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Let’s do a bit of teaching on Apologetics today.
I like to teach and help others when it comes to defending the faith. In ten years of writing, I’ve learned a lot from my mistakes.
Yesterday, I wrote a post talking about misguided compassion and what that looks like.
A man showed up who thew up a link for me to read on why people need to leave the Catholic Church and then he posted a meme that said, “If your holy book condones slavery you have no right to speak on morals.” I’m paraphrasing, but that was the gist.
Now, years ago, I would have taken the bait and started arguing with him on the slavery meme.
Don’t do this.
Always bring your interlocutor back to the issue at hand, which in this case was my post.
I asked him, “What specifically, about what I’ve written here, do you take issue with?”
He responded back with, “Doesn’t your book say something about lying?”
Again, don’t take the bait. I asked him a question about the topic at hand, don’t let him try to deflect by asking a question like that. He knows the answer; he knows the Bible speaks against lying. So, this is a deflection tactic. Stay on topic.
I said to him, “You didn’t answer my question. What specifically about what I’ve written here do you take issue with? Don’t deflect. Just answer the question.”
He proceeded to delete everything. He then private messaged me and told me what a horrible person I am and how I’m on the wrong side of history. And, here’s the kicker…he blocked my ability to comment back to him.
Cowardice.
For many people that try to attack the Faith, especially the ones that aren’t serious at all, you simply need to ask them questions about the topic at hand. They don’t want to really engage you but instead they just want to make you run around putting out fires.
Don’t let them.
Recently, I’ve had five people delete whole conversations because I was forcing them to stay on topic and defend their position. They couldn’t and so they deleted because they saw the weakness of their position.
We have truth on our side, Catholic Pilgrims, do not be afraid. Continually educate yourself about the Faith and pray for graces.
Live the Faith boldly and travel well.
ITALY PILGRIMAGE
‘Journey with the Saints’
OCTOBER 23-31, 2023
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Day Nine of US landmarks and Catholic connections in our lead up to America's 250th Birthday. Today's Location: US NAVAL ACADEMY I've realized that I'm a mid-sized town gal and Annapolis definitely appealed to me. Annapolis is home to the Naval Academy, which I got to visit in 2022. We have two Catholic connections. 1. This gate that you see here is named after Commodore John Barry who was a devout Irish Catholic. He died long before the Academy came around, but he was personally chosen by George Washington to be the very first commissioned officer and first flag officer of the permanent U.S. Navy. 2. If you visit the Naval Academy Chapel there is a basement where you will find a Blessed Sacrament room. It is in honor of Servant of God Father Capodonna, the "Grunt" padre that was killed in Vietnam on September 4, 1967. Every September there is a Mass said in his honor in the chapel. Even though my hubby is an Airman, I am the granddaughter of a WWII Navy vet. While my grandfather did not attend here, it was still special for me to visit. I highly recommend Annapolis, Catholic Pilgrims, and if you are able to be cleared onto the Academy, I would encourage you visit. The grounds are beautiful. Live the Faith boldly and travel well!
Continue ReadingDay Seven of US landmarks and Catholic connections in our lead up to America's 250th Birthday. Our feature for today: NIAGRA FALLS Anybody wanna hop back and forth between borders? The Falls are nearly almost divided in half between Canada and the US. Now, I've never been, so this isn't my photo, but I'm guessing this was taken from the Canadian side. Maybe? But what, Amy, is the Catholic connection, you ask? Well, these Falls were first documented in the 17th century by a Belgium monk named Father Louis Hennepin. He was a Franciscan missionary and his documentation really was his claim to fame. He explored lots of other territory in what would become the United States, but he often embellished his stories and this got him into some trouble. However, he did make an "engraving of the Falls of Niagara. It is out of proportion, but its general features give an accurate idea of the appearance of the Falls at his time." I do hope to go to the Falls someday and apparently in the surrounding area, both in Canada and Buffalo, NY, there are some excellent Catholic Churches to visit. Live the Faith boldly and travel well, Catholic Pilgrims!
Continue ReadingDay Five of US landmarks and Catholic connections in our lead up to America's 250th Birthday. Today's landmark: CENTRAL PARK Why does my picture from 2005 look ancient? In 2005 my family visited NY after attending a graduation for my husband's cousin in Connecticut. This is me with my oldest (now 24 years old) at the famous Bethesda Terrace with the Angel of the Waters Fountain. The Pool of Bethesda, if you'll recall from the Bible, was a famous healing site in Jerusalem. The Jews believed that an angel stirred up the water and when it was stirred up, whoever got in first would be healed. So, we have a Biblical connection here. Another one is that Pope John Paul II said Mass on the Great Lawn on October 7th, 1995 for a crowd of over 125,000. Also, one of our most visited Catholic Churches sits just south of Central Park and that is, you guessed it, St. Patrick's Cathedral. Archbishop John Hughes (1797–1864), was one of the most famous Catholics in NY history. He was around when Central Park was being created. He was the first archbishop of NY, when it became elevated to an archdiocese. So, there's your Monday morning Catholic history lesson! Live the Faith boldly and travel well, Catholic Pilgrims.
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