Archbishop Lori installs pastor Rev. Steve Hook

We commit to proclaim the Gospel.

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” (Mark 16:15)

 

 

  1. God is a loving Father. God is the source of all good things and the greatest of these is His personal love for each one of us. We are loved unconditionally and allowed a way for us to be reunited to Him in the course of salvation history. “Do not be afraid, I have called you by name, you are mine… You are precious in my eyes and I love you… do not be afraid, for I am with you.” (Isaiah 43:1-5)
  2. Sin separates us from God. Sin, whether Original Sin or our deliberate disobedience to God, separates us from the love of God. Sin creates a wall that keeps us out of God’s family and its consequence of eternal punishment. “Everyone has sinned and is deprived of God’s glory.” (Rom 3:23)
  3. Jesus died for our sins. Christ’s death restores our relationship with God by bridging the gap that separates us from God. It was Christ out of His love who served the penalty for our sins when He sacrificed Himself on the cross. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all men.” (1Tim 2:5-6)
  4. Jesus offers us eternal salvation. It was Christ who opened the gates of heaven for all. Everyone now has the opportunity to obtain the free gift of salvation. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 6:23)
  5. Conversion and turn to Christ. We must ask Christ to be a part of our lives by accepting Him as our Lord and Savior. It takes an internal conversion of our hearts to say “Yes” to Christ and to place our complete trust in Him. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will enter the house and enter the house and dine with him, and he with Me.” (Rev 3:20)
  6. The Catholic Church offers seven sacraments instituted by Jesus to further experience the Lord by receiving His special graces. When we have accepted by faith the person of Christ as our Lord and have given Him complete adherence by a sincere conversion of heart, these graces become alive in us so we can love and serve the Lord and one another.