WM5 – Baptism: Why the Parish and the Saints Matter – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast

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Episode 5 “Baptism: Why the Parish and the Saints Matter” – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas

In this episode, we continue our conversation on why baptism matters. We will discuss, among other things, the importance of the parish community and the need to support parents in witness and catechesis. As we enter more deeply into the baptismal rite, we talk about the support of the saints through their presence and intercession.

From the Sharing the Light of Faith

117. CATECHESIS FOR BAPTISM:

Catechesis for Baptism is directed primarily to adults — adult candidates for Baptism and the parents and godparents of infants who are to be baptized.

Baptismal catechesis involves the community of the faithful, who share their faith with those being catechized. Adult catechumens and the parents of children to be baptized alike need the community’s prayers, witness, and support. Pre- and post-baptismal catechesis may take many forms, such as prayer, fasting, service, and instruction.

Baptismal catechesis centers on the Father’s love, the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus the Son, the cleansing of orignal and person sin and the gift of the Spirit to the Church. It includes proclaiming God’s word, so that those called may respond in faith.

Preparation for the Baptism of infants is a “teachable” moment, when the parish community can encourage parents to rexamine the meaning which faith has in their lives. In offering catechesis to parents and sponsors, the Church shows its love for and eagerness to support them as well as their children.

For more episodes in this series visit the
Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast page

For more teachings and information about Archbishop George J. Lucas of the Archdiocese of Omaha, visit: archomaha.org

BK3 Chap 16-19 – The Ascent of Mt. Carmel by St. John of the Cross – Mp3 audio & Text Podcast

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Saintly Masters of Prayer - writings, teachings, biographies 3

BK3 Chap 16 -19 – “The Ascent of Mt. Carmel” by St. John of the Cross

translated by David Lewis
read by Ed Humpal

For the complete pdf text of the “The Ascent of Mt. Carmel” by St. John of the Cross

For other audio chapters of “The Ascent of Mt. Carmel” visit here

Book 3

Which treats of the purgation of the active night of the memory and will. Gives instruction how the soul is to behave with respect to the apprehensions of these two faculties, that it may come to union with God, according to the two faculties aforementioned, in perfect hope and charity.

Chapter 16

Of the first affection of the will. What joy is. Its diverse sources.

Chapter 17

Of joy in temporal goods. How it is to be directed.

Chapter 18

Of the evils resulting from joy in temporal goods.

Chapter 19

The benefits resulting from withdrawing our joy from temporal things.

ROHC-DM-Special “Trust in His Mercy” with Deacon James Keating Ph.D.

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“Trust in His Mercy” is a reflection offered by Deacon Keating at the celebration of Divine Mercy held at Christ the King Church, located in Omaha, Nebraska.

Deacon James Keating, PhD, the director of Theological Formation for the Institute for Priestly Formation, located at Creighton University, in Omaha.

Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page

ROF#7 – The Clergy – Love’s Earthly Form – Roots of the Faith with Mike Aquilina

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Mike Aquilina - Fathers of the Church and so much more... 5

Episode 7 – The Clergy: Love’s Earthly Form

Roots of the Faith – From the Church Fathers to You with Mike Aquilina, makes clear that just as an acorn grows into a tree and yet remains the same plant, so the Catholic Church is a living organism that has grown from the faith of the earliest Christians into the body of Christ we know today.

Pick up a copy of Mke’s book. You’ll find so much more and invaluable references and resources, as well

Also, visit Mike’s “Discerning Hearts” page for more audio downloads and information!

BK3 Chap 13 – 15 – The Ascent of Mt. Carmel by St. John of the Cross – Mp3 audio & Text Podcast

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BK3 Chap 13 – 15 – “The Ascent of Mt. Carmel” by St. John of the Cross

translated by David Lewis
read by Ed Humpal

For the complete pdf text of the “The Ascent of Mt. Carmel” by St. John of the Cross

For other audio chapters of “The Ascent of Mt. Carmel” visit here

Book 3

Chapter 15

Of the dark night of the will. Proofs from Deuteronomy and the Psalms. Division of the affections of the will.

