Practicing Catholic Show

In Minnesota and western Wisconsin, it seems we’re never far from family farms, which helps us to have an appreciation for those who grow and harvest our food. 2024 is a big year for our sisters and brothers in faith and agriculture, as the Church celebrates 100 years of Catholic Rural Life – which is based in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Monsignor James Shea, president of the Un...

Are you part of a small group? Some listeners probably have been for many years, while others likely just joined this Lent, as part of Archbishop’s Pastoral Letter vision to eventually have all Catholics in the Archdiocese part of a small group. Joining host Patrick Conley to chat about why they’re so important to connecting folks to their faith and parish and form evangelists, is Andrea Krautkram...

Right now in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, about a hundred of our sisters and brothers are immersed in the School of Charism Discovery – led by Father Michael Becker. But, charisms are as old as the Church, and the Twin Cities have been home to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Office for many years. Joining host Patrick Conley to talk charisms and CCRO's upcoming conference ar...

The Archdiocesan Men’s Conference returns again this year, as it’s led by the Catholic Watchmen: a local apostolate of men offering prayer for the Church, led by the bishops of our Archdiocese and other lay leaders. One of those leaders is with us today, Deacon Gordon Bird – the Catholic Watchmen point man for the Archdiocese. Along with one of the keynote speakers for the Conference, Deacon Harol...

We’re already to the tail end of Lent, and it’s time to dig a little deeper – to re-commit to our Lenten promises, to reflect more deeply on how God is moving in our hearts, and to embrace this time of penance before the joy of Easter. Bishop Michael Izen joins producer Kayla Mayer to talk about availing ourselves to the beauty of the Sacrament of Reconciliation in these days leading up to Holy We...

With all the recent, unseasonably warm weather, kids have been out and about, having a ball—a baseball, a basketball, a football, a soccer ball. Kids and youth still love sports! If only there was some way of bringing sports and faith together... The Catholic Athletic Association (CAA) exists to organize and promote the development of respectful, faith-filled athletics through participation in int...

Regular listeners are familiar with this summer’s Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, which will mark the high point of the Eucharistic Revival in the United States. Even if you can’t make it to Indy, you’re invited to participate in the Eucharistic Pilgrimage right here in our Archdiocese. Practicing Catholic producer Kayla Mayer checks in with Father Tim Tran and Amy Tadlock – who's organi...

Many of us have encountered religious sisters in some way throughout our lifetimes. Some as teachers in our Catholic schools, catechists in parish faith formation programs, or mission trips and other ministries. Say a special prayer for our sisters in faith, as we honor them during Catholic Sisters Week, March 8-14. Joining Practicing Catholic contributor Tom Halden is Sr. Mary Micaela Hoffmann, a...

The themes of Catholic social teaching are principles we should certainly strive for in our care for others. In this Practicing Catholic Classic, we revisit a conversation between host Patrick Conley and Fr. Daniel Griffith about teaching on “rights and responsibilities” - that is, the right to basic human needs and the responsibilities to care for those who are lacking these things. In a culture...

As Christians, we love Jesus. As Catholics, we unite ourselves with him – body, blood, soul, and divinity – each time we receive the Eucharist. What a great gift! Joining producer Kayla Mayer to go deeper into the gift that is Jesus in the Eucharist and how we can learn more, is Deacon Charles Bobertz, professor of Theology at Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota and a deacon at Pax...

Minnesotans are proudly aware of our home state being the “State of Hockey.” Stories abound. Legends are made. One such legend joins us today to tell his story, including how his Catholic faith has influenced his hockey career. Host Patrick Conley sits down with Bill Lechner, head coach for the powerhouse boy’s hockey team at Hill-Murray School. Like what you're hearing? Leave us a review, sub...

Some big news recently, as Archbishop Hebda announced that three priests from the Archdiocese are headed north for three-year assignments to assist the Diocese of Crookston. The priests are all part of a group called the “Companions of Christ”. Joining host Patrick Conley to explain what’s happening and why – Father David Blume, director of the Archdiocesan Office of Vocations and one of the pries...

