Encounter Grow Witness

Fr. Pullis and Beth unpack Guidepost 1 of Unleash the Gospel, and dive into markers 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3, which invite the faithful to recognize and lean on the power of the Holy Spirit. They speak from their personal experiences, share insights on how the Holy Spirit empowers us to share the Gospel in our current age, and offer practical advice on praying for the power of the Holy Spirit. (03:20) Fr. Pullis and Beth open up the episode with some small talk about baseball season and they introduce the topic for today's episode, which is focusing on the guideposts outlined by Archbishop Vigneron in Unleash the Gospel. (06:50) Fr. Pullis highlights the first guidepost they'll unpack on the podcast, “A New Pentecost.” Beth shares that the original Pentecost didn't expire, but that we continually need to receive a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit. They discuss how central this idea is to the Synod, and note how the outpouring of the Spirit empowers us to be witnesses. (13:06) They discuss the importance of inviting the Holy Spirit into our plans, and even entrusting our plans to him, and share how they have personally seen the Holy Spirit work in ministry. They talk about how even our best plans can be fruitless when we don't pair them with a docility to the Spirit and highlight the counterintuitive ways in which God often works. (16:04) Fr. Pullis prayer for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit over him, Beth and listeners. He shares a quote from St. Bonaventure about how we can dispose ourselves to inviting the Holy Spirit into our lives. They talk about the ministry Acts XXIX, and the idea it is based upon: that the apostolic age is not over, the Body of Christ is still alive, and we are living in that next chapter of Acts. (19:38) Looking to marker 1.2 of Unleash the Gospel, they discuss what repentance means and emphasize the need to allow Jesus to transform us and for us to be willing to turn away from sin. They note how repentance and believing in the Gospel go hand in hand. (27:57) They note how the new evangelization requires a renewal of the mind and how, in this age, we have to be clear and bold in our proclamation of the Gospel to the secular world. They note how oftentimes this message can sound old fashioned or be painted as bigoted, but how that doesn't diminish the need for people to hear it. (30:12) They break open marker 1.3, “signs and wonders,” and talk about the personal manifestation of miracles, healings, prophetic words, etc. — things characteristic of charismatic renewal. They talk about how Catholics sometimes have a discomfort with the Holy Spirit, but emphasize that the Holy Spirit can do big things in and through us. They share their own experiences in this and emphasize that, while it's important to pray for the Holy Spirit to work in big ways, that we can trust the Spirit is moving, whether we see it or not, when we entrust others to the Lord. (36:46) They talk about the upcoming National Eucharistic Congress and the anticipation of that event being a real new Pentecost moment for the Church in the United States. (37:37) They close by offering encouragement to those working in mission direct areas of ministry to remember that the Holy Spirit is the principal agent of evangelization, and to have confidence in the work that they do, when they approach it with a disposition of docility, expectancy, and confidence.

On this episode, Fr. Pullis and Beth unpack each of the good habits of our local Church described in 3.4 of Unleash the Gospel. They share some of the challenges associated with adopting them, how they've seen them lived out in ministry, and identify saints who embodied them as well. (00:12) Fr. Pullis and Beth open up by talking a bit about Lent and looking forward to Easter. They recap briefly what they discussed last month and introduce this month's topic of the good habits of our local Church described in 3.4 of Unleash the Gospel. (05:37) They start by unpacking the habit of docility to the Spirit and identify saints who illustrate this habit in their lives, including St. Philip Neri and Our Blessed Mother. They talk about the nature of the Holy Spirit as advocate and counselor and share how the Spirit has guided them in their own roles in ministry. (11:33) They talk about the good habit of a spirit of cooperation and highlight the ways in ministry we need to be willing to give all of our ideas and preferences to God and let his will be done. They also discuss the good habit of a spirit of innovation, and the invitation to shed old structures for the sake of mission. They discuss how challenging this can be in ministry when it feels that change is imposed, rather than sought out. They identify St. Maximilian Kolbe as a saint who displayed this good habit through his innovation in print media. (20:13) They introduce the good habit of confidence in God and share how the renewal of our Archdiocese is the work of God in which we participate, not our work to complete. They share where they have struggled with this habit in ministry, and offer encouragement to listeners to seek opportunities to renew their confidence. They highlight St. Teresa of Calcutta as a saint who embodies this habit. (27:41) They highlight the attitude of gratitude as the antidote to discouragement and share how impactful practicing gratitude has been in their own lives and in ministry. They discuss how Bl. Solanus Casey and St. Faustina embody this habit. They talk about how these good habits interact with one another and offer suggestions on how to practically incorporate this habit into the life of ministry. (42:04) They introduce the good habit of apostolic boldness, bringing to mind St. Joan of Arc. They highlight the reality that Jesus gave us his Spirit to empower us in boldness. They offer encouragement to listeners to not be afraid and to remember that God will not abandon them. They also discuss how St. Katherine Drexel embodies this habit as well. They note that God is raising up men and women today, for our times, to be saints living apostolic boldness and they encourage listeners to celebrate and affirm them when we see them doing so.

In this episode, Fr. Pullis and Beth unpack the bad habits that prevent us from unleashing the Gospel, that are outlined in Unleash the Gospel. They discuss each one of the five listed and share their experiences and insights on how to combat them. They highlight the urgency of sharing the Gospel, and illustrate how these bad habits, when left unattended to, can prevent us from sharing the good news of Jesus Christ as we've been called to do. (01:43) Fr. Pullis and Beth open up the episode by talking about Ash Wednesday and Lent, and share how sometimes the Lenten season can feel burdensome. They discuss entering into Lent intentionally, but with freedom from the need to carry out Lenten commitments perfectly. (05:01) They talk about bad habits, as they'll unpack this topic as it's covered in Unleash the Gospel, and share some of their own bad habits. They introduce the good and bad habits section of Unleash the Gospel as this week's topic and Beth shares why this is one of her favorite sections in the letter.(09:28) Fr. Pullis and Beth begin to unpack the five bad habits listed: worldly notion of the Church, spiritual lethargy, status quo mentality, fear, and a complaining attitude. They discuss the bad habit of a complaining attitude, how it can come about, and talk about how doing so can destroy joy. They highlight how our impulse to complain about a situation in ministry should be met with a resolution to ask what God is calling us to do in it. They highlight how we can bring our complaints to the Lord and entrust our challenges to him. (19:45) They move on to the bad habit of spiritual lethargy, noting how this can be experienced by those who serve in mission direct roles. They discuss how we need to let the Lord renew us often in order to serve him in ministry. Beth notes how spiritual lethargy can be experienced by disengaged parishioners, who don't seek to live their faith beyond the Sunday obligation. Fr. Pullis shares the wisdom of the Church in requiring priests to make an annual retreat. (24:13) They discuss how working in a parish can lead to this spiritual lethargy and a sense of disengagement. Beth encourages listeners to seek out an opportunity to go deeper in their faith and seek the sacrament of Confession if they're experiencing spiritual lethargy. She also notes how we can fall into this bad habit if we don't have people around us who challenge us. (29:38) They move on to the bad habit of the worldly notion of the Church and talk about how in ministry, the temptation to be concerned with numbers can be a source of discomfort for those who work in ministry. They highlight the need to focus on our mission of leading people to an encounter with Jesus. They remind listeners to not get caught up in worldly notions of success but to remain faithful to what God is leading. (34:01) They move on to the bad habit of the status quo mentality. Beth shares a quote from From Christendom to Apostolic Mission, highlighting the urgency of evangelization. They talk about how comfortable it can be to stay internal, but how we are called to step into discomfort, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus and taking the Gospel to those who need it. (43:03) They unpack the final bad habit which is fear, and note the various fears we may have when it comes to ministry and evangelization. They highlight especially how important it is to be willing to take risks in ministry. They close by offering encouragement to listeners to enter into Easter intentionally, by entering into the resurrection and new life that Christ offers.

As a new year of the Encounter Grow Witness Podcast kicks off, Fr. Pullis and Beth revisit a critical section of Unleash the Gospel: the roots of the crisis. During their discussion, they unpack the ways scientific fundamentalism, moralistic therapeutic deism, and secular messianism have created great challenges in evangelization, but highlight the ways we can respond to those realities, and the unshakable hope that we have in Jesus. (00:40) Fr. Pullis and Beth open with a lighthearted discussion about pets and some exciting new developments in Beth's home. (02:56) They shift their focus to resetting at the beginning of the new year by revisiting Unleash the Gospel. Fr. Pullis proposes looking at the roots of the crisis (described in the Catechetical Exposition of Unleash the Gospel) that the Holy Spirit has invited us to respond to in the Archdiocese of Detroit, which they discuss. Through this discussion they shed light on the things that hold people back from living lives of discipleship. (11:19) Fr. Pullis shares his love for Pope Benedict XVI and how his intellectual gifts and commitment to orthodoxy are fruits of his deeply personal relationship with Jesus. They discuss the importance of a personal encounter with Jesus, and proposing the Gospel through encounter opportunities in our present society. (15:31) They break open their discussion on the three roots of the crisis identified in Unleash the Gospel: scientific fundamentalism, moral therapeutic deism, and secular messianism and begin to identify some of the marks of scientific fundamentalism, including the notion that faith and reason are in conflict.(19:23) Highlighting the work of Bishop Barron, Fr. Spitzer, and Fr. Mike Schmitz, they discuss the resources and reasons we have to express that there is no contradiction between faith and reason. (22:59) Fr. Pullis highlights the need to help young people embrace this reality, focusing on the role of Catholic schools and faith formation. (24:52) They move on to discuss moralistic therapeutic deism and Beth shares some of her experiences as a youth minister, which led her to see young people who would see a need to be nice and a good person, but saw God as removed from our lives. They discuss how young peoples' faith is influenced heavily by their parents' and the very real demand that the Gospel places on a believer's life. (32:55) Beth shares how this reality has led her to share more about her own personal relationship with Jesus, describes some of the impact that has had on those she has shared with vulnerably, and how doing so has also affected the way she shares her need for Jesus with her children.(36:08) Fr. Pullis moves on to the third and final root of the crisis: secular messianism. They discuss how peoples' faith can become conditioned by a political outlook or social worldview. They talk about where they've seen this in both liberal and conservative opinions. (40:50) Beth shares the need to keep our eyes focused on Jesus in all of this, in the same way that Peter needed to keep his eyes focused on Jesus when he was called out on the water, as the roots of the crisis can seem daunting, at times. (43:27) They close with a brief discussion on being honest with ourselves about these challenges we face, but to always remain rooted in Jesus, and place our hope in him.

Fr. Pullis and Beth discuss the Church's mission to proclaim the Kingdom of God in the person of Jesus Christ and invite listeners to recommit to this work of this mission, by seeking out ongoing personal conversion, growth in holiness, and acceptance of present circumstances. They share that, in the new year, they will continue to return to Unleash the Gospel, to guide this recommitment to mission. Shownotes: (00:49) Fr. Pullis and Beth discuss Advent and why they enjoy this liturgical season, emphasizing, especially, Mary's role.(02:50) Fr. Pullis introduces the topic of our mission to unleash the gospel in Detroit, how easy it can be to become distracted from that mission. (05:05) Beth shares about an experience she had while on a mission trip in Istanbul, where she saw the Holy Spirit working in peoples' lives. She comments on how God goes before us in our missionary work.. (07:00) Fr. Pullis talks about how sometimes we wish our circumstances were different and how this can tempt us to put off the work that we're called to do. He reminds listeners of the need to remain committed to the work to which God has called them, in their current time, place, and circumstances.(10:13) Beth discusses the mission that the Church needs to be about, focusing on inviting people into a relationship with Jesus through the sacramental life of the Church. (12:12) Fr. Pullis and Beth discuss a scene from the series, The Chosen, which illustrates the power of evangelization, in the midst of our own imperfections. Looking to Lumen Gentium, Fr. Pullis highlights that our mission is to proclaim the Kingdom of God in the person of Jesus Christ. (14:44) Fr. Pullis poses the question, “Where does the Kingdom of God need to be proclaimed?” Acknowledging the challenging circumstances we face, he emphasizes how ardently we must proclaim the gospel. (17:14) Beth talks about how practically, many may want to be “on mission” but are unsure how to begin and she recommends starting by reading or listening to Unleash the Gospel. Fr. Pullis talks about the conversion we have to undergo to enter into our mission, so that mission can flow from our core identity.(21:03) Fr. Pullis shares that in the new year, they will focus on a return to the letter, focusing on what Unleash the Gospel calls us to, and makes an invitation to lay ecclesial ministers to dedicate this year to falling in love with Jesus again, and growing in holiness. (29:00) Beth makes an invitation to listeners to ponder what difference Jesus makes in their lives and to ask Jesus who they can share that good news with in their lives. Both share their encouragement to listeners, wish a merry Christmas, and invite them to continue to seek Jesus first.

Beth and Fr. Pullis are joined by Julianne Stanz, Director of Parish Life & Evangelization Mission Team for the Diocese of Green Bay. Julianne shares about her work in Green Bay, on the executive team for the National Eucharistic Revival, and how she's lent her gifts to the I AM HERE campaign. Listen for loads of encouragement and inspiration for your parish to carry you through the National Eucharistic Revival.Show notes: (00:28) Beth and Fr. Pullis welcome guest, Julianne Stanz, Director of Parish Life & Evangelization Mission Team for the Diocese of Green Bay. They discussed Julianne's recent meeting with Pope Francis, which came about through her involvement as an advisor on a video project around the Catechism. (04:25) Julianne shares what she loves most about working for the Church and she talks about the joy she finds in interacting with the 156 parishes in the Diocese of Green Bay. She goes on to describe where she sees the Holy Spirit moving in the Church today through moving forward, innovating and creating. (08:30) Julianne talks about how she sees the National Eucharistic Revival being a blessing to parishes in the United States and describes a particular moment following COVID, when she was able to recognize the hunger for Jesus in a fellow parishioner's eyes during Communion. She describes the revival as an opportunity to refocus. (13:00) Julianne describes how she sees hospitality lived out, not just in post-Mass activities, but in the celebration of the Mass itself. She discusses the process of making bread and the beauty of being Eucharistic people.(16:46) Julianne shares her advice on how parish leaders can bring their own hearts into the National Eucharistic Revival. She shares that intentional, authentic prayer as a parish staff and between coworkers are indispensable in this effort. She poses the question “How do I let the Eucharist transform me?” She describes her work on the executive team for the National Eucharistic Revival and shares how it all began with adoration and Mass, not with a plan.(25:12) Fr. Pullis talks about how the work of unleashing the Gospel all began with, and continues to begin with prayer. Julianne shares an anecdote about seeing God work powerfully through a parish administrative assistant.(30:20) Julianne talks about the I AM HERE campaign and highlights using strategies of attraction when witnessing to the power of the Eucharist. She also shares how she wrote the I AM meditations that are available on the Hallow App as part of I AM HERE, and what it means to give her best to Jesus.(38:36) Fr. Pullis, Beth, and Julianne close by discussing the reality that we can do hard things and we can do them for God.

“The Gospel is not a call to crush the desires of our hearts…we are invited by Jesus to the super abundant fulfillment of those desires” In this episode of Encounter Grow Witness, Fr. Steve Pullis and Beth Spizarny welcome world-renowned speaker and author Christopher West. Our guest shares about the power of the Theology of the Body as the key to understanding ourselves, our vocations, our world, and the heart of God. He gives insights into how to live a life of intimate communication with God while serving in ministry, and how John Paul II's writings can unlock how we view our own bodies. (00:04) Fr. Steve welcomes fellow co-host Beth Spizarny and the episode's guest, Christopher West who will be hosting an event here in the Archdiocese of Detroit at St. Joseph in Lake Orion on Thursday, September 22nd at 7:00PM. The event is called Made for More: Visions of the Promised Land. The focus of the event will be to “get in touch with the deepest desires” of our hearts. Christopher shares that “the Gospel is not a call to crush the desires of our hearts…we are invited by Jesus to the super abundant fulfillment of those desires.” Christopher explains that our desires are not too strong, but too weak. (9:10) “You will be given hope.” Christopher West explains the vision of his upcoming event in the Archdiocese of Detroit. He says that the Theology of the Body is the “answer to the crisis of our times. We don't know what it means to be male and female any more…our job at this event is to break it (the Theology of the Body) open so that it resonates with the human heart.” He explains that the Theology of the Body is not simply for marriage preps and those in ‘sex-ed' but for every human heart because this rich teaching explains to us what it means to be human. (13:55) Beth asks Christopher West about his prayer life and how he stays connected to God in his ministry. He tells us that his spiritual director helps him keep his priorities ordered: focus on intimacy with God, living his vocation as a husband and father, and then his ministry of serving others. He felt initially in his ministry he had his goals upside down and that this advice has saved his vocation and his ministry-- but most of all his soul. “Authentic Christian prayer is messy, because our hearts are messy.” Fr. Steve reminds us that prayer isn't on “my terms' because God has his own plans for our time spent with him. Beth mentions how the book “The Soul of the Apostolate” has helped her. (26:27) God is Beauty is Christopher West's new book which is a commentary on St. John Paul II's retreat for artists. “All of us are called to make of our lives a work of art.” The hosts and guests share how they've been touched by the invitation to view ourselves as masterpieces that radiate our Creator. Christopher invites us to have great joy and faith in God's goodness. Thanks for listening.

“Remember the Gospel is good news in your life. We shouldn't be afraid.” In this episode of Encounter Grow Witness, Fr. Steve Pullis and Beth Spizarny discuss the ministerial approach to addressing LGBT concerns. They remind us that we must be attentive listeners who are willing to ask questions and mess up, but most of all, we must be people of faith who want to share the good news of human sexuality with our brothers and sisters in joy. Listen in as they give practical and spiritual footholds to living as faithful stewards of truth and compassionate members of our society.(00:22) Fr. Steve Pullis and Beth open this episode with a discussion about summer activities, and childhood memories of summertime. They mention that June is the month the Catholic Church celebrates the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In the world, June is known as ‘Pride Month.' Our hosts discuss that the topic of LGBT issues is a difficult topic but that as the global discussion continues around human sexuality continues, it's important that Catholics enter into those forums and bring the truth that sets us free.(06:16) Identity: the identity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. “We need to deeply understand and know the merciful love of Jesus… I am loved so intimately by the Lord Jesus.” Beth reminds us that all sharing of truth and evangelization must be an overflow of our relationship with the Lord. Fr. Steve tells us that we must be moved by God's heart, this heart that was ripped open on the Cross for us. “I need to be converted, or I'm just playing a part and pretending.”(16:33) Courage: Fr. Steve is a chaplain for this national outreach for those experiencing same-sex attraction. Courage is a Catholic, community-based group which is present in the Archdiocese of Detroit. Fr. Steve reminds us that the paradigm of the discussion around same-sex attraction has dirasctly changed in the last decade. Fr. Steve points to the importance of understanding ourselves in our fullness, body and soul. “My body reveals the truth of who I am.” Beth reminds us that our body's are not meaningless- they reveal something to us about ourselves. She highlights that the world's narrative is that our body's are meaningless. Theology of the Body can help us understand how important our bodies are.(29:58) Reality: Fr. Steve makes the point that basic truths have been handed down to us about science, math, and history. And we wouldn't be stable if we question permanent things. Our identities as men and women are permanent things. Together, Fr. Steve and Beth talk about practicals of how to engage in the discussion about the LGBT paradigm.(36:00) Sharing the truths of the Gospel: “We're just gonna mess up sometimes.” Fr. Steve encourages us to be at peace when we don't have all the answers. Beth and Fr. Steve make the point that listening and asking questions is the best thing we can do when we're having difficult conversations. The discussion moves into making a distinction between sexual attraction and transgenderism. They echo back to the power of reality, and how difficult it is to believe in a narrative that says, “fundamentally, your body is bad and wrong.” Fr. Steve reminds us, “The Gospel is good news.”

