Podcasts about Diocese

Daily Mass Readings and reflection for 8/10/25 from Fr Matthew Humerickhouse, a priest from the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio.

Daily Mass Readings and reflection for 8/09/25 from Fr Jim Korda, host of Wineskins and retired priest from the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio.

In this special episode of ‘Connecting the Diocese’ on the 19th Sunday of ordinary time, we celebrate the 15th anniversary of Bishop William Patrick Callahan’s installation as the 10th Bishop of the Diocese of La Crosse. Join us as Bishop Callahan shares his journey from his early aspirations of priesthood, his time in various dioceses […]

Fr. Michael Duesterhaus was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Arlington in 1991. He spent 27 years, Active and Reserves, as a Naval Chaplain, mostly serving with units of the U.S. Marine Corps. Father has presented over 125 formal cases before Tribunals of seven dioceses of the United States. He currently serves as Parochial Vicar at St. John the Baptist Parish in Front Royal, Virginia. In Today's Show: I've been married for many years, have several children and have always practiced the Faith. But suddenly I see that I married for the wrong reason, had children for the wrong reason, and homeschooled for the wrong reason. I am committed to my family and my vows, but how do I move forward to have authentic relationships with the people I brought into my life and let go of the regrets from knowing that I probably would have been called to a very different life if I had actually been listening to God? Why are priests throughout the United States so diverse in their theology? How do we not let our regrets lead us into despair? When is a divorce or annulment warranted? Is it alright to refuse to enter one's parents' house as long as they are hosting unmarried siblings with their companions in the same room, and to let them know that reason? What if they had separate rooms? Are there any rules related to annulment in terms of who must be contacted as part of the process? For example, must adult children of the marriage be contacted/informed before an annulment can take full effect? Does the church keep a record of why each annulment was approved and who approved it? I struggle with severe anxiety before going to Confession. Is this a sign of spiritual weakness? My husband and I have been practicing NFP with a clear conscience, but recently we came across traditional writers who imply that even periodic abstinence for non-serious reasons could be sinful. How does the Church truly define a ‘just cause,' and how can couples discern this without falling into guilt or legalism? What's the best way to introduce the Rosary to small children without making it feel like a chore? How to stop superstitious thoughts? Why do people believe in superstition? As a Catholic woman, how can I serve in the Church without overstepping the roles God designed for men and women? You often speak on this show about uniting our sufferings to Christ. But how does that actually work in real life? How can I avoid despair and use my suffering redemptively? Is it wrong to wear pants as a woman? I want to be modest, but I also don't want to appear scrupulous or extreme. Do you believe homeschooling is the best way to pass on the traditional Catholic faith to our children? What are some options for folks who might not be in a situation that allows one parent to skip working and stay at home with the children? Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!

Daily Mass Readings and reflection for 8/08/25 from Fr Jim Korda, host of Wineskins and retired priest from the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio.

Send us a textIn this episode of the Frontiers in Faith podcast, Bishop Emmanuel Rozario from the Diocese of Bari Shal, Bangladesh, shares his experiences and insights on the challenges faced by his diocese, including the need for chapels, education, and the reality of clergy poverty. He emphasizes the importance of community support and the role of mass stipends in sustaining the clergy. The conversation highlights the vibrant faith of the people in Bangladesh and the ongoing missionary work that connects them with the global Catholic community.Click here to learn more about supporting the Pontifical Missions Societies:https://pontificalmissions.orgFollow us on socials!https://x.com/tpms_usahttps://www.instagram.com/tpms_us/

Daily Mass Readings and reflection for 8/07/25 from Fr Jim Korda, host of Wineskins and retired priest from the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio.

Fr. John Hayes, a priest of the Diocese of New Ulm, Minnesota, breaks down what it actually means to be a Roman Catholic, and how the Catechism of the Catholic Church can give guidance toward a fulfilling, holy life.If you're interested in diving further into the Catechism, please consider The Saint Paul Seminary Catechetical Institute. You can learn more and apply here: https://saintpaulseminary.org/ci/

We're live with Jason Jones, talks about stories from war-torn nations. He is the author of Dispatches from the Great Campaign Defending Life on the Front Lines, Dina Dow, Director of Evangelization and Catechesis in the Diocese of Baton Rouge dives into the saints and Our Lady, witnesses to the faith and Sr. Mary Lou Specha, Executive Director of Hotel Hope, updates us on ways you can make a difference and give back to the community.

