Podcasts about priestly formation

“Whatever my own plans for myself are, [they] are nothing compared to His plan for me.” Fr. Clint McDonell joins Men of Hearts hosts Fr. Craig and Fr. Drew to talk about the people who influenced his priestly discernment, his role as Director of Undergraduate Seminarians at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, and his love of teaching Latin. He closes the episode with his advice to young men considering the priesthood: Talk, pray, read, and work. (0:26) Hosts Fr. Craig Giera and Fr. Drew Maybee introduce their guest this month, Fr. Clint McDonell. As a member of the Sacred Heart Major Seminary faculty, Fr. McDonell has been preparing for the upcoming academic year while also taking some time to rest. He shares about a recent trip to see friends in South Bend, Indiana, where he celebrated Mass and had lunch with Gianna Emanuela Molla, daughter of St. Gianna Beretta Molla. The conversation then turns to Fr. Clint's love of teaching Latin at Sacred Heart.(13:59) Fr. Drew provides an update on his new assignment at Holy Family Parish in Novi, where he's been struck by how deeply parishioners love the Lord and by what he calls a “good communal connection” between the multicultural congregation. Meanwhile, Fr. Craig has just returned from the annual seminarians' retreat at Manresa with Archbishop Vigneron. (19:49) Fr. Clint is asked to share his vocation story, which begins at age 10 or 11 when he first began serving as an altar boy because he “just wanted something to do during Mass.” He started to appreciate what was going on during the liturgy and had a great role model of the priesthood in his pastor, Fr. Ed Prus. He first thought about attending the seminary while in high school, but ultimately took a full scholarship to university before finally enrolling at Sacred Heart.(27:20) Fr. Clint talks about individuals who influenced his vocation to the priesthood, including his parents, his childhood pastor, a single conversation with a college roommate, and the Blessed Mother herself. He also talks about some of the hobbies he has maintained as a priest, including hiking, camping, and kayaking.(44:38) Fr. Clint shares more about his role at Sacred Heart. In addition to teaching Latin, Fr. Clint serves as director of undergraduate seminarians and is tasked with implementing the “Discipleship Phase” of the seminary's Program for Priestly Formation. He identifies and defines the four stages of the program: The propaedeutic (or preparatory) stage; the discipleship stage during which a seminarian learns what it means to follow Christ; the configuration during which he is configured to Christ the priest; and the vocational synthesis stage that puts all of this formation together as a man begins to live out his vocation as a transitional deacon before priestly ordination. Our hosts also talk about Sacred Heart's emphasis on human formation, helping men develop the virtues necessary for the rest of their development into priests.(52:43) Fr. Clint closes the episode with his fourfold advice to young men discerning a call to the priesthood: Talk to your priest, a seminarian, or anyone else who may be considering the same call; pray for the Lord to continue providing direction; read more, shutting everything else off because our noisy world makes it harder to hear the Lord; and work, get a job, and build up a solid foundation of self-accountability and discipline.

Kairos year, discipleship, configuration, oh my! What are the stages of priestly formation in our diocese, what is the goal, and why do we call them what we do?

The founder of the Congregation Emmanuel of Christ Emeritus Prof. (Dr.Dr.) John Okoro Egbulefu discusses his life, mission, his Congregation and much more.#vatican #whyknowledgematters #theykm #congregation #religion #catholic #faith #christ #jesus #jesuschrist #christmas #love #followerofjesus #followerofchrist #followerofjesuschrist ===Emeritus Prof. (Dr. Dr.) John Okoro Egbulefu has served three Pontiffs: Pope St. John Paul II, Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis, and within the thirty uninterrupted academic years (1989/1990 -2019/2020) of his teaching Dogmatic Theology to students from all continents of the earth at the Pontifical Urbanian University Rome, he scored the record of generating in his competence as the main Moderator of their doctoral theses in Theology – a total of thirty-one Doctors of Theology for the Church some of whom are now Bishops. In 1990 Pope John Paul II appointed him theological Expert (peritus) for the General Synod of Bishops on Priestly Formation. In 1992 he was appointed Consultor of the Pontifical Council for the Non-Believers. In 1994 Pope John Paul II again nominated him theological Expert for the Special Synod of the Bishops on the Church in Africa. In 1995 he was appointed Member of the International Historico-Theological Commission for the Great Jubilee of the Holy Year 2000. In 2001 he was appointed Delegate President of the first Synod of the diocese of Aba.===the-ykm.comtheykm.comwhyknowledgematters.com#livelearnlove

Ralph sits down with Fr. John Horn to hear about his call to the priesthood and the foundation of the Institute for Priestly Formation.

How do we define masculinity in an evolving world? What does a healthy and mature man look like? What are qualities men should be pursuing and which ones undermine his masculinity?  Joining me on the show to have this important conversation is Fr. Jim Rafferty, Director of Spiritual Formation for the Institute for Priestly Formation. Fr. Rafferty offers much wisdom in this episode based on his many years of forming seminarians and priests.  In today's episode, we discuss the challenges of making choices amidst conflicting desires and priorities, emphatically stating that masculinity is best defined in relationship and not as a lone wolf, looking to Jesus as the model of manhood par excellence, embracing weakness as part of life, and learning to see and respond to the popular caricatures of manhood. If you find this episode helpful, please share it with one person who you think would benefit from it. Also, please consider leaving a rating or writing a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Have thoughts about this episode? Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.   Websites mentioned in the show: Institute for Priestly Formation Episode 8: How to Discern a Lifelong Vocation with Fr. Jim Rafferty  

Welcome to Episode 120 of the Being Human Podcast:  Leading with Vulnerability: A Visit w/ Fr. Louis Merosne Dr. Greg sits down with long-time friend Fr. Louis Merosne for an engaging conversation focused around vulnerability, friendship, the importance of authenticity and finding strength in our weaknesses. Fr. Louis also shares his experience of being in Mentorship and going through the CPMAP Certification program.    Discussed in this episode: What are the hallmarks of true friendship?  Love as the necessary environment for transformation; The issue with the lack of personal relationship and accompaniment in education;  The infinite mystery and depth of a human person; The dangers of being inauthentic and lacking in vulnerability when preparing for a vocation as a priest or mental health professional; Fr. Louis' reflections on his experience as a CPMAP Certification student and of being in Mentorship;  Advice to seminarians about the value of authenticity and honesty in discernment; The power of leading with vulnerability and imperfections; The meaning of a corrective emotional experience; The process of learning to receive as a way to be able to keep giving; A Mentors' role in being the face of the unconditional love of God to those with whom they are working.   Resources mentioned or relevant: Register for our upcoming Open House!  More about the CPMAP Certification Program; USCCB Program of Priestly Formation;  Need help? Schedule a free 15-minute consultation call with someone on our team to discuss how we can support you;  Learn about IDDM (Mentorship), our new model of accompaniment; Sign up for Being Human, our weekly newsletter, to stay up to date on the exciting developments at CatholicPsych; Visit our website to read the CatholicPsych blog, shop in the CatholicPsych bookshop, or discover other resources we have available;  Download The Integrated App for access to free audio exercises, the Catholic Mindfulness Virtual Retreat, courses, prayer resources, and more;  Become a member of the Integrated Life Community to get access to every course Dr. Greg has created, plus the opportunity to participate in Integrated LIVE's - weekly, Mentor hosted Q&As covering topics like boundaries, communication, trauma, forgiveness, and more!   Contact us! Have a topic or a question you would like Dr. Greg to address on the podcast? Want to give some feedback about this episode? Email us at beinghuman@catholicpsych.com - we would love to hear from you!   Rate, review, and subscribe Please help us in our mission to integrate the Faith with Psychology by hitting subscribe and also sharing this podcast with your friends. Please consider rating or leaving a review of our show. It helps us reach other Catholics just like you who want to become more integrated, whole, and happy human beings. For Apple podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate 5 stars, and choose “write a review.” Then type your sincere thoughts about the show! If you haven't already, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss out on any episodes. Subscribe to the podcast now!  

