William Hemsworth's Blog, page 75

Purgatory in the Bible – YouTube

If you asked many people where is Purgatory in the Bible, you may either get blank stares, possibly be told, vaguely, it’s somewhere in the Old Testament (which is true), perhaps in the letters of St. Paul (which is true), or even still, the 1st Letter of John (which is also true). Purgatory in the […]

Purgatory in the Bible – YouTube

Restoring faith in reason amid skepticism, doubt, and fake news – Catholic World Report

Something beyond reason, beyond the horizontal plane of human thought, has to break through in order to restore confidence that there is truth, and that reason can find it. Restoring faith in reason amid skepticism, doubt, and fake news – Catholic World Report (Image: Tim Marshall/Unsplash.com) Catholics are rightly fond of quoting Pope John Paul […]

Restoring faith in reason amid skepticism, doubt, and fake news – Catholic World Report

Should You Convert to Catholicism? A Response to Dr. Gavin Ortlund

Are you a Protestant who’s considering becoming Catholic? Dr. Gavin Ortlund would have you consider some things first – and here I respond to his advice.

Should You Convert to Catholicism? A Response to Dr. Gavin Ortlund

[Video] Why I Have Not Left Catholicism for Eastern Orthodoxy

Great video from the great Erick Ybarra.

[Video] Why I Have Not Left Catholicism for Eastern Orthodoxy

How does Jesus have a Father? Studying John 5:17

In John 5, Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath. This causes a controversy between Jesus and the Pharisees who had an extremely restrictive view of activities which were allowed on the Sabbath.  In John 5:17, Jesus says: “My father is working until now, and I am working.”  That’s a theologically loaded statement.  It’s so […]

How does Jesus have a Father? Studying John 5:17

Breaking news: Actor Shia LaBeouf converts to Catholicism

This story is a couple months old, but still amazing.

In some positive news from Hollywood, the actor Shia LaBeouf has converted to Catholicism after studying for his lead role in the upcoming Padre Pio movie. It might not come as surprise to many, considering the Italian saint is a pretty powerful intercessor. When the actor started preparing for the role as the famous mystic […]

Breaking news: Actor Shia LaBeouf converts to Catholicism

Popular French actor converts from from Judaism to Catholicism

The 51-year-old French actor and stand-up comedian Gad Elmaleh has recently shared some interesting stories about his conversion to the Catholic faith.Elmaleh, who was born in Morocco, has a large fan base, and is particularly appreciated in the Jewish community in France. He is also known for his relationship with Grace Kelly’s granddaughter, Charlotte Casiraghi, with whom he shares a son called Rafael. According to El Mondo, the comedian will adopt the name Jean-Marie when he is baptized, honoring the Mother of Christ. who was instrumental in drawing him into the faith. In fact he shared with a leading French newspaper, Le Figaro, that “the Virgin Mary is my most beautiful love.” He went on to share how childhood curiosity led him into a church, which he wasn’t allowed to enter in those days. He explains how seeing a statue of the Virgin Mary had a great effect on him: “It wasn’t a vision, just a simple statue, but I was petrified. I began to cry and hid for fear of being discovered by my family, for fear of curses and superstition. I kept it a secret for my entire childhood.”The actor recounts his conversion in a new film called Reste un peu, or “Stay a while.” As he shared in an interview on L’Invité, on France Inter, his parents, who are practicing Sephardi Jews, are featured in the movie. While they are not happy with his decision to convert to Catholicism, they support him. Mary is the “star of the film”Elmaleh studied theology and has also participated in a musical about St. Bernadette Soubirous, the young saint who claimed that the Blessed Virgin instructed her to have a shrine built in her honor at Lourdes. But in the movie, that will be released in November 16, the actor describes Mary as the “star of the film,” and his “guide and inspiration.”As Catholic News Agency points out, Elmaleh talks of his conversion, saying: “It’s true that it’s a spiritual, religious coming out. There’s a lot of mixture of fiction and reality, [but] it’s true that I question myself at the age of 50.”“It’s a search in which I ask myself where, who, when, there’s a God, there is no God,” adding, “the Virgin Mary calls me and protects me.”In the video of the interview below, Elmaleh talks of his path and the place of Judaism, Islam. and Catholicism in his life. And with his usual touch of humor, he shared how one interviewer told him that “between his mother and the Virgin Mary, there’s not a lot of room for another woman in his life.”And in the few extracts of the film, it is clear that his parents are berating him for his decision, but they have a deep love for their son, possibly as deep as Elmaleh’s love for the Virgin Mary. As the father of two shared, the movie is fundamentally a love story.

Popular French actor converts from from Judaism to Catholicism

Catholic University deepens bonds with Coptic Orthodox Church

In a move that strengthens the bonds between Catholic and Coptic Orthodox educators, the Catholic University of America (CUA) has awarded an honorary degree to Metropolitan Serapion. The November 5 ceremony also included the signing of a memorandum of understanding between CUA and St. Athanasius and St. Cyril Coptic Theological School (ACTS) in Los Angeles. […]

Catholic University deepens bonds with Coptic Orthodox Church

Bible contradiction? Do Christians know how to pray? — The Domain for Truth

This is a great piece that discusses supposed Bible contradictions. Check it out.

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Do Christians know how to pray? Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes shows a Bible contradiction: Yes, Jesus taught them how to pray. ““Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father, who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 […]

Bible contradiction? Do Christians know how to pray? — The Domain for Truth

Sewing Hope Into Broken Hearts

Bill Snyder, the founder of  Patchwork Heart Ministry joins me for a great episode. In this episode we discuss what moved him to start Patchwork Heart, how the ministry is going, and he discusses things that ministry leaders may encounter and how to overcome them. We also discuss some great projects that the ministry is doing such as a #shroudofturin documentary that is in the works, and a Eucharistic summit that will begin in December. Check it out!

About Patchwork Heart (From Their Website)

People on occasion ask us why we named our ministry Patchwork Heart. The answer is simply this, our founder Bill Snyder is a survivor of three open-heart surgeries. He was diagnosed at three weeks of age with Tetrology of Fallot a serious congenital heart defect that required immediate surgery to correct the problem, and two additional open-heart surgeries to make necessary modifications and improve heart function. As part of the procedures, many different patches have been sewn into his heart thus giving him a “patchwork heart” and a name to our ministry. Bill, a passionate Catholic, loves to openly share his story of how the numerous surgeries and medical procedures have helped him grow in faith because he believes and hopes that it will open many hearts to God’s grace and love.

About Bill Snyder

​Born and raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA, Bill is a passionate Catholic with a lively faith. For over a dozen years he has been an active member and leader in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and holds bachelor’s degrees in both Theology/Religious Studies and TV/Radio Production from the University of Scranton, PA. As a youth and young adult evangelist, servant leader, teacher, and dynamic speaker he harnesses the energy of young Catholics, guiding them into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and challenges them to be bold witnesses to the Catholic Faith.

In addition, Bill was selected to serve as a Council member for Pentecost Today USA and is a discerner for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee Catholic Charismatic Renewal.

The Patchwork Heart Interview