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IP#290 Fr. Robert Spitzer S.J. – The Souls Upward Yearning on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor pt 2

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“The Souls Upward Yearning: : Clues to Our Transcendent Nature from Experience and Reason (Happiness, Suffering, and Transcendence)” has become one of my favorite books of all-time! Fr. Robert Spitzer S.J. once again offers an incredible work that “feeds” not only the mind but also the heart. As a matter of fact, the beauty of this book, on the transcendental nature of our souls, is that it begins with the experience of the heart and then moves us to the head (which is an important flip from how we typically travel the beginnings of the spiritual journey).

In part two of our conversation, we discuss, among other things, understanding the role of suffering and the spiritual battle involved in our transcendent understanding.

Now why is this topic so vitally important today? Because the loss of transcendence is negatively affecting our entire society. It has robbed us of our happiness, dignity, ideals, virtues, and a sense of our eternal destiny. We were created for greater things and we must believe in that fundamental truth and we must help others to come to that understanding as well! This is a classic work, in its truest sense, of Christian apologetics! Absolutely not to be missed!

You can find the book here

“Father Spitzer displays a broad range of arguments in favor of the reality and the compelling importance of the transcendent dimension of our existence on the basis of religious literature, our interior awareness of transcendent reality, the cosmic struggle between good and evil, metaphysics, our natural desire to experience perfect goodness, love and beauty, the evidence of near-death experiences, and contemporary science, especially astrophysics.”
—

Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York

Take a listen to our episode we feature the first book in this great series:
Fr. Robert Spitzer S.J. – Finding True Happiness on Inside the Pages

IP#289 Fr. Robert Spitzer S.J. – The Souls Upward Yearning on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor pt 1

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In part one of our conversation, we discuss how contemporary evidence indicates how we are built by God, invited by God, from the very beginning of our creation, to receive God. Fr. Spitzer, in this particular episode, sites the work of Carl Jung (psychiatrist) and Mircea Eliade (historian of religion) along with many other experts in their fields to make the case for the beauty of the transcendent soul.

You can find the book here

Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York

Take a listen to our episode we feature the first book in this great series:
Fr. Robert Spitzer S.J. – Finding True Happiness on Inside the Pages

IP#291 Robert Royal – A Deeper Vision on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor

When I saw the author, Robert Royal, and then the title of the book, “A Deeper Vision: The Catholic Intellectual Tradition in the Twentieth Century” on the front cover, I knew this was going to be a great adventure in reading. I was not disappointed. In fact, this book is incredible! DO NOT be intimidated by the subject matter, on the contrary, embrace it as a cherished gift for the mind and heart!

In this conversation with Robert Royal, we can only touch the tip of this towering mountain. Pope Benedict XVI, St. John Paul II, Hans Urs von Balthasar are just some of the great “thinkers” we discuss. We also talk about the challenges faced in communicating an authentically catholic (universal) balanced truth. What principles dictate the expression? And how can we navigate through hazardous traps of opinion and punditry that is presented to us today by “would-be” theologians and intellectuals who appear to “specialize” in presenting Catholic thought though the use of the internet and other media outlets? If we are not familiar with the basic principles, vocabulary, and virtues of Catholic thought we could be doomed to fall into unfortunate intellectual (and possibly heretical) traps.

This is a tremendous work, so very well done! Thank you to Ignatius Press for once again serving up an incredible spiritual feast! Highly, highly recommended!

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The book can be found here

From the book description:

Royal presents in a single volume a sweeping but readable account of how Catholic thinking developed in philosophy, theology, Scripture studies, culture, literature, and much more in the twentieth century. This involves great figures, recognized as such both inside and outside the Church, such as Jacques Maritain, Bernard Lonergan, Joseph Pieper, Edith Stein, Alasdair MacIntyre, Charles Taylor, Romano Guardini, Karl Rahner, Henri du Lubac, Karol Wojtyla, Joseph Ratzinger, Hans Urs von Balthasar,Charles Peguy, Paul Claudel, George Bernanos, Francois Mauriac, G. K. Chesterton, Gerard Manley Hopkins, Christopher Dawson, Graham Greene, Sigrid Undset, J. R. R. Tolkien, Czeslaw Milosz, and many more.

RN25 – “The Human Person as the Image of God” the Compendium of Social Doctrine Chap 3 Section 3 & 4 – Regnum Novum w/ Omar Gutierrez

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Episode 25- Regnum Novum: Bringing forth the New Evangelization through Catholic Social Teaching with Omar Gutierrez – We begin the study of the “Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church” Chap 3 Section 3 & 4

CHAPTER THREE
THE HUMAN PERSON AND HUMAN RIGHTS

III. THE MANY ASPECTS OF THE HUMAN PERSON
A. The unity of the person
B. Openness to transcendence and uniqueness of the person

a. Open to transcendence
b. Unique and unrepeatable
c. Respect for human dignity

C. The freedom of the human person

a. The value and limits of freedom
b. The bond uniting freedom with truth and the natural law

D. The equal dignity of all people
E. The social nature of human beings

IV. HUMAN RIGHTS
a. The value of human rights
b. The specification of rights
c. Rights and duties
d. Rights of peoples and nations
e. Filling in the gap between the letter and the spirit

We live at a very special time. The confluence of many things has brought forth the clear need to be able to articulate the Social Teaching of the Catholic Church in a way that is accessible and applicable. This is not to be an effort where high-minded theories are to be bandied about. Rather, this is a time of opportunity wherein we can apply the Social Doctrine to the concrete so as to bring about a New Kingdom, a Revolution. – Omar G.

