Speaking of Faith: A Minnesota Catholic Podcast

What does it mean to be a pilgrim today? In this episode, theologian and comparative theologian, Dr. Chris Conway explores pilgrimage as a spiritual practice that stretches across religions, cultures, and even secular life. Drawing on Hindu devotional traditions, Pope Francis' Jubilee theme "Pilgrims of Hope," and personal experiences from India to the U.S.–Mexico border, Conway reflects on journe...

In this episode Julene Jarnot, founder and executive director of the Catholic Garden Network, talks about how gardens in Catholic settings connect faith, prayer and practical service. She also discusses gardening as a lived way to care for creation and a connection to the Works of Mercy. Julene offers advice to start small with clear goals and emphasizes that many gifts—not just gardening expertis...

In this podcast, host Amber interviews Jim Ennis, executive director of Catholic Rural Life, about rural Catholic communities — their value, existing challenges and his hope for the future. Challengs he shares include priest shortages, limited formation resources, isolation and elevated suicide rates among farmers. He discusses the importance for stronger lay leadership, ecumenical collaboration a...

In this episode of Speaking of Faith, host Amber interviews Kateri Mancini, director of the Office of Social Concerns, and Lexi Torres, a social concerns intern and M.Div. student, about their experience at "Day on the Hill" in St. Paul with the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition (JRLC). They share how the day began with multi-faith prayer and advocacy education and moved into meetings with leg...

In this episode of the Diocese of St. Cloud podcast Speaking of Faith, Tom Delaney, a secular Franciscan, educational psychologist, and mental and behavioral health advocate explains forgiveness as both a gift and a process that integrates wrongdoing into one's life story. He shares how forgivness can offer health benefits and allows us to participate in salvation. Using Jesus and Peter as an exam...

In this episode of "Speaking of Faith," Father William Orbih, rector of the seminary at Saint John's School of Theology and Seminary, previews his upcoming Theology Day presentation titled "Christian Hope: Ark, Anchor and Action." He shares why he considers hope the often forgotten theological virtue, why Christian hope is a person — Jesus Christ — and not a feeling and how listeners can let Chris...

In this episode of Speaking of Faith, Amber interviews Craig Gould, the program director of Notre Dame Vision at the McGrath Institute for Church Life. Gould shares personal anecdotes of his connection to Minnesota and his humor-filled family life. The conversation covers his upcoming keynote speech at the men's conference in St. Cloud, focusing on the themes of 'His Power, Our Weakness' and the c...

This episode of 'Speaking of Faith' features Shawn Colberg, the dean of St. John's School of Theology and Seminary, who shares about the $10 million Stabilitas grant the school received from the Lilly Foundation. The grant work will focus on renewal in rural ministry and includes collaboration with nine dioceses across Minnesota, South Dakota, Iowa, Wyoming and Montana. Colberg explains how the gr...

In this episode of 'Speaking of Faith,' Collin Prom, a diocesan seminarian, and Father Doug Leibsch, the vocations director for the Diocese of St. Cloud, discuss Totus Tuus. Totus Tuus, meaning 'totally yours' in English, is a summer program organized by the diocesan vocations office and hosted by local Area Catholic Communities aimed to help young people (grades 1 – 12) grow in their understandin...

In this episode of Speaking of Faith, host Amber talks with Melanie Solland, Philip Shefveland and Father Derek Wiechmann about their experience at the SEEK Conference in Columbus, Ohio. The discussion highlights the growth, spiritual rejuvenation and the universal Church connection experienced by young Catholics at the event. They share their preparation, the structure of the conference, and impa...

In this podcast episode, Father Erik Lundgren and Matt Birk, a former NFL Center and Super Bowl Champion discuss faith paths and personal growth. Birk shares his journey of growing up in a devout Catholic family, through his football career and how he regained a deeper connection with his Catholic faith. While sharing the challenges he's faced in his faith, Birk emphasizes the importance of commun...

In this episode of 'Speaking of Faith,' Father John Klassen, a Benedictine priest and director of Abbey Development at St. John's Abbey, discusses the concept of Christian unity. Father Klassen delves into the historical context of Christian unity, emphasizing the significance of the Second Vatican Council and its progressive stance towards ecumenism. Throughout the discussion, Father Klassen high...

