What can I say? Just a bunch of bangers this week. Sometimes ideas flop, and then there are weeks like this. Hope you enjoy all four of these videos!
Jesus, for Beginners?
One of the things I’m finding these days is that knowledge of Jesus is very low. While people have obviously heard of him and know some of his story, assuming people know the basics of the Gospel is not a safe choice. Maybe they (or some of us) need a refresher.
The Middle is not a Virtue
There are a lot of people who like to say that they “can see both sides of the issue” or that “both sides have a good point.” While it is often the case that truth can be found in many different places, I believe that this approach is more of a cop-out than anything else, a way of wading in the middle without having to stand for something. Because if you stand for something, you might be wrong. As Christians, we have to push against this approach.
A Chat with the Former Minister General
In the Franciscan Order, there is one guy in charge of all the friars in the world. His title is the Minister General, and we got to talk with the last one for an hour this week. He has definitely seen some interesting things…
Prepping for Processions
Yesterday was the feast of Corpus Christi, where a lot of parishes hold eucharistic processions. It may seem tiring to walk these as a parishioner, but imagine being the one carrying the monstrance!
Have a great week!
Fr. Casey
Breaking In The Habit 
Father Casey,
Can you please share some advice for someone such as myself? I was born into a Pentecostal-cult-like faith and later come to know Christ through Protestant denomination known as Church fo Christ/Christian Church. I even went so far as to take my faith serious enough to go to Seminary (Protestant) and finish in my mid 20s after being a blue collar worker for quite some time. I’ve done some interim ministry positions and then became gravely ill just after getting married. I ended up recovering from cancer after many prayers of others and a few of my own. I started a family and recently joined the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church this Easter vigil after exploring/discerning Orthodoxy and Catholicism for the past 3 or 4 years. I often feel like I have missed my “calling” to discern religious life. Obviously I am not going to abandom my family but I can’t help but feel stuck in my pew and participate in the observation of what our beloved priests and deacons do – I must admit, part of it may even be envy. Can you help make a video on what lay persons can do for the church if they cannot make vows of the priesthood and maybe a separate one for what women must feel similarly for the church? Love your videos – you and many others have helped bring me to the church with your videos. God bless you – please, pray for me.
Please Father Casey if I might be able to reply to this gentleman. Sir, my name is Mrs. Teresa Vandal, and I would like to ask you a small question. Did you not know that there are two types of Catholic Deacons? There are the transitional deacons who like brothers, prepare to go on to a priestly vocation; however there are also Permanent Deacons who usually are married men who also want to be able to do at least some of the ordained ministries; (i.e. marriage vows, baptisms, assisting in the Mass, and helping with Confirmation; and homilies if approved by both the archbishop/bishop and the parish pastor. They also have other ministries they can do outside the Mass including Marriage Preparation. You might ask how I know all this. Well Sir, I am the daughter of a man who was ordained a Permanent Deacon in 1979, and remained a deacon till the day he died on July 29, 2018. I would upload an article about him but this system does not seem to allow it. The article was written when he was ready to celebrate his 25th anniversary back in 2003… (Yes I know his 25th was actually in 2004; the newspaper made a math mistake, LOL…)
Please; if you do feel called; please consider the Permanent Deaconate as an alternative to Priesthood…I am sure they would more than welcome you…Our prayers though; that of me and my husband Mark, are with you and your family…
T. Vandal
Hartford, CT.
Thank you for everything you do Father 🩷 I’m so glad you’re back putting out amazing content, it’s truly appreciated!
Ah, the basics of “Everything You Need to Know About Jesus”. ‘Tis good to be reminded and for relearning how to tell others about Him. Also, I busted up laughing when you included Captain Jack Sparrow’s “….but you HAVE heard of me.”
I greet you with peace and joy, Fr. Casey. This has been a good week for your content, I hope it means you’re in a place of joy, I understand it’s been an unpaved bit of road, but you’re ever in our 🙏 God Bless you my Friar of Friars. Sorry if that sounded Monty Python, but it’s with respect.