Choose Your Pain (Discovery) – The Secrets of Star Trek

This pivotal first season episode of Discovery introduced both Ash Tyler and Harry Mudd. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss Rainn Wilson’s Mudd, talk about Tyler in light of what we later learn, and highlight Tilly’s prayer for the alien creature.

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The Mysterious Death of Somerton Man (Tamám Shud) – Jimmy Akin’s Mysterious World

On Dec. 1, 1948, an unknown man died on a beach in Somerton, South Australia and in his pocket was a piece of paper with the words “tamám shud.” Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli explore what it could mean, why the man’s identity is still unknown, and why the mystery may be solved soon.

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Mysterious Headlines

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The Weekly Francis – 04 December 2019

This version of The Weekly Francis covers material released in the last week from 26 November 2019 to 4 December 2019.

Angelus

General Audiences

Homilies

Messages

Speeches

Papal Tweets

  • “How important it is to learn to be a friendly and outstretched hand! Try to grow in friendship even with those who think differently than you, so that solidarity might grow among you and become the best weapon to change the course of history.” @Pontifex 28 November 2019
  • “The Church exists to keep alive in people’s heart the memory that God loves them. It exists to tell everyone, even those furthest away: “God doesn’t forget you, He cares about you”.” @Pontifex 30 November 2019
  • “In the #GospelOfTheDay, Jesus exhorts us to be ready for His coming: ”Watch therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming“ (Mt 24:42). To watch means to have your heart ready to give and to serve, to be attentive to our neighbour in difficulty.” @Pontifex 1 December 2019
  • “The word #Advent means coming. The Lord is coming. This is the root of our hope: the certainty that God’s consolation comes to us amidst the troubles of the world. Not a consolation of words, but of His presence among us.” @Pontifex 1 December 2019
  • “With this Letter, I wish to encourage the beautiful family tradition of preparing the nativity scene in the days before Christmas, but also the custom of setting it up in the workplace, in schools, hospitals, prisons and town squares. http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_letters/documents/papa-francesco-lettera-ap_20191201_admirabile-signum.html” @Pontifex 1 December 2019
  • “The closeness to the Lord invites our heart to approach our brothers and sisters with love, to show compassion towards everyone.” @Pontifex 2 December 2019
  • “Today we renew our commitment so that every disabled person may share their gifts with the community to which they belong and in which they take part. #IDPD” @Pontifex 3 December 2019
  • “Today the Church praises smallness. God’s works begin by sprouting from a seed, from little things. Jesus speaks about this smallness of the Kingdom: the small heart, humble, that is open to the revelation of the Lord. #HomilySantaMarta” @Pontifex 3 December 2019
  • “Let us pray for all the pastors of the Church, that they might guide the flock entrusted to them with the same firmness and tenderness of the Good Shepherd. #GeneralAudience” @Pontifex 4 December 2019

Papal Instagram

Journey’s End – The Secrets of Doctor Who

In the final episode of the season, Donna becomes the Doctor Donna and Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss what it means, as well as whether the Meta-crisis Doctor is really a separate person from the Doctor. Plus a roundup for all the “Doctor’s Children”.

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The Andorian Incident (Enterprise) – The Secrets of Star Trek

One of the best episodes of the first season of Enterprise reintroduced the Andorians. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha recall who the Andorians were, marvel at actor Jeffrey Coombs versatility, and talk about Vulcan religion.

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Stopping Your Zombie Self! (& More Weird Questions)

In months with five Fridays, we bring you a “Weird Questions” edition of Catholic Answers Live where Jimmy Akin gives shorter answers to all kinds of questions, including this time stopping your zombie self, disembodied brains, no more souls, afterlife in another universe, and more.

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The Weekly Francis – 27 November 2019

This version of The Weekly Francis covers material released in the last week from 21 November 2019 to 27 November 2019.

