The Catholic Church is the community of all baptized persons united in the same true faith, the same sacrifice, the same sacraments, under the authority of the Sovereign Pontiff, the Bishop of Rome, and the bishops in communion with him. In the Old Testament, God made Israel the first People of God. He made Israel a sacred community, dearer to …

Jesus started the Catholic Church at the time of His Death and Resurrection, more than two thousand years ago. Jesus earned for us the privilege of belonging to God’s holy family, the Church, by His death and Resurrection. In order to enter that family, we must have sanctifying grace, which we first receive at Baptism and which cleanses our soul …