Author Archives: theCatholicNavigator

The Fleet Sources – 6 September 2026 – 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time – 43-A

Chasing Holiness (N)

EWTN- Lauer, Fr. Al. “Unforgiveness is the Cause”
http://www.ewtn.com/library/SPIRIT/LAUER3.TXT

Catholic Truth
http://www.cathtruth.com/catholicbible/prophet.htm

Just, Felix J. Catholic Resources
http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Prophecy.htm

Catechetical Corner (N)

Friedman, Rabbi Michael S.  “Gossip, Rumor, Innuendo, and Reputation”
http://www.reformjudaism.org/learning/torah-study/shlach-lcha/gossip-rumor-innuendo-and-reputation

Saints Preserve Us! (N)

SQPN- St. Peter Claver profile-
http://saints.sqpn.com/saint-peter-claver/

Catholic Saints
http://www.catholic-saints.info/roman-catholic-saints-m-r/saint-peter-claver.htm

Catholic Online
http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=94

Scriptural Secrets (N)

Zenit- “Pope: Gospel Must Be Preached Gently, With Fraternity and Love,” Rome, January 3, 2013.
http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-gospel-must-be-preached-gently-with-fraternity-and-love

In The Year 311 A.D. (N)

The Edicts of Toleration of 311-313
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/hcc2.v.iv.xiv.html

A word about Diocletian…
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05007b.htm

and about Constantine…
http://www.roman-empire.net/decline/constantine-index.html

Dear Fr. Thom (N)

Getting to know about prophets…
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12477a.htm

Our Salvation History: Solomon’s Choice (T)

See 2 Chronicles 1:1-12

The Fleet Sources – 30 August 2026 – 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time – 42-A

Chasing Holiness (N)

Branick, Vincent P. Understanding the Prophets and Their Books. New York: Paulist Press, 2012.
*specifically, pp. 3-4.

Saints Preserve Us! (N)

New Advent~ Gregory the Great
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06780a.htm

Saint Wiki, Butler’s Lives of the Saints~ St. Gregory
http://www.saintwiki.com/index.php?title=Butler/Lives_of_the_Saints_with_Daily_Reflections/St._Gregory_the_Great

Catholic Online
https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=54

American Catholic
https://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1127

Free Republic
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2106458/posts

Scriptural Secrets (N)

The American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise, Jewish Virtual Library
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/judaica/ejud_0002_0011_0_10076.html

Branick, Vincent P. Understanding the Prophets and Their Books. New York: Paulits Press, 2012.
*specifically, pp. 145-147. For more about Jeremiah’s background, career, and setting, see p. 129-130.

Catechetical Corner (N)

St. Teresa of Jesus, The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, vol. III, tr. by K. Kavanaugh, OCD, and O. Rodriguez, OCD (Washington DC: Institute of Carmelite Studies, 1985), 386 no. 9, tr. by John Wall.
*see: http://www.christian-miracles.com/stteresaofavila.htm, “Let Nothing Trouble You”


In the Year 70 A.D. (N)

The Roman Army under Titus destroys the Second Temple and the City of Jerusalem.
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/jewishtemple.htm


Our Salvation History: David’s Sin (T)

 See 2 Samuel 11-12

The Fleet Sources – 23 August 2026 – 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time – 41-A

 Chasing Holiness (N)

Catholic Online~ St. Monica
https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=1

New Advent~ St. Monica
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10482a.htm


Saints Preserve Us!

Our Lady’s Warriors~ Augustine’s Confessions; Book Viii, Ch. VII, #17
http://www.ourladyswarriors.org/saints/augcon8.htm#chap8

Catholic Online~ St. Augustine
https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=418

New Advent~ St. Augustine
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02084a.htm


It’s Been Said… (N)

The Sacred Page~ Royal Steward
http://www.thesacredpage.com/2011/08/biblical-basis-for-papacy-readings-for.html

Cavins, Jeff , Tim Gray & Sarah Christmyer. The Bible Timeline, The Story of Salvation. West Chester, Pennsylvania: Ascension Press, 2011.
*specifically, pp. 131; DVD 10, Session #18

Scriptural Secrets (N)

Cavins, Jeff & Sarah Christmyer. Matthew, The King and His Kingdom. West Chester, Pennsylvania, 2011.
*specifically, chapter 15, pp. 89-90; DVD 9, Session 15.

