The Padre Jay cast: Recent Episodes
Father Jay Donahue
Padre Jay sits down with Bishop David Zubik of the Diocese of Pittsburgh to talk about growing up in Ambridge, his calling to the priesthood, On Mission for the Church Alive!, the forming of Saint Luke the Evangelist Parish... and more!
Padre Jay sits down with Jimbo Covert, Conway-born Pitt Star, Super Bowl Champ, and Pro Football Hall of Famer. This talk was conducted over the phone so there are minor technical issues throughout; however this should not interfere with your enjoyment of the interview!
Padre Jay sits down with Father Mike Zavage, Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish
Padre Jay sits down with Dan Ninemire, Catholic Dad & Founder of the All-American Baseball Center
Padre Jay sits down with Artie Boyle, Author, Cancer Survivor, Medjugorje Pilgrim, Father of Pittsburgh Penguin Brian Boyle
Padre Jay broadcasts live from Good Samaritan church in Ambridge to explore its grounds and history
Padre Jay broadcasts live from Saints John & Paul church in Franklin Park to explore its grounds and history
Padre Jay broadcasts live from Our Lady of Peace church in Conway to explore its grounds and its history
Padre Jay broadcasts live from Saint John the Baptist church in Baden to explore its grounds and its history
Padre Jay sits down with Jonathan Morris, Author, Commentator, and Network News Contributor
Padre Jay visits Father Jason Charron and discusses his mission to rescue Ukranian orphans
Padre Jay sits down with Father Adam Potter, STL, who will be giving the 2022 Parish Lenten Mission—"Beggars at the Foot of the Cross"—at Saints John & Paul on April 4-6.
Padre Jay sits down with Emma Sabados, Faith Formation Coordinator at Saints John & Paul
Padre Jay sits down with Dr. John Bergsma, Professor of Theology at Franciscan University, to explore Saint Luke the Evangelist!
Padre Jay takes the Great Grouping staff on a retreat to the Shrines of Pittsburgh in this four-part series!
Padre Jay takes EXPLORING CATHOLICISM on the road with a brief message from the Great Grouping Staff Retreat Day!
Padre Jay sits down with Dr. Michael Lamb of Saints John & Paul's Special Needs Awareness Committee
Apologies for missing audio at beginning at episode
Padre Jay sits down with Josh & Mary Beth Gawaldo of Anchor1 Worship Band
Padre Jay sits down with Father Scott Seethaler & Kathleen Schurter to discuss the OLÉ 5K!
The tables are turned on this week's EXPLORING CATHOLICISM as Scott Lieb of Preambula Group interviews Padre Jay!
Padre Jay sits down with Bobby Aloe & Rose Filipponi from the Great Grouping's Beaver Valley Parishes
Padre Jay sits down with Cindy Deschaine, Pastoral Associate for the Great Grouping Beaver Valley Parishes
Padre Jay & co-host Regina Donahue sit down with Carrie Gress, Author, Philospher, and Mom
http://www.carriegress.com/
Padre Jay sits down with Marjorie Dannenfelser, Pro-Life advocate from the Susan B. Anthony List
Padre Jay sits down with Lizzie Groetsch, Saints John & Paul Parishioner, high school student, basketball star
Padre Jay sits down with Father Eugene Ritz, expert on the canonization cause of Father Walter Ciszek ("He Leadeth Me")
Padre Jay sits down with Jason Gawaldo, Director of Faith Formation for the Great Grouping
Padre Jay sits down with Mike & Alicia Hernon to talk about their "Messy Family Project" ministry
Padre Jay sits down with Chris Patsch, Early Childhood Formation Coordinator for the Great Grouping Beaver Valley parishes
March 21 Homily - “Where is your Calvary? - and the story of Fr. Jay’s 1st Baseball game”
Introduction to the March 3rd 2021 homily
“Take up our cross and serve – beware of leaders that come to serve rather than to serve”
Homily from March 3, 2021- St. John Baptist Church
“Take up our cross and serve – beware of leaders that come to serve rather than to serve”
Not everything lasts forever – growing in grace and entrusting yourself to Mary’s protection
Anniversary of St. Joseph – 150 years – declared the Patron Saint of the Catholic Church
The “Calendar”: your daily appointment with Jesus – the difference between Catholics and non-Catholics.
