Practicing Catholic Show

Host Patrick Conley and local musician and songwriter Alex Schindler talk all things Christmas music. Plus, Alex Schindler performs. Find out how to book Alex for your next event or learn where to hear her next on her website . 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: In...

Next summer, tens of thousands of Catholics will gather in Indianapolis for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress – the culmination of the ongoing Eucharistic Revival in the United States. One route for the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage departs from the headwaters of the Mississippi at Lake Itasca here in Minnesota and makes its way to the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. The good...

While the shopping days ahead of Christmas are dwindling, there’s still plenty of time to visit your parish for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. To prepare to receive God’s infinite mercy, we thought it would be helpful to revisit a conversation with Father Paul Hedman, a priest of the Archdiocese who’s assigned to Epiphany in Coon Rapids. Like what you're hearing? Leave us a review, subscribe...

God is busily working in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. On December 9th, 18 men were ordained permanent deacons for the Archdiocese in front of a huge crowd at the Cathedral of Saint Paul. 18! Here to talk about these new deacons, the diaconate and how the Holy Spirit is moving, is Deacon Eric Cooley, the director of the Institute of Diaconate Formation out of the Saint Paul Semina...

We celebrate the Immaculate Conception on December 8, and joining producer Kayla Mayer with a reminder that it is NOT Jesus' conception by the Virgin Mary, is Bishop Williams. They chat about what the Immaculate Conception is, what it means for us, and what we can learn from Mary and her parents. Like what you're hearing? Leave us a review, subscribe, and follow us on social media @practic...

Advent is a wonderful time of year for everyone, but opportunities for teaching our faith especially abound for families and children this time of year. From Advent wreaths to Jesse Trees, there are a lot of visible, tangible reminders of what—or rather, who—the season is all about. Here to share some of the great ways parents can continue to hand on the faith to their kids is Nancy Bandzuch from...

If you listen to this show regularly, you know the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis is on the move. We’re blessed with great leadership from Archbishop Hebda - his Pastoral Letter is all about activating each of us into the missionary disciples we’re called to be, along with so many other great things happening locally. Jean Houghton, director of the Office of Mission Advancement, joined...

For more than 100 years, the School Sisters of Notre Dame have been serving the people of Minnesota. Host Patrick Conley sat down with Sr. Stephanie Spandl to explore a little of the order’s history along with where and how they’re serving this local Church today.  The 2023 Retirement Fund for Religious annual appeal begins December 9 and runs through January 2024. To find out how you can support...

The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas probably has you and your families, coworkers, and others, thinking and talking about the history and dynamics of the Jewish people and the Palestinians. It may also have you thinking about the relationship between the Catholic Church and our sisters and brothers of other faiths. Father Erich Rutten, pastor of Christ the King and St. Thomas the Apostle in M...

The Advent season began on December 3rd. With only 21 days this year to prepare our hearts for the celebration of Christ’s birth, it’s even more important to enter intentionally into every day of this season of waiting and hope. Joining host Patrick Conley with tips on how to do just that, is Fr. John Paul Erickson, pastor of Transfiguration parish in Oakdale.  Find additional Advent resources on...

In case you couldn’t tell on your own, we’re approaching the darkest part of the year. While it may be disheartening to walk out of work to a night sky, we as Christians have so much to hope for. Joining producer Kayla Mayer to talk about the hope within the Advent season is Archbishop Hebda.  Like what you're hearing? Leave us a review, subscribe, and follow us on social media @practicingcath...

As Ordinary Time comes to an end, we look ahead at the new liturgical year and the season of Advent. What a great time to get re-focused and “live liturgically.” Joining host Patrick Conley to talk about exactly that, is Kendra Tierney, mother of ten children and the mind behind Catholic All Year. Find resources for how to live liturgically in any season on Catholic All Year ! Like what you're...

When living in the metro of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, it can be easy to forget that if you drive about an hour or less any direction, you'll trade our beautiful cities for just as beautiful farmland. Joining producer Kayla Mayer is someone who is incredibly familiar with Minnesota rural life, Quinci Schmidt, who grew up and now works on one of the four dairy farms left in Hennepin County.  R...

The nights are getting longer and the air is getting colder, and you can basically smell the turkey cooking. All signs are saying that Thanksgiving and the holiday season is almost upon us. Joining producer Kayla Mayer to help us reflect on gratitude and how we can bring more gratitude into our lives this holiday season is Bishop Williams.   Like what you're hearing? Leave us a review, subscri...

Leather. It’s not just for bikers anymore! We're not sure it ever was... Either way, the artisan joining us now is all-in on producing high-quality, hand-made leather goods that are helping customers better care for their Bibles and other religious items. Joining producer Kayla Mayer from the other side of the world – literally – is David Kruse – founder and CEO of OréMoose.   Shop the entire...

We’re still a few weeks away from honoring the original Santa – Saint Nicholas – but it’s the right time to enjoy a great local play about his life. Joining producer Kayla Mayer to talk about the saint who always brings gifts and what else in store for the milestone producing season is Jeremy Stanbary, founder and executive artistic director of Open Window Theatre in Inver Grove Heights. Buy ticke...

For many of us, music is an important part of worship – whether it’s during our personal prayer time, large group Eucharistic Adoration, or the Mass. Why is that? Local musician, Alex Schindler, joins host Patrick Conley to talk about that and how we can use music to more fully enter times of worship. Find more of Alex's music and how to book her on her website . Like what you're hearing?...

Many of us are getting ready – physically and mentally - for what can often be the incredibly busy time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. In a culture that values busyness, why is it so important to slow down and more importantly, how can we do that? Local writer Susanna Parent talks with producer Kayla Mayer about some concrete steps on how to be more present this holiday season.  Read Sus...

With winter right around the corner, the affordable housing crisis becomes more noticeable and on our minds. But Catholic Charities of the Twin Cities is prepared to meet the needs of those affected by homelessness. Returning to Practicing Catholic, Mike Rios-Keating, now the Director of Culture and Belonging at Catholic Charities of the Twin Cities, talks with host Patrick Conley about how we can...

It’s our vocations awareness week episode, and one trend we’re all aware of, is the nationwide decline in the number of men answering the call to priestly formation. However, one seminary located in the Twin Cities is going against the tide. The Saint Paul Seminary began this academic year with its largest seminarian enrollment in a decade. Joining producer Kayla Mayer to talk about the seminary a...

With the first snowfall of the year, it can start to turn our minds to the upcoming holiday season. But you don’t have to wait until Christmas to unwrap the many gifts, or charisms, that the Holy Spirit has brought you for your part in Jesus’ ongoing mission to the world. Christina Krutza, a presenter of Called & Gifted and parish staff member at St. Vincent de Paul in Brooklyn Park, joined ho...

Although the ways in which we live it out vary significantly, we are all called to holiness. The members of one particular religious order in our midst in the Archdiocese have dedicated their lives to help the Church and its individual members grow in holiness, and hence their name: Pro Ecclesia Sancta. Sister Maddy Elking and Sister Julieta Del Carpio joined host Patrick Conley to share about the...

We’ve all heard the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” And your answer has likely changed over the years. Similarly, the process of discerning our vocation can take unexpected twists and look different as we enter new stages of life. Back for his monthly segment to talk to producer Kayla Mayer about this big topic and share his own discernment story, is our shepherd, Archbishop H...

Is Biblical wisdom still applicable today? It’s no surprise to anyone to hear that we live in troubled times, both across the world and right here, at home. But where Christ is, there is always hope. Joining host Patrick Conley to catch us up on the Catechetical Institute and a new offering designed to help you apply some Scriptural wisdom to your life today is writer, speaker, podcast host, and p...

Baked goods are a favorite of the Practicing Catholic team. And when the opportunity arises to get some fantastic homemade baked goods and support a local Catholic parish, well, that’s almost too good to be true! Lisa Gleason, secretary for the St. Anne's Club out of St. Maron’s Maronite Catholic Church in Northeast Minneapolis, joined host Patrick Conley to talk about one such opportunity her...