Practicing Catholic Show

We’re blessed in this Archdiocese to be home to the Center for Social Thought. The group's 2024 spring speaker series, called "Rebuilding Catholic Community", is covering a variety of ways in which we as Catholics experience the call to community. The final speaker of the series will be Leah Libresco, a nationally-known speaker and writer – and former atheist – who joins producer Kay...

It was one of the most hopeful and real stories of the pandemic – the courageous priests who spent their time visiting the sick and dying in their homes and at hospitals. While for some of us it may feel like life is back to normal, the pandemic revealed the importance of access to spiritual care for the sick and dying. Host Patrick Conley sits down with Father John Paul Erickson, pastor at the Ch...

With the number of young people leaving the Church, there's no question that we need to rebuild the Catholic community. Bishop Williams sat down with producer Kayla Mayer to talk about how we find and create Catholic community and why it's important to do so. Like what you're hearing? Leave us a review, subscribe, and follow us on social media @practicingcatholicshow! Direct social med...

With Lent starting February 14, there’s no better time than now to explore “turning our hearts, minds and souls toward God.” What a great opportunity to, once again, lean-in on God and ask him to help us do just that! Joining producer Kayla Mayer to talk about how we can grow in holiness this Lent is Dr. Kate Walsh-Soucheray, a Catholic licensed marriage and family therapist and regular columnist...

Have you ever read one of those signs like, “We serve only the finest wines in our home. What did you bring?” Well, did you know that you can answer that question by saying “An award-winning wine from a Catholic family in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis”? It may not flow off the tongue like California or Spain, but it’s true.  Isaac Savaryn, viticulturist for Sovereign Estate Winery...

Lent is fast approaching, and for the Maronite Church, Lent starts a couple days sooner than the Roman Church. Here to share more about what Lent looks like in the Maronite Church is our good friend Chorbishop sharbel Maroun. He joins producer Kayla Mayer to talk about special traditions and why you should consider joining for a Divine Liturgy. Like what you're hearing? Leave us a review, subs...

Catholic Schools Week helps us appreciate all the wonderful gifts of our Catholic schools, but teachers in Catholic schools are right up there at the top of the list. Joining host Patrick Conley to share about her experience as a Catholic school teacher is Pam McSweeney, a fifth-grade teacher at Saint John the Baptist Catholic School in Savage. Learn more about Catholic education in the Archdioces...

As Practicing Catholics, we are blessed with opportunities to look at our faith anew each day. Host Patrick Conley sits down with local Catholic photographer and videographer, Neal Abbott, who will help us see the good, the true and the beautiful all around us.   Learn more about Neal and check out his work . Like what you're hearing? Leave us a review, subscribe, and follow us on social media...

Last week was Catholic Schools Week, the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. Chances are pretty good you’ve got a Catholic schools connection – whether it’s you, your kids, or your grandkids. Catholic schools are an important ministry of many parishes and groups in our community. Back for his monthly segment, Archbishop Hebda chats with producer Kayla Mayer about just ho...

Efforts to engage college students in the faith are an important ministry in our Church. Host Patrick Conley is joined by Derek Waldbillig, Donor Engagement Officer and former missionary for Saint Paul's Outreach, to talk about SPO's mission to do just that and how you can support them.   Register for Late Night Live and learn more about SPO's work . Like what you're hearing? Leave...

Here on Practicing Catholic, we always appreciate it when the Church celebrates a “world day” of something. It just makes us feel so connected to our one billion Catholic sisters and brothers, right? Well, in just a few days, we’ll be uniting in celebrating the 2024 World Day for Consecrated Life.   Here with host Patrick Conley to share more on the big day and how we can participate is Nicole Bet...

A south metro parish recently published a book – filled with dozens of stories by parishioners – ranging from awe-inspiring to deeply personal – but all having to do with faith. The book is titled Cairn - God Moment Stories . A cairn is a small pile of stones you may have seen while out hiking.  Host Patrick Conley was joined by three parishioners at the Church of St. Rita – Stephanie, Ariana, and...

Our special edition of Practicing Catholic is focused on the book Cairn - God Moment Stories - from the parishioners of the Church of St. Rita in Cottage Grove.   Chris Reckinger and Becky Fox, parishioners at St. Rita and editors of the book, joined host Patrick Conley and producer Kayla Mayer to share their stories from the book in their own words. To learn more about the book and purchase a cop...

