The Tangent on Veritas Catholic Network

This week we re-release our episode with Fr. Robert Spitzer, SJ. Fr. Spitzer joins the Tangent to discuss Near Death Experiences and the Shroud of Turin, ultimately showing how scientific discovery is PROVING the existence of God, and especially Christianity, not disproving it.   Faith and Science Course: https://sophiateachers.org/courses/the-catholic-faith-and-science/ Veritas Email List: www.veritascatholic.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetangent_catholic/ facebook: https://www.facebook.com/veritascatholic/  

Fr. Daniel Klimek joins Matt Sperrazza and Fr. Sam Kachuba on this week's episode of the Tangent to discuss his new book through Emmaus Road Publishing, With Jesus and Mary: Reflections on the Rosary (link below). Per usual, many Tangents were taken, so this week we discuss everything from the Rosary, to the difference between ascetical and mystical prayer, to how one can properly dispose oneself to receive the grace of mystical prayer. Fr. Daniel also shares some insight on discernment from his own vocation journey. SHOWNOTES With Jesus and Mary: Reflections on the Rosary - https://stpaulcenter.com/store/with-jesus-and-mary-reflections-on-the-rosary LINKS Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veritascatholic/ facebook: https://www.facebook.com/veritascatholic/  

In this conversation, Father Sam and Matt discuss the tragedy of Charlie Kirk's murder. They cover martyrdom, civility in discourse, and the impact of ideas on society. They also discuss the distinction between objective truth and subjective experience (why relativism is false but subjective experience is true), the role of humility in arguments, and how faith influences political discourse. The dialogue emphasizes the need for empathy, understanding, and the importance of engaging in civil discussions, especially in a polarized society. LINKS  Email list: www.veritascatholic.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/veritascatholic Instagram: www.instagram.com/veritascatholic/          

On this week's episode of the Tangent, Fr. Sam and Matt interview Clare Morell. Clare Morell is a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center in the Bioethics, Technology and Human Flourishing Program. She has worked in both the White House Counsel’s Office and the Department of Justice, as well as in the private and non-profit sectors. She is also the author of the forthcoming book, The Tech Exit: A Practical Guide to Freeing Kids and Teens from Smartphones, has been published by Penguin Random House (link below) Tech Exit: https://sites.prh.com/thetechexitbook Other Veritas Shows  Let Me Be Frank: https://bridgeportdiocese.podbean.com/ The Frontline With Joe & Joe: https://thefrontlinewithjoeandjoe.podbean.com/ Restless Catholic Young Adults: https://restlesscatholicmedia.podbean.com/ Daily Gospel Reflections: https://dailycatholicreflection.podbean.com/ Email List www.veritascatholic.com Socials Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veritascatholic/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/veritascatholic

First and foremost, this is not an episode of hot-takes. Recognizing the terrible tragedy at Annunciation School is an event that impacts the Universal Church as well as the local Church, Fr. Sam and I (Matt) reflect on suffering and forgiveness. Our conversation springs from the guidance and words offered to the faithful by the Pastor of Annunciation Church, Fr. Zehren; Archbishop Hebda; and Jeff Cavins, on behalf of Hallow. We highly suggest you check out their words for yourself (linked below), they are important and powerful. Most of all, please pray for the families of Annunciation Church. SHOWNOTES Fr. Zehren's homily: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_YqjKo3zY4&ab_channel=ArchdioceseSPM Archbishop Hebda's homily: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OE2qBuD52TU&feature=youtu.be Jeff Cavin's on Behalf of Hallow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCH2u0NF7Lk&feature=youtu.be _____________________________________________________________________ Email List www.veritascatholic.com Other Veritas Shows Let Me Be Frank: https://bridgeportdiocese.podbean.com/ The Frontline With Joe & Joe: https://thefrontlinewithjoeandjoe.podbean.com/ Restless Catholic Young Adults: https://restlesscatholicmedia.podbean.com/ Daily Gospel Reflection: https://dailycatholicreflection.podbean.com/  

Fr. Sam and Matt discuss some of the elements of Pope Leo XIV's papacy they've been encouraged and edified by. They also "predict" some of the things they are excited to see from the new Pope in the coming months and years.  Some topics include:  Pope Leo XIV's work with youth, especially how he's engaging NCYC Pope Leo's Augustinian roots  Pope Leo's approach to the liturgy A "Prognostication" of the topic for Pope Leo's First Papal Encyclical.  Sign up for our email list: www.veritascatholic.com Other Veritas Shows: Let Me Be Frank: https://bridgeportdiocese.podbean.com/ The Frontline With Joe & Joe: https://thefrontlinewithjoeandjoe.podbean.com/ Restless Catholic Young Adults: https://restlesscatholicmedia.podbean.com/ Daily Gospel Reflections: https://dailycatholicreflection.podbean.com/    

