Editor’s Note: The Simple Catholic Sunday Funnies This new weekly feature of wholesome and funny Catholic comics strips is presented by The Simple Catholic. Current contributors include Father Alvaro Comics (weekly) and The Catholic Cartoonist (bi-monthly). If you are a Catholic cartoonist and would like to be included in this feature please email me at chicoine.matt@live.com.
About Father Alvaro
Father Alvaro is a comic focusing on the humor, beauty and challenges of parish life in the Midwest. The characters, though fictional, are based on various Priests, Nuns and Deacons from my parish in Madison, Wisconsin. Father Alvaro combines my passion for brief storytelling with sharing the Catholic Faith. I hope these comics bring moments of joy to readers.
Sponsored: This article is made possible by Image & Gift Ministries LLC, supporting quality and engaging Catholic content.
In a world where identity has become increasingly fragmented and fluid, what if the most profound answers about who we truly are have been waiting for us since the beginning of creation? The modern man has an identity crisis and the solution is Christian anthropology. This might sound like advanced terminology, leaving you wondering: what does this actually mean?
In simplest terms, Christian anthropology is understanding human persons as God created them. Ultimately what is at stake is human identity. As our culture moves farther away from the true understanding of the nature and purpose of the human person, the need for education in Christian anthropology is more necessary than ever before in our experience.
The Christian understanding of the human person was once taken for granted in our culture as the standard by which all understood themselves and others. Today this is not the case. We see evidence of identity confusion all around us or even within ourselves. Just do a Google search of “define identity” and one can see the confusion that surrounds the idea.
The Fundamental Questions of Human Existence
Christian anthropology seeks to answer the deepest and most universal questions every person must wrestle with in some seasons of our lives: Who/what am I? What is my purpose? What is the point of my existence? Why are humans embodied? Are humans really created only male and female? What is the relationship between the body and soul?
Saint John Paul II begins his meditation on the Christian understanding of the human person by referring to the beginning. From this perspective he paints an amazing picture of what God intended for humans when He created them.
In his fifth speech of Theology of the Body, which he subtitled, “Man in Search of His Essence,”1 Saint John Paul II, regarding the creation of man, says, “…man is the object of the creative action of God-Yahweh, who at the same time, as Legislator, sets the conditions for the first covenant with man.”
Three Foundational Truths About Human Nature
In this one half-sentence Saint John Paul II articulates three foundational truths about the nature of the human person from the Christian perspective. Imagine it, God breathes His Spirit into the nostrils of the creature, which scripture says is the moment, “the man became a living being” (Gen. 2:7) and as he comes into consciousness for the first time, he finds himself in relationship with his Creator. This is the first foundational and most important aspect Christian anthropology teaches us about human nature. To be the “object of the creative action of God,” is to say God created the human person. God is the creator. We are creatures. We do not create ourselves. Our nature, our humanity, our existence is a gift from a Creator who gave His own breath to give us life. This is the foundation of our humanity.
In this same sentence, Saint John Paul II uses a capital “L” for the word “Legislator.” Why? Or, a better question is, “who”? Obviously, he is referring to the Father – but, why “Legislator”? Identifying the Father in this way introduces the second foundational truth about the nature of the human person namely, God is the one who makes the rules. Humans do not decide for themselves what is good or evil. That’s the Creator’s job.
The Covenant Relationship with God
The third foundational truth of human nature as God reveals it and Saint John Paul II articulates it, is revealed by the word, “covenant.” The human person enters a unique relationship with God the Father and Creator. This relationship differs from a common contract that either party can dissolve at any time. A covenant is meant to be permanent. It is entering into a relationship, a communion of persons. Contracts are about things or services the parties will exchange. Covenant is about persons, contracts are about things. What does this tell us about the nature of the human person? We are not things to God. We are persons who are set into a relationship of communion with God.
These three foundational characteristics of human nature or identity is just the beginning of what the Christian anthropology Saint John Paul II articulates in Theology of the Body. Imagine how much more there is to say about human nature if we can understand all that in just one half-sentence from Theology of the Body!
Thanks again to today’s article sponsor! Visit Image & Gift Ministries LLC to learn more about Christian anthropology rooted in the Theology of the Body.
Editor’s Note: Matthew Chicoine interviewed Cameron Riecker via phone call on February 17th, 2025. Some of the questions have been rearranged and edited to provide the best reader experience without losing any integrity of the answers given.
How did you get involved in Catholic apologetics?
