What is the hierarchy in the Catholic Church?

The head of the Catholic Church is the Pope who at this time happens to be Benedict XVI,  Below him are the Cardinals who are the ones who elect the next pope and perform various functions in the church such as holding various offices in the Vatican or governing a particular geographical territory.  Below them are archbishops who usually are given a particular territory to govern.  For example our archbishop lives in Minneapolis/St. Paul and oversees Minnesota, and North and South Dakota.  Below them are bishops who again oversee a territory which for us is the Diocese of Rapid City covering all of western South Dakota.  Finally there are priests who pastor one or more churches.  For example the priest here is given the care of Lemmon, Bison, and Morristown.

What is the Catholic Mass?

The Mass is the sacrifice in which Christ, through the priest, offers himself to God through bread and wine.  It is at once a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, of propitiation [reconciliation] and satisfaction (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, GIRM 2).

When did the Mass begin?

Mass celebration began when mankind first realized that thanksgiving and praise should be offered to our Creator.  The word "Mass" come from the word "missa" and refers to the Eucharistic event.  The root of the word "missa" is Latin and means dismissal, the root of the word "Eucharistic" is Greek (eucharistia) and means thanksgiving.  Originally Mass was held before dawn on the morning after the Jewish Sabbath (Saturday). 

What is the hierarchy in the Catholic Church?

The head of the Catholic Church is the Pope who at this time happens to be Benedict XVI,  Below him are the Cardinals who are the ones who elect the next pope and perform various functions in the church such as holding various offices in the Vatican or governing a particular geographical territory.  Below them are archbishops who usually are given a particular territory to govern.  For example our archbishop lives in Minneapolis/St. Paul and oversees Minnesota, and North and South Dakota.  Below them are bishops who again oversee a territory which for us is the Diocese of Rapid City covering all of western South Dakota.  Finally there are priests who pastor one or more churches.  For example the priest here is given the care of Lemmon, Bison, and Morristown.

What is the Catholic Church's position on Mary?

The Catholic Church teaches that Mary is the Mother of God and as such deserves great honor and respect.  Catholics do not worship Mary, but we do show honor and respect.

Why are there more books in the Catholic Bible?

What is the significance of the vestments worn by the Priest and of their colors?

The vestments took their design from clothing in the early days of the church.  The Chasuble is the outer garment and is colored.  It is worn over the Alb  which is a long white inner garment that is tied at the waist with a cord which is called a Cincture.  Deacons wear a strip of cloth (usually the same color as the Chasuble) diagonally from the left shoulder and this is called a Stole.  The Stole is worn differently by the Priest who wears it around the neck and with both end hanging down in the front. 

The colors depict the feasts of the church and the seasons of the church year.  White is worn to represent new life and the resurrection.  White is worn during the Christmas season and over the 50 days of Easter.  Red is worn to represent martyrdom and kingship.  Red is worn on Pentecost, the feast days of the martyrs, Palm Sunday, and Good Friday.  Green is worn to represent eternal hope and spiritual growth.  It is worn during Ordinary Time.  Ordinary time is the time between the Sunday after Epiphany & Ash Wednesday.  It is also worn all Sundays after Pentecost until the Sunday before Ash Wednesday.  Violet, or Purple, is worn to represent the preparation and penance.  It is worn during Advent and again during Lent.