The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
A day-by-day walk through the transformative beliefs and teachings of the Catholic Church.
We found 10 episodes of The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) with the tag “heaven”.
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Day 47: The Angels (2024)
February 16th, 2024 | 17 mins 58 secs
angels, church, corporeal, creation, creatures, earth, gloria, heaven, intercession, jesus christ, liturgy, saints, spiritual, spiritual world, worship
The angels belong to Christ as they were made through him and for him, and he has made them messengers of his saving plan. We learn that angels have been present throughout the history of salvation, and the life of Christ is surrounded by the adoration and service of angels. Fr. Mike explains how in the liturgy, we join the angels in praising God, and all of human life is surrounded by angels’ care and protection. He reminds us that all angels and saints have the power to intercede for us before God. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 331-336.
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Day 46: Heaven and Earth (2024)
February 15th, 2024 | 18 mins 12 secs
angels, corporeal, creation, earth, heaven, spiritual, spiritual world
God created heaven and earth — all that we see and all that we don’t see. We learn that the earth is filled with men and many things we can see, but our faith tells us that there are many things on earth that we cannot see, including the presence of God and angels. Fr. Mike explains how human beings are spiritual and corporeal creatures, but angels are immortal, purely spiritual creatures. He tells us more about the role of angels and how, possessing intellect and will, they too are created to glorify God. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 325-330.
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Day 40: God Is the Creator (2024)
February 9th, 2024 | 18 mins 15 secs
creation, creator, earth, god, god the father, heaven, origins
Fr. Mike explores God’s role as “Creator” and the vital importance of understanding God as the Creator of all things: heaven and earth, seen and unseen. Together, we examine the questions of our origins, such as “Where do we come from?” and “Where are we going?” Fr. Mike emphasizes that man is created for a purpose because of the great and eternal love our Father in heaven has for every one of us. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 279-284.
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Day 358: Who Art in Heaven
December 24th, 2023 | 14 mins 45 secs
heaven, prayer, presence, the lord’s prayer, the our father, thrice-holy
As we reach the conclusion of the article on the opening words of the Our Father, we take a closer look at the phrase, “Who Art in Heaven.” Fr. Mike emphasizes that God is not distant, but is imminently present all around us. He also emphasizes that while sin has exiled us from heaven, conversion of heart allows us to return to the Father in heaven. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2794-2802.
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Day 266: The Gift of Grace
September 23rd, 2023 | 17 mins 10 secs
conversion, freedom, grace, heaven, love, perfection, salvation
In this summary of the Catechism’s teaching on holiness, justification, and merit, we briefly consider the work of God’s grace and mercy. His grace moves us from sin and toward him, making us his sons and daughters and bringing us into the very life of the Trinity. This gift of grace invites us to respond to his promptings and invitations freely. Finally, God offers “all the graces needed to attain eternal life.” Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2017-2029.
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Day 265: The Call to Holiness
September 22nd, 2023 | 13 mins 26 secs
battle, heaven, holiness, holy, love, mystical, perfection
Each of us is called to holiness. As Fr. Mike puts it, we’re all called to the “heights of holiness.” No matter our station in life, we’re meant for ever greater union with Christ, devoting ourselves to the love of God and neighbor. The path of holiness also entails the Cross, self-denial, and the sacrifice that ultimately leads to peace. And as Fr. Mike reminds us, even if we stumble or fail, we know that we can, time after time, “begin again.” Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2012-2016.
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Day 209: Summary of the Anointing of the Sick
July 28th, 2023 | 13 mins 8 secs
death, forgiveness, healing, heaven, hope, sickness, strength
This summary of the Catechism’s teaching about the Anointing of the Sick is concise and rich. This holy anointing brings us hope and courage as we endure illness and the difficulties of old age. While we pray for healing of body and soul, this sacrament also prepares us for death. Fr. Mike ends this episode by explaining three practices of the Church that help her members prepare for death. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1526-1532.
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Day 208: Completing the Earthly Pilgrimage
July 27th, 2023 | 16 mins 36 secs
death, healing, heaven, life, pilgrimage, resurrection, sickness
The effects of the Anointing of the Sick are numerous and deeply transformative. In times of great need and temptation, this sacrament brings us strength, courage, peace, and the forgiveness of sins. Fr. Mike explains that these effects aren’t only for the individual recipient but for the whole ecclesial community. We learn that when a person approaches the threshold of death, joining this anointing with Reconciliation and the Eucharist as viaticum constitute “the sacraments that complete the earthly pilgrimage.” Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1520-1525.
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Day 193: Communion Forever in Heaven
July 12th, 2023 | 14 mins 36 secs
beatific vision, eschataological, eucharist, eucharistic, heaven, heavenly glory, holy communion, last supper, marana tha, maranatha, my father’s kingdom, pledge of glory, veiled
The Catechism wraps up its overview of the Eucharist by reminding us that the sacrament of Holy Communion is a foretaste of what is to come in heaven. Fr. Mike exhorts us to prepare our hearts here on earth so that they might be conformed to God, ready to unite with him forever in heaven. The Eucharist is a most excellent path to such unity. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1402-1405.
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Day 154: Sacraments of Eternal Life
June 3rd, 2023 | 13 mins 9 secs
efficacious signs of grace, eschatalogical, eschatology, eternal inheritance, eternal life, everlasting life, heaven, in brief, inheritance, marana tha, maranatha, nugget day, sacrament, sacrament definition, sacramental, sacraments, sacraments of eternal life, spirit and the bride
We’ve seen how the sacraments re-present what Christ worked for us in his Passion and death, but the Catechism also explains to us how the sacraments prefigure our eternal inheritance in heaven. Fr. Mike uses this “nugget day” as an opportunity to ensure we understand what the sacraments are and what they’re for. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1130-1134.