Clarification of Pope Francis’s remarks re: Civil Unions - Theology of the Body – Clarity in Human Sexuality, Truth in Identity
Padre Jay sits down with Chris Donahue (his father!) for a conversation about Faith, Family, and Federated
Padre Jay sits down with Sister M Johanna Paruch, FSGM, PhD from Franciscan University of Steubenville
Padre Jay sits down with Rhodora Noethling, Founder of the Educational Coaching Center at Oakland Catholic
Padre Jay sits down with Joe Nowak & Lauren Williams from Saints John & Paul's Finance Council
Fr. Jay’s homily from November 12, 2020 taking aim at the findings of the McCarrick Report – “The Sin of Church Leaders Cries to God for Cleansing”
Encore presentation of the Celebration of the Priesthood from Holy Thursday 2020, a conversation between Father Jay, Father Jack, and Father Joe.
Father Jay sits down with Dr. John Bergsma, theologian, to discuss the Dead Sea Scrolls and their relationship to Holy Scripture
Father Jay sits down with Jay Caufield, two-time Stanley Cup Champion with the Pittsburgh Penguins and hockey analyst for AT&T Sports Net
Padre Jay sits down for a conversation with Saints John & Paul parishioner and Pro-life young adult leader, Emma Kunzmann
Padre Jay sits down with Tom Rooney of the famous Pittsburgh Rooneys, and founder of the Rooney Sports & Entertainment Group
Padre Jay sits down with Jason Gawaldo, Director of Faith Formation at Saints John & Paul Parish
Padre Jay interviews Cindy Deschaine, Faith Formation Director of the Great Grouping Valley Parishes, and coordinator of the current Food Drive Outreach from Good Samaritan
Jesus established the Church as a source of authority and unity to gather all of humanity close to him—to transmit his divine power on earth to save souls. Why did he set it up to use human beings to do such an eternally important job? Hopefully one day we'll all get the chance to ask him! In the meantime, let us simply listen to his words and re-fasten ourselves to his intent! —Padre Jay
Padre Jay sits down for a conversation with Dorrie Donahue, Megan Christ, and Sister Rose Walatka, ZSJM
As we begin Lent, let us ponder for a moment – what are the motivations for what we do?
If we all had laser focus on the GOAL – getting to heaven, how would things change in our lives?
- Padre Jay
Catholic Education and Faith Formation: What role can your parish play in parenting our kids? How can our parish assist parents in the way they educate and form their children?
Padre Jay interviews Father Donald Calloway, MIC, about Consecration to St. Joseph!
http://consecrationtostjoseph.org
Padre Jay interviews Dr. Michel Therrien about his Preambula Group and his book, "The Catholic Faith Explained"
After my pilgrimage retreat to Quebec, Canada in January 2020, I delivered this homily inspired by St. Andre Bessette, who had a heart for Christ and loved others with it. He had a beautiful devotion to St. Joseph. "The door to heaven is the heart of Christ, and the key to that door is prayer and charity." —Padre Jay
1 Samuel 16:1-13
http://www.usccb.org/bible/1samuel/16
Our Catholic Mass is so beautiful and deep in meaning. This Lent, the Padres here at the Great Grouping are preaching our homilies about the different parts of the Mass, hoping to increase understanding and appreciation of "the Source and Summit of our Faith." Also, I talk about the 40th Anniversary of the Miracle on Ice!
Here's a reflection from Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen about "Calvary and the Mass"—https://www.ecatholic2000.com/calvary/mass.shtml
—Padre Jay
Recorded on the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, this homily reflects on the many different lights we see in this world, leading us this way and that, many seemingly to truth. But there is, in fact, only one Truth—and as St. Paul himself found on the road to Damascus, that Truth is the light of Jesus Christ Himself! —Padre Jay
Sometimes the suffering we have to endure seems unbearable. Jesus tells us in Mark 8:34-38 that "Whoever wishes to come after me must... take up his cross and follow me." What do you do with that pain, in trying to unite it to Jesus on the Cross? Hopefully this homily will be helpful to anyone who is struggling. —Padre Jay
Interview with Dolores Shipe & Dr. Marguerite Duane about Fertility and Natural Family Planning
On World Marriage Sunday—as we try to see things through God's perspective—we discover that everything, when consecrated through Him, is more than it seems to be!
