WM4 – Infant Baptism: Welcoming our Children – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast

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Episode 4 “Infant Baptism: Welcoming our Children” – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas

In this episode we continue our conversation on why baptism matters.  We will discuss, among other things, the reason for infant baptisms in the life of the Church, the vital role the parents have in nurturing baptismal grace in the hearts of their children and how godparents, grandparents and the entire parish community contribute to the life of faith of the newly baptized child.

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church

Christian Initiation

1229 From the time of the apostles, becoming a Christian has been accomplished by a journey and initiation in several stages. This journey can be covered rapidly or slowly, but certain essential elements will always have to be present: proclamation of the Word, acceptance of the Gospel entailing conversion, profession of faith, Baptism itself, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and admission to Eucharistic communion.

1231 Where infant Baptism has become the form in which this sacrament is usually celebrated, it has become a single act encapsulating the preparatory stages of Christian initiation in a very abridged way. By its very nature infant Baptism requires a post-baptismal catechumenate. Not only is there a need for instruction after Baptism, but also for the necessary flowering of baptismal grace in personal growth.

For more episodes in this series visit the
Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast page

For more teachings and information about Archbishop George J. Lucas of the Archdiocese of Omaha, visit:   archomaha.org

WM3 – “Why Baptism Matters” – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast

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Episode 3 “Why Baptism Matters” – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas

In this episode, we discuss “Why Being Baptism Matters.”  Archbishop Lucas contiures to disucss why being a Catholic matters and moves into the importance of Baptism.

From DOGMATIC CONSTITUTION ON THE CHURCH – LUMEN GENTIUM no.  1267

1267 Baptism makes us members of the Body of Christ: “Therefore . . . we are members one of another.”72 Baptism incorporates us into the Church. From the baptismal fonts is born the one People of God of the New Covenant, which transcends all the natural or human limits of nations, cultures, races, and sexes: “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.”73

From CHRISTIFIDELES LAICI  no.  12

In the words of Saint Paul we find again the faithful echo of the teaching of Jesus himself, which reveals the mystical unity of Christ with his disciples and the disciples with each other, presenting it as an image and extension of that mystical communion that binds the Father to the Son and the Son to the Father in the bond of love, the Holy Spirit (cf. Jn 17:21). Jesus refers to this same unity in the image of the vine and the branches: “I am the vine, you the branches” (Jn 15:5), an image that sheds light not only on the deep intimacy of the disciples with Jesus but on the necessity of a vital communion of the disciples with each other: all are branches of a single vine.

From DOGMATIC CONSTITUTION ON THE CHURCH – LUMEN GENTIUM no.  32

32. By divine institution Holy Church is ordered and governed with a wonderful diversity. “For just as in one body we have many members, yet all the members have not the same function, so we, the many, are one body in Christ, but severally members one of another”.(191) Therefore, the chosen People of God is one: “one Lord, one faith, one baptism”(192); sharing a common dignity as members from their regeneration in Christ, having the same filial grace and the same vocation to perfection; possessing in common one salvation, one hope and one undivided charity. There is, therefore, in Christ and in the Church no inequality on the basis of race or nationality, social condition or sex, because “there is neither Jew nor Greek: there is neither bond nor free: there is neither male nor female. For you are all ‘one’ in Christ Jesus”.(193)

For more episodes in this series visit the
Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast page

For more teachings and information about Archbishop George J. Lucas of the Archdiocese of Omaha, visit:   archomaha.org

WM2 – “Why Being Catholic Matters” – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast

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Episode 2 “Why Being Catholic Matters” – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas

In this episode, we discuss “Why Being Catholic Matters.”  Archbishop Lucas also talks about the “Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults” and in particular “The Rite of Election” where those who are seeking to be brought into full communion with the Catholic Church are received by the bishop of a diocese.  The activity of grace which is experienced in our sacramental activity is touched upon by Archbishop Lucas, as well as the Period of Purification and Enlightenment which touches on our experience of Lent today.  He also responds to some of the challenges which may confront Catholics out in the world and what our response should be.

From DOGMATIC CONSTITUTION ON THE CHURCH – LUMEN GENTIUM no. 14

Basing itself on scripture and tradition, it teaches that the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for salvation: the one Christ is mediator and the way of salvation; he is present to us in his body which is the Church. He himself explicitly asserted the necessity of faith and baptism (cf. Mk. 16:16; Jn. 3:5), and thereby affirmed at the same time the necessity of the Church which men enter through baptism as through a door. Hence they could not be saved who, knowing that the Catholic Church was founded as necessary by God through Christ, would refuse either to enter it, or to remain in it.

For more episodes in this series visit the
Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast page

For more teachings and information about Archbishop George J. Lucas of the Archdiocese of Omaha, visit:   archomaha.org

USCCA1 – My Soul Longs For You, O God – U. S. Catholic Catechism for Adults w/ Arch. George Lucas

USCCA1- Episode 1- My Soul Longs For You, O God (Ps 42:2)

Archbishop Lucas offers insights on the US Catholic Catechism for Adults Chapter 1:

How is our quest for God awakened?  God first pursues us; this spurs us to search for him for whom we were made.  the Catechism presents three paths through which every person can come to God; creation, the human person, and Revelation.  In the next chapter, Revelation will be presented as the greatest and most essential path to God.  He is discovered also through creation and through the mystery of our inner life.

The Most Reverend George J. Lucas leads the Archdiocese of Omaha. 

For other episodes in the visit our Archbishop George Lucas page

This programs is based on:

More information can be found here.

We wish to thank the USCCB for the permissions granted for use of  relevant material used in this series.
Also we wish to thank Teresa Monaghen and Deacon Chuck Adams for their vocal talents in this episode.

USCCA2 – God Comes to Meet Us – U. S. Catholic Catechism for Adults w/ Arch. George Lucas

USCCA2- Episode 2- God Comes to Meet Us

Archbishop Lucas offers insights on the US Catholic Catechism for Adults Chapter 2:

Through the use of reason, we can learn much about God from both creation and conscience, but Revelation enables us to learn about God’s inner life and his loving plan to save us from sin and share in his divine life.  No amount of unaided thinking could penetrate such a mystery.  God freely chose to share this hidden mystery with us . God’s sharing was an act of friendship  for us, revealing himself as one reveals his or her heart to a friend.  Love does such things.

The Most Reverend George J. Lucas leads the Archdiocese of Omaha. 

For other episodes in the visit our Archbishop George Lucas page

This program is based on:

More information can be found here.

We wish to thank the USCCB for the permissions granted for use of relevant material used in this series.

USCCA3 – Proclaim the Gospel to Every Creature – U. S. Catholic Catechism for Adults w/ Arch. George Lucas

USCCA3- Episode 3- Proclaim the Gospel to Every Creature

Archbishop Lucas offers insights on the US Catholic Catechism for Adults Chapter 3:

Blessed John XXIII and the Second Vatican Council itself illustrate how the Church constantly draws upon Tradition and Sacred Scripture.  This chapter examines these foundations of the Church teaching because its through Tradition and Scripture that the Church knows God’s Revelation and transmits it from one generation to another.

The Most Reverend George J. Lucas leads the Archdiocese of Omaha. 

For other episodes in the visit our Archbishop George Lucas page

This programs is based on:

More information can be found here.

We wish to thank the USCCB for the permissions granted for use of  relevant material used in this series.
Also we wish to thank Omar Gutierrez and Sr. Miriam Rita  for their vocal talents in this episode.

USCCA4 – Bring About the Obedience of Faith – U. S. Catholic Catechism for Adults w/ Arch. George Lucas

USCCA4- Episode 4- Bring About the Obedience of Faith

Archbishop Lucas offers insights on the US Catholic Catechism for Adults Chapter 4:

God makes himself known to us through Revelation in order both to give us something and to draw a response from us.  Both this gift of God and our response to his Revelation are called faith.  By faith, we are able to give our minds and hearts to God, to trust in his will, and to follow the direction he gives us.

The Most Reverend George J. Lucas leads the Archdiocese of Omaha. 

For other episodes in the visit our Archbishop George Lucas page

This program is based on:

More information can be found here.

We wish to thank the USCCB for the permissions granted for use of relevant material used in this series.

USCCA5 – I Believe in God – U. S. Catholic Catechism for Adults w/ Arch. George Lucas

USCCA5- Episode 5- I Believe in God

Archbishop Lucas offers insights on the US Catholic Catechism for Adults Chapter 5:

Revelation tells us that he living and personal, and profoundly close to us in creating and sustaining us. Though he is totally other, hidden, glorious, and wondrous, he communicates to us through creation us and reveals himself to us through the prophets and above in Jesus Christ, whom we meet in the Church, especially in Scripture and the Sacraments.  In many ways,  God speaks to our hearts where we may welcome his loving presence.

The Most Reverend George J. Lucas leads the Archdiocese of Omaha. 

For other episodes in the visit our Archbishop George Lucas page

This program is based on:

More information can be found here.

We wish to thank the USCCB for the permissions granted for use of relevant material used in this series.

USCCA6 – Man and Woman in the Beginning – U. S. Catholic Catechism for Adults w/ Arch. George Lucas

USCCA6- Episode 6- Man and Woman in the Beginning

Archbishop Lucas offers insights on the US Catholic Catechism for Adults Chapter 6:

It is Jesus Christ who frees us from Original Sin and our own actual sins.  By Baptism, we share in the redemptive act of Jesus’ death and Resurrection, are freed from Original Sin, and are strengthened against the power of  sin and death.  We are reconciled to God and made members of his holy people, the Church.

The Most Reverend George J. Lucas leads the Archdiocese of Omaha. 

For other episodes in the visit our Archbishop George Lucas page

This programs is based on:

More information can be found here.

We wish to thank the USCCB for the permissions granted for use of  relevant material used in this series.
Also we wish to thank Sharon Doran and Chuck Adams  for their vocal talents in this episode.

USCCA7 – The Good News: God Has Sent His Son – U. S. Catholic Catechism for Adults w/ Arch. George Lucas

USCCA7- Episode 7- The Good News:  God Has Sent His Son

Archbishop Lucas offers insights on the US Catholic Catechism for Adults Chapter 7:

We ponder Christ’s person and his earthly words and deeds in terms of mystery.  His earthly life reveals his hidden divine Sonship and plan for our salvation.  His parables, miracles, sermons, and wisdom sayings help us “to see our God made visible, and so we are caught up in love of the God we cannot see” (First Preface for Christmas).

The Most Reverend George J. Lucas leads the Archdiocese of Omaha. 

For other episodes in the visit our Archbishop George Lucas page

This programs is based on:

More information can be found here.

We wish to thank the USCCB for the permissions granted for use of  relevant material used in this series.
Also we wish to thank Chuck Adams and Miriam Gutierrez  for their vocal talents in this episode.