Reader Matthew sent in the following:

There is something uniquely human about physical interpersonal interaction, and something distinctly not-authentically-human about strictly virtual relationships. Or so is my opinion. It is also my opinion that the Church would agree, which is why She does not allow confession over the phone or a televised mass to satisfy your Sunday obligation.

In any case, this long-held (and largely unsubstantiated in a folksy kind of way) view of mine made me very interested in a submission by Reader Leo. Leo is a fan of the Institute for the Psychological Sciences' lecture series, and he'd like to share them with the rest of us. These are Catholics who actually *know* what they're talking about and they're discussing our relationships with new technology. Check it thou out!

Lecture # 1

Hiding Behind the Screen: The Philosophy of Virtual Reality
Roger Scruton, Ph.D.
October 31, 2008

Get the rest here.

Reader Cindy writes in:

Here's a talk about spiritual warfare with a prayer of exorcism at the end of the audio. Here's the description of the audio from the website:

A very powerful talk all Catholics should hear! The speaker is exorcist priest Fr. Clement Machado and the topic is on Spritual Warfare. In this eye-opening speech Fr. Machado talks at length about how the battle between Heaven and Hell is raging on around us, and how Satan is winning in our country right now. Between the genocide of the unborn, and the election of Barack Obama, we have grown weak and need to rise up as prayer warriors, trusting in the powerful name of Jesus, our Blessed Mother, and St Michael. This talk was given on November 22, 2008 in Chicago Heights. Fr Machado is a true warrior for Heaven who isn't afraid to speak the truth. The talk concludes with a very powerful prayer of exorcism and healing.

http://www.4marks.com/audio/details.html?audio_id=312

Thanks again for your website!

I haven't had a chance to listen -- if you get to it before me, please leave a comment in the combox and let the rest of us know what you think!

With a big ol' hat tip to Mark Shea, here's a link to St. Antoine Daniel Gregorian Chant Ordinaries.

Some simply beautiful chant. For example:


Go. Let your ears drink their fill.

ChristianAudio.com is a Protestant audio-bookstore that offers one free audio download each month. This month's selection is The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky. Beyond making you cultured, this is an important work of Christian fiction informed by sound theology. Go to this link to download it and hear for yourself -- don't forget the promo coupon: DEC2009.

*HT to Kell, who remarked, "Holy socks, is it Christmas already!"


Hit the link to bask in a wealth of Fultony goodness.

Tim Troutman was kind enough to point me to this interview he did recently. Enjoy!

Tim Troutman interviews Taylor Marshall, former Episcopal priest, and Andrew Preslar, formerly studying for Anglican orders, on the subject of the new Anglican Ordinariates and what that means for Christianity and ecumenism.

www.calledtocommunion.com

Reformation meets Rome

Download the mp3 here.

Reader Dana pointed me to the following talks from Hebrew Catholics:

The Mystery of Israel and the Church

The AHC is sponsoring a lecture series on the mysteries of our faith, with a focus on the role of Israel in salvation history and the deep ties between Israel and the Church. It is hoped that these lectures will be of use both to those who are not Catholic as well as to those who are Catholic.

Lawrence Feingold STD STL is a Hebrew Catholic associate professor of Theology with the Institute of Pastoral Theology, Ave Maria University. Dr. Feingold is the author of these lectures, delivering them every Wednesday night at Boland Hall, Cathedral Basilica, St. Louis, Missouri.

Recordings and a book will be produced of each lecture series. Availability of these items will be discovered on the lecture series index page (link above).

Themes of Salvation History

This series of 12 lectures was given from Sept. through Dec. 2007.

Themes of Faith

This series of 12 lectures was given from Feb. through May 2008.

Themes of the Kingdom

This series of 12 lectures was given from Sept. through Dec. 2008.

Themes of St. Paul

This series of 12 lectures was given from Jan. through May. 2009.

Themes of the Early Church Father

This series of 12 lectures begin on Sept. 23, 2009

HOW YOU KNOW THEY'RE GOOD:

They have materials available for sale by Rosalind Moss:

Reasons for Our Hope

A Bible Study on the Gospel of Luke by Rosalind Moss

Study Guide
DVD: Seasons 1 & 2 now available

Note: The Study Guide complements the DVD sets, but they can be used separately from each other.

*A Hearty HT to Greg for pointing me to this new lecture by Dr. Peter Kreeft, given to Act One.


If you're not familiar with Dr. Kreeft, follow this link and get busy: SPEAKER: Peter Kreeft

If you are familiar with Dr. Kreeft, no further encouragement is needed.

Mike Brummand, director of the New Evangelization at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, wrote in and offered the following talks.

To find more of Mr. Brummand's stuff, click here.

Topic	Format
Sunday, 9/13/09 - Father Milota: Introduction	wma	mp3
Sunday, 9/20/09 - Mike Brummond: Why a Church?	wma	mp3
Sunday, 9/27/09 - Mike Brummond: The Church and the Truth	wma	mp3
Sunday, 10/4/09 - Mike Brummond: The Church and the Good	wma	mp3
Sunday, 10/11/09 - Mike Brummond: The Church and the Beautiful	wma	mp3
Sunday, 10/18/09 - Mike Brummond: The Church Our Mother	wma	mp3

*HT to James, who sent me the following tip...

Fr Greg Homeming from our St Ives community is a popular speaker at Mt Carmel Retreat Centre. Recently he gave a day retreat offering simple hints for those trying to pray. The two talks he gave are available for download. They have been divided into approximately 30 minute segments.

Talk 1 part 1 Talk 1 part 2 Talk 2 part 1 Talk 2 part 2

More resourced from the Discalced Carmelites here.