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Our content is delivered through the DePorres Pages Podcasts, which you can subscribe to by using the app wherever you get your podcasts, or by listening right here on the website.

There are essentially two types of podcasts — our homilies, recorded in a variety of churches, chapels and other locations — and commentaries, an eclectic collection of topics that catch the imagination.

Augustine: Confessions — Chapters 3-5

June 14, 2021 by thefriarwebmaster
At the beginning of Augustine’s Confessions is a reference to Pelagius, who shares a belief that is probably common to many even though it is heresy. Namely, Pelagius believed that we were able to achieve our salvation by our own efforts, that we were not wounded by Adam’s sin. On some level it can be seen as a popular image of God holding a scale, our good works on one side of the scale and our evil deeds on the other. Then, whichever weighs more gets us into even. Namely, we earn our salvation because of what we do.
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Meditation Monday: June 13, 2021

June 13, 2021 by thefriarwebmaster
What do you expect from God? This Sunday’s gospel shows us the silence of God. There can be times in our lives when we wonder why God seems not only distant, but absent. The disciples experience this even though they are in the very presence of God. Jesus is in the boat. But Jesus is asleep. And the storm must have been especially fierce since even experienced fishermen were afraid.
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Fridays with the Fathers: June 11, 2021

June 10, 2021 by thefriarwebmaster
Saint Ignatius of Antioch is probably the earliest of the Church Fathers, and is one of the Apostolic Fathers since he likely knew and interacted with the apostles. Born in the middle of the first century, and dying at the beginning of the second century, Ignatius of Antioch provides a picture of the early Church where already we see some of the things that we see as connected to the Church today. Much of his later life was spent in chains as a prisoner.
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Gifts and Charisms: June 10, 2021

June 9, 2021 by thefriarwebmaster
It seems most appropriate to begin our exploration of gifts and charisms by examining the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The traditional list of the gifts of the Holy Spirit comes from the book of the prophet Isaiah. What are the gifts listed in this traditional list? “The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, A spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD, and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD.” To this list the Church also adds piety.
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Augustine: Confessions — Chapters 1 and 2

June 7, 2021 by thefriarwebmaster
At the beginning of Augustine’s Confessions is a reference to Pelagius, who shares a belief that is probably common to many even though it is heresy. Namely, Pelagius believed that we were able to achieve our salvation by our own efforts, that we were not wounded by Adam’s sin. On some level it can be seen as a popular image of God holding a scale, our good works on one side of the scale and our evil deeds on the other. Then, whichever weighs more gets us into even. Namely, we earn our salvation because of what we do.
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Meditation Monday for June 7, 2021

June 7, 2021 by thefriarwebmaster
What does it mean to obey the Lord? Can we ever break an oath to the Lord? In a time where so much can be seen as “up to us”, the idea that we would hand over control to anyone can seem absurd indeed. In fact, in some of those areas where we used to see control surrendered, for example a husband to his wife (for we can only be hurt by those to whom we are vulnerable) are becoming less likely today. We live in a time where individualism is at an all-time high.
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Homily for Monday, June 7, 2021

June 7, 2021 by thefriarwebmaster
The word translated “Blessed,” used in the Beatitudes from today’s gospel, could also be translated “lucky” or “Happy.” But how are those who mourn happy? Because to mourn we must first love. How are the peacemakers happy? Because to make peace we must know peace.
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Homily for Sunday, June 6, 2021

June 6, 2021 by thefriarwebmaster
I was so proud of myself as a fourth grader who learned to bake bread (well sort of). But the real lesson was what my father taught me about the Eucharist.
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Homily for Saturday, June 5, 2021

June 5, 2021 by thefriarwebmaster
For worship to be authentic, the way we live our life, especially concerning the poor and the vulnerable must be authentic. We need to recognize in all things that if we cannot treat those made in the image and likeness of God with appropriate respect affording them the dignity that is theirs, then indeed our worship is empty.
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Fridays with the (Church) Fathers: An introduction

June 3, 2021 by thefriarwebmaster
Why should we care at all about the Church Fathers? Put simply, almost universally during the first half of Christianity, and by many still today, they are seen as the authorities on the Christian Faith. Understanding what they said and how they thought about the faith can provide us with an important insight into the faith.
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