Practicing Catholic Show

The Advent season began on December 3rd. With only 21 days this year to prepare our hearts for the celebration of Christ’s birth, it’s even more important to enter intentionally into every day of this season of waiting and hope. Joining host Patrick Conley with tips on how to do just that, is Fr. John Paul Erickson, pastor of Transfiguration parish in Oakdale.  Find additional Advent resources on...

In case you couldn’t tell on your own, we’re approaching the darkest part of the year. While it may be disheartening to walk out of work to a night sky, we as Christians have so much to hope for. Joining producer Kayla Mayer to talk about the hope within the Advent season is Archbishop Hebda.  Like what you're hearing? Leave us a review, subscribe, and follow us on social media @practicingcath...

As Ordinary Time comes to an end, we look ahead at the new liturgical year and the season of Advent. What a great time to get re-focused and “live liturgically.” Joining host Patrick Conley to talk about exactly that, is Kendra Tierney, mother of ten children and the mind behind Catholic All Year. Find resources for how to live liturgically in any season on Catholic All Year ! Like what you're...

When living in the metro of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, it can be easy to forget that if you drive about an hour or less any direction, you'll trade our beautiful cities for just as beautiful farmland. Joining producer Kayla Mayer is someone who is incredibly familiar with Minnesota rural life, Quinci Schmidt, who grew up and now works on one of the four dairy farms left in Hennepin County.  R...

The nights are getting longer and the air is getting colder, and you can basically smell the turkey cooking. All signs are saying that Thanksgiving and the holiday season is almost upon us. Joining producer Kayla Mayer to help us reflect on gratitude and how we can bring more gratitude into our lives this holiday season is Bishop Williams.   Like what you're hearing? Leave us a review, subscri...

Leather. It’s not just for bikers anymore! We're not sure it ever was... Either way, the artisan joining us now is all-in on producing high-quality, hand-made leather goods that are helping customers better care for their Bibles and other religious items. Joining producer Kayla Mayer from the other side of the world – literally – is David Kruse – founder and CEO of OréMoose.   Shop the entire...

We’re still a few weeks away from honoring the original Santa – Saint Nicholas – but it’s the right time to enjoy a great local play about his life. Joining producer Kayla Mayer to talk about the saint who always brings gifts and what else in store for the milestone producing season is Jeremy Stanbary, founder and executive artistic director of Open Window Theatre in Inver Grove Heights. Buy ticke...

For many of us, music is an important part of worship – whether it’s during our personal prayer time, large group Eucharistic Adoration, or the Mass. Why is that? Local musician, Alex Schindler, joins host Patrick Conley to talk about that and how we can use music to more fully enter times of worship. Find more of Alex's music and how to book her on her website . Like what you're hearing?...

Many of us are getting ready – physically and mentally - for what can often be the incredibly busy time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. In a culture that values busyness, why is it so important to slow down and more importantly, how can we do that? Local writer Susanna Parent talks with producer Kayla Mayer about some concrete steps on how to be more present this holiday season.  Read Sus...

With winter right around the corner, the affordable housing crisis becomes more noticeable and on our minds. But Catholic Charities of the Twin Cities is prepared to meet the needs of those affected by homelessness. Returning to Practicing Catholic, Mike Rios-Keating, now the Director of Culture and Belonging at Catholic Charities of the Twin Cities, talks with host Patrick Conley about how we can...

It’s our vocations awareness week episode, and one trend we’re all aware of, is the nationwide decline in the number of men answering the call to priestly formation. However, one seminary located in the Twin Cities is going against the tide. The Saint Paul Seminary began this academic year with its largest seminarian enrollment in a decade. Joining producer Kayla Mayer to talk about the seminary a...

With the first snowfall of the year, it can start to turn our minds to the upcoming holiday season. But you don’t have to wait until Christmas to unwrap the many gifts, or charisms, that the Holy Spirit has brought you for your part in Jesus’ ongoing mission to the world. Christina Krutza, a presenter of Called & Gifted and parish staff member at St. Vincent de Paul in Brooklyn Park, joined ho...

Although the ways in which we live it out vary significantly, we are all called to holiness. The members of one particular religious order in our midst in the Archdiocese have dedicated their lives to help the Church and its individual members grow in holiness, and hence their name: Pro Ecclesia Sancta. Sister Maddy Elking and Sister Julieta Del Carpio joined host Patrick Conley to share about the...

We’ve all heard the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” And your answer has likely changed over the years. Similarly, the process of discerning our vocation can take unexpected twists and look different as we enter new stages of life. Back for his monthly segment to talk to producer Kayla Mayer about this big topic and share his own discernment story, is our shepherd, Archbishop H...

Is Biblical wisdom still applicable today? It’s no surprise to anyone to hear that we live in troubled times, both across the world and right here, at home. But where Christ is, there is always hope. Joining host Patrick Conley to catch us up on the Catechetical Institute and a new offering designed to help you apply some Scriptural wisdom to your life today is writer, speaker, podcast host, and p...

Baked goods are a favorite of the Practicing Catholic team. And when the opportunity arises to get some fantastic homemade baked goods and support a local Catholic parish, well, that’s almost too good to be true! Lisa Gleason, secretary for the St. Anne's Club out of St. Maron’s Maronite Catholic Church in Northeast Minneapolis, joined host Patrick Conley to talk about one such opportunity her...

Saint John Henry Newman is probably a familiar name to most practicing Catholics, but how much do we really know about his writings and sermons? A Minnesota native’s podcast – Newman on Tap – dives deeper into the works of this holy man. To help us better know Saint John Henry Newman and why his search for Truth hits home for many of us, host Patrick Conley spoke with Ron Snyder, president of the...

October is Respect Life Month, and in light of the 2023 Minnesota state legislature passing the most extreme abortion laws in the country, standing up for the dignity of every stage of life is even more important. Host Patrick Conley sat down with Cathy Blaeser from Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life to talk about pro-life efforts in the state and the “Save the 12,000” campaign. Learn more abou...

Technology connects us to the world every minute of the day, but are we really aware of what our sisters and brothers around the globe face daily? Sunday, October 22 was World Mission Sunday, where the Church unites through education and advocacy. Producer Kayla Mayer chatted with Kathleen Osberger about the importance of mission and her life-changing experiences in South America. Read more about...

You’ve heard of the Rule of Saint Benedict, but did you know there’s a Rule of Saint John Paul II, and it focuses on joy-filled marriages? Host Patrick Conley sat down with the founders of the Wojtyla Community and Institute, Peter and Theresa Martin, to discuss how they believe “one marriage can change the world.” Learn more about the Wojtyla Community and Institute and the Rule of Saint John Pau...

Godparents. Choosing them for your child is an important decision... right? But what does the decision really entail, and what does being a good godparent actually mean? Joining producer Kayla Mayer for some insight into this often overlooked and misunderstood part of the sacrament of Baptism is Father Ben Little, pastor at Saint John the Baptist in Savage. Like what you're hearing? Leave us a...

In case you missed it, Pope Francis gave the Church a new Apostolic Exhortation on October 4, entitled Laudate Deum , a follow-up to his encyclical Laudato Si , from eight years ago. Adam Fitzpatrick, who serves as the Social Mission Outreach Coordinator for the Archdiocesan Center for Mission, joined host Patrick Conley to talk about the contents of this new Apostolic Exhortation and about Cathol...

Regular Practicing Catholic listeners may know that host Patrick Conley is a liturgy nerd. And this is especially true of the liturgical calendar. But, when it comes to liturgical seasons, there are definite “feels” to Advent and Christmas, and to Lent and Easter, but what about Ordinary Time? How do you live out a season that is Ordinary? Joining Patrick to help us understand more about this litu...

Many of you listeners have a dedication to the Holy Rosary, and you may pray it daily. Perhaps you and your family pray the Family Rosary Across America with Fr. Rocky and Maggie every day at 7 p.m. on Relevant Radio. But as with all of our practices of prayer, there’s always an invitation to go deeper. Host Patrick Conley and Fr. Rich Simon, host of the Relevant Radio show Father Simon Says, talk...

For many of us, the immigration crisis at our southern border seems so far removed from our everyday lives here in the Archdiocese. Sure, we may read something online or in the paper or watch some news coverage on TV, but it’s hard to know what’s really happening with our sisters and brothers who are trying to immigrate to the United States. Producer Kayla Mayer got to sit down with "the Pope...