FAITH HOPE & HISTORY with FR. BILL

Fr. Bill looks back on the recent exchange of rhetoric between the Holy Father and the President of the United States over the War in Iran.

Ascension Thursday is now Ascension Sunday. Epiphany has been transferred from January 6 to the 2nd Sunday after Christmas.

Fr. Bill addresses the low attendance of Catholics for Holy Days of Obligation and suggests alternative days that can tap into our identity as Americans, and how they can draw people into Church.

People have been listening with bated breath the comments about the Iran war made by Pope Leo XIV, our First "American" Pope. Fr. Bill discusses the public image and persona of the Holy Father, the War in Iran and the Pope's comments in light of Church teaching on the Just War Theory.

Fr. Bill discusses the Sacrament of Confession and how both Priest Confessors and Penitents can grow lax in the celebration of such an important Sacrament. He also offers some suggestions to both Priests and Penitents on how to make the Sacrament a more meaningful experience of God's Forgiveness.

Fr. Bill discusses the issue of Conscience; how it used and misused in moral decision making and what it means for Christians. Is it an internal justification of any action? Is it a means whereby God guides us from within? How can we be confident in its guidance? How do we properly form it in ourselves and those entrusted to us for their upbringing?

Fr. Bill discusses the habit of some priest who embellish the words of the Mass and what it implies about their preaching. He also talks about why it is important for Priests to stick to the words of the Mass as written before them in the Roman Missal, and why they should take seriously their role as preachers.

Fr. Bill discusses his basic principle for making changes in parishes in which he has served as a priest

Fr. Bill comments on the disruption by protestors of a Christian Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota in light of the Church's celebration of its Martyrs. He also makes a comparison between the suffering of Martyrs throughout Christian History with the harassment in the US and the West, and in some places continued Persecution of Christians throughout the world.

Fr. Bill discusses the all-too-common habit of interpreting the work of the Holy Spirit (or the opposite) according to our own desire and agenda.

Fr. Bill discusses two more "rules" he has learned serving as a priest, offering his thoughts for reflection on how we conduct ourselves as a Church weather as leaders in a parish or as parishioners toward each other.

Fr. Bill begins a series on the lessons he has learned serving as a priest for 25 years. With a little sarcasm, some humor but always addressing important spiritual issues he has had to face while serving the People, he discusses what he has observed, the spiritual dispositions he has experienced and the lessons he has learned as a Shepherd of Souls.

2025 marks the 1700th year since the first Ecumenical Council of the Catholic Church. Fr. Bill discusses its place in history, and as a context to the life of St. Nicholas of Myra, the inspiration for Santa Clause and the icon of the Holy Advent-Christmas Season.

Fr. Bill talks about the value of good healthcare and education, but should they be considered a "right".

Fr. Bill offers his thoughts on Pope Leo's reaffirming the Church's position that the title of Co-Redemptrix should NOT be used regarding the Blessed Virgin Mary.

St. Francis Borgia was the third superior of the Jesuits; the second successor to St. Ignatius of Loyola. Fr. Bill talks about his life, legacy, and being that he came from the notorious Borgia family, his scandalous family background.

Pope Leo recently responded to a question regarding Cardinal Blaise Cupich awarding Senator Dick Durbin a lifetime achievement award. His answer has stirred controversy among the usual suspects in the Catholic Church. Fr. Bill addresses the controversy and what is at the heart of both Pope Leo's response, as well as the reaction to his words.

During a Memorial rally for her husband, Erika Kirk publicly declared that she forgives her husband's killer. Fr. Bill discusses the basic Christian mandate to Forgive and discusses the many misunderstandings people attach to the idea and practice of Forgiveness.

Fr. Bill discusses how an Ignorance of History has led to the divisions we see today in the Nation and in the Church, illustrating the dire consequences that result from a willing and often coerced ignorance of History, of the Nation, of the Church, of the Mass, even of the Scriptures themselves, and how such ignorance has led to the sharp divisions that result in the violence we are seeing in current events. Fr. Bill also suggests how growing in our knowledge of History, and with the use of modern means of communication, we can take the initiative, for the first time in history, to put as serious curb on the trends of violence and ignorance and move forward as a society in peace and knowledge.

Fr. Bill talks about the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the shooting at Annunciation School in Minneapolis, the history of political violence in the United States, and the hope for dealing with it as we remember the 250th Anniversary of the events of our Nation's Founding during the papacy of the First American Pope.

Pope Leo XIV was elected the first American-born Pope of the Catholic Church just in time for the beginning of the United States 250th year since its founding. Fr. Bill begins a new season of his podcast previewing an underlying theme he plans to discuss - renewal in our values and principles as a Nation, and "upping our game" as Americans who have one our own leading the Catholic Church throughout the world.

It was reported that when Pope Leo XIV was asked if he had any message for his country of origin, the USA, he responded "a few". Fr. Bill talks about how we Catholics can anticipate (and get ahead of) any message the Holy Father might have for the people of the United States, regardless of what that message eventually is.

Fr. Bill offers his thoughts on the election of Pope Leo XIV.

Fr. Bill offers his thoughts on who may be the next Pope and discusses interesting factors from Papal History to give some perspective on the up-and-coming proceedings.

Pope Francis passed away the morning after Easter Sunday. Fr. Bill offers thoughts on his papacy in light of the history of the Church since Vatican II, the age of social media, the criticism of aspects of his papacy, and the overall trio of papacies of John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis (the first).

