Prayer, in one form or another, is essential to the life of a Christian, being nothing less than “the living relationship of the children of God with their Father” (Catechism, 2565). Whenever I direct my thoughts, feelings, and resolutions to God—I am praying. If I thank God for a sunset,...

In 1968, Pope Paul VI promulgated his encyclical Humanae Vitae, explaining Catholic teaching on the regulation of birth. In his encyclical, Pope Paul lauds “responsible parenthood” and endorses the regulation of births when serious reasons exist for doing so (10). The decision could arise from “the physical or psychological conditions...

The question of the Holy Spirit is an interesting one. In Hebrew, the term “ruah,” which means wind or spirit, is feminine. The spirit or breath of God stirred the waters at creation. In the wisdom books of the Old Testament (Proverbs, Sirach, Wisdom of Solomon), they speak of Lady...

Predestination is primarily a Calvinist concept. It takes a Scripture passage or two (see Romans 8:29-30 and Ephesians 3-14) and weaves a theology of predestination around it. Catholics prefer to see Paul’s use of the term ‘predestination’ to refer to God’s foreknowledge of what a person will chose to do....

On Wednesday we begin the season of Lent, our 40 daypreparation for the memorial of Christ’s Passion on Holy Thursday and Good Friday, and for the celebration of his resurrection on Easter Sunday. The story of Christ’s death, like any story, requires time for the telling, 40 days in this case. Thestory begins on Ash Wednesday with the reminder that salvationexists only because God “made him...

Why “explore” the Catholic faith? A person either “believes” or he doesn’t! Actually, faith begins with belief, the belief that Jesus’ words are true and that they are spoken to me personally, but my faith matures over time until the promises of Jesus are fulfilled in me: “Ask and you...