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New Catechetical Materials
2008-01-06 03:22:00
I added a new section to the sidebar. It's called, "Catechetical Materials ." I've been wanting to do this for a long time. Catechetics (the study of how to teach the faith) and catechesis (the teaching itself) have become increasingly important to me as I approach my Certification in Catechetics (along with an M.A. in Theology) from FUS. I want this blog to be just as catechetical as it is apologetic. So, this new section is a long time coming.The first part of the section is composed of links to catechetical materials that I have written myself as I've completed class assignments and taught RCIA. Note that I didn't write any of this with the intent to publish it, so some of it may be a little rough around the edges --particularly my "presentation outlines," which I just put together for myself to keep my thoughts in order. Also, I realize now that my "curriculum units" are impractical. I was nervous about getting all the doctrine in, so I think I've included way more than anyo...
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Daily with De Sales: 1/5/08
2008-01-06 02:29:00
When Holy Scripture mentions a good, mild, innocent person totally dedicated to God, it says: "This was the son or daughter of the year." Well, if in the past we have not corresponded to the love of this sweet Savior with an inseparable union of our affections with the Divine Will, from now on we should determine to act in such a way that at the end of this new year we will also be called "children of the year."-- Letters 1589; O. XIX, p. 97
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Daily with De Sales: 1/4/08
2008-01-04 07:48:00
The bee has not other remedy for its sickness but expose itself to the rays of the sun, expecting heat and healing from its splendor. Let us all place ourselves before the Crucified and say to Him: O splendid Sun of our hearts, You will revive us with the rays of Your goodness. Here we are almost dead before You; we will not move from here until Your heat brings us back to life.-- Letters 904; O. XVI, p. 50
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For the Optional Memorial of the Most Holy Name of Jesus
2008-01-03 20:34:00
"Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."-- Phil 2:9-11The month of January is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus. The New Advent Encyclopedia tells us: The Name of Jesus invoked with confidence brings help in bodily needs, according to the promise of Christ: "In my name They shall take up serpents; and if they shall drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them: they shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they shall recover". (Mark 16:17-18) In the Name of Jesus the Apostles gave strength to the lame (Acts 3:6; 9:34) and life to the dead (Acts 9:40).It gives consolation in spiritual trials. The Name of Jesus reminds the sinner of the prodigal son's father and of the Good Samaritan; it recalls to the just the suffering and death of the in...
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First Pics of Madelyn Rose
2008-01-03 20:15:00
I just have two right now: Click on each one for a larger view. Isn't she pretty! She looks just like her daddy :D For more about Madelyn, go here. More pics to come later....Pax Christi,phatcatholic
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Daily with De Sales: 1/3/07
2008-01-03 19:29:00
Genuine, living devotion presupposes love of God; it is simply true love of God. Yet it is not always love as such. Inasmuch as divine love adorns the soul, it is called grace, which makes us pleasing to the Divine Majesty. Inasmuch as it strengthens us to do good, it is called charity. When it has reached a degree of perfection at which it makes us not only do good but also do this good carefully, frequently and promptly, it is called devotion.-- INT. Part I, Ch. 1; O. III, pp. 14-15
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It Is Finished!!!
2008-01-03 04:29:00
A substantial contribution has just been made to the Catholic Scripture study resources that are available on the internet. The entire Haydock Catholic Bible Commentary is now online..........the entire thing. Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary, 1859 editionThe explanation for the printed edition reads, in part: Throughout the 1800's the best known Douay-Rheims Bibles were known as "Haydock's Bibles" because of the powerful footnotes or commentary that was selected by Fr. Haydock to help the faithful to understand Scripture according to the mind of the Church. The Haydock commentary in this edition was taken from a Bible originally printed in 1812 and includes the Saints who were given the title "Father of the Church" because of their outstanding writings explaining Holy Scripture. Fr. Haydock also included notes from other eminent scholars which soundly refute Protestant errors on various passages from the Bible which give important historical explanations to help every reader ...
