Aim Higher Catholic Podcast

In this much-anticipated episode, Sister Catherine interviews His Excellency Bishop Giles Butler, OFM DD. You will learn about his childhood, his decision to enter the seminary, and some of his favorite things!

Welcome to a new series! Each month, we will explore the lives of the many wonderful saints in the Catholic Church. In this episode, we focus on a beloved figure: St. John Bosco. From a very young age, he desired not only to become a priest but also to help young boys and men grow to become children of God. Don't worry—there is someone connected to St. John Bosco who also worked to support young g...

Happy New Year to our listeners! In this episode, Father Anthony and Sister Catherine recap the events of 2025 and share what they are looking forward to in 2026. They also discuss the Feast of the Circumcision of Our Lord, guided by the written Sunday Sermon from Bishop Giles Butler, OFM DD. Throughout the episode, they explore the profound significance of the Circumcision of Christ and the besto...

This episode was first released in December 2022. In this episode, we discuss Christmas! We talk about how to get inspiration from this Holy Season. We even talk about our favorite memories, traditions, songs, and more!

In this episode, Bishop Giles and Sister Catherine talk about Ember Days. They explain the history of these days and how they can help us grow spiritually. They discuss the importance of fasting and reflection during this time and how these practices can deepen our faith and enhance our spiritual lives.

Pax et Bonum! In this episode, Father Anthony and Sister Catherine talk about what makes a bad example and how it can lead to scandal, especially in relation to sins against charity. They discuss how negative actions can mislead others and cause harm.  Deo Gratias! 

In this episode, Father Anthony and Sister Catherine talk about sins against charity. The main sins are hating God and others, being lazy, feeling envy, and causing scandal. Without charity, faith and hope will profit us nothing, for God will not open the gates of His Kingdom except for those who love Him. To skip the catching up with us portion of this episode, skip to the 29:30 mark.

This episode was first released on October 27, 2023 In this episode, we discuss the article Father Anthony wrote for our publication The Seraph for November. He broke down All Hallows' Eve, All Saints' Day, & All Souls' Day as a guide to help us end the Liturgical Year with a sense of hope that will drive our love for the faith. As promised, here is the short form of the Baptismal Vows: "I renounc...

 In this episode of the Aim Higher Podcast, Father Anthony and Sister Catherine discuss the sins against hope, which are presumption and despair. They begin by defining presumption, which manifests as an unrealistic confidence in one's own abilities or a mistaken belief that one can achieve salvation without the necessary effort or grace from God. Then they address despair, emphasizing its profoun...

In this episode, Father Anthony and Sister Catherine delve into the topic of sins against Faith, specifically focusing on the concept of superstition. They explore how superstitious beliefs can undermine genuine faith and lead individuals away from true spiritual understanding. We follow lesson 96 from My Catholic Faith.

Pax et Bonum! On October 4th, we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Holy Father, Saint Francis of Assisi. As Franciscans, we have much to admire and love about St. Francis. With this in mind, we have chosen to delve into the profound teachings of 'The Three Ways of Perfection', a topic that has captivated us and we believe will inspire you as well. 1. The Purgative Way is the purifying of the soul in...

It is necessary that we serve God in the way He requires, not in the way it pleases us to do so. In this episode, Father Anthony and Sister Catherine continue discussing the Three Theological Virtues, focusing specifically on how a Catholic can sin against Faith. Following My Catholic Faith - Lesson 95, they explore various ways a Catholic might stray from these virtues, particularly highlighting...

In this episode, Father Anthony, Sister Catherine, and their guest, Bishop Giles, OFM, engage in a thoughtful discussion addressing listener inquiries regarding interactions with non-Catholic friends, with a focus on those from Protestant backgrounds. To listen to Father Anthony reading from the book, Confessions of a Roman Catholic, along with his commentary: https://rumble.com/v5e2ll1-confession...

In this episode, Father Anthony and Sister Catherine discuss the Three Theological Virtues: Faith, Hope, and Charity. They explain what each virtue means and how we can use them in our daily lives. Their conversation helps listeners understand how these virtues can improve their spiritual lives and strengthen their connections with others. Link to the Religion Class for the lesson on The Three The...

In this episode of the Aim Higher Podcast, Father Anthony, OFM, and Sister Catherine, TOR, discuss the Solemn High Mass commemorating Bishop Giles Butler, OFM, DD. They also address questions from the faithful who attended, offering thoughtful insights on this significant occasion. Link to the picture slideshow of the Solemn Mass: https://youtu.be/VNxLKvJyns8?si=axMqaRUwHYrQzisK Link to the pictur...

In this episode, Father Anthony, Sister Catherine, and Bridget discuss the exciting journey of the 2025 Children's Retreat, its uplifting theme, cherished memories from past retreats, and the joyous celebration of Bishop Giles' 20th anniversary. Link to Children's Concert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bno2_MM4mMA Link to the Children's Favorite Part of the Retreat: https://www.youtube.com/watch...

In this episode, Bishop Giles and Sister Catherine delve into the rich history of the Portiuncula Indulgence, a special grace that can be obtained on the first Sunday of August. They explore the origins of this indulgence, its significance in the Catholic tradition, and the rituals associated with it, offering listeners a deeper understanding of both its spiritual and historical context.   To lear...

On July 16th, we will celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, a significant event in the Catholic calendar that honors the Blessed Virgin Mary under her title of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. This feast is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the importance of devotion to Mary and the role of scapulars as sacramentals in our faith. Join us for an engaging discussion where we will explore the...

The month of July is dedicated to the Precious Blood of Our Lord, Jesus Christ. Join Father Anthony and Sister Catherine as they explore the history of this feast and reflect on a meditation from the Franciscan Meditations. The prayer Sister read for us: Out of infinite love for us, O Divine Savior, You crucified Your Blood and Your Life. How could I resist such love! How can I dare to forfeit it!...

In early June, we had the pleasure of hosting our first Youth Retreat at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel in Rochester, New York. The serene surroundings and welcoming atmosphere provided the perfect backdrop for this experience. We invite you to join Father and Sister as they reflect on the memorable moments of the retreat and share their aspirations for future gatherings. Their insights promi...

Pax et Bonum! Peace and good to you all! In early June, we celebrated our first Youth Retreat in Rochester, New York. Each morning, the children attended Holy Mass, beautifully celebrated by His Excellency, Most Reverend Giles Butler, OFM DD, and engaged in a series of enlightening sermons. Although these sermons were aimed at a specific age group, I believe they would be beneficial for all of us...

In this episode, Father and Sister explore the life of St. Anthony of Padua, one of their favorite saints and Father's personal patron. They focus on the captivating story of the Miracle of the Donkey, which highlights St. Anthony's deep connection with creation and his enduring impact on faith. Join them for insightful reflections on this beloved figure. Skip to the forty-minute mark to bypass Fa...

It's almost been forty days since we celebrated the Resurrection of Our Lord. In this episode, we discuss the beauty this wonderful feast offers us! 

"The will of God is that we should receive everything through Mary." — St. Bernard Every year on May 23rd, the Feast of Mary, Mediatrix of All Graces, is celebrated with reverence and devotion. This special day honors the profound role of Mary as a mediator, a compassionate intercessor who bridges the gap between humanity and the divine. On this feast, we acknowledge that it is through her that al...

In this episode, Father Anthony and Sister Catherine dive into the rich history surrounding the discovery of the Holy Cross, an event attributed to Empress Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great.