Well, I supposed initially it started when I was dating a Protestant girl in college. We started talking about our future. Through that relationship and a real occasion to study (through Augustine’s work and other Church teachings). After that relationship ended with the girl, I developed a devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. I went into seminary in 2018 (eventually discerned out) and I am married now with two children. During these experiences I learned I had a knack for theology and explaining the faith to others.
Much of modern Catholic apologetics focuses on defending the faith against secular critiques. How do you balance addressing contemporary challenges while staying rooted in the Church’s traditional apologetic approaches from figures like Augustine and Aquinas?
It’s just an application of the same knowledge to different situations. The Church has already answered most of these questions. It’s a matter of presenting these questions and defenses of the faith in a way modern readers can understand but the main aspects of the answers are the same.
Your channel covers both theological depth and accessibility for seekers. Could you share how you approach making complex Catholic doctrines understandable without oversimplifying their richness?
You proceed to the unknown through the known. The knowledge of principles allows you to proceed to unknown conclusions. In order to be a good teacher you need to know what your students already know and where you want to guide them.
I think God has been able to give me the ability to use analogies to help teach the faith. In order for people to get the concept at a basic level I think these stories and analogies are helpful.
What has been the most surprising or transformative insight you’ve gained through your work in Catholic apologetics, from studying the tradition?
I think one of the more profound insights I got from studying Saint Thomas Aquinas is the imminent proximity that God exists. This notion that anything good I do or anything someone else does is that it is because of God. All that is evil comes from creatures. All that is good comes from God. Isaiah 26:12 refers to this. God is sustaining our being all the time. Having my eyes opened to this changed things for me.
Engaging with people’s questions/comments?
People are really fascinated with the Blessed Virgin Mary for good or ill. It is the most common objection related to this subject. The Devil realizes that at this point in human history Jesus has given a lot of influence to Mary. Satan can see the spiritual battlescape and he knows that once people receive Mary they are out of his grasp.
Many young Catholics today struggle with questions about faith and science. Which resources or approaches have you found most effective in demonstrating the harmony between Catholic teaching and scientific understanding?
I taught senior physics from 2020-2024. Studying physics is studying God’s creation. There is nothing for authentic religion to be concerned about science. The main principle is that God is the author of creation and the Scriptures go hand-in-hand.
When engaging with people from other faith traditions or non-believers, what do you find is the most commonly misunderstood aspect of Catholic teaching, and how do you address it?
It’s always Mary. I address that a little bit and why. The main distinction that Protestants struggle with is that you can venerate a saint without worshiping them. Not fully understanding the classical distinction between latria, hyperdulia, and dulia.
Your channel aims to serve both lifelong Catholics and seekers. Could you share a particular moment or conversation that exemplifies why you believe apologetics remains vital for the Church today?
Once again going back to the Mary thing, recommending the Rosary has been fruitful in my work. Saint Louis de Montfort said in his book True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, “Mary has produced, together with the Holy Ghost, the greatest thing which has been or ever will be— a God-Man; and she will consequently produce the greatest saints that there will be in the end of time.”
Looking ahead, what do you see as the most pressing challenges facing Catholic apologetics in the next decade, and how can we best prepare to address them?
I think sexual ethics is coming down the pipe. Additionally, the role of the Pope internationally. Many people have lived their life without knowing who the Pope is even now in the 21st century. We respond to this by making distinctions and defending the same faith the Church has taught for 2000 years and pray. That’s it!
About Cameron:
Cameron Riecker is a Catholic apologist, life coach, and speaker who lives in Phoenix, Arizona with his wife and two kids.
When he’s not working, he enjoys basketball, weightlifting, and going on hikes with his family.
😄😄😄Begone snakes! 😄🙂🙏🐍What’s your favorite title of Saint Joseph? 🙏
That’s all I have this week. Stay tuned for next week’s Catholic Meme Monday. Receive updates straight to your email inbox by subscribing to The Simple Catholic blog.
P.S. If you prefer receiving quality Catholic humor in daily doses follow me on Instagram @thesimplecatholic.
Editor’s Note: The Simple Catholic Sunday Funnies This new weekly feature of wholesome and funny Catholic comics strips is presented by The Simple Catholic. Current contributors include Father Alvaro Comics and The Catholic Cartoonist.
About Father Alvaro
Father Alvaro is a comic focusing on the humor, beauty and challenges of parish life in the Midwest. The characters, though fictional, are based on various Priests, Nuns and Deacons from my parish in Madison, Wisconsin. Father Alvaro combines my passion for brief storytelling with sharing the Catholic Faith. I hope these comics bring moments of joy to readers.
