VOX SFX

Peace can be an elusive thing.  The world can fill us with worry and our minds can get stuck in patterns that do not serve us.  So many things can pull us from the feeling of peace.  In these times of turmoil it is good to ask ourselves "What can I lay before God today?".  God wants to lead us to a place of consolation and love.  He wants to change us at the core for the better.  Do we l...

We begin our Advent series with a topic that is very much needed in this world.  It can be difficult to find hope in our lives sometimes.  There are so many things that can weigh us down, so many things that can sink us into despair.  But our hope is in Christ and His promise of a better kingdom.  From this hope, we can begin to see the world anew.  Katy is back on the show to share with us what h...

This next week we gather together for the holiday of Thanksgiving here in America.  It is often a festive time with good food and good company.  However, Thanksgiving doesn't just happen once a year.  It happens every weekend when we gather for the Lord's Supper and give thanks to God for the saving life of His Son.  At our best, it is a daily practice that enriches our life.  Frs. Mark,...

When Jesus tells us in the Gospel to bring the little ones to him and to not hinder them, it isn't just a passive missive.  We are called to an active mission because the kingdom belongs to them.  The question then becomes, how do we lead our children to the faith in a way that they can access?  The CGS program gives a great opportunity for this access, not just for the children but for the a...

When the Lord calls us, it isn't always a thundering voice from the mountains.  Often it is a gentle feeling from the Holy Spirit, quietly leading us if we have the ears to hear.  This is often true when it comes to pursuing a deeper commitment to Holy Mother Church.  Deacons occupy a special position in our communities, having many of the duties as a priest but still having the ability to ha...

What does it mean to be a part of the body of Christ?  It means that we are charged with bringing the light and message of Christ into the world.  It means serving one another in mind, body, and spirit.  We all have a role to play, and no role is greater than another.  All are necessary, all are welcome, all are called.  Shai joins Nicholas to show us how we can listen to the call to service and h...

Austin Peppenger is not Catholic.  In fact, when he was young, he was taught to fear and hate Catholics, among others.  As he has gone through life he has challenged many of the misconceptions he was raised with.  One of those was a complete 180* on Holy Mother Church.  After interactions with the faithful, attending Mass, and listening to the wisdom offered by the guests of VOXSFX, his perspectiv...

The children's program called Catechesis of the Good Shepard, or CGS for short, is an amazing opportunity for kids to develop a deeper understanding of their faith.  Using age-appropriate environments and materials to foster involvement in liturgy, history, and theology, children in CGS get to participate actively and learn at their own pace.  The CGS program at St Francis Xavier is the most...

In light of the Holy Father's recent comments, which have caused quite the stir here in the USA, we thought it might be appropriate to expand on the Church's teachings on immigration.  This is a tough topic, as there is much political rhetoric back and forth on this complicated issue.  However, this is not a political show.  VOXSFX isn't trying to tell you what to think or how to vo...

Whether in the majesty of nature or the wonder of human industry, God's great work is visible all around us.  Rev. Roger De La Rosa SJ shares how his background in chemistry, Jesuit training, and love of photography inspire him to explore new ways of appreciating and cultivating care for our world.  Using tools like the Examen, Fr. De La Rosa teaches us to find the beauty in the little things...

Luciano Lamonarca, also known as the Good Will Tenor, is known internationally for his incredible voice.  His passion, other than music, is the promotion and mission of the Padre Pio Foundation.  Rooted in the humility and service of this saint, this Foundation is a force for good works for the most needy in this world.  Who is this man who uses his voice for the benefit of countless faithful in c...

Spiritual warfare is a widely discussed topic in this day and age.  It is easy to see the appeal, a sense of control in a world sorely lacking a center and that is a mire of chaos.  This episode is about something a little different.  In this episode, Nicholas explores how the world around us can harm our spiritual wellbeing, while focusing on the power and love of God.

We have a new priest at St Francis Xavier!  Father Mark Hoelsken, who spent thirty years working up in Alaska, has an infectious laugh and a deep well of knowledge to draw from.  In addition to exploring the path that led him here to Missoula, we also delve into the history of the Church when it comes to our interaction and ministry to the indigenous tribes of America.  Join us as we get to know o...

The editing for this week's normal episode has been delayed by hazardous air conditions.  But never fear!  Nicholas comes to you from his home studio to talk a little about the shows we have coming up as well as our plan for Advent this year.  Tune in to listen to Nicholas and Cassius the Cat as we explore some of the exciting content we have in store for you!

On September 7th, 2025, we will be canonizing the first two saints under the papacy of Pope Leo XIV:  Carlo Acutis, known as the first millennial saint, and Pier Giorgio Frassati.  Who were these two young men?  What were their contributions to the Church and the people of God?  Lydia Schmidt, our associate producer, joins us to look at the lives of these two holy men.

2025 marks the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea, the first of what came to be known as ecumenical councils.  Nicea, and the many subsequent councils held by the titans of the church, has helped to codify our beliefs and teachings and promote greater understanding of the precepts of our faith.  The Catholic Church we know today was built on the foundations of the unity these councils esta...

Padre Pio is coming to St. Francis Xavier in Missoula, Montana!  On August 25th and 26th, people will have the wonderful opportunity to venerate this marvelous saint of healing.  This is known as a devotion, which is a practice of faith which may involve prayer or other activities but is not part of official liturgy and doctrine.  It is meant to deepen our love and reverence for God and those who...

The word 'miracle' is often used to describe a variety of positive occurrences: a good day, a gorgeous sunrise, or the birth of a child.  These may be wonderful things, but a miracle as defined by the Catholic Church is a highly specific concept.  There is a process for determining whether or not a phenomenon qualifies, involving exhaustive testing and evaluation by the Vatican, scientis...

Religious liberty is not just a concept enshrined by secular governments.  It is also taught as a critical piece of Catholic social teaching.  The Second Vatican Council's Declaration on Religious Freedom, Dignitatis Humanae, promulgated on December 7th, 1965, by Pope Paul VI, gives Catholics an essential framework for understanding our duties when interacting with the secular world and with...

In scripture, the Lord often calls us to charity.  We are charged, as God's people, to take care of one another unconditionally.  From charitable works to serving as honor guard, the Knights of Columbus serve as a solid foundation and a beacon of hope in their communities.  Join us as Bob Lawrence delves into the history and purpose of the Knights of Columbus.

When we are in mourning, we hardly feel blessed.  Grief can shatter us in mind and spirit, it can take a heavy toll on the body, and it can devastate our faith.  In these moments of weakness it is often difficult to see the light.  The love of God is always there, but sometimes we can render ourselves numb to His compassion.  But God can use our grief to help others and to build a bridge between u...

It is hard to imagine Christianity without the prophets of old.  They correct us when we've gone astray and speak to God on our behalf.  Most importantly, they point to the coming of our Savior.  Their words ring true throughout the ages, touching our hearts and guiding us even today.  Many women also had the role of a prophet, though their contributions of often tragically overlooked.  Fr Vi...

One of the core Catholic experiences is participation in the Rite of Reconciliation, commonly known as Confession.  We reflect on where we have fallen short of God's expectations and bring this to a priest who serves as Christ's messenger of absolution.  Beyond the rote recitation of sins, it is an invitation to go deeper into our own nature with the intent of not just identifying our si...

The Summa Theologica is a masterpiece in the Catholic lexicon.  St. Thomas Aquinas beautifully lays out a logical way of understanding God and our faith.  Our episode today specifically concerns his proofs of the existence of God.  Using human reasoning and our understanding of the world around us, St. Thomas expertly explains this deepest of mysteries.  To help us understand these concepts better...

In 2022, St Francis Xavier Parish was blessed by the arrival of Father Paul Cochran.  In his time here he has proven vital to our community.  Whether delivering moving homilies or mentoring the faithful, his service to this parish has earned him the love of its congregation.  The path that brought him to us is a fascinating one, full of lessons and inspiration.  In this episode, Nicholas has the h...