Martyrs Podcast

4.1 Jesus

In this opening part of class, Fr. Hall dives into the fascinating topic of Jesus. Taking an apologetic angle, Fr. Hall makes a case that Jesus really existed and that he claimed to be God. 

3. Q&A

Fr. Wahlmeier answers questions about where we see the Trinity in Scripture, using the Lord's Name in vain, the difference between Jews and Christians, and more. Plus, he puts on his nerd hat to dive into names and etymologies. 

3.2 Inspiration and Interpretation of Scripture

In this second part of the class, Fr. Wahlmeier breaks down what the Church believes about the inspiration and reliability of Scripture. He then provides some tools for interpreting passages: the literal sense, the allegorical sense, the moral sense, and the anagogical sense. 

3.1 Tour through the Old Testament

In this first part of the class, Fr. Wahlmeier takes us on a tour through the Old Testament. What can often appear as a confusing collection of obscure stories, genealogies, and laws is actually a beautiful story leading up to Jesus. 

Amen or Mammon

We can relate to God as under a contract, as though we put in our dues and in return God will give us things. This is how we conduct business deals and it has to do with "mammon." Or, on the other hand, we can relate to God as under a covenant, recognizing that God is willing to pay our dues if only we respond with our "amen," our faith in Him. Fr. Wahlmeier invites us to embrace the covenant and say our amen rather than choose the mammon. 

2. Q&A

Mark answers questions about purgatory, judgment, papal infallibility and ex cathedra statements, as well as his own encounter with Jesus. 

2.2 Scripture, Tradition, and Magisterium

In this second part, Mark Heffley dives more into how we today encounter God's revelation in Jesus through scripture and tradition. Mark, using the creation account in Genesis as an example, then walks us through some general principles for biblical interpretation. 

2.1 Revelation and Faith

Christians make the bold claim that God revealed himself. He revealed himself in creation, through the Old Testament prophets and scriptures, and then most dramatically through Jesus Christ. And what's more, God continues to reveal himself to Christians today through the Church and her two most prized possessions: scripture and the liturgy. In response, God asks for our faith, not a blind leap but rather a reasoned trust. In this first part, our Director of Evangelization - Mark Heffley - discusses God's revelation and faith. 

The Father’s Love

A mother puts her life on the line for her child. A firefighter runs into a burning building. A teenager becomes a missionary to bring aid to strangers in a foreign country. Examples of sacrificial love abound, and they provide a glimpse of God's profound love for us. Fr. Hall helps us reflect on this love by unpacking Jesus' teaching on the prodigal son and how, no matter how far astray we go, the Father pursues us with unshakable devotion. 

Mental Health and Meaningful Suffering

In this inaugural talk of this year's Martyrs Speaker Series, parishioner Noelle Heffley shares her experience as a counselor as well as insights from both theology and psychology. After sharing some startling statistics on the current state of mental health in the US, Noelle discusses what counseling can offer and how the example of Saints with mental illnesses can help remove the stigma and shame that often accompany those who suffer from depression, addiction, anxiety, schizophrenia and other forms of mental illness. In the final part of her talk, Noelle dives into theology to help us begin to approach the mystery of suffering in God's loving plan of salvation. 
 
Noelle received her bachelors degree in psychology and theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville and her masters degree in clinical psychology from The Institute for the Psychological Sciences. She is currently working as a counselor with Sacred Ground Psychotherapy.