Do you struggle to stick to your Lenten commitments? You’re not alone! Lent is a challenging season. We’re giving up small pleasures or adding in virtuous habits, working toward becoming holier selves. Joining producer Kayla Mayer to offer encouragement and advice to persevere despite the challenges we may face this Lent is Fr. Joseph Johnson, pastor of Holy Family in St. Louis Park and a spiritua...

As you know, here on Practicing Catholic, we focus on what the Lord is doing here—in our local Church, the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. But we can never forget that we are part of the Church Catholic—which is universal and global! Joining host Patrick Conley to share about a special relationship God is continuing to develop between our Archdiocese and Tanzania, Africa are Dr. Mark an...

Pope Francis has asked that we be a “listening Church,” listening to the Holy Spirit and each other. As the delegates to the Synod on Synodality prepare to return to Rome in the fall for the second part of the Vatican Synod, there are two opportunities for us to get involved and do some listening right here in the Archdiocese. Archbishop Hebda joins host Patrick Conley to discuss how YOU can let t...

Is there a young man in your life who you think, “He’d make a great priest”? If the answer is “yes,” you'll want to hear about the culture, fraternity, and whole-person formation at Saint John Vianney College Seminary. Host Patrick Conley chats with Saint John Vianney's rector, Father Jonathan Kelly, and one of the men discerning a call to the priesthood, Nick Deutsch. Learn more about Sai...

We’re blessed in this Archdiocese to be home to the Center for Social Thought. The group's 2024 spring speaker series, called "Rebuilding Catholic Community", is covering a variety of ways in which we as Catholics experience the call to community. The final speaker of the series will be Leah Libresco, a nationally-known speaker and writer – and former atheist – who joins producer Kay...

It was one of the most hopeful and real stories of the pandemic – the courageous priests who spent their time visiting the sick and dying in their homes and at hospitals. While for some of us it may feel like life is back to normal, the pandemic revealed the importance of access to spiritual care for the sick and dying. Host Patrick Conley sits down with Father John Paul Erickson, pastor at the Ch...

With the number of young people leaving the Church, there's no question that we need to rebuild the Catholic community. Bishop Williams sat down with producer Kayla Mayer to talk about how we find and create Catholic community and why it's important to do so. Like what you're hearing? Leave us a review, subscribe, and follow us on social media @practicingcatholicshow! Direct social med...

With Lent starting February 14, there’s no better time than now to explore “turning our hearts, minds and souls toward God.” What a great opportunity to, once again, lean-in on God and ask him to help us do just that! Joining producer Kayla Mayer to talk about how we can grow in holiness this Lent is Dr. Kate Walsh-Soucheray, a Catholic licensed marriage and family therapist and regular columnist...

Have you ever read one of those signs like, “We serve only the finest wines in our home. What did you bring?” Well, did you know that you can answer that question by saying “An award-winning wine from a Catholic family in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis”? It may not flow off the tongue like California or Spain, but it’s true.  Isaac Savaryn, viticulturist for Sovereign Estate Winery...

Lent is fast approaching, and for the Maronite Church, Lent starts a couple days sooner than the Roman Church. Here to share more about what Lent looks like in the Maronite Church is our good friend Chorbishop sharbel Maroun. He joins producer Kayla Mayer to talk about special traditions and why you should consider joining for a Divine Liturgy. Like what you're hearing? Leave us a review, subs...

Catholic Schools Week helps us appreciate all the wonderful gifts of our Catholic schools, but teachers in Catholic schools are right up there at the top of the list. Joining host Patrick Conley to share about her experience as a Catholic school teacher is Pam McSweeney, a fifth-grade teacher at Saint John the Baptist Catholic School in Savage. Learn more about Catholic education in the Archdioces...

As Practicing Catholics, we are blessed with opportunities to look at our faith anew each day. Host Patrick Conley sits down with local Catholic photographer and videographer, Neal Abbott, who will help us see the good, the true and the beautiful all around us.   Learn more about Neal and check out his work . Like what you're hearing? Leave us a review, subscribe, and follow us on social media...

Last week was Catholic Schools Week, the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. Chances are pretty good you’ve got a Catholic schools connection – whether it’s you, your kids, or your grandkids. Catholic schools are an important ministry of many parishes and groups in our community. Back for his monthly segment, Archbishop Hebda chats with producer Kayla Mayer about just ho...