Soul Food Priest

Fr. Ben celebrates mass with those with special needs from all over Memphis, TN. It's a beautiful mass filled with joy, and that's precisely what Fr. Ben talks about in this homily. What does it take to have joy in life? Take a listen. Thank you for listening. We'd love to hear from you! You can email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com or at Soul Food Priest Facebook page to submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast. You can also follow us on YouTube!

In this episode, Fr. Ben introduces Silvia and Khira to Dubai chocolate as they discuss some very interesting interesting questions. What's the deal with angels & demons? Can they read our thoughts? What about ghosts? Got a question you'd like to ask Fr. Ben? You can submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast through Facebook, or you could email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com. The questions can be on faith or food! You can also follow us on Facebook and YouTube at Soul Food Priest. Thanks for listening!

Want to know how to attain happiness? Listen to Fr. Ben's homily to find out. Got a question you'd like to ask Fr. Ben? You can submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast through Facebook, or you could email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com. The questions can be on faith or food! You can also follow us on Facebook and YouTube at Soul Food Priest. Thanks for listening!

(You'll enjoy watching this episode on YouTube @SoulFoodPriest.) Ever wanted to know how to properly dice an onion, tomato, or bell pepper? Now's your chance! Fr. Ben teaches us how to do this as well as provide other safety tips. This is an episode Khira has been looking forward to! Thank you for listening. We'd love to hear from you! You can email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com or at Soul Food Priest Facebook page to submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast. You can also follow us on YouTube!

What is indifference? Indifference is not I don't care, but I care so much that I'm not going take control. Listen how Fr. Ben explains how we surrender and become indifferent in life with God and others. Thank you for listening. We'd love to hear from you! You can email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com or at Soul Food Priest Facebook page to submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast. You can also follow us on YouTube @SoulFoodPriest!

This season of Soul Food Priest is focused on making the Catholic Faith and they kitchen more approachable and way less intimidating. In this episode, Fr. Ben, Silvia, and Khira discuss the top five must haves in the spiritual life and in the kitchen. You'll receive some great information for the soul and the body! Thank you for listening. We'd love to hear from you! You can email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com or at Soul Food Priest Facebook page to submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast. You can also follow us on YouTube!

The way people will remember you in life is determined now and in your life decisions. Why do the small, everyday decisions in life matter? Take a listen to Fr. Ben's homily for the answer and several examples of people from the past.  Got a question you'd like to ask Fr. Ben? You can submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast through Facebook, or you could email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com. The questions can be on faith or food! You can also follow us on Facebook and YouTube at Soul Food Priest. Thanks for listening!

Fr. Ben preaches on the virtue of courage. Everyday requires this virtue, especially when called to live the faith in this culture. How do you grow in it? How to do you change your perspective to appreciate the trials? Take a listen. Got a question you'd like to ask Fr. Ben? You can submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast through Facebook, or you could email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com. The questions can be on faith or food! You can also follow us on Facebook and YouTube at Soul Food Priest. Thanks for listening!  

This week on  @SoulFoodPriest , Fr. Ben discusses a topic he's always found intriguing, Near-Death Experiences. After much reading, research, and personal interviews, Fr. Ben reveals some of the fascinating information he has received and how it can affect all people. Thank you for listening. We'd love to hear from you! You can email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com or at Soul Food Priest Facebook page to submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast. You can also follow us on YouTube!

Fr. Ben discusses the basis of faith and the necessary task of each person to know what he/she believes. Better understanding what you believe and learning more about the Faith will help deepen your relationship with Lord. Not only that, but people will notice. Take a listen! Got a question you'd like to ask Fr. Ben? You can submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast through Facebook, or you could email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com. The questions can be on faith or food! You can also follow us on Facebook and YouTube at Soul Food Priest. 

Fr. Ben shares some of the topics that either cause family conflict or can keep it going.  This list has been compiled by counseling people for almost twenty years. Take a listen to find out how to promote peace.  Got a question you'd like to ask Fr. Ben? You can submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast through Facebook, or you could email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com. The questions can be on faith or food! You can also follow us on Facebook and YouTube at Soul Food Priest. Thanks for listening!

