Christmas is a time to emphasize Christian unity, and there are many graces available to bring about conversion. In this sermon, we present a number of arguments or examples which show that even the most fundamentalist Protestants can't help but become a little bit Catholic at Christmas time.
1) The veneration of holy images and of saints, in the Nativity Scenes.
2) Greater attention given to Mary so as to come more fully to Jesus, in Christmas songs.
3) Celebrating "man-made" Holy Days, in the very celebration of Christmas.
The deeper reality that draws Protestants to a Catholic manner of worship during Christmas season is that the mystery of Christmas is the incarnation, that God truly became Man. The real heresy of Martin Luther and the other Protestants turns out to be a rejection of the importance of Christ's humanity.
Monday, January 7, 2019
Advent Adult Ed Course on the Traditional Latin Mass for the Church Today (December 4th, 11th, 18th -- Father Ryan Erlenbush, Corpus Christi)
We consider the significance of the various words and gestures of the priest during the Traditional Latin Mass, and how we can more fully participate in the Traditional Mass. Further, we point out many ways in which the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass is helpful for both the priest and the people, and how the Traditional Mass will bring a much needed healing to a deep wound of division which has occurred in the Church in the years since the Second Vatican Council - the Church today seems almost to be divided against herself, her history, her tradition, and her Mass.
Sunday Sermon, December 16 -- The Right to War, the Right to Private Property, the Love of the Poor (Father Ryan Erlenbush, Corpus Christi)
St John the Baptist gives an implicit approval of both just war and private property when the people come to ask him "What should we do?" To the rich, he does not deny the right to private property, but only says they should be generous to the poor. And, to the soldiers, he does not deny the right of nations to go to war (in just circumstances), but only commands them to be good soldiers.
Nations have a right to wage war either for their own defense or the defense of their rights, or even for the defense of weaker peoples who are suffering oppression. Still, this should only be a last resort - as war does bring much suffering. The right of nations to wage war is a safeguard to check unjust aggression and greed.
Individuals have a right to private property, and this is why communism and socialism are true heresies which Catholics must reject. Socialist strive to take the wealth of the rich and redistribute it to the poor, and they further strive to subject the family to the whim of the State (redefining the nature of marriage and family life). We note that the democratic party in the USA is dangerous close to socialism, and the Church (Bl Pius IX and St John XXIII especially) has stated that a Catholic cannot be a socialist.
But private wealth is meant to be not only for the benefit of the rich, but also to be used to relieve the sufferings of the poor. If we desire to grow in a love for the poor (which is one of the essential fruits of the Christmas mystery), we can look to the great saints (like St Wenceslaus) and to our Lord (who became poor so that we might be made spiritually rich).
Nations have a right to wage war either for their own defense or the defense of their rights, or even for the defense of weaker peoples who are suffering oppression. Still, this should only be a last resort - as war does bring much suffering. The right of nations to wage war is a safeguard to check unjust aggression and greed.
Individuals have a right to private property, and this is why communism and socialism are true heresies which Catholics must reject. Socialist strive to take the wealth of the rich and redistribute it to the poor, and they further strive to subject the family to the whim of the State (redefining the nature of marriage and family life). We note that the democratic party in the USA is dangerous close to socialism, and the Church (Bl Pius IX and St John XXIII especially) has stated that a Catholic cannot be a socialist.
But private wealth is meant to be not only for the benefit of the rich, but also to be used to relieve the sufferings of the poor. If we desire to grow in a love for the poor (which is one of the essential fruits of the Christmas mystery), we can look to the great saints (like St Wenceslaus) and to our Lord (who became poor so that we might be made spiritually rich).
Wednesday, December 19, 2018
Sunday Sermon, December 9th -- The Three Acts of the Penitent When Going To Confession (Father Ryan Erlenbush, Sunday Sermon)
Advent Confession prepares us for Christmas Communion, even as John's baptism of repentance prepared the way for the coming of the Messiah.
First, regarding the duty of the priest when hearing confession, two points: 1) If a priest does not say the proper words of absolution (Specifically, "I absolve you"), he should be reported to the bishop. 2) If a priest in confession says that a sin against the 6th commandment isn't a sin, he must be reported (because he has committed a canonical crime, and he must be stopped from continuing in his ministry).
There are many priests who have said certain sexual sins are not sins (most especially, contraception or sterilization) - these priests aren't just "liberals," they are real criminals, they have broken canon law and must be stopped from continuing in ministry in this way. Bad advice in confession is one thing, but when the bad advice is given about a grave sexual sin, the Church treats the matter far more seriously as it is a far graver offense.
Secondly, we consider the acts of the penitent in making confession: Contrition (sorrow for sin), Confession (naming our serious sins by kind and number), and Satisfaction (fulfilling our penance).
First, regarding the duty of the priest when hearing confession, two points: 1) If a priest does not say the proper words of absolution (Specifically, "I absolve you"), he should be reported to the bishop. 2) If a priest in confession says that a sin against the 6th commandment isn't a sin, he must be reported (because he has committed a canonical crime, and he must be stopped from continuing in his ministry).
