Men of the Hearts

“I knew I would be happy. I knew I could find joy in giving of myself in love within the ministry. And that wouldn't be enough…that would be more than enough.” Our hosts welcome Fr. Robert Slaton to share his vocation story on this episode of Men of the Hearts . Fr. Robert stopped practicing his Catholic faith as a young man, but through God’s providential care, he gradually found his way back and...

“ I think one of the beautiful things about ministry is that God does give you these gifts, and he allows you to use them in a different way.” Join Fr. Craig and Fr. Drew as they invite Fr. Brian Meldrum to share his vocation story. Fr. Brian grew up Catholic and served as a music minister following his college graduation. After taking classes at Sacred Heart Major Seminary as a lay student, he en...

“As far back as I can remember, I've wanted to do God's will.” On this episode of Men of the Hearts , Fr. Craig and Fr. Drew welcome Fr. Joe Kirkconnell, a professor and spiritual director at Sacred Heart Major Seminary. Fr. Joe’s journey to the priesthood included growing up in the Cayman Islands, studying theology in college, and experiencing “subtle graces” during his time in seminary.  (0...

“I'm more content than I could ever have thought possible.” Fr. Mike Cassar joins Fr. Craig Giera and Fr. Drew Mabee on this month’s episode of Men of the Hearts. Fr. Mike, now the Vocations Director for the Diocese of Lansing, grew up in a Lutheran family. Through gentle movements of grace, Fr. Mike was led to become Catholic, enter the seminary, and be ordained a priest. (00:03) Fr. Craig and Fr...

“I did nothing from Monday through Friday but pray before the Blessed Sacrament.” Fr. Craig Giera and Fr. Drew Mabee welcome Mgsr. Charles Kozanke, the rector of Ste. Anne de Detroit and the Episcopal Vicar for the Central Region of the Archdiocese of Detroit. Msgr. Kozanke has seen the Lord use his gifts and talents throughout his priesthood, and describes how amazing things can happen through pr...

“I viewed my vocation as a riddle I needed to figure out. But this is a relationship with Jesus I need to full-heartedly embrace.” Fr. Paul Snyder joins Fr. Craig Giera and Fr. David Pellican as they dive into Fr. Paul’s vocation. For a number of reasons, Fr. Paul had ruled out the priesthood and when he felt the call at the end of college, he didn’t think it was real. After good priestly advice,...

“I’ve never heard of anyone regretting exploring a call to the priesthood.” Fr. Craig Giera and Fr. David Pellican invite Fr. John Dudek to the Men of the Hearts podcast. Their upbeat conversation is a taste of the community life they share as priests serving together. They tackle dealing with transition, returning to places of grace, making mistakes as priests, and living in obedience to the Arch...

“The Lord never takes without giving back more.” Fr. Craig Giera and Fr. David Pellican invite Detroit-native The Most Reverend John M. Quinn, Bishop Emeritus of Winona-Rochester, to this episode of Men of the Hearts. This former bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester grew up at Our Lady of Good Counsel on Detroit’s east side. He shares about his discernment into seminary, facing changes in the...

“Discernment is a win-win situation!” Fr. Jeff Allan brings his insights and wisdom to today’s episode of Men of the Hearts. Fr. Craig Giera and Fr. David Pellican invite Fr. Jeff to share his vocation story, and how God moved the priesthood from “fourth to first” on his list of dreams for his future. Fr. Jeff explains his two chapters of discerning the priesthood, and now how his ministry as a ho...

“Do you know His voice? If you’re not praying, you’re never gonna know your vocation.” Today’s guest Fr. David Pellican joins his host Fr. Craig Giera in discussing Fr. David’s new assignment to study sacramental theology in Rome. Together, they revisit Fr. David’s vocation story, this invitation by Archbishop Vigneron to study for the sake of our future priests and the joyful adventure of freely...

“It’s not time wasted. There’s no loss in discernment.” Fr. Craig Giera is joined by Fr. Salvatore Palazzolo, a canon lawyer for the Archdiocese of Detroit. Together they dive into Fr. Sal’s vocation story. While studying mechanical engineering, Fr. Sal went through a conversion experience after moving home with his parents. The search for Truth brought Fr. Sal into the faithful practice of his fa...

“Marriage is good. And priesthood is good. And how do you choose between two goods? God will guide you if you faithfully seek him out.” Fr. Craig Giera and Fr. David Pellican are joined by Fr. David Pellican's brother-in-law Mr. John Pratt to discuss discerning a vocation. John considered the priesthood from an early age, but felt the Lord draw him toward marriage. His insights into prayer, desire...

