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With IVF frequently in the headlines, it's essential to understand the ethical dilemmas it presents, and know how to answer when people ask you, "Why are Catholics opposed to IVF?" Many people- even many other Christians- do not understand why IVF is immoral. If it helps couples who struggle with infertility to have children, it should be a good thing, right? IVF dissociates procreation from unification; dominates using technology and “sterile” techniques, strips the marital act of its perfection; deprives children and parents of their dignity; and causes the death of thousands of unborn children each year. Those conceived via IVF, whether they are born or unborn, are precious children of God, loved into being by their ultimate creator, deserving and worthy of respect and dignity, even at the moment of conception. They are the primary reason why we stand against IVF. The most universal moment- one that every single human being ever has and ever will experience- that of conception, has been stripped of its sacredness, beauty, and dignity. This separation of unity from creation lies at the heart of the immorality of IVF. The men and women who choose to use IVF often are not aware of it's devastating effects, and are using it as a last resort to cure their infertility. However, there are many, wonderful physicians who will work with and help couples who hope to conceive a child naturally- the way that God intended- without the devastating physical and mental consequences for both the children and parents. You can learn more about these doctors and their work at https://naprotechnology.com/ and https://fertilitycare.org/ You can use the infographic below to brush up on your understanding of IVF and why Catholics should not and cannot be in support of it. Leave your thoughts and questions below!

With All Saints Day this past week, you're likely to encounter more questions than usual about the Saints. Here are answers to a few of the most commonly asked questions. Bookmark or save this post to come back to when you need to answer someone's question or to use as a resource for others! "What is a Saint?" A saint is any person who is in Heaven. "Why do you pray to the Saints? Can't I just go directly to God?" Of course you can! But just like we ask our friends to pray for us when we're struggling or have a prayer request, we can ask the Saints to pray for us, too, as our Brothers and Sisters in Christ. "But isn't that talking to the dead?" No. Jesus Christ defeated death. This means that those who are in Heaven are not dead at all, but alive in Christ Jesus! "How does someone become a Saint?" As I said, a saint is any person who is in Heaven. However, to receive the actual title of Saint, a certain process is followed by the Church through which it is infallibly declared that the person is in Heaven (meaning, we have proof!). Here is an article about the process of canonization: https://www.catholic.com/encyclopedia/beatification-and-canonization "Do Catholics worship Saints?" No. We worship God alone. There are different types of veneration, though, that can help us distinguish Worship of God from veneration of the Saints: Dulia : is the term for the general veneration of Saints and Angels. They are in no way worshipped. However, they are role models and intercessors for the faithful as they journey to Heaven. Proskynesis : This is a term for the simple form of veneration that is reserved for relics, images of Saints, and holy places. They are to be treated and talked about with reverence and respect. The word comes from the Greek word  " proskyneo" which translates to two words : pros  (towards), and  kyneo  (to kiss). Hyperdulia : This literally means "more-dulia" and is reserved for veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She is distinct from the Saints but not on the same level as God, and thus, deserving of more veneration and honor than other Saints. Latria : This is the form of worship reserved for God alone. "Are we allowed to pray for the intercession of a person who we believe is in Heaven, but hasn't been canonized?" We are absolutely allowed to ask for the intercession of those holy people who have not yet begun the canonization process. If we would have asked for their prayers on earth, we can certainly ask for prayers while they are (presumably) in purgatory or heaven! Another way to look at it is, in order for a Saint to be canonized, multiple miracles attributed to his intercession must occur, and these would not occur without someone here on earth praying to that particular person even though they are not yet canonized.  "What are patron saints?" Patron Saints are saints who, in their lifetime, were intercessors for a certain cause, group of people, or location. They most likely have a similarity to whatever they are the patron of. When a Catholic is Confirmed, they choose a Saint to be their patron because they relate to them in some way. What other questions do you have about the Saints? What are some objections you've heard about the Church's teaching about the Saints? Feel free to leave a comment and I'll help you to answer your question!

Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) once said, "Anyone who seeks truth seeks God, whether or not He realizes it." When we seek the Truth, beautiful things happen. Saint Teresa Benedicta knew this well, and even experienced it herself. She came from a Jewish background, but was a self-proclaimed atheist. Her studies of philosophy led her to the Church where she devoted her life to Christ, eventually dying a martyr's death in 1942. Stop for a moment and think about this. If someone is truly seeking to know the Truth about humanity, the world, how we ought to live, etc. what will they ultimately come to? God. The Truth. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6) Without God, there is no truth, because God is truth itself. This is why science points to the existence of God. Philosophy points to the existence of God. The human body points to the existence of God. Nature points to the existence of God. Everything that is good,true, and beautiful points back to God. And once we realize this, is it enough to simply recognize it in the world around us? No. Truth is all consuming. Once one truly realizes the Truth they cannot help but devote themselves entirely to the pursuit of it! And where will this lead? Jesus. And where does Jesus lead? His Church. Truth Leads to the Catholic Church, which holds the fullness of Truth in Jesus Christ, fully and truly present in the Most Holy Eucharist. There is no other religion in the world that claims to have God as its founder. Truth as its founder. No other religion or Christian denomination can claim this, because only one Church was literally created by God. This probably sounds insane, I know. Like I've taken this too far. But if God is Truth, and God started a Church, then that Church is the one, TRUE Church because it was founded by the God of the universe, who is literally Truth itself!! 1 Timothy 3:15 even confirms this... "if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth." God's household is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. When one seeks the Truth, they will ultimatley always be led back to the foundation of Truth, whether or not they even realize it! And there are so many beautiful examples of this happening in our world today. Think of Scott Hahn. Trent Horn. Jimmy Akin. Tim Staples... and so many more! In history, Saint Augustine of Hippo has one of the most widely cited conversions. He sought the Truth, turned his life around by the grace of God, and went on to be one of the world's most notable theologians! If you’re on a journey to discover the Truth, I encourage you to look to Christ. Invite Him to guide you and reveal the way. Find peace in His presence, knowing that He embodies Truth itself. By following Him, you will remain close to the Truth you seek.

Do you like mysteries? I used to love to read Nancy Drew books when I was younger and my dad would read my brother and I the Hardy Boys books before bed. I was at a bookstore last week and found a bunch of the older copies of the Nancy Drew books! Now that I'm a little bit older, the mysteries get more predictable as I read more of them. Lately, I've been watching Monk on Netflix, and that keeps me entertained! 😂 The Catholic faith is one of mysteries. It's no secret that our God and His ways are mysterious and beautiful- beyond our comprehension. The Holy Trinity is one of these mysteries of our faith that people have wrestled with since the beginning of Christianity. The basic premise is this... God the Father, God the Son (Jesus) and God the Holy Spirit are all one, united in love and being. They are distinct, but are one at the same time. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains it best... "The Incarnation of God's Son reveals that God is the eternal Father and that the Son is consubstantial with the Father, which means that, in the Father and with the Father the Son is one and the same God. The mission of the Holy Spirit, sent by the Father in the name of the Son (Jn 14:26) and by the Son "from the Father" (Jn 15:26), reveals that, with them, the Spirit is one and the same God. "With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified" (Nicene Creed). "The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father as the first principle and, by the eternal gift of this to the Son, from the communion of both the Father and the Son" (St. Augustine, De Trin. 15, 26, 47: PL 42, 1095)." (CCC 262-264) To break it down even further... God the Father and God the Son are the same God. The Spirit, sent by the Father and the Son, is also one and the same God. The Holy Spirit is the gift of love and unity between the Father and the Son- their spirit. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are in relation with one another, but at the same time, are all one being. Think of it this way... You and I are people. Everything that is living exists, but it is not necessarily a distinct person. A rock, flower, tree, and snail are not "people." However, you and I are each one individual person, simply by our human nature. God, in His nature, is three persons who are all united as one. This is a really complicated concept to grasp- not predictable like Nancy Drew! 😂 So to help with that, I've compiled a list of articles that might help to explain further the mystery of the Trinity: How Can I Explain the Trinity to Someone Unfamiliar with Christianity? How to Teach Elementary School Students About the Trinity? (Jimmy Akin uses the "people" analogy I used in this article!) Resources for Learning about the Nature of the Trinity These articles are from Catholic Answers and can help explain more! It's also important to note that we don't NEED to understand everything in order to believe. We won't ever fully understand the beauty, unity, and mystery of the Trinity, but with faith in God, we can trust that His revelation of Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is good, true, and beautiful. If you have more questions about this concept, feel free to comment or send me questions on the blog's home page.

There are so many misconceptions surrounding what Catholics actually believe about Salvation. Here's a quick overview... We have been saved by grace through faith by Jesus' Sacrifice, ordinarily received at Baptism, and by no works of our own-that’s justification. (Eph 2:8–9, Rom 5:1) We are being saved by "working out our salvation with fear and trembling" by living a life in cooperation with God's grace; - that’s sanctification. (1 Cor 1:18, Phil 2:12) We have confident hope to be saved and united with God forever in Heaven- that’s final salvation. (Rom 5:9–10, 1 Cor 3:12–15) So in other words: We are saved, we're being saved, and we will be saved. Sometimes people say that Christians are "Once saved and always saved" because Jesus said, “No one can take them out of my hand” (John 10:28). That’s true- no one can force us away from Him. But we can choose to walk away ourselves. Grace is a gift, but God doesn’t force it on us. We have to say “yes” to it, not just once, but continually, with our lives. That’s why works are important: not because they earn salvation, but because they are the fruit of faith and a sign of our cooperation with God's grace. Think of it like this: If someone doesn’t want to live with God here on earth-by rejecting His grace and ignoring His commands-why would they want to live with Him forever in Heaven? God loves us too much to force us into Heaven if we don’t want Him. So, to summarize: God loves you. You were made to live in friendship with Him. But when we sin, we turn away from that friendship. So God sent Jesus- to die, rise, and restore that friendship. When we trust in Him and receive His grace through faith and the Church He gave us, we can be united with Him forever. We do good things not to earn Heaven, but to love God and others. And one day, He’ll ask how we loved. (Matthew 25:31–46) That's why faith and good works go together- they both come from love for Jesus. Have questions or thoughts? Let's talk about it some more! Drop your questions in the comments or ask your question here.

This question is one that a lot of people wonder about- so let's break it down. Matthew 23:8-10 does say "Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven," when translated into English. In this verse, Jesus was emphasizing that no one has ultimate authority but God alone, not saying that we literally can call no one our father. We know this because there are many verses in the Biblical texts, including the New Testament, where people other than God alone are referred to as "Father" Just to name a few, in 1 Corinthians 4:15, Paul refers to himself as a spiritual father. In Acts 7:2, Stephen refers to "our Father Abraham," and in Luke 16:24, Jesus does the same. The point that Jesus was making was that our spiritual leaders, earthly fathers, and teachers, are not to replace God, but rather to lead us to Him with humility and gentleness! It was also to discourage the Scribes and Pharisees from their prideful view that they were the ultimate judges and authority. This teaching is why, though priests are spiritual fathers, just as the apostles were to the Early Church, they are not God, and they are not perfect! Their authority is not a replacement for God's, but rather a participation in it. God is our Father, and He's entrusted our care to His Shepherds and spiritual Fathers on earth.

