The podcasts for Catholic Classes Liturgy of the Hours that is discussed in this podcast has been moved.  You will find these Liturgy of the Hours at Divine Office at http:\\DivineOffice.org or by searching iTunes for Divine Office.

 

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Join us in praying the Liturgy of the Hours at Divine Office or subscribe to our podcast by searching iTunes for Divine Office.

Please pray with us, we are praying for you.

 

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How we pray is who we believe ourselves to be. We profess our faith with the use of symbols, organization of time, and rites which make up liturgy. In this podcast, we explore some of the underlying ideas beneath these aspects of liturgy. Through these actions and words, something inexpressible is finally said: repent and believe, the reign of God is at hand.

And this good news isn’t a matter of private redemption. Rather, something for all humanity, once for all. This reality contributes to the Church’s insistence that liturgical prayer is not private because it is always a celebration of the church. It is the whole Body of Christ who prays each time any of us does. This is especially true of Mass, all of the sacraments, and all liturgical prayer.

While personal and private prayer is a necessary aspect of all authentic Christian life, the individual Christian’s participation in the public prayer of the community is even more important. The public prayer of the church is powerful precisely in the reality that the people gathered for prayer (liturgy) are not the only ones present. In any liturgical prayer, the whole Mystical Body of Christ is present as well as all the choirs of angels. The church at prayer –liturgy, in a word, is indeed a celebration of the whole Heavenly Jerusalem!

The mystery of Christ is so unfathomably rich, that it cannot be exhausted in any single liturgical tradition. Even though the liturgy we pray around the world is one and the same, it is always set in a cultural context. In this way Christ reaches out to all people, while maintaining unity in love and charity. We are not isolated or alone, but united in love in the liturgy, always and everywhere!

Liturgy is a primary place where we humans meet God the Creator, we experience in Christ the love of God reveled, and we are given the Spirit of God’s love in which to live eternally. While liturgy is a foretaste of encounter with God –holy communion, we will only truly begin to understand the significance of the liturgy when we are participating in the heavenly liturgy –an experience that will bring us true joy and fulfillment.

 

 Our True Home (Holy Trinity) [26:51m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

As the gospel according to John suggests in chapter 14, we can grow to think of ourselves as a dwelling for the Trinity; God making a divine home in us. This podcast explores the mystery of the Blessed Trinity. It considers how the Trinity was revealed by God to us, how the Church received and expressed the revelation, and how we understand the words and deeds of God undertaken by  (more…)

 

 The Greatest Gift. Holy Spirit Session (MP3) [38:06m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The Holy Spirit is not a power or energy — not to be confused with the “force” (though, perhaps understandable as a metaphor for the influence of the Holy Spirit). The Holy Spirit is a real person “the identity of the love cited in 1 John 4:8, “God is love.” Though the world neither sees nor (more…)

 

 God Saves! Jesus Christ session (MP3) [58:21m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The idea of the Incarnation has been at the center of the last few discussions  starting with the session on Advent themes. In the podcasts on Mary, her special role in the way of salvation is established for the incarnation of God in Christ Jesus.  This conversation covers some other aspects of Incarnation revolving around Jesus’ birth.  Following the nativity story, we get to explore various dimensions and meanings of the names and titles ascribed for Jesus as we look at the one who grew in wisdom and knowledge.The most basic belief (more…)

 

 What, Me?! The Blessed Virgin Mary (Part 2 - MP3) [31:32m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

:vote:In this second discussion on Mary, we explore her perpetual virginity, the annunciation of her role in the Christ’s incarnation, and her assumption into heaven. As stated in the first, what the Catholic faith believes about Mary is based on what it believes about Christ, and what it teaches about Mary illuminates in turn its faith in Christ. Five key doctrines, rooted explicitly or implicitly in the Bible, that reveal the truth of who Mary is. This discussion continues through these truths.At the Council of Ephesus in 431 CE, (more…)

 

 What, Me?! The Blessed Virgin Mary (Part 1 - Enhanced) [27:01m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

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Join us in our discussion about the Blessed Virgin Mary as we acknowledge her role in salvation.  St. Augustine asserts that while Eve is the called the mother of the human race, Mary is called “Mother of salvation.” St. Jerome claims, “death through Eve, life through Mary.” These ideas illustrate the importance of Mary’s role in Christ’s redemption.  In this the first of two discussions about Mary, we explore the “Immaculate Conception” of Mary and how she is the Church’s model of faith.At the start of this discussion, it must be clear that what the Catholic faith believes about Mary is based on what it believes about Christ, and what it teaches about Mary illuminates in turn its faith in Christ. Doctrines concerning Mary are part of the Word of God that consists of both Scripture and Tradition.  Like Mary, the Church is the faithful handmaid of God’s Word. There are five key doctrines, rooted explicitly or implicitly in the Bible, that reveal the truth of who Mary is.The Catholic Church does not teach that Mary is divine. (more…)

 

 Hear This (Enhanced with slides) [32:39m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

