Purpose-Driven Catholic

After a longer break than we expected, the podcast returns with a brief, but important update. We explain the new frequency and talk a little bit about the lived-out experiences of our Catholic faith. On Facebook:  @purposedrivencatholic

The third season of Purpose-Driven Catholic was planned for this week - but there are many Springtime tasks still getting completed in the Davis and Ashe households.  Stand by for our first episode next week.

In this last episode of Season Two, Dan and Deacon John look back on the past 50 episodes and "make room for Grace" Season Three begins in three weeks.  Look for updates at www.purposedrivencatholic.com  

Sometimes it pays to just stop and take a look around.  Dan and Deacon John do that in this episode by considering the working of the Holy Spirit in the 49 episodes recorded thus far - and then... the fire alarm goes off.

Our guest helps unpack how our physical fitness and the journey to achieve that, is so closely linked to our spiritual journey.  Plus, there is some conversation about chickens!

Lent is a time of embracing silence.  God sort of put that in our path this week.   (Note that our Facebook Page @purposedrivencatholic is not being monitored much during Lent (the silence thing again) but please do leave us a 5-star rating if you are able.

Have you ever considered what it means to suffer?  Have you ever allowed suffering when it was not necessary, or have you endured it longer than necessary?  That's what Dan and Deacon John (and Dan's son Noah) talk about in this episode. Visit us on Facebook @purposedrivencatholic

This week, the title of the podcast should maybe be "Spirit-Driven Catholic" instead of Purpose-Driven.  The episode basically wrote itself from an experience - the fruit of the lyrics of a song. Dan and Deacon John discuss what is truly important - TRUTH.   Note that we are fasting this year during Lent from social media - you can still contact us at purposedrivencathlic@gmail.com Or reach us at our website: www.purposedrivencatholic.com  

Don't be surprised if God uses your children to gain your attention (it may already have happened).  In this episode, we explore new and growing families combined with growing faith. Don't forget to email your prayer requests to purposedrivencatholic@gmail.com and you can follow us on Twitter @CatholicDriven    

Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus?  Dan and John answer that for themselves and share their insights - but then dive deeper into how that relationship empowers us out in the world to share in relationship with others.

Have you given much consideration yet to your retirement years?  Dan and Deacon John stumble into that conversation in this episode. Then, somehow the conversation turns to prayer. Contact Deacon John with your prayer requests at Purposedrivencatholic@gmail.com

Deacon John begins this episode talking about taking a walk after dinner - and the journey takes us to a prayerful stepping through the Anima Christi Visit www.purposedrivencatholic.com or send your feedback to purposedrivencatholic@gmail.com

There is no way to make sense of the terrible events in the United States during the first week of January 2021 without considering the problem of evil.  That's what Dan and Deacon John discuss in this episode.

Dan and Deacon John talk about their search for a deeper relationship with the Lord in the first few days of 2021 and there is a funny story about an incident in front of the milk case at the store.   Visit our Facebook page and like us! Search @purposedrivencatholic  

"Animated" is the only way to describe author and podcaster, Jerry Jacobs, Jr.  Deacon John and Jerry talk about the lived-out experience of being a Catholic (and a man) and a child of God. Follow us @CatholicDriven for all future episodes, and binge on everything released in 2020. Check out our FACEBOOK Page

Listen to the story of faith sustained as a child and in a journey through the RCIA and then into adult life.  It's a journey through loss and being a little lost, and then being found again. More important, listen to what her faith is providing now.

Without much of an outline for where the conversation would go, the guys move quickly into a serious conversation about Advent and the way the church separates this season from our common understanding, and sometimes the sentimental notion of preparing for Christmas.   Get all our episodes at www.purposedrivencatholic.com

What is the secret to staying persistent in our faith?  Deacon John and Dan talk with a young Catholic woman who has been able to maintain and even grow in her faith through high school, college, and now, into post-graduate work.   The answers are complex, but the conversation was animated.

Dan and Deacon John share their tales of the Thanksgiving holiday and how the Holy Spirit was a welcome guest at each of their family gatherings. 

"When we are in the presence of the beautiful, we are put in touch with the Christ..." - Michael DeSanctis In this episode, we discuss how the virus pandemic has impacted our understanding and experience of church - and how we have adapted as a people of faith.  Then, the conversation turns to beauty and how we are able to recognize it in the ordinary of our life.

If you have enjoyed our "story" episodes, this one may become your new favorite.  Leon is a great friend of both Dan and Deacon John and has touched the lives of countless families throughout the Eastern Shore of Maryland.  The story of God's work in his life is one you will not want to miss.

Dan and Deacon John first examine the idea of a "Wisdom Point" and how John's experience with his father brought him to a sudden understanding of pride as a factor in his family life.  Dan shares from his experiences in Outward Bound as a tie-in on pride as the central topic.

When was the last time you thought about Hell and what it may be like? Did you ever think about why it may exist at all?  That is the discussion today - so get ready.

