Stephen K. Ray's Blog, page 4

Steve and Janet featured on “Sinners & Saints” first one-hour special

Janet and I were recently interviewed by Timothy Jeffries on his show “Sinners & Saints”. It was filmed in the studios where we produced our Footprints of God film series, No. 10.

We hope you enjoy the fast-paced, fun, and informative interview, which brings glory to our Lord Jesus and makes one proud to be Catholic!

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Saints & Shrines of France – including D-Day and Mass at Notre Dame Cathedral!

The first time we did this pilgrimage through France it was a huge success and a very blessed time. This trip will be even better! Join us November 30 – December 9, 2024.

D-Day, also known as the Normandy Invasion
This turning point in World War II occurred on June 6, 1944 — eighty years ago. We will celebrate that crucial battle in Normandy France and walk on Omaha Beach. On that day, more than 156,000 American, British, and Canadian troops stormed the fiercely defended beaches of Normandy in northern France. This operation marked a critical turning point in World War II.

Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris
This iconic church was severely damaged by fire in 2019. After 5 years of of restoration, Notre Dame is scheduled to open on December 8 AND WE WILL BE THERE! We are hoping to have Mass in the Cathedral the day it opens.

To top all of that, we will also visit Lisieux, home of St. Therese and celebrate Mass where her family did. Mont-Saint-Michel is stunning beyond belief as we spend time exploring and visiting the village.

We will visit the Cathedral of Saint Vincent and later that day celebrate Mass in Pontmain where the Virgin Mary appeared to four children in 1871.

Paris and the Seine River cruise. Chartres, Notre Dame Cathedral, St. Catherine Labouré’ incorrupt body and the Miraculous Medal.

Just a few blocks away, another incorrupt body of St. Vincent de Paul. See the Basilica of Sacre-Couer in Montmartre, where perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament has continued uninterrupted since 1885.

And so much more. For the interactive map, itinerary, brochure and more info — and to register on-line visit here.

You will also receive a 2-hour movie of your pilgrimage as a keepsake. Here is the video we produced for our pilgrims on our last pilgrimage through France.

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Questions I Answered on Catholic Answers Live – Q & A for Non-Catholics

Listen here:

https://catholicconvert.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/ca250702a.mp3

In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, we tackle a wide range of thoughtful questions from callers of various religious backgrounds. Topics include the similarities and differences between Catholicism and Latter-day Saint beliefs, a clear explanation of purgatory, and why only the priest consumes the Precious Blood during Mass.

We also discuss whether purgatory is purification or punishment, the role of baptism in Christian unity, and the theological significance of the 1,000 years after Armageddon. Additional questions explore the Catholic view on salvation versus universalism, the Greek wording in Scripture regarding Jesus’ “brothers,” and how to make sense of the brokenness in the world today—especially in children.

Questions Covered:

04:47 – Are there any similarities between Latter-day Saint (LDS) and Catholic beliefs?08:20 – What is a simple explanation of purgatory for someone unfamiliar with Catholic teaching?16:36 – Why is it only the priest who consumes the wine during Mass?22:20 – Is purgatory meant to be purification or punishment?25:13 – If baptism is the great unifying sacrament among Christians, why doesn’t it allow all baptized Christians to receive Communion?31:41 – What is the meaning and significance of the 1,000 years after Armageddon, and how does it compare with the concept of purgatory?35:29 – How does the Catholic view of salvation differ from Christian universalism?43:37 – What does the Greek in Scripture indicate about Jesus’ brothers and whether Mary was their mother?50:43 – Why does so much brokenness exist in the world, especially as seen in children?

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Grandson Dominics Wedding – he roasted 2 pigs and make 30 gallons of beer for the celebration

We had a wild Saturday. We returned home from the Danube River Cruise Pilgrimage at 2:30 AM (due to flight delays) and then popped up early in the morning to host 13 people in our little house and head off to the wedding.

Dominic and Anna had a lovely Latin Mass wedding, accompanied by a whole choral and instrumental group playing the most beautiful music and chant. It was truly ethereal and blessed with over 350 in attendance. Many of them were their fellow graduates from Wyoming Catholic University, all sporting their black Stetson hats.

Dominic and Anna prepared for this wedding way in advance, and the reception was spectacular. Dominic purchased two giant hogs and butchered them and dug a pit to roast them for two days. The pulled pork was exceptional.

Plus he brewed 30 gallons of his own beer for the reception — 5 different types. Delicious!!

The lively dancing and singing went on for hours with all the young folks square dancing and ballroom dancing with their live band and youthful enthusiasm. The speeches were deeply moving and spiritual. A great time was had by all.

If you want to feel old, think about having two grandsons married! But we and their parents encourage our grandchildren to find a good Catholic spouse and marry young like we did. Janet was 19 and I was 21 and it was the best thing we ever did.

In an age where young people are not marrying, just “shacking up” and contracepting, it is preparing for a very lonely and unfulfilled old age. God bless our family and the Catholic way of life!

Here is a short video of the wedding and dancing. Dominic and Anna are accomplished ballroom dancers.

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St. Peter: Bumbling Disciple or Competent CEO?