In this episode, the dogs discuss the movie Devotion (1:00) and what it takes to become a saint (6:10). They pull from the Office of Readings (7:29), Bishop Barron (10:14), and Cardinal George (27:30), all while making too many baseball references. Mike closes the episode with a reference to the North American Martyrs (35:35) and his modest rebellion against becoming a semi-pro therapist (30:30). Quotes: "It's not morality that makes someone a saint." (Rob, 6:15) “God desires for us to be saints. It's not enough for us to behave properly; He wants a transformation of the heart.” (Mike, 7:50) “The desire on our hearts is that someone will crash land for us or that I will crash land for someone else… it calls to a deeper part of our humanity.” (Mike, 8:45)  “What makes a saint is not moral virtue, but union with God.” (Connor, 11:25)  “You become who you are and who you are meant to be in the measure that you receive your being from Him.” (Connor, 12:15) "You've been set free as children of God." (Connor, 12:40) “What God wants is to simply enjoy you, to enjoy being with you” (Connor, 22:50) “He can be anywhere He wants to be and He wants to be with us.” (Connor quoting Cardinal George, 27:50) “God's desire for us is to be with us.” (Connor, 28:35) "He continues to crash land to get me… it's often in those disasters that I feel least abandoned because I have to completely rely on grace and ask for His help and He provides it.” (Connor, 41:20) Media Mentions: Devotion (2022)Top Gun: Maverick (2022)Matthew 5:17 (fulfill the law)Matthew 5-7 (The Sermon on the Mount)Matthew 7:13 (narrow gate)Galatians 2:11- 3:14 (The just man shall live by faith)Genesis 37:3 (Joseph)Luke 15:11-32 (Prodigal Son)3DN S11 E32- The fourth port (2022 Three North Hangout)3DN S11 E27- Invitation to joy (Connor gets a dumb phone) References: Glen PowellJesse BrownOffice of ReadingsBishop Robert BarronFr. Jim RaffertyIPF (The Institute for Priestly Formation)chasuble: symbol of charity/"Yoke of Christ"RIM: Relationship. Identity. Mission.North American MartyrsCardinal Francis George Follow us on instagram @threedogsnorth Contact us at threedogsnorth@gmail.com

Steven is in town for the Christmas Break.   Over the break he spoke at the local Holy Name Society and shared in a Bible class on Hebrews.    The teacher of his class authored a book of Catholic Commentary on Hebrews. It was great that Steven could share what he had learned, but it brought up a bigger question for Dad, "How does the Bible fit it with seminary?"Steven mentioned the Four Pillars of the Program of Priestly Formation which are Spiritual, Intellectual, Pastoral and Human Formation.    For each one of these, the Bible is uniquely incorporated.By design, the Priestly formation of seminary includes the whole Bible.   And the focus is not just on the words, but on taking those words to heart.Also, scriptural studies should not end once a priest leaves seminary.     Steven reflects on the challenges of being a parish priest and how he will need to make time for scriptural studies.Here is a link to the Catholic Commentary on Hebrews.

On this week's episode of The Pillar Podcast, Ed and JD discuss Cardinal J. Francis Stafford's vision of the parish, and the newly approved Program for Priestly Formation. Then they play a game of Ed's devising, which JD didn't completely understand. - This episode of The Pillar Podcast is brought to you by the University of Dallas, “The Catholic University for Independent Thinkers.” The University of Dallas invites you to check out their free 5-episode video series “The Quest,” available at udallas.edu/pillar

Fr. Anthony is still in Texas so he teams up with Taylor & Jon to discuss a wide variety of topics. The start off with a hilarious video that swept the Catholic internet last week of a priest sharing the most hilarious intercessions at Mass. This leads to a discussion of liturgical abuse and what we can do about it(and what Jon has already done!) Next, Taylor posits that priest seminary formation takes way too long and yet often isn't enough. The three amigos put their heads together to try and find a middle ground solution. To close the show, they discuss a recent interview with the awesome head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mike Tomlin. It's a story about how he held out one of his stars players from a game because it was what was best for the player. A true sign of leadership. And speaking of leadership...is Pope Francis retiring soon?!?! We hope you enjoy this week's episode! Subscribe/Rate Never miss out on the craziness of each episode by hitting the subscribe button RIGHT NOW! Help other people find the show and #MakeCatholicismFunAgain by taking a few moments to leave a review in your podcasting app. Thanks! YouTube Check out the show and other exclusive videos on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/fortecatholic Connect

Bishop Olmsted reflects on being disciples of love, Fr. Will Schmid shares about priestly formation. You'll get up to date on the latest news including Cande de Leon on a new initiative supporting priests.   This episode is brought to you in part by Catholic Cemeteries and Funeral Homes. Learn more at: https://www.dopccfh.org/

Welcome to Day 9 of the Holy Spirit Novena! I hope you enjoy today's interview with Fr. Ignatius Mazanowski from the Diocese of Phoenix, Arizona. Father Ignatius graduated with a Master of Arts in Theology from St. Meinrad School of Theology in 2004. He attended seminary at The Catholic University of America and was ordained in 2011. He completed his doctorate in Moral Theology from Santa Croce, Rome, Italy, in 2016. Father Mazanowski has extensive training and experience in healing ministry. He is on the board for Restore Dignity, which sponsors 6-day Grief to Grace retreats in the Diocese of Phoenix. He is also partnering with Witness to Love counseling center in Phoenix, Arizona, to pioneer the Spiritual Healing Program. Additionally, Father Mazanowski completed a three-year (2018-2020) spiritual direction program through the Institute of Priestly Formation. As of May 1, 2022, Father Mazanowski serves as the Pastor of St. John Vianney Parish and the Chapel of the Holy Cross, both are located in Sedona, Arizona. He is also the Director of Medical Ethics and the Chaplain to the Catholic Medical Association in the Diocese of Phoenix. In today's episode Father helps us explore the common misunderstandings and misconceptions within the charismatic movement of the Catholic Church. We hope to encourage you to realize that passion for the Holy Spirit is meant to be central to life in the Church. You can check out Father's new book: The Virtue of Mercy and Forgiveness: Keys to Healing a Broken Heart here - https://www.mercyforgivenesshealing.com/ To download the Holy Spirit Healing Prayer from today's episode, click here. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/twoheartsforher/message

