Answering Catholicism with Lawrence the Zealot

Concluding our series on the Sacraments, in this episode we take a look at Our Mission to Serve: Stewardship and Vocation. This episode is the last one in our Sacraments Series. This episode does not focus on a particular sacrament, but rather what can help us in the spiritual life as we experience the sacraments as live out our mission of the faith while living in the world. Thank you for joining me as we journeyed through the Sacraments for the last two semesters. It is my hope that you learned more about the sacraments or even gained a refreshment on your knowledge of them. Please share this with others, so that they too might come to better understand the Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church! If you’d like to learn about how to be a good steward and live out your vocation, then please give this a listen. If you find this episode interesting, if you learned something, and liked it, then please share this. May Almighty God bless you abundantly and send you His rich graces through the sacraments of the Church! God Love You!

Continuing our series on the Sacraments, in this episode we take a look quick look at Sacramentals, Indulgences, and Other Liturgical Celebrations. This episode is the second to last one in our Sacraments Series. This episode and the last one do not focus on a particular sacrament, but rather what can help us in the spiritual life as we experience the sacraments while as live out our mission of the faith while living in the world. If you’d like to learn about sacramentals, indulgences and other liturgical celebrations, then please give this a listen. If you find this episode interesting, if you learned something, and liked it, then please share this. May Almighty God bless you abundantly and send you His rich graces through the sacraments of the Church! God Love You!

Continuing our series on the Sacraments, in this episode we take a look at the Sacrament of Holy Orders. If you’d like to learn about the sacraments, then please give this a listen. If you find this episode interesting, if you learned something, and liked it, then please share this. In this episode, an article titled, “Why Can Only Men Be Priests?” by Sarah Kisling of Ave Maria Press is read to give a further defense of the all-male priesthood of the Catholic Church. On another note, this is the first episode of this series and podcast after my appeal to transfer rites was approved! I am now a member of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church [UGCC] (one of the Eastern Catholic rites, notably the largest outside the Latin Rite). Since this series began with the use of the theological expression of the Latin Rite, I have decided to maintain teaching this series using the Latin expressions of the faith with a few additions of Eastern Catholic theological expressions and beliefs here and there. It was and still is my hope to relay to the listener the Sacraments of the Catholic Church, therefore, in remaining honest to the listener, I wanted to clarify this matter as not to lead to any potential confusion. May Almighty God bless you abundantly and send you His rich graces through the sacraments of the Church! God Love You!

Continuing our series on the Sacraments, in this episode we take a look at the Sacrament of Matrimony (Marriage). If you’d like to learn about the sacraments, then please give this a listen. If you find this episode interesting, if you learned something, and liked it, then please share this. In this episode, I also included the Eastern Catholic theological expression of this sacrament. From the book, “101 Questions & Answers on Eastern Catholic Churches” by the late Father Deacon Edward Faulk. You can purchase the book for yourself by clicking on the title of this book. It is a quick and easy read for those who are interested in learning more about the Eastern Catholic Churches. I highly encourage and recommend this book to all who would like a short, simple, and condensed book on the Eastern Catholic Churches! Father Deacon Edward Faulk passed away from this life into his eternal reward in 2009. May he rest with the saints, the angels, and our Lord for all of eternity in the peace and happiness of Heaven. May Almighty God bless you abundantly and send you His rich graces through the sacraments of the Church! God Love You!

In this episode, the age old question of asking, “do Muslims and Jews worship or rather ‘adore the one God’ of Abraham as the Christians do?” is answered. We must do everything possible to uphold the Christian faith and the necessary belief for salvation that only through Jesus Christ can one have access to the Father in order to reach Heaven. God Love You!

Continuing our series on the Sacraments, in this episode we take a look at the effects of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). If you’d like to learn about the sacraments, then please give this a listen. If you find this episode interesting, if you learned something, and liked it, then please share this. This episode begins the break that will be taken for the next month into possibly January of 2026. If you would like to follow other podcasts that I’ve created and will be using, you can find me at “The Word of God with Lawrence Westfall” and “Let’s Read the Bible with Lawrence Westfall.” My many thanks for your interest in the Catholic faith, your prayers, and your support. Please know of my prayers for you. May Almighty God bless you abundantly and send you His rich graces through the sacraments of the Church! God Love You!

