Practicing Catholic Show

“Giving is faith in action.” That’s what Archbishop Hebda told us in his invitation to join the Catholic Services Appeal, which supports 19 ministries in the Archdiocese. Joining producer Kayla Mayer to share how the effort is going and what ministries will feel the impact, are Jean Houghton, Director of Mission Advancement, and Marci Franzen, the Associate Director of Mission Advancement.  Learn...

There is a homegrown ministry here in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis that you could say, is “sprouting and growing.”   Nancy Bandzuch, creator of the daily podcast “Catholic Sprouts”, returns to Practicing Catholic to talk about her new partnership with the Augustine Institute and FORMED. Listen to the Catholic Sprouts podcast and find more resources for sharing the faith with child...

If there’s a series to listen to and share simply because of the hope and excitement it’s generating, it’s this one - “Countdown to Ordination". Each week, we’re meeting two of the thirteen men who will be ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis on Saturday, May 25th. Deacons Michael Panka and Nick Vance joined producer Kayla Mayer to talk about their voca...

Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Williams stops by to talk about Easter and why it’s important for us to be “Easter people.” Like what you're hearing? Leave us a review, subscribe, and follow us on social media @practicingcatholicshow! Direct social media links: ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠YouTube

Bishop Andrew Cozzens, our former auxiliary bishop and now-Bishop of Crookston, has an update on the Eucharistic Revival in the United States and the upcoming Eucharistic Pilgrimage that makes its way through Minnesota next month. Like what you're hearing? Leave us a review, subscribe, and follow us on social media @practicingcatholicshow! Direct social media links: ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠...

This week we begin our pre-priestly ordination interviews with Deacon Ryan Sustacek – who'll be ordained May 25 – with twelve other men. Joining him will be Father Joseph Taphorn, rector of the the Saint Paul Seminary, to talk about this large class of men and their journey to the priesthood. Like what you're hearing? Leave us a review, subscribe, and follow us on social media @practicingc...

If you’re an Easter Vigil attendee, you're be blessed to witness our newest sisters and brothers come in faith into full communion with the Catholic Church. Director of Discipleship at Nativity of Our Lord in Saint Paul, Mahalia Marcelin, joins host Patrick Conley to chat about how we can best welcome these women and men into the life of the Church. Like what you're hearing? Leave us a rev...

Saint John Paul II’s biographer is on the show. We sit down with George Weigel – a well-known writer and commentator on life in the Catholic Church – to hear about his upcoming talk here in the Archdiocese on “The Continuing Importance of Vatican II.”

Many of us probably remember our Confirmation, whether it was as a teenager or as an adult. We’re entering the Confirmation season in the Archdiocese, when our bishops will be busy Confirming thousands of our young people. Joining host Patrick Conley to dig deeper into what this sacrament is and how we can unlock the Holy Spirit's presence in us is Archbishop Hebda, back for his monthly segmen...

In Minnesota and western Wisconsin, it seems we’re never far from family farms, which helps us to have an appreciation for those who grow and harvest our food. 2024 is a big year for our sisters and brothers in faith and agriculture, as the Church celebrates 100 years of Catholic Rural Life – which is based in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Monsignor James Shea, president of the Un...

Are you part of a small group? Some listeners probably have been for many years, while others likely just joined this Lent, as part of Archbishop’s Pastoral Letter vision to eventually have all Catholics in the Archdiocese part of a small group. Joining host Patrick Conley to chat about why they’re so important to connecting folks to their faith and parish and form evangelists, is Andrea Krautkram...

Right now in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, about a hundred of our sisters and brothers are immersed in the School of Charism Discovery – led by Father Michael Becker. But, charisms are as old as the Church, and the Twin Cities have been home to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Office for many years. Joining host Patrick Conley to talk charisms and CCRO's upcoming conference ar...

The Archdiocesan Men’s Conference returns again this year, as it’s led by the Catholic Watchmen: a local apostolate of men offering prayer for the Church, led by the bishops of our Archdiocese and other lay leaders. One of those leaders is with us today, Deacon Gordon Bird – the Catholic Watchmen point man for the Archdiocese. Along with one of the keynote speakers for the Conference, Deacon Harol...

We’re already to the tail end of Lent, and it’s time to dig a little deeper – to re-commit to our Lenten promises, to reflect more deeply on how God is moving in our hearts, and to embrace this time of penance before the joy of Easter. Bishop Michael Izen joins producer Kayla Mayer to talk about availing ourselves to the beauty of the Sacrament of Reconciliation in these days leading up to Holy We...

With all the recent, unseasonably warm weather, kids have been out and about, having a ball—a baseball, a basketball, a football, a soccer ball. Kids and youth still love sports! If only there was some way of bringing sports and faith together... The Catholic Athletic Association (CAA) exists to organize and promote the development of respectful, faith-filled athletics through participation in int...

Regular listeners are familiar with this summer’s Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, which will mark the high point of the Eucharistic Revival in the United States. Even if you can’t make it to Indy, you’re invited to participate in the Eucharistic Pilgrimage right here in our Archdiocese. Practicing Catholic producer Kayla Mayer checks in with Father Tim Tran and Amy Tadlock – who's organi...

Many of us have encountered religious sisters in some way throughout our lifetimes. Some as teachers in our Catholic schools, catechists in parish faith formation programs, or mission trips and other ministries. Say a special prayer for our sisters in faith, as we honor them during Catholic Sisters Week, March 8-14. Joining Practicing Catholic contributor Tom Halden is Sr. Mary Micaela Hoffmann, a...

The themes of Catholic social teaching are principles we should certainly strive for in our care for others. In this Practicing Catholic Classic, we revisit a conversation between host Patrick Conley and Fr. Daniel Griffith about teaching on “rights and responsibilities” - that is, the right to basic human needs and the responsibilities to care for those who are lacking these things. In a culture...

As Christians, we love Jesus. As Catholics, we unite ourselves with him – body, blood, soul, and divinity – each time we receive the Eucharist. What a great gift! Joining producer Kayla Mayer to go deeper into the gift that is Jesus in the Eucharist and how we can learn more, is Deacon Charles Bobertz, professor of Theology at Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota and a deacon at Pax...

Minnesotans are proudly aware of our home state being the “State of Hockey.” Stories abound. Legends are made. One such legend joins us today to tell his story, including how his Catholic faith has influenced his hockey career. Host Patrick Conley sits down with Bill Lechner, head coach for the powerhouse boy’s hockey team at Hill-Murray School. Like what you're hearing? Leave us a review, sub...

Some big news recently, as Archbishop Hebda announced that three priests from the Archdiocese are headed north for three-year assignments to assist the Diocese of Crookston. The priests are all part of a group called the “Companions of Christ”. Joining host Patrick Conley to explain what’s happening and why – Father David Blume, director of the Archdiocesan Office of Vocations and one of the pries...

Do you struggle to stick to your Lenten commitments? You’re not alone! Lent is a challenging season. We’re giving up small pleasures or adding in virtuous habits, working toward becoming holier selves. Joining producer Kayla Mayer to offer encouragement and advice to persevere despite the challenges we may face this Lent is Fr. Joseph Johnson, pastor of Holy Family in St. Louis Park and a spiritua...

As you know, here on Practicing Catholic, we focus on what the Lord is doing here—in our local Church, the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. But we can never forget that we are part of the Church Catholic—which is universal and global! Joining host Patrick Conley to share about a special relationship God is continuing to develop between our Archdiocese and Tanzania, Africa are Dr. Mark an...

Pope Francis has asked that we be a “listening Church,” listening to the Holy Spirit and each other. As the delegates to the Synod on Synodality prepare to return to Rome in the fall for the second part of the Vatican Synod, there are two opportunities for us to get involved and do some listening right here in the Archdiocese. Archbishop Hebda joins host Patrick Conley to discuss how YOU can let t...

Is there a young man in your life who you think, “He’d make a great priest”? If the answer is “yes,” you'll want to hear about the culture, fraternity, and whole-person formation at Saint John Vianney College Seminary. Host Patrick Conley chats with Saint John Vianney's rector, Father Jonathan Kelly, and one of the men discerning a call to the priesthood, Nick Deutsch. Learn more about Sai...