Childhood is a critical time for every person. Who we become as adults is largely determined during our early formative years, including our faith and spirituality. For you, certain prayers may stick out, maybe some family traditions around saints’ feast days or holy days. Parents are the primary catechists, therefore the formation we all receive in the home as children is often remembered into adulthood. On Tuesday, share your fondest memories of learning the faith as a child.

On Friday, Jerry and Debbie want to hear from you regarding the most recent rash of sexual abuse and cover up charges against the Church, most notably in the lengthy grand jury report out of Pennsylvania. The magnitude of that report is utterly staggering, and it has sent new shock waves through the Church in the U.S. and beyond. A statement from the Vatican said:

“The abuses described in the report are criminal and morally reprehensible. Those acts were betrayals of trust that robbed survivors of their dignity and their faith…. there should be accountability for both abusers and those who permitted
abuse to occur”

Has all of this shaken your faith in the Church? Your trust in our priests? What do you tell your children? If you had a chance to speak with Pope Francis, what would you tell him? Can you urge your sons and grandsons to consider a priestly vocation? What are you doing to show support for the vast majority of our priests who, in spite of the fact that they would never dream of committing such atrocities, find themselves under intense scrutiny and the target of growing persecution?

Join us for what we hope and pray will be a fruitful and healing conversation.

Life moves fast. The seasons change. Summer has once again come and, almost, gone. For school kids, summer basically is over. Same for most people who got away from it all for a much-needed vacation. This time of year brings yet another transition for individuals and families. On Thursday, share your take with Jerry and Debbie – and the world – on what is changing for you and your family, and how you hold your faith and spiritual lives together in the midst of another seasonal transition.

Wednesday is one of the great feast days in the Church – The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Heaven. To celebrate, we get to go to Mass (which, of course, we can do daily anyway), and call Jerry and Debbie with your take on how the Rosary is an integral part of your spiritual life. How often do you pray it? Where and when do you prefer to pray it? How have you been blessed by adding the Rosary to your prayer life? Let’s have a lively discussion about this!

The Rosary in Scripture.

One of the greatest scandals of all time – possibly the greatest – is the division that exists within the Body of Christ. Jesus intended to found one Church, not tens of thousands. Yet, sadly, there exist so many differences between the various Christian traditions that it creates a barrier for those who are seeking truth to know where to find it. Sure, we need to focus a lot on what unites us. But if we were to overcome the differences and live according to the ways laid out for us by the Lord, the world would be vastly different. In fact, it would likely be transformed overnight. Join Jerry and Debbie on Monday and share your take on how you believe each one of us can be an instrument in helping to bring about unity in the Body of Christ.

Caller Dan asked about Confirmation in the Methodist Church.

People ask us all the time to remember them in our prayers. Family members, friends, neighbors, co-workers, fellow parishioners. It’s really not humanly possible to call to mind each and every intention when we’re making our daily prayer time. So, what steps do you take to make sure that all of your spiritual bases are covered? Some people keep a written list. Others commend to their prayers the people who ask for them right at the moment they make the request, and leave it to the Lord to include them whenever they pray. What is your way of doing this? Share your take with Jerry and Debbie on Thursday.

One of Jerry’s prayer methods:

1. Those who pray for and support me in any way.
2. Those who have asked me to pray for them.
3. Those for whom I said I would pray.
4. Those for whom I should pray.
5. Those who need my prayers.

From listener Lois:

1.      Your thumb is the nearest to you. So begin your prayer by praying
for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our
loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a “sweet duty.”

2.   The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach,
instruct, and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They
need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them
in your prayers.

3.   The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders.
Pray for the president, leaders in industry and business, and
administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They
need God’s guidance.

4.   The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact
that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It
should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble, or in pain.
They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.

5.   And lastly comes our little finger; the smallest finger of all. Which
is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the
Bible says, “the least shall be the greatest among you.” Your pinky should
remind you to pray for yourself.

AUDIO ARCHIVES:: 

On Tuesday, call with your take about how we often put human beings on pedestals, expecting more from them than they are able to live up to. Those in leadership are surely called to a higher standard when it comes to their lives and their service of others. This includes those who serve in civil, religious and other capacities. But do we tend to think they are “perfect,” that they should make no mistakes, that our faith in the offices or positions they hold should be shaken by their failures? This topic was suggested by a listener, and it should provide for some interesting conversation. Join in by calling 833-288-EWTN.