Why do Catholics confess their sins… to a priest?

You’re only human, which means we’re often tempted to sin, and sometimes weak. Our Christian life requires lifelong conversion, which is why Jesus gave the Church the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Only God forgives sins. Jesus gave this power to men to use in His name. This is expressed in Christ's words to the apostle Peter: “I will give you the keys of the
kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound on heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19)  And again: “Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” (John 20:23)

Why do we have a pope?

Jesus established leadership to make sure that the key jobs of teaching, governing and sanctification would continue in his Church. The Pope holds the title Successor to Peter. Jesus chose Peter to be the leader of His church. Jesus said, "And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)

Why is Communion/Eucharist so important in the Catholic Church?

The Holy Eucharist is very important to Catholics. We believe that the consecrated bread and wine on the altar are truly the body and blood of Christ. This is called transubstantiation. Christ is really present! “Eucharist” means thanksgiving. We are to be grateful and give thanks to God for providing the bread from heaven to feed and nourish the soul. Communion allows the believer to be united with Christ by sharing his body and blood. The body merely consumes the appearance of bread and wine while the soul receives Christ personally and totally. When we eat the body and blood of Christ, we become more like Christ in his obedience to the father, humility, and love for our neighbors. By taking Holy Communion, Catholics express their union with all Catholics around the world who believe the same thing. Eucharist is the ultimate  sacrament of initiation.

What is the Trinity? Do Catholics worship more than one God?

Catholics believe in one God, who is revealed in three persons – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. We call this belief the “Trinity.” Each of the persons is fully God. At the same time, The three persons are distinct from one another, each identifiable. And they are in relation to one another; you can only understand them in reference to the others. The Father can't be the Father without the Son, nor can the Son be the Son without the Father. The Holy Spirit is related to the Father and the Son, who both send the Spirit forth.

How do Catholics celebrate the Sacrament of Eucharist?

Catholics are encouraged to participate regularly and often in Holy Communion. Priests, deacons, and extraordinary ministers distribute Holy Communion. Only wheat unleavened bread and grape wine can be used. The bread is made from wheat flour and water, much like the unleavened bread used by Christ at the Last Supper. The moment the priest says the words of the consecration, "This is my body" and "This is my blood", Catholics believe that the bread and wine become the body and blood, and soul and divinity of Christ. (Matthew 26:26-29). People who are in the Communion with the church can receive Holy Communion.

Why is Mary so important?

Mary said “yes” to God’s call to bring Christ into the world. She is the mother of God, the most intimate cooperation with her son’s work of redemption. Sometimes Catholics are accused of worshipping Mary as though she was a god.  When we pray to Mary’s honor, we are really thanking and praising God for blessing one of our sisters.  We believe in the communion of saints, and that those who are close to God will intercede on our behalf.  The New Testament reveals a valuable lesson concerning Mary: Jesus does answer her pleas for others.  The miracle of the wine at Cana testifies to this (see John 2:1-12)