The Catholic Cafe

Have you ever wondered why so many important events in the Bible lasted 40 days and nights or 40 years? That number 40 is actually significant and can tell us a lot about what the event is leading to. Join Deacon Jeff in the Luxurious Corner Booth as he, Tom and Doug discuss the number 40 and it's biblical significance.

So...what did you give up for Lent? We have always loved asking and answering this question every Ash Wednesday. The problem is that, for many people, the idea of giving something up has lost it's meaning and has even fallen by the wayside as a childish or obsolete custom. Join Deacon Jeff in the Luxurious Corner Booth as he, Tom and Doug discuss the meaning, purpose and extreme value of our Lenten practices as we prepare for the glories of Easter.

Many people - Catholics and non-Catholics alike - are asking themselves, Is this all there is? Life can be tough, filled with many challenges, and many of us are wondering how to live a joy-filled life. Join Deacon Jeff and Doug as they welcome their guest, Fr. Emerich Vogt, OP, to the Luxurious Corner Booth to discuss the keys to not only recognize potential issues in themselves and their families and friends, but how to mend and heal relationships through the love of Christ, the Church and the Eucharist.

Many people struggle with authority in their lives...political, workplace, familial and even religious authority. In a culture that promotes the total empowerment of self, it's getting harder and harder to recognize the authority of the Church as a natural extension of Christ's authority. Join Deacon Jeff and Doug Grokulsky as they discuss the challenging and timely topic of authority today.

What happens when you work so long and so hard that you find it difficult to get to Mass? And, when you do go, you get nothing out of it because you're so tired. This is a dilemma many people in our current economy are facing. Join Deacon Jeff and Tom in the Luxurious Corner Booth as they try and assist a listener in her process of navigating this tough situation.

Once again, Deacon Jeff, Tom and Doug open up the mail bag in the Luxurious Corner Booth of The Catholic Cafe! Join them as they help a listener who wants to know what the Catholic Church can offer those who are only nominal Catholics, but have an intense desire to know more about what the Church teaches...and thereby grow in their faith.

What did Jesus REALLY mean when he told us that unless we turn and become like children we could not enter the kingdom of heaven? Didn't St. Paul tell us to put away childish things? Even the world would have our children grow up sooner and sooner. Join Deacon Jeff, Tom and Doug as they ponder the words of Jesus and explore ways in which we can all re-capture our child-like qualities.

Sometimes, I wonder if the season of Advent is one of the best kept secrets of the Church's liturgical year. Our commercial culture has taught us to skip right from Halloween (All Hallows Eve) to Christmas. And yet, the Church asks us to pause and spend a significant time (in fact, a season) to reflect on the coming - the advent - of the Lord. Join Deacon Jeff, Tom and Doug as they ponder the meaning of this very important opportunity to prepare the way.

Meet Annemarie from the Netherlands. She is 24 years old and a lone Catholic in her family, amongst her friends and even in her parish. Annemarie is not the only one who feels this way. Join Deacon Jeff and Tom in the Luxurious Corner Booth as they discuss her email from Holland and try and offer some advice, guidance and comfort in her situation.

Do you know the true origins and development of the American holiday of Thanksgiving? Is it just an onramp to the Christmas season? Does it have a truly religious origin? Join Deacon Jeff, Tom and Doug in the Luxurious Corner Booth as they discuss how we can take back the holiday and live more fully its originally spiritual intent.