The Father Joe Podcast

You've heard the expression, if you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life. Well, meet a couple of 92 year old priests still saying Mass and loving the ministry. Our Fr. Joe Grimaldi is 82 and is the pastor of a large church. How do they do it?

'Alone Together', is a total contradiction, except that more and more, it is how people have spent their time since March of 2020. We've discovered that a decent number of Americans are comfortable, and enjoy, rolling solo. Can we apply that going to Mass?

Purple is used at Advent as it is at Lent to represent the penitential nature of the season. In fact, Advent used to be known as “little Lent.” The color is a symbolic reminder for us to be preparing ourselves for the coming of our Lord.

The pandemic had a devastating impact on our students. The 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress found that nearly four in ten eighth graders failed to grasp basic math concepts and only one in three students achieved reading proficiency standards.  

If you took your parish's catechism classes when you were growing up you remember actual grace. It's a supernatural kick in the pants. It gets your will and intellect moving so you can seek out and provide acts of kindness to those in need.

The feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran is celebrated by the entire Church. It marks the dedication of the cathedral church of Rome by Pope Sylvester I in 324. This church is the cathedral (or chair) of the bishop of Rome, who is our Pope.

Day of the Dead combines the ancient Aztec custom of celebrating ancestors with All Souls' Day, a holiday that Spanish invaders brought to Mexico starting in the early 1500s. The holiday, which is celebrated mostly in Mexico on November 1 and 2, is like a family reunion—except dead ancestors are the guests of honor.

Sometimes when we go to Mass, things don't go as well as we wish. In an ideal world Mass would be full of life and joy. Everyone would leave feeling completely one with God. But other times, Mass can feel different. Remember this, Christ is truly present in the Mass.

This summer the Jesuit order celebrated their 488th birthday. The Jesuits were founded by Ignatius de Loyola, a Spanish soldier turned priest. For centuries, the Jesuits have worn many hats: missionaries, educators and writers. The prospect of a Jesuit pope was once considered unlikely Therefore, the 2013  as Pope Francis surprised many.

The next time you are at Church look for the Keys of St. Peter. The Keys of Heaven refers to the image of crossed keys used to represent the metaphorical keys of the office of Saint Peter, the keys of Heaven, or the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. It is explicitly referenced in the Bible in Matthew 16:19. 

COVID has changed our lives forever. Pardon the metaphor, but it's like we've spent over two years in a storm shelter. We're free to move about once again; however, the landscaped has changed. A Funeral became a Major challenge. Maybe COVID's N0.1 Victim.

Near my parish in metro Detroit an event called The Woodward Dream Cruise is held. Classic car enthusiasts attend the event held annually on the third Saturday of August. The Cruise now attracts more than 1.5 million visitors from around the world. We pray for a safe and fun filled event. 

Some Catholics go elsewhere to find what they like. For example, they go to a historic, ornate church that offers the official Latin Mass. The same with a church that offers the Gregorian chant. Some Catholics would even like the Church to return to pre-Vatican II. 

We could not help but notice the Pope's health issues as he journeyed to Canada. The pontiff's knee has hampered his ability to move about without the assistance of a wheelchair. The possibility of retirement appears to be an option. Pope Benedict XVI resigned in 2013 after roughly seven years in office.

A May 2022 Study finds too many Catholics are “accustomed to not being in church.” The survey conducted by Vinea Research is examining the effects of the pandemic on Church attendance and faith practice. Among the key findings, the survey discovered that a significant portion of Catholics have become “accustomed to not being in church.” The authors suggest that while Catholics have been generally strengthened in their faith during the pandemic, many are in no rush to return to the pews. 

For any number of reasons, a priest may conclude that he cannot continue living the life of a priest. Most priests who leave have done so after months and perhaps years of prayer and reflection, often shedding tears as they make this important decision.

May I say the rosary during the celebration of the mass? Praying the rosary is defined as a devotion. We are requested to concentrate our attention on the sacred actions of the memorial of Jesus' passion, death and resurrection as is celebrated in Holy Mass. 

To say America is in a delicate place right now is an understatement. Abortion, gas prices, the January 6th insurrection, gun control, immigration, climate change and our old friend covid – That's enough to make the point. Some say we haven't been this divided since the Civil War. I believe that the solution is staring you right in the face.

Most of us probably do not think of ourselves as prophets. Every baptized person, is called to be a prophet. How can we do what Jesus asks, to bring his love to bear on every situation in our everyday life. Let's discuss. 

It was my first ever trip to Mackinac Island for a conferance at the historic Grand Hotel. It was a great conferance at a stunning Michigan location. It was the parting gift that I wish I'd left in my hotel room. 

It's amazing how many Hollywood comedians attended Catholic schools, from Bob Hope to Jim Gaffigan. Memories of the nun's habits, discipling with rulers and priests chaperoning the prom are part of the schooling legacy. We dedicate this podcast to you.

An email asked me to share my thoughts about psychics. Some people enjoy a field trip to a psychic, fortune teller or palm reader. Let's have a chat. 

What do you do when you just can't take the time away you know you need and deserve? The operative word is ‘need'. A man I know well tells me “There's no vacation from being a Catholic Priest.” 

Moving a parent, even a willing one, into assisted living, or any senior living facility, is full of emotion. They're frightened about aging, making new friends, and finding their way in a new place. We may feel guilt. These feelings are normal, but don't need to last forever.  

‘iBreviary', ‘Catholic Calendar', ‘Laudate', ‘Click To Pray', ‘Hallow'. These are just a few of the Catholic apps available for your cell phone or tablet. So, how do you feel about a tablet or smart phone taking the place of a Sunday Missal or Bible?

Having a close family member or friend officiate your wedding is becoming a growing trend among couples. 43 percent of couples in the US had a friend or family member act as the officiant at their wedding. Many couples are forgoing religious norms and traditional vows for wedding ceremonies. And, the trend is growing.

Pope Francis condemned the “horrific cruelties” against unarmed women and children in Bucha, Ukraine on Wednesday, saying that the blood of innocent civilians “cries out to heaven” for an end to the atrocities of war. 

I had a friend ask me "Why is Jesus so angry in today's gospel?" That's a great question. As we know, Jesus was human, yet he's also fully divine. Jesus got angry, but angry for the right reasons. How you challenge your anger can help define who you are. 

It's Friday night and you can smell it in the air around Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Auburn Hills, MI. Did somebody say “fish fry?” In various parts of the country, the Friday Lenten fish fry is a staple. Parishioners come together and enjoy fish instead of meat.   

You can handle the small projects. Maybe it's anger, patience or being selfish. A key to this process is both prayer and reflection. We ask God to guide us in reshaping our weaknesses. Remember, we don't have to do a major remodel. Those around you will embrace your upgrade.

You don't have to be wealthy to plan your legacy. Not unlike a church's row of pews, the Catholic Church has several philanthropic avenues for you to examine when you consider ways to give. Even after death.   

Fat Tuesday is that date on our calendar when we get to indulge ourselves. Parades, alcohol and sweets. Lots of sweets. The Polish Paczki, New Orleans beignets, King Cake and gumbo. The list goes on. As we prepare for lent, let's enjoy our family, friends and some tasty food.

We have done other podcasts on Lent. Pre-COVID-19 and during the virus. From giving up meat, sweets or alcohol to going all in to help out at a non-profit food rescue provider. Let's revisit our traditions and options. 

How would you describe yourself? What would you say is your strongest trait? Reliable? Optimistic? Well, how about your parish? If your parish was a person what would be his/her strongest traits? 

Northern Michigan is a destination for yet another reason. Pope Francis has named a new bishop for the Catholic Diocese of Gaylord, Michigan. Meet Bishop-elect Jeffrey J. Walsh.

If you answered, "give me a minute," you probably haven't said it in awhile, or ever. Hundreds of years ago, bells would toll to remind us to recite the Angelus. Not so much anymore. At the Vatican, many offices have the custom of pausing work every day to pray the Angelus together at noon.  

From the Loyola Press: The start of a new liturgical year, beginning with the first Sunday of Advent, also marks the transition from one lectionary cycle (A, B, or C) to the next. These cycles are a result of the Second Vatican Council, which ordered a change in the Sunday readings at Mass so that Catholics would become more familiar with the text of the Bible. As a result we now have a three-year cycle of readings built around readings from the three synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

Remember "So Long 2020!"? Have you heard the expression “wash, rinse and repeat"? 2022 is off to a rough start. It's only week one and we are now in our third year of the COVID virus. Let's start the New Year with hope and prayer.

A lot has happened in a year. Especially for yours truly. I am once again the Pastor of my own church. Sacred Heart in Auburn Hills, MI. I love the assignment. Part of that comes with my first Christmas and New Year. Let's pray for healthier New Year. Pray for the end of COVID.

It's hard to imagine anything worse than the loss of a child. As a Catholic Priest, I try to be open in my counseling with couples and parents about their child or children: let them know that I support them, and are there to talk and listen.

Advent is a period of preparation extending over the four Sundays before Christmas. The word Advent comes from the Latin advenio, "to come to," and refers to the coming of Christ. Though Christ has already come into the world, the Church invites us to renew our desire for the Lord more deeply into our lives, and to renew our desire for Christ's triumphant second coming into the world.

Is it time for women to be Deaconesses? Once again, the debate is being discussed. Many say yes...many say no! I offer my opinion.

Harry Chapin had the #1 1974 hit "Cat's in the Cradle". It chronicles a son whose dad doesn't have time for him.  The father is repeatedly unable to spend time with him due to his job. His son promises to grow up to be just like his dad. And, he does.

In Luke's Gospel this week he writes: "Every one of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.” Essentially, we're being asked, do we cherish our wealth more than our fellow person? Wealth is not a bad thing. It's how we use it.  

On today's podcast we'll talk about the 12 Apostles. Because of them we have our faith. Many Apostles are associated with a request. Danny Thomas prayed to St. Jude, he is the patron saint of desperate cases and lost causes. Let's do a deeper dive. 

On October 18th we celebrated the feast of St. Luke evangelist, physician and companion of St. Paul whose gospel preserved the most extensive biography of Jesus Christ. St. Luke is the patron of doctors and other medical caregivers. His feast reminds us to continue to pray for our healthcare workers.

Pope Francis is 84. In July, 2021 he spent a week-long hospitalization requiring surgery. It has served as a reminder that the pope is reaching an age when people deal more frequently with health problems and become more vulnerable. Will we ever see a young American pope?

Have you found yourself angry with a good friend or family member? You may want to look at how you deal with your hatred and anger. Anger can make you anxious, frustrated and even depressed and that's unhealthy. Forgiveness is not optional. It is essential. 

You often hear, 'God works in mysterious ways'. I was recently asked to be the pastor and administrator of Sacred Heart Parish in Auburn Hills, MI. and I've accepted. I'm asking for your prayers as I hope to succeed and apply the necessary passion to my exciting new assignment. Thank you and God Bless.

On September 18th Catholic Cemeteries in Michigan joined together for a prayer service in memory of all lives lost during the pandemic. For many, this period has cost us the experience to celebrate the lives, and loss, of our loved ones. Let us pray. 

When it comes to going to college don't panic if you hear, “your student may need to follow one of these alternative paths.” Not all kids are built for a major university or college.