Essentials of the Faith: A Guide to the Catechism of the Catholic Church Book

	Preface	11
	Introduction	13
Part 1	Creed: The Faith Professed
Chapter 1	Our Capacity for God	24
Chapter 2	God's Loving Quest for Us	27
Chapter 3	Faith Is a Dialogue of Love	30
Chapter 4	The Holy Bible	33
Chapter 5	I Believe in God	37
Chapter 6	Trinity--God as a Community	40
Chapter 7	Why Do We Call God Our 'Father'?	43
Chapter 8	The Creation--'Like Looking at God'	46
Chapter 9	Man and Woman--A Little Less Than the Angels	49
Chapter 10	Original Sin	53
Chapter 11	Praise the Son of God	56
Chapter 12	Conceived by the Spirit--Born of the Virgin	59
Chapter 13	Holy Mary, Mother of God	62
Chapter 14	The Jesus of the Gospels	65
Chapter 15	Hold High the Cross	68
Chapter 16	The Glory of Easter	71
Chapter 17	The Second Coming of Jesus	74
Chapter 18	The Spirit Is Our Dynamo	77
Chapter 19	Scripture Tells the Holy Spirit's Story	80
Chapter 20	The Spirit Gives Birth to the Church	83
Chapter 21	Why Do We Speak of the Church as 'Mystery'?	86
Chapter 22	How Is the Church the People of God?	89
Chapter 23	The Four Marks of the Church	92
Chapter 24	We Believe in the Communion of Saints	95
Chapter 25	Mary Is the Mother of the Church	98
Chapter 26	The Forgiveness of Our Sins	101
Chapter 27	The Resurrection of Our Bodies	104
Chapter 28	What Happens After Death?	107
Chapter 29	The Last Judgment	111
Part 2	Sacraments: The Faith Celebrated
Chapter 30	Liturgy as Paschal Mystery	116
Chapter 31	Why Call Liturgy a 'Celebration'?	119
Chapter 32	Sacraments--The Body of Christ at Prayer	123
Chapter 33	Baptism--Born of Water and the Spirit	126
Chapter 34	Confirmation--Becoming a Courageous Catholic	129
Chapter 35	Eucharist--The Supper of the Lamb	132
Chapter 36	How Real Is the Real Presence?	136
Chapter 37	Forgiveness Heals People	140
Chapter 38	Is There Anyone Sick Among You?	144
Chapter 39	Bishops, Priests, and Deacons	147
Chapter 40	The Sacrament of Marriage	151
Chapter 41	Marriage Is Forever	155
Part 3	Commandments: The Faith Lived
Chapter 42	Christian Morality Is Life in Christ	160
Chapter 43	What Is a Christian Moral Life?	163
Chapter 44	The First Commandment--Love God Totally	167
Chapter 45	The Second Commandment--Reverence the Sacred	170
Chapter 46	The Third Commandment--The Joy of Worship	173
Chapter 47	The Fourth Commandment--Empower the Family	176
Chapter 48	The Fifth Commandment--Stop the Killing	179
Chapter 49	The Sixth Commandment--Practice Fidelity	183
Chapter 50	The Seventh Commandment--Be Honest and Just	186
Chapter 51	The Eighth Commandment--Tell the Truth	189
Chapter 52	The Ninth Commandment--Cleanse Your Heart	192
Chapter 53	The Tenth Commandment--Reject Greed	195
Part 4	Our Father: The Faith Prayed
Chapter 54	Prayer Is the Power of the Heart	200
Chapter 55	The Seven Lessons of the Our Father	203
	Bibliography	206
	Church Documents	206
	Other Resources	206
	Appendices	209
	Prayers Every Catholic Should Know	209
	The Rosary	211
	Seven Sacraments in the Catholic Church	211
	Seven Capital Sins	212
	Order of the Mass	212
	Rite of Reconciliation for Individuals (Penance, Confession)	213
	Responsibilities for Catholics	214
	Laws of the Church	215
	Holy Days of Obligation (in the United States)	216
	Regulations for Fast and Abstinence (in the United States)	216
	Index	217
	About the Author	223