The Monk and The Meathead

In this episode, we explore the profound significance of Holy Week, likening it to the Super Bowl of the Christian faith. This week represents the essence of being a follower of Jesus, as we journey through the Triduum—Thursday, Friday, and Saturday—culminating in the joy of Easter Sunday. Together, we unravel the depths of the Paschal mystery, rooted in Greek and Hebrew traditions, and its connec...

What if the challenges you face daily mold you into a stronger, wiser version of yourself? That's the intriguing idea we explore with Jimmy in this episode, as we draw from the timeless image of God as a potter-shaping clay, lifted from the pages of Jeremiah. Our conversation spins a tapestry of personal growth, weaving together life's trials, laughter-filled anecdotes from the old man's basketbal...

Picture this: two hosts, one with the discipline of a monk and the other with the vigor of a meathead, coming together to explore the balance between faith and worldly pursuits. This episode marks the relaunch of our podcast as "The Monk and the Meathead," inspired by our own unique journeys and the book "The Monk and the Merchant." We dive into why we believe long-form content is crucial for tack...

Send your questions to Father Craig at askthemonk@mqpwg.org Check out Mary Queen of Peace at www.mqpwg.org RATE & REVIEW this episode on Apple and Spotify . SHARE this episode with someone. SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on any new episodes! The Monk and The Meathead is a production of Mary Queen of Peace Parish is Webster Groves, Missouri.  The Meathead: Jimmy Vreeland —West Point grad, Arm...

There are many resources for studying scripture, exploring theological mysteries, or understanding the current events of the church. But what about a forum for those most basic questions? Questions like why is my work miserable? How do I better my family life? Why do I have to go to Church every week? Why are people attacking our faith? For each of these questions and many more like them, The Monk...

Father Craig and Jimmy discuss a reading from the Gospel of Luke talking about how the the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, Matthew 13:46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. Father Craig invites listeners to sign up for 20 90 Day programs that help participants find the Pearl of Great Value, Beloved 90 and Exodus 90....

In this episode Father Craig and Jimmy talk about the classic Christmas movie Christmas vacation. They also talk about how the real meaning of Christmas and how to best prepare for the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ They also mention in the show last years Christmas episode where the talk about the symbolism of our holiday traditions and show how they are all rooted in Jesus even though some of th...

Father Craig could not make this one but Jimmy Vreeland, Justin Basara (Director of this year's Acts Retreat), and Craig Avery (Co Director of the retreat) talk about their experience on the Acts retreat and invite those listening to attend The Monk and The Meathead is a production of Mary Queen of Peace Parish is Webster Groves, Missouri.  The Meathead: Jimmy Vreeland—West Point grad, Army vetera...

In this Episode Father Craig Discusses an article from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops called Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship. Here is the link to that article: https://www.usccb.org/sjp/forming-consciences-faithful-citizenship Father Craig discusses what the individual Catholic's responsibility is in the public square and what the Church's role in is in politics and...

The conversation today starts with Father Craigs Homily encouraging all parishioners to vote NO on amendment 3 which is Missouri law that will allow anyone with a medical license to perform an abortion and will also allow 9 month abortions. The Conversation then goes into a a deeper dive on Freedom, Rights, and the Corresponding responsibilities that come with those rights. The Monk and The Meathe...

Father Craig discusses the book Practicing the Way. This book is very challenging and inspiring because it asks all of us to become an apprentice of Jesus. The Monk and The Meathead is a production of Mary Queen of Peace Parish is Webster Groves, Missouri.  The Meathead: Jimmy Vreeland—West Point grad, Army veteran, real estate entrepreneur, and a man who pushes limits in business and life… now st...

"The worst part of Catholicism is to see people in Church and not know why they are there." - Chris Stefanick Father Craig has a new initiative to introduce in order to end the phenomenon of people not knowing why they are at church and to get more people in the church. In this podcast, he discusses his plans to fire up the the MPQ community with small discipleship groups. He has a new initiative...

Father Craig and Jimmy discuss one of the greatest themes from the Bible. The fact that every spiritual adventure starts with hearing a call to run towards God, a crossing of some type of threshold, and the straight to the wilderness. And the wilderness is either the place you grow by encountering God or where you wilt by being encountered by the evil. This is a spiritual theme in all of our lives...

