FAITH HOPE & HISTORY with FR. BILL

One of the traditions of celebrating and receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation is the choosing of a "Confirmation Name". Fr. Bill discusses the practice of choosing a name, how to choose, the importance of the name, and the clumsy practices surrounding it, especially as the Sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated.

Many news reporters and spectators described the Total Solar Eclipse of April 8, 2024 as a "Spiritual" Experience. Fr. Bill breaks down what this reflects in the overall spirituality and religiosity of the nation, as well as how the image of a Solar Eclipse fits into the symbolism and spirituality of Christianity.

Holy Week wraps up the Season of Lent. Fr. Bill talks about the events that happen and the feasts that are celebrated leading up to Easter Sunday and the 50 days of the Easter Season.

Lent inevitably ends with the 50-day celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus. Fr. Bill talks about how the Resurrection is presented in the Gospels, what patterns they follow, what themes they present, and how we can encounter the Risen Jesus continually as His Followers.

Jesus does not suggest forgiveness, He requires it of His followers. Fr. Bill discuses the many angles and layers of forgiveness, what is at stake, and what should motivate us to obey that command from Jesus.

With sacrifice comes Temptation. Fr. Bill talks about how we invite Temptation as an essential part of Lent and how resisting Temptation benefits us Spiritually.

Lent always includes some element of Sacrifice. Fr. Bill talks about what practices accompany the observance of Lent, what they accomplish and why they are important.

Fr. Bill talks about "Desert Spirituality", its grounding in Holy Scripture, and how it fits into the annual observance of Lent.

Heads exploded on Social Media last week when the Vatican issued its new Declaration On the Pastoral Meaning of Blessings. Fr. Bill refrained from participating in the commentary, until now. His take on the Declaration is a little different than what has been widespread on Social Media as he shares his Reaction to the Reaction.

Fr. Bill discusses whether it is more important to talk about the Pope's comments on "blessings" or on the up-and-coming celebration of the Incarnation of Christ.

Catholics run parallel "Christmas Seasons" this time of year. One is the American Christmas/Holiday Season that runs from Thanksgiving to the New Year. The other is the Christian Advent/Christmas Season. Fr. Bill talks about the distinction between the two and how both can be observed each without losing sight of the other; but it takes a minor effort, and might require a little change.

Fr. Bill addresses a common practice on Thanksgiving Day and how it undermines the true nature of the holiday.

November 10 is the Feast Day of Pope St. Leo I (the Great). Fr. Bill talks about his life and how he shaped the Papacy as we know it.

The new Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, is coming under fire for publicly professing his Christian Faith, and in giving no indication that he is a corrupt politician. Fr. Bill discusses why this is so scandalous in today's cultural climate, and why it is a good sign when someone, even in political leadership, goes against the secular, atheistic cultural gra...

Each year there are groups who express concern that Halloween is a time of the glorification of evil, witchcraft, death and the occult. Fr. Bill talks about what is behind the idea of evil and demonic possession and how the Halloween detractors actually give the devil more of a due than is nsecessary, and actually aid the devil more in their opposition to the celebration of All Hallows Eve.

With the recent outbreak of war between Israel and Palestine, Fr. Bill offers a Biblical and Historical context in which the current event is being played out. How can we understand the war in light of the Biblical as well as "secular" History of that region, in light of Jesus' farewell promise of Peace, well as in light of the Promise God made that All Nations would find Blessing in...

Fr. Bill offers his thoughts on the Synod going on in the Vatican during the coming weeks and gives his response to the many comments and concerns that are being made about it.

September 22 is the anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, declared by Abraham Lincoln in 1862. Fr. Bill discusses the history of Slavery, how the Bible addresses the issue, its history in Christian Europe and in the Founding of the United States. He threads the needle leading up to the Civil War and Lincoln's Proclamation, and how the Constitution of the United States did not endorse S...

For 22 Years we have been remembering the Terrorist Attack on the anniversary of 9/11. But it is not simply one day we should be remembering. Three days later, on September 14, President Bush called for a National Day of Mourning and Prayer in the aftermath of the attack. Listen as Fr. Bill talks about the importance of that Day of Prayer, September 14; what is celebrated in the Catholic Church, w...

Fr. Bill is back to his Podcast with what he hopes will be interesting and relevant topics regardinig Faith, Hope & History

Fr. Bill addresses the shortage of Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life in the Catholic Church. He proposes a shocking reason why he thinks God has been answering our prayers all along, and what Catholics can do to stem the tide of the decline so as to ensure a future increase in vocations.

Fr. Bill talks about Freedom of Religion, what it means, how it is protected in our Constitution, how it is threatened and what we must do to protect it against the assault it faces today.

Fr. Bill talks about the recent Academy Awards, as well as the history of the Awards as a Hollywood institution. He talks about how Hollywood has grown in its own "inclusivity" over time, how it has forgotten it's natural progress, and why it does not need the pushing of the "WOKE" movement to continue its development as a truly worldwide cinematic institution that has grow...

Fr. Bill offers his thoughts and comments on his hopes, and skepticisms of the Eucharistic Revival currently being conducted throughout the Catholic Church in the United States.

Fr. Bill makes a comparison to the issues of Abortion and Slavery, and the Supreme Court decisions that dealt with both.  He shows how the two issues have more in common than not and how the United States in dealing with both issues must struggle with what it means to be a Christian, but also an American.