As we approach the beginning of the Christmas season, there is one aspect of our faith that takes center stage, and that is the Hypostatic Union. This fancy phrase refers to the dogma that Jesus Christ is a single person who is both fully divine and fully human. As we move closer towards Christmas day, when the God of the universe became fully human, take some time to study and reflect on this great mystery of our faith with the following resources.

Resources:

• Christology 101: What Is the Hypostatic Union?
• Understanding Christ’s Humanity and Divinity
• How to Explain the Hypostatic Union without being a Heretic?
• YouTube Video

The Church often receives criticism for its continued commitment to an all-male priesthood.  While the rest of Western Christianity continues to turn away from what has always been believed by altering the fundamental nature of the priesthood to include women, the Catholic church has, on multiple occasions, refused to go along with the crowd. 

Unfortunately, what is seen by some Catholics as the Church’s unwavering faithfulness to Christ is viewed by other Catholics as misogynistic. There are many Catholics in America who think either the church is wrong on this point, or they believe the church will eventually change its mind, and they have to wait it out. Neither of these views aligns with church teaching.

We encourage all parishioners, especially those who struggle with this particular piece of Church teaching, to read Pope John Paul II’s short but insightful Apostolic Letter ORDINATIO SACERDOTALIS and the short explanation written by Saint Tom’s Director of Evangelization & Adult Formation James McLean. 

Resource Links:
Church Documents

• Declaration on the Question of Admission of Women to the Ministerial Priesthood, 15 October 1976 
• Ordinatio Sacerdotalis (May 22, 1994) | John Paul II

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Resources

• Statement on the Ordination of Women | USCCB
• Church Teaching Simplified:
  • Women and Priestly Ordination
  • Additional Resources
    • Why the Church Doesn’t Ordain Women | Catholic Answers Magazine
    • Ordination of Women In the Church - Catholic Stand
  • YouTube Video

"The acceptance of our bodies as God’s gift is vital for welcoming and accepting the entire world as a gift from the Father and our common home, whereas thinking that we enjoy absolute power over our own bodies turns, often subtly, into thinking that we enjoy absolute power over creation. Learning to accept our body, to care for it and to respect its fullest meaning, is an essential element of any genuine human ecology." (Pope Francis Encyclical letter Laudato Si’ (2015))
Below is a link to an overview of the Church's catechesis on sexual and gender identity from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), a statement of clarification on gender and sexuality from St. Tom's,  and some ministry resources to support individuals with same-sex attraction and their family and friends:

• Gender and Sexuality Statement, St. Thomas Aquinas CC
• Catechism of the Catholic Church  USCCB

Ministry Resources for Those with Same-Sex Attraction

• Eden Invitation creates space to receive the whole person, grow systems of mutual support, and empower for creative discipleship. We are disciples with LGBTQ+ experiences, building community with others who desire a way of life in congruence with Christ and His Church.
• Courage International is a Roman Catholic apostolate for men and women who experience same-sex attractions and those who love them. 
• Living Waters provides a safe place to see how we've become ensnared. Program leaders walk with participants in their struggles so they can live in freedom and truth. We pray for God's healing to restore Broken areas of life so that people can "love well" as God intended.

Ministries for Family or Loved Ones of those with Same-Sex Attraction

• EnCourage: A ministry within Courage dedicated to the spiritual needs of families and friends of those who have same-sex attractions.
• Faith, Hope, Love: An online/parent/family support ministry for those whose loved ones identify as LGBTQ
• Restored Hope Network: An interdenominational network dedicated to restoring hope to those broken by sexual and relational sin
• His Wonderful Works: A mission to bring hope, healing, and freedom in Christ to individuals, churches, and ministries in the areas of family, relationships, and sexuality. 

Few doctrines are more misunderstood than the dogma that there is “no salvation outside of the Church.” Some people hear this and think it is an ancient and backward idea that the church has since disposed of. Some go so far as to say all people, regardless of religion and lifestyle, will be saved. On the other hand, some think it means that only those with a documented membership at their local Catholic parish will be saved. As with most things, the truth lies somewhere in the middle. 

So, this month, watch and read through some of these great Catholic resources. Read our Director of Evangelization, James McLean’s short explanation of dogma by clicking the button below.

Church Teaching Simplified

• Explaining NO Salvation Outside of the Church by James McLean

Resources

• Is there really no salvation outside the church?
• There is no salvation outside the Church - Part 1
  
• There is no salvation outside the Church - Part 2

In light of the recent executive order signed by President Trump using federal funds to make IVF more affordable for American families, the St. Tom’s staff thought it would be appropriate to provide and write up some resources to help our parishioners have a better understanding of why the Church teaches that IVF is immoral. Among these resources is a short article by St. Tom’s Director of Evangelization, James McLean. 

Church Teaching Simplified
Why the Church Opposes IVF - A Brief Explanation

Resources:

• Vatican: Respect for Human Life
• Vatican: Evangelium Vitae
• Vatican: Instructions Dignitas Personae on Certain Bioethical  questions

Recently, there have been a number of fainting spells during Mass at St. Tom's. While parishioners have been quick to assist every time, and Fr. Dennis has promised to tone down his preaching, this has left some with a question: why doesn't the Mass totally stop for a medical emergency?

Among the resources offered to answer this question is a short article by our Liturgy Coordinator and Director of Operations, Ryan Hunt.

Church Teaching Simplified:
Something Greater than Taylor Swift is Here: Why Mass Doesn't Stop for Medical Emergencies

Resources:
https://www.thericatholic.com/stories/staying-focused-on-mass,5190
https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/when-theres-a-medical-emergency-4405

There is no question that the Sacraments play an important role in the Catholic faith. Unfortunately, not everyone fully grasps what they are and how they work. As we approach the month of April, when many people will be getting baptized and confirmed, it seems like a good time to talk about how to receive the sacraments in a way that produces spiritual fruit.

Please look at the attached articles and videos, and the article in the Church Teaching Simplified section written by St. Tom’s Director of Evangelization, James McLean.

Church Teaching Simplified
How to Fruitfully Receive the Sacraments by James McLean.

Resources:

• How to Receive the Eucharist Worthily
• On Sacramental Grace
• The Proper Disposition: How to Receive the Eucharist Worthily and Well (Aquinas 101)