As an adolescent, I was terrified of one of the priests at my home parish. He was a tall Polish man in his 50’s with a deep voice that was easily perceived as eternally condemning, especially during his homilies. Because of how intimidating he was, I refused every opportunity to serve as an altar boy since I was so afraid to screw up in his presence during Mass. By the time I was in high school, I befriended many Evangelical… Read more
November 18, 2019
Corey Taylor’s Message To Kanye West Still Relevant
November 18, 2019 By René Albert
***CONTENT WARNING: COARSE LANGUAGE*** In a previous article, I wanted to emphasize how new Christian converts (especially celebrity ones like Kanye West) ought to expect hostility and pushback from the secular world. I’m going to digress and say that not all opposition and criticism should be taken as ‘from the devil.’ As it turns out, Kanye’s recent performance at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church has been raising eyebrows for two reasons. The first being that Osteen is widely known for promoting… Read more
November 14, 2019
Is War Justifiable?
November 14, 2019 By René Albert
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In the wake of All Hallows’ Eve, November is a somber month. Especially considering All Souls Day is two days afterwards — a day when Catholic Christians around the world commemorate and pray for those who have died and anticipate their entry into Paradise. In the wake of All Souls day, Canadians commemorate the lives lost during the First and Second World War on Remembrance Day, which also coincides with Veterans Day in the United States. It’s always interesting to… Read more
November 7, 2019
Four Types Of Catholics You Will Find In North America
November 7, 2019 By René Albert
In almost every culture, there are usually sub-cultures that reside in them. In my observation as a reverted Catholic, I’ve noticed four types of people that seem to be unique to Catholicism in North America. I think it’s important to bear in mind that people who might fall into these categories have fluidity and can wander between the quadrants unknowingly. This list is intended more for self-reflection as opposed to a means of labeling other Catholics as for which category they… Read more
November 4, 2019
Why I Pray For The Dead
November 4, 2019 By René Albert
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Anytime we lose someone dear to us, it feels like someone plunged their hand into your chest, ripped a piece of your heart out and ran off with it. Even as time goes by, the void where the fragment of your heart was removed never heals back to its original state. In spite of our loved ones leaving this world for the life hereafter, we never cease to love them. This may be why many cultures emphasize keeping the memory… Read more
October 29, 2019
A Cautionary Tale For Kanye West
October 29, 2019 By René Albert
Kanye West, one of the most well-known rap artists in the 21st century has been stirring some buzz with his newfound passion for God, paired with the release of his new album ‘Jesus Is King.’ While I may not be a fan of Kanye West or his music, I can honestly say that his zeal for Christ is a welcoming one, especially in light of the underlying anti-Christian remorse that lingers throughout the entertainment industry. However, this doesn’t come without… Read more
October 21, 2019
Why Bother Going To Confession?
October 21, 2019 By René Albert
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“He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” — Proverbs 28:13 RSV In October of 2015, I confessed to a Catholic priest for the first time since I was 11 years old. After spending nearly 12 years as an Evangelical Protestant, coming back into Catholicism in my 30’s was a new-old experience. There was a time when I had wrongfully convinced myself there was nothing I could willfully do to separate myself from… Read more
October 17, 2019
The Surprising Origins of Symbols and Gestures in the Music Scene
October 17, 2019 By René Albert
Symbols and gestures have carried significant importance among every culture, religion and group throughout history. These can often be displayed and communicated through the use of the hands. Sometimes a simple wave of the hand can be a greeting or a farewell, or it could be used as a means of acquiring someone’s attention. People who travel and enjoy taking pictures of themselves on their endeavors sometimes use a two-fingered peace sign. What very few people realize is when the… Read more
October 12, 2019
Paganism, Catholicism and the Amazonian Synod
October 12, 2019 By René Albert
As someone who has spent a significant amount of time in the Evangelical community, it isn’t uncommon to hear flippant comments about Catholicism. Often the main points of contention between Protestants and Catholics are the role of Mary, the meaning of the Eucharist, the means of justification through faith and/versus works and interpretation of Scripture to name a handful. Though an argument that is often brought up by Evangelicals is the notion that the Catholic Church is inherently pagan. The… Read more
October 8, 2019
Who Is ‘SUSAN FROM THE PARISH COUNCIL?’
October 8, 2019 By René Albert
Unless you’re familiar with Catholic internet culture, this article probably won’t make sense to you the reader. But if any of you ever remember watching a favorite television sitcom, there’s usually an iconic joke that defines the show. If you’ve heard phrases such as Sargent Schultz from Hogan’s Heroes with his back-stepping, “I see nothing! I know nothing!” or Steve Urkel’s nasal apology, “Did I do thaaaaaat?!” then you already understand how a running gag works. It starts out hysterical, but… Read more
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