You prooftext, then you sloganeer.
Ephesians 2:9 speaks of works for social reward. Galatians speaks of works of ceremonial obligation. Romans speaks of work of any obligation, social, ceremonial or for earthly gain. Catholics do not discard these teachings: they listen to them and obey them. Nothing in these areas has any salvific value. James speaks of works of charity or love, done after the obligations have been satisfy. These works show the man's heart. They were called for directly by Christ in Matthew 5f, Matthew 25, Luke 17:5, Luke 18:18f, 2 Peter 2:2f.
brethren, labour the more, that by good works you may make sure your calling and election (2 Peter 1)Seest thou, that faith did co-operate with his works; and by works faith was made perfect? ... Do you see that by works a man is justified; and not by faith only? (James 2)
St. Paul knew the salvific value of faith. Nowhere does the Bible say that faith is alone of salvific value. But it says one every page that good works working in faith and with grace have salvific value.