Understanding Our Church

A Treasury of Arkansas Writers Discussing the Catholic Faith

Understanding Our Church

Explore this treasury of Arkansas writers discussing the Catholic faith on a wide variety of topics. Find what you're looking for by browsing the whole list or search by keyword or author. All articles have been reviewed for theological accuracy. Opinions expressed are those of the author.

Easter and springtime go hand in hand for many, but not everyone
Abbot Jerome Kodell, OSB
When I was a student in Rome years ago, one of my close friends was a Benedictine monk from the Philippines who was working on a degree in liturgy.
Intelligent Design belongs in philosophy and religion, not science
Msgr. Richard Oswald
Fifty-two years ago, as a biology student at Catholic High School in Little Rock, my biology teacher introduced me to the theory of evolution.
Church teaches that death penalty is unnecessary, rarely justifiable
Deacon John Marschewski
Our readings for last Sunday talked about covenant — the covenant of love that Jesus gives us through his life, death and resurrection, his culture of life, which is an example for all of us.
Our view on end times focuses on Christ bringing about God’s plan
Charles T. Sullivan
In Catholic theology, any speculation concerning the end of time is called eschatology, a word from the Greek meaning “study of the last or final things.” Theologians make the distinction between individual eschatology (the study of the final condition of individual human beings) and universal es
Ordinary Time in the Church’s liturgical year is anything but ordinary
Father Erik Pohlmeier
The word “ordinary” usually brings to mind ideas such as “common,” “plain” or “mundane.” When the Church speaks of “Ordinary Time” a very different meaning is intended.
Gospel message delivered from different perspectives to reach all
Dr. Linda Webster
St. Paul would make an excellent instructor of public speaking in any of our contemporary universities. In the reading from 1 Corinthians, which we’ll hear this week, St. Paul explains how he analyzes his audiences in order to share the Gospel most effectively. (9, 19-22)
‘Didache’ shows today’s Christians how little has changed in Tradition
Abbot Jerome Kodell, OSB
While he was on a trip to Constantinople in 1873, Orthodox Archbishop Philotheos Byrennios, who had been a professor of Church history, took the opportunity to browse in the ancient manuscript collection of the library of Holy Sepulchre Monastery.
Don’t despair: God’s love is greater than natural disasters, war, disease
Msgr. Richard Oswald
“Paul is saying that wars, disease and natural disasters are real but the love and fidelity of God are more real than anything that can harm us or cause us anxiety. God is more dependable and trustworthy than anything that can cause us to suffer.”
Christmas hope, joy to be experienced throughout year
Sister Susan McCarthy, RDC
As a young child I remember a wonderful tradition our local paper had at Christmas. Each year they would publish a Christmas story that was introduced on the first day of December and finished the day before Christmas.
Happiness, wholeness, holiness comes from losing oneself in Christ
Charles T. Sullivan
For me personally, one of the most difficult topics to write about is holiness. It is hard for two reasons. First, I realize only too well that I am not holy and therefore have no right to offer myself as an authority on the subject.

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