Joseph M Tuttle
Freelance writer and Author
I am a Catholic writer and author. I have been published and/or have work forthcoming with numerous Catholic outlets. B.A Theology, M.A. Catholic Philosophical Studies.
lifeisstillworthliving.substack.com
St. Charbel Mahkluf - July 24
“Sanctity is not chance, sanctity is a choice...Sanctity is grace and will; the grace is from God and the will is from you. You are a potential saint; strive to be an actual saint.” - From a homily by St. Charbel
Yussef Antoun Makhlouf was born in Lebanon in 1828. He grew up in a Catholic farming family which belonged to the Maronite Rite – a group of Eastern Catholics. His well-meaning family made employment and marriage plans for his life. Yussef, however, had other plans for his life and l...
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Mattoon, IL
Bulletin Reflection 7/14/24
A bulletin reflection on the Brown Scapular for the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel - July 16
lifeisstillworthliving.substack.com
St. Maria Goretti - July 6
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)
The story of St. Maria Goretti is tragic and yet full of the ever abundant grace of God. Maria was born into a devout Catholic family in 1890. Maria's family was poor and worked on a farm in the Ancona Province, Italy. Luigi Goretti, Maria's father, partnered with the Serenelli family to co-work their farm.
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Mattoon, IL
St. Mother Theodore Guerin Brochure
A Brochure on Mother Theodore Guerin detailing her life.
catholicinsight.com
Fulton Sheen and Infallibility
The doctrine of papal infallibility was dogmatically defined in the First Vatican Council’s document Pastor Aeternus in 1870. Of course, this gift of the papal office has its origins in the words of Jesus to St. Peter: “And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth...
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Mattoon, IL
Bulletin Reflection 6/23/24
Bulletin Reflection for feasts of Sts. Thomas More and John Fisher, June 22.
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Mattoon, IL
Augustus Tolton Brochure
A brochure detailing the life of Fr. Augustus Tolton with prayers and information regarding his burial. Designed specifically for Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Mattoon, IL.
missiodeicatholic.org
The Biblical (and extra-biblical) Origin of Relics
For those new to the Catholic Faith or for those who are completely unfamiliar with it, relics can seem to be a stumbling block. Why do Catholics have relics? Is this practice something new and created specifically by the Church? It is not the purpose of this essay to explain relics in their totality; rather, I would like to explain the biblical (and one extra-biblical) origin of relics to show that there is a continuity with the ancient Jewish veneration and respect of the remains and garmen...
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Mattoon, IL
Bulletin Reflection 6/16/24
Bulletin Reflection on Feast of St. Anthony of Padua
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Mattoon, IL
Bulletin Reflection 6/9/24
Reflection on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
staustinreview.org
May-June Issue: G.K. Chesterton and Fulton Sheen: Defenders of the Faith
Contributed the Essay: "Literary Influences on Fulton Sheen."
shop.voyagecomics.com
Spider-Man & Faith: Essays on Christian Truth in the Spider-Verse
Contributing Author of a chapter on Electro and the Corruption of Power.
missiodeicatholic.org
Church Column Types and Their Theological Significance
When looking at the beautiful churches throughout the world, one notices that many of them, built in the classical tradition, have different and varied columns or pillars. The words “column” and “pillar” can be used interchangeably. The capitals, that is, the very top of the column, actually represent different types of people in the history of the Church.
missiodeicatholic.org
Exploring Dante's Theology of Limbo
Introduction
One of the most debated topics of Dante's epic masterpiece, The Divine Comedy, is his theology of Limbo. There are numerous theories regarding the possible salvation or lack of salvation for those in Limbo, especially the virtuous pagans. Two theories regarding what Dante says about the salvation of Limbo stand out. The first and most popular opinion of scholars is that those in Limbo are stuck there forever.
catholicworldreport.com
The Best Books I Read in 2023
This year I have delved further into the writings of G.K. Chesterton. I was previously acquainted with much of his fiction but decided to dive into his non-fiction. My father, a convert to the Catholic Faith and a huge fan of Chesterton, has always told me that if I were ever to read any books by Chesterton to read Orthodoxy and The Everlasting Man; both of which I completed this year. In my opinion, these texts should be read back-to-back and always together. In his typical wit and wisdom, Chesterton offers a superb defense of Christendom.