Deacon Eric and Dr. Brett continue the discussion on the latest PEW study suggesting that 70% of Catholics do not believe what the Church teaches about Christ's Real Presence in the Eucharist. This week they will look at two popular responses to the issue made soon after the study's release. We're walking the line between liturgies and education this week on Thinking Faith!
Wherein Deacon Eric and Brett wade into the recent PEW Study on the Eucharist which claimed nearly 2/3rds of Catholics do not believe in Christ's Real Presence in the Eucharist. In this part 1 of 3 they'll discuss what this most recent study asked, didn't ask, could have asked. Trying to get to the bottom of a Eucharistic Hullabaloo this week on Thinking Faith!
In this part two of two, Deacon Eric and guest host Ryan Leblanc ( www.thinkcatholic.ca ) wrap up the discussion of Catholics and rest. They'll look at the examples of rest and Sabbath that Jesus gives in the Gospels, talk possible patron Saints of rest...and try to catch a few, restful Zzz's, this week on Thinking Faith!
As these final weeks of summer draw out, Deacon Eric Gurash and guest host Ryan Leblanc ( www.thinkcatholic.ca ) sit back and relax in this two-part set to discuss, well, sitting back and relaxing. Is there a Catholic approach to taking it easy? Does God ever take a day off for himself? Are there any saints of rest and leisure? We're taking it easy, Catholic style this week, and next, on Thinking Faith!
A jump in listeners over the summer has Deacon Eric and Brett asking "Who are you?" and wondering what led you to the podcast. We'll read some listener mail, toss around potential show ideas and talk about some of our most popular episodes. Casting our nets far and wide this week on Thinking Faith!
This week we continue our summer bible study introduction to the Gospel of Matthew. We'll wrap up our look at some of those background pieces like who Matthew was writing to and talk about that 'Synoptic Problem' you might have heard of. Finally, we'll dive into a few of the key themes Matthew works with throughout the gospel. Dust off those bibles and let's study Matthew this week ono Thinking Faith!
These dogs days of summer are made for reading so why not pick up the greatest story ever told and find a shady spot under your favorite tree, in the back yard or at the beach. In this two-part series, Deacon Eric will lead you through an introduction to the Gospel of Matthew that will set you up to encounter this amazing Gospel in ways you have never seen before! Who wrote this famous gospel? What's this about a 'synoptic problem', and what is Matthew trying to say about Jesus, the Kingdom, and...
Deacon Eric and Brett sit down to examine relations between Catholics and Islam. Do we believe in the same God? Is Islam inherently violent? What does the Church actually say about the relationship between our two faiths? We're thinking about Islam this week on Thinking Faith! Bonus Content: NOSTRA AETATE - DECLARATION ON THE RELATION OF THE CHURCH TO NON-CHRISTIAN RELIGIONS Islam and Violence: Actually, It’s Complicated...
Sickness and death. Tornadoes and Asteroids. The frustrating and often tragic imperfections of life this side of eternity. At times these are explained as the result of living in a 'Fallen World' - but what does that mean? Did the Fall break the world? And if so, How? Deacon Eric and Brett tackle a challenging listener question this week on Thinking Faith!
Father Parker Love enjoyed his time in studio so much that he thought he'd come back with a topic sure to raise some eyebrows. Deacon Eric and Brett get together with Fr. Parker to discuss the Vatican's latest document on Gender Theory for Educators looking at the guidelines it offers, and some of its critiques. Is Fr. Parker trying to break the podcast on his second visit? Find out this week on Thinking Faith!
Since Friday, June 14 we've had three brand new priests hanging around looking for things to do, people to bless, Masses to say. In the midst of this flurry of activity, Deacon Eric and Brett managed to snag newly minted Father Parker Love to speak about his journey to the priesthood and his hopes and dreams as a priest for the Archdiocese of Regina. Still reveling in the new priest smell, this week on Thinking Faith!
In a surprise, bonus episode of Teaching Catholicism to Protestants, Dr. Brett, and Deacon Eric dig into final exams. What kinds of questions and answers would a group of Protestant Pastors and theology students give, what kinds of questions would get asked, and how would you answer them? This week on thinking Faith!
After a brief pause for a special Ordination episode, Deacon Eric and Brett continue to dig into teaching Roman Catholicism to Protestants. This week they'll discuss the kinds of assignments one might engage in and avenues taken with one particular group of pastors and theology students this spring. It's an object lesson on Purgatory, this week on Thinking Faith!
Friday, June 14 saw the priestly ordinations of three amazing young men in the Archdiocese of Regina. We are happy to share with you the Homily of Archbishop Donald Bolen on the occasion of the ordinations of Fathers Parker Love, Anthony Tran, and Chinh Vu this week on Thinking Faith!
In this part two of three, Brett and Eric continue their discussion of Catholicism for Protestants. They'll take a more in-depth look at the content Brett covered with his class at Ambrose University in Calgary, and dig in a bit deeper to those areas his protestant class questioned, and the surprising areas of agreement they discovered this week on Thinking Faith!
In this part one of three, Eric and Brett discuss a course Brett was recently asked to teach at Ambrose University in Calgary, AB on Roman Catholicism for Protestant. What exactly do you teach a room full of protestant pastors and theology students about the Catholic faith? Find out these next few weeks on Thinking Faith!
It's no secret that our Church is in great need of well-formed, evangelizing disciples. Join Deacon Eric with special guest Beckey Franke, alumni of our Lay Formation program as they discuss the relentless pursuit of God as He calls men and women into deeper love and evangelizing service and the gift that the Lay Formation program has been to the families and parishes of the Archdiocese of Regina. The Lay Formation program is now accepting applications for the fall intake. Contact Deacon Eric Gu...
More wonderful and inspiring relic weirdness is coming to our fair city with the visit of FIVE relics of Pio of Pietrelcina – better known as Padre Pio. With two stops; Holy Rosary Cathedral on Saturday, June 1 and Miller Catholic Highschool on Sunday, June 2, there'll be no reason to miss this one in a lifetime event! Director of Pastoral Services Lisa Polk and Deacon Eric Gurash talk about the wonderful weirdness that are Catholic relics, trade some cool stories about St. Pio and discuss how y...
Eric and Brett continue their discussion on religion and violence. We attempt to pull back our presuppositions and take an honest look at how our current cultural perspective, which promises a lasting peace among all persons divorced from any religious influence, and ask if this is the solution or just a hidden part of the problem, this week on Thinking Faith!
Is religion inherently violent? From shootings in New Zealand to explosions in Sri Lanka, this perennial topic has made its way into the public eye yet again - if it has ever been far in the first place. In this part one of two, Brett and Eric discuss the potential behind the argument. Is this a problem with religion as a whole or might there be a more subtle ideological mechanism at work? Walking a winding road seeking lasting peace, this week on Thinking Faith!
Easter provides us with an annual, missionary rallying cry. Deacon Eric reflects on our Easter reminders of baptism and the vital job description that comes along with it all. We're following in the footsteps of the Apostles and carrying on with the divine rescue mission of Jesus Christ this week on Thinking Faith!
Why would two rookie preachers decide to sit down and talk homily prep and dos and don'ts? Because someone gave them microphones and a mixer. Eric and Brett give you a behind the scenes look at homily preparation and what they've learned in their short time of teaching and preaching - for what it's worth this week on Thinking Faith!
As Winter has given way to Spring, may we find hope in the paschal joy which rises from the tomb, and in the many ways that this joy is echoed in the bursting forth of new life in the natural world. By God’s grace, may we ever more witness to and participate in God’s ongoing transformation of all in need, of ourselves and our world. Christ is Risen! Happy Easter! - Archbishop Donald Bolen
The gloves are off! Using readings from the Third Sunday of Lent, Eric and Brett face off in our first ever preaching challenge. It's master versus student, theologian versus deacon. Who will rise? Who will fall? Who will be left picking up the pieces of their lives and their pride in shame? You be the judge this week on Thinking Faith!
How far can one go when proclaiming the Good News in different cultures? What place do cultural traditions have in the Mass? Is a 'culture free' Mass even a thing? Eric and Brett engage in a delicate balancing act between syncretism and inculturation without a net this week on Thinking Faith!
We wrap up our two-part lenten retreat by reflecting on the deep compassion, love, and mercy of our heavenly Father. Using Henri Nouwen's Spiritual classic, The Return of the Prodigal Son as a guide, we'll encounter the reality of a Heavenly Father who deeply desires a life with us, accepts the pain and suffering of letting us freely wander far from Him, and waits with ever-patient open arms to welcome us home, this week on Thinking Faith!
As we enter into the third week of Lent, we invite you to join our two-part Lenten retreat. We'll spend a bit of th=ime reflecting on Luke's parable of the prodigal son through the eyes of Henri Nouwen and the classic Rembrandt painting of the same name. This week we pray that our eyes might be opened just a little that we might come back to ourselves. We're wandering far and discovering grace this week on Thinking Faith!
Eric and Brett discuss how not to do marriage prep/enrichment as well as discuss some positive approaches that may provide opportunities to engage the unaffiliated, who often show up in these contexts. What happens when Brett gets steamed about a Marriage Enrichment class? Podcasts and Cheesies, that's what! This week on Thinking Faith!
In this part two of two, Eric and Brett continue their discussion on the promise and the challenges of evangelizing a post-modern culture. They'll discuss New Atheists, a balanced approach to faith and reason, and how to foster a healthy dialogue that both respects objectivity and honours the created, subjective goodness of the human person. Making it up as they go, a second time around, this week on Thinking Faith!
Modernism, post-modernism, relativism, objective truth, subjective truth. In this part one of two, Eric and Brett sort through it all, the good, the bad, and the ugly, and discuss the realities and necessary strategies of evangelizing in a post-modern culture. Are they just making it up as they go along? You decide, this week on Thinking Faith!