Father Craig talks about his faith journey during the early 2000s when he entered the seminary. The early 2000s was not the easiest time to join the Priesthood but Father Craig talks about the challenges the Church and society were facing at the that time actually strengthened his faith and his resolve to serve the Church and his fellow Catholics The Monk and The Meathead is a production of Mary Q...

Is there a Revival Brewing? The New Atheists who dominated the early 2000s seem to have lost steam and people are returning back to God and Religion. Here is the recent evidence; Richard Dawkins has said that he is cultural Christian and Bill Maher is turning against the woke crowd. In this Podcast Father Craig talks about this phenomenon and references a recent book that is talking about this rev...

Special guest, Susie Vreeland, joins the podcast to discuss the Harrison Butker commencement address at Benedictine University. Father Craig, Jimmy and Susie discuss the conclusion that no one male or female will find their ultimate fulfillment in their career. People find their ultimate fulfillment with their relationship with God, family, and their community. The Monk and The Meathead is a produ...

In this episode Father Craig discusses how when you combine the Great Commission that happened at Pentecost with the Greatest Commandment to Love Your Neighbor as yourself, Christians are given the great Challenge. Listen in to hear how to accept and with Gods grace live up this challenge. The Monk and The Meathead is a production of Mary Queen of Peace Parish is Webster Groves, Missouri.  The Mea...

Father Craig invited two parishioners to discuss the women's Acts Retreat for 2024. It is occurring in 2 weeks if you are interested. The guests talked about the great results they have experienced in going on the Acts Retreat and what people who are interested in the Acts Retreat can also expect. Anyone who is interested in going to the Acts Retreat, please sign up here: https://www.osvhub.com/mq...

Father Craig talks about how Christianity is more than just being "nice" and Christ was so much more than just a moral teacher or philosopher. Christianity is an all encompassing choice to pick up your cross and follow Jesus. If the appeal to "join the church" is that is will nice and unchallenging it is false advertising and misses half of the power of being a Catholic Christian The Monk and The...

Father Craig discusses how truly deep and meaningful the Passion Story and how to have that lead you in your Holy Week The Monk and The Meathead is a production of Mary Queen of Peace Parish is Webster Groves, Missouri.  The Meathead: Jimmy Vreeland—West Point grad, Army veteran, real estate entrepreneur, and a man who pushes limits in business and life… now striving to push deeper into his faith....

Father Craig does a deep dive on the CS Lewis Article: Men Without Chests. He discusses what it means to be someone who in the Christian life is called to be "All Heart or Magnanimous" as opposed to someone with out a chest "No Heart". He also discusses that to be magnanimous it requires alignment with Truth and Objective values and it is impossible to be "All Heart" inside a subjective world view...

Father Craig goes through the best practices and mindset anyone can have to make sure that Lent is as meaningful and as impactful as possible. The Monk and The Meathead is a production of Mary Queen of Peace Parish is Webster Groves, Missouri.  The Meathead: Jimmy Vreeland—West Point grad, Army veteran, real estate entrepreneur, and a man who pushes limits in business and life… now striving to pus...

Father Craig and Jimmy discuss what Real Freedom truly means and more importantly what True Freedom is not. They discuss these three Catholic ideas on freedom: freedom to pursue excellence vs freedom from constraint disciplining desire so that the good becomes inevitable freedom to pursue what we ought to do. The Monk and The Meathead is a production of Mary Queen of Peace Parish is Webster Groves...

Father Craig and Jimmy Vreeland team up to discuss the Hero's Journey during the MQP Exodus 90 Kickoff. The Monk and The Meathead is a production of Mary Queen of Peace Parish is Webster Groves, Missouri.  The Meathead: Jimmy Vreeland—West Point grad, Army veteran, real estate entrepreneur, and a man who pushes limits in business and life… now striving to push deeper into his faith. The Monk: Fr....

Father Craig discusses the traditions, dates, and rituals that represent the Christmas season, and he shows how all of them point back to Jesus. He also brings up the point that Advent is a time to prepare for Jesus' coming by reflecting on how we have been living, repenting, and pursuing the adventure of Christian Spirituality The Monk and The Meathead is a production of Mary Queen of Peace Paris...