Good Distinctions

It was a real joy having Fr. Michael on the show. His book is fantastic - a real page-turner! I hope that you all read it!

Summary of the Episode

Father Michael Brisson, LC author of Death in Black and White, joins host Will Wright to discuss his novel and the inspiration behind it. Father Brisson shares his journey as a priest and how he found the time and motivation to write a book. They discuss the complexities of priesthood, the importance of hope and humility, and the challenges of balancing personal and professional responsibilities. The conversation highlights the power of storytelling and the impact it can have on readers. Overall, the interview offers insights into the life of a priest and the role of fiction in exploring the human experience.

Buy the book from Ignatius Press HERE:

Takeaways

* Writing a book can be a way for priests to express their creativity and share stories that resonate with readers.

* Priests face challenges in balancing their personal and professional responsibilities, but finding hope and humility can help them navigate these challenges.

* Storytelling is a powerful tool for exploring the complexities of priesthood and the human experience.

* The role of priests is to sanctify the people and bring Christ to them, but they also need support and understanding from the community.

* Setting boundaries and delegating tasks can help priests avoid burnout and focus on their most important responsibilities.

Keywords

Father Michael Brisson, Death in Black and White, novel, inspiration, priest, hope, humility, storytelling, complexities of priesthood, balancing responsibilities

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Summary of the Episode

Dr. George Ceremuga comes back on the show and discusses his book 'My 50-Day Pentecost in the Holy Land' and his experiences traveling through Israel and the West Bank. He emphasizes the importance of leading with love and following the Creator Model of healthcare, which includes principles such as water is life, food is medicine, exercise, sleep, and love and forgiveness. Dr. Ceremuga shares his encounters with people of different faiths, including Jews, Muslims, and Druze, and highlights the need for unity and understanding in the Holy Land. He also discusses his vision for establishing the Jesus of Nazareth International College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Takeaways

* Leading with love is essential in all aspects of life, including healthcare.

* The Creator Model of healthcare emphasizes principles such as water is life, food is medicine, exercise, sleep, and love and forgiveness.

* Building relationships and understanding with people of different faiths is crucial for unity and peace in the Holy Land.

* Dr. Ceremuga envisions establishing the Jesus of Nazareth International College of Osteopathic Medicine to integrate faith, reason, and science in healthcare education.

Read the Book Today

My 50-Day Pentecost in the Holy Land by Dr. George Ceremuga

Get a copy or three today!

Keywords

Holy Land, healthcare, love, faith, unity, Creator Model, Israel, West Bank, Jews, Muslims, Druze, Jesus of Nazareth International College of Osteopathic Medicine

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Summary of the Episode

This conversation with Greg Schlueter covers various topics, including his personal life, his mission to help marriages and families live their nature in the Trinity, and his new book 'The Magnificent Piglets of Pigletsville'. The book is an allegory that addresses political and cultural issues in a safe and engaging way. It explores themes of becoming, belonging, and the battle between good and evil. The conversation also touches on the importance of empathy, healing, and redemption in our interactions with others. The conversation explores the importance of going deeper in conversations and connecting with others on a meaningful level. It emphasizes the need for love, understanding, and genuine wisdom in today's political landscape. The book, 'The Magnificent Piglets of Pigletsville,' is discussed as a means to present truths in an accessible and entertaining way. The themes of spiritual warfare, redemption, and the battle between good and evil are highlighted. The conversation also touches on the importance of mental health and the role of community in combating loneliness and addiction. Ultimately, the conversation emphasizes the power of storytelling and the need for meaningful connections in our lives.

Buy your copy of The Magnificent Piglets of Pigletsville Today!

Consider buying a copy - use the code “Will Wright” to let Greg know that we sent you! You can find your copy HERE.

It’s currently $0 with Kindle Unlimited or only $10 for a paperback copy (I recommend the paper book format!).

Keywords

Greg Schluter, personal life, mission, marriages, families, Trinity, book, allegory, political issues, cultural issues, becoming, belonging, battle between good and evil, empathy, healing, redemption, deep conversations, love, wisdom, political landscape, truths, spiritual warfare, redemption, mental health, community, storytelling

Happy Feast of St. Benedict coming up on July 11!

I’m excited to have had Fr. Robert Nixon back on the show as a repeat guest! What a wonderful priest and sharp intellect! Enjoy the conversation on St. Benedict!

