Outcast Catholic: Recent Episodes
Fr. Shane Deman & Fr. Travis Crotty
A Midwest podcast for all who feel like an outcast in the Catholic Church and for those who think the Church is an outcast.
How are online relationships and the rise of AI interactions shaping our understanding of how persons dwell in communion with each other?
Is there any guarantee that our worship today is the same as what Christians used to offer?
How to do we receive others in the midst of imperfections? Are our interactions with others seen as graced encounters with Christ?
What is the contemporary situation of agnosticism and how do we support those who are searching for the presence of God?
In pondering some questions that young believers face, we discuss how to meet people in their insecurities regarding faith.
As we seek greater guidance from God, do we allow him to lead us according to His ways?
A new invention used to terminate one's own life is making headlines. How does this push for euthanasia undermine the dignity of each human person?
How we approach the mystery of worship invites us to focus on how we willingly place ourselves in front of God.
On rare occasions, someone might not receive absolution when coming to confession. How do we understand this pastoral response and the confusion that it can cause?
When met with those of a different cultural background, how do we respond? Is there a feeling of angst and insecurity, or do we embrace the opportunity before us?
In part two of our interview with Fr. Max Carson, we take a deep look at the experience of depression and anxiety.
Fr. Crotty joins Fr. Max Carson of the Diocese of Des Moines, to discuss his own experience with mental health and the intercession of Our Lady.
Fr. Crotty joins a fellow podcaster, Jon Konz, to hear about the power of grace and providence in his journey into a deeper life of faith.
Reviewing a new book by Jim Jansen, we examine the steps needed to help believers along their journey of discipleship
Catholics gathering in bars and restaurants to deepen their faith provides another avenue of engagement for the spreading of the Gospel and the support of one another.
The topic of sex is often approached with avoidance, yet how do we change the narrative toward a more holistic understanding of the gift of sexuality?
Women have the greatest involvement in the Church, yet do not share proportionally in Her authority and leadership.
Young adult missionaries continue to step forward to serve as evangelists to their contemporaries, thereby advancing the Gospel.
Do we run the risk of listening to the same voices and the same mindsets, thereby missing the dignity of other people?
Tattoos are widely common in our culture. What do they signify and is there a deeper meaning to the dignity of the human body?
Many ask why women cannot be ordained priests and wonder if the Church unjustly discriminates against them. Join us for this important discussion topic.
We join Deacon James Keating for a powerful discussion on the importance of prayer within marriage, and how it leads couples closer to God.
From an Irish pub, we tackle the aching question, "Is there something else out there for me beyond this life?"
Should Catholics participate in Yoga and are there other alternative forms of exercise? Join us for an important discussion with our guest, Juliane Flanery.
In looking to Mary and Peter, we better understand the importance of belief before any exercise of power within the Church.
Did God simply "use" Mary for her body, in order to bring forth God the Son into the world?
There exists an internal space where God wants to encounter us-- a space where the question about God's existence seeks to be fulfilled with the ultimate answer.
As baptisms continue to decrease in the West, so too is there an increase in our exposure to the presence of evil.
During the spring planting season, what can we learn about God's designs for how the grace of the sacraments germinate as a gift from heaven?
Where do "good people" go after death, particularly those who do not want to belong to the body of Christian believers?
How does our behavior get thrown back on God, thereby altering our image that we have of the Father?
At the heart of mourning is the gift of consolation, which links us to the other in authentic relationship and support.
Catholic speaker, Patty Schneier, shares her powerful conversion story regarding the Church's teaching on contraception within marriage.
The most terrifying words that we could ever hear are found in Scripture, and they have eternal consequences for the salvation of our souls.
In God's providence, His grace can strike us in moments of beauty, which capture our attention in fresh and invigorating ways.
What is the balance between striving for holiness that seeks the heavens above, while remaining grounded and engaged in the things of this world?
Join Msgr. James Shea, the President of the University of Mary, for a discussion on the most common religion of our age.
Shame and embarrassment can grip those who have experienced a divorce. Join us as we discuss the mercy and care that the Church seeks to provide.
We celebrate the gift of faith that Hispanic immigrants provide for our communities, even as they feel outcast from their native homelands.
Some nonbelievers accuse Christians of wasting time, energy, and money in their religious practices. Does such an accusation have merit?
A helpful tool in evangelization can be inviting others to name their spiritual needs and personal prayer requests.
Join Kassie as she shares her testimony and the journey that led her from misery to healing in God's merciful presence.
Friendships are increasingly tested with the rise of drug use in our culture. Join us for a discussion on how the use of marijuana and other drugs challenge the truth of human dignity and the quality of authentic friendship.
During the winter days of Advent, the Lord invites us into a season of stillness, listening attentively to His coming in the midst of silence.
Based on a newly released report, we discuss the reaction of young adults to moments of the sacred and what connects them to such personal and extraordinary experiences.
Can we really know God with certainty? Join us for a discussion as we respond to this common question.
As the harvest season concludes and we approach the American holiday of Thanksgiving, how do we see the land as providing for our sustenance and helping to link us to the Creator?
During this month of November, we discuss the importance of the devotion to visiting cemeteries and praying for the repose of the dead.
Though many can experience wounds of feeling unwanted or abandoned, how does the Lord see each of us as beloved sons and daughters?
In the midst of struggles and worries that can seem overwhelming, how might we surrender everything to Jesus for Him to provide as He sees best?
We turn to St. Augustine to understand the importance of the faith that we profess in word and in action.
Do we view Confirmation as a deepening of one's Initiation Sacraments, or a chance to check out of the Church?
Does God treat us like puppets on a string, limiting our freedom and governing all our circumstances? Or does He give us freedom that allows us to play with great creativity?
At the heart of Catholic worship is the gift of the Eucharist. During this time of Eucharistic Revival, let us turn our attention to the heavenly gift that can heal and form us as missionary disciples.
The familiar kid game Hide & Go Seek can tell us a great deal about our relationship with God and our communion with others.
Among all the forms of intimacy that married couples can enjoy with each other, is the act of prayer. Yet how do couples enter into this with trust and vulnerability?
Each one of us, including God's angels, have been created with a particular mission that leads to our holiness and the holiness of those around us.
In these apostolic times, how do we understand the signs around us where we need to go as a Church with missionary zeal?
What do we do with the appearance of a lack of faith in the hearts of men and women in our communities?
The word 'judgement' often gets a bad connotation, yet it plays an important role in how we make assessments about our lives and how we spend our time.
Will all people be saved through Jesus Christ, regardless of their level of faith and discipleship? Join us for a discussion on this important topic.
Join us for a discussion on how the Church looks from the perspective of a nonbeliever, and how they can be drawn in to see its internal beauty.
Join us as we discuss how modern times have led to greater isolation, yet Christ gathers us into communion
We turn to the ancient Desert Fathers to learn their insights in how to govern and heal our own internal thoughts.
There are many forms of poverty surrounding us, including the materially, socially, spiritually, and mentally poor. Do we reach out and offer them a witness of Christ?
What is the difference of consolation and desolation, and how does natural beauty lead us into consolation with God?
Do we really understand the nature of personal faith? Join us to discuss how transformative faith is for the direction of our lives, our mission in the world, and our communion with God.
Even though we maintain old rituals and ancient customs, the grace of God continues to be received in fresh and exciting ways for the needs of the Church today.
Looking to the famous British journalist G. K. Chesterton, join us for a discussion on the role of the imagination and how it leads us to see the extraordinary in the ordinary.
In order to grow in the spiritual life, we need a healthy self-awareness and self-acceptance as the foundation on which our relationship with God can develop.
The traditional birds and bees talk need not be awkward, but instead, can incorporate the riches truth of our dignity as sons and daughters of God
How does the principle of subsidiarity impact our spiritual lives and what we can influence within the Church? Tune in to find out!
How does the Christian faith provide us with the means to embrace all men and women, united as one Body of Christ?
How did we get here? How did our culture come to prioritize subjective feelings and personal self-expression? Join us for this important cultural discussion, noting how faithful Christians can feel increasingly alienated from the world around them.
In the beginning of the Easter season, we reflect on the great attribute of Christ's Divine Mercy. This gift of mercy meets us in the deepest cavities of the heart leading us into healing and greater relationship.
