the central table at the front of the church where the Eucharist is celebrated

the people gathered together for worship

the Sacrament in which a person is immersed in water or has water poured on him or her. Baptism takes away Original Sin and all personal sin, and makes a person a child of God and member of the Church.

teachings of Jesus that show the way to true happiness and tell how to live in God’s Kingdom now and always

the Word of God written in human words. The Bible is the holy book of the Church.

a name for the Church of which Christ is the head. All the baptized are members of the Body.

the book containing the Gospel readings from which the priest or deacon proclaims the Gospel during Mass

everyone who believes in and follows Jesus—people on Earth and people who have died and are in purgatory or heaven

the last of the four parts of the Mass, when we are blessed and sent out into the world to share the Good News of Jesus with others

telling your sins to the priest

an ability given to us by God that helps us make choices about right and wrong. This gift helps us desire to do good and know what God wants us to do.

the part of the Eucharistic Prayer in which the priest prays the words of Jesus over the bread and wine, and these elements become the Body and Blood of Christ

being sorry for your sins and wanting to live better

the continual process of becoming the people God made us to be. It is a response to God’s love and forgiveness and a turning away from sin.

a sacred promise or agreement between God and humans

a statement of the Church’s beliefs

a cross with the body of Jesus on it. The crucifix reminds us of Jesus’ sacrifice and God’s unconditional love and mercy.

the Sacrament in which Jesus shares himself, and the bread and wine become his Body and Blood

the God-given freedom and ability to make choices. God created us with free will so we can have the freedom to choose good.

God’s free and loving gift to humans of his own life and help

God’s free and loving gift to humans of his own life and help

the one God in three Divine Persons—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit

the one God in three Divine Persons—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit

the dismissal said by the priest in Latin. It means “Go, the dismissal is made.”

the world of love, peace, and justice that is in heaven and is still being built on Earth

the second main part of the Mass that includes Holy Communion

the first main part of the Mass during which we hear God’s Word proclaimed

kindness and concern for those who have wronged us or are suffering. God has mercy on us even though we are sinners. He calls us to show mercy and forgive others as he forgives us.

a serious sin that causes a person’s relationship with God to be broken

a spiritual truth that can’t be known unless God reveals it, or makes it known to us

the first sin, committed by Adam and Eve, and then passed down to all human beings after them

a large, decorated candle sacrifice giving up something out of love for that is lit from the new fire at the Easter Vigil. This candle is lit at all masses during the Easter season. It is also lit at Baptisms and funerals.

the mystery of Jesus’ suffering, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension

the mystery of Jesus’ suffering, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension

a prayer or an action to help us repair the harm caused by our sins

a part of the Introductory Rites at Mass, when we are called to think about our sins and ask for God’s mercy

words spoken by the priest during the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation to grant forgiveness of sins in God’s name

prayer at Mass for the needs of the Church and the world

the teaching that Jesus is really and truly with us in the Eucharist. We receive Jesus in his fullness.

to be reunited or restored to friendship or relationship

another name for the Bible. Sacred Scripture is the inspired Word of God written by humans.

giving up something out of love for someone else or for the common good (the good of everyone). Jesus sacrificed his life for all people.

heroes of the Church who loved God very much, led holy lives, and are now with God in heaven

special signs and celebrations that Jesus gave his Church. They allow us to share in God’s life and work.

special signs and celebrations that Jesus gave his Church. They allow us to share in God’s life and work.

a person’s choice to disobey God on purpose and do what he or she knows is wrong. Sins hurt our relationship with God and other people.

the special place in the church where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved after Mass for those who are ill or for Eucharistic Adoration

wanting to do something we should not, or not wanting to do something we should. It is not a sin, but can lead a person to sin. So we need to avoid temptations to sin.

God’s laws that tell people how to love him and others

the process by which the power of the Holy Spirit and the words of the priest transform the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus

a sin that hurts a person’s friendship with God but does not completely break it

actions that show care for the physical and spiritual needs of others