Summary

In this episode, Father Robert Nixon, O.S.B. discusses the cross and medal of Saint Benedict, its origins, meaning, and power. He explains that the medal is a devotional object that can serve as a reminder of God's plan and a powerful protection against evil. Father Nixon also highlights the importance of understanding the significance of devotional objects and the role of faith in their efficacy. He emphasizes the influence of Saint Benedict and the Benedictine order in spreading Western Christendom and preserving knowledge throughout history.

Takeaways

* The cross and medal of Saint Benedict is a devotional object that serves as a reminder of God's plan and a powerful protection against evil.

* Understanding the significance of devotional objects and having faith in their efficacy is important.

* The Benedictine order played a significant role in spreading Western Christendom and preserving knowledge throughout history.

* Monasteries were centers of learning and contributed to the preservation of manuscripts and the spread of education.

The spiritual wisdom of Saint Benedict has endured for centuries and quite literally shaped Western culture from its inception. Tenets of the order, like its motto and Saint Benedict’s Rule, are just as influential for lay people as they are for the Benedictine monks and nuns. The cross and medal of St. Benedict is also among the gifts bestowed by the Benedictine Order. For centuries, it has been a conduit for God’s power against malicious spirits.

The history of this cross and medal—how it first came about, how it was used, miracles attributed to its use—was not easily apparent, nor readily accessible. However, this book successfully delineates the history, theology, and potency of the cross and medal of St. Benedict. Drawing from a number of ancient and reliable sources, Fr. Robert Nixon has compiled, translated, and edited a most powerful book on the cross and medal of St. Benedict. With this book, you’ll learn from various saints and holy men as the history of St. Benedict’s cross and medal unfolds. In doing so, you will learn about the life and legend of St. Benedict, the Father of Western Monasticism, who established the most ancient religious order. Sancte Benedicte, ora pro nobis!

Buy the book from TAN Books today!

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Summary of the Episode

In this conversation, Will Wright interviews Meredith Hinds, a writer of Saint content for children. They discuss Hinds' book, 'Eucharistic Saints: 20 Stories of Devotion to Jesus,' and the importance of teaching children about the Eucharist. They also touch on the age of reason for receiving First Communion, the role of parents in teaching the faith, and the significance of the sacraments in family life. Hinds shares her journey of converting to Catholicism and the impact it has had on her family. The conversation explores the themes of Catholicism, grace, and the Eucharist. Will shares his personal journey of converting to Catholicism and the role of grace in his decision. They discuss the difference in understanding grace between Protestantism and Catholicism, with Will emphasizing the Catholic view of inherent goodness and the cooperation with God's grace. They also delve into the significance of the Eucharist and its central role in the Catholic faith. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the book 'Eucharistic Saints' and the importance of passing on the faith to children.

Buy "Eucharistic Saints: Twenty Stories of Devotion to Jesus" by Meredith Hinds - from TAN Books - out now!

https://tanbooks.com/products/books/eucharistic-saints-twenty-stories-of-devotion-to-jesus/

Takeaways

* Teaching children about the Eucharist is important, and parents can do this by fostering a love for the Eucharist in themselves and modeling it for their children.

* The age of reason for receiving First Communion is around 7 years old, and children can have a deep longing for the Eucharist at this age.

* Writing for children should focus on scenes and details that inspire questions and engage their imagination.

* Parents should prioritize their relationship with their children and teach them about the faith in the context of that relationship.

* Being a practicing Catholic involves going to Mass every Sunday and on holy days of obligation, as well as living according to the teachings of the Church.

* Conversion to Catholicism can be a journey of discovering the richness and unity of the faith, particularly through the Eucharist.

* The sacraments are essential in family life and provide grace and unity for Catholic families. The Catholic understanding of grace emphasizes the inherent goodness of individuals and the cooperation with God's grace.

* The Eucharist holds a central role in the Catholic faith, representing the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ.

* Passing on the faith to children is crucial, and resources like the book 'Eucharistic Saints' can help in teaching children about the Eucharist and the lives of saints.

* The conversation highlights the importance of relationship, love, and adoration in the Catholic faith.

Keywords

Eucharist, Saints, children, faith, conversion, sacraments, family life, Catholicism, grace, Eucharist, conversion, Protestantism, cooperation, inherent goodness, saints, children

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It was my great pleasure to speak with Dr. John DiCamillo about end of life issues and bioethics. Thank you very much to Samantha Stephenson of Brave New Us for the introduction!

Summary

Dr. John DiCamillo from the National Catholic Bioethics Center discusses end-of-life issues, specifically euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. He explains that euthanasia is the deliberate taking of human life to eliminate suffering, either through commission or omission. Assisted suicide, on the other hand, is when the patient themselves takes action to end their own life with the help of a healthcare professional. Dr. DiCamillo emphasizes the importance of treating suffering rather than eliminating the sufferer, and highlights the need to address the spiritual and emotional aspects of suffering as well. He also encourages individuals to support and sustain the dignity of human life in their own families and communities as a way to change the culture surrounding end-of-life issues. In this conversation, Dr. John A. DiCamillo discusses the distinction between ordinary and extraordinary means in medical care and the importance of making prudential judgments based on the benefits and burdens of treatment. He explains that the Church teaches that basic human care, including nourishment and hydration, is always morally obligatory. However, there are exceptions to this rule, such as when the treatment is not achieving its intended purpose or when it is causing serious harms or complications. Dr. DiCamillo emphasizes that the finality of nutrition and hydration is to nourish and hydrate, not to heal or cure medical conditions.

Takeaways

* Euthanasia is the deliberate taking of human life to eliminate suffering, while assisted suicide is when the patient themselves takes action to end their own life with the help of a healthcare professional.

* Treating suffering rather than eliminating the sufferer is a key principle in Catholic moral theology.

* Addressing the spiritual and emotional aspects of suffering is important in addition to medical treatment.

* Supporting and sustaining the dignity of human life in families and communities can help change the culture surrounding end-of-life issues. The distinction between ordinary and extraordinary means in medical care is based on the judgment of whether a treatment offers a reasonable hope of benefit without imposing excessive burdens.

* Prudential judgments about medical care should be made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the specific circumstances and the individual's overall life circumstances.

* Basic human care, including nourishment and hydration, is always morally obligatory, but there are exceptions when the treatment is not achieving its intended purpose or is causing serious harms or complications.

* The finality of nutrition and hydration is to nourish and hydrate, not to heal or cure medical conditions.

Sound Bites

* "Treat the suffering, don't eliminate the sufferer."

* "Average Catholics in a parish who are calling us for help with decisions, but they're already like, 'Yeah, I've been taking care of my mother for 15 years at home.'"

* "Just be a witness right where you are. Do what you can."

* "Make your voice heard at that time too so that your local communities and political communities, again from the local level up through the state and the national level, your voice does matter in that way as well."

* "If we transgress some of these things we are participating in the culture of death whether we acknowledge it or not."

* "Ordinary and extraordinary means simply come down to a judgment of does this treatment offer a reasonable hope of benefit without imposing excessive burdens."

Do you have a question for the National Catholic Bioethics Center’s ethicists? Click HERE to submit a question!

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Keywords

end-of-life issues, euthanasia, physician-assisted suicide, suffering, dignity of human life, culture change, ordinary means, extraordinary means, medical care, prudential judgment, benefits and burdens, basic human care, nourishment and hydration

Dr. Jeff Morrow, a Jewish convert to the Catholic faith, discusses his journey and the role of the investigation of Jesus' resurrection in his conversion. He emphasizes the importance of reason and evidence in understanding the faith and shares his own experience of being convinced of the rationality of Jesus' resurrection. Dr. Morrow also highlights the need for authentic friendships and the role they play in helping others grow closer to God. He explains that while apologetics is important, it should be approached in the context of friendship and personal encounters.

Learn more about The Resurrection at the St. Paul Center’s Emmaus Academy courses.

Takeaways

* The investigation of Jesus' resurrection played a crucial role in Dr. Jeff Morrow's conversion from Judaism to Catholicism.

* Reason and evidence are important in understanding and defending the faith.

* Authentic friendships can be a powerful means of helping others grow closer to God.

* Apologetics should be approached in the context of friendship and personal encounters.

Dr. Jeffrey L. Morrow is a Senior Fellow of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Senior Fellow of the Principium Institute, a Fellow of the Institute for Biblical Research, and is Professor of Theology at Seton Hall University’s Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology. He earned his Ph.D. in Theology, in the program on the U.S. Catholic Experience, from the University of Dayton. His specialization is in Historical Theology and the History of Exegesis, particularly in the Modern Period and in the U.S. He has participated as a Visiting Scholar at Princeton Theological Seminary, as well as at Tantur Ecumenical Institute in Jerusalem in their Summer Scholars Program.

Dr. Morrow was raised culturally Jewish, attended Hebrew school and had a bar mitzvah. He earned his B.A. from Miami University, in Oxford, Ohio, with majors in both Comparative Religion and Classical Greek and with a minor in Jewish Studies. At Miami he became an evangelical Protestant, and then entered the Catholic Church, Easter Vigil of 1999. His M.A. from the University of Dayton in Theological Studies focused on Biblical Studies.