Fr. Sam flies solo on this week's episode of the Tangent, interviewing Cece Donoghue and Jamie Manirakiza about PEHT, the Partnership to End Human Trafficking. They tackle some of the difficult questions that surround human trafficking: How do you spot trafficking? How can you protect your kids from trafficking? Is there anything we can do?  This week's conversation is an important one, to see how you can help PEHT visit their website below. PEHT: https://peht.org/  

Fr. Sam and Matt sit down to discuss the modern apostolate of being a digital missionary or influencer by breaking down Pope Leo XIV's recent address.    Shownotes Read Pope Leo XIV's address here Email List   Other Veritas Shows  Let Me Be Frank with Bishop Frank Caggiano Daily Gospel Reflections Restless Catholic Young Adults the Frontline with Joe & Joe

In this conversation, Matt, Fr. Sam and Jamie Baxter discusses the origin and impact of Exodus 90 on personal and communal faith journeys. They share personal stories of conversion, the origins and goals of the program, and the importance of intentionality in spiritual growth. The discussion also highlights the challenges faced in seminary formation and the role of prayer and community in navigating these challenges. Ultimately, Exodus 90 is adaptable for men at different stages of their faith. Also discussed are St. Michael's Lent, the logistics of silent of prayer, and the importance of good Catholic festivity. This one's a lot of fun! Email List: www.veritascatholic.com

Fr. Sam and Matt discuss the importance of liturgical norms in the universal church. That might seem like a topic that covers rubrics alone, but the core of the topic is how to balance diversity while maintaining unity in worship. Thus, Church governance, liturgical preferences, canon law, and authentic worship are all covered.  Email List: www.veritascatholic.com Other Veritas shows: Let Me Be Frank: https://bridgeportdiocese.podbean.com/ The Frontline With Joe & Joe: https://thefrontlinewithjoeandjoe.podbean.com/ Restless Catholic Young Adults: https://restlesscatholicmedia.podbean.com/ Daily Gospel Reflections: https://dailycatholicreflection.podbean.com/   Keywords liturgy, rubrics, ecclesiastical norms, pastoral care, priesthood, worship, tradition, unity, diversity, Catholic Church, Catholicism, liturgy, religious submission, unity, obedience, community, faith, worship, norms, development  

Fr. Sam and Matt take a leap from Romans 8 into an entire discussion on the interplay between prayer and suffering. They discuss amongst other things: the role of good health in a good spiritual life, the pastoral necessity of good physical health, how everything needs to seen through Pope St. John Paul II's lens of "self-gift", the importance of being physically present to others and, naturally, transhumanism.   Email List: www.veritascatholic.com     Keywords suffering, prayer, Christian faith, adoption, Romans, body and spirit, transhumanism, health, self-discipline, mortality, health, ministry, physical presence, austerity, bodily care, spirit and flesh, physical health, decision-making, vocation, self-gift, theology of the body  

Fr. Sam and Matt continue their conversation on St. Therese of Lisieux from last week, diving into some of the fundamentals of prayer - consolation and desolation. Fr. Sam draws the distinction between the two categories and then their subcategories (spiritual vs. non-spiritual consolation/desolation). He uses the teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola as the launching pad for this discussion.  Email List: https://www.veritascatholic.com/ Other shows Daily Gospel Reflections: https://dailycatholicreflection.podbean.com/ Let Me Be Frank: https://bridgeportdiocese.podbean.com/ The Frontline With Joe & Joe: https://thefrontlinewithjoeandjoe.podbean.com/ Restless Catholic Young Adults: https://restlesscatholicmedia.podbean.com/ Keywords Tangent, consolation, desolation, prayer, consistency, spiritual growth, faith, Lewis and Clark, The Chosen  

Matt and Father Sam focus on the life and spirituality of St. Therese. They discuss the importance of boldness in prayer, the nature of divine will, and the role of intercessory prayer. They also highlight the significance of personal connection with God and the impact of spiritual motherhood in praying for others' salvation, exemplified by Saints Therese of Liseux and Maria Goretti. Email List: www.veritascatholic.com Keywords St. Therese, prayer, spiritual theology, boldness, divine will, intercession, spirituality, faith, conversion, spiritual motherhood, St. Maria Goretti, St. Therese, saints, spirituality, love, charity, holiness, brokenness, freedom, Catholic Church  

In this conversation, Matt and Fr. Sam discuss the challenges and joys of parenting, particularly as Matt transitions from one child to two. They explore themes of trust in divine providence, the impact of moving on family dynamics, and the significance of having a place to call home. They also discuss the importance of prayer during transitions, the balance between comfort and challenge, and the role of community in parenting. Ultimately, they emphasize the power of hope and the beauty of simplicity in family life. LINKS Support Veritas: https://www.veritascatholic.com/donate   Other Shows: Let Me Be Frank: https://bridgeportdiocese.podbean.com/ The Frontline with Joe & Joe: https://thefrontlinewithjoeandjoe.podbean.com/ Restless Catholic Young Adults: https://restlesscatholicmedia.podbean.com/ Fr. Sam's Gospel reflections: https://dailycatholicreflection.podbean.com/ Keywords parenting, paternity leave, family dynamics, spirituality, prayer, home, transition, repentance, community, hope    

