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Rituals and rites define all faith communities, and Catholics have seven specific Sacraments which we experience throughout our faith journey.  These Sacraments are designed to bring us closer to God and each other, to live out Christ's mission and vision for us, and to renew our dedication to the ideals of Holy Mother Church.  Fr Hightower joins us to introduce the first set of these Sacrame...

It is National Catholic Schools Week! Our Catholic schools offer a unique and essential educational paradigm in today's increasingly secular society.  As well as instilling our young people with Christian values, Catholic schools seek to create productive and educated citizens who are able to carry out the Gospel message in a practical and tangible way.  Dr Tom Noonan joins us for this specia...

God calls all of us into his service, for his glory and for our wellbeing.  Sometimes it can be hard to know what we are called to do.  Are we called to participate in religious life?  Do we best serve by entering into the sacrament of marriage and raising a family?  These questions must be answered with a sober and purposeful mind.  Fr Daniel Nevares helps us to understand the process of vocation...

Baptism is one of the fundamental Christian rituals, honored and held in high esteem by all Trinitarian faiths.  But what is baptism?  Is it simply the act of immersion in water, or is it something more?  And why did Christ, God incarnate in the world, undergo this process at the hands of his cousin John who, in his own words, was "unfit to kneel down and untie His sandals" (Mk 1:7-8)? ...

For Catholics, one of the most powerful elements of the season of Advent is the music that draws us together.  Whether they be old hymns that are near and dear to our hearts, or joyful tunes we hear when shopping for our families, the songs of this season speak to us of the magnitude of our Savior's coming.  St Francis Xavier Parish's music director, Robert Harsch, is in the studio to sp...

As we journey through this Advent season, we prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of our Savior.  For those of us who work at a church, extensive preparation is needed to help parishioners experience the peace and wonder of the Mass.  Come behind the scenes with the staff of St. Francis Xavier Parish as we make our sacred preparations.

Widely appreciated by both the faithful and the secular world, sacred art holds a place of special significance to our Church and society.  Art speaks where words fail, imparting emotions in a way that unites us all in the appreciation of its beauty.  It can take one's breath away with a glimpse of the divine and bring our stories to life.  Fr Tom Lankenau shares his profound love of this sub...

Every year, on the fourth Thursday of November, Americans are asked what they are thankful for.  When we struggle, it can be difficult to come up with an answer.  However, by cultivating a more positive outlook, we begin to see all of the gifts that God generously bestows on us.  This perspectival shift empowers us to be divinely generous with others. Fr Conroy and Fr Cochran join us for this very...

Fr Cochran rejoins Nicholas for the final installment of our three part series on the Beatitudes.  Tune back into the conversation as we give a final examination of these powerful and proactive statements.

We continue our exploration of the Beatitudes in this second installment of our three part series.  Fr Cochran is back to offer his sage wisdom and understanding for us to contemplate.  Join Nicholas as we further examine this most important and vital section of scripture.

Matthew 5, also known as the Beatitudes, is one of the most popular sections of the Bible.  The words are simple yet powerful, mysterious, and compelling.  But how many of us really know the depth of their meaning?  There's quite a bit to unpack when it comes to these verses.  Fr Cochran joins Nicholas in the studio to begin our deep dive into the Beatitudes.

From helping the poorest and most desperate of humanity all the way to the hallowed halls of Congress, Father Pat Conroy has lived a remarkable life.   His breadth of experience has given him precious wisdom to share.  Join Nicholas as we trace Fr Conroy's journey and discover the lessons that dwell there.

The Trinity is one of the most fundamental of Christian concepts.  It is also one of the hardest to describe, as it is one of our deepest mysteries.  It seems the more one tries to define it rationally, the concept moves farther away.  It defies logic, but the attempt of understanding remains essential and eternal.  Fr Victor joins Nicholas as we attempt to unravel this most sacred of mysteries.

In the beginning, God created the world in all its glory and bounty.  He then created the creatures that would populate it.  Finally, He raise up man from the earth and charged us with a sacred duty: to be stewards of the Garden.  Though we may no longer dwell in Eden, our appointed task remains to be caretakers of Creation.  Fr Guyol joins Nicholas as we discover the true meaning of Christian Ste...

Whether exemplars of a virtuous life or those martyred in the name of their faith, the saints hold a place of special importance in the religious life of a practicing Catholic.  We look to them for inspiration and courage.  We read and consider the wisdom of their words.  We see what they do in life and are filled with awe.  But who are they, and how did they come to be known as paragons of holine...

The concept of "Sin", as it appears in popular mythology, is a largely misunderstood one.  There is this image of the self-hating Catholic who dwells on their failings constantly.  However, this doesn't match up with the actual theology concerning sin and its place in our understanding of ourselves.  Rather than a point of shame, it is an invitation to be redeemed through grace and...

Prayer is a fundamental part of most religious practices with Catholicism being no exception.  Our faith is deeply rooted in a relationship with a deeply personal God to whom we pray frequently for issues such as praise, gratitude, sorrow, or need.  We have nigh countless prayers, with many asking the intercession of various saints and angels.  Why do we pray so frequently and with such diversity?...

We all have our trials and tribulations, our periods of suffering, and those moments of desolation.  Even when we walk in darkness God is with us, and few know this better than our own VOX SFX Podcast host, Nicholas Brouillard.  From humble beginnings as a Methodist in the woods of northern Montana to a Catholic cantor and content creator for St. Francis Xavier Parish, his journey can serve as a s...

One of the most important things to any Catholic is a well formed conscience.  It is through this valuable trait that we are able to discern the best ways to live.  How do we acquire it?  Through faith formation, at every level of ones journey, we are able to walk with confidence in the Lord.  Join Nicholas as we sit down with Shai Hill to talk about this important topic of Faith Formation.

With the Olympics fresh in the mind of the world and the seasons beginning in the fall, this seems an ideal time to talk about the value of spirituality when it comes to sports.  We bring God and our spirit with us wherever we are, even when we are on the field or court.  What are the benefits of maintaining a solid spiritual connection with our training?  How can we use our religion to help us pe...

Last week we heard about the Spiritual Exercises from Luke Larson, who offered his testament and experience with this enlightening process.  However, all of those who partake in this intimate process have different fruits for their labors.  On this episode, we invite a veteran of the Exercises to present her perspectives and interaction with the Exercises.  The difference between Luke and Mary Ann...

Few things are more satisfying on the soul level that these Spiritual Exercises developed by St Ignatius.  This process can be an transformative experience, deepening our experience of the Gospels and expanding our view of Jesus.  Luke Larson joins Nicholas to provide an outline of these Spiritual Exercises for Everyday Living, and to give testimony as to its efficacy and transfiguring power.

One of the things we are called to do in our faith is to serve one another.  We all have our talents and gifts, and when we use them to the benefit of others their value increases ten-fold.  Deacon Mike Bloomdahl has lived a life of service, a man who shows us what it is to serve our fellow man.  Join Nicholas as we listen to the experience of Deacon Mike and look to how we can better serve one an...

When Christ came, He came not to save some but to save all. He charged His followers to spread this message to all corners of the globe: all are loved equally in His Father's eyes. We mortal followers of Christ have sometimes forgotten this fundamental message; in particular with how we relate to those pushed, intentionally or unintentionally, to the fringes of our community. In this episode,...

This show was made possible by a grant from the Diocese of Helena.  Our Bishop has a vision of evangelism, a revitalization of the faith and understanding within the Catholic Church.  We are lucky enough to have been able to sit down and talk with him about his life, the duties of a Bishop, and the vision he has for the Diocese of Helena.  Join Nicholas as we ask Bishop Vetter what the future hold...