Welcome to the  ⁨@SoulFoodPriest⁩  season finale where Fr. Ben gets interviewed by teenagers! This is your chance to get to know him a little better. Watch to see what questions they throw at him and possibly see what he was like as a teenager. Got a question you'd like to ask Fr. Ben? You can submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast through Facebook, or you could email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com. The questions can be on faith or food! You can also follow us on Facebook and YouTube. Thanks for listening!

In this homily Fr. Ben discusses the difference between narcissism and altruism. One tends to cut God and others out of their life and the other lives for the other. This is a great time for us to reflect on our own daily lives and see how we can simply change our ways to be a more loving people. Thank you for listening. We'd love to hear from you! You can email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com or at Soul Food Priest Facebook page to submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast. You can also follow us on YouTube!  

Fr. Ben takes the time to roll out his 3-year plan for St. Michael's. This all comes through prayer, focus groups, discussions, and surveys. We'd love to hear what you think! Thank you for listening. We'd love to hear from you! You can email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com or at Soul Food Priest Facebook page to submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast. You can also follow us on YouTube!

Fr. Ben receives a lot of questions regarding the church teaching about Same Sex Attraction. What does the Church officially teach? Why does the Church teach that? Ben, Khira and Silvia discuss this major topic. Thank you for listening. We'd love to hear from you! You can email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com or at Soul Food Priest Facebook page to submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast. You can also follow us on any podcast platform!

It's easy to find the struggles and ugliness in everyday life that we overlook the beauty that surrounds us. Fr. Ben teaches us in this homily why we should take notice and what to do with it. Let beauty pierce your day! Got a question you'd like to ask Fr. Ben? You can submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast through Facebook, or you could email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com. The questions can be on faith or food! You can also follow us on Facebook and YouTube at Soul Food Priest. Thanks for listening!  

The Founding Fathers used many principles in the Constitution that Jesus spoke about Himself. Fr. Ben revisits the Constitution, what these men wrote, and the beliefs that our nation was founded upon. These beliefs are in line with our Catholic belief! Take a listen to hear how and what all it means to be a Catholic American. Thank you for listening. We'd love to hear from you! You can email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com or at Soul Food Priest Facebook page to submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast. You can also follow us on YouTube!

A lot of Catholics know of people who have fallen away from the church for various reasons. The question that gets asked a lot then becomes: What do we do?? In this episode Father, Silvia, and Khira attempt to answer this question as well as provide some type of advice for those who are considering leaving the church. Got a question you'd like to ask Fr. Ben? You can submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast through Facebook or you could email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com. The questions can be on faith or food! You can also follow us on Facebook and YouTube at Soul Food Priest. Thanks for listening!

Everyone finds themselves in difficult situations where they have to navigate dealing with difficult people. It could be relatives, friends, or people in the grocery line. What does the Lord want of us? Listen to receive practical, helpful tips on how you can improve the situation.  Got a question you'd like to ask Fr. Ben? You can submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast through Facebook, or you could email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com. The questions can be on faith or food! You can also follow us on Facebook and YouTube at Soul Food Priest. Thanks for listening!

Fr. Ben receives a lot of questions regarding spreading the ashes of a loved one. Why doesn't the Catholic Church allow that? Fr. Ben, Khira and Silvia discuss this topic, and Silvia attempts to explain a type of Mexican bread that is a way of remembering one's mortality. Thank you for listening. We'd love to hear from you! You can email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com or at Soul Food Priest Facebook page to submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast. You can also follow us on YouTube at Soul Food Priest!

The majority of the Church consists of laity. Who are they? The average Catholics in the pews. Those who are married or single and are not a consecrated religious.  Vatican II called for leadership in the laity. What does that mean for the average Catholic? Take a listen as Fr. Ben explains what the role of the laity is. Got a question you'd like to ask Fr. Ben? You can submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast through Facebook or you could email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com. The questions can be on faith or food! You can also follow us on Facebook and YouTube at Soul Food Priest. Thanks for listening!

Typically, near the Solemnity of the Ascension, Fr. Ben gets asked multiple questions about Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory. He decided to do a homily to explain what all three are and how the individual person decides what they want. Listen to better understand. Got a question you'd like to ask Fr. Ben? You can submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast through Facebook or you could email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com. The questions can be on faith or food! You can also follow us on Facebook and YouTube at Soul Food Priest. Thanks for listening!

