What I Like About The Catholic Family In Texas

March 29, 2008 Episodes No Comments

Hi folks. Blessings from the Deacon for the Catholic Family Podcast Show. When I wrote my first e-column for this program, I spoke about warm feelings for the Sweeneys. And I likely was speaking for many of you who listen to David and Allyson. I haven’t gone back to the beginning with them. But I’ve been listening since they renewed their wedding vows at their parish on their anniversary. I think it was that same show they took us along for their visit to a Bed & Breakfast… tee hee. Imagine us accompanying young lovers on such a trip.  And there was the podcast news about their trip for the ‘all you can eat’ free ice cream at Blue Bell (of Brenham, Texas I believe). And not long before Holy Week, I felt like I was sitting on a short-legged easy chair in the river with them as they had a relaxing weekend with the kids and at least one friend. And what a great job on their recent Triduum shows. David and Allyson are demonstrating in a very wholesome manner what it is like to live life in the real world… and how to do it as committed and loving Catholics and members of the Church. As a deacon, I often run into some odd variations on this… I’m Catholic but I don’t go to Church that often… I’m Catholic but we are raising the kids to let them decide… I’m Catholic but the kids don’t like going to CCD or to Mass! What is it our good Jewish friends say? “Oyveh”  With the Sweeney family – faith seems integrated into the fabric of who they are… the adults and the kids.  I’ve been dealing with people for a long, long time. Many years ago, working with police and fire departments on sometimes very expensive computer systems. I feel like I can size people up fairly quickly. Sometimes it’s a rush-to-judgment and it isn’t always right. But I really like these Texas folks. We hear the kids in the background from time to time. They sound neat and sweet… but none of us have had to be with them (the kids) for 48 hours. So you know – the attitude might shift a little if circumstances were different.  Don’t tell my wife but I have a sort of crush on Allyson. She is such a neat lady with mothering and music talents. And how is it that she can put up with all that manly beer-making stuff when there are important things to be concerned about in life?  Behind every good working family is a good man. Stu Weber in his book TENDER WARRIOR says: A real man is kind.A real man is caring. A real man helps his wife.A real man helps his kids….A real man doesn’t run from his problems.A real man is honest. I don’t know David personally – but if I had a chance to interview the wife or kids – I’d bet he’d get flying colors on these sorts of attributes. And for all of us who are husbands, let’s revisit what Paul said in his letter to the Church at Ephesus:  

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”

 I get a sense of this when I listen to the Catholic Family Podcasts over time. It’s good doses of Vitamins C & F for Catholic and Family! Thanks you guys! Blessings. Deacon Tomwww.deacontomonline.com 

CFP084: Holy Burning Oil, Batman!

March 25, 2008 Episodes 3 Comments

Batman and Robin

In this episode; Easter servers, tired ministers, Clue opinions, burning holy oils, and LOTS of feedback. Contact us [at] catholicfamilypodcast.com or call the comment line at 206-339-8993.

Links in this episode:

He Is Risen! - Favorite Hymns of the Easter SeasonWilliam Neil
“Jesus Christ is Risen Today” (mp3)
from “He Is Risen! – Favorite Hymns of the Easter Season”
(MSR Classics)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
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More On This Album

CFP083: Triduum – Holy Saturday

March 22, 2008 Episodes 1 Comment

Alpha and Omega by thenonhacker

The liturgical adventure concludes with Holy Saturday, the Mass of Light. Learn about the most important celebration of the entire liturgical year.

Call the comment line at 206-339-8993 or email us [at] catholicfamilypodcast.com

CFP082: Triduum – Good Friday

March 20, 2008 Episodes 1 Comment

Jesus on the cross

A liturgical adventure into Good Friday, the Commemoration of the Passion of the Lord Jesus Christ. Learn about veneration of the cross and the reproaches.

Call the comment line at 206-339-8993 or email us [at] catholicfamilypodcast.com

CFP081: Triduum – Holy Thursday

March 19, 2008 Episodes 2 Comments

Jesus washing the feet of the disciples

A liturgical adventure into Holy Thursday, the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. Learn about the institution of the Eucharist, priesthood and the mandatum of love.

Call the comment line at 206-339-8993 or email us [at] catholicfamilypodcast.com

CFP080: Down By the River

March 15, 2008 Episodes No Comments

Austin in the San Marcos River

A special bonus CFP down by the river. Take it easy, relax and listen to the running water. Email us [at] catholicfamilypodcast.com, or call the comment line: 206-339-8993.

CFP079: Got a Clue?

