Roar Like The Lamb

From a recent article noting the attraction of young men to Orthodox Christianity, we dive into the theme of liturgy and how the rightly ordered celebration of the Church's worship not only attracts people, but also reminds us that we are human. And not only human, but human beings who are in relationship with God. Read the article that got us started here.

Merry Christmas, from all of us at St. Pius X Catholic Church and Roar Like the Lamb!

This one starts with a lot of banter. But it's fun. So enjoy that part. Then we get into In Sinu Jesu and need for priests to be rooted in prayer. Jesus needs His priests to pray! But not just priests...all of us need to find refuge in the Eucharistic heart of our Lord. "In Sinu Jesu" has some beautiful spiritual reading if you're looking for your next good meditation reading. Check out Two Become Family - it's a great podcast!

Why is everyone shouting? Because they have good questions! Asking those questions helps us get to a deeper place in our relationship with God. The Catechism of the Catholic Church # 239 says: "By calling God "Father", the language of faith indicates two main things: that God is the first origin of everything and transcendent authority; and that he is at the same time goodness and loving care for all his children. God's parental tenderness can also be expressed by the image of motherhood, which emphasizes God's immanence, the intimacy between Creator and creature. The language of faith thus draws on the human experience of parents, who are in a way the first representatives of God for man. But this experience also tells us that human parents are fallible and can disfigure the face of fatherhood and motherhood. We ought therefore to recall that God transcends the human distinction between the sexes. He is neither man nor woman: he is God. He also transcends human fatherhood and motherhood, although he is their origin and standard: no one is father as God is Father."

While there's a bit of a joke in that title, there's also some truth. If we're going to worship God, we need to know the disposition of our own hearts. Just as Christ gave Himself for us, offered His body in sacrifice for us, so we are called to make a sacrifice of ourselves whenever we worship. This might mean putting aside our own stylistic preferences, or being obedient when it would be easier to do our own thing, or simply setting aside the time required to attend Mass. No matter what, we all have a sacrifice that we can make for God's glory!

Sabbatical is over and we're back. So good to be able to record an episode again. We're excited to get back on a regular schedule. Thanks for listening!

This is our last episode for a little while, but we had a good time talking about a bunch of stuff. Fr. Sam sincerely regrets not having the name Mark Schultz in his brain, but if you'd like to check out the interview with Mark that aired on The Tangent, you should give it a listen here. And check out his amazing song "Walking Her Home" here. Sabbatical starts soon - Roar Like the Lamb will return in September!

As we confront our mortality as very elderly millenials, our conversation meanders today. As a result, we cover some good ground, but it's hard to nail down a single theme. Anyway, it was good to record again, as our ability to actually get studio time has been limited.

Did you know that "I Can See Clearly Now" talks about obstacles? Fr. Sam sure didn't. Listen in as we talk about clarity and the gift that brings to ministry, and the way God uses consolations and desolations to help us navigate the spiritual life.

Sometimes Catholics or parishes are described as "frozen and chosen," and we have some thoughts on how this might apply in real life, how it might be just a stereotype, and why we need to do some work if we're going to do the hard work of evangelization and growing in holiness. Show Notes: Did you miss the last episode? The One That Got Away? We had the video, but the audio didn't seem to work super well. Here's the link to the YouTube https://youtu.be/dPze_ywQ0J0 - check it out!

As we recognize more and more just how little we actually know, we're learning that the answers are usually found when we stop trying to figure it out all by ourselves. Take a step back, look up, and most of all, look to God. Also... Epiphany is January 6 and should be celebrated as such. The name "Ordinary Time" should be abolished. We are big fans of Ruuthai's Kitchen. If you're in the greater-Bridgeport area, please support them and enjoy!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at Roar Like the Lamb! We're talking about Christmas prep and Christmas recovery. Asking God's blessings on you for 2024!

As we're getting close to Christmas, the season can get overwhelming. Today we're talking about allowing Jesus to really shepherd us through the season so that we can pray and enter in to the most important aspects of Advent and Christmas. SHOW NOTES Fr. Dwight Longenecker's "The Secret of the Bethlehem Shepherds" is out now by Sophia Institute Press. Check it out!