"Baptism now saves you" is one of the phrases we hear in the rite of Baptism. But why would this be? Isn't it unfair of God to make Baptism a necessity when some people will never even hear about Jesus, let alone know that they should be Baptized? There are so many verses throughout the New Testament that make it clear that Salvation and Baptism go hand in hand. Mark 16:16: "The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned." 1 Peter 3:21: And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you- not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, John 3:5: "Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit." (and many more) But here's the key: the Catechism says that while God has bound salvation to Baptism, He Himself is not bound by the Sacraments. The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation. He also commands his disciples to proclaim the Gospel to all nations and to baptize them. Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed and who have had the possibility of asking for this sacrament. The Church does not know of any means other than Baptism that assures entry into eternal beatitude; this is why she takes care not to neglect the mission she has received from the Lord to see that all who can be baptized are "reborn of water and the Spirit." God has bound salvation to the sacrament of Baptism, but he himself is not bound by his sacraments. (CCC 1257) This means that anyone who, by no fault of their own, is not Baptized, may still be saved if they were fully unaware that they needed to be Baptized through no fault of their own (what the Church calls invincible ignorance) and responded to the grace God had extended them throughout their life . This is why we believe that children who die before being Baptized, people who have never heard the Gospel, or catechumen who wish to be Baptized but die before receiving the Sacrament, very well still could be saved! God isn't trying to trick us. He wants us in Heaven even more than we want to be there! Baptism isn't optional; it's the ordinary means by which God washes away original sin, rebirths us as His children, and incorporates us into the Body of Christ. This is why Jesus gave us the command to go out and baptize: " Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit..." (Matt 28:19) So go. Be baptized. Invite others to the Church- to Baptism, as Jesus commanded. It's this incredible gift that God has given to humanity- to be washed by water and filled with the Spirit, granted salvation. To say that Baptism is necessary for salvation is not a death sentence- It's an invitation to eternal life.

Hi friend! I'm so very glad that you're thinking about coming to Mass for Christmas! At a time of year when the world seems to focus just a little but more on joy, peace, family, and tradition, there's truly no where better to go than to Mass. I don't know why you haven't been to Mass for a while. Maybe it's because you've been hurt by the Church. Maybe it's because you don't agree with what the Church teaches. Or maybe it's because you've just been busy. But there's a reason why your heart is feeling drawn to come to Mass for Christmas. There's a reason why going to church is part of your Christmas Eve or Christmas day tradition each year, even if it's not for the rest of the year. And it's because of Jesus. With Him, you are home. Just like He met all of humanity in that manger, becoming the poorest of the poor, He wants to meet YOU where you are. Come in your brokenness. Come with your screaming baby. Come in your uncertainty. Come overstimulated. Come sit in the back. Come without a fancy dress. Just come to Him. None of that matters when you're home. And friend, if it's been a while and you've intentionally missed Mass without having serious reason (illness, lack of transportation, caring for a sick loved one, etc.), Scripture makes it clear that we need to be reconciled with Him before we can receive the Eucharist. So if you can, go to confession before you come back to Mass. If you can't make it to confession, while you can't receive the Eucharist, ask Jesus to spiritually come in to your heart. Then, go to confession as soon as possible so you can be fully united to Him and receive the Eucharist once more. He just wants YOU. Come home, friend. We don't need to be perfect. We just need to come home. And that's the beautiful thing- even when the Christmas trees and wreaths are taken down, when the nativity scene is put away, and when the choir stops singing, you can still come home. Because it's not those things that call you home- it's Him. Every day, He's calling you home. If you have questions about coming back to Mass, or you need someone to go with, ask another Catholic friend. We love you. Jesus loves you. Come home.

So, what's up with all the Catholics celebrating a month early? This isn't the January 1 New Year- it's the Church's liturgical New Year, starting with Advent. Some of us are even having parties. It's a pretty great time! (I promise we're not crazy!) The Church celebrates different moments in the life of Christ and the life of His Church all throughout the year. Reading Scripture each day in the readings that are used for Mass, we are brought through the life of Christ. This "year" begins with preparation for Christ's birth (Advent), a celebration of His birth (Christmas), a time of quiet and reflection (Winter Ordinary Time), a reflection on His life, suffering, and death (Lent), celebration of His Resurrection (Easter), and then more reflection on His life, miracles, and parables (Summer Ordinary Time). With tomorrow being the first Sunday of Advent, it's a new liturgical year as the cycle begins again! So if you have a Catholic friend, this is a great time to text them and wish them a very Happy New Year! Still not sure? Let's chat about it in the comments!