At the heart of the Gospel is a commission to share it with others. Join us for a discussion on evangelization and the reasons why our faith must be shared.
Panic is filling the minds and hearts of many Catholics, wondering if we will have enough priests to fulfill the mission of the Church. How do we respond to the situation and what is Jesus asking of His Church during this time?
Why do we keep old paintings around? Does the tradition that produced great works of art still speak to us today? Join us to find out
It is difficult to know how to deepen one's relationship with the living Lord, or even to know where to begin. Join us as we discuss some important starting points in one's relationship with God.
If you were put on trial for your Christian faith, what proof would there be that you actually follow Christ?
Do the deepest desires of the heart point toward a reality that we cannot fulfill on our own? Can the longings of the interior life point toward a Presence that meets us in communion? Join us for this discussion on a deeper journey during the season of Lent.
Central to the identity of every group in the Church must be prayer that keeps everyone focused on the mission. Join us for a discussion on the importance of a core team that prays for the direction of one's organization.
Feeling inadequate in how to understand and explain the Faith is a common experience. Where does one turn with questions or doubts regarding Christian beliefs? And where can support be found if one desires to go deeper in the truth? Join us for a discussion on these important questions
In this episode we continue our discussion with Danny and Ashley Swalve on the pressures of using contraception within the context of Christian marriage and the gift of life that God provides.
In this episode, we join Danny and Ashley Swalve for an important discussion on how one handles the loss of a child and the redemptive love that God provides in the midst of grief.
In our last episode recorded from the Seek Conference, we discuss common lies that block growth in the spiritual life.
Fr. Crotty chats with Fr. O'Loughlin, a Byzantine priest, about his experiences of seeing people being cast out of cultural institutions and how they seek spiritual fulfillment.
In this episode, we chat with Fr. Tim Monahan about how an authentic sense of community must be consistently cultivated within the Church.
Recording at the Seek Conference in St. Louis, join us for a discussion with Fr. John Burns on his important roll in serving women religious in the Church.
At the beginning of a New Year, how do we understand our lives as being ordered toward a goal? Join us for a discussion on how we move toward a destiny, rather than an aimless passing of time.
How we understand our own invincibility or vulnerability greatly impacts our ability to recognize the need for a Savior, who could condescend Himself to be born in Bethlehem.
For those who show little religious sensibility, how do start helpful conversations with them as a mean of evangelization? Join us as we consider a few tips.
A recent encounter with a Canadian couple reveals perspectives as to how some drift away from the practice of the Faith, or who take issue with some of the Church's teachings. Join us for this discussion.
The holidays put us in contact with many family members, some of whom have caused hurt and division. Join us for a discussion on how holiday gatherings can be source of reconciliation for those needing forgiveness.
As we wait for the coming of Christ into our lives during this Advent season, how do we welcome Him into our deepest desires?
Join us for a discussion on the spiritual importance of a crucifix and how it can shape our identity and daily focus
As our culture becomes increasingly polarized, join us for this discussion on how Catholics can navigate their way through the current political landscape.
Is Christianity just simply a project, as a set of principles to be followed? Or does it seek something, or rather, someone more deeply? Join us for this important discussion
In this episode, a listener joins us to share her frustrations with the Church in how she felt shunned by her pastor and unsupported in the spiritual needs of her family. Listen to her testimony as we learn from each other and seek to build deeper bonds of community among believers.
As many watch family members abandon the practice of their Christian faith, we have the invitation to stand with the saints of heaven to intercede and advocate for those who are still called to eternal life.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, how do find the presence of God in natural disasters? What is He saying to us and how does He show His nearness in the midst of devastating loss?
How does one handle conflict with one's priest? Are there means to relieve the tensions that can arise between parishioners and their pastor? Join us as we discuss these common realities.
In early October, the local Church of Italy marks the feast day of Blessed Bartolo Longo, an ex-Satanist who converted back to the Catholic Faith and built a lasting devotion to Our Lady of the Rosary. Check out his story in this episode.
Join us for a discussion on a common misconception that all religions are as good as another and that they all lead to the same destination.
We can experience conflicts in how different generations practice and understand the Faith, as well as how they interact with the broader culture. Rather than dismissing these differences, how might we live within the tension to bring about a greater good?
In order that our churches not simply become museums, it's necessary for Catholics to understand how to interpret their own art and architecture, as well as the flow and function of the liturgy. Doing so benefits us, but also those whom we evangelize and invite to experience the beauty of worship.
Matt Wash's latest documentary, What Is a Woman?, raises many questions about the nature of biological sex and gender. Yet it also raises many questions on whether objective truth can be appreciated within our culture. Join us for an important discussion on this timely topic.
Various forms of media and entertainment can impact the affections and emotions, yet do they elicit a response in us toward greater action and Christian virtue?
In this episode, we examine what feminism often strives to be and what it should offer in highlighting the true feminine genius.
Midwesterners tend to be reserved in speech. Yet how should we still speak the truth in love with honesty and candor?
How does one continue an active relationship with God when coming down from a high religious experience? Join us for this important topic.
Why would anyone want to become celibate? Do celibate men and women offer a message to the world that is desperately needed in this day and age?
Many believe the Church is a corrupt institution. How do we understand her true nature in light of scandals and sinners?
As many feel afraid and vulnerable in light of the recent Supreme Court decision, how does the Church stand with those who support abortion and how we do expand our pro-life efforts to support women at all stages?
For those who think that being Christian is boring, examine with us the deeper call to which God invites us as His instruments on earth.
As Fr. Shane reflects on the death of his father, we discuss the gift of faith in the midst of grief.
In this episode, we examine helpful categories to understanding the gift of the Eucharist and how to enter into participation at Mass more deeply
As the civic culture marks Pride month, an often heard phrase is "Love is Love." Join us for a discussion on what this phrase means and how our Faith can speak into the deepest realities of love.
When transitions happen in life, we can feel an empty void. Yet how do we encounter God within that space?
When feeling so sinful and worthless, could it be the case that God wishes to dwell within me?
Deeply engrained within human beings is a desire to mark time with the celebration of each season and holiday. Join us for a discussion in how we enter into these stages of life and care for the passing of time.
How does one enter into the Mass as an experience of prayer, without feeling distracted by others or simply going through the motions of a public ritual. Join us to find out!
For anyone who has pondered becoming Catholic or if they should bother remaining Catholic, join us for a discussion about three important questions that clarify one's Christian belief.
In this episode we discuss the role of Christian formation within the home and how families share in the transmission of the faith through their intentional witness.
Although cohabitation has become a norm for countless couples prior to marriage, join us for a discussion on the deeper levels of commitment and love that come within the covenant of marriage.
In this episode, we respond to those who have felt that the Catholic Faith has been forced upon them since childhood, potentially limiting their freedom of choice in religious belief.
To follow Christ is to be a scandal to the world. Yet Christians should not lose heart, for from the scandal of the cross comes our lasting hope and joy.
Join us for this discussion with Sr. Karolyn about the current state of consecrated life for women in the U.S. and how this important vocation enriches the life of the Church.
As we approach the sacred days of Holy Week, let us reflect on how our Lord was an outcast, feeling rejected throughout His ministry and in His final days on earth.
Though our Western culture is materially rich, we often lack the ability to recognize our neediness and receive blessings in a spirit of gratitude. Join us for this episode as we discuss the value of spiritual poverty.
Many Catholics leave the Church because of her teachings on birth control. Join us for an important discussion about the reasons for the Church's position, unpopular as it may be.
The Church must continually provide reverent and noble liturgies that draw us into worship of God and that unite us as the Body of Christ. Yet in our desire for quality at church, do we miss the deeper spiritual hungers?
Many have criticized the Church for recently declaring years of baptisms to be invalid in the state of Arizona. Is the Church trying to drive people away? Is this an instance in which bishops are being too fussy?
Join us for this discussion as we address the frequent complaint of adult Catholics who say, "My children don't practice the Faith, I sent them to Catholic schools, what happened?"
Why does God allow demons to exist? Why do they have permission to torment human beings? Find out in this episode what God's providential plans are for the visible and invisible realm of his creatures.
Most people have little contact with clergy or religious and their impression of the Church is largely based on their interaction with the laity. Join us as we discuss the important role that Catholics have in giving witness to the Faith for other believers.
Continuing our conversation with special guest, Nathan Phillips, in this episode we examine the reality of anxiety. As more people experience an increase in mental stress and nervousness, join us for this important discussion.
In this episode, we are joined by licensed counselor, Nathan Phillips, of Catholic Charities. Join us for a discussion on the importance of proper mental heath and how it impacts the spiritual life.
Many questions arise about the nature of the Church's hierarchy. In this episode, we discuss the various divisions of Church leadership and how all of us are incorporated into the structure of believers, even among the smallest of parishes.
During this pro-life month of January, the Church recognizes the sacred gift of each human life. Yet the Church also recognizes the pain and hurt of those who have been involved with the loss of children through the scourge of abortion. For those who think they are beyond the mercy of God, join us in this episode for a sincere message of hope and healing.
How easy it is for us to return for our former mistakes, negative patterns of thought, or emotional vulnerabilities. In this tendency, we can become outcasts unto ourselves, prohibiting life to more forward in power of the Holy Spirit. Check out this episode to learn more about what can keep us stuck in our past wounds and mistakes.
There are many misconceptions about the sacrament of marriage, which can prevent people from fully participating in the life of the Church. In this episode, we try to clear up misunderstandings in the hope of allowing couples to live in greater freedom.
In this midst of the darkness of this world, the gift of hope must always grow. In this Christmas episode, we discuss the gift of Christ's light and the hope that arises knowing that the darkness has not overcome it.
Recent discussions for the global Synod have revealed varying interpretations of Catholic teachings among different generations. Yet how do we see our identity and practices as remaining continuous in the midst of changing cultural realities? Check out this episode to find out!
What is point of Christmas gifts and how are consumer trends changing throughout the U.S.? Find out in this episode as we discuss the true meaning of the gift of Christmas.
From the campus of Conception Seminary College, Fr. Travis shares in his episode his love of literature and the power of words upon the imagination.
How should one make big decisions? How to determine the will of God for our intended future? In this episode, we discuss the basic principles of discernment and how to apply them to our own situations.
Social media trends can powerfully shape culture and individual lives. Yet are there deeper trends within Christianity that should be guiding our lives? Check out this episode to learn more
In this episode, we discuss the importance of hospitality as seen within parishes and within the homes of parishioners
Dr. Andrew and Mrs. Sarah Swafford of Benedictine College join us in this episode for a great discussion on how to build community among other adults.
In this episode we discuss the poisons of envy and jealously and how they impact the spiritual life and our relationships with others.
A good examination of conscience is always needed before receiving the gift of the most Holy Eucharist.
Join us for a special interview with Dr. Michael Dauphinais, the co-author of the new book, The Wisdom of the Word. This text, published by the Word on Fire Institute, answers pressing questions that modern minds struggle to solve regarding faith and the Church.
During the beauty of the harvest season, we reflect on the bounty of our fields and the One who is the source of all our blessings.
On a bridge in Rome, new insights are gained with Italian teenagers and the role of angels and the invisible realm that surrounds us all.
For any Catholic who has been away from the Church, there can be apprehension on how to return the active practice of the Faith. In this episode, we discuss practical tips toward this return and a believer's hoped for embrace by the local Catholic community.
In the Midwest, children's sports provide entertainment, discipline, and fraternity. Yet they also monopolize huge amounts of time and financial resources. How is a devout family to respond to this growing trend?
Each fall, the lineup of feast days provides a rich time to venerate the holy souls who have gone before us. In this episode we focus on the final days of September and the initial days of October in which the Church celebrates faithful saints who continue to intercede for us.
Many question how the God of the Old Testament can be the same God of the New Testament, seemingly angry in early Israelite history and merciful in the Gospels. In this episode we discuss this perception and God's apparent inconsistency.
What do restaurants in Turkey and Lithuania have to do with our Catholic faith? Tune into this episode and find out about the importance of our historical roots.
So many wonder how God could be all-good and all-powerful when there is so much evil in the world. Does He even notice, or is He capable of doing anything about it? In this episode will tackle the important question of 'the problem of evil.'
We often discuss the need to build community among parishioners. Yet do we appreciate the need to build spiritual communion among fellow sinners, particularly among those whose souls are in jeopardy of losing eternal salvation?
Catholics and Protestants are often viewed as rivals with a long history of division. Yet do Christians within these traditions have more in common than is often realized, particularly in the face of growing secularism? Join us for this important discussion.
Priests are often asked, "Why does the Church hate gays?" In this episode we discuss cultural and ecclesial misconceptions regarding sexual identity and the important role that all people have to play within the Church.
A question often asked among Midwest Catholics is whether to stay in one's current parish, even if it seems lifeless, or to move to another parish. Join us for an important discussion about whether to find a new community or to fight for renewal in one's current place.
In touring art museums, one often finds collections of sacred art that used to hang in churches. In the face of growing secularism, how many museum visitors know how to interpret this art and the story of salvation that it depicts?
Having concelebrating the recent dedication of the new St. Wenceslaus Church in Omaha, NE, Fr. Travis shares helpful insights into the design of churches and how sacred spaces shape our Christian identity.
The liturgical season of Ordinary time is anything but dull and ordinary. Check out this episode in which we discuss the extraordinary fruitfulness of this current season.
As Fr. Shane recently discovered during a youth ministry trip to the Rocky Mountains, guys tend to avoid talking about their emotions and movements of the heart. Yet when men are willing to enter into their vulnerabilities, the results are impressive. Check out this discussion on how all areas of our interior life need to be integrated and well-ordered.
In this bonus episode, join special guest, Fr. John Nepil, the host of the podcast "Catholic Stuff You Should Know" for a discussion on how being an Outcast is being played out in the Archdiocese of Denver and around the country.
Join Fr. Travis and Fr. Shane for their review of the popular new multi-season drama, The Chosen, by Dallas Jenkins.
Pope Francis recently announced the canonization of a new saint. In this episode, learn more about this powerful yet relatively unknown saint of the Middle Ages.
In a world of glittering corporations and global businesses, many can wonder how the Church compares in her organization, structures, and personnel talent. How do we understand competency within the Church, particularly within the persons that God calls to serve His people?
As we enter the summer vacation period and plan out recreation events and travels, how much care and attention to we give to planning our time with the Lord?
Vandalism against Christian churches and sacred objects continues to increase around the world. What is a proper response in the face of religious persecution or hate crimes against organized religion?
Feeling inadequate in our life of prayer is a common concern among Christians. Many feel "outcast" in how to find the presence of God in their lives or how to recognize the movements of the Holy Spirit. In this episode, special guest, Fr. Paul Hoesing of the Archdiocese of Omaha, shares helpful insights in how to relate to God and notice His presence in your life.
Over the past century, there have been three major impacts upon Midwest living. In this episode, find out what these impacts are and how they affect the practice of the faith.
Do contemporary believers approach their faith as something that gives their lives purpose and direction, or is their approach more superficial?
In this episode, we recall the moving moments of Fr. Travis's priestly ordination, the humility of the liturgical gestures involved in the Roman Ritual, and the graces that continue flow from that sacramental celebration for the good of the Church.
In this episode we discuss the virtue of obedience. With a proper understanding of obedience, we can avoid a sense of resentment toward authority figures and find find greater freedom for things that seem out of our control.
Where did Jesus go when he descended among the dead following His crucifixion and death? To whom did He come to save and does His salvation apply to souls that lived before Him?
How do we know if our faith is strong enough when the challenges of this world seem to be growing? In this episode, we discuss the proper role of faith when the darkness of this world seems to be closing in upon us.
It is not easy to be fervent in one's faith when others want to mock or minimize religious practice. Yet as Jesus accepted the road of humiliation in his walk to Calvary, how do we unite ourselves to Him?
Ever met someone who isn't interested in religion, but still want to be a good person? Have you encountered someone who simply wants everyone to coexist and be nice? In this episode we discuss a Christian response and perspective to this growing mentality.
Based on a famous Youtube video of 2012, we continue to examine the response of those who love Jesus but want nothing to do with the Church or organized religion.