This is a delayed release episode...coming out today for no other reason than schedules got hectic and getting it ready for release kept getting put on the back burner. Sorry it's late! Anyway, we're talking about keeping an eternal perspective in a chaotic world, keeping Jesus front and center, and not running away from our feelings and experiences.

So it's not spooky or anything crazy, but we get lots of questions about Halloween and this seemed as good a time as any to talk about it. Trick or treat and all that. Oh, and Fr. Sam recently interviewed an exorcist, so you might be interested to check out the episode on The Tangent.

Starting with an excerpt from "In Conversation with God," Paola takes us into a conversation about Mary's silence and how silence in the spiritual life, and Mary's in particular, can help us in our daily walk with the Lord. You should get yourself a copy of these meditation books, they're really good. Link below. SHOW NOTES In Conversation with God - https://scepterpublishers.org/collections/in-conversation-with-god Check out The Tangent episode w/Fr. Basil Nortz on holy silence: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-tkwaz-147f361

It's not easy to preach about justice issues - you'll be accused of being too political, not political enough, focused on earthly things rather than spiritual, and on and on. Still, if we preach the Gospel in fullness, we're going to have to talk about a lot of things. We talk about that sometimes treacherous walk in this episode.

We...well, Fr Sam at least...almost forgot about our scheduled recording time for this episode. But we had fun anyway. Enjoy our almost forgotten conversation! Oh, and we referenced "Acts 23" and completely butchered the name. Sorry about that! In fact, it is called Acts XXIX (Acts 29). Please see the link below to learn more. Show Notes 33 Days to Greater Glory Prime Soil Acts XXIX

We are never a finished product. Continuing to grow, to learn, and to be formed is a need for all of us, especially in the life of the Church.

Today we're talking about reaching parishioners and the challenges attendant therein. It is very important to communicate well, and good tools like Flocknote are tremendous aids for parishes. At the same time, we need healthy staffing for our parishes (both clergy and lay staff), and a healthy engagement of lay people in the life and ministry of parishes. This was a fun conversation to have, and even though we haven't figured out all the answers, it's a blessing to be able to try to figure it out together! SHOW NOTES Catholic Young Adults in Fairfield County Word on Fire podcast - Why Parishes Fail to Engage 93% of Parishioners "Why They Follow" - by Matthew Warner Roar Like the Lamb is produced by Chris McHugh - McQ Marketing Group

We're ranging a bit in this episode as we talk about a whole slew of different things. All of it comes back, as usual, to our tremendous need to listen to the Lord. Check out the show notes for links to some of the things we reference! Show Notes ReCon podcast "Poustinia" by Catherine Doherty "Luv is a Verb" - DC Talk official music video List of Catholic podcasts (since recording, we seem to have fallen a bit in the ratings, which is good for our humility) Paola & Fr. Sam are working through the Catholic Psych certification; learn more here "All the People Said Amen" - Matt Maher

Paola shares some beautiful testimony in this one, gives some tremendous vulnerability and lays out where she's experiencing healing, grace, and growth. She's talking insecurities, wounds, new perspectives, what it is to feel re-created, and the ways she is finding deeper and more perfect integration. It wasn't what I (Fr Sam) was expecting, and I was so moved to hear her speak this way. See what happens when people stop being polite and start being real...oh wait, sorry, that's the intro to 90's reality show The Real World... Best thing about all this - Paola never leaves anything just for herself. This is a healing and growth that she is not just sharing verbally, but is also allowing to impact her ministry.

First, we would like to apologize for the long delay since we last released an episode. There have been lots of schedule issues throughout the spring and into the summer, so we've been behind on our production plan! In this episode, we talk about representation and how it works, or doesn't work, why it matters, or doesn't, and how we can navigate what can be a tricky area with charity. As summer progresses, we'll try to be regular with episodes, but may continue to experience delays. We appreciate your patience, and that you stick with us!

