The Inner Life

(2:10) If you found yourself procrastinating on deciding what your Lenten practices will be, we are here to help you make a decision on today's podcast. Fr. Michael-Joseph Paris of the Discalced Carmelites joins to discuss how we can better prepare ourselves for Lent.   (11:12) Fragility reminds us how much we need the Lord. We shouldn’t look at our Lent as a failure if we slip up. We a...

Prayer Fasting and Almsgiving  Fr. Dave Heney  joins Patrick to discuss Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving  (2:57) - Biblical foundations of Lenten practices  (14:15) - Lenten practices as pillars of Catholic devotion (22:07) Break 1 (23:02) - Mary  - I'm praying for my mom; will fasting help?  (29:49) -  Jordan  - Giving up social media for Lent (38:51) Break...

Fr. Tom Wilson joins Patrick to discuss Adoration (3:07) what is Eucharistic Adoration? What makes Eucharistic Adoration different from other forms of prayer? (15:52) Linda - I've been doing adoration over 15 years. I started when God hit me on the side of the head and had me change my attitude about it. We have 24/7 adoration. I always said I was too busy. Started as sub. God said how bout y...

Fr. Marcel Taillon joins Patrick to discuss Morality What is Morality? (5:05) Natural Law. (17:49) Sara - Currently not in a state of grace...haven't been for 2 years. Divorced...very messy. Filing for an annulment. I'm in a relationship now. Praying that God helps me to see what my path forward is. (24:15) Break 1 (25:39) Paul - Had a friend who was raised Jewish and came to the church. 3 st...

Check out this Awesome Encore Show from January 20, 2026 Msgr. Robert Dempsey joins Patrick in studio to discuss the Beauty of the Liturgy (4:58) What does liturgy mean? How is the liturgy primarily an act of God? What is worship? (13:55) Alex - People responding verbally during the Mass. Sometimes they respond loudly and other times softly. Is there anything official on this? (21:29) Break 1...

  Fr. Spencer Howe  joins Patrick to discuss Saints of England (4:00) Why is England such a rich Catholic site? Who was Saint Alban? (9:10) – James - I was raised in an episcopal church. I wondered why they reject so much about the church and why do they refer to them as saints? Tom - Literature of Shakespeare. Every time I ask questions...the answers I get are defensive and t...

Fr. Carter Griffin joins Patrick to discuss Fighting for Chastity The beginnings of the fight for Chastity? (4:29) what is the connection between war and chastity? (9:23) How is discouragement combated in fight sin?  How is sexuality a gift? (15:06) Harmony - I was separated and still separated for 15 years. It didn't work out. Said I need to be abstinent. Asked God for help. First two years...

Fr. Patrick Hyde joins Patrick to discuss Faith and Sports (4:53) What is the connection between athletics and the pursuit of holiness? (12:23) Mary - Sports and spiritual life. I'm working out right now and listen with my air pods. I've always found that when people talk about body building, I've always thought about it as we as a church are building a body. It is made up of many people and...

Fr. Ramil Fajardo joins Patrick to discuss True Piety (1:56) what is piety? (12:00) How can we distinguish authentic devotion from external practices that may lack interior conversion? How can devotions be misshaped? (26:59) Break 1 (27:27) Mike - If I'm praying and it's a conversation with God, I recognize my voice, but not sure how it is that I'm interacting with God. What does that look li...

Fr. Peter Armenio joins Patrick to discuss Marriage: Part 2 (2:17) Fear of something better when it comes to dating. What does service have to do with Marriage? (26:59) Break 1 What is the importance of children in a strong marriage? (31:54) What happens when marriage gets boring? When should you start looking for outside help in your marriage?

Fr. Matthew Widder joins Patrick to discuss The Presentation of the Lord What is happening in our Church today? (2:01) Why does Mary get purified if she is perfect? (12:57) Nick - Love the presentation. Love the old testament connection. Amazing how Jesus celebrates major accomplishments through the old. Waiting for something...I wait for so much because there's so much to overcome. How the l...

Fr. Eric Nielsen joins Patrick to discuss Ministering to the Youth (3:31) What makes working with Youth different from ministering to adults? Why is ministering t the youth so important for the life of the Church? (15:59) threats that young people are facing? (19:15) Break 1 How do we have good boundaries for our children? (23:26) Lourdes - Resiliency - Fr. is right about it. As a young person, I...

Fr. Rob Kroll joins Patrick to discuss Confession Why do we need the Sacrament of Confession? What are the parts of confession? (14:05) What if someone hasn’t been in confession in a long time? (19:30) Kevin - I was in confession the other day. At the end, I had a feeling to say thank you Jesus, and the priest said you're welcome. He's in persona Christi and sometimes we forget that. (2...

