Author Archives: theCatholicNavigator

The Fleet Sources – 18 October 2026 – 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time – 49-A

Catholic Notables (N)

Wiki- Arch. Oscar Romero
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%93scar_Romero

U.S. Catholic
http://www.uscatholic.org/culture/social-justice/2009/02/oscar-romero-bishop-poor

In The Year 4004 B.C. (N)

Wikipedia has an excellent review of Archbishop Usser’s Chronology of the age of the earth
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ussher_chronology

For an overview of the Catholic view on creationism and evolution
http://catholicbridge.com/catholic/catholic_creationism.php

To learn about the Vatican Observatory
http://vaticanobservatory.org/

To learn about Msgr. Georges Lemaitre
http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=8847

Chasing Holiness (N)

Review of Catholic teaching on Civil Obedience and Disobedience
http://www.catholic.com/magazine/articles/when-is-it-okay-to-disobey

Money…Money…Money (N)

The monetary system and taxation in First Century A.D.
http://www.accountingin.com/accounting-historians-journal/volume-13-number-2/the-monetary-system-taxation-and-publicans-in-the-time-of-christ/

Our Salvation History – The Prophets Hold It Together (T)

This article is but a short overview of many books of the Old Testament. There are so many stories to capture your reading interest.

The Fleet Sources – 11 October 2026 – 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time – 48-A

Chasing Holiness (N)

Online Etymology Dictionary- Obey

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

Scriptural Secrets
(N)

RC Commentary
http://www.rc.net/wcc/readings/matt22v1.htm

Got Questions
http://www.gotquestions.org/parable-wedding-feast.html

The Working Preacher
http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=172

Agape Bible Study
http://www.agapebiblestudy.com/Matthew_Gospel/Matthew_Lesson_21.htm

Bible Study Tools
http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/jamieson-fausset-brown/matthew/matthew-22.html

Bible Study Manuals
http://www.biblestudymanuals.net/jewish_marriage_customs.htm

Veritas Bible Commentary
http://www.veritasbible.com/drb/compare/haydock/Matthew_22

In the Year 1009 A.D. (N)

Church of the Holy Sepulchre
http://www.churchoftheholysepulchre.net/

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/israel/jerusalem-church-of-holy-sepulchre

Saints Preserve Us (N)

St. Teresa of Avila
http://www.ewtn.com/library/mary/avila.htm

Interesting information about the Gregorian Calendar
http://www.infoplease.com/spot/gregorian1.html

Our Salvation History: The Showdown (T)

See 1 Kings 18

The Fleet Sources – 4 October 2026 – 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time – 47-A

Scriptural Secrets (N)

Sacred Texts- vineyards, grapes, presses, etc.
http://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/cmt/jfb/isa005.htm

Biblical Training- diet
http://www.biblicaltraining.org/library/vineyard

Bible History- Biblical symbolism
http://www.bible-history.com/links.php?cat=39&sub=718&cat_name=Manners+%26+Customs&subcat_name=Vineyards

Christian Resource Institute
http://www.crivoice.org/vine.html

Chasing Holiness (N)

New Advent- Tertiary
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14637b.htm

Catherine of Siena, The Dialogue. Editorial Board of The Classics of Western Spirituality, A Library of the Great Spiritual Masters.  New York: Paulist Press, 1980.
    *especially pp. 64-68


Saints Preserve Us (N)

New Advent- St. Denis
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04721a.htm

St. Denis is not the only beheaded martyr reported to have carried his own head. Medieval legends of saints abound with such miraculous tales of ‘cephalophores’—head carriers. Here is a link to Wikipedia’s account:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cephalophore


In the Year 732 A.D. (N)

New Advent- Charles Martel (the Hammer)
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03629a.htm

The Latin Library- The Battle of Tours
http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/imperialism/notes/tours.html

Middle East and Islam specialist Raymond Ibrahim’s take on the importance of the Battle of Tours
http://www.frontpagemag.com/2013/raymond-ibrahim/today-in-history-western-civilization-saved-from-islam-at-battle-of-tours/


Our Salvation History: The Prophet, Elijah (T)

See 1 Kings 17 to 2 Kings 2:1-11        

 

 

 

 

 

The Fleet Sources – 27 September 2026 – 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time – 46-A

Chasing Holiness (N)

The Vatican Website. “Message of His Holiness Pope John Paul II For The Celebration of the World Day of Peace. (1 January 2002) “No Peace Without Justice, No Justice Without Forgiveness,” #10.
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/messages/peace/documents/hf_jp-ii_mes_20011211_xxxv-world-day-for-peace_en.html

It’s Been Said… (N)

Branick, Vincent P. Understanding Paul and His Letters.  New York: Paulist Press, 2009.
*specifically pp. 113-117 for explanation of letter integrity.

