Catholic Information Service

The source and summit of the Christian life, the sacramental center for Catholics, is the Eucharist.  Like Christ, the Eucharist is controversial and divisive.  When Jesus initially taught crowds of people about the Eucharist, many of them left (see the Gospel of John, 6:60).  Today, the question still comes to us: “will you also go away?” (Jn 6:67).  Adult Catholics need to continue to grow in their knowledge and appreciation of the Eucharist, so as not to take it for granted, a...more

For many of us, Baptism and Confirmation were sacraments we received a long time ago.  What did they do for us?  Do you know how important they are?  Sometimes Catholics are criticized for baptizing infants — find out why the Church encourages this practice.  We’ll also discuss which is better, immersion or pouring, and what Noah has to do with all of this.  Fr. Jay Toborowsky reads Lesson 13 of the Luke E. Hart audio course, Baptism and Confirmation. Thanks to the Saint Gre...more

A sacrament is a sacred sign instituted by Christ to give grace. Each word in this concise definition is chosen with precision and bears a great deal of meaning. This lesson explains exactly what is meant by “sign”, what is meant by “grace” how sacraments “give” grace, and how sacraments are not life magic. The requirements for a valid sacrament, the proper minister of the sacraments, and sacramentals will also be discussed in Lesson 12: Introduction to the ...more

Liturgy is not just the Mass, but the Mass is the liturgy that most Catholics are familiar with. Often, it is such a regular part of life that the simple and fundamental questions are overlooked.  What exactly is a liturgy? Why do we do it?  We’ll survey the different answers that have been given to just what liturgy is, learn the Church’s teaching, and develop our understanding of this basic activity of the Church.  Lesson 11: Introduction to Catholic Liturgy begins our study o...more

Fame! I’m gonna make it to heaven Light up the sky like a flame Fame! I’m gonna live forever Baby remember my name These lyrics from Fame (the musical) address a basic desire of all human beings — to live forever. The lyrics also reveal an assumed connection between fame and living forever.  But the Christian teaching about everlasting life is much different from the originally pagan idea of fame as immortality.  Lesson 10 of the Luke E. Hart audio course, read by Fr. Guy S...more

Developing a Christian understanding of death is more and more important today, as we can rely on our culture less and less to transmit such an understanding to us. But we know that death is not the end.  So let’s start with some basics: Why do we die?  What happens at death?  Is resurrection more than immortality?  Why is resurrection part of God’s plan?  And what does resurrection tell us about our bodies?  Find out the answers to these questions in Lesson 9 of the Luke E. H...more

The great Catholic author G. K. Chesterton once wrote, “It is impossible to be just to the Catholic Church. The moment men cease to pull against it they feel a tug towards it. The moment they cease to shout it down they begin to listen to it with pleasure. The moment they try to be fair to it they begin to be fond of it. But when that affection has passed a certain point it begins to take on the tragic and menacing grandeur of a great love affair.“ This lesson focuses specifically on...more

“It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you” (Jn 16:17).  Jesus’ words reveal the Third Person of the Trinity.  The Holy Spirit, also called the Counselor, inspired the authors of Scripture, and enlightens us when we read it.  The Holy Spirit teaches the saints, and He can teach you, too. Find out why it is better that Jesus went away and that the Holy Spirit has come to us, as w...more

Jesus is controversial.  The Wikipedia article on Jesus is the fourth most revised article, evidence of the passionate debate that surrounds Him.  Catholics believe that their Church is founded by Jesus, and faithfully preserves everything that Jesus taught.  But there are some tough questions about Him: How can He be both God and Son of God?  Why do Catholics have faith in His divinity?  Why did God become man?  These questions are addressed in the Luke E. Hart audio course, lesson 5: Jes...more

In order to learn the Catholic faith well, not only do we have to understand something about God, but we also need to understand something about ourselves as human beings created by God.  Our understanding of the human person will affect our understanding of the great questions: Who am I?  Where did I come from?  What is my purpose?  What happens after I die?  This lesson of the Luke E. Hart audio course will provide an overview of the Catholic understanding of the human person.  Fr. Guy S...more