This episode of Men of the Hearts is full of priestly fraternity, two inspiring vocation stories, and encouragement against fears of inadequacy related to the priesthood. Join hosts Fr. Craig Giera and Fr. David Pellican as they welcome Fr. David's fellow Divine Child Parish clergy, Fr. Bob McCabe and Fr. John Dudek. Each shares his own vocation story, how to overcome “analysis paralysis” and fears related to returning to school in seminary, and how gifts are never wasted in a priestly vocation. “God is calling us to expand our comfort zone.” (00:31) Fr. Craig welcomes us to this episode. He reviews the previous episode with Fr. Tim Birney and insights into how to encourage priestly vocations. Fr. Craig then welcomes our episode's guests, the clergy at Divine Child Parish in Dearborn: Fr. Bob McCabe, Fr. John Dudek and Fr. David Pellican. They discuss recent blessings including overcoming health concerns, winning a sports bet, as well as excitement for the priesthood. Fr. David shares that he is working on building an altar for the private chapel at the rectory. (04:00) Fr. Bob is invited to share his vocation story with us. Fr. Bob is 68 years old and grew up in a Catholic family. In 10th grade, he wanted to be a movie director, but by his senior year in high school, he found an interest in photography. In college, Fr. Bob encountered a group that encouraged him to begin having a daily prayer life. Through living a sacramental life, Fr. Bob's heart was opened to becoming a priest. During this time he experienced “analysis paralysis.” He spent many years considering the priesthood. One misconception he had was that he thought he needed to be 100 percent certain that he was supposed to be a priest before entering the seminary. (15:36) Do we lose our gifts when we enter the priesthood? Fr. Bob highlights how he was able to use his photography skills as a priest, which included a 5-year project capturing photos of Detroit's homeless. Taking portraits of persons facing homelessness is something that brings him fulfillment. It is an expression of how Fr. Bob sees each person as unique – and everyone has their own story. (20:10) Fr. John Dudek shares his own experience of how God brought him to the priesthood. In high school, Fr. John's discussions with his chaplain lead him to enter seminary after high school. Following his departure from seminary, Fr. John got married and had two daughters. Afterwards, he received a degree in elementary education with a specialty in cognitive impairments and worked in special education for twenty-six years. After an annulment, Fr. John saw a “flame” in his heart for the priesthood. Through serving others and encountering a deacon, Fr. John felt the Lord calling him to enter the seminary after a 30-year gap in his seminary studies. (29:55) He mentions attending Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in Boston, which was founded to serve men, 35-60 years old, who are discerning the priesthood. A nine-week program at the Institute for Priestly Formation helped Fr. John in his discernment. At times, he felt daunted by entering back into the classroom for his seminary studies. But he felt supported in his classes. “If God is calling you to be a priest, we'll make it happen.” The community of support in the seminary exists to help seminarians discern God's will and work through the necessary education. (39:00) The priests discuss the experience of living in a rectory together. They have recently started watching The Chosen. Fr. Bob describes the show as “life transforming, utterly brilliant.” The Divine Child rectory has four priests and they feel they are “stepping back in time” because of the community life they share. “There is so much gained by sharing rectory life. We pray together, we eat together.” Fr. Bob shares that he feels blessed to live with his fellow priests, grow, and minister together with them. (45:45) “The Ministry of Presence” is a way of life for the priests; they desire to be available to their parishioners and students. They find delight in encountering their flock and being accessible shepherds. “It's beautiful to build relationships.” They desire to be approachable and down to earth so that their spiritual children feel they can have a friendship with their priests. Both Fr. David and Fr. John detail different roles that they have taken on at Divine Child utilizing their unique gifts and talents with the students in the classroom. And Fr. Bob, Fr. John, and Fr. David discuss what liturgies they will be responsible for during Holy Week and the Triduum. (55:12) What advice would you give to a man considering the priesthood? “Always keep your heart open. Stay true to what you're feeling, what you're thinking. Going into the priesthood is a process. If you're true to the process and if you stay focused, you're know whether or not God is calling you to be a priest” is Fr. John's advice. Fr. Bob says, “Don't think you're too old; don't be afraid. A life of service to others is so fulfilling… and it also keeps you young.” Fr. Bob encourages men, “don't fall into the trap of thinking that you're not holy enough or not smart enough, or too nervous to speak in front of people.. You're invited to participate in the priesthood of Jesus Christ… that's where the Holy Spirit comes in. God is calling us to expand our comfort zone.” Fr. Bob used to be very nervous about public speaking but has learned to experience it as a fulfilling form of service. (59:07) “If you've ever thought about becoming a priest, give Fr. Craig a call” quips Fr. John. And Fr. Bob concludes “let that discernment unfold because God has a unique and unrepeatable vocation for each and every one of us. And we do well to search that out.” The episode is closed in prayer by Fr. Bob. And Fr. Craig thanks both Fr. Bob and Fr. John for being on the podcast. Links from this episode: Fr. Bob McCabe's YouTube channel, including his project with Detroit homeless “Winters on the Street” (https://www.youtube.com/user/frbobmccabe/videos)

Merry Christmas!!! In honor of my favorite feast day, I invited Christopher West to talk with us about Mary and Joseph's marriage and what that marriage in particular has to do with Jesus's BIRTHday, that holy night around the manger! This was a really fun conversation; I hope you love it! On The Discerning Marriage Podcast, we accompany you on the journey to discover if marriage is God's will for you, and if you already know that you're called to marriage, we want to help you bring glory to God in your vocation. This podcast is hosted by the Theology of the Body Instiute. Learn more about the Institute here (https://tobinstitute.org). Shownotes The Spider Who Saved Christmas by Raymond Arroyo (https://www.ignatius.com/The-Spider-Who-Saved-Christmas-P3718.aspx?gclid=Cj0KCQiAweaNBhDEARIsAJ5hwbce2S2Sy1MLWCFOMEmgY6N-kdZJ62bPETdiaVxtZn8eQuRwHgX5abUaAtrLEALw_wcB) Christopher West, ThD is a devoted husband and father of five. As President of the Theology of the Body Institute, he leads an international apostolate spreading St. John Paul II's life-transforming teaching through graduate level courses, on-site events and programs, clergy enrichment training, and an online global community dedicated to ongoing formation. Beyond serving as Professor of Theological Anthropology in the Institute's jointly sponsored M.A. program with Pontifex University, Dr. West has served on the faculties of St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver; the Institute for Priestly Formation in Omaha; the St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission in Canada; and as a visiting professor of the John Paul II Institute in Australia. West is the author of more than a dozen best-selling books and numerous video and audio programs. He cohosts the popular podcast Ask Christopher West with his wife Wendy, and his work has been featured in The New York Times, on ABC News, Fox News, MSNBC, and in countless Catholic and evangelical media outlets. A huge thank you to Catholic record label NOVUM Records (https://www.novumrecords.com) and artist John Finch for our theme song "Send Down Your Spirit"! Learn more about Discerning Marriage Ministries here (https://www.discerningmarriage.com). Send a question to host Elizabeth Busby here (https://discerningmarriage.fireside.fm/ask).