Jewish Virtual Library
https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Society_&_Culture/geo/Moriah.html

Catechetical Corner (N)

Online Etymology Dictionary
~ pope:
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=pope&searchmode=none
    ~ pontificate
and
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=pontificate&searchmode=none 

~ pontifex
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=pontifex&searchmode=none

Cavins, Jeff & Sarah Christmyer. Matthew, The King and His Kingdom. West Chester, Pennsylvania, 2011.
*specifically, chapter 15, pp. 89-90; DVD 9, Session 15.

Dear Fr. Thom (N)

An overview of the first four centuries of Church history found in these links gives a good idea of persecutions endured by early Christians as well as other information of great interest:

http://www.churchhistory101.com/century1.php

http://www.churchhistory101.com/century2.php

http://www.churchhistory101.com/century3-p7.php

http://www.churchhistory101.com/century4.php

Another site provides additional information about the persecutions:

http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/history/persecution.htm


Our Salvation History: David Rocked, Then Ruled (T)

This article summarizes 2 Samuel 5-8

 

The Fleet Sources – 16 August 2025 – 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time – 40-A

Chasing Holiness (N)
New Advent~ “Amen”
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01407b.htm

Chabad~ “Amen”
http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/639038/jewish/Where-does-the-term-Amen-come-from.htm

Catholic Exchange
http://catholicexchange.com/ten-must-know-hebrew-words

Catholic Resources
http://catholic-resources.org/John/Themes-Amen.htm

Dear Fr. Thom: N)
New Advent~ modernism
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10415a.htm 

Saints Preserve Us! (N)
Catholic Online~ Pope St. Pius X
https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=313

EWTN~ Pope St. Pius X
http://www.ewtn.com/library/mary/piusx.htm

It’s Been Said… (N)
The Church cannot change its doctrines:
http://www.catholic.com/quickquestions/can-the-church-change-its-doctrines

On the difference between dogma and doctrine:
http://www.catholic.com/quickquestions/what-is-the-difference-between-doctrine-and-dogma

On the development of doctrine:
http://www.catholicbasictraining.com/apologetics/coursetexts/1e.htm

On the development of dogma
http://www.catholic.com/tracts/can-dogma-develop


Scriptural Secrets (N)

Trinity School Ministry
http://www.tsm.edu/sites/default/files/Faculty%20Writings/LeMarquand%20-%20The%20Canaanite%20Conquest%20of%20Jesus.pdf

USCCB~ universalism
http://www.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/56:1

Our Salvation History: From Judges to Kings (T)

This article provides an overview of the end of Saul’s monarchy and points to the beginning of David’s rule as King.

The Fleet Sources – 9 August 2026 – 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time – 39-A

Chasing Holiness (N)
Dominican House of Studies, Priory of the Immaculate Conception ~Aquinas on John: 17, Lecture 3
http://dhspriory.org/thomas/John17.htm, accessed April 1, 2014

Charles Baudelaire, “…the best trick the devil every played…”
XXIX: The Generous Player (alt., The Generous Gambler)
http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=935597

or, for the complete text, see anthology, Devil Stories:
https://archive.org/details/devilstoriesanan00rudwrich    
*specifically p. 164

Dear Fr. Thom (N)
Unitarian Universalist Association
http://www.uua.org/beliefs/history/6904.shtml

Theopedia
http://www.theopedia.com/Universalism

Scriptural Secrets (N)

Cavins, Jeff and Sarah Christmyer. Matthew, The King and His Kingdom. West Chester, Pennsylvania  : Ascension Press, 2011.
*specifically pp. 79-84, and comments in Lecture 14 (DVD)


A Life Examined (N)

Author Mary Craig’s article on Blessed Maximilian Kolbe, published by the Catholic Truth Society, London prior to his canonization by Blessed Pope John Paul II on October 10, 1982. This web posting is by EWTN.
https://www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/KOLBE2.HTM

For information about the Militia Immaculata, the international society founded by St. Maximilian Kolbe, please visit Marytown, USA – Shrine and Home of the Militia Immaculata in the USA.
http://www.marytown.com/


Our Salvation History: Saul’s Sin (T)

See 1 Samuel  28-31 for the story of Saul’s fall from God’s favor because he despaired of God’s help.

