My faith is an integral part of my life. As a Roman Catholic, I find myself explaining many things about my faith to those who don't understand the Catholic faith. So, in the interest of faith and knowledge, let me share with you a few of the things that I often explain to my non-Catholic friends.

Catholics are Christian. We believe in Jesus Christ. He died to redeem our sins. As a Catholic, I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of Heaven and earth and in Jesus Christ, His only Son.

Catholics do not worship Mary. We honor her, we revere her, but we do not worship her. She was the earthly mother of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Does that not make her worthy of our respect? As far as prayers to Mary, haven't you ever asked your mom to put in a good word for you with dad? Does that mean you think mom and dad are the same person? I don't think so. It's the same with the saints. No one confuses St Jude or St Therese with God, nor do we worship them. We do honor them and the good they did during their lifetime. And we're not above asking them to put in a good word for us with the Big Guy.

Catholics do not have to have babies. Nor are we resricted from engaging in intimate relations with a spouse - even when we are not trying to make a baby. The teaching of the Church is that we must be open to the possibility of children within marriage. We are also required to refrain from artificial means of contraception. Neither one of these things is a mandate to produce children. And neither of them is a big impediment to a loving relationship between a husband and wife.

Catholics do not believe everyone who is not Catholic is going to Hell. We do believe that baptism is a requirement to enter Heaven. However, we recognize the baptism of any faith. If you want to convert to Catholicism and were baptized Methodist years ago, you are not baptized again. Your first baptism is valid. And no one is eternally damned because they don't attend the same church I do.

The Pope is infallible in matters of faith and morals only. That does not mean that every word uttered by the Pontiff is Gospel. It means that we are not to question papal proclamations on faith and morals. If John Paul gets up tomorrow and tells us that the sky is green, we are free to tell him he's wrong and perhaps suggest a little period of rest.

Catholics do not sell Heaven. It's true that in the past, indulgences were sold. But give me a break - if we're talking about some pope or bishop three hundred years ago, what does that have to do with me and my faith today? Priests are people too, as a friend of mine who wears a roman collar says. Just because a man is a priest does not mean that he cannot do wrong. But when a person does wrong, that does not make the Church evil, it only makes that man wrong.

Catholics do not believe they can do anything and get off free when they go to confession. A part of receiving absolution is a sincere repentence. I cannot confess my sins and expect to receive absolution when I am planning to go out and do the same things later. I believe the teaching of my Church that the priest can grant me absolution through the grace of God. But while the priest may not know what is in my heart when I confess, God knows. I may receive absolution and do my penence, but if my repentence was not sincere, God will know. And I will know. In the end, those two facts are what makes a valid sacrament of Confession.

There are many more things about my Faith that people misunderstand, but these are the things I am most often asked about, or challenged over. There are much better places to find out about the Catholic Faith. I am not a theologian, just a practicing Catholic. Still, if you have a question, or want to engage in an open discussion, drop me a line.

maa5906@ccp.com Marci Abels

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