Lighthouse Catholic Talks

Playwright. Poet. Actor. Catholic? Much has been studied and written about William Shakespeare, perhaps the greatest and most famous author in the English language. With compelling detail and wit, Joseph Pearce outlines the objective, documented, and historical evidence that both Shakespeare and his family were practicing Roman Catholics, who persevered in professing and promoting the faith even in the midst of great persecution. The evidence is staggering, and illumines a remarkable cultural opportunity for evangelization in a "post-Christian" world.  See the work of Jesuit Refugee ServiceYou can listen to this series and other great Catholic content at Formed.org.Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed.org.Help support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle.

Sister Bethany Madonna, vocations director for the Sisters of Life, shares how God not only wants us to know him, but also to give us the desires of our heart and gifts that bring purpose, meaning, and hope. She makes it clear that “receiving is the gift that we give” to the Lord and that he wants to be invited into every aspect of our lives. Speaking from her own life experience, Sister Bethany shows the importance of asking in order to receive all the Lord has in mind for us.  See the work of Jesuit Refugee ServiceYou can listen to this series and other great Catholic content at Formed.org.Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed.org.Help support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle.

Fr. Mike Schmitz, a dynamic youth minister and speaker, shares his powerful insights on God's unconditional love and the transformative power of confession. He passionately debunks the myth of unworthiness that keeps people from seeking Jesus. Emphasizing the Sacrament of Reconciliation, he explores its redemptive nature and historical significance. Fr. Chris Alar contributes by discussing Divine Mercy devotion, helping listeners grasp the profound healing that comes from embracing God's love and recognizing their identity as beloved children.

Join theologians Edward Sri, a well-known Catholic speaker and author, and Scott Hahn, a prominent apologist famed for his conversion to Catholicism, as they delve deep into the significance of the Mass. They explore the historical roots of rituals like the sign of the cross and the Kyrie, revealing their biblical origins and personal meanings. Listeners will learn about the transformative power of the Eucharist and the intimate relationship it fosters with God. Their engaging anecdotes and spiritual insights invite a renewed appreciation for the sacred liturgy.

The Millennial Generation has grown to adulthood. Having experienced many of the conveniences and pitfalls of new technologies, social media, student loan debt, and adult life, millennials have also developed a genuine desire to do something great with their lives, but often don't know how to get there. As fellow millennial Paul J. Kim shares with great humor and insight, tackling life's big challenges and desires for vocation, career, and greatness can give powerful witness to God and the gift of life.  See the work of Jesuit Refugee ServiceYou can listen to this series and other great Catholic content at Formed.org.Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed.org.Help support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle.

“How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” These words uttered 2,000 years ago are echoed today.Join us as Dr. Tim Gray examines a few objections to the Church’s Eucharistic teaching and provides scriptural evidence for these objections. This apologetic helps us to give a reason for our faith and to gain a deeper insight into what it means to be Catholic and experience the true presence of God in the Eucharist.  See the work of Jesuit Refugee ServiceYou can listen to this series and other great Catholic content at Formed.org.Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed.org.Help support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle.

Dr. Elizabeth Klein, theologian and millennial, with a special devotion to St. Augustine discusses the many reasons why Augustine should also be the patron saint of this generation. His teachings are as timely as ever as millennials today search for ways they can live out their vocation by way of his teachings and guidance.  See the work of Jesuit Refugee ServiceYou can listen to this series and other great Catholic content at Formed.org.Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed.org.Help support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle.

Were the gospels really written by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John or are the authors anonymous? Did the stories come to us through some sort of “telephone game” or by way of eye witnesses? It is vital to address the debate over anonymous gospels. If we don’t know who wrote the gospels, then how reliable are the stories written about Jesus? Can we look at the gospels as legitimate historical sources for the life, the death and the resurrection of Jesus?  See the work of Jesuit Refugee ServiceYou can listen to this series and other great Catholic content at Formed.org.Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed.org.Help support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle.

In this empowering talk, Steve Ray shares what it means to be a Christian in today's world. By examining the lives and martyrdoms of the early Christians and understanding how they transformed the pagan Greco-Roman culture, Steve gives us a blueprint for the New Evangelization. Learn from early Christians how to swim upstream against the current culture and become a witness for Christ.  See the work of Jesuit Refugee ServiceYou can listen to this series and other great Catholic content at Formed.org.Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed.org.Help support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle.

In a recent Pew survey, two-thirds of Catholics reported that they did not know or believe in the Church's teaching on the Eucharist. Diving into the writings of early doctors and fathers of the Church, and drawing upon his own experience as a scholar of history, practicing Catholic, and former Protestant, Dr. John Sehorn addresses the “mind-boggling” and difficult truth of Jesus' presence in the Blessed Sacrament. It is a truth that confronts us, challenges us, and is one of the greatest gifts that we will ever receive.  See the work of Jesuit Refugee ServiceYou can listen to this series and other great Catholic content at Formed.org.Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Formed.org.Help support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle.