about four o'clock: Recent Episodes
Fr. Chad Arnold
A podcast for anyone discerning a vocation to the Catholic priesthood.
One’s vocation from God is a deeply personal adventure. Yet frequently there are common threads that run through the Lord’s calling. Three Catholic priests sit down to discuss the familiar questions that come along with discernment while also sharing the joys and challenges of their own priestly adventure with God.
We’re here to answer questions, share our priesthood, and grow in openness to God’s will.
Today we sit down with Fr. Joe Tatro to discuss his pickleball skills and his training as a mental health professional and how that impacts his ministry as a priest. Finally he shares his vocation story, which might hold the record for shortest amount of time between his decision to enter to arrival at the seminary.
Sr. Bernadette Rose of the Little Sisters of the Poor joins us today to share about St. Jeanne Jugan and the founding of her community, the time she met Pope Francis, and the story of her own personal call to give her life as a bride of Christ dedicated to the care and service of the elderly poor.
We go a bit unconventional today and begin with a fierce debate as we draft our favorite kings ever. We conclude by discussing ways we seek to form future priests into "kings" who can be strong leaders who establish culture and unite groups under the mission of Christ and their parish.
Fr. Andrew Walsh joins the podcast to defend himself against accusations of grumpiness and to explain his love for both St. Alphonsus Liguori and disc golf before sharing his vocation story.
Today Fr. Michael Kerschen joins us to discuss the joys of non-monetary gambling, Fr. Garett's poor medical recommendations, and devastating seminary basketball losses that never go away. We eventually get to his vocation story in which the Lord used a difficult break up to lead him to seminary and ultimately an invitation to freely choose to unite to Jesus as His priest.
Today we've got Fr. Luke Downing in the studio to talk with us about learning to fly planes, his love for both golf and French cooking before sharing his vocational journey through seminary, in and out of the monastery, and now as a priest of Jesus Christ.
A special episode today as we join the universal Church in prayer for the Papal Conclave. We seek to shed a little light on the process of electing a new pope and how we can all strike the balance of enjoying the moment with understanding informed by faith, zeal for souls and free of anxiety.
Today we began by chatting about what we were up to this past spring break before getting into our observations about a ministry called Christ in the City, which helped to illuminate why it is so important for every Christian disciple, seminarian and priest to have experiences serving and loving the poor.
Today we are joined by Fr. Kyle Dugan. Listen in to enjoy mostly true stories of memories from high school with Fr. Drew and Fr. Garett, a fierce debate over golf push carts, and the story of one of the quickest discernments into seminary we've heard from any priest.
Join us for a wild ride with the one and only Fr. Hien Nguyen as he shares about how he escaped Vietnam as a child, made his way through seminary despite little formal education or English training, and now lives a life full of joy as a priest.
Fr. James Schibi joins us today to talk about growing up in a large family and founding a Fourth of July baseball classic, his love for nicknames, and his experience as a substitute teacher. He then shares how the Lord called this good ol' boy to be His good ol' priest.
We begin by recapping this year's seminary basketball tournament and deciding whether or not Fr. Garett is the right coach for the future of the St. Joseph Joey's basketball program. Then we share our reflections on a powerful passage from the Gospel of John recounting the Risen Lord's appearance to the disciples on the shore of the sea.
It is an honor and a joy to sit down with Fr. Dan Spexarth to hear about how he got his name, what Fr. Chad was like as a 5 year old, and how he led a newly founded parish from no money, no building, and nights in his car to a faith filled community of over 1700 families. Finally he shares with us all how the Lord led him from being the son of a pig farmer to 40 years of priestly love and service.
Today we are joined by two Sisters of Life: Sr. Maria Laetitia, S.V. and Sr. Lumen Gloriae, S.V. to talk about how the founding of their congregation flowed from a retreat at Dachau and a Help Wanted ad. Then they each share the story of how Jesus led them to their religious vocation as His bride and the call to give their life to protect and enhance the sacredness of every human life.
Today we are joined by Fr. Rick Kotrba to hear about his adventures in amateur mechanic work, including building a backyard ice rink and his marriage of two broken down trucks into one mostly functional vehicle. Then he recounts the story of how his vocation evolved and the wisdom he received to quit trying to discern on his own.
We are excited to welcome in Mike Wescott, the Director of Development and Planned Giving for the Diocese of Wichita. First we discuss Mike's role and experience of fundraising in a Stewardship diocese before playing a game of Seminarian Price is Right. Finally, Mike shares the story of his vocation to marriage, his experience in ministry and the good work the Serra Club does in promoting and fostering vocations.