Jennifer Coffey Shevchuk sits down with Fr. Sam and Matt to discuss the impact that a holy pilgrimage can have. She offers her own testimony as someone who was deeply impacted on a pilgrimage, her expertise as a pilgrimage leader, as well as how she is incorporating her training as a Catholic Mentor into the new venture, Integration Pilgrimages. LEARN MORE Integration Pilgrimages: https://integrationpilgrimages.com/ Support Veritas: https://www.veritascatholic.com/donate        

Father John Nepil joins Fr. Sam and I (Matt) to share the experience of his upbringing as a cultural Catholic and how he experienced the call to the priesthood. This leads into conversation on a deeper understanding of an authentic Catholic worldview, the importance of integrating faith into culture, the role of liturgy in our lives, and how engaging creation improves one's relationship to God. Included in this are the challenges of balancing digital life with intentional silence and solitude, and how these elements contribute to a deeper spiritual life. We also touch on the complexities of community life among priests, the significance of having an American Pope, and the implications of artificial intelligence on society. LINKS Fr. John's Book: https://ignatius.com/to-heights-and-unto-depths-thudp/ Tangent on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpeAxbil8_mgC4Ielq0_MRQ Support Veritas: https://www.veritascatholic.com/donate  

In this conversation, Matt and Fr. Sam explore the complexities of social media, its impact on mental health, and the role it plays in evangelization.    

In this conversation, Matt and Father Sam explore the sacrament of Holy Orders, discussing its significance in the Catholic Church, the role of the priesthood, and the historical context of priestly functions. They delve into the distinction between the Old and New Testament priesthood, the nature of true sacrifice, and the transformative role of Christ in the priesthood. They also discuss the importance of sincerity in worship and emphasize the complementary roles of laity and clergy in the Church.   LINKS Veritas: https://www.veritascatholic.com/ Support Veritas: https://www.veritascatholic.com/donate   OTHER SHOWS Restless: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1SbvGysG6C0mnQRAVcagkg Let Me Be Frank: https://www.youtube.com/@UCy9oYx0t7imNDH5nLwSiM8Q Daily Gospel Reflections: https://www.youtube.com/@UCDXE8YpRhxNwsAiv_lrgBOg

In this conversation, Father Donald Haggerty discusses the challenges facing the Catholic Church today, particularly the issue of ecclesial uncertainty. He emphasizes the importance of discernment in a media-saturated world, the potential impact of the next papacy, and the need for genuine evangelization alongside sacramental preparation. The conversation also touches on the growing apathy towards God in society and the unprecedented sacrilege of the Eucharist. Father Haggerty calls for a return to authentic faith practices led by priests to strengthen the church's integrity and mission. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the complexities of the current state of the Church, discussing the balance between conspiracy theories and realism, the importance of spiritual training for laypeople, and the role of prayer and silence in deepening one's faith. LINKS Veritas: https://www.veritascatholic.com/ Support Veritas: https://www.veritascatholic.com/donate   OTHER SHOWS Restless: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1SbvGysG6C0mnQRAVcagkg Let Me Be Frank: https://www.youtube.com/@UCy9oYx0t7imNDH5nLwSiM8Q Daily Gospel Reflections: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDXE8YpRhxNwsAiv_lrgBOg?app=desktop

Since beginning the Tangent a couple years ago, Fr. Sam and I have had the opportunity to interview some amazing guests. One of those guests, who was kind enough to return to the show, is Stephanie Gray Connors. Stephanie Gray Connors is a prolific pro-life speaker. She’s debated against abortion for decades and is now the author of two books in Word on Fire’s Dignity Series - “On Assisted Suicide” and “On IVF”. I (Matt) invited Stephanie to join the Tangent again to discuss the latter of the two volumes from the Dignity Series because while I knew the Catholic Church’s teaching on IVF, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to explain why the Church teaches what She does. In today’s episode, we not only define IVF, we discuss why the Church takes such a strong stance against it, how this protects the dignity of human life, and tackle important questions like, “what about those who were born via this process?”.   LINKS The Dignity Series: https://bookstore.wordonfire.org/collections/the-dignity-series?srsltid=AfmBOoq5Mff4FzKM66LS62KgpFNYVWybuYtfSuHdOqms2knVS1q1tmpX Veritas: https://www.veritascatholic.com/ Support Veritas: https://www.veritascatholic.com/donate OTHER SHOWS Restless: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1SbvGysG6C0mnQRAVcagkg Let Me Be Frank: https://www.youtube.com/@UCy9oYx0t7imNDH5nLwSiM8Q Daily Gospel Reflections: https://www.youtube.com/@UCDXE8YpRhxNwsAiv_lrgBOg