Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags;
Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
We don't do good works "on our own initiative". It's Christ working through us. Catholics need desperately to stop attempting to take credit from Christ and giving it to man.