Sunday Sermon, October 22: The Immensity of the Soul, and Heaven (Sermons on the Last Things, Part 1 of 5 -- Father Ryan Erlenbush, Corpus Christi Parish)

In the last month of the Liturgical Year (which concludes at the end of November), the Church has us read this year from St Paul's first Letter to the Thessalonians. This Letter teaches about the Last Things and the end of both our individual lives in death and of all history in the Second Coming.

We take the opportunity to preach five sermons on the Last Things: Heaven and Hell, Death and Judgement. First, we will consider the immensity of the soul and the vocation to Heaven, then death and the personal judgement, hell, purgatory, and heaven.

The human soul is a spiritual universe which is far more vast and beautiful than the natural universe in which we live. The human soul finds happiness only in the infinite goodness of God.

October 19 Adult Ed Course on the Angels, Session 3: The Angels in the Old and New Testaments (Father Ryan Erlenbush, Corpus Christi Parish)

Session 3 of our course on the angels: Angels in the Old and New Testaments

Course Objectives:

1) Review what follows from the fact that angels are immaterial, pure spiritual beings

2) Overview of the basic biblical approach to angels

3) Consideration of various biblical names given to the spirits

4) Brief study of several passages in which angels appear in the Old and New Testaments

Sunday Sermons, October 15 - The Miracle of the Sun, part 2 (Father Ryan Erlenbush, Corpus Christi Parish)

The apocalyptic aspects of the miracle of the sun (13 October 1917) point to the apocalyptic message of Fatima.

An eyewitness to the miracle, "Everyone within an area of 32 miles thought it was the end of the world."

Sr Lucia, in 1945, "The Most Holy Virgin did not tell me that we are in the last times of the world, but She made me understand this for three reasons. First, the devil is in the mood for engaging in the final battle. Second, because She said that the Holy Rosary and devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary are the last two remedies [given to the world] which signifies that there will be no others. Third, because God offers His Most Holy Mother as the last means of salvation. If we despise and repulse this last means, we will not have any more forgiveness from Heaven."

Our Lady of Akita (13 October 1973), "The work of the devil will infiltrate even into the Church in such a way that one will see cardinals opposing cardinals, bishops against bishops. The priests who venerate me will be scorned and opposed by their fellow priests. Churches and altars will be sacked. The Church will be full of those who accept compromises. The devil will tempt many priests and consecrated religious to leave the service of the Lord."

October 13, Fatima Procession Talk (Father Ryan Erlenbush, Corpus Christi Parish)

A brief overview of the history of the apparitions of Our Lady at Fatima, Portugal in 1917.

October 12 -- Adult Ed Course on the Angels, Session 2: Angels at their creation and fall

Session 2 of our adult ed series on the angels

Objectives for Session 2: Angels at their creation and fall

1) Review what follows from the fact that angels are immaterial, pure spiritual beings

2) Consider the ways in which an angel, though perfect in himself, could possibly fall

3) Consider the wonderful obedience of the good angels

Sunday Sermon, October 8 -- The Miracle of the Sun, Part 1 (Father Ryan Erlenbush, Corpus Christi Parish)

As we near the 100th Anniversary of the great Miracle of the Sun in Fatima, Portugal, we consider the miracle first as an historical event (this week) and then as an apocalyptic sign (next week).

What is a miracle? How do we determine if a miracle has occurred? Why should we learn about this miracle? What really happened on 13 October 1917?

The Miracle of the Sun is a unique event in human history: Predicted three months in advance as to the precise date, time, and place, this miracle was witnessed by over 70,000 people from as far as 30 miles away.

Those present on 13 October 1917 "included believers and non-believers, pious old ladies and scoffing young men. Hundreds, from these mixed categories, have given formal testimony. Reports do vary; impressions are in minor details confused, but non to our knowledge has directly denied the visible prodigy of the sun."   "The witnesses of the event were indeed innumerable, their testimonies agree and we are flooded with the documents they have left us."

October 5 - Adult Ed Course on the Angels, Session 1: Who are the Angels (Father Ryan Erlenbush, Corpus Christi Parish)

Session 1 of our adult ed series on the angels.

OBJECTIVES FOR SESSION 1: WHO ARE THE ANGELS?

1) To understand that angels are each their own species, and therefore have great diversity.

2) To recognize that angels know some but not all things, and not the hidden thoughts of men or the future.

3) To understand something of the way that angels are “within time” – aeviternity and discrete time

4) To appreciate the multitude of the angelic host

Sunday Sermon, October 1 -- On Promises and Vows, and the Vow of Widowhood (Father Ryan Erlenbush, Corpus Christi Parish)

When we hear of the two sons, one who made a vow and didn't fulfill it and the other who made no vow but nevertheless did what was good, we might ask whether it is beneficial to make a vow or promise to the Lord.

We ought not to make a vow or a promise to God carelessly, lest we commit a greater sin by not fulfilling our vow. However, we also recognize that many acts of devotion do not involve a strict vow but rather are a commitment to striving to improve.

It is good to make vows or promises to the Lord for at least three reasons: 1) That which we vow is now offered as an act of religion.  2) We give God not only the present good work, but also the future works which are vowed.  3) Our resolve is strengthened to persevere in the good work even when it is difficult.

Finally, we discuss the Vow of Widowhood as presented by St Francis de Sales.