If you are interested in learning more about the Serra Club or supporting either a seminarian burse or the diocesan capital campaign, please contact Mike at wescottm@catholicdioceseofwichita.org
We are joined by the journeyman priest, Fr. Gabriel Greer, to discuss priest ski trips as well as the infamous seminarian "Fats vs. Skinnies" basketball game. Then Fr. Greer shares how his mother's faith, good priestly witnesses, and the invitation to learn how to pray led him to his priestly vocation.
Today we begin by creating a safe space in which to process the Chief's recent Super Bowl loss and to share how we watched the Big Game. Then we discuss all things spiritual direction: what is it, who needs it, and what are the benefits and misconceptions around it.
Today we are happy to welcome in one of the retired priests of the diocese, Fr. Floyd McKinney, to talk about his wide variety of pastoral experiences and how he got the nickname "Fr. Lazy." Finally he tells the tale of the Lord leading him from life as a poor farm kid to a priest of Jesus Christ.
We've got a birthday! Fr. Drew's birthday is coming up, so we discuss how we like to celebrate those festive occasions and the difficult question of what gift to get a priest. Then we discuss how to appropriately view and discuss the liturgy as priests and seminarians so as to maintain its primacy in our lives without causing division or a lack of charity.
Today Fr. Andrew Meng joins us to clarify any confusion regarding his ethnicity and rub in his high school football state championship to Fr. Drew. Then, he shares the story of God leading him from the despair of new atheism to the joy of the priesthood.
Today Fr. Ed Pelrine from the Archdiocese of Chicago joins us to share about life in Chicago, Bishop Barron asking him to serve in the seminary, and his vocation story, including how his grandma knew on the day of his baptism that he'd be a priest.
Fr. Jim Weldon joins the studio today to share his vocation story, why he and his brother, Fr. Eric, are so different, and how he sees himself as making the priesthood more accessible for young men: If he can do it, anybody can.
We are excited to collaborate with the SEEK Podcast for this episode in which we discuss our Spotify Wrappeds for the past year before talking about how to take advantage of large Catholic conferences as a discerner.
Today we welcome in Sr. Diana Marie of the Hawthorne Dominicans to discuss Hallmark movies and Christmas in the convent before hearing how she converted to the faith and decided to get her life to Christ and the service of the dying as a Dominican sister.
We chat with Sr. Alma Marie of the Hawthorne Dominicans to discuss her order's founding and apostolate, how religious sisters never seem to age, and the gentle and ever mysterious way that the Lord led her to give her life to Him and the mission of caring for the sick and dying.
Fr. Andrew Bergkamp joins us today to talk about learning to work hard growing up on his family's farm, how he received his vocation to priesthood, and God providing him the words to preach after his younger brother's death.
We are to be joined by a Wichita native and a monk of St. Benedict's Abbey in Atchison, KS: Br. Leven Harton, OSB. We chat about his unique vocation and community, he and Fr. Chad's high school shenanigans, and how the Lord led him to give his vocation from a desire for deep intimacy with Christ.
In this episode, we're getting the band together! We talk through plans for our future diocesan clergy rock band and which priests will fill in each important role. Then we discuss the vocational synthesis, which will soon be implemented as the final stage in seminary formation, and how it will help to bring about healthy, holy priests.
Fr. Drew takes over the studio and talks with two members of the Society of Our Lady of the Trinity (SOLT) to hear about their order's founding and mission before hearing Fr. David Brokke's vocation story.
In a very special episode, we compiled clips from several priests of the diocese sharing their cherished memories of priests who have passed on from this world to the next. They are equal parts inspiring, humbling, and ridiculous. We thank God for all of the priests who have gone before us. May they rest in peace.
Today we do some group processing of the ups and downs of Fr. Drew and Fr. Chad's recent golf outing. Then we share our experiences of Stewardship as a way of life in the Diocese of Wichita and shed light on how that encourages a spirit in young people that is ready to say yes to their vocation from God.
We had a bunch of fun talking with Fr. Trevor Buster about how God called him from the fame of our favorite southeast Kansas punk rock band and the luxurious life of meter reading to lay down his life as a priest of Jesus Christ.
We had a great time talking to Paula Duling, mother of Fr. Daniel Duling. She helps us shed light on the blessings and struggles a family goes through as their son and brother discerns God's will and lives out his priestly vocation. Our families know us best and are always there to support us...and to keep us humble.
Today Fr. John Lanzrath joins us to share his love of statistics, his devotion to the Kansas City Chiefs, his interactions with Mother Teresa and the Missionaries of Charity, and how Jesus called him to be a priest of Jesus Christ.
This time we begin by talking about our thoughts on state fairs (and some unexpected tension over the Goo Goo Dolls). Then we dive into how to combat the temptation towards perfectionism in prayer and formation.
We finally convinced Linda Schmidt and Tracy Winslow to join us, and we had a blast. Linda and Tracy have served for years with the priests and seminarians through their jobs at the parish level and the diocesan chancery. Plus, both have sons who spent time in the seminary. From all of this experience, they have a unique perspective and wisdom...as well as plenty of dirt on many of the priests.
In this episode we have a great time chatting with Fr. Matt Siegman about his love for Italian food as well as his Squidward-like persona. Finally, he shares how he was called away from a job at Learjet to his life as a priest.
We are joined by Fr. Dwight Birket to discuss his time in seminary and priesthood, including the experience of serving in the missions in Venezuela. It is a blessing to hear him share what helped him persevere faithfully through over 50 years of priesthood when many of his classmates left.
Today we welcome on one of our newly ordained priests, Fr. Jesus Bañuelos. We discuss his theories on where to find the best tacos before he shares about how the Lord used his love of music to take him from guitar player in a Mexican norteño group to his calling as a priest.
Today we begin by sharing our greatest dreams of game show stardom. Then we discuss Pope Francis' recent letter on the role of literature in formation and how reading good books shaped our time in seminary and now our life as priests and evangelists.
We are pumped to welcome Fr. Seth Arnold to the studio to share about his love of running and his excitement to run the Boston Marathon. Then, he explains how a few moments of grace, including a providential encounter with a man in need, gave him the confidence to surrender his life to God as a priest.
After calming rising tensions between Fr. Drew and Fr. Chad, we discuss the start of the school year: our traditions as kids, experiences returning to seminary each fall, and our practices now as we enter a new academic year as priests.
Sitting down once more with Bishop Kemme, we begin by talking about memories of road trips and travel before discussing the power of pilgrimage in aiding our growth in prayer and discernment.
We are blessed to welcome back Bishop Kemme to discuss his own discernment of the Diocesan Capital Campaign. Also, for the first time, we simultaneously recorded this episode as a video podcast. You can check that out on the diocesan YouTube page (https://www.youtube.com/user/dioceseofwichita).
We begin by chatting about different trends amongst priests or seminarians, bringing to the surface Fr. Drew's disdain for basically all animals. Then we discuss the importance of "grit" in prayer, discernment and formation.
We are joined by Fr. Dan Duling to chat about his parish and recent church building project as well as Fr. Drew's hot take about lake trips being too stressful. Then Fr. Dan shares how his vocation grew and flourished, even through a showdown with a nun.
Seminarians beware: today we come up with some ideas for good, just punishments for guys who break a House rule. Then we jump into a good conversation about the inevitable and often difficult experience of watching someone decide to leave seminary.
Today we are joined by Fr. Matt McGinness. Before hearing about his journey to the priesthood, we chat about his gift for hospitality, his affection for gin and tonics, and his experience as Vocations Director for 17 years.
This week we begin by sharing experiences of our ordination weekends and which priests we invited to preach at our first Mass and to vest us as a deacon and priest (while also throwing out some hot takes for the diocesan Office of Worship to consider). Then we discuss what it means to be a mentor to young people discerning their vocation.
We are joined by Sr. Rosie of the Missionary Catechists of the Poor, a community of religious sisters based in Monterrey, Mexico who serve here in the Wichita diocese. We discuss the beauty and difficulty of learning a second language before hearing how the Lord called Sr. Rosie to give her life to Him as a religious sister.
We chat about our practices of preparing for homilies before sharing our experience of the Liturgy of the Hours, the daily prayer of the Church, which sanctifies the entire day to God.
We talk with Fr. Jacob Carlin to hear how the Lord brought him to the priesthood through the trials of discernment, four knee surgeries, and, worst of all, living in England for five years.
Fr. Garett sits down with Fr. Jacob Carlin and Sr. Rosie, MCP to have a discussion in Spanish about the unique reality of promoting vocations in Hispanic immigrant families.
El padre Garett tiene una conversacion importante con el P. Jacob Carlin y la Hna. Rosie, MCP sobre la realidad de promover vocaciones en las familias de inmigrates hispanos.
The three priests sit down with Fr. Zach Pinaire to share some stories, including the origins of his nickname "The Chaz." Then, he shares how his love and appreciation for marriage led him to the seminary.
Recording live from a recent meeting of the Catholic Assembly for Business, we chat about what we'd be doing for a living if we were not a priest and then discuss our experience of business administration as a priest and how the laity can support priests in that aspect of life as a pastor.
We sat down with Fr. Ed Herzog to hear why in the world a New Yorker is a priest in Wichita, KS. He admits that it was mostly due to his love of golf and the favorable cost of living, but the Holy Spirit had a little to do with it as well.