In this episode, I lay out the whole mission and purpose of the Interior Integration for Catholics Podcast -- answering the six central questions so that you can make an informed decision about whether this podcast fits you and your needs.  Get the latest in my discernment about this podcast and the Resilient Catholics Community, where we are going.   Lead in:  [cue Sundancer music] Who, What, Where, When, Why and How -- those are the six questions we're addressing today about this podcast.   Why those questions?  It's all about fit.  It's all about being clear about the target audience for this podcast and whether or not you fit.  I'm putting all my cards on the table, total transparency, so that you can make an informed decision about whether you want to engage with me or not.   So let's ask the questions.  Who is this Interior Integration for Catholics podcast for -- yes, it's for Catholics, but it's only for a small number of Catholics, maybe about 3700 Catholics in the world.  How did I get to that number -- stay with me for the calculations later in this episode.   What is this podcast all about -- what is the mission, what is the purpose of the podcast?   Where does this podcast focus?  Spoiler alert:  -- Deep inside you, but you'll have to stay tuned to find out more about that… When:  what is the new frequency and episode length for this podcast? Why:  Why should you listen?  I'm asking you for time, attention, concentration and effort -- why should you engage with this podcast at all?  I'll be fleshing out all the reasons How:  How do we make it all happen with you, for you and in you?   Find out the answer to all of these questions in this episode of Interior Integration for Catholics, number 84, The Who, What, Where, When, Why and How of the IIC Podcast [cue intro music] Intro: Welcome to the podcast Interior Integration for Catholics, thank you for being here with me, I am honored to be here with you, and today we are discussing you and me and us and this podcast.  We are going to get all relational as we often do here.  Because this is a relational podcast.  I'm not just a talking head in podcastlandia, I'm a real person, you're a real person and I'm into real relationships.   I am clinical psychological Peter Malinoski and you are listening to the Interior Integration for Catholics podcast -- the IIC podcast for short).   Interior Integration for Catholics is part of our broader outreach Souls and Hearts bringing the best of psychology grounded in a Catholic worldview to you and the rest of the English-speaking Catholic world through our website soulsandhearts.com.  Check that out, soulsandhearts.com for so many great resources that bring psychology and Catholicism together in a way that is faithful to the truths of our Faith.   Let's get into answering the questions -- the who, what, where, when, why, and how of this podcast.   Who is the IIC Podcast For?  It's for You.  Ideal listener If you have it all together, if you're sky high on life, if you continually leap from one pinnacle of natural excellence to an even higher summit of human greatness, bounding upward, always with grace and precision and a laser focus on perfection -- good for you. I'm happy for you and in awe of you.   But you don't need this podcast.   Let me put it this way.  This podcast is for the Catholic who admits he or she is hurting, struggling, a lost sheep, in need of help. This podcast is for you who are like me, who are very imperfect, wounded, harmed in various ways, who are confused and frustrated, who are weary, who are lonely, who are burdened in different ways.   It's for your parts. we are a unity but also a multiplicity.  We don't have a single, unified, homogenous, monolithic personality.   We have several or many parts, each one with its own personality.  This concept of parts of us is absolutely central to this podcast.  If this idea of parts does not appeal to you, you probably won't like these episodes.  I believe there were two major discoveries in psychology, one at the end of the 19th Century -- the discovery of the unconscious -- Freud popularized that.  And the other near the end of the 20th century -- the discovery of the multiplicity of self which Richard Schwartz popularized.   Definition of part:  Separate, independently operating personalities within us, each with own unique prominent needs, roles in our lives, emotions, body sensations, guiding beliefs and assumptions, typical thoughts, intentions, desires, attitudes, impulses, interpersonal style, and world view.  Each part also has an image of God and sense of identity, who you are.  Robert Falconer calls them insiders.  You can also think of them as separate modes of operating if that is helpful.   This podcast is especially for your inner outcasts, those parts of us that you reject -- inner lepers, inner tax collectors, inner Pharisees, inner critics, our inner prostitutes, the untouchables within us, our inner rebels, fugitives, inner vagabonds and bums, our inner abused children.  Our refugees, our inner imprisoned convicts the parts that don't get to see the light of day, the parts that may have never been loved by you or any other human being who walks the face of the earth.   As I've discussed in so many previous episodes, especially Episode 71: A New and Better Way of Understanding Myself and Others -- I firmly believe that the concept of a core self and these several or many parts helps us to make so much more sense of our experiences, helps to explain so much.  And as I laid out in Episode 73, Is IFS Really Catholic, I believe that with some modifications, IFS can be harmonized with our Catholic Faith.   St. Augustine, Confessions “My inner self was a house divided against itself.”  That's parts.   Romans 7:15  I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. It's not just about willpower Romans 7:18b  I can will what is right, but I cannot do it.  This isn't about willpower -- Paul had amazing willpower.  It's not about the intellect.  Its about those two discoveries in psychology -- the unconscious and the fact that we have parts.   Openness and receptivity to learning and growing. This podcast is for you, you, the one who deeply desires an intimate, personal relationship with God and with Mary, even if  you struggle with it You who want to be able to come to God our Spiritual Father and Mary our Spiritual Mother with childlike trust and complete confidence Overcoming your natural-level impediments  Anything that compromises our capacity to relate and love in the natural realm will compromise our capacity to relate and love God and Mary.  Period.  Full stop.   Invested in own human formation, and is motivated to grow Psychologically-minded  Embraces the multiplicity/unity aspects of the human person and wants to relate better with self internally.   Willing to tolerate some suffering -- it will cost you to really engage with these podcasts Attention and concentration  Experiential exercises   Wants to love self in a much more ordered way, overcoming shame, overcoming self-absorption Wants to love others in a much more ordered way Orthodox, practicing  Catholics Willing to sacrifice Let's do the numbers There are 70 million Catholics in the US, 13 million in Canada, 5 million in the UK, and 5 million in Australia. Adding in the Catholics of a few other countries, New Zealand and so on, we can round it to about 100 million English speaking Catholics in the entire world.   The Catholic Man Crisis Fact Sheet (pp. 36-41) and the Catholic marketing agency Fuzati both assert that only about 10% of Catholics are committed to their faith and practice it regularly by frequenting the sacraments, praying, and engaging in parish or other community life.  I think that's generous.  Sherry Weddell who does all kinds of work evangelizing in parishes says that 98% of Catholics have no other contact any with Catholic resources other than their parish.  Let's go with one tenth, though, one tenth are committed Catholics.  One tenth of 100 million leaves 10 million English speaking Catholics committed to the Faith and regularly practicing, taking their faith seriously.  Of those, how many really accept that the unconscious exists, and that it has a huge impact on our internal experience, that it affects us in major, unseen ways.  So many Catholics, especially devout Catholics get really uncomfortable with the power of the unconscious.  They don't want to go there.  They want to believe that most of their inner life is in their conscious awareness.  I'm going to estimate that only 30% of the 10 million English Speaking, practicing, serious Catholics are willing to really embrace the unconscious and its implications.  That leaves us with 3 million Catholics worldwide.   Now how many of those 3 million will accept that we have parts, these little personalities within us, how many will accept that we are both a multiplicity and a unity, how many will resonate?  I think about one third of those.  Parts really make many Catholic uncomfortable -- are you saying, Dr. Peter, that I'm like Sybil, with multiple personalities.  Yes I am.  That's exactly what I am saying.  I'm saying we're all like that, not so disconnected and dissociated as those who have been diagnosed with Multiple Personality Disorder, now called Dissociative Identity Disorder, but that multiplicity is within us, we have parts within us.  So one third of 3 million leaves us with 1 million Catholics who might resonate with this podcast.   How many listen to podcasts at least on a monthly basis?  37% of US residents, according to podcasthosting.org's compilation of statistics.    We're down to 370,000.   How many are really committed to human formation?  That are not just looking at the spiritual life, but also at their natural human formation?  Those who really consider the natural realm.  It's not that many.  I figure maybe 10% of those Catholics, and again, that's being generous.  We're down to 37,000.  And how many of those 3700 will find this podcast -- that depends on you, how you spread the word. But let's say that over time, we get to 10%.  We're down to 3,700 potential listeners.  3700 potential listeners.  This is a niche podcast.   We are really a very small percentage of the Catholic population from 100 million to 3,700. We are getting about 4,000 downloads per month.  That's not that many, really.  And our most popular episode had just over 700 downloads total, all-time.   And a download doesn't mean a person actually listened to the podcast.  And some people download the same episode over and over again -- they listen multiple times.   For the last ten episodes that have been up for more than thirty days, we averaged 469 downloads each.  That's not that many!  Transistor.fm, my podcast host, estimates that we have 201 Subscribers, those who listen to each new episode within 24 hours of its release on platforms like Apple Podcast or Spotify.   So we are a niche market.  I'm looking for 3700 out of 100 million English speaking Catholics.  That's .0037 of one percent, or one in 27,000 Catholics.  That's how special you are.  Now maybe I'm underestimating the numbers here. I  hope I am.  You can let me know if you think I'm off base.   Just five days ago, I got this email from a listener and her words capture what I am looking for in those 3700 potential listeners. Here is what she said: First, I just want to share with you that your podcasts (and those of Dr Greg Bottaro) have been earth shattering for me, it's been an absolute revelation in the last 3 months and I can't thank you enough for delving into this 'crying need' to understand ourselves, the mysterious struggle to battle our interior world, and where God (or our image of Him) gets caught in the crossfire.  I realized while listening to several podcasts, they answer nearly everything I experienced for years without even realizing they have names...Until listening to the podcast I was never really open to psychology - I relied and trusted more on a well developed will power to always pull through. It's rather painful to think I could have saved myself a lot of needless angst had I learned about this earlier. I'm very knowledgeable about the Faith and I frequently help others in their own faith but my own issues are hard to combat...the podcast brought all this to the next level.  That is what I want for my listeners.  Real impact, the kind of impact that helps you change your lives.  That's what I am looking for, for you.   So those the qualities of my intended audience -- the who of the six questions This is for you who are a Faithful, orthodox, practicing Catholic -- you who are hurting, struggling, a lost sheep, in need of help.  And you who are invested in your own human formation, willing to accept the unconscious, willing to embrace your inner outcasts, all the parts of you that have been rejected by others, those who may never have been loved by you or your family or any other human being around you.   Openness and receptivity to learning and growing With a willingness to make sacrifices of time, attention, effort.   You who deeply desires an intimate, personal relationship with God and with Mary, even if  you struggle with it. You who want to overcome your natural-level impediments to approaching God our Spiritual Father and Mary our Spiritual Mother with childlike trust and complete confidence Anything that compromises our capacity to relate and love in the natural realm will compromise our capacity to relate and love God and Mary.  Period.  Full stop.   Wants to love self in a much more ordered way, overcoming shame, overcoming self-absorption Wants to love others in a much more ordered way Outer rings -- those who drop in, those who pass by and stay an hour or two with the podcast -- you are welcome. Seekers -- those who want information on a particular topic for themselves or for a loved one -- bipolar disorder, scrupulosity, shame, sexuality, trauma  Take what is helpful to you.   Me -- So we've talked about you, now let's talk about me, just briefly In this podcast, I will never ask you to do something I won't do myself.   I work on myself.  A lot.  Both in the natural realm and in the spiritual realm.  I check in with my parts five to seven times per day.   I have a human formation plan of life I have a spiritual plan of life and a spiritual director Charisms -- exploring these through the Catherine of Siena Institute -- online program Called and Gifted, siena.org, Sherry Wedell founded it decades ago -- impressed with her work.  Jenna Reimersma -- group work IFS grounded in Christianity.   Why am I telling you all this?   Nemo dat quod non habet  You can't give what you don't have.  I can't give you what I don't have.    Lots of discernment going on.  How to guide the podcast, how to guide Souls and Hearts.  I invest in that process of discernment for you.  For you.   Us together Conversation Hours -- every Tuesday and Thursday from 4:30 to 5:30 PM Eastern time.  317.567.9594.  I've taken lots of calls from my committed listeners.  Why?  Because I want to be with you, to be together with you in a deep way.  I want us to actually have a relationship.  I want to know what is going on in your lives.  That connection only makes this podcast better and more relevant to you.   Let's talk about me meeting you where you are at: Will I do that?  Depends on where you are at.  That brings us back to the target audience.  Those are the ones I am called to reach out to.  I'll meet them where there are at with this podcast.  Those for whom there really are not that many resources.   More than that, though I'll meet you where you are at, but I will call you to a higher level of human formation.  Anne Lamott in Traveling Mercies:  The secret it that God loves us exactly the way we are…and that he loves us too much to let us stay like this.   John the Baptist -- went out to the desert, inhospitable places -- the people came to him.   Jesus in John 6:  Discourse on the bread of life -- so many people left John 6:60  Many of his disciples, when they heard it, said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?”   John 6:66 After this many of his disciples drew back and no longer went about with him. He didn't chase them.  He didn't water anything down.  He let them make a choice.   Jesus with the Rich Young Man -- not meeting him where he was at -- calling him to a higher plane, to being one of the original disciples.  Matthew 19:20-22 The young man said to him, “All these I have observed; what do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions. Jesus backpedal, did he reel it in, did he soften his position, did he run ahead of the rich young man and try to smooth out the hard road for him.  No he did not.  He addressed his disciples instead.  Let's pick up the narrative in verse 23.   23 And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”  Ripple effect to others.   Now we are going to address the question of What  What is the IIC Podcast all about"  Your need for human formation grounded in a Catholic Anthropology without Apology Not giving up any of the Truths of the Catholic Faith, not surrendering on the smallest point of dogma or dogma, even when it's uncomfortable   Utilizing the best of what modern psychology has to offer Theory  Research  Clinical Experience  Drawing from all of that.   Topics/Themes  All centers around love.  That's the point  Receiving love From yourself  From others  From God, especially God as your primary Father, your Spiritual Father, to heal father wounds  From Mary, especially Mary as your primary Mother, your Spiritual Mother, to heal mother wounds.    Books My Ideal: Jesus Son of Mary, Fr. Emile Neubert  Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence by Fr. Jean Baptist Saint Jure and Saint Claude de la Columbiere   Our spiritual parents are more our parents than our earthly parents, our natural parents God knew that whatever deficits your parents had, whatever wounds they inflicted He had a plan to make up for that  Only allowed the bad things to happen in order to draw greater good from them  Listeners' testimonies -- would not trade their histories now.   Healing can happen on the natural realm, not just the spiritual realm Model of the Human person Multiplicity and Unity  Parts  Loving oneself.   where we take on the toughest topics, the most difficult and raw themes that many people want to avoid. Fulton J. Sheen  “The refusal to take sides on great moral issues is itself a decision. It is a silent acquiescence to evil. The Tragedy of our time is that those who still believe in honesty lack fire and conviction, while those who believe in dishonesty are full of passionate conviction.” Means we use Didactic portion -- a Lecture if you will.   Draws from Secular Sources   Catholic Sources Scripture  Catechism  Lives of Saints   More than two decades of my clinical experience as a Catholic psychologist -- integrating   Story -- dramatization   Literature Quotes  Poetry   Experiential Exercises   What is the goal?   Our Niche:  Solidifying and strengthening our human formation so it can serve as a foundation for a deep, intimate, relational intimacy with God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and Mary our Mother  Spiritual Parents God our Spiritual Father  Mary our Spiritual Mother   Gaping hole of human formation -- human formation as the natural foundation for the spiritual life St. Thomas Aquinas -- Grace perfects nature.   Human formation just starting to be addressed in seminaries -- human formation emphasized there -- see IIC 63:  Human formation: the critical missing element.   A whole section is devoted to human formation in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops document entitled "Program of Priestly Formation, Fifth Edition" which came out in 2006.  pages 29-42 Longest and most complete discussion of human formation I could find in an official church document  14 pages -- but no definition of human formation.   What this podcast is not about Not about priests, bishops, popes, spouses, friends, politicians, Catholic celebrities, not about anyone other than you and your internal world and your relationship with yourself, with God and with Mary your spiritual mother  Not about world peace -- it's about inner peace  It's not about current events -- it's about the events in your inner life, your interior life.   It's not about righting wrongs in our families and our neighborhoods, our parishes, our nation, our world -- it's about right wrongs within us.  That's our starting point, that's what gets neglected in our world.   It's not about social justice -- it's about inner justice, about you being just to you, in all your parts.   It's not about mercy to others -- it's about mercy to your own abandoned, needy, condemned, rejected parts.   It's not about evangelizing others -- it's about evangelizing yourself.   It's not about focusing on the problems of any other human being -- it's about you examining you and you connecting with you -- it's about knowing yourself, as Socrates commanded It's about removing the beam from your own eye as your Lord commanded, so you can see more clearly   This is not about being hip and fashionable in the Catholic world.  I'm not some sort of Catholic star or celebrity or social media influencer.  None of these podcast episodes are ever going to go viral on social media.  I'm not good at being hip or fashionable or one of the cool, popular Catholic media kids on the block.  Trying to be like that would make me look like I was trying to dance the Macarena while intoxicated at your cousin's wedding, and that is not a pretty picture.   We're maintaining the focus on you, especially on the hidden parts of you, where most people do not want to go.  There's a reason why we hide parts of ourselves from ourselves.  We want to bring the light. This is not selfishness.  This is not some kind of self-absorbed navel gazing in a psychological day spa where you have cucumber slices over your eyes and white cream on your face and I tell you how wonderful you are and lament with you about how terribly others treated you.  Engaging with this podcast is more like a boot camp that demands humility and courage and boldness and perseverance that the vast majority of people are not going to demonstrate.  If you really go inside you're going to find things you really don't like.  Things that scare you, things that disgust you, things that could upset you.   Freud 1933 the id is a chaos, a cauldron of seething excitement Bessel van der Kolk “As long as you keep secrets and suppress information, you are fundamentally at war with yourself…The critical issue is allowing yourself to know what you know. That takes an enormous amount of courage.”   The Body Keeps the Score Emily Dickenson  One need not be a Chamber — to be Haunted —One need not be a House —The Brain has Corridors — surpassingMaterial Place — Far safer, of a Midnight MeetingExternal GhostThan its interior Confronting —That Cooler Host. Far safer, through an Abbey gallop,The Stones a'chase —Than Unarmed, one's a'self encounter —In lonesome Place — Ourself behind ourself, concealed —Should startle most —Assassin hid in our ApartmentBe Horror's least. The Body — borrows a Revolver —He bolts the Door —O'erlooking a superior spectre —Or More —   This is a hard road people -- really getting to know yourselves. St. Augustine said: “Humility is a virtue by which a man has a low opinion of himself because he knows himself well.”   And there's nothing so distracting as looking at other people -- attributing our difficulties to other people, pointing the finger at other people.   The London Times once sent out an inquiry to famous authors, asking the question, “What's wrong with the world today?” and Chesterton responded simply, “Dear Sir,  I am. Yours, G.K. Chesterton.”  St Augustine  “This is the very perfection of a man, to find out his own imperfections.”  Where -- let's tackle the where of this podcast Where is this podcast?   Simple asnwer -- it's on all the major podcast players-- Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Podcast, all of them.   It's also on our website:  Soulsandhearts.com/iic.   The more important question -- where in you does this podcast intend to reach?  Where will we work together?   We work in your heart.  Not just head knowledge -- not just intellectual material.  But in your heart.   Luke 10:27 Jesus answered “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” Start with the heart -- in the body, in the natural realm.  Not with the soul.  With the heart.  With the seat of emotions, with the seat of relational experience.  Before the soul, even.  The heart.  Leading with the heart.  And Our Lord insists on the whole of us --all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, all your mind -- all of us.  All of our parts.  we start in your heart but we also will work with your mind and your soul and your body Feeding your mind with groundbreaking new conceptual material -- integrating IFS concepts with a Catholic worldview.   Another where question -- Where does the podcast fit in the broader Church -- where is our corner of the vineyard? I'm going to sum it up with this term -- Inner pre-evangelization.  This podcast's corner of the vineyard is human formation, specifically Inner pre-evangelization.  What do I mean by that?   Let's start with a Definition of Pre-evangelization from Fr. John Hardon's Catholic Dictionary:  Preparation of a person or people to receive the Gospel. The need for such preparation in the modern world arises from the massive neglect of God and things spiritual. "In the past," the Second Vatican Council explains, "it was the exception to repudiate God and religion to the point of abandoning them, and then only in individual cases; but nowadays it seems a matter of course to reject them as incompatible with scientific progress and a new kind of humanism" (Gaudium et Spes, 8). Through the media of social communication, this spirit of unbelief has permeated whole segments of society. Hence the need for predisposing people even to listen to the Gospel, especially in the once Christian affluent cultures of Euro-America.  USCCB National Directory on Catechesis reads as follows:  Pre-evangelization ordinarily builds on basic human needs, such as security, love, or acceptance, and shows how those basic human needs include a desire for God and his word.  Sherry Widdell:  Fruitful Discipleship, p. 63.  Direct pre-evangelization of individuals includes praying for others, building genuine friendships, fostering personal and spiritual trust, hospitality, the witness of your life and vocation, having threshold and spiritual conversations with individuals, asking thought-provoking questions to stimulate spiritual curiosity, and sharing the story what you've seen God do in your own life. So pre-evangelization is all about preparing a person or a community to be able to receive the Gospel. I argue that we need to pre-evangelize ourselves.  Even those of us faithful, practicing Catholics -- we need to go inside and work with our parts.   We don't want shifting natural foundations -- leads to rickety spiritual edifices that are likely to fall down.   I make the case that we have many parts who are separated, who are isolated, who have terrible, toxic God images, who may be terrified of God, raging at God, disappointed in God.  I make the case that we can't just bring God to them without some preliminary work on the natural realm.  This is what I am calling inner pre-evangelization.   Definition time with Dr. Peter.  Inner pre-evangelization is preparing your parts on the natural, human level through your love for them through bringing them into relationship with your core self so that they can better tolerate being loved by God and Mary and heal.  Then, in a much more integrated way, you can love God, Mary, your neighbor and yourself in a much more intimate, deep, full, and complete way.   I know from clinical experience that a client's exiled part often needs to experience the love from the client's core self before that part can be open to the love of God or love from others.   Love your neighbor as yourself.  Luke 10:27.  We need to love ourselves.  We need to love our parts.  As part of that love, we help our parts with human formation.   So where is our corner of the vineyard -- in your heart.  In your human heart, in the natural recesses, the hidden pockets of your heart.   When -- let's ask when.  Monthly Episodes, 60-90 minutes, they come out the first Monday of the Month.   Reducing frequency -- each episode takes 12-15 hours to produce.  That's a lot of time.  But there's another reason, and I'll address it at the end.   Why?  So you and I can walk this pilgrimage through this life to heaven   Life and Death seriousness about this.  Eternal consequences to how we address these human formation issues.   I want you to have Peace, joy, wellbeing. I want you to fulfill your destiny, accepting your identity as a beloved child of God and Mary, a cherished son or daughter of the Most High God and our Lady.   Finding freedom in that identity as a beloved child Responding in love. How Fulton Sheen 1978:  There is a third approach to an electronic audience which will be in the future. It will not always be the direct, nor even the indirect which I used. It is what might be called the ant biological. I do not use this word in the sense of the science of man's beginning. I merely mean it as the roots of the word imply – a study of man. The presentation of religion had been principally from God to man, but now it will be from man to God. It will not start with the order in the universe alluding to the existence of a Creator of the cosmos; it will start with the disorder inside of man himself. It will take all the findings of our psychological age and use them as a springboard for the presentation of Divine Truths.   I often wish that I were younger so that I might use this third approach which I have mentioned namely, starting with the unhappiness inside of the human heart. The audience is always there, the opportunities are ever present. There is need to take hold of tortured souls like Peter, agnostics like Thomas and mystics like John and lead them to tears, to their knees or to resting on His Sacred Heart.  How?  By working with your heart -- the unhappiness within your heart, the restlessness within your heart, the pain, the wounds, the trauma, the burdens that your parts carry.   The Resilient Catholics Community Not long after I started this podcast I started getting dozens of requests every month from listeners asking if I would be their individual therapist.  I've turned away hundreds of people, I don't have the bandwidth to take on so many.   But it led to the question -- How can I help?  How can I go beyond the podcast.  How can I do more?  There's a need here, there has got to be more than the one-way communication of the podcast.  More than just the occasional phone calls and emails.   And not all at once, not suddenly, but gradually it came to me.  We needed a community.  I had a deep sense that I was called to pull some of these 3700 potential listeners together and offer you something that went much deeper, much further, and something that brought us all together.  A community.  And so, last year, the Resilient Catholics Community came into being Who  Who is the Resilient Catholics Community for? It's for the minority of our potential 3700 adult listeners who really love this podcast who get this podcast.  This Podcast is a funnel  Who are so invested in their human formation that they are willing to spend time, money, effort on it  Who want to be with other like-minded Catholics on the journey  Who burn with a desire for a deep, intimate relationship with God and with Mary, a real human, personal connection  And who recognize they have some natural-level impediments to that deep relating  and  who are willing to make sacrifices in time, effort, money, humility and courage to grow in human formation and overcome natural-level impediments to being loved and to loving  Who want to become saints.   Who are willing to be pioneers at the cutting edge in this adventure of human formation.  Really at the tip of the spear, the first explorers of this human formation ground for laymen and laywomen.   Who am I in the RCC  First of all the RCC is My Tribe, my people, bringing together two groups into one First, faithful, orthodox, serious Catholics who are wounded and suffering and know it  And Second, who are psychologically minded (or at least want to be psychologically minded), who believe in the unconscious and who embrace the unity and multiplicity of the human person  And who want to see through the lens of a core self and parts.   I don't want to do this alone.   I've spent a lot of time in these last 84 episode, letting you get to know me, what I think and feel, and who I am as a person. Especially in episode 71 A New and Better Way of Understanding Myself and Others -- I described to you all my parts, all those that I know!   I stay in the natural realm -- preparing the way.  John the Baptist.  Arithmetic before algebra.   Not a spiritual director Not a priest I don't claim to understand how grace is moving in your soul   I don't see myself as a leader, as a shepherd.  I see myself more like an Old English Sheepdog Loud distinctive bark   Independent and Strong willed -- so I need your prayers to be small and humble and childlike and responsive to the touches of our Lord and our Lady.   Adaptable and intelligent, like to learn new things Faithful Good family dog Physically pretty big -- like me.   Sociable Protective Love having fun -- clowns, sense of humor.   What of the RCC The Initial Measures Kit -- which generates the Individual Results Sheet and the Personalized Human Formation Plan -- we've done several of these now, and our members are amazed at the results, how accurately we are in helping them identify their parts and how their parts relate to each other, and the why behind their parts' desires and impulses.   Weekly premium podcast, just for RCC community members -- Inner Connections will be starting soon  A complete course for working on your human formation   Daily check ins with your companion -- accountability and structure Weekly company meetings Office hours with me Conversation hours with me Special resources -- for example in my email communication with Derek Scott, he provided me with a trove of his extra resources on grief in a password protected section of his website that he said RCC members could have access to.  That is so cool.   All this for $99 per month.  And we make it financially possible for anyone who is a good fit for the RCC to join through write-offs and scholarships.  The fees are not the tail that wags the dog.   And there also is opportunities for some parts-based individual coaching as well.   Essentially, the What of the RCC is a pilgrimage together.   The When of the ITC   We will reopen in December for a limited number of new members.  It might 100 new members, we don't want to take on more than we can really be with and effectively work with.   Sign upon the waiting list now -- we already have 58 on the waiting list, go to soulsandhearts.com/rcc and register for the waiting list.  Later this week, I will be sending out the first email with extra resources to waiting list members, to give you a sample of some of the resources in the RCC.    Soulsandhearts.com/rcc to register.   The main reason I am reducing frequency of this podcast from weekly to monthly is so that I can spend more time with the RCC members.  It's that simple.  You RCC members are my people.  I have a very strong call to really invest in my connection with you, in my relationships with you.  I want to be with you on your journey of human formation, on your journey of inner pre-evangelization of your parts.  I want to be with you in this part of your work in the natural realm.   The podcast has already met some of its objectives Evergreen content  Giving you a huge sample of my content, my style and who I am to help you discern if you want to take the next step, which is joining the RCC   The Why of the RCC --  It's all about loving with your whole heart -- all of your being.  Getting over all the natural level issues that hold you back.   So sign up for the waiting list.  We'll go through our list from the earliest to the latest joining members, so your ranking matters if we have to limit enrollment.  Soulsandhearts.com/rcc.  Remember, you as a listener can call me on my cell any Tuesday or Thursday from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM.  I've set that time aside for you.  317.567.9594.  (repeat) or email me at crisis@soulsandhearts.com.  I want to mention another community for any of you listeners who are Catholic therapists or therapists in training -- If you are really interested in Internal Family System and you want to be with me and other Catholic therapists, working on your human formation with your colleagues, The Interior Therapist Community is for you.  We are finalizing new groups for the fall, so check out all our offerings at soulsandhearts.com/itc.  So tune in next month, on Monday, October 4, 2021 when we will begin our series on perfectionism and scrupulosity.  Several of you have asked me to address those topics, so I will.     Gerry Crete, the cofounder and CEO of Souls and Hearts has a special message for you Catholic men about his community, Catholic Journeymen.  Let's hear from Dr.Gerry:   Invocations of our Lady and St. John the Baptist.   Credit for the Lead in music which is titled Misty Meadow  by George Sundancer at Pixabay.   

"The path to independence is obedience. If one would command, one must first learn to obey" Join Fr. Brendan Kilcoyne for episode 37 of 'The Brendan Option' where he discusses the importance of priestly formation. "An Irish priest should wish to be a 'Patrician' priest. A priest to the people who broke the British empire." "To be a priest now in Ireland, you will have to be prepared in such a way that you appear before people a fully authentic man... and that means one who has suffered and is suffering. You must make suffering your friend. And you must do it with a sense of humour, and wit, and intelligence." Visit our website: http://www.immaculataproductions.org - - - ---------------- SUPPORT US ---------------- Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/immaculataproductions PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/ImmaculataProctions Our work won't be possible without your help. Thank you! ...And a special thank you to those who have already given us so much support! ---------------- FOLLOW US ---------------- There's the Benedict option, the Dominic option, and now we have the Brendan Option! Whilst you would have found St. Brendan voyaging the seas, our very own Brendan can be found as you surf the net. ⛵️ ✔ W E B S I T E http://www.immaculataproductions.org ✔ F A C E B O O K http://facebook.com/ImmaculataProductions ✔ I N S T A G R A M http://instagram.com/ImmaculataProductions ✔ T W I T T E R http://twitter.com/ImmaculataMedia ✔ L I N K E D I N https://www.linkedin.com/in/ImmaculataProductions ✔ V I M E O https://www.vimeo.com/ImmaculataProductions ✔ E M A I L info@immaculataproductions.org All Rights Reserved © 2021, Immaculata Productions

