McAleese desribes baptism as a kind of recruitment tool that ignores how children, as they mature, should be able to freely decide their own religious identity, noting that canon law acknowledges no right to exit Catholicism.
Sacraments
Posted inFaith in Focus
A Jesuit Navy chaplain witnesses the healing power of sacraments for military personnel with PTSD
Prayer can serve as a bulwark against the challenges of life after war.
Posted inPodcasts
Preaching reconciliation: Confession isn’t just about sin—it’s an act of faith
In this “Preach” episode, Ann Garrido preaches for an Advent reconciliation service and explores with host Ricardo da Silva, S.J., what Advent brings to reconciliation.
Posted inCatholic Movie Club
Hitchcock’s ‘I Confess’: a classic Catholic noir about the seal of confession
While considered a minor work in Hitchcock’s filmography and the annals of film noir, “I Confess” is Hitchcock’s most explicitly Catholic film.
Posted inPodcasts
This bishop has confirmed 10,000 teens—here’s his advice on preaching for confirmation
Auxiliary Bishop Adam Parker of Baltimore has confirmed more than 10,000 young people—and he wants his brother bishops to know what a gift the sacrament is for all.
Posted inPodcasts
At Confirmation: Preach goodness and mission, not guilt and sin
”You are loved, warts and all.” Bishop Emeritus Patrick McGrath of San Jose said it at every confirmation—and liturgist Diana Macalintal never tired of hearing it.
Posted inPodcasts
Birthday parties, hugs, and God’s love: Preaching First Communion to children
In this episode “Preach” host Ricardo da Silva, S.J., talks with Russell Pollitt, S.J. about how this accessible approach helps not only the children but the entire community experience Jesus as a friend.
Posted inPodcasts
Baptism isn’t just about the baby
Con O’Mahony, Vicar for Education in the Diocese of Hamilton, Ontario, and pastor at St. Margaret Mary Parish explains that preaching doesn’t start at the ambo—it begins in personal encounters, especially when preparing for sacraments as intimate as baptism.
Posted inPodcasts
‘What do you ask of God’s church for your child?’: Preaching the Rite of Baptism
In this episode of Preach, Christina Mines joins host Ricardo da Silva, S.J. to explore how preaching can make baptism a moment of grace not just for parents and godparents, but for the whole community gathered to witness and welcome a new member into the Body of Christ.
Posted inPodcasts
‘Sacraments aren’t vending machines’: Preaching God’s grace as encounter, not transaction
Ricardo da Silva, S.J., speaks with Anthony Ruff, Benedictine monk and professor of liturgy to unpack what sacraments truly are—and how to preach them with both depth and imagination.