FAITH HOPE & HISTORY with FR. BILL

Catholics run parallel "Christmas Seasons" this time of year. One is the American Christmas/Holiday Season that runs from Thanksgiving to the New Year. The other is the Christian Advent/Christmas Season.

Fr. Bill talks about the distinction between the two and how both can be observed each without losing sight of the other; but it takes a minor effort, and might require a little change.

Fr. Bill addresses a common practice on Thanksgiving Day and how it undermines the true nature of the holiday.

November 10 is the Feast Day of Pope St. Leo I (the Great). Fr. Bill talks about his life and how he shaped the Papacy as we know it.

The new Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, is coming under fire for publicly professing his Christian Faith, and in giving no indication that he is a corrupt politician.

Fr. Bill discusses why this is so scandalous in today's cultural climate, and why it is a good sign when someone, even in political leadership, goes against the secular, atheistic cultural grain.

Each year there are groups who express concern that Halloween is a time of the glorification of evil, witchcraft, death and the occult.

Fr. Bill talks about what is behind the idea of evil and demonic possession and how the Halloween detractors actually give the devil more of a due than is nsecessary, and actually aid the devil more in their opposition to the celebration of All Hallows Eve.

With the recent outbreak of war between Israel and Palestine, Fr. Bill offers a Biblical and Historical context in which the current event is being played out.

How can we understand the war in light of the Biblical as well as "secular" History of that region, in light of Jesus' farewell promise of Peace, well as in light of the Promise God made that All Nations would find Blessing in the descendants of Abraham who make up the kingdom, and subsequent Nation of Israel?

Fr. Bill offers his thoughts on the Synod going on in the Vatican during the coming weeks and gives his response to the many comments and concerns that are being made about it.

September 22 is the anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, declared by Abraham Lincoln in 1862.

Fr. Bill discusses the history of Slavery, how the Bible addresses the issue, its history in Christian Europe and in the Founding of the United States. He threads the needle leading up to the Civil War and Lincoln's Proclamation, and how the Constitution of the United States did not endorse Slavery, but brought forth everything from the History of Western Europe up to that point to direct the new Nation towards eventual Emancipation.

For 22 Years we have been remembering the Terrorist Attack on the anniversary of 9/11. But it is not simply one day we should be remembering. Three days later, on September 14, President Bush called for a National Day of Mourning and Prayer in the aftermath of the attack.

Listen as Fr. Bill talks about the importance of that Day of Prayer, September 14; what is celebrated in the Catholic Church, what should be remembered as a Nation, and how it all ties into what we remember in the Anniversary and Aftermath of the 9/11 Attack, and what we celebrate in our Identity and Resolve as both Christians and Americans.

Fr. Bill is back to his Podcast with what he hopes will be interesting and relevant topics regardinig Faith, Hope & History

Fr. Bill addresses the shortage of Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life in the Catholic Church. He proposes a shocking reason why he thinks God has been answering our prayers all along, and what Catholics can do to stem the tide of the decline so as to ensure a future increase in vocations.

Fr. Bill talks about Freedom of Religion, what it means, how it is protected in our Constitution, how it is threatened and what we must do to protect it against the assault it faces today.

Fr. Bill talks about the recent Academy Awards, as well as the history of the Awards as a Hollywood institution. He talks about how Hollywood has grown in its own "inclusivity" over time, how it has forgotten it's natural progress, and why it does not need the pushing of the "WOKE" movement to continue its development as a truly worldwide cinematic institution that has grown beyond Hollywood.

Fr. Bill offers his thoughts and comments on his hopes, and skepticisms of the Eucharistic Revival currently being conducted throughout the Catholic Church in the United States.

Fr. Bill makes a comparison to the issues of Abortion and Slavery, and the Supreme Court decisions that dealt with both.  He shows how the two issues have more in common than not and how the United States in dealing with both issues must struggle with what it means to be a Christian, but also an American.

Fr. Bill reviews the recent divisions within the Catholic Church as well as the recent, elongated, election of the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives and discusses how the dynamic of both is more similar than we realize, and how such a dynamic is, in fact, beneficial for both the Leadership of the Catholic Church, and the Governance of the United States.

What is celebrated in the days immediately following Christmas?

Fr. Bill discusses the wide array of people and themes that are celebrated, observed and reflected upon in the days following the Feast of the Incarnation; showing that the Catholic Faith does not rest simply on remembering a newborn baby, but celebrates a wide range, from Martyrdom, Mysticism, Theology, History, Compassion for the Vulnerable, Tragedy of the Weak and the Defense of the Freedom of Religion and the Church.

The Four Masses Celebrated for Christmas offers four different Scriptural perspectives on the Incarnation, the Birth of Christ.  Fr. Bill talks about the need for new perspectives on Christmas in order to get us back to the Old Basics.