Dr. Morrow is the author of Alfred Loisy and Modern Biblical Studies (Catholic University of America Press, 2019), Theology, Politics, and Exegesis: Essays on the History of Modern Biblical Criticism (Pickwick Publications, 2017), Seeking the Lord of Middle Earth (Cascade Books, 2017), Jesus’ Resurrection: A Jewish Convert Examines the Evidence (Principium Institute, 2017), Three Skeptics and the Bible (Pickwick Publications, 2016) and has published articles in a variety of academic journals and popular periodicals, including Journal of Religious History, International Journal of Systematic Theology, New Blackfriars, Pro Ecclesia, Crisis, Homiletic & Pastoral Review, and The Catholic Answer.

He resides with his wife Maria and their six children Maia, Eva, Patrick, Robert, John, and Nicholas in northern New Jersey. His wife Maria also earned her Theology Ph.D. from the University of Dayton.

Keywords:

resurrection Jesus conversion evidence reason faith friendship prayer Catholicism catholic

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Raouf Zaki, an independent filmmaker, discusses his upcoming film 'Son of the 11th Hour' which tells the story of the 21 Coptic Orthodox Christians who were martyred by ISIS in Libya. Raouf shares the inspiration behind the film and the incredible faith and resilience of the martyrs. He explains why he chose to make a drama film rather than a documentary and the importance of portraying the horrific details of their torture. Raouf also discusses the challenges and miracles that occurred during the filming process and the need for support to complete the film.

Teaser

Takeaways

* The film 'Son of the 11th Hour' tells the story of the 21 Coptic Orthodox Christians who were martyred by ISIS in Libya.

* Raouf Zaki chose to make a drama film rather than a documentary to portray the horrific details of the martyrs' torture and the human drama surrounding their faith.

* The film aims to honor and commemorate the martyrs and their incredible faith and resilience.

* Support is needed to complete the film, and donations can be made through the Kickstarter campaign or by contacting Raouf Zaki.

Support the Film!

If you are able, please be a part of funding this independent film. It’s going to be fantastic, but Raouf needs your help! There are only 16 days to go on the Kickstarter!

“Son of the 11th Hour” Kickstarter

Ask for the intercession of the 21 Coptic Martyrs yourself as we pray for the success of this film:

* Milad Makeen Zaky

* Abanub Ayad Atiya

* Maged Soliman Shehata

* Youssef Shukry Younan

* Kirollos Boshra Fawzy

* Bishoy Astafanous Kamel

* Samuel Astafanous Kamel

* Malak Ibrahim Sinyout

* Tawadros Youssef Tawadros

* Gerges Milad Sinyout

* Mina Fayez Aziz

* Hany Abdel Mesih Salib

* Samuel Alham Wilson

* Ezzat Boshra Naseef

* Luka Nagaty Anis

* Gaber Mounir Adly

* Essam Baddar Samir

* Malak Farag Abrahim

* Sameh Salah Farouk

* Gerges Samir Megally

* Mathew Ayairga (from Ghana)

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"Communism is not just a false gospel, it is, in a very real sense, the anti-gospel."

In this conversation, Will Wright interviews Stephen Mosher, author of the book 'The Devil in Communist China from Mao down to Xi.' Mosher discusses his experiences in China, including witnessing forced abortions under the one-child policy, and his journey from being a pro-choice atheist to a practicing Roman Catholic and pro-life advocate. He highlights the dangers of the Chinese Communist Party and its establishment of a high-tech digital dictatorship, where the government monitors and controls every aspect of people's lives. Mosher also criticizes the Vatican's attempts to make agreements with the Chinese government and emphasizes the need for the United States to recognize the threat posed by China and take a strong stance against the Chinese Communist Party.

Buy the book The Devil and Communist China: From Mao Down to Xi by Steven Mosher from TAN Books HERE.

Takeaways

* The Chinese Communist Party has established a high-tech digital dictatorship, where the government monitors and controls every aspect of people's lives.

* The Vatican's attempts to make agreements with the Chinese government have been misguided, as the Chinese Communist Party uses these agreements to infiltrate and control the Catholic Church in China.

* The United States needs to recognize the threat posed by China and take a strong stance against the Chinese Communist Party.

* China's population is aging and its economic prospects are grim due to the one-child policy and the expropriation of wealth by the Communist Party.

* The Chinese Communist Party is funding the Green Movement and using it to weaken the United States and other countries.

