YOUCAT*: We believe in one God in three persons (Trinity). “God is not solitude but perfect communion.” (Pope Benedict XVI, May 22, 2005). [232-236, 249-256, 261, 265-266] St. Patrick’s Day not only reminds me of green beer, my godfather (Uncle Pat), but also the Holy Trinity. Here’s how the legend goes: When Patrick was preaching […]

YOUCAT*: No. No one may force others to believe, not even one’s own children, just as no one may be forced to be an unbeliever. A person can make the decision to believe only in complete freedom. Christians, however, are called to help other people, by word and example, to find the way to faith. […]

YOUCAT: The central places of a house of God are the altar with the crucifix, the tabernacle, the celebrant’s chair, the ambo, the baptismal font, and the confessional. [1182-1185] The altar is the central point in the church building. This is where the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross is made present through the sacrament […]

YOUCAT*: The classical form of administering Baptism is the threefold immersion of the candidate in the water. Usually, however, water is poured three times over the head of the candidate, while the minister of the sacrament speaks the words, “(Name), I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of […]

YOUCAT*: Baptism is the way out of the kingdom of death into life, the gateway to the church, and the beginning of a lasting communion with God. [1213-1216, 1276-1278] Most of us don’t remember our baptisms because we were babies. And, we hear a lot about baptism, especially when someone we know has a new […]

YOUCAT*: When we pray for the universal accomplishment of God’s will, we pray that on earth and in our own heart it may become as it already is in heaven. [2822-2827, 2860] This week’s Catechism Corner is inspired by my friend, Dann. Every time we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we say, “Thy will be done, […]

YOUCAT*: No. Someone who prays only when he feels like it does not take God seriously and will leave off praying. Prayer thrives on faithfulness [2650] “Pray without ceasing.” (1Thessalonians 5:17) How many of you read that Scripture verse and think to yourself: “Yeah, right. How can we pray all the time?” Well, we can. […]

YOUCAT: Evil is only apparently worth striving for, and deciding in favor of evil only apparently makes us free. Evil does not make us happy but rather deprives us of what is truly good; it chains us to something futile and in the end destroys our freedom entirely. [1730-1733, 1743-1744] In the last issue, I […]

YOUCAT*: Freedom is the God-given power to be able to act of one’s own accord; a person who is free no longer acts under the influence of someone else. [1730-1733, 1743-1744] “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed […]