Podcasts about Eucharist

Had to finally comment on the election of an open communist (I explain how democratic socialists are just communists without guns...yet) in New York City, and what that means for the future. Then I looked at the recent reception of Gio Benitez, an openly "married" homosexual, into the Roman Church, replete with access to the Eucharist, and how even Bishop Strickland raised the issue to the USCCB. Then we responded to Dr. Allen's comments on our challenge to Provisionists, discovering the new "hermeneutic of agnosticism" that they use to try to avoid actually telling us what texts mean (rather than just telling us what they cannot possibly mean).

Daily Rosary with SPOKEN FEMALE VOICE with AMBIENT MUSIC by THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS ROSARY 2 United in Prayer.  Enjoy this week's collection of beautiful music to help inspire your prayerful intentions alongside this daily rosary. The spoken portion of this rosary features a female voice and is a little over 20 minutes long, with extended music for additional meditation. This rosary contains the luminous mysteries, recited on Thursdays.  These mysteries focus on Jesus' public ministry, including his baptism and the institution of the Eucharist, with fruits such as openness to the Holy Spirit and adoration. Join the communion of saints in praying the rosary, as it connects you with the communal prayer of the universal Church and the saints throughout history, fostering a profound sense of spiritual solidarity.  May this Rosary become a faithful companion to your prayer life. Additional prayer tools at www.rosarywristband.com **NEW**  30 MINUTE TRADITIONAL ROSARY - LUMINOUS THURSDAY - SPOKEN ONLY https://youtu.be/3FsR8I6WiTs SPOKEN ONLY VERSION: 17 Minute Rosary - Thursday - SPOKEN ONLY https://youtu.be/S6fNrAPjf2M MOST VIEWED THURSDAY ROSARY: Calm Music    https://youtu.be/73Z7rRx6dnM MOST VIEWED ONE HOUR ROSARY DEVOTION: Complete Rosary    https://youtu.be/rrNMRJ5oH-Q MOST VIEWED SLEEP ROSARY: 4 Hour Sleep Rosary    https://youtu.be/4a-uaEEJOF4 Have you joined our Membership?  Starting at only $1.99 a month, you can directly help this channel grow:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLXCEpdy0etQAdEHB1z-oTg/join Or consider a donation through PayPal to help us continue creating quality content:  https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?business=CHerrera720037%40gmail.com&cmd=_donations¤cy_code=USD&item_name=Donation+to+The+Communion+of+Saints&return=https%3A%2F%2Frosarywristband.com%2Fhome All music in this video is licensed thru Epidemic Sound Publishing. Blessings, Chris - The Communion of Saints Email: chris@rosarywristband.com Simply, easy and quick rosary prayers for everyday recitation and reflection.   This collection of Catholic rosary videos in english serve as a daily devotion and feature calm background music and nature soundscapes.   Choose from audio only or follow along video with all mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous.  Listen before sleep or any time for renewed focus and peace. "Together we pray" Visit rosarywristband.com for comfortable one decade rosaries. #Rosary #JoyfulMysteries #CatholicMeditation #MondayRosary #todayrosary #todayrosaryinenglish

Send us a textIn this powerful and deeply moving episode of the Gotta Be Saints Podcast, I'm joined by Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI — priest, theologian, and author of beloved spiritual classics The Holy Longing and Sacred Fire.Fr. Ron shares wisdom from his new book, Insane for the Light: A Spirituality for Our Wisdom Years, exploring what it means to grow old with grace, purpose, and hope. Together we discuss how aging, loss, and even physical diminishment can become powerful acts of love — mirroring Christ's own Passion and self-gift in the Eucharist.Whether you're entering your later years, caring for an aging loved one, or simply wondering how to find meaning in seasons of limitation, this episode will help you see aging not as decline but as a sacred call to deeper love.In this episode, Fr. Ron shares:Why modern culture avoids talking about aging — and how the Church can respondWhat Jesus' Passion teaches us about fruitful passivity and surrenderHow to turn diminishment and dependence into spiritual giftsThe hidden grace of caregiving and receiving careWhy forgiveness, gratitude, and inner work prepare us for our final act of loveThe meaning behind the title Insane for the Light — and what it means to “stare into eternity”If you've ever asked yourself…How can I find purpose after retirement or loss?What does it mean to grow old as a disciple of Christ?How can I accompany my parents or grandparents in their final years? …this episode is for you.Learn More:Order Fr. Ron's book: Insane for the Light Visit: ronrolheiser.comFollow Gotta Be Saints:Instagram: @gottabesaints Subscribe and leave a review to help others discover the call to holiness.Sponsored by TruthlyThis episode is brought to you by Truthly — the world's first Catholic action app helping you reflect, learn, and share your faith confidently. Start your free trial with code gottabesaints at truthly.ai. Support the show

CULTIVATING SAINTS, SAGES, AND STATESMEN THROUGH THE GREAT TRADITION OF CHRISTENDOMIn this episode, we complete our dive into the writings of the Church Father who "Red Pilled" me on the Catholic Church while I was still a protestant: St. Ignatius of Antioch. If you haven't seen it, start with Part 1 first, which is Episode 44: https://youtu.be/CK1_22AjdIQSt. Ignatius of Antioch was ordained by the Apostles, and barely 70 years after Christ's Ascension wrote astoundingly Catholic things about: the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, apostolic succession, the authority of the priesthood, the Christian altar, the necessity of unity, the greater authority of the Roman Church, and even the very name of the one true Church: the "Catholic Church." Today we are publishing Part 2 of this two-part series in honor of my patron saint, who did so much to "Red Pill" me on the Catholic Church.VISIT OUR WEBSITEhttps://eternalchristendom.com/BECOME A PATRON OF THE GREAT TRADITIONWe are a non-profit, and all gifts are tax-deductible. Help us continue to dig into the Great Tradition; produce beautiful, substantive content; and gift these treasures to cultural orphans around the world for free:https://eternalchristendom.com/become-a-patron/EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS AT ETERNAL CHRISTENDOM BOOKSTOREhttps://eternalchristendom.com/bookstore/CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIAX: https://twitter.com/JoshuaTCharlesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/joshuatcharles/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshuatcharles/DIVE DEEPERCheck out Eternal Christendom's "Becoming Catholic," where you'll find more than 1 million words of free content (bigger than the Bible!) in the form of Articles, Quote Archives, and Study Banks to help you become, remain, and deepen your life as a Catholic:https://eternalchristendom.com/becoming-catholic/SUBSTACKSubscribe to our Substack: https://substack.com/@eternalchristendomEPISODE CHAPTERS00:00 - Introduction03:37 - Help Us Build Eternal Christendom04:24 - Letter to the Philadelphians16:14 - Letter to the Romans39:28 - Eternal Christendom Bookstore39:55 - Letter to St. Polycarp47:40 - Ancient Testimony About St. Ignatius of Antioch01:02:35 - Conclusion: The Church Father Who "Red-Pilled" MeLISTEN ON APPLEhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/eternal-christendom-podcast/id1725000526LISTEN ON SPOTIFYhttps://open.spotify.com/show/3HoTTco6oJtApc21ggVevu

Today, the Church celebrates the Memorial of St. Josaphat, a bishop and martyr who gave his life for the unity of the Church — a unity founded in Christ Himself, who “is our peace, He who made both one and broke down the dividing wall of enmity through His flesh” (Eph 2:14).In today's Gospel, we encounter the ten lepers who call out to Jesus from a distance. Only one returns to give thanks — a Samaritan, a foreigner. Yet it is this “outsider” who draws near, falls at Christ's feet, and glorifies God. His gratitude becomes worship. The Greek word used here is eucharisteo — to give thanks — the same root of our word Eucharist. In that moment, the healed man “Eucharisted” Jesus, showing us that true thanksgiving is communion with God Himself.Fr. Tyler reflects on how this healing foreshadows what Christ accomplishes in the Eucharist: God drawing near to the outcast, uniting what was divided, and restoring communion through His Body and Blood. Just as the Samaritan crossed the barrier between distance and intimacy, Christ crosses the infinite divide between heaven and earth, destroying the walls that sin has built.St. Josaphat lived this mystery to the end. In a time of bitter division between East and West, he longed for the unity of all Christians under the successor of Peter. For this, he was martyred — his blood becoming the seed of reconciliation. His life echoes the very prayer of Christ in John 17: “That they may all be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I in You.”Let us pray today that, like St. Josaphat, we may become instruments of unity — people who heal, reconcile, and draw others toward the Eucharist, where all division is destroyed and all hearts are made one in Christ.Watch today's Daily Homily with Fr. Tyler on DivineMercyPlus.org or the free DM+ app.#frtyler #stjosaphat #unity #eucharist #onenessinchrist #catholicunity #bodyofchrist #massreflection #dailyhomily #divinemercy #thedivinemercy #marian #marians #marianfathers #marianhelpers #catholic #catholicism #romancatholic #romancatholicism #catholictiktok ★ Support this podcast ★

Fr. Michael Copenhagen is a Melkite (Eastern Catholic) priest, husband, and father at St. Nicholas the Wonderworker Melkite Catholic Church in Gates, New York. He holds a Bachelor's of Sacred Theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. In Today's Show: Did Mary have the capacity to sin? What did it mean in the Old Testament when it says people lived for hundreds of years? Why did God ask Adam and Eve if they ate the forbidden fruit when he already knew? Could Adam and Eve have been Jesus' parents if they had not sinned? East Vs. West's view of ancestral sin If Jesus is God, who is omnipotent, why did he say he didn't know when his second coming would be? God answered my prayer, but it wasn't the answer I was looking for Can someone have two wedding ceremonies? Is it disrespectful to receive the Eucharist on the hand? 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!

In this sermon from John 6, Christian Barrett explores the reality of Christ's presence in the Eucharist — not as a mere symbol, but as a real and spiritual participation in His life.1. Discover what Jesus meant by calling Himself "the Bread of Life”2. Understand the Protestant view of the Real Presence3. See how John 6 points to the cross, the resurrection, and the ongoing life of faith. Key Passage: John 6:25–71This message invites us to take seriously Jesus' words about feeding on Him — to approach communion not casually, but with awe and faith.Whether you're Catholic, Orthodox, or Protestant, this passage calls us to see that Christ is truly present among His people when we gather in faith, and that the Lord's Supper is more than a symbol. It also challenges the ideas presented by Roman Catholics and Orthodox against Protestants for their views on the Lord's Supper. Support Emet Ministries, so we can continue to provide content and resources to help disciples become disciplers: https://veritas-ministry-415223.churchcenter.com/givingmy reading list:⁠ https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/74696644-christian-barrettSubscribe for more sermons and studies through John's Gospel. #John6 #BreadOfLife #RealPresence #Eucharist #Communion #ProtestantTheology #JesusIsPresent #LordSupper #ChristianLiving #BibleTeaching #GospelOfJohn #FaithInChrist #TheologyOfWorship

“What can ordinary people do at Mass?” This episode explores the profound mystery of Christ’s presence in the Mass, alongside questions about the role of laypeople during the service, the absence of an Old Testament reading before Vatican II, and the significance of praying for those who have fallen asleep. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 04:40 – What can ordinary people do at Mass? Can lay people give blessings at communion? 11:49 – Why was there no OT reading before Vatican 2? 14:03 – Is Jesus really present in the Eucharist? 18:43 – We pray for those who have died and those who have fallen asleep. What does it mean to those who have fallen asleep? 30:02 – I got into a conversation with a sedevacantist. They asked, If the sacraments are only valid if they have proper form, how can you have a valid sacrament if the words of the institution were changed in the Novus Ordo? 35:43 – Why does the Catholic Mass seem to look more and more protestant? 47:19 – Why does the priest add a piece of the host and water into the chalice?

In this All Souls Day homily, Fr. Dom calls us to face the the reality of the last 4 things: death, judgment, heaven, and hell. Too many men live as if eternity doesn't matter. But this episode will shake you awake. Heaven is your goal. Purgatory is real. Hell is forever. It's time to get serious about your soul.Fr. Dom breaks open the connection between All Hallows Eve, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day; a sacred triptych that reveals the Church's battle plan for salvation. These three days aren't separate celebrations but one unified call to holiness. On All Hallows Eve, we prepare for the saints. On All Saints Day, we honor our heavenly family. And on All Souls Day, we fight for the souls still being purified in purgatory.The souls in purgatory need our prayers. The saints in heaven are cheering us on. And we, the Church Militant, must run the race like men who refuse to quit. Drawing from Scripture, the sacraments, and personal experience, Fr. Dom challenges men to live with eternity in mind and to aim for heaven, not purgatory.He also lays out the Church's roadmap to sanctity: follow the commandments, receive the sacraments, live in a state of grace, and intercede daily for the holy souls in purgatory. This episode will leave you convicted, renewed, and ready to fight for your own salvation—and for the souls still waiting to see God face to face.Challenge for Men: This week, earn a plenary indulgence for the souls in purgatory. Go to confession, receive the Eucharist, visit a cemetery, pray for the intentions of the Holy Father, and intercede for the faithful departed. Souls are waiting for your prayers.Key Takeaway: Live every day as if it were your last. Follow the commandments, frequent the sacraments, and fight for heaven like your eternity depends on it—because it does.Powerful Quotes:“A saint is a sinner that never gives up.”“The saints are on the sidelines saying, you can do this. I did it. Model my way of life.”“If we don't pray for the souls in purgatory, we commit an injustice.”This episode will not entertain you—it will prepare you for eternity. Press play, and take up your spiritual armor. The saints are watching. The souls are waiting. The race is on.Send us a text Support the showPlease prayerfully consider supporting the podcast on our Buy Me A Coffee page. to help grow the show to reach as many men as possible! Thank you for your prayers and support. Be sure to follow us on X for more great content. As always, please pray for us! We are men who strive daily to be holy, to become saints and we cannot do that without the help of the Holy Ghost! Subscribe to our YouTube page to see our manly and holy faces Check out our website Contact us at themanlycatholic@gmail.com

Every man wants to be great but few are willing to endure what it takes to become a saint. In this powerful All Saints Day reflection, Fr. Dom reminds us that sainthood isn't for the perfect but for the men who refuse to quit the fight.Drawing from the Gospel of Matthew and the Beatitudes, this episode calls every Catholic man to return to the fundamentals: obedience to the commandments, the sacraments, and daily perseverance in the spiritual battle. Fr. Dom challenges you to stop making excuses, pick up your spiritual weapons, and start running the race toward heaven just like the saints did.He breaks down what it means to live the Beatitudes in real time, reminding us that the saints were ordinary men and women who chose extraordinary endurance. Just like a triathlete pushing through pain, the saint keeps moving forward even when everything in him screams to stop. The path to heaven is not for the faint-hearted. It's for those who never give up.In this episode, you'll discover:Why All Saints Day is more than a commemoration—it's a battle call for the living.How “a saint is a sinner that never gives up” should define your daily fight.Why obedience to the commandments is not optional for those who love Christ.How the sacraments—especially Confession and the Eucharist—are your training fuel for holiness.Why the saints in heaven are cheering you on like teammates in a race, calling out, “You can do this!”Fr. Dom issues a direct challenge to every man: Honor the saints, study their lives, and imitate their endurance. Find a saint whose story matches your own struggles and ask for his intercession. Heaven is your real home—live like it.He reminds us that to love Christ is to obey Him. As Scripture says, “If you love me, you will obey my commandments” (John 14:15). Those who claim to love God yet ignore His commands are, as St. John says, liars. This is the hard truth every man needs to face: holiness demands action, not lip service.You were confirmed to be a soldier of Christ. The Holy Spirit has already equipped you with every weapon you need. It's time to unlock that power and start living as a man who trains for eternity.Three Powerful Quotes from the Episode:“A saint is a sinner that never gives up.”“The saints are in heaven shouting, ‘You can do this. I've been where you are. Pray more. Go to confession. Persevere.'”“If you love me, you will obey my commandments. If you don't, you are a liar and the truth is not in you.”Send us a text Support the showPlease prayerfully consider supporting the podcast on our Buy Me A Coffee page. to help grow the show to reach as many men as possible! Thank you for your prayers and support. Be sure to follow us on X for more great content. As always, please pray for us! We are men who strive daily to be holy, to become saints and we cannot do that without the help of the Holy Ghost! Subscribe to our YouTube page to see our manly and holy faces Check out our website Contact us at themanlycatholic@gmail.com

On today's Take 2 with Jerry & Debbie our topic is: The Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

SPOKEN with AMBIENT MUSIC by THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS ROSARY 2 United in Prayer.  Enjoy this week's collection of beautiful music to help inspire your prayerful intentions alongside this daily rosary. The spoken portion of this rosary features a female voice and is a little over 20 minutes long, with extended music for additional meditation. This rosary contains the luminous mysteries, recited on Thursdays.  These mysteries focus on Jesus' public ministry, including his baptism and the institution of the Eucharist, with fruits such as openness to the Holy Spirit and adoration. Join the communion of saints in praying the rosary, as it connects you with the communal prayer of the universal Church and the saints throughout history, fostering a profound sense of spiritual solidarity.  May this Rosary become a faithful companion to your prayer life. Additional prayer tools at www.rosarywristband.com **NEW**  30 MINUTE TRADITIONAL ROSARY - LUMINOUS THURSDAY - SPOKEN ONLY https://youtu.be/3FsR8I6WiTs SPOKEN ONLY VERSION: 17 Minute Rosary - Thursday - SPOKEN ONLY https://youtu.be/S6fNrAPjf2M MOST VIEWED THURSDAY ROSARY: Calm Music    https://youtu.be/73Z7rRx6dnM MOST VIEWED ONE HOUR ROSARY DEVOTION: Complete Rosary    https://youtu.be/rrNMRJ5oH-Q MOST VIEWED SLEEP ROSARY: 4 Hour Sleep Rosary    https://youtu.be/4a-uaEEJOF4 Have you joined our Membership?  Starting at only $1.99 a month, you can directly help this channel grow:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLXCEpdy0etQAdEHB1z-oTg/join Or consider a donation through PayPal to help us continue creating quality content:  https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?business=CHerrera720037%40gmail.com&cmd=_donations¤cy_code=USD&item_name=Donation+to+The+Communion+of+Saints&return=https%3A%2F%2Frosarywristband.com%2Fhome All music in this video is licensed thru Epidemic Sound Publishing. Blessings, Chris - The Communion of Saints Email: chris@rosarywristband.com Simply, easy and quick rosary prayers for everyday recitation and reflection.   This collection of Catholic rosary videos in english serve as a daily devotion and feature calm background music and nature soundscapes.   Choose from audio only or follow along video with all mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous.  Listen before sleep or any time for renewed focus and peace. "Together we pray" Visit rosarywristband.com for comfortable one decade rosaries. #Rosary #JoyfulMysteries #CatholicMeditation #MondayRosary #todayrosary #todayrosaryinenglish

Join Kris McGregor as she discusses the book "The Wonders of the Mass and the Eucharist: Insights of the Saints" with Sr. Mary Ann Fatula. The post IP#500 Sr. Mary Ann Fatula – The Wonders of the Mass and the Eucharist on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

What's the deal with head coverings in 1 Corinthians? Does God still hear repetitive prayers like at the dinner table? Is Christianity largely a pursuit of knowledge? What is the truth about the Eucharist and transubstantiation?

The Fire of Christ's Heart: Surrendering to Grace or to the World Today's Homily reflects on a challenging Gospel passage . . . . . . where Jesus says He came not to bring peace but division. The Homily also invites us to linger with difficult Scriptures rather than skip to “favorite parts,” because they reveal essential truths about salvation. St. Paul reminds believers that although Christ has already won victory over sin, we must still freely choose to surrender to God's grace instead of giving in to old habits, emotions, and worldly desires. We Must Still Freely Choose to Surrender to God's Grace Jesus speaks with deep urgency and longing for our salvation, revealing His burning desire to complete His saving mission on the Cross. True peace is not simply avoiding conflict or leaving things as they are; rather, Jesus brings a necessary division between the old life of sin and the new life of grace. Choosing the Kingdom means leaving behind “business as usual,” even when that causes tension within ourselves, our families, or society. Ultimately, life presents only two paths: God's way or the way that leads to emptiness, shame, and death. The Lord calls us to choose the way of life, to surrender to grace, and to walk with Him . . . who gives us strength in the Eucharist . . . to become truly new and free in Him. Listen to this Meditation Media. Listen to: The Fire of Christ's Heart: Surrendering to Grace or to the World ------------------------------------------------------------- Art Work Sacred Heart of Jesus: The Shrine of Our Lady of the Island

CULTIVATING SAINTS, SAGES, AND STATESMEN THROUGH THE GREAT TRADITION OF CHRISTENDOMIn this episode, we interview Dr. Gavin Ashenden (former chaplain to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II) on his conversion from Anglicanism to the Catholic Faith. He describes in vivid detail his discovery of the reality of Christ in the Eucharist, spiritual warfare against the Catholic Church, and realizing that much of what he had been told throughout his life about both the Church and protestantism was propaganda.You can follow his Substack here: https://drgavinashenden.substack.com/Gavin is also a member of Eternal Christendom's Advisory Board: https://eternalchristendom.com/advisory-board/gavin-ashenden/VISIT OUR WEBSITEhttps://eternalchristendom.com/BECOME A PATRON OF THE GREAT TRADITIONWe are a non-profit, and all gifts are tax-deductible. Help us continue to dig into the Great Tradition; produce beautiful, substantive content; and gift these treasures to cultural orphans around the world for free:https://eternalchristendom.com/become-a-patron/EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS AT ETERNAL CHRISTENDOM BOOKSTOREhttps://eternalchristendom.com/bookstore/CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIAX: https://twitter.com/JoshuaTCharlesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/joshuatcharles/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshuatcharles/DIVE DEEPERCheck out Eternal Christendom's "Becoming Catholic," where you'll find more than 1 million words of free content (bigger than the Bible!) in the form of Articles, Quote Archives, and Study Banks to help you become, remain, and deepen your life as a Catholic:https://eternalchristendom.com/becoming-catholic/SUBSTACKSubscribe to our Substack: https://substack.com/@eternalchristendomLISTEN ON APPLEhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/eternal-christendom-podcast/id1725000526LISTEN ON SPOTIFYhttps://open.spotify.com/show/3HoTTco6oJtApc21ggVevu

Join Kris McGregor as she discusses the book "The Wonders of the Mass and the Eucharist: Insights of the Saints" with Sr. Mary Ann Fatula. The post IP#500 Sr. Mary Ann Fatula – The Wonders of the Mass and the Eucharist on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Episode 197 - This episode delves into the profound significance of the Eucharist within the Catholic faith, exploring themes of humility, service, and the transformative power of participating in the Mass. The discussion highlights the connection between the Last Supper, the Passover, and the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist, emphasizing the importance of understanding and reflecting on these mysteries to deepen one's faith and relationship with God.TakeawaysThe Eucharist is a central mystery of faith that invites deep reflection.Humility is exemplified by Jesus washing the feet of His disciples.The Last Supper signifies the fulfillment of God's promise of salvation.The table represents both fellowship and sacrifice in the Christian life.The Passover is redefined through Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice.Participation in the Eucharist transforms us into the body of Christ.The Mass is a timeless memorial that connects us to Christ's sacrifice.Our lives are called to be offered and broken for others.Understanding the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist is essential for faith.We should continually seek to make the Eucharist a new experience in our lives.Hosts - Father Sean Danda & Nathanael Rea

Together, we set our hearts ablaze for Jesus. Take a listen to the glorious opening moments of the “I AM: A Beacon of Hope” eucharistic congress that took place in October 2025 at Christ Cathedral. Thousands of the faithful gathered on the @christcathedralca campus to experience the power of Jesus in the Eucharist.Tune in and be inspired!

“What is the Real Presence in the Eucharist?” In this episode, we explore the essence of Christ’s presence in the Eucharist and discuss the most effective arguments for its defense. Additionally, we delve into the distinctions between public and private revelation, the appropriateness of a resurrected Christ in church design, and how suffering can shape our character. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 08:55 – What is your 1-minute Elevator pitch defense for the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist? What is the most effective argument in the shortest amount of time? 36:24 – Is it appropriate for a Church to have a resurrected Christ instead of a crucifix as the center point of the Church? 48:45 – How does suffering shape us for the better?

THURSDAY HOLY ROSARY - Luminous Mysteries - SPOKEN with AMBIENT MUSIC by THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS ROSARY     This week's collection of beautiful music welcomes you into a calm state of prayer as together, we offer up our intentions alongside this daily rosary. This rosary contains the luminous mysteries, recited on Thursdays.  These mysteries focus on Jesus' public ministry, including his baptism and the institution of the Eucharist, with fruits such as openness to the Holy Spirit and adoration. Join the communion of saints in praying the rosary, as it connects you with the communal prayer of the universal Church and the saints throughout history, fostering a profound sense of spiritual solidarity.  The spoken portion of this rosary is 20 minutes, with extended music for additional meditation. May this Rosary become a faithful companion to your prayer life. Additional prayer tools at www.rosarywristband.com !!! SUPPORT OUR 2ND CHANNEL !!!  COMMUNION OF SAINTS 2 features a FEMALE VOICE (my lovely wife Rea)  https://youtu.be/8v2u3Sbhh4I?si=7CbWIGvgxquvNNQM **NEW**  30 MINUTE TRADITIONAL ROSARY - LUMINOUS THURSDAY - SPOKEN ONLY https://youtu.be/3FsR8I6WiTs SPOKEN ONLY VERSION: 17 Minute Rosary - Thursday - SPOKEN ONLY https://youtu.be/S6fNrAPjf2M MOST VIEWED THURSDAY ROSARY: Calm Music    https://youtu.be/73Z7rRx6dnM MOST VIEWED ONE HOUR ROSARY DEVOTION: Complete Rosary    https://youtu.be/rrNMRJ5oH-Q MOST VIEWED SLEEP ROSARY: 4 Hour Sleep Rosary    https://youtu.be/4a-uaEEJOF4 Have you joined our Membership?  For only $1.99 a month, you can directly help this channel grow:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLXCEpdy0etQAdEHB1z-oTg/join Or consider a donation through PayPal to help us continue creating quality content:  https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?business=CHerrera720037%40gmail.com&cmd=_donations¤cy_code=USD&item_name=Donation+to+The+Communion+of+Saints&return=https%3A%2F%2Frosarywristband.com%2Fhome Blessings, Chris - The Communion of Saints Email: chris@rosarywristband.com Simply, easy and quick rosary prayers for everyday recitation and reflection.   This collection of Catholic rosary videos in english serve as a daily devotion and feature calm background music and nature soundscapes.   Choose from audio only or follow along video with all mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous.  Listen before sleep or any time for renewed focus and peace. "Together we pray" Visit rosarywristband.com for comfortable one decade rosaries. #Rosary #LuminousMysteries #CatholicMeditation #ThursdayRosary #todayrosary #todayrosaryinenglish

Patrick answers personal concerns, dispels spiritual anxiety, gives guidance on balancing faith with fitness, and highlights the quiet heroism of family life, all while weaving in humor and reflections on the importance of Catholic radio support. James - There are two verses that are prophetic in Deuteronomy and Ezekial. Could they apply to the United States? Also, how do I pray a 54 Rosary Novena? (00:55) Dan – You shared a letter from a woman who gave up her job to raise kids and sometimes felt resentment. If we got rid of neuroscientists, life would go on, but if we got rid of mother’s life would not go on. (14:25) Audio: Deprogrammed ex-climate change activist https://x.com/wideawake_media/status/1986041101061374359?s=46&t=m_l2itwnFvka2DG8_72nHQ (16:22) Jack - How can I workout without being vain about it? (27:22) Andrea - What effect does the Eucharist have on the human body? (34:56) Dru - Porn on my religious apps (NOT the Relevant Radio app) (43:49)

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by one of the all-time great Early Church historians, Dr. James Papandrea to talk about what the Early Church really looked like. We tackle subjects like baptism, the Eucharist, the sources of authority, and the structure of the Church – from the beginning and through to today – and tackle the question of, if our current Evangelical churches don't look like the Early Church did then when, and why, did that change? It's all tough questions this week for a fantastic Church historian who is cordial, compassionate, and doesn't pull any punches. You're going to love this! For more from Dr. Papandrea visit his website.Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com. Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on  episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests.To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.Please consider financially supporting this show! For more information visit the Patreon page.  All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.Thank you to those already supporting the show!Theme Music: "Splendor (Intro)" by Former Ruins. Learn more at formerruins.com or listen on Spotify, Apple Music,A very special thanks to our Patreon co-producers who make this show possible: Amanda, Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Jorg, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.Beyond The BeaconJoin Bishop Kevin Sweeney for inspired interviews with Christians living out their faith!Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showFind and follow The Cordial Catholic on social media:Instagram: @cordialcatholicTwitter: @cordialcatholicYouTube: /thecordialcatholicFacebook: The Cordial CatholicTikTok: @cordialcatholic

Fr. John Brancich, FSSP, is the pastor of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Nashua, New Hampshire. He was ordained into the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter in 2004. In Today's Show: Can the Confessional Seal Ever Be Broken? Why did God allow Mamdani to win? Why are souls in purgatory referred to as "poor"  How is the Holy Spirit fully God? Would a war with Nigeria be considered a "just war" Can I help move furniture on a Sunday? Questions about the title of Mary Is there a difference if a blessing is broadcast live vs. recorded? Can a priest deny you receiving the Eucharist on your tongue? What happens if you accidentally say something you never did during a confession? Father's thoughts on Protestant megachurches 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!

In this episode I dialog with Sam Tideman's “Transfigured” Podcaston John 1:14. Sam reviewed the previous One God Report podcast (#148) called“The Word became Flesh (Sustenance): A Metaphorical Interpretation of"Flesh".  In this current podcast I dialog with Sam about two of hismain points:1. Is the “became flesh” language of John 1:14 to be associated with mainstreamChristianity's “Eucharist”and2. Should or could John 1:14 be understood and translated as“the Word became flesh and dwelt IN us”, that is, not “among us”.  Resources:The Word became Flesh(Sustenance): A Metaphorical Interpretation of "Flesh" https://youtu.be/A87VcXKCWBMTransfigured Podcast, "TheWord became flesh" - A eucharistic interpretation of John 1:14 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfQKfthc2wA&t=2847s 

Today's Witness Wednesday is about my trip to Ecuador. Let me explain in a bit more detail how and why I decided to go to Ecuador. My brother-in-law, Daniel's best friend, has been in the hospital for a month now. He had a heart attack and then a stroke. Daniel sent me a message asking me to pray for his friend Anival. I then sent this prayer request out to all those I know who could pray for him. Everyone started to pray for him, and I asked Daniel for an update. He said he was still in a coma and they were waiting for him to wake up so they could do the CT scan. However, they were decreasing the sedation, and he wasn't waking up.Then Daniel asked me for more prayers as they did the CT scan, and it said that there was more damage than they thought. It showed that he still had oxygen bubbles in his brain. When I got this text message from Daniel, I relayed it to all those who were praying for him, as I feel the more specific we can pray for someone, the better, as it shows all the more glory to God when he answers our specific prayers. Then I got another message from Daniel a week or so later, saying that Anival got worse and they need him to start breathing on his own so that he can start eating, as he is not getting enough nutrients.When I got this message from Daniel, I also felt like I got a message from the Holy Spirit asking me to go to Ecuador to pray over Anibal in person. I thought this sounded a bit crazy, so I did what everyone should do when they feel like the Holy Spirit is telling them to do something that seems crazy. I discerned it with my spiritual director. I told her what I thought I heard, and I asked her to pray about it and see what the Holy Spirit says to her about it.She said the first thing she heard was “go” and then she asked Him to confirm it for her. The way this usually happens for her is that she sees the word she heard other places throughout the day. In this instance, she saw what looked like “go” on two different license plates throughout her day. She felt that was the confirmation she was looking for. As I was walking into the prayer group on Thursday morning, I asked the Lord to let me hear something at the meeting that confirmed that He wanted me to go. I was surprised because I didn't really hear anything during the meeting. Then, at the end, while we were cleaning up, one of our members, who just went to the national conference for Charismatic Catholics in the United States, said, “The main message of the entire conference was to Go Out. Don't just stay in the comfort of praying within your prayer group, but be bold and go out into the world and pray with others.” I took this as the confirmation that I had asked the Lord for.Now it was time to talk to my husband about it. It was not a good time for me to go to Ecuador, as he works for the government, so he is not getting a paycheck right now. Also, he was going out of the country to visit our son Noah since he is away in Scotland for school and happened to have a week off for his Birthday. Tony is not working and has a free travel credit. They were staying with a friend, so it would not be an expensive trip, and the timing was great for that trip. Another reason the timing wasn't great for this call to go to Ecuador is that in order for me to go with my sister, Daniel, and their daughter, I would have to leave before Tony got back. This isn't a big deal, as our kids at home are 17 and 21. They would be fine without us for a night, but it would have been better if we didn't have to leave them alone for a night.Anyway, I talked with Tony about the trip, and he wasn't thrilled with the idea of me going, especially since he is not getting paid and we would both be out of the country at the same time. However, he didn't say I couldn't go, and I felt strongly that I was supposed to go, so I looked at getting a ticket. Before going to dinner, the tickets were $576. When I got home from dinner and tried to buy the ticket, it had gone up to $698. I went back and forth between Expedia and Travelocity, and I couldn't find a ticket for less than $600 now.  I sent my sister a message explaining that the tickets were too much, and so I didn't think I could go. Then, I had a chat with God. I explained that there was no way I could spend $700 on a ticket when Tony wasn't thrilled about me going in the first place. I told him that if he wanted me to go He was going to have to do something about these ticket prices. I switched back to Expedia one last night before giving up for the night, and there was one ticket for $540. Thank you, Jesus!! I bought it and was excited that I would be on my way to Ecuador in just one week.There were lots of things that were trying to get in the way of my going on this trip, which is another way I knew I was supposed to go, and that God was going to move powerfully. Whenever we are about to do some amazing work for the Lord, the enemy tries to put up a million roadblocks. I fought through each one of them. I discerned them to make sure they weren't legitimate reasons why I shouldn't go, and ultimately decided it was ok if I went.I got there last Friday night, and so it wasn't until the next morning that we got to go to the hospital. They have a much different visitation schedule than we have in the States. They are only allowed to visit their loved ones for 15 minutes twice a day, and it can be only one person at a time. Also, sometimes they switch up the times. One day, we waited for over an hour and a half before I was able to go in and pray over him. The first day, we missed the visitation time as they did it early that day, around 11. However, they talked with the staff, and they allowed me to go in and pray for a few minutes. I wasn't really sure what to say, but I just let him know that he was loved by the Lord, by Jesus, and by Mother Mary. I prayed commands over his body to be healed. I asked the Lord for a healing. I begged the Lord for a healing. I said all I could think to say.Someone came and knocked on the door and told me my time was up. I went out into the hallway and waited with the family. Then the doctor came and talked with Daniel, Anival's sister, and his daughter. They said there was an infection in his finger, and they needed to amputate the finger or it would spread to the other fingers. They also said most of the brain area was dead, so that he would never walk again. He would be paralyzed from the neck down. This, of course, made the family very upset. I sent out an updated prayer request, letting everyone know the new details.After leaving the hospital on Saturday, I asked the Lord for a sign that He would heal Anival. I saw what appeared to be the shadow of a chalice with the Eucharist on it. I also saw a bumper sticker that said Nothing is impossible for God. Nada es imposible para Dios. I knew those were both signs from the Lord that He would work in this situation.We weren't in that town on Sunday, so the next time I could pray was Monday. We went on Monday morning and Monday evening. When we went in the morning, they talked to the doctor on call, and he said they do not need to amputate the finger. Thank you, Lord, prayers answered!! Daniel also asked if they could do another CT scan of the brain, as we saw Anibal cry and smile, and they hadn't seen this. They said they would do another one.I have not heard if they have done it yet or not, but the family was in a much better place on Monday than they were after the news on Saturday. I really felt as if Anibal could understand what I was saying on Monday, not as much on Saturday. Saturday, he did seem to smile and look at me a bit. However, on Monday, especially the second time, his face seemed to come alive. He had tears coming out of at least one eye when I told him how loved he was and that God was there with him. I told him he was never alone and no matter what, he could always talk to the Lord and ask for whatever he wanted. I told him God loves to do impossible things, so ask big! I explained it didn't matter what he had done in the past; the second we tell God and ask for forgiveness, we are forgiven. I asked him to fight hard to stay with his family and he seemed to respond. I commanded his body to heal. I explained that God had asked me to come all the way from America to tell Anibal how much he is loved by God.I got home late Tuesday night, and my brother-in-law, Daniel, checked in on Wednesday to see how I was doing. I told him that this is the part I have a hard time with; we all probably do. Now is the time to trust in the waiting. Now is the time to thank the Lord for the work we haven't yet seen and to keep hoping that, in His time, He will heal Anival. I believe He will heal him. Around dinner time on Wednesday, Daniel sent me another text message that was like music to my ears. It said that I just got news and that Anibal woke up! He finally regained consciousness after over 30 days. He also said he responded to the order of the doctor when they said to open the mouth and other things with the face.  Thank you, God! Thank you, Jesus! You are so good!!! Praise God!! When I checked in on Sunday, they said he is better. He is actually getting a bit anxious because he knows where he is, but doesn't know what happened. This is good. Not that he is anxious, but that his brain is recognizing where he is and that it is thinking. They also said he is feeling more pain. Which again, we don't want him to be in pain, but it could mean he is not paralyzed and his limbs are trying to respond.Whatever all of that means, I believe Anibal will get to walk out of the hospital and be reunited with his family and dance with his daughter again someday. I am not a fan of waiting, but sometimes it is necessary, as God knows the best time to work His miracles. God is in all of this. That is something I know with my whole being. I am 100% sure God is in this, and I am so excited to see how it all unfolds.Thank you, Lord! Thank you for calling me to go on this trip and for allowing me to be part of this miracle. Thank you for the amazing time I got to spend with family. I made some wonderful memories this weekend. Thank you for the miracles you are working in this situation. Thank you for the results of this next brain scan. Thank you for whatever progress in healing is made before the scan. If it's not all the way healed, Lord, please make sure they do another one. Lord, thank you for the full restoration of his mind and body. Thank you, Lord, all the Glory is yours!!Don't worry, I will keep you updated as I know so many of you are also praying for Anibal! We can all celebrate together when he gets to go home and resume his life again. www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace

“Can I become Catholic without an annulment?” This episode addresses the complexities of joining the Church, especially for those with previous marriages. Additionally, we explore questions about purgatory in the Protestant Bible, the implications of sola scriptura, and the reasons behind the Catholic Church’s calendar changes. Tune in for a thoughtful examination of these important topics. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 14:01 – If I was previously married and couldn't get annulled and as a result and could never receive the Eucharist, why would I become Catholic? 24:22 – Where in the Protestant bible does it talk about purgatory? 33:31 – I'm interested in Catholicism, but I follow sola scriptura very strictly. 45:06 – Why did the Catholic Church change the calendar that now disagrees with the Orthodox? 50:44 – I'm thinking about leaving Catholicism because the Church discriminates against homosexuals from being admitted into seminary to become priests?

Communion is far more than a symbolic ritual—it's a sacred sacrament that connects us to Christ's sacrifice and to one another through divine mystery. Rooted in the Old Testament Passover, where the lamb's blood provided covering from death, communion points to Jesus as our Passover Lamb whose blood saves us from eternal death. When Jesus established this practice at the Last Supper, He transformed familiar Passover elements into a new covenant meal. Through the Holy Spirit's presence, communion becomes true participation in Christ's body and blood, not merely remembrance. This sacred table requires both reconciliation with Christ and unity with fellow believers, as we examine our hearts and surrender our self-reliance to depend fully on Him.Support the show

*Why isn't “promoting vocations” enough to help young people discover God's call? * Because so many can't even hear Him right now. Their faith feels distant, the noise of the world is loud, and what they crave most isn't another program—it's a real encounter with Jesus and people who truly care. In this episode, I talk with Fr. Scott Schilmoeller, Vocations Director for the Archdiocese of Omaha, about what it takes to awaken a generation to God's voice. We don't need to push vocations—we need to till the soil: to build trust, community, and spaces where faith can take root again. If your heart breaks for the young Church and you long to see them come alive in their calling, this episode is for you. [01:05] Father Scott Schilmoeller's Background and Personal Story [05:41] Discovering a Vocation: College Experiences and Spiritual Growth [08:42] The Role of Community and Family in Faith [14:55] Understanding Vocations: Lowercase and Uppercase V [18:28] Challenges in Vocational Discernment [21:46] Addressing the Vocations Crisis [23:33] Discerning Your Vocation [24:24] Community and Evangelization [25:15] Youth Groups and Initiatives [28:30] Engaging Young Kids [30:06] Middle School and High School Faith [32:10] Supporting Vocational Discernment [34:11] Practical Steps for Leaders [39:47] Encouraging Vocations [42:41] Final Thoughts and Resources Check out OmahaVocations.org (https://omahavocations.org/)! For more practical advice and experiences from real people sharing their mission with the world, go to https://equip.archomaha.org/podcast/. A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com)

Recording on the move along the Adriatic, the guys sit down in Italy with their spiritual guide and friend Fr. Stuart Crevecour to talk about Eucharistic adoration—what it is, why it matters, and how to begin. From stories of Eucharistic miracles in Cascia and Orvieto to practical advice for dads bringing kids to the chapel, this episode explores how adoration “holds a moment of the Mass” so Christ can transform our week. Along the way: pilgrimage anecdotes, incorrupt saints, and a few dad-joke detours.Segment GuideOn the Road (and Sea): Why This Episode Is DifferentFirst-ever episode recorded in transit—pilgrimage vibes, College GameDay energy, and what a Jubilee year in Italy feels like.Eucharistic Miracles: From Casual Irreverence to Deep ConversionThe bleeding breviary in Cascia and the miracle preserved in Orvieto become cautionary tales—and catalysts—for reverence and faith.What Adoration Is (and Isn't)Fr. Stuart offers a simple frame: adoration as a moment of the Mass held in contemplation—the elevation “stretched” so we can gaze and be changed.Does It Really Do Anything? Why GoFrom “just try it” to “I can't live without my hour,” we hear how steady time before the monstrance re-centers a life and renews prayer.Awkward at First: How to Start a Holy HourBring a rosary or a good spiritual book. Expect silence to feel long. Keep going. Over time, conversation gives way to presence.Spiritual Communion: When You Can't ReceiveMaking a spiritual communion at home or in church keeps us oriented toward the tabernacle—especially helpful in seasons of waiting or constraint.Benediction: A Different Kind of BlessingWhy the blessing at the end of adoration is unique: you're being blessed by Christ himself, truly present in the Host.Family Adoration (Without the Panic)Practical ideas: parish “family holy hours,” short come-and-go windows, and training kids gently in reverence (yes, even page-turning).If Your Parish Doesn't Have AdorationHow to ask your pastor for a weekly hour or occasional exposition—and ways laity can help make it happen.From Medieval Piety to Today's RenewalHow devotion blossomed after Corpus Christi and grew again in recent decades—feeding vocations, parish life, and personal holiness.Key TakeawaysAdoration deepens Communion. It doesn't replace the Mass; it disposes us to receive the Eucharist more fruitfully.Start small, stay steady. Twenty minutes grows into an hour; over time, you won't want to miss it.Bring the kids. Create kid-friendly windows or family hours; let children encounter Jesus and learn chapel habits gradually.Spiritual communion matters. If you can't receive sacramentally, orient yourself to the tabernacle and keep showing up.Benediction blesses uniquely. The blessing is given with Christ himself, not merely by the priest.Memorable Lines“Adoration is a moment of the Mass held in contemplation.”“You can't outgive the Lord—show up and let Him do the work.”“Hang out with Jesus often; we become like the people we're with.”“Correct the [Eucharistic] abuses, but don't throw out the baby with the bathwater.”How to Begin a Holy Hour (Simple Plan)Arrive and acknowledge: a slow Sign of the Cross; “Lord, I'm here.”Read briefly (5–10 min): a Gospel passage or trusted spiritual...

Read Online“A man gave a great dinner to which he invited many. When the time for the dinner came, he dispatched his servant to say to those invited, ‘Come, everything is now ready.' But one by one, they all began to excuse themselves.”  Luke 14:16–18Do you ever excuse yourself from the will of God? Do you pass up His invitation to feast at the table of His great dinner? More than anything else, the invitation God has given us to this “great dinner” is the invitation to participate in the Holy Mass and to pray. The fact that some would regularly excuse themselves from such an invitation shows that they do not understand that to which they have been invited. Others attend physically, but interiorly they are far from the feast that they attend.In this parable, one after another of the invited guests did not come. So the man throwing the dinner sent out an invitation to “the poor and the crippled, the blind and the lame.” This is a reference to those Jews of Jesus' time who recognized their need for the gift of salvation. They are those who were aware of their weaknesses and sins and knew that Jesus was the answer.After the poor, crippled, blind and lame came to the feast, there was still more room. So the man sent his servants to invite those from “the highways and hedgerows” which is a reference to the Gospel being preached to the Gentiles who were not of Jewish origin.Today, this feast continues to be offered. There are many lax Catholics, however, who refuse to come. There are those who find that life is too busy for them to make time for prayer and for Mass. They are those who are so caught up in worldly pursuits that they see little personal benefit in devoting themselves to the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.If you wish to be among those who attend the feast of our Lord, you must work to identify yourself with the poor, crippled, blind and lame. You must recognize your brokenness, weaknesses and sins. You must not shy away from seeing yourself this way because it is to those that Jesus sends a desperate invitation. His desperation is an all-consuming desire for us to share in His love. He wants to love and heal those in need. We are those who are in need.When we come to our Lord's Feast through prayer, fidelity to His Word, and by our participation in the Sacraments, we will notice that He wants others to join us for His feast. Therefore, we must also see ourselves as those servants who are sent forth to the highways and hedgerows where we will find those who do not follow God's will. They must be invited. Though they might not feel as though they belong, God wants them at His feast. We must do the inviting. Reflect, today, upon two things. First, reflect upon any excuse you regularly use when God invites you to pray, to deepen your faith, and to participate in the Eucharist. Do you respond immediately and with eagerness? Or do you excuse yourself more often than you want to admit? Reflect, also, upon the duty given to you by God to go forth to the most lost souls so as to invite them to God's feast. Our Lord wants everyone to know they are invited. Let Him use you to send forth His invitation. My generous Lord, You have invited me to share in the glory of Your great Feast. You invite me every day to pray, grow strong in my faith, and to share in the Holy Eucharist. May I always respond to You and never excuse myself from Your invitations. Please also use me, dear Lord, to send forth Your invitation to those most in need. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Андрей Николаевич Миронов (A.N. Mironov), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

On the first Sunday of the past five months, we have shared a series of talks Rev. Bill Haley offered Christ Church Austin during a retreat they hosted entitled “Spiritual Formation for Kingdom Action.” Taken together, these talks offer a powerful invitation into an integrated and transformed Christian life.In this final talk, Bill reflects on the biggest takeaways from the retreat and offers a powerful reflection on how our ordinary lives are meant to be consecrated like the bread broken and the wine poured out.Explore Previous Keynotes:I. Contemplatives in the Heart of the WorldII. The Kingdom of God & ShalomIII. Formation Towards Spiritual MaturityIV. Creating Space for Godinthecoracle.org  |  @inthecoracleSupport the show

Christina Bagaglio Slentz is Associate Director for Creation Care for the Catholic Diocese of San Diego. Learn about how her diocese prioritizes climate action here.In this episode, we often refer to Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato si' and the ways that faith communities are living out its stated goals. We also discuss the theme “seeds of peace and hope,” the official theme for the 2025 ecumenical Season of Creation.Many thanks to Christina for sharing her wisdom in this conversation!Christina SlentzTRANSCRIPTChristina Slentz I think this really can help us understand the way that the cry of the Earth, these environmental climate extremes, or the variability that we're experiencing, leads to greater exposure—but how one community can face that exposure and adapt or bounce back fairly quickly and another may not really have that capacity.Debra Rienstra Welcome to the Refugia Podcast. I'm your host, Professor Debra Rienstra. Refugia are habitats in nature where life endures in times of crisis. We're exploring the concept of refugia as a metaphor, discovering how people of faith can become people of refugia: nurturing life-giving spaces in the earth, in our human cultural systems, and in our spiritual communities, even in this time of severe disturbance. This season, we're paying special attention to churches and Christian communities who have figured out how to address the climate crisis together as an essential aspect of their discipleship.Today, I'm talking with Dr. Christina Bagaglio Slentz, Associate Director for Creation Care at the Catholic Diocese of San Diego. Christina has a background in sociology, with a PhD in international studies and global affairs. She's also a Navy veteran. Today, she serves a diocese of 97 parishes, helping to guide and empower people in their creation care work. The Diocese of San Diego is a microcosm of diverse biomes and diverse people, and it's a fascinating example of refugia, because as a diocese, they are doing all the things. Christina and I talk about Laudato si', solar energy, economics, eco spirituality, environmental justice advocacy, the centrality of the Eucharist, and the mutuality between caring for neighbor and caring for the Earth. Let's get to it.Debra Rienstra Christina, thank you so much for being with me today. I really appreciate talking to you.Christina Slentz Thank you, Debra, for having me. I'm really excited to be here.Debra Rienstra So I am eager to hear more about the Diocese of San Diego, because it seems that you have been very intentional and thoughtful and ambitious about your creation care agenda, and we're going to get into the details of that in just a minute, but I want to start with you. So tell us your hero origin story. How did you get into faith-based environmental work and into your current position?Christina Slentz Well, to be honest, I never saw it coming in many ways. I was working in the global affairs area, looking at sources of conflict and cooperation and how political economy intersects with those dynamics, and that was my academic area of focus. And at the same time, I've always been a catechist in the Catholic church since the 90s, and my church life was pretty comfortable, I would say, and active. But I didn't really see those two things coming together until Laudato si', the encyclical written by Pope Francis on the care of our common home, was released in 2015, and this really started to bring more overlap between these two areas in my life. And I would say, increasingly, then there was a lot of interplay between those focus areas for me. And eventually this position became available in the Diocese of San Diego, and a friend mentioned it to me, and I thought that is actually the perfect vocation for me. And I really feel like I understood it to be a vocation, not just a job.Debra Rienstra Yeah, I think I can relate to everything you just said. I think we came to this work from different areas of specialty, but yeah, like you, I feel like we've had these mid-career shifts where suddenly our area of specialty—in my case, literature and creative writing—has become energized by—in your case, Laudato si', in my case, other documents as well as Laudato si',—and we've sort of taken this fascinating and yeah, I would agree, vocational, turn. So let's talk a little bit more about Laudato si'. I imagine our listeners know at least a little bit about it. It's been so enormously influential. It's such an amazing landmark document. Could you talk a little bit about how you've seen Laudato si' diffuse through the Catholic Church, especially the American Catholic Church?Christina Slentz Yes, I think, to be honest, it has had a complicated journey with the Catholic community here in the United States. Very much like the issue of climate change in the global community, the United States has struggled with these dynamics—I think the way that they involve our economics and some of our very strong ideology about economic freedom and what that means to people. And so I think it's fair to say that while Laudato si' was very warmly received around the world, it has struggled in the United States as a whole, and that includes the American Catholic community. That said, there have been—like your description of refugia suggests——there have been these pockets, though, where I think that particular dynamics existed, and there was fertile ground for seeds to be planted. And the Diocese of San Diego is one of them. The Diocese of—the Archdiocese of Atlanta was another. There are a couple around the country, and I do think some footholds were created. In addition, one of the things that is particularly interesting about the encyclical Laudato si'—and an encyclical is just a document that a pope writes and then circulates, right, this is where the word encyclical comes from—circulates around until everyone's had a chance to read it. We can imagine in medieval times, you know, how this must have been a challenge. And I think that, you know, this challenge exists, but Father Emmett Farrell is the founder of this ministry in my diocese, and Father Emmett just celebrated his 60th anniversary of his ordination, and Father Emmett will say he has never seen an encyclical translate to action the way that Laudato si' has. And in particular, there is a Vatican online platform called the Laudato si' Action Platform, where Catholics—either parishes, schools, orders of sisters or religious—can get on this platform and learn about the dynamics that we face. They can see how our values are distilled into seven goals, and then they can reflect on their behavior, using this tool to sort of measure where they are, and then write a plan of action and upload it and share it with each other. And Father Emmett really celebrates how amazing it is that, you know, that we're going to lean into technology and use it for the good.Debra Rienstra Oh, awesome. There's so many things I want to follow up on in that answer. And I want to begin by just thanking you for being honest about pushback to Laudato si' in the US. And I want to go back to that in just a second, if it's okay. And then I want to thank you for the way you've thought about, you know, some of these dioceses like the mighty San Diego and the mighty Atlanta as sort of refugia spaces. And we'll come back to that again too, I really hope, and I want to hear some more details about your particular diocese. Why do you think there has been pushback in the American Catholic Church? You mentioned economic reasons, and you know, Pope Francis and Pope Leo now have both been very pointed in their critique of climate denial, of greed, of exploitation, injustice, war, economic systems that many Americans have sort of held as almost sacrosanct. So what are you noticing in Catholic conversations about that critique? Why are people resisting the critique and why are people saying, “No, that's right”—what are the motivations behind each of those responses?Christina Slentz So, you know, we could probably talk about this all day.Debra Rienstra Probably, yeah.Christina Slentz Because economic peace, I think, is really difficult to think about. You know, if we take the United Kingdom, for example, it's a country very much like the United States. So many of our you know, American culture and tradition and customs come out of that early launching that we experienced from, you know, Great Britain. And yet, as the topic of climate change came forward, Margaret Thatcher, who was, you know, a real compatriot of President Ronald Reagan at the time, she really took the scientific approach in thinking about climate change, and this set them on a path that's really different from the path that we experienced. And certainly, oil is a big factor in our economy. And I think it can be a real challenge for people to weigh the goods, you know, because we have to be honest, there are goods in both sides of these dynamics. When we understand the gravity, though, of climate change, if we're allowed to really get into those dynamics without the noise that has been kind of confronting that potential, then I think we can see that the good outweighs, you know, those alternative goods associated with continuing in the fossil fuel realm. But this is why we talk about a just transition, right? I think that many people who are hearing this noise, right, they don't understand that Pope Francis and others, you know, is really arguing for a just transition, and that would seek to care for the people that are going to be affected by whatever change in economic policy might make.Debra Rienstra Yeah, and more and more, those economic changes are actually positive in favor of transition in ways that they weren't even 5-10 years ago.Christina Slentz Yeah, I think it's amazing. We actually had some good momentum going until recently.Debra Rienstra Yeah, you know, I would love to get us all talking about a just and joyful transition, because it's more and more possible. And maybe we'll come back to that a little bit later too, when we talk about ecological spirituality. But let's go back to these places within the American Catholic Church, even, that are saying, “Oh yes, Laudato si', yes, let's go.” And San Diego diocese is one of those places. You had an action plan already in 2019. I think it's impressive that a diocese could get a plan together in four years. So good job. Knowing how long everything takes in church settings. So just give us a list of your accomplishments. What have you been up to since 2019? What are the kinds of things you've dipped your toes into?Christina Slentz Sure, and to be fair, I want to give some good credit to some others. You know, the Archdiocese of Atlanta had created their creation care action plan. This gave us some really good kind of framework to think about when we created ours. And there was a team that preceded me. They were all volunteers, very multidisciplinary in their backgrounds, everything from theologians to medical doctors who had worked with indigenous communities, you know, theologians, missionaries, energy engineers, and they really pulled this together early on. And this plan I now recognize as what climate action planners might refer to as an aspirational plan. It's all the things you could do in our area, and it serves as a really good resource for our parishes and schools as they think about what they might do in their Laudato si' action platform plans, and those are yearly plans that are really targeted on what we're going to do. So, you know, one of the things that they did early on was really push to solarize. And you know, we do have the great fortune of, one: climate here in San Diego, right? You know, we're sort of famous for that. And then you know, two: the other thing is that, you know, it was very normative to be shifting to solar, and continues to be an economic choice that is not really as politicized here as much as it might be elsewhere. And then the third thing was this is, you know, the magic number three is to have a bishop that is supportive. And so Cardinal McElroy—now Cardinal McElroy, then Bishop McElroy—really promoted this solarization. And at this point we have about 54% of our parishes solarized. And when I think now, you know, the Paris Climate Agreement says we want to have about half of our carbon emissions reduced by 2030 then you know, we're sitting at about half. Our building where I'm located is called our pastoral center. Some Catholic communities call it their chancery. And our solar array here provides over 80% of our electricity to the building. Our local utility is about half renewable energy, a little bit more. So with that in mind, you know, our electricity here to our building is a little over 90% coming from renewable energy, and this lets us have seven electric vehicle charging stations in the parking lot so I can go to work and charge my car at the same time.Debra Rienstra Lovely.Christina Slentz So that was one big thing. I would say our other really big kind of landmark action that also was largely driven by Cardinal McElroy, was to divest of fossil fuels. And, you know, this is a real challenging thing to accomplish. We set a goal of no more than 5% of, you know, the earnings of both direct and indirect investment to be coming from fossil fuel. And after a year, we evaluated how we were doing, and we were actually hitting—not we, you know, the financial folks doing this—were hitting less than 3%. So, you know, we said, “Okay, I think we can say that this was successful, and we're still here.” So that was really exciting, and we didn't do it to be virtue signaling. Just, you know, for some of your listeners may not know, but the USCCB, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has a document that directs socially responsible investment for all areas. And so this is just one more area of socially responsible investment that the Diocese of San Diego has embraced.Debra Rienstra Yeah, yeah. So we've got money, we've got energy. How many parishes would you say are on board with this, doing yearly goals, selecting from the menu of fun ideas—what percentage of your parishes would you say are involved?Christina Slentz So I gotta, Debra, that's a little bit of a good question. I think, you know, we did just describe two very top-down approaches. And one of the things that our group, you know, when I came on board in 2022, we decided is, you know, we really wanted to push that grassroots. And so we see parishes demonstrating a range of behaviors, and I was initially surprised, but they actually behave a lot like countries around the world. And so, you know, you think, oh, that's going to be different. But, you know, you can also have three children, and they all behave differently, and you know, sometimes that's surprising as well, when they have the same parents. And so one of the things that I have really tried to do was offer more events that are here at the diocesan level. We have 97 parishes, and then we have—so sometimes we'll see individuals that are really on board, and they come from a parish where, at the parish level, not a lot is happening. Sometimes we have individuals that are participating, and they are doing a ton at their parish and succeeding. And then we have parishes where the pastor is leading the charge. And then on top of that, I would say there are parishes where they have solar and they have drought-resistant landscaping, and they have LEED silver certified buildings that, you know, are very environmentally friendly. And yet, you know, at the parishioner level, you know, not as much activity happening. So it is an array of activities. I would say probably half have had some kind of interaction with us, or have had parishioners or students participate in our programs. But you know, we reflect the American Catholic community, which reflects the broader American society as well. So there are places where we struggle, and then there are places where we see a lot of action and shining.Debra Rienstra Yeah, sure. And I really appreciate that. And I think listeners can relate to that range of involvement too. Maybe they are in any one of those categories or some other category themselves. And you know, as you say, it's the modeling of— even if it's a minority, it's the modeling and the enthusiasm and the even implicit sort of educating of others that can make this work spread too. So I want to list the seven goals of the Laudato si' action platform, because I think they're really, really great and helpful to people who are not in the Catholic Church, but in other aspects of the church, you might find these goals useful too. So here are the goals: response to the cry of the Earth, response to the cry of the poor, ecological economics, adoption of sustainable lifestyles, ecological education, ecological spirituality, community resilience and empowerment. So I want to start with the first three. We've talked a little bit about economics and how dicey that can be, but I wonder if you could describe how you see the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor as basically the same cry, as Pope Francis said in Laudato si'. How do you see that, especially in your region?Christina Slentz Yeah, so thank you. I think these two are kind of the crown jewels, right? And they sum up what we see happening very well. I think that the other goals are valuable because they sort of pull out the dynamics that we really understand as informing those two big—response to the cry of the Earth and cry of the poor. So as someone who was looking at this through the lens of being a social scientist, I found these two goals to really sum it up well, because it is not just the exposure to the environment that causes our concern for these dynamics. It's the exposure as well as the sensitivity of that population. And then this helps us understand also, maybe some vulnerability that that population might have. So for example, we had significant flooding about a year and a half ago in January, the month of January, and the same rain fell on a parish in the southern part of the Diocese, close to our Mexican border, in an area that is, you know, less wealthy, probably demonstrates some socio economic features that we would associate with marginalized communities. And then it also fell on a parish in Coronado, California. And some people might recognize the Hotel Del Coronado as an iconic location. It's a beautiful community. There's a lot of wealth. There's a lot of human capital as well. You know, very highly educated group, and so the buildings at two of two parishes in each of these locations were completely flooded. But, you know, the parish in Coronado was up on its feet within a week. And of course, they had repairs that had to be done, but they were able to get a hold of those folks, get them in, pay the bills, get it all done. And the parish on the south side had catastrophic flooding to its school, and the school was a total loss.Debra Rienstra Oh, wow.Christina Slentz So I think this really can help us understand the way that the cry of the Earth, these environmental climate extremes, or the variability that we're experiencing, leads to greater exposure, but how one community can face that exposure and adapt or bounce back fairly quickly, and another may not really have that capacity. And so you can't really pull them apart, because just measuring precipitation doesn't always give you the whole story.Debra Rienstra That's a very, very helpful answer to that. And I sometimes hear in religious circles, you know, “Well, we have to worry about other people, why should we worry about owls or whatever?” And the answer is: well, because what happens in nature affects people. So this is about loving your neighbor. Even if you're not convinced by the idea that we love the Earth for its own sake because it's beloved of God, we still have to love our neighbor. And this is a neighbor issue as well. So thank you. That was very helpful as an explanation.Christina Slentz One of my favorite kind of messages is, you know, having been a student of globalization, you know, I think that we live in a globalized world. You can't put that toothpaste back in the tube, right? Maybe there are some things we can do and that can be helpful, but the bottom line is, our actions have ripple effects, and so no matter what we do, we are going to have these impacts on people far beyond those we know and love on a day to day basis. And when we care for the Earth, we mitigate those effects on people all around the world, and so our caring for creation really is just love of neighbor at global scale.Debra Rienstra Ah, lovely. Yeah, so it works both ways. If you love neighbor, you love the Earth. If you love the Earth, you love your neighbor.Christina Slentz That's right.Debra RienstraHi, it's me, Debra. If you are enjoying this podcast episode, go ahead and subscribe on your preferred podcast platform. If you have a minute, leave a review. Good reviews help more listeners discover this podcast. To keep up with all the Refugia news, I invite you to subscribe to the Refugia newsletter on Substack. This is my fortnightly newsletter for people of faith who care about the climate crisis and want to go deeper. Every two weeks, I feature climate news, deeper dives, refugia sightings and much more. Join our community at refugianewsletter.substack.com. For even more goodies, including transcripts and show notes for this podcast, check out my website at debrarienstra.com. D-E-B-R-A-R-I-E-N-S-T-R-A dot com. Thanks so much for listening. We're glad you're part of this community. And now back to the interview.Debra Rienstra Let's think about some of those more personal goals. I don't know, maybe they're not just personal, because everything is systemic too. But I want to talk about that sustainable lifestyle goal, adoption of sustainable lifestyle. So what does that mean, and how are people doing that in San Diego?Christina Slentz So I have a really amazing parish, St. Thomas More, and they have created a community garden that not only functions as a place for their parish to gather and work together, it also is open to the public, so it has an evangelical capacity as well. And they also collect recyclable cans and bottles and then take those to a facility where they can be paid for that recycling work, and then they take the money, and then they put it into this garden that allows them to gather and have a mission and have evangelical outreach. So I think of this as such a wonderful circular kind of example that is, you know, feeding them in many ways. You know, they have this sense of community. They have this sense of common, shared mission. They have a good relationship with the neighborhood around them, people that may be of different faiths or of no faith at all. And then they're also in good relationship with Mother Earth, and doing what they can to, you know, practice this sort of sustainability, or also a little bit like circular economics, I guess I would say as well. And I think one of the things that the Catholic Church is emphasizing is synodality, and our synodality really calls us to be community, to have a shared mission and really inviting participatory action. So in my building here, where we sort of have the headquarters, you know, we also have gone to compostables for all of our events, and we try to minimize any kind of single use plastics. But, you know, there's that dreaded moment at the end where everybody has to go to the three, you know, receptacles. Everyone panics, especially if I'm near them, and I feel terribly, you know, like, should I step away? Should I give them a moment to give them help? Is that overreach? And so, you know, but we all fumble through together, and that's where I've kind of said, like, “Look, it's not easy for me either. Like, God forbid I put the wrong thing in the wrong can, right?” So I think that there's this way where we all are coming together to sort of take on this work. And, you know, we're not going to be perfect, but, you know, I think that it does foster community when we take this on, and then also recognizing how, you know, now we are living with greater simplicity, and we are impacting the Earth, you know, to a lesser extent.Debra Rienstra Yeah, nothing bonds people like pulling weeds together, or standing over the recycle bins going, “Hmm.” It's okay. We don't have to indulge in recycling guilt, you know, just do your best. So I want to move on to ecological spirituality. I love that phrase. It's not one you hear everywhere. And I wanted to remind listeners that San Diego Diocese is the most biodiverse diocese in the US. Maybe we wouldn't have expected that, but you've kind of got everything there. So I want to talk about ecological spirituality in the context of that actual place. I love the sentiment you quoted from Laudato si' in an article you wrote recently. It was an idea from Pope Francis that in the beauties and wonders of the Earth, we experience God's friendship with us. And so I wanted to ask you how you're helping people in your parishes reconnect to the Earth where you are, and thus, and this is how you put it, “revive something of our true selves.”Christina Slentz Yeah, one of my favorite pieces in Laudato si': Pope Francis alludes to having a place in childhood where we felt a sense of awe and wonder. And I think that that awe and wonder allows us to get back to childhood in some ways, before there was a lot of noise before there was all the different distractions. And I think that that true self is also a little freer to connect to God. I think sometimes about little children and baby Jesus, you know, and that sort of immediate connection that's not really complicated, you know, it's just comfortable. Or feeling the love of God like being a child sitting on the lap of your mom or your dad. And so encouraging people, or providing opportunities for this return to that place of awe and wonder, I think is really important. I think that at the heart of our inability to care for creation is this estrangement from our Creator. So we won't care for something if we don't love it. And in this way, ecological spirituality may be step one in all of this, right? So I think we are really lucky, being here. As I mentioned, our climate is beautiful. It is a beautiful place. We have everything from the ocean to mountains to desert, and many people who live here do really connect with the geography and the beauty of where we are, and so inviting them to take a moment to just pause and think about those places. Think about their senses as they move through the memory of that space, I think is really important before we start any of the other conversations. And so I try to do that, and then we share about it. And I have yet to find somebody that says, “Oh, I just didn't have a place.” Everybody has a place. And many people will say, “I really struggled, because I love this place, and I love that place,” you know. And so it is really great to hear. And I think people really come out of an exercise like that with this new sense of common ground as well. And I think that is so important, right? Because if you ask people like, “Raise your hand, who hates trees?” No one's gonna do it, right? Don't even think anyone does. Or “Raise your hand if you like to litter.” No one's going to say, like, “Oh yeah, I really love throwing things out my window.” And so there is a lot more common ground. And I think that eco spirituality invites us to find out how much we have in common, and actually how much we all yearn for that place of connectedness.Debra Rienstra Oh, yeah. I've noticed, you know, people have so many different feelings that motivate what they might do in a faith and climate space, and there's anger, there's fear, a lot of anxiety. But the trick, I think, is to get to the center, which is love. And the quickest way to do that, maybe, is to find that early love, or a love that's developed over many, even generations, in a particular place, if you're lucky, and you're rooted in some way. I feel like we also, as people of faith, haven't made enough of a case that being closer to the creation is, in fact, a pathway to God. And I see that in a lot of the writings that you have too. It's a way of understanding God better. It's a way of allowing God to speak to us that we sometimes underestimate, I think. There's other ways, of course, but it's one that we tend to underestimate. It is a way to deeper spirituality. So getting people to be in touch with that, it sounds like you've you've worked on that a little bit.Christina Slentz We're very lucky. The Franciscan tradition is pretty rich and present here. The Franciscan School of Theology is located here at the University of San Diego.Debra Rienstra There we go.Christina Slentz I have several secular Franciscans on my team, and a few Franciscan friars. And you know, that's very much at the heart of St. Francis and St. Claire's tradition. St. Bonaventure, who is a Franciscan, actually calls nature, or the environment, the created world, like another book. It's another gospel that tells us something about God's plan.Debra Rienstra Yeah, yeah. So I wanted to quote from Pope Leo's message for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, which was September one. And I found his message so encouraging, and especially this particular paragraph, it's along the line of seeds here. He writes, “In Christ, we too are seeds, and indeed seeds of peace and hope. The prophet Isaiah tells us that the Spirit of God can make an arid and parched desert into a garden, a place of rest and serenity. In his words, a spirit from on high will be poured out on us, and the wilderness will become a fruitful field, and the fruitful field a forest. Then justice will dwell in the wilderness and righteousness abide in the fruitful field. The work of righteousness will be peace, and the work of righteousness quietness and trust forever. My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings and in quiet resting places.” So we have this beautiful vision and the sense of vocation of who we are and who our communities are as seeds of peace and hope. So it seems like you experience that in the San Diego Diocese. Are there some particular examples that have been really meaningful and important to you, where you see that “seeds of hope” metaphor being played out?Christina Slentz Yeah, I would point to two areas that I would offer up as good examples. One is a parish that is located in what's called Barrio Logan. It is an ecologically marginalized community. The highways literally forced the school to be moved when they put the highway in right down the middle of the community. And that's the I-5. So it runs all the way from Canada to Mexico. Big highway. In addition, the Coronado Bridge connects to the highway right there. The Navy base is there, and the Port of San Diego all intersects there. So their air quality is really degraded, and it's a socio-economically poor area. It is also a predominantly Hispanic community there. But the Jesuit pastor there, Father Scott Santa Rosa, is a very good community organizer. He led the parish when they were confronted by another warehouse that was going to be added at the port. And the proposal by the company violated the Port Authority's standards, but they were seeking a waiver, and Father Scott brought in the Environmental Health Coalition. He brought in a theologian from University of San Diego. He invited the youth to present on Laudato si' to the adults and really empowered the community, which is that seventh goal of Laudato si', it's very connected to environmental justice. And then they learned, they grew, they came to an understanding that this was not acceptable, and that they wanted to be a voice for their community. They—we traveled. I was very fortunate to kind of engage with them in this process.And we traveled to the Port Authority building the night before the Port Authority was going to make their decision on this, whether or not to grant this waiver. And we said a rosary, which consists of five sets of 10 Hail Marys, roughly. And between each set, somebody spoke and gave their witness. And one of the women stood up and said, “I never thought I would speak publicly in my whole life. I can't believe I'm here. I can't believe I'm speaking, but I found my voice because of this issue.” And I thought, even if we lose, that's such an amazing win that people felt connected to their environment. They understood that they have a voice. They understood their own dignity and the dignity of their community, and felt that it was worth standing up for. And the next day we went, there was demonstration and public witnessing and praying, and then they went in and spoke at the actual hearing. And the first thing that the chairman of the board said, in response to everyone's comments was, “Well, I'm a Catholic, and we have three priests that were here today.” And you know, how many times does a public official make a statement of faith? You know, I thought, “Okay, win number two!” And you know, I'll just go ahead and cut to the chase. And they turned down the company that wanted to put the warehouse in and said, “You know, we just don't think that you've convinced the local community that the benefits of this would be worth it.” And it was amazing.And so that place, they continue to also tend to the care of migrants. They have begun the work of accompanying migrants that are going for their court appointed hearings for their asylum process. And you know, those are not outcomes that are generally favorable, but they are just going and being present with them and, you know, we are on the border. We understand how some of these environmental impacts do entangle with human mobility. And so, you know, there's a lot that this community, that is really one of our poorest communities in San Diego, has brought to the wider San Diego Diocese as more parishes and local Catholics are now mimicking what they have done and joining in this mission, and so they've been an incredible source—this tiny little parish in a poor part of the Diocese with terrible environmental impacts, has actually been a place where things have blossomed and grown, and they actually do have an amazing garden as well.Debra Rienstra Wow, that's an incredible story, and exactly a story of empowerment and resilience, as you suggested, and a story of how low-resource people are not necessarily low-resource people. They have other kinds of resources that may not be visible to the outside, but that can be very powerful, and especially when one of those is faith. It was such a great example of people motivated not only by their, you know, sort of survival, but their faith to do this work. Yeah, wonderful.Christina Slentz I think they understand the impact, right? So if you can shut your windows and turn on your air conditioning, maybe you don't get it.Debra Rienstra Yeah, right. So what would you say are your biggest obstacles and your biggest joys in your work right now?Christina Slentz I think the biggest obstacle is coming up against Catholics and/or Christians, or really any person of faith. But I think this may be especially true to Catholics and Christians who think that our social actions have to be an “either/or” choice, and they resist a “yes/and” mentality, and so they put different issues in competition with each other, right? And, you know, sometimes they think about Cain and Abel, right? This sort of jealousy or comparison can be a real problem. Instead of saying, “Okay, maybe we don't fit in a neat box, but as Catholics, you know, we have to do all the things.” And that kind of privileging one issue or another issue makes us vulnerable to those who would seek division and competition. And I think that when we look at God, you know, God loves all of it, right? God is love, and so there isn't that discrimination in the example of our Creator, and I would, of course, we aren't perfect, you know, but we should aspire to that same kind of comprehensive love.Debra Rienstra Yeah, and we do it together. We don't all have to do every last one of the things. We do it together. What about joys? What are your greatest joys right now in your work?Christina Slentz I think that coming together is really a joy. When I first started this work, I felt like a unicorn. I could either be the only person of faith in an environmental group, or I could be the only environmentalist in a faith group. And so it just was a feeling of being awkward all the time. And I do think that just in the three years that I've been in this position, I am seeing momentum build. I think ecumenicalism is super helpful in this regard. And I think that increasingly people are finding each other, and they are starting to get a little bit of a wake up call. I think it is unfortunate that people in the United States have had to experience some significant catastrophes and human loss and impact before they start to awaken to the issue of climate change or environmental degradation. I think plastics are really a pretty significant issue as well, but I think that more and more, people seem to be coming around to it, and whenever we celebrate together, that gives me joy.Debra Rienstra Yeah, I agree. I'm seeing it happening too, and it keeps me going. It keeps me going to connect with people like you, and every door I open, there's more people of faith doing amazing work, and we are building that mycelial network. And it's pretty great. So what is your favorite gift of the Catholic Church, a gift of wisdom on creation care that you wish everyone would receive?Christina Slentz I am not sure I would say that this is my favorite. But maybe I think that it is very important, is that, you know, in the Catholic community, communion, Eucharist, is really, you know, the summit for Catholics, that each week, at a minimum, we are going to celebrate this liturgy. We break open the Word, and then we celebrate the Eucharist. And one of the things I, you know, find very compelling is the fact that Jesus celebrates at the Last Supper with bread and wine. Jesus didn't get grapes and, you know, a piece of meat, to celebrate that these were both chosen items that were not just created by God, but they involved, as we say, in our celebration, the work of human hands. And so this really represents this call to co-creation, I think. And if that is something that you know, is really at the heart of Catholicism, this, you know, summit of our faith to celebrate the Eucharist—in that, we are called to co-create. And so this tells us something about how we are meant to exist in relationship with the Creator. You know, God reveals God's self to us in the beauty of this creation or in the gift of the Eucharist, and then, in turn, we are called to respond to that love. Otherwise the revelation isn't complete, so our response is to care for creation or to receive the Eucharist, and then go and serve as God has called us to serve. So maybe, maybe this is something that we can offer up.Debra Rienstra So beautifully said, and the intimacy of eating, you know, taking the material, the fruit of the earth and the work of human hands, into ourselves, responding by the Spirit, that intimacy, that physicality, there's a reason that that is the central ritual.Christina Slentz And you know, if I could give you one last image connected to that—because then we become the tabernacle, right? And we think about Noah and the ark, right? And how, you know, creation is destroyed, but the ark holds this refugia right and until it's time for this moment of reconciliation and forgiveness and then renewed flourishing. And you may or may not have heard this story, but when the LA fires raged in Pacific Palisades in January of 2025 the fires swept across the parish and school called Corpus Christi Parish, and it is the home parish of brother James Lockman, one of my dear, dear volunteers. And there was a firefighter who went back to look at the ruins that evening, and he was Catholic, and he came across the tabernacle from the church, and it was the only thing that survived. And when they opened it up, it was pristine on the inside and undamaged. And that Sunday, they took it to St. Monica's Parish, which is one of the very animated creation care parishes in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and they celebrated Mass there because Corpus Christi did not have a parish right to celebrate in that weekend. And I think about that tabernacle as being, you know—it's to reflect that Ark of the Covenant, right, Ark of Noah, the Ark of the Covenant. And then we have the tabernacle now, and that space of refuge that was preserved, you know. And then, of course, when we take the Eucharist into ourselves, we become that tabernacle. We're walking tabernacles, right? So we are also, then, places of refuge and where we know that God is with us and we can go and serve.Debra Rienstra Christina, it has been such a joy to talk to you. Thank you for your wisdom, for your inspiration, for the way that you deploy your expertise in such compassionate and far reaching ways. It's just been a pleasure. Thank you.Christina Slentz Oh, thank you so much for having me. I really enjoyed talking today with you, Debra.Debra Rienstra Thanks for joining us. For show notes and full transcripts, please visit debrarienstra.com and click on the Refugia Podcast tab. This season of the Refugia Podcast is produced with generous funding from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. Colin Hoogerwerf is our awesome audio producer. Thanks to Ron Rienstra for content consultation as well as technical and travel support. Till next time, be well. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit refugianewsletter.substack.com

Many modern Christians insist, “We don't have priests — only pastors.” But both Scripture and the early Church tell a different story. In this episode, Dr. Stephen Boyce of The FACTS Podcast uncovers how the Bible and the earliest Christian writings describe bishops, presbyters, and deacons as the new Temple order — high priests, priests, and Levites serving Christ, our Great High Priest.From the Book of Hebrews to 1 Peter, Revelation, the Didache, and 1 Clement, we see a consistent pattern: the Church understood her ministers as participating in Christ's priesthood, not replacing it. Discover how the first Christians viewed the Eucharist as a true offering, how bishops inherited the role of high priest, and why denying the priesthood of pastors ignores both biblical typology and apostolic history.If you've ever heard someone say “we don't have priests,” this episode will show why Scripture and history disagree — and why reclaiming the language of priesthood restores the Church's true identity as a kingdom of priests.If you'd like to donate to our ministry or be a monthly partner that receives newsletters and one on one discussions with Dr. Stephen Boyce, here's a link: https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=6381a2ee-b82f-42a7-809e-6b733cec05a7 #StephenBoyce  #FACTSPodcast  #ChristianHistory  #BiblicalPriesthood  #EarlyChurch  #Hebrews  #1Peter  #Revelation  #Didache  #1Clement  #KingdomOfPriests  #ApostolicSuccession  #Catholic  #Anglican  #Patristics  #ChurchFathers

Holy Mass is not just a ritual. It is not a routine. It is the Sacrifice of Calvary made present before your very eyes. In this homily, Fr. Dom breaks open the truth of the Mass with fire, clarity, and conviction. He reminds us that the Eucharist is heaven on earth, the most powerful prayer, and absolutely necessary for salvation.If you have ever drifted through Mass without purpose or conviction, this episode will shake you awake. Drawing from the wisdom of the saints, Church Fathers, and Sacred Scripture, Fr. Dom calls men to approach the altar with humility, reverence, and hunger for the living God. He challenges every man to return to Mass not as a spectator but as a soldier stepping onto the battlefield of Calvary.You will learn:Why the Mass is the same sacrifice as Jesus' death on the Cross—offered in a sacramental, unbloody way.How venial sins can be forgiven in the Mass and when to call them to mind.Why the Third Commandment (“Keep holy the Sabbath”) is the most broken commandment today—and how to fix it.How to prepare properly for Mass: through repentance, reading Scripture, and interior silence.What the saints taught about the unfathomable value of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.Why humility, not pride, makes our prayers powerful and pleasing to God.Fr. Dom reminds us: “If the Mass were man-made, we'd be fools to be here. But it's not. It's a gift from the Father who loves us.”The Challenge: This week, go to daily Mass at least once. Prepare before you enter. Read the readings. Call to mind your sins. Offer your week, your struggles, and your family at the Offertory. Listen intently to the prayers of the priest. Then receive the Eucharist with devotion and gratitude. This is your lifeline. This is your weapon.Three Powerful Quotes from the Homily:“The celebration of Holy Mass has the same value as the death of Jesus on the Cross.” — St. Thomas Aquinas“If we knew the value of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, how much greater effort we would put forth to attend it.” — St. John Vianney“The Mass is where heaven meets earth. This is the Holy of Holies.” — Fr. Dominic CouturierKey Takeaway for Men: The Mass is not optional—it's the foundation of a man's spiritual life and the weapon that protects his soul and family from evil. Every Catholic man must anchor his life around the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, where Christ gives Himself completely so that we may have the strength to finish the race and fight the good fight.Send us a text Support the showPlease prayerfully consider supporting the podcast on our Buy Me A Coffee page. to help grow the show to reach as many men as possible! Thank you for your prayers and support. Be sure to follow us on X for more great content. As always, please pray for us! We are men who strive daily to be holy, to become saints and we cannot do that without the help of the Holy Ghost! Subscribe to our YouTube page to see our manly and holy faces Check out our website Contact us at themanlycatholic@gmail.com

THURSDAY HOLY ROSARY - Luminous Mysteries - SPOKEN with AMBIENT MUSIC by THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS ROSARY This week's collection of beautiful music welcomes you into a calm state of prayer as together, we offer up our intentions alongside this daily rosary. This rosary contains the luminous mysteries, recited on Thursdays. These mysteries focus on Jesus' public ministry, including his baptism and the institution of the Eucharist, with fruits such as openness to the Holy Spirit and adoration. Join the communion of saints in praying the rosary, as it connects you with the communal prayer of the universal Church and the saints throughout history, fostering a profound sense of spiritual solidarity. The spoken portion of this rosary is 17 minutes, with extended music for additional meditation. May this Rosary become a faithful companion to your prayer life. Additional prayer tools at www.rosarywristband.com !!! SUPPORT OUR 2ND CHANNEL !!! COMMUNION OF SAINTS 2 features a FEMALE VOICE (my lovely wife Rea) https://youtu.be/8v2u3Sbhh4I?si=7CbWIGvgxquvNNQM **NEW** 30 MINUTE TRADITIONAL ROSARY - LUMINOUS THURSDAY - SPOKEN ONLY https://youtu.be/3FsR8I6WiTs SPOKEN ONLY VERSION: 17 Minute Rosary - Thursday - SPOKEN ONLY https://youtu.be/S6fNrAPjf2M MOST VIEWED THURSDAY ROSARY: Calm Music https://youtu.be/73Z7rRx6dnM MOST VIEWED ONE HOUR ROSARY DEVOTION: Complete Rosary https://youtu.be/rrNMRJ5oH-Q MOST VIEWED SLEEP ROSARY: 4 Hour Sleep Rosary https://youtu.be/4a-uaEEJOF4 Have you joined our Membership? For only $1.99 a month, you can directly help this channel grow: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLXCEpdy0etQAdEHB1z-oTg/join Or consider a donation through PayPal to help us continue creating quality content: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?business=CHerrera720037%40gmail.com&cmd=_donations¤cy_code=USD&item_name=Donation+to+The+Communion+of+Saints&return=https%3A%2F%2Frosarywristband.com%2Fhome Blessings, Chris - The Communion of Saints Email: chris@rosarywristband.com Simply, easy and quick rosary prayers for everyday recitation and reflection. This collection of Catholic rosary videos in english serve as a daily devotion and feature calm background music and nature soundscapes. Choose from audio only or follow along video with all mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous. Listen before sleep or any time for renewed focus and peace. "Together we pray" Visit rosarywristband.com for comfortable one decade rosaries. #Rosary #LuminousMysteries #CatholicMeditation #ThursdayRosary #todayrosary #todayrosaryinenglish

