Making Catholicism Work

In episode 20 of Making Catholicism Work, titled “Change and Unchangeable Foundations”, Father James Grant explores the tension between modern calls for institutional reform and the enduring truths of the Catholic faith. Drawing from his experience in industrial chaplaincy, Father Grant challenges the assumption that churches must adapt to survive, arguing instead that clarity, not conformity, is what sustains faith. He critiques the rewriting of history, the culture of resentment, and the erosion of gratitude in modern Australia, while affirming the Catholic call to use our God-given gifts in service of truth, humility, and thankfulness.

Sales of Father James Grant’s “Making Catholicism Work”, along with his previous works, can be obtained from Connor Court Publishing.

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Pilgrimage, or a journey to emulate someone’s life, is a powerful antidote to a lifeless faith. It involves detaching from self-centeredness and embracing a deeper connection with God and others. Through pilgrimage, we learn gratitude, compassion, and the importance of community, ultimately transforming our lives and relationships.

The Catholic Church has largely stopped speaking about or calling people to a sense of vocation, which is the fundamental question of what task God is calling us to. This lack of discussion about vocation is the fundamental reason for the loss of energy and vitality in faith communities and the dismal connections to the wider community. The removal of Mary from parishes has had a crippling effect on parish life, as her life is the quintessential life of vocation, and her words are the most powerful words ever spoken by a human being.

Father James Grant discusses Alexander Solzhenitsyn, a Russian author and dissident, criticised Western naivety towards communism, particularly American support for the Soviet Union. He argued this support strengthened communism and enabled the suppression of freedom movements. Solzhenitsyn also analysed the Catholic Church’s compromises with communist regimes, highlighting the need for a realistic understanding of Chinese communism and its suppression of religious freedom.

Father James Grant discusses stoicism, a philosophy focused on self-improvement and duty, which significantly influenced ancient Rome for 500 years. Despite its admirable principles, its practical application was often lacking, as illustrated by figures like Cicero and Marcus Aurelius. In contrast, Catholicism provides a more holistic approach to human improvement, extending beyond personal development to include spiritual growth and understanding life’s purpose. It emphasises humility as a virtue that curbs self-love and recognises humanity’s reliance on God. Maximilian Kolbe exemplified this humility through his selfless act in Auschwitz, showcasing its transformative power.

Catholic art, rooted in the incarnation of Christ, elevates humanity and connects it to the spiritual realm. This is evident in architecture, such as Gothic cathedrals, and in sculptures like Michelangelo’s Pieta, which transform human suffering into inspiration. In contrast, modern Australian art, often elitist and government-subsidised, struggles to transcend demoralising trends and fails to resonate with the average person.

Father James Grant reflects on the contrast between his grandmother’s strong faith and the lack of religious practice in his own family. He recounts his grandmother’s hardships, including the loss of two husbands to war injuries, and how her faith sustained her through suffering. Father Grant contrasts this with a recent observation of a grandmother and her granddaughters, suggesting a disconnect between generations and a decline in religious influence.

The speaker reflects on the profound impact of two women in his life, his grandmother and wife, who endured immense suffering but remained steadfast in their faith and commitment to others. Their experiences taught him the importance of spiritual stability, consistency, and love in the face of adversity. He emphasises the Catholic call to be reliable, joyful, and loving, not just enduring life’s challenges.

Father James Grant’s presentation, “Creative Catholicism,” explores the purpose of faith and the transformative power of suffering.

Father James Grant recounts his wife Dolores’s hospitalization for heart surgery, which went awry due to extensive tissue hardening. Despite the medical team’s efforts, Dolores remained in a coma and was later diagnosed with a stroke. Conflicting opinions from doctors about her prognosis added to the family’s distress.

The author recounts their wife Dolores’s eight-day coma and subsequent recovery. Despite receiving professional medical care, Father James expresses concern about the hospital’s lack of acknowledgment of Dolores’s humanity and dignity, particularly the absence of Catholic chaplains. The author emphasizes the importance of recognizing the transcendent aspect of human life beyond physical care, highlighting the need for a more holistic approach to patient care.

The speaker expresses gratitude for an actor and a power beyond the immediate who cared for a woman.

Father James Grant discusses the public’s general confusion about God.

Father James Grant discusses praying to our lady.

Father James Grant discusses apathy in Australia.

Father James Grant discusses the truth about confession in Australia.

Father James Grant discusses what’s different about the Catholic view of love.

Father James Grant discusses the vitality of Catholicism.

Father James Grant discusses why Catholics must live authentic lives.

Father James discusses the difficulty of forgiveness.

Catholic challenges of a secular society besotted with sport and trivia.

Why the claims of Jesus have been rejected in the modern world.

God can meet you in the most unexpected places, not just in Church. God can pop up when you least expect it.