Chapter 16

Of the first affection of the will. What joy is. Its diverse sources.

Chapter 17

Ofjoy in temporal goods. How it is to be directed.

IP#325 Mike Pacer – Mercy and Hope on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor Podcast

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I really enjoyed the conversation with Mike Pacer about his book “Mercy and Hope”. His writing style is enjoyable to read and his love for the subject is the best type of witness. God’s love provides a fire that is so precious to the soul and Mike helps us to realize how his extraordinary mercy and gift of hope feeds that flame in our souls in unseen and incredible ways. This is an important contribution to the universal understanding of God’s great care for his beloved children.

You can find the book here

“Mike’s book is not a theological treatise; his writing, like his personality, is real and down-to-earth. To me, the most wonderful and powerful thing Mike has done in this book is to show us the interconnectedness of mercy and hope.”
–Vinny Flynn, author of 7 Secrets of Divine Mercy

“In this book, Mike Pacer offers a loving, heartfelt account of the hope he’s found in Divine Mercy. Through his personal reflections on Scripture, St. Faustina’s writings, and the theological virtues, he offers fresh insights into the hope-filled mystery of God’s merciful love.”
–Fr. Michael E. Gaitley, MIC, author of 33 Days to Morning Glory

BK3 Chap 7 – 12 – The Ascent of Mt. Carmel by St. John of the Cross – Mp3 audio & Text Podcast

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BK3 Chap 7 – 12 – “The Ascent of Mt. Carmel” by St. John of the Cross

translated by David Lewis
read by Ed Humpal

For the complete pdf text of the “The Ascent of Mt. Carmel” by St. John of the Cross

For other audio chapters of “The Ascent of Mt. Carmel” visit here

Book 3

Chapter 7

The evils inflicted on the soul by the knowledge of supernatural things if reflected upon. Their number

Chapter 8

Of the second evil: the danger of self-conceit and presumption

Chapter 9

Of the third evil: the work of the devil through the imaginary apprehensions of the memory

Chapter 10

Of the fourth evil of the distinct supernatural apprehensions of the memory: the impediment to union

Chapter 11

Of the fifth evil, resulting from the imaginary supernatural apprehensions: low and unseemly views of God

Chapter 12

The benefits of withdrawing the soul from the apprehensions of the imagination. Answer to an objection. The difference between the natural and supernatural imaginary apprehensions.

BK3 Chap 2 – 6 – The Ascent of Mt. Carmel by St. John of the Cross – Mp3 audio & Text Podcast

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BK3 Chap 2 – 6 – “The Ascent of Mt. Carmel” by St. John of the Cross

translated by David Lewis
read by Ed Humpal

For the complete pdf text of the “The Ascent of Mt. Carmel” by St. John of the Cross

For other audio chapters of “The Ascent of Mt. Carmel” visit here

Book 3

Chapter 2

Three kinds of evils to which the soul is liable when not in darkness; with respect to the knowledge and reflections of the memory. Explanation of the first

Chapter 3

Of the second evil, coming from the evil spirit through the natural apprehensions of the memory

Chapter 4

Of the third evil, proceeding from the distinct natural knowledge of the memory

Chapter 5

The profitableness of forgetfulness and emptiness, with regard to all thoughts and knowledge, which naturally occur to the memory

Chapter 6

Of the second kind of apprehensions: the imaginary and supernatural

WM4 – Infant Baptism: Welcoming our Children – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast

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Episode 4 “Infant Baptism: Welcoming our Children” – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas

In this episode we continue our conversation on why baptism matters. We will discuss, among other things, the reason for infant baptisms in the life of the Church, the vital role the parents have in nurturing baptismal grace in the hearts of their children and how godparents, grandparents and the entire parish community contribute to the life of faith of the newly baptized child.

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church

Christian Initiation

1229 From the time of the apostles, becoming a Christian has been accomplished by a journey and initiation in several stages. This journey can be covered rapidly or slowly, but certain essential elements will always have to be present: proclamation of the Word, acceptance of the Gospel entailing conversion, profession of faith, Baptism itself, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and admission to Eucharistic communion.