Jesus is a light shining in the darkness, but what is the darkness into which He shines.

Fr. Bill preaches his Midnight Mass message of the darknesses experienced by people and how Jesus pierces that darkness to bring about a happy ending.

Fr. Bill shares thoughts on the reading of the Genealogy of Jesus that is ready during the Christmas Vigil Mass and its importance for understanding the true meaning of Christmas.

Fr. Bill returns to his podcast to talk about Christmas not only as a secular observance, but one in which even atheists give a nod to the birth of Jesus just by virtue of celebrating Christmas (however they do it).  Christmas is also a national reminder of our "First Freedom" as Americans -- which is not the Freedom of Speech (at best, that is the Second Freedom).

Fr. Bill threads the needle between the observance of Veterans Day, the Feast Day of St. Martin of Tours (celebrated on the same day) and the results of Election 2022.  He draws upon history, even recent history to find a purpose in the direction our country is headed in light of the results of the 2022 Election, the sacrifice of our Veterans, and the example of such Saints as Martin, William of Gellone and other Saints who were Military Veterans.

The 2022 Mid-Term Election is upon us.  

Fr. Bill discusses the campaign rhetoric that has been used during this election cycle, particularly regarding the perceived threats to the future of Democracy in the United States - and how the United States Constitution was originally set up by the Founding Fathers to deal with, and prevent, any threat to the democratic process in this country so as to protect, not just democracy, but the Freedom of its citizens from the threat of a tyrannical governing body.

Fr. Bill discusses the "Spirit" behind Halloween, regardless of multiple origins from which it emerged and counters the popular notion that it is a Pagan feast celebrating Death, Evil and the Devil

Fr. Bill presents three of his recent homilies that build upon the theme of doing more than just the minimum.  Drawing upon the parables of the Corrupt Steward, the Corrupt Judge/Persistent Widow and the Miracle of the Ten Lepers, Fr. Bill talks about three ways in which we can go above and beyond the minimum when it comes especially to prayer and worship, but also in how we live and act as Christian people in an increasingly secular world.

Last August an Op-Ed in the Atlantic declared the Rosary to be a symbol of Christian Nationalism and White Supremacy.  Fr. Bill discusses how the Rosary is in fact comparable to a weapon and how the Anniversary of the Battle of Lepanto demonstrates this to be true - but not the kind of weapon one would expect.  He further discusses the importance and Power of Prayer and why the Atlantic author reflects a great fear many have for the Catholici Power of Prayer.

Popular sentiment claims that the United States was founded on Slavery.  In honor of the 160th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation (9/22/1862), Fr. Bill disputes the claim that the natin was built on Slavery, and talks about how the United States Constitution reflects a momentum at the birth of our nation not towards Slavery, but towards Emancipation.  In demonstrating this Fr. Bill quotes from the Constitution, itself, showing where, and how, the founding of our Nation was spelled the ultimate doom of Slavery and the catalyst that ultimately and inevitably led to Emancipation.

The Catholic Church has always experienced divisions.  Today among these divisions are between those who like to promote themselves as "traditional" Catholics.

Fr. Bill discusses one of the many aspects of true Church Tradition, how the so-called "traditional" Catholics measure up, and how Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian, who share a Feast Day today (September 16), emulate one of the Oldest and Truest Catholic Traditions.

Fr. Bill begins his new season of podcasts talking about the death of Queen Elizabeth II.  He also briefly reviews the highlights of the history of the English Monarchy, including some of the more notable and notorious kings and queens that have reigned over Great Britain.

Not many Christians, including Catholics, know that there is a rich history in the Catholic Church of the Ecumenical Council.  For many, the only Council they are aware of is Vatican II (and maybe, by conclusion, Vatican I), but little is known about the dynamic and charism of the Council in the history and function of the Catholic Church.

Fr. Bill discusses this history of the Councils, what they were, when they were held, what they discussed, their impact on the Catholic Faith and Tradition, and how the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II) fits into that rich Catholic Tradition.

Fr. Bill gives his weekly homily on the Good Shepherd in light of the leaked opinion regarding the Supreme Court's ruling on Abortion.

With the news regarding the sale of Twitter, there has been much discussion on the nature of the Freedom of Speech in the United States.  Fr. Bill discusses the importance of Free Speech, but also talks about another Freedom, in the Bill of Rights, more important than Free Speech, without which we will never enjoy freedom and Democratic Dominance over our Governmental Systems.

Fr. Bill talks about Good Friday from the perspective of the Gospel of John, who sets up the Passion of Jesus very much as the Coronation of the King of Glory.  Listen as Fr. Bill describes why this is so, prepares us to hear the Passion According to John in the Liturgy of the Lord's Passion, and offers a final reflection on the importance of Jesus' Crucifixion.

Fr. Bill comments on the history of the Academy Awards and the legendary films that Hollywood used to produce, manifested on those films that won the award for Best Picture.