Yesterday, I posted an Instagram reel that was a fun take on a popular trend but essentially had the message, "Instead of telling women that abortion is their only logical option, we should get them the resources, support, and love that they need." Seems simple enough, right? The people in the comments didn't think so. I woke up this morning to comments telling me to "shut up" and that I've been brainwashed, don't care about women, etc. All of which, of course, are not true. That being said, I thought it might be helpful to talk about some of the practical steps we can take when helping women facing an unplanned pregnancy or difficult situation. As much as we love to have conversations and logically convince people to see that abortion is morally incorrect and a grave evil, often it's the practical support that changes hearts and minds and enables a woman to choose life for her baby. Be Positive In most situations, when someone tells you she is pregnant, the proper response is always, "Congratulations! " No matter how a child has come into the world, he or she is still a child and a blessing. Every life is a miracle- no matter what. In cases of rape or incest, "congratulations" may not be the most tactful reaction, even though the child is still a gift. In that case, you could say something like, "I don't know exactly what to say that will help right now. I'm sure this is so overwhelming. I'm here for you and here to help with whatever you need." then, LISTEN! See what she truly needs and how she's doing, and connect her with professional help. Even if you can't be upbeat in every situation, at least be sympathetic. Empower her and let her know that you genuinely believe that she can do this. She can have her baby. And whether she chooses adoption or to raise her child, make sure that she knows you will be with her through it all. Be Available Like anyone in crisis, one moment to the next can be more difficult than another. While you certainly still need to live your own life and take care of your current responsibilities, it's important to let this new mom know that you're there for her- to talk, listen, or be with her. Quality time with supportive friends can do a world of good. Online Resources These are quick articles, helplines, and other resources you can send to any mamma facing an unexpected pregnancy. They provide financial assistance, help with any questions she might have, and so much more. This is an easy way to support someone even when you can't physically be present with her. These links are not categorized or ordered in any particular way. Adopthelp.com Adoption Services Inc. Birthright International Embrace Grace Feeding America College Grants for Single Mothers Maternity Housing Coalition 2-1-1 United Way Sisters of Life Human Defense Initiative Leap for Joy Inc Mercy Housing National Domestic Violence Hotline National Life Center National Safe Haven Alliance Once Upon a Child Option Line Project Cuddle Safe Haven Baby Boxes SNAP The Nurturing Network Rideshare Safety and Sexual Abuse Prevention Sally's Lambs ... and Standing With You has so many more! Accompany Her to Appointments and Classes Medical appointments can be intimidating as is, even without the stress of being a mom without a sound support system. You can help by recommending her a good pro-life ob-gyn, finding parenting classes, offering to accompany her or give her a ride, driving her to appointments, etc. Even if she already has reliable transportation, having someone along to talk to after an appointment can be helpful. Purchase Supplies and Giftcards Purchasing pregnancy or baby supplies, grocery cards, gas cards, or even just providing a meal can mean so much. Financial struggles are one of the biggest reasons for women to feel like abortion is their only option. A few dollars toward groceries or a box or two of diapers can help to relieve that burden. In the past, I've done gift card drives for a mother in need. Things like that that involve numerous people rallying around one mother (even if she chooses to remain anonymous to everyone but you) can be so effective. A meal dropped at her front door, an offer to help set up the baby's crib, or even just a care package full of her favorite treats can mean the world on a difficult day. Provide Financial Assistance This goes along with the gift cards! You can connect women with resources at your parish (ie: Saint Vincent de Paul Society), or other community resources that provide grants to those in need. Some of the online resources listed above also have financial assistance programs. Provide Shelter Not everyone has the space or capacity to safely bring another person into their home. But when a pregnant woman needs a place to stay to escape an abusive situation or unsupportive home, there are options. If she is facing homelessness, many communities have programs where churches take turns hosting people while they get back on their feet and find a new place to stay. Some places (though more urban areas than rural ones) have maternity homes where women can have a safe place to stay for the duration of their pregnancy and a few months after birth. Connect Her with Local Resources Think food pantries, pregnancy care centers, reliable doctors, affordable clothing options for maternity and baby clothes, etc. Pregnancy Care Centers are also a fantastic option. Many have programs that allow women to attend parenting classes in exchange for free clothing, supplies, and other resources. They're a great place to turn if you don't know how to help a woman in a particular situation or don't feel equipped to help meet her specific needs.

If you are a baptized Christian, the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is alive in you. At Baptism, we become temples of the Holy Spirit by the grace of God. "Baptism not only purifies from all sins, but also makes the neophyte "a new creature," an adopted son of God, who has become a "partaker of the divine nature," member of Christ and coheir with him, and a temple of the Holy Spirit." (CCC 1265) And what is a Temple? A temple is traditionally defined as a building or sacred place where God's presence dwells.  And YOU, my friend, are a Sacred place where God chooses to dwell. With that being said, we need to live like it!! 🔥 Live in the knowledge that the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead is within you (Romans 8:11) and live out the call to holiness and life of virtue.  🔥 Pray with the Holy Spirit, even when you don't feel like you have words. (Romans 8:26) 🔥 Be open to the promptings, gifts, and charisms of the Holy Spirit (CCC 951). 🔥 Care for your body just as you would care for the Church- with reverence and love.  🔥 Just as Jesus was filled with zeal for the Father's House in the Temple, is filled with zeal for YOU as a Temple of the Holy Spirit (Psalm 69:9, John 2:17). He loves you and wants you to be treated- and to treat yourself- with reverence.  🔥 Participate in the Sacraments so that you are enriched with the special strength of the Holy Spirit (CCC 1285). 🔥 Glorify God in your body- in all that you think, do, and say- in every relationship, situation, and time in your life.  “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” (1 Cor. 6:19–20).  Pray for yourself. Pray for the Church. Pray for an outpouring of the knowledge of your life in the Spirit. Live as a Temple.

I struggle to pray the Rosary, and I don't know exactly why. Maybe it's because my mind wanders. Or maybe because, in my mind, twenty minutes feels like an eternity when I have twenty other things to do. It might be because I know I'll fall asleep. But, more likely than not, it's because I feel like I'm not doing it right. I was thinking about it today- when Our Lady appeared at Fatima, it's said that she told the children to "pray the Rosary every day to bring peace to the world." Notice, however, that Mamma Mary didn't tell them to pray the Rosary perfectly. She didn't tell them that the way they were doing it was only half way. She didn't tell them that they weren't enough because they struggled or weren't perfect. Mary just wanted them to be close to Jesus. She wanted their effort- for them to pray and intercede for one another and for the world. But we should still try our best to pray the Rosary as often as possible and try to stay focused on Jesus and His Mother when doing so. If you're anything like me and you find yourself struggling to pray the Rosary, here are some ideas... If you fall asleep while praying: use a YouTube video or the Hallow app to pray along pray while you're driving, cleaning, or going for a walk pray with another person If you get distracted while praying: pray a Scriptural Rosary name a new prayer intention before each Hail Mary pray one decade at a time, five times per day If you forget to pray the Rosary: text a friend each day when you've prayed to keep each other accountable pray with someone else commit to praying for someone's intentions each day in a specific way pair your prayer with another routine (coffee, commute, daily Mass, bedtime, etc.) Have more ideas? Leave them in the comments! Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us!