March 10, 2008 Episodes 3 Comments

Clue Weapons

  • Family Life
    • Blessing of the Statues
    • St. Patrick Festival
    • Clue cheating?
    • Lesson 3 – Catholic Family Brewer
  • Church Life
    • Lord’s supper at other churches
  • Mail Bag:
    • Mary from Minnesota
    • Big Dan from Missouri wrote about
    • Deacon Tom
  • Set of Surprise Episodes coming up you don’t want to miss
  • email us [at] catholicfamilypodcast.com
  • Comment Line: 206-339-8993
  • Final Song:
    Matt Chandler: You have Given Me Hope

I Am YoursMatt Chandler
“You Have Given Me Hope” (mp3)
from “I Am Yours”
(RecEDGe Records)

Buy at CD Baby
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon
More On This Album

CFP078: Our House

March 4, 2008 Episodes 2 Comments


Here’s the long awaited Sweeney House video. This is our first video episode that we’ve posted so don’t expect much. The workers were putting the roof on the house while we were filming so it’s pretty noisy. But you do get to see the kids, hear Hannah whine, see Austin bleed profusely, hear aliens land on the roof and see the future podcast palace.Feedback: us [at] catholicfamilypodcast.com

Comments: 206-339-8993

An Easter Goal: Better Marriages

STRONGER HUSBANDS – CLOSER WIVES – BETTER MARRIAGES

Hello and blessings! Your Catholic Family Chaplain Deacon Tom sends prayerful and Lenten ‘fish-fry’ greetings to all of you. Gosh – Lent will be over soon, won’t it? I hope you’ve been experiencing a holy, reflective Lent – journeying into the recesses of the spiritual person you are called to be … the person you are invited to become.

As I prepare this column that crosses from the period of Lent into the glory of the Risen Lord, in part, I want to aim my words at husbands. The goal? A resurrection of the abiding love and respect for our wives (or girlfriends, if single) … and for daughters of the listeners to Catholic Family Podcast. Stick with me because women can be involved in this too. And it’s all about closer relationships and better marriages. This is certainly a big job to tackle in these few pages of monthly e-column. I wonder how many of you have heard of the organization known as e5 Special Forces? Let me explain. In his letter to the Ephesians, St. Paul charged men to subordinate ourselves to our spouses as a sign of reverence for Christ. And with this in mind, some time ago, a group of men formed this e5 Men organization encouraging us to take at least one day a month – usually the first Wednesday and to FAST for our wives as a sign of sacrifice – presenting her to the Lord by your actions of self denial. I’ll come back to fasting in a moment. Let me say that the idea of e5 originated for husbands – but it has spread to use by single men… and it is for women as well. There are so many reasons…. so many ways that society has brought about a loss of dignity in women; there has been a loss of the spiritual beauty that was seen in the creation story in the Garden of Eden. Remember Adam telling the Lord: This one…. this one at last is the one I have been waiting for; she is the one with whom I can be completely open… with her I will have no shame. This lack of ‘shame’ speaks of a beautiful intimacy that is so much to be prayed for. E5 Men invites us, married or single men to offer sacrifice at least once a month to make reparations for:

* Any abuses (by anyone) to the God-given dignity of wives
* Many e5 Men offer up one day of fasting for sisters, mothers, daughters, nieces, aunts, co-workers or women friends
* For the finding of a holy husband for our daughters, friends, and relatives (I particularly like this intention; my wife and I regularly pray for our granddaughters and their future spouses)
* For the intentions of Mary, the Mother of Jesus
* Past girlfriends – especially for healing from any harm we men may have caused
* For women who are considering or have participated in abortion and for the whole abortion issue to be resolved
* For women considering or involved with fornication, adultery, sterilization or contraception
* Women in pornography or wives of men who use pornography
* Consecrated celibate women
* Women or girls with eating disorders
* Women or girls abused by men

When you begin to see the many ways women have lost so much in the society that we live in – many of us can agree that there are good reasons to ‘sacrifice’ for their intention at least once a month… more if we can do it. Many who read this column may believe they can’t fast – that fasting is for ‘holy people.’ I admit that for some, fasting can be difficult. Surprisingly, it hasn’t been as tough as I thought it might be. And the results of doing this seem to be like magic – I feel ‘GRACES’ flowing into our marriage relationship. I truly believe my wife would say our marriage is better – far better. And fasting can be less than full-meal fasting. It can be giving up a stop at Starbucks, or not drinking coffee or soft drinks that day… go for what you can go for – and pray for the intention of the woman (or man) that you are ‘sponsoring.’ If any men are interested in trying sacrifices to honor and ‘lift up’ your wife (or some other woman in your life) – I ask you to go to www.e5men.org. There is a place to sign up for monthly reminders and for help in fasting or sticking with your program. If this is an idea that you’re unsure about, please pray and think about it. And if David and Allyson will allow a cross-plug here – my March column for Lisa Hendey’s great website: ( www.catholicmom.com ) is about the very issue of ‘lifting up women’ – resurrecting some of the beauty in our marriages. Thank you for reading this. Thank you for considering this. Thank you for any comments. Blessings. Deacon Tom. www.deacontomonline.com