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 images below to learn more about them and be taken to the best prices on Amazon.

         

Dr. Hahn on Mary: Christ's Greatest Masterpiece

On the eve of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Dr. Scott Hahn releases this great new video clip on Mary.

Reminder: December 8th is a Holy Day of Obligation!!!

TG

Preaching the Strange Word by Bishop Barron

Bishop Robert Barron published a new article today called Preaching the Strange Word. Like everything he puts out, it's worth a read! Just click the article's title.

Be A Disciple!

Franciscan University Conference Office wants to help you be a disciple of Jesus Christ. They have put together a series of short videos from some of their best conference speakers and friends of the University. You can sign up to receive one video every day for the entire month of September. It's simple. Just click the link below and go to the page where you sign up. There is a short informational video you can watch if you are interested, or just sign up. Who doesn't want help to #BeADisciple ?

Click Here to be Taken to the "Be A Disciple" Page!

TG

Are Catholic Families Having a Crisis of Faith?

I have often said that we do not have a "vocations crisis" in the Church, we have a "faith crisis" in the Church. If more young people were growing up fostering healthy prayer lives and seeking God's will for their vocation, I believe we would have an abundance of vocations to the priesthood. This could be said of many issues that our Church and parishes face. If every member of the parish prayed daily, frequented the sacraments, and sought God's will daily, volunteers for ministries would be abundant, the Church would have greater outreach to non-Catholics, food pantries would be full, Catholic schools would be overflowing, and there would be plenty of money to fix the leaky roof at the rectory.

Gregory Popcak's article focuses on the family and the results of a CARA study. I encourage you to read the article (linked below) but don't stop there. Ask yourself how you can make a difference. Maybe it's sharing your faith with someone, or encouraging your neighbors to bring their kids to religious education class, or inviting a family member who no longer goes to Mass to go with you to Church this Sunday. As Gregory Popcak says, "Both the Church and the world need Godly families who are prepared to witness the Catholic vision of life and love." This couldn't be more true. In a time when Catholics are being killed in other parts of the world, and basic Catholic moral teachings are being attacked in the media, in the courts, and in the public square, we need strong Catholic families. As a friend of mine put it, "We need to be raising kids who are prepared to me martyrs." Sobering, but true.

Click Here for Gregory Popcak's Article

TG