Canons On The Run

In the seemingly humdrum moments of life, it’s easy to lose sight of goals and motivation. Our co-hosts reflect on recent experiences that helped them to step outside of themselves, to see the gifts that God has given them, and to use them to help others. For all of us, by seeing and sharing these gifts, we all not only get “unstuck,” but we continue to grow in holiness—into the people God made us...

“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” —Matthew 10:39. Experiencing some major milestones in their formation, our co-hosts reflect on their profession of vows within the Norbertine community and call to Holy Orders. Within the podcast they compellingly share their journey filled with uncertainty, hope, and faith and how they wholeheartedly were...

“You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27)—this is the greatest commandment, but just what does loving our neighbor look like? Who exactly is our neighbor? Back from their summer travels, our co-hosts reflect on how they learned more about this call in places they least ex...

Frater Jordan Neeck, O. Praem., and Frater Johnathan Turba, O. Praem., continue their short-and-sweet “summer interview series” with Norbertine guest Fr. Matthew Dougherty, O. Praem. Currently a doctoral student of ecology and evolutionary biology at Yale University, Fr. Dougherty reflects upon his vision of the world, and the beauty and wonder of all God’s creation. (this episode originally publi...

Guest Deacon Patrick LaPacz, O. Praem., shares his circuitous journey to Norbertine priesthood with our podcast co-hosts. After spending his first two years in the seminary preparing for diocesan priesthood, Deacon LaPacz discusses his calling to live instead with the community of St. Norbert Abbey, and the perspective and understanding he has gained about himself and God’s call in his life. (this...

We all belong to various communities, yet even with today’s technology it is often a challenge to express our appreciation of one another. Our co-hosts share the importance of expressing care and concern for community members, even from afar. 

Rightly ordered, sports can help us answer God’s call to conversion, to praise God for who He has made us to be! Yet in this world of fierce competition and a win-at-all-cost mentality, how can this be? Join our co-hosts as they examine how sports and faith can actually intertwine, supporting each other. 

As wonderfully anticipated as summertime is, it often brings a more-than-ever busyness and lost sense of purpose. Jesus Christ shows us what it is like to be busy but with purpose—single-mindedly focusing on loving his Father. How can we follow his example? 

" Messiness, beauty, complexity, and sacredness” are words used by special guest Fr. Michael Brennan, O. Praem., to describe not only the Holy Land, but also the Holy Ground on which each of us walks throughout our lives.  As Frater Johnathan Turba, O. Praem., listens attentively, Fr. Brennan and Frater Jordan Neeck, O. Praem., share their journey to the Holy Land and its influence on their u...

The Easter season is not over yet! But how do we sustain authentic Easter joy? Our co-hosts reflect upon their own experiences of life, death, and resurrection, and find that the Paschal Mystery is part of their daily lives. In times of transition, of moving from the known into the unknown, it takes a leap of faith and complete trust in God. 

To many of us, doubt seems the opposite of faith and belief. Yet within our spiritual lives, it is often doubt that moves us closer to God. In fact, doubt can be a sign of growth and an important part of our faith lives. Our podcast hosts share their own doubt experiences and the value that doubt has brought to their faith journey. 

The Norbertine Community of St. Norbert Abbey recently elected their seventh abbot, Abbot Dane Radecki, O. Praem. Congratulations Abbot Radecki! Using their previous work experiences as a point of reflection, perspective, and comparison of various leadership roles, Frater Jordan Neeck, O. Praem., and Frater Johnathan Turba, O. Praem., reflect upon this momentous event at St. Norbert Abbey. 

Frater Johnathan Turba, O. Praem., and Frater Jordan Neeck, O. Praem., share their experience in Rome as part of a Media and Relation Group Commission in preparing for the 900th Anniversary since the founding of the Norbertine Order. Listen to this special bonus episode as they share about their work with the international order, as well some initial reactions to their first visit to Rome! 

After their recent visit to Rome, Frater Jordan Neeck, O. Praem., and Frater Johnathan Turba, O. Praem., stayed at the Norbertine Generalate House. Traveling as Religious isn’t the same as it was before joining the Order! Listen to the fraters as they reflect further on their recent experience in Rome, what they learned, and what some of their highlights were. 

Recorded from O’Hare International Airport on their way to Rome, Frater Jordan Neeck, O. Praem., and Frater Johnathan Turba, O. Praem., discuss the challenges and opportunities of Lent and remind us that there is still time to dedicate ourselves to the three pillars of this sacred season: praying, fasting, and almsgiving. 

Vocational seeds are often planted in the most unexpected or unusual ways. Join our two co-hosts as they reminisce about their journey toward priesthood and how God and the Norbertine community drew them in.

When joining a religious community, one enters into a period of formation. While formation is a life-long endeavor for all of us, within the Norbertine community it involves a formal two-year period, known as “novitiate,” enabling men to discern their calling and vocation and to “grow harmoniously into a mature human and Christian person.”   What exactly are these years like? How do men grow in fa...

In a culture that values “doing” more than “being,” resting can be viewed as lazy and unproductive. Scripturally, we are called to rest, to take time for ourselves, our families and friends, and especially God. Like many religious orders, including Norbertines, all of us are called to live a life in balance—a life of contemplation and action. But how do we do this? What changes do we need to make...

If a man walked into a room wearing all white from head to toe, he would get noticed. At first glance it could be the Pope, or a ghost, or it could be a Norbertine in his white habit—an almost 900-year tradition and a symbol of the life he has chosen.  Compellingly and with a bit of humor, our co-hosts discuss their habit, the conversations that have occurred because of it, and their continual wit...

For religious communities following the Rule of St. Augustine, it is clearly stated that members should be “of one heart and one mind on the way to God.” While these words are lovely, in actuality, community life can pose challenges, especially when it is often our nature to think of what is best for ourselves. How do we truly celebrate each other’s gifts while also recognizing we too have somethi...

Christmas is a time filled with heartwarming traditions—within families and within the rituals of the Church. But what are traditions really about and how do we remain open to their transformative power and meaning in our daily lives? 

Quite a statement— all is gift . It’s rather easy to understand when life is rolling along and everything is going our way. But what about the times life is challenging—filled with disappointment, discomfort, and difficult choices? How are these gifts and where is God and God’s Grace in all of this? 

Christmas, Christmas, Christmas. This time of year, everything in our culture screams Christmas. But what about Advent—a time of prayer and preparation?  After all, the season of Christmas actually begins on Christmas day, but these wonderful weeks beforehand are meant for us to prepare, intentionally, for the celebration of the Mystery of God Incarnate.  As we look at our lives, how are we prepar...

" To share a meal, and not just food, but also affection, stories, events, is a fundamental experience.” — Pope Francis In our fast-paced culture, it is too easy to grab a meal on the go and rationalize why it’s okay not to spend “all that time” preparing a sit-down meal. For the sake of efficiency however, what are we really sacrificing? True joy can be found at a shared meal. Sharing a meal...

“Holiness does not consist in not making mistakes or never sinning. Holiness grows with the capacity for conversion, repentance, willingness to begin again, and above all with the capacity for reconciliation and forgiveness.” —Pope Benedict XVI   It is easy to set goals for running, studying, or eating well, but what about goal-setting when it comes to other aspects of our lives? How do we measure...