Do You Really Know Why We Fast in Lent?

Fr. Mike Schmitz lays out 4 reasons for fasting. Warning! this video may inspire you to fast more often and in different ways.

Feeling Overwhelmed?

This is a great 6.5 minute video on dealing with being overwhelmed. I know. I just gave you something else to do! But this is worth it. "Forget what lies behind and strive ahead!"

What You Need to Know About the Immaculate Conception

Tomorrow is December 8th, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, and a Holy Day of
Obligation. It's a fantastic time for each of us to brush up on this awesome truth. The Immaculate Conception is not only dogmatically defined by the Church, but it is one of only a handful of dogmas that a pope has made an infallible statement regarding. It's ironic that an element of the faith that is so important is also so often completely misunderstood.

Take a few minutes and read the short article my Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio called Immaculate Conception and Mary as a Model of Faith.  Dr. D'Ambrosio also goes by the superhero name "Dr. Italy", and his superhero power is clearly explaining Systematic and Sacramental Theology. Reading this article is 5 minutes well spent!

Click here to go to the Article

A Bishop, Hip Hop, the Cubs, and Vocations

This is a fun video that will make you smile, with some serious personal sharing by Bishop Malloy on his own call to the priesthood found in the middle. You have 7 minutes. Watch it!!!

2016 Catholic Conference Calendar

I have (finally) been updating the calendar of Catholic Conferences around the country. I highly
recommend that every Catholic regularly attends a retreat or conference. If you are looking for a place to start, check out the Calendar on "Page 2." More updates will come as I run across conferences and events of interest.

Happy Epiphany!

If You Think It's Cold Where You Are...

Check out this amazing picture of a thermos of hot tea being flung in the air an -40 degrees (-40 degrees Celsius is also -40 degrees Fahrenheit).

You can check out the rest of the photos here on the Boredpanda site.

Win A Free Scott Hahn Book!!!

We are giving away a free copy of "Joy to the World" by Scott Hahn. All you need to do is to subscribe by filling out the "Follow by Email" box to the right and click "Submit." We will draw on Christmas day!!!

(Current subscribers are automatically entered.)

Want to Know How to Easily Listen to a Weekly Teaching from Bishop Robert Barron?

I received a group email today from Brandon Vogt announcing a new weekly podcast with Bishop Robert Barron. For those of you who already know of Bishop Barron, and if you follow this blog you should, you know what an incredible teacher and preacher he is. If you like podcasts, this is a great way to get some spiritual formation from Bishop Barron while you are on the go. Needless to say, I think this is fantastic!

You can access the podcast page by clicking here!

If you don't know what a podcast is, then I may need to write a post on "Introduction to Podcasts." Let me know.

TG

EWTN on Amazon Fire TV !!!

This is an update to my original article on getting EWTN without cable. The first article focused on the Roku Box. Now you have the additional option of watching EWTN on Amazon Fire TV! This is great because the Fire Stick is very affordable starting at only $40. If you want more features you can get the full Amazon Fire TV box for just $85 which can give you ethernet connectivity if your TV is close to your modem/router. Both versions have wireless capability (802.11 AC, MIMO).

We have been using the Fire Stick and love it. In addition to streaming all EWTN broadcasts, you can get the Catholic TV network, select Fox News stories, and hundreds of other channels, including streaming music. All the regulars are there, including YouTube, Netflix, and, of course, Amazon Video. For anyone who purchases TV or Movies through Amazon Video, this is a must, making access super easy. We have also found it a great platform for streaming Netflix, working a lot better than our Tivo.

Did I mention how easy installation is? You won't even need to call your family tech guy (and we appreciate that), as long as you know your WiFi password.

I am a BIG fan of the Amazon Fire Stick and may upgrade to the Fire TV soon. Click the image below to learn more about them and be taken to the best prices available from Amazon.

Click Here to View Amazon Fire TV