We continue our conversation with Fr. Ned Blick and Fr. Joe Eckberg that exhibits well the power of priestly friendship. Listen in to hear how Fr. Joe lost part of his finger in a boating accident, when Fr. Ned nearly got shot as a chaplain in the War in Afghanistan, and the world premiere of Fr. Ned's own rendition of Prince's "1999".
We hosted the dynamic duo of Fr. Ned Blick and Fr. Joe Eckberg as they insisted they could not tell one vocation story without the other. A couple highlights from the first half of the conversation: Mother Teresa leading Fr. Joe to leave seminary, Fr. Ned's rosaries on beer trucks, and Fr. Joe running over Fr. Ned with a boat.
First off we chat about our early memories of computers, video games, and cell phones, mostly to make Fr. Chad feel old. Then we discuss the importance of being intentional in establishing boundaries to maintain a healthy relationship with technology that will allow for deeper thought and prayer.
A truly historic moment for the podcast: for the first time ever we interview a consecrated virgin, Aubrey Coulter. She explains the unique vocation of consecrated virginity and her experience of being led to give her life as a bride of Christ, living in the world.
Happy Easter! We begin by talking about some out of the ordinary ways to celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord from around the world (and Fr. Chad's wardrobe). We finish up by responding to a question from a listener on our experience of working with the lay faithful in the mission of preaching the Gospel.
We welcome on Fr. Nicholas Ashmore from the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas to swap stories from time in seminary before he shares his vocation story that begins with an angry letter to a priest and ends with leaving behind a future in vocal performance to follow the Lord's call.
To be spiritually holy, priests also need to be physically healthy. We chat about that, including a recap of January's seminarian basketball tournament and reliving the glory days of our athletic championships during our time in seminary.
There's only one Fr. Eric Weldon. Enjoy this tale of military service, a broken engagement, and the persistence of the Lord leading to a good and holy priest. Bada bing.
This week we share adventures of our deacon summer assignment before going into a greater explanation of a couple steps that a seminarian takes on the road to ordination: candidacy and the installation in the ministries of acolyte and lector.
We are so delighted to welcome on Fr. Michael Brungardt, also known as the REAL Fr. Mike, to talk about his feud with Fr. Mike Schmitz and how the Lord's persistence led him to the joy of his priestly vocation.
In this episode we chat about the sacrament of confession, ranging from a traumatic first confession to humbling and beautiful experiences as confessors. We then offer some advice on what to avoid in order to more fruitfully enter into the sacrament of God's mercy.
We welcome on a priest of the Salina Diocese, Fr. Brian McCaffrey. He shares about how his ordination night was interrupted by a bachelorette party, meeting Fr. Drew and Fr. Garett at KU, and the power of spiritual fatherhood as a priest.
What would you name a folk rock band inspired by the story of the saints? Tune in for our answers and more saint band names. Then, things get a little temperamental as we discuss personality indicators and how they relate to the self knowledge needed in discernment to progress towards the self gift of a vocation.
The priests are joined by Fr. Will Stuever to discuss a few of his favorite things: good books, quality films, and baseball. Then Fr. Will shares his story and how jumping off of a boat deck was the turning point in the making of a priest of Jesus Christ.
Money talks. So today we talk about money and all things related to finances in discernment and priestly life.
We're back with the Marian Sisters to discuss all the things about their community (names, habit, formation process) and then share unique challenges to helping young people in discernment today. Finally, Sr. Amy Marie shares the story of how she came to give her life as a bride of Christ.
We are joined by Sr. Serena and Sr. Amy Marie, two Marians Sisters of the Diocese of Lincoln. We begin by hearing about the founding of their community by a thrilling escape from Czechoslovakia. Then Sr. Serena shares about her journey from college volleyball player to religious sister.
We ring in the new year by chatting about the custom of choosing a song or word of the year and conclude by reflecting together on Scripture's greatest moment of discernment and vocation: the Annunciation of the angel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
We are delighted to once again sit down with Bishop Kemme. This time we honestly share our experience of both the blessings and unique difficulties have living as a priest with those who know us the best, our family.
The three priests welcome on The Voice of the Vocations Office, Fr. Derek Thome, to discuss animal bone collections, the greatest mascot in the country, and his call to the priesthood.
The three priests welcome back Bishop Kemme. We begin by seeing how well Fr. Chad and Fr. Drew paid attention to bishop's previous interviews (spoiler: not very well) and then finish with a discussion on how our current apostolic age affects life as a priest and discerner.
A little longer than normal this week, but it's only because we have so much love for all of you. In honor of the 99th episode release, the three priests chat about possible nicknames for the listeners, review past episodes, and respond to questions and suggestions submitted by the listeners.
The three priests sit down with Fr. Aaron Spexarth, the holiest priest to ever play the tuba, win a national championship as a yell leader and survive the cinnamon challenge.
