The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us we have a “duty” to help provide for the material needs of the Church, each according to his abilities. That means, of course, that some will give more in terms of a dollar amount than others, but not necessarily in relation to one’s financial means. There have been times in the Church when some of the lay faithful withheld their financial support due to certain unjustified indiscretions on the part of Church leaders. For example, the priest sex abuse scandal, being told off by “Father,” or “Sister,” or a lay minister in the parish, etc. It goes without saying that these sorts of behaviors are never acceptable. But does it justify not contributing to the ongoing operating costs of the parish and the diocese? And just what is your weekly offering applied toward? Not that it matters, but you could be helping to pay the pastor’s salary, the light bill, the purchase of communion hosts, etc. Share your take on all of this on Wednesday with Jerry and Debbie.

As Christians, we are called to “love one another.” OK, so that doesn’t mean telling everyone you know, “I love you.” But because of so many factors, even family members have trouble saying that to one another. Some fathers can’t get the words out to their children. Even some spouses have difficulty telling one another that they love them. If we really love someone, why is it hard to say the words, not to mention show them through our actions? Jerry and Debbie will discuss this on Monday – with your takes – at Noon and Midnight ET on EWTN Radio.

Today, Jerry and Debbie welcome Catholic Answers apologist Karlo Broussard to the show to discuss Purgatory. As Catholic Christians, we know from Scripture and history that if a soul dies in a state of grace, but not quite purged of the last vestiges of self-love (in other words, with its love not yet wholly centered on God), then a type of purification is required prior to entering Heaven. This is called Purgatory. But just what is Purgatory? A place? A period of time? Is it suffering? Is there joy? Can a soul that goes to Purgatory eventually go to Hell? Can we live this life so as to avoid Purgatory altogether? Should be a lively conversation – as always, with your great takes and questions.

Karlo Broussard

Let’s face it. Spouses are definitely “roommates.” But much more than that. Especially in a sacramental marriage, they are called to be fully united in thought, word and deed. That doesn’t mean that they can’t have their own “space.” In fact, having individual hobbies and activities can be quite healthy. But what happens when the flame of marital love begins to dim, to the point where a husband and wife are more or less “co-existing” under the same roof? How can the spark of love be reignited? Jerry and Debbie welcome Rose Sweet to the show on Wednesday to discuss this challenging scenario. Be sure to tune in at Noon ET!

Rose Sweet can be found at http://www.rosesweet.com.

Music is a huge part of our daily lives. Everywhere we go, everywhere we turn, there is music playing. Whether it’s on a radio station, in the grocery store, at the gym or elsewhere, we’re inundated with various types of music every day. It’s easy to tap your toes and sing along without really giving a lot of thought to what the song might be saying. Or, the message may be very clear, but you find that you just like to listen to it. Like so many forms of media and entertainment, music can be a vehicle for both lifting our spirits toward God or tearing them down. On Tuesday, join Jerry and Debbie and share your take on how you guard your mind and heart with regard to the music you listen to.

The 2016 Summer Olympic Games get underway on Friday, August 5. Do you believe the whole Olympic “brand” has changed over the years? A few things to consider: The debilitating debt that countries assume just for the “honor” of hosting the Olympics (and the fact that the billion-dollar facilities they build for the Olympics often are never used again); the all-too-frequent scandals involving the bribing of Olympic officials; the fact that it was once the global stage for young, unjaded amateur athletes, and is now mostly professionals; the mind-boggling prices that advertisers pay to be seen on network TV, in spite of falling viewership; performance-enhancing drug use, just to name a few. The Olympics most assuredly are not what they once were. Do you still watch? Do you still root hard for your home country? Do you think winning an Olympic medal means what it once did to the majority of athletes? Share your take on this provocative topic with Jerry and Debbie on Monday at Noon ET.

AUDIO ARCHIVE::

So many young people have been brought to faith – or back to the faith – through the efforts of Christian musicians. When they won’t listen to their parents, their teachers, their confirmation sponsors, they may very well pay attention to the sounds of Christian recording artists. This show will be a look at the power of Christian rock to bring young souls to faith in Christ. Join Jerry and Debbie on Monday when they welcome Daniel Oberreuter of  The Thirsting, a rising Catholic band that will be performing next month at World Youth Day in Poland.

http://www.thethirstingcatholic.com

www.thethirsting.org

RESOURCES:

Don’t forget to log on to Jerry and Debbie’s website to post your prayer intentions, sign up for our newsletter, book a speaking engagement and more. Bookmark the site today – http://www.jerryanddebbie.com. 

The Knights of Columbus are a fraternal order of men who uphold the Catholic faith and support the Church in a variety of ways. Jerry Usher is a fourth degree Knight. Debbie Georgianni’s husband, Marty, is also a fourth degree Knight. How well do you know the Knights and what they do? Are you a Knight yourself? This is your chance to tell the world how proud you are to serve in this prestigious organization. Jerry and Debbie will be joined by Sir Knight (fourth degree) John Bertrand on Friday. He has held many positions within the Knights of Columbus, including at the state level in California.

Let Jerry and Debbie and the entire Take 2 family remember you and your intentions in prayer. Log on to http://www.jerryanddebbie.com today and post yours. And feel free to let others who have posted know that you are praying for them. You can also sign up for our newsletter and contact us about coming out and speaking in your area. Log on today!

One of the Church’s corporal works of mercy is burying the dead. The body is worthy of a dignified final resting place. So, how are we supposed to treat the bodies of the deceased? Is cremation allowed by the Church in all circumstances, or just in special circumstances? If we bury bodies, are Catholic Christians bound to be buried in consecrated ground, i.e. cemeteries? What about some people’s wishes that their remains be scattered in the mountains or at sea? Join Jerry and Debbie for this most informative discussion – along with our guest, Dr. Carol Houghton, a canon lawyer for the Diocese of Harrisburg, PA – on Wednesday.

Remember, Jerry and Debbie can be found at http://www.jerryanddebbie.com. There, you can schedule a talk, get your very own special Holy Land Rosary, post intentions on our prayer wall, sign up for our newsletter and so much more!

Most of us have heard the saying, “It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.” The reason is because cursing the darkness does nothing to dispel the darkness. Lighting even one candle causes light – however little – to cut through the darkness. In today’s world, we have a choice with all the evil going on: squirm and scream about how bad things are, or boldly go forth and proclaim the light of Jesus Christ. Which one will we choose? Share your take with Jerry and Debbie on Tuesday.

If you want to “light up” your parish or conference, you can schedule Jerry or Debbie (or both) to come and speak on a number of vital faith topics. Find out how at http://www.jerryanddebbie.com. There, you can also leave you intentions on our prayer wall and purchase your very own, once-in-a-lifetime Holy Land Rosary that was taken to many very powerful sites, including the Churches that mark the birth place and burial place of Jesus!