7 Quick Takes Friday (set #219)

7 Quick Takes Friday

This week: The latest issue of New Evangelists Monthly awaits your perusal. Ascension Press explains the meaning and purpose of marriage. Humanum beautifully depicts it, as expressed in cultures around the world. Christopher Stefanick shares some thoughts on…   death. What one personal attribute determines happiness? A millennial enters the workforce. Protestant vs. Catholic Heaven (as envisioned by The Simpsons).

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New Evangelists Monthly

Issue #60, December 2017, of New Evangelists Monthly is ready for your enjoyment! Scores of faithful Catholic bloggers have contributed their very best pieces from November. Contributing authors this month include: Stephen Korsman, Matthew Coffin, Fr. Stephen Morris, David Wong, Virginia Lieto, Aimee O’Connell, Frank Rega, John Schroeder, Carolyn Astfalk, Colleen Martin, Susan Stabile, Fr. Ben Hadrich, Fr. Nicholas Blackwell, Vijaya Bodach, Kirby Hoberg, Nancy Ward, Scott Smith, Rick Becker, Jean Heimann, Jamie Jo, Claire McGarry, Thomas and Deborah Richard, Blythe Kaufman, Tony Agnesi, Lianna Mueller, Elizabeth Reardon, Bartimaeus Timeo, Ellen Kolb, Mike Landry, David Cooney, Bonnie Way, Chris Capolino, Melanie Jean Juneau, Lawrence and Susan Fox, Sr. Maresa Lilley, Ellen Gable Hrkach, Dn. Greg Horton, Robert Collins, Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Brian Gill, Leslie Klinger, Dave Wanat, Fr. Errol Fernandes, Rich Maffeo, David Torkington, Michael Seagriff, Christian Miraglia, Tucker Cordani, Jim Hahn, Julian Barkin, Tom Perna, Tom Ponchak, Jeff Walker, Fr. Richard DeLillio, Kim Padan, Ruth Ann Pilney, Larry Peterson, Christina Nagy and Lisa Ponchak.

This monthly “meta-magazine” showcases faithful Catholicism from theology to family life and “everything in between.” Enjoy it now at NewEvangelists.org.

Read Now

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In this time of confusion, the Catholic understanding of marriage remains steadfast and faithful to God’s revelation. No person, no interest group, no government — no one — not even the pope can change God’s Word. Ascension Press offers this video:

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Real marriage (not the legal fiction called “marriage”) stands in stark contrast to the emptiness the world offers in its “hookup culture.” Humanum beautifully depicts this:

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Death. While the only thing which concludes a marriage, is not our end. This is something we Christians know for certain. Christopher Stefanick shares some thoughts:

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What is the key to unhappiness? Dennis Prager, as usual, hits this one out-of-the-park.

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Yup, I have yet another “millennials video.” This one on entering the workforce.

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This classic is funny! The Simpsons imagine “Protestant Heaven” vs. “Catholic Heaven”:


Some random thoughts or bits of information are worthy of sharing but don’t warrant their own full post. This idea was begun by Jennifer Fulwiler and is now continued by Kelly Mantoan. So, some Fridays I too participate when I have accumulated 7 worthy items. Thank you Kelly for hosting this project!

7 Quick Takes Friday (set #218)

7 Quick Takes Friday

This week: The latest issue of New Evangelists Monthly awaits your perusal. Two excellent videos on marriage – one from Catholic speaker Jason Evert and the other from Fr. John Lankeit. Eucharistic Adoration as seen through the eyes of a faithful, young adult. The sad closing of a Trappist monastery — The Abbey of Our Lady of the Holy Trinity. David Gray speaks on being a compelling missionary and introduces his new series: The Most Compelling Reasons to be Catholic. The true nature of prayer in light of some detestable political commentary on it.

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New Evangelists Monthly

Issue #59, November 2017, of New Evangelists Monthly is ready for your enjoyment! Scores of faithful Catholic bloggers have contributed their very best pieces from October. Contributing authors this month include: Stephen Korsman, Ellen Kolb, David Wong, Blythe Kaufman, Aimee O’Connell, Matthew Bellisario, Ellen Gable Hrkach, Chris Capolino, John Schroeder, Melanie Jean Juneau, Susan Stabile, Carolyn Astfalk, Colleen Martin, Bonnie Way, David Cooney, Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Larry Peterson, Lawrence and Susan Fox, Jamie Jo, Rick Becker, Matt Marks, Fr. Stephen Morris, Roy Cooney, Fr. Nicholas Blackwell, Lianna Mueller, Fr. Errol Fernandes, Michael Seagriff, Robert Collins, Claire McGarry, Dn. Scott Dodge, Pat and Nicole Padley, Victoria Clarizio, Lisa Ponchak, Elizabeth Reardon, Sr. Maresa Lilley, Tom Perna, Margaret Felice, Barbara Szyszkiewicz, Carolee Gifford, Leslie Klinger, Jennifer Elia, Rick Rice, Virginia Lieto, Barbara Hosbach, Dave Wanat, Christian Miraglia, Julian Barkin, Rich Maffeo, Ruth Ann Pilney, Vijaya Bodach, Jim Hahn, Jeff Walker, Cas Everts, Tom Smith, Christina Nagy, Fr. Adrian Danker, Scott Smith, Dennis McGeehan, Tucker Cordani, Anita Moore, Christine and David Torkington.

This monthly “meta-magazine” showcases faithful Catholicism from theology to family life and “everything in between.” Enjoy it now at NewEvangelists.org.

Read Now

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Jason Evert is usually outstanding and his commentary on “homosexuality, gay marriage, and holiness” is spot on. Very excellent. Excellent in the way he presents it and excellent in fidelity to actual Catholic teaching (i.e. simply the truth). 12 minutes might seem long, but he covers a lot of ground. Well worth the time. Something to be shared.

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Fr. John Lankeit is a strong homilist in the Diocese of Phoenix (see here for another example). Recently he also spoke on the Catholic view of marriage (i.e. God’s view) with passion and clarity.

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Spirit Juice explains Eucharistic Adoration from a young person’s perspective. It is not deep, but not bad either.

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This Trappist monastery (The Abbey of Our Lady of the Holy Trinity) was founded at the close of WWII in Utah. Once home to over 80 monks, it was down to just a few. Too few and too old to operate it any longer so it has now closed. It is sad that so few young people (and older people too for that matter) understand the importance of these vocations.

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David Gray has so many Catholic web projects going that I have lost track! His latest addition is a new series at My Catholic Tube called The Most Compelling Reasons to be Catholic. Check this out and his comments on being a compelling missionary.

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Ben Shapiro, an Orthodox Jew, responds to news commentator Keith Obermann’s recent tweet on the Texas church tragedy. Shapiro’s comments on prayer are very good and apply equally to the Catholic view of it.


Some random thoughts or bits of information are worthy of sharing but don’t warrant their own full post. This idea was begun by Jennifer Fulwiler and is now continued by Kelly Mantoan. So, some Fridays I too participate when I have accumulated 7 worthy items. Thank you Kelly for hosting this project!

7 Quick Takes Friday (set #217)

7 Quick Takes Friday the 13th

This week: The latest issue of New Evangelists Monthly awaits your perusal. Bishop Barron explains the symbolism of marriage. Chris Stefanick continues that point on the Church. Faithful Christianity is under strong and sustained attack (perhaps surprisingly for many) from the SPLC. How should we respond to NFL protests? Two videos on millennials – one serious and the other not so much.

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New Evangelists Monthly

Issue #58, October 2017, of New Evangelists Monthly is ready for your enjoyment! Scores of faithful Catholic bloggers have contributed their very best pieces from September. Contributing authors this month include: Stephen Korsman, Aimee O’Connell, Blythe Kaufman, Carolyn Astfalk, Melanie Jean Juneau, Chris Capolino, Ellen Gable Hrkach, Fr. Ben Hadrich, Lawrence and Susan Fox, Tucker Cordani, Barbara Szyszkiewicz, Dennis McGeehan, Matt Marks, Kathleen Laplante, Robert Collins, Roxane Salonen, Lyn Mettler, Elizabeth Reardon, Vijaya Bodach, Michael Seagriff, Dn. Scott Dodge, Connie Rossini, Sr. Maresa Lilley, Fr. Stephen Morris, Dave Wanat, Fr. Nicholas Blackwell, Christine, De Maria, Susan Stabile, Rick Becker, Larry Peterson, Leslie Klinger, John Schroeder, Rick Rice, Ebeth Weidner, Fr. Adrian Danker, Fr. Errol Fernandes, Christian Miraglia, Rich Maffeo, Paul Roy, Ellen Kolb, Birgit Jones, Brian Gill, David Torkington, Bartimaeus Timeo, Claire McGarry, Barbara Hosbach, Lisa Ponchak, Julian Barkin, Bonnie Way, Tom Perna, Margaret Felice, Christina Nagy, Julia Harrell, Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Roy Cooney, Jeff Walker, Jim Hahn and David Cooney.

This monthly “meta-magazine” showcases faithful Catholicism from theology to family life and “everything in between.” Enjoy it now at NewEvangelists.org.

