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AUTHOR Rev. Fr. Paolo O. Pirlo, SHMI
EDITION
PUBLISHER Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate Quality Catholic Publications Isabella De Rosis St., Multinational 1708 Paraaque City, Philippines Telefax (02) 828-2338 Tel. (02) 828-9509 sonsmaryphil@yahoo.com
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2. A CATECHISTS PRAYER
Loving Father, giver of all that is, help me to remember that every gift I have comes from you. Expand my vision so that I can appreciate your goodness in the world around me. Jesus, our Redeemer, you are the path to the treasures of my heart and soul. Strengthen my commitment to be a catechist and deepen my capacity to share your truth with those in my care. Holy Spirit, Love Divine, all life and energy flows from you. Illuminate my thoughts and intensify my desire to grow ever deeper in my faith. I lift up my prayer to you, God Father, Son, and Spiritin humility and hope. Amen.
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What is a sin?
A sin is an act of disobedience to the Commandments of God. It requires full awareness and deliberate consent. The first or original sin was committed by Adam and Eve, who ate the forbidden fruit (cf. Genesis 3:6). Thereafter, all men are prone to commit sin, as St. Paul said: I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want (Romans 7:19).
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What is the difference between venial and mortal sin? THE VENIAL SIN involves a small matter, such as stealing a candy, and can be forgiven with a sincere act of contrition. It is called venial, which in Latin means excusable, because it slightly wounds the soul. THE MORTAL SIN involves a serious matter, such as stealing 10,000 pesos, and can be forgiven only through the Sacraments of Baptism or Penance. It is called mortal, or deadly, because it kills the soul.
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What are the three requirements for forgiving sins? 1. REPENTANCE: A sinner must regret his sins and show acts of repentance. 2. RESOLUTION: A sinner ought to make a strong resolve not to sin again and to avoid the occasions of sin. 3. REPARATION: A sinner should make reparation for the damaged he has caused to the community and to others.
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11. THE POWER OF THE KEYS: Can we confess our sins directly to God?
If God wanted our sins to be confessed directly to him, there was no need to send his Son to earth; nor for Jesus to give the Power of the Keys to the Apostles. We need to have our sins forgiven by the Church for three reasons: 1. TO FOLLOW THE WILL OF JESUS: It was Jesus who instituted the Sacrament of Baptism for the forgiveness of sins, and that of Penance for the sins committed thereafter. 2. TO BE ASSURED OF FORGIVENESS: Jesus instituted Baptism and Penance also to assure the repentant sinner of forgiveness and salvation. This certitude is important especially for those who have committed serious crimes, and for those who are at the threshold of death. 3. TO BE RECONCILED WITH THE CHURCH: Our sins have a negative impact on the community. Therefore, we need to be reconciled not only with God, but also with the Church, represented by the priest.
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12. THE POWER OF THE KEYS: What are the proofs that we believe in the forgiveness of sins?
PEACE OF MIND: Those who believe in the forgiveness of sins enjoy the peace of mind, and the serenity of being in the grace of God. The others are constantly worrying about divine punishment and eternal damnation. FORGIVING OTHERS: Those who believe that God has forgiven their sins have no problem in forgiving others; while those who refuse to forgive their enemies demonstrate their lack of faith in the mercy of God.
Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate