Rejoice Always 4th Sunday of Lent, Laetare Sunday–March 6, 2016 Purpose: It is always good to recommit ourselves during Lent; we are half way now and some people are already worn out with their prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Others h … [Read more...]
Archives for February 2016
Contraception as a Lesser Evil
From Modern Moral Problems
February 29, 2016 by Msgr. William B. Smith
The following are excerpts from a new book which is a compilation of the writings of Msgr. William B. Smith who was a regular contributor to Homiletic and Pastoral Review, from October 1992 to July 2005, for the magazine's "Questions … [Read more...]
Reverence for Truth in Ecumenical Prayer
February 29, 2016 by Dr. Peter Kahn
Introduction The ecumenical movement faces an ongoing lull. Hopes for a speedy restoration of full unity amongst Christians following the Second Vatican Council have simply not been fulfilled. There are only a couple of occasions in the … [Read more...]
The Eucharistic Theology of Karl Rahner: A Critical Survey
February 29, 2016 by Book Reviews
Karl Rahner is representative of a body of theologians who during the middle of the twentieth century wanted to rearticulate Catholic sacramental theology so as to make it more palatable to the modern world. Like other theologians, Rahner … [Read more...]
The Heavens Declare the Glory of God
February 29, 2016 by Dr. Thomas McLaughlin, PhD
Chapter 11 of Steven Weinberg’s Dreams of a Final Theory is titled “What about God?” It begins, rather wonderfully, by quoting Psalm 19 and commenting as follows: “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwo … [Read more...]
Catholic vs. Secular Classical Education: What’s the Difference?
February 29, 2016 by E. Tyler Graham
Introduction The rise in classical education in America is not insignificant. It cuts across public and private school divisions; secular and religious commitments; Protestant, Orthodox, and Catholic denominations; and even school … [Read more...]
God’s Loving Providence
February 29, 2016 by Brent Withers
We do not always see the loving providence that God has for each one of us. He has an infinite care and concern for each soul that he has created. In our own lives, God tries, in numerous ways, to wake us up from our slumber, especially if … [Read more...]
On Whose Authority…
February 12, 2016 by Gary Knight
Jesus has a peculiar, almost provocative way of opening up the deeper recesses of prejudices for inspection. In the New Testament, this is often by way of a rabbinical question. "You ask by what authority I make these proclamations: I will … [Read more...]
Love Is a Liturgical Act
February 12, 2016 by Francis Etheredge
“Christian marriage ... is in itself a liturgical action glorifying God in Jesus Christ and in the Church” (Familiaris Consortio, 56) (Man, Male and Female, is a "religious being" (CCC, 28[1. Catechism of the Catholic Church, hereafter CCC … [Read more...]
Parents as Primary Educators
February 12, 2016 by Dr. William Newton
Hardly a month goes by now without an email arriving in my inbox asking me to sign an online petition against some proposal in the EU or UK concerning sex education in schools. Perhaps, it is a matter of protesting a resolution calling for … [Read more...]
Wives, Be Subordinate to Your Husbands?
John Paul II on Ephesians 5:21-33
February 12, 2016 by Dr. Katie Froula
Ephesians 5:21-33 isn’t a popular reading at weddings these days, and at first glance, it seems that it isn’t hard to see why. Aren’t St. Paul’s repeated exhortations for wives to be submissive to their husbands rather sexist and outdated? H … [Read more...]
Anemic Parishes and Parish Life
February 12, 2016 by Mrs. Frances J. Ford
We all know the Catholic Church can never die, because her Head, Jesus Christ, is alive and can never die. However, the Church can certainly be anemic and deathly ill—which she, no doubt, is in America. I will examine some of the reasons f … [Read more...]
Questions Answered
February 12, 2016 by Fr. Brian Mullady, OP
Question: Can you define the sensus fidelium, and explain why it can’t be used to dissent from Catholic teaching? Answer: The term sensus fidelium (understanding of the faithful) has led to a great many difficulties in the Catholic C … [Read more...]
Winter Reading for February 2016
February 12, 2016 by Book Reviews
The Ancient Path: Old Lessons from the Church Fathers for a New Life Today. John Michael Talbot with Mike Aquilina. (New York: Image, 2015) 203 pages; $22.00. (Reviewed by Ken Colston) Richard John Neuhaus (A Life in the Public Square). … [Read more...]
Homilies for February 2016
February 1, 2016 by Fr. Daniel Richards
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time—February 7, 2016 The Apostles: Guided by the Holy Spirit Purpose: In order to hear God’s call and respond, we cannot depend on human insight alone, but must allow ourselves to be guided by the Holy Spirit … [Read more...]
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