Thin Blue Papist

A review of "The Role of a Christian Father" by Keith Chappell, published by Catholic Truth Society. Another great booklet produced by CTS on a topic so important in today's society and climate. I first read this shortly after the birth of my first child, when I was really diving deeper into the faith and how to best live it out. This isn't a book on "how to be a dad," but how to live out your Christian faith as a father and head of the household. As it says right in the Intro, "It is not the purpose of this booklet to tell the reader how to be a father...but perhaps it will lead you to reflect on your role as a father and to become aware of the huge internal resources each father has which are given by the grace of the one Father we all look to." An important section of this booklet touches upon "work-life" balance. As a police officer, we're told in speeches that we'll miss birthday parties, holidays, life events, etc. Whi...

This a reflection on the Gospel reading for February 12, 2024 (Mark 1:40-45). How great is God's mercy? Greater than we could ever fathom. Often we can get caught up in our own downfalls and sinfullness and forget that, through it all, God loves us. A great point that was made in the homily at the Mass I attended was that some people stay away from Confession, Mass and the Eucharist, or the Church altogether because of their sinfullness. When asked "Why?" it can often be that "My sins are so bad, God could never forgive me." Now, we know that when we come before the Lord in true contrition to confession, truly desire to transform our lives away from that sin and do penance, our sins are forgiven. The point that was driven home in the homily, that God loves us unconditionally not because of who we are, but because of who He is. Often we get wrapped up in our side of things as it relates to our relationship with God, but we forget to think about the other ...