Catholic Stuff You Should Know

Join Fr. Sean and Fr. John as they reflect on the heart of a Catholic wedding preparation, inspired by the insights of Cate (Spesia) Wisnieski. In a world where the wedding industry often overshadows the true meaning of the celebration, Cate offers a few thoughtful and faith-filled things to consider when planning a wedding with the Sacrament of Marriage at its center.

After experiencing a lot of misunderstandings about what mass intentions and mass offerings are, Fr. Jacob and Fr. Sean dive into the history and theology of the Mass as a sacrifice and how the benefits of that sacrifice are dispersed through mass intentions.

Fr. John and Fr. Jacob ponder a book by Paul Griffiths and discuss the experience of space and time from creation and the fall through the redemptive incarnation of Christ and how time has changed now that God has entered into His creation and drawn all things to himself from the cross.

The whole crew gathers for Fr. Mike's last episode as he leads us on one more adventure discussing his new idea for a devotion to the Sacred Heart.

Fr. Jacob and Fr. Sean discuss Fr. Jacob's latest hobby, gardening, and the spiritual analogies he's gleaned from his successes and failures striving to be a green thumb.

In Fr. Mike's penultimate episode, Frs. John and Mike explore the distinctive anthropological phenomenon of the face - why we look for it and how it constitutes the fundamental experience of human life. Viewed from the lens of Dante's love of Beatrice, the face (or antlitz for Balthasar) expresses not only the fullness of the person, but truly the inner life of God. With an "homage" to F...

Fr. Sean and Fr. Jacob discuss the significance of Pentecost finding its roots in the Jewish Feast of Weeks. There were three traditional pilgrimage feasts for the Jewish people and one of them, the Feast of Weeks, which coincided with the barley harvest, took place 50 days after Passover. How does Pentecost fulfill the handing on of the law?

Fr. Mike and Fr. John dive into Isaiah 56:3-7 and talk about a moment where God reveals something unexpected—His own celibacy. They reflect on the significance of this divine self-disclosure and how it opens the door for men to receive the grace to share in God’s celibate love.

Fr. Sean and Fr. Jacob dive into the intertwined realities of entitlement and giftedness.

Join Fr. John and Fr. Mike as they dive into the Book of Acts, explore angel morphism, and uncover the mysteries of angels in the Bible and in heaven.

Fr. Sean and Fr. Jacob share their journeys to the priesthood and dive into the seminary formation that shaped their faith, prayer life, and calling.

Hosted by Fr. Mike and Fr. John, this episode—inspired by Matthew Walther’s article “What Is a Parish” —dives into the history of parish life, the rise of parish shopping, and where the future of parish communities may be headed.

Fr. Sean and Fr. Jacob delve into the rich significance of the Chrism Mass. They explore the importance of the blessing of the holy oils—especially the Chrism, Oil of Catechumens, and Oil of the Sick—as essential tools for priests in their ministry throughout the liturgical year.

With Fr. Sean preparing for a new assignment and the recent anniversary of the passing of Pope John Paul II on their minds, Fr. John and Fr. Sean dive into what it means to leave a legacy.

Fr. Mike and Fr. Jacob talk about forming one’s heart in Compassion like the prophets and Jesus. How do we weep with those who weep without losing hope? We can trust in the power of prayer and the help of the Communion of Saints.

Fr. John and Fr. Sean discuss the Catholic understanding of justification and the question of whether Christ had faith.

Join Fr. Jacob and Fr. Mike as they explore the power of the stories we tell—about others and ourselves. Inspired by Ignatius’ Annotation 22 and Fr. Jacob’s recent read, Viper’s Tangle, this thought-provoking discussion dives into how our perceptions shape relationships, influence motives, and impact the narratives others create about us and our narratives about others.

Fr. John and Fr. Sean explore this week’s topic through the lens of two thought-provoking writings: A Meditation on Givenness by St. John Paul II and The Thoughtful Home by Dia Boyle. Together, they reflect on the essence of home and its profound impact on a a family as well as a priest’s life in a rectory.

Drawing upon the teachings of Saint Augustine of Hippo and Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Father Mike and Father Jacob discuss the role of memory in the spiritual life, and also discuss some of the possible pitfalls of nostalgic escape.

Fr. Sean and Fr. John dive into the significance of the Jubilee Year of Hope and touch on a few virtues that nourish and strengthen our hope.

Fr. Mike confesses to Fr. Jacob that he's discovered a new vice to add to his list of favorites...but then the Christian twist! In his weakness, Jesus will be proved stronger.

Join Fr. John and Fr. Sean for the final episode of their podcast series on Fr. John's new book, To Heights and Unto Depths: Letters from the Colorado Trail. In this episode, they delve into several chapters of the book, touching on manhood and Mary's fiat.

In this week’s episode, "Yes Mother", Fr. Jacob is joined by Fr. Mike. Inspired by John Henry Newman’s A Grammar of Assent, they discuss the importance of assenting to truth while maintaining a thoughtful and open mind.

In this episode, Fr. John and Fr. Sean revisit Fr. John's transformative experience along the Colorado Trail. Fr. John shares how his encounter with creation opened a deeper connection to God, allowing him to more fully participate in God's being.

Fr. Mike and Fr. Jacob talk about donkeys in the Bible. Awesome!