Faith Primer

Getting God Wrong

The common Christian belief that God required Jesus’s death as a sacrifice for the sins of mankind is a fundamental misunderstanding.  Instead, God does not demand sacrifices and Jesus’ death was not orchestrated by God but was a result of human rejection of Jesus’ teachings. The true nature of God, as presented by Jesus, is one of unconditional love, forgiveness and mercy.

For more detailed explanation, please see the blog post here.

“When God Ran” was written by Benny Hester and John Parenti in 1985, performed here by Phillips, Craig, and Dean conveys the powerful message of God’s unconditional love and forgiveness. It tells the story of the prodigal son, emphasizing that God eagerly welcomes back those who have strayed. The song depicts God running to embrace the repentant, highlighting His boundless grace and mercy.

Phillips, Craig, and Dean are a contemporary Christian music group known for their heartfelt worship songs that often explore themes of faith, redemption, and God’s love.

The song “Come to the Table” by Sidewalk Prophets invites everyone, regardless of their past or present circumstances, to find acceptance and love at God’s table. It emphasizes inclusivity, grace, and the welcoming nature of God’s love, portraying a message of hope and redemption for all.

Sidewalk Prophets is a contemporary Christian band known for their inspiring and heartfelt music, often focusing on themes of faith, love, and community.

Fr. Mike Schmitz created the Bible in Ten Minutes which has became his most viral video yet, garnering over 358,000 views in its first 24 hours. Fr. Mike begins the video by saying,

“The Bible is amazing, but sometimes confusing and hard to read. This is because it’s not just one book, but a collection of books written over thousands of years in lots of different styles, all inspired by God “ . . . Schmitz speaks of the “narrative throughout the Bible that tells a single story: the story of God’s plan for our salvation. Once we understand that story, we can understand the context of every book in the Bible.”

Fr. Mike also produced “The Bible in a Year ” which consists of daily podcast episodes in which Fr. Mike guides viewers through the entire Bible in 365 days. Each episode includes a Bible reading, reflection, and prayer, offering listeners a structured and insightful journey through the Scriptures. Fr. Mike, known for his engaging and relatable teaching style, helps deepen understanding and connection to the Bible, making it accessible and meaningful for modern audiences. This series is ideal for anyone seeking to grow in faith and knowledge of God’s Word.

For more details, please visit the playlist here.

100% Orthodox Catholic Faith Formation

At the Institute of Catholic Culture, we dedicate ourselves to providing comprehensive education in the Catholic faith through an array of lectures, live seminars, and a wealth of resources. Our mission is to foster a deep and nuanced understanding of Catholic tradition and culture, equipping individuals with the tools for lifelong learning and spiritual enrichment.

We emphasize the importance of historical context, theological depth, and practical application, striving to enrich the lives of individuals and communities. By nurturing a robust and informed Catholic faith, we aim to support and inspire Catholics in their journey towards a deeper relationship with God.

For more details, visit Institute of Catholic Culture.

History

In the early years of the Cold War, having discovered Our Lady of Fatima’s message, Msgr. Harold V. Colgan partnered with John M. Haffert to create the “Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima”. Members of this “Blue Army” were the spiritual force standing against the atheistic policies of the Soviet Union and their Red Army. They pledged to offer their daily sufferings and difficulties for the conversion of sinners, to pray the Rosary daily, to wear the Brown Scapular as a sign of consecration to Mary’s Immaculate Heart, and to practice the Five First Saturdays devotion. The pledge, which Sister Lucia herself helped formulate, quickly gained popularity throughout the United States and soon became a worldwide movement, with between thirty and forty million people having signed the Blue Army Pledge. In the early 1950s Msgr. Colgan, together with John Haffert, established the Ave Maria Institute on John Haffert’s farm in Washington, New Jersey. The farm served as the administrative center for sending and receiving new Pledge cards, handling correspondence, publishing Soul Magazine, and coordinating travel for the Pilgrim Virgin Statue. Around this same time they also purchased land in Fatima and built Domus Pacis hotel and conference center, which continues to house pilgrims and serve as headquarters for the International World Apostolate of Fatima. John later donated his farm to the Blue Army, building a large shrine with a towering roof and 24′ bronze statue of Mary on the property. Today, this site is known today as the National Blue Army Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima officially became the World Apostolate of Fatima and on October 7, 2010 was named a Public International Association of the Faithful. Today we serve as the Church’s official voice on the authentic message of Fatima.
For further information, please visit the World Apostolate of Fatima, USA website: https://www.bluearmy.com/

From Wikipedia:

The Chosen is an American Christian historical drama television series. Created, directed, and co-written by filmmaker Dallas Jenkins, it is the first multi-season series about the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. Primarily set in Judaea and Galilee in the 1st century, the series centers on Jesus and the different people who met and followed or otherwise interacted with him.

From thechosen.tv:

Available on streaming services such as Netflix, free with The Chosen App or on DVD.

In the 2024 Catholic Media Association Book Awards,  the Rosary Book placed in the following categories:
Third Place, Inclusion in the Church, B501
Honorable Mention, Prayer Books, B105
Honorable Mention, Design and Production, B1201 
 
For more information on the Catholic Media Association Book Awards, please visit: