Fr. Chris Explains

Many people do not realize the connection between contraception and abortion , nor do they understand Church teaching as so many Catholics unfortunately use birth control. Join Fr. Chris Alar, MIC , as he delves into the Marian archives for a video to understand anew why the Church teaches what she does about these very important topics. Become a Marian Helper! Discover more about the Catholic fai...

With war waging in Europe between Russia and Ukraine, and in the Holy Land between Israel and Hamas, the evils of war are all around us. But war seems to go against Christianity and the Fifth Commandment, “Thou shall not kill.” Father Chris Alar, MIC, explains whether war can ever be justified in the eyes of the Church. Become a Marian Helper! Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy...

On Monday, January 8, 2024, we celebrate an incredibly important feast, the Baptism of Jesus, as described in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Along with the Crucifixion, the Baptism is the event most accepted by scholars as indisputable historical fact. Father Chris Alar, MIC, explains what this means for us today. Become a Marian Helper! Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Me...

Like Moses, Jesus ascended on a mountain to bring a rule for living to the people. He showed them how to find permanent bliss that nothing can take away: not sickness, not poverty, nor persecution. These are the Beatitudes, and Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, explains their meaning and application in our daily lives. Become a Marian Helper! Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

At Christmas time, we often think of gifts, both giving and receiving, but what we need to do is keep our minds focused and hearts focused on the most important gifts: the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Join Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, as he reveals these gifts and also explains the Fruits of the Holy Spirit and what they are. Become a Marian Helper! Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus...

We proclaim the Nicene Creed at every Sunday Mass, starting with “I believe in one God, the Father Almighty.” Our God became one of us, which makes us different than any other religion in the world. Join Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, as he explains the different parts of what we call our Profession of Faith. Become a Marian Helper! Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

In this third and final episode explaining the different parts of the holy sacrifice of the Catholic Mass, Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, concludes the Liturgy of the Eucharist with the distribution of Holy Communion, the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and the sending forth of the faithful to share the abundance of graces received in the Mass. Become a Marian Helper! Discover mo...

In this second of three episodes explaining the Mass, Fr. Chris Alar discusses the Liturgy of the Eucharist. We are invited into the Upper Room as the priest consecrates bread and wine into the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Find out why the Mass has more scripture than any Sunday Protestant Service. Become a Marian Helper! Discover more about the Catholic faith on Div...

Jesus said, “Where two or three gather together in my name, there I am in their midst.” The Mass is the only perfect form of prayer because only at the Mass are our prayers, which are stained with sin, united to the perfect prayers of Jesus to the Father. Join Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, for this first of three episodes as he walks us through the different parts of the Catholic Mass, learning why we say...

Our non-Catholic brethren often claim that our Catholic faith is not based on the Bible, and is even contrary to it. Not true, as Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, explains, sharing how the Catholic Church used her authority from Jesus Himself to put together the Bible as we know it today. Become a Marian Helper! Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

Having a laugh by reading a horoscope or a fortune cookie is not a mortal sin. However, taking such a horoscope seriously, or paying an astrologer to tell you your future, is sinful. Father Chris Alar, MIC, reveals the danger of using New Age practices like tarot cards, black magic, and witchcraft to discover the future. Become a Marian Helper! Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Merc...

He’s one of the most popular saints, especially for animal and bird lovers. Yet St. Francis of Assisi did not start out that way. He had an easy life, enjoyed the party scene, and even admitted, “I lived in great sin.” Father Chris Alar, MIC, reveals Francis’ remarkable journey to sainthood. Become a Marian Helper! Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

In the New Testament, St. Paul writes, “We have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God” (Heb 4:14). So, if Jesus is the Great High Priest once and for all, who, then, are Catholic priests? Father Chris Alar, MIC, explains how Christ established the priesthood, delegating His authority to forgive sins on earth to the Apostles and their successors (bishops and...

The existence of angels is a dogma of our Catholic faith. And no one knows us better or loves us more than our Guardian Angel (it is perfect love), so you can always count on them. They are the guardians of our safety and salvation, Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, explains, and they obtain for us the grace of final perseverance – if we are willing to cooperate with that grace. Become a Marian Helper! Discove...

Catholicism teaches that we are only saved through God’s grace, but we must cooperate with that grace by living as “another Christ.” That means doing good – and a great way is through the Corporal Works of Mercy. Father Chris Alar, MIC, reveals the seven works of mercy in Scripture and shows how we can perform these in our daily lives. Become a Marian Helper! Discover more about the Catholic faith...

When people say, “I don’t need to go to church. I’m spiritual, I’m not into organized religion," remind them that Jesus Himself organized religion – the Catholic Church. Discover how, in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus established the Church, giving His Apostles the authority to forgive sins and act in His Name.    Become a Marian Helper! Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

There are many legends surrounding St. Patrick , whose feast day is celebrated on March 17 . But what is the real story? Join Fr. Chris Alar, MIC , as he reveals how an extraordinary young priest brought Christianity to Ireland, and in doing so, inspired a movement that spread the Catholic faith throughout Europe. Become a Marian Helper! Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus!...

The Catholic Church teaches that when someone takes their own life, it doesn’t mean that they automatically lose their soul. Father Chris Alar, MIC, takes this a step further and shows how your prayers today can help someone who has died for any reason, even years ago, at the moment of their judgment. Become a Marian Helper! Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

It's an age-old question, and there's no perfect answer. While the Church does not teach "dog-matically" that our beloved animals will or will not be in Heaven, some think they will be, as the Scriptures describe animals at peace in the new creation. Join Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, as he shares both sides of the topic and gives thanks to God for the gift of our animal companions. Become a Marian Helper!...

Of marriage, Jesus said, “What God has joined together, let no one separate” (Mt 19:6). But is divorce always a sin, and is it ever allowed by the Church? How does it differ from annulment which, contrary to popular belief, is not a “Catholic divorce”? Join Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, as he sheds light on this important subject. Become a Marian Helper! Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mer...

Do you know that the Church teaches there are the three objectives of marriage? In this episode, Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, explains exactly how and why God defined marriage as He did. Become a Marian Helper! Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

Fact or fiction? The Spanish Inquisition of the 13th and 14th centuries was instituted by the Catholic Church to torture, burn, and kill millions of heretics. Get the real story as Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, sheds light on the truth about this period in history. Become a Marian Helper! Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

What does science have to say about a saint's body when it is found to be incorruptible? Why do Catholics venerate relics? Is this science or superstition? Is it faith or paganism? Join Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, to hear about this fascinating subject. Become a Marian Helper! Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

How was our nation founded? At its beginning was it intended to be a Christian nation? What is the real reason for the concept of “separation of Church and state?” In this episode, Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, shares the answers to these and other questions about the founding of our great nation. Become a Marian Helper! Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

Why do we call God “Father”? Join Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, as he discusses all the attributes of fatherhood and what it means to have God as Our Father and why current culture is completely in the dark about patriarchy. Become a Marian Helper! Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus!