What Is the Essential, Public Purpose of Marriage?
With the national debate on so-called “Same Sex Marriage” raging everywhere you turn (Facebook, newspapers, websites, television, etc.), I’m reminded of the pertinent question that is often ignored.
“What is the essential, public purpose of marriage?”
The answer to the above question is absolutely crucial, and if you have not thought through this question thoroughly, then you should because all other considerations are ancillary.
I want to introduce you to a presentation by Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse, who poses this essential question and provides a clear answer, followed by a detailed analysis.
I believe that once we answer this fundamental question and consider the answer thoughtfully, we’ll come to see clearly why so-called “Same Sex Marriage” has never, before just recently, existed in the course of human civilization.
If you’d like to go deeper, I encourage you to read “Rebuttals to arguments for same-sex marriage – Examining the most common arguments for redefining marital unions …and understanding why they are flawed” by Brandon Vogt.
Pope Francis’ First Homily
On the afternoon of March 14th, Pope Francis delivered his first homily while celebrating the Missa pro Ecclesiae in the Sistine Chapel.
Below, I have reproduced the full translation, provided courtesy of Vatican Radio:
In these three readings I see that there is something in common: it is movement. In the first reading, movement is the journey [itself]; in the second reading, movement is in the up-building of the Church. In the third, in the Gospel, the movement is in [the act of] profession: walking, building, professing.
Walking: the House of Jacob. “O house of Jacob, Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord.” This is the first thing God said to Abraham: “Walk in my presence and be blameless.” Walking: our life is a journey and when we stop, there is something wrong. Walking always, in the presence of the Lord, in the light of the Lord, seeking to live with that blamelessness, which God asks of Abraham, in his promise. [Read the rest of this blog entry]
Veritas Catholic Young Adults
I spent exactly 5 years working on the diocesan level in evangelization, new media, and catechesis (for the Diocese of Sacramento, California). During that time, the team I worked with accomplished some pretty amazing things, such as establishing the annual On Fire NorCal Kick-Off for Youth & Young Adult Ministry, implementing a diocesan-wide Catholics Come Home campaign, and bringing marriage preparation to the parish level, just to name a few of many endeavors.
I learned something significant during those years that I would like to share here: Today, most of the great evangelical and catechetical efforts of the Church are not initiated and run by the hierarchy and diocesan offices, but rather, from the apostolate of the laity. [Read the rest of this blog entry]
My Interview on KNXT TV with Lisa Hendey – Part 2
The blog post is part 2 of 2, be sure to read part 1.
On January 15, 2013, I drove down to Fresno, California to record two television episodes (“The Church and Social Media” – Parts 1 and 2) for the diocesan owned television station, KNXT with Lisa Hendey, creator of CatholicMom.com. We were on the show titled “Forum for a Better Understanding,” and we were interviewed by the host, Jim Grant. If you missed the first episode, click here.
Here’s how Lisa described the content of this second episode:
In this video, Carson and I discuss the USCCB’s social media initiatives, the Bishops and Bloggers meeting, the CNMC and our own roles in using the tools of social media in the New Evangelization.
Below, I have embedded Part 2 of 2.
My Interview on KNXT TV with Lisa Hendey – Part 1
On January 15, 2013, I drove down to Fresno, California to record two television episodes (“The Church and Social Media” – Parts 1 and 2) for the diocesan owned television station, KNXT with Lisa Hendey, creator of CatholicMom.com.
We were on the show titled “Forum for a Better Understanding,” and we were interviewed by the host, Jim Grant. In this first episode, Lisa and I did a quick run through of new media methods of communicating and how the Vatican is embracing the new media.
On her blog post over on Patheos, Lisa said:
This “Forum” program is typically a multi-faith conversation, which explains the huge Star of David behind Carson’s head. It was our goal with this and the companion program (which I’ll share tomorrow) to educate the average person in the pew about what’s happening in Catholic new media.
I truly enjoyed the opportunity, and Lisa’s hospitality was second to none!
Below, I have embedded Part 1 of 2.
To watch the second episode, click here.
The Lighthouse Catholic Media Bible App Has Arrived!
In the Catholic world, the Church is growing in its sponsorship of the new media. Parish staffs are investing in quality websites. Dioceses are promoting online learning. Parish ministries are paying for subscriptions for Catholic new media tools.
And… Catholic apostolates are paying talented developers to create incredible Catholic mobile apps.
I’m happy to say that one of my favorite new-and-upcoming Catholic apps is no longer up and coming. It has arrived! [Read the rest of this blog entry]
Join Me for “A Catholic Introduction to the Depths of Sacred Scripture”
The Diocese of Oakland has hired me to teach a specialization course in Sacred Scripture over the course of 5 Saturdays in early 2013. This course is titled: “A Catholic Introduction to the Depths of Sacred Scripture” and will take place at St. Joseph the Worker School (1640 Addison Street, Berkeley, CA 94703) on the following Saturdays: [Read the rest of this blog entry]
I’m reading the Catechism in 1 Year. Join me… as well as tens of thousands.
Flocknote is an awesome Catholic communications tool created by Matthew Warner. In sum, it allows you to send emails to select groups of parishioners or constituents, and it does much more than that.
For the Year of Faith, flockNote will email you a select portion of the Catechism of the Catholic Church every day for 1 year. Read that email each day, and in one year, you’ll have read the entire Catechism.
When I was a grad student at Franciscan University, I read the Catechism from cover to cover in 3 months, and it changed my life. The Catechism is an incredible systematic presentation of the meaning of life and is filled with spiritual treasures. It’s one of those books that you definitely don’t want to judge by its cover.
Sign yourself up at flocknote.com/catechism. (Enter your email address, click “Subscribe,” and you’re good to go.)
It all began on October 11, 2012. If you’re signing up late, no worries. Previous archived emails may be read at https://www.flocknote.com/list/54755
I’ll see you on the other side of these 365 days!
My Interview with Al Kresta
For “Support a Catholic Speaker Month 2012“, I volunteered to interview Al Kresta, host of “Kresta in the Afternoon,” which can be heard daily on approx. 200 radio stations as well as the Catholic Channel on SIRIUS Satellite Radio. It can also be heard online through the Ave Maria Radio website. [Read the rest of this blog entry]
New Media Tools
Carson is powered each morning by:
These monks in Wyoming make some incredible coffee. Instead of supporting Folgers or Starbucks, how about the idea of brewing your morning black gold using beans procured and roasted by awesome Catholic monks? Click on the image above to check Mystic Monk coffee out (specifically, Carson's favorite: Midnight Vigils Blend). You can even subscribe to receive the coffee regularly, shipped directly to you.