Roar Like The Lamb

Besides a breakdown of Fr. Sam's fishing trip, we're talking about the desire for communion present in the human heart and all its different manifestations. We want Communion - the Eucharist. We want communion - to share the unity of faith in the power of the Holy Spirit. We want communion - to be part of a community. And yes, the brilliant podcasters over at Catching Foxes did in fact talk about...

While Fr. Sam is away fly fishing in Montana, join Paola as she interviews Liam and Nora Finneran about their summer of encounter with God. Liam and Nora are part of Student Ministry here at St. Pius X and participated in their first summer trips with Damascus and Catholic Heart Workcamp.  Learn more about  Damascus Camp: https://cysc.com/ Catholic Heartwork Camp: https://heartworkcamp.c...

So exciting to have Renzo and Monica Ortega on the podcast this week! They are an amazing married couple, parents to five kids, youth ministers, coaches, bloggers, authors, and so much more. They established Two Become Family to share some of their story of Catholic marriage and parenting. You can find them on social media @twobecomefamily.  If that's not enough, Renzo recently published "Go...

Paola's running from the police, and Fr. Sam is watching the Olympics. Let's talk about the spiritual lessons of the Olympic Games and the teaching of St. Paul.

Heaven is for real, but how often do we think of it? Do we contemplate our eternity? In this episode, we talk about what heaven is, what our we hope eternity to look like, our misunderstandings about the afterlife, and the confidence we have in Christ for the gift of eternal life. Check out this great talk by Sr. Josephine Garrett , that was part of the inspiration for this episode! You might also...

On July 16, Pope Francis issued the motu proprio Traditionis Custodes , which limits the use of the 1962 Roman Missal. The accompanying letter explains some of his reasoning. With due respect and deference to His Holiness' office, the letter and the document itself are disappointing. We talk about it and how we can respond well. Check out our conversation on YouTube: https://youtu.be/d0GJAKazkwY&n...

We need hobbies, we need recreation. But how often do we really find that restorative time that rebuilds us? In carrying out ministry, we need to keep time for prayer and the Lord as a priority. Leisure time needs to be true leisure. Take advantage of summer and examine your own life - this is a perfect time to recognize where we're weak, where we're strong, and how God can work in our hearts to c...

After a week at Catholic Heart Workcamp , Paola and Fr. Sam reflect on lessons learned, and a refreshed awareness of the challenges facing young people especially going into a post-covid world. The trip was great (in spite of Fr. Sam having bus insomnia and taken the easy way out by flying home on the return leg), and the teens had an amazing week of service and spiritual growth.  After a yea...

Paola is back from Spiritual Director training with FOCUS and the Life Teen national youth ministry convention! In the first half, we talk about lessons learned about spiritual direction and the need for good formation. In the second half, we'll talk about the beauty of youth ministry and Fr. Sam's fool-proof defense against poolside pick-up lines. Check out the great work done by the Fellowship o...

One of the biggest influences in Fr. Sam's faith journey is a man named Sean Forrest . Sean was the youth minister at St. James in Stratford, CT, where he introduced young people to Jesus in a powerful way. From there, the Lord took him to performing music and speaking on a national level. Sean has recorded and published, and several years ago, founded Haiti 180 , an incredible orphanage, school,...

Samantha Kelley is a former Division 1 soccer player for UConn. After college she worked with student athletes for five years through FOCUS and Varsity Catholic. She currently holds a Masters in Catholic Psychology from Divine Mercy University and is pursuing Theology of the Body teaching Certification through the Theology of the Body Institute. Samantha speaks nationally on topics of Sport , Femi...

This one is low on content, high on shenanigans. That's why it's a bonus episode. We’re making this one up as we go and learning how to be wrong while still trying to be right. And even there, you better believe we’re finding spiritual lessons. Also, summer plans discussed.  Show notes: The House just voted to make pizza Connecticut’s state food (update: the bill died before the expiration of...

Description: In this special audio-only episode of Roar Like the Lamb, Paola is in the hot seat answering questions about evangelization and being a missionary. She and Fr. Sam discuss the best approach to sharing the Gospel and the different ways lay people and priests can be in mission to the world. Show notes: If you don’t already know about the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, pleas...

Description: How heavy is a cloud? Paola knows! And the leadership lessons we can learn from Joseph (the Old Testament Joseph) and from suffering, and how to start leading others in service. Show notes:  (Book) The Catholic Vision for Leading Like Jesus: Introducing S3 Leadership -- Servant, Steward, Shepherd by Owen Phelps https://www.amazon.com/Catholic-Vision-Leading-Like-Jesus/dp/16127887...

Description: We know the world needs mercy, that we need mercy. But how do we become instruments of mercy – how do we bring mercy to the world? Forgiveness is hard, and necessary, and possible! * SPOILER * Paola probably cries a little Show notes: For an amazing testimony of forgiveness, watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkoE_GQsbNA From the John Paul II Healing Center, prayerful steps f...

The world’s need for mercy is reflected in our own, personal need for forgiveness. Dealing with the reality of our sin and God’s desire to forgive us will change the world. Fr Sam’s beard is for sale. Show notes:  Beard Fundraiser Link: https://checkout.square.site/merchant/ML1JVGM9SVQMX/checkout/OPOQVHMFV2COBWW5PDCC6EHX Isaiah 43:1-7 1 But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O J...

Probably a multi-part episode, we’re looking at the landscape of a world that is deeply divided and suffering. For example, we experience some division on the pronunciation of the word “pusillanimity.” We get over it. The late Francis Cardinal George once wrote: “In the United States, everything is permitted, even encouraged. … But, while practically everything might be permitted, practically noth...

Do you think it’s possible to connect coffee beans extracted from cat poop to reflections on Holy Week? SPOILER ALERT: it’s not. But we try anyway. Holy Week is great and it gives us that necessary reset to put our lives back in proper order so that we can enter more deeply into a relationship with God. Show notes: Cat poop coffee comes from the civet, and is properly called Kopi Luwak. We are wil...

Fr. Sam provides definitive Biblical and theological proof that Paola is wrong about cats, and dogs are superior. Also, a robust discussion of the reality that effective ministry can't be done alone. God is at work in the Church! We all can play a role in the Church's mission and ministry. The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few. Pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, pr...

Sharing the Gospel is difficult, but often most difficult within the Church. In certain situations, talking about Jesus is easy - someone's never heard of Jesus, someone expresses an interest in the Gospel, you have nothing to lose by talking. But sometimes it's a lot harder - what if this congregation doesn't like what I say and writes to the Bishop? What if people aren't receptive and won't come...

Episode Description: Paola skipped her reading assignment! Ha! But this year of St. Joseph that Pope Francis has called is exciting and we’re going to look at his apostolic letter Patris Corde, and open up some of the 5…or 7…characteristics of St. Joseph that are important for this year. In this year, let us go to Joseph (Ite ad Ioseph) and find in him a model of Christian living. Show notes: “Ite...

Episode Description: Paola got “peace” as her word of the year. Now Fr Sam shares his word, “freedom.” There’s discussion of the teaching office of the Church, the risks of mansplaining, why clericalism is just the absence of spiritual fatherhood, and how the spirit of freedom that comes from Christ gives us everything we need to be witnesses of the Gospel. Show Notes: Paola sneezed, but she does...

Paola hikes with llamas. Fr. Sam likes Cheerios. In this episode, we explore the need for and dangers of competition in a Catholic ministry setting. Is being competitive antithetical to good ministry? Show Notes: the Litany of Humility  https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/litany-of-humility-245 O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, Hear me. From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, O...

With no preparation and no idea what the topic is, Paola and Fr. Sam sit down to record. Spoiler alert. Paola cries. But it’s the best kind because it’s about the way God is moving powerfully in the hearts of people. So listen in and find out how the Lord worked through SEEK21 and in other ways to transform hearts and lives. Show notes: From St. Teresa of Avila Christ has no body but yours, No han...

Few things in life are as challenging as conflict and correction, whether you are the one who has to do the correcting or the one being corrected. But the Christian life demands a willingness, in charity, to call our brothers and sisters in faith to greater virtue and holiness. Show Notes:  For some self-reflection check out: Litany of Fraternal Correction by Clare McCallan If for some reason...