 

The Fleet Sources – 2 August, 2026 – 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time – 38-A

Chasing Holiness (N)

New Advent~ occasion of sin
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11196a.htm

                      ~ occasion of sin; examination of conscience
     Socias, Rev. James, ed. Our Moral Life in Christ, A Complete Course, in The Didache Series. Woodridge, Illinois: Midwest Theological Forum, 2003.
    *specifically pp. 66 and 130 for a more detailed discussion

     McBrien, Richard P., Gen. Ed. The Harper Collins Encyclopedia of Catholicism. San Francisco: Harper San Francisco,1995.
    specifically pp. 928 and 499 for additional history.

Saints Preserve Us (N)

New Advent~ St. John Vianney
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08326c.htm

Catholic Online~ St. John Vianney
https://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1097

It’s Been Said (N)

American Catholic~ Edith Stein
http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/saint.aspx?id=1102

More detailed biographic sketches of Edith Stein:
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0001.html
and
http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_19981011_edith_stein_photo.html

Scriptural Secrets (N)

Youngblood, Ronald F. Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Nashville, Tennessee: Nelson, 1995.
    *specifically pps. : portrait of a prophet and a description of the book

Branick, Vincent P. Understanding the Prophets and Their Books. Paulist Press, 2012.
    *specifically pp. 188-194 for a brief look at authorship and the prophet. More important, see p. 200 for parallels between how this section of Isaiah is ending and how it began.

Our Salvation History: Saul’s Jealousy (T)

See 1 Samuel 18:6-20:7

 

The Fleet Sources – 26 July, 2026 – 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time – 37-A

Dear Fr. Thom (N)

New Advent – predestination
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12378a.htm

Sacred Texts, To Have the True Sentiment Which We Ought to Have in The Church Militant (Rules For Thinking)  

http://www.sacred-texts.com/chr/seil/seil82.htm

 Pierson Education 1996-2010, Rules For Thinking (accessed 8 March 2014).
      *see specifically Rule #15:
“Fifteenth Rule. We ought not, by way of custom, to speak much of predestination; but if in some way and at some times one speaks, let him so speak that the common people may not come into any error, as sometimes happens, saying: Whether I have to be saved or condemned is already determined, and no other thing can now be, through my doing well or ill; and with this, growing lazy, they become negligent in the works which lead to the salvation and the spiritual profit of their souls.”

Thuesen, Peter J. Predestination: The American Career of a Contentious Doctrine. New York: Oxford University Press, 2009.
**
see specifically pps. 52-53.

Congregatio de Auxiliis was the commission established to settle the dispute about grace between the Jesuits and the Dominicans. See the New Advent account of this very perplexing theological topic:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04238a.htm

And if you have decided to leave the ‘heavy thinking’ to the Jesuits and Dominicans, an explanation of grace more geared to us Catholics in the trenches can be found here:
http://www.catholic.com/tracts/grace-what-it-is-and-what-it-does

Saints Preserve Us! (N)

New Advent
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07639c.htm?PHPSESSID=022c17c55575249a6dd963f84b0b11fc

Catholic Online- St. Ignatius Loyola
https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=56

Ignatian Spirituality, A Service of Loyola Press, “What is Ignatian Spirituality?” (accessed 7 March 1014)
http://www.ignatianspirituality.com.

Scriptural Secrets (N)

USCCB; re: exclusion from kingdom by apostles–
http://www.usccb.org/bible/matthew/13:24


What’s in a Word (N)

New Advent: The Catholic Encyclopedia on the Jesuits
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14081a.htm


Our Salvation History: David & Goliath (T)

Catholic Exchange – Slaying Your Goliath
https://catholicexchange.com/slaying-goliath

Catholic Answers – King David
https://www.catholic.com/encyclopedia/king-david

 

 

The Fleet Sources – 19 July, 2026 – 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time – 36-A

Saints Preserve Us (N)

St. James the Greater (a son of Zebedee):
https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=59

St. James the Lesser:
https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=356

About the Camino de Santiago:
http://www.csj.org.uk/2000-years.htm#tradition

A Pilgrims Guide to the Camino de Santiago:
https://sites.google.com/site/caminodesantiagoproject/

In Jesus’ Day (N)

