Excommunication is a very misunderstood part of the Church. It actually takes a lot to be “excommunicated.” Many people think that if you commit this or that sin, you are automatically excommunicated. And, to be sure, there are certain sins that incur what’s called a “latae sententiae” excommunication, meaning, by the very act of committing that sin a person is excommunicated. A well known example is one who procures or participates in an abortion. But a lot of people think that “lesser” sins bring the penalty of excommunication. We’ll talk about this and, hopefully, put a lot of minds at peace. Our guest will be Dr. Carol Houghton, Chancellor for the Diocese of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and a prominent canon lawyer. Join us at Noon ET (with a reply at Midnight ET).

Don’t forget to check out Jerry and Debbie’s website. Click on the big yellow logo to your right (you can’t miss it). Post prayer intentions, book J&D to speak at your parish or conference and get your own one-of-a-kind Holy Land Rosary!

On Wednesday, Jerry and Debbie welcome Dr. Edward Tick to the show to discuss a phenomenon that is afflicting individuals and families at an alarmingly increasing rate: post-traumatic stress disorder. We hear the phrase used a lot with regard to soldiers who return from combat deployments. But post-traumatic stress can be a harsh reality in the lives of many others as well, people who, at one or more points in their lives, have experienced traumatic and even life-threatening circumstances. This will be a very impactful broadcast, so we hope you will make time to tune in and call with your takes on this very sensitive topic.

To contact Dr. Edward Tick, call 518-274-0501 or log on to http://www.soldiersheart.net.

All around us are people who need our support. Perhaps most especially are our family members. We all have brothers, sisters, parents, children who are wandering in search of God’s love. Perhaps they have offended us, and we want nothing to do with them. But, yes, we do have a responsibility to help them find their way back.  We are all called to build up the Body of Christ.  Share your thoughts on this topic by calling 1-800-585-9396.

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!

Is it ok to dream about what we could have been in life?  A doctor, lawyer, professional basketball player or a rock star? Some have made these dreams a reality while others simply carry these hidden unfulfilled desires deep inside as life continues to move on.  As Catholic Christians, is it the best use of our time to dream what could have been or should we develop the God-given talents that are in our midst?  Sometimes we are chasing a dream and God may have other plans for us.  Share your life experience with us by calling 1-800-585-9396.

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!

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!

This is not a show about socialism or the re-distribution of wealth. If someone has worked hard and earned his money, more power to him. But it still remains a glaring scandal that there are individuals in the world today who could fund the needs of small nations in perpetuity, yet often choose to channel their wealth toward oppression and objective causes. And in some states and countries, people live in abject poverty directly across the street (this is no joke) from those who live in large and expensive mansions. Something’s wrong here. How can we as a race allow some to literally die for lack of basic needs like food and water, when others occupy homes that have hallways and rooms that they will likely never visit? Share your take with the world on Monday.

Post your special intentions on the prayer wall at http://www.jerryanddebbie.com. And there are still some once-in-a-lifetime Holy Land Rosaries available there. They are handmade of olive wood and were taken to sites like the Church of the Nativity (the site where Jesus was born) and the Church of the Resurrection (where his actual tomb is today). Get one for yourself and another for someone you love!

Prayers courtesy of http://www.ourcatholicprayers.com….

Dear Lord,
Help me find firm ground in this shaky economy.
As I seek work and assistance,
Give me strength not to be anxious when I seem to be going nowhere;
Give me patience not to despair when things look bleak;
Give me serenity to know you are here with me, helping me to carry my crosses each day;
So that I may do Your will,
For the salvation of souls
And my Eternal Life.

This one is slightly longer, but expresses a similar sentiment:

Dear Lord,
In this time of uncertainty,
Be my rock in a world built on sand;
Be my oasis of grace and peace in a world of tension and turmoil;
Help me to carry my cross gracefully, as you did in Your Passion;
Help me to follow Your beam of light in the midst of this darkness;
Help me to see Your will in all things
And show others Your comfort and strength.

Keep me calm when tempers flare up;
Keep me sane in a crazy world;
Keep me focused on the houses in Heaven
rather than the houses of cards collapsing around me;
Keep my eyes focused on the prize of Heaven
and not lose hope in You in this world or in the world to come;
Make me compassionate in dealing with others;
Let me see my travails as carrying my cross and sharing in Your Passion, for the love of You and for the salvation of souls, including mine.
And may all my difficulties be ultimately for my good and Your glory. Amen.