The Serra group in the Diocese of Crookston and how they're encouraging vocations

No episódio de hoje, o Pe. Everton Gonçalves Costa visita a Casa de Formação da Teologia, em Santo André, para um encontro especial com o reitor Pe. Mário e os três seminaristas que serão ordenados diáconos transitórios no dia 16 de agosto.Neste bate-papo fraterno, eles compartilham experiências, inquietações, alegrias e desafios do processo formativo. Falam sobre o chamado, a entrega, e o desejo de servir com amor o povo de Deus.

Daily Mass Readings and reflection for 8/06/25 from Fr Jim Korda, host of Wineskins and retired priest from the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio.

Deacon Tony Mercado of the Diocese of Orange discusses how we can suffer along with Jesus.  Deacon Mercado is assigned to St. Mary's Church in Fullerton.  He works in the insurance industry and has served as a chaplain to multiple law enforcement agencies. Support the show

Deacon Steve Greco is a permanent deacon of the Diocese of Orange in California. He is also founder and president of Spirit Filled Heart Ministries, which engages in evangelization and support of the foreign missions. He and MaryAnne have been married for nearly 50 years and have three adult children. Support the show

On this episode of Catholic Forum , after a news update from The Dialog and a song from Beth Neilsen Chapman's Hymns CD, we discuss the hot topic of crypto currency and the sin of usury, with MIT grad and local Catholic author, Joseph Arminio, Ph.D. He is the founder of the Coalition for America's Resurgence, and holds a Doctorate in Political Science from MIT, served as a college professor, think-tank analyst, historian, journalist, global corporate manager, government consultant, speech writer, debate coach and US House candidate. He is the author of many books, including The Fed's End Game: Handing America Over to the Globalists and How to Stop It. He is a parishioner at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Parish in Greenville, Delaware and is a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus. Catholic Forum is a production of the Office of Communication of the Diocese of Wilmington. Please like, subscribe and share. 

Jesus said, “when you fast,” not “if.” From the Sermon on the Mount to Acts 13, Scripture describes fasting as a normal part of Christian life—joined always to prayer, directed always toward God. This episode unpacks the biblical foundations of fasting, its purpose in seeking God's presence and expressing repentance, and how to begin the practice faithfully and sustainably.

“One of Us” is a brief snapshot of people who support the Catholic church in various ways in the Diocese of Wilmington. We regularly feature people who may be recognizable within their parish or school communities.

We're live with Sarah McDonald, Archdiocese of New Orleans Communications Director, updates us on this week's Clarion Herald issue, Dina Dow, Director of Evangelization and Catechesis in the Diocese of Baton Rouge talks about 9th Convocation Celebrating Catechists and Dr. Luke Arredondo, Executive Director of the St. Brendan Center for Evangelization and Spirituality in the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee with Catholic 101 segment talks about purgatory.

There was a tremendous uptick of young people joining the Catholic Church this past Easter. Fr. Caleb Vogel, Vicar General for the Diocese of Boise, joins Morning Light to launch a series for the month of August discussing ideas as to WHY the sudden interest in Catholicism.

