Fr. Larry explains to Fr. Dave how the Church fixes the approximate date of Christ's birth and His incarnation breaking into human history.

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Fr. Larry Rice and Fr. Dave Dwyer offer suggestions on gifts that keep on giving through fair trade products, shares in relief servies, and other options that are better than ugly sweaters.

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Fr. Larry and Fr. Dave dicuss the centuries-old prayer that hungry Catholics sometimes rush through. A secret strategy priests use when asked to say grace at gatherings is revealed by Fr. Larry.

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Fr. Larry and Fr. Dave discuss the religious ranks of the Catholic Church, focusing on the lesser-known Roman Catholic Patriarchs.

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Most people associate the Catholic Mass as being universal, having the same liturgy each Sunday. However, Fr. Larry and Fr. Dave know of 6 million Catholics who have their own unique readings and rituals.

Fr. Larry Rice and Fr. Dave Dwyer discuss 12^th century writer Frederiech Von Spee’s arguments on torture and why it is illogical and un-Christian.  

No, the Vatican doesn't have a prison. Fr. Larry  and Fr. Dave discuss the papal court that grants mercy rather than sentences.

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Father Larry Rice and Father Dave Dwyer discuss the many unique hats hanging on the papal hat rack.

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Fr. Dave and Fr. Larry discuss the dynamic Dorothy Day, a New Yorker on her way to becoming a saint, and the ministry which survives her today. 

How did 11 days just dissappear off of the calendar? Fr. Larry and Fr. Dave talk about how different parts of the world are in a different calendar mind-set.

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Will gossiping about others land you in “church jail?” Not necessarily, but Fr. Larry Rice says there are Canonical penalties for damaging someone’s reputation. Fr. Dave Dwyer offers advice on how to steer clear of the temptation.

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What’s the point of praying for the dead? Fr. Larry Rice and Fr. Dave Dwyer discuss why Catholics see praying for the deceased is important and why other denominations may not agree.

 p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Times; }div.Section1 { page: Section1A blinging gift from Pope Benedict to the Madonna of Pompeii puzzles Fr. Larry. The question leads into a brief and surprising history of the papal present.

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Fr. Larry has all the questions and Fr. Dave has all the answers about the rare hybrid order within the Catholic Church.

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Fr. Larry and Fr. Dave go through a brief history of the rosary, including recent changes to the way Catholics pray it, how they’re made, and how not to use them in fashion.

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Is your parish the one closest to you in terms of distance? If not, what kind of parish is it considered? Fr. Larry Rice and Fr. Dave Dwyer distinguish how to belong to a parish and what determines the type of parish you choose.

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Imposters or just fancy titles? Fr. Larry Rice educates Fr. Dave Dwyer and the rest of Busted Halo about papal posers.

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Latin’s not the only language involved in the Catholic Mass and Liturgy. Fr. Larry Rice and Fr. Dave Dwyer discover the many different ways Mass is said (Klingon not included).

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Think cherubim angels are cute, plump, lightly clothed babies flying around? Think again. Fr. Larry Rice explains the “heavenly org chart” of angels.

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Fifty-five years before the Puritans landed in America a different denomination planted their parish flag in a Southern state. Who was it?

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Fr. Larry Rice and Fr. Dave Dwyer discuss a unique rite within the Catholic Church that not too many Catholics are familiar with. This special rite has its own different rituals and special liturgy.

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Fr. Dave Dwyer and Fr. Larry Rice describe how different Catholic clergy live in their respective communities. Fr. Dave ups his game in a Catholic places quiz.

Fr. Dave Dwyer and Fr. Larry Rice discuss the history surrounding the relic of Saint Januaris, more popularly known in New York City as San Gennaro.  Possible scientific elements are also explained, bringing to question if the relic was made in a lab or if it's a legitimate symbol of the Catholic culture.

Fr. Larry and Fr. Dave discuss liturgical books used in the Catholic Church.

Fr. Dave and Fr. Larry break down the odd twists and turns of Church history regarding the convoluted case of the pious funds of the Californias - involving millions of dollars, 3 religious communities, 3 governments and 300 years!

Fr. Larry tells us how bingo being so closely related to the Church is really just an "accident of history."

Why was Pope Gregory I so great? Fr. Dave and Fr. Larry discuss the many accomplishment of the first of the Gregories including his diplomacy, strengthening of the church and many worldly contributions.

What does Church catechism tell us about the nature of hell? Is it the hell we see represented in popular culture like the fiery caves of South Park? Is it Dante's Inferno? Fr. Dave and Fr. Larry discuss what the church teaches.

What is the proper way to get rid of objects that have been blessed? Fr. Dave and Fr. Larry tackle this question, discussing objects ranging from rosaries and relics to icons and blessed cars.

Did you know there are 11 references in the Old Testament concerning unicorns? Listen to Fr. Dave and Fr. Larry discuss...

Fr. Dave Dwyer, CSP, and Fr. Larry Rice, CSP, discuss the Roman Catholic church's view of gambling and games of chance in both a legal and moral light.

Fr. Dave Dwyer, CSP, and Fr. Larry Rice, CSP, discuss the Catholic Church's various definitions of heresy throughout Church history.

Who knew that there was more than one Catholic sovereignty?  Fr. Larry gives us the history and facts about the Knights of Malta and Fr. Dave fails a pop quiz.

We've all heard about the image of Mary in the grilled cheese or the image of Christ underneath the highway overpass.  What does the church make of these things?  Fr. Larry comes loaded with some new vocab words to tell us all about these phenomena.

Who is considered a member in the Catholic Church?  Why do you have to register with your church?  Are being a member and registering the same thing?  These questions and more are answered by Fr. Larry and Fr. Dave on this Facts of Faith!

Fr. Larry lays down his wisdom regarding the Roman Clerical Collar.  He and Fr. Dave discuss the origin, the variations, and the customs of the collar.  

There is a list of things that the Church expects as the minimum of all members.  Do you know what they are?  Fr. Larry gives us the list, which is sometimes called The Precepts of the Church.

Who knew that there was both an art and a science to church bells?  Fr. Larry gives us a Fact of Faith that involves the history, making, and variety of church bells.

Fr. Larry explains what has happened to St. Paul’s remains after he was martyred in Rome.  He and Fr. Dave also discuss St. Paul’s Basilica - one of the four main basilicas in Rome - and a kooky superstition associated with it.

Facts of Faith visits Rome as Fr. Larry discusses the Catacombs of Rome.  We also get information about the Church's position on cremation, the Roman subway, and the veneration of martyrs.

Fr. Larry lists some tips for Catholics going into a hospital for extended stay.  Due to changing laws and societal norms, things the patient must do to see a priest have drastically changed since the 50's.  

Fr. Larry gives Fr. Dave a quick history lesson on "The Diet of Worms", which, to Fr. Dave's dismay, has nothing to do with food.  The history involves Emperor Charles V, Martin Luther, Pope Leo X, and the Protestant Reformation.  It's a fascinating political and religious story worthy of a suspense novel.

Fr. Larry Rice and Fr. Dave discuss the obligation of keeping the Sabbath holy, especially when one is on a vacation.  Tips on how to find a church, how to contextualize differences in mass, and good Catholic etiquette are all included.  Perfect for the summer!

Fr. Dave and Fr. Larry discuss the history of the Trappist Monks, and the ales they brewed

Fr. Dave and Fr. Larry discuss the different graduation traditions that have their roots in Catholic ceremonies.  

Fr. Dave and Fr. Larry discuss the religious background of J.R.R. Tolkien, and how it affected his works set in Middle Earth

Fr. Dave and Fr. Larry bend the time-space continuum for this week's "Facts" of Faith.  

Fr. Dave Dwyer, CSP and Fr. Larry Rice discuss the (non)-issue of Evolution vs. Creationism for Catholics, Bible scripture, and the role of science and religion in our lives.

Fr. Dave Dwyer, CSP and Fr. Larry Rice, CSP discuss Ordinary Time, its origin, and the cycles of the Catholic calendar.

Fr. Dave Dwyer, CSP, and Fr. Larry Rice, CSP discuss various comic book and movie superheroes who have a Catholic backstory, including The Punisher, Nightcrawler and Hellboy.

Fr. Dave Dwyer, CSP, and Fr. Larry Rice, CSP discuss the origins of coffee and the history of the Catholic Church's connection to coffee, including the current day social justice issue of fair trade coffee.

Fr. Dave Dwyer, CSP, and Fr. Larry Rice, CSP discuss the Vatican Secret Archives in Rome.

Fr. Dave Dwyer, CSP, and Fr. Larry Rice, CSP discuss the origins of the English name for Easter and a little history of the season.

Fr. Dave Dwyer, CSP, and Fr. Larry Rice, CSP, discuss famous Catholics throughout history as well as fiction.