Being Church

In this week’s episode, Fr. Matthew, Alissa, and Tom continue the Being Church Lenten Series on the Holy Week Narratives with the accounts of the Resurrection and the promise of A New Creation. This Lent, Being Church episodes will drop on Fridays, and engage stories from Holy Week from a theological point of view. As a prayerful companion to the Being Church Podcast, check out Fr. Matthew’s Lenten Reflections on our new parish podcast channel called St. Louis Presents! (https://stlouispresents.fireside.fm/) They come out at the same time as Being Church Episodes, and you can subscribe to it wherever you listen to your podcasts. Special Guest: Fr. Matthew Kinney.

In this week’s episode, Fr. Matthew, Alissa, and Tom continue the Being Church Lenten Series on the Holy Week Narratives with the story of The Road to Emmaus. This Lent, Being Church episodes will drop on Fridays, and engage stories from Holy Week from a theological point of view. As a prayerful companion to the Being Church Podcast, check out Fr. Matthew’s Lenten Reflections on our new parish podcast channel called St. Louis Presents! (https://stlouispresents.fireside.fm/) They come out at the same time as Being Church Episodes, and you can subscribe to it wherever you listen to your podcasts. Special Guest: Fr. Matthew Kinney.

In this week’s episode, Fr. Matthew, Alissa, and Tom continue the Being Church Lenten Series on the Holy Week Narratives with the story of Jesus’s Trials. This Lent, Being Church episodes will drop on Fridays, and engage stories from Holy Week from a theological point of view. As a prayerful companion to the Being Church Podcast, check out Fr. Matthew’s Lenten Reflections on our new parish podcast channel called St. Louis Presents! (https://stlouispresents.fireside.fm/) They come out at the same time as Being Church Episodes, and you can subscribe to it wherever you listen to your podcasts. Special Guest: Fr. Matthew Kinney.

In this week’s episode, Fr. Matthew, Alissa, and Tom continue the Being Church Lenten Series on the Holy Week Narratives with the story of the Washing of the Feet. This Lent, Being Church episodes will drop on Fridays, and engage stories from Holy Week from a theological point of view. As a prayerful companion to the Being Church Podcast, check out Fr. Matthew’s Lenten Reflections on our new parish podcast channel called St. Louis Presents! (https://stlouispresents.fireside.fm/) They come out at the same time as Being Church Episodes, and you can subscribe to it wherever you listen to your podcasts. Special Guest: Fr. Matthew Kinney.

In this week’s episode, Fr. Matthew joins Alissa and Tom to kick off the Being Church Lenten Series on the Holy Week Narratives with the story of Jesus’s Entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. This Lent, Being Church episodes will drop on Fridays, and engage stories from Holy Week from a theological point of view. As a prayerful companion to the Being Church Podcast, check out Fr. Matthew’s Lenten Reflections on our new parish podcast channel called St. Louis Presents (https://stlouispresents.fireside.fm/)! They come out at the same time as Being Church Episodes, and you can subscribe to it wherever you listen to your podcasts. Special Guest: Fr. Matthew Kinney.

Tom co-authored book called "The Art of Accompaniment" all about how the baptized people of God have a responsibility to walk with one another as they journey toward Christ. In this episode, Tom gives an intro to the book and explains how it can be real in a parish setting. If you want to order the book, go here: https://www.catholicapostolatecenter.org/accompaniment.html

What are the underlying principles of a Catholic pro-life vision? Inspired by the recent Golden Globes debacle, Tom and Alissa attempt to crack into this large topic on this episode, holding human dignity and the gospel call to love our neighbors at the forefront of their discussion. Disclaimer: We didn't name every human dignity issue, we know there are many!

In their final Advent Mission Podcast, Fr. Matthew, Alissa, and Tom discuss the Magi and the significance of their journey to worship the King of the Jews. Why do they care about the King of the Jews and what importance does their journey have for our own experiences of faith? Special Guest: Fr. Matthew Kinney.

In the third week of our study on "The Infancy Narratives" we reflect on the political landscape in the time of Jesus' birth and how it--along with every element of the Nativity scene--more deeply reveals God's mission for his Son. Special Guest: Fr. Matthew Kinney.

In this week's episode Fr. Matthew, Alissa, and Tom spend time talking about the three "annunciations" that happen prior to Jesus' birth. What do these stories have to teach us about following the will of God? Special Guest: Fr. Matthew Kinney.

Pope Benedict XVI writes about the different genealogies of Jesus in the first chapter of "Jesus of Nazareth: Infancy Narratives." What do origin stories have to do with a person's life mission and how does Jesus' origin as "the Word made flesh" change our life's mission? Join Tom, Alissa, and Fr. Matthew for the first of our Advent podcast series! To sign up for the Advent Mission: Online! text "adventonline" to 84576. Special Guest: Fr. Matthew Kinney.

Last week, Alissa and Tom discussed the importance of creating a small group and this week they're offering some practical tips for running small groups. Use these last two podcasts to help prepare you for our upcoming Advent Mission: Online! You can do it!

Since 40 hours of our week are dedicated to our professional lives, it can be very easy to become discouraged or disillusioned with the work that we're expected to do. Deadlines, processes, and bad attitudes can fill our environment and our workday, leading us to lose sight of the goals and hopes we once had for our jobs. How do we make sure we work in order to live and not the other way around? Fr. Jesse shares insight about work from the Catholic tradition in this episode of The Being Church Podcast Special Guest: Fr. Jesse Martinez.

Full disclosure: We had to re-record this episode because the fact that 70% of Catholics don't believe in the Real Presence really made Tom and Alissa bitter. When this survey came out a few weeks ago, prominent Catholic voices made their displeasure known. Bishop Robert Barron published a firey YouTube video calling for more consistent catechesis, and Tom Carani ranted in the hallways of St. Louis parish. But with a few weeks between the published survey and our reaction, we're trying to focus on positive next steps. How do we evangelize the good news of the Eucharist to others while re-affirming its truth for our own lives? Share this episode of the Being Church podcast!

Alissa and Tom sit down with Fr. Matthew, our new pastor, to find out a little more about the guy behind the collar. Hear his vocation story, his motivating spirituality, and his hopes for this parish in this episode of the Being Church podcast!

Tom and Alissa have had a busy summer full of change and transition (they're so sorry to have left you hanging Being Church community!). In this episode, they share some insights about their transitions and what practical tips have really helped them these past few life-changing months.

The process of discernment is difficult precisely because it leads us into the unknown, and it asks us to rely on God’s timing and God's plan rather than our own. Peter’s unique experience of discernment was full of joy and pain, but ultimately, it led him right where God needed him to be. Listen to his story and invite God into the plan for your own life.

St. Louis parishioners "show up" for all sorts of different reasons, and St. Oscar Romero has inspired parishioner Marisol Kruger to live her Catholic faith to a deeper level. Hear her story of making a pilgrimage to St. Romero's Canonization Mass with her family and the effect it's had on her life on this month's episode.

Ashley never thought for a second that she would become Catholic, but at this year's Easter Vigil, she'll finish the RCIA and be baptized. Hear what she has to say about remaining open to God's plan and how her newfound Catholic faith is changing her life. Listen to her story on this #parishionerspotlight episode of the #beingchurchpodcast

Janet was looking for a church home when she first came to St. Louis, and one parishioner's simple greeting at Mass permanently changed both Janet and the St. Louis community for the better. Listen to her story on this #parishionerspotlight episode of the #beingchurchpodcast

Whenever we do anything at St. Louis, we ask ourselves, "What's the goal of this and how will this bring the gospel to light at St. Louis?" We've gotten away from the goal of this podcast and we're going to use the beginning of 2019 to get back to our mission. Beginning this year, we'll start featuring parishioner stories of God's grace. When we share our stories, we reveal God's hand at work in our lives. And when we share how God influences our lives, we encourage others to examine their own lives for God's grace. So what's your story? What has God done for you? Maybe He's done more than you know...

Motherhood is no joke, and the demands put on moms today make the job even more difficult than normal. But what is it like to be a mom at St. Louis and how can our parish create a more welcoming environment for young families? Alissa chats with Elizabeth Polito and Christa Villarreal--St. Louis employees--about the joys and struggles of being a Catholic mom at Mass on Sunday and every other day of the week.

We're always anticipating the next moment. Looking forward to Christmas, to the New Year, to the day our in-laws leave town. In this episode, Seminarian Will encourages Tom and Alissa to find ways to be holy right now. In this very moment. Fr. Doug's Homily - https://homilies.fireside.fm/96

December 12th is a big day at St. Louis parish not just because it marks the end of theater season for Alissa's kids, but because it's the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe! This is a feast day in the Church, but it leads us to ask a lot of questions about Mary and this specific apparition. Tom and Alissa discuss. Turn it up!

It's almost Christmas, are you ready? Tom and Alissa aren't. Thankfully the Church gives us four weeks of Advent to help us prepare our hearts. How do we keep this sacred time sacred? By the way, we kinda lose it at the end so listen all the way through.

We've all had moments of deep restlessness. Thoughts that keep us up at night, worries that prevent us from living full lives, deep concerns about big questions like who we are and where we're going with our lives. What's the deal with all this and why are we so restless? Alissa, Will, and Tom spend some time discussing why we can't be satisfied with what we've got and why that should give us a glimpse of hope.

