FAITH HOPE & HISTORY with FR. BILL

Fr. Bill talks about the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in light of the comments made by factions within the country who seek to downplay and vilify the Founding Fathers. He draws a comparison to the rhetoric, with the actual history of who our Founders were, what they risked and what it means for our identity as a nation today and for the next 250 Years.

Fr. Bill talks about America's History of Freedom of Religion and what "Separation of Church and State" means in the context of America's Founding and in American Society as a whole.

Fr. Bill discusses two hot and divisive issues that are being discussed in the social and political arena as the nation prepares to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of Independence - Reparations for Slavery and the Abolition of the Electoral College in Presidential Elections. This is particularly important for our nation as it prepares to engage in another hotly contested mid-term election cycle.

Fr. Bill looks back on the recent exchange of rhetoric between the Holy Father and the President of the United States over the War in Iran.

Ascension Thursday is now Ascension Sunday. Epiphany has been transferred from January 6 to the 2nd Sunday after Christmas. Fr. Bill addresses the low attendance of Catholics for Holy Days of Obligation and suggests alternative days that can tap into our identity as Americans, and how they can draw people into Church.

People have been listening with bated breath the comments about the Iran war made by Pope Leo XIV, our First "American" Pope. Fr. Bill discusses the public image and persona of the Holy Father, the War in Iran and the Pope's comments in light of Church teaching on the Just War Theory.

Fr. Bill discusses the Sacrament of Confession and how both Priest Confessors and Penitents can grow lax in the celebration of such an important Sacrament. He also offers some suggestions to both Priests and Penitents on how to make the Sacrament a more meaningful experience of God's Forgiveness.

Fr. Bill discusses the issue of Conscience; how it used and misused in moral decision making and what it means for Christians. Is it an internal justification of any action? Is it a means whereby God guides us from within? How can we be confident in its guidance? How do we properly form it in ourselves and those entrusted to us for their upbringing?

Fr. Bill discusses the habit of some priest who embellish the words of the Mass and what it implies about their preaching. He also talks about why it is important for Priests to stick to the words of the Mass as written before them in the Roman Missal, and why they should take seriously their role as preachers.

Fr. Bill discusses his basic principle for making changes in parishes in which he has served as a priest

Fr. Bill comments on the disruption by protestors of a Christian Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota in light of the Church's celebration of its Martyrs. He also makes a comparison between the suffering of Martyrs throughout Christian History with the harassment in the US and the West, and in some places continued Persecution of Christians throughout the world.

Fr. Bill discusses the all-too-common habit of interpreting the work of the Holy Spirit (or the opposite) according to our own desire and agenda.

Fr. Bill discusses two more "rules" he has learned serving as a priest, offering his thoughts for reflection on how we conduct ourselves as a Church weather as leaders in a parish or as parishioners toward each other.

Fr. Bill begins a series on the lessons he has learned serving as a priest for 25 years. With a little sarcasm, some humor but always addressing important spiritual issues he has had to face while serving the People, he discusses what he has observed, the spiritual dispositions he has experienced and the lessons he has learned as a Shepherd of Souls.

2025 marks the 1700th year since the first Ecumenical Council of the Catholic Church. Fr. Bill discusses its place in history, and as a context to the life of St. Nicholas of Myra, the inspiration for Santa Clause and the icon of the Holy Advent-Christmas Season.

Fr. Bill talks about the value of good healthcare and education, but should they be considered a "right".

Fr. Bill offers his thoughts on Pope Leo's reaffirming the Church's position that the title of Co-Redemptrix should NOT be used regarding the Blessed Virgin Mary.

St. Francis Borgia was the third superior of the Jesuits; the second successor to St. Ignatius of Loyola. Fr. Bill talks about his life, legacy, and being that he came from the notorious Borgia family, his scandalous family background.

Pope Leo recently responded to a question regarding Cardinal Blaise Cupich awarding Senator Dick Durbin a lifetime achievement award. His answer has stirred controversy among the usual suspects in the Catholic Church. Fr. Bill addresses the controversy and what is at the heart of both Pope Leo's response, as well as the reaction to his words.

During a Memorial rally for her husband, Erika Kirk publicly declared that she forgives her husband's killer. Fr. Bill discusses the basic Christian mandate to Forgive and discusses the many misunderstandings people attach to the idea and practice of Forgiveness.

Fr. Bill discusses how an Ignorance of History has led to the divisions we see today in the Nation and in the Church, illustrating the dire consequences that result from a willing and often coerced ignorance of History, of the Nation, of the Church, of the Mass, even of the Scriptures themselves, and how such ignorance has led to the sharp divisions that result in the violence we are seeing in cur...

Fr. Bill talks about the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the shooting at Annunciation School in Minneapolis, the history of political violence in the United States, and the hope for dealing with it as we remember the 250th Anniversary of the events of our Nation's Founding during the papacy of the First American Pope.

Pope Leo XIV was elected the first American-born Pope of the Catholic Church just in time for the beginning of the United States 250th year since its founding. Fr. Bill begins a new season of his podcast previewing an underlying theme he plans to discuss - renewal in our values and principles as a Nation, and "upping our game" as Americans who have one our own leading the Catholic Church...

It was reported that when Pope Leo XIV was asked if he had any message for his country of origin, the USA, he responded "a few". Fr. Bill talks about how we Catholics can anticipate (and get ahead of) any message the Holy Father might have for the people of the United States, regardless of what that message eventually is.

Fr. Bill offers his thoughts on the election of Pope Leo XIV.