What a treasure Mother Angelica is to our Catholic faith!
Full episode of Mother Angelica Live:
Mother Angelica Live Classics - Regret, Remorse and Sorrow - June 07, 1991
Thank you Mother Angelica and God bless you!
Monday, August 23, 2010
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Should We Take Our Faith to the Voting Booth?
Written by Connecticut Catholic Corner Contributor Tim Siggia
"The Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of a religion, nor prohibiting the free exercise thereof." -- Constitution of the United States, Amendment 1
The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the Constitution, quoted above, is probably one of the most deliberately misunderstood parts of that document. Over the years, it has been construed to mean separation of church and state, a concept which, though having originated with founding father Thomas Jefferson, is in fact nowhere to be found in the Constitution itself. Jefferson first used the phrase not in any official document, but rather, in a private letter to a group of Baptists in Danbury, Connecticut. Since then, liberal politicians, jurists, and pundits have erroneously linked the concept to the Establishment Clause, using it as justification to ban all religious expression and reference in public schools, government buildings, and public grounds -- conveniently ignoring the second portion of that clause: "nor prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
So is it right, constitutionally or otherwise, for Catholics to take their faith to the voting booth?
Jesus Himself gave us the answer: "Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." -- Matt. 22:21
But this then raises another question: What is Caesar's and what is God's on Election Day? Election Day is coming up in just a little more than two months now, and it should be giving us, as Catholics, pause for reflection. On this day, when those of us lucky enough to be American citizens of majority age are taught to consider it a civic duty to make our preferences known at the polls, might a possible answer be that in some cases -- like this one, for example -- that which is Caesar's and that which is God's might be one and the same?
Voting, in a very real way, is much like the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It is not something done lightly. If done responsibly, it requires reflection, examination of conscience, and many questions. Who am I voting for? What have been his positions in the past? Are those positions reflective of Catholic teachings and Catholic values? Does this candidate support or oppose such things as abortion and euthanasia? Is he one who would preserve the Sacrament of Matrimony, or would he redefine it? Is it better or worse to vote for a non-Catholic whose positions are in line with Catholic teachings, or a nominal Catholic whose positions run contrary to those teachings?
Finally, the big question: Do we check our faith at the door when we enter the polling place? By now, hopefully, the answer is obvious. In Matthew 22, Jesus gives us the prescription on which to base not only our votes, but everything else in life we do: His first and greatest commandment: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." Then the second: "Love your neighbor as yourself." If we follow His prescription, and take our faith with us when we cast our votes, we cannot help voting responsibly.
-Contributor Tim-
"The Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of a religion, nor prohibiting the free exercise thereof." -- Constitution of the United States, Amendment 1
The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the Constitution, quoted above, is probably one of the most deliberately misunderstood parts of that document. Over the years, it has been construed to mean separation of church and state, a concept which, though having originated with founding father Thomas Jefferson, is in fact nowhere to be found in the Constitution itself. Jefferson first used the phrase not in any official document, but rather, in a private letter to a group of Baptists in Danbury, Connecticut. Since then, liberal politicians, jurists, and pundits have erroneously linked the concept to the Establishment Clause, using it as justification to ban all religious expression and reference in public schools, government buildings, and public grounds -- conveniently ignoring the second portion of that clause: "nor prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
So is it right, constitutionally or otherwise, for Catholics to take their faith to the voting booth?
Jesus Himself gave us the answer: "Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." -- Matt. 22:21
But this then raises another question: What is Caesar's and what is God's on Election Day? Election Day is coming up in just a little more than two months now, and it should be giving us, as Catholics, pause for reflection. On this day, when those of us lucky enough to be American citizens of majority age are taught to consider it a civic duty to make our preferences known at the polls, might a possible answer be that in some cases -- like this one, for example -- that which is Caesar's and that which is God's might be one and the same?
Voting, in a very real way, is much like the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It is not something done lightly. If done responsibly, it requires reflection, examination of conscience, and many questions. Who am I voting for? What have been his positions in the past? Are those positions reflective of Catholic teachings and Catholic values? Does this candidate support or oppose such things as abortion and euthanasia? Is he one who would preserve the Sacrament of Matrimony, or would he redefine it? Is it better or worse to vote for a non-Catholic whose positions are in line with Catholic teachings, or a nominal Catholic whose positions run contrary to those teachings?
