Pastors of Payne (County)

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The Pastors of Payne (County) is a podcast hosted by Father Brian O'Brien and Father Kerry Wakulich, both Catholic priests in Payne County Oklahoma. Listen and laugh along with them as they discuss events of the day along with items of faith. Who knows? You might even learn something!

St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and St. John Catholic Student Center


    • May 30, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 29m AVG DURATION
    • 355 EPISODES

    5 from 116 ratings Listeners of Pastors of Payne (County) that love the show mention: priests, fr, catholic, church, banter, keep up the good, learn, world, great, listening, love.


    Ivy Insights

    The Pastors of Payne (County) podcast is a delightful and informative show that provides listeners with a fresh perspective on Catholicism. As someone who opened a hotel three years ago and had it blessed, I appreciate the spirituality and connection to faith that this podcast brings. The hosts, Fr Brian and Fr Kerry, are not only knowledgeable about the subject matter, but they also have a great sense of humor that makes the show enjoyable for the whole family. Whether I'm at the gym or at home, I always look forward to listening to this podcast and deepening my knowledge through their discussions.

    One of the best aspects of The Pastors of Payne (County) podcast is its ability to provide valuable information about Catholicism in an entertaining way. The hosts tackle various hot button issues and concerns from a relatable perspective, which makes it easier for listeners like me to grasp complex topics. Additionally, their witty banter and 80s kid humor adds an extra layer of enjoyment to each episode. As a cradle catholic, I find their discussions to be not only educational but also refreshing as they serve as good reminders of my faith.

    While The Pastors of Payne (County) podcast has many positive aspects, it does have some drawbacks. One potential downside is that the hosts' humor may not appeal to everyone. Some listeners might prefer a more serious approach to religious discussions, which may make this podcast less appealing to them. Additionally, although the hosts cover various topics, there may be certain subjects that some listeners feel are not addressed enough or in-depth.

    In conclusion, The Pastors of Payne (County) podcast is a fantastic resource for those looking to deepen their knowledge of Catholicism in an entertaining way. The hosts' humor combined with their passion for the Church creates an engaging listening experience for all ages. Despite some potential drawbacks regarding personal preferences for seriousness or topic coverage, this podcast remains an excellent choice for anyone seeking both educational and enjoyable content. I highly recommend tuning in to The Pastors of Payne (County) podcast for a truly enriching experience.



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    Latest episodes from Pastors of Payne (County)

    "Fr. O'Brien is Related to the Pope and Other Interesting Facts About Pope Leo XIV"

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2025 30:25


    Pope Leo XIV is off and running and Fr. Kerry and Fr. O'Brien share interesting stories about our new Holy Father. That's this week's episode of "Pastors of Payne"  

    "New Tulsa Priest Assignments"

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2025 30:09


    Each year, priests around the diocese get moved to new parishes and apostolates. Fr. Kerry and Fr. O'Brien break down the moves for the Diocese of Tulsa.

    "Day One of Pope Leo XIV"

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2025 30:14


    On the day Pope Leo XIV was elected, Fr. O'Brien and Fr. Kerry jump in on initial thoughts and reasons for excitement of the new pontificate.

    "Thoughts and Predictions for the Conclave"

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2025 30:41


    The papal conclave starts today and Fr. Kerry and Fr. O'Brien offer some practical tips on praying for the cardinals and the new pope and share a few predictions of how it might turn out. 

    Reflections on Pope Francis

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2025 30:07


    Pope Francis has gone to his eternal rest and our priests are sad. in this week's episode, they share their favorite stories and the ways that Pope Francis challenged them to be better pastors. 

    Rerelease: Why is Lent a Bigger Deal to Us than Easter?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2025 30:37


    It seems that we are more motivated to live Lent rather than live Easter. What's that all about? On this week's "Pastors of Payne", Fr. O'Brien and Fr. Kerry talk through how we can truly live this Easter Season. Enjoy!

    "Why is Lent a Bigger Deal To Us Than Easter?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2025 0:22


    It seems that we are more motivated to live Lent rather than live Easter. What's that all about? On this week's "Pastors of Payne", Fr. O'Brien and Fr. Kerry talk through how we can truly live this Easter Season. Enjoy!

    "Did Jesus Make a Mistake Choosing Judas? And Other Thoughts on John 12"

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2025 30:06


    As we celebrate Holy Week, Judas the Betrayer plays a central role. Why did Jesus choose him as one of the twelve? Was it a mistake? And what's the controversy over anointing Jesus' feet with oil? All that and more on this week's "Pastors of Payne" podcast.

    "A Day in the Life of a Parish Priest"

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2025 30:22


    Do priests only work on Sundays? Of course not. But what does a typical Sunday or weekday look like for Fr. Kerry and Fr. O'Brien. That's this week's "Pastors of Payne" podcast. Enjoy!

    "Why Are So Many People Becoming Catholic?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2025 30:25


    Between Stillwater and downtown Tulsa, about 150 people are becoming Catholic this year. That includes men, women, and children, some already baptized, others not. But why? Fr. Kerry and Fr. O'Brien walk us through the reasons why so many are choosing the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic faith. 

    "What are we Reading"

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2025 29:56


    Priests can read. Priest SHOULD read. Fr. O'Brien and Fr. Kerry are readers. Not as much as they would like but nonetheless, this week's "Pastors of Payne" has our priests sharing what books they are reading and what books they are listening to during their lives of ministry in Tulsa and Stillwater. Enjoy!

    "Priestly Life Hacks"

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2025 30:22


    How do priests get it all done? They usually don't but these life hacks will help everyone get more done and even have a better spiritual life. Fr. O'Brien and Fr. Kerry share their favorite and most commonly used hacks to get through life and be better priests!

    "3 Things Not to Give Up For Lent"

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2025 12:21


    It's Lent and during this holy season, it's common for folks to give things up. On this week's "Pastors of Payne" podcast, Father Kerry offers 3 things NOT to give up for Lent. 

    "What Do Priests Do For Lent?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2025 30:19


    Lent is underway and Fr. O'Brien and Fr. Kerry dive in on how they are being more open to God in this season of Lent including some good ideas on fasting and almsgiving. This is Pastors of Payne!

    "Old Testament Priests and Priests of Today"

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2025 30:08


    Abel, Abraham, and Melchizedek all offer sacrifice. So do the priests of today. How are they related? That's the topic of this week's "Pastors of Payne". Listen as Fr. O'Brien and Fr. Kerry do a little Bible study to help us better understand sacrifice and priesthood. 

    "The Eucharist in the Old Testament"

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2025 30:05


    The Eucharist is the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ. But are there references to the Eucharist in the Old Testament? In this week's "Pastors of Payne", Fr. Kerry and Fr. O'Brien preview Lent 2025 and walk through the many references to the Eucharist in the books of the Old Testament. 

    "Why the Diocese of Tulsa is Awesome"

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2025 30:18


    We are blessed to live in a wonderful diocese. What's so good about it? Fr. Kerry and Fr. O'Brien list out all the beautiful things going on in the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma. 

    "How Priests Support Each Other"

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2025 30:20


    Fr. O'Brien and Fr. Kerry participate in a monthly priest support group. What's it all about? What happens there? In this week's "Pastors of Payne", our priests share their own experiences of how the Diocese of Tulsa and their brother priests help support each other.

    "Fr. Kerry Teaches About Prayer!"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2025 30:18


    In this week's episode, Fr. Kerry makes a deep dive on prayer drawing into the Carmelite and Benedictine traditions. If you're not praying well (or even if you are), give it a listen. 

    "Father O'Brien Reflects on Six Months at Holy Family Cathedral"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2025 30:16


    Last week marked 6 months for Fr. O'Brien as Rector of Holy Family Cathedral. Along with Fr. Kerry, he reflects on the blessings, challenges, and what 2025 looks like for the cathedral community. Big plans!

    "Should Priests Hear Confessions During Mass?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2025 30:20


    At both St. John Catholic Student Center and Holy Family Cathedral, our priests offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation during some Sunday Masses. Is that okay? What does the Church advise on this issue? Fr. O'Brien and Fr. Kerry talk through the good and bad of an increasingly popular practice. 

    "Should I Baptize My Grandkids? and Other Questions About Baptism"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2025 30:20


    Fr. Kerry and Fr. O'Brien talk through a specific pastoral issue and dive into the theology and practice of infant baptism. 

    2025 and New Beginnings

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2025 30:25


    Fr. Kerry and Fr. O'Brien get us ready for 2025 with encouragement to start fresh with a life of prayer, forgiveness, and renewed hope in the Lord Jesus!

    What's a Jubilee and Why Does it Matter?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2024 30:31


    In this week's "Pastors of Payne", our priests share the theology and history behind the upcoming 2025 Jubilee of Hope called for by Pope Francis. It all begins this Sunday!

    "Christmas Gifts, Christmas Music, and Christmas at Holy Family Cathedral"

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2024 30:12


    As Christmas approaches, Fr. Kerry and Fr. O'Brien talk about favorite Christmas presents and the importance of attending Christmas Mass with a special emphasis on Christmas at Holy Family Cathedral in downtown Tulsa."

    "Lots of Catholics Don't Know How to Pray"

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2024 30:12


    Even churchgoing Catholics often struggle to pray. Sometimes it's starting to pray and for others it's being consistent in prayer. On this week's "Pastors of Payne", Fr. O'Brien and Fr. Kerry talk about how to pray and how to pray consistently.

    "It's Not Christmas. Stop Acting Like It's Christmas!"

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2024 30:12


    Fr. O'Brien and Fr. Kerry are fired up for Christmas! But we need to celebrate Advent first. Advent helps us prepare for Christmas and Christ's return at the end of time. This week's "Pastors of Payne" will help you get ready. 

    "Opening the Manger of Your Heart"

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2024 30:12


    Advent is coming soon and Fr. O'Brien and Fr. Kerry get you ready to celebrate it well as we prepare for Christ's coming at Christmas and at the end of time.

    "Be Bold. Be Brief. Be Gone. Dos and Don'ts of Confession"

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2024 30:12


    Both Holy Family and St. John Catholic Student Center offer a ton of Confessions. Fr. Kerry and Fr. O'Brien offer a few dos and don'ts of going to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. 

    Why Are So Many People Becoming Catholic?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2024 30:12


    With 55 people in OCIA at St. John's and 86 at Holy Family Cathedral, our priests talk about why those numbers are so high. Is it something specific to these parishes or are there lessons to be learned that can apply to every parish? Fr. O'Brien (Holy Family) and Fr. Kerry (St. John's in Stillwater) share their love for the faith and their passion for making converts.

    No Dead November: Praying for the Dead This Month

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2024 30:05


    November is the month where we pray for the dead. Why do we do that? Where is that in Scripture? Fr. Kerry (OSU) and Fr. O'Brien (Holy Family) talk it through on this week's episode of "Pastors of Payne."

    "How to Give Up Grudges and Other Fruits of Our Sabbaticals"

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2024 30:05


    In 2023, Fr. Kerry took a sabbatical. In 2024, Fr. O'Brien did the same. What lessons were learned? Why are sabbaticals so important? This week's "Pastors of Payne" explores the fruits of these two important experiences in the life of our priests.

    "Rock the Vote: Catholics and the 2024 Election"

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2024 30:00


    Show notes: Fr. Kerry and Fr. O'Brien talk about the purpose of politics, praying before voting, and bring in some good books to put it all in perspective.   Here's a link to Fr. O'Brien's election talk from a few weeks ago- https://youtu.be/GTHM0g1WHRg

    We are SO back!

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2024 30:01


    Father Kerry welcomes back founding host Father O'Brien who shares how his life has changed as he settles into his new role as the rector of Holy Family Cathedral in Tulsa.

    “Making Sense Of Restored Order”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2024 30:00


    In this week's episode, Fr. Kerry and St. Francis Xavier Youth Director Kira Ziola talk about the recent release of the Restored Order from the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma, what it means for parents and the Sacraments of the Church for kids and teens. Resource: CCC 1285, 1312-1313

    “Relationship: God and My Gal Pals”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2024 30:00


    In this week's episode, Fr. Kerry and St. Francis Xavier Youth Director Kira Ziola talk about the importance of a life of faith from a woman's perspective and how a relationship with Jesus can change your life.

