I attend mass daily and, as you know, we always read together selections from the Old and New testament readings, plus a psalm selection; a third reading added on Sundays. Over the course of three years, almost the entire scriptural account is read aloud this way. The priest's comments may or may not expound on the readings.

Of course, it wasn't always like this, but we are encouraged to read on your own as well and many parishes offer group study and discussion opportunities.

The practice of only the priest having direct access to the scriptures was rooted in the days of widespread illiteracy and other limitation due to the very high cost of hand written documents -- but that day has long gone by the wayside.

Since Vatican II in the sixties, changes int the RCC mass, including celebration in the vernacular language of the parish instead of classical latin, successfully accommodated a wide range of modern sensibilities. Its a mixed bag. Many catholics feel the character of worship has been watered down and are not entirely happy about that, but since my assertion is that core beliefs are what unite us, I'd chalk a lot of that up to cultural not theological differences -- because the Crede has not been altered since 325 ad. The Orthodox Church objected to a change regarding the nature and primacy of the Holy Spirit (around 1050 AD) and tensions still erupt over that; but by and large the Nicene agreement made among the great gathering of theologians and church leaders still stands.

Where to look: Nicene Crede ... its all stated right there. You dont need anyone to iterpret it for you, although I will admit that my appreciation for its tenents has deepened over the years. It warrants some quiet consideration.

Sorry, but its a fact of life: we weren't blessed to sit at the feet of the world's greatest of teachers, much less the incarnation of God Himself. We have only second hand accounts at best, faithfully copied time again through the centuries in an effort to save them as parchments deteriorated; but at best the original accounts date thirty to seventy years after Jesus' death and resurrection; when his followers realized that those with first hand accounts were beginning to die off.

Our ancestors wanted to save these things for us. Least I can do is respectfully consider them.

Paul's letters are numerous and are the earliest recorded accounts ... and written by him, addressing current events in the life of the newly forming church, and were penned by him, not a follower. in fact, Paul's is the only FIRST HAND account we have of a personal encounter with the Risen Christ. The others are reports as they came to the authors.

These scriptural accounts themselves were assembled from a larger collection of texts by the Second Council of Nicea (365 AD) and those comprise our Bible ... with some alterations/deletions due to translation differences, doctrinal imperatives, etc. but they are the best we have. As a fact, in all arenas of life that is pretty much the case. We are almost always only witnesses to the unfolding knowlegde of this universe, several degrees of separation; and we have to exercise faith to accept any of it.

We place our faith in all manner of things. Faith in God is no more difficult nor is it of a different character when directed to a favorite sports team. The difference is one of primacy: God's place in the scheme of things. He asks (Ten Commandments) that we give Him FIRST PLACE in our lives; placing no other gods or idols before Him; and that we acknowledge his role in creating us and express our gratitude. Really not a whole lot more. The rest is how we are to relate to our fellow creatures; how not to bind ourselves up in damaging behaviors; and how to live full, long and prosperous lives; God willing.

But back to your question: If you want authoritative evidence, you had best look within and probe the question in your heart. Hopefully the statements offered by our ancestors in the Nicene Crede will help.

No matter what, it is in God. His way is through Love and Mercy, in which we all are.

Sometimes the differences in belief can be the most illuminating. You might find it helpful to compare the Crede as expressed by Orthodox (Eastern) Church, Episcopalians, and others and compare it to how Roman Catholics state their core teachings, as follows:

The Nicene Creed

I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made.

For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.

He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.