FAITH HOPE & HISTORY with FR. BILL

Fr. Bill offers his thoughts on who may be the next Pope and discusses interesting factors from Papal History to give some perspective on the up-and-coming proceedings.

Pope Francis passed away the morning after Easter Sunday. Fr. Bill offers thoughts on his papacy in light of the history of the Church since Vatican II, the age of social media, the criticism of aspects of his papacy, and the overall trio of papacies of John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis (the first).

Many people complain about the difficult teachings of the Catholic Church, some of which people think should be either changed or done away with entirely. Fr. Bill talks about the most difficult of those teachings and why we should work to fulfill it rather than simply ignore it or try to avoid it.

Fr. Bill offers comments on the recent exchange between Pope Francis and the Vice President JD Vance, who is Catholic, regarding the mass deportation of Illegal Immigrants in the United States.

While the world celebrates St. Valentine's Day, the Catholic Church, at least in the Mass, celebrates Sts. Cyril and Methodius. Fr. Bill discusses their legacy and how the issues they addressed as missionaries to the Slavic Peoples continue to be a subject of discussion, debate and progress for the Church and its ongoing mission of Evangelization.

Fr. Bill re-visits the value of having Religious Liberty in any Free Society and how, if it is to endure, Governments must protect that Freedom, but the citizens must also not fail to exercise it.

The Inauguration of President Trump was saturated with religious references, including the plurality of ministers offering invocations. Fr. Bill talks about the importance of affirming and protecting the Freedom of Religion in the United States and the task of the Catholic Church in evangelizing in such a Religiously Free Nation.

Fr. Bill addresses the recent instruction of Chicago Archbishop, Cardinal Blaise Cupich that all Catholics in his Archdiocese stand when receiving Communion.

Fr. Bill addresses the assertion of some groups that Christmas was originally a pagan feast.

Fr. Bill discusses how early Catholic Saint like St. Lucy invented Women's Lib and Feminism, how their brand is contrary to the Feminism of Today, and how we can return to the Christian roots that is at the heart of the Liberation of Women

Fr. Bill offers his thoughts on the US Election of 2024 and its aftermath; what does the various reactions to the re-election of Donald Trump say less about the nation and more about the people doing the reacting?

Pope Francis stated that American Voters must choose the Lesser of Two Evils in Election 2024. Fr. Bill addresses the comment, the sentiment that inspires it, and what we are called to as Christian Americans when Voting.

Fr. Bill returns to the issue of Freedom of Religion, accentuating its importance to all other basic freedoms.

For the Feast Day of St. Luke, who was a physician, Fr. Bill dives into the complimentary relationship between Faith and Science, debunking the modern myth that they are opposed to one another. Fr. Bill describes why and how Faith leads to Science and why proper Science, inevitably leads back to faith.

Catholics throughout the world were excited with the canonization of John Paul II as a Saint, many calling for his designation as "The Great". Fr. Bill discusses the "overlooked Pope" canonized the same day. What was the legacy of Pope St. John XXIII, and, perhaps, should he also be considered among "The Great" among Popes?

Fr. Bill has decided to read the Federalist Papers beginning October 1. In preparation he is reading through "Common Sense" by Thomas Paine, written to present an argument in favor of the Revolution against English rule. Fr. Bill takes points of Paine's work and discusses how "Common Sense" is still relevant to what the nation is experiencing now in the midst of the current...

During Election Seasons there is a lot of soaring rhetoric by candidates for office, some hopefully, some doomsaying, some declaring what the candidate will or will not do if elected. Fr. Bill addresses some of the rhetoric and matches it against what is directed in the Constitution of the United States.

Now that the Olympics has concluded, Fr. Bill offers his thoughts on the controversy during the Opening Ceremony.

Fr. Bill discusses the Western Political principle of the Separation of Church and State in light of Catholic Saints like Stephen of Hungary and the Gospel reading that is shared on the occasion of his Feast Day. Fr. Bill applies the example of St. Stephen to Modern Political Leaders who profess a Catholic Faith in a society that exercises the Separation of Church and State while also enjoying Fre...

Fr. Bill presents a handful of recommendations from Catholic History. Recommendations include the writings of such Church Fathers as Ignatius of Sts. Antioch, Polycarp of Smyrna, Justin Martyr, Augustine, Benedict as well as the works of St. John of the Cross, Theresa of Avila and Thomas Merton.

St. Ignatius of Loyola experienced a conversion as a result of reading a work of Catholic Literature. Fr. Bill discusses the Treasure Trove of Literature that has emerged from the History of the Catholic Faith and how reading these works can help deepen our faith and, like St. Ignatius, lead to a deeper and more substantial understanding of that faith.

Fr. Bill reflects on the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings during World War II.

Harrison Butker of the Kansas City Chiefs spoke at the commencement ceremony of Benedictine College. Responses have been mixed, and strong. Fr. Bill gives his take on what was said and the flaw that betrays a serious issue within the Catholic Church, that can potentially ruin the credibility of the rest of his speech.

Fr. Bill talks about May as the Month dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, as well as possible origins to the observance and lessons we can draw for evangelization in our Modern World.

Post-Enlightenment Political Philosophers pushed the Separation of Church and State. The Founding of the United States enshrines a more evolved understanding of this Political Principle. Fr. Bill talks about the difference, and how the United States understanding of this Principle is actually expressed in the Bible.