#12427 How Can a Man Discern His Call to the Priesthood? Parenting and Gifts - Fr. Marc Gandolfo

“What is the significance of the Immaculate Conception?” This episode delves into this controversial belief, while also addressing how to explain purgatory to non-Catholics and the Catholic understanding of the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Join us as we explore these essential topics and more in Catholic apologetics. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 03:00 – What is the significance of the Immaculate Conception? 12:45 – How can we explain the concept of purgatory to non-Catholics? 25:10 – Why do Catholics believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist? 37:22 – What is the role of the Pope in the Catholic Church? 49:15 – How should Catholics approach the topic of abortion in discussions with others?

“Can Catholics celebrate Halloween?” This episode explores this timely question along with intriguing topics such as George Washington’s potential deathbed conversion to Catholicism and the marital status of Pharisees. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 02:15 – Can Catholics Celebrate Halloween? 21:19 – Do we know if George Washington had a deathbed conversion to Catholicism? 34:04 – Were Pharisees required to be married? If so, does that mean Paul was married? 38:09 – Why does the bible say that all of our sins will be forgiven but it also says we will stand in judgement for all of our sins? Which is it? 47:33 – Is The Great Warning real? If so, what is it? I’ve seen Catholic organizations pushing this. 52:01 – Which Church Father do you recommend I start studying first? 05:54 – Why did Jesus say he wouldn’t go to the feast in John 7 but he ended up going in private? 18:37 – What is acceptable and not acceptable when praying to the saints? 34:00 – I’m Protestant looking into the faith. I can’t get over the idea of Mary being sinless? A Daily Defense 46:20 – I heard a protestant interpretation of John 6 saying it can’t mean the eucharist because John didn’t pay attention to the sacraments of the last supper. What is the Catholic response to this?

“What if someone doesn’t think they need to be saved?” In this episode, we explore this question alongside discussions about how one can navigate the teachings of Christianity while seeking a relationship with God, and the struggles of an agnostic who is drawn to Christianity yet grapples with free will and the Resurrection. We also touch on the significance of the Rosary in the Catholic faith. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 02:45 – What if someone doesn’t think they need to be saved? 21:08 – He is looking into religions, keeps hearing things that point to relationship, but how does one adhere to relationship when they first must come to understanding the teachings of Christianity? 36:55 – Agnostic would like to be a Christian, is searching, still struggling with voice in his head that tells him he is not buying it. Struggles with question of “Free will” and the historicity of the Resurrection story. 50:11 – Has trouble grasping why God would care about each individual person, and also she was gifted a Rosary but has no idea what to do with it and its significance in the Catholic faith.

“How can a man discern his call to the priesthood?” This episode explores this vital question while also addressing how parents can discuss the priesthood with their children. Additionally, we touch on helping kids identify their gifts and supporting a child’s discernment between motherhood and religious life. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 02:00 – How Can a Man Learn If He is Called to the Priesthood? 24:18 – Parent of 5 kids, how does he speak to his kids about the priesthood, he is concerned about stories of Priests that have gotten in trouble and put the priesthood in a bad light. 32:30 – He is 41, had been in seminary early in life, he stepped out, but is now feeling the calling again, how can he discern significantly if he should reenter. He feels too old and broken to answer the call? 37:02 – She is middleschool teacher and is wondering if there is good “gifts” assessment she can give to her kids to help them discern their gifts? 42:59 – His son is in first year at seminary, he would like to share their story of his upbringing and their experience as parents watching him discern. 48:13 – As a parent how does one help their child discern especially if they are feeling strong call to motherhood but now feeling a slight tug toward being a nun?

“Can you explain Holy Water?” In this episode, we delve into its purpose, history, and use, while also addressing a variety of intriguing questions, such as the significance of a shrine housing a piece of the manger and the early Church’s beliefs regarding the Assumption. Join us for a thoughtful exploration of these important topics. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 01:57 – Ava reporting back from meeting Wes Huff 18:54 – Can you explain Holy Water — what it’s for, how did it develop? And can I invite Joe Heschmeyer to come to my upcoming confirmation (I’m a candidate at the Cathedral)? 31:02 – I work at a shrine that has a piece of the manger. Joe are you familiar with this story? 39:45 – On Pentecost when Peter gave his sermon, the Assumption hadn’t occurred so the early disciples did not have to believe in it so why do we have to believe in it? 47:56 – When host is consecrated does any thing it touch become a relic? 51:39 – How can he explain to protestant family and friends the Catholic teaching justification?

“Are relics biblical?” In this episode, we explore the significance of saint bones and the authenticity of relics, addressing questions like how the Church determines which objects become relics and whether any have performed miracles in modern times. We also discuss the placement of Eucharistic miracles in reliquaries and the distribution of relics across churches. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 02:15 – Is collecting saint bones biblical? 12:00 – How does the Church determine what objects become relics? 20:20 – Are there any instances of relics performing miracles in modern times? 44:03 – Why do they put Eucharistic miracles in a reliquary? Also I heard that Pope Francis put a stop to “cutting up” saints. Is that true? 49:15 – Where are all the relics? Are they all in the Vatican? Or do individual churches have relics? 52:20 – My wife was given a relic from her grandmother. We aren’t sure about its authenticity. How should we treat this relic?

“How do you prove God exists without science?” This episode explores the intersection of faith and reason, addressing questions like how to engage with skeptics who demand scientific proof, the challenges faced by those seeking answers about Catholicism, and the complexities surrounding priest celibacy in the early Church. Tune in for a thoughtful exploration of these important topics. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 13:25 – How do you respond to someone who doesn’t believe in God because you can’t prove it with math or science? 18:12 – I’m not Catholic because I have so many questions and can’t find people to talk to in good faith. 39:24 – I was raised Catholic, but I don’t believe in the real presence. 52:05 – I don’t fully understand priest celibacy since in the early Church they were allowed to marry?

“Can non-Catholics be saved?” This episode explores this critical question while also addressing concerns about pride masses in local parishes, the nature of apostolic churches, and the intercession of saints. Join us as we navigate these important topics and provide clarity on Catholic beliefs and practices. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 06:37 – I just became Catholic and a Catholic church in my community is having a pride mass and festival. I’m very confused. Does our Church allow this? 15:01 – My friend says they are not Catholic because every apostolic Church claims to be the one true Church. How do I respond? 19:13 – I’m Catholic. Rev 20:4-6 Where are the souls that are sleeping? 25:06 – How do I talk to non-Catholics who say they can’t be Catholic because of how they treated natives? 33:32 – I understand the intercession of saints but a lot of the time the actual prayer sounds like it’s directed to them and not just intercession. 47:45 – Catholics are too obsessed with the physical like, scapulars, and medals. Those things are not in the bible and are traditions of men. 52:42 – I’m Lutheran. The issue for me is Sola Scriptura and when the Church contradicts scripture.

“What Similarities Are There Between Catholics and Lutherans?” In this episode, we explore key differences between Catholicism and the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, discuss ways to encourage others to return to the faith through the Eucharist, and delve into the significance of focus during the Eucharistic liturgy. Tune in for a thoughtful examination of these important topics. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 03:45 – I’m Lutheran in OCIA. What would you say are the main highlights between Catholics and Lutheran Church Missouri Synod? 14:14 – How should I help bring people back through the Eucharist? 28:45 – How does transubstantiation happen? 37:40 – During the Eucharistic liturgy where should our attention be, the altar or the tabernacle? 46:19 – I’m having trouble explaining the eucharist and the early church to my Protestant friends. What advice would you give me?

“Do specifics about the Eucharist really matter?” This episode dives into the significance of the Eucharist, exploring questions like why eucharistic miracles occur and the importance of distinguishing between consubstantiation and transubstantiation. Join us as we also discuss the implications of consuming blessed bread from an orthodox church and the historical tradition of the Eucharist in tabernacles. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 01:00 – Why do eucharistic miracles happen? 09:05 – Why does it matter to distinguish between consubstantiation and transubstantiation? 20:25 – Can my kids consume the blessed bread that’s not consecrated at an orthodox church? 29:20 – How do you defend eucharistic miracles? 34:16 – Do we have any writings of when the tradition of holding the eucharist in a tabernacle started? 37:55 – Was Martin Luther’s intent for people to give up the importance of the eucharist? If not, why did they move away from it? 46:00 – What do you recommend I do to prepare to be an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion? 51:32 – Who do many evangelicals deny eucharistic miracles?