Part One: The Crisis Grows Closer This is a very dangerous age we live in. The danger is existential, because the forces at work today ultimately threaten the temporal lives of us all, so boldly and arrogantly do they deny and insult God, … [Read more...]
About R. Thomas Richard, PhD
R. Thomas Richard, PhD, together with his wife, currently offers parish presentations and adult formation opportunities. He has served as religious formation director for parishes, director of lay ministry and deacon formation at the diocesan level, and retreat director. A former teacher, engineer, Protestant minister, and missionary, he has earned graduate degrees in Catholic theology and ministry, Protestant ministry, and physics. He is the author of several books in Catholic spirituality, which are described on his website, www.renewthechurch.com.
Dangerous, Creeping Globalism in the World and in the Church
November 13, 2020 by R. Thomas Richard, PhD
Clericalism
Betrayal of the Body of Christ
March 28, 2019 by R. Thomas Richard, PhD
Why Is Clericalism so Bad? The most lethal consequence of clericalism, I believe, is the deadening it inflicts upon the Body of Christ, His Church ordered and intended for maturity — for holy, fervent, fruitful and glorious life! The c … [Read more...]
Natural and Supernatural Faith
November 14, 2018 by R. Thomas Richard, PhD
Introduction Well-formed Catholics know that we are infused at baptism with sanctifying grace and with the theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity. Some know that these virtues reside in potency, and not automatically in actuality. … [Read more...]
Conversion, Consecration, Communion
Movements into Salvation
January 23, 2018 by R. Thomas Richard, PhD
The Sequence in Salvation History This sequence—Conversion, Consecration, Communion—can describe three steps in several important processes, in the Catholic Faith. Historically, it can describe periods in the salvation history of humanity. … [Read more...]
Disciple-Making with Mercenary Love
“Gold, Silver, Precious Stones"? Or “Wood, Hay, or Straw"?
September 9, 2017 by R. Thomas Richard, PhD
What is needed in these times to ignite a “new evangelization” that will return zeal and vigor to our Catholic parishes and dioceses? We certainly are in need of personal and ecclesial renewal that is faithful to our Lord, and to His call to … [Read more...]
“Do You Love Me more than … These?”
April 8, 2017 by R. Thomas Richard, PhD
Introduction The catch of exactly 153 fish in the closing chapter 21 of John’s Gospel has been an exegetical challenge for a very long time. “So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fift … [Read more...]
The Church Needs the Holy Spirit!
September 13, 2016 by R. Thomas Richard, PhD
It is notable—important—that the preaching of John the Baptist, in his crucial preparation of the coming of the Messiah, and the preaching of Christ Jesus Himself, both began with the message, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” … [Read more...]
The Our Father: Ladder to the Heavens
December 28, 2015 by R. Thomas Richard, PhD
In my article previously published in HPR, “Overlooked and Underprayed: the Our Father,”[1. hprweb.com/2015/11/overlooked-and-under-prayed-the-our-father/] I tried to point out several unique and important characteristics of the prayer, the … [Read more...]
Overlooked and Under-Prayed: The Our Father
November 29, 2015 by R. Thomas Richard, PhD
The Our Father is simple, easy to memorize and recite, and is thus, easily and often, very poorly prayed. I would say it is abused, is misused, and even is, shamefully, to the point of dishonoring the Lord, who personally gave this prayer … [Read more...]
A Holy Priesthood for a Holy People
December 27, 2014 by R. Thomas Richard, PhD
A groaning in the heart, of one seeking and waiting for God, is appropriate for Advent. A thirsting in the heart for his living water, in this world of dryness, is proper. In this waiting for the holy season of The Incarnation, however, a … [Read more...]
Lest They Receive It in Vain
September 25, 2014 by R. Thomas Richard, PhD
Right lay preparation and interior disposition is necessary to effectively and fruitfully receive the grace of the sacraments, including and especially, the Blessed Sacrament, the Eucharist. The Vatican II Constitution on Sacred … [Read more...]
Finding Jesus in the Catholic Church
March 21, 2014 by R. Thomas Richard, PhD
Our mission (as Church) is to bring about that meeting that can change lives, that can make disciples. Then, as a loving mother Church, we are to nurture and guide those disciples into fruitful holiness in Christ. Christ Healing the B … [Read more...]
Catholics: Some of our Members Are Wandering Away!
February 3, 2014 by R. Thomas Richard, PhD
Catholic adults deserve the formation worthy of disciples—indeed, the defining mission of the Church is to preach the Gospel, and make disciples of all nations. The Catholic Church is not doing well in holding her own. Of those Church m … [Read more...]
What Happens to a Church When the Members Won’t Grow Up?
September 24, 2013 by R. Thomas Richard, PhD
The problem for the Church is ... the spiritual immaturity of men and of women in the Church, and the lack of guidance they are receiving on how to grow up to spiritual maturity as Catholic Christians. What happens to … [Read more...]
Prior to Adult Faith Formation, One Thing Is Necessary
December 5, 2012 by R. Thomas Richard, PhD
I stress a simple but essential prerequisite (for adult formation) ... without which all the formal education in the faith will remain merely on the surface of the person. In a recent article in HPR, I stressed the need in the Church for … [Read more...]
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