Many people complain about the difficult teachings of the Catholic Church, some of which people think should be either changed or done away with entirely. Fr. Bill talks about the most difficult of those teachings and why we should work to fulfill it rather than simply ignore it or try to avoid it.

Fr. Bill offers comments on the recent exchange between Pope Francis and the Vice President JD Vance, who is Catholic, regarding the mass deportation of Illegal Immigrants in the United States.

While the world celebrates St. Valentine's Day, the Catholic Church, at least in the Mass, celebrates Sts. Cyril and Methodius. Fr. Bill discusses their legacy and how the issues they addressed as missionaries to the Slavic Peoples continue to be a subject of discussion, debate and progress for the Church and its ongoing mission of Evangelization.

Fr. Bill re-visits the value of having Religious Liberty in any Free Society and how, if it is to endure, Governments must protect that Freedom, but the citizens must also not fail to exercise it.

The Inauguration of President Trump was saturated with religious references, including the plurality of ministers offering invocations. Fr. Bill talks about the importance of affirming and protecting the Freedom of Religion in the United States and the task of the Catholic Church in evangelizing in such a Religiously Free Nation.

Fr. Bill addresses the recent instruction of Chicago Archbishop, Cardinal Blaise Cupich that all Catholics in his Archdiocese stand when receiving Communion.

Fr. Bill addresses the assertion of some groups that Christmas was originally a pagan feast.

Fr. Bill discusses how early Catholic Saint like St. Lucy invented Women's Lib and Feminism, how their brand is contrary to the Feminism of Today, and how we can return to the Christian roots that is at the heart of the Liberation of Women

Fr. Bill offers his thoughts on the US Election of 2024 and its aftermath; what does the various reactions to the re-election of Donald Trump say less about the nation and more about the people doing the reacting?

Pope Francis stated that American Voters must choose the Lesser of Two Evils in Election 2024. Fr. Bill addresses the comment, the sentiment that inspires it, and what we are called to as Christian Americans when Voting.

Fr. Bill returns to the issue of Freedom of Religion, accentuating its importance to all other basic freedoms.

For the Feast Day of St. Luke, who was a physician, Fr. Bill dives into the complimentary relationship between Faith and Science, debunking the modern myth that they are opposed to one another. Fr. Bill describes why and how Faith leads to Science and why proper Science, inevitably leads back to faith.

Catholics throughout the world were excited with the canonization of John Paul II as a Saint, many calling for his designation as "The Great". Fr. Bill discusses the "overlooked Pope" canonized the same day. What was the legacy of Pope St. John XXIII, and, perhaps, should he also be considered among "The Great" among Popes?

Fr. Bill has decided to read the Federalist Papers beginning October 1. In preparation he is reading through "Common Sense" by Thomas Paine, written to present an argument in favor of the Revolution against English rule.

Fr. Bill takes points of Paine's work and discusses how "Common Sense" is still relevant to what the nation is experiencing now in the midst of the current election cycle.

During Election Seasons there is a lot of soaring rhetoric by candidates for office, some hopefully, some doomsaying, some declaring what the candidate will or will not do if elected. Fr. Bill addresses some of the rhetoric and matches it against what is directed in the Constitution of the United States.

Now that the Olympics has concluded, Fr. Bill offers his thoughts on the controversy during the Opening Ceremony.

Fr. Bill discusses the Western Political principle of the Separation of Church and State in light of Catholic Saints like Stephen of Hungary and the Gospel reading that is shared on the occasion of his Feast Day. Fr. Bill applies the example of St. Stephen to Modern Political Leaders who profess a Catholic Faith in a society that exercises the Separation of Church and State while also enjoying Freedom of Religion.

Fr. Bill presents a handful of recommendations from Catholic History. Recommendations include the writings of such Church Fathers as Ignatius of Sts. Antioch, Polycarp of Smyrna, Justin Martyr, Augustine, Benedict as well as the works of St. John of the Cross, Theresa of Avila and Thomas Merton.

St. Ignatius of Loyola experienced a conversion as a result of reading a work of Catholic Literature. Fr. Bill discusses the Treasure Trove of Literature that has emerged from the History of the Catholic Faith and how reading these works can help deepen our faith and, like St. Ignatius, lead to a deeper and more substantial understanding of that faith.

Fr. Bill reflects on the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings during World War II.

Harrison Butker of the Kansas City Chiefs spoke at the commencement ceremony of Benedictine College. Responses have been mixed, and strong. Fr. Bill gives his take on what was said and the flaw that betrays a serious issue within the Catholic Church, that can potentially ruin the credibility of the rest of his speech.

Fr. Bill talks about May as the Month dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, as well as possible origins to the observance and lessons we can draw for evangelization in our Modern World.

Post-Enlightenment Political Philosophers pushed the Separation of Church and State. The Founding of the United States enshrines a more evolved understanding of this Political Principle. Fr. Bill talks about the difference, and how the United States understanding of this Principle is actually expressed in the Bible.

One of the traditions of celebrating and receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation is the choosing of a "Confirmation Name". Fr. Bill discusses the practice of choosing a name, how to choose, the importance of the name, and the clumsy practices surrounding it, especially as the Sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated.

Many news reporters and spectators described the Total Solar Eclipse of April 8, 2024 as a "Spiritual" Experience.

Fr. Bill breaks down what this reflects in the overall spirituality and religiosity of the nation, as well as how the image of a Solar Eclipse fits into the symbolism and spirituality of Christianity.

Holy Week wraps up the Season of Lent. Fr. Bill talks about the events that happen and the feasts that are celebrated leading up to Easter Sunday and the 50 days of the Easter Season.