Take a pilgrimage with Steve and Janet Ray!
Atheist Thinks we should Sell Churches and give Money to the Poor
A friend just shared an objection his atheist friend had to the Catholic Church. It went like this: “My atheist friend told me one of the things she disliked about the church was that they had all these great big fancy churches in poor countries but still asked for money from the poor and why they didn’t sell all the fancy stuff and help the needy.”
Here was my answer, maybe a bit more animated than necessary, but . . .
“Your friend has it back-asswards. I have been to the poorest areas of the Philippines and India and visited their beautiful churches. Who owns those churches? The Vatican? No! They are owned by the poor people who scratched every dime together to build a house for God worthy of him.
The Church, funded by these poor and wealthier donors, has also built the hospitals, schools, clinics and it feeds the poor. One quarter of the world’s population has no health care but that provided by the Church.
Why does your friend have a better house and nicer car than she probably needs? It is certainly much more opulence and expensive that people who live in poor countries. Why not quit being a hypocrite and sell her possession and distribute them to the poor? Let her put her money where her mouth is? Let her learn the real truth before she criticizes and condemns?
In the Philippines on the island of Cebu (as everywhere else) they have Mass every hour on the hour 12-14 hours a day in churches that are only separated by a few miles. The Masses are every hour on the hour starting at 5 AM and there is standing room only at every Mass. I’ve seen the same in India, and many other countries.
Who would DARE to take confiscate those churches and sell them? These churches are the center of the community, educators of the people give me five minutes and where they are always baptized at first I’m buried at that. The poor people would rally around their churches and kill anyone who would dare touch them.
One day while praying in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome I thought, “What does God think about all this magnificence, beauty and expense? Is He shaking his head in disapproval?”Then an example came to me.
Imagine my son Dominic works hard all summer to earn money and spends his summer building something magnificent to give to me—his grandfather whom he loves. Now imagine the day arrives and he presents me with an extravagant gift that represents his heart and soul and labor.
What would happen if I responded by saying, “Dominic, this is a big waste of your time and money! You should sell it and give it to the poor.”
God’s heart is moved by the generosity of these faithful disciples, building such an edifice out of their adoration for Him. He too is a Father and we are his sons and daughters. He appreciates our appreciation and gratitude but those who know God and do “not honor Him as God or give thanks” (Romans 1:21) are displeasing to Him.
Your atheist friend is foolish, or at least misguided and parroting all the tired old lies of her age. I love Chesterton who said, “The Catholic Church is the only thing that can protect you from becoming a slave of your age.”
I get a bit animated because I get sick of the hypocrisy, stupidity, and the same old, same old…
Saints & Shrines of France – including D-Day and Mass at Notre Dame Cathedral!
The first time we did this pilgrimage through France it was a huge success and a very blessed time. This trip will be even better! Join us November 30 – December 9, 2024.
D-Day, also known as the Normandy Invasion
This turning point in World War II occurred on June 6, 1944 — eighty years ago. We will celebrate that crucial battle in Normandy France and walk on Omaha Beach. On that day, more than 156,000 American, British, and Canadian troops stormed the fiercely defended beaches of Normandy in northern France. This operation marked a critical turning point in World War II.
Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris
This iconic church was severely damaged by fire in 2019. After 5 years of of restoration, Notre Dame is scheduled to open on December 8 AND WE WILL BE THERE! We are hoping to have Mass in the Cathedral the day it opens.
To top all of that, we will also visit Lisieux, home of St. Therese and celebrate Mass where her family did. Mont-Saint-Michel is stunning beyond belief as we spend time exploring and visiting the village.
We will visit the Cathedral of Saint Vincent and later that day celebrate Mass in Pontmain where the Virgin Mary appeared to four children in 1871.
Paris and the Seine River cruise. Chartres, Notre Dame Cathedral, St. Catherine Labouré’ incorrupt body and the Miraculous Medal.
Just a few blocks away, another incorrupt body of St. Vincent de Paul. See the Basilica of Sacre-Couer in Montmartre, where perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament has continued uninterrupted since 1885.
And so much more. For the interactive map, itinerary, brochure and more info — and to register on-line visit here.
You will also receive a 2-hour movie of your pilgrimage as a keepsake. Here is the video we produced for our pilgrims on our last pilgrimage through France.
Questions I Answered on Catholic Answers Live – Q & A for Non-Catholics
Listen here:
In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, we tackle a wide range of thoughtful questions from callers of various religious backgrounds. Topics include the similarities and differences between Catholicism and Latter-day Saint beliefs, a clear explanation of purgatory, and why only the priest consumes the Precious Blood during Mass.
We also discuss whether purgatory is purification or punishment, the role of baptism in Christian unity, and the theological significance of the 1,000 years after Armageddon. Additional questions explore the Catholic view on salvation versus universalism, the Greek wording in Scripture regarding Jesus’ “brothers,” and how to make sense of the brokenness in the world today—especially in children.
Questions Covered:
- 04:47 – Are there any similarities between Latter-day Saint (LDS) and Catholic beliefs?
- 08:20 – What is a simple explanation of purgatory for someone unfamiliar with Catholic teaching?
- 16:36 – Why is it only the priest who consumes the wine during Mass?
- 22:20 – Is purgatory meant to be purification or punishment?
- 25:13 – If baptism is the great unifying sacrament among Christians, why doesn’t it allow all baptized Christians to receive Communion?
- 31:41 – What is the meaning and significance of the 1,000 years after Armageddon, and how does it compare with the concept of purgatory?
- 35:29 – How does the Catholic view of salvation differ from Christian universalism?
- 43:37 – What does the Greek in Scripture indicate about Jesus’ brothers and whether Mary was their mother?
- 50:43 – Why does so much brokenness exist in the world, especially as seen in children?
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Mary a Mediatrix? Isn’t there just One Mediator?
The Bible says, “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Tim 2:5). Yet Catholics refer to Mary as a Mediatrix (feminine form of the word mediator). So, isn’t that prima facie evidence that Catholics make up doctrines, worship Mary and disregard the Bible? […]






















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