—Padre Jay
In this new year, I pray that we can all see the Face of God with "2020" vision! As always, our Blessed Mother can help us do that. —Padre Jay
Saying the Holy Name of Jesus is the most powerful prayer, especially in the face of tragedy—such as the family in our parish grouping who recently lost everything in a house fire. Please consider sending funds to assist them to:
St. Crispin Fund
Great Grouping
725 Glenwood Avenue
Ambridge, PA 15003
(724) 266-6565
Mark Joseph, speaker and author of "Overwhelming Pursuit," will be speaking at Saints John & Paul as part of our BOLDLY CATHOLIC Speaker Series on January 29, 2020. I got the chance to sit and talk with him about finding the path to peace, joy, and fulfillment in today's overwhelming world. —Padre Jay
http://www.markjosephministries.com
Courtesy RSVP for Mark's talk at Saints John & Paul at
http://www.greatgrouping.org/joseph
My Christmas homily this year was all about experiencing God in the "here." The Lord truly wants to be present to us here, wherever we are, especially in the tough places in our lives. He is ALWAYS here, present to us, in the Eucharist! God bless, —Padre Jay
Another "Marian Moment," dedicated to our Blessed Mother.
Jesus & the Jewish Roots of Mary," by Brant Pitre
https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Jewish-Roots-Mary-Unveiling/dp/0525572732
Blessings to you during Advent! This homily was recorded on the Feast of St. Nicholas, and I hope it can help us to be mindful of how God's graces can sweeten the sourness of our life. God bless! —Padre Jay
As the Church's liturgical year comes to a close, it seems appropriate to reflect a little on the end times, and on our entrance into heaven, by the Grace of God. Also, I talk about Peppa Pig. You'll have to listen to find the connection. —Padre Jay
On the feast day recalling when Saints Joachim and Ann brought their baby, Mary, to the temple for her Presentation, let us remember everyone who has brought us to the Lord. Thank God for everyone who has interceded for you, through actions and prayers!
—Padre Jay
Have you ever thought about what you will be like when your body and soul are reunited in heaven? Rarely are we satisfied with what we see in the mirror. Check out First and Second Maccabees, to see what Scripture says about our bodies, and try to see yourself from God's perspective... —Padre Jay
Look around when you're in a church. Why was it designed in the way it was? What do the statues mean, the windows, the columns, the lines? What is the "theology" of the building? Consider it, and let the details of that temple of the Holy Spirit renew your love for your church, and most especially for Jesus Christ. —Padre Jay
I was blessed to be able to sit down and talk to Abby Johnson, author of "Unplanned" (which is also a powerfully moving film), about her journey from being the director of a Planned Parenthood abortion clinic to her conversion to Catholicism and becoming an outspoken Pro-Life advocate! Abby will be joining us at Saints John & Paul on December 5th as our Boldly Catholic speaker. Tickets are for sale (but going fast!) at http://greatgrouping.org/johnson. For more information about her "And Then There Were None" ministry and about leaving the abortion industry, visit http://abortionworker.com.
—Padre Jay
When people look at us, do they see Jesus? This homily discusses the Gospel story of Zaccheus, the way that Jesus looks at us, and the way we see Jesus in others. —Padre Jay
For this All Souls Day Homily, I spend some time discussing Purgatory, and what it means to pray for those who have died. —Padre Jay
If you think about it, Christ in the Eucharist is a self-limiting God. He handicaps himself, thereby encouraging us to use our own shortcomings and handicaps to lead us to the holiness, the Sainthood, he intends for us; for which he created us. —Padre Jay
This is the first in a new series of "Marian Moments," dedicated to Our Blessed Mother.
