Podcasts about holy communion

If you made your First Communion at age seven or eight, then you have St. Pius X to thank! Born into poverty in Italy, St. Pius X became Pope and used his position to do something extraordinary for children: lowering the age for First Communion to around seven years old. Moved by the story of a dying four-year-old named Little Nellie who longed for Jesus in the Eucharist, Pius opened the doors of Holy Communion to children everywhere in 1910. "If you have made your First Communion, you have St. Pius X to thank." ⭐Today's challenge is just the start.  Get the free Every Day's a Feast Day calendar and walk with a new saint every single day: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/pages/every-days-a-feast-day-follow-along 

Full Text of Readings Memorial of Saint Pius X, Pope Lectionary: 423 The Saint of the day is Saint Pius X Saint Pius X's Story Pope Pius X is perhaps best remembered for his encouragement of the frequent reception of Holy Communion, especially by children. The second of 10 children in a poor Italian family, Joseph Sarto became Pius X at age 68. He was one of the 20th century's greatest popes. Ever mindful of his humble origin, Pope Pius stated, “I was born poor, I lived poor, I will die poor.” He was embarrassed by some of the pomp of the papal court. “Look how they have dressed me up,” he said in tears to an old friend. To another, “It is a penance to be forced to accept all these practices. They lead me around surrounded by soldiers like Jesus when he was seized in Gethsemani.” Interested in politics, Pope Pius encouraged Italian Catholics to become more politically involved. One of his first papal acts was to end the supposed right of governments to interfere by veto in papal elections—a practice that reduced the freedom of the 1903 conclave which had elected him. In 1905, when France renounced its agreement with the Holy See and threatened confiscation of Church property if governmental control of Church affairs were not granted, Pius X courageously rejected the demand. While Saint Pius X did not author a famous social encyclical as his predecessor had done, he denounced the ill treatment of indigenous peoples on the plantations of Peru, sent a relief commission to Messina after an earthquake, and sheltered refugees at his own expense. On the 11th anniversary of his election as pope, Europe was plunged into World War I. Saint Pius X had foreseen it, but it killed him. “This is the last affliction the Lord will visit on me. I would gladly give my life to save my poor children from this ghastly scourge.” He died a few weeks after the war began, and was canonized in 1954. Reflection His humble background was no obstacle in relating to a personal God and to people whom he loved genuinely. Saint Pius X gained his strength, his gentleness and warmth for people from the source of all gifts, the Spirit of Jesus. In contrast, we often feel embarrassed by our backgrounds. Shame makes us prefer to remain aloof from people whom we perceive as superior. If we are in a superior position, on the other hand, we often ignore simpler people. Yet we, too, have to help “restore all things in Christ,” especially the wounded people of God.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Father Boniface Hicks joins Matt Swaim to reflect on Pope St. Pius X’s powerful teaching that Holy Communion is the “shortest and safest way to heaven.” They discuss why the Mass and Eucharist should be at the center of our spiritual lives, how Catholic devotions point us back to the Mass, and why returning to the Catholic faith can be much simpler than we sometimes imagine.Support the show: https://www.sacredheartradio.com/donate-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A long-overdue episode all about the sacrament of Eucharist, or Holy Communion Support us on Patreon for Member access to our special podcast series where we go in depth on books of the Bible. Ongoing season: Ecclesiastes. You will also gain access to the entire archive of Season 1: John, Season 2: Exodus, and Season 3: Hebrews Apply for Saint Paul's House of Formation Email us Music by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications Word & Table Episode Index

Looking for some hope? Then you’ll want to attend or view this Sunday’s worship service as Pastor Jim shares “This Is What Hope Looks Like” and we celebrate Holy Communion. Come worship God and enjoy fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ. Join us in song through music with Karl, Sheila and friends.

Luke 12:13-21, Holy Communion, Leader & President: Revd Ian Tomkins, Preacher: Helen Aberdeen

"Claude Lightfoot or How the Problem Was Solved" by Francis J Finn SJ follows the journey of twelve-year-old Claude, who faces challenges after transferring to Milwaukee College, a Catholic school where most boys are focused on baseball and academics. While Claude shines in sports, his hyperactive behavior and tendency to annoy his peers, especially a bully, complicate his integration. The story explores Claude's quest for self-control and responsibility as he navigates trials on his way to achieving his goal of making his first Holy Communion. This timeless tale resonates today, reminding listeners of the universal struggle for personal growth and the importance of faith and perseverance in overcoming life's obstacles.

The miracle of the loaves and fishes is often heard as a story of abundance: Jesus takes what is limited, blesses it, and feeds the crowd. But Joe Rockey asks a more personal question: What if I were actually there with my family? Would I trust enough to receive, or would I hold back because I could see how many people were still waiting behind me? That question opens a deeper reflection on faith, fear, scarcity, and the way we receive God's gifts.Father Boniface Hicks connects the miracle directly to the Eucharist. At Mass, Jesus does not give some people “more Jesus” and others “less Jesus.” Even when Father tells a parish story about running low on hosts and needing to divide them, the reality remains the same: each person receives the whole Christ. The limitation is not in Jesus' gift, but in the capacity of our hearts to receive Him.The conversation also connects the loaves and fishes to manna in the desert. God provided enough each day, yet the Israelites still struggled with trust, routine, and weariness. The same can happen to us. Even the greatest miracle can become ordinary if we stop paying attention. The Christian life asks us to keep opening our hearts: not taking God for granted, not shrinking back from fear, and not limiting what Jesus wants to do in our lives.The invitation is simple but demanding: give God permission to be more present. Let go of the narrow spaces we protect for comfort, control, and self-preservation. Whether in parish life, family life, work, or prayer, the path of faith is learning to receive more fully, surrender more honestly, and love more perfectly through Christ.Key IdeasThe loaves and fishes invite us to examine whether we receive God's abundance with trust or hesitation.The Eucharist is not divided by amount: every communicant receives the whole Christ.The miracle of manna shows that even daily miracles can become routine when gratitude fades.Our fear, comfort, and need for control can limit how fully we receive what God offers.Giving Jesus more permission in our lives opens the path to deeper love, mission, and interior freedom.Scripture MentionedThe miracle of the loaves and fishesManna in the desertBook of WisdomLinks & ReferencesNone explicitly referenced with a clear official/source link in this episode.CTA: If this helped, please leave a review or share this episode with a friend.Questions or thoughts? Email FatherAndJoe@gmail.com.TagsFather and Joe, Joe Rockey, Father Boniface Hicks, loaves and fishes, multiplication of loaves, Eucharist, Mass, Holy Communion, real presence, receiving Jesus, abundance, scarcity mindset, trust in God, manna in the desert, Book of Wisdom, gratitude, routine, spiritual complacency, daily miracles, first Mass, last Mass, only Mass, parish life, Catholic faith, Catholic podcast, surrender, permission to God, dying to self, comfort, fear, generosity, love, perfect love, family life, mission, discipleship, relationship with God, relationship with others, relationship with self, spiritual growth, interior freedom, Jesus gives himself fully

This weekend we'll study 1 John 5:1-12, where John points us to the testimony of the Spirit, the water, and the blood. Together we'll discover why God wants His children to live with assurance rather than uncertainty. We'll also share in Holy Communion as we remember Christ's sacrifice and celebrate the life we have in Him.

The Poem of the Man God is a retelling of the Gospel story of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the private revelations of Maria Valtorta. In this episode, we resume reading from Bk4: Judas of Kerioth with the Blessed Virgin at Nazareth.Original music by Angela Marie (Mohammed). Messiah. Savior. Passion of Christ. Religion. Wisdom. Miracles. Catholic Christian Theology. Apostles. Disciples. Believers. Followers. Early Church. Holy Communion. Healing. Suffering Sacrifice. New Testament. Bible. Parables. Teaching.

The Poem of the Man God is a retelling of the Gospel story of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the private revelations of Maria Valtorta. In this episode, we resume reading from Bk4: Departure from nazareth and the journey towards Bethlehem in Galilee. Original music by Angela Marie (Mohammed). Messiah. Savior. Passion of Christ. Religion. Wisdom. Miracles. Catholic Christian Theology. Apostles. Disciples. Believers. Followers. Early Church. Holy Communion. Healing. Suffering Sacrifice. New Testament. Bible. Parables. Teaching.

The Poem of the Man God is a retelling of the Gospel story of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the private revelations of Maria Valtorta. In this episode, we resume reading from Bk4: Another Sabbath at Nazareth.Original music by Angela Marie (Mohammed). Messiah. Savior. Passion of Christ. Religion. Wisdom. Miracles. Catholic Christian Theology. Apostles. Disciples. Believers. Followers. Early Church. Holy Communion. Healing. Suffering Sacrifice. New Testament. Bible. Parables. Teaching.

The Poem of the Man God is a retelling of the Gospel story of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the private revelations of Maria Valtorta. In this episode, we resume reading from Bk4: Aurea does the will of God. Original music by Angela Marie (Mohammed). Messiah. Savior. Passion of Christ. Religion. Wisdom. Miracles. Catholic Christian Theology. Apostles. Disciples. Believers. Followers. Early Church. Holy Communion. Healing. Suffering Sacrifice. New Testament. Bible. Parables. Teaching.

Pope Leo XIV has been connected to communist affiliated organizations. Michael Hitchborn of the Lepanto Institute joins John-Henry Westen to examine the evidence and ask the question that faithful Catholics are demanding: how does this square with the Pope's duty to defend the faith?Hitchborn revisits his investigation into Pope Leo's past associations and discusses the Vatican's response to public controversies involving pro-abortion politicians. He argues that longstanding Church teaching on Canon 915, which bars those in grave sin from receiving Holy Communion, has been undermined in favor of a politically driven "seamless garment" approach to pro-life issues. The result is confusion: traditional Catholics face scrutiny, while pro-abortion politicians receive pastoral accommodation.Make the switch today to iCatholicMobile today!iCatholic Mobile—supporting the Catholic faith with every connection.https://www.facebook.com/icatholicmobile https://www.icatholicmobile.com/ HELP SUPPORT WORK LIKE THIS: https://give.lifesitenews.com/?utm_source=SOCIAL U.S. residents! Create a will with LifeSiteNews: https://www.mylegacywill.com/lifesitenews ****PROTECT Your Wealth with gold, silver, and precious metals: https://sjp.stjosephpartners.com/lifesitenews +++SHOP ALL YOUR FUN AND FAVORITE LIFESITE MERCH! https://shop.lifesitenews.com/ +++Connect with John-Henry Westen and all of LifeSiteNews on social media:LifeSite: https://linktr.ee/lifesitenewsJohn-Henry Westen: https://linktr.ee/jhwesten Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Poem of the Man God is a retelling of the Gospel story of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the private revelations of Maria Valtorta. In this episode, we resume reading from Bk4: the Blessed Virgin at Tiberias.Original music by Angela Marie (Mohammed). Messiah. Savior. Passion of Christ. Religion. Wisdom. Miracles. Catholic Christian Theology. Apostles. Disciples. Believers. Followers. Early Church. Holy Communion. Healing. Suffering Sacrifice. New Testament. Bible. Parables. Teaching.

What really happens when we come to the Lord's Table? In today's reflection, Andy continues exploring 1 Corinthians 11 by looking at the meaning of Holy Communion through the Wesleyan tradition. More than a ritual or remembrance, Communion is a sacrament—a means of grace through which Christ meets us in a real and powerful way. Together, we'll reflect on why the Lord's Table is central to Christian worship, how Communion retells the story of Jesus, and why we should always come with expectant hearts, ready to encounter the living Christ.Join us for our daily reflections. In 10 short minutes, we'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help us better understand God's Word.You can read today's passage here.Click here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST.  You can watch this reflection in video form and subscribe to my Substack here.

The Poem of the Man God is a retelling of the Gospel story of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the private revelations of Maria Valtorta. In this episode, we resume reading from Bk4: Before being a mother the Blessed Virgin Mary is a daughter and a servant of God. Original music by Angela Marie (Mohammed). Messiah. Savior. Passion of Christ. Religion. Wisdom. Miracles. Catholic Christian Theology. Apostles. Disciples. Believers. Followers. Early Church. Holy Communion. Healing. Suffering Sacrifice. New Testament. Bible. Parables. Teaching.

Did the Holy Spirit put the Bible together? Why can't Protestants take Holy Communion? The Real Presence and the Sacrifice of the Mass? All this and more on Called to Communion with Dr. David Anders.

Send us Fan MailWhat if Communion is more than something we remember? At Christ's table, we discover grace for today, strength for tomorrow, and a foretaste of the feast still to come. Come and see why Jesus continues to invite us to His table.HOME | PLAN YOUR VISIT | BLOG | DIGITAL BULLETIN

Every Lord's Day we have the joy of worshipping Him wholeheartedly together and - once a month - celebrating monthly Holy Communion together; which was led this week by Alex Rabago.

The Poem of the Man God is a retelling of the Gospel story of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the private revelations of Maria Valtorta. In this episode, we resume reading from Bk4: The sabbaths in the peace of Nazareth.Original music by Angela Marie (Mohammed). Messiah. Savior. Passion of Christ. Religion. Wisdom. Miracles. Catholic Christian Theology. Apostles. Disciples. Believers. Followers. Early Church. Holy Communion. Healing. Suffering Sacrifice. New Testament. Bible. Parables. Teaching.

What do you do when you haven't yet seen the answer to your prayer or the fulfillment of God's promise? Join Pastor Hank as he shares how walking in the Spirit, remaining steadfast, and refusing to give in to fear or discouragement position you to experience God's promises in His perfect timing.

Rev. Vicki Harrison opens this Communion Sunday message with a focus on what the Lord's Supper means — the act of remembrance Jesus commanded, and the gospel it proclaims each time we gather at the table. Series: Communion Speaker: Rev. Vicki Harrison New Hope Church | Brandon, Florida — findnewhope.com Watch and listen to past messages: findnewhope.com/message-archive

The Poem of the Man God is a retelling of the Gospel story of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the private revelations of Maria Valtorta. In this episode, we resume reading from Bk4: Jesus parable of painted wood.Original music by Angela Marie (Mohammed). Messiah. Savior. Passion of Christ. Religion. Wisdom. Miracles. Catholic Christian Theology. Apostles. Disciples. Believers. Followers. Early Church. Holy Communion. Healing. Suffering Sacrifice. New Testament. Bible. Parables. Teaching.

When Jesus feeds five thousand people, is the greatest miracle the multiplication of bread... or the transformation of human hearts? John Kennedy and Elizabeth Garnsey explore one of Jesus' most familiar miracles through fresh eyes. They discuss abundance versus scarcity, the meaning of compassion, connections to Moses and the Eucharist, and what this story reveals about the Kingdom of God. Whether you've heard this Gospel a hundred times or are encountering it for the first time, you'll discover new ways to think about generosity, trust, and what it means to truly be fed.Questions for Further DiscussionThemes & ApplicationThe conversation suggests that Jesus feeds more than empty stomachs. In what ways are people spiritually hungry today, and how does Christ continue to nourish them?How does the image of Jesus' compassion, literally "his heart going out" to the crowd, reshape your understanding of God's character?The discussion connects this miracle to the Eucharist. How does Holy Communion deepen your understanding of this Gospel story?Personal Reflection QuestionsWhat does it mean to live from a mindset of abundance rather than scarcity? Where do you most often find yourself slipping into scarcity thinking? Where in your life do you feel spiritually hungry right now?The disciples only had five loaves and two fish, yet Jesus used what they offered. What small gift, talent, or opportunity in your life might God be able to use in ways you cannot yet imagine? What fears make it difficult for you to share your time, resources, compassion, or attention with others?What would it look like this week to let your heart become more like Christ's, moved by compassion before judgment or convenience?Broader Spiritual ConsiderationsThe clergy suggest that the Kingdom of God moves humanity beyond a simple "winner versus loser" way of living. Where do you see signs of that Kingdom already emerging in today's world?The Feeding of the Five Thousand echoes Israel's story of manna in the wilderness and points ahead to the Eucharist. Why do you think Scripture so often uses meals to reveal who God is?If compassion is at the heart of Jesus' ministry, what might it mean for the Church to become known first and foremost for compassion rather than ideology, certainty, or institutional success?Learn more about St. Mark's at https://www.stmarksnewcanaan.org

The God Who Searches Me (Psalm 139 Series Finale)Psalm 139:19-24 This Sunday we close out our four-week journey through Psalm 139 with our final message. We've spent the last three weeks marveling at a God who knows us, is present with us everywhere, and formed us with intention and care. This week, we confront the fuller picture of who He is: a holy God who hates sin (Psalm 139:19-22, Proverbs 6:16-19) and yet loved us enough to send His Son to the cross so that hatred of sin would never mean rejection of us. We'll pause during the message to celebrate Holy Communion together, and then close with David's most courageous prayer: "Search me, God, and know my heart... see if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." We'll take time for quiet reflection and an open invitation to respond at the altar, closing our service with Phil Wickham's "Your Name Is Holy." Come ready to be searched, and to be led. I hope to see you Sunday, Pastor doug

Patrick explores the blessings and struggles Catholic families encounter, from moms torn between income and being with their kids to the Church’s teachings about burial, relics, and sacramental marriage. He answers questions on choosing faith-driven paths in a world of mixed messages, why certain Church practices matter, and how civil law interacts with belief. Through vivid stories and heartfelt exchanges, Patrick reveals how grace and patience thread through ordinary days, rooting people in hope even as life gets messy. Carmen (email) - You really think it's ok for a mom to quit her job and go on food stamps so the family can live on her husband's income? Wouldn't you think this would be a reason to limit family size using NFP, rather than going on welfare? (00:38) Rose - Why do bodies need to be buried? What’s wrong with cremation and keeping the ashes? (03:30) John - What is the reason we pray the prayer of St. Michael at the end of Mass? (09:32) Donna - How is it that the Catholic church makes relics out of the bodies of the Saints and spreads the body parts across the world? (10:53) Fred – Women should stay home and raise the family. Let your husband take care of the bills. (13:04) Scott - What is the definition of marriage? (15:08) Steffanie - I stopped teaching so I can be with my third baby. It’s not easy. (24:50) Stacy - Are priests not doing a good job warning people about going to hell? (30:22) Katherine - My son and daughter-in-law are meeting with the priest about becoming Catholic. During a recent meeting, the priest said he can go to confession (about marrying civilly) and go to Holy Communion. Would he be compounding sin upon sin? (40:45) Annette - I was looking for a new car, and a great surprise came through! (44:54) Michelle - I would like all parents to know that when kids are noisy at Mass, I am not bothered at all. The fact that there are there is a blessing and a joy (48:07) Lory - Stay at home moms: I was able to do that also. I had my own business and I was able to bring them with me. So many people told me that I should put my kids in day care. (49:57)

What if prayer, fasting, confession, and Holy Communion are not assignments from a strict schoolmaster but the ordinary practices of life in our Father's house? Reflecting on Galatians 3:23–4:5, this homily invites us to see the Christian life as a journey from guardianship to sonship, from preparation to fulfillment, and from obedience to loving communion with God. --- Galatians 3:23-4:5 In today's Epistle, Saint Paul says something that has puzzled Christians for centuries. He tells us that "before faith came, we were kept under guard by the Law." Then he says that "the Law was our tutor"—our guardian—"until Christ came." That naturally raises a question. If Christ had to come, then why did God give the Law in the first place? Was the Law a mistake? Did Christ come to replace what God had already done? Not at all. Saint John Chrysostom says Paul isn't criticizing the Law. He's defending it. The Law accomplished exactly what God intended it to accomplish. The problem wasn't the Law. The problem was thinking that the Law was the destination instead of the journey. Perhaps an example will help. Imagine someone saying, "Elementary school is useless because you can't become a doctor unless you go to medical school." Well, of course you can't. But that doesn't make elementary school a failure. It was never meant to produce physicians. It was meant to teach you to read, to write, to count, to think, so that one day you could become something greater. You don't despise elementary school because you've graduated from it. You honor it because it accomplished exactly what it was designed to do: it prepared you for something greater. That is exactly what Saint Paul is saying. The Law was God's elementary school—or, as Paul says, the guardian who escorted His children until they were ready for Christ. It taught His people who He is. It taught them holiness. It taught them justice. It taught them mercy. It taught them that sin separates us from God. It taught them that sacrifice is necessary. It taught them to long for redemption. Every commandment, every sacrifice, every feast, every priest, every prophet was preparing Israel for Christ. The Law was never the destination. It was preparing God's people for the One who is. That's why Paul calls it a guardian. The Greek word is paidagōgos. It doesn't mean a classroom teacher. It refers to the trusted servant who escorted a child to school, watched over him, corrected him, and protected him until he became an adult. The guardian had an important job. But no loving parent intended for the child to remain under the protection of the guardian forever. The goal was maturity. That is exactly what God was doing with His people. The Law guarded Israel. It preserved them. It protected them from idolatry. It formed them into a people through whom the Messiah would come. And when Christ came, the time of preparation gave way to the time of fulfillment. That is why Paul goes on to say something astonishing. He does not merely say that Christ forgives us. He says that "God sent forth His Son... so that we might receive adoption as sons." Notice how much greater that is. God's purpose was never merely to produce well-behaved servants. His purpose is to raise sons and daughters. He doesn't simply pardon sinners. He adopts us as His children and welcomes us into His household. That is why the Christian life is so much more than rule-keeping. Rules can regulate behavior, but they cannot create love. They can restrain evil, but they cannot heal the heart. Only Christ can do that. Through the Holy Spirit, He writes God's Law upon the heart. Only the life of Christ dwelling within us can make us into the kind of people who naturally love what is good. This is why Orthodoxy speaks so often about salvation – theosis – as a process and a way of life. God's purpose is not simply to forgive sinners. His purpose is to unite us to Christ so completely that we begin to share His life. As Saint Athanasius famously said, "God became man so that man might become god"—not by nature, but by grace. That is what Saint Paul is describing. We are no longer merely subjects obeying a king. We are children living in our Father's house. And that changes how we understand the Christian life. Many people imagine Christianity as an endless list of religious obligations. Pray. Fast. Confess. Attend services. Receive Holy Communion. Read the Scriptures. Give alms. Sometimes it can even feel exhausting. But what if we've misunderstood all of it? What if these are not assignments given by a strict schoolmaster? What if they are the ordinary practices by which children grow into the likeness of their Father? A child becomes part of a family in a single moment. But learning to speak like the family, to think like the family, to love like the family, takes years. So it is with us. The moment we are united to Christ, we truly become God's children. But growing into that reality is the work of a lifetime. As we discussed last week, that is why we return to church week after week. Why we pray the same prayers. Why we fast. Why we confess. Why we receive the Holy Mysteries. Not because we are trying to earn God's love, but because we already have it. These are the ordinary means by which the Holy Spirit forms us into the people God created us to be. Again, little by little, almost without noticing it, our desires begin to change. The sins we once loved begin to lose their attraction. The virtues that once seemed difficult begin to bring joy. We become more patient, more merciful, more truthful, more generous—not simply because we are trying harder or following more rules [even Orthodox rules], but because Christ is living His life within us. But this also comes with a warning. It is possible to remain spiritually immature. It is possible to spend years in the Church and still prefer the security of the guardian to the intimacy of the Father's house; to imagine that God is keeping score instead of raising a family; to measure our faith by checking boxes rather than by growing in love. Saint Paul calls us beyond that. He calls us into maturity. Into sonship. Into freedom—not the freedom to do whatever we please, but the freedom to become what we were created to be. And if we were to keep reading beyond today's Epistle, Paul brings his argument to its beautiful conclusion. He says, "Because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, 'Abba, Father!'" Abba. That is the goal. Not merely that we obey God. Not merely that we fear God. But that, in Christ, we know God as our Father, and by the Holy Spirit we begin to love Him with the very love of the Son Himself. That is the fulfillment toward which the Law was always pointing. That is the life into which Christ has brought us. So let us not become discouraged if the road sometimes seems long or the growth seems slow. No child becomes an adult overnight. Formation takes time. God is patient, and He is faithful. As Saint Paul says elsewhere, "Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, let us press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." For this is the good news of today's Epistle. The Law brought God's people to Christ. Christ brings us to the Father. And the Holy Spirit patiently raises us into the mature sons and daughters we were created to become. That is the Christian life—not merely obeying God's commandments from the outside, but gradually becoming the kind of people in whom those commandments are fulfilled by the life of Christ Himself, until we can truly call upon God with confidence and joy, "Abba, Father."

At our Holy Communion Service, aptly themed "Communion to Access Rest," Pastor Femi Paul brought us a deeply refreshing message titled "Entering God's Rest!" Drawing from Matthew 11:28 and Hebrews 4:9–11, we were reminded that God's invitation is not merely to escape life's pressures, but to enter a place of complete rest found only in His presence. Jesus calls everyone who is weary, burdened, and overwhelmed to come to Him, promising to ease, relieve, and refresh our souls. Pastor Femi challenged us with the sobering reality that many today are restless, constantly wrestling with life's demands instead of resting in God's promises. True rest is not the absence of activity but the presence of God, who declares, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." Through the examples of Moses, Joshua, and the children of Israel, we saw that God's promise has always been to give His people rest on every side. This rest is more than physical relaxation; it is freedom from striving, anxiety, fear, and the weariness of relying solely on human effort. Hebrews reminds us that this full and complete rest is still available today for everyone who believes. As we partook of the Holy Communion, we were invited once again to lay down every burden and consciously enter the rest Christ has secured for us. The call was both comforting and intentional: come to Jesus, trust His Word, remain in His presence, and experience the rest He alone can give. Confession: Lord, thank You for inviting me into Your perfect rest. Today I lay every burden, fear, worry, and struggle at Your feet. I receive the refreshing that comes from Your presence and choose to trust You above every circumstance. Let my heart remain at peace, knowing that You are with me, You are for me, and everything will indeed be fine. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Holy Communion is God's covenant provision for releasing His abundant life and blessing into every believer who partakes in faith.

Holy Communion is God's covenant provision for releasing His abundant life and blessing into every believer who partakes in faith.

In this life, we find ourselves at a midway point between earth and Heaven. We are some years away from the first moment of our existence and we are likewise some years away from our eternal home.As Catholics, we know that, while we are on the journey of this life, we must live it, in some way, like the life to come. Our life on earth now must resemble what our life in Heaven will be for us to be able to enter into Heaven when we die. “As the tree casts its shadow, so does it fall”The essence of what Heaven will be is that we will delight in God. We will be filled with immense joy and happiness by being in the presence of God.Thus, it would seem to mean that we are meant to possess a certain joy and happiness, through God, on this earth. We know that this is one of the characteristics of the lives of the saints. Though they suffered much, they yet possessed in their souls a continual joy.In the Hail Holy Queen, we call this earth a “valley of tears”. We call ourselves “banished children of Eve”. We say that we come to Our Lady “sinful and sorrowful”. We say that we send up our sighs to her “mourning and weeping”.The trials of this life are very real. But they must be also be accompanied by a real joy.I want to consider what I believe is the main problem we face in striving to have supernatural joy, as well as the resources that we have, as Catholics, to maintain that joy, so that our joy on earth may be a preparation for our joy in Heaven.St. Thomas says that joy is caused by love: either by us being in the presence of the thing that we love or because the thing that we love is in good shape.This shows us that any joy in our life has to come from us loving the things that we have. Do we have blessings in our lives that are able to provide us a constant joy? Yes, we do. If we are not joyful, it is because we do not love them sufficiently.Just to take some examples. We believe that, when we receive Holy Communion, we receive Our Lord Himself into our souls. This is an incredible gift and blessing. Some souls are comforted and strengthened when receiving Our Lord; they delight in dwelling with Him. This is what the Communion verse of today's Mass tells us: “Taste and see how good the Lord is; happy the man who takes refuge in Him.” Others receive Our Lord and it has little or no impact on them.Or think about the fact that we have a Father in Heaven who dwells in happiness and loves us and bestows all manner of goodness upon us. We know this gives great joy to the Church because she expresses it in the Mass, especially at the Gloria: “We praise Thee. We bless Thee. We adore Thee. We glorify Thee. We give Thee thanks for Thy great glory.” What sort of joy does the existence of God give us on a regular basis?Sometimes, traditional Catholics allow the situation in the Church to put a damper on their joy. This is especially true when we are receiving these terrible condemnations from Rome.But there have always been crises in the Church and we must not let the current crisis be an obstacle from us drawing joy from our faith. When I talk to people who are new traditional Catholics, I always tell them: “make sure you do not become obsessed with the crisis. Rather, profit from the traditional Mass and the traditional devotions that you have found. Make them the center of your life, not these Church controversies”.

esus fed thousands in the wilderness because He had compassion on them. But His compassion didn't end with bread—it led all the way to His cross and to the altar, where He continues to feed His people with His own body and blood.Yet there's another side of God's compassion that we often resist. His "No."Modern Christians love to talk about God's grace, but what happens when His Word confronts our desires? What if God's refusal isn't cruelty, but mercy? What if the same Lord who says, "Take, eat," is also the Lord who lovingly says, "Do not"?In this sermon on Mark 8, we explore the feeding of the four thousand, the Tree of Life, the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, Holy Communion, and why God's commands—even the ones we don't like—flow from the same compassion that sent Jesus to the cross.#Christianity #Repentance #ChristianLife #HolyCommunion #Mark8 #Lutheran #TruthAtAllCosts

Every Divine Liturgy we know that we gather as the Body of Christ to participate in the Mystical Supper and to receive Holy Communion.Did you know though that there is a second feeding that happens though in the Liturgy prior to Holy Communion?Want to know that it is?Listen...

We conclude our special series on the Prayer Book's Civil Prayers in honor of the 250th anniversary of our Nation's founding. Today we talk about the civil prayers in the Great Litany and Holy Communion. We also talk about the two Civil Holidays in the 1928 BCP: Thanksgiving Day and Independence Day. Finally, we conclude with a discussion of the frequency of Holy Communion.

The Catechism has spent considerable time unpacking Holy Communion—the “sacrament of sacraments”—with us, and now she summarizes the most essential truths that we must internalize and move forward with. Fr. Mike takes this “nugget day” to tell us that God desires to feed us. He has given us his Son so that we might be filled with him and made whole again, in unity with him for all of eternity. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 1406-1419. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

The Catechism wraps up its overview of the Eucharist by reminding us that the sacrament of Holy Communion is a foretaste of what is to come in heaven. Fr. Mike exhorts us to prepare our hearts here on earth so that they might be conformed to God, ready to unite with him forever in heaven. The Eucharist is a most excellent path to such unity. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 1402-1405. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Fr. Chris Alar,  reflects on the Parable of the Sower by emphasizing that the focus is not only on the seed, the Word of God; but even more on the condition of the soil, which represents our hearts. Good soil is cultivated not only through reading Scripture and prayer, but also through regular Confession, frequent Holy Communion, acts of charity, and a faithful sacramental life. When our hearts are properly formed, the Word of God produces visible fruits of love, holiness, and transformation.At the same time, Jesus' parable is one of encouragement. We should not become discouraged when we do not immediately see results from sharing the faith. Seeds often remain hidden for a long time before they sprout. Our task is to continue planting the seeds of God's Word with patience, trusting that He will bring about the harvest in His time.  ★ Support this podcast ★

The sacrament of Holy Communion unites the faithful together in a most profound, visible way. It also makes disunity in the Church all the more painful and apparent. The Catechism reveals the Church's teachings regarding the Eucharist and Christian churches who are not in full communion with the Catholic Church. Fr. Mike addresses a most common and difficult question: “If a non-Catholic believes that the Eucharist is truly Jesus, why can they not receive him in the sacrament?” Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 1396-1401. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

As the popular adage goes, “you are what you eat.” The Catechism tells us that, as food nourishes the body, so Jesus present in Holy Communion nourishes the soul. It especially highlights the Eucharist's role in separating us from sin. Fr. Mike reminds us we must be open to change if Jesus is going to change us in the reception of Holy Communion. If—to use Fr. Mike's analogy—Holy Communion is a “shower” of graces, we must ensure that we're not wearing a raincoat. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 1391-1395. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

The Catechism goes over the prerequisites to receiving Jesus in the Eucharist, as well as how often the faithful can and should receive him. Fr. Mike ensures that we understand the gravity of our obligation to go to the sacrament of Reconciliation before receiving Communion. As St. Paul said, “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord.” Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 1384-1390. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

How do people actually receive Holy Communion once it has been consecrated? Support us on Patreon for Member access to our special podcast series where we go in depth on books of the Bible. Ongoing season: Hebrews. You will also gain access to the entire archive of Season 1: The Gospel of John and Season 2: The Book of Exodus Apply for Saint Paul's House of Formation Email us Music by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications Word & Table Episode Index

A sermon preached by Rev. Ginger E. Gaines-Cirelli with Foundry UMC, June 28, 2026, fifth Sunday after Pentecost. “We Know Who We Are” series. ​​​ Texts: Romans 6:3-11; Luke 24:28-35​​​​   Humans are storytelling creatures. Our stories help us understand who we are and how life works. They teach us how people have lived and thought and loved and struggled through the ages. They give us a framework for how to be in relationship. Humans are also ritual-making creatures. Just as the stories we tell shape our sense of identity and reality, so too rituals shape our actions and the way we embody our values. Every culture has stories that shape human imagination and understanding. Every culture has rituals that shape human desires and loyalties. While powerful, formative, and often positive, we know stories can be told in ways that distort truth and do harm. And rituals can include habits that are unhealthy or destructive to persons or communities. Consumerism tells a certain story and has its rituals. White Christian Nationalism tells a certain story and has its rituals. Political tribes tell their own stories and have their rituals. Social media…well… All these things and more tell us who we are and what matters most. Christians also tell a story and practice rituals—it's a story of God's grace, mercy, and liberating love. And the rituals? Water. Bread. Cup. A few weeks ago, as we began focusing on the United Methodist way of living the Christian story, we thought together about the means of grace and the practices that shape us. We reflected on how we are all being formed by something. The question is: What is forming us? What stories, rituals, and practices are shaping our imagination, our desires, and our values? The sacraments are among the primary ways God shapes us into the people we are called to be. And because these rituals are so familiar, it is easy to participate in them without ever stopping to ask what they mean. Why do we call themsacraments? What do United Methodists actually believe is happening when we baptize someone or come to the Lord's Table? These are important questions to ask. Because if we are going to know who we are, then we need to understand the practices that have formed Christians for centuries and the theology that stands behind them. Let's begin with the word sacrament itself. United Methodists define a sacrament as “an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace.” In other words, sacraments are the places where the invisible grace of God takes visible form. I could reasonably argue that, with that definition, every act of beauty, love, tenderness, and justice are sacramental acts. But the two liturgical sacraments recognized by our tradition are those Jesus specifically commanded his followers to practice in the stories recorded in scripture: baptism and communion. Here again, our rituals are embedded in our stories and our stories are embedded in our rituals. Stories and rituals belong together. In many cultures, stories are not merely told. They are enacted. Danced. Sung. The story becomes part of the people through repeated actions that connect memory to the body. Christians do something similar. We do not merely tell the story of God's grace.We enact it. We embody it. In baptism, we tell not just one story, but many: the story of dying and rising with Christ, of being washed by grace and mercy, and of being claimed and named as God's beloved and part of the Body of Christ. The beauty of sacrament is that it can hold multiple meanings at once. And we don't simply talk about those things. We pour water. We listen for the sound of the flow. We feel the water on our skin. In communion, we tell the stories of Christ's sacrificial, self-giving love, of God's provision and faithfulness; we reaffirm the story of God's mercy—of forgiveness, reconciliation, and belonging. But we do not simply describe those things. We break bread. We share the cup. The story is embedded in these rituals. The rituals carry the story. And over time, the story carried by the ritual shapes the people who practice it. One United Methodist resource describes the sacraments as God's “show and tell.” I love that image. If you've ever watched a child during show and tell, you know that simply describing something isn't the same as holding it in your hands. God doesn't simply tell us that grace is real. God shows us. Think about it: God showed us by drawing near in flesh, in Jesus of Nazareth. Andthat is just the most extraordinary way God has revealed a willingness to work through physical things. The God who came to us in a body still meets us through tangible signs: Water. Bread. Cup. So let's linger with some of the stories our sacraments tell. First, baptism tells the story of grace that comes before our response. In many churches, baptism is understood primarily as a public declaration of faith—as a person's decision to accept God's love and to follow Christ. There is truth in that. But United Methodists begin somewhere else. We begin with God's action. Before we choose God, God chooses us. Before we respond to grace, grace is already at work in our lives. Before we seek God, God is seeking us. That conviction lies behind one of the practices that often raises questions: infant baptism. Why do we baptize babies who cannot yet profess faith for themselves?Because baptism is first and foremost a story about God's grace, not our achievement. It is a visible reminder that grace comes first. Before a child can speak a word, God has already spoken a word over them: Beloved. Of course, each person must eventually respond to God's grace for themselves. But regardless of age, baptism reminds us that the first move always belongs to God. Baptism also tells the story of belonging—to God and to one another. In baptism, God claims me. And God joins us. When we baptize someone, we are not simply celebrating an individual spiritual experience or handing someone a ticket to heaven. We are welcoming a new member into the Body of Christ. That is why the congregation makes promises. We promise to nurture, encourage, teach, pray, and journey alongside one another. Baptism tells us who we are—beloved children of God. And baptism tells us who we are together—a people, a community, a body, a family bound together by grace and by a shared story. Baptism also tells the stories of forgiveness and liberation. The waters are a sign of God's mercy and cleansing, assuring us that nothing we have done or will do lies beyond God's capacity to forgive, that we are not bound to the worst things in our past or present, but freed for better things in our future. And the waters tell yet another story. Paul tells us in Romans that in baptism we are united with Christ in his death and resurrection. We die to an old way of being.We are raised into new life. Baptism is not simply about where we have been. It is about who we are becoming. It's about claiming the freedom and power God gives us to live a new kind of life. So baptism is the sacrament that initiates us into the Christian life both as persons and community. And Communion is the sacrament that nourishes us along the wayand continually reconnects us to Christ, to one another, and to our neighbors. We call it the Lord's Supper because Christ is the host. We call it Holy Communion because we are united with God and one another. We call it Eucharist (from the Greek word for thanksgiving) because it is an act of thanksgiving. But perhaps the most important thing to understand is that communion is more than remembering a dead prophet. It is being present with a living Christ. Certainly, we remember Jesus at the table. But United Methodists believe something more is happening—that communion is more than merely symbolic. We believe Christ is truly present. We call it a holy mystery precisely because we don't claim to fully understand how. But we trust that Christ meets us here and offers grace through the sacramental meal. Once again, as with Baptism, the sacrament is both personal and communal. At thetable Christ invites, forgives, and nourishes me. At the table Christ forms, nourishes, and sends us. Personally, we come seeking grace, forgiveness, strength, comfort, courage, and renewal. But communion is never merely about “me and Jesus.” Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 10 that because there is one bread, we who are many are one body. At the table we practice belonging to one another. We remember that our lives are bound together. We learn gratitude, humility, reconciliation, and love. The table does not simply feed individuals. It forms a community. This conviction also helps explain why United Methodists practice an open table.You do not have to be a member of this church, or a United Methodist, or to have everything figured out, or even to be baptized. The invitation belongs to Christ our host. And because grace comes before worthiness, Christ's table remains open. I will never forget the moment when a committed atheist who had been attendingthe congregation I served with her fiancé for more than a year, presented herself in line to receive the elements saying, “I have no idea why I am here, but I just felt that I needed to come.” People might encounter Christ for the first time in the midst of the gathered Body of Christ around the Table. Because sometimes people are moved to respond before they have language for what is happening. Sometimes grace reaches us before we understand it. John Wesley strongly encouraged frequent communion because he believed it was one of God's most powerful means of grace. Early American Methodists often received communion only quarterly because circuit-riding preachers and ordained elders were scarce. What began as necessity became habit. The church I grew up in still practiced quarterly communion! But in recent decades we have reclaimed Wesley's conviction that we need all the sacramental grace we can get! And so we return again and again to water, bread, and cup. Simple, ordinary things.Yet through them the story of God's grace is told, embodied, and practiced.Through them God reminds us who we are. Through them God reminds us whose we are. And through them God continues to shape us—both as individuals and as a community—into the likeness of Christ. Because over time, the stories embodied in our rituals become the lives we learn to lead. Thanks be to God. Thanks be to God.

Full Text of Readings Monday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 383 The Saint of the day is Saint Maria Goretti Saint Maria Goretti's Story One of the largest crowds ever assembled for a canonization—250,000—symbolized the reaction of millions touched by the simple story of Maria Goretti. She was the daughter of a poor Italian tenant farmer, had no chance to go to school, never learned to read or write. When Maria made her First Communion not long before her death, she was one of the larger and somewhat backward members of the class. On a hot afternoon in July, Maria Goretti was sitting at the top of the stairs of her house, mending a shirt. She was not quite 12 years old, but physically mature. A cart stopped outside, and a neighbor, 18-year-old Alessandro, ran up the stairs. He seized her and pulled her into a bedroom. She struggled and tried to call for help. “No, God does not wish it,” she cried out. “It is a sin. You would go to hell for it.” Alessandro began striking at her blindly with a long dagger. Maria Goretti was taken to a hospital. Her last hours were marked by the usual simple compassion of the good—concern about where her mother would sleep, forgiveness of her murderer (she had been in fear of him, but did not say anything lest she cause trouble to his family), and her devout welcoming of Viaticum, her last Holy Communion. She died about 24 hours after the attack. A Prayer for Maria Goretti Alessandro was sentenced to 30 years in prison. For a long time he was unrepentant and surly. One night he had a dream or vision of Maria Goretti gathering flowers and offering them to him. His life changed. When he was released after 27 years, his first act was to beg the forgiveness of Maria's mother. Devotion to the young martyr grew, miracles were worked, and in less than half a century she was canonized. At her beatification in 1947, her 82-year-old mother, two sisters, and her brother appeared with Pope Pius XII on the balcony of St. Peter's. Three years later, at Maria's canonization, a 66-year-old Alessandro Serenelli knelt among the quarter-million people and cried tears of joy. Reflection Saint Maria may have had trouble with catechism, but she had no trouble with faith. God's will was holiness, decency, respect for one's body, absolute obedience, total trust. In a complex world, her faith was simple: It is a privilege to be loved by God, and to love him—at any cost.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

God is working a work in our day! As America marks its 250th anniversary, Pastor Hank reveals the prophetic significance of this historic moment and how God is responding to the prayers of His people. This 250th year is a prophetic window—a time when God rewards those who have faithfully paid the price, rewarding them with His glory! He is exposing rebellion, bringing hope and victory, and fulfilling His redemptive plan!

The Vatican declared excommunications. The bishops were consecrated anyway. And more than 16,000 faithful knelt in a thunderstorm and prayed the Rosary.John-Henry Westen reflects on his week in Écône, Switzerland, covering the SSPX consecrations. He witnessed the beauty of the traditional liturgy, the sacrifice and joy of the Society's clergy, and the unwavering faith of pilgrims who traveled from across the world. The storm did not scatter them. It united them. It was, he says, a demonstration of vibrant Catholic life—centered on tradition, reverence, and fidelity to Christ.But the experience raised deeper questions. How can Rome demand obedience from the SSPX while promoting blessings for same-sex couples, redefining the death penalty, and opening Holy Communion to the divorced and remarried? Westen argues that the Church is in a prolonged doctrinal crisis—one that has created a state of emergency justifying extraordinary measures.HELP SUPPORT WORK LIKE THIS: https://give.lifesitenews.com/?utm_source=SOCIAL U.S. residents! Create a will with LifeSiteNews: https://www.mylegacywill.com/lifesitenews ****PROTECT Your Wealth with gold, silver, and precious metals: https://sjp.stjosephpartners.com/lifesitenews +++SHOP ALL YOUR FUN AND FAVORITE LIFESITE MERCH! https://shop.lifesitenews.com/ +++Connect with John-Henry Westen and all of LifeSiteNews on social media:LifeSite: https://linktr.ee/lifesitenewsJohn-Henry Westen: https://linktr.ee/jhwesten Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's prerecorded episode, Johnnette Williams answers your questions sent through text! She addresses topics relating to AI, caring for sick family members, and Holy Communion.

On today's prerecorded episode, Johnnette Williams answers your questions sent through text! She addresses topics relating to AI, caring for sick family members, and Holy Communion.

Patrick opens the hour threading through Catholic marriage, liturgy, and real-life listener concerns: the meaning of ad orientem, the urgency of public comment on restorative reproductive care, and tough choices families make amid faith and relationships. He fields worries about annulments, mixed-faith couples, and how tradition blends with conscience in both public prayer and private moments, wandering into tattoo removal and the subtleties of sacramental validity with direct, candid answers. Fr. Jim (email) - It seems to me that using “ad orientem” as reliable reason for supporting the LTM is weak. (00:59) Patricia (email) - My longtime friend is divorced and she and her fiancé are waiting for his divorce to be finalized before they marry. They do not attend church. They live together. Could you send me some links, websites, information or RR podcasts that discuss annulments. I know she will invite me to their wedding and expects that I will attend. I will pray that they return to the sacraments. (09:04) Elizabeth (email) - Given that my son and his fiancée currently live together with no plans to change that, my question is this; if they do agree to get married in the church (Catholic or Lutheran) would this marriage be considered “valid”? (14:10) Email – There are some Catholic charities that will help with the cost of tattoo removals (22:48) Angela (email) - I did not go to Sunday morning (or evening) Mass last Sunday because I was not feeling well, but later that same evening I ended up walking on our treadmill at home (not the gym) because I felt a little better. Do I need to confess missing Mass before receiving Holy Communion this coming Sunday? (26:57) Lance - What is the difference between praying out loud and praying silently while alone in a room? (30:18) Ann - Spoke a year ago about my daughter dating a Muslim. You gave me the right words, and they dissolved the relationship on their own. Thank you. (36:20) Melissa - The validity of priesthood in the church: What are the biblical evidence, or other sources on the validity of sacraments in other denominations? (43:03)

Patrick explores Eucharistic ministry procedures, relics, and the reality of suffering after loss while encouraging listeners to seek consolation in faith and small acts of kindness. Listeners hear about the value and challenges of aging, reflections on retirement, practical grief resources, and faith questions on biblical events and Catholic practices, all flowing through real calls and heartfelt advice. Email - When an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion has one or two extra consecrated hosts remaining after distribution (whether after Mass in the sacristy or from bringing Communion to a nursing home), must they be returned to the ciborium in the tabernacle, or may the EMHC reverently consume them? (00:38) Daphne - I have a third-class relic touched to the bone of St. Philomena. When I die and if I'm a saint, will that become a 2nd or 3rd class relic? (03:24) Camille (email) - I have a "lazy" retirement, and I donate lots of clothes Alan - I work in a think tank for senior issues. I don't believe in retirement since you can die much younger if you aren't active. (09:26) Audio: Pastor Charles Swindoll drive-through joke - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qn_4yeYFXs (17:31) Jim – We lost our child a year ago and I’m looking for resources for my depression and anger (19:58) Grant - I'm in his same diocese as Jim. The Catholic charities in Winona MN have the counseling that he is looking for. (29:10) Paul (email) – Did the transubstantiation occur at the Last Supper? And if so, how, since he hadn’t yet gone through the Passion and resurrection yet? (31:06) Arthur – Is Pilates okay for physical therapy and exercise? (34:52) Jude - Matthew 2:19-22. Why is Joseph having conflicting dreams? (39:41) Kade (12-years-old) - In the Old Testament, why does God seem sort of stand-offish? (42:51) Cecilia - We also lost a child who was 23. We found a support group 'Compassionate Friends' which was a huge help. Crying is a healing process. (48:28)