Fr. Nicholas Cachia is a truly insightful and gifted spiritual director and theologian.  From the beautiful island of Malta, Fr. Cachia spends a portion of his summer as a faculty member with the Institute for Priestly Formation located at Creighton University, in Omaha, Nebraska.  This discussion occurred in the summer of 2015. In this particular conversation we discuss various topics: God's infinite and unique love for each of us The need for authentic discernment in our daily life One of the  biggest blocks to God's great love for us...the fear of losing control and surrendering Why the prayer at the end of the day is so important. The risk of loving God and others The need for being open to the Word of God receiving the Word What is  "Lectio Continua" The post The Good Shepherd & The New Evangelization….In Conversation w/ Fr. Nicholas Cachia – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Father Ed Broom, OMV, serves as Associate Pastor at St. Peter Chanel Church in Hawaiian Gardens, California. He is a member of the Religious Order, Oblates of the Virgin Mary, and was ordained by Saint John Paul II in St Peter's Basilica on May 25, 1986. Fr. Ed is a Retreat Master and teaches Catholic […] The post 4 PILLARS OF PRIESTLY FORMATION appeared first on Fr. Ed Broom, OMV.

Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki of Cologne, Germany has set a woman as head of priestly formation, making her the first woman to fill this role within the archdiocese. Dr. Marshall comments. Watch this new podcast episode by clicking here: Or listen to the audio mp3 here: If you’d like to order a copy of Taylor’s […] The post 689: Cardinal Sets Woman as Head over Priestly Formation [Podcast] appeared first on Taylor Marshall.