Sponsored: This article is made possible by Truthly, supporting quality and engaging Catholic content.
In our family home, we have a running joke about my parents calling me or my siblings whenever they have a technology problem. “The router’s not working!” or “How do I save this document?” We’ve become the default tech support. This experience got me thinking about how we use technology as Catholics in today’s digital environment.
Technology itself—whether it’s smartphones, artificial intelligence, or social media—is morally neutral. Like a hammer, car, or telephone, these tools aren’t inherently good or evil. It’s how we choose to use them that matters. This perspective isn’t new to Catholic thinking. The Church has always recognized that human innovation serves a purpose in God’s plan when used properly.
While seeking digital balance, I discovered we have spiritual guides for this journey too. The communion of saints offers us models for using technology virtuously, even saints who lived long before the internet age.
Saint Isidore of Seville: The Ancient Patron of the Internet
“The 7th century patron saint of the internet seems odd, but Saint Isidore of Seville connects logically to our digital world.
In 1997, Pope John Paul II named him internet patron because his writing structure resembled modern databases. Isidore’s greatest work, the Etymologiae, was essentially an early encyclopedia that attempted to compile all known knowledge. His organizational approach anticipated our digital information systems by over a millennium.
What strikes me most about Isidore wasn’t just his intellectual achievements but his heart for unity. After years of war in Spain, Isidore worked tirelessly to bring peace and unite Christians throughout the region. Pope Benedict XVI noted in his 2008 General Audience that Isidore’s wealth of cultural knowledge allowed him to “constantly compare the Christian newness with the Greco-Roman cultural heritage.”
This mission of unity perfectly parallels the original vision for the internet—connecting people across distances and differences. When I scroll through divisive comment sections or see how technology sometimes drives us apart, I remember Isidore’s example. Technology should be a tool for building bridges, not walls.
Often called the “Schoolmaster of the Middle Ages,” Isidore established schools and seminaries to form newly converted Visigoths in the faith. His reputation was so profound that the 15th Council of Toledo in 688 called him “the extraordinary doctor, the latest ornament of the Catholic Church, the most learned man of the latter ages, always to be named with reverence.”
When I feel overwhelmed by information overload or distracted by endless notifications, I try to ask: How would Isidore approach this digital world? Would he use it to unite or divide? To educate or distract? To lift others up or tear them down?
Blessed Carlo Acutis: A Modern Saint for the Digital Age
Saint Isidore offers a timeless view on technology, while Blessed Carlo Acutis models virtue in our digital age. The Church has recognized Carlo’s extraordinary witness, and I’m overjoyed that he will be canonized on April 27, 2025. Soon we’ll be able to call him “Saint Carlo” — a modern patron for our digital age!
In July 2024, I attended the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. Among 50,000 Catholics celebrating the Eucharist, the Eucharistic Miracles exhibit, inspired by Carlo, drew huge crowds. Some waited over 90 minutes to see it.
While standing in line, I experienced a life-changing encounter with a California gentleman who shared his conversion story. By the time we reached the exhibit, we felt genuine kinship and the beauty and detail of Carlo’s Eucharistic catalog from his short life moved us both.
I first encountered Carlo’s legacy on October 24, 2022, when I prayed before the Blessed Sacrament and heard a presentation about him at my parish. His story resonated deeply with me as a parent trying to guide children through a digital world.
What makes Carlo so remarkable is how he balanced technology with spiritual priorities. Often called “the first millennial saint,” Carlo used his computer programming skills to create websites documenting Eucharistic miracles around the world. Yet despite his technological aptitude, he maintained clear boundaries.
Carlo enforced a strict one-hour gaming limit for himself and friends. His discipline highlights my tendency to check my phone mindlessly and let technology interfere with prayer and family time.
Finding Balance in Our Digital Lives
These saints—one ancient, one modern—show us that technology should serve us, not vice versa. When my son fixates on screens or I scroll through social media instead of praying, I recall Carlo’s example of moderation.
When my oldest son gets fixated on screen time or I catch myself scrolling through social media instead of saying evening prayers, I try to remember Carlo’s example of moderation. Technology should enhance our humanity and our faith, not diminish it.
As parents, we often worry about how screens affect our children. Saint Isidore and Blessed Carlo teach us to focus on proper formation in technology use, not rejection. Like Isidore creating schools for new Christians, we must actively develop digital virtue in ourselves and our families.
