Soul Food Priest

Fr. Ben explains the role of the pope and what takes place in the conclave. He gives reasons, both rooted in Scripture and Tradition, as to why the Catholic Church does what She does regarding this sacred process and office. Thank you for listening. We'd love to hear from you! You can email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com or at Soul Food Priest Facebook page to submit questions and topic ide...

Fr. Ben creates three amazing dishes for Silvia and Khira that they’ve either never tried or there’s a surprise twist. With this idea of surprises that one can find in food, the topic of God allowing surprises to happen to us becomes a topic of discussion. Listen as we discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to surprises in life. Got a question you'd like to ask Fr. Ben? You can subm...

Fr. Ben reminds us that Easter is a time of hope and renewal. The only question is: Will you allow it to be that for your life? This homily message helps us know what that means and how we can better live as a people of hope. Thank you for listening. We'd love to hear from you! You can email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com or at Soul Food Priest Facebook page to submit questions and topic id...

Fr. Ben gives a brief homily about Holy Week. Take a listen...it's only two minutes.  Please know if our prayers for you as we approach Easter. Got a question you'd like to ask Fr. Ben? You can submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast through Facebook or you could email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com. The questions can be on faith or food! You can also follow us on Facebook and YouT...

Lent is a time for self-reflection and purification. Fr. Ben reflects in this homily on the importance of reflecting on our stubborn ways and growing in humility. Take a listen to this difficult yet helpful homily. Got a question you'd like to ask Fr. Ben? You can submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast through Facebook or you could email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com. The questio...

Fr. Ben, Silvia and Khira continue their conversation with author and journalist George Weigel.   Mr. Weigel is most well-known for his two-part biography on St. John Paul II. While working on this biography, he developed a close friendship with the great saint. April 2, 2025 marked the 20th anniversary of St. John Paul II’s death, so we wanted to discuss with Mr. Weigel what St. John Paul II mean...

Fr. Ben, Silvia and Khira had the incredible honor of sitting with author and journalist George Weigel. Mr. Weigel is most well-known for his two-part biography on St. John Paul II. While working on this biography, he developed a close friendship with the great saint. April 2, 2025 marked the 20th anniversary of St. John Paul II’s death, so we wanted to discuss with Mr. Weigel what St. John Paul I...

Fr. Ben had extra cherries in his kitchen, so we whipped several batches of clafoutis. Don’t know what that is? Watch and you’ll find out! What makes some parishes thrive and others remain stale? Fr. Ben researches this question online by seeing what people post and what surveys say. He reveals his findings and discusses them with Khira and Silvia. Thank you for listening. We'd love to hear from y...

Fr. Ben discusses the art of listening in this homily and the value of it. Being able to communicate is extremely important, but people often overlook the importance of listening. Spend some time listening to what the Lord may be teaching you. Got a question you'd like to ask Fr. Ben? You can submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast through Facebook or you could email us at soulfoodpriestm...

Fr. Ben preaches on what it means to be made in God's image and likeness. The deep beauty of who you are is incredible and God marvels at you. Do you know this? Take a listen and know your own identity this Lent. Thank you for listening. We'd love to hear from you! You can email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com or at Soul Food Priest Facebook page to submit questions and topic ideas for the p...

Fr. Ben serves up a small plate of couscous and tells you of various ways you can use it. He also relates it to the spiritual life. How is that possible?? Take a listen. Got a question you'd like to ask Fr. Ben? You can submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast through Facebook or you could email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com. The questions can be on faith or food! You can also foll...

Fr. Ben talks about the courage to walk upstream in our culture, especially when it comes to truth. It takes a lote of courage to be Catholic, but there are so many who have witnessed it throughout history. Take a listen to hopefully be built up in your faith. Got a question you'd like to ask Fr. Ben? You can submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast through Facebook or you could email us a...

Fr. Ben and Khira get the privilege of sitting with Sr. Mary Lawrence again to discuss God’s infinite love for each person. The joy in her face as she describes the love of God is beautiful and contagious. Our prayer is that you are able to live in that love, so watch and hear how you can. Thank you for listening. We'd love to hear from you! You can visit Ask Fr. Ben | St. Michael Church (stmichae...

Soul Food Prest wants to brag on our very own Silvia Vega. She covered the song "Run to the Father" by Matt Maher at St. Michael's1st Sunday of Lent Mass. It was recorded live through our livestream. Fr. Ben gave a brief statement about the Diocesan Capital Campaign, so we wanted to share this video with you in lieu of a homily. May you have a blessed Lent running to the Father. Thank you for list...

Fr. Ben serves up sourdough in this episode. He talks about what makes it have the tang. This process of creating a sourdough starter can easily be related to how our hearts can become sour over time. Take a listen! Got a question you'd like to ask Fr. Ben? You can submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast through Facebook or you could email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com. The questi...

This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, and it is on that day that Christians are really reminded of their mortality. Fr. Ben talks on the difficult topic of death as a way to prepare for this coming Lent. How can we prepare for death? Why should we reflect on our mortality? These questions, and others, are addressed in this homily. Thank you for listening. We'd love to hear from you! You can email us at...

Fr. Ben just completed a week of creating over 650 king cakes as a fundraiser for his parish. He shares it with you this week as well as the origins of the “King Cake”.  As he was preparing all those king cakes, news of the Pope’s failing health was reported. Many people then started asking the questions of “What happens if the Pope dies?”. This is the topic Fr. Ben, Silvia, and Khira discuss. Ple...

Fr. Ben discusses the key points that those who are young can and should learn from those who are older. Life will be more beautiful when one adopts this wisdom in life. Take a listen to what they are. Got a question you'd like to ask Fr. Ben? You can submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast through Facebook or you could email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com. The questions can be on...

Fr. Ben and Khira sit with Sister Mary Lawrence, O.P. to discuss religious life. Many people often ask questions about the life of a sister or nun but rarely get to hear from one. In this episode you have the privilege of listening to our dear friend explain the life of a sister. Sr. Mary Lawrence is a Dominican sister from the St. Cecelia Congregation in Nashville and is the principal of a school...

Fr. Ben discusses what he thinks are the top 5 reasons we should be proud to be Catholics. These are his opinions, but he also gives great evidence to back them up. Take a listen and you'll learn a lot.   Got a question you'd like to ask Fr. Ben? Go to Ask Fr. Ben | St. Michael Church (stmichaelmemphis.org) to submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast. The questions can be on faith or food!...

Fr. Ben serves up a small lesson on patina. He teaches what it is physically and how it can apply to one's spiritual life. Take a listen and learn. Got a question you'd like to ask Fr. Ben? Go to Ask Fr. Ben | St. Michael Church (stmichaelmemphis.org) to submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast. The questions can be on faith or food! You can also follow us on Facebook and YouTube at Soul F...

There have been many anti-Catholic sentiments over the course of the Church's entire existence. Where does it come from? Is there truth to any of them? What can Catholics do to dispel any confusion that exists around Catholicism? Fr. Ben tackles all these questions in this one episode! Got a question you'd like to ask Fr. Ben? Go to Ask Fr. Ben | St. Michael Church (stmichaelmemphis.org) to submit...

How do you grow in virtue? This is the main question Fr. Ben poses to his parishioners and to you today. Knowing what virtue is and knowing how to grow in it makes us a people of moral character. Take a listen to this homily filled with great wisdom and examples of virtuous people. Thank you for listening. We'd love to hear from you! You can visit Ask Fr. Ben | St. Michael Church (stmichaelmemphis...

Fr. Ben serves up a small bit of knowledge on Chef Tom Colicchio, the judge and head producer of the show Top Chef. Colicchio remembers the moment words had a massive impact on him, and so Fr. Ben elaborates on this reality of our words.  Got a question you'd like to ask Fr. Ben? Go to Ask Fr. Ben | St. Michael Church (stmichaelmemphis.org) to submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast. The...

Sometimes it's easy to tell the truth, at other times it's something we don't want to do. Listen to what Fr. Ben has to say about that in this homily and how small lies can make a big impact.  Got a question you'd like to ask Fr. Ben? Go to Ask Fr. Ben | St. Michael Church (stmichaelmemphis.org) to submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast. The questions can be on faith or food! You can als...