Angelus

Homilies

Messages

Speeches

Papal Tweets

  • “When Christians and Buddhists have the opportunity to appreciate and esteem one another, in spite of our differences, we offer the world a word of hope that can encourage and support those who are wounded by division. #ApostolicJourney” @Pontifex 21 November 2019
  • “The Gospel is full of questions that attempt to unsettle, to stir and to invite the disciples to set out, to discover the truth that is capable of giving and generating life. #ApostolicJourney http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2019/documents/papa-francesco_20191121_messa-thailandia-omelia.html” @Pontifex 21 November 2019
  • “Without prayer, our life and mission loses all its meaning, strength and fervor. #ApostolicJourney” @Pontifex 22 November 2019
  • “A missionary Church knows that its best message is its readiness to be transformed by the word of life, making service its hallmark. #ApostolicJourney” @Pontifex 22 November 2019
  • “The secret to a happy heart is the security we find when we are anchored, rooted in Jesus: in his life, in his words, in his death and resurrection. #ApostolicJourney” @Pontifex 22 November 2019
  • “Let us go out to meet Christ the Lord for he is coming! Do not be afraid of the future or allow yourselves to be intimidated. Rather know that the Lord is waiting for you there in order to prepare and celebrate the banquet of his kingdom. #ApostolicJourney http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2019/documents/papa-francesco_20191122_messa-giovani-thailandia-omelia.html” @Pontifex 22 November 2019
  • “I thank all those who made my visit to Thailand possible, and those who accompanied me with their prayer. I invoke abundant divine blessings on this beloved Nation, and I ask the Lord to guide it on the paths of wisdom, justice and peace. #ApostolicJourney” @Pontifex 22 November 2019
  • “Protecting all life and proclaiming the Gospel are not separate or opposed; rather each appeals to, and requires, the other. #ProtectAllLife #ApostolicJourney” @Pontifex 23 November 2019
  • “Try to create spaces in which the culture of efficiency, performance and success can become open to a culture of generous and selfless love, capable of offering to everyone, and not only to those who have “made it”, the possibility of a happy and successful life.#ApostolicJourney” @Pontifex 23 November 2019
  • “I ask you to join in praying each day for the conversion of hearts and for the triumph of a culture of life, reconciliation and fraternity. #EndNuclearWeapons #Nagasaki #ApostolicJourney” @Pontifex 24 November 2019
  • “In a world where millions of children and families live in inhumane conditions, the money that is squandered and the fortunes made through the manufacture, maintenance and sale of ever more destructive weapons, are an affront crying out to heaven.” @Pontifex 24 November 2019
  • “We are united with those Christians throughout the world who, in our own day, suffer martyrdom for the faith. They are the martyrs of the twenty-first century and their witness summons us to set out with courage on the path of the Beatitudes. #ApostolicJourney #NishizakaHill” @Pontifex 24 November 2019
  • “The kingdom of heaven is our common goal, a goal that cannot be only about tomorrow. We have to implore it and begin to experience it today. #GospelOfToday #ApostolicJourney” @Pontifex 24 November 2019
  • “Peace is no more than an empty word unless it is founded on truth, built up in justice, animated and perfected by charity, and attained in freedom. #Hiroshima #ApostolicJourney” @Pontifex 24 November 2019
  • “The use of atomic energy for purposes of war is immoral, just as the possession of atomic weapons is immoral, as I said two years ago. We will be judged on this. #EndNuclearWeapons #Hiroshima #ApostolicJourney” @Pontifex 24 November 2019
  • “To remember, to journey together, to protect. These are three moral imperatives that here in #Hiroshima assume even more powerful and universal significance, and can open a true path to peace. http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2019/november/documents/papa-francesco_20191124_messaggio-incontropace-hiroshima.html” @Pontifex 24 November 2019
  • “In the ongoing work of recovery and rebuilding after the disasters, many hands must join together and many hearts unite as one. In this way, those who are suffering will be supported and know that they have not been forgotten. #ApostolicJourney” @Pontifex 25 November 2019
  • “The world needs you. Never forget that! The Lord needs you, so that you can encourage all those people around us who are looking for a helping hand to lift them up. #ApostolicJourney” @Pontifex 25 November 2019
  • “The theme of my visit is “Protect All Life”, in the recognition of its inviolable dignity and the importance of showing solidarity and support to our brothers and sisters in any kind of need. #ApostolicJourney” @Pontifex 25 November 2019
  • “I thank the entire Japanese people for the kind reception and welcome accorded me during my Apostolic Visit. I will keep all of you in my prayers.” @Pontifex 25 November 2019
  • “私の訪日に際し、皆様が私を真心を込めてあたたかくお迎えくださったことに対し、私は日本のすべての皆様に深く感謝申し上げます。お祈りの内に皆様のことを心に留めております。” @Pontifex 25 November 2019
  • “My apostolic journey to Thailand and Japan was a gift for which I am so grateful to the Lord. This visit increased my closeness and affection for these peoples: may God bless them with prosperity and peace in abundance. #GeneralAudience” @Pontifex 27 November 2019

Papal Instagram

The Stolen Earth – The Secrets of Doctor Who

As Donna Noble’s time as Companion winds down, the 10th Doctor is reunited with many of his prior Companions. Jimmy, Dom, and Fr. Cory discuss the gathering threads by Russell T. Davies as his time as showrunner comes to an end too.

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Eye of the Needle (Voyager) – The Secrets of Star Trek

When a wormhole presents itself to the crew of the Voyager they get their hopes up, but it’s only the first season. Jimmy Akin, Dom Bettinelli, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the dilemma of trying to convince an enemy to trust you about something completely improbable and desperately important.

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The Mysterious Death of Frank Olson (CIA Scientist) – Jimmy Akin’s Mysterious World

On November 28, 1953, Dr. Frank Olson plummeted to his death from a New York City hotel room window. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli examine the mystery of his death. Was it an accident as his family was told? Or did it have something to do with the CIA, biowarfare, LSD, and murder?

Links for this episode:

Mysterious Headlines

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