Fr. Anthony Amato is the Pastor of St. Peter's Parish in Clifton Springs, New York. He was ordained as a priest in June of 2017 by Bishop Salvatore Matano of the Diocese of Rochester, New York. In Today's Show: Regarding final grace of conversion for sinners in mortal sin, is there a conflict between the Divine Mercy message given to St. Faustina and the teaching of St. Alphonsus Ligouri, a Doctor of the Church? When the Israelites grew impatient with how long Moses was away at Mt. Sinai, and prevailed upon Aaron to make them a new object of worship, they went with a golden calf.  I was wondering why a calf?  What symbolic importance would that particular animal have for the Israelites? Are altar boys leaving because girls are joining, or are girls joining because altar boys are leaving? Under the Mosaic Covenant, animal sacrifices were prescribed to enable sinners to be made right with God, although they were inadequate in an eternal sense and needed to be frequently repeated.  It was only with the substitutionary atonement of Jesus on the Cross and the Sacrament of Reconciliation that we, under the New Covenant, have been given a way to be eternally forgiven of our sins. Bot, for sinners like Adam and Eve, under what dispensation are they able to obtain forgiveness of sin and be delivered from hell? What stance does the church take on prepping? Was the blessed virgin Mary conceived divinely or humanly? Why was it so hard for many in scripture to acknowledge the miraculous nature of Jesus despite witnessing his miracles firsthand? What does one do when your Catholic family members start getting married without a church service or mass? What is the origin, symbolism, and purpose of a tonsure hairstyle? What stance would Thomas Aquinas take on avoiding a military draft in an immoral war? I have been discerning monastic life and have been having dreams. Is this a sign? Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!

Daily Mass Readings and reflection for 8/05/25 from Fr Jim Korda, host of Wineskins and retired priest from the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio.

Deacon Steve Greco is a permanent deacon of the Diocese of Orange. He is founder of Spirit Filled Hearts Ministry, and host of Empowered by the Spirit.  In this episode, Deacon Steve speaks with Deacon Christopher Pagel about his work with Pax Christi Academy.Empowered by the Spirit airs live weekdays at 10:00am and Fridays at 5pmPacific Time go to https://www.spiritfilledevents.com/empowered-by-the-spirit website or download our Spirit Filled Radio App for Android or Apple Devices.APPLE LINK FOR APPGOOGLE PLAY LINK FOR APPArchives of shows from Spirit Filled Radio are available on podcast at https://www.spiritfilledevents.com/empowered-by-the-spirit Support the show

Daily Mass Readings and reflection for 8/04/25 from Fr Jim Korda, host of Wineskins and retired priest from the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio.

We're live with Bevi Fontenot, Communications Director in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, Alan Migliorato, co-author of Failing Forward: Leadership Lessons for Catholic Teens Today and Amy Cattapan, talks about her new book inspired by St. Francis Xavier Cabrini called Hope Without Borders: A Spiritual Retreat with St. Francis Xavier Cabrini.

Full Text of ReadingsEighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 114The Saint of the day is Saint Peter Julian EymardSaint Peter Julian Eymard’s Story Born in La Mure d'Isère in southeastern France, Peter Julian's faith journey drew him from being a priest in the Diocese of Grenoble in 1834, to joining the Marists in 1839, to founding the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament in 1856. In addition to those changes, Peter Julian coped with poverty, his father's initial opposition to Peter's vocation, serious illness, a Jansenistic overemphasis on sin, and the difficulties of getting diocesan and later papal approval for his new religious community. His years as a Marist, including service as a provincial leader, saw the deepening of his Eucharistic devotion, especially through his preaching of Forty Hours in many parishes. Inspired at first by the idea of reparation for indifference to the Eucharist, Peter Julian was eventually attracted to a more positive spirituality of Christ-centered love. Members of the men's community which Peter founded alternated between an active apostolic life and contemplating Jesus in the Eucharist. He and Marguerite Guillot founded the women’s Congregation of the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament. Peter Julian Eymard was beatified in 1925 and canonized in 1962, one day after Vatican II's first session ended. Reflection In every century, sin has been painfully real in the life of the Church. It is easy to give in to despair, to speak so strongly of human failings that people may forget the immense and self-sacrificing love of Jesus, as his death on the cross and his gift of the Eucharist make evident. Peter Julian knew that the Eucharist was key to helping Catholics live out their baptism and preach by word and example the Good News of Jesus Christ. Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Daily Mass Readings and reflection for 8/03/25 from Fr Jim Korda, host of Wineskins and retired priest from the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio.