We've been after him for a long time to make an appearance, and it finally happened! Our producer Chris McHugh is with us! We're talking about Fr. Sam's homily on Divine Mercy Sunday, physician assisted suicide, and the tremendous gift of human life. If you'd like to hear Fr. Sam's homily, here it is - the Gospel starts around 17:20

Imagine you, like Roar Like the Lamb, are a small Catholic podcast. One day, an email comes from EWTN, asking if one of their hosts (The Catholic Sphere) can join you for an episode to talk about a super important book (The Prayer Book for Tired Parents: Practical Ways to Grow in Love of God and Get Your Family to Heaven). We were blown away and super excited, then we met Debbie Cowden, and it got even better! Debbie and her husband Dave have produced a powerful book to help parents, let them know they are seen and supported, and offer practical tips for building up a strong foundation for family life. We're happy to call her a friend and fan of the show!

We're bringing you a special talk given by Paola to the St. Pius X Walking With Purpose group. With Edith Stein (St. Theresa Benedicta of the Cross) as her guide, Paola opens up a philosophical and biblical understanding of woman, the feminine genius, and how all of us (male or female) are called into relation with God.

We were very privileged to have Mother Olga join us at St. Pius X on March 11, 2023 for our Seek 2023 conference. Mother is the foundress of the Daughters of Mary of Nazareth. She shared some beautiful stories with us about finding God even in suffering. While the audio isn't quite the quality we would like it to be, we hope you'll listen and enjoy her amazing words! If you'd like to see more of Mother Olga, here's a quick video in which Mother shares some of her life from Iraq to the US and God's grace along the way. You might also enjoy this longer interview she gave at the 2022 Given Forum.

On a very special episode of Roar Like the Lamb, Paola is drinking Bailey's and you better believe it's hilarious. But the real point this week is to talk about the power of having our Catholic faith really imbue everything we do. Catholic culture is real and how beautiful when we allow our faith to have space in every facet of our lives. What God Is Not Podcast with Mother Natalia The Being Human Podcast with Dr. Greg Bottaro

Regretting that we have't recorded together in a few weeks, but excited about some recent interviews Fr. Sam had for The Tangent on Veritas Catholic Network, we start talking about those, before getting back to Ash Wednesday, Lent, and prayerful discernment. It's important to pay attention to the desires in our hearts, to speak those desires to the Lord, and to allow God to form, purify, and confirm the graces He offers. Lenten video resource from Dr. Scott Hahn and the St. Paul Center Women Made New has some great stuff for Lent from Crystalina Evert Some of you sharp-eared listeners may notice a shift in our audio about 16 minutes in. That's because we had some technical issues and we're sorry, but assure you that they were not intentional. If you don't notice an audio change, then this was all a dream...

Starting with a new word Paola learned from a FOCUS missionary, we move into a conversation about 1 Thessalonians 2:8, comparing English translations of the Bible, parsing some of the words, and overall discussing the great gift of love and friendship in the context of ministry and mission. Check out C.S. Lewis' The Four Loves. Crinkle. Or Krinkle. Whatever. Crush it. The Four Loves The Fellowship of Catholic University Students

Just talking about the joys and challenges of leading in ministry, knowing when to step forward, when to stay back in support, and when to know the difference.

Long-time listeners already know...Paola's name is hard for some people to pronounce, and Fr. Sam loves a good chocolate chip cookie. In this episode, we talk about both. Oh, and we also read Pope Benedict XVI's Spiritual Testimony and talk about his incredible theological output and papal legacy.

It's not quite a Christmas episode, but we were hoping it would be ready in time for our Lord's Nativity, and here it is on St. Stephen's Day (or Boxing Day for our British and Canadian listeners)! The reason it's not a Christmas episode is that we ended up talking about another, non-holiday-related topic: marriage. Sometimes it seems like the Church has a lot of rules about weddings and marriage, but we're taking a peek behind the rules to better understand how the truth and beauty of marriage is made apparent through the processes and rules supporting the sacramental celebration of matrimony. All in all, we think marriage is a pretty great thing, and so does the Catholic Church!

