The West Texas Catholic: The Podcast

The West Texas Catholic: The Podcast Some churches are built with bricks and mortar. This one was built with fish fries, tamales, quilts...and a whole lot of faith. ⛪❤️ Before restoring sacred spaces across the Diocese, artist Chriss Clifford was creating masterpieces underneath the family furniture. Now she is making history by getting St. Mary's Church in Clarendon ready for their grand re-open...

The West Texas Catholic: The Podcast When a mountain climber moves to Amarillo, what wins him over? “Mountains in reverse.” 🏜️ Dr. Greg Onofrio of St. Mary’s Cathedral shares how Palo Duro Canyon helped shape his love for the Diocese of Amarillo, plus the behind-the-scenes story of the Centennial hymn “Gladly I Adore.” From a last-minute “theme song” request to a prayer-filled spark of inspiration...

The West Texas Catholic: The Podcast From Texas to SoCal, from video games to evangelization, and from sarcasm to spiritual growth...Judah “Thor” Asbill’s NET Ministries journey was anything but ordinary. ⚡ On this episode, Judah shares how a simple nudge from mom, a little inspiration from Father Mike Schmitz, and nine months with NET Ministries took him from Texas to Southern California. Betwee...

The West Texas Catholic: The Podcast School stress, sports schedules, endless scrolling...summer can still feel loud. But one hour in Adoration and a blank sheet of paper helped spark "Behold: Agnus Dei". ✍️ Ruben Denson shares how scratched-out notes and prayer in the silence of the chapel became a Christ-centered youth retreat designed to help teens unplug from the noise, encounter Christ, and s...

The West Texas Catholic: The Podcast From camper to coordinator — and even finding her husband along the way?! 👀 Mallory’s full-circle Totus Tuus journey proves this summer program is more than just games and snacks...it’s faith, friendships, and maybe even future vocations. Totus Tuus is forming future saints, seminarians, and strong Catholic friendships across the Panhandle. Parents, you might...

The West Texas Catholic: The Podcast Engineering ➡️ Psychology ➡️ Teacher ➡️ Priest?! Talk about a vocational plot twist. He quit the job...sold the house...packed everything into a pickup truck. No big deal, right? Father Ryan Winger’s story takes more turns than a West Texas highway, but every detour led him closer to where God was calling him. He shares how discernment isn’t one big decision......

The West Texas Catholic: The Podcast What does it take to become a deacon? Apparently about 5½ years, 1,200 hours, and a whole lot of grace. Deacon Brian Lewis joins us to break down the journey to the permanent diaconate — vocations, formation, and why the Diocese of Amarillo is fishing for the next class of servant-leaders. Oh!...and making sure your wife signs the paperwork! 😅 Spoiler Alert: t...

The West Texas Catholic: The Podcast Need a clean slate? We’ve got mercy for that. 🙏 In this episode, we unpack Divine Mercy Sunday, the life and mission of Saint Faustina, and why God never stops inviting us back...no matter how far we think we’ve gone. It’s a powerful mix of real stories and practical faith. Whether you’re all in or still figuring things out, this conversation brings clarity, e...

The West Texas Catholic: The Podcast What happens when faith meets speed dating? You get one of the most unique Catholic events we’ve ever talked about. 💘 In this episode we explore the Diocese of Amarillo’s Catholic Speed Dating night...where young adults gather for quick conversations, meaningful connections, and maybe even the start of a vocation to marriage. Four minutes. One conversation. Po...

The West Texas Catholic: The Podcast Move over, celebrity sightings...this is a Sacred Heart sighting! ❤️ Duane and Theresa are popping up in parishes everywhere, helping families put Christ at the heart of their homes and spreading devotion that’s anything but half-hearted. But wherever they go, they’re on fire for the Sacred Heart of Jesus. 🔥 In this episode, Duane and Theresa talk First Friday...

The West Texas Catholic: The Podcast Consider this a Catholic comeback tour. Former WTAMU student, and CAPN intern, Ruben Denson has officially been paroled from college and promoted to youth minister...trading finals for formation and dorm life for discipleship. From graduation whiplash to lighting fires for Christ, this reunion episode proves that the only thing stronger than West Texas winds is...

The West Texas Catholic: The Podcast Beep boop bop? Nah...try sweat, strategy, and teamwork. 🤖💡 Holy Cross robotics crew — Abigail Walters, Kaitlin Dawes, & Coach Cassy Summerlin — prove competition isn’t about crushing rivals, but building each other up...sometimes literally. No AI here — just brains, bolts, and STEM with a whole lot of heart (and a little adrenaline). Warning: listening ma...

The West Texas Catholic: The Podcast She’s new, she’s fearless, and she hasn’t run for the hills...yet! 😄 From Panhandle roots and small-town faith to big-time grace, meet Karlynn Hochstein, our new Family Life Director, as she shares her journey of faith, family, and trusting God through life’s biggest surprises. Equal parts laughter, testimony, and holy reminders that God’s always working the l...

The West Texas Catholic: The Podcast Why choose one episode when you can have all 26? This holy mega-drop brings every conversation, calling, and caffeinated insight from 2025 into one blessed bundle. Think of this as the Catholic podcast equivalent of a yearbook, a highlight reel, and a potluck where everyone actually brought something good. Press play and relive the laughs, the wisdom, and the m...

The West Texas Catholic: The Podcast They may look like Santa, but their inspiration comes straight from St. Nicholas himself. Beneath the beard and bells is a calling rooted in love, service, and faith. In this heartfelt conversation, two men reveal how the red suit opens doors to faith, healing, and hope — sometimes when it’s needed most. These two St. Nicks talk about why the magic of Christmas...

The West Texas Catholic: The Podcast Ever wonder how someone goes from pew-sitter to deacon? From unexpected grace to unmistakable signs, tune in as one experienced deacon and two newly ‘ordained and ready to serve’ gents reveal the nudges, surprises, and divine ‘plot twists’ that proved God knows exactly how to write a vocation story. This episode proves the diaconate isn’t just a vocation...it’s...

The West Texas Catholic: The Podcast What do you get when an aspiring X-Games daredevil, a chemistry boss who never sleeps, and a mission for autism care walk into a podcast? Episode 24. The Doctors Yarbrough join us to talk skateboards, saints, and their incredible work building Elizabeth Ruth’s Home...a non-profit aimed at providing love and support for the aging autistic. And yes...Temple Grand...

The West Texas Catholic: The Podcast In this episode, we chat with Michaela Wegman — a proud Umbarger native and art historian proving that the Texas Panhandle is anything but a blank canvas. Discover how Italian POWs, a small-town parish, and a dash of divine inspiration painted one of West Texas’ most unexpected masterpieces. Turns out, even prisoners of war knew how to make a holy mural out of...

The West Texas Catholic: The Podcast Ordaining one deacon? Great. Getting two brothers from the same family? That’s divine efficiency! Meet Dwayne and Dr. Kevin, the Rickwartz duo — proof that when God calls, He sometimes hits redial. From laundromats to liturgy, their path to the diaconate is twice the calling and double the grace...all while running a Catholic superstore! Tune in for faith, fami...

The West Texas Catholic: The Podcast From “peek-a-boo Jesus” to 24/7 devotion, St. Thomas’ Adoration Chapel never sleeps — even when Amarillo’s wind tries to blow it away. Simon and Jeff have weathered wind, floods, and 2 a.m. alarms, all for the love of the Lord. Meet the men keeping Amarillo’s only 24/7 Adoration Chapel shining brighter than a Panhandle sunrise...and discover why Adoration at St...

The West Texas Catholic: The Podcast Lawyers don’t usually admit nerves, but Carlos Cárdenas isn’t your usual lawyer. Inspired by Perry Mason, guided by faith, and now sharing his story of 45 years as a trial lawyer, Carlos knows what it means to seek justice. He still gets nervous before every case, but his faith and calling keep him steady. Catch him on this week's episode before he takes the st...

The West Texas Catholic: The Podcast Ruben Denson rode the tide of faith all the way from the California coast to WTAMU’s Catholic Student Center, where faith runs deeper than the plains. He shares how Christ called him to saddle up in Texas and ride with the Spirit. Faith this strong?...you can’t buff-er it away. 🦬 Episode 019 dives into Ruben's journey of trading surf for service, sunshine for...

Start your day with five minutes of faith, reflection, and quiet strength. Hosted by a Knight of Columbus from the Diocese of Amarillo, this podcast offers brief spiritual reflections rooted in Catholic tradition.  Each episode will dive into biblical scripture from both the Old and New Testaments, referencing the Catechism of the Catholic Church to deepen your understanding.  With tangi...

The West Texas Catholic: The Podcast PART ONE: He once measured success in procedures — now it’s in heartbeats. Dr. John Bruchalski went from performing abortions to delivering life, swapping sterile clinics for sacred callings. With Jersey wit and a faith-fueled mission, he shares how God rewrote his story from ‘choice’ to chosen. A dose of Jersey grit, a prescription for mercy — this is one deli...

The West Texas Catholic: The Podcast PART ONE: He once measured success in procedures — now it’s in heartbeats. Dr. John Bruchalski went from performing abortions to delivering life, swapping sterile clinics for sacred callings. With Jersey wit and a faith-fueled mission, he shares how God rewrote his story from ‘choice’ to chosen. A dose of Jersey grit, a prescription for mercy — this is one deli...