7 Quick Takes Friday (set #224)

7 Quick Takes Friday the 13th

This week: The latest issue of New Evangelists Monthly awaits your perusal. Fr. Mike Schmidt contrasts “freedom” with “license”. Fr. Bill Byrne picks his top 5 amazing things about purgatory. Brian Holdsworth answers “do Catholics know Jesus?” Chris Stefanick looks at the pursuit of happiness. Matt Walsh reminds us what marriage is (vis-a-vis the “royal wedding”). How false self-esteem building is self-defeating.

— 1 —

New Evangelists Monthly

Issue #67, July 2018, of New Evangelists Monthly is ready for your enjoyment! Scores of faithful Catholic bloggers have contributed their very best pieces from May. Contributing authors this month include: Fr. Stephen Morris, Stephen Korsman, Fr. Ben Hadrich, Aimee O’Connell, Kathleen Laplante, Melanie Jean Juneau, Robert Collins, Carolyn Astfalk, Kirby Hoberg, Elizabeth Reardon, John Schroeder, Matt Marks, Blythe Kaufman, Michael Seagriff, David Wanat, Virginia Lieto, Larry T, Tom Perna, Claire McGarry, Tony Agnesi, Fr. Joseph Mungai, Fr. John Paul Shea, Fr. Chori Jonathin Seraiah, David Wong, Matthew Rose, Vijaya Bodach, Frank Rega, Victor Moubarak, Lisa Laverty, Rich Maffeo, Roxane Salonen, David Torkington, Rick Becker, Fr. Errol Fernandes, Bartimaeus Timeo, Susan Stabile, Leslie Klinger, Barbara Szyszkiewicz, Jennifer Elia, Mike Landry, Christian Miraglia, Jean Heimann, Fr. Richard DeLillio, Rick Rice, Christina Nagy, Thomas Cruz-Wiggins, Mary Cooper, Birgit Jones, Lisa Ponchak, Bonnie Way, Larry Peterson, Scott Smith, Ellen Gable Hrkach, Ebeth Weidner, Fr. Gilles Surprenant and Julian Barkin.

This monthly “meta-magazine” showcases faithful Catholicism from theology to family life and “everything in between.” Enjoy it now at NewEvangelists.org.

Read Now

— 2 —

Fr. Mike contrasts “freedom” with “license,” why they are different and the fact of consequences.

— 3 —

Fr. Bill Byrne is one of several priests in the Archdiocese of Washington (DC) who have contributed to their quite active YouTube channel. Fr. Bill produces brief snippets on areas of our faith. Here he gives “5 amazing things about purgatory”:

— 4 —

Brian Holdsworth looks at what it takes to “have a relationship” with Jesus:

— 5 —

I shared this video recently with someone on the topic of happiness. Chris Stefanick produced this a few years back, but of course, it is every bit as pertinent today:

— 6 —

I am honestly baffled why so many Catholics were supportive of the recent royal wedding. According to Jesus and thus the consistent teaching of the Church, it did not happen. This is because the “bride” is already married and will now be living in a public, adulterous relationship with another man (to put it bluntly). Yes, she got a legal divorce – so what? We do not recognize that EVER as terminating a marriage. This wedding is shameful and scandalous.

Matt Walsh gives a really, really good explanation of marriage. He is indeed Catholic but does not mention that here because the nature of (actual, true) Christian marriage applies to us all. The video is long but covers a lot of ground. Share this especially with those contemplating marriage.

— 7 —

OK, now that I “discovered” Matt Walsh (I know, late to the party again…) – I really like him. Somehow I missed his video last fall on self-esteem for Prager U. There is plenty of clear, simple, even obvious observations here:


Some random thoughts or bits of information are worthy of sharing but don’t warrant their own full post. This idea was begun by Jennifer Fulwiler and is now continued by Kelly Mantoan. So, some Fridays I too participate when I have accumulated 7 worthy items. Thank you Kelly for hosting this project!

7 Quick Takes Friday (set #223)

7 Quick Takes Friday

This week: The latest issue of New Evangelists Monthly awaits your perusal. Matt Fradd explains why following God’s will helps us. Ed Trego offers brief, daily, faithful reflections. Brian Holdsworth addresses the existence of miracles. Dennis Prager explains why an “eye for an eye” was a revolutionary (and good) concept. Some surprising immigration statistics. Facts on America’s favorite abortion promoter/provider – Planned Parenthood.

— 1 —

New Evangelists Monthly

Issue #65, May 2018, of New Evangelists Monthly is ready for your enjoyment! Scores of faithful Catholic bloggers have contributed their very best pieces from April. Contributing authors this month include: Stephen Korsman, Aimee O’Connell, Ellen Kolb, Ellen Gable Hrkach, Rick Becker, Melanie Jean Juneau, Carolyn Astfalk, Fr. Stephen Morris, Elizabeth Reardon, Tony Agnesi, Lawrence and Susan Fox, Blythe Kaufman, Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Bonnie Way, Lianna Mueller, David Wanat, John Schroeder, Larry Peterson, Robert Collins, Frank Rega, Ebeth Weidner, Vijaya Bodach, Birgit Jones, Rich Maffeo, Michael Seagriff, Fr. Errol Fernandes, Virginia Lieto, David Torkington, Jennifer Elia, Susan Stabile, Leslie Klinger, Fr. Nicholas Blackwell, Fr. Richard DeLillio, Rick Rice, Bartimaeus Timeo, Dn. Greg Horton, Roxane Salonen, Sr. Maresa Lilley, Fr. Adrian Danker, Claire McGarry, Tom Perna, Dennis McGeehan, Christina Nagy, Jean Heimann, Colleen Martin, Matt Marks, Jennifer Lirette, Dn. Allen Tatara, Kirby Hoberg, David Wong, Victoria Clarizio and Laura Pearl.

This monthly “meta-magazine” showcases faithful Catholicism from theology to family life and “everything in between.” Enjoy it now at NewEvangelists.org.

Read Now

— 2 —

Matt Fradd has joined the folks (Jeff Cavins, Fr. Mike Schmidt, et al) at Ascension Presents. He is an alum of Catholic Answers and offers a podcast I follow on Thomas Aquinas called Pints with Aquinas (much more approachable than actually reading Aquinas!). Here he makes some really good points on the nature of God’s will within us:

— 3 —

Ed Trego: Journey of Faith

My friend Ed Trego started a Catholic blog in February called Journey of Faith. Ed has published short daily reflections since the beginning of Lent. Recommended!

Ed is a certified Advanced Catechist in the Archdiocese of Atlanta, book author, and past contributor to Convert Journal (see this list). Be sure to check-out his new work.

— 4 —

Of course miracles happen (often, actually). Brian Holdsworth takes on the topic:

— 5 —

Dennis Prager makes a strong case for the rationality of the biblical “eye for an eye” law (Lex Talionis). It’s more than “meets the eye”:

— 6 —

We Catholics have strong opinions on immigration. I can’t think of anyone who opposes legal immigration or helping refugees everywhere we can. ILLEGAL immigration is something else entirely. The difference is often skimmed-over or considered irrelevant. It is not.

— 7 —

It is amazing how many people believe Planned Parenthood‘s lies. They have repeated them so often, folks seem to think they must be true.


Some random thoughts or bits of information are worthy of sharing but don’t warrant their own full post. This idea was begun by Jennifer Fulwiler and is now continued by Kelly Mantoan. So, some Fridays I too participate when I have accumulated 7 worthy items. Thank you Kelly for hosting this project!

7 Quick Takes Friday (set #222)

7 Quick Takes Friday the 13th

This week: The latest issue of New Evangelists Monthly awaits your perusal. Igniter Media unfolds the Good News – as a social media story. How Jesus’ resurrection changed the Church – a reflection from Jim Cavins. Fr. Mike takes a look at relationships (lack thereof) in the modern world. Outside da Box’s short film “The Atheist”. Brian Holdsworth on what it means to be Catholic. Jim Caviezel’s exhortation to “be saints”. The oft-hidden reality of the most persecuted minority.

— 1 —

New Evangelists Monthly

Issue #64, April 2018, of New Evangelists Monthly is ready for your enjoyment! Scores of faithful Catholic bloggers have contributed their very best pieces from March. Contributing authors this month include: Virginia Lieto, Fr. Stephen Morris, Stephen Korsman, Bonnie Way, Aimee O’Connell, Dn. Scott Dodge, Robert Collins, David Wanat, Jennifer Elia, Birgit Jones, Maolsheachlann O’Ceallaigh, Melanie Jean Juneau, Susan Stabile, Rick Rice, Victoria Clarizio, Ellen Gable Hrkach, Matt Marks, Mary Haseltine, Carolyn Smith, Ebeth Weidner, Dennis McGeehan, Vijaya Bodach, Fr. Nicholas Blackwell, David Wong, Larry Peterson, John Schroeder, Kirby Hoberg, Rich Maffeo, Tony Agnesi, Leslie Klinger, Susan Fox, Michael Seagriff, David Torkington, Claire McGarry, Carolyn Astfalk, Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Barbara Szyszkiewicz, Elizabeth Reardon, Fr. Errol Fernandes, Ellen Kolb, Rick Becker, Dn. Greg Horton, Tom Perna, Christian Miraglia, Roxane Salonen, Scott Smith, Jean Heimann, Christina Nagy, Colleen Martin, Trisha Niermeyer Potter, Victor Moubarak, Jim Hahn, Lisa Ponchak, David Cooney, Justin Soutar and Blythe Kaufman.

This monthly “meta-magazine” showcases faithful Catholicism from theology to family life and “everything in between.” Enjoy it now at NewEvangelists.org.

Read Now

— 2 —

The Good News, told as a social media story (probably would be banned as “hateful”).

— 3 —

Jeff Cavins reflects on Jesus’ resurrection and how it changed the Church:

— 4 —

Apparently there is an activity known as “Netflix and chill” which does not have the innocent meaning I thought it did when I saw the title to this video. Fr. Mike Schmidt discusses the lack of authentic relationships in the “modern” world.

— 5 —

Enjoy this short film “The Atheist” published by Outside da Box (ODB Films) a while back:

— 6 —

Brian Holdsworth talks about what it means to him to be Catholic. Brian’s videos on Catholicism are quite good.

— 7 —

This is short and awesome! Jim Caviezel speaks on becoming saints:

— 8 (bonus!) —

PragerU simply tells the truth (and thus manages to get dinged by Google), including this piece on the Most Persecuted Minority:


Some random thoughts or bits of information are worthy of sharing but don’t warrant their own full post. This idea was begun by Jennifer Fulwiler and is now continued by Kelly Mantoan. So, some Fridays I too participate when I have accumulated 7 worthy items. Thank you Kelly for hosting this project!

7 Quick Takes Friday (set #221)

7 Quick Takes Friday

This week: The latest issue of New Evangelists Monthly awaits your perusal. Jeff Cavins reflects on Sunday’s Gospel reading (John 3:16). Do you get anything out of Mass in exchange for your time? What has God done for you lately? Fr. Mike Schmidt and Christopher Stefanick (respectively) address these questions. Venerable Fulton Sheen speaks from the past on issues of 2018. There was a time when Hollywood was faithful and loved their country (video proof). Ben Shapiro has a “heads-up” on how Hollywood indoctrinates us today for a very different end.

— 1 —

New Evangelists Monthly

Issue #63, March 2018, of New Evangelists Monthly is ready for your enjoyment! Scores of faithful Catholic bloggers have contributed their very best pieces from February. Contributing authors this month include: Matthew Coffin, Stephen Korsman, Virginia Lieto, Birgit Jones, Dennis McGeehan, Dn. Scott Dodge, Lisa Ponchak, Melanie Jean Juneau, Fr. David Bird, Bonnie Way, Ellen Kolb, Ebeth Weidner, Chris Capolino, Rick Becker, Michael Seagriff, Kathleen Laplante, Jennifer Elia, Carolyn Astfalk, Fr. Stephen Morris, Vijaya Bodach, Fr. Ben Hadrich, Lawrence and Susan Fox, Claire McGarry, Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Roxane Salonen, David Wong, Rich Maffeo, Elizabeth Reardon, Fr. Errol Fernandes, Tony Agnesi, Lisa Laverty, Fr. Chori Jonathin Seraiah, Jeff Culbreath, Larry Peterson, Ryan Bilodeau, Leslie Klinger, Aimee O’Connell, David Torkington, Blythe Kaufman, Robert Collins, Kirby Hoberg, Ellen Gable Hrkach, Brian Gill, Fr. Adrian Danker, Christina Nagy, Bartimaeus Timeo, Barbara Szyszkiewicz, John Schroeder, Christian Miraglia, Rick Rice, Mary Cooper, Lyn Mettler, Fr. Richard DeLillio, Melody Marie, Cas Everts, David Cooney, David Wanat, Ruth Ann Pilney, Victoria Clarizio, Sr. Maresa Lilley, Susan Stabile and Tom Perna.

This monthly “meta-magazine” showcases faithful Catholicism from theology to family life and “everything in between.” Enjoy it now at NewEvangelists.org.

Read Now

— 2 —

Jeff Cavins offers this reflection on what John 3:16 teaches us this lent. This verse is also in our Gospel readings this Sunday (the Fourth Sunday of Lent).

— 3 —

Why bother going to Mass – what is the point? Are you not being fed, enlightened or entertained? Fr. Mike Schmidt offers a different (and correct) viewpoint…

— 4 —

Is God doing anything for you? Maybe you are not letting Him! In this Real Life Minute (yup, only 60 seconds long), Christopher Stefanick explains how.