On this special edition of Practicing Catholic, we're featuring the people and the stories behind the new book - Cairn - God Moment Stories - from the folks at the Church of Saint Rita in Cottage Grove.   Joining producer Kayla Mayer to share their stories are Alice and Rory Gilbert. And, no story about the power of parish collaboration would be complete without hearing from the pastor. Fr. Ma...

Food. It’s one of our most basic needs. And there’s a Twin Cities group that's creatively working to get really good food to those who really need it. Will Pittner, founder and CEO of Food to People, joins Patrick Conley to talk about his work and how it's serving our local community. Learn more about Food to People . Like what you're hearing? Leave us a review, subscribe, and follow u...

With the US Supreme Court’s 2022 decision sending abortion laws back to the states, many of us had hoped our lawmakers would protect moms and babies, but they did the opposite last year, passing some of the most extreme abortion laws in the country. Despite the setback, those of us who care about life in all its forms are still focused on caring for our most vulnerable sisters and brothers. As we...

Where does a year go? Just about a year ago, Pope Francis announced that then-Father Michael Izen would be ordained a bishop. Auxiliary Bishop Izen joins us to talk about what the past year has been like and how he's adjusted to life as a bishop. Like what you're hearing? Leave us a review, subscribe, and follow us on social media @practicingcatholicshow! Direct social media links: Faceboo...

Have you ever met someone who has composed a symphony? They might just be closer than you think! Local organist, composer, and Director of Sacred Music & Liturgical Life for the Church of the Holy Cross in NE Minneapolis, Samuel Backman joins host Patrick Conley to share his latest opus and the inspiration behind it. Like what you're hearing? Leave us a review, subscribe, and follow us on...

Where can young adults have an extraordinary summer mission experience, further discern their vocations, and actually get paid? Totus Tuus! Joining host Patrick Conley to share more about this missionary initiative are Nancy Palachek, Family and Laity Outreach Coordinator for the Archdiocesan Office of Marriage, Family and Life and Maura Dobie, an experienced Totus Tuus missionary. Learn more and...

Do you think Church is losing its appeal to men? Look around at any given Sunday Mass, and you may see a decent mixture of women and men. But many parishes struggle to get men involved beyond that once-a-week commitment. In this Practicing Catholic Classic, Fr. Tom Wilson, Pastor of All Saints in Lakeville, discusses what masculinity in the Church looks like and why it’s important. Like what you&#...

As we wrap up 2023, we finish the year with a special feast day, the Feast of the Holy Family. Joining producer Kayla Mayer to help us reflect on how the Holy Family can be models for our earthly families, is Archbishop Hebda. Like what you're hearing? Leave a review, subscribe, and follow us on social media @practicingcatholicshow! Direct social media links: Instagram Facebook YouTube

Are you in a small group? Archbishop Hebda wants each of us to answer “yes” to that question by Ash Wednesday. Deacon Joe Michalak and Gizzy Miko from the Archdiocese’s Office of Synod Evangelization join host Patrick Conley to explain why it’s Archbishop’s dream for the Archdiocese and how you can connect with one this winter. Like what you're hearing? Leave us a review, subscribe, and follow...

In this Practicing Catholic Classic, we revisit a conversation with Fr. Michael Van Sloun about our Blessed Mother in the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of God. Like what you're hearing? Leave us a review, subscribe, and follow us on social media @practicingcatholicshow! Direct social media links: Instagram Facebook YouTube

Producer Kayla Mayer is joined by multi-platform pianist and composer Steven C. to talk about his annual Christmas show and a special announcement! Plus, a live performance from Steven C. Hear more from Steven C. Want to watch this episode? Head to our YouTube channel ! Leave us a review, subscribe, and follow us on social media @practicingcatholicshow. Direct social media links: Instagram Faceboo...

Producer Kayla Mayer and local musician and recording artist Luke Spehar chat about favorite Christmas traditions and music. Plus, Luke Spehar performs live! Stay up-to-date with Luke's current projects . Want to watch this episode? Head over to our YouTube channel ! Leave us a review, subscribe, and follow us on social media @practicingcatholicshow. Direct social media links: Instagram Facebo...