The Sacrament of Confession has been expressed in various ways over the centuries. When Catholics say that Confession was instituted by Christ—as all the sacraments were—they ultimately mean that the “ministry of reconciliation” has been entrusted to the Church such...
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...
Does becoming a saint seem like running a marathon? In our newest video, we talk with Father Conrad Murphy about how the race we are running is a long one, with many highs and lows but this marathon will result in an accomplishment we can not fully imagine. We are...
I was ordained a Catholic priest for the Diocese of Rockford on June 1st, 2019. Since then, I have been able to celebrate over sixty masses, anoint several people, preside over a couple of funerals, and baptize one child. I also attended two friend’s ordination to the...
It’s easy to fall away from prayer. There are many times when I will have a steady prayer life for a few weeks at a time, and then go months without reading my Bible. The only nourishment I get is going to Mass. I’ll feel the difference. It will feel as if God has...
Catholics are to take advantage of the sacrament of Penance at least once a year--if you’re Catholic, you should remember that from your CCD or RCIA class. Advent is a particularly good time to do this. If, like most of us, you hurry to clean your homes in preparation...
Comedian Jim Gaffigan has a unique way of sharing his faith through his stand-up routines. In a recent video, "Barely Catholic", he gets more than just the jokes right. How many of us have had a little conversation like this with Jesus? "Barely Catholic" Hard Truths?...
Many Catholics are blessed to have a priest friend. Or, even if they’re not someone you consider your friend, you still may have that priest who you look up to. You know, the one you talk to every Sunday either before or after Mass. The one who has known you for years...
This is an older video, but it's been popping up on the internet once again because it's such a classic. In this clip from Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution, the famous chef attempts to explain to school children how chicken nuggets are made. His hope is that once the...
Be Courageous! How to Overcome Your Addiction to Sin https://youtu.be/S4giNDdC-hA Overcome your bad habits and sin by claiming authority as a child of God 1. Stop cowering in fear or acceptance of your weakness as if it's "just the way it is, I'm stuck." 2. Name and...
Don't know how to start explaining the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church to your son or daughter? Are you lacking material for your church’s catechesis program? Is it sometimes a bit complicated for you? Don’t worry. Through this article, we’ll help you...
As Catholics, we are required to go to Confession once a year, but why stop there? We know Confession can be daunting or difficult, and there might be many reasons why you don’t want to go. However, regular Confession, whether it be monthly, every two weeks, or...
We get it. You already have a to-do list that is long. This list isn’t meant to guilt you into an impossible regimen on top of your already crammed day. The goal is to start incorporating one or two of these things into your day and then keep working until these...
This is a matter we seldom talk about with clarity, I don’t know exactly why. My impression is that we talk a lot about sin in an abstract way, or using an academic-theological terminology that the common Christian doesn’t always understand. Nevertheless, we are...
Have you ever heard someone say, “My sin is too big for God to forgive”? Or, maybe you yourself even feel this way at times? This is a lie that the devil would like us to believe, but the truth is no one’s sin is bigger than God’s love, mercy, and forgiveness. He has...
It seems that movies these days are no longer merely for entertainment purposes. The majority have an underlying social message that they are trying to get across to viewers. Is The LEGO Batman Movie one of these films? Well, probably not, but you will find several...
In adolescence we often believe (at least subconsciously) that all the good that has come to us is there on account of our own worthiness, while all the bad things are the result of the failings of those who reared us. The first day of spiritual adulthood truly begins...
Have you ever noticed that people tend to enjoy talking more about the negatives than the positives? We seem to find some kind of enjoyment in pointing out the errors and faults in things. We love making suggestions about what we would improve or do differently to...
Confession can be scary. But it is always worth going to, no matter how we feel about it beforehand. The graces and mercy that flow from this Sacrament always conquer the fear and anxiety that we might feel. People will find a million reasons to avoid this gift....
In my post, 9 Things I Would Like To Have Known Before Getting Married, one of the points that raised a lot of questions was number 8: "A good marriage is the union of two people who are good at forgiving." Many people contacted me relating how difficult it was for...
If you’re thinking of going to Confession, but it has been a while, this post is for you. Going to Confession is never pleasant or enjoyable, but it is always worth it. However, it can feel so much worse if you’ve not been in years. Maybe it has been so long ago since...
As you will see in today's video, chances not taken or dreams not chased often make up our regrets in life. Our heads spin with “what if” questions and “if only” hypotheses. But, are regrets simply supposed to plague us at night when we are trying to sleep? Or can...
In recent years, some have noted a widespread crisis in the Church regarding the practice of the examination of conscience. On the one hand, for many it has become a legalistic examination (basically putting oneself in the courtroom), done exclusively within the...
Even those who don’t know much about Pope Francis could likely tell you that he is passionate about revealing God’s mercy to all people. “The Name of God is Mercy” was released in January 2013 with hopes of helping people better understand the mercy of God...
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a crucial part of the Catholic faith. It is a gift from God that we can use to repair our relationship with Him and repent from our sin. Though many fear going to Confession, it is there that God gives us an abundance of mercy. "Let...