Encounter Grow Witness podcast breaks open the Year of Prayer for Priestly Vocations. Starting this June 4th, the Archdiocese of Detroit will pray together for the men God is calling to serve us as priests. In preparation, your hosts Fr. Steve Pullis and Beth Spizarny welcome Fr. Craig Giera, Director of Priestly Vocations. He shares what the diocesean priesthood is, how a young man can discern his vocation, and the path to the seminary. This episode closes with practical and powerful ideas for the laity to help support vocations to the priesthood. Take a listen! (00:04) Fr. Steve Pullis invites you to Encounter Grow Witness and welcomes his co-host Beth Spizarny. Men of the Hearts host, and Director of Priestly of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Detroit, Fr. Craig Giera is welcomed onto the show. The hosts and guest discuss ideal summer vacations which include camping and backpacking. (06:30) “What is a vocation director?” Fr. Craig shares that his job is to walk with men to help them discern what God's plan is for him. “It's simple; what is God doing in prayer?” Men ranging from high school to post-college contact Fr. Craig to discuss a possible priestly vocation. “What do you look for in candidates?” Prayerfulness. “A man who is seeking truth will get in the habit of praying.” And also a heart of service: are you engaged at your parish, or local ministry? (15:05) “What's the difference between diocosean priesthood and a religious order?” Fr. Craig explains that religious life is typically lived within a community , with a shared charism. Religious people take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. As a diocosean priest, men make promises to the bishop, and typically live alone in the parish rectory. “What are the steps to (16:10) “What are the steps to joining the seminary?” As Director of Priestly Vocations, Fr. Craig helps men discern if God is calling them to the priesthood. Beginning with interest to the process of applying to the seminary, Fr. Craig describes how a man would come to understand if God is calling him to discern the priesthood by joining the seminary. Fr. Craig tells us that there are no men being ordained to the priesthood this year; in 10 years there will be half the number of priests in the Archdiocese of Detroit. (25:00) The Year of Prayer for Priestly Vocation will begin at the Vigil of Pentecost, June 4th, the ordinary day for priestly ordinations for the Archdiocese of Detroit. A Holy Hour will be held to pray for courage and conviction for the men God is calling to be priests in the Archdiocese of Detroit. (28:50) “The Blessed Mother is the surest way to Jesus Christ.” Fr. Craig shares practical ways to support priestly vocations. Fr. Craig notes that the Luminous Mysteries are a powerful way to pray for vocations. “It was the Blessed Mother who noticed that the wine ran out at the wedding at Cana. And she notices now that we need more priests.” Detroitpriestlyvocations.com has many other practical suggestions to support priestly vocations. Thanks for listening.

Fr. Steve Pullis and Beth Spizarny discuss charity, humility, a heart of evangelization, listening, forgiveness, and investing time in one another. This discussion will inspire you to consider how you encounter those around you, grow together as disciples, and witness to the power of God's love to bring unity where there is discord. Take a listen. (00:04) Fr. Steve Pullis and Beth Spizarny reflect on Lent, Easter customs, and how they live the Triduum. Beth shares that she and her family have created unique traditions surrounding the celebration for the Easter Vigil. Fr. Pullis' family would all get new socks on Easter- and he remembers this being a special thing. Beth poses the question, “how can we expand the celebration of Easter? (04:50) The topic for this episode is introduced: working for unity when there are so many opinions and voices of disunity. Our hosts wish to build a culture of unity in the Church. Fr. Steve Pullis acknowledges the stress and strain of COVID times. (6:47) Beth shares a challenge of being a leader during the pandemic and how difficult it can be to lead during times of uncertainty. “Emotions are high and people feel strongly.” This poses new challenges for leadership. Together, Beth and Fr. Pullis mentions that liturgy, care for those experiencing same-sex attraction, and other concerns can be areas in which there are strong opinions and disagreements in parish life. “We don't need to think of unity as a compromise of truth or scientific realities or beliefs, but unity requires a radical openness to the other person. God is more powerful than our disagreement here.” (15:25) Why is unity important? Why should we care about unity? Beth has insights into how unity bears fruit. Without unity, there will be no fruit. Fr. Pullis notes that it is a scandal to proclaim the Gospel with disunity. In the Creed we proclaim, “we believe in one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic Church.” And that oneness of God must inspire us to work toward unity amongst our brothers and sisters. It is in our identity as Christians to be united because God himself is a unity. (19:00) First principle for seeking unity in our Church: charity. We must keep our eyes on Christ and lead with charity. JPII said, “In what is doubtful, we need freedom. In what is necessary, we need unity. And in all things, we need charity.” In our current world, we don't face as many heresies surrounding what we understand about Christ, but we do have moral confusion right now. Charity must propel us in our missions- we must want all those around us to be with us in heaven. (27:09) Second principle for seeking unity in our Church: humility and openness to the other. Do we listen to people who disagree with us? Fr. Steve makes the point that we should limit our time in the digital world in order to grow in relationships with the people close to us. This perspective of seeing another through the lens of their destiny is a helpful posture of heart. (31:00) Third principle for seeking unity in our Church: having the lens of evangelisation in moments of disunity. Beth shares that disagreements can blind us to seeing the other person as a soul we need to witness the Gospel to. Out of service to the other person, we must treat others with Gospel love. The way we treat each other reflects our faith. This takes spiritual maturity.(33:40) Fourth principle for seeking unity in our Church listening. Beth speaks of “giving someone a good listening.” Do we have time to listen to those who are hurting? We can't find unity unless we receive the other. ”We can't offer anything unless we listen.” This also takes spiritual maturity.(36:40) Fifth principle for seeking unity in our Church: forgiveness. We must let go of our own hurt and our own anger in order to be available to others. Fr. Pullis says that it can be easy to be locked

