The AX Podcast: Recent Episodes
Fr. Thomas Provenzano, SDB
Commentaries and reflections on religion and culture from a Catholic perspective by Fr. Tom Provenzano, SDB
A run through chapters four and five of the Book of Revelation. Is the Seer John having a vision of the future or the present, or could it be the past? Who is the Lamb who was slain yet is still standing? How is he connected with the Lion of Judah and the Root of David? These and other questions will be explored in this episode.
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Intro to the Book of Revelation and a run through of the first three chapters
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I'll be recapping some items from last episode. Then I'll give a basic introduction to the Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Divine Office or, more recently, Christian Prayer. Then, to lighten the mood, take a look at the first few weeks of the new Major League Baseball season, and talk about the limits of fan's heckling of players.
1:26 - Boycotts and being an educated consumer
6:23 - The Main Point: Parent's rights
11:26- Liturgy of the Hours
42:10 - Culture Corner: MLB Edition
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We're going to take a look at the Feast of Divine Mercy, coming up this Sunday. We'll discuss the connection between mercy and reparations. Then we will discuss the Bud Lite controversy, examining why some people are pushing back against the brand's latest marketing strategy. We'll take a brief look at the history of marketing and public relations and how it is used to sell everything from beer to social change. And finish examining why this controversy is different from others that have come before it.
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What the title says.
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On how Lent should change us. Even if we only become more aware of our faults, the LORD can use that as a path forward for us. What Jesus' "descent into hell" means. A preview of topics we'll be tackling in the next few weeks.
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In which we discuss the relationship between faith and vocation
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Giving the links to the St. John Bosco Parish virtual mission.
St. John Bosco Parish YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@donboscoportchester651
Mission Talk One:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtMr8w06zWA
Mission Talk Two:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTbjSB6eB_o
Mission Talk Three:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lYHCpVpagA
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A deeper look at what happens during the Lenten Scrutinies, and a run through of the Mass readings for the 5th Sunday of Lent.Beginning on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, look for my reflections on the Easter Triduum at he St. John Bosco Parish, Port Chester, NY Youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/@donboscoportchester651A new video will be posted each day covering Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil.
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Announcing the opening of the new Sr. Maruja Causa Media Center and Studio at St. John Bosco Parish. Also, the Lenten Days of Prayer in English, produced in the new studio, will be uploaded starting on March 29. We will have three shows covering the three days of the Easter Triduum, a new video dropped each day between the 29th and 31st, hosted by Yours Truly.
Doubling back on some things I forgot to mention about the movie "Jesus Revolution" and the Lenten Scrutinies.
St. John Bosco Parish YT page:
https://www.youtube.com/@donboscoportchester651
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Jesus calls us to free ourselves from spiritual blindness
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In which we discuss the nature of the Lenten Scrutinies, and what they have to do with the candidates for baptism (Catechumens) and those who are baptized a well. We'll have a discussion of Catholic sexual ethics, why its not a fringe issue, and why the discussion is often taken up with outdated arguments.
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Reflection on the difference between Podcast rambling and liturgical preaching.
Homily for the Second Sunday of Lent, 2023 (Year A)
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Why Reboot the AX?
Why "The AX"?
What are the plans for the future?
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A look at the readings for the Mass of the 1st Sunday of Lent, and how the devil tries to work on us
Link to Bishop Barron's reflection on the Temptation on the Desert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5DurfJ-e2k -- It's not the one I referred to in the video, and he's reflecting on Luke's account, but it's still, obviously, worth the listen
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Part one of the sort of new, kind of improved AX Podcast. Going over the Ash Wednesday regulations, and the goal of Lent in general.
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An update on the efforts the Salesians in Ukraine and Eastern Europe. Should we give up things for Lent or take up charitable activities? What was the nature of the temptations Jesus faced in the desert?
The Salesian Missions Ukraine Emergency: https://salesianmissions.org/lp/ukraine-emergency/
Salesian Mission Home Page: https://salesianmissions.org
Bishop Barron gives a review of the three temptations Jesus endured by analyzing the characters of the mini-series "Rome" :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTJGu9qwWWE
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Ash Wednesday review and reflection
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We will take a look at the first reading and Gospel passage for the Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Then we will have a preview of the Lenten Season that is beginning this Wednesday. We will close things out with a few final thoughts on the Church's Just War doctrine.