Dear friends in Christ, welcome to this podcast from All Saints Episcopal Church in Portland. All Saints is a loving, welcoming parish serving Southeast Portland for over a century. Our purpose is to celebrate God's love, seek and serve Christ in all persons, and go forth into the world rejoicing in the power of the Spirit!Today, we invite you to join our special guest the Rev. Ernestein Flemister, Missioner for Racial Reconciliation for the Episcopal Diocese of Oregon, as she preaches the gospel, and explores the mysteries of God in our modern world!To learn more about the work of the Diocese of Oregon toward racial reconciliation, we invite you to visit https://ecwo.org/erjwg/

Rev. Steven Breedlove // Psalm 49; Colossians 3:1-17; Luke 12:13-21

A weekly program for and about the work of the Knights of Columbus in the Diocese of Harrisburg, Pa.

For 3 August 2025, The Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, based on Ecclesiastes 1:2, Colossians 3:1–5, 9–11, Luke 12:13–21 (Image: credit: Diocese of Grand Rapids)

Have you heard of a dean? A deanery? Wondering what it means for the Diocese of Cleveland, our deanery, and our Parish? We welcomed Robert Koonce, Director of Deanery Operations for the Diocese of Cleveland, to the podcast to help us understand.   Come, follow us: Parish Website  |  Facebook  |  Instagram  |  YouTube  |  Spotify Music

This week we revisit an episode featuring Fr. Scott with Fr. Ben Rexroat, Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Gaylord, and Renee Shimmel, Director of Communications for the Diocese of Gaylord. They discuss the importance of promoting vocations and some exciting events from last year in the Diocese.For current vocations events in the Diocese of Gaylord visit: https://dioceseofgaylord.org/events/vocationshttps://archive.org/download/LetsTalkCatholic/LTC-141RR-Vocations.mp3

We're live with Joe Chautin, Fr. Doug Busch and Amy Cowley as they talk about Our Lady of the Lake's 175th anniversary, Kathleen Higgins, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry in the Diocese of Baton Rouge, talks about de-siloing youth ministry and Sr. Allison Regina Gliot, talks about her new young adult book called, The Curse He Chose.

Deacon Angelo Giambrone was ordained a permanent deacon for the Diocese of Orange in 2015.  He is assigned to St. Vincent de Paul Church in Huntington Beach.  He and wife Cindy have supported several ministries in the parish, including bringing communion to the sick and homebound and as chairs of the annual September-fest. They also run the Alpha Marriage course at the parish and are involved with the Worldwide Marriage Encounter ministry.  In this episode they talk about the wedding feast at Cana, including stories of their own married life together.Wedding Banns airs live weekdays at 7:30am and3:00pm Pacific Time go to spiritfilledevents.com website or download our Spirit Filled Radio App for Android or Apple Devices.APPLE LINK FOR APPGOOGLE PLAY LINK FOR APPArchives of shows from Spirit Filled Radio are available on podcast at spiritfilledevents.com Support the show

We're live with Ben Clapper, Executive Director of Louisiana Right to Life, with our "Pro-Life Persuasion" segment, Dina Dow, Director of Evangelization and Catechesis in the Diocese of Baton Rouge talks about the call to be a catechist and Brennan McPherson, producer of the upcoming film, "Light of the World", talks about their upcoming project.

"All roads lead to Rome," they say. The Diocese of Bridgeport's 34 seminarians, Bishop Caggiano, and some special guests recently went to Italy for a pilgrimage to Rome & Assisi. Today, Bishop Frank takes us on a tour of both cities - the history, the major sites, the life of St Francis, and... the museum of pasta! It's an audio summer getaway on Let Me Be Frank. Buon divertimento! Email List: www.veritascatholic.com  

Deacon Steve Greco is a permanent deacon of the Diocese of Orange. He is founder of Spirit Filled Hearts Ministry, and host of Empowered by the Spirit.  In this July 2016 encore episode, Deacon Steve and co-hosts Mary Anne Greco and Katie Hughes discuss the many ways in which God shows His love to us. Empowered by the Spirit airs live weekdays at 10:00am and Fridays at 5pmPacific Time go to https://www.spiritfilledevents.com/empowered-by-the-spirit website or download our Spirit Filled Radio App for Android or Apple Devices.APPLE LINK FOR APPGOOGLE PLAY LINK FOR APPArchives of shows from Spirit Filled Radio are available on podcast at https://www.spiritfilledevents.com/empowered-by-the-spirit Support the show