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If ever there was a message to hear, the message of the Good News of Jesus that the reign of God is at hand and already in our midst is one you really want to share with everyone and proclaim to one and all, hear this! This conversation takes up the wondrous message about the reign of God, which is another way to say kingdom of heaven, and then how Jesus’ life, death and resurrection started it all. This was the topic at the Orientation Session of the Catechumenate for this liturgical year at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, in Holladay, Utah, from which this podcast derives. At that session we spent a lot of time exploring the structures and experiences that are unique to each of the four various periods of the whole Catechumenate. The message that the structures and experiences of the whole Catechumenate raise-up is Jesus — he proclaimed that the Kingdom of God is at hand. His life, death and resurrection invite us to hear this message. (more…)

 

 Great Expectations [34:49m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 Guide to "Great Expectations", which includes references, prayers, and reflections: Download

The Good News about human destiny can fill us with great expectations all of the days of our lives — lives which are God-created, or seeded for eternity, using the phrase from our last conversation. This podcast is the second in a series of three which correspond with the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, in Holladay, Utah. People who are interested in knowing more about Catholicism were welcomed recently at the parish and this conversation addresses two aspects of human destiny implied during that Welcome Session; first, human happiness, and then, second, its vital link with human freedom. (more…)

 

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The first Sunday of December, the first Sunday of Advent, and the first day of the liturgical year.  We take a moment to discuss the three comings of Jesus Christ and our coming to him.

 

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This is the forth Catechism Reflection. We discuss “The Mass”, Chapter 17 from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults.This podcast is a conversation reflecting on sections of the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults which addresses some of the topics from the Parish Session.Hear a small group, informal reflection with verbal references to the page numbers of the USCCA under consideration.If you would like to participate then send your emails or audio comments to Catholic at CatholicClasses.orgPlease leave us a review on iTunes!!! Go to iTunes and search for “Catholic Classes”and you will find our podcast series. We have several of them, please leave reviews on all of them. We love reviews and you could win an iPod shuffle if you leave a review on our “Liturgy of the Hours Morning Prayer” podcast series and increase your chances by leaving reviews on all Catholic Classes podcast series.

 

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iPod shuffle give away!!! Listen to this podcast for details on winning one of three iPod shuffles we will give away over coming weeks.For Catholics, Mass is a heavenly event –a wondrous heavenly banquet. It is a real experience– if only a first taste, of what we believe heaven, or as we profess, –the life of the world to come– to be all about. It is a real experience of the kingdom of God on Earth. This vital profession of faith is the topic of this podcast. It expands on the “Mass Session,” held last Tuesday when inquirers were first introduced to the Mass as part of the Period of Inquiry of the Catechumenate at St. Vincent de Paul parish in Holladay, Utah, for this year.The conversation begins by referring back to an idea voiced at the session. Since Mass is both the beginning, the source, and the end, the summit, celebrated now, it makes sense that in the early stages of the Catechumenate journey we introduce Mass as THE destination of our journey. In terms quoted from Church documents, Mass is the fountain and summit of a Catholic person’s life. That is to say, that at one and the same time, mass is the fountain from which our life flows, the source, AND the summit of where our life is going, the destination. Not just from Sunday into the week and to the next Sunday; also, from baptism to eternal life. As well as the summit of our Catechumenate journey at Easter with first communion for adults celebrating the Easter sacraments, and even more importantly, as THE destination of the journey of creation itself, which is eternal life with God, or in a word, heaven! (more…)

 

 Very Real [46:28m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
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This conversation considers the interplay between the word church used for the building as well as the people. We look at two very real aspects of what we mean when we say “church”. First we talk about church as the “people of God” and then, second, we talk about “the mystery of the church.” This discussion extends the “Church Tour” session of the Catechumenate at St. Vincent de Paul parish in Holladay, Utah, for this year.

We spent Tuesday night on a “scavenger hunt” of sorts. Each of the (more…)

 

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This is the second Catechism Reflection. This podcast is a conversation reflecting on sections of the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults which addresses some of the topics from the Parish Session. Hear a small group, informal reflection with verbal references to the page numbers of the USCCA under consideration. These sessions are tagged with CCCR (Catholic Classes Catechism Reflection) and a sequence number.

We discuss “What or Who is the Church” (Eclesiology). Pages 111-123, 507, 128-130, 177, 44, 146, 167, 226, 505, 452

If you would like to participate then send your emails or audio comments to Catholic at CatholicClasses.org

Please leave us a review on iTunes!!! Go to iTunes and search for “Catholic Classes” and you will find our podcast series. We have several of them, please leave reviews on all of them. We love reviews

 

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This week’s Parish Session we tour St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and then follow our tour with an excellent lecture about the Church.

 

 Pass It On [32:04m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 Guide to "Pass It On", which includes references, prayers, and reflections: Download

On Tuesday night we talked with people who are interested in knowing more about Catholicism. They were oriented to what happens during the Catechumenate. This podcast corresponds with that Orientation Session of the Catechumenate for this liturgical year at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, in Holladay, Utah. We discuss why we need the Church to initiate faith “how the Church needs the Catechumenate and the Catechumenate needs the Church, to pass it on. As we renew our faith, we pass it on to the catechumens. Their witness to faith renews us. They pass it on, back to church, to us, the faithful.

