Msg Base:  AREA 3  - ASK FATHER (AMDG)
  Msg No: 112.  Tue  10-19-92  0:50  (NO KILL)
    From: Father Mateo
      To: Joey Kennedy
 Subject: salvation

 
JK| -exactly how do catholics believe they recieve thier salvation-by what
  | means?
 
JK| thanks
  | in his love
  | joe
 
Dear Joey,
 
We are saved through the merits of Jesus Christ, who became man in
time though He is God in all eternity.  He suffered and died for us,
rose again and ascended into Heaven to prepare a place for us there.
 
Believing in Him, we are buried with Him in baptism.  Baptism makes us
members of the Church, His Body.  In the Church, we are fed with his
true Body and Blood, which is His pledge to us of eternal life (John
6:53-57).  The Church keeps us in the truth, because she is the pillar
and foundation of truth (1 Tim. 3:15).  The Church is aided in her work
of teaching by the Holy Spirit and by the inspired written word of
God, the Holy Scriptures.  Besides the written word of God, the Church
meditates on and draws forth the truths contained in oral
Christian tradition (2 Thess. 2:14-15).
 
We must work out our salvation by loving God and our neighbor through
works of charity and faith.  Grace alone, flowing from Christ, empowers
us to perform the works which please God.
 
                                        Sincerely in Christ,
 
 
 
                                        Father Mateo