Sin and Forgiveness
1.  What do you mean by 'the forgiveness of sins'? 

    Christ has left the power of forgiving sins to the Pastors of his  Church through   
      Baptism and Penance.   Jn.20:23 

2.  What is sin?

    An  offense against God by any thought, word,  deed or omission against His law.

3.  How many kinds of sin are there?

     ~ Original: the guilt and stain of sin which we inherit from Adam, the origin of all  mankind 

 ~ Actual: sin which we ourselves commit 

4.  What was the sin committed by Adam?

    Disobedience...eating the forbidden fruit.

5.  Has all of mankind contracted the guilt and stain of  original sin?

    All except the Blessed Virgin who was conceived without the least guilt or stain    
      of original sin (the Immaculate Conception).

6. What is the Act of Contrition?

    O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended thee, and I detest all my sins    
    because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because   
    they offend thee, my God, who are all-good and deserving of all my love.  I         
   firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and    
   to amend  my life.  Amen.