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New Birth for the New Year
2008-01-02 21:50:00
Yesterday, on New Year 's Day, the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God and the Eighth Day of Christmas, my younger brother's first child came into the world. Andrew and Rachel Hardesty are now the proud parents of Madelyn Rose Hardesty, born on 1/1/08 at 7:15pm at Owensboro Medical Center in Owensboro, KY. She weighed 7 lbs., 1 ounce and was 20 inches long. My parents have their first grandchild and I am now an uncle.This was also the first time that I had ever held a newborn baby. I've held babies before, but not babies who were mere hours old. It's an experience that is difficult to describe. I can definitely say that every fatherly sensibility was aroused within me. I wanted to love her and protect her, and she wasn't even mine. I also felt an odd connection with her, as if she was reaching out in some mysterious way and attempting to fuse herself with the warm body who was holding her close. Of course, the whole moment ended when my mom picked Madelyn up and passed her on to th...
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Daily with De Sales: 1/2/07
2008-01-02 20:25:00
Happy are we if we can pronounce with affection the holy name of our Savior, because this will be the watchword that opens the way for us to Heaven; it is the name of our redemption. It makes the angels rejoice; it saves us and makes the devils tremble. So we must impress it deeply in our hearts and in our minds. Pronouncing it frequently, blessing it and honoring it in this life, we will be found worthy to sing it eternally with the blessed in Heaven. Long live Jesus Christ!-- Sermons 52; O. X, p. 163
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For the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
2008-01-01 19:23:00
Liturgical Calendar: Octave of Christmas and Sole mnity of Mary , Mother of GodMother of GodRedemptoris Mater (On the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Life of the Pilgrim Church)Theotokos Sums Up All that Mary IsWikipedia: TheotokosA Miracle of Humility: The Obedience of Jesus to MaryCatholic Answers: Mary, Mother of GodChurch Proclaims Mary "Mother of God"Council of EphesusEWTN: Mary, Mother of GodIn Defense of the TheotokosMary, Mother of GodMary's Divine MaternityMother of GodMystical Rose: Mother of GodThe First Marian Dogma: Mary, Mother of GodThe Mother of GodThe Nestorious ChallengeTwo Evangelical Pastors Discover the TheotokosWhat Is the Meaning of Mary's Title Theotokos?Our Spiritual MotherBehold, Your MotherEternal MotherIs Mary My Mother?: A Look at Rev. 12Mary, Holy MotherMary, Mother of the ChurchMary, Our MotherMary's Motherhood Is Linked to the SpiritMessage of Mary's Maternal LoveMother MaryMother of the Church, Our Spiritual MotherMary, Mother of God, Theotokos, Redempt...

Daily with De Sales: 1/1/08
2008-01-01 18:37:00
We must begin the year with Christ and His most holy mother. So today, with all the affection I can muster, I have recourse to the Son and the mother; O Jesus, fill our hearts with Your divine name, so that Your gentle kindness may influence all our senses and perfume all our actions. O glorious name which the mouth of the Divine Father pronounced from all eternity, be ever written in our souls. Since you are our Savior, we will be eternally saved. Virgin Mary, who among all human creatures pronounced this name of salvation for the first time, inspire us to use it profitably, so that all that is in us may rejoice in that salvation which your Child brought us.-- Letters 739; O. XV, p. 143
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Poll-Release Monday Archive
2007-12-31 22:35:00
For the final "Poll -Release Monday " of the year, lets look back at a nearly full year of voting. The first poll premiered on Feb. 2nd, 2007, and there have been 40 more since then. You can still vote in all of them, except for the ones I have closed (because they are no longer relevant). Just click on the poll you want to vote in and a new window will open where you can vote. Polls are listed in order from newest to oldest.I thank you all for voting this year and I hope more of you will vote in 2008!Pax Christi,phatcatholic - - - - - - - - - -Poll-Release Monday 2007 #40 (12/10/07): "Do you display an Advent wreath in your home during Advent?"#39 (12/3/07): "Have you read the pope's new encyclical (Spe Salvi)?"#38 (11/26/07): "Is the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (cf. Lk 16:19-31) a reference to Purgatory?"#37 (11/12/07): "If someone challenged you on the doctrine of Purgatory, could you defend it?"#36 (11/5/07): "How did you celebrate Halloween?"#35 (10/29/07): "Do you pray ...