Fr. Michael Hurley joins Patrick to discuss St. Thomas Aquinas (4:43) who was St. Thomas Aquinas (11:15) what is the Albigensian heresy? (18:19) Brendan - The one that impacted me was Thomas Aquinas' 5 proofs. I saw a video in middle school that challenged atheists. I didn't know there were such intellectual people in the church. It really shook my faith and eased my anxieties in it and have...

Fr. Peter Armenio joins Patrick to discuss Marriage What is marriage? (13:40) why are couples not wanting to get married? (20:56) Break 1 (22:39) Brendan - Anxiety among young people. I'm very anxious. I want to get in a relationship and married, but now I don't have a job and anxiety is causing issues for me. I hear it's good to get married young, but I feel I'm dealing with a road block. Wh...

Fr. Bobby Blood joins Patrick to discuss Catholic Education Why is Catholic schools week important? (4:46) what does the Church teach about Catholic education? What is the connection between the intellect and the will? (17:35) Nicole - My experience....My grandchildren are going to Catholic school. My daughter also went. I used to volunteer. I most admire is that I attend the children's Mass...

Fr. Joseph Illo joins Patrick to discuss Holiness in your State of Life (4:17) who was Saint Francis de Sales? Introduction to the devout life, How can you be holy in the world? (18:26) Break 1 What are ways lay people can become holy? How does God multiply your time when you devote some to him? (34:34) Norb - Suggestion to multitask with prayer. That's what I do. Robin - I joined the Guard o...

Fr. Dave Heney joins Patrick to discuss Protecting the Unborn What is the Church’s teaching on the sanctity of life? What is at the core of the reason people get abortion? (18:34) Break 1 Teresa - I just wanted to say that I'm trying to start a walking with moms with need at my parish in Ohio, so we can do what Father was talking about. Help through pregnancy centers and walk with them...

Fr. Allen Hoffa joins Patrick to discuss Overcoming Pornography What is Pornography? What is integrity restored? (14:31) Is pornography a private sin? (20:01) Mike - I'm a porn addict. I've been able to find sobriety from counseling and 12 steps. Want to give a word of encouragement to those struggling. (23:11) Break 1 How does pornography play a role in the abortion issue? (29:41) How is AI...

Msgr. Robert Dempsey joins Patrick in studio to discuss the Beauty of the Liturgy (4:58) What does liturgy mean? How is the liturgy primarily an act of God? What is worship? (13:55) Alex - People responding verbally during the Mass. Sometimes they respond loudly and other times softly. Is there anything official on this? (21:29) Break 1 Natalia - How verifiable is it (the liturgy) that it has...

Fr. Marcel Taillon joins Patrick to discuss Catholic Social Teaching What is Catholic Social Teaching? (10:03) What are the main themes on Catholic Social teaching? (17:07) what does the “common good” mean? (23:45) Break 1 (25:51) Lillian - When we talk about Catholic social teaching and catholic social justice, there is some confusion with one world order. The issue for us to be close...

(2:46) Fr. Sam Martin joins to discuss praying with Scripture. (6:05) Pray to the Holy Spirit when reading the Bible.   Break 1 (23:05) Camille - It's amazing how the Scriptures have changed my life. (30:33) Vanessa - I had back surgery and was praying for healing, and this scripture, Mark 2:30 changed how I looked at everything and how Christ is here to heal me.   Break 2 (39:22) S...

  (11:03) Fr. Ryan Brady joins Patrick to talk about Reliance on God.   (11:08) God works at a completely different schedule than we do.   (12:08) Car shopping is a great example and also very biblical.   (15:40) Patty - I am waiting and discovering God's way to help me with weight loss.    (19:17) Email: Leanne - Relying on God as a young adult, cancer survivor. &nbs...

Here is a great encore from July 22, 2025 Fr. Peter Armenio  joins Patrick to Friendship with Christ How can we have friendship with God? (12:19) How do we understand some of the euphemism that saints use to describe their love for Christ? (18:25) Bob - I once went to confession and told the priest I was having trouble getting angry with God over disappointments. Angry about it and yelling at...

Fr. Joseph Johnson joins Patrick to discuss Conquering Pride (3:13) Why is pride at the root of all sin? The subtlety of pride (14:16) Valerie - At OCIA...one of the ladies I was with is very humble and I told her that. I think if you're humble, you're void of pride. (21:09) Break 1 Email from Jared - How do we know when pride becomes a mortal sin? What are some tips for recognizing pride in our l...