How many things, people, circumstances are we actually grateful for in our daily lives? All the amazing graces we receive in our lives, and sometimes we barely notice. One leper out of ten returned to thank Jesus for his healing. Surely we can do better! Surely we can show our gracious Lord how thankful we are for what he does, what he gives us, how he heals us! —Padre Jay
Padre Jay sits down with Nick Sciarappa, Youth Minister at Saints John & Paul Parish (and producer of the popular "Clerically Speaking" podcast), to talk about Italian names, the youth of the Church, and being responsible for his brother Anthony becoming a priest, among other things.
This is not one of my best-prepared homilies, but the Holy Spirit can certainly bring what's needed out of imperfection. In it, I talk about how Saint Paul tells us to "compete well for the faith," so I'm offering this to you in that spirit. God bless! —Padre Jay
Mary, our loving mother, is the one who connects us to her son, Jesus, our savior. While God's graces are always available to us, we as human beings so often ignore them, or fail to seek them. Mary helps us by offering those graces to us with a mother's love, and with the complete understanding of what it means to be a creature wholly dependent on the love of its creator. —Padre Jay
The painting "The Call of St. Matthew" by Caravaggio is one piece of art that has definitely deeply moved me in my life. If you would, google it or find a copy to contemplate while listening to this homily I delivered on St. Matthew's Feast Day. God bless! —Padre Jay
This is part 4 of my interview with Kyle Bliss, where we discuss our exciting new evangelization initiatives such as Exodus 90 and the Boldly Catholic Speaker Series, as well as the challenges of the Church today, the Eucharist, Confession, and much more! Enjoy! —Padre Jay
This is part 3 of my interview with Kyle Bliss, where we discuss our exciting new evangelization initiatives such as Exodus 90 and the Boldly Catholic Speaker Series, as well as the challenges of the Church today, the Eucharist, Confession, and much more! Enjoy! —Padre Jay
Jason Gawaldo, our fearless Director of Faith Formation at Saints John & Paul, makes a compelling presentation to our Finance Council about the state of Faith Formation at our parish—where we've come from, what we're doing now, and where we're headed—which goes beyond just a Faith Formation talk and speaks toward who we are as Catholics. I invite you to listen and be inspired! —Padre Jay
This is part 2 of my interview with Kyle Bliss, where we discuss our exciting new evangelization initiatives such as Exodus 90 and the Boldly Catholic Speaker Series, as well as the challenges of the Church today, the Eucharist, Confession, and much more! Enjoy! —Padre Jay
This is part 1 of my interview with Kyle Bliss, where we discuss our exciting new evangelization initiatives such as Exodus 90 and the Boldly Catholic Speaker Series, as well as the challenges of the Church today, the Eucharist, Confession, and much more! Enjoy! —Padre Jay
Okay, so maybe last week's Steelers/Patriots matchup didn't go quite as well as some of us would have liked, but that doesn't change the message in this homily. Human shortcomings can't alter what God intends. So what does Jesus intend in this Sunday's Gospel, when he tells us we must hate our Father, Mother, and family in order to follow him? Does "hate" really mean "hate"? Let's look a little deeper at that through this homily to try and see if we prefer what God prefers. (And maybe it's okay to really HATE the Patriots.) —Padre Jay
Jesus says that we should not pour new wine into old wineskins. With all the change that's happening (and being mandated to happen, especially in Pittsburgh) in the Catholic Church today, which changes are essential, and which ones are less important? How attached should we be to things that, in the end, really don't serve to get us closer to spending eternity in Heaven? —Padre Jay
At the fantastic Good Samaritan Festival, I reflect on pierogi, family, festivals, and yield signs... all in relation to Jesus, of course! God bless! —Padre Jay
As kids head back to college this time of year, I find myself wondering who has the harder time with the separation: parents or students? And, as so often happens, one existential question leads to another—Are there more souls in Heaven or Hell? Jesus himself challenges us to pass through the narrow gate. Is that the path we're on? —Padre Jay
Padre Jay sits down with Mallory Smarto to talk about her life, family, faith, and missionary work with FOCUS—an organization which, by mobilizing university students to serve at home and around the world, strives to answer Pope Francis' call to promote a culture of encounter. Listen, and learn more at focusoncampus.org!
