Catholic Information Service

Please refer to the Catholic Information Service website for all of the Luke E. Hart series of lessons in the Catholic faith.

The source and summit of the Christian life, the sacramental center for Catholics, is the Eucharist.  Like Christ, the Eucharist is controversial and divisive.  When Jesus initially taught crowds of people about the Eucharist, many of them left (see the Gospel of John, 6:60).  Today, the question still comes to us: “will you also go away?” (Jn 6:67).  Adult Catholics need to continue to grow in their knowledge and appreciation of the Eucharist, so as not to take it for granted, and so that they are able to teach their children and others about how Catholic pray. Is the Eucharist actually a sacrifice?  Should we worship the Eucharist?  The answers to these questions and more in Lesson 14: The Eucharist, read by Fr. Guy Selvester. 

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For many of us, Baptism and Confirmation were sacraments we received a long time ago.  What did they do for us?  Do you know how important they are?  Sometimes Catholics are criticized for baptizing infants — find out why the Church encourages this practice.  We’ll also discuss which is better, immersion or pouring, and what Noah has to do with all of this.  Fr. Jay Toborowsky reads Lesson 13 of the Luke E. Hart audio course, Baptism and Confirmation.

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A sacrament is a sacred sign instituted by Christ to give grace. Each word in this concise definition is chosen with precision and bears a great deal of meaning. This lesson explains exactly what is meant by “sign”, what is meant by “grace” how sacraments “give” grace, and how sacraments are not life magic. The requirements for a valid sacrament, the proper minister of the sacraments, and sacramentals will also be discussed in Lesson 12: Introduction to the Sacraments, read by Fr. Guy Selvester.

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Liturgy is not just the Mass, but the Mass is the liturgy that most Catholics are familiar with. Often, it is such a regular part of life that the simple and fundamental questions are overlooked.  What exactly is a liturgy? Why do we do it?  We’ll survey the different answers that have been given to just what liturgy is, learn the Church’s teaching, and develop our understanding of this basic activity of the Church.  Lesson 11: Introduction to Catholic Liturgy begins our study of the sacraments of the Catholic Church.  The reader this week is Fr. Jay Toborowsky.

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Fame! I’m gonna make it to heaven Light up the sky like a flame

Fame! I’m gonna live forever Baby remember my name

These lyrics from Fame (the musical) address a basic desire of all human beings — to live forever. The lyrics also reveal an assumed connection between fame and living forever.  But the Christian teaching about everlasting life is much different from the originally pagan idea of fame as immortality.  Lesson 10 of the Luke E. Hart audio course, read by Fr. Guy Selvester, discusses the four last things, Purgatory, and why there are no second chances after death.

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Developing a Christian understanding of death is more and more important today, as we can rely on our culture less and less to transmit such an understanding to us. But we know that death is not the end.  So let’s start with some basics: Why do we die?  What happens at death?  Is resurrection more than immortality?  Why is resurrection part of God’s plan?  And what does resurrection tell us about our bodies?  Find out the answers to these questions in Lesson 9 of the Luke E. Hart audio course, The Resurrection of the Body, read by Fr. Jay Toborowsky.

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There is nothing better than God.  And sin separates us from God.  Therefore, there is nothing worse than sin.  But what exactly is sin?  And how is sin forgiven?  What is the difference between Catholic and Protestant teachings on this topic?  Find out in Lesson 8 of the Luke E. Hart Series, The Forgiveness of Sins, read by Fr. Guy Selvester.

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The great Catholic author G. K. Chesterton once wrote, “It is impossible to be just to the Catholic Church. The moment men cease to pull against it they feel a tug towards it. The moment they cease to shout it down they begin to listen to it with pleasure. The moment they try to be fair to it they begin to be fond of it. But when that affection has passed a certain point it begins to take on the tragic and menacing grandeur of a great love affair.“ This lesson focuses specifically on the Catholic Church, where it came from, what it is, and what is so unique about it. Learn about the infallibility of the Church, praying to saints, and why the Church is necessary for salvation.  Lesson 7 is read by Fr. Jay Toborowsky.

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“It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you” (Jn 16:17).  Jesus’ words reveal the Third Person of the Trinity.  The Holy Spirit, also called the Counselor, inspired the authors of Scripture, and enlightens us when we read it.  The Holy Spirit teaches the saints, and He can teach you, too. Find out why it is better that Jesus went away and that the Holy Spirit has come to us, as well as the difference that the Holy Spirit makes in your life, in this lesson, read by Fr. Guy Selvester.

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Jesus is controversial.  The Wikipedia article on Jesus is the fourth most revised article, evidence of the passionate debate that surrounds Him.  Catholics believe that their Church is founded by Jesus, and faithfully preserves everything that Jesus taught.  But there are some tough questions about Him: How can He be both God and Son of God?  Why do Catholics have faith in His divinity?  Why did God become man?  These questions are addressed in the Luke E. Hart audio course, lesson 5: Jesus Christ, read by Fr. Jay Toborowsky.

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In order to learn the Catholic faith well, not only do we have to understand something about God, but we also need to understand something about ourselves as human beings created by God.  Our understanding of the human person will affect our understanding of the great questions: Who am I?  Where did I come from?  What is my purpose?  What happens after I die?  This lesson of the Luke E. Hart audio course will provide an overview of the Catholic understanding of the human person.  Fr. Guy Selvester is this lesson’s reader.

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The doctrine of creation is sometimes seen in the headlines as a controversy about what to teach our children in school.  But news stories don’t report the depths and the beauty of this distinctive Christian doctrine.  In this lesson, Fr. Jay Toborowsky reads the CIS booklet, Creation, which addresses not just the evolution/creation controversy, but the more fundamental distinction between God and the world.

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Atheists deny God’s existence.  Mystics experience God directly. Saints are called friends of God.  But how much can we, finite human beings, really know about Him, the infinite, omnipotent God?  Find out what the Catholic Church teaches about God in Lesson 2 of the Luke E. Hart audio course, brought to you by the Catholic Information Service of the Knights of Columbus.  Read by Fr. Guy Selvester.

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This is the first of thirty lessons based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church, offered by the Catholic Information Service.  Written by Peter Kreeft and read by Fr. Jay Toborowsky, Faith gives a basic understanding of the relationship between faith and reason, faith and authority, and faith and the Church.  If you want to put your faith in action, it’s a good idea to know what faith is.

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If you want a hard copy of this booklet, contact CIS (information in the sidebar).

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