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An overview of the Catholic Church's just war theory and how it relates to the recent invasion of Ukraine.
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The answer is available by reading Luke 6:27-38
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On the historical reality of the Resurrection, the importance of allowing free speech; especially for those we disagree with, the subversive Beatitudes
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The Rise of Witchcraft and Neo-Paganism Among the Young. A look at the lives of Joan Didion, Betty White, Peter Bogdanovich and, Michael Lee Aday, aka Meat Loaf. Why am I getting so many targeted advertisements for online gambling?
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An overview of who Don Bosco is and of the spiritual and educative method he left the Church, on this, his feast day.
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9th Day (January 30) - For Family, Friends, and those in Need
From the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.
Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned,* like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”
From the constitutions of the Society of Saint Francis Desales
Under the inspiration of God damn Bosco lived and handed onto us an original style of life in action, the Salesian spirit. It is summed up and centered in pastoral charity characterized by that youthful dynamism which was revealed so strongly in our founder and at the beginning of our society. It is an Apostolic impetus that makes us seek souls. And serve God alone.
Novena Prayer
O Saint John Bosco, you were full of compassion toward all people, especially the young, who suffered from illness, poverty, hunger, injustice, and alienation. Pray for all in need, and for us too, that the blessings of God and protection of Mary Help of Christians may be on us all, to heal us, strengthen us, and comfort us. Pray for our families, especially for our young people, that they may be kept safely in God's grace. Intercede for us in life and in death so that we may eternally sing the Divine mercies in heaven.
Through your intercession may God grant me the following grace... [pause]... so that together with others I may bring young people to the love of Christ.
Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory be to the Father...
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An over view of the readings for the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time.
A link for the Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/013022.cfm
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8th Day (January 29) - For Purity
From the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians.
But whoever is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Avoid immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the immoral person sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been purchased at a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body.
From Don Bosco's introduction to the Salesian constitutions in 1885
The virtue that is supremely necessary, the great virtue, the angelic virtue, the one who crown all others, is chastity. He who has this virtue can apply to himself the words of the Holy Spirit, "All good things came to me along with her, our Savior assures us that those who gain this priceless treasure, become even in this life like the Angels of God.
Novena Prayer
O Saint John Bosco, you prized the virtue of purity highly and strove with all your might to foster it in the hearts of young and old. Pray for us that, inspired by your example, we may nurture it in our hearts and minds and may act effectively to defend our young people against a culture pervaded by sex and violence.
Through your intercession may God grant me the following grace... [pause]... so that together with others I may assist in bringing young people to the love of Christ.
Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory be to the Father...
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7th Day (January 28) - For Missionaries
From the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.
The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.* And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
From Don Bosco's farewell to the first. Missionary expedition in 1875.
Our divine savior, when he was on this Earth before going to his Heavenly Father gathered his apostles and told them, "Go out to all the world. Teach all peoples, preach my gospel to all creatures with these words." The Savior gave not advice but a command to his apostles, for them to bring the light of the gospel to all parts of the Earth. This command, or mission, gave the name missionaries to everyone who in our country or foreign countries go out, to spread or preach the truths of the faith.
In this way, we are beginning a great work. Not because we have pretenses or believe we can convert the whole universe in a few days, no, but who knows? Could it be that this departure, in this little group is like a seed, from which a huge tree grows? Who knows if it is not a grain of millet, or a mustard seed which grows little by little, and may do great good?
Novena Prayer
O Saint John Bosco, in your love and concern for all the scattered children of God, you sent your sons and daughters to the farthest part of the world to bring the knowledge of the loving God and the Light of the Gospel. Pray for all missionaries, and pray for us, that, inspired by your example and in your spirit, we may be united in work and prayer to win souls for Christ.
Through your intercession may God grant me the following grace... [pause]... so that together with Salesian missionaries all over the world I may assist in bringing young people to the love of Christ.
Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory be to the Father...
Link to the Salesian Mission Office, New Rochelle, NY: https://salesianmissions.org
Link for the Salesian Lay Missioners, New Rochelle, NY: https://www.salesianlaymissioners.org
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6th Day (January 27) - For Salesian Cooperators and the Salesian Family From the first letter of st. paul to the Corinthians
Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it.