How can we collaborate better together as a church? In this episode of Encounter Grow Witness, Sandy O'Shaughnessy shares how her role as Director of Religious Education at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Plymouth, Michigan has been transformed through collaboration. Fr. Steve Pullis and Beth Spizarny join the discussion as the three reflect on healthy conflict, listening, and patience. A highlight of this episode is Sandy's sharing about what her morning prayer time looks like, and some practical things she does to welcome the Lord into her day. Take a listen! (00:04) Fr. Steve welcomes fellow co-host Beth Spizarny and the episode's guest, Sandy O'Shaughnessy. Sandy serves as the Director of Religious Education at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Plymouth, Michigan. Fr. Steve asks Beth and Sandy, “Which month is the best month in Michigan?” They discuss changing seasons, and pumpkin spice lattes. (04:45) Beth honors Sandy for her receptivity and generosity with her resources and time. Fr. Steve asks Sandy, “What does prayer look like for you today?” Sandy values her morning prayer times, setting her “first fruits” aside for the Lord. She finds reading Scripture daily helps her connect with God. Practically, Sandy sets a timer on her phone, and lights a candle to mark her time as prayer. The Prayer of Abandon by St. Charles de Foucauld is a favorite prayer for Sandy. (16:00) “Unleash the Gospel gives us permission to think outside the box.” Shandy shares about collaboration in her parish. Sandy mentions that one of her favorite parts of collaboration is listening and connecting with the other Directors of Religious Education in her family of parishes. She has seen her parish of families connect and grow in trust as they've began to meet consistently to collaborate. (26:18) The four levels of collaborative ministry: 1. Co-existence. 2. Communication. 3. Cooperation. 4. Collaboration: ownership of a common mission, desire to work together, and decision to unite different gifts. (30:08) Mining for conflict and finding differences: Fr. Steve brings our attention to the idea of “conflict done well.” Healthy communication and relationships within collaboration are strong when conflict can be addressed. Fr. Steve says that asking for forgiveness is important to collaboration. Trust is necessary to work through differences of opinions and being truly honest about your ideas.“Learning to disagree well” is a concept Beth brings up. (36:0 4) “We need to give ourselves permission to let it be a little clunky.” Sandy adds to the discussion that change isn't always perfect the first time. And allowing yourself and your team to grow into new collaboration methods takes time. (37:50) Beth shares a story of trying to implement change related to RCIA at her parish. Through this experience, she learned how to accompany and listen instead of insisting and quickly changing things. A prayer summit before the pandemic opened Beth's eyes to collaboration; the event helped her listen and build relationships, and change came from those discussions. (41:16) Fr. Steve thanks Sandy for all of her work for her parish, and for the witness of her using her gifts and talents for the Lord. Thanks for listening!

Fr. Steve and Beth welcome guest John Lajiness, former pastoral associate and new Director of Admissions at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, to the podcast for a profound conversation on seasons of transition, maintaining a mission focus while working in ministry, and trusting God's plan for our work.1:15 Fr. Steve discusses the blessing it has been for him to begin teaching full time at Sacred Heart this year, as he has had the opportunity to more deeply delve into the subject matters he presents to his classes. Beth shares how she has been finding beauty in the winter season. 4:30 Fr. Steve opens up the topic of finding graces in challenging seasons of transitions. John shares how his time in ministry as the pastoral associate at St. John Vianney Parish in Shelby township and his profound relationship with the parish's late pastor, Fr. Tim, shaped his faith journey, reflecting on the graces they were able to share walking through Fr. Tim's journey towards the end of his life, and finding hope in Jesus' resurrection. 16:30 Beth discusses the transitions she has experienced after joining the ministry team at the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica when Bishop McClory was moved to become a bishop. She and John discuss the balance of grieving the losses that come with transitions working in ministry while also being a stabilizing force for their parish communities. Noting that the healthiest transitions unfold when parish communities build each other up as a family and help carry one another through the transition season, resisting giving into doubt and fear. 22:07 Fr. Steve shares how the grieving process can propel us forward, as we honor what we have lost while moving forward confidently in our belief that Christ is still victorious and that God is continuously working all things for our good. Beth challenges listeners to ask “what does my faith say to this?” even in the midst of difficulties and change. 24:00 John reflects on his devotion to Saint Teresa of Calcutta, seeing her life's work as a emblem for the grief journey, as we each can use our grieving to “find our Calcutta” and remain ever faithful looking for Jesus even in dark circumstances. 28:00 Fr. Steve asks John where he sees parishes being able to embrace investing in the future when coming out of transition seasons. John shares the importance of maintaining a mission focus while working in ministry in order to best serve the church community. Beth reminds those working in ministry to move away from fear of transitions and instead rest on trust in the Lord. 34:20 John explores the idea that the Lord is constantly calling us to look to “what's next” and how we can allow that to propel us forward into surrendering to God's plans and promises for our lives. 38:00 Beth asks John what his prayer life has looked like during transition seasons. John reflects on stillness in prayer and the need to listen to God to gain grace and strength in discernment. Fr. Steve shares how trust and humility keep him focused on God in the midst of times of weakness. Beth shares how inspiration from Scripture has carried her through times of waiting.43:00 John reminds listeners to take comfort that even when things don't make sense, “God makes sense” and will not only lead us through uncertain times but bring us out to a better place than we imagined. Fr. Steve echoes with the call that God works through our weaknesses. 45:00 Fr. Steve, Beth, and John wrap up with a Biblical trivia game!

Fr. Steve and Beth welcome guest Nicole Joyce to the podcast, where Nicole discusses her journey working for the Church and reflects on the importance of work-life balance for those in ministry.(1:10) Fr. Steve and Beth introduce the topic of how we in ministry can make finding a good work-life balance a goal for the New Year.(2:35) Fr. Steve introduces guest Nicole Joyce and quizzes Beth and Nicole on trivia from 2002. (9:45) Beth asks Nicole about her prayer life and Nicole shares about the ways she gets her whole family involved. (12:20) Fr. Steve asks about Nicole's work in the Church and she reflects on her journey working in ministry, beginning in high school and up to detailing her current work with family ministries for the Archdiocese of Detroit. (19:35) Nicole talks about how interacting with different families in the Church has been a grace, especially in seeing how the Church can come together as a human family to go “beyond the pews” in caring for families throughout our communities. (22:35) Beth introduces the topic of overworking and burnout for those in ministry and Nicole discusses solutions that can be found through prayer and discernment. (26:30) Fr. Steve discusses common challenges faced by those working in ministry and Nicole reflects on her own challenges of overextending in work and the emotional struggles which accompany that. Beth talks about being conscientious of what we ask of our volunteers in ministry.(39:00) Nicole details her work with Natural Family Planning and presenting the Church's teachings as good news through holistic education for families, and the steps parishes can take to put this into practice.(43:50) Fr. Steve and Beth thank Nicole and close.

