St. Francis de Sales Church at 601 15th. Ave. North, Moorhead, MN 56560 US - What We Believe

Catholics believe that God became a man. Out of a love for humanity that passes all understanding, the Creator of the Universe became human in Mary's womb, grew up as a boy working in his foster father Joseph’s carpentry shop, and then as an adult embarked upon a public ministry to proclaim the Gospel. After spending several years as an itinerant preacher, gathering disciples, working miraculous signs, and ultimately proclaiming Himself to be the God whose name is “I AM,” He was persecuted by His own fellow Hebrews and crucified. On the third day, on Easter morning, He rose from the dead, appeared to many of His followers, and then ascended to Heaven where He now reigns as humanity’s intercessor, friend, and judge.

Jesus’ message is called the Gospel, or the Good News. The message was then and is now that human beings are to be forgiven our sins and made whole for the sake of life in Heaven. All who accept Jesus’ offer are saved through Baptism and live a life of faith, prayer, and good works in anticipation of the Lord's return, when He will ratify our accomplishments and inaugurate the New Creation, a time after the end of time when the heavens and the earth, including Man himself, will be re-created to the glory God had always intended.

We live today in the Messianic age, the age of the Church, when we are seeking new disciples to follow the Lord and are cooperating in His work for peace, justice, and the revelation of the Truth that is Jesus, the light of mankind. Within the Catholic Church abides the fullness of God’s truth, but other Christian Churches that practice valid Baptism are in communion with the Catholic Church to a greater or lesser degree. To everyone who is not baptized, and to everyone who is not in full communion with us, we extend a heartfelt invitation. All are welcome in the Catholic Church.

Jesus gave His Church, which He calls His bride, seven sacraments to help humanity become holy and like Him. The first, Baptism, is the sacrament by which we are saved and begin to become holy, a process that then continues throughout our whole lives and is consummated by our final “yes” to God (and His “yes” to us) when we finally see Him face-to-face at our judgment. Baptism makes us members of the Church and members of Christ’s body.

Confirmation is the sacrament that imparts to us the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit that prepare us to be Christ’s hands, feet, and voice in the world. Reconciliation is the sacrament that restores us to grace when we have sinned and strengthens us in grace so that we may sin no longer. Holy Anointing is the sacrament that strengthens us, heals us, and saves us from sin when we are facing grave illness or danger of death. Marriage is the sacrament that unites a man and a woman for life and gives them the gifts they need to help each other become perfect and to raise children. Holy Orders is the sacrament that imparts upon a man a permanent character that makes him a deacon, priest, or bishop, able to lead the Christian community by offering intercession, sacrifice, and service.

Lastly, the Eucharist is the source and the summit of our faith; consecrated by a priest or bishop during Mass, Catholics believe that the Bread of Life we receive truly is Jesus, humanity and divinity, body and soul, given to us so that we may grow strong in spirit and prosper in doing the good works of God.

We are the People of God. Our mission is to be the bearers of light into the dark places of the world, and through the centuries our saints have shown us what it means to follow God and to be truly human. We Catholics live as part of a great communion of saints, men and women on earth, in Heaven, and awaiting final purification who are all undertaking the work that God has given us. The work is nothing less than the re-creation of the universe, putting a human face that is Christ’s and yours and mine on everything under the sun. We expect to be successful. Will you join us?

(Back)