October 25, 2024 by frbillnicholas FREEDOM OF RELIGION IS FREDOM OF THOUGHT Fr. Bill returns to the issue of Freedom of Religion, accentuating its importance to all other basic freedoms.
September 6, 2024 by frbillnicholas How Does Election Rhetoric Measure Up to the US Constitution? During Election Seasons there is a lot of soaring rhetoric by candidates for office, some hopefully, some doomsaying, some declaring what the candidate will or will not do if elected. Fr. Bill addresses some of the rhetoric and matches it against what is directed in the Constitution of the United States.
August 16, 2024 by frbillnicholas SEPARATION OF CHURCH & STATE – AMERICAN STYLE Fr. Bill discusses the Western Political principle of the Separation of Church and State in light of Catholic Saints like Stephen of Hungary and the Gospel reading that is shared on the occasion of his Feast Day. Fr. Bill applies the example of St. Stephen to Modern Political Leaders who profess a Catholic Faith in a society that exercises the Separation of Church and State while also enjoying Freedom of Religion.
May 10, 2024 by frbillnicholas Is the “SEPARATION OF CHURCH & STATE” in the Bible? Post-Enlightenment Political Philosophers pushed the Separation of Church and State. The Founding of the United States enshrines a more evolved understanding of this Political Principle. Fr. Bill talks about the difference, and how the United States understanding of this Principle is actually expressed in the Bible.
October 22, 2023 by frbillnicholas “SEPARATION OF CHURCH & STATE” – Rendering Unto Caesar Homily – 29th Sunday of the Year – AMatthew 22:15-21 The United States has a particular approach to the “Separation of Church and State”. Fr. Bill explains how this country understands this doctrine, how it was incorporated into the nation’s Founding, how we get it wrong today, and how it perfectly expresses Jesus’ admonition to “render to Caesar…”
April 14, 2023 by frbillnicholas DEFENDING OUR FIRST FREEDOM – Freedom of Religion Fr. Bill talks about Freedom of Religion, what it means, how it is protected in our Constitution, how it is threatened and what we must do to protect it against the assault it faces today.
November 12, 2022 by frbillnicholas VETERANS DAY, ST. MARTIN OF TOURS & ELECTION 2022 Fr. Bill threads the needle between the observance of Veterans Day, the Feast Day of St. Martin of Tours (celebrated on the same day) and the results of Election 2022. He draws upon history, even recent history to find a purpose in the direction our country is headed in light of the results of the 2022 Election, the sacrifice of our Veterans, and the example of such Saints as Martin, William of Gellone and other Saints who were Military Veterans.
November 5, 2022 by frbillnicholas AN END OF DEMOCRACY? — The U.S. Constitution and the 2022 Mid-term Election The 2022 Mid-Term Election is upon us. Fr. Bill discusses the campaign rhetoric that has been used during this election cycle, particularly regarding the perceived threats to the future of Democracy in the United States – and how the United States Constitution was originally set up by the Founding Fathers to deal with, and prevent, any threat to the democratic process in this country so as to protect, not just democracy, but the Freedom of its citizens from the threat of a tyrannical governing body.
September 23, 2022 by frbillnicholas OUR NATION FOUNDED ON LIBERTY NOT SLAVERY The United States Constitution and the Momentum Towards Emancipation Popular sentiment claims that the United States was founded on Slavery. In honor of the 160th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation (9/22/1862), Fr. Bill disputes the claim that the natin was built on Slavery, and talks about how the United States Constitution reflects a momentum at the birth of our nation not towards Slavery, but towards Emancipation. In demonstrating this Fr. Bill quotes from the Constitution, itself, showing where, and how, the founding of our Nation was spelled the ultimate doom of Slavery and the catalyst that ultimately and inevitably led to Emancipation.
May 1, 2022 by frbillnicholas THE RESURRECTION & OUR 1ST FREEDOM The Apostles and the Great Catch of FishHomily – 3rd Sunday of Easter – C—–Acts of the Apostles 5:27-32, 40b-41John 21:1-19 Fr. Bill preaches on the Miracle of the Great Catch of Fish, and how the story, in its entirety, can be applied to the Mission of the Church today and the Constitutional Rights guaranteed to Americans in the United States Bill of Rights.