    “Kids Sports, But Christ First”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2024 30:00


    In this week's episode, Fr. Kerry and returning guest Brett Akins talk about what is more important between attending Mass and worship of the Lord or kids' weekend sports.

    “Coming Soon To A Tailgate Near You”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2024 30:00


    In this week's episode, Fr. Kerry and special guest Brett Akins talk about college football, tailgating, supporting the Catholic mission, and summertime in Stillwater.

    “Original Sin: A Blessing And A Curse”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2024 29:59


    In this week's episode, Fr. Kerry and interim host Clay Furleigh talk about modern philosophers who have taken Christianity under scientific scrutiny in an attempt to debunk the foundational teaching of Original Sin. Resources: CCC 385, 397, 410 Romans 5

    “Who Is Blessed Franz Jägerstätter?”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2024 30:00


    In this week's episode, Fr. Kerry and interim host Clay Furleigh talk about an important and unknown figure who lived in the 1900s martyred for his Catholic faith at the hands of the Nazis during World War II. Resource: Fox Searchlight Pictures “A Hidden Life” (movie, 2019)

    “Listening to God's Voice With Love and Obedience”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2024 30:00


    In this week's episode, Fr. Kerry and interim host Clay Furleigh talk about the spiritual life of prayer, knowing and loving God with all your heart, and attaining all that you desire through love and obedience to God. Resource: “Abandonment To Divine Providence” Jean-Pierre de Caussade

    “God, Are You Talking To Me?”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2024 30:00


    In this week's episode, Fr. Kerry and interim host Clay Furleigh talk about hearing and listening to God's voice versus our personal thoughts and feelings.

    “Receiving Jesus in the Eucharist”

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2024 30:00


    In this week's episode, Fr. Kerry and interim host Clay Furleigh conclude the conversation about the do's and don'ts from receiving Holy Communion to the end of the Mass.

    “What Do I Do With My Hands?”

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2024 29:59


    In this week's episode, Fr. Kerry and interim host Clay Furleigh continue the conversation about the do's and don'ts from the Liturgy of the Eucharist to the Sign of Peace.

    “What Am I Supposed To Be Doing During Mass?”

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2024 30:00


    In this week's episode, Fr. Kerry and interim host Clay Furleigh continue the conversation about some of the do's and don'ts of the laity from the entrance hymn to the gospel reading.

    “Do's and Don'ts: Before Mass”

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2024 29:59


    Fr. Kerry and interim host Clay Furleigh begin a series about some of the do's and don'ts of the laity before and during the Holy Mass. This week is all about preparing for Mass.

    “The Lost Art Of Seeing True Beauty”

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2024 30:00


    In this week's episode, Fr. Kerry and interim host Clay Furleigh talk about proper leisure, how we are made to contemplate and meditate, and the lost art of seeing true beauty. Resource: “Leisure The Basis of Culture” by Josef Pieper

    “Why Dad's Need To Know Their Catholic Faith”

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2024 29:59


    In this week's episode, Fr. Kerry interviews Clay Furleigh, Director of Campus Ministry, and talk about the role and responsibility of being a father and teaching the Catholic faith to children.

    “Life Isn't All About You”

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2024 30:06


    In this week's episode, Fr. Kerry interviews special guest Hannah about family and friends, the nervousness and joyfulness of becoming a mom, and realizing life isn't all about you.

    “Things Fr. O'Brien Will Miss About Stillwater”

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2024 30:00


    In Fr. O'Brien's final episode, he and Fr. Kerry talk about the awesomeness of Stillwater, the great people, and all the things that Fr. O'Brien will miss about living in “Stilly.”

    “Fr. O'Brien Has Regrets”

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2024 30:00


    In this week's episode, Fr. O'Brien and Fr. Kerry talk about the reality of time and its impact on daily life, and Fr. O'Brien shares his regrets.

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