This week, we're talking about the importance of the language we use and why we shouldn't be afraid to define our terms, use even the words that seem most challenging, and think more seriously about the the full meaning of the way we speak. Think deeply about the words you use and hear, and you will be amazed at what is being communicated! SHOW NOTES For more on the importance of language, check out "Abuse of Language, Abuse of Power" by Josef Pieper Need a good, Catholic Christmas gift? Check out the Building Blocks of Faith Series by Kevin and Mary O'Neill.

We actually don't say much about Thanksgiving, but we do talk quite a bit about Advent and some thoughts as we start this amazing season. As we so often do, we're happy to talk about Hallow and the Pray 25 Advent Challenge. Happy Thanksgiving!

In this short episode, we talk about being good even when we don't see the benefit, doing what is right because there is an intrinsic value to virtuous living, and not getting too caught up in what other people seem to have in spite of not always following the rules. St. Martin de Porres figures large in the conversation, so why not ask for his intercession today?

Advent is coming and somehow feels sneaky, even though we know exactly when it's coming. Not only is Advent almost here, it's four full weeks! So what's the excuse for not preparing now?

Choosing between good things is not always easy. As much as we might see lots of good opportunity in front of us, and recognize that God is generous in giving us so many good things, we also have to understand our own limitations, and discern which of the goods God truly desires for us. That's what we're talking about today! SHOW NOTES I teased Paola a fair bit about retelling a story incorrectly. Now, I didn't know anything about the story, had never heard it before. I'm still fairly confident she didn't quite get the story right. HOWEVER, Paola's story was an attempt at communicating some things said by Jackie Francois-Angel in a talk at a Steubenville Youth Conference. The talk is fantastic and full of other stories, which will make you forget Paola's story. Totally worth the time, and I'm grateful to Paola for tolerating me every day. Also, over on the Tangent, I talked about discernment in an episode, and if you want to listen to that, I won't argue with you.

Separate studios for us today so Fr. Sam's cold doesn't infect Paola! We'll hear all about Paola's recent retreat with the Sisters of Life, talk about God's abundant gifts to us, and more! SHOW NOTES Sisters of Life You can watch "The Chosen" over at formed.org - make your free account today! That re-baptism controversy we were talking about? Going back to St. Cyprian of Carthage (martyr) and Pope Stephen in the 200s, and continuing to the Donatist heresy in the fourth and fifth centuries, it was a big deal. But from this controversy, the Church was able to articulate the theological idea of ex opere operato, that the grace of the sacraments do not depend on the worthiness of the one administering the sacraments, as well as highlight the enduring grace of baptism even when marred by sin!

Paola and Fr. Sam went on retreat! In this episode, they're talking about some of the fruits of that retreat, dreaming with the Lord, and what those dreams look like currently, might look like in the future, and just plain old rediscovering the capacity to dream. SHOW NOTES Check out "Searching For and Maintaining Peace" by Fr. Jacques Philippe The Tangent on Veritas Catholic Network And even though we're not sponsored by anyone, we love to plug the Hallow app! The Community of the Lamb

With the feast of the Archangels just passed, and the feast of the Guardian Angels to come (sort of...Sunday takes precedence this year), we're looking at angels both arch and guardian. Plus some fun discussions on Genesis, creation, and how God's love for us is reflected back to us. SHOW NOTES Check out the men's retreat that the Sisters of Life are hosting next week. And just in general, check out their retreat offerings!

In something of a continuation of last week's episode, we're still talking catechesis, this time with a special focus on the kerygma, or first proclamation of the Gospel. In the end, we are all entrusted with the kerygma, though we have different ways of bearing witness. Some light reading to go along with this episode: "The General Directory for Catechesis" - available free on the Vatican website, but you might want a printed version. "Lumen Gentium" - also available free on the Vatican website. If you've listened to us for a while, it's about time you read it. "Gravissimum Educationis" - Vatican II's document on education...go figure, available free on the Vatican website. "Ministry or Apostolate: What Should the Catholic Laity be Doing?" - by Russell Shaw (2002). Not free on Vatican.va, sorry

New season just because we can do a new season. With a new catechetical year underway, and Paola's graduate studies beginning, we're talking catechesis and the need to teach the faith well. Check out Pope St. John XXIII's address at the opening of the Second Vatican Council.