Some people God has designated in the church
to be, first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers;
then, mighty deeds;
then gifts of healing, assistance, administration,
and varieties of tongues.
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers?
Do all work mighty deeds? Do all have gifts of healing?
Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Do all have gifts of healing? Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts.
From the project of Apostolic life. Of the association of Salesian Cooperators.
To commit oneself to be a Salesian cooperator means the respond to the Apostolic Salesian vocation, gift of the Spirit, taking on a specific way of living the gospel and participating in the mission of the church. It is a free choice, defining one's existence.
Catholics, of whatever culture were social circumstance can follow this path. They feel called to live their faith life fully involved in each day's concerns, characterized by two attitudes.
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Knowing God as father and the love which saves; encountering in the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, the perfect apostle of the father; Living in intimacy with the Holy Spirit who animates the people of God in the world.
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End feeling called and sent on a concrete mission to contribute to the salvation of youth, committing themselves to Don Bosco's very mission to the young and the ordinary folk.
Novena Prayer
O Saint John Bosco, you founded the Association of Salesian Cooperators, the seed of the worldwide Salesian Family, in order to ensure the widest possible participation in the charitable work on behalf of young people. Pray for all the members of the Salesian Family that, inspired by your example and bonded in one spirit, they may share in the Salesian mission and model in their life and work pastoral educative charity.
Through your intercession may God grant me the following grace... [pause]... so that together with the Salesian Family I may assist and help young people in today's society.
Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory to the Father...
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5th Day (January 26) - For Salesian Brothers, Sisters, and Priests From the Holy Gospel according to Luke
After this the Lord appointed seventy[-two]* others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way.Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’
From the Constitutions of the Society of St. Francis de Sales
The spirit gave him. The heart of a father and teacher. Capable of total self-giving. “I have promised God that I would give of myself to my last breath. For my poor boys.” To ensure the continuation of this mission. The spirit inspired him to initiate various Apostolic projects. First among them, our society. The church has acknowledged God's hand in this. Especially by approving our constitutions, and by proclaiming our Founder a Saint.
Novena Prayer
O Saint John Bosco, you founded the Salesian Society and the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians for the continuation and extension of the work on behalf of young people. Pray for all your sons and daughters, the members of these two religious families that, inspired by your example and imbued with your spirit they may be faithful to their religious consecration and steadfast in the Salesian mission.
Through your intercession may God grant me the following grace... [pause]... so that together with the sons and daughters of your religious families I may assist and help young people.
Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory to the Father...
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4th Day (January 25) - For Young People From the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” After he placed his hands on them, he went away.
From the Memoirs of the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales
Meanwhile I thought a great deal about how to go ahead with my studies. I would see good priests working at their sacred ministry, but I could not strike up a close relationship with them. Often I would meet on the road our parish priest or his curate. I would greet them at a distance and bow to them as they passed. In their distant and courteous manner, they would return my greeting and go on their way. Often, I used to cry and say to myself and even to others, "If I were a priest, I would act differently. I would approach the children, say some kind words to them, and give them good advice. How happy I would be if I could talk with my parish priest as I used to talk with Fr Calosso. Why shouldn't it be so?"
Novena Prayer
O Saint John Bosco, you became father, teacher, and friend to young people by the great love and personal sacrifice with which you worked for their salvation. Pray for us that, inspired by your example, we also may love this chosen portion of God's flock with Christ's own pastoral charity, and receive every child as we would the Lord Jesus himself.
Through your intercession may God grant me the following grace... [pause]... so that together with others I may assist and help young people in today's society.
Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory be to the Father...
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Who is St. Francis de Sales? Why did Don Bosco choose him to be a role model for the Salesians? What was his definition of devotion?
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3rd Day (January 24) - Loyalty to the Church and to the Pope
From the Holy Gospel according to John:
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He then said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” [Jesus] said to him, “Feed my sheep.
From the Biographical Memoires, volumes 4 and 5.
United in heart and soul, rally around your shepherds who have always taught you the truth. Jesus said to Saint Peter: thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against her, for I shall be with her shepherds forever and ever. To Peter and to his successors, and to no one else did he say this whoever tells you anything contrary to this is deceiving you. Do not believe him! Be firmly convinced of these great truths: where Saint peter's successor is there is the true church. The only true faith is the Catholic faith. One cannot be a Catholic unless he is united to the Pope.
Saint Peter is the Apostle whom the Savior Himself called blessed and who received the keys of the Kingdom of heaven, with authority so to bind and loose that, as a rule, his verdicts would precede those of God. He is the apostle whom Jesus commanded to keep his brothers steadfast in the faith, ordering him to give to his sheep – the church shepherds – and to his lambs – the faithful – the pasture they needed for their spiritual and eternal welfare. He is, in short, the apostle whom Jesus Christ delegated to govern the church and who in fact did govern her after our savior's glorious ascension into
Novena Prayer
O Saint John Bosco, you nurtured a filial love for the Church and the Pope, and you courageously spoke and wrote in their defense. Pray for us that, inspired by your example, we may be faithful sons and daughters of Holy Mother Church, and may likewise love and honor the Holy Father as the Vicar of Jesus Christ on earth.
Through your intercession may God grant me the following grace.. [pause]... so that together with others I may assist in bringing young people to the love of the Church.
Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory be to the Father...
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A reflection on the readings for the Sunday of the Third Week in OT
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2nd Day (January 23) - Devotion to Our Blessed Mother
From the Holy Gospel according to John
Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother* and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.
From the Memoirs of the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales
"I will give you a teacher. Under her guidance you can become wise. Without her, all wisdom is foolishness."
At that moment, I saw a lady of stately appearance standing beside him. She was wearing a mantle that sparkled all over as though covered with bright stars. Seeing from my questions and answers that I was more confused than ever, she beckoned me to approach her. She took me kindly by the hand and said, "Look…This is the field of your work. Make yourself humble, strong, and energetic. And what you will see happening to these animals in a moment is what you must do for my children."
Novena Prayer:
O Saint John Bosco, you loved the Blessed Virgin, Mary Immaculate Help of Christians, taking her as your Mother and Guide, and becoming her apostle. Pray for us that, inspired by your example, we may grow in true and enduring love for this sweetest of mothers, and may thus win her powerful protection in life and especially at the hour of our death.
Through your intercession may God grant me the following grace... [pause]... so that together with others I may assist in bringing young people to the love of Mary Our Help.
Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory be to the Father...
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1st Day (January 22) - Love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament From the Holy Gospel according to John:
I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”
From Collected Letters of St. John Bosco
"Go to Communion frequently. If you only knew what a great truth this is! Frequent Communion is the main column sustaining the moral and physical world, preventing it from collapse….Believe me, my dear children, I do not think that I am exaggerating when I say that frequent Communion is a solid column upon which one pole of the world rests, [and] devotion to Our Lady is the column which supports the other pole."
Novena Prayer:
O Saint John Bosco, you loved Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and zealously promoted this devotion by encouraging participation in the Holy Eucharist, reception of Holy Communion and daily Visits. Pray for us that, inspired by your example, we may grow in this love, so that we may end our days strengthened and comforted by the Heavenly Food of the Most Holy Eucharist.
Through your intercession may God grant me the following grace... [pause]... so that together with others I may assist in bringing young people to the love of Christ in the Eucharist.
Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory be to the Father...
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The title kind of says it all
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What are narratives? How do they effect how we view history and current events?
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A reflection the readings for the Sunday of the Second Week of Ordinary Time.
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How are the Visit of the Magi, the Baptism of the Lord and the Wedding Feast at Cana connected? A look at two (almost) forgotten rock groups from the early '70's.
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A brief (relatively speaking) Christmas message to you all. Thanks for listening!
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A look at the Gospel Reading for the 4th Sunday of Advent
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3rd Sunday of Advent - OLG Wrap Up
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An overview of the apparition of Our Lady in Mexico in 1531 and an analysis of the image.
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What is the Immaculate Conception? and Guadalupe Preview
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The English version of my homily for this week, with some additional thoughts added on.
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A look at the readings for the first two weeks of Advent
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Conscience and Political Life, Advent Preview and Beatles' Get Back Hot Take
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Homily for the Solemnity of Christ the King, 2021
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This is a talk I gave to the Salesian formation community while they were on their quarterly day of recollection at St. Joseph's Shrine in Sterling, New Jersey. I added an intro and end with some clarification.
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We will examine the origins and contemporary celebration of the Easter Vigil: the central liturgical act of the year.
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We will go over the origins of Palm Sunday in more detail, along with the liturgies of Holy Thursday and Good Friday. Then I'll explain why buying "Satan Shoes" is a bad idea - as if the name weren't enough.
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In this episode we'll look at the liturgies last two weeks of Lent, how the theme of the readings and Mass prayers shift, and introduce Holy Week. We will also take a look at the Office of Readings and the Scriptural selections we are reading from.
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We take a look at the Church's rules on fasting and abstinence, and when they can be dispensed from and why.
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What are the Lenten Scrutinies? How do they fit into the RCIA program? And, by the way, what does RCIA mean? We will also look at two controversies in the Catholic news right now.
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A further look at how the Lenten Time is organized, along with a look at Gospel passages for the the first two Sundays of Lent. Then we examine three dystopian novels from the 20th century, and if there got their respective visions of the future (our present) correct.
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Reflections on Lent and the connection between free speech and evangelization
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An overview of the twin devotions of Mary Help of Christians and the Immaculate Conception.
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A reflection on the Mass readings for the 29th the Sunday in Ordinary Time
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Offering some clarifications on my critique of Stephan Hicks’ book on postmodern, sandwiched around tributes of Eddie Van Halen, and three Baseball Hall of Famers we lost recently: Bob Gibson, Whitey Ford and Joe Morgan.
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An overview of the first few chapters on Stephan Hicks’ book Explaining Postmodernism and what it has to do with our present social and political situation.
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This is a brief talk I gave to our Salesian community in Tampa, FL.
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A review of the Mass readings for the 27th Week in Ordinary Time. We’ll take a look at the MLB playoffs. And finish with a word of thanks. (Sorry for the rough edit just before the Isaiah reading. I wasn't censoring anything out, just trimmed more than I thought.)
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What do we mean by the cult of saints? Do Catholics worship or adore saints? How did the cult of saints develop? What is the relationship between the liturgical seasons, aka the Proper of Time, and the celebration of saint’s days, aka the Proper of Saints? What are some saint’s days coming up in the beginning of October?
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On the relationship between the Liturgical Year and the cycle of Scriptural readings offered during the Mass. Some more thoughts on the role of religion in public life and the proper understanding of the separation of Church and State
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Does God have a preferred form of government? What is the role of faith in public life and should religious people serve in the civil government and the courts?
Aquinas 101 on Law in General and the Natural Law :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYc-7lxDrNU&t=138s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjlmnqcJuO8&t=27s
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A reflection on the Mass readings for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
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How should a Catholic respond to the latest Netflix controversy? Should we cancel our subscriptions? Remembering Jimi Hendrix 50 years after his untimely death. An appeal to remember that life is worth living and addiction doesn't have to end in asking "What if?"
If you or someone you love is suffering from substance abuse please seek the help you or they need:
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): National Helpline – 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Narcotics Anonymous: https://www.na.org
Alcoholics Anonymous: aa.org
Samaritan Daytop Village: In the New York/New Jersey area: http://www.samaritanvillage.org/contact-us
Contact your local Catholic Charities: https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/find-help/
For family members of those suffering from addiction:
Al-Anon: https://al-anon.org
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A reflection what it means to live as a priest and a Catholic in the post 9/11 years.
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Some final thoughts on the Catholic doctrine of purgatory and an admittedly rambling explanation for why I chose to call my blog and podcast The AX.
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Personal reflection on suffering the loss of a loved one, especially a parent. In your charity, please pray for the repose of the souls of Edythe Provenzano and Anthony "Sonny" Provenzano. Pray especially too, for all those departed who have no one to pray for them.
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What does it mean to be Pro Life? Is abortion the only Pro Life issue? Does the defense of the unborn deserve its own unique focus or should it be blended in with other important Life issues?
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Do to a tech error (namely that I don't know what I'm doing) a section of the last episode was lost before posting. Here I fill in the missing piece of my vocation story.
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In this first episode I tell you about my journey to the Catholic priesthood in the Salesian Congregation and talk a bit about the strange case of priest who wasn't baptized.
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