Ever Ancient, Ever New

Ellen, while currently working at the school, grew up in the parish and has years of youth ministry under her belt. She joins the podcast to share some of her experience, expertise and her love of all things true and beautiful.

If you don't celebrate the Sacred Paschal Triduum, you are missing out! It's like Catholic Week par excellence! Because only Catholics celebrate it, and the deeper a Catholic gets into their faith, the more he is drawn to or into the Triduum and the more it it builds up his faith. Fr. Kowalczyk and Cosden recap the Catholicist and holiest of all weeks!

This bonus episode is the live recording of the third part of the three part Teaching Mass series that Fr. K is doing as part of our Wednesday Ars Vivendi formation nights. He walks and talks through the parts of the Mass starting with the the Preface through the end of the Mass.

This bonus episode is the live recording of the second part of the three part Teaching Mass series that Fr. K is doing as part of our Wednesday Ars Vivendi formation nights. He walks and talks through the parts of the Mass starting with the the Credo through the Orate Fratres (Pray Brethren), i.e., mainly the middle or "hinge" part of the Mass between the homily and the preface dialogue.

This bonus episode is the live recording of the first part of the three part Teaching Mass series that Fr. K is doing as part of our Wednesday Ars Vivendi formation nights. He walks and talks through the parts of the Mass starting with the vesting prayers through the homily.

Recorded in Poland a priest with Polish blood and a priest who just speaks Polish (Fr. Kowalczyk and Fr. Brinkman respectively) share about some of their travels and give their perspective on the state of the Church in Poland.

Ever wonder what it is like for a priest to hear confessions? Without breaking the "seal", Fathers Park and Kowalczyk give some insider information to the other side of the screen, which will hopefully make it easier on your side of the screen.

One of my great privileges is being on mission with Bridget Schulz. She actually moved across state lines and changed jobs mid-career because of... Catholic schools! She is now the principal of our parish school, St. Maximilian Kolbe Academy. In this episode, she joins me on the podcast to share why she is so passionate about Catholic Classical education.

Fr. K joins Cosden to discuss the question that no one wants to discuss: what are the parameters in which a couple can use Natural Family Planning? They may not solve all the problems or answer all the questions, but they bring up a lot of good food for thought.

Chad Koppes was a long time Methodist minister, when the "woke" culture finally woke him up and he walked out. In this episode Chad shares his conversion story as well some of his insights into the state of Protestantism today.

I had a great conversation with almost-Dr. Henry Wickus about the intellectual life, the importance of philosophy in the study of theology, and some behind the scenes of what he is learning as he dives deep into writing his dissertation on the Franciscans.

Cosden and Fr. K break open one of C.S. Lewis's finest books, The Great Divorce.

Joined by Fr. Brian Park this episode examines what were coined the "anti-sacraments of the sexual revolution" and matches them with the real sacraments which they are imitating and distorting.

This is a live recording from a class that Fr. K taught at the parish on how to read the Bible in general and Genesis Chapter 1 in particular.

Fr. Paul Haverstock a long time friend and classmate joins me on the podcast. He got me into chant, the EF, C.S. Lewis and more.

This is a live recording from a class that Fr. K taught at the parish on how to read the Bible in general and Genesis Chapter 1 in particular.

Our goal in the Christian life is to see things as Christ sees them. In this long form episode, the priest-cousins hit a variety of topics including the sanctity of coffee, who you should vote for in the upcoming elections, whether or not you can attend weddings outside of the Church, the vocation of running and more.

We don't often realize the drastic effect that seemingly benign inventions have had on us. There is no such thing as a pure gain; we always lose something. In this lighthearted conversation, Fr. K and Cosden Leahey discuss what we lost with the addition of the microphone––especially in the liturgy!

Universalism is the heresy that holds to some degree or another that most or all people will be saved. It is an extremely dangerous heresy (as all heresies are) because if one believes that everyone is saved in the end he is probably very unlikely to condemn, criticize or correct any morally reprehensible behaviors in the name of "compassion"! In other words, if everyone gets to heaven anyway, why make it difficult for them in the mean time. Fr. Brinkman joins the discussion again.