TODAY'S ROSARY for THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2025 - Luminous Mysteries - SPOKEN with AMBIENT MUSIC by THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS ROSARY 2 United in Prayer. Enjoy this week's collection of beautiful music to help inspire your prayerful intentions alongside this daily rosary. The spoken portion of this rosary features a female voice and is a little over 20 minutes long, with extended music for additional meditation. This rosary contains the luminous mysteries, recited on Thursdays. These mysteries focus on Jesus' public ministry, including his baptism and the institution of the Eucharist, with fruits such as openness to the Holy Spirit and adoration. Join the communion of saints in praying the rosary, as it connects you with the communal prayer of the universal Church and the saints throughout history, fostering a profound sense of spiritual solidarity. May this Rosary become a faithful companion to your prayer life. Additional prayer tools at www.rosarywristband.com **NEW** 30 MINUTE TRADITIONAL ROSARY - LUMINOUS THURSDAY - SPOKEN ONLY https://youtu.be/3FsR8I6WiTs SPOKEN ONLY VERSION: 17 Minute Rosary - Thursday - SPOKEN ONLY https://youtu.be/S6fNrAPjf2M MOST VIEWED THURSDAY ROSARY: Calm Music https://youtu.be/73Z7rRx6dnM MOST VIEWED ONE HOUR ROSARY DEVOTION: Complete Rosary https://youtu.be/rrNMRJ5oH-Q MOST VIEWED SLEEP ROSARY: 4 Hour Sleep Rosary https://youtu.be/4a-uaEEJOF4 Have you joined our Membership? Starting at only $1.99 a month, you can directly help this channel grow: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLXCEpdy0etQAdEHB1z-oTg/join Or consider a donation through PayPal to help us continue creating quality content: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?business=CHerrera720037%40gmail.com&cmd=_donations¤cy_code=USD&item_name=Donation+to+The+Communion+of+Saints&return=https%3A%2F%2Frosarywristband.com%2Fhome All music in this video is licensed thru Epidemic Sound Publishing. Blessings, Chris - The Communion of Saints Email: chris@rosarywristband.com Simply, easy and quick rosary prayers for everyday recitation and reflection. This collection of Catholic rosary videos in english serve as a daily devotion and feature calm background music and nature soundscapes. Choose from audio only or follow along video with all mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous. Listen before sleep or any time for renewed focus and peace. "Together we pray" Visit rosarywristband.com for comfortable one decade rosaries. #Rosary #JoyfulMysteries #CatholicMeditation #MondayRosary #todayrosary #todayrosaryinenglish

The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith, and Father Dave welcomes Dominican friar Father Gregory Pine to discuss how it is also the key to our very identities. Father Gregory is professor of dogmatic and moral theology at the Dominican House of Studies and the author of "Your Eucharistic Identity: A Sacramental Guide to the Fullness of Life."

“Can you explain the concept of the Trinity in simple terms?” This episode delves into the foundational beliefs of Catholicism, addressing questions such as why Catholics pray to saints instead of going directly to God, and the significance of the Eucharist in the faith. Join us as we explore these essential topics and more. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 03:00 – Can you explain the concept of the Trinity in simple terms? 12:45 – Why do Catholics pray to saints instead of going directly to God? 20:15 – What is the significance of the Eucharist in Catholic faith? 30:10 – How do Catholics interpret the Book of Revelation? 45:22 – Why is confession necessary if we can pray directly to God for forgiveness? 59:59 – What role does faith play in salvation according to Catholic teaching?

Fr. Healey was ordained a priest on June 26, 2020, and served for two years as the associate pastor at St. Anne Catholic Church in Broken Arrow, OK, before entering into his second assignment at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Stillwater, OK. In Today's Show: Can You Confess Without Feeling Sorry? Did the water that flowed from Christ contain his soul and divinity as well as his body and blood? Did the fall of the angels happen right away? What does the phrase "world without end" mean? Is the Shroud of Turin real or a hoax? What is it like to consecrate the Eucharist? How do priests deal with the feeling of regret about the priesthood? Is it right for a widow to remarry despite objections from children? Is it a sin to use AdBlock? 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!

Patrick explores tough listener questions about Catholics attending weddings outside church, marriage, annulments, and how conscience and faith intersect with family life. Candid advice weaves through topics like Communion regulations, picking a daily missal, and the depths of Catholic creeds, with stories and pop culture moments adding warmth. Sometimes, a single practical answer opens a door to unexpected honesty, leaving listeners with food for thought. Melissa (email) – I was a bridesmaid in two different weddings that were not valid. Was this a sin that I need to confess? (01:07) Terry - I take my elderly neighbor to mass. Is it ok if I brought him the Eucharist? I am not a Eucharistic Minister. (10:00) Email – What Catholic Missal should I use? (12:01) Miles (email) - Credo Populorum Dei by Paul VI in 1968 AD (14:35) Email – My husband and I are living as brother and sister until our previous marriages are annulled. (21:34) Patsy – What Bible should we give to someone if we can't get a Catholic Bible to them while they are in jail? (42:19) Email – Marriage/sex question (49:17)

The Liturgy of the Eucharist, Part 3 – The Way of Mystery with Deacon James Keating Deacon James Keating reflects on the deep meaning of the Our Father and the moments that follow it in the Eucharistic liturgy. Christ not only left His Body and Blood as an enduring gift but also gave His Church ... Read more The post WOM11 – The Liturgy of the Eucharist, pt. 3 – The Way of Mystery with Deacon James Keating – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Fr. Francisco Nahoe, OFM Conv., has served the Church and the Franciscan Order in Catholic education, campus ministry, parochial ministry, and catechesis. He is a chaplain at Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, California, and focuses his scholarly efforts on Renaissance rhetoric and Polynesian ethnohistory. In Today's Show: Are 'Cancelled' Priests Still Priests? How long does a holy water blessing last? Is the Mafia ritual of burning saint cards sacrilegious? Is there a canonized saint who is known to have overcome the feelings of homosexuality? Is it okay to listen to talks from priests from other denominations? How long does the Eucharist stay consecrated after Mass? What is the purpose of an altar rail? If someone finds a host, can they consume it if they're in a state of grace? How do you describe the Eucharist to a non-denominational? Is there a difference between a Canon and a Father? How can we deal with Imposter Syndrome? Are any other non-Catholic sacraments valid besides baptism? 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!

Love to hear from you; “Send us a Text Message”A feast day, a friend, and a fight worth entering. We set the stage with Saint John Paul II, the Eucharist, and Our Lady of Fatima, then welcome John Preiss, a Catholic convert and director of the Fatima Family Apostolate, to share how a quiet hour before the Blessed Sacrament can upend a life, launch a mission, and heal a home. John's story moves from Lutheran roots and cassette-tape apologetics to a providential friendship with Fr. Robert J. Fox, the beloved author and youth leader who formed generations through Fatima. A double “bell” moment in adoration confirmed John's call to serve and eventually steward Fr. Fox's legacy through a museum, a family-focused apostolate, and a renewed edition of a rich book on the Eucharist.Together we trace the thread: why Jesus' words “This is my body” demand a response; how adoration calms anxiety and clarifies decisions; and why the final battle over marriage and the family calls for fathers present at home, mothers rooted in hope, and children formed by truth. If your heart feels restless, if your home feels thin, or if you're searching for clarity in a loud world, this conversation offers a simple path: sit before Jesus, ask boldly, listen deeply, and act faithfully. Find the Fatima Family Apostolate at fatimafamily.org, and get Fr. Fox's book, Eucharist, Heaven and Earth Meet via Sophia Institute Press If this moved you, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review to help others find their way back to the Eucharistic heart of the Church.Here are the links to Jack's latest Substack : The Plan of Life and the Christian Vocation: To Love as God Loves and Sergeant Columban Meets Padre Pioat X https://x.com/JP2RenewalSupport the show

Today's Topics: 1) The power of the Holy Eucharist over Satan - Father Gabriele Amorth, Priest/Exorcist of the Diocese of Rome, obtained in his countless exorcisms some disturbing phrases related to Eucharistic Adoration.  These words, torn from demons, reveal the extraordinary power of being in the presence of the Holy Sacrament https://x.com/secretfire79/status/1875576943707398441?s=46&t=YWTAXby358UzXMMB_qTZyw&mx=2 2, 3) Saint John Bosco on the power of the Holy Eucharist against Satan 3, 4) Why is the prologue in John 1:1-14 used during the Rite of Exorcism?

Hour 3 for 10/27/25 Drew discusses the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist with Dr. Paul Kengor (5:03). Topics: OCIA (9:45), traditional Catholicism (19:03), we were taught the Eucharist is symbolic (22:55), stigmata & doubting Thomas (26:29), I understood the Real Presence (30:03), Lutheran perspective (35:59), reverence for the Eucharist (41:31), 1970s Catechesis (44:37), the Eucharist is not cannibalism (46:49), and Blessed Sacrament and loneliness (49:14). Link: Dr. Kengor's Article

Second Anniversary Sunday from 2025. Pastor Paul White preaches the Garden theme to weed, water and wait with fresh insights from the past year. Includes the Sunday morning prayer of Christian confession, Prayer of Forgiveness and the taking of the Eucharist.

“What is the significance of the Immaculate Conception?” This episode delves into this controversial belief, while also addressing how to explain purgatory to non-Catholics and the Catholic understanding of the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Join us as we explore these essential topics and more in Catholic apologetics. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 03:00 – What is the significance of the Immaculate Conception? 12:45 – How can we explain the concept of purgatory to non-Catholics? 25:10 – Why do Catholics believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist? 37:22 – What is the role of the Pope in the Catholic Church? 49:15 – How should Catholics approach the topic of abortion in discussions with others?

WarRoom battleground EP 875: Catholic Bishop Marries, Non-Catholics Receive Eucharist, INVADERS Fake Baptism, Anglicans In Schism

In this episode, Dr. Shane Owens, a scholar of St. Augustine, joins us to discuss the power of memory. Together, we explore how memory is a place to where we withdraw to understand our identity, shape our whole self, and begin to see God working in our lives. Memory exists for the purpose of hope and we not only talk about how the Scriptures and Eucharist bear the memories of the Church, but also how our sorrowful memories can become sources of hope.    Heather's One Thing - Pope Leo XIV: Son of St. Augustine (A conversation with Fr. Dave Pivonka and Dr. Shane Owens) Heather's Other One Thing - Franciscan University's Festival of Praise Sister Miriam's One Thing - The Archdiocese of Sydney, Australia Michelle's One Thing - Return to the Heart: The Biblical Spirituality of St. Augustine's Confessions by Dr. Shane Owens Michelle's Other One Thing - Heaven for Me! by St. Thérèse of Lisieux Dr. Shane Owens' One Thing - Bible Across America from the St. Paul Center   Journal Questions: Am I savoring or swallowing the gifts God has given me? What core memories of my life have been rewritten by God? What sorrowful mysteries of my life feel too complicated to ponder? Where in your memory do you need to ask Jesus where He was present in it?   Discussion Questions: How can you hone your spiritual palate to be present to the good that God is doing in your life? When have you experienced the living power of memories? How have your memories been a source of hope? How are you being invited to slow down and ponder?   Quote to Ponder: “The heart is the dwelling-place where I am, where I live; according to the Semitic or Biblical expression, the heart is the place "to which I withdraw." The heart is our hidden center, beyond the grasp of our reason and of others; only the Spirit of God can fathom the human heart and know it fully. The heart is the place of decision, deeper than our psychic drives. It is the place of truth, where we choose life or death. It is the place of encounter, because as image of God we live in relation: it is the place of covenant.” (CCC 2563)   Scripture for Lectio: “But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19)   Sponsor - Hallow: Get 3 months free of Hallow at hallow.com/abide and enjoy over 10,000 audioguided prayers, meditations, and music. Hallow can help you find peace, build a daily habit of prayer, and grow closer to God.   Chapters:  00:00 Hallow 01:00 Intro 01:50 Welcome 05:35 Scripture Verse and Guiding Quote 07:07 Who is St. Augustine? 09:30 What Inspired this Book? 11:18 Entering into Our Memories 13:20 How We Write Our Own Stories 15:34 Scripture and the Eucharist Help Us Understand Our Own Story 17:37 Chewing the Cud 20:47 Wondering vs Pondering 24:30 Hope in Our Sorrowful Mysteries 30:30 Finding Jesus in Painful Memories 38:59 Setting Aside Time to Hope 43:46 One Things