Modern Day Disciples

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We always hear the stories of the 12 disciples at Sunday mass, but when do we ever get to hear the stories of modern, or current day, disciples? In this podcast, we interview some holy people around the Diocese of San Jose to hear their encounter story, how they ended up in their current ministry, a…

Kevin Bernaga and Ana Fuentes


    • Feb 25, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 3m AVG DURATION
    • 37 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Modern Day Disciples

    Radical Forgiveness

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2024 51:41


    Join us this week as Kev & Ana jump into various topics - cultural faith, true forgiveness, and Ignatian Presupposition. What does it mean to truly forgive another? How can true healing take place when we invite God into that reconciliation with another? Grace upon grace can reign down if we look upon another through the eyes of Christ. There is no better time for healing than Lent, how can you forgive another or forgive yourself this Lent?

    What If?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2024 86:26


    Join us this week for Season 4, Episode 4, the first episode this season with FOUR people!! We welcome the lovely Natalie and Harry, recently married couple serving in young adult ministry at Most Holy Trinity Parish on SALT (Servants as Leadership Team). They dive into their vocation journey of discerning marriage before and through Harry's conversion to Catholicism. The conversation gets deep as hosts and guests talk about the great “what if?” - what if Jesus truly is present in the Eucharist and we choose to waste a minute in God's presence? Nat and Harry also discuss their own “what if?” - what if you recognized your heart's greatest desires and used that as a discernment point in your relationship?

    Eternal Pursuit

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2024 58:11


    New episode just dropped!! Join us this week as Kev and Ana recap the last couple weeks - they share about their experience being court side at the Warriors game, Kev fills us in on the Exchange conference he attended in Dallas, and of course, our hosts discuss Lent and what it means to be in the pursuit of the eternal over things of this world that will ultimately not satisfy. Happy Sunday and Go Niners! ❤️

    On This Rock

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2024 81:42


    Join us this week as Kev and Ana welcome their first official guest of Season 4 - she has been a Confirmation leader at Most Holy Trinity Parish for over 10 years and is the Marketing Manager at Cristo Rey San José Jesuit High School - please welcome Nicole Fader aka @nicolefader!! Nicole dives into her faith journey which has been heavily influenced by her family, relationships, and steadfast dedication to trusting in God's plan for her life.

    Open Our Hearts

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2024 66:59


    A long time coming.. it's Season 4, Episode 1. Join us as Kevin and Ana dive into their new positions and catch you up on the last 3 years. Ana talks about her experiences as a high school teacher and what it means to live out her purpose in a new role, while Kev dives into his visions, hopes, and dreams for Youth Ministry in the Diocese of San Jose, and the long-time discernment it took to get there. First episode gets deep as they talk about what it truly means to open their hearts to God's voice. They recognize that where they are today is only made possible by listening to God's voice and discerning where He leads. Follow us on Instagram @mddpodcast. Check out our website, mddpod.com. We've come a long way and we thank you for being on this journey with us. - Ana & Kev

    We Are So Back

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2023 31:45


    Will 2024 be the start of something new..? Perhaps maybe even a Season 4? Kevin and Ana, like so many others, encountered many life experiences and transitions that led them to where they are today. Get a sneak peek into what's in store for Season 4, what new things they bring to the table, and what things will definitely stay in 2023. The long-awaited, original podcast - where you hear real stories from modern day disciples - returns. We are so back.

    Modern Day Missionary

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2021 106:54


    We are back with another episode this week featuring none other than Francie Keller! Francie attends St. Nicholas / St. William Parish in Los Altos, CA. We dive into Francie’s tiktok rise to fame as well as her faith journey; she served as a missionary for a year with Net Ministries and put on over a hundred retreats! Francie also gives some insight into what Gen Z Catholics want to see from the Church today. Subscribe to MDD Media on YouTube to watch the video version of this podcast - you don’t want to miss the hilarious Say Anything Challenge!!

    Seek Faith, Seek Justice

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2021 96:53


    We are making history yet again this week by having a non-Catholic Christian on the podcast for the very first time! Mark and Genevieve Rogers attend The River Church Community in San Jose, CA. The true ecumenical conversation kicks off by delving into their faith journeys - Mark, growing up as Protestant, and Genevieve, growing up as Catholic. We discuss what it was like navigating dating life having grown up in different faith traditions, the compromises that were made, and how their faith influences their parenting, as well as their call to serve others. Subscribe to MDD Media on YouTube to watch the video version of this podcast - you don’t want to miss the hilarious Whisper Challenge: Bible Edition!!

    PRIESTS GIVE DATING ADVICE?! (NO CLICKBAIT)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2021 100:42


    History is made this week as we interview brother priests for the first time ever! Fr. Francis Kalaw from St. Catherine of Alexandria in Morgan Hill, CA and Fr. Johannes Busch from St. Mary Parish in Gilroy, CA are two of the youngest priests in the Diocese of San Jose. They dive into their faith journey up to and through the seminary, answer all the listener questions y’all ever wanted to ask a priest, and even give ~dating advice. Subscribe to MDD Media on YouTube to watch the video version of this podcast - you don’t want to miss our guests competing against Kev and Ana in the Battle of the Best Friends!!

    3.01 Known and Loved

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2021 93:40


    Welcome back to Modern Day Disciples, the TRINITY SZN!! The first guest of the season is Ryan Gutierrez aka Big Bro aka BBG aka @big_brother_ryan! Big Bro talks about following God’s will and vocational discernment as he delves into his story of discerning priesthood and eventually, married life. Subscribe to MDD Media on YouTube to watch the video version of this podcast - there’s beatboxing, freestyles, and even a blindfold cereal challenge!!

    Is This Our Last Episode?...

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2021 31:27


    2020 was marked by the world being turned upside down. Everything we were familiar with, suddenly changed. Will 2021 mark the return of the Modern Day Disciples podcast? Kevin and Ana get real and vulnerable as they discuss their reason behind such a long hiatus and what the future holds for MDD.

    Easter Sunday: Liturgy of the Word Special

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2020 19:22


    Happy Easter!! Although this Easter looks far different than any Easter before, the hope we have in the resurrected Christ is everlasting and never changing - believe that!! We are back with a special Liturgy of the Word episode this Easter Sunday! This episode features Fr. Matt Stanley giving a homily and Leslie Legacion and Cedric Pacifico accompanying with music. We pray that this Easter season brings you the light, joy, and love that only Jesus can bring!

    Palm Sunday: Liturgy of the Word Special

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2020 39:50


    Happy Palm Sunday! Modern Day Disciples is back with another special Liturgy of the Word episode this Palm Sunday in Lent. This episode features Fr. Matt Stanley giving a homily and Leslie Legacion, Cedric Pacifico, and Richard Alvarez accompanying with music. Please know of our prayers for you during this time. Happy Holy Week, may your heart be transformed through the graces of Christ’s journey to the Cross!

    jesus christ cross palm sunday lent liturgies happy palm sunday happy holy week matt stanley palm sunday liturgy
    Fifth Sunday of Lent: Liturgy of the Word Special

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2020 22:50


    Happy Sunday fam! Modern Day Disciples is back with another special Liturgy of the Word episode this Fifth Sunday of Lent. This episode features Fr. Matt Stanley giving a homily and Leslie Legacion accompanying with music. Please know of our continued prayers for you during this time - you all are in our hearts!

    Fourth Sunday of Lent: Liturgy of the Word Special

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2020 26:00


    As the suspension of Mass continues within the Diocese of San Jose, MDD is back with another special Liturgy of the Word episode this Fourth Sunday of Lent, Laetare Sunday. This episode features Fr. Matt Stanley giving a homily and Jennyrose Jalique, Leslie Legacion, and Cedric Pacifico accompanying with music. We’re praying for you!

    We Belong To Each Other

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2020 70:56


    New episode dropping!! This week’s episode features none other than Timmy Gale, prospective grad student, avid library enthusiast, and part-time dog walker!! Timmy also volunteers at Holy Spirit Parish in San Jose, CA with youth ministry and Confirmation. Join us this week as Timmy dives into his faith journey, talking about his purpose in serving those on the margins of society and what true solidarity looks like. He talks about his time serving in Jesuit Volunteer Corps and how that has shifted his perspective on authentic community and influenced his decision to pursue grad school for social work. (Timmy doesn’t have an insta, but you can follow him on VSCO @/monroegale)

    belong san jose confirmation vsco jesuit volunteer corps
    Third Sunday of Lent: Liturgy of the Word Special

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2020 26:28


    In the midst of such uncertain times, MDD wants to use their avenue of a podcast to reach the faithful and hopefully nourish hearts and souls. Tune into this special Liturgy of the Word episode featuring Fr. Matt Stanley giving a homily and @jrosejalique and @lesliemarielegacion accompanying with music. We’re praying for you!

