How Literal Should Catholics Take the Creation Story?

In this episode of Noll’s Nephew, we dive into one of the most familiar yet misunderstood words in Catholic life: Eucharist. Where does the term come from? What did the earliest Christians mean when they used it? And how did the Eucharist arrive on American soil long before the Pilgrims ever set foot at Plymouth? We explore the Greek roots of eucharistia (“thanksgiving”), trace its use through Scripture and the early Church, and tell the story of the very first Mass celebrated on what would become the United States. A concise, story-rich look at the heart of Catholic worship.

In this episode of Noll’s Nephew, we break down what it really means to become Catholic, not just the steps, but the heart behind the journey. Whether you’re curious, returning after years away, or walking with someone who’s discerning the faith, we’ll walk through OCIA, the sacraments of initiation, the role of sponsors and catechesis, and what it looks like to join the Church at the Easter Vigil. Becoming Catholic isn’t just learning doctrines — it’s entering a family, a sacramental life, and a relationship with Christ and His Church. If you’ve wondered where to begin… start here.

What are angels, really? In this episode of Noll’s Nephew, we dive deep into St. Thomas Aquinas’s angelology, one of the most straightforward and most influential explanations in the history of the Church. Are angels material or immaterial? How do they think? How do they act? Do they move from place to place? Can they protect us, teach us, or influence the world?

Drawing from the Summa Theologiae, Scripture, and the living Tradition of the Church, we unpack how Aquinas understood the spiritual world: pure intellects, perfect freedom, and powerful servants of God’s plan. Far from fantasy or children’s art, angels are real, intelligent, and active beings who participate in God’s providence.

In this episode of Noll’s Nephew, we delve into why Catholics venerate the relics of the saints and how this practice dates back to Scripture and the early Church. From Elisha’s bones to the relics of St. Polycarp, the faithful have honored the bodies of the holy as signs of God’s power and the promise of resurrection. Drawing from the Catechism and the Church Fathers, we’ll see how relics express the heart of Catholic faith: that grace transforms matter, holiness endures beyond death, and the saints are still with us.

In this episode of Noll’s Nephew, we explore the mysterious “Woman clothed with the sun” from Revelation 12 — and how her image comes to life in Our Lady of Guadalupe. Drawing on early Church Fathers like St. Epiphanius and St. Augustine, we’ll see how this vision of Mary and the Church reveals God’s victory over darkness. From the crown of stars in heaven to the tilma on earth, the same truth shines: Christ triumphs through His Mother. Discover how Mary’s light — in Scripture and in history — continues to guide, protect, and evangelize the world.

Does the Father punish Jesus on the Cross? In this episode, we talk about Penal Substitution and why the Catholic Church doesn’t teach it. Instead, we look at Scripture, the Catechism, and what the early Christians actually believed: that Jesus freely offered Himself in love, uniting us back to the Father and healing us from the inside out. The Cross isn’t divine anger — it’s divine love confronting human sin and transforming it. If you’ve ever wondered how the Cross saves us, this episode will help make things click.

In this episode of Noll’s Nephew, we break down the Vatican’s 2025 doctrinal note on Mary, Mother of Jesus and the title “Co-Redemptrix.” Learn why the Church says Mary is not a co-redeemer in the sense often misunderstood, how she cooperates with Christ, and how to honour her faithfully without confusing her role with that of Jesus.

Why did God become man? In this episode of Noll’s Nephew, we explore St. Anselm’s Cur Deus Homo — one of the greatest works in Christian theology. We’ll see how sin created a debt humanity couldn’t pay, how only the God-Man could restore what was lost, and why the Incarnation is not just logical but beautiful. Scripture, reason, and love all meet in Jesus Christ — God in human flesh. Discover how this mystery changes not only what we believe, but how we live.

In this episode of Noll’s Nephew, we explore the meaning of All Souls’ Day and why the Church dedicates the month of November to praying for the faithful departed.
Drawing from Scripture, the Church Fathers, and the Catechism, we uncover the biblical roots of purgatory and the profound charity of praying for the dead.
Discover how every Mass, rosary, and act of penance can bring light to souls still being purified by God’s love — and how our prayers express the unbreakable communion between Heaven, earth, and purgatory.