Fr. Ben serves up a small teaching on the four aspects of cooking and how it relates to one's daily life. Listen to learn the four to heighten your meals as well as your life.  Got a question you'd like to ask Fr. Ben? You can submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast through Facebook or you could email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com. The questions can be on faith or food! You can also follow us on Facebook and YouTube at Soul Food Priest. Thanks for listening!

Fr. Ben addresses the one of the most radical teachings of Jesus that only His followers are required to follow: Love thy enemies. Why MUST we do that? It's also so countercultural; however, Fr. Ben addresses why this teaching is vital to follow and what it can unlock in one's life. Got a question you'd like to ask Fr. Ben? You can submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast through Facebook or you could email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com. The questions can be on faith or food! You can also follow us on Facebook and YouTube at Soul Food Priest. Thanks for listening!

The top question Fr. Ben is receiving right now is: What do you think about the new pope? Everyone wants to know, so Fr. Ben shares some of his initial thoughts on the new Pope, Leo XIV. Along with this, one of the top qualities we hear about Pope Leo is the ability to listen, so Father, Silvia and Khira discuss the art of listening in the first part of this episode.  Got a question you'd like to ask Fr. Ben? You can submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast through Facebook or you could email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com. The questions can be on faith or food! You can also follow us on Facebook and YouTube at Soul Food Priest. Thanks for listening!

Fr. Ben reflects major lessons from three of the Pope Leos: Pope St. Leo the Great, Pope Leo XIII, & Pope Leo XIV. What is the main common thread in all three? Take a listen to find out! Thank you for listening. We'd love to hear from you! You can email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com or at Soul Food Priest Facebook page to submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast. You can also follow us on YouTube!

All should take a listen to this homily to have a greater appreciation for moms and overall parenting. There is some great insight on how to take care of the moms in your life, and, moms, how to take care of yourselves. Moms, thank you for all you do!! Got a question you'd like to ask Fr. Ben? You can submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast through Facebook or you could email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com. The questions can be on faith or food! You can also follow us on Facebook and YouTube at Soul Food Priest. Thanks for listening!

Many people have asked Fr. Ben for his assessment of Pope Francis' pontificate. Last week Fr. Ben focused on the positives; this week he focuses on some of the criticisms.  Please join us in prayer as a new pope will soon be elected.  Thank you for listening. We'd love to hear from you! You can email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com or at Soul Food Priest Facebook page to submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast. You can also follow us on YouTube!  

Fr. Ben shares the beautiful wisdom of the importance of humility and how that affect one's day to day life in numerous ways. Want to learn the way of peace? Take a listen. Got a question you'd like to ask Fr. Ben? You can submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast through Facebook or you could email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com. The questions can be on faith or food! You can also follow us on Facebook and YouTube at Soul Food Priest. 

Many people have asked Fr. Ben for his assessment of Pope Francis' pontificate. In this episode, he focuses on the good that Pope Francis brought to the Church. Take a listen to as we take the time in gratitude for our late Pope and begin to pray for the new one to be elected.  This is a two part series. Part II will be released next Thursday.   Thank you for listening. We'd love to hear from you! You can email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com or at Soul Food Priest Facebook page to submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast. You can also follow us on YouTube!  

Fr. Ben explains the role of the pope and what takes place in the conclave. He gives reasons, both rooted in Scripture and Tradition, as to why the Catholic Church does what She does regarding this sacred process and office. Thank you for listening. We'd love to hear from you! You can email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com or at Soul Food Priest Facebook page to submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast. You can also follow us on YouTube!

Fr. Ben creates three amazing dishes for Silvia and Khira that they've either never tried or there's a surprise twist. With this idea of surprises that one can find in food, the topic of God allowing surprises to happen to us becomes a topic of discussion. Listen as we discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to surprises in life. Got a question you'd like to ask Fr. Ben? You can submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast through Facebook or you could email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com. The questions can be on faith or food! You can also follow us on Facebook and YouTube at Soul Food Priest. Thanks for listening!