Fr. Steve and Beth speak to guest Emily Mentock about her project, Real + True, and discuss the impact of evangelization in digital spaces, especially by bringing the catechism to life for younger audiences. (1:05) Fr. Steve and Beth discuss Thanksgiving and their most favorite and least favorite Thanksgiving foods. Fr. Pullis introcudes guest Emily Mentock.(5:20) Fr. Steve asks Emily to share about her own podcast, Open Door Policy, and invites her to share about the theme of prayer in her own life. Emily, Beth, and Fr. Steve all discuss the role prayer plays in their work and their lives.(9:20) Beth asks Emily to share about working in ministry for the archdiocese and Emily shares her insights about some of the most important skills for listening, relationship building, and keeping a mission focus through her work in the communications department.(14:08) Emily introduces her project of Real + True, discussing the goal of bringing the catechism into real life contexts using video mediums on digital spaces to reach wide audiences of young people.(15:10) Fr. Steve notes that next year marks the 30-year anniversary of the catechism and he and Emily discuss how Real + True seeks to align with the mission of highlighting the catechism for the modern world.(20:45) Emily discusses the positive response Real + True has gained already during its first months, and the impact it is having reaching churches and audiences throughout the country and the world.(23:20) Emily shares how digital content shaped her own faith journey and how authentically personal digital resources can be, especially for younger audiences, as stepping stones through their faith journey.(32:50) Fr. Steve and Beth reflect on their conversation with Emily about Real + True and the ways in which the project offers inspiration and encouragement for the future of the church.Real+True is part of The Catechism Project, a global initiative sponsored by OSV.

Beth and Fr. Steve discuss why prayer is important in the lives of parish leaders, common challenges of prayer life, and their personal prayer routines.(0:00) Fr. Steve and Beth discuss the change in seasons, how October is the best month to live in Michigan, and Halloween traditions.(8:00) The episode theme of 'prayer' is introduced. Fr. Steve and Beth share their personal prayer routines.(12:16) Fr. Steve explains that the best and simplest definition of prayer "lifting mind and heart to the Lord."(14:56) Beth discusses the prayer of "Worship," especially praying the Psalms, and how it calibrates our relationship with God. She also shares about her love for the Divine Mercy Chaplet.(20:45) Fr. Pullis opens up about the challenges of a prayer life, including spiritual dryness.(27:00) Our hosts explain how important prayer is for people who work in ministry, especially. It starts with just showing up to prayer and putting aside distractions.(37:30) Fr. Pullis explains that God wants more for you, not just from you. And then best way to receive that from him is in prayer.

Beth and Fr. Steve discuss the importance of conflict in our mission as Christians and explain how to engage in healthy conflict with our superiors, peers, and those we lead.Show notes:(00:38) Beth and Fr. Steve catch up with each other and debate whether or not it's too early for Fall things--from pumpkin spice, to football, to pies, and even cider and donuts.(09:33) Fr. Steve introduces the need for healthy conflict, explains the good that can be produced from it, and the dangers of poorly executed conflict/passivity. He states the importance of not being passive members of the Church so as to not “sell the Gospel short.”(12:32) Beth and Fr. Steve reflect on the concept of conflict as a means to more fully share the gifts that Christ has given us. Fr. Steve speaks on unity vs. uniformity, identifying the beauty behind being united as a Church in our vast differences, gifts and unique talents. (19:18) The question arises of how one is to have healthy conflict. Fr. Steve and Beth respond, establishing the need to acknowledge the good will of the other, approaching their thoughts and feelings with empathy, compassion and wisdom.(23:30) Beth identifies a variable that affects how healthily we handle conflict: burnout. She notes that when we are overworked and exhausted, it's considerably more difficult to be charitable to one another. (25:55) Fr. Steve presents the question of how we are to have healthy conflict with three different groups of people: (1) our superiors, (2) our peers, and (3) individuals we are leading. (26:36) They begin with the first group, superiors. Beth shares the tip that conflict with this group should always be done in a private, non-group setting, and Fr. Steve shares the conflict tips of knowing the superior's temperament, being direct with them and charitable.(30:25) Next, they address how to have healthy conflict with the second group: your peers. Beth asserts that directly going to the person you have conflict with is the best way to have healthy conflict and evade gossip. Fr. Steve adds that approaching our peers with “radical candor” can be a fruitful method in navigating healthy conflict and building solid bonds with others.(36:54) Lastly, they discuss how to handle conflict in the third group: as a leader. Fr. Steve voices the importance of treating others under your authority with love and charity; Beth adds her method of ‘winning people over' through increased trust and growth in friendship, along with practicing directness, humility and the willingness to make mistakes.

Beth and Fr. Steve examine Archbishop Vigneron's June pastoral note The Beauty of Truth: A Pastoral Note on Communicating Truth and Love in the Digital Age and how we can implement these ideas in ministry.Show notes:(0:50) Beth and Fr. Steve catch up and talk about the joys of Michigan summer. They share vacation updates, and then introduce this episode's topic, Archbishop Vigneron's pastoral note The Beauty of Truth.(4:17) Fr. Steve introduces the first element of the pastoral note for discussion: the importance of not only what we say to people, but how we say it. Beth reflects on the “us vs. them” antagonism that exists in media, including among Catholics.(6:40) The two reflect on the attitude and negativity people use on social media and refer to the Archbishop's recognition that the internet is not a system of wires, but rather a connection of real people. Fr. Steve and Beth discuss the importance of learning how to disagree well and with civility.(12:59) Beth addresses the interest young people have in ‘likes' and calculating popularity through metrics, and she and Fr. Steve discuss how this problem can be solved. Beth suggests that more in-person relationships, general self-awareness, and increased prayer will combat this problem. (17:44) Fr. Steve and Beth discuss the five “warning signs” Archbishop Vigneron identifies in the pastoral note, beginning with propositions that are out of harmony with the Church's teachings. They encourage people to refer to the Catechism of the Catholic Church to confirm what the Church teaches and how we're called to respond.(20:39) They talk about unsubstantiated claims or allegations and how pervasive of a problem this is today. Fr. Steve discusses our obligation as Catholics to the words we use and, rooted in the eighth commandment, to not bear false witness.(23:38) Beth introduces the third warning sign, which is the manipulation of facts to deceive or cause harm. Fr. Steve mentions our call as Catholics to presume goodwill in others while still thinking critically. The two also talk about our obligation for the content we consume.(28:59) Moving to the fourth and fifth warning signs, Fr. Steve and Beth discuss ad hominem attacks and the spirit of division, and the need for us to be apostles in this day and age.(34:57) For the end-of-show quiz, Beth tests Fr. Steve on the most popular dog breeds, and Fr. Steve successfully guesses seven!Links from this episode:The Beauty of Truth