In discernment, there often exists a temptation to try and go undetected, flying under the radar. The three priests chat about the danger of this kind of "submarine" life while in seminary formation.
The three priests are joined by Fr. Matt Davied to discuss 5am holy hours, what it's like to have Fr. Drew as a boss, scamming Vocations Director for years of free meals, and how the Lord uses it all to lead a man to the priesthood.
What'd you call them? No, it's not some fancy insult. Propaedeutic is a term the Church is now using to describe the initial stage of formation for seminarians. The three priests sit down to explain it in depth.
The priests chat about all types of golf, nicknames, and vocation with everyone's favorite germaphobe priest, Fr. Andrew Labenz.
Fr. Chad and Fr. Drew help Fr. Garett through a very important personal discernment: the purchase of a moped scooter. They also discuss the process and benefits of intentionally setting standards for ourselves.
We went a little longer than normal this week, but that is only because our guest is one who cannot be contained: Fr. P.J. Voegeli.
Every priest is called to be a teacher. The three priests share reflections on what made their favorite teachers so impactful as well as the ways that teaching has played a major role in their life as priests.
Can sisters have tattoos? All that and more as the three priests enjoy a delightful conversation with Sr. Mary Faustina of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of Wichita.
The three priests are joined by Sr. Mary Jane Frances of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of Wichita to chat about her vocation story as well as the great impact the IHM Sisters have had on each of them.
Along with Fr. Etienne Huard, OSB, the three priests discuss the necessary qualities of and common difficulties in living out masculine virtue. Plus, we dive into Fr. Drew's deep appreciation for the T.V. show "Gilmore Girls."
We break another barrier today as a monk (not a religious) sits down with the three priests to discuss his experience of discernment to give his life as an oblation of prayer for the world.
The three priests sit down with Fr. Curtis Hecker to hear all about growing up without electricity, working on an oil rig, and discovering his call to the priesthood.
This week the priests chat with their good friend Fr. Hayden Charles about his journey to the priesthood and the apparent miracle that he even survived so many injuries to arrive at ordination.
The three priests share their memories of First Communions. Then we discuss the importance of being a public person in order to allow our humanity to be a bridge for the Gospel.
There's been some restructuring in the Vocations Office, so the three priests work to find a new title for Fr. Drew. Then we share experiences of the beauty and joys of saying "goodbye" in priestly ministry.
We continue our coverage of the riveting Schibi Classic baseball game. With special guest, Vince Schibi, the patriarch of the family.
This week, in the background you can hear the crack of the bat, the ball hitting the backstop and the sounds of the crowd. In what became a two part episode we set up the studio right behind home plate for the annual Schibi Classic; a 4th of July baseball double header where the teams are made up of the Schibi family, friends, priests and seminarians. The three priests are a little all over the map on this one (Fr. Garett even steps away to bat), but we hope it is as fun to listen to as it was to record.
After messing around for most of the first half of the interview, we actually get to Fr. Clay's vocations story. We are very professional.
The plan was to have a normal episode with Fr. Clay. But, Fr. Garett and Fr. Chad decided to suprise the other two priests with important news. The news (a change in assignments) is public now, but at the time, it was completely unknown. And it kind of derailed us from other topics. Enjoy.
Historic moment in the podcast...our very first religious sister! Sr. Jaime Mitchell of the Franciscans of the Eucharist of Chicago.
The three priests focus this week on the role of Mass and Confession for those who are discerning a religious vocation.
This week the priests sit down with Fr. Adam Grelinger, chaplain of Newman University and second degree Nacho Master.
This week we pray with the passage of Elijah at Mount Horeb. We also discuss the evils of chat GPT. Come and get me AI.
The former vocations director, Fr. Mike Simone joins us today. He was the vocations director for almost the entirety of Fr. Drew and Fr. Garett's time in seminary.
Typically, if a man is discerning diocesan priesthood, the expectation is he will serve out his priesthood as a parish priest. Occasionally a priest is asked to serve in a way outside the parish. In this espisode we respond to a listener's question and discuss some non-parish assignments a diocesan priest may be called upon to do.
This week we are blessed to be joined by Fr. Mike Baldwin, assistant vicar for retired priests...assistant to the vicar for retired priests...assistant vicar to the vicar of priests specializing in retired priests? We'll let him explain it.
We are privileged to be joined this week by Fr. Joe Gile who oversees the academic curriculum for the men at the House of Formation. He also hired Fr. Chad for his first job and began his love for reading biographies of the saints.
Every day, the three priests make a holy hour. But what do they do in that holy hour? How do they pray? This week the priests of the Vocations Office share how they spend that 60 minutes before the Lord every day.
The stirring conlcusion of the Fr. Bernie interview. Any of the episodes could easily have been titled, Short Story Long. Also, this is the first time ever, the final word goes longer than our outro music. It may be the most fitting way to end this episode. We hope you have enjoyed it as much as we did.
The saga continues. In this thirty minute segment we travel from 1987 to 1994. We also try to teach Fr. Drew what a word processor is. You can hear the train coming off the rails at the end. Enjoy.
Fr. Bernie Gorges joins us in the studio for an extended visit. He weaves together his vocation story, the start of Totus and his history with dairy farms, Medjugorje, and adoration. This is part 1 of a 3 part series. It wasn't planned that way, it is just how it is. If you know Fr. Bernie, you understand. Enjoy--we did!
Its Holy Week! After discussing some of their favorite memories from the Easter Triduum, the priests turn to talking about their experiences at ordinations, priest funerals, seminary visits and retreats.
Another member of the Burns family steps into the podcast studio. For long time listeners, we finally hear Fr. Devin's side of the story of how he told his parents he was leaving KU and going to seminary.
What was Fulton Sheen's experience right before entering seminary? The priests read a section from Sheen's masterful work, Treasures in Clay, and discuss how it challenges them. Plus it gets a little heated over the Beatles.
This week, one of the three newest priests of the diocese joins us to discuss his first year of priesthood and red headed saints (spolier alert--we don't know any).
Is this a sign I should join seminary? Is this a sign I should stay where I am? What about this sign? Is everything a sign!? There is a danger in what we might call 'hyper-focused discernment.' Discernment is not meant to be a detective's game. This week the priests discuss discerning from a calm and trusting heart.
Another priest of the chancery stops by today. Fr. Brian Nelson is pastor of St. Mark Parish, Judicial Vicar and Chancellor. It took a lot of arm twisting to get him to share his vocaiton story. But in the end we were victorious.
After a long break from the studio the three priests return. We start our time back with some lectio together over the Pearl of great price. Enjoy.
Fr. Pat York, ordained in 1990, steps into the podcast studio. He is the current pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Colwich and the Vicar of Clergy for the diocese. He also played a very significant role in the vocation of all three hosts. We get a little sidetracked in the beginning, but we hope you enjoy.
Most people have heard of a spiritual director, but are you familiar with what a formation advisor is? Both are helps provided a man in seminary to better understand his relationship to God. This week, the three priests look more closely at the role of a formation advisor.
In part II of our Lies interviews, we speak with Fr. David Lies. He is the elder Lies, first ordained and Vicar General of the diocese of Wichita. We discuss his vocation story, hobbies and what a Vicar General does.
This week, Fr. Jarrod Lies, pastor of St. Francis Parish, sits down with the three priests to discuss his own vocation story.
The three priests discuss the life of Blessed Stanley Rother, an Oklahoma priest matyred in Guatemala in 1981. A modern priest who struggled academically while in seminary, we highly recommend the book on his life, The Shepherd Who Didn't Run.
For our opening of Season 2, we have as a guest, Fr. Garett's father, Pat Burns. We made it our goal and it happened. A really great conversation. Enjoy listening from the perspective of a parent.
This is a rerelease of our very first podcast. We will be back next week with new content.
This could also be called the Christmas episode. No Christmas music played, but better: lectio divina with the Christmas Proclamation.
In Advent season it is natural to turn some of our attention to the Blessed Mother. So too with discernment. The three priests explore the role Mary has played in their discernment and priestly lives.
Many people do not think of the priesthood as a life of intimacy. The three priests would say otherwise. And they do. In this episode, they discuss their experiences of intimacy with God, the challenges, the satisfaction, the personal and how it has changed over the years.
Is there a difference between the World's peace and God's peace? Unfortunately, the two can often be confused in discernment. It is not always easy to untangle where this peace is coming from. In this episode, the three priest try to give some clarity to what type of peace we are looking for.
We are going to the mailbag. A listener writes: 'Please go over ways to come to know and love God, to actually form a deep and meaningful relationship with Him. I feel I only know about God.' Plus a heated debate over Christmas music.
Holy Obedience is a revered subject among the saints, though decidedly unpopular in our current culture. The three priests discuss where they have felt the discomfort of obedience while also recognizing the gift it has been in their life. They also discuss what obedience really looks like for a man in discernment.
A man does not enter seminary in a vacuum. His decision is sure to elicit a response from family, especially parents. Is there a right way to respond? Many parents have questions, concerns and may even feel guilty about how they feel when their sons tell them they are entering seminary. This week the priests discuss what they have seen and their own parents' response to when they told them they were entering seminary.
