Men of the Hearts

" Our vocation journeys are all different, but we're still focused on the same person: on Jesus." Fr. Craig and Fr. Drew welcome Bishop Jeffrey Monforton, auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Detroit, to the podcast studio. On this episode of Men of the Hearts , Bishop Monforton shares stories from his priesthood and episcopal ministry, including visits to Ukraine, Iraq, and other parts of the...

"I have to really take this to the Lord. Make a decision. I can't be on the fence anymore." Fr. Craig and Dr. Drew welcome Fr. Jim Lowe, CC, to the podcast studio. On this latest episode of Men of the Hearts , Fr. Lowe shares his vocation story, about the Companions of the Cross, the religious community he's a member of, and about ministering in the Archdiocese of Detroit.

“In adoration, I could hear the Lord saying, ‘You’re giving me a little bit. I appreciate that. What if you give me everything?’” Fr. Joe Barron, PES, who currently serves at St. Isaac Jogues in St. Clair Shores, joins the Men of the Heart podcast to share his vocation story. Raised in a large family in Minnesota, Fr. Barron studied biochemistry at the University of St. Thomas, where daily prayer,...

"Just continue praying, God will approach. He wants you to know him, so continue praying and continue opening your heart." Fr. Craig and Fr. Drew welcome Fr. Marco Kiyan, PES, parish priest at Corpus Christ Parish, Presentation-Our Lady of Victory Parish, and St. Scholastic Parish, all in Detroit. Fr. Kiyan reflects on a powerful experience of God while preparing for his confirmation and how, befo...

"I think the greatest thing about being a priest is seeing God work in people's lives." Fr. Craig Giera welcomes Fr. Derik Peterman, pastor of St. Anne Parish, to share his vocation story. Fr. Peterman reflects on an early encounter with God at age 10 and how he found his way back to the sacraments in college. He also offers wisdom for young men discerning the priesthood and insight into the joy o...

“We should not be discerning our vocations just by ourselves. We need the help of other people who love us and have the best in mind for us.” Fr. Paul Graney joins Fr. Craig Giera and Fr. Drew Mabee to share his journey to the priesthood. He describes the “light-switch moment” in his college dorm that sparked his discernment and reflects on the importance of mentors, community, and the desire to b...

The Lord said, “Fine. You keep on shutting the door. I'm just going to take the hinges off the door and take the door away.” Fr. Rich Dorsch joins Fr. Craig Giera to share his vocation story, with cohost Fr. Drew Mabee absent from the podcast this month. Fr. Rich reflects on his path from altar serving as a child to hearing and accepting God’s call to the priesthood. He and Fr. Craig also discuss...

“It's in the midst of all the struggle that the Lord really draws us ever closer to His Most Sacred Heart.” Fr. Bryan Shackett joins Fr. Craig Giera and Fr. Drew Mabee to share his vocation story. Fr. Bryan reflects on his journey from resisting the priesthood to embracing God’s call, the importance of prayer and confession in his discernment, and how teaching church history has deepened his faith...

“Just be open to the Lord’s will.” Fr. Patrick Bruen joins Fr. Craig and Fr. Drew to share his second vocation story. Following a 40-plus-year marriage, the death of his wife, repeated encounters with the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and lots of prayer led to hearing God’s call to the priesthood. In this episode of Men of the Hearts, Fr. Bruen talks about the challenges and blessings of the vocations of...

“Don't be afraid of your heart—God's working there.” Fr. Colin Fricke joins Men of the Hearts podcast hosts Fr. Craig Giera and Fr. Drew Mabee to share how he discerned his call to the priesthood through the grace of the sacraments, unexpected encouragement from the Archbishop of Detroit, and appreciating the joys of everyday life. He reflects on how these blessings and more helped him grow in con...

“Stop trying to figure it all out and trust… Just take that courageous step to not be afraid and see what’s on the other side of your yes.” Fr. Mark Livingston joins Men of the Hearts podcast hosts Fr. Craig Giera and Fr. Drew Mabee to talk about his unique vocation story. Raised Catholic but distant from the faith for much of his young adult life, Fr. Mark’s journey to the priesthood was sparked...

“If I had a thousand lives to live, I’d want to live every one of them as a priest.” Detroit's new Archbishop Edward Weisenburger visits the podcast studio to share his vocation story with Fr. Craig Giera and Fr. Drew Mabee, hosts of the Men of the Hearts podcast. Recording on the historic day of Pope Leo XIV’s election, Archbishop Weisenburger reflects on where he was when he heard the news, his...

“This call is unique, and beautiful, and special, and adventurous, and amazing for anyone who wants to take it on.” Fr. Jaime Hinojos visits the podcast studio to share his vocation story with Fr. Craig Giera and Fr. Drew Mabee, hosts of the Men of the Hearts podcast. He reflects on his journey from childhood in Chihuahua, Mexico, to the priesthood in the Archdiocese of Detroit. The conversation t...

"If it's a true call from God to become a priest, you're not gonna be able to shake it. He's gonna keep coming for you." Fr. David Kidd, Director of Diocesan Priestly Vocations for the Diocese of Toledo, joins Men of the Hearts hosts Fr. Craig Giera and Fr. Drew Mabee to talk about his journey to the priesthood. Looking back, he realizes God started preparing him for the priesthood when he was an...

“The priesthood is beautiful. Keep thinking about it. Keep praying about it. It’s worth it.” Fr. Pieter vanRooyen, pastor at St. Joseph Parish in Ypsilanti and an assistant professor of theology at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, joins Men of the Hearts hosts Fr. Craig Giera and Fr. Drew Mabee to talk about his journey to the priesthood. Having been raised in a nominally Catholic household, it wasn’t...

“Take the next step, whatever that might be.” Fr. Mario Amore joins Men of the Hearts hosts Fr. Craig Giera and Fr. Drew Mabee to talk about his journey to the priesthood. His path was full of twists and turns, with stops in altar service and music ministry. After applying to Sacred Heart Major Seminary and subsequently delaying enrollment for two years, Fr. Mario finally took “the next step” to a...

“Recognize that the Apostles were just fishermen. They were just tax collectors. They were sinners. They were imperfect, normal dudes like you.” Fr. Pierre Konja joins Men of the Hearts hosts Fr. Craig and Fr. Drew to talk about his journey to the priesthood for the Chaldean Eparchy of St. Thomas the Apostle in Detroit. He encourages young men in discernment to “go to the Gospels” and allow themse...

“Discernment will always produce a great bouquet of God's glory.” Fr. Jim Kean joins Men of the Hearts hosts Fr. Craig and Fr. Drew to talk about his “cradle Catholic” childhood, serving alongside Mother Teresa, and appreciating the gifts of the priesthood. He encourages young men in discernment to “be not afraid,” because no matter their vocation, it is certain that God has something special in s...

“Whatever my own plans for myself are, [they] are nothing compared to His plan for me.” Fr. Clint McDonell joins Men of the Hearts hosts Fr. Craig and Fr. Drew to talk about the people who influenced his priestly discernment, his role as Director of Undergraduate Seminarians at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, and his love of teaching Latin. He closes the episode with his advice to young men consideri...

“We can bring everything to Him.” Fr. Brian Cokonougher joins Men of the Hearts hosts Fr. Craig and Fr. Drew to talk about surrendering to Jesus, discerning his vocation, and serving as a spiritual director to seminarians studying at Sacred Heart Major Seminary. Though he was raised Catholic, Fr. Brian did not consider the priesthood until young adulthood, when his pastor invited him to attend a d...

“None of the experiences I've had in my lifetime can even for a second match daily Mass, where I'm holding God in my hands.” Join Fr. John Maksam as he shares his vocation story on this episode of Men of the Hearts . Although Fr. John felt a call to the priesthood as a child, his journey included studying law, entering the Navy, serving as a judge, and eventually becoming a priest later in life.&n...

“Discernment is not about vocation. First, it's about relationship.” Fr. Andrew Dawson joins Fr. Craig and Fr. Drew in the Men of the Hearts studio. Raised in England by a Protestant family, Fr. Andrew’s journey led him to America, the Catholic Church, and ultimately, the priesthood. (0:01): Our hosts welcome this episode’s guest, Fr. Andrew Dawson. Originally from Yorkshire, England, Fr. Andrew n...

“I think vocations really come from the Holy Eucharist.” Join Fr. Jeff Day as he shares his vocation story on this episode of Men of the Hearts . Influences on Fr. Jeff’s journey to the priesthood included the faith of his family, the sacrament of Confession, and the Holy Eucharist.  (0:02): Fr. Craig welcomes listeners and introduces this episode’s guest, Fr. Jeff Day. The priests catch up:...

“It's been a crazy, beautiful, amazing adventure, and amidst the difficulties or the uncertainties, it's always absolutely been worth it every day.” Fr. Adam Nowak joins Fr. Craig and Fr. Drew to share his vocation story. Although he initially resisted his vocation, Fr. Adam eventually became certain that God was calling him to become a priest.  (0:02) Fr. Craig and Fr. Drew introduce this ep...

“Jesus is my rock. And he’s the source of that joy.” Join Fr. Jim Houbeck, Associate Pastor of Resurrection Parish, as he shares his vocation story. Although he had previously dismissed the idea of becoming a priest, a clear vocational call amid a crisis led Fr. Jim to follow God into the seminary.  (0:03) Fr. Craig welcomes this episode’s guest, Fr. Jim Houbeck. Fr. Drew thanks listeners who...