Our Lady of Guadalupe is such a fascinating apparition of the Blessed Mother. First of all, she poses a real problem to non-believers as she left behind scientifically scrutinized, undeniable proof of a miracle. There is no honest way for “I’ll believe it when I see it” atheists to exist (or protestants who don’t believe in the importance of Mary for that matter). If you don’t know what I’m talking about, Google is your friend. Look up “scientific...
How many times have you set out to get somewhere and you surprise yourself when you get there? “Oh wow, I’m here already?!” If you were driving, you might wonder if you actually stopped at a certain red light because you have no recollection of it, or you wonder in amazement at the fact that you know a route so well you can travel it without thinking about it. Chances are, you were still thinking, just not about where you were going. Your mind was probably...
WE ARE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE A NEW COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE CATHOLICPSYCH INSTITUTE AND THE GIANNA CENTER IN NY.
As we are a union of body and spirit, treatment for disease and disorder should be approached with both body and spirit in mind. Catholic Psychology takes this union into account, and so does Catholic Medicine. Referrals have been made between the Gianna Center for Women’s Health and CatholicPsych Institute for years, so we have finally decided to make the trip from one...
In psychotherapy, we are asked to face all of our insecurities, fears, regrets, guilt and shame. It can seem intrusive, foreign and taboo. How can embracing our pains in the presence of someone we don’t know lead to healing? The idea of therapy can push us away because it makes us feel as if there is something wrong with us. And what if someone found out we were going and judged us harshly?
I’d like to address some of these concerns by offering a little of the perspective...
Let’s begin with an “opening crawl” of caveats:
FULL SPOILER ALERT. I’m going to be delving into some of the characters and plot points of Episode 7 from a psychological perspective, so if you haven’t seen it, get to the theater and come back and read!
The immediate problems with 50 Shades of Gray are obvious. As a Catholic Psychologist, I wholeheartedly agree with everything being said regarding pornography and BDSM and unhealthy relationships. There are also some interesting points I’ve read regarding why women are so drawn to the books and movie relating to their unsatisfying sex lives. There’s a lot there to comment on and draw out, especially to explore the true meaning of sexuality and how to find fulfillment in...
*This article was written in response the 2015 Synod on the Family.
Following the Synod on the Family, I’m really disappointed by how quickly the Catholic media went the way of the secular media and amplified the polarization between the two – a polarization that only feeds page clicks for advertising revenue-driven blog sites and not much more. My blog does not exist for page-clicks, and so even if no one reads this, I’d like to contribute (in my opinion)...
Not many married men can say they lived the religious life for a time. I had the very unique blessing of spending 3 and a half years as a Franciscan Friar. I could fill volumes on what I learned during that time in religious life in general, but I want to give a brief reflection here on what I learned specifically from Fr. Benedict Groeschel.
As a “postulant” in the community, I had the privilege of accompanying Fr. Benedict for a week as he taught a course on...
“Mommy, make a happy face at me.”
I look up from the glow of my laptop, irritated, hearing for perhaps the 10th time that day my three-year-old son’s persistent request.
“Mommy’s working, honey. Please go downstairs and play legos.”
Tantrum, flailing, stomping, sibling pinching ensue. Consequences are meted out. Justice is served. Repeat cycle.
It has, of course, occurred to me that I spend too much time...
Cardinal Dolan has certainly been taking a beating lately with the issues of Fulton Sheen and the St. Patrick’s Day parade at the same time. In his response to the criticisms he has received for accepting the position of Grand Marshal for the parade, he voiced how much of a beating he has been taking, and I’m sure it’s not easy to be dealing with what he is going through as a public figure and leader in the Church. As one of his flock in the Archdiocese of New...