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Daily with De Sales: 12/31/07
2007-12-31 19:15:00
Here we are at the end of the old year; tomorrow will be the beginning of the new. We must bless the Lord for the many graces we have received. May it please God that by means of these fleeting years we may happily arrive at the permanent year of a blessed eternity! Let us make good use of these small passing moments, living them out in that kindness and humility which Jesus, right from the time He was a child, taught us.-- Letters 883; O. XV, p. 315
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The Holy Family: A Triple Threat
2007-12-30 20:50:00
December has been a great month of feast days for the Church. So far we have celebrated the lives of St. Nicholas, Mary (the Immaculate Conception and our Lady of Guadalupe), and Jesus Christ, in his birth. We end this month with the Feast of the Holy Family .I would suspect that when most people think about the Holy Family --if they think about it at all--they imagine a picture of perfect happiness, where there is no worry or suffering of any kind and where every day just turns out, well, perfectly. Yes, Jesus and Mary were completely sinless, and Joseph was a most chaste and righteous man. But, they still had their struggles. We see from today's Gospel reading that Mary and Joseph had quite a scare when, for three days, they had no clue where to find their son. Just imagine losing the Savior of the World!!Lk 2:41-4941 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover.42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom;43 and when the feast ...
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Daily with De Sales: 12/30/07
2007-12-30 19:49:00
So this year has disappeared into the abyss where all the others have gone. How desirable is eternity when we consider these miserable and fleeting changes! Let the time pass by as we, little by little, run with it to be transformed into the glory of the children of God.-- Letters 563; O. XIV, p. 234
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Holy Water Debate: Part 2c
2007-12-29 21:39:00
Here is the final Q&A from phase 2 of my debate with tfan on the effectiveness of holy water against demonic forces. Next comes his opening statement, which I am really looking forward to. He is certainly at an advantage, since he got to read my opening statement and ask me 3 questions before he even had to write his opening statement. But, I'm not sure if there was any way around that. I feel like I probably walked in to a situation that is balanced in his favor, but oh well, it's a good learning experience.Anyone keeping up with this debate so far? Leave a comment and let me know what you think.Pax Christi,phatcatholic- - - - - - - - - -In your opening statement, you wrote: "Bede ?the Venerable? (672-735) reports in his Ecclesiastical History of England that a bishop cured a sick woman with holy water (see here), and that devils were cast out by it (see here)."I would respectfully submit to you that in the latter case, the devils were cast out by the use of soil, not water, acco...
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Holy Water Debate: Part 2b
2007-12-29 11:33:00
Here is the second of three Q&A's that make up the second phase of my debate with tfan on the effectiveness of holy water against demonic forces. So far, so good....Pax Christi,phatcatholic- - - - - - - - - -Your secondary source?s quotation from the ?Apostolic Constitutions? seems to be a corruption of: ?vouchsafe them the laver of regeneration, and the garment of incorruption, which is the true life; and deliver them from all ungodliness, and give no place to the adversary against them; ?and cleanse them from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, and dwell in them, and walk in them, by His Christ; bless their goings out and their comings in, and order their affairs for their good.? (source)Can you provide any other citation to the Apostolic constitutions themselves?Well, first off, here is the part in my opening statement where I quote from the Apostolic Constitutions:For example, in the Apostolic Constitutions (400 AD), holy water is called, ?a means of warding off diseases, frigh...
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Daily with De Sales: 12/29/07
2007-12-29 11:31:00
I never think of eternity without a great deal of tenderness, because I reflect: How can the soul ever extend its thoughts to such infinity unless it has some possibility of attaining it? Certainly the power that aspires to an object must have some reasonable relation with it. When I am aware that my desire turns toward eternity, I am very pleased, knowing quite well that I can never strongly desire anything that is impossible. From my very desire, therefore, I am assured that I can reach a blessed eternity...and what else remains for me but the hope of possessing it? This is assured me by the knowledge I have of the infinite goodness of God; He would not have created a soul capable of thinking of and longing for eternity if He were not willing to give it the means of arriving there.-- Letters 647; O. XIV, pp. 395-396
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Blog Update
2007-12-29 00:30:00
Just wanted everyone to know that I went back and posted the entries from St. Francis de Sales for the 25th through the 28th. So, make sure to scroll down and check that out. I'm sorry I didn't post the entry for those days as they came. I haven't been able to get on the computer as much, and quite frankly, I haven't always wanted to.Also, I've been thinking about changing to a new daily series for next year. Daily entries from G. K. Chesterton, St. Augustine, or all the early Church Fathers is also a possibility. What do you all think? I would make a poll, but we already have the poll on Christmas (see the sidebar) and I don't want to wait until this coming Monday to see what you all think. So, I'm asking everyone to leave a comment on this post and let me know which one of the following options you would prefer:Keep Daily with de SalesSwitch to "Daily with G. K. Chesterton"Switch to "Daily with Augustine"Switch to "Daily with the Early Church Fathers"These daily entries are...
