forgive offenses.
Bear wrongs patiently.
Pray for the living and the dead.

Prayers, Beliefs and Practices

Suggested/Recommended at Developmentally Appropriate Grade Levels

Kindergarten

Sign of the Cross
Grace Before a Meal
Our Father/The Lord’s Prayer
Hail Mary

Grade 1

Sign of the Cross
Grace Before a Meal
Our Father/The Lord’s Prayer
Hail Mary