Today, in the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church, we commemorate the Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The Eastern Church celebrates the same event on January 6, however, their day is […]
Quick Lessons from the Catechism: The Mysteries of Jesus’ Infancy and Hidden Life
With the recent feasts of Jesus’ Circumcision celebrated eight days after Christmas, the Epiphany celebrated this week, and the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple in the weeks ahead, I found it […]
Quick Lessons from the Catechism: The Family in God’s Plan
Today in the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church, which is the Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord, we commemorate the feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, […]
Quick Lessons from the Catechism: The Preparations of the Christmas Mystery
We are only nine days away now from the Christmas Mystery – the birth of Emmanuel, the coming of the Christ in the Incarnation. At Christmas, we celebrate with great amounts of […]
Quick Lessons from the Catechism: Faith and Reason
I might be beating dead horse with today’s blog post, but still want to make the point that Faith and Science (Reason) do not contradict each other. I know there is a […]
Quick Lessons from the Catechism: Where is the Liturgy Celebrated? (And The Lateran Basilica)
Instead of celebrating the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica is celebrated in the Latin lung of the Catholic Church today. Why does the dedication of one […]
Quick Lessons from the Catechism: Euthanasia and Suicide
By now most people have either heard or read about the decision by Brittany Maynard to end her life on November 1. A decision that makes me shack my head every time […]
Quick Lessons from the Catechism: Creation of the World
I have been planning to write this blog post focusing on the Creation of the World ever since the media reported a few days ago that Pope Francis has walked away from […]
Quick Lessons from the Catechism: Expressions of Prayer
Since today is the feast day of Saint Teresa of Avila, the Doctor of Prayer, I found it fitting to quickly express to you one of the articles from the third chapter […]
Quick Lessons from the Catechism: Truth, Beauty and Sacred Art
In recent days, I have had the privilege to view some new sacred art recently created in Northern Italy. To say that this art is beautiful would be the understatement of the […]
Quick Lessons from the Catechism: The Sacrament of the Eucharist
This week at the parish I work at in Arizona, my Pastor and I began a five-week study on the Catholic Mass for the parents in our Family Faith Formation Program. Because […]
Quick Lessons from the Catechism: The Consecrated Life (and Two Savio Grads)
Yesterday, on the feast of St. Augustine of Hippo, the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist welcomed their new postulants into the order. This order, which is very close to […]
Quick Lessons from the Catechism: Respect for the Dead and Christian Funerals
Last week I had the opportunity to visit Queen of Heaven Mortuary and Cemetery in Mesa, Arizona. Fellow parishioner and friend, Harry Antram, Director of Funeral Services for the Diocese of Phoenix […]
Quick Lessons from the Catechism: The Transfiguration of Jesus Christ
As the entire globe prays for peace in Iraq and we remember our fellow Christians who are being persecuted and martyred for their faith, let us unite in solidarity with them on […]
Quick Lessons from the Catechism: The Kingdom of God
Over the past three Sundays in the Latin rite of the Catholic Church, we have been hearing about the Kingdom of Heaven parables in the Gospel of St. Matthew. Although there are […]
Quick Lessons from the Catechism: The Importance of Fasting
The practice of fasting is a form of penance that pre-dates Christianity. In the Old Testament, we see fasting associated always with prayer in numerous scriptures. In the Book of Tobit, it […]
Quick Lessons from the Catechism: The Freedom of Humanity and Religious Freedom
Since today is Independence Day, the Fourth of July, and the conclusion of this year’s Fortnight for Freedom here in the United States of America, I found it strikingly appealing to focus […]
TOM PERNA 