The Discerning Hearts Blog Archives

IP#263 Trent Horn – Answering Atheism on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor

“Answering Atheism: How to Make the Case for God with Logic and Charity” is a compassionately engaging and intellectually-savvy response to the attacks on the existence of God. Trent Horn is a welcomed fresh voice in the forum of Catholic apologetics. Well-researched and thoughtfully presented, this book is a must have for all who wish to defend the faith, but it’s also for those who wish to know and grow in it as well. In our conversation, we touch on many of the enter points for dialogue which we encounter everyday in discussions with family, friends, co-workers, and how to approach those times of engagement in a Christ-like manner. A highly recommended book by Trent and, his publisher, the good folks at “Catholic Answers”.

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You can find the book here

Answering Atheism gets high grades on the three R’s: It is readable, reasonable, and researched. Its defense of the cosmological argument has depth and detail, yet it is not so technical that you need to take a philosophy course to comprehend it. —Peter Kreeft, professor of philosophy, Boston College

I’ve read many works of popular apologetics; this is the best! –Stephen Bullivant, editor, The Oxford Handbook of Atheism

The Dilemma of the Workaholic – An Unexpected Take on a Parable w/Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts

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Msgr. Esseff speaks of our “5 Talents” and the dangers for the “workaholic”. He offers Bl. Teresa of Calcutta and St. Pio as outstanding examples of the authentic Christian response to the Master’s request.

Gospel MT 25:14-30

Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“A man going on a journey
called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them.
To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one–
to each according to his ability.
Then he went away.
Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them,
and made another five.
Likewise, the one who received two made another two.
But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground
and buried his master’s money.
After a long time
the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them.
The one who had received five talents
came forward bringing the additional five.
He said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents.
See, I have made five more.’
His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.
Since you were faithful in small matters,
I will give you great responsibilities.
Come, share your master’s joy.’
Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said,
‘Master, you gave me two talents.
See, I have made two more.’
His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.
Since you were faithful in small matters,
I will give you great responsibilities.
Come, share your master’s joy.’
Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said,
‘Master, I knew you were a demanding person,
harvesting where you did not plant
and gathering where you did not scatter;
so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground.
Here it is back.’
His master said to him in reply, ‘You wicked, lazy servant!
So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant
and gather where I did not scatter?
Should you not then have put my money in the bank
so that I could have got it back with interest on my return?
Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten.
For to everyone who has,
more will be given and he will grow rich;
but from the one who has not,
even what he has will be taken away.
And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’”

DWG1 – “What am I to do?” The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions w/Fr. Timothy Gallagher

Episode 1 “What am I to do?” The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions w/Fr. Timothy Gallagher.

This episode offers an overall introduction of the series by offering examples, both big and small, and the overall tools that will be used to come to the discernment of God’s will in various situations. In particular, what do we do when deciding between “a morally good option and another apparently good option”?

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For other episodes in the series visit The Discerning Hearts “Discerning the Will of God” page

Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series “Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola”.

For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org

For the other episodes in this series check out Fr. Timothy Gallagher’s “Discerning Hearts” page

IP#262 Kathleen Beckman – Praying For Priests on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor

“Praying for Priests: A Mission for the New Evangelizaton” by author and Catholic radio host Kathleen Beckman is a fantastic response to an important need in the Church today! This book and the website found at www.foundationforpriests.org, not only offers what is needed to encourage prayer for priests and bishops in the Church, but is rich in resources and encouragement to facilitate growth for all in the spiritual life. The faithful who participate in the mission of this apostolate are encouraged to grow in their own holiness as individuals, families, as well as parishes and faith communities. This a spiritual work of the first order and should become a vital part of our every day spiritual life. What Kathleen and members of her Foundation for Prayer for Priests offer to us is a model of how a targeted, focused mission can and should be facilitated in the Church today. When it is done well, beautiful fruit is borne. Not one beat of this important work has been missed, which is a sure sign that this is indeed a work under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. We in the Church are richer for this call to prayer and interior renewal. Bravo and thank you to all involved! A holier priesthood leads to a holier Church…now that something beautiful to pray for!

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You can find the book here

“The Holy Spirit is really moving in the Church today, inspiring many to pray for priests. Kathleen Beckmann’s new book gives a powerful boost to this movement.”
Fr. Michael Gaitley, M.I.C.
Author of 33 Days to Morning Glory

“Praying for priests is not an option; it is a holy duty and divine mandate. Kathleen Beckman strikes at the hearts of women to let loose a stream of spiritual maternity that flows into the hearts, souls, and ministries of our priests!”
Johnnette Benkovic
Host of EWTN’s Women of Grace

“Praying for Priests is filled with insight, encouragement, and inspiration to lead both priests and laity to a more profound love of God’s priceless gift of the priesthood.”
Fr. Peter John Cameron, O.P.
Editor of Magnificat

BKL72 – “Who do you say that I am?” – Building a Kingdom of Love w/ Msgr. John Esseff

BKL 72 ” Building a Kingdom of Love” – “Who do you say that I am?” The Key to the New Evangelization and the importance of the Papacy

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Gospel MT 16:13-20

Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and
he asked his disciples,
“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter said in reply,
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus said to him in reply,
“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.
For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.
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.
I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven.
Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Then he strictly ordered his disciples
to tell no one that he was the Christ.

Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30th 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to Blessed Mother Teresa. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Bl. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around the world. To obtain a copy of Msgr. Esseff’s book by visiting here Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff’s website “Building a Kingdom of Love”

RC#6 – Crusades Abroad and at Home – The Resilient Church with Mike Aquilina – Discerning Hearts

Episode 6– Crusades Abroad and at Home

The Resilient Church with Mike Aquilina, offers a fascinating look at the trials and triumphs of the Catholic Church over the past two thousand years. Fast-paced sketches of critical periods in church history give readers perspective on the challenges faced by the church today. Mike Aquilina does not shrink from the realities of the past, including badly behaved leaders and those who betrayed the Lord. Yet he also leaves us all with well-founded hope for the future: God remains faithful in every circumstance and fulfills his promise to remain with his church always. Hosted by Kris McGregor

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Pick up a copy of Mke’s book. You’ll find so much more and invaluable references and resoources, as well

Also visit Mike’s “Discerning Hearts” page for more audio downloads and information!

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time – Sunday, Sunday, Sunday with Mark Hart

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The Sunday, Sunday, Sunday Podcast is a reflection on the upcoming Sunday Mass readings presented by LifeTeen.com and hosted by Mark Hart.

Sunday Readings from the USCCB

Reading 1 IS 22:19-23

Responsorial Psalm PS 138:1-2, 2-3, 6, 8

Reading 2 ROM 11:33-36

Gospel MT 16:13-20

The Prayer of the Hebrew Scriptures – Prayer in the Catechism with Fr. Benedict Groeschel

The Prayer of the Hebrew Scriptures – . Fr. Groeschel discusses the experience of Abraham, Moses, the Maccabees. He shares the beauty of the Psalms. He speaks of the importance of the Christian enter the mystery of prayer found in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament of the Bible).

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This program features Fr. Benedict Groeschel teaching and talking about the Catechism and the Bible with an emphasis on prayer. His discussion of prayer is based on the premise that an essential condition of prayer is devotion- the belief that God is listening and cares for us. In “Prayer in the Catechism”, Fr. Groeschel discusses the various kinds of prayer, including a special emphasis on using scripture when praying. The catechism contains basic Christian teaching formatted for learning and understanding. More information about the Catechism of the Catholic Church may be found on the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website.

Benedict Joseph Groeschel, CFR is a Catholic priest, retreat master, author, psychologist, activist and has hosted several television programs. He was the director of the Office for Spiritual Development for the Catholic Archdiocese of New York as well as associate director of Trinity Retreat and the executive director of The St. Francis House. He was professor of pastoral psychology at St. Joseph’s Seminary in New York and an adjunct professor at the Institute for Psychological Sciences in Arlington, Virginia.

This program is a production of Pauline Media and the Daughters of St. Paul copyright 1997. For more from Pauline Media visit here

IP#261 Christopher White – “Renewal” on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor

“Renewal: How a New Generation of Faithful Priests and Bishops Is Revitalizing the Catholic Church” is an important work brought to us by Anne Hendershott and Christopher White. It offers a thorough analysis of the state of the priesthood in the United States, and shines a light of joyful hope on a vital heartbeat of the Catholic Church. Our conversation with Christopher White, addresses many of the issues that have plagued priestly formation and it’s character in recent decades, but also celebrates the many areas of reform and renewal. The current revitalizing of our gift of Holy Orders is truly a reason to celebrate and lift up in our prayer!

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You can find the book here

“This is the most fully detailed and documented account of the culture wars within the Catholic Church that anyone is likely to encounter. Some may think the authors are too pessimistic, stressing all the contentiousness within the living body. Count me as one who holds that public contestation is the reliable sign of vital cultures and inspiring institutions. Both the bad news, honestly reported, and the ‘less expected’ good news here will make many readers rejoice.”
–Michael Novak, author of Writing from Left to Right

“Hendershott and White are clear-eyed observers of the Catholic scene who offer the reader careful sociological analysis that leads to truly hopeful conclusions. Citing empirical and anecdotal evidence, they show the positive change the Church has been undergoing for some time–especially with the emergence of strong new leadership in the clergy–and they preview the Church we can expect our children and grandchildren to know. This book is real hope, without a hint of wishful thinking. I highly recommend Renewal.
–Scott Hahn, Professor of Theology, Franciscan University of Steubenville

MC7 – Praying with Scripture: Christian Contemplation and Meditation in the Ignatian tradition w/Fr. Timothy Gallagher

Episode 7 Praying with Scripture: Christian Contemplation and Meditation in the Ignatian tradition w/Fr. Timothy Gallagher

Fr. Gallagher continues to discuss the differences and benefits of meditation and contemplation – the cornerstones of Ignatius of Loyola’s spiritual practice.

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For other episodes in the series visit The Discerning Hearts “Praying with Scripture” page

For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org