Also visit Omar’s “Discerning Hearts” page Catholic Social Teaching 101

IP#288 The Heart of the Diaconate – Deacon James Keating on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor

“The Heart of the Diaconate” is an another outstanding work by Deacon James Keating, PhD. It focuses on the interior life and how important the disposition of our interiority is to our vocational call. While directed primarily to those in diaconate formation and those who have been ordained as deacons, the fundamental principles addressed in this book could be applied to all living the lay vocation. Don’t miss!

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You can find the book here

From the book description:

Through the three areas of Calling, Formation and Ordination, and Ministry, The Heart of the Diaconate explores the creative tension of the diaconate vocation and what the diaconate for the future will look like. The book outlines what those who are considering the diaconate must possess if it is truly going to be an effective and vibrant ministry within the church. With a focus on availability to both prayer and ministry, the future of the diaconate must be both mystical and youthful and address one important question: Where has the gospel yet to reach in my diocese?

RN22 – “The Nature of the Church’s Social Doctrine” the Compendium of Social Doctrine Chap 2 Section 2 – Regnum Novum w/ Omar Gutierrez

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Episode 22- Regnum Novum: Bringing forth the New Evangelization through Catholic Social Teaching with Omar Gutierrez – We begin the study of the “Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church” Chapter 2 Section 2

CHAPTER TWO
THE CHURCH’S MISSION AND SOCIAL DOCTRINE

II. THE NATURE OF THE CHURCH’S SOCIAL DOCTRINE
a. Knowledge illuminated by faith
b. In friendly dialogue with all branches of knowledge
c. An expression of the Church’s ministry of teaching
d. For a society reconciled in justice and love
e. A message for the sons and daughters of the Church and for humanity
f. Under the sign of continuity and renewal

Also visit Omar’s “Discerning Hearts” page Catholic Social Teaching 101

USCCA22 – Holy Orders Part 2 – U. S. Catholic Catechism for Adults w/ Arch. George Lucas

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Archbishop Lucas offers insights on the US Catholic Catechism for Adults Chapter 20

A bishop is given the grace to teach in the name of Christ; to sanctify the Church through the celebration of the Sacraments; to guide, govern, and defend the Church; and to be a sign of the unity of the Church.

A priest is given the grace to proclaim the Gospel and preach, to celebrate the Sacraments (except Holy Orders), and to shepherd the people entrusted to him.

A deacon in the Latin Church is ordained to proclaim the Gospel and preach, to baptize, to assist the bishop or priest in the celebration of the Eucharist, to assist at and bless marriages, to preside at funerals, and to serve the community through works of charity.

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)

The Most Reverend George J. Lucas leads the Archdiocese of Omaha.

For other episodes in the visit our Archbishop George Lucas page

This programs is based on:

More information can be found here.

We wish to thank the USCCB for the permissions granted for use of relevant material used in this series.
Also we wish to thank Matt Willkomb for his vocal talents in this episode.

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USCCA21 – Holy Orders Part 1 – U. S. Catholic Catechism for Adults w/ Arch. George Lucas

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Archbishop Lucas offers insights on the US Catholic Catechism for Adults Chapter 20

The Church adopted the term order from its use in the Roman Empire, where it referred to a governing group. In the Sacrament of Holy Orders, there are three degrees or “orders”: bishop, priest, and deacon. The rite of ordination is the sacramental act that makes this possible. Ordination “confers a gift of the Holy Spirit that permits the exercise of a ‘sacred power’ …which can come only from Christ himself through the Church” (CCC, no. 1538).

The Most Reverend George J. Lucas leads the Archdiocese of Omaha.

For other episodes in the visit our Archbishop George Lucas page

This programs is based on:

More information can be found here.

We wish to thank the USCCB for the permissions granted for use of relevant material used in this series.
Also we wish to thank Matt Willkomb for his vocal talents in this episode.

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CW4 Our Lady of the Rosary – Praying with the Blessed Virgin Mary – The Great Cloud of Witnesses: Guides for Prayer w/ Fr. Mark Cyza

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Fr. Mark Cyza discusses praying with Our Lady of the Holy Rosary. He speaks of the history of the devotion., as well as, the importance of spending time in contemplation of the saving mysteries of our salvation. Fr. Cyza explains why should welcome the opportunity to pray with Blessed Virgin Mary and how she walks with us in her great garden of prayer.

Resources: Visit the Discerning Hearts Holy Rosary Page here

MIL#6 – “Signs of Love and Fidelity” – Marriage in the Lord w/ Deacon James Keating, Ph.D.

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Catholic Spiritual Formation - Catholic Spiritual Direction

Episode 6 -Marriage in the Lord with Deacon James Keating –

In this episode, Deacon Keating continues to reflect on the Sacrament of Marriage and the liturgy of the Church in which it is celebrated. The blessings of rings as signs of love and fidelity. The importance of having the mass celebrated in the celebration of marriage is also discussed.

Deacon James Keating, PhD, explores the theological and spiritual meaning of the Sacrament of Marriage. Using the Catechism of the Catholic Church as a touchstone, Deacon Keating challenges listeners to go to the depths of what it means to be married in the Lord.

Deacon James Keating, PhD, the director of Theological Formation for the Institute for Priestly Formation, located at Creighton University, in Omaha, is making available to ”Discerning Hearts” and all who listen, his series of programs entitled “Marriage in the Lord”

For other episodes in this series visit here IPF logo small WOM#1 Deacon James Keating – Way of Mystery episode 1 from Resting On the Heart of Christ