Podcasts about busted halo

Holy Week and Passover coincide in 2025, and Father Dave welcomes back Rabbi Brad Hirschfield to discuss this meaningful time of year.

A listener named Alex asks Father Dave about the Eucharistic Prayer. Alex says, “In the Mass, Eucharistic Prayer I has a lengthy list of saints. How is this list determined, and can the presider add or subtract names to the list?”  

Many feel God's presence while spending time outdoors, and Father Dave welcomes Father John Nepil to discuss his faith connection to hiking the Colorado Trail. Father John is an avid hiker and mountaineer, and he has celebrated Mass atop all 54 of Colorado's highest peaks. His new book is called “To Heights and Unto Depths: Letters from the Colorado Trail.”

Father Dave answers a question from a listener named Steven about how the Church elects a new pope. Steven asks, “I'm praying for Pope Francis' health every day, but if he passes away, what are the next steps for electing a new pope?”

Many grew up watching the Christian animated series “VeggieTales,” and Father Dave welcomes the show's co-creator Mike Nawrocki to discuss sharing faith with kids. Mike wrote and directed episodes of the hit show as well as both theatrical-release films, and he served as the voice of Larry the Cucumber. Mike's latest project is a new kids show called, “The Dead Sea Squirrels,” based on his own book series.   

A listener named Jim asks Father Dave about Sunday Mass readings during Lent. Jim says, “At Mass [on the Third Sunday of Lent], I was expecting the Gospel to be from Luke about the fig tree, but the actual Gospel that was read was from John about [the woman at the well.] Why would that change?”  

A listener named Marty asks Father Dave about the presence of Holy Water in churches during Lent. “I was a parishioner at a church that took Holy Water out of the church for Lent and replaced it in the fonts with sand,” Marty says. “I strongly questioned it, and they relented and returned it. It's not right to take Holy Water out of a Catholic church for Lent, correct?”

Fasting is a pillar of Lent, and Father Dave welcomes Sister Nancy Usselmann to discuss how fasting from the digital world can impact our faith. Sister Nancy is a Daughter of Saint Paul, the Director of Pauline Media Studies, and the author of “Media Fasting: Six Weeks to Recharge in Christ.”

A listener named Dan asks Father Dave for advice on current struggles in his spiritual life due to politics. Dan says, “I am at a point where my faith is barely hanging by a thread, because so many people I know support political policies that fly in the face of the teachings of Jesus and are based in hate and fear.”  

March celebrates Women's History Month, and Father Dave welcomes Taryn DeLong and Elise Crawford Gallagher to examine work-life balance from the viewpoint of Catholic women. Taryn and Elise are the co-presidents of the online community Catholic Women in Business and the authors of “Holy Ambition: Thriving as a Catholic Woman at Work and at Home.”  

As division and polarization continue to plague our world, Father Dave welcomes Bob Bordone to discuss how conflict can be an opportunity to forge stronger relationships. Bob is Senior Fellow at Harvard Law School as well as the founder and former director of the Harvard Negotiation and Mediation Clinical Program. His latest book, co-authored with neurologist Dr. Joel Salinas, is called, “Conflict Resilience: Negotiating Disagreement Without Giving Up or Giving In.”  

Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time. Father Dave preaches about Jesus' tough words in the Gospel for those with wealth. As we approach Lent, St. Katharine Drexel can be a model for us to leave behind what's holding us back from God. Preached at St. Paul the Apostle Church, Los Angeles, CA on 3-3-25

Memorial of Saint Scholastica, Virgin. Father Dave reflects on how those in the Scriptures are surprised and amazed by Jesus' miracles. However, with our knowledge of salvation history, we should have confident faith that God can perform miracles for us as well. Preached at St. Paul the Apostle Church, New York City, NY on 2-10-25

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Father Dave notes how Jesus' use of “blessed” in the Sermon on the Mount may seem strange to us. God offers hope beyond one's current suffering, and we are called to lift others up in our world. Preached at St. Paul the Apostle Church, Los Angeles, CA on 2-16-25

Monday of the First Week in Ordinary Time. Father Dave reflects on the beginning of Ordinary Time and how it can feel repetitive to begin again. He reminds us that we choose to follow Jesus, and that commitment is constantly renewed. Preached at St. Paul the Apostle Church, New York City, NY on 1-13-25

Thursday of the First Week in Ordinary Time. Father Dave notes how today's readings highlight both ends of the spectrum of faith. We are called to be open to how God may transform us rather than stay stubborn in our own ways. Preached at St. Paul the Apostle Church, New York City, NY on 1-16-25

Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children. Father Dave reflects on Jesus' desire to restore humanity and make us whole. In light of today's feast, he challenges us to stand up for human life even when modern society considers it disposable. Preached at St. Paul the Apostle Church, New York City, NY on 1-22-25

Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle. On today's feast, Father Dave talks about how St. Paul evangelized to all the nations. We are also called to be like St. Paul and minister to those on the margins. Preached at St. Paul the Apostle Church, New York City, NY on 1-25-25

Monday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time. Father Dave discusses the concept of sacrifice in the Old Testament, and how Jesus transforms it. He also highlights how the Pharisees demonized Jesus without knowing him, and how we still do that to others today. Preached at St. Paul the Apostle Church, New York City, NY on 1-27-25

The Presentation of the Lord. Father Dave recounts Mary and Joseph presenting Jesus in the Temple, and how they practiced their faith just like us. He also notes what we can learn from listening to women and other lesser-heard voices in the Church. Preached at St. Gregory the Great Church in San Diego, CA on 2-03-25

Memorial of Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr. While many Christians know the phrase “offer it up,” Father Dave recalls how an old high school coach used to say “suck it up” in response to hardship. He reminds us that even the most extreme suffering does not keep us from Jesus. Preached at St. Paul the Apostle Church, New York City, NY on 2-05-25

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Father Dave recounts how all three readings today feature people who made radical changes in their lives after hearing God's call. He challenges us to boldly and loudly say yes to how God may be calling us today. Preached at St. Paul the Apostle Church, New York City, NY on 2-09-25

A caller named Samuel asks Father Dave about the wording in the Our Father. “I don't know if maybe I'm overthinking this, but in the Lord's Prayer, there's that part we say, ‘lead us not into temptation.' Why do we say that?” Samuel asks. “I just took it as a given that there's no circumstance in which God would deliberately tempt us to sin, and I was just wondering what the significance was of asking God to not lead us into temptation.”

Team Busted Halo recently traveled across the country to broadcast from the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, but one of our guests traveled all the way from Australia to speak at the event! Father Dave welcomes Father Richard Leonard, a Jesuit priest and pastor of Our Lady of the Way in North Sydney. He is the author of numerous books including, “Why God? Stories to Inspire Faith” and “Hatch, Match and Dispatch: A Catholic Guide to Sacraments” from Paulist Press.

Lent is almost here, and Father Dave welcomes Colleen Reiss Vermeulen to discuss her new book, “Simply Scripture for Lent and Easter: A Daily Guide to Reading the Bible.” Colleen is the co-founder of CatholicBiblicalSchool.org and a teacher and director with the Catholic Biblical School of Michigan.

While broadcasting from the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, Father Dave welcomes Vatican Observatory Director Brother Guy Consolmagno to discuss two of his latest books, “When Science Goes Wrong: The Desire and Search for Truth” and “A Jesuit's Guide to the Stars: Exploring Wonder, Beauty, and Science.”

As we approach Lent, Father Dave welcomes Josh Noem, editorial director of Ave Maria Press, to discuss his new devotional, “Lord Show Me the Way.”

Pope Francis' prayer intention for the month of February is for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, and Father Dave welcomes Rhonda Gruenewald to discuss how we can better foster those callings. Rhonda is the president and founder of Vocation Ministry, which works internationally with parishes and schools to establish or revive their own vocation ministries on the local level.

As we strive to be saints in the making, Father Dave welcomes Daryl Grigsby to highlight holy men and women from his new book, “Catholics for the Common Good: An Eternal Offering.”   

The Vatican released a new document on the relationship between artificial and human intelligence, and Father Dave highlights sections of the 30-page note. "Antiqua et Nova,” is a joint project between the Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Dicastery for Culture and Education.

A listener named Ashley asks Father Dave, “Can you help me appreciate Ordinary Time? It just feels like downtime until the next important season.”

You may have memorized the words to a favorite song or quote, but have you ever tried memorizing Scripture? Father Dave welcomes back friend of the show Jackie Angel to discuss her new book and accompanying podcast is called “Memorize Scripture: Simple Steps to Pray, Ponder, and Practice God's Word.”  

Father Dave answers an anonymous question regarding a prayer often said at Mass. The listener asks, “What is meant by ‘Light from Light' in the Nicene Creed?”

Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent. Father Dave recounts today's Gospel reading where Jesus' lineage is proclaimed. He compares it to an employer's background check for a new hire, and assures us that Jesus is the right man for the job in our lives. Preached at St. Paul the Apostle Church, New York City, NY on 12-17-24

The Baptism of the Lord. Father Dave reflects on how we are filled with expectation in this new year, just like the believers in today's readings. While world events in 2025 are already disheartening, Father Dave offers that the Holy Spirit and our diverse faith communities can give us hope in this Jubilee year. Preached at St. Paul the Apostle Church, New York City, NY on 1-12-25

Tuesday after Epiphany. Father Dave describes the different words for love in Greek, and how we could benefit from more words for love in the English language. Today's readings note how God is unconditional love, and we encounter him when we love through service. Preached at St. Paul the Apostle Church, New York City, NY on 1-7-25

The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas). Father Dave explains how Pope Francis opened the Holy Door for the Jubilee year and said, “Christ knocks at the door of our heart to find warmth and shelter.” Father Dave reflects on baby Jesus' unexpected vulnerability, and how we need to make room in our lives for the newborn king. Preached while serving as Chaplain of a Cruise Ship on 12-25-24

Third Sunday of Advent. Father Dave asks us to recall a time when someone took extraordinary means to help us and how we responded. He challenges us to make a positive change in our lives this week to thank God for his infinite love. Preached at St. Paul the Apostle Church, New York City, NY on 12-15-24

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On this Solemnity, Father Dave recounts the story of Our Lady of Lourdes and Mary's appearances to St. Bernadette. With our Blessed Mother as inspiration, we are to proudly proclaim our identity as Catholics. Preached at St. Paul the Apostle Church, New York City, NY on 12-9-24

Second Sunday of Advent. Father Dave reflects on how God's promises can be fulfilled in our lifetimes. He cites today's rededication of the Cathedral of Notre Dame as a reminder that God still concretely comes to us in our world. Preached at St. Paul the Apostle Church, New York City, NY on 12-8-24

2025 celebrates a Jubilee year in the Catholic Church, and Father Dave welcomes Scripture teacher and veteran tour guide Joan Watson to discuss. She is pilgrim formation manager for Verso Ministries and author of the new book, “Opening the Holy Door: Hope-Filled Scripture Reflections from St. Peter's Basilica.”

New Year's Day is often viewed as a fresh start, but 2025 began in sorrow following an attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Brett shares his emotions about the tragedy as a New Orleans resident, and team Busted Halo discusses finding hope in times of despair.

A listener named Beth asks Father Dave how she can best support her son who is discerning his vocation. “At the age of 12, my son told me that he thinks he wants to be a priest when he grows up. That thought hasn't changed in the past year,” she says. “Just looking for some extra input, because I'm worried about being a bad mom. Don't get me wrong, both my husband and I would be thrilled if he becomes a priest, but we don't want to make any accidental missteps. If Father Dave could [offer] some reassurance, I would greatly appreciate it.”

The holiday season is often a time of joy, but it can also highlight grief in our lives. To help families who are facing loss, Father Dave welcomes back Anthony DeStefano to discuss his new children's book, “Christmas in Heaven.”

Advent is a time to reflect on the incarnation, and Father Dave welcomes Catholic director D.J. Caruso to discuss his new Netflix film “Mary” all about the Blessed Mother. The film stars young Israeli actors as Mary and Joseph, as well as two-time Academy Award Winner Anthony Hopkins as King Herod.

Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop. On the eve of Election Day in the United States, Father Dave reflects on unity in our Church and country. We are challenged to try and bring people back together, even if it is just finding common ground with one person. Preached at St. Paul the Apostle Church, New York City, NY on 11-04-24

Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop. Father Dave details the life of Saint Martin of Tours and his legacy of mercy and compassion. Similarly, we can find opportunities to show forgiveness in our relationships, even when it's difficult. Preached at St. Paul the Apostle Church, New York City, NY on 11-11-24

Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. Father Dave details the apocalyptic themes of today's readings. Even when our world feels chaotic and overwhelming, God has the final say over death. Preached at St. Paul the Apostle Church, New York City, NY on 11-17-24

A listener named Matt asks Father Dave about an upcoming Marian solemnity. He says, “Why is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception moved from December 8 to December 9 [this year]?”  

There is a lot to celebrate during the holiday season, and Father Dave welcomes Steffani Aquila to help us better honor Catholic feasts in our homes all year. Steffani is founder of Liturgy Culture and Kitchen by His Girl Sunday, an online space inspiring Catholic culture and liturgical living in the home and parish. Her new book is called “Festive Faith: Catholic Celebrations Through the Year and Around the World.”