Ever wondered why clergy wear that distinctive white “dog collar” or tab collar—and what all the shirt colors mean?In this episode of Ask the Church, we dive into: - How the 19th-century “dog collar” (clerical collar) was invented and why it stuck- What the tab collar mimics and why- The difference between clergy shirt colors in Anglican and Roman Catholic traditionsWhether you're curious about church history, clerical attire, or simply spotting clergy in the wild, this video offers a thoughtful, accessible take.

On this episode of Catholic Forum, after a news update from The Dialog, we travel to Millville, Delaware and visit the headquarters of Rosaries and Scapulars Intuitive, Inc. to meet its founder and president, Andy Maggio, and one of his many volunteers, Chick Anderson. What started as a request to a VA Hospital turned into a apostolate that has distributed over 500,000 rosaries and scapulars to hospitals, schools, prisons and military bases. You can see a video of this interview on the Diocese of Wilmington's YouTube channel - YouTube.com/DioceseofWilm. Please like, share and subscribe.

WBEN's Tom Puckett on another challenge to diocese abuse settlement collection full 60 Wed, 30 Jul 2025 07:59:00 +0000 kKLL5WsMIato0pidIoG1APMZkMqWKgBD news & politics,news WBEN Extras news & politics,news WBEN's Tom Puckett on another challenge to diocese abuse settlement collection Archive of various reports and news events 2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc. News & Politics News False https://player

Deacon Steve Greco is a permanent deacon of the Diocese of Orange in California. He is also founder and president of Spirit Filled Heart Ministries, which engages in evangelization and support of the foreign missions. He and MaryAnne have been married for nearly 50 years and have three adult children.  In this episode, they begin with a discussion of Sodom and Gomorrah, cities destroyed in the Old Testament because of their wickedness, and also discuss the passage in Luke in which Jesus gives us the "Our Father" prayer. Support the show

Join the Veterans Breakfast Club on the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps, Monday, July 28, at 7:00pm ET for a special livestream conversation about the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of Father Emil Kapaun, U.S. Army chaplain, Medal of Honor recipient, and Servant of God now on the path to sainthood. Our guest will be Ray Kapaun, Father Emil's devoted nephew and family spokesperson, who has spent decades gathering stories, preserving memories, and promoting his uncle's legacy of faith, sacrifice, and service. With deep personal insight and moving anecdotes, Ray will share not just what made his uncle a great chaplain, but what made him a saintly man—and why his story still resonates powerfully today. Born in 1916 in the farming community of Pilsen, Kansas, Emil Kapaun grew up working on farm equipment and studying for the priesthood. He was ordained in 1940 and joined the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps during World War II, serving in the Burma-India Theater. But it was in Korea, during the early months of the Korean War, that Father Kapaun's heroic ministry made him a legend among soldiers and prisoners of war alike. Assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division, Kapaun was known for celebrating Mass from the hood of a jeep, riding his bike from unit to unit under fire, and fearlessly ministering to troops in foxholes. During the Battle of Unsan in November 1950, he repeatedly braved enemy fire to rescue the wounded. When given the opportunity to evacuate, he refused—choosing instead to stay behind with the injured and surrender alongside them. He was marched to Pyoktong Prison Camp in North Korea, where he spent the last seven months of his life tending to sick and starving fellow POWs. He stole food, built fires in secret, offered prayers, washed clothes, and lifted spirits—risking severe punishment each time. Fellow prisoners credit him with saving hundreds of lives through simple acts of compassion, courage, and faith. He died in captivity on May 23, 1951. For his heroism, Father Kapaun was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 2013. His military decorations also include the Distinguished Service Cross, Bronze Star with “V” Device, and the Legion of Merit, among many others. In the Catholic Church, Father Kapaun is now known as Venerable Emil Kapaun, a title bestowed by Pope Francis in 2021. This designation—the second step in the four-step canonization process—acknowledges that Father Kapaun offered his life in an act of heroic charity. The Diocese of Wichita continues to investigate reported miracles attributed to his intercession, the next step toward beatification and eventual sainthood. Ray Kapaun, who will join us for this VBC Live program, was just a boy when he began hearing stories about his uncle. Over the years, he's met and stayed close with the soldiers who knew Father Emil in life, including the few remaining POWs who spent time in that North Korean prison camp. His efforts helped bring his uncle's remains home in 2021—70 years after his death—and laid to rest at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Wichita. Ray sees Father Kapaun as more than a war hero or Catholic martyr. He sees him as a model of human compassion—someone who looked past creed, rank, or politics to serve people simply because they needed help. “He just always put everybody else ahead of his own needs,” Ray says. “He gives hope… He saw the soul in people.” This livestream will be a heartfelt exploration of that legacy. It's a story of service beyond self, faith under fire, and the power of simple kindness in the darkest of places. We're grateful to UPMC for Life and Tobacco Free Adagio Health for sponsoring this event!