How people made a living in Jesus’ time:
http://bibleresources.americanbible.org/node/1002

Our Salvation History: Last Judge, First King (T)

Bible Overview – “12 Interesting Facts About the Prophet, Samuel,” by Jeffrey Kranz
https://overviewbible.com/facts-prophet-samuel/

Agape Bible Study – The First Book of Samuel
http://www.agapebiblestudy.com/Samuel_1/Samuel_1_Menu.php

 

 

The Fleet Sources – 12 July, 2026 – 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time – 35 – A

Chasing Holiness (N)

re: “paroikoi
Irvin, Dale T. and Scott W. Sunquist. History of the World Christian Movement, Volume I: Earliest Christianity to 1453. New York: Orbis Books, 2001.
              *See specifically pps. 69-71; 95-97.

Catechetical Corner (N)
 
New Advent~ St. Bonaventure
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02648c.htm

 ~Seraphim
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13725b.htm

Catholic Online
https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=169

Online Etymology Dictionary
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=seraphim

What’s In A Word? (N)

Online Etymology Dictionary
re: parable:
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=parable&searchmode=none

USCCB, Commentary on Mt. 13:1-23
http://www.usccb.org/bible/matthew/13:1

Catholic Resources
http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Parables.htm

Dear Fr. Thom (N)

Cavins, Jeff and Sarah Christmyer. Matthew, The King and His Kingdom. West Chester, Pennsylvania: Ascension Press, 2011.      *See specifically the Introduction, pps. 1-3.
Scriptural Secrets (N)

Bible Study Notes~ Agriculture
http://www.bible.gen.nz/amos/culture/agriculture.htm#997496

Saints Preserve Us (N)

Kateri Tekakwitha Center in Kahnawake, Quebec
http://www.lily-of-the-mohawks.com/

St. Kateri’s Shrine in Fonda, New York
http://www.katerishrine.com/kateri.html

 

Our Salvation History: Models of Faithfulness (T)

Women in the Bible – Who Were Naomi and Ruth?
http://www.womeninthebible.net/women-bible-old-new-testaments/ruth/

Catholic News Agency – Ruth
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/resources/bible/introduction-to-the-old-testament/ruth

Catholic Culture – “Ruth shows family to be at the center of God’s plan,” by Dr. Jeff Mirus 
https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/ruth-shows-family-to-be-at-center-gods-plan/

Agape Bible Study – The Book of Ruth
http://www.agapebiblestudy.com/Ruth/Ruth_Menu.php

 

 

The Fleet Sources – 5 July 2026 – 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time – 34-A

Saints Preserve Us! (N)

St. Benedict of Nursia

New Advent
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02467b.htm

American Catholic
https://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1287

Christian Classics Ethereal Library, “Rule of St. Benedict”
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/benedict/rule

Catechetical Corner (N)

Branick, Vincent P. Understanding Paul and His Letters. New Jersey: Paulist Press, 2009.
*See specifically p. 260 for insight into Paul’s vision of what it meant to be ‘filled with the Spirit.’

Scriptural Secrets (N)

Judaism 101~ “halakah”
http://www.jewfaq.org/halakhah.htm

Our Salvation History: Here Comes the Judge! (T)

Catholic Culture – “Taking Scripture to heart: Joshua’s great lesson,” by Dr. Jeff Mirus
https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/taking-scripture-to-heart-joshuas-great-lesson/

*Catholic Culture – “Making sense of the Old Testament God,” by Dr. Jeff Mirus
https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/making-sense-old-testament-god/

Catholic Culture – “Judges: Every man did what was right in his own eyes,” by Dr. Jeff Mirus
https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/judges-every-man-did-what-was-right-in-his-own-eyes/

Catholic Answers – The Book of Joshua
https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/joshua

Bible Commentaries – George Haydock’s Catholic Bible Commentary, Joshua
https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/hcc/joshua.html

My Jewish Learning – “The Story of Samson, A muscle man with a weakness for the ladies,” by Elana Roth
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/the-story-of-samson/

Catholic Culture – “Judges: Every man did what was right in his own eyes,” by Dr. Jeff Mirus
https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/judges-every-man-did-what-was-right-in-his-own-eyes/

Believer’s Portal – List of 15 Judges
https://believersportal.com/list-15-judges-bible/