Finally, the big question: Do we check our faith at the door when we enter the polling place? By now, hopefully, the answer is obvious. In Matthew 22, Jesus gives us the prescription on which to base not only our votes, but everything else in life we do: His first and greatest commandment: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." Then the second: "Love your neighbor as yourself." If we follow His prescription, and take our faith with us when we cast our votes, we cannot help voting responsibly.
-Contributor Tim-
EWTN Press Release 8/21/10
Do You Know ‘The Biblical Story of the Mass?’
Find Out In EWTN’s Exclusive Fall Series
Irondale, AL (EWTN) – As a Catholic, do you ever wonder why Jesus is referred to as “the lamb of God” or why the “body and blood” of our Lord distributed at communion still look and taste like ordinary bread and wine? If the biblical story of the Mass did not begin at the Last Supper, where did it begin? Answers to these and many more questions will be provided in EWTN’s exclusive new 13-part series, “The Biblical Story of the Mass,” which will air 5 p.m. ET Sundays (with a re-air at 2:30 a.m. ET Fridays), beginning Sept. 5.
If you really want to understand what’s happening at Mass, why the priest and people have distinct liturgical roles, why the Eucharist is the best path to a more personal relationship with Jesus Christ and the Trinity – and a whole lot more -- tune into this challenging new series.
Hosted by EWTN Theologian Tom Nash and Fr. Wade Menezes, this lively, conversational program is partially based on Nash’s book, “Worthy is the Lamb: The Biblical Roots of the Mass,” http://bit.ly/dAqnPu. Nash is also co-author of “Catholic for a Reason III: Scripture and the Mystery of the Mass,” http://bit.ly/bJQXPx. Fr. Wade Menezes is the well-known host of numerous EWTN series, including “The Ten Commandments of Catholic Family Life,” http://bit.ly/aqJzi3, and “Gospel of Life vs. Culture of Death,” http://bit.ly/bPo5wh,
“When St. Paul mentions the Lord’s Supper, most Protestant Christians view the ritual as simply a symbolic meal, which recalls Christ’s redemptive work that they believe began and ended on the Cross,” says Nash. “Wouldn’t you like to be able to defend the Catholic belief with biblical and historical evidence?”
Tune in this fall and learn what really happens on the altar each Sunday!
EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 30th year, is available in over 160 million television households in more than 140 countries and territories. With its direct broadcast satellite television and radio services, AM & FM radio networks, worldwide short-wave radio station, Internet website, www.ewtn.com, and publishing arm, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world.
***Press Release from EWTN***
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
EWTN Press Release 8/17/10
EWTN To Air Pope’s Historic U.K. Visit Live
Exclusive Interviews, Expert Commentary Available
Irondale, AL (EWTN) – EWTN Global Catholic Network will provide live coverage of every public event during Pope Benedict XVI’s historic visit to England and Scotland Sept. 16-19, numerous original productions on the life and works of Cardinal John Henry Newman, who will be beatified by the Pope during his visit, and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and interviews.
Coverage will be seen and heard on all nine EWTN Television Networks worldwide, and can be heard in English, Spanish, French and German; on EWTN Radio Network, and at www.ewtn.com through live streaming video. (Find EWTN Television at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder and EWTN Radio at http://www.ewtn.com/radio/amfm.htm or on Sirius Satellite Channel 160.)
Special live coverage will be provided by EWTN News Anchor Raymond Arroyo, who has covered more papal events than anyone in the industry and who obtained the only English language interview in existence today with the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. (Contact EWTN to arrange an interview.)
“To my mind, this visit to the U.K. is to Pope Benedict XVI’s papacy what Pope John Paul II’s visit to Poland was to his,” said “World Over” Host Raymond Arroyo, who will anchor EWTN’s coverage. “Not enough attention is being paid to the historicity of this seismic moment.”
EWTN’s coverage of these events will include exclusive interviews with Deacon John “Jack” Sullivan, who prayed to Newman for healing after watching a series on the saint on EWTN and whose resulting miracle is responsible for Newman’s beatification; Cormack Murphy O’Connor, former Archbishop of Westminster, who worked tirelessly behind-the-scenes to make this papal trip possible; Lord David Alton, a member of Parliament, who will discuss the government’s view of the trip and what Catholics can expect; Westminster’s current Archbishop Vincent Nichols, Anglican Archbishop Rowan Williams, and many others!
You’ll also travel to the Birmingham Oratory and the rooms in which Newman lived and worked; Westminster Hall, where St. Thomas More was condemned to death; the Guild Chapel and much more.
EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 30th year, is available in 160 million television households in 140 countries and territories. With its direct broadcast satellite television and radio services, AM & FM radio networks, worldwide short-wave radio station, Internet website www.ewtn.com and publishing arm, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world.
**EWTN Press Release from EWTN**
Exclusive Interviews, Expert Commentary Available
Irondale, AL (EWTN) – EWTN Global Catholic Network will provide live coverage of every public event during Pope Benedict XVI’s historic visit to England and Scotland Sept. 16-19, numerous original productions on the life and works of Cardinal John Henry Newman, who will be beatified by the Pope during his visit, and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and interviews.
Coverage will be seen and heard on all nine EWTN Television Networks worldwide, and can be heard in English, Spanish, French and German; on EWTN Radio Network, and at www.ewtn.com through live streaming video. (Find EWTN Television at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder and EWTN Radio at http://www.ewtn.com/radio/amfm.htm or on Sirius Satellite Channel 160.)
Special live coverage will be provided by EWTN News Anchor Raymond Arroyo, who has covered more papal events than anyone in the industry and who obtained the only English language interview in existence today with the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. (Contact EWTN to arrange an interview.)
“To my mind, this visit to the U.K. is to Pope Benedict XVI’s papacy what Pope John Paul II’s visit to Poland was to his,” said “World Over” Host Raymond Arroyo, who will anchor EWTN’s coverage. “Not enough attention is being paid to the historicity of this seismic moment.”
EWTN’s coverage of these events will include exclusive interviews with Deacon John “Jack” Sullivan, who prayed to Newman for healing after watching a series on the saint on EWTN and whose resulting miracle is responsible for Newman’s beatification; Cormack Murphy O’Connor, former Archbishop of Westminster, who worked tirelessly behind-the-scenes to make this papal trip possible; Lord David Alton, a member of Parliament, who will discuss the government’s view of the trip and what Catholics can expect; Westminster’s current Archbishop Vincent Nichols, Anglican Archbishop Rowan Williams, and many others!
You’ll also travel to the Birmingham Oratory and the rooms in which Newman lived and worked; Westminster Hall, where St. Thomas More was condemned to death; the Guild Chapel and much more.
EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 30th year, is available in 160 million television households in 140 countries and territories. With its direct broadcast satellite television and radio services, AM & FM radio networks, worldwide short-wave radio station, Internet website www.ewtn.com and publishing arm, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world.
**EWTN Press Release from EWTN**
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Yes, Faithful People Can Still Be (And Often Are) Intelligent, Too!
From Contributor Doug:
“Jesus said to him {Thomas}, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.’” (John: 20, 29.)
A female co-member of a group to which I belong to inevitably winds up sitting at or near me at our annual dinner, ironically around Christmas time. I say ironically because it is during this season of the birth of our Savior that I typically again hear this woman touting how she left the Catholic faith because it insulted her intelligence. I also once remember reading somewhere a nasty quip by another Catholic dissident who claimed she left the faith because the thought Jesus had more answers to her questions than the Pope. I guess the rest of us are just simple minded idiots. Or are we?
My dictionary partially defines "faith" as an “unquestioning” belief in God. I beg to differ with the good Mr. Webster on that summary.