Here are some practical ways I’ve tried to follow these saints’ examples:
Set clear boundaries: Like Carlo’s one-hour rule, establish specific times for technology use and times for disconnect.
Pursue unity: Following Isidore’s example, use social media to build up the Body of Christ rather than participate in divisive arguments.
Create digital sabbaths: Our family tries to have screen-free Sundays (or at least Sunday evenings) to prioritize worship and family time.
Pray before logging on: Consider this prayer inspired by Saint Isidore: Almighty and eternal God, who created us in Thy image and called us to seek after all that is good, true and beautiful, especially in your Son Jesus Christ, grant through the intercession of Saint Isidore that during our time online, we direct our attention only to that which pleases You and treat with charity all those we encounter. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Use technology for evangelization: Both Isidore and Carlo used the tools of their time to spread knowledge of the faith. How might we do the same?
Technology for the Greater Glory of God
The emergence of artificial intelligence has raised new questions about technology’s role in our lives. When I first experimented with AI tools, I found myself both amazed and concerned. As with any technology, AI itself isn’t inherently good or evil—it’s how we use it that matters.
The Church, in its wisdom, has been reflecting deeply on these questions. In the recent Vatican document Antiqua et Nova, we find important guidance:
“The Church’s moral and social teaching provides resources to help ensure that AI is used in a way that preserves human agency. Considerations about justice, for example, should also address issues such as fostering just social dynamics, upholding international security, and promoting peace. By exercising prudence, individuals and communities can discern ways to use AI to benefit humanity while avoiding applications that could degrade human dignity or harm the environment.
Church Guidance on Digital Responsibility
In this context, the concept of responsibility should be understood not only in its most limited sense but as a ‘responsibility for the care for others, which is more than simply accounting for results achieved.'” (Paragraph 47)
This emphasis on responsibility and care for others resonates deeply with me. It’s not enough to simply avoid the harmful applications of technology—we’re called to actively use these tools for the good of humanity.
The document further reminds us that in navigating these complex questions: “In a world marked by AI, we need the grace of the Holy Spirit, who ‘enables us to look at things with God’s eyes, to see connections, situations, events and to uncover their real meaning.'” (Paragraph 115)
How profound! Beyond human wisdom, we need divine guidance to use technology rightly and grasp its deeper meanings.
Will we use AI to serve the common good and the greater glory of God? Or will we allow it to replace human connection and creativity? These are questions we must wrestle with as faithful Catholics in a digital age.
What comforts me is knowing that the same principles apply: moderation, intentionality, and keeping our eyes fixed on Christ. Whether it’s social media, video games, or artificial intelligence, technology must remain our servant, not our master.
Saint Isidore of Seville and Blessed Carlo Acutis—separated by nearly 1,400 years but united in their faith—show us that we can embrace innovation while staying rooted in eternal truths. Their examples remind us that even our digital lives can be offered up for the glory of God and the building of His kingdom. Just as Isidore and Carlo used their tools for evangelization, Truthly helps Catholics do the same today.
As I close my laptop each night and set my phone aside, I try to remember Carlo’s wisdom: “Not me, but God.” Technology, like everything else in creation, finds its proper place when it leads us closer to Him.
Thanks again to today’s article sponsor! Visit truthly.ai to learn more about the world’s first Catholic action app.
Editor’s Note: Welcome to Father Alvaro comics! This new weekly feature is created by Catholic cartoonist Joe Burud and proudly presented by The Simple Catholic. These warm-hearted panels offer a humorous glimpse into Midwest parish life, bringing smiles to our faith journey every Sunday.
About Father Alvaro
Father Alvaro is a comic focusing on the humor, beauty and challenges of parish life in the Midwest. The characters, though fictional, are based on various Priests, Nuns and Deacons from my parish in Madison, Wisconsin. Father Alvaro combines my passion for brief storytelling with sharing the Catholic Faith. I hope these comics bring moments of joy to readers.
Comics for me have always been a natural way to convey an idea or thought. I started drawing them at a young age and had comics published in the various local newspapers by the age of 10. My early inspirations were Garfield, Hagar the Horrible and Calvin and Hobbes. I am a cradle Catholic who seeks to use his talents to serve and honor the Lord in whatever way I can. When I’m not drawing comics or designing apps, I enjoy spending time with my lovely wife and 5 children and cheering on my beloved Green Bay Packers.
