Why does the Church condemn IVF as immoral? What really happens as a result of IVF? So many people struggle with infertility and loss—why can't the Church just be happy that people want to have children?

Tune into this month's episode to understand and encounter the love of the Father for all of his children as we dig into why the Church holds firm and fast to the immorality of IVF.

“When the marital act of sexual intercourse is not able to attain its procreative purpose, assistance that does not separate the unitive and procreative ends of the act, and does not substitute for the marital act itself, may be used to help married couples conceive. Those techniques of assisted conception that respect the unitive and procreative meanings of sexual intercourse and do not involve the destruction of human embryos, or their deliberate generation in such numbers that it is clearly envisaged that all cannot implant and some are simply being used to maximize the chances of others implanting, may be used as therapies for infertility” (ERD, no. 38-39 | Ethical & Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, 6th Edition. USCCB)

SOURCES:

• IVF Attrition Rate & Embryo Survival: What to Expect | Illume Fertility
• What the data says about abortion in the U.S. | Pew Research Center
• Abortion Surveillance — United States, 2021 | CDC
• More human embryos destroyed through IVF than abortion every year | CNA
• Multifetal Pregnancy Reduction | ACOG

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Do healing miracles still happen today? Who can receive the authority to heal? What if I’m in need of healing?

Tune into this month’s episode of Catholicism 101, where Mike Nolan from Shadow on the Water joins us for a conversation about the power of the Holy Spirit and healing.

Be sure to check out Shadow on the Water for more of Mike's wisdom about the charisms of the Holy Spirit, pilgrimages to Medjugorje, and more!

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What’s special about a Jubilee Year and why do I keep hearing about an indulgence? In this episode, we’ll learn what an indulgence actually is - hint: it’s not what you learned in school! We’ll also talk about the difference between plenary and partial indulgences as well as why the plenary indulgence is offered during a Jubilee Year.

Tune in to learn all these things and more in this month's episode of Catholicism 101!

Bible Passages Quoted:
-Luke 4:18-19
-Colossians 1:24
-Galatians 5:1
-John 13:15

Resources:
12 Ways to Obtain a Jubilee Indulgence
Official Vatican Website for the Jubilee Year 2025 - Pilgrims of Hope

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Many of us have grown up being told to 'offer it up' when we encounter some sort of suffering or are complaining, but what does this really mean? How can we find comfort, Hope, and Peace in the midst of pain and trials?

Tune into this month's episode of Catholicism 101 and learn how to better suffer and choose the gift of Hope when all seems hopeless.

Bible Passages Quoted:
-Matthew 27:46
-Psalm 22
-Psalm 77
-Romans 8:28
-Romans 8:18
-1 Corinthians 2:9
-John 14: 1-4
-Daniel 3:1-23
-Matthew 5:48

Resources:
Spe Salvi: On Christian Hope | Pope Benedict XVI
Hurt, Yet Hopeful: A Christian Response to Suffering | Catholic Answers
The Meaning of Suffering | Fr. Mike Schmitz
How to “Offer it Up” – A Step-by-Step Guide 

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What are the biggest themes of Advent and how can we best prepare for the coming of Christ? Why are the readings at Mass talking about the ‘end times’ as we anticipate the celebration of Christmas? When does the Christmas season actually end, and why?

Tune in to this month’s episode of Catholicism 101 to not only learn more about the seasons of Advent & Christmas themselves, but also how to celebrate accordingly!

Resources:
The Meaning of the Four Advent Candles | Dynamic Catholic
Advent: What Are We Preparing For? | Catholic Answers
Three Dimensions of Advent - Bishop Barron's Sunday Sermon
Face to Face: Advent with Fr. Mike Schmitz 

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"What are you looking for?" | "Come, and you will see."

We're so excited to be introducing a series of BONUS EPISODES on The Theology of the Body!

The Theology of the Body is the first major teaching of Pope St. John Paul II’s papacy given over a series of 129 Wednesday audiences at the Vatican. Contrary to what you may or may not have heard, it is not reducible to “Catholic Sex Ed,” it is this (in a sense) but it is also SO MUCH MORE! This teaching from John Paul the Great is an in-depth biblical reflection on (1) what it means to be human and (2) the call of man and woman to become “one flesh.”

Bible Passages Quoted:
- John 1:35-41 
- Hebrews 12:2
- 1 Corinthians 2:9 
- Ephesians 5:31-32

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We've all given or received the advice of "forgive and forget," but what does the Catholic Church think about this notion? In fact, is it even truly possible?

Join us for this month's episode of Catholicism 101 where we'll talk about what forgiveness actually is, what it isn't, and how to foster sincere forgiveness in our own hearts and lives—even if the other person doesn't deserve it.

“it is not in our power not to feel or to forget an offense; but the heart that offers itself to the Holy Spirit turns injury into compassion and purifies the memory in transforming the hurt into intercession.” CCC 2843

Resources:
How to Pray the Surrender Novena
Another Novena for Surrender
Forgiveness Novena
Redemptive Suffering: How to ‘Offer it Up’

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Ouji Boards, Horoscopes, Crystals, Tarot Cards, Psychics, and Palm Reading: What does all of this have to do with Spiritual Warfare?

Join Emily Gipson and Johnny Sherfick, Director of Youth Ministry, for a discussion about what the Catholic Church teaches about occult practices and why.

All this and more in this month’s episode of Catholicism 101!

Resources:
Christian Faith and Demonology | Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
Religious Demonology | Adam Blai, Peritus on Religious Demonology and Exorcism
Should Catholics Practice Yoga? | Catholic Answers
The Dangers of Reiki | Catholic Answers
A Closer Look at the New Age Movement | EWTN
The New Age Movement and Where It Came From | Ascension Press
Real Theosis: Becoming Like God | Ascension Press
Introduction to the Spiritual Life | Brant Pitre

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Join Emily Gipson and Fr. Larry Hostetter, President of Brescia University, for a discussion about what really constitutes the heart of Catholic Morality.

Is God a law-giving tyrant out to suppress our freedom and happiness, or is He a loving Father who wants what’s best for us?

All this and more in this month’s episode of Catholicism 101!

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Have a question about the Faith you’d like to have answered on the Podcast? Submit it here: https://forms.gle/zorQwuUGtSdukzjc6 

What is the historical background for the Protestant Reformation? 

Was Martin Luther actually right about some things, and if so, how much?

How did the Catholic Church respond to these problems?

What is the Catholic Reformation, and what does the Council of Trent have to do with all of this?

All this and more in this month’s episode of Catholicism 101!

Resources:
Did the Church Ever Sell Indulgences? | Fr. Mike Schmitz
Why the Reformation Was Necessary—But Protestantism Was Not | Catholic Answers
Not a Reformation but a Revolution | Catholic Answers
The History of the Council of Trent | Catholic Answers
From Great Evil God Brought Great Good | Catholic Answers
The Compact History of the Catholic Church | Dr. Alan Schreck

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Have a question about the Faith you’d like to have answered on the Podcast? Submit it here: https://forms.gle/zorQwuUGtSdukzjc6