Catholic Stuff You Should Know

Fr. Mike and Fr. John dive into Isaiah 56:3-7 and talk about a moment where God reveals something unexpected—His own celibacy. They reflect on the significance of this divine self-disclosure and how it opens the door for men to receive the grace to share in God’s celibate love.

Fr. Sean and Fr. Jacob dive into the intertwined realities of entitlement and giftedness.

Join Fr. John and Fr. Mike as they dive into the Book of Acts, explore angel morphism, and uncover the mysteries of angels in the Bible and in heaven.

Fr. Sean and Fr. Jacob share their journeys to the priesthood and dive into the seminary formation that shaped their faith, prayer life, and calling.

Hosted by Fr. Mike and Fr. John, this episode—inspired by Matthew Walther’s article “What Is a Parish” —dives into the history of parish life, the rise of parish shopping, and where the future of parish communities may be headed.

Fr. Sean and Fr. Jacob delve into the rich significance of the Chrism Mass. They explore the importance of the blessing of the holy oils—especially the Chrism, Oil of Catechumens, and Oil of the Sick—as essential tools for priests in their ministry throughout the liturgical year.

With Fr. Sean preparing for a new assignment and the recent anniversary of the passing of Pope John Paul II on their minds, Fr. John and Fr. Sean dive into what it means to leave a legacy.

Fr. Mike and Fr. Jacob talk about forming one’s heart in Compassion like the prophets and Jesus. How do we weep with those who weep without losing hope? We can trust in the power of prayer and the help of the Communion of Saints.

Fr. John and Fr. Sean discuss the Catholic understanding of justification and the question of whether Christ had faith.

Join Fr. Jacob and Fr. Mike as they explore the power of the stories we tell—about others and ourselves. Inspired by Ignatius’ Annotation 22 and Fr. Jacob’s recent read, Viper’s Tangle, this thought-provoking discussion dives into how our perceptions shape relationships, influence motives, and impact the narratives others create about us and our narratives about others.

Fr. John and Fr. Sean explore this week’s topic through the lens of two thought-provoking writings: A Meditation on Givenness by St. John Paul II and The Thoughtful Home by Dia Boyle. Together, they reflect on the essence of home and its profound impact on a a family as well as a priest’s life in a rectory.

Drawing upon the teachings of Saint Augustine of Hippo and Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Father Mike and Father Jacob discuss the role of memory in the spiritual life, and also discuss some of the possible pitfalls of nostalgic escape.

Fr. Sean and Fr. John dive into the significance of the Jubilee Year of Hope and touch on a few virtues that nourish and strengthen our hope.

Fr. Mike confesses to Fr. Jacob that he's discovered a new vice to add to his list of favorites...but then the Christian twist! In his weakness, Jesus will be proved stronger.

Join Fr. John and Fr. Sean for the final episode of their podcast series on Fr. John's new book, To Heights and Unto Depths: Letters from the Colorado Trail. In this episode, they delve into several chapters of the book, touching on manhood and Mary's fiat.

In this week’s episode, "Yes Mother", Fr. Jacob is joined by Fr. Mike. Inspired by John Henry Newman’s A Grammar of Assent, they discuss the importance of assenting to truth while maintaining a thoughtful and open mind.

In this episode, Fr. John and Fr. Sean revisit Fr. John's transformative experience along the Colorado Trail. Fr. John shares how his encounter with creation opened a deeper connection to God, allowing him to more fully participate in God's being.

Fr. Mike and Fr. Jacob talk about donkeys in the Bible. Awesome!

In this week's episode, Father Sean and Father John continue their discussion of Fr. John's new book, To Heights and Unto Depths, with Father Sean sharing more about his personal experience on the trail.

To celebrate 15 years of "Catholic Stuff You Should Know," the four hosts reunite for a special episode answering questions submitted by you, the listeners! Join them as they dive into your burning questions about the faith.

It’s episode #666 and instead of skipping over it, Fr. Jacob and Fr. Mike dive into the scriptural meaning of the number 666 and the mark of the beast exploring various interpretations: historical, scriptural and even some of Fr. Mike's personal theories.

In this special episode, Fr. John and Fr. Sean dive into the inspiration and journey behind Fr. John’s newly published book, To Heights and Unto Depths. Join the hosts as Fr. John shares spiritual reflections, and experiences that sparked the writing of this book and his invitation for readers to explore the heights of faith and the depths of the human experience.

Fr. Mike and Fr. Jacob sit at the feet of an ancient wise man, and ask whether meeting Jesus will flip his age-old ambitions.

The hosts want to wish listener land a very Merry Christmas. Be sure to celebrate! We’ll see you in the new year!

Fr. Sean is joined by former host, Fr. Michael O'Loughlin, for a special conversation about their upcoming pilgrimage to Rome, along with a discussion on the Incarnation.