Setting The Record Straight

Isabella was praised as “ The Catholic Queen”, or even more praised as simply “The Catholic”. It is often said that there was never a more accomplished Queen. Under her rule Spain became the most cultured and advanced country in the world. It had the most sensible and humane justice system. She banned slavery. Under her rule Spain reformed the Catholic Church long before the Reformation thus avoiding the bloody sectarian wars of the rest of Europe. Isabelle was lovely, serene, wise, and devout. She believed in Columbus when few others did, and thus opened up the half of the world to the rescuing gospel of Christ and the gift of salvation through His sacraments.

Women and The Catholic Church. How has the Catholic Church affected the status of women? Surprise ! The Catholic Church has done more to elevate the status of women than any other entity in history. Isn’t it well known that the Catholic Church is an old fashioned remanent of inflexible Patriarchy ? Hasn’t the Catholic Church stood athwart the path of the progressive liberation of women blocking the way and yelling “Stop ! ” ? Mythbusting again, Chuck brings an authoritatively documented rebuttal of common misconceptions about how it happened that, in some societies, women have risen to take their place as equals today. It was, in great part, the influence of Catholicism.

The Catholic Church has done more to elevate the status of women than any other entity in history. What !!! Isn’t it well known that the Catholic Church is an old fashioned remanent of inflexible Patriarchy ? Hasn’t the Catholic Church stood athwart the path of the progressive liberation of women blocking the way and yelling “Stop ! ” ? Mythbusting again, Chuck brings an authoritatively documented rebuttal of common misconceptions about how it happened that, in some societies, women have risen to take their place as equals today. It was, in great part, the influence of Catholicism.

It's a big surprise to many people when they first hear about the unappreciated accomplishments of monks and monasteries. What a rich inheritance we have received from our cutural ancestors , the monks. This is part 2 of 2 podcasts in which Chuck reveals a whole list of cultural foundations that we owe to the monks.

What Good are Monks? A Protestant friend asked this question and I was rendered speechless. Where do you begin to describe the thanks we owe to monks for the stupendous gifts they gave us? They created and provided a great part of of what we think of as our civilization. They created the university system, the foundations of science, the foundations of modern agriculture, etcetera. Listen and be amazed at this forgotten history. It is a big subject so this is part one of two podcasts.

All over the world there will be bold public processions this week which bear the Eucharist in a monstrance for all to witness an amazing truth; the Presence of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, appearing on earth in this place and moment in that Eucharist. In the USA, May 31st, 2018 is the Feast of Corpus Christi (“Body Of Christ”). Just as many could not believe their eyes when they saw Christ who had risen from the dead, there are many today who doubt the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Too many Catholics are shy, even apologetic, about sharing their conviction that, when we receive the Eucharist, we are touched by Christ’s physical Body and Blood. (“Touch me and see…” Luke 24:39). This intimate contact usually happens inside our churches. Corpus Christi processions go outside of our churches as bold public proclamations of the truth of the Presence. That intent was made plain by Pope Urban IV who established the Feast of Corpus Christi seven-hundred-and-fifty...

It was a handwritten note. One of the three men who had been rescued from North Korea handed it to Mike Pence, our Vice President as soon as he met him. It was Thursday May 10th, 2018. The Vice President had gone to welcome them home. He read the note. It was the 126th Psalm. Why were these men imprisoned? They had something in common that was fatally dangerous to the North Korean government. They were Christian Evangelists. The note began, “Psalm 126:1-3. When the Lord brought back the captives to Zion. We were like men that dreamed…”