Changing Tracks: Mario Joseph, Muslim Imam convert

Here's the conversion story we were discussing last night. Mario Joseph was destined to become an Imam by his family. As he studied the Koran he began to question Islam, particularly because Mary and Jesus are mentioned more times than Muhammad in the Koran. Listen to what he had to suffer through in order to convert!

See you in the Eucharist,

The Marino's

Week 6 - Mary the Mother of God

The Answer to Why Catholics Honor Mary is Found in the Scriptures

Week 5- Peter and the Papacy

So I just spent about 20 minutes looking at pictures of Pope Francis to choose for this post and I can't get enough. There are many tags on Google images:laughing, smiling, with children, blessing, and my personal favorite, thumb's up! Though this one does make me a little sad because Nick and I tried to travel to Italy to be blessed by Pope Francis the week after our wedding this year and it turns out they don't hold the blessing on the Feast of the Epiphany- big bummer! 

Why has our world been so captivated by Pope Francis? I think it's because he's  so genuine, accessible, and welcoming- a friend we all desire because he lives out the gospel. Talk about honesty- what is Pope Francis' answer to "Who is Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio?"- a sinner.

Usually a current event or a picture of the Pope brings up discussion right away- no matter if I'm with a Catholic audience or not. Then I usually here "We love your Pope!"  In general I try to ask why they love the Pope and help bring the discussion full circle by reminding them of the message of the gospel: Love. He reminds us how much we are loved by God and how much we need to love fellow man. Take, for instance, this quote that captures just part of Catholic Social Teaching- profit is good but use what you need and give the rest to the poor. How challenging in our world today! I love this commentary by Bishop Robert Barron on Pope Francis and Catholic Social Teaching. 

 Eventually I hear a negative comment about the Catholic Church in general- wealth, power, scandal, deceit. Or perhaps a question about the papacy-   "Why do you have a pope at all?". Then, be sure to stick to one issue and remind them that while the Church is full of sinners, Jesus told Peter in Matthew 16:18 "And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it." 
Two thousand years and 266 popes later the Church has a direct line to the Apostles, is the oldest organization, and it most certainly has not been destroyed. (Side note- I love this picture because I think it captures both Peter's audacity and humanity much like how Moses was described- Is he saying "I'll do anything for you, Lord. You know I love you" or "You mean you want me to do it? After all I have done?" Gives me hope when I bounce between these two states!)

We will discuss how to answer the common objections to the papacy and more tomorrow night, beginning with the first pope- St. Peter. If you can't make it be sure to check out Peter and the Papacy. 

See you in the Eucharist, 

The Marino's

Faith Alone?

 Happy Memorial Day!

Just wanted to post the talk on Faith Alone by Steve Ray that Nick was referencing this week. It is also posted on the "Sola Fide- Faith Alone?" page for later reference. Listen to the talk while doing the dishes or folding the laundry and you'll be enlightened and productive! Remember that to believe also means to take action. Where is God calling you to take action this weekend?

This week we talk about Peter and the Papacy- stay tuned for more articles, videos, and content. 

See you in the Eucharist, 

The Marino's

Week 4-The Bible Alone?

Welcome back to week 4- The Bible Alone? aka Sola Scriptura

We continue our study of the Bible from last week- but most importantly we appreciate the Church that upholds it. Remember the 3-legged stool example? We stand on Sacred Tradition, Sacred Scriptures, and the Magisterium. I love this picture because who would balance on a 1 legged-stool except for an acrobat? Maybe in my teenage years I would have attempted it out of pride- ergo another truth in the matter. 

I highly recommend referencing the scriptures sighted in the book alongside your reading this week. For example, how awesome is this passage on reading scripture? (2 Pet 3:15-16) 

15

 And consider the patience of our Lord as salvation, as our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, also wrote to you,16 speaking of these things^* as he does in all his letters. In them there are some things hard to understand that the ignorant and unstable distort to their own destruction, just as they do the other scriptures.

Peter knew it would be difficult to understand the Bible and yet we know how to act and interpret the Scriptures because we have the Church, 1 Tim 3:15:  

15 But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth.

___ Questions from Week 3:

Here is a quick answer to the question last week about the Book of James and revisions from Martin Luther. Luther did not want James in the New Testament due to his belief in Sola Fide- Faith Alone. But the book remains and the New American Bible (NAB) matches the King James Version (KJV) fairly well except for the old English. The verses about faith and works have not been eliminated as the KJV states here: James 2: 14-18

14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

James goes on to show how Abraham was justified by his faith with his action to sacrifice his son. Just so, even the devil believes in God- but we are called to know, love, and serve Him.

Great questions and feel free to comment or bring more this week! 

See you in the Eucharist, 

The Marino's

Week 3- The Canon of the Bible

Happy Pentecost!

Great turn out last week- thank you for being such an engaged group. Just a quick reminder that class will again be in the church basement, Room A, on May 18th. Don't forget to check out the page on "The Bible" as we will be discussing it over the next few weeks. 

What a great homily today from Fr. John- such a touching reminder on Pentecost of how the Holy Spirit is constantly helping us to follow God's will, His masterful plan for our lives.

'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not harm you, to give you a future and a hope.' Jeremiah 29:11 

The important piece is inviting the Holy Spirit into your life with prayer and attention. You have already opened up your hearts to the Lord by joining this class and seeking to learn more. Great job! Now pray for patience to surrender your will to God's as Fr. John said! 

See you in the Eucharist, 

The Marino's

Welcome!

Welcome to the home of Apologetics for the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish

We are thrilled to begin our book study of Beginning Apologetics 1 by Fr. Frank Chacon and Jim Burnham. We will meet Wednesday nights from 6:30-7:45pm in PAC beginning May 4th, 2016. If you are interested in joining us please contact the parish office at (937) 394-3823.

What is apologetics? Apologetics is giving a reasoned explanation for your faith. Although the Catholic Church has been persecuted and yet thrived since it's inception 2000 years ago, we are in the midst of a New Evangelization and a fight for religious freedom.

 “I sense that the moment has come to commit all the Church’s energies to a new evangelization...No believer in Christ, no institution of the Church can avoid this supreme duty: to proclaim Christ to all peoples.” - Pope St. John Paul II

Thus, we have created a space for learning and growing in our faith. Use the tabs according to the topic of the week or as questions arise in your daily life. Check out formed.org for lots of great FREE content- resources, videos, podcasts, and eBooks. Check the gathering space for parish subscription.

Always remember, you must first deepen your own relationship with Jesus Christ before convincing others of His infinite love and mercy. It is your personal experience and prayer that will most often bring weary souls to the Lord.

See you in the Eucharist,

The Marino's