Fr. Steve and Beth discuss the universal call to holiness through the lens of Pope Francis's Apostolic Exhortation, Gaudete et Exsultate.Show notes:(0:56) Fr. Steve and Beth catch up and reflect on the movies they watched and loved growing up that always remind them of summer, like The Sandlot and Independence Day. (5:05) Fr. Steve introduces this episode's topic of the call to holiness. Beth also introduces Pope Francis's Apostolic Exhortation, Gaudete et Exsultate, and mentions the richness of the document that she looks forward to sharing in this episode.(7:06) To begin the conversation, Beth offers a definition of holiness, and Fr. Steve refers to Gaudete et Exsultate to offer the Pope's reflection on the meaning of holiness. They also offer definitions of holiness from Popes Emeriti Benedict XVI and John Paul II.(10:57) Fr. Steve reflects on the evangelical nature of holiness, that it's a call to go out and witness to the Lord. He and Beth reflect on everyday, ordinary examples as well as some examples in the lives of the saints of what holiness we can live out when we say yes to the Lord.(20:48) Beth and Fr. Steve address the two dangers to holiness that Pope Francis introduces in the document, Pelagianism and Gnosticism. They define Gnosticism and discuss what makes it such a challenge to holiness.(25:04) They transition to Pelagianism, discussing what it is and why it's a ‘subtle enemy' of holiness. They discuss where they see Pelagianism in the life of the Church today, like in our tendencies to turn away from prayer and towards action.(30:57) Beth and Fr. Steve explore the third chapter of Gaudete et Exsultate, where Pope Francis examines how to live out the universal call to holiness. They talk about the Beatitudes and how they personify holiness and holy indifference, and they revisit Novo Millennio Ineunte.(36:45) The two discuss the fourth chapter of the Exhortation and discuss: how can we live a life of holiness? What does that look like? They then transition into chapter five to discuss spiritual combat, vigilance, and discernment.(42:22) Fr. Steve quizzes Beth on English names of Vatican documents, and they wrap up their discussion.Links from this episode:Gaudete et ExsultateEvangelii GaudiumPauline Books and MediaNovo Millennio IneunteThe Soul of the ApostolateForming Intentional DisciplesI Once Was LostInterVarsityThe Chosen

Fr. Steve and Beth discuss transition, coping mechanisms, and how seasons of change can help us be more successful in mission and ministry.Show notes:(1:07) Beth and Fr. Steve share favorite summer memories and introduce this episode's topic: transition. They discuss Fr. Steve's upcoming transition to a new role doing priestly formation at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, and Beth also mentions the transitions her parish underwent with a new pastor and the pandemic shortly after she arrived.(12:07) Beth introduces a discussion on the unhealthy ways people cope with transition, such as indulging in comforts that aren't necessarily positive or “good for us,” or shutting down and avoiding things that help us grow. She and Fr. Steve also discuss the bad habit of complaining that Archbishop Vigneron mentions in Unleash the Gospel.(21:21) They then discuss healthy ways to manage transition: surrendering to God more deeply, remaining hopeful, turning to Mary for help, and asking questions to stay open to learning more. Fr. Steve reflects on how people frequently ask questions of Jesus in the Scriptures and how Jesus always responds. (33:43) Fr. Steve and Beth talk about our universal call to mission and how God is using this season of our lives to help rid us of old habits and form new ones. They discuss what it means to be successful in mission, and how we can calibrate ourselves to be open to the opportunities God places in our ministry.(37:50) Beth relates a parable to remind us of our missionary identity as people of God. She discusses the use of transition periods to shed our bad habits and reclaim our missionary energy. Fr. Steve mentions the importance of the virtue of hope in our intimacy with God, and that intimacy in God is what drives our mission.Links from this episode:Bp. Robert McCloryFr. James MallonAmazing ParishHidden Brain Podcast

Fr. Steve and Beth examine each of the cardinal and theological virtues and how we can use them in the Church and culture we have today.Show notes:(0:21) Fr. Steve and Beth catch up and reflect on the nice spring weather we've been having and what they're enjoying about May so far.(7:06) Fr. Steve introduces this month's topic of virtues, especially those that God is calling for out of this present moment. He talks about the four cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, temperance, and courage, as well as the theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity.(9:25) Beth talks about prudence and the flexibility we need to change our approaches and processes for the Church that we have, which may not be the same as the one we used to know. Fr. Steve offers the example of campus ministry he's been doing lately, sharing that both the tools and the language used to communicate with college-aged students are so different from what they used to be, and Beth remembers feeling this way in youth ministry as well.(13:45) The two discuss justice as a very necessary willingness to talk about Jesus and the right people have to know him. Beth brings in an example from Penn Jillette to outline that right, and Fr. Steve shares some reflection he's done on the seventh commandment, “you shall not steal,” as it relates to evangelization.(17:25) They talk about courage; Fr. Steve relates it similarly to the conversation on justice, saying that we have to be willing to engage in the difficult conversations about the Church. The answer to so many of our questions lie in the heart of Jesus, so we have to have the courage to enter into these conversations without the perfect assurance of our own satisfactory answer. Beth adds, saying that she thinks of this courage as the fortitude to live differently in the midst of hostility.(20:54) Beth defines temperance and gives her experience of it being childlike trust, in a way that we aren't relying on earthly things to solve our problems but rather we're fully trusting the Lord with them. Fr. Steve echoes a similar sentiment, also adding that a large part of temperance in the year 2021 is moderating our use of social media.(27:37) Fr. Steve then moves the conversation to the theological virtues, which are not things that we earn, but things that God freely gives us out of love. He begins with faith, with the virtue being confidence in the whole Gospel, how it all fits together, and modeling our lives after it. Beth adds with her reflection on confidence in the Holy Spirit and how we are part of God's work on earth.(33:59) Beth introduces and defines the virtue of hope. She shares a story from her travels that exemplifies how hope should be lived out today — by dwelling on the good and always thinking of heaven. Fr. Steve echoes this idea and adds that we find who the saints in our lives are and how we can turn to them as examples of hope. (38:33) They move to charity, for which Beth offers the Catechism's definition of loving God above all things and loving our neighbor as ourselves. Beth begins the conversation on charity by expressing the deep personal intimacy each of us needs with God. Fr. Steve adds the importance of sacrificial love, especially for those who don't believe in God and being willing to be inconvenienced or overlook certain things as a way to bear witness to the Gospel in our lives.(45:13) Fr. Steve and Beth answer audience questions. They discuss how people can grow in virtue and their favorite devotions within the Church. They do a quick cheese quiz for National American Cheese Month and end with personal takeaways from today's conversation.Links from this episode:From Christendom to Apostolic Mission

