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.
Sister Servants
Join Deacon Jeff and Tom as they welcome their guest, Sister Mary Philomena of the Sister Servants of the Eternal Word, to the Luxurious Corner Booth. Sister shares her insights into both the charism of her order in Birmingham, Alabama and her own vocation to consecrated life as a Sister Servant.
Biblical Art
Have you ever considered yourself an “expert” at art appreciation? Most of us do not. In fact, we usually feel unqualified to even comment on art. But, did you ever think that artists create art specifically for ordinary folks like me and you? Join Deacon Jeff and Tom in the Luxurious Corner Booth as they welcome Scott Peck, the Director and Curator of the Museum of Biblical Art in Dallas, TX, and discuss at length the ins and outs of appreciating the beauty, significance and meaning of Biblical Art.
Priest Prophet King
Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus? Is he your Brother, Friend or your Savior? Is it enough just to know Him? As Catholics, we can learn some things from our Protestant friends about having a friend in Jesus…but we can also add so much more to the conversation! Join Deacon Jeff and Tom as they welcome Father Robert Barron to the Luxurious Corner Booth to discuss the fullness of the Catholic understanding of Jesus Christ as Priest, Prophet and King.