How Augustine’s Response to Fundamentalism Helps Us Today

Last updated on: January 10, 2024 at 1:53 pm By Fr. Nicholas Sheehy, LC

Augustine begins his prologue of De Doctrina Christiana addressing fundamentalism. Fundamentalism is present today in the Church in some sectors. It takes the form of a certain anti-intellectualism and seems to be present in the traditionalist and charismatic sectors. Augustine argues for deep Christian formation that will help overcome anti-intellectualism and lead to a deeper grasp of the mysteries of the faith. He writes the work in two different moments. The first three books come from his early years as... Read more

Starting Anew, In Christ, Under The Maternal Gaze Of Mary

Last updated on: January 4, 2024 at 8:45 am By Fr. Nicholas Sheehy, LC

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We are starting anew. We enter the New Year with hope and expectation. There is something mysterious about starting over. It inspires in us a sense of awe and wonder. In the Church, we celebrate something very special. The first day of the year is dedicated to Mary, Mother of God. It is also the World Day of Peace. Finally, we celebrate in a special way the Church herself. Meaning of the New Year So much of our culture is... Read more

Form Christian Culture: 3 Keys According To Saint Augustine

Last updated on: January 13, 2024 at 9:53 am By Fr. Nicholas Sheehy, LC

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Augustine tells us what we need to know to form Christian culture from the remains of a pagan one. Perhaps his work De Doctrina Christiana is a road map for our own times. I do not want to seem alarmist, but many elements of our current world point to a great decline. I believe that Christians are called upon to be witnesses to hope in this world. The best way to do this is to put forth the truth of... Read more

Pray like a Professional: Pray like John the Evangelist

Last updated on: January 4, 2024 at 8:45 am By Fr. Nicholas Sheehy, LC

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Pray like a professional. We can look at so many aspects of life where we expect a lot of effort and constancy to be successful. Some may think that it is outrageous that a baseball player can make 700 million dollars, like Shohei Ohtani, but we know we cannot hit a fastball nor throw one like he can. We know that lawyers and doctors take years to complete their degrees and get the proper licensing. So, why do we assume... Read more

The Holy Family, Model for Holy Families

Last updated on: January 4, 2024 at 8:45 am By Fr. Nicholas Sheehy, LC

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The Holy Family is a model for holy families. We need to commit to building a culture of family in a hostile world. Within the Octave of Christmas, we celebrate the Holy Family. This helps us deepen our understanding of these three persons and how they intervened in salvation history. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph lived in a special way that changed the course of history forever. It invites us as well to meditate on the importance of family as the... Read more

We Must Do 3 Things to Hear God, Says Pope Francis

Last updated on: January 4, 2024 at 8:45 am By Fr. Nicholas Sheehy, LC

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We must do 3 things to hear God. Pope Francis gave his annual Christmas Greetings to the Roman Curia. I always love reading this speech, because it often serves as a type of “State of the Union” Address from the Pope to the governing body of the Church. The Curia is made up of the officials from the various Dicasteries (formerly Congregations) and other organizations based in Vatican City-State. Pope Francis proposes 3 actions that we need to hear God,... Read more

Pope Francis Wants a Welcoming Church

Last updated on: January 4, 2024 at 8:45 am By Fr. Nicholas Sheehy, LC

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Pope Francis wants a welcoming Church. But he did not just change the Catholic doctrine on same-sex unions. Much confusion surrounds the latest declaration from the Dicastery of the Doctrine of the Faith. A declaration sets a truth as something firmly taught. It emanates from the Dicastery of the Doctrine of the Faith, so it has to be important. Often, such documents would have at least one degree of separation from the Holy Father. In this case, however, due to... Read more

Blessing Same-Sex Unions? 5 Things to Keep in Mind

Last updated on: January 4, 2024 at 8:45 am By Fr. Nicholas Sheehy, LC

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The Dicastery of the Doctrine of the Faith has published a declaration Fiducia Supplicans, clarifying reflections the Pope had made earlier this year regarding the possibility of blessing same-sex unions. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has left it very clear that “The Church’s teaching on marriage has not changed.” There are five things to keep in mind. 1. Context of the Dubia This document is written as an opportunity to take up once again the response to the... Read more

Can Catholics Do Yoga?

Last updated on: January 4, 2024 at 8:45 am By Fr. Nicholas Sheehy, LC

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A common question I get in Pasadena is, “Father, can Catholics do yoga?” I am always a little hesitant to answer. It seems like such an innocuous practice. People do it for health, for balance. It can’t be that bad, right? I hesitate because I feel that the answer is not as simple and straightforward as the question purports to be. There are a few things to keep in mind. Yoga is essentially a religious practice, with health benefits. It... Read more

It’s Not All About Me – a Late Advent Reflection

Last updated on: January 4, 2024 at 8:45 am By Fr. Nicholas Sheehy, LC

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When my mom turned forty, someone gave her a t-shirt that read “it’s all about me.” She received the gift, of course, but then she proceeded to make of it a life lesson for all of us kids. She said that she wanted to adjust it and write a bit “NOT” in the middle of the phrase. “Life is NOT all about me.” Even my life is not all about me. It was a profound lesson, one lived out very... Read more

What was Jesus' profession before starting His ministry?