In the second episode with Father Erik Lundgren and Kelli Kleinschnitz, the two share results of the Path survey, which was aimed to understand why some Catholics have fallen away from the church. Discussion included how respondents felt disconnected from their parish, disagreed with church teachings, or had busy schedules. Additionally, the value of community and authenticity in their current fai...

In this episode of Speaking of Faith, host Amber Walling welcomes Kelli Kleinschnitz, Director of Faith Formation, and Father Erik Lundgren, Pastor of three parishes within the Holy Saints ACC. Together, they discuss innovative efforts to reconnect with lapsed Catholics, offer a deeper look into their approach which included the use of technology to gather rapid feedback through a survey called Pa...

This episode of Speaking of Faith features a conversation with Sarah Kroger, an award-nominated musician and newly published children's author. Sarah discusses her journey of discovering self-love and identity and how it inspired her to write her song 'Belovedness.' From that, she authored a devotional and her recently released children's book, 'My Beloved Child.' Sarah hopes that through her book...

In this episode of Speaking of Faith, Elizabeth Brown, the director of the Mission Office and the Society for the Propagation of Faith, shares about her background in ministry and the multifaceted work of the Mission Office. She also shares the principles of Fair Trade, detailing how it supports marginalized farmers and artisans by ensuring fair wages and safe working conditions. Lastly, Elizabeth...

Sister Pat Forster and Patty Keeling, who are deeply involved in immigrant advocacy, share insights into the Church's teachings on welcoming immigrants and discuss the rights of immigrants to work, equality and support. Both Sister Pat and Patty reflect on their personal faith and how their work with immigrants has deepened their understanding of love, compassion, and universal dignity. The conver...

In this episode, John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker, co-directors of the Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology delve into their decades-long work on integrating religious and ecological studies to address environmental crises. They discuss the impact of Pope Francis' encyclical 'Laudato Si', which fuses social justice with environmental concerns, and explore the significance of ecological conversion. T...

Kristin Molitor has ministry background in both diocesan and parish settings and has heart for discipleship and spiritual formation. In this episode, she discusses the essence of accompaniment in Christian faith. The conversation draws parallels between Jesus' discipleship and modern accompaniment and stresses that faith thrives on shared experiences and relational bonds. Practical steps for foste...

In this episode, we welcome Fr. Juan Molina, president and CEO and Lizett Farias, senior director of programs at the Mexican American Catholic College (MACC). Both discusses the diverse formation programs offered by MACC and highlight their mission to equip individuals for ministry through certificate and degree programs, partnerships with other educational bodies, and a strong emphasis on intercu...

Benedictine sister Nina Lasceski returns to share thoughts the Benedictine value of hospitality. Reflection includes ways Area Catholic Communities can be especially hospitable when welcoming visitors and new members during the diocesan planning process — All Things New.

Visiting from the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas, Archbishop Shawn McKnight, author of Understanding the Diaconate: Historical, Theological, and Sociological Foundations, published by The Catholic University of America Press, shares his connection to Central Minnesota and his expertise of the permanent diaconate with host Amber Walling.

Tami and Randy Kruzel's daughter BriAnna died unexpectedly by unknown causes in 2013 and Scott and Reyne Roeder's son Jackson died by suicide in 2018. Tami Kruzel and Scott Roeder took their grief and turned it into advocacy when they began Bri's Lodge and the Jackson Roeder Legacy fund, respectively. Each bereaved parent shares their grief journey and their hopes to help others with their work.

Mary Jo Legare-Hoffmann, faith community nurse at St. Augustine's church in St. Cloud, and Bethany Tollefson, parish health ministries coordinator and a nurse in behavioral health discuss how grief looks and feels different for everyone and provide resources for those needing mental health support. For the Diocesan Mental Health Committee website click the link below: https://stcdio.org/mental-hea...

Benedictine Sister, Nina Lasceski, reflects upon how St. Benedict encourages Christian stewardship through his Rule without using the word stewardship in the document. Discussion also includes stewardship in the context of the All Things New diocesan planning process.