Having accomplished all that she did, Mother Teresa was far from stupid, yet she was certainly faithful. But at the same time, she also experienced and survived a period of grave doubt. Mother Teresa I’m not, but I am faithful, and while hardly a rocket scientist, I don’t consider myself a stupid person either, yet I have had questions, too. Asking questions is natural and even prudent. It’s how we handle those questions that really matters, as per # 26 of the Catechism: "Faith is man's response to God, who reveals himself and gives himself to man, at the same time bringing man a superabundant light as he searches for the ultimate meaning of his life." Thus, the quest is OK, but our path needs to be illuminated to see where we are going. Such is faith.
In his talks telecast on EWTN, Father Corapi addressed this issue at least a couple different times. On one occasion, he cited once being chastised for his traditional beliefs by a moral relavist nun, who sarcastically dismissed him as not being too bright, so he then acquired his numerous undergraduate and graduate degrees and later spoke to that same nun again. The second time, she accused him of being too conservative. In another talk, Father Corapi used the Holy Trinity as an example, admitting that he also cannot fathom how God can be three beings in one, and most if not all of us would also be hard pressed to explain that one. Such is one of God’s many mysteries. Father Corapi simplified the question by simply suggesting that we acknowledge that it is above our ability to explain it, and to thus simply accept it instead.
But isn’t that really the true test of faith? The dictionary also offers the definition of “loyalty.” When we are of average or even higher intelligence, and believe contrary to that which we cannot explain, isn’t that true faith to God, and indeed, “loyalty”? Faith infers belief without seeing proof. And it does not have to be rocket science, nor is it an insult to anyone’s intelligence.
As Catholics, we believe in apostolic succession, Jesus, our High Priest, ordained his apostles, and one of them, Peter, became our first Pope, as so appointed by Jesus. (“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.“ Matthew:16, 18). It is through this same apostolic succession, as well as history, tradition and scripture, that Jesus, and not just the Pope, answers our questions through the (Catholic) Church, the original Christian Church, instituted by Jesus Himself, and then onward through Peter.
As Catholics, we believe that our Church’s teaching our absolute truth. To deny them is heresy. As Archbishop Fulton Sheen once noted, “absolute truth” is still “absolute truth,” despite how many, or how few people believe it.
As beings created by God, our intelligence is truly blessing, but it is also finite. What our intelligence cannot explain, faith must.
Perhaps it is these allegedly far more “intelligent” people who are in true need of education, specifically via evangelization. One of the admission requirements to Heaven is humility, but not an I.Q. test, as Jesus said in Luke, 18, 17:” Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” Is it little wonder that Jesus tells us in the Beatitudes, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”? (Matthew 5:5.)
Thus if we intend to enter Heaven, our chances are far greater by doing so with the trusting humility of a child, and not by haughtily tossing around 95 cent words, erroneously thinking we are actually impressing someone. And remember, who is often referred to as the gatekeeper to the Pearly Gates? Peter!
I’ve used these quotes before and I continue to do so because they are so beautifully sage, simplistic and applicable: “Humility is the mother of all salvation” (St. Bernard), and “Pray, hope and don’t worry” (St. Padre Pio, my adopted Patron Saint).
Thus my parting advice: Keep the faith! It’s the smart thing to do!
Peace,
Doug
“Jesus said to him {Thomas}, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.’” (John: 20, 29.)
A female co-member of a group to which I belong to inevitably winds up sitting at or near me at our annual dinner, ironically around Christmas time. I say ironically because it is during this season of the birth of our Savior that I typically again hear this woman touting how she left the Catholic faith because it insulted her intelligence. I also once remember reading somewhere a nasty quip by another Catholic dissident who claimed she left the faith because the thought Jesus had more answers to her questions than the Pope. I guess the rest of us are just simple minded idiots. Or are we?
My dictionary partially defines "faith" as an “unquestioning” belief in God. I beg to differ with the good Mr. Webster on that summary.
Having accomplished all that she did, Mother Teresa was far from stupid, yet she was certainly faithful. But at the same time, she also experienced and survived a period of grave doubt. Mother Teresa I’m not, but I am faithful, and while hardly a rocket scientist, I don’t consider myself a stupid person either, yet I have had questions, too. Asking questions is natural and even prudent. It’s how we handle those questions that really matters, as per # 26 of the Catechism: "Faith is man's response to God, who reveals himself and gives himself to man, at the same time bringing man a superabundant light as he searches for the ultimate meaning of his life." Thus, the quest is OK, but our path needs to be illuminated to see where we are going. Such is faith.