— 5 —

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle! It is said the devil’s greatest trick is in convincing people he doesn’t exist. Venerable Fulton Sheen recorded these observations on life today, over 40 years ago:

— 6 —

Hollywood celebrities for the most part are, obviously enough, a sanctimonious collective of “virtue”-signalling, group-thinking dunces. God and patriotism are noticeably absent from their mind-set, but it was not always so:

— 7 —

Ben Shapiro, commenting for PragerU, looks at Hollywood’s current mission.


Some random thoughts or bits of information are worthy of sharing but don’t warrant their own full post. This idea was begun by Jennifer Fulwiler and is now continued by Kelly Mantoan. So, some Fridays I too participate when I have accumulated 7 worthy items. Thank you Kelly for hosting this project!

7 Quick Takes Friday (set #220)

7 Quick Takes Friday

This week: The latest issue of New Evangelists Monthly awaits your perusal. Fr. Mike Schmidt speaks to our periods of darkness. Chris Stefanick and Bill Donaghy offer advice for men. How the future will judge us.
Fr. Rob Ketcham encourages those in the “casual Catholic culture” to go deeper. Wild Bill responds to a scared, terminally ill man in despair. Jordan B. Peterson suggest a path to a better world.

— 1 —

New Evangelists Monthly

Issue #62, February 2018, of New Evangelists Monthly is ready for your enjoyment! Scores of faithful Catholic bloggers have contributed their very best pieces from January. Contributing authors this month include: Aimee O’Connell, Fr. Errol Fernandes, Michael Seagriff, Robert Collins, Brian Gill, Blythe Kaufman, John Schroeder, Nancy Ward, Ellen Gable Hrkach, Tony Agnesi, Kirby Hoberg, Sr. Maresa Lilley, Virginia Lieto, Barbara Szyszkiewicz, Stephen Korsman, Victoria Clarizio, Fr. Stephen Morris, Birgit Jones, Rick Becker, Claire McGarry, Larry Peterson, Thomas and Deborah Richard, Roxane Salonen, Susan Stabile, Mary Cooper, Fr. Gilles Surprenant, David Torkington, Vijaya Bodach, Lisa Ponchak, Fr. Richard DeLillio, Ruth Ann Pilney, Fr. Nicholas Blackwell, Dn. Scott Dodge, Leslie Klinger, David Wong, Rich Maffeo, Tom Perna, Carolyn Astfalk, Ruth Curcuru, Bartimaeus Timeo, Susan Fox, Carolyn Smith, Fr. Adrian Danker, Rick Rice, Vinny Carr, Anita Moore, Bonnie Way, Christina Nagy, Laura Peredo, Christian Miraglia, Dave Wanat, Jim Hahn, Ebeth Weidner, Melanie Jean Juneau, Jean Heimann, John Russell, Frank Rega, Julian Barkin, Elizabeth Reardon and Jennifer Elia.

This monthly “meta-magazine” showcases faithful Catholicism from theology to family life and “everything in between.” Enjoy it now at NewEvangelists.org.

Read Now

— 2 —

For many reasons, and even no discernible reason, we enter periods of desolation. At its worst, we may be tempted by desperation, isolation, hopelessness and despair. We may hear a little voice saying “there is no God” or “God is cruel” or “God only wants to punish you.” That is Satan speaking and God allows it (for now). What are we to make of this?

Fr. Mike Schmitz provides a really good explanation for us:

— 3 —

Chris Stefanick and Bill Donaghy are sponsoring an initiative for guys to be better men called MenRiseUp.org. Chris’ videos are always excellent. Here are two recent ones, first RISE UP! Stand in the Breach:

…and RISE UP! Be the Friend:

— 4 —

How will the future judge us? The Ohio Pro-Life League offers this self-explanatory image:

Not A Person

— 5 —

Fr. Rob Ketcham looks at our relationship with Christ’s Church. Some of our number have all but fallen away. Fr. Rob calls it the “Casual Catholic Culture.” How did that happen – not demographically, but personally, and how might we return?

— 6 —

“Wild Bill” (William Finlay) is a YouTube political commentator. He is also a Christian and responded to a man in deep despair who now doubts God. He’s Protestant, so I have some quibbles but for the most part, his comments are very good.

— 7 —

Dr. Jordan Peterson offers compelling advice for all of us praying for a better world. Start by fixing yourself!


Some random thoughts or bits of information are worthy of sharing but don’t warrant their own full post. This idea was begun by Jennifer Fulwiler and is now continued by Kelly Mantoan. So, some Fridays I too participate when I have accumulated 7 worthy items. Thank you Kelly for hosting this project!

show