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What We Believe

Welcome—whether you’re exploring the Catholic faith for the first time or looking to go deeper. As a parish in the Diocese of Nottingham, we share the faith of the universal Church and walk together as disciples of Jesus Christ.

The Creed We Profess at Mass

Each Sunday we stand and profess the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed (AD 381)—a concise summary of what Christians believe. Here is the text used at Mass:

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.

What the Creed Means

Line by Line

I believe in one God, the Father almighty

To say “I believe” is to entrust my life to Someone, not just agree with an idea. God is one—there isn’t a rival voice competing for my heart—and He is a loving Father who is close, provident, and faithful. Day to day, this frees us from fear and from chasing lesser “gods” (success, approval, things). We can pray with confidence, knowing the Father sees and cares.

maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.

Everything—galaxies and grains of sand, angels and human souls—comes from God and is loved by Him. Creation is gift, not accident. That means every person has unshakeable dignity, and the world is entrusted to us to steward wisely. Gratitude (not grumbling) and care for creation are practical responses to this line.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages.

Jesus is not merely a wise teacher; He is Lord. “Only Begotten” tells us He is truly God, eternally from the Father. Trusting Jesus, then, isn’t just admiring Him—it’s letting Him lead my life. Calling Him “Lord” means He has the first word and the last word in my choices.

God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God

This is the Church’s way of saying Jesus shares the very life of the Father. He shines the Father’s face into our darkness. When we let His light in—through the Gospel, prayer, and the sacraments—confusion gives way to clarity, and despair to hope.

begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made.

“Begotten, not made” safeguards that Jesus is not a creature. “Consubstantial” means He is of one being with the Father. And all things were made through Him, so He knows the blueprint of our lives. Following His teaching isn’t a burden; it’s living in tune with how we were designed.

For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven

Christianity is good news because God moved toward us first. Salvation isn’t self-improvement; it’s a rescue. When you feel unworthy or stuck, this line says: you are the reason He came. Out of love.

and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.

God took on our flesh in Mary’s womb. He knows hunger, friendship, tiredness, tears. Because He became truly human, He can heal our humanity from the inside. We honour Mary because her “yes” opened the door to this miracle—and we learn to say our own daily “yes” with her.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,

The Cross is not an accident of history; it’s love poured out in a real place and time. Jesus enters injustice and suffering so none of our pain is meaningless. When we carry our crosses, we are not alone, we walk with the One who has been there.

he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.

Jesus truly died and truly rose. Easter is not a metaphor: it is the turning point of history. Because He lives, sin can be forgiven, wounds can be healed, and death does not have the final word. Hope becomes a habit when we live in this truth.

He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

Jesus reigns now. He is not absent; He intercedes for us and sends grace. When life feels chaotic, we remember there is a throne above every throne. Prayer plugs us into that steadying reality.

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.

History is headed somewhere: toward justice, mercy, and renewal. Judgment is good news because it means our choices matter and evil will not win. We live ready—not anxious—by loving God and neighbour today.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life

The Spirit is God dwelling within us, making us alive with divine life. He breathes courage, joy, and holiness into ordinary people. Ask Him daily: “Come, Holy Spirit.” He delights to answer.

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.

The Spirit unites us to the Father and the Son and has guided God’s people through history. He still speaks—through Scripture, the Church’s teaching, and the quiet promptings in prayer—always leading us closer to Christ.

I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.

The Church is one family across time and continents; holy because God is at work in her; catholic (universal) because the Gospel is for everyone; apostolic because she is founded on the apostles and their teaching. Belonging to the Church means we don’t walk alone—we receive faith, sacraments, and support for the journey.

I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins

Baptism is new birth: we are washed, adopted, and set free. This grace continues through life, especially in Confession and the Eucharist, so when we fall, we rise again. Our identity as beloved sons and daughters is the foundation for everything.

and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Christian hope is concrete: God will raise our bodies and renew creation. “Amen” is our wholehearted “Yes” to God’s promise. This hope changes how we live now, free to love, to forgive, to serve, because the best is yet to come.