If you’ve listened to Take 2 With Jerry and Debbie even occasionally, you know that prayer is a huge part of what we like to do. Debbie keeps a book with the names of family members – living or deceased – of so many of you who have called the show. We lift those people up to God every day. We also have the prayer wall on Jerry and Debbie’s website – http://www.jerryanddebbie.com/prayer-wall. On Wednesday, we’re going to invite you to call with any intention you’d like and we’ll save a few minutes at the end of the show to pray for all of them by name. We look forward to joining you in praying for what’s important in your life!

At some point, almost everyone’s faith is going to be shaken. The apostles experienced this. Many of the great saints have as well. Mother Teresa lived for decades in a spiritual dryness that only her will allowed her to endure. Many things can contribute to a weakening of one’s faith, including laxity in prayer, infrequent reception of the sacraments, habitual sins, the temptations and allurements of the world, family members or friends challenging your faith, etc. Even God testing our faith can cause this to happen. Share with Jerry and Debbie if you have had a crisis of faith sometime in your life, and how you dealt with it and overcame it.

Most of us take after our father or our mother. Perhaps not exclusively but in some predominant ways. Is it true that boys take after their fathers, and girls take after their mothers? Which of your parents do you most strive to emulate? Or do you tend to exhibit the traits of one of them more than the other? Share your take Monday with Jerry and Debbie.

While it’s not something we often think about, the influence of our great Catholic saints in everywhere we turn. Some of us live in a city or a county named after a saint. Others live on a street that bears the name of a saint. If you do, wouldn’t it be appropriate to ask for the intercession of that saint to bring you God’s graces or to keep your street or city safe? This may be a lot more common than you think. Call and share your take with Jerry and Debbie on Friday’s show.

The Beautiful Hands of a Priest

We need them in life’s early morning,
We need them again at its close;
We feel their warm clasp of true friendship,
We seek them when tasting life’s woes.

At the altar each day we behold them,
And the hands of a king on his throne
Are not equal to them in their greatness;
Their dignity stands all alone;

And when we are tempted and wander,
To pathways of shame and of sin,
It’s the hand of a priest that will absolve us–
Not once, but again and again.

And when we are taking life’s partner,
Other hands may prepare us a feast,
But the hand that will bless and unite us–
Is the beautiful hand of a priest.

God bless them and keep them all holy,
For the Host which their fingers caress;
When can a poor sinner do better,
Than to ask Him to guide thee and bless?

When the hour of death comes upon us,
May our courage and strength be increased,
By seeing raised over us in blessing–
The beautiful hands of a priest.

Author unknown
from an old prayer card

Some people pray that their parish priest will be better at homilies. Others that he will be more compassionate in the confessional. These are good reasons to pray for them. But the most important reason we should pray for them is because they are in the cross hairs of the devil and his demons. They are under major attack. They have special graces from God to endure in their vocation. But our prayers help them remain strong and faithful. Like in the Old Testament when the people held up Moses’ arms and the Israelites were winning the battle. When they grew weary and didn’t hold up his arms, they were losing the battle.  Share why you pray for priests and why others should as well.  1-800-585-9396

Hands of the priest prayer – https://www.ewtn.com/library/PRIESTS/POEMPRIE.TXT

Sometimes the social media feel like a battleground. Many use it for unhealthy purposes, including to lead people away from God and the faith. Others take advantage of its robust ability to reach the multitudes to spread a positive message that all can benefit from. What’s really cool is seeing our clergy and religious using social media to proclaim the gospel. One such priest is Fr. Joshua Wagner of the Diocese of Columbus, Ohio. His website – http://www.fatherwagner.com – is loaded with good stuff. And he makes full use of social media as well. On Wednesday, Jerry and Debbie will welcome Fr. Joshua to the show and will get his personal take on how he spreads the faith in a global manner. We look forward to hearing how you do likewise, and if your parish priest has a social media presence!

Many Catholic Church teachings are misunderstood. Not only by non-Catholics, but even by those who are practicing Catholics. Relics are sacramentals. Purgatory is not a “second chance” at salvation.” Women cannot be ordained as priests. The Vatican is recognized as an independent “state” that has diplomatic relations with almost all other nations of the world. The “devil’s advocate” is a real position within the Church. There are more than 1 billion Catholics in the world. What is a “little known fact” that you have recently learned about the Church? Should be a lively show if you call in at 1-800-585-9396.

RESOURCES::
Sacrament of Penance: Examination of Conscience

Steps for completing a canonical transfer of rites (and these are a mix of practical and canonical steps):

1. Be active in an Eastern Catholic parish for at least 3-5 years. This will provide enough time to immerse yourself in the liturgical cycle of the Church, get to know the pastor, the customs, and the prayer life of the parish. This is probably the most important step. It’s one thing to be attracted to the Divine Liturgy, it’s quite another to live the daily life of a particular tradition.
2. After much prayer and the approval of the pastor, what is required is to draft a letter to the local Eparch (bishop) of the particular Church you would like to transfer to. The letter should include the reasons for the request and a brief explanation of your experience in the Eastern Church. The reasons given should be genuine and legitimate. A request of transfer so a man can marry and apply for the seminary to avoid celibacy would be rejected. A transfer of rites is a serious step and one that can only be taken once, so discern, pray, and discern.
3. The Eparch will review your letter, potentially talk to your pastor and if he judges positively, he will get in touch with the Latin rite bishop and request that you be transferred to his jurisdiction. If the Latin rite bishop has no objection, then you would be all set. You would be informed by the Eparch or your pastor of the acceptance.

A person must have an encounter with Jesus before he or she is going to be open to catechesis, i.e. the teachings, the practices, the beliefs of the Church. There are many times when we try it the other way around, and it never really takes root in the lives of those we’re trying to bring to faith.  We are asking the question, which should come first, evangelization or catechesis? Keep in mind, that an encounter with Jesus simply can be the first time a person meets a Christian.  We are all called to be Christ in this world. Here is another question to ponder, is there too much instruction and not enough action when it comes to Christianity?  Lots to unpack on this Easter Monday and with your help this will be a fruitful discussion.  Call in to 1-800-585-9396 and help guide the show with your wisdom.

Jesus suffered in many ways. All of his life was spent knowing that He was ultimately headed to the Cross. That must have been a burden that He carried throughout His life. He also suffered in many ways once His passion began. This included looking out over Jerusalem, seeing Mary, the agony in the garden, His betrayal by Judas, the abandonment by His disciples, being arrested, spending a night alone before His trial, the trial itself, the scourging, crowning with thorns, carrying His cross, the crucifixion, etc. Which part of Jesus’ suffering do you think was the most difficult? Which do you most resonate or identify with? Which would you console Him in if you had the chance? Call Jerry and Debbie with your take on Holy Thursday.