Dear friends in Christ, welcome to this podcast from All Saints Episcopal Church in Portland. All Saints is a loving, welcoming parish serving Southeast Portland for over a century. Our purpose is to celebrate God's love, seek and serve Christ in all persons, and go forth into the world rejoicing in the power of the Spirit!Today, we invite you to join our special guest the Rev. Ernestein Flemister, Missioner for Racial Reconciliation for the Episcopal Diocese of Oregon, as she preaches the gospel, and explores the mysteries of God in our modern world!To learn more about the work of the Diocese of Oregon toward racial reconciliation, we invite you to visit https://ecwo.org/erjwg/

Rev. Justin Hendrix // Psalm 138; Colossians 2:1-15; Luke 11:1-13⛪ Church of the Incarnation is an Anglican (ACNA) parish in western Henrico, Virginia, committed to:

John 17:20-23Jesus prayed, “I ask not only on behalf of these but also on behalf of those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” Artificial Intelligence is not your friend—it's the Tower of Babel. That was the title of the first article I saw this week while preparing for today. Another headline from a Jewish student paper read: AI: The Modern Tower of Babel. A theme was emerging. Faith publications and organizations are writing incessantly about AI and faith, the church, spirituality, and more. Then Pastor Mark told me to listen to a segment from 1A this week about AI and faith. It was fascinating—and a little frightening.I'll be honest, I thought I had pretty good job security against AI and robots… until I listened to that segment. I learned about Pastors.AI, a chatbot trained for a specific church using sermons and resources from real pastors. Meaning, you could upload all the videos and manuscripts from Pastor Mark's sermons over the past 24 years, and the chatbot would generate answers to questions, write sermons, and craft Bible studies—just like he would! You could have your own Pastor Mark in your pocket.Then there's Gloo—AI evangelism. Gloo claims it helps churches grow by tracking digital interactions, managing prayer requests, responding to texts, and making new connections.Entire denominations are diving into AI. If you're Catholic, you can't use just any faith-based AI, so you turn to Ask Father Justin. Apparently, a problem arose where some people preferred confessing to Father Justin instead of their priest. Imagine that… And it's not just Catholics who do AI.Episcopalians have Cathy—Church Answers That Help You. Right on the Diocese of Lexington's homepage, you can talk with Cathy and learn anything you want from the Episcopalian perspective.But what good is the church or denominations if you can just chat with Jesus yourself, AI Jesus that is? If you try that one let me know. So is AI a threat to the church? Or a tool to help it grow? Is it humans trying to become like God, or is it a resource that makes God more accessible? Is this software a reversal of Genesis 1 where we make God in our image, one chatbot at a time?Is it a new Tower of Babel—our attempt to code our way to God? How might this ancient story help us with such questions? More importantly, what might it tell us about Jesus?The Tower of Babel is mysterious. It's short, raises more questions than it answers, and isn't referenced anywhere else in the Bible. Like the other stories in Genesis 1–11, it's an origin story; one that tries to explain how different nations and languages came to be. Linguists agree though, this is not how languages came about. It much more complicated. As is this story. To read it as only an explanation of languages or cultures misses what all it reveals about God.It's also the origin story of Babylon. Thousands of years ago, Babylon made a major technological advance: the brick. They could take bricks, butter'em with bitumen, stack them on top of each other and build. So the people said, “Let's build a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and make a name for ourselves, or else we'll be scattered across the earth.” That one sentence is full of so much irony. The tower didn't reach heaven. In fact, God had to come down to earth just to see it. And when God finds it, God isn't pleased. Why exactly? We're not told. What we do know is that God confused their language and scattered all the people—the very thing they were trying to avoid.That question—why did God do this?