In his talks telecast on EWTN, Father Corapi addressed this issue at least a couple different times. On one occasion, he cited once being chastised for his traditional beliefs by a moral relavist nun, who sarcastically dismissed him as not being too bright, so he then acquired his numerous undergraduate and graduate degrees and later spoke to that same nun again. The second time, she accused him of being too conservative. In another talk, Father Corapi used the Holy Trinity as an example, admitting that he also cannot fathom how God can be three beings in one, and most if not all of us would also be hard pressed to explain that one. Such is one of God’s many mysteries. Father Corapi simplified the question by simply suggesting that we acknowledge that it is above our ability to explain it, and to thus simply accept it instead.
But isn’t that really the true test of faith? The dictionary also offers the definition of “loyalty.” When we are of average or even higher intelligence, and believe contrary to that which we cannot explain, isn’t that true faith to God, and indeed, “loyalty”? Faith infers belief without seeing proof. And it does not have to be rocket science, nor is it an insult to anyone’s intelligence.
As Catholics, we believe in apostolic succession, Jesus, our High Priest, ordained his apostles, and one of them, Peter, became our first Pope, as so appointed by Jesus. (“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.“ Matthew:16, 18). It is through this same apostolic succession, as well as history, tradition and scripture, that Jesus, and not just the Pope, answers our questions through the (Catholic) Church, the original Christian Church, instituted by Jesus Himself, and then onward through Peter.
As Catholics, we believe that our Church’s teaching our absolute truth. To deny them is heresy. As Archbishop Fulton Sheen once noted, “absolute truth” is still “absolute truth,” despite how many, or how few people believe it.
As beings created by God, our intelligence is truly blessing, but it is also finite. What our intelligence cannot explain, faith must.
Perhaps it is these allegedly far more “intelligent” people who are in true need of education, specifically via evangelization. One of the admission requirements to Heaven is humility, but not an I.Q. test, as Jesus said in Luke, 18, 17:” Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” Is it little wonder that Jesus tells us in the Beatitudes, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”? (Matthew 5:5.)
Thus if we intend to enter Heaven, our chances are far greater by doing so with the trusting humility of a child, and not by haughtily tossing around 95 cent words, erroneously thinking we are actually impressing someone. And remember, who is often referred to as the gatekeeper to the Pearly Gates? Peter!
I’ve used these quotes before and I continue to do so because they are so beautifully sage, simplistic and applicable: “Humility is the mother of all salvation” (St. Bernard), and “Pray, hope and don’t worry” (St. Padre Pio, my adopted Patron Saint).
Thus my parting advice: Keep the faith! It’s the smart thing to do!
Peace,
Doug
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
EWTN Press Release 8/11/10
EWTN Global Catholic Network Exclusive:
Vatican Newsmaker, Archbishop Raymond Burke
To Appear Aug. 18 on “EWTN Live”
Irondale, AL (EWTN) – Archbishop Raymond L. Burke will make an exclusive television appearance on “EWTN Live” with Host Fr. Mitch Pacwa at 8 p.m. ET, Wed., Aug. 18 to discuss his role as Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura, which has been called the Vatican’s Supreme Court, and much more.
Before being appointed to the Apostolic Signatura on June 27, 2008, Archbishop Burke served as the Archbishop of St. Louis, Mo., and as Bishop of La Crosse, Wisc. An outspoken champion for the culture of life, Archbishop Burke’s appearance is sure to be a newsmaker.
EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 30th year, is available in over 160 million television households in more than 140 countries and territories. With its direct broadcast satellite television and radio services, AM & FM radio networks, worldwide short-wave radio station, Internet website www.ewtn.com and publishing arm, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world.
**Press Release from EWTN**
Sunday, August 8, 2010
The Devil
"The Devil" - Bishop Fulton Sheen
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
What a fantastic teaching on the devil in our world and the salvation brought by Jesus Christ on the Cross.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
What a fantastic teaching on the devil in our world and the salvation brought by Jesus Christ on the Cross.