Basics of the Church
Come learn the basics of the Catholic Church as we discuss how the Church worships God and prays together in community. This includes seeking to understand all seven Sacraments and what the Church believes about the communion of Saints. Each week will begin with a day of catechesis from Dr. Andrew Swafford, then you'll have additional sessions of prayer throughout the week to help you integrate these truths into your spiritual growth.
After these six weeks, we’ll release Part 3: “Life in the Church,” with sessions on Catholic morality, social teaching and living as a disciple of Christ.
If you missed Part 1: "Basics of the Faith" you can view that collection here: https://hallow.com/collections/2503/
42 sesji
1Sacred LiturgyToday we will discuss in depth Sacred Tradition, the Magisterium, and the Sacred Liturgy—that is, the Sacraments.Week 1: Teaching
2The MassThe pinnacle of all prayer is the Holy Mass. Dr. Scott Hahn, biblical scholar and theologian, will share the story of how the Mass was an influential part of his conversion. He'll show us how closely linked the Mass is to the Scriptures, and he'll help enter more deeply into these sacred mysteries.Week 1: Day of Prayer
3What the Sacraments AreListen and pray as Fr. Josh speaks to Jesus from his heart about the sacraments and how they reveal who God is. In this prayer, Fr. Josh reflects on the way Jesus extends His grace to us through the sacraments, like He did for the hemorrhaging woman in Mark 5:25-34.Week 1: Day of Prayer
4Luke 8:43-48Today, we’ll take some time to pray with Sacred Scripture by listening to a passage from the Bible and then sitting with these words in silence. Today’s Scripture passage comes from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 8.Week 1: Day of Prayer
5Love of the MassIn this time of prayer, Fr. Dave Pivonka, a priest from a community known as the Franciscans, will help us reflect today on how anything we do that is good and holy is inspired by the Holy Spirit. Fr. Dave will also discuss the many reasons why we go to Mass, ultimately helping us recognize what the best motivations are.Week 1: Day of Prayer
6New Life in ChristEach week, as we continue exploring the Catholic Church, we’d like to share a story of faith, a real example that brings our weekly theme to life. Today’s story comes from Darlene Kearns, a Catholic wife, mother, & grandmother from New Jersey. She will share how death and her ensuing grief led her to new life in Christ, a new life that began with a return to the Sacraments.Week 1: Story of Faith
7The CreedIn today’s session, Dr. Edward Sri, a theologian and well-known Catholic speaker, will be joining us over the next several weeks to serve as our guide learning the parts of the Mass. We’ll pick up where we left off in our previous series, Basics of the Faith, by moving towards the end of the Liturgy of the Word, to look at the meaning of the Creed.Week 1: Parts of the Mass
8Baptism & ConfirmationIn this session, we come in a sense to the very heart of what it means to be Catholic—God coming to meet us where we are and giving us his divine life through the visible signs of the Sacraments. Dr. Andrew Swafford returns to discuss the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation.Week 2: Teaching
9Come Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is the Lord and Giver of Life, and He teaches us how to pray. Bishop Joe Espaillat from the Archdiocese of New York will show us how when we call upon the Holy Spirit in prayer, we'd better be ready to have our hearts set aflame.Week 2: Day of Prayer
10Our Baptismal IdentityToday, Sr. Miriam James Heidland will lead us through a meditation to discover what can happen when we step into God’s transformative power.Week 2: Day of Prayer
11John 3:1-7Today, we’ll take some time to pray with Sacred Scripture by listening to a passage from the Bible and then sitting with these words in silence. Today’s Scripture passage comes from the Gospel of John, chapter 3.Week 2: Day of Prayer
12Veni Creator SpiritusIn this session, we will call upon the Holy Spirit through music. The vocal ensemble Floriani will chant the hymn "Veni Creator Spiritus" or “Come, Holy Spirit” in Latin.Week 2: Day of Prayer
13UnconventionalOur story of faith today comes from stand-up comedian Shayne Smith. Shayne shares about his unconventional past and how the death of his grandfather brought him to a curiosity of the Catholic Church.Week 2: Story of Faith
14Lift Up Your HeartsWe’ll continue looking into the parts of the Mass today by reflecting a prayer said by early Christians that we still say in the Mass today. Dr. Sri joins us once again to explain a short but very important prayer—of lifting up our hearts to the Lord.Week 2: Parts of the Mass
15The EucharistThis week we come to its very center of the Sacraments: the Holy Eucharist. Dr. Andrew Swafford will explain the Scriptural foundations of the Eucharist and how it is the source and summit of the Catholic faith.Week 3: Teaching
16The ExamenToday we'll learn about a practice of prayer that brings us daily awareness of God. Fr. Timothy Gallagher lead us in this method of prayerful reflection to find further communion with our Lord.Week 3: Day of Prayer
17I Am GodToday, we'll turn to the practice of Eucharistic Adoration. To further explain this practice and to guide us in prayer is Julianne Stanz—an author, speaker, and retreat leader. Julianne will explain how adoration is an invitation for stillness with Jesus, a time to see and to be seen.Week 3: Day of Prayer
18John 6:47-58Today, we’ll take some time to pray with Sacred Scripture by listening to a passage from the Bible and then sitting with these words in silence. Today’s Scripture passage comes from the Gospel of John, chapter 6.Week 3: Day of Prayer
19Becoming Living MonstrancesIn this session, we’ll hear how the Eucharist teaches us to imitate Jesus. Fr. Leo Patalinghug will show us how the Eucharist that we consume becomes an opportunity for us to truly “become what we eat.”Week 3: Day of Prayer
20Soldier of ChristToday, our inspiring story of faith comes from Fr. David Santos, a priest and army veteran who shares his profound experience of God’s love through the call to be a “Soldier of Christ.”Week 3: Story of Faith
21This is My BodyIn today’s session, Dr. Sri will join us now to help us reflect the words of consecration that the priest speaks at the altar over the gifts of bread and wine truly transform them, through the power of the Holy Spirit, into something extraordinary—the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus.Week 3: Parts of the Mass
22Confession & Anointing of the SickThis week Dr. Andrew Swafford returns to discuss the Sacraments of Healing: Reconciliation, also referred to as Confession, and Anointing of the Sick.Week 4: Teaching
23Divine Mercy ChapletToday, we’ll learn and then pray with The Divine Mercy chaplet, a prayer directly related to God’s mercy and a way to call out to the Lord when you simply cannot find the words.Week 4: Day of Prayer
24Confession StepsIn this session, Fr. Frankie will walk us through the steps of confession detailing what we will likely see and hear – all with his unique perspective as a priest. Week 4: Day of Prayer
25Luke 5:17-26Today, we’ll take some time to pray with Sacred Scripture by listening to a passage from the Bible and then sitting with these words in silence. Today’s Scripture passage comes from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 5.Week 4: Day of Prayer
26The Gift of the SacramentIn this session, Sr. Marysia Weber, a religious sister and physician with My Catholic Doctor, explores all that is offered to us in the Anointing of the Sick, a gift for any faithful whose health is impaired. Week 4: Day of Prayer
27Good FatherToday, Fr. Frankie Cicero will share his incredible story of conversion that came after tremendous physical suffering in early medical challenges as a child, then later in life as he suffered with addiction. Please note this session contains mentions of drugs and alcohol.Week 4: Story of Faith
28The Wedding Supper of the LambIn today’s session, Dr. Sri returns to expand on the meaning behind the words “Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb,” words spoken before the faithful are called to communion.Week 4: Parts of the Mass
29Marriage & PriesthoodThis week, Dr. Andrew Swafford will explain the two Sacraments of Service: Marriage and Holy Orders (the Priesthood).Week 5: Teaching
30Litany of TrustToday Sr. Faustina Maria will share how God inspired her to compose the Litany of Trust then we will pray along with this beautiful prayer in order to rely less on ourselves and more on Jesus.Week 5: Day of Prayer
31Christian MarriageFor our session of prayer today, Fr. Dave Pivonka will lead us in a reflection on Christian marriage and how the Holy Spirit can strengthen us to love more fully. Week 5: Day of Prayer
32John 15:12-17Today, we’ll take some time to pray with Sacred Scripture by listening to a passage from the Bible and then sitting with these words in silence. Today’s Scripture passage comes from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 15.Week 5: Day of Prayer
33DiscernmentIn this session, Sr. Josephine Garrett will guide us as we bring whatever we are discerning to God. Then, at the close of the session, she will invite us to pray a Prayer of Abandonment.Week 5: Day of Prayer
34Our CrossIn this session, married couple John and Lisa Canning share their story of surrender to God during a challenging time in their marriage, a time that required Lisa to help carry her husband’s cross.Week 5: Story of Faith
35I Am Not WorthyToday, we come to a conclusion in that series from Dr. Sri with the beautiful prayer “Lord I am not Worthy” as he invites us to consider how we can approach Jesus with humility. Week 5: Parts of the Mass
36Mary & The SaintsFor our final week in "Basics of the Church," Dr. Andrew Swafford will discuss the holy witnesses of God's grace: the saints and in particular, Mary, Mother of God.Week 6: Teaching
37The RosaryToday Rwandan Genocide Survivor Immaculée Ilibagiza will help us to understand the Rosary, a prayer critical during a time of great darkness and despair in her life.Week 6: Day of Prayer
38MeditationIn this meditation, Fr. John Burns will lead us to place ourselves in an imaginative scenario of what it might have been like for Mary the day after Christ’s Crucifixion. Week 6: Day of Prayer
39John 19:25–27Today, we’ll take some time to pray with Sacred Scripture by listening to a passage from the Bible and then sitting with these words in silence. Today’s Scripture passage comes from the Gospel of John, chapter 19.Week 6: Day of Prayer
40Who the Saints AreToday, Fr. Josh Johnson will invite us to listen into his prayer with Jesus about the gift of the saints. Then we will reflect on becoming the saint God calls us to be.Week 6: Day of Prayer
41Look of LoveToday, Tammy Peterson, a writer, podcast host, mother and wife of psychologist Jordan Peterson, will share with us her story of surrendering to God’s will in her life after she faced a rare and devastating prognosis.Week 6: Story of Faith
42Love of the MassIn this session, Dr. Timothy O’Malley, an author and professor from the University of Notre Dame, will join us to share all that we can receive out of going to Mass. Week 6: Parts of the Mass