We have never before named an episode after a topic in the banter portion of the show. However, in this case, Fr. Chad nearly fell out of his chair with the absurdity of the suggestion. If he disappears from the podcast momentarily, it is only because he was trying to catch his breath. The real subject of this episode is the mutual discernment between and man and the Church on whether he enters seminary or not. That means sometimes, a man is not accepted into seminary. Give it a listen.
Spiritually wanting the ball. This week the three priests chat about their childhood pastors: woodworking, basketball and mud pits. They also look at the desire within to want to be in difficult spots: to spiritually want the ball when it counts.
We go back to the mailbag this week to answer a listener's question about how, while saying Mass everyday, we avoid falling into 'burn out' with the Mass. The priests discuss how we catch ourselves from just going through the motions. Related, we discuss the goods of the annual Clergy Conference.
The three priests are back in the regular studio. This week they reflect on the passage that gave the podcast its name and all its vocational implications.
We have looked at what a day in the life of seminary looks like. Have you ever wondered what a day in the life of Bishop Kemme looks like? One of the seminarians did and he requested that be our topic for this episode. Thankfully, Bishop Kemme was willing to answer that question for all of us.
Bishop returns to the podcast to discuss jobs we had as seminarians and how seminary has changed over the years. Spoiler: Bishop started seminary before any of the three priests were born.
Isn't stepping into seminary enought of a sacrifice? The three priests look at how a willingness to sacrifice is necessary to keep discerning once in seminary. Often times the sacrifices will come as surprises, or may be harder than we expect. However, they are good and necessary if we are to say yes to the Lord.
We are back to our normally recorded episodes. This week the priests walk through some common details of a typical day in seminary.
The finale of our live recording at the Midwest Catholic Family Conference. We started the recording with a priest guest and we will end with a priest guest. Next week, back to normal business.
We continue with our 'live' recording from the Midwest Catholic Family Conference. Who will show up on this part of the episode? Current seminarians, former seminarians and maybe some future seminarians?
This episode was recorded "live" at the Midwest Catholic Family Conference. It actually was a lot of fun and drew a nice crowd, though it may not be our best recording. Many guests with lots of good things to say.
This week the three priests try some Lectio Divina with Matthew 19:16-22, the story of the Rich Young Man. Enjoy.
The three priests have spoken often of their difficulties in seminary, which led one listener to ask, 'Why did you stay in?' As the new school year begins to start, the priests look back at their reasons for staying the course. Plus, they teach you some hip new slang to take back to school with you. Say less. (Am I using that right?)
A more somber episode. The reality of the abuse scandal cannot, nor should it be ignored, when discussing the possibility of discerning the priesthood. In this week's edition, the three priests talk about how it affected their discernment, their time in seminary and how they choose to live their priesthood.
What are you enthusiastic about? Not just what do you want to do, but what gives you life, animates your interrior, causes your heart to surge? Being able to answer that, can be a way to help you discern your vocation. Also, did you know Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati was a fan of the 4th of July? Who knew? Clearly, Fr. Chad did not.
A listener writes: "Diocesan priests all live so differently from one another! They seem to all have very different spiritualities, different gifts and different talents which seem to shape the focus of their pastoral ministry. In what ways can these different gifts/talents be lived out in diocesan priesthood and in what ways have these differences affected the focus of your individual lives in the priesthood?" In this episode the priests attempt to answer this question while discussing the many different gifts and unique personalities of their brother priests.
A call to the priesthood or religious life is a call to serve others. One of the ways we can tune ourselves to that discernment is getting out of our own head and taking concrete actions to volunteer and serve--even if it is just pulling weeds at your local college catholic campus center.
Summer is here. Time for ice-cream, saints and sanctifying the ordinary parts of life. The time for growing in holiness is not in the past or in the future, but right here in the moment. In this episode the three priests discuss discernment as it relates to the holiness of everyday life and what that really looks like.
The final installment in our hosts sharing their vocation stories. This one includes bad hair, bad poetry, bad life decisions and a rickshaw. God's grace overcomes it all. This is how a priest gets made.
What is it like to operate as an alter Christus, another Christ, in the confessional? This was another espisode recorded early on as a practice episode, simply the priests talking about their experiences in the confessional. However, we felt it was a good enough conversation, that it merited being shared. We hope you enjoy.
Looking for juicy stories of the priests dating lives before seminary? If so...you're going to be disappointed. This week Fr. Garett, Fr. Drew and Fr. Chad discuss the connections between dating and discernment, the positive and the negative and their own personal experiences.
The three priests watch Mark Wahlberg's latest movie Fr. Stu and offer what they liked and disliked about the movie and specifically how it approached discernment. Spolier alert, there are spoilers. All over. You've been warned.