Beth and Fr. Steve discuss “communio,” the deep, spiritual community that comes with being Catholic, and how ministers can create a culture of communio in our parishes.Show notes:(1:52) After some quick catching up, Fr. Steve and Beth share how their Lents went, how successful their resolutions were, and what they're reading lately.(6:58) Fr. Steve introduces this episode's topic: community. Specifically, he addresses the supernatural kind of community, or “communio” that we experience in the Church that you can't get from a book club or a travel club.(8:28) Beth and Fr. Steve share their experiences of what quarantining during the early pandemic was like — Beth home with her family, and Fr. Steve living at the seminary. They discuss how humanity is meant to be shared and how community is crucial for our happiness.(15:19) They talk about returning to Mass, the graces it brings, and what worked and didn't work during the process. Beth gives an example of a young mothers group at her parish where she experienced a great formation of Christian community. Fr. Steve reflects on the community he shares with the priests with whom he was ordained, and how God moves through that community to call us to be generous with each other.(22:15) Beth and Fr. Steve give examples of times that community through the Church has fallen short and how we can learn from them. They also discuss the importance of community-building events, like a coffee and donut hour with the right mindset, or gathering a group of men to accomplish a communal task.(30:38) Fr. Steve suggests practical criteria he would set for creating genuine Catholic community. He talks about the importance of being committed to the same goal of holiness and willingness to be vulnerable. He also outlines three steps to building community for oneself.(34:34) Beth shares her insight on how we can apply this as ministers, using the example of how hospitable grocery stores are and how we can improve in that area in our churches. She and Fr. Steve discuss why churches may not seem entirely welcoming at times, and what to do to fix that.(41:48) Fr. Steve and Beth answer questions about community, like how ministers themselves can build friendships and how to adapt to a culture of community in our parishes.Links from this episode:The Buried GiantParish Day of RenewalJulianne StanzFr. James Mallon

Beth and Fr. Steve discuss the Church's main mission of evangelization and how ministers can effectively make disciples, be discipled, and keep our work focused on the main thing.Show notes:(0:22) Beth and Fr. Steve share a bit about what their prayer lives have been like recently. Beth mentions that she's been praying for unity on both a small and large scale, and Fr. Steve shares his prayers for trusting in God more and relying on his providence.(2:33) Fr. Steve and Beth talk about their Lenten resolutions, with Fr. Steve resolving to not go out to eat and to simplify his life, and Beth's family resolving to eat what they have at home, not buying extra food or groceries when there's already food in the house.(5:39) Beth introduces this episode's topic and how she drew the inspiration for it from Stephen Covey's quote, “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” She and Fr. Steve consider what that “main thing” is for us and why the Church exists. They talk about the importance of pastoral care, but that the Church's identity and key mission is evangelization.(9:11) Fr. Steve and Beth reflect on the moniker of the “New Evangelization,” and what that means when evangelism has been part of the Church's mission even from Jesus' ascension. Fr. Steve discusses the need to evangelize with our lives, and how in order to have this witness with our lives, we must be authentically converted to Christ first. (15:09) Beth reflects on what it means to be a disciple, and how we use the word often but we rarely define it. They establish a disciple as a person who has encountered Christ and chosen to surrender and follow him. The two discuss the joy that comes from following Jesus, and that this joy is perfect because we are created for it, but that it's also different from comfort. (20:08) Fr. Steve and Beth consider personal discipleship, how we can actually go about keeping the main thing the main thing, and that the key for this is letting our hearts continue to be evangelized. They discuss bringing this into ministry by sharing the work God is doing in our lives. They discuss the power of testimony in increasing the faith of others.(30:14) Beth and Fr. Steve share some of the ways they've tried to keep this main thing the main thing that have fallen flat or been unsuccessful in the past, with Beth sharing an event she'd organized that went awry, and Fr. Steve sharing a personal evangelization attempt that didn't go as he'd expected.(36:29) Fr. Steve and Beth discuss practical application of “keeping the main thing the main thing.” Beth suggests that the most effective way is, of course, through prayer, and that taking time to sit with Jesus is the best way to live out the Good News in our hearts. Fr. Steve encourages intentional goal-setting and evaluating the question, “Is there someone in my life I am helping to know Jesus?” Beth also shares the importance of prioritizing relationships with people outside of the Church.(44:46) The two take questions from the field. One listener asks what our hosts' go-to prayers are, and Beth shares that hers are the Litany of Trust and the Litany of Humility, and Fr. Steve shares that his favorite is the Memorare. Another listener asks how we can evangelize those who are indifferent or hostile toward the faith, and Beth and Fr. Steve provide insight on what our role in evangelization truly is, and how to set ourselves up for success.

Fr. Steve and Beth examine the significance of scripture and give some practical takeaways for how to incorporate it in our ministry.Show notes:(1:51) Beth discusses her journey to Christ, when she really encountered the life-changing grace of Catholicism, and how she discerned her path to ministry. Fr. Steve also shares about his Catholic upbringing with and his vocation to the priesthood.(9:48) Fr. Steve discusses the podcast's goals: sharing intentional conversations about ministry with ministers, providing practical ministerial tips, answering questions from coworkers in the vineyard, and to help everyone understand their role in the effort to unleash the Gospel.(14:18) Beth shares her hopes that the podcast will be a way for ministers to be able to accompany one another through our shared responsibility and our shared mission. Beth and Fr. Steve also discuss the importance of connection as ministers and disciples.(18:34) Fr. Steve introduces the first topic of scripture, and how it helps us to better know God's voice. The two discuss what their relationships with scripture were growing up, resources to help understand scripture, and how to incorporate it into ministry.(39:18) The two reflect on a set of questions Beth proposes when reading scripture: What does this passage reveal about God? What does this passage reveal about me? What is God saying to me right now? Fr. Steve also discusses the inter-relationship between scripture and liturgy.(44:39) Beth and Fr. Steve answer common scripture questions, like, “How do I justify all the terrible things that happen in the Bible?” “How do I start reading?” and “What if I don't like reading scripture?”(49:20) Fr. Steve shares about the Unleash the Gospel Scripture Challenge taking place in 2021, outlining the six challenges and recommending this as a great place to start with reading the Bible. He also discusses the benefits of studying the Bible using lectio divina.(1:01:11) To close the episode, Beth and Fr. Steve share their favorite Bible passages.

Inspired by the Unleash the Gospel pastoral letter, the Encounter Grow Witness podcast will provide the ministry community with meaningful conversations and practical tips to keep your work on mission. Tune in every month as Fr. Steve Pullis and Beth Spizarny, Director of Evangelization and Faith Formation at Shrine of the Little Flower, discuss topics like scripture, prayer, hospitality, the saints, and more.