Gaudium et Spes, the Second Vatican Council's Pastoral Constitution on the Church serves as our jumping off point for a whole bunch of stuff. Helps us talk about our mission, art in the world, liturgy, and more. And Paola is a generous non-uber driver. SHOW NOTES Check out Dr. Larry Chapp and https://gaudiumetspes22.com/

The "method modeled by the Master" is something you might have heard us talk about in the past. It comes up especially when we're talking about discipleship and evangelization. The phrase is used to great effect by the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS). Today we go in-depth with the method and add some pieces.

Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning" gets us talking about meaning in our lives, boredom, automation, striving for purpose, and being more human. Which somehow brings us to the Pastoral Constitution on the Church of the Second Vatican Council, Gaudium et Spes, which Fr. Sam has long held as his least-favorite document of the Council...but something is changing. Keep listening to find out why he's being converted to this beautiful document. And sorry for the abrupt end, but Padre did a bad job at time management.

We'll get there eventually. Talking about accountability and leadership, drawing on an essay written for the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) alumni by our newest friend-of-the-show Andrea Halfmann (Andrea, we hope someday you'll listen to the show!) and the SLII Leadership Model developed by Ken Blanchard. We all need to be accountable, but before we can expect anyone to hold us accountable, we need to be accountable to ourselves. SHOW NOTES For more on SLII - https://www.kenblanchard.com/Solutions/SLII#:~:text=LEADERSHIP%20MODEL,D4%20%E2%80%93%20Self%2DReliant%20Achiever. We hoped to be able to link to Andrea Halfmann's essay "Hate the word accountability? Me too...But that doesn't mean you don't need it," but we've only found it in e-mail form, sent to FOCUS alumni. Nevertheless, we want to give her credit for a thought-provoking piece and confirm her status as friend-of-the-show. Thanks, Andrea!

Paola questions Father's ability to bless things, discussion of the evilness of cats ensues, followed by the best reaction Fr. Sam has ever gotten from Paola on the podcast. And that's all in the first five minutes! All this to get us into the idea that God comes looking for us, wants to walk with us, and what a joy it is to step forward and allow God to find us and accompany us on the way. Helping us dive into this...yet another RLTL "Leisure the Basis of Culture" reference! Also...stay tuned for a HUGE personal sharing from Paola. --- SHOW NOTES --- Pray for Shannon! https://nunsforpriests.org/ “When we really let our minds rest contemplatively on a rose in bud, on a child at play, on a divine mystery, we are rested and quickened as though by a dreamless sleep. Or as the Book of Job says, “God giveth songs in the night” (Job 35:10). Moreover, it has always been a pious belief that God sends his good gifts and his blessings in sleep. And in the same way his great, imperishable intuitions visit a man in his moments of leisure. It is in these silent and receptive moments that the soul of man is sometimes visited by an awareness of what holds the world together:” ― Josef Pieper, Leisure: The Basis of Culture And if you want to WATCH Paola's reaction to Shannon's picture, check it out here: https://youtu.be/Tck8fKrGcHI

Awareness of our culture can help us understand our spirituality. Today we're looking at some of the cultural history that has found its way into our American Catholic spiritual worldview and some of the ways we need to depend on God more than our own efforts. "Obedience means falling in the abyss of God's love." Cardinal-designate Gianfranco Ghirlanda, SJ

A very messy rectory prompts discussion of how physical clutter impacts ministry, how priests might struggle to take care of their living arrangements because they're torn between simplicity of life and building maintenance, and more.

We started slow on this one, then forgot to post it, then recorded a different episode which we posted last week. But here we talk about how the church, especially in local parishes, could use a good, collaborative boost. If all together, we Catholics could realize that we may need to make some sacrifices to get to Mass, or that parishes should not be in rivalry with one another, we'll be able to get stronger in faith, have more robust community life, and take on a growth mindset, rather than a maintenance model.