Hurtado, Larry W. How On Earth Did Jesus Become a God? Historical Questions about Earliest Devotion to Jesus. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2005.
“Lex orandi, lex credendi” (“As we pray, so we believe.”) With this as a premise, Hurtado mines the practices of early followers of Christ for the authentic beliefs that moved and motivated them, see specifically pp. 2-6.
*see pp. 31-42 for development of argument that devotional practices were already well established by Paul’s conversion
*see pp. 83-107 for a detailed analysis of the Christological Hymn found in Philippians and it’s significance in pointing to the early Christian recognition of Jesus’ divinity

Scriptural Secrets (N)

Brown, Raymond E., SS. Joseph A Fitzmyer, S.J., and Roland E. Murphy, O. Carm., Eds. New Jerome Biblical Commentary. New Jersey: Prestice Hall, 1990.
*specifically pp. 664-665.

Gazing Back at God (N)

The Vatican Observatory
http://vaticanobservatory.org

Fr. Georges Lamaitre and the Big Bang
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=8847

Our Salvation History: Solomon’s Downfall (T)

See 1 Kings 11

Saints Preserve Us (N)

St. Jerome
http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=10#comments

St. Paula
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Paula

St. Eustochium Julia
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05629a.htm

 

 

 

 

The Fleet Sources – 20 September 2026 – 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time – 45-A

Chasing Holiness (N)

Etymology Online
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php

USCCB- Catechetical Sunday
http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/catechesis/catechetical-sunday/catechetical-sunday-about.cfm

Dear Fr. Thom (N)

USCCB- Sacramental Forgiveness Resources
http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/catechesis/catechetical-sunday/sacramental-forgiveness/index.cfm

It’s Been Said… (N)

Bruskewitz, Fabian W. S.T.D. The Catholic Family. (March/April issue, 1996).
https://www.ewtn.com/library/CATECHSM/NCOFCC.HTM

Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore_Catechism

Catechetical Corner (N)

USCCB, Co-Workers in the Vineyard
http://www.usccb.org/upload/co-workers-vineyard-lay-ecclesial-ministry-2005.pdf

Scriptural Secrets (N)

The Expository Files
http://www.bible.ca/ef/expository-matthew-20-1-16.htm

Saints Preserve Us (N)

St. Pius of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio)
http://www.ewtn.com/padrepio/man/biography.htm

Our Salvation History: Solomon’s Riches (T)

Refer to 2 Chronicles 8:17 – 9:31

The Fleet Sources – 13 September 2026 – 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time – 44-A

Chasing Holiness (N)

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

American Catholic- origins
http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1138

About- celebrated
http://catholicism.about.com/od/holydaysandholidays/p/Exaltation-Of-The-Holy-Cross.htm

New Advent- history
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04529a.htm

Answering Islam
http://www.answering-islam.org/Muhammad/heraclius.html

Catholic Culture
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2012-09-14

Dear Fr. Thom (N)

The True Cross

Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/True_Cross

Fordham University~ de Voragine, Jacobus, Archbishop of Genoa. The Golden Legend, or Lives of the Saints, 1275.  [First Edition Published 1470.
‘Englished’ by William Caxton, First Edition 1483, Edited by F.S. Ellis, Temple Classics, 1900 (Reprinted 1922, 1931).
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/goldenlegend

New Advent
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04529a.htm

Archaeology
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04517a.htm

Catholic Straight Answers
http://catholicstraightanswers.com/did-st-helena-find-the-true-cross-of-christ

Saints Preserve Us! (N)

St. Robert Bellarmine:

American Catholic
http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/Saint.aspx?id=1141

Catholic Online
http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=101

New Advent~ St. Robert Bellarmine
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02411d.htm

SQPN
http://saints.sqpn.com/saint-robert-bellarmine/

Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Bellarmine

It’s Been Said (N)

The cross as symbol:

New Advent- the cross
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04517a.htm

Wikipedia- etymology
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross

New Advent- origins
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04517a.htm

Sacred Texts- history
http://www.sacred-texts.com/sex/asw/asw01.htm

Catechetical Corner (N)

Ratzinger, Joseph. Jesus of Nazareth, From Baptism in the Jordan to the Transfiguration. New York: Doubleday, 2007.
*especially pp. 1-8, “An Initial Reflection on the Mystery of Jesus”

Scriptural Secrets! (N)

Catholic Culture- Saraph
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2012-09-14

The Divine Lamp
http://thedivinelamp.wordpress.com/2013/09/07/father-maas-commentary-on-numbers-214-9

Divine Word- Saraph in the Arabah
http://thedivinelamp.wordpress.com/2013/09/07/father-maas-commentary-on-numbers-214-9

Our Salvation History: Solomon’s Wisdom (T)

I Kings 3: 16-28

 

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.