The Catholic Cafe

How often should you go to the sacrament of Confession? When is it too much? Do you know what scrupulosity is? Many people suffer from this distorted understanding of self-examination. Listen in as Deacon Jeff and Tom discuss how to get the most out of your Reconciliation experience and how to avoid the pitfalls of scrupulous behavior.

Have you ever wondered if the spiritual goals you may have set for yourself can be problematic? Are you concerned with how many Rosaries you've prayed, or how many hours of Adoration you've accomplished, or how many Masses you attend weekly? Sometimes we can get caught up in the numbers game and lose sight of the real big picture...growing in holiness. Join Deacon Jeff and Tom as they welcome a new member of the team, Doug Grokulsky, to the Luxurious Corner Booth to discuss the potential problems of spiritual to-do lists.

Join Deacon Jeff and Tom in the Luxurious Corner Booth as they welcome their guest, Caroline Brennan of CRS, as she shares first-hand experiences and offers some great insights into the emergency needs of people around the world who suffer from persecution, poor living conditions and natural disasters.

Why is the concept of intercession so important to the Catholic Church? What does it mean for us? How do we do it? Where did it come from? Who did it first? Join Deacon Jeff and Tom in the Luxurious Corner Booth as we answer these and many other questions about the significance of praying for others and interceding on their behalf.

Increasingly, the Church is seeing the importance of ministering to young adults in their 20's and 30's. With ever-growing concerns and focus on new careers, first mortgages and young children, this vital part of God's Church finds itself transitioning from living under the supervision of parents to managing their own households. And the Church can sometimes seem less relevant to their day-to-day lives. Join Deacon Jeff and Tom as they welcome Pete Burak, Director of id916, a young adult ministry of Renewal Ministries, as they discuss how to engage young adults in the life of the Church.

You've certainly heard of Pentecost, that all important time in the beginning of the Church's life when the Holy Spirit descended upon the people of God and gave them His very life, to empower them to live out their baptismal call to grow in holiness and to go forth to evangelize. But, have you heard of the call for a New Pentecost? Join Deacon Jeff and Tom as they welcome EWTN show host and Vice President of Renewal Ministries Peter Herbeck to the Luxurious Corner Booth to discuss this renewed appreciation and utilization of the power of the Holy Spirit.

How many times have you heard someone tell you, That's a Mortal Sin! ? Did you ever wonder if the were right? What makes a Mortal Sin mortal? Join Deacon Jeff and Tom in the Luxurious Corner Booth as they take on the basic yet all important topic of Mortal and Venial Sins.

Have you ever noticed that Mass attendance during the summer seems to drop off...sometimes rather significantly? Are people taking summer-long vacations that cause them to be gone from your parish ALL summer long? Well, some folks may just be taking sacramental vacations. Join Deacon Jeff and Tom in the Luxurious Corner Booth as they discuss balancing the beauty of the vacation alongside the continuing obligation (and opportunity) to attend Holy Mass...wherever you are!

Do you remember your first pair of cleats when you were a kid? How they helped you in your ability to play the game? Well, interestingly, there are a lot of connections to be made between a good pair of cleats, and the Paraclete that Jesus promised to send us...the Holy Spirit. Intrigued? Want to hear more? Join Deacon Jeff and Tom in the Luxurious Corner Booth to find out why the game of life is played much more effectively with the Good Paraclete!

So...do you know what an Oratory is? Do you know why St. Philip Neri started them way back in the 1500's? Well, if you want to know (and believe me...it's quite fascinating!) you need to tune into the final pilgrimage episode of The FRENCH Catholic Cafe. Join Deacon Jeff and Fra Tom Mulligan as they welcome their guest, Fr. Richard Mullins, Oratorian in Formation for the Oratorian Community of St. Philip Neri in Washington, DC. Fr. Mullins tells us all about Oratories, and their fun-loving founder and saint, Philip Neri.