Fr. Brian Park joins Fr. K for a lengthy conversation of what is missing in the National Eucharistic Revival. We can't just talk about the Eucharist, we need to do something different. What exactly?

Culture is that intangible all-encompassing thing that draws you with its constant current to do most of the things you do. Fr. K and Fr. Andrew Brinkman discuss the power of this cultural pull and how it can be for good or for ill.

What is essential for the Mass, for the Eucharist, for a wedding, heck––for a football game? Not much. But trim too many of the non-essentials and you may end up losing what is essential. Fr. K is joined by Fr. Andrew Brinkman to discuss the importance of symbols.

Alphonse Ratisbonne, an atheist Jew, was challenged by a Catholic convert to wear a Miraculous Medal... and it changed his life in a big way. Tune in to hear this powerful story!

If you've ever wanted to take a pilgrimage with no bus, no money, and no plan save for Divine Providence, then BVM tours is for you! Fr. K shares is journey to Assisi with nothing but a change of clothes and four granola bars and how the Blessed Virgin Mary provided every step of the way.

Imagine you are sitting at the bedside of a loved one who is in a coma waiting for them to wake up. That's prayer. Another episode for small group formation and anyone else wanting to dive deeper into prayer.

Every pastor, faith formation director, and youth minister knows that what we have been doing in the area of youth formation has not been working, and all the studies support what they already know! So why do we keep doing the same thing? Is there anything we can do? Is there any hope? Maybe it's easier than we think. Join Fr. Kowalczyk and Annie Grandell, director of a national youth ministry organization, as they discuss this important topic and help us understand the paradigm shift that needs to happen in the Church. This is a repost of a previously aired two part episode made now into one episode. We think it is super important, so please share it!

Continuing the theme of prayer, Fr. K discusses the types of prayer and how they relate and build off of each other.

Dr. James Schroeder joins Fr. K in a discussion on mental health, technology, ultra running, and how it all adds up to living or not living a whole life. For more information on our guest: Jim Schroeder, PhD, is a pediatric psychologist and Vice President of the psychology department at Easterseals Rehabilitation Center in Evansville, Indiana. He resides in Evansville with his wife, Amy, and their eight children. He is the author of 6 books, most recently Turning Free Will into Willpower: The Opportunity of a Lifetime. His articles and books can be found on his website: www.james-schroeder.com. Dr. Schroeder is regular radio guest for the Son Rise Morning Show and Relevant Radio and is a regular contributor to Aleteia and the National Catholic Register. He has a podcast entitledLiving a Whole Christian Life. In addition to his life as a father and psychologist, Dr. Schroeder is actively involved in endurance events. He has completed an Ironman and multiple ultramarathons and often commutes to work by bike.

Praying the Bible is not an innate talent. It takes work, practice and instruction. In this Bonus episode, specifically made for those walking in parish small groups, Fr. K gives some helpful tips on how to pray––not study, not memorize, not read––but pray the Bible.

Specifically for the Small Group formation content, this podcast discusses the 5 essential components for starting or restarting a prayer life. You have to determine the following: 1. When are you going to pray? 2. Where are you going to pray? 3. For how long are you going to pray? 4. What are you going to do for prayer? 5. Who is going to keep you accountable to pray?

Matt Harold joins Fr. K again to discuss the Church rules on fasting, and why they are so... lame seeming.

Cosden Leahey joins the podcast to discuss the well known but not well read literary genius Dante Alighieri writer of The Divine Comedy. Here are Anthony Esolen's Audible Lectures referenced in the conversation: https://www.audible.com/series/The-Divine-Comedy-Audiobooks/B07N83XD7P?ref_pageloadid=not_applicable&ref=a_pd_Dantes_c1_series_1&pf_rd_p=df6bf89c-ab0c-4323-993a-2a046c7399f9&pf_rd_r=TK1FB7N7TCCBECY4M9Q7&pageLoadId=xIDXSuxoL2buPEY5&creativeId=16015ba4-2e2d-4ae3-93c5-e937781a25cd

Matt Harold joins Fr. K to share his own conversion story growing up as a Protestant who loved the Bible and had a personal relationship with Jesus to the Bible showing him that Jesus was truly present in the Eucharist!

Brittany McCaffrey, Music Director at St. Max, joins the podcast to discuss the artistic value of music in the liturgy and how her background as a concert pianist and a lover of classical music has helped her understand why the Church calls our musical tradition "a treasure of inestimable value, greater than that of any other art"!

Parishioner and recent convert, Dylan joins Fr. K to discuss some elements of his own conversion, notably how the obligations, and seemingly formulaic aspects of the faith brought a stability to his personal practice. He also shares how the Bible was opened up to him in new and profound ways by getting into the literal meaning of the words.

Final part of the class taught be Fr. Kowalczyk.

This bonus episode is the conclusion of the class that Fr. Kowalczyk taught at the parish during Advent.

This bonus episode is a class that Fr. Kowalczyk taught at the parish for an Advent teaching series on Vatican II. Part 1a gives an overview of Church Councils in general and the setting of the Second Vatican Council in particular. Part 1b continues into some specifics of the running of the council itself and why after over 50 years we are just now getting to its proper implementation.  The books referenced in class is Reclaiming Vatican II by Fr. Blake Britton and To Sanctify the World by George Weigel. Council Documents can be found here: ⁠http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/index.htm⁠ And Council Limericks can be found here: ⁠http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/index.htm⁠

This bonus episode is a class that Fr. Kowalczyk taught at the parish for an Advent teaching series on Vatican II. Part 1a gives an overview of Church Councils in general and the setting of the Second Vatican Council in particular. Part 1b continues into some specifics of the running of the council itself and why after over 50 years we are just now getting to its proper implementation. The books referenced in class is Reclaiming Vatican II by Fr. Blake Britton and To Sanctify the World by George Weigel. Council Documents can be found here: http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/index.htm And Council Limericks can be found here: http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/index.htm

A symbol is something that both reveals and obscures, thus they at the same time cause delight and frustration, and that's okay. If we aren't getting frustrated, then we aren't wrestling with the mystery. Fr. K is joined by Fr. Andrew Brinkman to discuss mystery, symbols, liturgy, and veils

Fr. K concludes his conversation with Annie Grandell on youth ministry, faith formation, and handing on the faith to our children.

Fr. K sits down with long time youth minister, Annie Grandell, to discuss what's not working in the world of youth ministry and faith formation, why, and what parents and churches can do differently.

Have you ever thought about the difference between what is Holy and what is Sacred? Neither had Fr. K until just recently! Join him as he shares something new that he just discovered.

Fr. K is joined again for part two of their discussion on the history of Latin in the liturgy, why have it, and how we can allow it to draw us into the mystery.

Fr. K is joined by Matt Harold, a recent convert, to discuss some questions he had about Latin.

In this episode Fr K recounts his recent visit to a Ukrainian Catholic Liturgy! If you have any questions or comment please email fatherk@stmaxkolbechurch.org

Surrendering your will to God and what that might look like.

This episode Fr. Kyle Kowalczyk discusses Bi Location and the understanding of how its actually possible.

What is it? Why are Catholics taking this position? Where did it come from? What are the arguments for and against it? This and more on today's ep. Ever Ancient, Ever New is a podcast that seeks to plumb the depths of beauty in Christianity and is proudly sponsored by the Catholic Order of Foresters. Contact Brian Marketon, General Agent, at 763-658-4009.

Fr. Kyle and Jeromy dive into the modern age-old question of how to choose a parish. Should you go to the one closest to you? Should you go to one that you really "connect" with? The guys dive into these questions and more in their 50th episode. Ever Ancient, Ever New is a podcast that seeks to plumb the depths of beauty in Christianity and is proudly sponsored by the Catholic Order of Foresters. Contact Brian Marketon, General Agent, at 763-658-4009.

People love rituals. They may not always recognize something as a rituals, but here in America, even a primarily Protestant Christianity embraces all kinds of rituals in sports, ethnic cultures, the home, the military, weddings, funerals, and more. Ironically, Catholic rituals (like the Mass) are the only rituals regularly frowned upon or subjected to mockery. Today Fr. Kyle breaks down why we love rituals so much and why we need them. Ever Ancient, Ever New is a podcast that seeks to plumb the depths of beauty in Christianity and is proudly sponsored by the Catholic Order of Foresters. Contact Brian Marketon, General Agent, at 763-658-4009.