Called to Conversion We are all called to conversion. This was a fundamental part of the proclamation of the kingdom of God and the Gospel. The first call to Christ and His Gospel leads us to Baptism in which we receive “the...
6 Social Graces Every Modern Gentleman Should Know
Ideals of gentlemanly behavior have undergone quite a revival lately – in articles, videos, and guidebooks, which continue to issue forth from the presses and Internet. Much of the advice is obvious. A gentleman should be respectful and courteous but also...
The Sweet And Sour Of NFP (Natural Family Planning)
It doesn’t take long when first discovering the world of natural family planning to realize that most couples have a love/hate relationship with NFP. The reasons to love it are obvious and the reasons to hate it are obvious. It is a strange mix of sweet...
What Does Being Open To Life Really Mean?
Open to life. We’ve all heard it, and for the most part, think we know what it means. For those who are outside the Church, or perhaps those Catholics who have done little more than get their feet wet in this beautiful thing we call Catholicism, the...
4 Reasons Not To Give Up On NFP When It Gets Hard
Let’s face it. As wonderful as the idea of Natural Family Planning (NFP) can sound, the reality for many couples can be far from that beautiful ideal. A common thread amongst frustrated couples trudging their way through the trenches of NFP is that the...
3 Ways To Grow In Chastity Before Marriage
Chaste dating is no walk in the park, but it is possible. We’ve been in relationships in the past that were unchaste and ended very badly. When we started courting, we didn’t want to repeat the same habits from our past relationships, so we had to do things...
What’s Wrong With Manliness In Today’s Culture?
Depending where you look, and who you listen to, the current state of manliness seems pretty bleak. Are authentically masculine men still a thing? Has manliness changed? In a recent video, Dave DiNuzzo of TrueManhood Catholic Men’s Ministry and Drew Taylor of To The...
Virtue Is The Answer | TrueManhood’s Guide To Virtue
Everyone struggles with something. A root sin, a set of bad habits, some sort of fear, something that causes undue anxiety, etc. Many (most?) of us struggle with many such things. So what does a person do? Drew Taylor and I sat down recently to discuss this topic, and...
Christian Singer Gets Slammed For “Modest Is Hottest” Song…Your Thoughts?
Contemporary Christian artist Matthew West (known for songs “Hello My Name Is” and "Happy") released a song titled "Modest Is Hottest" on June 18 that has received both criticism and support. The father of two daughters shared the intention behind his new song on...
6 Tips For Talking To Your Daughter About Puberty
When I chat with other moms who are raising daughters, there is one thing that really unites us: we’re worried about puberty. How will we navigate the mood swings and the body changes-- and the conversations?? Even those of us who are very comfortable charting and...
An Examination Of Conscience Illustrated Guide
An Illustrated Guide To Examining Your Conscience 1. Open Yourself Up to God’s Presence Practical tip: find a quiet corner in your home or in a chapel. Having a sacred image in front of you is ideal. Light a candle. Take a few moments to breathe and relax. Start by...
5 Essential Tips For Young Adult Men To Live A Pure Life
Let’s face it. Purity is not always the easiest virtue to cultivate. And our culture isn’t giving young men any breaks! But the battle against lust is one that every Catholic man must fight. While that fight looks different for...
Say This, Not That: Catholic Conversations With LGBTQ Persons
We live in charged times for dialogue, particularly around sexuality. It can feel like “truth” and “charity” are in a tug of war for our attention and application. We know LGBTQ concerns are more than just “issues” that show up in our news feeds. Many of us have...
The Virtue Of Getting Along
Niceness gets a bad rap these days. In politics, being too nice to one’s opponents is seen as a sign of unseriousness, even betrayal of one’s comrades and principles. In Church affairs, the “Church of Nice” gets dragged for being unwilling to stand up for truth and to...
3 Reasons We Should Never Lie | Ask A Priest With Fr. George Elliott
If you missed Ask a Priest Live with Fr. George Elliott, you can watch the replay here. Each Sunday at 3:00 PM Central, I go live on the Catholic-Link Facebook page. I will start with the Divine Mercy Chaplet, then provide a quick reflection...
What Is The Principle of Double Effect?
Basis of Moral Theology – Object, Intention, and Circumstance Human acts are freely chosen because God has given us the gift of freedom. When we act deliberately, we are the author of our actions. If we act, then those actions can be morally evaluated as good or evil....
The Virtue Of Patriotism
The Virtue of Justice Before we can begin to understand patriotism as a virtue, we have to first look to the broader virtue of piety. And before we can begin to understand piety, we have to understand the broader cardinal virtue of justice. The word “cardinal” comes...
50 Years Ago A Pope Predicted That Because Of Birth Control These Things Would Happen
In July of 1968, fifty years ago, Pope Paul VI issued his watershed encyclical condemning birth control, Humanae Vitae. Its central premise speaks, authoritatively, the beautiful truth that sexual act reaches its fullness when it fosters conjugal intimacy, is open to...
How To Quit Pornography…From Someone Who Has Been There
Three years ago, today, I published a blog about my personal struggle with pornography. Before that day, I had never spoken openly about porn, it was very much a secret problem that had been eating me up for years. More than anything else I have ever written, I look...
1st Sunday Of Lent | Our Temptations
This week on the Podcast we talk about temptations. Specifically the first temptation of Adam and Eve and the temptations of Christ in the desert. Most of our sins fall into the three categories of sin, our base passions, our vanity and our pride. We discuss fasting...
What Is Sex For?
What is the purpose of intimacy? This question is at the heart of the video "Theology of the Body (Catholic Sexuality). The Church's teaching about sex is a topic that probably garners the most attention in today's culture. Why? Because the idea of waiting until...
Liturgy Live 7th Sunday In Ordinary Time | Be Perfect
This week we talk about how to respond to division in the Church. Do not let others' actions drag you into sin. Focus on contemplation, be prepared even for distractions, so you will not be disturbed in those moments. When you have control over your own passions and...
A Conversation On Gender: Part 1 – Defining Our Terms
I think it is safe to say that we’ve all had conversations with people where both parties are clearly not on the same page. Sometimes, the differing stories involve differing definitions for terms. I had a philosophy professor who urged us to always define our terms...
Love Is Love…Right? Right.
Okay, before everyone starts to throw tomatoes at us over here, let me explain. Yes, love is love, and everyone is created for love. If that's the case, then why do people think the Church is against love? Or why is this phrase so taboo in Catholic circles? Maybe it's...
5 Tips For Talking To Your Friends About Gender Identity
Have you ever had a conversation about gender identity with friends or family? The Vatican offers an educational guide, "Male and Female He Created Them" to address the current educational crisis around human sexuality. Here are 5 tips to keep in mind when talking...