Last week the three priests discussed the joys of spiritual consolation. This week, they take a look at the other side of the coin, the difficulties and the importance of spiritual desolation. This is an area that trips up many discerners in their spiritual journey. In this episode learn how to understand it and how to pass through it.
Not all prayer leads to a surging of the heart. But what do we do when it does? Where do we go from there? This week the three priests discuss the importance and purpose of consolation in prayer.
Okay, the title is a little misleading. A more accurate title would be 'one of the most important things after establishing a regular sacramental life.' But obviously that would make for a poor title. Today the priests discuss consistency in prayer. Also two corrections: St. John Vianney died in 1859 and the last Calvin and Hobbes appeared in newspapers in 1995, not 1994 (although the month is correct).
Most things in the natural world grow in silence. A vocation is no different. If we are to hear God speaking to us, we must make sure we are quieting our hearts to listen. This week the priests talk about the importance of silence in discernment.
Many people think of the priesthood as a lonely life. It is one of the more commonly expressed fears of young men discerning--that I will be lonely. The three priests discuss their experience of loneliness and the priesthood.
The title is self-explanatory. This episode is about Fr. Drew's vocation story. It includes meat washing, KU, Totus Tuus and sleeping in adoration while one of your best friends has a life changing experience with God. This is how a priest gets made.
For some people, the act of discerning can be an experience of deep anxiety. Underneath this stress is a fear that they might choose the wrong vocation. Then what? In today's podcast, the priests tackle this question question head on. What if I choose the wrong vocation?
How old is a person when the idea of priesthood first enters their thought? For many priests, this happens at a very young age. This week the priests talk about when the notion of priesthood first entered their thinking. In addition, they discuss how parents and grandparents can help foster vocations.
The Lord is certainly capable of making His will known through signs. But does He typically do that when it comes to a vocation? Whereas it is not unheard of, neither is it likely. The three priests discuss the role of signs in a vocation as well as the dangers of looking for them before making a decision.
This was originally recorded as a practice episode, never meant to see the light of day. However, as the three priests delved into how impactful the funeral rites of Fr. Emil Kapaun were, they decided the value of this conversation outweighed their shortcomes of their fledgling recording abilities. They hope you agree.
Bishop Kemme continues his time in the podcasting studio where he discusses with the priests the difficulties and graces of changing assignments. They get into what this looks like in his role as a Bishop, how all have experienced it as priests and how the lay faithful can experience it as well.
Our first guest ever on About Four O’Clock, Bishop Carl Kemme! He decided to take time out of his busy schedule to sit down with the three priests and discuss what qualities he is looking for in a man aspiring to be a priest.
The title is self-explanatory. This episode is about Fr. Garett's vocation story. It includes turtles, dogs, matching pajamas and sailor suits. This is how a priest gets made.
In this episode, the priests discuss some of the hallmarks between discerning a vocation to a religious order compared to diocesan priesthood.
What are the reasons a man might consider seminary and the priesthood? In this episode, the priests discuss examples of bad discernment. Situations or reasons that young men have sometimes confused as a message from God. Seminary is not meant to be a plan B, a road to worldly glory, a way to make a loved one happy, or to escape the police. It is meant to be an invitation of love from the Lord
What if all God knew about you was what you told Him? How well would He know you? The three priests discuss the crucial aspect of honesty in prayer when it comes to discernment.
"Saints run in packs." Fr. Drew often quotes this line. In this episode, the three priests discuss how friendship establishes a healthy foundation for discernment. That from the field of friendship a person is helped to grow in self-knowledge to self-acceptance and ultimately to self-gift.
Spoiler alert: No, you are not holy enough. But is that even a helpful question? The three priests talk about the dangers of that question and how it can positively and negatively affect discernment. Editor's Note: Fr. Chad makes reference to St. Francis Xavier when he meant St. Francis de Sales. He would like it known that commonly in day to day life he calls people he has known for many years by the wrong name. So this is par for the course.
God does not expect us to have a 100% certainty before making a decision. In fact, as is frequently witnessed by the saints, we are often called to make decisions where we have less than perfect clarity. If we believe discernment is different, we are fooling ourselves. If we have delayed discerning a vocation because we expect absolute certainty, perhaps we have made an idol out clarity. The three priests discuss what this looks like and means for discernment.
It is common for a man discerning priesthood to also feel pulled towards marriage and family. This desire is part of how we are created as human beings. In this episode the three priests discuss how one understands discerning between the natural pull of marriage and the supernatural call of priesthood.
Fathers Chad, Garett and Drew talk about this fundamental truth. Without it, discernment will be a trial filled with fear.
If a man is feeling called to enter seminary, when is the right time to enter? Right out of high school? During college? After graduating college? After working? When is the best time to take that next step?