—has led to many interpretations, some with harmful consequences.One interpretation says God scattered the people because mixing cultures, ethnicities, and languages is bad. That view has been used to justify segregation in this country and apartheid in South Africa.But I don't read this story as the scattering being a consequence or punishment. God said twice “to fill the earth and subdue”. Well you can't do that if people are all in one place. So scattering wasn't punishment - it was the plan. As were the different languages and ethnicities. Diversity was God's design from the start.Another view is that God is suspicious of cities. So, urban life must be prideful or ungodly, while small-town life is holier and safer. But that doesn't align with the broader biblical story. God called Jonah to Nineveh, a powerful city, because God cared for its people and animals. Jesus longed to gather Jerusalem under his wing. Revelation envisions a new heaven and earth—with a new Jerusalem at its center. God is not suspicious of cities, but is as present there as anywhere else in the world.And perhaps most pertinent today: some believe God scattered humanity because they were too advanced. Such a reading makes folks skeptical of scientific progress and technological advances like, well, Artificial Intelligence. But I don't think God was all that concerned about some bricks stacked a couple hundred feet in the air. Nor is God all that impressed with our towers of today: our advances, systems, or political structures. And I am pretty sure God isn't wringing hands over Artificial Intelligence like everyone else seems to be.What I think God is concerned about is any human attempt to work our way up to God, any effort to work out our own salvation. And we try all the time. We think: “If I just do enough good,” “If I go to church enough,” “If I text with AI Jesus,” or “complete my Bible AI devotional”—then I'll get to God. All our technological advances will undoubtedly do a lot of good. But if we think software can save us, it's no different than thinking a tower can take us to heaven. The tower never reaches. We can't code our way up to God.But the good news of our faith is that we don't have to go up to God because God came down to us in Jesus Christ. And through that person, that real, divine, tangible person, do we and all the world receive the grace and forgiveness we could never create for ourselves, no matter how advanced we get. Through that person, all the scattered people of the world might be one in him. That's what, or really who, holds this community together. We don't all hold the same views, or come from the same backgrounds, or see the world in the same way. Sometimes it probably seems like we aren't even speaking the same language. And yet, it is the grace and forgiveness and mercy of Jesus that binds us together as one.This A.I stuff isn't going away anytime soon. It certainly has it's dangers. At the same time it is a technological tool and the church has always engaged with these tools. When the printing press was invited, the church made tracts and pamphlets. When radio came around, preachers broadcasted their sermons across the airwaves. TVs gave rise to the televangelist. And today nearly everyone watches a service online before they ever step foot through our doors. So it should be no surprise that christians, churches, pastors, denominations, are using A.I. in all sorts of ways. But like any tool, it can be misused and lead to harm, like thinking it can somehow take us up to God, as an ancient tower once tried. Or that it can bring Jesus down to us. Yet it can't do that either, because Jesus came down and is here already. Here at the table where we get our fill of his forgiveness in bread and wine. Here in the waters of baptism where we are washed by his grace. Here in your neighbor, who reflects the very image of God. By his coming down to us, Jesus made his love tangible through these physical signs of his grace that he freely gives to us. And that's something A.I. can never give. Amen.