There are many priests who have said certain sexual sins are not sins (most especially, contraception or sterilization) - these priests aren't just "liberals," they are real criminals, they have broken canon law and must be stopped from continuing in ministry in this way. Bad advice in confession is one thing, but when the bad advice is given about a grave sexual sin, the Church treats the matter far more seriously as it is a far graver offense.
Secondly, we consider the acts of the penitent in making confession: Contrition (sorrow for sin), Confession (naming our serious sins by kind and number), and Satisfaction (fulfilling our penance).
Saturday, December 8th -- Advent Retreat on the Infancy of Jesus (Father Ryan Erlenbush, Corpus Christi Parish)
Saturday Morning Retreat for the beginning of the Advent Season -- Devotion to the Infancy of Jesus.
Conference 1 -- The Historical Reality of Jesus' Infancy.
We consider at the history surrounding Jesus' conception, birth and childhood. Further, we recognize that this Child is true God, and that he knows and loves us even in his humanity from the moment of his conception. The baby Jesus is no ordinary baby, but truly has use of reason and free will - and he embraces all of us in the love of his Sacred infant Heart.
Conference 2 -- Devotions to the Infancy of Jesus
The knowledge of the infant Christ is the foundation of our devotion to him in his childhood - for he truly knew then that we would be praying to him now. We consider various saints who had special devotion to the infancy of Jesus, especially St Teresa of Avila and the Infant of Prague. Further, the "Way of Bethlehem" or "Stations of the Infant Jesus" by St Alphonsus Liguori.
Conference 1 -- The Historical Reality of Jesus' Infancy.
We consider at the history surrounding Jesus' conception, birth and childhood. Further, we recognize that this Child is true God, and that he knows and loves us even in his humanity from the moment of his conception. The baby Jesus is no ordinary baby, but truly has use of reason and free will - and he embraces all of us in the love of his Sacred infant Heart.
Conference 2 -- Devotions to the Infancy of Jesus
The knowledge of the infant Christ is the foundation of our devotion to him in his childhood - for he truly knew then that we would be praying to him now. We consider various saints who had special devotion to the infancy of Jesus, especially St Teresa of Avila and the Infant of Prague. Further, the "Way of Bethlehem" or "Stations of the Infant Jesus" by St Alphonsus Liguori.
Sunday Sermon, December 2nd -- The Great Apostasy and the Current Crisis (Father Ryan Erlenbush, Corpus Christi Parish)
"The powers of the heavens will be shaken" -- The Fathers of the Church and the great saints tell us that, in the last days during the final tribulation, those to whom we should have looked to give light and guidance to the world will rather sow confusion and doubt. In the last days, many of the pastors of the Church (bishops, even cardinals, and priests as well) will seem to be shaken, no longer giving clear teaching or sound moral example.
The Church is today in a time of great crisis. The crisis of sexual abuse of children by priests has caused much harm. Furthermore, since the Second Vatican Council, there was been so much confusion in the Church - priests and bishops promoting false teachings and even heresies, grave liturgical abuses, serious moral failings, etc.
And yet, Jesus tells us to stand tall and hold our heads high, for it is meant to be the day of our vindication. Bishop Warfel has called for a year of Prayer, Penance, and Reparation - the perfect response to the current crisis and the grave tribulation in which we find ourselves.
Listen online [here]!
The Church is today in a time of great crisis. The crisis of sexual abuse of children by priests has caused much harm. Furthermore, since the Second Vatican Council, there was been so much confusion in the Church - priests and bishops promoting false teachings and even heresies, grave liturgical abuses, serious moral failings, etc.
And yet, Jesus tells us to stand tall and hold our heads high, for it is meant to be the day of our vindication. Bishop Warfel has called for a year of Prayer, Penance, and Reparation - the perfect response to the current crisis and the grave tribulation in which we find ourselves.
Listen online [here]!
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
Sunday Sermon, November 25 -- Christ, the King of Every Heart and Every Nation (Father Ryan Erlenbush, Corpus Christi Parish)
Pope Pius XI instituted the feast of Christ the King to affirm that Jesus is not only the king of every individual, but also of every nation. As our Lady had revealed at Fatima, there will only be peace when every nation and all peoples submit to the reign of Christ the King, and of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
If we desire Christ to be the King of our hearts, we might do well to consider the precepts of the Church and, during this coming Advent season, take a small step forward in each of these areas.
Rather than confession once a year, try once a month (or more). Not only communion once a year, but weekly time in adoration. Not merely Mass on Sundays and Holy Days, but even once or twice a week. In addition to abstaining from meat on Fridays, add extra penance on Wednesdays and Saturdays during Advent. And, in addition to your regular giving to the Church and to the needy, make an extra end-of-the-year gift, to express your thanks to God for having given everything to you.
If we desire Christ to be the King of our hearts, we might do well to consider the precepts of the Church and, during this coming Advent season, take a small step forward in each of these areas.
Rather than confession once a year, try once a month (or more). Not only communion once a year, but weekly time in adoration. Not merely Mass on Sundays and Holy Days, but even once or twice a week. In addition to abstaining from meat on Fridays, add extra penance on Wednesdays and Saturdays during Advent. And, in addition to your regular giving to the Church and to the needy, make an extra end-of-the-year gift, to express your thanks to God for having given everything to you.
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