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Holy Water Debate: Part 2a
2007-12-28 23:22:00
The next phase of my debate with "tfan" on holy water consists of three Q&A's based on my opening statement. What follows is the first of the three.Pax Christi,phatcatholic- - - - - - - - - -PhatCatholic wrote: "Ultimately, to reject the effectiveness of holy water against demonic forces is not just to ignore the biblical witness, but to also essentially discredit 2,000 years of Christian witness and experience."But, as PC admitted, there is no Scriptural example of "holy water" being effective against demonic forces, nor is there any other Christian testimony I could locate to the efficacy of "holy water" among the church fathers before the eighth century (leaving aside the ?Apostolic Constitutions?). Have I missed something or is the experience and witness really not 2,000 years old?I'd like to be able to give you more evidence from the Fathers but information on the internet is limited and the books I need won't be available to me until after the deadline for this answer. My l...
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Daily with De Sales: 12/28/07
2007-12-28 23:00:00
The years pass by; they blow away unnoticed one after the other, and when they finish they bring to a close our mortal life...Oh, how much more desirable is eternity! Its duration is without end, its days have no nights, and its consolations suffer no changes...What happiness does our soul enjoy if the mercy of God allows us to savor such sweetness! As we wait to see Jesus glorifies, now we contemplate Him in His poor cradle.-- Letters 939; O. XVI, pp. 119-120
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Daily with De Sales: 12/27/07
2007-12-28 00:27:00
The beginning of good deeds is good, their progress is better, and their completion is the best of all. However, the beginning is good insofar as it is a beginning, and the progress is good in its character as progress, whereas to wish to complete the work at its beginning or during its progress is to reverse the order...It is very praiseworthy to make a start at learning, but a person who would start without the intention of ever finishing would go against all reason. Fear and the other motives for repentance of which we have spoken are good for the beginning of Christian wisdom...but one who would deliberately wish not to arrive at love or at perfect sorrow would not be acting according to the order established by God...-- T.L.G. Book 2, Ch. 19; O. IV, pp. 152-15
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Daily with De Sales: 12/26/07
2007-12-27 00:26:00
One who truly desires love seeks it; one who truly seeks it finds it one who truly finds it has found the fountain of life from which to draw salvation from the Lord! Night and day let us cry out, "Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of Your love." O heavenly love, when will you fill up our souls?-- T.L.G. Book 12, Ch. 2; O. V, p. 322
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Daily with De Sales: 12/25/07
2007-12-26 00:25:00
Stand alongside the sacred grotto, where our Savior teaches us so many virtues by His silence. And what does He say to us? While He immolates Himself for the love of us, His little heart must set ours on fire. See how lovingly He carries your names within that divine heart that beats out of affectionate desire for your growth in virtue and does not send a single sigh toward His Father in which you do no share, nor a single aspiration that is not aimed at your happiness. The magnet attracts iron and straw and hay; as for us, who are iron by our strength and straw by our weakness, we should unite ourselves to this Infant Who is true thief of hearts.-- Letters 1498; O. XVIII, pp. 334-335
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Poll-Release Monday #40
2007-12-24 18:41:00
So....yea....I totally let "Poll -Release Monday " slip since I've been on break. I completely forgot about it! Anyway, I remembered today, so here is this week's poll question:What do you like the most about Christmas? (Be honest! You can also type in and vote for your own answer)I say "be honest" b/c I anticipate people voting for what they should like the most instead of what they actually do like the most. Don't forget that you can type in your own answer and vote for it. You can also click the "Explain your answer" link below the poll and tell me why you voted the way you did. To vote, see the poll in my sidebar.As for last week's poll question ("Do you display an Advent wreath in your home during Advent?"), here are the results:"Yes": 26 (67%)"No": 12 (31%)"What's an Advent wreath?": 1 (3%)Thanks everyone for voting. If you don't display an Advent wreath, you may want to consider it. I think it's a good way to remind ourselves that we are waiting in anticipation for the ...