It is the good news that our heart’s desire for bliss is fulfilled with our free acceptance of God’s love. Who is Jesus. The Church must preach “it” to everyone as the source of all saving truth. During the Catechumenate, we enjoy the gift of God’s love — who is Jesus, and share it with others. Thus, there is a connection between Jesus and the Church.

The Catechumenate leads us through death to life by providing an example of people who embrace, with their all, Jesus’ way. The opportunity to do this in memory of Jesus on the behalf of others, renews and revitalizes the faith of Jesus followers, the Church — the mystical body of Christ. This example leads others to initiation in the faith — in the mystical body, and this initiation is seen in their reception of the sacraments of baptism and confirmation, and culminates with the Eucharist.

The sharing of this gift of unity happens in a special way during the Catechumenate. We pass it on during this journey together toward salvation. It renews and revitalizes the Church even as it initiates new members of the Body of Christ, the People of God, the Church. These three different names “the Church”, the “People of God” and the “Mystical Body of Christ”, each has a unique emphasis in passing on God’s Word, especially the fullness of divine revelation who is Jesus. God’s Word as Christ’s real presence, passed on in the Church throughout the centuries, is what we call Scripture and Tradition.

God’s gift of love, who is Jesus, who is God’s forgiveness and self donation — in a word “death”, and so too, God’s generosity and joy, in another word, resurrection, is God’s self-communication made through his Word in the Holy Spirit and remains present and active in the Church! This active and real presence is one way to understand Catechumenate. This is our faith!

Musical Interlude was “With Jesus There’s a Way” by Roland Gervais.

Recommended Reading:

Catholic customs & traditions: A popular guide

 

 Standard Podcast [52:31m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is the first Catechism Reflection. This podcast is a conversation reflecting on sections of the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults which addresses some of the topics from the Parish Session. Hear a small group, informal reflection with verbal references to the page numbers of the USCCA under consideration. These sessions are tagged with CCCR (Catholic Classes Catechism Reflection) and a sequence number.

We discuss the following pages from USCCA.

• Kingdom of God: 79-80, 93, 153, 486, 517
• Already in Jesus: 7
• Jesus’ proclamation: 91-92
• Church and: 114, 117
• Come: 482, 494

Next week we will discuss “What or Who is the Church” (Eclesiology).
111-123, 507, 128-130, 177, 44, 146, 167, 226, 505, 452
If you would like to participate then send your emails or audio comments to Catholic at CatholicClasses.org

Canticle of Zechariah performed and arranged by Erika Provinzano

Please leave us a review on iTunes!!! Go to iTunes and search for “Catholic Classes” and you will find our podcast series. We have several of them, please leave reviews on all of them. We love reviews

 

 Yours Always [35:27m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

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Its as if our creed is signed, “yours always, love” and then the name of each person of faith, follows. And like we talked about last time, when we considered the question of who finds who, not only is the creed signed, “yours always,” by us, but more importantly, “yours always,” is God’s promise and plan. It’s God’s salutation in the Genesis story as well as Jesus’ parting word to us. “Yours always,” is God’s promise and plan for humanity and all of creation. (more…)

 

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What is your heart’s desire? How do you know? What difference does it make in the way you are living your life, now and forever?

Our heart’s desire is something that people who were welcomed recently at the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Holladay, Utah, sense in themselves or have seen it in others and want to know more about it. The conversation they shared inspired this podcast: Welcome Session 1A: Our Heart’s Desire. In it, we explore with discussion, music, prayer and suggested spiritual exercises, how we see ourselves and the world, and then, most importantly, the inborn hunger of our heart’s desire.

It seems we long for the infinite, for the divine; that there is some element of human existence which draws us beyond ourselves to a happiness which words cannot fully say. We call it “(the) seed of eternity we bear in ourselves.” [GS 18,1; cf. 14,2) Acknowledge this longing, this desire of our heart, is a way of starting to acknowledge the Creator, of beginning a relationship which will grow in intimacy until it is true friendship.

The journey of those interested in Catholicism is a conscious cultivation of this seed of eternity, a planting and nurturing where we come to certain knowledge of God. Catholics call this journey, the Catechumenate. During the Catechumenate, we get to know more about God, and hence about who we truly are; as we all learn more about ourselves, we learn more about God.

In order to develop a relationship with God, we have to get to know who God is. Leaning about God, doesn’t exhaust the mystery of God. Yet, the church teaches that God can be known because of the created world and by human reason. Thus, not only do humans have the seed of eternity as their heart’s desire, but, also we have the capacity to comprehend God’s will on earth as it is in heaven.

This conversation invites people who are interested in Catholicism, to do what everyone who responds “yes” to God’s invitation does “open our hearts to God so we can see with our heart’s desire, hear with our heart’s desire, and be touched by our heart’s desire. Our heart’s desire is God-given to every human being that each and all may live the fullness of life - this is our faith!