Beliefs, Principles
& Practices
The word "Church" is often misunderstood. Far from indicating an institution, it is derived from the Greek word ecclesia, which means an assembly of people called for a particular purpose, in this case the worship of God and service of humanity.
St. Augustine once said of God that, "our hearts are ever restless until they find their rest in Him." This statement sums up the reality of the deep yearning, the relentless search for the Spirit that nourishes us and exists within our hearts. Nothing can settle this restless heart except an abiding awareness of the presence of the divine at its very center. Jacob Boehme, the mystic, astutely stated in De Signatura Rerum, " The outer sun hungers for the inner one." Accordingly, the Contemporary Catholic Church, ensouled by the high spiritual power which ever flows, seeks that which is beyond the material and which is the source of all things.
Our church affirms and promotes the inherent worth and dignity of every person. We encourage the right of conscience, as manifested in justice, equity and compassion in human relations. We also uphold acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations.
We welcome gladly into our Church those who are still seeking for truth. As a working basis of fellowship, it asks of its members a willingness to worship corporately through a common ritual.
The Contemporary Catholic Church offers a free and responsible search for truth and meaning, and tries to help us discover truth for ourselves by providing us with opportunities for spiritual growth. It asks of us sincerity, purity of motive, tolerance, breadth of mind, courtesy of expression, willingness to work, and a constant pursuit of high ideals - confident, above all, that the power of the Blessed Sacrament of Christ's love may well be trusted to work God's own true purpose in our souls.
The Contemporary Catholic Church holds strongly that religion should provide a workable and progressively uplifting philosophy of life, and belief should be the result of individual study or intuition. Thus, we permit and encourage freedom in the interpretation of the Creeds, Scriptures and Traditions. Our Church asks only that differences of interpretation be courteously expressed.
The Contemporary Catholic Church believes in direct experience of transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life. The living tradition which we share draws from many sources and wisdom from all the world's traditions inspire us in our ethical and spiritual life. Words and deeds of prophetic women and men from many cultures challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love. Grateful for the religious pluralism which enriches and ennobles our faith, we are inspired to deepen our understanding and expand our vision. We encourage the study of the Bible and other sacred texts, Comparative Religion, Philosophy, and other spiritual arts and theological sciences that shroud expressions of divine and eternal truths.
The Contemporary Catholic Church encourages the recognition that God, the Eternal Spirit, is One. This echoes the words of Hermes-Trismegistos, "He is too great to be called "God." He is hidden, yet obvious everywhere. He is bodiless, yet embodied in everything. There is nothing that He is not. He has no name, because all names are His name. He is unity of all things, so we must know Him by all names and call everything "God."
The Contemporary Catholic Church offers the Seven Sacraments of Catholic Christianity to all who reverently and sincerely desire to receive them. These Sacraments are: Baptism, Confirmation/Chrimation, the Holy Eucharist/Last Super, Absolution, Holy Unction/Annointing for Healing, Holy Matrimony and Holy Orders. We encourage both men and women, without regard to gender preference or race, to reach their full calling to serve the Lord; as is right and proper, we ordain both men and women to all Holy Orders.
The Eucharist has, for approximately 2,000 years, been the central act of worship in Catholic and Orthodox churches. We believe the Mass is a continual repetition, commanded by Christ Himself, held within the matrix of the 'eternal now' of the Sacrifice accomplished at the Last Supper, in fulfillment of the prophecy of Melchizadek. It was given as a means of perpetuating within the limitations of time and space "the enduring Sacrifice by which the world is nourished and sustained" Accordingly, we uphold the belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, and encourage and study the direct experience of Spirit in our in our lives. The Contemporary Catholic Church upholds that each time Mass is offered there is an outpouring of the Divine's transcendent Light and Love into the universe, and that this energy benefits humanity.
We encourage the recognition of the Triune Aspects of God as manifested in the Creator; the Son, the Redeemer; and the Holy Spirit, the Comforter/Transformer.
We uphold and share the Apostolic Succession of both the Eastern and the Western Christian Church.
The Contemporary Catholic Church provides pastoral care, the application of spiritual ideas and ideals, to all matters of life. If you are ever in need of any of our services, or are just curious and want to learn more about us, please contact us. You'll find we're ready, willing and able to put our faith into action.