Steven W. Mosher is an internationally recognized authority on China and population issues, as well as an acclaimed author, speaker. He has worked tirelessly since 1979 to fight coercive population control programs and has helped hundreds of thousands of women and families worldwide over the years.

In 1979, Steven was the first American social scientist to visit mainland China. He was invited there by the Chinese government, where he had access to government documents and actually witnessed women being forced to have abortions under the new “one-child policy.” Mr. Mosher was a pro-choice atheist at the time, but witnessing these traumatic abortions led him to reconsider his convictions and to eventually become a practicing, pro-life Roman Catholic.

Steven has appeared numerous times before Congress as an expert in world population, China, and human rights abuses. He has also made TV appearances on Good Morning America, 60 Minutes, The Today Show, 20/20, FOX and CNN news, as well as being a regular guest on talk radio shows across the nation.

He is also the author of the best-selling A Mother’s Ordeal: One Woman’s Fight Against China’s One-Child Policy. Other books include Hegemon: China’s Plan to Dominate Asia and the World, China Attacks, China Misperceived: American Illusions and Chinese Reality, Journey to the Forbidden China, and Broken Earth: The Rural Chinese.

Articles by Steve have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Reader’s Digest, The New Republic, The Washington Post, National Review, Reason, The Asian Wall Street Journal, Freedom Review, Linacre Quarterly, Catholic World Report, Human Life Review, First Things, and numerous other publications.

Steven Mosher lives in Virginia with his wife, Vera, and their nine children.

Keywords

China, Chinese Communist Party, one-child policy, forced abortions, digital dictatorship, surveillance, human rights, Vatican, agreements, United States

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With Corpus Christi celebrated recently and the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus coming up, I reached out to Fr. George Elliott of CAST and Catholic-Link to discuss his book “Behold, It is I”, published by TAN Books. Fr. George and I worked together for a time when I was a writer for Catholic-Link. You can find those resources here.

Behold, It is I: Scripture, Tradition, and Science on the Real Presence

Author: Fr. George Elliott & Stacy Trasancos, PhD

You can buy the book here!

Father George Elliott, priest of the Diocese of Tyler, Texas, and author of the book 'Behold, It Is I', joins Will Wright on Good Distinctions. They discuss the book, which explores the biblical basis, tradition, and science behind the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Father Elliott wrote the book to provide a concise and understandable resource for Catholics who believe in the Eucharist and engage in conversations about their faith. The book has received positive feedback from Catholics who were struggling with their faith in the Eucharist and from those who regularly speak to non-Catholics about their faith. Father Elliott and Will also discuss the concept of Eucharistic miracles and the mystical nature of the Eucharist.

The conversation explores the problem of Catholics not fully understanding or believing in the real presence of the Eucharist. The book discussed in the conversation anticipated the Eucharistic revival happening in the Church and is a great help to those who wish to understand the Eucharist better. The importance of scripture, tradition, and the Magisterium in understanding the real presence is emphasized. The joy and fulfillment of the priestly life, particularly in offering Mass and hearing confessions, are highlighted. The conversation also touches on the topic of vocational discernment, emphasizing the need for prayer and developing a relationship with God.

Takeaways

* Father George Elliott wrote the book 'Behold, It Is I' to provide a concise and understandable resource for Catholics who believe in the Eucharist and engage in conversations about their faith.

* The book has received positive feedback from Catholics who were struggling with their faith in the Eucharist and from those who regularly speak to non-Catholics about their faith.

* Eucharistic miracles are not meant to provide scientific proof of the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, but rather to deepen our faith and remind us of the infinite mystery of the Eucharist.

* The Eucharist is a mystical experience that unites us with the divine and is more real than our everyday experiences.

* The book explores the biblical basis, tradition, and science behind the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, providing evidence and explanations to strengthen our belief in this sacrament. There is a problem of Catholics not fully understanding or believing in the real presence of the Eucharist.

* The book discussed in the conversation aims to address this issue and contribute to the Eucharistic revival happening in the Church.

* Scripture, tradition, and the Magisterium are essential in understanding the real presence of the Eucharist.

* The priestly life, particularly in offering Mass and hearing confessions, brings joy and fulfillment.

* Vocational discernment requires prayer and developing a relationship with God.

Keywords

Father George Elliott, Behold It Is I, book, Eucharist, real presence, Catholic, faith, conversation, Eucharistic miracles, mystical, Eucharist, real presence, Catholics, understanding, belief, book, Eucharistic revival, scripture, tradition, Magisterium, priestly life, joy, fulfillment, Mass, confessions, vocational discernment, prayer, relationship with God

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