Apologetics

Catholicism is often Misunderstood

“Most people don’t hate what the Catholic Church teaches. . . they hate what they think the Catholic Church teaches.”  (Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen)

Before I became a Catholic, I was an evangelical, fundamentalist Protestant.  . . .  Read More

 

 

Confession to a Priest

Because the early church had to deal with the persecution of the Romans and hostile Jews of that day, they literally did not know when their souls would be required of them. For this reason, . . . Read More

 

 

Defending the Deuterocanon 1

Without intending to be an anti-Protestant fault-finder, I want to share with Protestants some historical facts that I have learned since my conversion to Catholicism three years ago.  As a Nondenominational Evangelical Protestant . . . Read More

 

 

Eternal Security

Most of the fundamentalist arm of the Protestant church believes in the doctrine of Eternal Security.  This means that at a certain point in his life, a person realizes that God is real, confesses that he is a sinner, admits his need for a savior, accepts Jesus Christ as his personal lord and savior, and allows Jesus . . . Read More

 

 

 

 

Eucharistic Adoration Benefits

Catholics believe that Eucharistic adoration is the act of being in a state of worship before the consecrated Eucharistic host. The consecrated host is placed in a monstrance that holds it in place for worshipers to see. The host displayed in this manner is given the utmost respect  . . .  Read More

 

 

Eucharistic Miracles

As a new Catholic (two years this April), I had a hard time wrapping my head around the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, but now I am a believer.  It has to be real because it is the focus of the Mass. Eucharistic miracles are real.  If I can believe that Jesus performed miracles during his ministry on earth, I can believe in the existence of his Real Presence in the . . .  Read More

 

 

More on Adoration

Last night I attended my parish’s Rosary group. Usually there Is adoration before the Rosary is prayed and a mass afterwards. For non-Catholics, the term “adoration” actually means . . . Read More

 

 

My Journey Into The Faith

This being Christmas Day, I reflected on the birth of Jesus while praying the Rosary this morning – which was really a beautiful thing. Something happens while I am reciting the prayers. I go through the motions. I plug into God. Spiritual current finds its way into my soul and lifts me from the ordinariness of everyday . . . Read More

 

 

Offering Up Suffering

Catholics have purpose and meaning by offering up suffering, especially those who were “called” to suffer.  Remember that the Catholic Church was built on the blood of the martyrs.  St. Faustina was well versed in the concept of suffering for the sake of others.  In her diary #67, she wrote the following: . . . Read More

 

 

 

Once Saved Always Saved?

Belief in Jesus and living a Christian life are both essential for salvation. The “once saved, always saved” or unconditional eternal security was not a doctrine that was taught by the ancient church, nor for that manner, by any well-known theologian before John Calvin. This doctrine is, in fact, completely . . . Read More

 

 

 

Praying to Saints

Praying to the saints goes back to the early, early church. But before we go on, let me clear up a huge misnomer about praying to our deceased brothers and sisters in Christ.  First of all, Catholics do not pray TO saints. They ask the saints to pray for them. In other words, they ask the saints in heaven to intercede for them. This practice has been engaged in . . . Read More

 

 

Pre-Tribulation Rapture

The “Rapture” was first introduced in the United States by an Irish evangelist named John Darby. This was based upon his interpretation of several . . . Read More

 

 

 

Protestant Versus Catholic Bibles

Most Christians who know a little about the differences between the Catholics and the Protestants have heard that the Catholics have seven more books in their Bible than the Protestants . . . Read More

 

 

RCIA Volunteer Helper

I have become a volunteer for this year’s RCIA class at Sacred Heart Parish. I did it because I wanted to learn more about the Catholic Church, as I was “fast-tracked” through my RCIA class last year and came in after the first half was over. This RCIA class is BIG! It’s not as big as my class was at the end, but . . . Read More

 

 

Repetitive Prayers

Non-Catholics often spread their “truths” about the Catholic Church, but these “truths” are rarely true. Here is what Bishop Fulton Sheen had to say on this subject:  “There are not over a hundred people in the United States who hate the Catholic Church. There are millions, however, who hate what they wrongly believe . . . Read More

 

 

Roman Catholic Sacraments

A sacrament is a special sign that is given by Christ to the Church whereby divine grace is conferred. It is an outward sign of an inward grace instituted by Christ. … Baptism is the sacrament that rids man of original sin and personal guilt. . . . Read More

 

 

 

The Eucharist

By what authority do Catholics say that the Eucharist or host is the body, blood, humanity, soul and divinity of Jesus? The answer to this question is so simple that most Protestants look past it. Even the fundamentalists, who believe the Bible at its face value, have difficulty with the concept of Jesus being in the bread and the wine. . . . Read More

 

 

Who is “Born Again?”

If a Catholic is asked if he is “born again,” his answer should be a resounding “Yes!” This is because the Bible tells him that he has been born again through Baptism.  Look at 1 Peter 3:20, where God prefigured our Baptism with Noah being saved through water. In verses 21 and 22, it goes on to say . . . Read More

 

 

 

 

Why Catholicism?

It has a billion registered members, which amounts to one-sixth of the world’s entire population.  Catholicism is found in every country of the world. It teaches just one set of doctrines everywhere. These are the same doctrines that were taught by the apostles, and the doctrine of the Catholic Church has never . . . Read More

 

 

 

Why Catholics Pray to the Saints

Coming from a Protestant background, it was somewhat difficult for me to wrap my head around the concept of praying to the saints. First I had to come to terms with praying to our Blessed Mother, and now I am (experientially) coming to terms with praying to the saints.  St. Anthony has helped me to find my keys — instantaneously, I might add! St. Jude . . . Read More

 

 

Why Do Catholics Confess to a Priest?

Well, the quick answer is because that’s the way God wants us to do it. In James 5:16, God, through Sacred Scripture, commands us to “confess our sins to one another.” Notice, Scripture does not say confess your sins straight to God and only to God…it says confess your sins to one another.  In Matthew, chapter 9, verse 6, Jesus tells us . . . Read More

 

 

Why I am a Catholic

I converted to the Catholic Religion because I had wanted to since I was a small child.  I loved the church’s mystery, liturgy, rituals, sights and smells.  Everything was sacred and special, from genuflecting and bowing before the crucifix . . .  Read More