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Know the Reason for the Season
2007-12-24 17:00:00
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!No politically-correct "Happy Holidays" around here! The following links are to articles that explore the true meaning of Christmas. With all the hustle and bustle, it's good to have a reminder. "Let every heart prepare him room / and heaven and nature sing...." After these links is a Christmas poem by G. K. Chesterton.Let us all make room for the birth of Christ!!Pax Christi,phatcatholic - - - - - -Articles Explore the Christmas Season About Christmas12 Days of ChristmasPrayers, Blessings, and HymnsActivities and CustomsLiturgical Calendar: Christmas Eve and Christmas DayReflections of the Meaning and Lesson of ChristmasCelebrating Christmas: With the Accent on ChristSeeing ClearlyIntroduction to the Christmas Eve Prayers from the Roman MartyrologyThe Christmas Tree: Legends, Traditions, HistoryThe Traditions of the Christmas MangerPius XII's Christmas Radio MessageChristmas Statement by Jerusalem PatriarchMaking Christmas Come AliveThe War Against the LightBenedi...
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Daily with De Sales: 12/24/07
2007-12-24 16:59:00
My God, the birth of the Lord gives rise to a thousand thoughts and affections in our hearts! Never could there have been a poorer or a happier birth, nor at the same time a more radiant and happy mother! Saint Paula preferred to live as a pilgrim in Bethlehem than as a society lady in Rome, being convinced that day and night in this hospice where she was staying she could hear the cries of the little Savior in the crib. As Saint Francis of Assisi used to say of little Infant of Bethlehem, He inspired him to despise greatness and earthly ambitions, summoning him back to the sublime love of abjection.-- Letters 1864; O. XX, p. 212
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Holy Water Debate: Part 1
2007-12-23 21:19:00
Here is my opening statement in the debate with "Turretinfan" on the effectiveness of holy water against demonic forces. The entire exchange will be posted on his debate blog. I will post my responses on my blog as well. Stay tuned, and feel free to comment here on the debate. You can comment over at the debate blog too, but not until the debate is over.Please pray for me that I will valiantly defend the Church.Pax Christi,phatcatholic- - - - - - - - - -First I want to thank "tfan" for this opportunity to defend my use of holy water, as I describe it in this blog post. May our debate prove to be mutually edifying.Now, before I begin I would like to anticipate two possible objections:"We're supposed to combat demonic forces, not by holy water, but by (fill in the blank) ""There is no example in Scripture of someone using water against demonic forces"Regarding the first objection, it is often asserted that, instead of using holy water to stop demonic forces, we should use faith, or ...
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Daily with De Sales: 12/23/07
2007-12-23 21:11:00
May the great yet small Infant of Bethlehem be the delight and love of our heart!...If I contemplate Him upon the knees of His holy mother or in her arms, with His little mouth like the bud of a rose...I see my God more splendid on this throne than Solomon on his throne rich with gems...May the great Saint Joseph help us to partake in his joy; may the most holy virgin give us His love; may the Child deign to fill and infuse the grace of His merits into our hearts!-- Letters 940; O. XVI, pp. 120-121
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Daily with De Sales: 12/22/07
2007-12-22 21:08:00
How many holy thoughts germinate in our hearts when we consider the birth of the Infant Jesus! We are filled with a holy contempt for material things, for pomp and the amusements of the world. I do not know of any other mystery which so wonderfully unites tenderness with sincerity, love with rigor, gentleness with harshness. Never has a mother been seen who was so poor, yet so happy. She who conceived the Son of God certainly would not be concerned about the consolations of the world.-- Letters 1864; O. XXX, p. 212
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