1231 Where infant Baptism has become the form in which this sacrament is usually celebrated, it has become a single act encapsulating the preparatory stages of Christian initiation in a very abridged way. By its very nature infant Baptism requires a post-baptismal catechumenate. Not only is there a need for instruction after Baptism, but also for the necessary flowering of baptismal grace in personal growth.

For more episodes in this series visit the
Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast page

For more teachings and information about Archbishop George J. Lucas of the Archdiocese of Omaha, visit: archomaha.org

CW7 St. Faustina and Divine Mercy – The Great Cloud of Witnesses: Guides for Prayer with Fr. Mark Cyza

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Fr. Mark Cyza discusses the spiritual life of St. Faustina and the devotion to the Divine Mercy. He will help us to not only incorporate the Divine Mercy into our prayer, but also to every other aspect of our lives.

From The Divine Mercy website

The Humble Instrument

Sister Faustina was a young, uneducated nun in a convent of the Congregation of Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Poland during the 1930s. She came from a poor family that struggled during the years of World War I. She had only three years of simple education, so hers were the humblest tasks in the convent, usually in the kitchen or garden. However, she received extraordinary revelations — or messages — from our Lord Jesus. Jesus asked Sr. Faustina to record these experiences, which she compiled into notebooks. These notebooks are known today as the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, and the words contained within are God’s loving message of Divine Mercy.

Though the Divine Mercy message is not new to the teachings of the Church, Sr. Faustina’s Diary sparked a great movement, and a strong and significant focus on the mercy of Christ. Saint John Paul II canonized Sr. Faustina in 2000 making her the “first saint of the new millennium.” Speaking of Sr. Faustina and the importance of the message contained in her Diary, the Pope call her “the great apostle of Divine Mercy in our time.”

Today, we continue to rely of St. Faustina as a constant reminder of the message to trust in Jesus’ endless mercy, and to live life mercifully toward others. We also turn to her in prayer and request her intercession to our merciful Savior on our behalf. At the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, we include the following in our 3 o’clock prayers:

Saint Faustina,
you told us that your mission would continue after your death and that you would not forget us. Our Lord also granted you a great privilege, telling you to “distribute graces as you will, to who you will, and when you will.” Relying on this, we ask your intercession for the graces we need, especially for the intentions just mentioned. Help us, above all, to trust in Jesus as you did and thus to glorify His mercy every moment of our lives. Amen

You can find the Diary of St. Faustina here

I wish solemnly to entrust the world to Divine Mercy. I do so with the burning desire that the message of God’s merciful love, proclaimed here through St. Faustina, may be made known to all the peoples of the earth and fill their hearts with hope.— –Pope John Paul II, Consecration homily at the International Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Laqiewniki, Poland.

Episode 5 “Baptism: Why the Parish and the Saints Matter” – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas

117. CATECHESIS FOR BAPTISM:

For more episodes in this series visit the Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast page

For more teachings and information about Archbishop George J. Lucas of the Archdiocese of Omaha, visit: archomaha.org

BK3 Chap 16 -19 – “The Ascent of Mt. Carmel” by St. John of the Cross

translated by David Lewis read by Ed Humpal

Episode 7 – The Clergy: Love’s Earthly Form

BK3 Chap 13 – 15 – “The Ascent of Mt. Carmel” by St. John of the Cross

translated by David Lewis read by Ed Humpal

BK3 Chap 7 – 12 – “The Ascent of Mt. Carmel” by St. John of the Cross

translated by David Lewis read by Ed Humpal

BK3 Chap 2 – 6 – “The Ascent of Mt. Carmel” by St. John of the Cross

translated by David Lewis read by Ed Humpal

Episode 4 “Infant Baptism: Welcoming our Children” – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas

For more episodes in this series visit the Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast page

For more teachings and information about Archbishop George J. Lucas of the Archdiocese of Omaha, visit: archomaha.org

The Humble Instrument

For more episodes in this series visit the
Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast page

translated by David Lewis
read by Ed Humpal

translated by David Lewis
read by Ed Humpal

translated by David Lewis
read by Ed Humpal

translated by David Lewis
read by Ed Humpal

For more episodes in this series visit the
Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast page