What happens when you work so long and so hard that you find it difficult to get to Mass? And, when you do go, you get nothing out of it because you’re so tired. This is a dilemma many people in our current economy are facing. Join Deacon Jeff and Tom in the Luxurious Corner Booth as they try and assist a listener in her process of navigating this tough situation.
You Can Learn Your Faith
Once again, Deacon Jeff, Tom and Doug open up the mail bag in the Luxurious Corner Booth of The Catholic Cafe! Join them as they help a listener who wants to know what the Catholic Church can offer those who are only nominal Catholics, but have an intense desire to know more about what the Church teaches…and thereby grow in their faith.
Testimony About Confession
Has it been a while since your last sacramental Confession? How about 40 years? Join Deacon Jeff and Tom in the Luxurious Corner Booth as they read and discuss a listener’s email to The Catholic Cafe recounting their personal journey and (a 40-year experience) back to the confessional!
Being Child-like
What did Jesus REALLY mean when he told us that unless we turn and become like children we could not enter the kingdom of heaven? Didn’t St. Paul tell us to “put away childish things?” Even the world would have our children grow up sooner and sooner. Join Deacon Jeff, Tom and Doug as they ponder the words of Jesus and explore ways in which we can all re-capture our child-like qualities.
Advent
Sometimes, I wonder if the season of Advent is one of the best kept secrets of the Church’s liturgical year. Our commercial culture has taught us to skip right from Halloween (All Hallows Eve) to Christmas. And yet, the Church asks us to pause and spend a significant time (in fact, a season) to reflect on the coming – the advent – of the Lord. Join Deacon Jeff, Tom and Doug as they ponder the meaning of this very important opportunity to “prepare the way.”
Adventus
What are we “celebrating” in the season of Advent? Many people, even Catholics, tend to gloss over Advent and skip right to Christmas. But, is that right? Join Deacon Jeff and Tom as they discuss taking time during the season of Advent to anticipate the coming of the Christ…especially by contemplating the reasons for the Incarnation.
Lone Catholic
Meet Annemarie from the Netherlands. She is 24 years old and a “lone” Catholic in her family, amongst her friends and even in her parish. Annemarie is not the only one who feels this way. Join Deacon Jeff and Tom in the Luxurious Corner Booth as they discuss her email from Holland and try and offer some advice, guidance and comfort in her situation.
Thanksgiving
Do you know the true origins and development of the American holiday of Thanksgiving? Is it just an onramp to the Christmas season? Does it have a truly religious origin? Join Deacon Jeff, Tom and Doug in the Luxurious Corner Booth as they discuss how we can “take back” the holiday and live more fully its originally spiritual intent.
Parental Example
How do I get my kids to love Church? How do I get them to follow her teachings? Why don’t they go to Mass anymore? More and more frequently, these are the questions many, many parents are asking themselves. Interestingly, the answer can be quite simple…but you really need to start when they’re young. Join Deacon Jeff, Tom and Doug in the Luxurious Corner Booth to find out what you can do as a parent to strengthen and lengthen your childrens’ faith lives.
Coming Back Home
We all know someone who has left the Church. Maybe our child, or another family member. Maybe our close friend or a dear co-worker. Maybe even you have drifted away from the sacraments. Did you ever stop and think about why, or what caused the “drift” and what we can do about it? Join Deacon Jeff, Tom and Doug as they explore the story of a recent family of “reverts” and try and shed a little light on the topic of coming back home to the Catholic Church.