Old St. Pat's Podcast

There are certain people in our lives who just get on our nerves. They bug us. They get under our skin. And our society has plenty of phrases to describe these people, so we know we’re not alone in this very human experience! But Jesus instructs us to love one another as he has loved us. And we say, “Okay, sure!” It’s easy enough when it comes to the people we naturally gravitate toward, the peopl...

When we hear about another tragic event in the news, it can be easy to feel discouraged, maybe even a little hopeless. And even when we want to do something, we might wonder, What can one person really do? This past Sunday’s Gospel reminds us that our ultimate allegiance isn’t to any king, government, or authority. It’s to God. And that means our faith asks something of us. When we see someone bei...

The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's Choir The featured songs today are: Ever We Praise You Go the Distance Pilgrim Today, Old St. Pat's Music Ministry will travel to Rome on a pilgrimage of faith, music, and worship, led by Music Director Mark Scozzafave, Associate Director Dominic Trumfio, and Fr. Pat McGrath. The choir will sing at Mass at St. Peter's Basilica o...

Yesterday in Chicago, thousands of runners laced up their sneakers and ran 26.2 miles through the neighborhoods of our city. Each runner answered a call to run the race—whether it was a formal invitation from an organization, a friend who encouraged them to sign up, or a deeper invitation from their own heart and soul. They showed up in the right gear, embraced the challenge, and pushed through th...

The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's Choir The featured songs today are: Panis Angelicus I Will Be the Vine Hope Will Not Fail   

Is there anything you’re worried about right now? Chances are, there’s probably at least one thing on the list but the more important question is, can we be worried without letting it become all consuming? Can we acknowledge the part of us that’s scared, concerned, or trying to figure everything out—and at the same time, stay grounded in God and in faith and still take a step forward? Faith doesn’...

Have you ever walked into a party with so much on your mind that you were physically there—but weren't really present? Maybe you were rehearsing what you wanted to say in your head while someone else was trying to tell you something important. Or you were so focused on getting noticed that you missed someone else quietly feeling left out. Or maybe you were so busy trying to impress the person in f...

Our human nature has a funny way of keeping score. We compare our pay, the number of likes on our post, our professional opportunities, our clothes, where we live —even the love we think we're receiving—and when something seems out of balance, we can hear that little voice inside say, “Hey…that’s not fair.” And underneath that feeling of unfairness can be something even more tender: Maybe I’m fall...

Have you ever noticed how the past can sometimes feel strangely present? Someone says something that hurt you ten years ago—and suddenly, there you are again. You can hear their voice, feel the sting, and remember exactly what happened. So how do we forgive when the hurt still feels so real? Maybe forgiveness begins by turning toward the part of us inside that is still hurting and saying: “I see y...

The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's Choir The featured songs today are: O Breathe on Me, O Breath of God If Today On Our Pilgrim Journey (Mark Scozzafave)

It can be so easy—and so tempting—to think we know better. He should do this. She should do that. I’m right. You’re wrong. We can find ourselves wanting to correct someone’s choices, their thinking, or the way they’re living their life because we’re convinced we know how things should be. But when we focus on correcting, we leave very little room for conversation or connection. What happens when,...

If life is a dance, God is our ultimate dance partner. And the music playing over the speakers? That’s the Holy Spirit—keeping the rhythm, moving us along, filling the space around us. And the DJ selecting the tunes? That’s Jesus. Sometimes DJ JC puts on a song we absolutely love. And other times, we’re thinking, “Aw, man…this song is way too slow and depressing. Or way too fast and we can’t keep...

Have you ever had one of those days that you planned down to the last detail? You picked the right restaurant, made sure everyone could make it, and thought through the logistics, the timing, the weather—you even knew what topics of conversation you wanted to bring up…everything that needed to line up for the day to be fun. And then… somehow, it just wasn’t. And then there are those other days. Yo...

The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's Choir The featured songs today are listed below and sung by Michael St. Peter : Con Te Partirò Holy Is Your Name The Prayer (Instrumental)

On a trip, it’s fun to have a good travel companion. Someone who makes the load feel a little lighter—physically and mentally. Someone who makes a playlist for the long drive, can laugh when plans change, and goes with the flow when the road takes an unexpected turn. Someone who handles the tired, stressful days with patience and grace. Someone who sees the best in you and somehow brings out the b...

The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's Choir The featured songs today are: Every Word & Every Breath Christ Has No Body Now I Am For You 

Every great story has a main character, a beginning, an arc, unexpected turns, moments of struggle, and moments that change everything. But what if you thought about your own faith that way? If you were to tell the story of your relationship with God, what would it sound like? When in your life has God felt especially close? When have you wondered where God was—or questioned whether God was there...

The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's Choir The featured songs today are: Gathered As One Broken for the Broken I Am The Bread of Life! At the Table of Jesus

Summer is often a season that invites us to slow down. Whether you're taking a vacation, enjoying a staycation, relaxing by the neighborhood pool, or simply spending a quiet evening on the porch, this time of year reminds us that rest isn't a luxury—it's something we all need before we go back to school or work. In today's Gospel, Jesus shows us that even he needed to step away from the crowds. Af...

What's been occupying your mind these past few weeks? Is it your career? A relationship? A dream you've been putting off? Or maybe a worry or fear you can't seem to shake. What we consistently give our attention to slowly shapes the people we become. Some things energize us and bring a quiet sense of purpose, even when they're challenging. Other things quietly drain us. They keep us stuck in cycle...

Have you seen The Odyssey yet? Whether you've already watched it or you've just been hearing everyone talk about it lately, there's something worth noticing about the story. At its heart, The Odyssey isn't simply about getting home—it's about who Odysseus becomes along the journey. The same is true of our spiritual lives. None of us begin as a finished product. We all carry strengths and weaknesse...

This time of year, summer farmers markets are everywhere. Each vendor brings something different to share—some bring flowers, others bring cheese, apples, vegetables, or fresh produce grown from their own fields. Imagine if you had a stand at a spiritual farmers market. What would you have to offer? What would be growing so abundantly in your life that you could share it with others? Would your ta...

The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's Choir The featured songs today are: For The Faithful Who Have Answered  Ad Maiorem Dei, Gloriam  How Can I Keep From Singing?

Have you ever noticed that the people who seem to have life completely figured out often stop asking questions? But the people who continue to grow—those who remain open and full of wonder—never lose their sense of humility. They know and recognize there's always more to learn, more to discover, and more ways to love. In last Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus thanks the Father that the mysteries of the Kingd...

Think about your family, your circle of friends, your lunch table, your neighborhood, or the people you naturally gravitate toward. These are your people—your tribe, your community, your place of belonging. And there is something beautiful and deeply human about finding a place where we feel known, loved, and accepted. But when was the last time you invited someone new into that circle? When was t...