Reviewing some of the great films that have been Awarded Best Picture, Fr. Bill by the Academy, Fr. Bill reflects on the greatest films and the greatest era of both Hollywood and the Academy Awards, compared to the obvious decline of both in the past decade.

Part of the Legacy of St. Patrick is that the Irish helped to maintain the Church in the U.S. for decades.  As we celebrate St. Patrick's Day and St. Joseph's Day two days apart, what are the lessons to be learned from both men, and the influence they have had on the Church in the United States?

Some insist that the Bible is an accurate historical account.  Others claim it is only Mythology.  Fr. Bill discusses how it is both, why it is both and to what purpose it serves as a "historical" for the ancient Kingdom of Israel, as well as to people of faith today.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine comes on the heels of the Covid Pandemic around the World, and of Civil Unrest, inflation and Economic Uncertainty in the US.  Some would insist that it is the sign that the End is coming.

Fr. Bill discusses the words of Jesus regarding Wars, Pestilence and the End of the World and how Catholics are called to react to events that are being reported from home and throughout the World

As eager as people were to mask up and get vaxed at the height of the pandemic because "we were all going to die" if we didn't.  How eager are people now to move on, maskless and unafraid, now that the Pandemic is beginning to wane?

Fr. Bill reflects upon the experience of the Covid Pandemic and what we could and should expect from people as the world begins to return to normal.

The Last week of January is celebrated annually as Catholic Schools Week.

Fr. Bill talks about the Legacy of the Catholic School System, especially in the United States, what makes it great, what challenges it faces, and why it should be kept going for future generations in this country.

Jesus' debut in Nazareth was somewhat less than successful.

Fr Bill discusses the ways in which the people of Jesus' home-town reacted to his teaching and how the Catholics, Christians and anyone of any traditional value system experience and deal with multiple reactions to their presence and assertions in society.

The life and martyrdom of St. Thomas Becket shows that Religion has a clear place in politics, whether we want it to or not.

Fr. Bill discusses the life of Becket and how he defied the conventional separation of Religion and Politics, and even became the victim of a "Cancel Culture."

The Feast of the Holy Innocents follows the Celebration of Christmas and remembers the death of the infants slaughtered by King Herod following the Birth of Jesus.

Fr. Bill talks about how the Slaughter of the Innocents parallels another Biblical slaughter, and how it is repeated today in the drive for a more secular progressive post-Christian society.

Christmas celebrates the Birth of Christ, but it also celebrates that "The Lord has come this people and set them free!"  It is a great celebration of Freedom that is perfectly combatable with our culture and founding as Free Americans of the United States.

Fr. Bill talks about how this is so and wishes everyone the best of the season.

Many people see the Supreme Court of the United States as the Supreme Authority of the Country.

Fr. Bill discusses the role and authority of the Supreme Court in relation to the other two Branches of the Federal Government, as well as in relation to the Governments of the individual States, particularly in light of the recent arguments before it over the Mississippi Abortion Law.  He talks about historical decisions made by the court and how it relates to its role in our nation today

Americans love to talk about their "rights".  

Fr. Bill talks about the nature of "Rights" as expressed in the Declaration of Independence of the United States and how the assertion of "rights" that people make today fits, or does not fit, into that dynamic that is at the center of America's founding and continued prosperity.

November 19, 2021 is the 158th Anniversary of the Gettysburg Address

Fr. Bill talks about the Legacy of Lincoln's Speech and how it continues to speak to our Nation, and give us hope in the present crisis.

The Trial of Kyle Rittenhouse has captured the attention of America.

Fr. Bill discusses the trial, not in terms of innocence or guilt, but in terms of what everything about the trial - what led up to it, what it is about, how it has been conducted by the participants, what the media and politicians have sad about it - ultimately says about the state of America and the attitudes that have become prevalent among the People.

Many Catholics are critical of Pope Francis and other Bishops for not calling out Catholic politicians who are in favor of abortion.  Some have called Pope Francis a "false Pope", an "anti-Pope" and even "Satan's Pope".  Some say that the Church is in a crisis from which it may never recover.

Fr. Bill talks about another crisis from Church history and puts the current issues into the proper perspective of the Church's checkered, but triumphant past.

Is Halloween a celebration of Death and Evil, or a manifestation of Christian confidence against evil?  Fr. Bill talks about Halloween and the subsequent Feast Days of All Saints and All Souls.

Fr. Bill addresses the controversy over Covid Vaccinations.  He talks about the issue of "Forced" Vaccinations, and addresses the ethical questions people raise with regard to taking the Vaccine.

(note - Fr. Bill is NOT speaking as an official spokesperson of the Catholic Church.  Rather, he speaks as a pastoral minister who has had to address this in discussions with those who have approached him for advice and guidance.)