On July 24, the Catholic Church celebrates the life of St. Sharbel Makhlouf, a Maronite Catholic priest, monk, and hermit who is known for working miracles both during his life and after his death...A First Class St. Sharbel relic was gifted to the Church of Sts. Peter & Paul in Tulsa by "The Family of Saint Charbel USA." The event featured a relic installation, procession, reverence of the faithful, and blessing with St. Sharbel's oil.Saint Sharbel, pray for us!The Eastern Oklahoma Catholic Podcast is brought to you by The Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma.Sign up for diocesan email updates or follow the diocese at...Facebook | X | Instagram | Youtube

Sponsored by Fidei Email:https://www.fidei.emailSources:https://www.returntotradition.orgContact Me:Email: return2catholictradition@gmail.comSupport My Work:Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/AnthonyStineSubscribeStarhttps://www.subscribestar.net/return-to-traditionBuy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/AnthonyStinePhysical Mail:Anthony StinePO Box 3048Shawnee, OK74802Follow me on the following social media:https://www.facebook.com/ReturnToCatholicTradition/https://twitter.com/pontificatormax+JMJ+#popeleoXIV #catholicism #catholicchurch #catholicprophecy#infiltration

Sponsored by Fidei Email:https://www.fidei.emailSources:https://www.returntotradition.orgContact Me:Email: return2catholictradition@gmail.comSupport My Work:Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/AnthonyStineSubscribeStarhttps://www.subscribestar.net/return-to-traditionBuy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/AnthonyStinePhysical Mail:Anthony StinePO Box 3048Shawnee, OK74802Follow me on the following social media:https://www.facebook.com/ReturnToCatholicTradition/https://twitter.com/pontificatormax+JMJ+#popeleoXIV #catholicism #catholicchurch #catholicprophecy#infiltration

Fr. Anthony Amato is the Pastor of St. Peter's Parish in Clifton Springs, New York. He was ordained as a priest in June of 2017 by Bishop Salvatore Matano of the Diocese of Rochester, New York. In Today's Show: How does the Catholic Church view the relationship between faith and science? Is it OK to visit psychic communities? Where is the line crossed into sin when consuming alcohol? What was the sin of the rich man? How do I choose godparents if I don't live near family? Is it a sin to eat an apple a day? Are household chores on a Sunday sinful? At what point should we accept our cross and stop asking for healing? Can a Requiem mass be said for someone who committed suicide? Should I go back to confession if I didn't understand the priest? Should a mother of two try to have more children if the husband is reluctant? Is blaspheming the Holy Ghost ever forgivable? What is the difference between an epistle and a lesson? Is Jesus consumed by us without really being "consumed?" Is my brother's upcoming second marriage going to be valid? Is there a process for cleaning purifications or cloths that touch the Eucharist? Should a priest say "Wow!" during a homily? Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!   Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!

The battle of good versus evil: how can we be sure we're on the right side? In today's episode, we speak with someone who has witnessed evil take hold of people — and fought to drive it out. What kind of person dares to confront such powerful forces head-on? One of these rare and fearless individuals is Father John Farao, a renowned exorcist from the Diocese of Monterey… For over 14 years, Fr. Farao has served as the Catholic Chaplain at California Men's Colony, a state prison in San Luis Obispo that houses 4,000 men. Renowned for his deep knowledge and spiritual insight into the demonic, he is dedicated to clarifying and demystifying the teachings of the Catholic Church. Click play to dive into: How Fr. Farao got involved in the prison ministry.  What it's like to watch God work in the lives of inherently troubled people.  The impact of faith on inmates. The most difficult types of trauma to overcome.  Exorcism remains one of the most mysterious, misunderstood, and sensationalized practices in Christianity. What can Fr. Farao's experience tell us about the realities of this chilling subject? Join us now to find out for yourself! Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: http://apple.co/30PvU9C Upgrade Your Wallet Game with Ekster!  Get the sleek, smart wallet you deserve—and save while you're at it! Use coupon code FINDINGGENIUS at checkout or shop now with this exclusive link: ekster.com?sca_ref=4822922.DtoeXHFUmQ5  Smarter, slimmer, better. Don't miss out!