Continuing our series on the Sacraments, in this episode we take a look at the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). If you’d like to learn about the sacraments, then please give this a listen. If you find this episode interesting, if you learned something, and liked it, then please share this. May Almighty God bless you abundantly and send you His rich graces through the sacraments of the Church! God Love You!

In the Diocese of Charlotte (North Carolina), Bishop Michael Martin is enacting certain directives that seem at odds with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). In this episode, we take a look if Bishop Martin or any Bishop for that matter has to follow directives from the USCCB. If not, who do they listen to? Who has power over individual Bishops and the diocese(s) they lead? This and much more is answered today. This episode pertains to the USCCB’s power in the United States, but other Conferences of Catholic Bishops in other countries function the same way. You’ll understand what I mean by this at the end of the podcast. When it comes to the power of a National Bishops Conference it is all the same in how they truly function and how power is given and taken away. God Love You!

Continuing our series on the Sacraments, in this episode we take a look at the Sacrament of the Sick. This episode leads us into the Sacraments of Healing, focused firstly on the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick (Sacrament of the Sick). If you’d like to learn about the sacraments, then please give this a listen. If you find this episode interesting, if you learned something, and liked it, then please share this. May Almighty God bless you abundantly and send you His rich graces through the sacraments of the Church! God Love You!

Continuing our series on the Sacraments, in this episode we take a look at the Pascal Banquet. This episode takes a further look at the Eucharistic and its many effects in our lives. If you’d like to learn about the sacraments, then please give this a listen. If you find this episode interesting, if you learned something, and liked it, then please share this. May Almighty God bless you abundantly and send you His rich graces through the sacraments of the Church! God Love You!

Continuing our series on the Sacraments, in this episode we take a look at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. This episode focuses on the Mass and continues on with the Sacrament of Holy Communion/the Eucharist which is truly Jesus Christ, body, blood, soul, and divinity! If you’d like to learn about the sacraments, then please give this a listen. If you find this episode interesting, if you learned something, and liked it, then please share this. May Almighty God bless you abundantly and send you His rich graces through the sacraments of the Church! God Love You!

Continuing our series on the Sacraments, in this episode we take a look at the Sacrament of Holy Communion/the Eucharist. This sacrament which is truly Jesus Christ, body, blood, soul, and divinity! If you’d like to learn about the sacraments, then please give this a listen. If you find this episode interesting, if you learned something, and liked it, then please share this. May Almighty God bless you abundantly and send you His rich graces through the sacraments of the Church! God Love You!

Continuing our series on the Sacraments, in this episode we take a look at the Sacrament of Confirmation. This sacrament which strengthens us as children of God and turns us into soldiers of God. In this sacrament we receive a strengthening of the Holy Ghost. If you’d like to learn about the sacraments, then please give this a listen. If you find this episode interesting, if you learned something, and liked it, then please share this. May Almighty God bless you abundantly and send you His rich graces through the sacraments of the Church! God Love You!

Continuing our series on the Sacraments, in this episode we take a look at the Sacrament of Baptism. This sacrament which initiates the beginning of the Christian life and makes us adopted children of God. If you’d like to learn about the sacraments, then please give this a listen. If you find this episode interesting, if you learned something, and liked it, then please share this. May Almighty God bless you abundantly and send you His rich graces through the sacraments of the Church! God Love You!

In the next series of episodes, we will take a look at the seven sacraments of the Church. In this episode, the foundation to the sacramental life is laid out to prepare for what is to come in this series. If you’d like to learn about the sacraments, then please give this a listen. If you find this episode interesting, if you learned something, and liked it, then please share this. May Almighty God bless you abundantly and send you His rich graces through the sacraments of the Church! God Love You!

Can a Christian support abortion? Can A Christian be pro-choice? Both questions are asked in society today and the timing of this episode is most opportune in addressing it. In this episode, you will find the answer to both of these questions. God Love You!

Recently, the Cardinal Archbishop of the Archdiocese of New York, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, submitted his mandatory letter of resignation after reaching the age of 75. In this episode of “Answering Catholic with Lawrence the Zealot” the reason about why this happened (and happens) is discussed. For those who would like to see the Canon from the Latin Rite Code of Canon Law that is discussed, you can find Canon 401 §1 and §2 here: https://www.vatican.va/archive/cod-iuris-canonici/eng/documents/cic_lib2-cann368-430_en.html God Love You!

Natural Family Planning can always be a tough issue to tackle. On one hand you must state the truth without error, on the other hand you must deal with it in a way as to inform souls who have been corrupted by the modern innovations that have attempted to be made permissible when using this method within marriage. On this episode of “Answering Catholicism with Lawrence the Zealot” the topic of Natural Family Planning (NFP) is discussed along with its responsibilities when used and the possible errors plus sins that can follow if not used responsibly. Hopefully this will help inform practicing Catholics of how to be responsible within the marriage union and how to live as good Catholics who practice this method. In this episode, “Marriage and fertility in the Christian family” is used. This is an article from the US District of the Society of Saint Pius X’s website. You can find the article here: https://sspx.org/en/news/marriage-and-fertility-christian-family-6527In addition to that, the Credo Catechism of His Excellency, Bishop Athanasius Schneider with paragraphs 706-711, 724, and 726 (726 is quoted before 724) is used. Paragraphs 706-711 addresses the “Errors about Marriage” and 724 and 726 address “The Blessing of Large Families.” Both sections can be found within Section 3 on the Sacraments and Chapter 13 pertaining to Marriage in the catechism. You can purchase this great catechism that was released in the year of our Lord 2023 at the following link: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/credo/?srsltid=AfmBOoqUnkqCBTzJWtueOGF3sdHc_A8h4WwC-3rywX0KqUVbdMWa30Pf In paragraph 711 of the Credo Catechism which is mentioned in this episode, His Excellency, Bishop Athanasius Schneider, advised not to use the expression, “Natural Family Planning.” It is used as part of the name of this episode as to make clear to people what is being discussed, it is not used out of disobedience or disrespect to what the good, holy, and saintly Bishop has stated. God Love You!

In the modern world, the sin of homosexuality is not being condemned as the sinful abomination that it is. Many liberal and progressive “Christians” and “scholars” attempt to argue that homosexuality as it is known in traditional and conservative Christian circles of today didn’t become an issue like it currently is until the 1940s when some new translations of the Holy Bible were released. On this episode of “Answering Catholicism with Lawrence the Zealot” the attempt of the liberal and progressive homosexual agenda is tackled and a Biblical defense of the truth is given on the matter. What was a sin from the foundation of the world is still a sin today. God’s Word on the matter remains immutable, inviolable, and sacred. In matters like these, it is the duty of Christians to stand up and defend the Word of God when attacked by the enemies of Christ. God Love You!

Is it possible for people from other religions to be saved? If the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been Proclaimed to the Whole World, Can People still be Saved by Invincible Ignorance? Is it possible for Protestants and Eastern Orthodox to be saved outside of the Catholic Church?In the first episode of “Answering Catholicism” in the sense of answering a question, a look is given toward some hard to accept teachings of the Church. Nonetheless, they are answered with sincerity for the benefit of the salvation of souls. It is a great hope, that you, the listeners, will gain insight into the true faith and that those already Catholic will grow deeper in their knowledge of the faith. God Love You!

This is the introductory trailer of “Answering Catholicism with Lawrence the Zealot” and shall begin with the commencement of the launch of this episode. In addition to "The Word of God with Lawrence Westfall" this podcast will serve as the apologetic and catechetical branch of my ministry. We must advance the faith through the ages and convert the nations. This podcast will answer questions related to the Catholic faith in a period of 1-10 minutes. This is so people can hear quick and brief explanations of the faith to carry it on in the world. Please leave a question in the comments that you would like answered and I will try to feature it on a show. Your name won’t be revealed, rather your question will be introduced along the lines of, “A listener sent this question in…etc.” Let us, "contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints (St. Jude 1:3). God Love You!