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.

‘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.
Mass is ‘bridge’ that allows participants to enter God’s timelessness
Father Erik Pohlmeier
In preparation for the Eucharistic Congress last month a number of questions and answers about the Mass were printed in Arkansas Catholic.
Faith rituals not ‘mindless chores’ but means to encounter mystery
Father Andrew Smith
Catholics are a ritually oriented people. This may be seen as a mixed blessing, depending on how you understand repetition. For some people certain rituals — doing the same thing over and over again — may help to make our lives boring and uninteresting.
Answers for Mass, Eucharist questions
Father Erik Pohlmeier
The following is a list of questions often asked about the Eucharist and Mass. Father Erik Pohlmeier, chairman of the Year of the Eucharist Committee and theological consultant for Arkansas Catholic, provided the answers. Q. What do Catholics mean by “real presence?”
Jesus meant what he said about the Bread of Life
Father Erik Pohlmeier
Catholics are sometimes accused of not relying on the Bible, or of inventing beliefs contrary to the Bible. Of course, neither accusation is true. In this Year of the Eucharist the late Pope John Paul II encouraged all Catholics to become more familiar with the scriptural roots of the Eucharist.
Mysteries of rosary focus on all major events that led to our salvation
Charles T. Sullivan
Along with several friends, my youngest daughter helped organize an informal Catholic girls’ Bible study group in her dorm at the University of Arkansas.
Forgiveness, love found in Eucharist; gift empowers us to forgive
Father Andrew Smith
In the history of the Church, there has always been devotion to the Eucharist, our source of life. But the devotion has taken different forms throughout the centuries.
Seven things I learned about Mass since first Communion
Judy Hoelzeman
I made my first holy Communion when I was 7. I remember my mother’s warning not to fall off my bike — “You don’t want to skin your knees before your first Communion.”
Eucharist should be focus of Lenten season
Father James P. West
As Ash Wednesday approached in 2004, so many Catholic Americans were anxiously awaiting the release of Mel Gibson’s epic portrayal of the final moments of our Lord’s earthly life.
New Year is an opportunity to cherish gift of life and Christ’s coming
Msgr. Richard Oswald
One week ago we celebrated the beginning of the year 2005. It was a day to thank God for the gift of life and for a new year in which to live it. It was a day to reflect on the past and dream of the future.

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