“I thought my life was going to end when I entered seminary, but it really began once I got there.” Fr. Craig Giera and Fr. David Pellican are joined by Fr. J.J. Mech, rector at Detroit’s Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. Together, they discuss the role of art in our churches and encountering the Lord. Fr. J.J. shares his vocation story, his parent’s reaction to him entering seminary, and how he...

“It’s not about what you do, it’s about who you are.” Fr. Craig Giera and Fr. David Pellican are joined by Fr. Cy Whitaker, S.J. This powerful discussion covers the early seeds of a vocation in Fr. Cy’s childhood, the loss of his father, joining the Jesuits at age 40, and his role as a spiritual director at Sacred Heart Major Seminary. Be inspired as Fr. Cy describes the priest’s identity as more...

“Find Jesus in the Eucharist. If you want to know what God wants, go to Him.” Fr. Craig Giera and Fr. David Pellican are joined by Fr. Perrin Atisha who shares his journey to ordination at age 26 for the Chaldean Eparchy of St. Thomas the Apostle. Through a powerful retreat in high school, time in Eucharistic Adoration, his father’s approval of his vocation, and a trip to Iraq, God showed Fr. Perr...

“Never be afraid to accept your vocation. Because God will supply what we need.” Fr. Craig Giera and Fr. David Pellican are joined by Fr. Matthew Hood. Together they discuss Fr. Matt’s journey from asking big questions about the Faith in high school to being ordained a priest. After spending eight years in seminary, Fr. Matt has served the Archdiocese of Detroit in parish and school ministry. He o...

“Don’t be afraid.” Fr. David Pellican welcomes Bishop Robert Fisher, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit, to Men of the Hearts. In this episode, they discuss His Excellency’s journey to the priesthood. He first considered the priesthood at age 10, but that thought was pushed away by a desire for marriage and a job in the business world. After serving at a summer camp in college, he felt...

"Whatever you need to hear the voice of God, if you're open to it, God's gonna talk to you." Join Fr. Craig Giera as he welcomes Fr. John Kopson, who shares his journey to the priesthood. After leaving college seminary with a desire for more certainty in his vocation, Fr. John began working at a nursing home as a Certified Nurse Assistant. After an encounter with a dying priest, Fr. John experienc...

“Can I really be happy doing this?” Join hosts Fr. Craig Giera and Fr. David Pellican as they welcome Bishop Donald Hanchon, a Detroit native brimming with wisdom for vocational discernment. His Excellency shares his story of feeling called to the priesthood in grade school, attending high school seminary, and the questions and fears he faced along the way. A significant health concern in college...

If you think the priesthood is boring or mundane, this episode of Men of the Hearts is for you. Monsignor Tim Hogan shares the journey the Lord has brought him from being a medic in the military, to religious life, to diocesan priesthood as a Navy chaplain, including being airdropped from a helicopter to offer Mass on nine different ships. “These people really wanted a chaplain, they wanted Mass,...

This episode of Men of the Hearts is full of priestly fraternity, two inspiring vocation stories, and encouragement against fears of inadequacy related to the priesthood. Join hosts Fr. Craig Giera and Fr. David Pellican as they welcome Fr. David’s fellow Divine Child Parish clergy, Fr. Bob McCabe and Fr. John Dudek. Each shares his own vocation story, how to overcome “analysis paralysis” and fear...

In this 12th episode of Men of the hearts, Fr. David and Fr. Craig welcome a priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit, Fr. Tim Birney. Fr. Tim shares his journey to the priesthood that began with family life centered around his parish. A high school assignment was a catalyst to encountering God’s call to serve God as a Catholic priest. The priests discuss an active discernment group in the archdiocese...

Fr. Craig and Fr. David take a deep dive into the mystery of offering Mass from a priest’s perspective. They share about their own experiences with saying the Mass, both their first Masses and in recent days during sickness. Fr. Craig shares how a Gospel passage addressed his fears of the priesthood as well as stories of epic priests over the years. Together they reflect on the feeling of unworthi...

Bishop Battersby joins Fr. David and Fr. Craig in the studio to share his vocation story. (0:45) Fr. Craig introduces the latest guest, Bishop Gerard Battersby, alongside his co-host Fr. David. Auxiliary Bishop Battersby shares a blessing with a recent Families of Parishes Commissioning Ceremony while Fr. David talks about his new appointment as the note-taker for the Presbyteral Council. (8:45) F...

Fr. David takes the lead as he and Fr. Craig discuss the Ignatian spiritual exercises and their experience on the 30-day silent retreat that all seminarians attend. (0:30) Fr. David takes the lead for this episode as him and Fr. Craig talk about the discernment of spirits with St. Ignatius of Loyola. Fr. David also shares updates from the past month, including that samples are back at Costco! (3:3...