Ordinary Old Catholic Me

The Plain Truth?

We are divided in this country, in this world, on pretty much every subject. In a recent episode I questioned the support of Catholic Clerical leaders, even implicitly, of a politician who not only advocates but is manifestly, actively seeking to make or keep abortion as the law of the land. I am certainly not alone in this concern. Far more theologically competent prelates than I have tried to raise the alarm. But they are considered somehow, radical. How can that be given the plain statements by the Church, still purportedly on "paper"? And how can it be that half of the Catholics in this country would also believe that anyone who questions such a politician, in this case the Democrat candidate, is cruel and inhuman? And yet, so it is. Our family. Our good friends. 
But if the proportional argument takes sway here, that a Joe Biden's other platforms are so good that they outweigh his active pursuit of abortion on demand, then Catholic teaching seems to have no authority in any other arena. All things can be given the proportionality treatment. 
And the plain truth bites the dust. 
 
 

McIntyre House: The Small But Mighty Residential Drug and Alcohol Rehab that Needs Your Help

Part Two of our talk with Brian Hardin, Executive Director of McIntyre House, a Residential Drig and Alcohol Rehabilitation home for men. Keeping a small place like this going is always an effort of love, but especially in these days of Covid 19, when fundraising is even less easy than the norm. Some of its alumni had a great idea. The Twelve Days of McIntyre House, a holiday celebration. Brian and I talk about it. And how you can help. McIntyreHouse.org. 

McIntyre House: A Small but Mighty Residential Alcohol and Drug Program I

There is a lot of need out there for men afflicted by drug and alcohol addiction. There are some big organizations that tackle the problem, but there are also the small ones, like McIntyre House, co-founded in 1997 by a Catholic Priest, Monsignor Jeremiah Murphy, and his friend, Harley Noel, that have saved lives. The small places don't get a lot of publicity. But they are indispensable to the society, and are created out of the Catholic sense of loving our neighbors and helping those in need. Join me in this first part of a two part episode on McIntyre House, in Los Angeles, with its Executive Director, Brian Hardin.  

Should I Stay Or Should I Leave. . .Redux

The world presses on me, on us, from every side, and even the Church leaders seem to be in step with the secular more than with what we have understood to be the Faith. It was bad a few months ago, as the lockdown began, but it seems that with every passing month, it has become more a challenge to remain a Catholic. I need to vent. How 'bout you? But the bottom line is always the same, Jesus Christ is the Church, and how can I leave Him?

Lord Let Resistance Not Be Futile

These are tough times. Others in our society are not unlike aliens who try to coopt our hearts and souls. We try to resist the false but we are only human and what is true and what is false becomes unclear to us. But we must persevere. We will not be assimilated by the purveyors of falsity. We pray for God's deliverance. 

Directed--to the Rosary Advocated by Venerable Father Patrick Peyton

A late priest I knew, Fr. Parnassus, often preached that there were no accidents with God. I have found that to be true. So, during this pandemic, this small podcast was born, and I discovered the Rosary and Fr. Peyton who promoted it back in the day. He is, from heaven I think, still promoting it. And I am doing my small part to help. In this world today, it is ever more important a life line to spiritual life. 

The Faces of Fear

Does fear get in our way of loving God and doing His Will? For you, what is Fear of God? And how do we distinguish it from the more human, dark kinds of fear? And what can we do about it?

Blessed Carlo and Friendship with Our Lord

The beatification of young Carlo Acutis got me thinking about sainthood and its relationship to you and me. What does a 15 year old boy who died of leukemia have to teach us? A lot, I am thinking. 
 
Photo from Angelus.com

Lord, Give Me Peace

This episode was suggested by a friend. As with all the others, it is a large subject and how to acquire peace in this life or the next is one of controversy. But here is how I put together in this ever so short and imperfect effort, my thoughts as an Ordinary, very much struggling, Catholic. 

What the Hell?

I read a book, "Dare We Hope" not long ago, and it raised lots of issues regarding hell. The premise, has since the beginning of Catholicism to date, led to a lot of debate. It is whether we can hope that no one is in that place, state, or whatever we conclude it is called "Hell". Dare We Hope opens the possibility that the separation may not be permanent despite our poor exercise of free will.  Is that a good thing? I throw it out for us to consider.