The Father "Yahweh" is God. Jesus Christ His Son, co-creator and redeemer, Holy Spirit, life of the Church.
PURPOSE OF LIFE – As we understand it, is to love know and serve God through Jesus Christ.
THE CREEDS - Apostle’s, Nicene, Athanasian (Quicumque Vult) for these explain the Faith in plain simple and uncomplicated manners.
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS – for if we follow these we will live in perfect harmony with God and our neighbor.
THE TWO GREAT COMMANDMENTS – for these are the summary of the Ten Commandments.
THE CHURCH – Is one Holy Catholic and Apostolic. Christ is the root and the Church is the main stem, and we a branch of the Vine.
THE SACRAMENTS – for the seven sacraments are the outward signs instituted by God to give grace. These are:
BAPTISM - Through which one receives spiritual life and becomes a member of the living Body of Christ, the Church. Mt 28:19-20 Mk 16:15-16
EUCHARIST – Through which one receives the Body and Blood of our Savior in a tangible form. Mat 26:26-28 Mk 14:22-25 Lk 22:19-20 Jn 6:15 1 Cor 10:16, and 11:27
CONFESSION – Through which one receives absolution (forgiveness) of sins. Jn 20:22-23 Mat 6:14-15 Mk 14:22-25 Lk 22:19-20
CHRISMATION – Through which one receives the Holy Spirit in a very special manner as well as the gifts and fruits of the Spirit.
MARRIAGE – Through which a couple (a man and a woman) receive graces to live together as husband and wife and through which this union is blessed. Mt 19:6 cf. Gen 2:24 Mk10:11-12
ANOINTING OF THE SICK also called UNCTION - It is through this sacrament that one is often healed and also through this sacrament that one is prepared to meet his Lord. [Mk 16:17-18 Mt 10:8 Jas 5:14-15]
ORDERS also called ORDINATION – This is the sacrament through which deacons, priests and bishops are ordained. It is through this sacrament that Apostolic Succession is maintained in the Church. Apostolic Succession means that our bishops can all trace their lines of Consecration back to the Apostles.
ADMINISTRATION OF THE SACRAMENTS - Is a great responsibility of the Church, for it is through the sacraments that the spiritual life of the community is kept alive, and that the community is led to God.
The Church is the administrator of the sacraments and not the judge of humanity, therefore being unable to read the hearts of our fellow travelers in this vale of tears, we will administer the sacraments to all who claim belief in them as we do, provided that they have been baptized.
VALIDITY OF THE SACRAMENTS – Is the test through which the administration of a sacrament is judged to be valid. In order for a sacrament to be valid the proper form and matter is to be used with the proper intention and the proper minister must administer the sacrament. The administrator of the sacrament must have been ordained by a bishop possessing valid lines of Apostolic Succession.
RITES - A rite is simply a means to a goal, the priest is free to use these rites with which he and his congregation are familiar and comfortable. The important thing to remember is the goal of the sacrament that is being administered and the assurance that the form, matter, and intent are well expressed in the rite.
CLERGY – Are elevated through a series of steps that we call minor orders, then deacon, the priesthood, and finally bishop. The deacons serve the priests and the community, the priest leads the community to God by offering sacrifice and sanctifying the People of God through the administration of the sacraments, and leading them to God through service. The Bishop is truly the servant of servants and is assisted by priests who act in his behalf and administer sacraments under license (faculties) in his stead. He possesses unbroken lines of Apostolic Succession traceable back to the Holy Apostles. Our clergy can be and often are married. Re: Married Clergy, read 1 Tim 3:1-13 & Titus 1:6-9
THE SAINTS – The saints consist of those baptized people who are in perfect harmony with God and who are still living, as well as the dearly departed
We often use ICONS (images and statues) of the saints to remind us of their holy lives.