In the great Sequoia groves out west, forest fires are the key to growth and life. In Salvation History, we see that purification precedes revitalization. So often, going through tough times leads to new life and great things if we cling closer to Christ in the Eucharist! Cooperating with God's Grace is the key! —Padre Jay
What does "Raiders of the Lost Ark" have to do with the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary? Well, when you realize that Mary IS the Ark of the Covenant, the parallels will start to come clear! Listen, and let God release his power through our Blessed Mother Mary. —Padre Jay
We are stewards of all the gifts God has given us—Creation, our souls, the Eucharist... Kind of like babysitters, we're entrusted to care for them until the Master's return. So, in the spirit of a good, modern day babysitter, I share my rendition of the "Baby Shark" song... —Padre Jay
John Denver got it right... when you're in the "Wild & Wonderful" mountains of West Virginia, you get the sense that it truly is "Almost Heaven." In this homily upon my return to Saints John & Paul from our mission trip into the poverty of that Appalachian community, I try to bring home the fact that prayer is our lifeline out of tragic circumstances to Heaven, and to the One who created us to be loved. —Padre Jay
On my third mission trip in four weeks—this time to McDowell County, WV—I discover that the wealth of West Virginia is in finding the face of Christ in her residents and our missionaries. —Padre Jay
Homily given at Our Lady of Peace in Conway about the Good Samaritan. This is a parable a lot of people have heard many times, but sometimes it can be difficult to actually live it out. We settle into a type of Christianity where we no longer look to open our arms to people who are suffering, rather than living how Jesus wants us to live today. —Padre Jay
Padre Jay sits down with Bobby Aloe, long-time staff member of Good Samaritan Parish in Ambridge (part of the Great Grouping), and proprietor of Frank's Pizza—also in Ambridge. They talk about pizza, the parish and the Faith, the 24th annual Good Samaritan Parish Festival, and more! Dig in for some good listenin' and good eatin'!
In this homily, I'm sharing my excitement about our mission trip to Costa Rica, and thanking and inviting our parish to share in what we did. Our teen missionaries are present too, putting some of the Spanish I taught them to good use! Pray for us, for those in need, and for young people everywhere! —Padre Jay
In this snippet from Padre Jay's interview with Matt, one of the nearly two dozen teen missionaries from Saints John & Paul, Pittsburgh, they battle with the wind to talk about hockey, coffee, square bananas, and shoes.
On the Soles4Souls mission trip to Costa Rica, Padre Jay interviews Matt, one of the nearly two dozen teen missionaries from Saints John & Paul, Pittsburgh, about what it was like to give and receive to the people there, while acting as the hands and feet of Christ.
At Saints Peter & Paul, this outdoor Mass was said at night in the jungle of Costa Rica with our team of high school Soles4Souls missionaries from Saints John & Paul, Pittsburgh. The homily speaks to Catholic victory over death and tragedy. —Padre Jay
Jesus Christ present in the Eucharist is so real, so personal... I hope that this homily revs you up as it revs me up to challenge ourselves, to ask for that faith in the Eucharist, to process out of Mass with the Eucharist, to speak to our friends & family about Jesus being present in the Eucharist, and especially those Catholics who have fallen away from the Church... Because when Jesus speaks, realities can change. —Padre Jay
Join Host Michael Hernon, panelists Dr. Regis Martin and Dr. Scott Hahn, and special guest Fr. Jay Donahue, founder of "Renew The I Do", as they discuss how couples, parishes, and communities can help build stronger marriages.
ORIGINAL AIR DATE: APRIL 2018
Padre Jay recounts the story of his call to the vocation of the priesthood.
ORIGINAL AIR DATE: FEBRUARY 2014
Father Jay delivers the third in a trio of challenging subjects: HOMOSEXUALITY. From October 14, 2018 at Saints Simon & Jude, Pittsburgh.
Father Jay delivers the second in a trio of challenging subjects: CONTRACEPTION. From September 30, 2018 at Saints Simon & Jude, Pittsburgh.
Father Jay delivers the first in a trio of challenging subjects: HELL. From September 30, 2018 at Saints Simon & Jude, Pittsburgh.