My latest article for Catholic Answers Magazine. Was Peter a bumbling idiot or a competent businessman? Why did Jesus choose Peter unless he was qualified to lead the church? This is a whole new perspective on Peter that most people have not considered.

Click on the link or the image below to read the full article.

https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/st-peter-ceo-of-the-catholic-church

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Danube 10: 20th Anniversary Celebration & Gala Dinner in Prague

It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years since we started leading pilgrimages. With many locations in over 10,000 people it’s a very humbling for Janet and and I.

We thank John Hale and Mark Slater of Corporate Travel Services for their unwavering loyalty and operational partnership.

To celebrate we had a big Gala Dinner at the end of our Danube River cruise in Prague, Czech Republic. I hope you enjoy it.

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Danube 9: Mass at Infant Jesus of Prague, City Tour, Awards Dinner and more!

All day Prague, Czech Republic! Sightseeing tour through Hradcany Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, the Royal Castle, St. George’s Basilica, and Mass at the Church of Our Lady Victorious where you see the Statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague

Crossed the Charles Bridge to visit the Old Town — one of the best historical city centers in Europe. Jan Hus statue, Moldau River (listen to Smetana’s famous “Moldau). Free afternoon for lunch, prayer, exploring, etc.

Awards Dinner, memories of 20 years of pilgrimages, blessing religious items, then packed for early AM departure home.

OUR DAY IN PRAGUE (Awards and Memory Gala Dinner soon)

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Acts of the Apostles: The Birth of the Catholic Church

Being seasick is terrible. I experienced it earlier while fishing all night on the Sea of Galilee. Fishermen and travelers in the first century were often nauseated while bobbing up and down on the seas of the Roman Empire.

St. Paul’s most faithful friends were writing the life of Christ and the first history of the Church and we can imagine him keeping notes and recording memories as he sat on the bow of the ship as it cut through the water with Paul on his later journeys. Writing quills and parchment were primitive means of writing by our modern standards, yet Luke wrote one of the most important and well-written documents known to the modern world. His writings have certainly proven seaworthy.

Luke’s history, written mostly from acquired tradition and only briefly from first-hand experience with the Apostle Paul (cp. “we” sections in Acts 16:10, 17; 20:5-15; 21:1, 18, and 27:1, 28:16), has come down to us as the Acts of the Apostles. Somewhat of an unusual title considering it tells us nothing of the apostolates of Thomas, Andrew, Philip, Matthew or the others. In fact, it only relays bits and pieces from the lives of Peter, John, and Paul.

Alternate titles have been proposed, such as Acts of the Holy Spirit, but the accepted title is from the earliest centuries, quoted in the Fathers and recognized early as an inspired text. It is not a complete history of the early Church, just bare facts, but rather an outline of crucial events and turning points in the early Christian community. This is theology, history, and eternal truth woven by a master into a beautiful tapestry.

As we begin reading Acts, full of anticipation to see what happened after Christ ascended into the clouds of heaven, we find that this is not Luke’s first document. The opening words begin, “The first account I composed, Theophilus”. Luke had written an earlier history, again told like a master weaver full of eternal truths and a deep understanding of the life and gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. This of course is the Gospel of St. Luke written about AD 62 or thereabouts, just before Acts. The recipient of both, Theophilus, was probably a Roman dignitary interested in the full story of this new “religion”.

Luke alone provides the account of Jesus’ ascension of Jesus into heaven (Lk 24:51; Acts 1:2, 9?11). He also gives us the outline not only for the Acts of the Apostles but the expansion of the whole Church from the first century until today. Before disappearing into the clouds, Jesus said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8, emphasis mine). This is exactly what happened, as we shall see.

For the whole article, click here.

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Danube 8: From Passau to Pilsen to Prague; Exceptional Local Folk Dinner Show!

Celebrate Mass on the ship, breakfast and we disembarked to head into the Czech Republic. Stopped in Pilsen with a panoramic tour with a group Lunch at Restaurant Na Spilce paid for by us and our suppliers for the 20th Anniversary Celebration. Enjoy the local Pilsner beer.

One of the buses had a mechanical problem with the suspension and we had to send 27 people to Prague on the train. And boy did they have a good time! The bus was fixed a few hours later and arrived at our hotel with all the luggage and taken up to the room before we got back from dinner. We pulled a rabbit out of the hat today! And thanks be to God!

Then on to Prague to settle in to our Almanac X Alcron Prague Hotel. A special dinner of Czech specialties at the very elegant Restaurant U Marčanů with traditional local folk entertainment which was unbelievably fun and entertaining.

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Danube 7: Passau Germany and Marian Shrine in Altötting

We arrived in Passau Germany early in the morning. After breakfast, we drove through the lovely Bavarian countryside to Altötting. Mass and a tour at St. Anne’s Basilica and a stroll of the town visiting the “Black Madonna of Altotting,” a wooden statue of the Virgin Mary visited by over 1 million people a year.

Return to Passau for lunch, free time on the ship before a tour of Passau and nice dinner and evening and packing to leave the ship tomorrow when we head into the Czech Republic.

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