Author Archives: mikedenz

Joseph was a tradesmen, a carpenter. He made things out of wood: plows, tables, chairs, ladders and maybe parts of houses. He lived in Nazareth.  Before Jesus was born he traveled to Bethlehem and then Egypt for a short time, but the majority of his life was in a small insignificant town. He wasn’t highly educated. He neverContinue reading “The Ordinary Family?”

My classmates and I in 8th grade had a joke in religion class that if you didn’t know the answer to a question Sister Juliana was asking, answering “Jesus” was usually right.  I have been a teacher of the Catholic Faith for over 22 years now.  Little did I know back in 8th grade how right myContinue reading “The Answer is…?”

What makes something valuable? Is what it’s made of the reason?  Like gold or diamonds or solid oak? Is it because it is beautiful?  Like a sunset or a rose or new sports car? Is who made it the reason?  Like Rembrandt or Rolex or Lamborghini? Is something being rare do it?  Like a stampContinue reading “What is Our Value?”

In the first century when Jesus walked the earth in ancient Israel, Jewish men would often become disciples of a rabbi.  The rabbi disciple relationship was one of total commitment.  The rabbi would commit to instructing the disciple and teach him to be like him.  The disciple would commit to listening and learning whatever theContinue reading “Well surely God doesn’t expect me to do that… does He?”

“Catholic guilt” is a term most of us are aware of.  It has negative connotations which involve being made to feel bad for doing something we are not supposed to do.  Our 21st century society frowns upon being made to feel bad (unless you are feeling bad about doing something our society frowns upon, butContinue reading “Guilt vs. Shame”

It would be hard to find any adult Catholic who does not have a loved one who has left the Catholic Church.  It can be a very difficult thing to deal with.  Here are some important things to remember whenever this happens. God is infinitely more concerned and involved in the salvation of your lovedContinue reading “When a Loved One Leaves the Church”

Many people have remained in the Catholic Church, faithfully practicing their faith and striving to become a better disciple of Jesus each day, despite all the challenges of morality, scandals of some clergy, and conflict with popular culture.  Many have also come into the Catholic Faith, often from other Christian denominations.  Many of the peopleContinue reading “How do we know the Catholic Church is right?”

Why does God allow evil and suffering? This is the most difficult question we face.  While all of the Christian Faith, as a whole, contain the answers this question, there are some specific things that can help us. First, as in all mysteries, it is important to know that God can and does have reasonsContinue reading “Why is there Evil?”