Read Now

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Marriage and the Supper of the Lamb – Bishop Barron explains the Sacrament of Marriage:

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Continuing that theme, Chris Stefanick reminds us what the nature of the Church is:

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Are you a faithful Catholic or other Christian? Maybe you are pro-life or pro-family? If so, then to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) you are a hater and must be suppressed. They have the money and lawyers to do it too. Once a noble and effective anti-discrimination organization, they have today left those roots to become something else entirely. Catholicism.org among many others (e.g. here, here, here, here, here, here, here and a zillion more) chronicles their misdeeds.

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I like Fr. Mike’s videos, but respectfully disagree with him on the NFL protests. Briefly stated, his take is that we should look inside ourselves before forming an opinion. I strongly agree that my own path to holiness needs constant work (and by God’s grace, I pray that I am making progress).

Hugely blessed NFL players, regardless of my struggles, embarrass and disgrace themselves, their teams, and the sport when they spit on the graves of those who fought for the country the anthem directly represents. Their shameful actions are not merely vague “social justice” virtue signaling, but repudiation of the country for which so many suffered so much. Stretching Fr. Mike’s point a bit, it would be fair to ask what these richly entitled players have done for anyone other than themselves that justifies such disdain for their country.

It’s time for fans to stop rationalizing this behavior and stop supporting those who show such contempt and disrespect for them, their families, friends and neighbors who have actually served and sacrificed for their country. Self-examination is not the issue – this is objectively very wrong and readily discernible as such.

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Simon Sinek speaks on millennials in the workplace. He is an articulate, mostly factual observer. Generally good, but there are 2 huge issues IMHO. First, no hint whatsoever of the role of faith. Without that true happiness is simply impossible. Second, it is not the function of businesses to babysit millennials. Business will simply not hire or weed-out those who are unprepared for real life. Millennials expecting otherwise will be hugely disappointed.

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Humorist JP Sears portrays a millennial, his grasp on reality and preparation to live as an adult. It’s satire, but with more than just a touch of truth.


Some random thoughts or bits of information are worthy of sharing but don’t warrant their own full post. This idea was begun by Jennifer Fulwiler and is now continued by Kelly Mantoan. So, some Fridays I too participate when I have accumulated 7 worthy items. Thank you Kelly for hosting this project!

7 Quick Takes Friday (set #216)

7 Quick Takes Friday

This week: The latest issue of New Evangelists Monthly awaits your perusal. 10 facts about Catholics. Cardinal Carlo Caffarra is the second “dubia cardinal” to die ignored. Fr. Mike Schmitz looks at “judging someone.” An Indian restaurateur helps the hungry. Feminists excuse the treatment of Muslim women. A grandmom shows grandpop a fun magic trick.

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New Evangelists Monthly

Issue #57, September 2017, of New Evangelists Monthly is ready for your enjoyment! Scores of faithful Catholic bloggers have contributed their very best pieces from August. Contributing authors this month include: Virginia Lieto, Carolyn Astfalk, Robert Collins, Aimee O’Connell, Ellen Gable Hrkach, Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Fr. Ben Hadrich, Dennis McGeehan, Larry Fox, Susan Fox, Chris Capolino, Jenn Tatum, Fr. Joseph Mungai, Vijaya Bodach, John Schroeder, Vinny Carr, Nancy Ward, Elizabeth Reardon, Julia Harrell, Fr. Nicholas Blackwell, Monica McConkey, Fr. Stephen Morris, Stephen Korsman, Dn. Scott Dodge, Philip Kosloski, Barbara Szyszkiewicz, Rick Rice, Bonnie Way, Rich Maffeo, Lisa Laverty, Brian Gill, Tom Perna, David Torkington, Michael Seagriff, Lianna Mueller, Leslie Klinger, De Maria, Ellen Kolb, Bartimaeus Timeo, Claire McGarry, Lisa Ponchak, Fr. Errol Fernandes, Barbara Hosbach, Thomas and Deborah Richard, Rick Becker, David Wong, Larry Peterson, Fr. Adrian Danker, Sr. Maresa Lilley, Thomas Cruz-Wiggins, Frank Rega, Dave Wanat, Jim Hahn, Christian Miraglia, Laura Pearl, Margaret Felice, Roxane Salonen, Miriam Westen, Christina Nagy, Desiree Hausam, David Cooney, Susan Stabile, Fr. Richard DeLillio, Julian Barkin and Jennifer Elia.

This monthly “meta-magazine” showcases faithful Catholicism from theology to family life and “everything in between.” Enjoy it now at NewEvangelists.org.

Read Now

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Here are 10 (out of about a zillion) interesting facts about Catholics. If you are not Catholic, they will be interesting. If you are Catholic, you probably know them so just share the video with your non-Catholic friends:

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Four cardinals have 5 clear questions, raised by conflicting understanding of our faith. Our faith is universal, but in recent years even neighboring bishops can have completely opposite practices for the civilly remarried. Truth does not vary diocese to diocese nor does it change over time. EWTN’s Raymond Arroyo covered the controversy a couple months ago:

Sadly, Cardinal Carlo Caffarra has now died. Along with the recent death of Cardinal Joachim Meisner, only 2 of the 4 cardinals remain. The questions remain unaddressed and left unanswered.

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Yes, judge. Evil is evil, see it, judge it, recognize it. I wrote about this several years ago. Fr. Mike Schmitz addresses this topic too in his video this week:

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Restaurants have to throw out a lot of food. One restaurant owner in India noticed the hungry going through her garbage to retrieve it. She then did something wonderful.

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To have any credibility at all, a person, a movement or political ideology must be at least somewhat consistent. Prager asks then, why don’t feminists fight for Muslim women?

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In case you missed it, this woman amazes her husband with an amazing magic trick:


Some random thoughts or bits of information are worthy of sharing but don’t warrant their own full post. This idea was begun by Jennifer Fulwiler and is now continued by Kelly Mantoan. So, some Fridays I too participate when I have accumulated 7 worthy items. Thank you Kelly for hosting this project!

7 Quick Takes Friday (set #215)

7 Quick Takes Friday

This week: The latest issue of New Evangelists Monthly awaits your perusal. St. Stanislaus Oratory celebrates. KLM inadvertently promotes truth while attempting to promote the opposite. Were the policies of our only Catholic president Democrat or Republican? A recent graduate reflects on her college education. Millennials and real work, imagined as lumberjacks.

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New Evangelists Monthly

Issue #56, August 2017, of New Evangelists Monthly is ready for your enjoyment! Scores of faithful Catholic bloggers have contributed their very best pieces from July. Contributing authors this month include: Fr. Stephen Morris, Virginia Lieto, Chris Capolino, Dave Wanat, Blythe Kaufman, David Wong, Dn. Scott Dodge, Ellen Gable Hrkach, David Gray, Carolyn Astfalk, Birgit Jones, Lisa Laverty, Melanie Jean Juneau, Reese Cumming, Susan Fox, Fr. Joseph Mungai, Fr. John Paul Shea, Scott Smith, Vijaya Bodach, Tony Agnesi, Bonnie Way, Tom Perna, Frank Rega, Matt Marks, Barbara Szyszkiewicz, Thomas and Deborah Richard, Michael Seagriff, Larry Peterson, Julia Harrell, Fr. Ben Hadrich, Elizabeth Reardon, Brian Gill, Rich Maffeo, Kirby Hoberg, Susan Stabile, Sarah, De Maria, Rick Becker, John Schroeder, Aimee O’Connell, Leslie Klinger, Lisa Ponchak, Dn. John Donaghy, Robert Collins, Fr. Errol Fernandes, Barbara Hosbach, Fr. Richard DeLillio, Alicia, Christian Miraglia, Tom Smith, Ellen Kolb, Nancy Shuman, David Torkington, Victoria Clarizio, Claire McGarry, Bianca, Christina Nagy, Brian Mullins, Julian Barkin, Fr. Adrian Danker, Erin Cupp, Roy Cooney, Roxane Salonen, Rick Rice, Thomas Cruz-Wiggins, Jennifer Elia, Deanna Babineau, Bartimaeus Timeo, Dn. Allen Tatara and Br. Nicholas.

This monthly “meta-magazine” showcases faithful Catholicism from theology to family life and “everything in between.” Enjoy it now at NewEvangelists.org.

Read Now

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Blackstone Films has produced this excellent video on marriage. Marriage not in the legal and absurdly twisted sense, but authentic marriage as recognized by God:

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St. Stanislaus is an Oratory of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest in Milwaukee. Last year they celebrated a beautiful renovation and their 150th anniversary.

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The Dutch airline KLM thought it would be a great idea to jump on the gay-agenda bandwagon. So they tweated the following image saying “it doesn’t matter who you click with.” Very clever, adeptly illustrating only complimentary sexes work as the maker intended. Thank you KLM, well said (even as you intended the exact opposite).

Klm Gay Pride Belts

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JFK was our first, and so far only, Catholic US President. He was a lifelong Democrat from a prominent family of Democrats. Really? Compare President Kennedy to his party today.

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This young lady is a modern college graduate who has figured-out the nature and value of her recently completed “education”:

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To understand millennials, this video explores what it would be like were they to do actual work (as lumberjacks):


Some random thoughts or bits of information are worthy of sharing but don’t warrant their own full post. This idea was begun by Jennifer Fulwiler and is now continued by Kelly Mantoan. So, some Fridays I too participate when I have accumulated 7 worthy items. Thank you Kelly for hosting this project!

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