Happy Thanksgiving! This week, Alissa and Tom talk about gratitude and its relation to humility. When we try to see all things as a gift, we are overwhelmed by the truth that we are not self-sufficient beings. And that's a good thing.

We talk about holiness a lot. But it's so often an esoteric discussion; we don't give concrete approaches to being holy people. We try to give a bit more substance to the holiness discussion in this episode. How do we actually become holy? What does it mean to be a priest by our baptism? And what does one have to do with the other? God has called us first, but how do we respond?

Catholics LOVE the word "vocation" and this week the Church worldwide is asking all the faithful to consider their vocations--what they're called to do to serve God in the world. How do we begin to hear what God wants from us? Alissa, Will, and Tom say it starts in the family, and break that down a bit in this episode.

Seminarian Will shares his reflections on this Solemnity of All Saints in this BONUS EPISODE of the Being Church Podcast.

Last week our nation endured three violent situations that gained national news attention. We know, however, that violence happens everyday, all over the world. So what is a Catholic Christian to do in a culture of violence? What should our attitude be in times of despair? Tom and Alissa take a stab at what it means to make peace happen as Christ commanded. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God."

People know that Catholics go to Mass, and some Catholics even know good theology for why they should go to Mass. But when we get beyond the obligation, what's our real reason for going every week or more? Tom and Alissa try to put some everyday words to explain the depth and necessity of their weekly ritual.

If you could invite any three Catholics (alive or dead) to dinner, who would they be? Tom and Alissa discuss the motivation behind their top three choices in this episode. It was really interesting that we invited people whose gifts are not our own, and they challenge our lived faith. The Church is full of holy people, and we don't all look the same!

God has given us all unique gifts that He wants us to use to build one another up. In this episode, Seminarian Will, Alissa, and Tom talk about how we can identify unique gifts in ourselves and one another and how we can put them to use. Because the world and the Church need you to be you for the glory of God.

The Catholic Church professes that it is a Church united in Christ, but its members are so often divided. We expect division in our political landscape and in our secular social lives, but no one wants a divided Church because it hinders our mission and harms the Body of Christ. Tom and Alissa discuss the toxic effects of division in the Church in this episode and discuss what it means to be united in the face of differing opinions and ideas.

Tom's been thinking about the interplay of consuming and creating for a while. In this episode, he and Alissa discuss how we spend most of our lives consuming: books, Netflix, podcasts, documents, articles, fake news, real news... But how much of our lives do we spend creating? Creating is a spiritual experience, a gift from God. But do we ignore this great gift to satisfy our base, consumerist desires?

Fr. James joins Tom and Alissa to explain what he means when he says "We aren't called to play Church. We're called to be Church." What's Being Church all about and why did we name the podcast after it? Hear what our awesome pastor has to say about it all. Special Guest: Fr. James Misko.

Being a Catholic young adult in a modern city like Austin is TOUGH. Trying to be a faithful person in a career-driven, socially confusing culture means that young adults need their Church to be holy, transparent, and authentic. Alissa and Tom chat with Erica and Megan to discuss the current state of ministry to young adults both at St. Louis and the Church at large. What do young adults need from the Church and what does the Church need from young adults? Email Tom at tom.carani@st-louis.org if you've got an opinion. Special Guests: Erica Banda and Megan McNinch.

After being drawn into the beauty of the Catholic faith by way of his wife and the baptism of his children, Shannon Swenson really put down roots in this St. Louis community. In this episode, he shares about the power of a loving and faithful community, the importance of sharing our gifts with our parish, and the reason he tells couples in marriage prep to "go make babies". A humble man of action. A man of his word. Turn it up for Shannon Swenson. photo by Marco Verch (https://www.flickr.com/photos/30478819@N08/5698814378/in/photolist-9FzUYj-f8owfw-74auEj-E5whsC-2CMJgE-cn2uWJ-9zauZQ-mSSEo8-rvb1mE-bg9guD-mSTo66-7eub4x-9zav57-d8Xtpj-uXogU-mSSuit-9io263-mSTEcx-mSV5M3-87AzQm-mST7m8-ioE9b-4UbMYg-LVHER3-6bMfye-xjbnJF-bkGPH7-oDHuaY-mSV8kE-mRcjfp-mS6JRf-6qtFdF-mzsEqx-f2aQW-mS7E4h-mS4tMF-8mQM2z-mSSARg-8Q6rhT-mS7Hjq-mSTM8M-mS4pGX-mSTBTr-mRbVE4-mS526n-mRd4v3-mS5zXr-mRdbRL-mS63Zx-2ceWb) Special Guest: Shanon Swenson.

Deacon Henry was gracious enough to spend some of his final day on campus with Alissa and Tom to talk about the formation he has received as a seminarian. It's great to hear that our Austin seminarians receive a well-rounded, spiritually and intellectually stimulating education as they prepare to serve the People of God as priests of Jesus Christ. Special Guest: Deacon Henry Finch.

If you've been present to the news this last week you know that a grand jury investigated 6 of the 8 dioceses in Pennsylvania, finding allegations and evidence of abuse from 300 priests between the 1940s and early 2000s. Even though the Church has taken steps to prevent abuse, this report rocked the faithful, leaving us angry and sad and motivated to do something about the injustice. But what can we do? Tom and Alissa are trying to figure it out just like you. Please pray for the victims of abuse, and pray that we can all hold one another accountable to integrity and true faith in Jesus Christ and the Gospel. And, please, if you feel there is something worth reporting or speaking out about, report it to our diocesan EIM office immediately. https://austindiocese.org/eim

For some reason, Alissa comes to Tom with some big questions this episode, and their answers go to the heart about our true human identities. Who are we really? And how can we know who we really are? "Life of the Beloved" - Henri Nouwen https://www.amazon.com/Life-Beloved-Spiritual-Living-Secular/dp/0824519868/ref=sr11?ie=UTF8&qid=1534270944&sr=8-1&keywords=life+of+the+beloved

Will's back! Just for a day. The seminarian we all know and love has returned from his summer of travel and he's got so many stories for us. In particular, Will, Alissa, and Tom talk about poverty, solidarity, and the true meaning of charity. This episode also has one of the greatest openers ever... Book recs: Wellspring of Worship - https://www.ignatius.com/The-Wellspring-of-Worship-P2651.aspx For the Life of the World - https://www.amazon.com/Life-World-Sacraments-Orthodoxy/dp/0913836087 For O'Brien's books - https://st-louis.formed.org/

Our prayer lives are essential to being our best Catholic selves. So why is it so hard for the average person to have a consistent prayer life? Tom and Alissa share some frustrations about personal prayer in this episode and lament the fact that, although they're loved by God, they struggle to return to God in prayer every day. To you spiritual masters out there, pray for us!

It's Natural Family Planning Awareness Week for the Church in the United States and to celebrate​​ we're diving into honest discussion about fertility, cooperation in marriage, and the intersection of science and faith. Tom sits back and lets the experts (Alissa and Elizabeth) take charge of this episode. By the way, this episode might provoke some mature questions from kiddos. We suggest listening away from young ears! Some resources below for your further learning: "NFP: Not Freaking Practical" - Katie Prejean McGrady https://chastityproject.com/2016/11/nfp-not-freaking-practical/ Vitae Clinic - http://www.vitaeaustin.com/ Austin Fertility Care Center - http://www.austinfcc.org/ Diocese of Austin Resources - https://austindiocese.org/natural-family-planning

When we read St. Paul's letter to the Corinthians we see a paradox in one of his passages. St. Paul says that God's power is made perfect in weakness, but what does this mean? Tom and Alissa try to apply this to their lives by giving a brief, imperfect reflection on this passage. Turn it up!

Yeah, we thought that would get your attention. In this episode, Alissa commemorates 15 years of marriage and shares best practices from her life experiences, Tom gets a bit dramatic when it comes to the term "soulmates" and probably overshares a little bit, and both of us talk about finding "the one" and what the search for love is really all about.

Between a vibrant Catholic school, a very active altar server ministry, and a growing youth ministry, St. Louis is actively forming the young church to be disciples who love others with Christ's love. Two of our graduating seniors, Michael Dolezal and Micaela Ramacciotti, share the impact that a life lived at St. Louis Parish and School has had upon their faith. ​These young people are the Church of today who have something to show the rest of us, and they're a pretty big deal.

The Catholic Church is the world's biggest charitable organization. She runs thousands of schools, hospitals, shelters, and health clinics around the world, and the rubber hits the road right here at St. Louis. In this episode, Tom and Elizabeth sit down with the Director of St. Louis Social Ministries, Bea de la Rosa. Bea tells her story, explains all the work that social ministries does for our community, and shares some of the tender moments she's had with her clients. Thanks for all you do Bea! To get in touch with Bea, email her at: bea.delarosa@st-louis.org Special Guest: Bea de la Rosa.

Alissa and Tom get to know Deacon Henry a bit better in this episode. We're so excited that the good Deacon is spending some time at St. Louis in preparation for his priesthood because he brings both a unique perspective and set of gifts to our parish. Just a heads up, the basic vocation question is at minute-marker 21:00 :). But if you skip ahead to that point, you'll miss Deacon Henry's really cool hobby... If you see Deacon Henry around, make sure to say hi!