Fr. Ben reminds us that Easter is a time of hope and renewal. The only question is: Will you allow it to be that for your life? This homily message helps us know what that means and how we can better live as a people of hope. Thank you for listening. We'd love to hear from you! You can email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com or at Soul Food Priest Facebook page to submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast. You can also follow us on YouTube!

Fr. Ben gives a brief homily about Holy Week. Take a listen...it's only two minutes.  Please know if our prayers for you as we approach Easter. Got a question you'd like to ask Fr. Ben? You can submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast through Facebook or you could email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com. The questions can be on faith or food! You can also follow us on Facebook and YouTube at Soul Food Priest. Thanks for listening!

Lent is a time for self-reflection and purification. Fr. Ben reflects in this homily on the importance of reflecting on our stubborn ways and growing in humility. Take a listen to this difficult yet helpful homily. Got a question you'd like to ask Fr. Ben? You can submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast through Facebook or you could email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com. The questions can be on faith or food! You can also follow us on Facebook and YouTube at Soul Food Priest. Thanks for listening!

Fr. Ben, Silvia and Khira continue their conversation with author and journalist George Weigel.   Mr. Weigel is most well-known for his two-part biography on St. John Paul II. While working on this biography, he developed a close friendship with the great saint. April 2, 2025 marked the 20th anniversary of St. John Paul II's death, so we wanted to discuss with Mr. Weigel what St. John Paul II meant to him, the Church, and the rest of the world. We hope you enjoy our conversation.   To learn more about George Weigel and his writings, visit his website at www.georgeweigel.com.   Thank you for listening. We'd love to hear from you! You can email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com or at Soul Food Priest Facebook page to submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast. You can also follow us on YouTube!

Fr. Ben, Silvia and Khira had the incredible honor of sitting with author and journalist George Weigel. Mr. Weigel is most well-known for his two-part biography on St. John Paul II. While working on this biography, he developed a close friendship with the great saint. April 2, 2025 marked the 20th anniversary of St. John Paul II's death, so we wanted to discuss with Mr. Weigel what St. John Paul II meant to him, the Church, and the rest of the world. We hope you enjoy our conversation.   To learn more about George Weigel and his writings, visit his website at www.georgeweigel.com.   Thank you for listening. We'd love to hear from you! You can email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com or at Soul Food Priest Facebook page to submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast. You can also follow us on YouTube!

Fr. Ben had extra cherries in his kitchen, so we whipped several batches of clafoutis. Don't know what that is? Watch and you'll find out! What makes some parishes thrive and others remain stale? Fr. Ben researches this question online by seeing what people post and what surveys say. He reveals his findings and discusses them with Khira and Silvia. Thank you for listening. We'd love to hear from you! You can email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com or at Soul Food Priest Facebook page to submit questions or follow us on YouTube!

Fr. Ben discusses the art of listening in this homily and the value of it. Being able to communicate is extremely important, but people often overlook the importance of listening. Spend some time listening to what the Lord may be teaching you. Got a question you'd like to ask Fr. Ben? You can submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast through Facebook or you could email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com. The questions can be on faith or food! You can also follow us on Facebook and YouTube at Soul Food Priest. Thanks for listening!

Fr. Ben preaches on what it means to be made in God's image and likeness. The deep beauty of who you are is incredible and God marvels at you. Do you know this? Take a listen and know your own identity this Lent. Thank you for listening. We'd love to hear from you! You can email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com or at Soul Food Priest Facebook page to submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast. You can also follow us on YouTube!

Fr. Ben serves up a small plate of couscous and tells you of various ways you can use it. He also relates it to the spiritual life. How is that possible?? Take a listen. Got a question you'd like to ask Fr. Ben? You can submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast through Facebook or you could email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com. The questions can be on faith or food! You can also follow us on Facebook and YouTube at Soul Food Priest. Thanks for listening!

Fr. Ben talks about the courage to walk upstream in our culture, especially when it comes to truth. It takes a lote of courage to be Catholic, but there are so many who have witnessed it throughout history. Take a listen to hopefully be built up in your faith. Got a question you'd like to ask Fr. Ben? You can submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast through Facebook or you could email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com. The questions can be on faith or food! You can also follow us on Facebook and YouTube at Soul Food Priest. Thanks for listening!

