Welcome,

This is The Faith, by Canon Francis Ripley Before we begin, it is strongly recommended that one purchase, read, keep and refer to the following book through this course of study, or in the case of others, a review of the Basic Catholic Beliefs; that book is "This is the Faith,' by Canon Francis Ripley. ISBN 978-0-89555-642-4 from TAN Publishing.

How to use this course:
The links within this outline below will lead to a either a PDF file, which you can print out for easier reading, or read from your computer screen. If you know how to copy and transfer files to a tablet or reader, such as a kindle or nook, you can read the material from there.

The material, though well presented, works best with the assistance of a well informed guide who knows the faith, or knows where to find the answer to some your personal questions that may arise. Still, if you follow the first advice and purchase the book, This is The Faith, you will be well on your way to understanding the material and much more.

Other links will lead to either a video for support of the written material or an audio file.
(Note the video files are in .mov format. Should you not already have the codecs to play a variety of audio and video files, download the K-Lite Codec Pack at: http://www.codecguide.com/download_kl.htm. Install the program and your windows media player will thank you ;-)

I hope you find this work very helpful and that it will lead you closer to God, and His Church. It is the path to salvation, but salvation is not guranteed because it does take work and requires being faithful to the end. From the words of St. Paul in 2 Timothy: 4-9. For I am even now ready to be sacrificed: and the time of my dissolution is at hand. I have fought a good fight: I have finished my course: I have kept the faith. As to the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of justice which the Lord the just judge will render to me in that day: and not only to me, but to them also that love his coming. Make haste to come to me quickly.

May God's peace and wisdom be granted unto you.

(Disclaimer: This course is designed for those seriously wanting to hear true Catholicism. If you are offended is any way, it means something touched the soul and that it needs healing. Mat 9:12. But Jesus hearing it, said: They that are in health need not a physician, but they that are ill.)


Outline for Basic Catholic Study

1. Intro to the Church Building, what's in it, why, what they represent.

- Holy Water & History, Sacarmentals

2. The Mass, what is it, why, how, the Eucharist, Liturgy, Obligation

- Mass Video Season One Mass Creation
- Eucharist Video Eucharist- The Real Presence.mov

- Mass Booklette - mandatory reading, covers a number of topics including the Lord's Prayer

Bonuses:
Bonus-Why the Little Things Are Important
Traditional Mass Explained
All About the Season of Lent
About Ash Wednesday
The Liturgical Year Explained

3. The Apostle Creed - Twelve themes within the creed

The following topics both inclusive and non-exclusive to the Creed

There are four official Creeds used within the Church.
Apostles Creed

Nicene Creed (325 AD - attributed to the council of Nicea and most likely the influence of St. Anthanasius)

Athanasian Creed - The Athanasian Creed, also known as the "Quicumque vult", was formerly recited at the office of Prime on Sundays. It is one of the four authoritative Creeds of the Catholic Church. The Anglican Church and some Protestant Churches also hold it to be authoritative. While the Creed has always been attributed to St. Athanasius (d 373 AD), it was unknown in the Eastern Churches until the 12th century and thus it is unlikely he is the author. St. Ambrose is one suggested author, but many authors have been proposed with no conclusive agreements reached. Current theory suggests it was composed in southern France in the 5th century. In 1940, the lost 'Excerpta' of St. Vincent of Lerins (flourished in 440: "quod ubique, quod semper, quod ab omnibus creditum est") was discovered, and this work contains much of the language of the Creed. Thus, either St. Vincent, or an admirer have been suggested as the author. The earliest known copy of the creed was included in a prefix to a collection of homilies by Caesarius of Arles (died 542).

Download the Creed of Pius IV

4. One True Church in more depth

Video - Purpose of the Church
Video - The Church, The Same Yesterday, Today and Forever

Qualities of the Church

5. The Bible

Video - Where Did The Bible Come From

A little more on "T"radition - Sacred Tradition

6. Historical Outline of Church
Major Events in Church History

7. Understanding Papacy

Papacy - Handout II

In Depth Classes on the Papacy for those who want to understand it well.
Video - The Papacy Class I
Video - The Papacy Class II

List of Popes

9. Sacraments & Sacramentals

Grace Explained

10. The Seven Precepts of the Church

What are Holy Days, Feats Days, Daily Mass, Scriptural readings, cycle of the readings

11. Saints, Fathers and Doctors of the Church

Outside Links to More:
Audio - Early Church Fathers

12. The Blessed Mother and her role in the Church

Video - Mary Mother of the Church

13. Prayer - Intercessory prayer, Masses for prayer, Common Prayers, The Rosary

The Fifteen Promises of Mary to Christians Who Recite the Rosary

Basic Catholic Prayers

14. The Commandments God & The Commandment of the Church

Pope Francis Catechesis on the Sacrament of Penance & Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Confession - How to attend Confession
Notes on Confession

15. Social Justice and Ecumenism, Charity explained, its understanding

What does it take? Temptation, ecumenism, and more.
Sermon from St. Stephens Catholic Parish, March, 2014. This is a message we need take heed.

Prostant vs. Christian

Simple Sources of Study to know your faith:
Baltimore Catechism
A Brief Catechism for Adults
Catholic Treasury
New Catechism of the Church
The Holy Mass Pictorial Guide
Devotional Prayers