Hey there, Do you remember comedian Jeff Foxworthy’s “You might be a redneck if” routine? (Make sure you read these with a thick southern accent for the full effect.) “If you have an Elvis Jell-o mold … you might be a redneck.” “If people hunt in your front yard … you might be a redneck.” “If you've ever made change in the offering plate … you might be a redneck.” He had a …
Continue Reading about Catholic Apologetics: Your Call to Defend Your Faith
Hey there, If you’ve stopped yourself from posting on social media for fear you’ll offend someone, you’re not alone. A July poll by The Cato Institute found that 62% of Americans avoid expressing their beliefs for this reason. I’ve held back … a lot. We’re afraid of falling victim to the cancel culture. Dictionary.com defines it this way: “Cancel culture refers to the popular …
Continue Reading about Where Does Catholicism Fit in Our Cancel Culture?
Hey there, When I was in high school, I saw a company at a mall kiosk that would enter your surname into a computer and print out your family’s coat of arms. I thought it would make a nice gift for my parents. So I gave them my surname, which was Ott. As promised, they delivered a colorful coat of arms print out complete with, you guessed it, an otter on the shield. I have no idea where …
Continue Reading about Heraldry in the Catholic Church Then And Now
Hey there, We’ve removed God from our public schools. We’ve removed Nativity scenes from our public squares. Some judicial rulings have required the removal of large crosses. Not to mention all the sins that have become normalized in our culture. Then along comes COVID-19, infecting almost every country in the world, killing more than a half a million people, and shutting down …
Continue Reading about Is Coronavirus a Punishment From God?
Hey there, It’s hard to turn on tv or radio or log into social media these days without reading or hearing about the social unrest and protests following the tragic events surrounding the senseless death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, MN on Memorial Day. It was gut-wrenching to say the least and I believe it’s an important topic to address here on Genuflect. I didn’t want this to get …
Continue Reading about Becoming Part of The Solution For Racism
Hey there, Is the glass half empty or half full? This question has been used in studies to identify people as either optimists or pessimists. For the rest of us, it’s a reminder that our perception of the world depends on how we look at things. As for me, I’m an optimist. The glass is always half full. Even if I don’t see it at the time, I believe things are for the better. It may …
Continue Reading about How God Provides (Even During a Pandemic)
Hey there, I’ve been wanting to write about this topic for a while now, collecting articles for several months. But the timing just hasn’t seemed right. Until now. We’re a month or so into social distancing, shelter in place, self quarantine … whichever your situation may be. I figure we’re all getting a little antsy staring at the same thing every day. And now that we’ve entered …
Continue Reading about Strengthening Your Faith With Sacred Catholic Art
Hey there, Several priests were arrested recently … for celebrating a public Mass. Priests in Germany, Uganda, India, and Greece defied their local ban on public Mass. And paid the price. Chances are, you’ve not been able to attend Mass in person in over a week. And it appears the Coronavirus pandemic is going to keep us sheltered in place, self quarantining, and social distancing for the …
Continue Reading about How to Celebrate Holy Week at Home During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Hey there, Coronavirus is everywhere now. Literally and figuratively. As of last night, there are almost 185,000 diagnosed cases in 159 countries, areas, or territories. And that number is growing. Talk of Coronavirus consumes the news, social media, inboxes, and conversations. And rightfully so. This is a serious pandemic that places us all at risk … physically, …
Continue Reading about A Catholic’s Survival Guide for Coronavirus
Hey there, Have you heard the story of the three fish who lived in a pond? One was named “Plan Ahead,” another was named “Think Fast,” and the third was called “Wait and See.” One day they heard a fisherman say he was going to cast his net in their pond the next day. Plan Ahead said, “I am swimming down the river tonight.” Think Fast said, “I am sure I will come up with a …
Hey there, Our parents taught us to listen as soon as we could talk. In school we learned by listening to our teachers. As we matured, we honed our listening skills with friends and loved ones, and in our professional lives. We work at being an active listener … using our body language and providing feedback. The success of our relationships depends on being a good listener. The …
Hey there, Today is the 47th anniversary of the legalization of abortion in the United States. And the Catholic Church has designated it the “Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children.” Since Roe v. Wade became the law in 1973, it’s estimated more than 61,000,000 innocent babies have lost their lives to abortion. That’s more than 1,200,000 babies every year. Or …