Fr. Ben and Khira get the privilege of sitting with Sr. Mary Lawrence again to discuss God's infinite love for each person. The joy in her face as she describes the love of God is beautiful and contagious. Our prayer is that you are able to live in that love, so watch and hear how you can. Thank you for listening. We'd love to hear from you! You can visit Ask Fr. Ben | St. Michael Church (stmichaelmemphis.org) to submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast. You can also follow us on Facebook at Soul Food Priest and on any podcast platform!

Soul Food Prest wants to brag on our very own Silvia Vega. She covered the song "Run to the Father" by Matt Maher at St. Michael's1st Sunday of Lent Mass. It was recorded live through our livestream. Fr. Ben gave a brief statement about the Diocesan Capital Campaign, so we wanted to share this video with you in lieu of a homily. May you have a blessed Lent running to the Father. Thank you for listening. We'd love to hear from you! You can email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com or at Soul Food Priest Facebook page to submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast. You can also follow Silvia at Silvia Vega Music on Facebook or Instagram.

Fr. Ben serves up sourdough in this episode. He talks about what makes it have the tang. This process of creating a sourdough starter can easily be related to how our hearts can become sour over time. Take a listen! Got a question you'd like to ask Fr. Ben? You can submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast through Facebook or you could email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com. The questions can be on faith or food! You can also follow us on Facebook and YouTube at Soul Food Priest. Thanks for listening!

This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, and it is on that day that Christians are really reminded of their mortality. Fr. Ben talks on the difficult topic of death as a way to prepare for this coming Lent. How can we prepare for death? Why should we reflect on our mortality? These questions, and others, are addressed in this homily. Thank you for listening. We'd love to hear from you! You can email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com or at Soul Food Priest Facebook page to submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast. You can also follow us on YouTube!

Fr. Ben just completed a week of creating over 650 king cakes as a fundraiser for his parish. He shares it with you this week as well as the origins of the “King Cake”.  As he was preparing all those king cakes, news of the Pope's failing health was reported. Many people then started asking the questions of “What happens if the Pope dies?”. This is the topic Fr. Ben, Silvia, and Khira discuss. Please join us in prayer as we pray for the healing of Pope Francis. Thank you for listening. We'd love to hear from you! You can email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com or at Soul Food Priest Facebook page to submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast. You can also follow us on YouTube!

Fr. Ben discusses the key points that those who are young can and should learn from those who are older. Life will be more beautiful when one adopts this wisdom in life. Take a listen to what they are. Got a question you'd like to ask Fr. Ben? You can submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast through Facebook or you could email us at soulfoodpriestmemphis@gmail.com. The questions can be on faith or food! You can also follow us on Facebook and YouTube at Soul Food Priest. Thanks for listening!

Fr. Ben and Khira sit with Sister Mary Lawrence, O.P. to discuss religious life. Many people often ask questions about the life of a sister or nun but rarely get to hear from one. In this episode you have the privilege of listening to our dear friend explain the life of a sister. Sr. Mary Lawrence is a Dominican sister from the St. Cecelia Congregation in Nashville and is the principal of a school in Memphis. She'll discuss more of what all this means and what their particular charism is as a community. Thank you for listening. We'd love to hear from you! You can visit Ask Fr. Ben | St. Michael Church (stmichaelmemphis.org) to submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast. You can also follow us on Facebook at Soul Food Priest and on any podcast platform!

Fr. Ben discusses what he thinks are the top 5 reasons we should be proud to be Catholics. These are his opinions, but he also gives great evidence to back them up. Take a listen and you'll learn a lot.   Got a question you'd like to ask Fr. Ben? Go to Ask Fr. Ben | St. Michael Church (stmichaelmemphis.org) to submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast. The questions can be on faith or food! You can also follow us on Facebook and YouTube at Soul Food Priest. Thanks for listening!

Fr. Ben serves up a small lesson on patina. He teaches what it is physically and how it can apply to one's spiritual life. Take a listen and learn. Got a question you'd like to ask Fr. Ben? Go to Ask Fr. Ben | St. Michael Church (stmichaelmemphis.org) to submit questions and topic ideas for the podcast. The questions can be on faith or food! You can also follow us on Facebook and YouTube at Soul Food Priest. Thanks for listening!