Apologetics

- Faith

apol • o • get • ics

derived from the Greek word apologia, meaning "speaking in defense"

TO TELL YOU THE WHOLE TRUTH ABOUT THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE BIBLE

Fr. John Noone, then the pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, put this booklet together in hope that you find it interesting (short as it is). It is only a bird's eye view of the history of the Church and the Bible with short answers to a few common questions. Many of the questions Catholics are asked come from people who are familiar with the King James Version of the Bible, so we decided to use quotations from that version, unless otherwise indicated. We invite everyone to research history, the teachings of the Catholic Church and the Bible in order to arrive at the whole truth which has been revealed to us by God. Jesus said, "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32

CLICK HERE OR ON THE IMAGE OF THE BOOKLET ABOVE FOR THE PDF VERSION OF THIS BOOKLET.
FOR A HARD COPY OF THIS BOOKLET, PLEASE CONTACT THE PARISH OFFICE.
I'M GLAD YOU ASKED!

In May 1996, the parishioners of St. Charles Borromeo were requested to submit questions that they had been asked about their faith or questions that they themselves had about their faith. The purpose of these questions was not to write a book, but to address these questions during the Sunday homilies in order to provide answers and raise the consciousness of the parish about things Catholic.

As it turned out, the questions were so good and covered such a wide variety of topics that the pastor felt that it would be most convenient to put many of the questions and answers into a booklet that everyone could use as a reference. We have all been called by Jesus to evangelize, but many today don't know how to start; or believe that they don't have the proper background. The easiest way to evangelize is to LIVE YOUR FAITH every day and when questioned, provide an answer. Saint Peter said "Always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who calls on you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence; and keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are abused, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame." (1 Peter 3:15-16, RSV-CE). Jesus also said "Every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 10:32-22, RSV-CE).

Many of the more common questions one may be asked are addressed in this booklet. If you are asked a question that is not addressed, or you don't have an immediate answer, don't make one up. Instead say "I don't know right now but I'll find out and get back with you," then look it up or contact your priest. In any case, you can always say "I'm Glad You Asked!" and begin to share your faith.

CLICK HERE OR ON THE IMAGE OF THE BOOKLET ABOVE FOR THE PDF VERSION OF THIS BOOKLET.
FOR A HARD COPY OF THIS BOOKLET, PLEASE CONTACT THE PARISH OFFICE.
OTHER APOLOGETICS TOPICS
These apologetics papers are reasoned arguments in justification of the Catholic faith, written by parishioners and friends of Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. In some cases, the issues discussed therein are touched on in the apologetics booklets To Tell You The Whole Truth About the Church and the Holy Bible and I'm Glad You Asked!. In other cases, the specific topic was not discussed at all. Regardless, this section is meant to amplify To Tell You... and I'm Glad..., not to replace them. If you have not yet read these free on-line booklets, it is strongly recommended that you do so.

The Bible
The Church
The Sacraments
Salvation
Protestantism
Mary
Faith
Other Topics
- The Koran
Fun & Interesting
- Catechism Song: "12 Days of Christmas"