Why do Catholic Churches have images of Jesus dead on the Cross?

Jesus' death on the cross is not intended to make us feel guilty, but rather engender gratitude that God's only Son would suffer and die for us and for our freedom from sins.  Contrary to Hollywood, God does not love pain.  But God knows (literally) that there is pain in love.  The cross shows us the depth love our human God has for us.

One of the thieves said:  "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus replied to him,  Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."  And then Jesus last words were "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit"; and when he had said this he breathed his last" (Luke 23:43-46).   Both of these last statements explain why Jesus had to die, and that this supreme sacrifice was the only way that the redemption of mankind could come to be?

Jesus is our model and greatest teacher of all. We learn that the cross is part of all life, and surrender and acceptance are where the greatest peace and joy can be found.   He is divine and yet his death is the ultimate YES and shows us just how much he loves us in our own humanity.  We display the crucifix proudly and importantly to remind us of how far love will go to reach everyone.