Fr. Chris Explains

What sloth really is and why is it a sin? We often think of sloth as being the guy lying on the sofa all weekend, not lifting a finger except to open another cold beer. But that’s only one part of it. Join Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, as he explains how sloth can affect us spiritually as well as physically and why we fall into it and how to avoid it.Become a Marian Helper!Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

Is a greedy person attaching such value to wealth and possessions that the accumulation and retention of them take priority over everyone and everything else, or is it something more? In this episode, Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, defines greed and talks about its various forms, and how we can use generosity to overcome this deadly sin. Become a Marian Helper!Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

How do we explain the fact that in the Bible, Jesus seems to first condemn anger, but then he appears to get angry himself? Is anger ever justified? Is it ever wrong to NOT get angry? Join Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, as he explains the answers to these questions. 

Lust is the most pervasive sin in all of western culture, but how does the Church define "lust?" Why is it considered a Deadly Sin? Hear Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, discusses what the Catechism calls “disordered desire for or inordinate enjoyment of sexual pleasure.”Become a Marian Helper!Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

We often associate the sin of gluttony with overuse of food and drink, but it often applies to other activities as well. In this episode, Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, discusses the many ways in which sin can manifest in our lives and how we can combat it. Become a Marian Helper!Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

Why is the sin of envy so dangerous and why is it one of the 7 Deadly Sins? How can we truly practice gratitude that will help us overcome the sin of envy? Join Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, as he explains how envy arises in our lives and how we can conquer it.Become a Marian Helper!Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

Join Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, as he begins a new series on the 7 Deadly Sins and the corresponding virtues that we can practice to overcome these sins. First up is Pride, the deadliest of all sins, and how only humility can overcome it.Become a Marian Helper!Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

The Church teaches that the Blessed Virgin Mary, upon her death, was assumed into Heaven by the power of God. But how do we explain the Assumption, if we can’t find direct evidence of it in the Bible? Join Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, as he reveals how Scripture, Sacred Apostolic Tradition, and the Magisterium guide us Catholics in our way of life. 

The 10 Commandments are recognized as a moral foundation by Judaism, Christianity, and even Islam, because they are based on the natural law. And they are just as relevant today as they were when they were written by the hand of God. Join Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, for this discussion of the Ten Commandments and how to use them to perform a thorough examination of conscience before the Sacrament of Reconciliation.Become a Marian Helper!Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

God wants us all to be saints but how could that be possible? Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, lets us know what it takes to become a saint (it might be easier than you think!) Become a Marian Helper!Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

Who is one of the most prolific miracle workers that hardly anyone has ever heard of? One of the biggest power-hitters in the history of the Church! Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, shares the story of one of his favorite saints and the miraculous healings attributed to him.Become a Marian Helper!Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

What is the proper way to seek healing and how are we to understand it when we or our loved ones are not cured? Should we only rely on God? Should we only rely on physicians and science? Is there ever any value to our suffering? Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, has some answers for us in this episode.Become a Marian Helper!Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

The loss of a loves one (suicide or any cause of death) is perhaps the most difficult of all topics to talk about. Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, shares, based on personal and pastoral experience, a fact we know to be true: Even in the midst of such darkness, God’s mercy is present. There is hope for the soul of the departed and there is hope for those left behind.Become a Marian Helper!Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

Performing works of mercy here on earth is essential to our eternal happiness but sometimes we make the excuses of not having the time, talent or resources to perform such works. But, Jesus told St. Faustina “for the many souls who are often worried because they do not have the material means with which to carry out and act of mercy. Yet spiritual mercy, which requires neither permissions nor storehouses, is much more meritorious and is within the grasp of every soul.” In this episode, Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, discusses the spiritual works of mercy and how we can best accomplish them.Become a Marian Helper!Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

What does it mean to say that Mary is our spiritual mother? And why do we give this name to the Blessed Virgin Mary? Learn from Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, why we should take Mary into our home and our hearts as a mother like the Apostle John did.Become a Marian Helper!Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

What are plenary indulgences? How does one gain a plenary indulgence? Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, discusses these “extra credit” of graces and the requirements that will help us gain the graces from the “Treasury of the Church.”Become a Marian Helper!Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

Who is the Holy Spirit? What is the meaning of Pentecost? How does it prove marriage is between a man and a woman? Join Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, as he sheds light on the third person of the Holy Trinity to prepare us to celebrate Pentecost. Become a Marian Helper!Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

The number of fallen-away Catholics in the United States has risen dramatically over the past 10 years and a Pew Research study reports that 50% of young Americans who were raised Catholic no longer are. Become a Marian Helper!Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

We have all heard of Joan or Arc, but do we know the truth about her? What did she do and why was she so controversial? Who killed her and why? And what did she stand for? Hear Fr. Chris Alar as he separates fact from fiction, truth vs. legend of this saint.Become a Marian Helper!Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus! 

With all the suffering in the world, how does God provide for us? He provides for us in many ways, but one of the best ways is through the gift of his mother. Join Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, as he discusses the best way to receive all the graces of that gift — Marian Consecration.Become a Marian Helper!Discover more about the Catholic faith on Divine Mercy Plus!