Dan and Deacon John have often used the example of "C-words" in our language as a teaching tool for retreats and parish missions. The technique creeps into the conversation in this episode as they collaborate with the Holy Spirit's help.

What would Bishop Fulton Sheen be preaching about if he were with us now in 2020?  Allan Smith is a prominent expert on the Venerable Bishop and is a guest on our show. (And we talk about Plumbing too.)

It was bound to happen.  We would eventually take on a BIG question.  Dan and Deacon John tackle the question of what happens to us when we die - not so much to answer the question for all time - but with the purpose of informing our daily life until the mystery of that time unfolds for us.

After three weeks off, the guys return with all-new topics but bound with their familiar live-out experience of faith.  There is also a great tip for doing the dinner dishes after Thanksgiving this year.

Deacon John speaks with Decon Ken Pulliam who shares the story of his life-long vocation.  The point of the story is Ken didn't know for a long time what God was pulling him toward - until it was eventually revealed in God's time.  The two recall some of the funnier stories of their formation years together.

In this bonus episode of Purpose-Driven Catholic, we hear from a great friend to both Dan and Deacon John.  Kenny is a Commercial Waterman on the Chesapeake Bay (among many other important things) and brings his unique perspective of faith to light in this conversation.  Also, you will hear the amazing backstory on the artwork for this episode.

Continuing from last week's conversation on how to most effectively "be peace" in the world right now - the guys arrive at an important realization.  The process is accomplished with prayer but starts with the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This is the final episode for Season One.  Bonus content will be available for the next two weeks until Dan and Deacon John return with new topics.

Dan and John reflect on how much this world needs peace right now.  Together, they try to arrive at how all of us, as individuals, can have a meaningful impact - and bring peace - to our communities, our families, and to our hearts.

Dan gets a chance to go off-road camping one last time for the season and some hikers pass by their camp - it reminds us all of God's Word and the Golden Rule.  Plus - there are some driving tips in this episode (really - there are).

Behind the scenes, Dan and Deacon John have even more fun than they let on.  Here are just a few of the bloopers out of the first 18 weeks of podcast production.  Visit @purposedrivencatholic on Facebook and leave a comment.

Dan and John are back this week to share a story from John's journey when God used the "small whispering sound" of his voice - and what happened next changed everything.

We have a guest on the podcast this week who shares the journey he has taken which brought him through the RCIA and into the Catholic Faith - and has lead to a period of discernment and becoming a Secular Carmelite. 

How many times have you set out to do a thing - and there is an obstacle that stands in the way?  That is what we face today in the current "episode"

Now is a very acceptable time... to start listening to the Purpose-Driven Catholic Podcast.  Dan and Deacon John talk about the value of our time - who we best spend it on and how to fit everything into our lives in the time God gives us.

Dan and John reflect on a few things that are happening now in their parishes that make them feel a little bit "normal" again.  Dan shares a story of driving on the beach and having the waves threaten their gear - a little like the world threatens us at times.

Dan explains where he has been for the past week and how the trip turned into a teaching moment with his son. Dan and Deacon John also complain a bit about the weather (this is normal).

Sometimes we have to go back and excavate around our foundations - to fix what he had built - to strengthen them more and more in the Word.

Peace!  We want to find it, but how does it work in our lives once we arrive at a glimpse of the peace that surpasses understanding?

Dan and John start the conversation off discussing a new bible Deacon John received as a gift - and being "captured by beauty" but soon the talk turns to the fruit of a bible study group and a model to explore that age-old question of faith and works - all held in balance for the glory of God.

If you are just finding our podcast - this is a very good place to begin.  In this episode, Dan and Deacon John talk about returning to Mass and to Ordinary Time - and some consolations of the Spirit that Deacon John received during Liturgy.  Then the conversation focuses on "Back to One"  You will need to listen, to understand how powerful that message is in our lives.

Deacon John shares a bit of the story of how it is he came to the Catholic Faith through the RCIA and Dan and John talk about the greatness of the Eucharist - the source and summit of the Catholic faith.

Deacon John shares from a homily he preached this weekend and Dan shares how he encounters the Trinity in his life experience as a layperson.  Plus, some awesome listener feedback.

Deacon John shares a little about his journey with spiritual direction and then Dan and John process some of the challenges we all face right now in the United States and around the world.  

We take a deep dive into the human-divine connection that takes place at Communion - and how our soul recognizes our own image in our Creator.  Dand and Deacon John also complain a bit about trying to minister from behind a mask.

Dan and Deacon John discuss how it is that love comes into our lives, and what we are called to "do with it" once we receive it - and there is some discussion of getting out of the house (cabin fever).

Deacon John does some furniture repair and God shows up. Dan and John make the connection to our faith from some ordinary experiences along a trail they have both hiked.

When we find ourselves the most vulnerable before God and in the context of others - then we begin to see others as our Brothers and Sisters in Christ (and also some laughing about candy bars and tacos) 

The conversation continues with discussions of what's important in our current circumstance - and we take a walk down the road of discernment (but not too far, lest we get lost on the way).