Fr. Eric reflects on the parallel character arcs between Captain America (a.k.a. Steve Rogers) and Iron Man (a.k.a. Tony Stark) in “Avengers: Endgame” (2019) in discussing ways to grow in freedom in the context of the spiritual life. 

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Fr. Eric reflects on the reality that God calls some of us to be together now in the present moment, but perhaps not forever.  Topics discussed include discernment in relationships, the functionality of vocation in terms of a specific call out of one's own selfishness, and the fact that helping others in need can pull us out of ourselves.

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On June 2, 2021, Fr. Eric gave a presentation on St. Joseph to a variety of online participants during an event hosted by Spiritus Vitae and the Office of Catholic Youth in the Archdiocese of Toronto.  Topics included a brief history of devotion to St. Joseph in the Church, Biblical references pertaining to St. Joseph, and tips as to how to increase one’s devotion to St. Joseph.

BOOKS AND ARTICLES ABOUT ST. JOSEPH: 

Donald H. Calloway. Consecration to St. Joseph. Stockbridge: Marian Helpers Center, 2020.

Donald H. Calloway. St. Joseph Gems: Daily Wisdom of Our Spiritual Father. Stockbridge: Marian Helpers Center, 2020.

Kathryn J. Hermes. St. Joseph: Help for Life’s Emergencies: Stories and Prayers. Boston: Pauline Books and Media, 2009.

Mary Mark Wickenheiser. St. Joseph: Novenas and Prayers. Boston: Pauline Books and Media, 2004.

Pope Francis. Apostolic Letter Patris Corde (“With a Father’s Heart”). https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_letters/documents/papa-francesco-lettera-ap_20201208_patris-corde.html.

VIDEOS ON ST. JOSEPH:

“How to Love Like Mary and Joseph” by Fr. Mark Toups, Sr. Miriam James Heidland, and Fr. Josh Johnson: https://youtu.be/zWht7mesRD8.

“An Example for All Husbands” by Sr. Miriam James Heidland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoBGOhk6iSE

EPISODES ON CATHOLIC LATTE ABOUT ST. JOSEPH:

S02 Ep. 15 – The Witness of St. Joseph the Worker: https://youtu.be/moXlpq1V9YA.

S01 Ep. 61 – Living Our Faith in a Time of Pandemic: https://youtu.be/tpP7RbOjrzQ.

S01 Ep. 62 – Waiting on the Lord with the Holy Family: https://youtu.be/rGDqaulW4V0.

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To commemorate Asian Heritage Month, Fr. Eric reflects on developing a greater awareness of certain distinctive communication patterns which are found typically in Asian culture, so as to foster a deeper sense of community and relationship.

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Reflecting on the Great Commission (Mt 28:16-20), Fr. Eric defines the mission of the Holy Catholic Church.  Topics discussed include the need for the Church to actively live out of its mission, the distinction between discipleship and being a student, and trusting in God's personal call to holiness.

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Even though Fr. Eric's favourite movie of all time is Walt Disney's "Frozen" (2010), his second favourite movie is "Lady in the Water" (2016) written, directed and produced by M. Night Shyamalan because of its treatment of various key Christian themes. 

Topics include the Mystical Body of Christ (Rom 12:5; 1 Cor 12:12–27; Eph 3:6, 4:15–16 and 5:23; and Col 1:18, 24); the significance of determining one's own vocation; learning how to achieve deep spiritual change in the face of great suffering and tragedy; and finding salvation in the midst of a situation which is not of one's choosing.

This reflection contains major spoilers for "Lady in the Water."

Here's a link to Fr. Eric's original reflection on Disney's "Frozen": https://youtu.be/8alQnJlVuKM.

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Reflecting on the debut of Toronto Blue Jays’ pitching prospect Alek Manoah against the New York Yankees on May 27, 2021, Fr. Eric talks about motherhood, sacrificial love on the part of parents, and the reality of Christ and the saints in heaven willing us to victory.

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Reflecting on Jn 20:19-23 and the corresponding version of the story in Lk 24:13-49, Fr. Eric speaks about how we might find salvation in the wounded and risen Christ.

Topics include imaginative prayer, recognizing and finding consolation in the wounded and risen Christ, our intuitive and visceral reaction to the wounds of Christ. Fr. Eric speaks also about the capacity of beauty to bypass the mind and intellect, and the power of the wounded and risen Christ to stop us in our tracks and transform us to the core.

As a key illustration, Fr. Eric refers to S02 Ep. 17 of the Abiding Together Podcast ("You are So Beautiful to Me"), particularly an example from Sr. Miriam James Heidland regarding the Easter Vigil liturgy.  Here's a link to the episode: https://www.abidingtogetherpodcast.com/podcastarchive/s09e17-you-are-so-beautiful-to-me.

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Given the current political climate where there is often much tension with regards to issues related to unity and diversity, Fr. Eric reflects upon how the event of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-13) can inform our approach in terms of finding the truth in the midst of our unity and diversity.

Topics discussed include the Mystical Body of Christ (Rom 12:5; 1 Cor 12:12-27; Eph 3:6 and 5:23; Col 1:18 and 1:24), the distinction between argument and being argumentative, learning to how to be in disagreement while still being in relationship, and diversity leading to creativity.

Fr. Eric speaks also about how the truth is meant to set us free (cf. Jn 8:2), the reality of sin being bad for us, and the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22-23).

As a key example, Fr. Eric speaks about the episode "Discipleship is a Team Sport" from the "Poco a Poco" podcast hosted by the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. Here's a link to the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4Hg26S_bDo.

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Fr. Eric identifies various Christian themes in this spoiler-filled reflection on Walt Disney’s “Raya and the Last Dragon” (2021), including intentional discipleship; intimacy, honesty and vulnerability in prayer; and approaching the end times with an aim towards bringing as many people as possible to the fullness of salvation in accordance with God the Father’s deepest dreams and aspirations.

Fr. Eric speaks at length about the movie’s treatment of the subject of trust, including how the topic applies to Original Sin, the reality that deep trust in God and oneself are both one and the same thing, the need to trust God’s call to holiness in other people, the prophetic power of showing trust in another person, and the inspirational value of reflecting on the fact that God the Father entrusted His Son to humanity through the Incarnation and the Crucifixion.  

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