Thanks Archbishop!

Houston Catholics set to listen through the New Testament this Lenten season

Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston, recently urged Catholic leaders to get involved in a city-wide Bible listening campaign called You've Got The Time Houston.

Faith Comes By Hearing, the world’s foremost Audio Bible ministry, is coordinating this effort to reach every Houstonian with God’s Word in audio.

[...read the rest here]

If you just want the audio, click the bold link above and get to downloadin' in your choice of version, in dramatized form or non-dramatized form!

HT to AmPap

Father Leo Patalinghug has some good meatless recipes for you for Lent. Here's one:

Eggplant Companata

Resolve to eat healthier in 2009? Fr. Leo makes it easy to stay on track with this new series of webisodes focusing on healthy, veggie based dishes. Webisode 3 of 3.

Watch the video.

Then go get the rest!

Here's a debate that only the most well-versed controversialists will care about...and I gladly include myself in that number. The debate concerns the kerfuffle surrounding the famed latria / dulia distinction in the Old Testament. In short, the Right Reverend Bishop James White, the Reformed Baptist head of Alpha and Omega Ministries, and his ilk have claimed that Catholics offer latria to the Saints (particularly the Blessed Mother). Not being idolaters (notice the root word there), we disagree. In particular, William Albrecht disagrees, and he says as much to Francis Turretin in the following debate:


Also, Mr. Albrecht's brother passed from this life recently. If you would be so kind, no matter when you may read this, please offer up a Hail Mary for the repose of his brother's soul and another for peace for William and his family.

This is a little delayed, but I figured with Lent starting tomorrow it would be nice to put up. Plus, I really like Liam Neeson...

Liam Neeson Records the Way of the Cross
Prayers & Music by St. Alphonsus Maria Liguori

DENVER, Colorado, January 26, 2009 – Liam Neeson, one of the leading international motion picture actors of our day, is the featured narrator on a very special CD production for Lent, Praying the Way of the Cross (Available for Ash Wednesday, February 25, 2009).

Neeson reads the Introduction, written by St. Alphonsus Maria Liguori, and the 14 Stations of the Cross. The 14 Stations and prayers are taken from the classic text, The Way of the Cross according to the Method of St. Alphonsus Liguori, the great 18^th century Italian saint, doctor of the Church and founder of the Redemptorists. This text is used by Catholics around the world to retrace the footsteps of Jesus Christ on Good Friday. Reverend Byron Miller, C.Ss.R. leads us in prayer.

“I had heard about the Redemptorists and their missionary work in the Amazon rain forest of Brazil and in the slums of Lagos and Ibadan, Nigeria,” Liam Neeson said. “I was moved to help because the Redemptorists are living the Gospel message in some of the poorest parts of the world, offering hope to families who have been forgotten or abandoned.”

Whether it is his Academy Award® nominated role of Oskar Schindler in Steven Spielberg’s highly acclaimed “Schindler’s List” (1993), or his award-winning portrayal of legendary Irish Republican hero, “Michael Collins” (1996), Liam Neeson continues to display an acting range matched by few.

Currently, Neeson is shooting “After Life” opposite Christina Ricci. Last year, Neeson completed production on Pierre Morel’s “Taken,” which is due out in the U.S. on January 30, 2009. Neeson recently finished shooting Richard Eyre’s “The Other Man,” and he is currently filming "Five Minutes of Heaven" for BBC Northern Ireland.

In May of 2008 Neeson appeared in Disney's box office success “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian” where he reprised his role as the voice of the lion, Aslan, in the sequel to the 2005 hit “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.”

Praying the Way of the Cross is the third CD produced for the Redemptorists of the Denver Province by Ray and Theresa Herrmann, co-founders of Little Lamb Music. In 2007 and 2008, respectively, they produced Praying the Rosary with St. Alphonsus Maria Liguori and Praying the Seven Sorrows of Mary with St. Alphonsus Maria Liguori. The saint’s music is produced, arranged and performed on all three CDs by the Herrmanns and other musicians and vocalists from some of the world’s finest orchestras and choral groups. Ray and Theresa started Little Lamb Music in 2006 with their first release, Little Lamb Lullabies. Little Lamb Music is dedicated to providing families with high-quality Catholic music.

Ray Herrmann is a Grammy-award winning musician and one of the world’s finest session players and instrumentalists. He has spent the last 20 years playing with and arranging music for some of the biggest names in American music: Diana Ross, Chicago, Bob Dylan, Santana, LeeAnn Rimes, Stevie Wonder, George Benson and Herbie Hancock. Ray is also in the house band on the hit television show, American Idol. www.rayherrmann.com

On hearing Liam in the studio, Ray Herrmann said, “I was deeply moved by Liam’s reading of the words of St. Alphonsus. It was so beautifully done. And I feel very proud to be a part of this production, one that celebrates Good Friday with the voice of one of the world’s greatest actors with the sacred hymns and prayers of this great saint of the Church.”

These are the first CDs produced in the United States to feature the music of St. Alphonsus.

Praying the Way of the Cross retails for $16.95 (shipping & handling not included).

Proceeds from the sale of the CDs support the work of the Redemptorist missions in Brazil and Nigeria.

To order CDs go to www.littlelambmusic.com or call 1-800-231-1207.

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To find out more about St. Alphonsus and the Redemptorists, go to www.redemptorists-denver.org.

Here's the deal -- you need to subscribe to the Fullness of Truth podcast. Now. Then comment on iTunes about how much you love it.

Briefly, it's a podcast of conference talks. These are the talks folks pay top dollar to hear. Take me for example. I'm prolly payin' a pretty penny to go see Steve Ray this weekend at the "In the Father's Footsteps" conference, hosted by the Oklahoma Fellowship of Catholic Men. If you're in the area, do drop in. Same goes for the Fullness of Truth Conference in Corpus Christi, TX (Mar 28&29).

...but I digress.

The latest talk (in two parts) is by Chris Aubert. He's the father of two aborted children and he talks about the side of abortion that's seldom discussed -- the role of the father. Do give it a listen:

Part 1:

Listen Here!

Download this show here (right click and choose "save as")

Part 2:

Listen Here!

Download this show here (right click and choose "save as")

Got this in the ol' inbox:

After last week's successful album launch party for "Anthology: Chants and Polyphony from St. Michael's Abbey", we have created short video clips.

Feel free to share them with friends and colleagues and help us spread the word. We also have high quality video files, if you would like to post them on your web site.

Enjoy!

The history of St. Michael's Abbey - a page out of a spy thriller
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5NbWERR55k

Need to Relocate - the Abbey is sliding down the hill!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkdSV7Sl1k8

Everyone has to sing!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BROk9YIl--4

Recording the Albums
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-2dOwyZyVA

Daily Life at the Abbey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21CtNVwJ37M

St. Michael's Abbey (full-length version)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cp5v2APxXxM

Regards,
Stefan

Here are some miscellaneous talks from the audio grab-bag. I have no idea the orthodoxy level of these talks, but they're all given from a generally conservative point of view. Take that for what it's worth...

Hadley Arkes on how the defense in the courts of the "right to privacy" has transformed thinking about law and rights in American society

Terence Nichols on how and why religion has become so privatized in America

Jewish bioethicist (and former head of the President's Council on Bioethics) Leon Kass, on how new technologies have changed the assumptions many people have about their children

Russell Hittinger on the reasoning behind the upholding of a right to physician-assisted suicide in Compassion in Dying v. Washington

Bradley J. Birzer on how Tolkien understood the idea of myth

Nigel Cameron on the obstacles and opportunities facing Christians concerned about bioethics

Ralph C. Wood on how Tolkien viewed the use and meaning of human language

James A. Herrick on Mormonism, gnosticism, and the significance of Luke Skywalker

Thomas de Zengotita, on postmodern individualism and "reality" TV

Calvin Stapert, on the sense of resolution, completion, and the sense of the goodness of creation in Mozart's music.

James A. Herrick, on evolution as a religion.

Patrick Deneen, on how Wendell Berry’s thought demonstrates his identity as a “Kentucky Aristotelian.”

Matthew Dickerson, on the glory of trees and the shepherdhood of ents.

Just because I liked it:

Here are three online retreats from Catholics On Call:

Catholics On Call invites you to participate in the online retreats written by Robin Ryan, CP. Along with the talks found below, scripture readings and reflection questions for each weekday will be recommended. We invite you to set aside twenty to thirty minutes per day to pray with these readings and questions. Most importantly, take time to converse with the living Jesus. Talk to him about everything that is happening in your life and be sure to leave some quiet time to listen to Christ.

These retreats are self-directed. Although not required, we recommend you start with the first week’s talk on a Monday and reflect on the suggested scripture passages and questions for each day of the week. Follow this format for the remaining weeks.

It is our hope that these online retreats will help you to deepen your connection with Christ.

Called and Sent

Called and Sent is the five-part online retreat for the Summer of 2008. Each of the five sections will include a reflection on a Scripture passage and some recommendations for personal prayer and reflection. We will look at five biblical stories of call in order to examine various dimensions of vocation. This retreat is offered to everyone who wishes to enter into the mystery of their own vocation in life a little more deeply. Those who are considering a call to lay ministry, religious life, or priesthood may find it particularly pertinent to their questions and concerns. The retreat can be made over a period of five days or, if one’s schedule does not permit that, over a longer time span.

Podcasts of the invidual days are available. Simply click on the individual days and continue to the podcast link.

Called and Sent, Day One
Called and Sent, Day Two
Called and Sent, Day Three
Called and Sent, Day Four
Called and Sent, Day Five

The Lord's Prayer: A Spirituality of Discipleship

The prayer that Jesus taught his disciples is more than simply a prayer. It embodies a spirituality for those who wish to follow the Lord. Through the centuries famous Christian theologians and spiritual writers have commented on the Lord’s Prayer and used it as a framework for articulating Christian spirituality. In these four weeks of retreat, we will reflect upon various dimensions of this prayer as we seek to deepen our relationship with Christ.

First week: "Our Father Who are in Heaven, Hallowed Be Your Name"
Second week: "Your Kingdom Come, Your Will be Done"
Third week: "Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread"
Fourth week: "Forgive Us Our Trespasses, As We Forgive Those Who Tresspass Against Us"

Gazing on the Face of Christ

First posted in July 2006, this retreat is designed to help you focus on your understanding of the person of Jesus and your relationship with him. This is a “back to basics” theme that takes us right to the heart of our Catholic Christian faith. It is also a very rich theme with great potential to move us into prayerful dialogue with the Lord.

The word “gazing” is used to connote an attitude, a stance, of contemplation. Some years ago, Fr. William McNamara, a Discalced Carmelite author, described “contemplation” in this way: contemplation is “a long, loving look at the Real.” During these next four weeks, you are invited to take a long, loving look at the reality of Christ. In faith, we know this Jesus to be “real” with a capital “R”.

Click on the link for each week’s talk and reflection questions:

First Week—Christ Crucified: Compassion Poured Out
Second Week—Building Friendship with Christ
Third Week—Christ the Bread of Life
Fourth Week—Christ the Good Samaritan

Reader Dave, who has been shooting me links since at least June of '08, alerted me to the following:

I'm not sure if you were aware of Dr. Craigs videos on myspace. There are 55 videos posted. Good stuff.

If you've followed this blog for a while, you'll know that I'm a big fan of the Protestant apologist William Lane Craig. When dialoging with atheists, I'm not sure there are any better Christian apologists out there to show you how it's done and how to answer darn near any objection/response you get. Here are the first few videos from the site:

Did God Commit Atrocities in the Old Testament? part 1 Plays: 66 Comments: 0	Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up? Plays: 68 Comments: 0	William Lane Craig on the Kalam Cosmological Argument Plays: 70 Comments: 0	The Kalam Cosmological Argument Plays: 79 Comments: 0	William Lane Craig on Richard Dawkins and Daniel Dennett Plays: 79 Comments: 0
Can You Disprove a Universal Negative? Plays: 84 Comments: 0	What is the Evidence For/Against the Existence God? Plays: 86 Comments: 0	Does Evolution Disprove God's Existence? Plays: 86 Comments: 0	William Lane Craig on Agnosticism Plays: 89 Comments: 0	Why Does Anything at All Exist? Plays: 93 Comments: 1
Dawkins Delusion part 1 Plays: 94 Comments: 0	Christianity and the Age of the Earth Plays: 102 Comments: 0	Who Designed the Designer?: A Response to Richard Dawkins Plays: 107 Comments: 0	William Lane Craig vs Michael Payton Plays: 107 Comments: 0	Atheism vs Christianity : Where does the evidence lead? Plays: 112 Comments: 0
Evolution Proves God's Existence Plays: 115 Comments: 0	The New Atheists are Not Intellectual ly Bright Plays: 135 Comments: 1	Science and Religion Plays: 172 Comments: 0	"Is There a God?": William Lane Craig vs. Victor Stenger Plays: 209 Comments: 0	William Lane Craig vs James Crossley - Resurrection Debate Plays: 305 Comments: 0

From EWTN comes this excellent Bible study on the shortest Gospel:

	Program Name:	Introduction to the Gospel
		Listen Now
		Download
	Program Name:	The Good News of the Gospel
		Listen Now
		Download
	Program Name:	The Good News of the Kingdom, part 2
		Listen Now
		Download
	Program Name:	Demise of the Demons
		Listen Now
		Download
	Program Name:	Fear and Faith
		Listen Now
		Download
	Program Name:	Problem of Parables
		Listen Now
		Download
	Program Name:	Miracles of the Bread
		Listen Now
		Download
	Program Name:	The Blind Shall See
		Listen Now
		Download
	Program Name:	How Long Will They Not Believe?
		Listen Now
		Download
	Program Name:	I Come to Serve, Not Be Served
		Listen Now
		Download
	Program Name:	Jesus' Royal Entry into Jerusalem
		Listen Now
		Download
	Program Name:	Widow's Offering in the Temple
		Listen Now
		Download
	Program Name:	Discipleship during the Passion and Crucifixion
		Listen Now
		Download