    Living Memorials of Love

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2020 65:06


    Check this week’s episode featuring the most wonderful, dear friend of ours, Annie Bui aka @_banannie! Annie serves as the Coordinator of Community Engagement at Holy Spirit Parish in San Jose, CA. She also previously served at the diocesan level as admin in the office of Liturgy and Youth & Young Adult Ministry. Annie dives into what it’s like keeping God at the center of your life, even when you don’t feel His presence, even when it is difficult to do so. Her journey is one of great strength and truly shows what it means to have a heart dedicated to the faith!

    Lenten Special: Into the Desert

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2020 73:15


    Join us THIS WEEK for a very special Lenten episode of MDD - Into the Desert!! Kevin and Ana discuss all things Lent, and although we don’t have an official guest this week, we call some of our former guests to hear what Lent means to them and what they’re giving up or taking on this Lenten season! Hear from over 10 former guests via phone call - they share the true meaning of this season and give some tips on how to deepen your faith life over the next 40 days. You don’t wanna miss this very special episode of MDD!

    The Freedom to Love

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2020 83:32


    Scope the latest podcast featuring one of our beloved veterans of youth ministry, Chris Mardesich aka @smartone848, the Director of Youth Ministry at Holy Family Parish in San Jose, CA!! Chris boasts 10+ years of working in youth ministry along with 15 years total involvement in youth ministry. Tune in as Chris dives into his faith journey, speaking on what it means to truly doubt and truly question everything he ever knew about the faith which led to intellectually stimulating conversations, including deep theological questions on the existence of God. We talk Aquinas, we talk faith x science, and we talk Star Wars - listen to this episode, which is truly one for the books!

    Extend the Love Instilled

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2020 77:14


    This week’s podcast is ~HOOD x HOLY and features none other than Chelsea Ocampo, aka @mybelovedspeaks!! Chelsea attends Our Lady of Peace Church in Santa Clara, CA and is a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist, and has been for the last three years. Scope this week’s episode where Chelsea dives into how she answers the greater call to serve those in need through her vocation of therapy, always by relying on the grace and strength of Christ to do so. She delves into the difference between transparency and vulnerability and how sometimes deep wounds can only be truly healed through the graces that come from authentically sharing and listening!

    Capture My Heart

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2020 87:07


    Y’all already know what’s uppppp!!! First Sunday of the month is Praise and Worship Sundayyyy! Tune in this week as Jonathan Chichioco aka @jncheech from Queen of Apostles Parish in San Jose, CA takes us back in time to that mid-2000s worship vibes - it’s emotional, from the heart, and speaking truth. This week we learn what it truly means to surrender our hearts to Christ and how that will forever change the journey we are on.

    A Cycle of Love

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2020 76:06


    This week’s episode features the man, the myth, none other than DSJ’s very own legend - Row David aka @rowdavid from Holy Spirit Parish in San Jose, CA!! Row comes through this week flexing his Marvel and Star Trek knowledge - but not only that, Row dives into his own hero’s journey, complete with character development and full circle moments only someone who’s been in youth ministry nearly 20 years could do. We love Row like a brother and were personally convicted and changed by this episode, particularly his radical vulnerability, so give it a listen!

    Fall in Love, Stay in Love

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2020 61:44


    Tune into this week’s episode to hear one of DSJ’s newest youth ministers and religion teachers, Katie Sullivan aka @katie_a_sullivan - from St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Los Gatos in Los Gatos, CA - take the mic!! Katie talks true transformation of the heart as her inaugural year of ministry altered her life in a very real and lasting way. Through her testimony, she reminds us to never underestimate the swift and powerful impact a life changed by Christ can have upon those we encounter and the world around us!

    Season 2 Kickoff!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2020 89:37


    SEASON 2 AND WE BACK!! First Sunday of our new season and that means it’s a PRAISE AND WORSHIP SUNDAYYY! Tune in as we kickoff with the very talented @thereeses_pieces_00 coming to you all the way from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.! Therese talks how her very musical (and Catholic) family influenced her faith journey as well as what it means for her to come to Christ in the raw vulnerability that is songwriting

    Season 1 Wrap Up

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2019 72:31


    Started from the bottom, now we here!! It is with bittersweet feelings, that we encourage you to go listen to our LAST EPISODE of Season 1 of MDD!! We get back to the basics, just Kevin and Ana, and get real real. We talk some updates on our own personal faith journeys, where we’re at today, answer some questions y’all asked us on Instagram, reveal our vision for this podcast in the future, and reveal when we’ll be back for Season 2!! Thank you for joining us on this journey - we could not do any of it without you, our listener. Until next season.. Happy Sunday! And get yo booty to church!! Byeeeeee

    As The Spirit Leads

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2019 63:54


    Check out this week’s episode featuring the one and only, Deepu Kochuparambil aka @homedeepu!! You know his name, but do you know his story? Deepu has been involved in youth ministry for nearly 17 years - we call him a Catholic influencer, he calls himself a Catholic whisperer. Join us as Deepu courageously shares his heart and his struggles with pursuing Christ in the midst of a world that encourages us to settle for less. He talks his vocation of being a dad, a husband, and most importantly a son of the Father!

    Empowered By Grace

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2019 60:01


    First Sunday of the month means PRAISE & WORSHIP SUNDAY!! Tune in for this special Advent edition of P&W Sundays featuring music minister, youth minister, and secretly Moana.. Anna Brown aka @abanana94 from St. Maria Goretti Parish in San Jose, CA! Anna talks growing up in Samoa, diving into music ministry at a very young age, and her close relationship with her grandparents!

    Captivated By His Presence

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2019 60:12


    Scope this week’s podcast for a very special episode featuring Jennyrose Jalique! Jenny is the Young Adult Ministry Coordinator at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in San Jose, CA. Tune in as she delves into how her faith life and family have always been intrinsically rooted together, young adult ministry and its growth in the Diocese of San Jose, and a little behind the scenes on the creation of the newest movement - Coram Deo!

    Thy Will Be Done

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2019 56:37


    This week’s episode features longboarding, boba loving Shae Sager, sector head of CFC-Youth Northern California!! Shae talks her devotion to Our Lady, honors us with vulnerability in her faith journey, and speaks straight truth about doing small things with great love. Shae has personally inspired our faith journeys, and our prayer is that she ignites a fire for Christ in your heart as well.

    Qualifies the Called

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2019 51:39


    On this week’s episode featuring the dynamic duo, Elgin Presa and Katrina Antonio, Confirmation Coordinators at St. Lawrence the Martyr Parish in Santa Clara, CA! Tune in as they talk working full-time while also volunteering full-time in youth ministry. Their journeys in ministry have not always been easy, but the sacrifices they’ve made are such a testament to their servant hearts.

    Less of Me

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2019 76:40


    Praise and Worship Sunday is back! This week, we talk to THE John Kellett, Music Director at Holy Spirit Parish in San Jose, CA and beloved praise and worship leader in the Diocese of San Jose. Tune in to hear John talk about his journey with humility, how scripture inspires his writing process, and plays some of his originals! *Theme Song: Daybrake by SHIBUI *Used with Permission*

    Made For Greatness

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2019 56:02


    We're Back!!! On this episode of MDD, we recap our experience at our collaborative youth retreat, and get to speak to a few high school "Saints in the City" Awardees from our Diocese! *Theme Song: Daybrake by SHIBUI *Used with Permission*

    Recruiter of Souls

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2019 59:45


    This week on MDD, we get to know Diego Estrada, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry at St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish in Morgan Hill, CA. We get to hear his transformative story, how he got into youth ministry, and how he is doing in his newly appointed role! *Theme Song: Daybrake by SHIBUI *Used with Permission*

    Spirit of Surrender

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2019 73:47


    On our very first Praise and Worship Sunday, we are excited to have Jon Manongdo, youth minister, musician, and song writer from St. Joseph Parish in the Diocese of Oakland. In this episode we talk about the stories and inspirations behind some of his popular songs, how he met his wife, and what the meaning of praise and worship is to him! *Theme Song: Daybrake by SHIBUI *Used with Permission*

    The Source of Love

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2019 55:08


    This week on MDD, we chat with Klarissa Chichioco, Youth Minister of Queen of Apostles Parish in San Jose, CA, and Co-Founder of the Echos of Worth Theology of the Body Retreat. We will hear her story, encounter with Christ, and witness pertaining to her current ministry and passion for Theology of the Body. *Theme Song: Daybrake by SHIBUI *Used with Permission*

    Welcome to the Modern Day Disciples Podcast!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2019 43:35


    On our very first episode of Modern Day Disciples, you’ll learn about us, your co-hosts, our encounter story, and how we started in our ministry. We will also share with you the inspiration and purpose of this podcast.

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