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Fr. Hugh Barbour counsels and answers listeners as they call with questions of a pastoral nature. He offers advice on marriage, family, work, the liturgy, and much more.

Questions Covered:

 

08:00 - Can Catholics read heretical works? Why or why not? 

11:24 - I am not a Catholic yet. I am thinking about my first confession. I am frightened and embarrassed, and I don’t know where to start or what to do. Can you help me? 

24:08 - What is mystical wisdom? 

30:13 - If God is the first effect, how is that evil entered the world if there was only good before him? 

35:31 - Is the mark of the beast real? What should I know about it? 

41:03 - Why did St. John the Baptist send two of his disciples to Jesus to ask if they were following the right man? 

45:14 - Has the Church forgotten about the dogma that outside the Catholic Church there is no salvation? 

48:10 - I went to confession and received no penance. Is it valid? 

50:32 - Why do we need confession? 

53:10 - Is it moral for women to do and wear makeup, paint nails, etc?

There’s so much to do during these last few days before Christmas! Your To-Do List is a mile long and you’ve only worked part way through it. But getting ready for Christmas actually has nothing to do with decorating, shopping, wrapping, baking, or anything else on your list. Here are the three most essential things to do before Christmas and how to tell if you’re really ready.

Before I could open the box my parents sat me down and told me that a neighbor boy’s father had been laid off and they couldn’t afford presents for my friend. Wouldn’t it be nice if I gave up one of my toys so that he would have something under his Christmas tree?  In this Five Minutes with Tony, Tony discusses the tough decision he was forced to make on Christmas morning and the Christmas lesson we can learn from little children.

On this week's show, Array of Hope creator Mario Costabile joins us to discuss how dynamic virtual retreats and events like "Rise Up" can draw the Church closer to God and one another.

 

About Mario Costabile:

 

Mario Costabile is the Executive Director of Array of Hope. A devout Catholic and family man, Mario has been a successful producer for music, film, and television for over 35 years, having worked for such organizations as MTV, VH1, Discovery Channel, Sony Music, and Def Jam Records. Mario is committed to utilizing his talents to do God's will in the development of Array of Hope and its vision to unite families and help them grow closer to God.

 

About Array of Hope:

 

Array of Hope has created "Rise Up", a one-of-a-kind digital event personalized for parishes, schools, and other Catholic organizations seeking to catechize and evangelize in a COVID-19 reality. Rise Up provides a remote experience that is dynamic, inspirational, and interactive, making the attendee truly part of the event. It enables parishes or dioceses to plan with more stability in the midst of the uncertainties of what reopening will look like.

 

Check out books by Lisa Hendey at Amazon and find all of our book and movie suggestions at Lisa's Amazon Influencer list. For Lisa's speaking schedule visit www.LisaHendey.com. Send your feedback to [email protected] or connect with Lisa on social media @LisaHendey.

Let's take a moment and reflect on the great things God has done in our lives!  If you are looking for help on your spiritual journey, please go to https://www.kendravonesh.com/faith-coaching

Today, we clearly see the juxtaposition between the 1st reading and the Gospel story.

To read this week's readings, go to: usccb.org

Jimmy Akin discusses the historical facts we can know about the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Resources Mentioned:

 

How the Accounts of Jesus’ Childhood Fit Together: http://jimmyakin.com/how-the-accounts-of-jesus-childhood-fit-together

Questions Covered:

 

15:57 - Can you tell us more about the Wise Men? 

22:52 - Why is the entrance to the Nativity in Bethlehem so low to get into? Why is there so much division over the location? 

30:05 - What was the timeline of the birth of Jesus to the presentation and then the flight into Egypt? 

34:00 - When Joseph traveled with Mary, did they travel alone without other people? Was that true and was that unsafe? 

41:17 - Why did the angel of the Lord go to Shepherds first? 

43:48 - What was the topography of the journey that Mary made to Elizabeth? 

49:20 - You said you think the star was a miracle. How could this be if the star first led them to the evil Herod? 

51:17 – What is the meaning of the Nativity scene in the Vatican?

Friend of the show John Kraemer joins us today to discuss his Lego Church Project. The pandemic has thrown a wrench in things to say the least, but good things are happening. John discussed how the project has impacted people and how it is a vehicle for evangelism. We also have a fun Q&A from some social media followers.

 

Visit https://prayingbricks.blogspot.com/ to learn more about the project and be sure to follow him on social media.

As we journey into the new year I’ve been thinking a lot about St Joseph. He is a “star” in the Christmas narrative, leading Mary to Bethlehem for the census. He protected her on that blessed night when the Savior of the world was born in a stable in the midnight dark.  Joseph stands out again as he saves the day, whisking Mary and Jesus off to Egypt and safely out of the clutches of Herod, who attempted to kill the baby.

Perhaps from the perspective of our eternal reward we’ll see how we too were the amazing actors in a moment of history—large or small—upon which the future of others rested.

But as Joseph trudged away from Nazareth I think he wasn’t imagining himself in any saintly celebrity status.

He was leaving his plans, his preparations for the Messiah’s birth, his workshop and place in Nazareth as the village carpenter. He was leaving behind his family, his support, his home, his synagogue. He left everything he had known, built, and shared for so many years of his life: the self he knew, the role he played in the community, his place in the larger family.

He walked into silence, mystery, glory…