Tuesday, March 26, 2013

"The Church on Homosexuality"



If you don't know what the Catholic Church REALLY teaches on homosexuality, FrJohn Hollowell sums it up in warp speed.

Mother Mary, pray for us.



Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Papal Infallibility by Fr. Barron



My personal favorite is this beautiful, eloquent, yet easy to understand explanation of Papal Infallibility by Fr. Barron.


Papal Infallibility by Dr. Scott Hahn



Biblical scholar Dr. Scott Hahn, a once anti-Catholic protestant theologian and minister - now Catholic, explains Papal Infallibility to a protestant caller.  Done in a way many biblical protestants will understand.


"Why do I have to listen to the Pope?"



This short video is a bit juvenile, but it's easy to understand and a good one to share with our youth.


"Why do we have a Pope?"



The papacy, simply explained by Fr. Agustino.



Sunday, March 10, 2013

Examination of Conscience

I love lists that help us examine our conscience, especially in preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  I personally find it very helpful.  The first time I saw a list like that, I was surprised to learn of things I never really thought were sins before.  A good examination of conscience helps me to be a better Christian.

Two of our sons will be participating in the Sacrament of Reconciliation tomorrow at school.  I wanted them to have some time tonight to reflect on their conscience and on God, but at their ages, I knew they'd need some help.  I found this examination of conscience for kids online, and thought I'd share it here.  In these easy to follow and easy to understand questions, I find it's a good source for anyone of any age.  It's from Catholic Parents Online website and written by Fr. Edward Filardi.  You can find it at this link:  http://catholicparents.org/oxcart/examinationchild.html .

God bless, and may we all receive His mercy.


An Examination of Conscience for Children
by Fr. Edward Filardi, Gaithersburg, Maryland


I. I am the Lord your God. You shall not have strange gods before me.
Do I give time every day to God in prayer?
Do I put my trust in superstitions, good luck charms, rather than God alone?
Have I rejected any Church teaching or denied that I was a Catholic?


 II. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
Have I used the words "God" or "Jesus" in anger or irreverently?
Have I used foul or ugly language? Have I wished evil on another?


 III. Remember to keep holy the Lord's day.
Have I missed Mass on Sunday or any holy day of obligation?
Do I arrive at church late or leave early?
Do I try to be reverent and pay attention during Mass?
Do I avoid unnecessary work on Sunday?
Do I make Sunday a day of prayer or rest?


 IV. Honor your father and your mother.
Do I respect and obey my parents?
Have I dishonored or mistreated them by word or deed?
Am I willing to help around the house or must I be nagged a hundred times?
Do I try to get along with my brothers and sisters?
Am I a tattletale or bully?
Do I give a good example, especially to younger siblings?
Do I respect others in authority: priests, nuns, police, old people, baby-sitters?


 V. You shall not kill.
Do I beat up others or hurt their bodies?
Do I say cruel things, or make fun of others to hurt their feelings?
Do I say mean things about others behind their backs?
Have I stopped speaking to anyone?
Do I encourage others to do bad things?
Do I try to love all people, born and unborn?


 VI. You shall not commit adultery.
Do I treat my body and other people's bodies with purity and respect?
Do I look at television shows, movies, or pictures that are bad?
Am I modest in my speech and the clothes I wear?


 VII. You shall not steal.
Have I taken things that were not mine from a store or another person?
Have I destroyed or misused another person's property for fun?
Do I return things that I borrow? In good condition?


 VIII. You shall not commit false witness against your neighbor.
Am I honest in my school work?
Do I tell lies to make myself look good?
Do I tell lies to protect myself from punishment?
Do I tell lies that make another person look bad or get them in trouble?


 IX. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife.
Do I allow my parents to spend time with one another, or do I get jealous and want them to pay attention only to me?
Do I get mad when I have to share my friends?
Are there kids I will not play with or be mean to because they look different?


 X. You shall not covet your neighbor's goods.
Am I jealous or envious of the things or abilities that others have?
Am I thankful to God and my parents for what they have given me?
Do I share the things I have with my family, friends and poor people?



 The Act of Contrition
Oh my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you and I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend you, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of your grace to sin no more, to amend my life, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Amen.