Using a description of the famous author, C. S. Lewis, we discuss in this episode the need for one to choose the true identity of Jesus and what one's response to that identity will be.
Those who discern religious life know that they are considered to be outcasts in the world's standards. Yet they also recognize in their hearts that this world will not be enough to satisfy them fully. In this special interview with Sr. M. Karolyn, FSGM, the Vocation Director for the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George, we discuss how the heart longs for something beyond what the world offers.
During a pandemic in which we have all experienced limitations, how can we unite ourselves to Jesus and the limitations that He experienced in His public ministry? How does love propel us during the Lenten season beyond the limitations that we experience?
As we prepare for the sacred season of Lent, how do ashes symbolize our call to conversion and repentance? What will look different this year as Ash Wednesday is celebrated during a pandemic?
In an era that is dominated by social media, we discuss in this episode the value of quality literature and the effect that it has on the mind and soul.
Countless Catholics waiver in their faith, wondering if their belief is genuine or if the truths of Catholicism are reliable. In this episode, we discuss how fragile this position can be and how to remedy it.
As a historical document, does the Bible have any credibility, particularly when compared with other ancient manuscripts? Is it foolish to believe in the historical basis of the books of the Bible?
While many want to kiss goodbye the past year of 2020, are there blessings in the midst of the challenges that must be received in a spirit of gratitude? Are there graces that need to be accepted, which will continue to grow throughout 2021?
The balance between fasting and feasting is often misunderstood. Explore this topic with us as we continue the celebration of the Christmas season.
While we hope that our Christmas dinners provide supportive family gatherings and celebrations of faith, we recognize that some might feel alone in their religious observances with loved ones who no longer share their beliefs. Join us in this episode as we explore some of these difficult holiday dynamics.
With the latest technology of 5G cell service, how are our spiritual lives changed in the midst of this rapid speed of data?
In this sacred days of Advent, Fr. Shane and Fr. Travis share some insights to the powerful sacrament of our ongoing conversion.
Each year the Church celebrates an intense, four-week preparation for the season of Christmas. Yet how does one enter into Advent in deep and meaningly ways beyond mere holiday decorations?
As we all seek to retreat into a comfort place of peace, what truly rejuvenates the soul?
Midwesterns spend lots of time in the car driving between towns and communities. How is this time spent on the road sanctified and made holy?
This season brings the sacred time of harvest, in which the landscape changes and we reflect on the bounty of God's goodness
What holds Midwesterns back from discussing the important issues of faith and eternal life?
Discover some basic tips for prayer in deepening your relationship with God through personal prayer.
In an election season, we focus on the Church's understanding of political life and how one develops an informed conscience.
In this episode, Fr. Travis and Fr. Shane examine the important role of the Eucharist in the life of the Church, particularly during the difficulties of the global pandemic.
In a conversation with Sr. Miriam at the Christ Our Life Conference in Des Moines, we examine the fears and vulnerabilities that can accompany our brokenness or sense of shame, as we also look toward the steps necessary for wholeness and authentic healing.
How does one handle the heavy emotions and uncertainties of life while in the midst of a global pandemic?
Many Catholics want to see new vitality in their local parish, yet wonder if assuming a leadership role in a parish committee is right for them. In this episode we'll discuss how one can view and approach these leadership structures within parish life.
With lots of experience in helping couples prepare for marriage, our special guest, Fr. Taylor Leffler, of the Archdiocese of Omaha, shares his insights on how to incorporate young couples into the life of the parish and lead them into deeper faith.
It can be difficult to establish a sense of community support in a rural areas. How does one enter into new social circles, and how should one invite others into deeper communion?
Given the typical cultural distain of anything that seems too traditional, how do believers hold on their past while advancing forward in the Church?
Feeling frustrated by the lack of direction or vitality in your parish? Tune in to examine what should be the first practical step toward parish renewal.
In a world full of conflict and disruption, let's examine the evangelical value of beauty, which leads to truth and goodness.
Even if you feel separated from the broader Church, there is a way to connect with God and with others by praying the Liturgy of the Hours
Can intelligent people believe in something or someone that cannot be seen or scientifically proven?