Intro:  I am clinical psychologist Peter Malinoski, and you are listening to the weekly podcast Interior Integration for Catholics Today in episode 63, we are discussing human formation -- what is it?  What do you mine it's missing for many people?  Windup: I am going to start with a bold claim and a controversial claim.   For many, many Catholic adults in our day and age, in our culture, there is a much greater need to focus on human formation than on spiritual formation. Let me repeat that:  Many, many Catholic adults at this point in their lives need solid human formation more than they need spiritual formation. Serious Catholic adults.   Commitment to human formation is so important in the Catholic married sexual life that it composes two of the four legs of my model of a Catholic marriage bed.   The husband's commitment to human formation -- one leg The wife's commitment to human formation -- the other leg Another leg is really understanding attachment and integrity needs (episode 62) Another leg is a model the Internal family systems-informed model of the person with a self and with parts -- we are a unity and a multiplicity -- episodes 60 and 61.  The floor is the a deep, abiding, childlike trust in Mary our Spiritual Mother and God our Spiritual Father.   Building a whole bed here, starting in episode 58.  No need to review all of it now.    So many Catholics with lots of spiritual formation who have built their spiritual lives on a very, very unsound natural foundation, with mediocre or poor human formation.  So their spiritual lives are unstable.   Example of early client -- extreme example Mid 30's, very earnest Catholic, very sincere, distressed --  I have to help his wife understand the Faith.  Wife was Catholic, but a lot of tension between them about his spiritual practices.   Danger of divorce -- wife: get to counseling or I'll divorce you  Wife concerns?  Spending three hours per day in Eucharistic Adoration Bringing their young children  Our Lady of Lourdes   No gainful employment  Wife feeling constantly criticized by his fraternal corrections, his attempts to help her become more holy.   Spiritual Problems?  No -- problems in the natural realm.   Blended with a part that is so driven by fear.   Part desperately trying to please an extremely demanding God and Mary -- trying to become holy, Pelagian efforts Lack of attunement to children -- alienated from them, they were becoming alienated from the faith Wedge in the marriage, wife thinks he's a religious nutcase.   He recognizes there are problems, wife needs to change Praying the Rosary  Fatima Visionary Sr. Lucia:  There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we cannot resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary.   Problems come from his distorted human formation.    Priest sex abuse scandal.  Can frame it all spiritually.   The priest who sexually abused children gave in to lust, it was a violation of the virtue of chastity, among other virtues.  Ok.  Hmmm.  So it was a spiritual problem, a failure, he gave into temptation.   No doubt there are spiritual dimensions to this, including a most grave and serious sin.   Or is a primary issue with his disordered sexual attraction to children and a real lack of impulse control --problems in the natural realm, a problem with his human formation.  That makes so much more sense to me as being primary.   Scrupulosity -- so often seen as a spiritual problem, but is one of the most frustrating issues for confessors and spiritual directors encounter -- so often it doesn't resolve with traditional spiritual means. Primarily in the natural realm.  Did a whole episode with Adam Cross The Catholic Therapist on human formation issues, the real issues in the natural realm that underlie scrupulosity.   Serious Devastation -- original sin.   Effect on the human body -- death, illness, pain -- and now intensity of pain in childbirth, physical labor and toil to survive scratching out an existence from cursed ground.   Effect on the rest of our human formation Distrust of God  Fear  Anger  Loss of harmony  Really a kind of dis-integration -- in the world and inside of us.   Grace perfects nature; it does not destroy it.  St. Thomas Aquinas We need to work with our human natures.  We need our human natures to be formed.   Jesus discussed foundations  Discussion of foundations in Scripture -- Matthew 7:24-27 24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”   Jesus as the cornerstone.   Algebra and arithmetic.   Hold up, we're getting ahead of ourselves here.  What is human formation? Definitions  Those who follow this Interior Integration for Catholic Podcast know that I am all about defining our terms. So much rests on a clear understanding of what we are discussing.   Human Formation, to be honest is a nebulous term. Used a lot in Catholic contexts -- primarily in seminary contexts.   A whole section is devoted to human formation in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops document entitled "Program of Priestly Formation, Fifth Edition" which came out in 2006.  pages 29-42 Longest and most complete discussion of human formation I could find in an official church document  14 pages -- but no definition of human formation.   The foundation and center of all human formation is Jesus Christ, the word made flesh, paragraph 75 Also in paragraph 75, we learn that "human formation is the 'necessary foundation' of priestly formation.   We learn that the goals of human formation is to foster growth so that a man can become  A free person Of solid moral character Prudent and discerning Invested in and capable of communion, of relating deeply with others With Good communication skills  Affective maturity - integration of feelings, thoughts and values Who cares for his body Who relates well with others A good steward of material possessions And who can function well in public.   But in all the 143 pages of this document, we get no definition of what human formation is.   Revisions -- sixth edition has been approved by the Bishops in November 2019, reportedly doubling in size to nearly 300 pages, -- As of April 2021, still awaiting recognitio from the Holy See, a formal recognition.   Pope St. John Paul II's 1992 Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Pastores Dabo Vobis I Give You Shepherds 3 pages on the importance of Human Formation, but again no definition of it.  Nothing even close to a definition.  99 pages on the formation of priests in the circumstances of the present day.   Perhaps there's an assumption that we all know what it is.  But we don't. I will tell you that many US bishops don't have a very clear idea of what human formation is.  Many of their responses to the sex abuse crisis reveal that they are really lost with regard to human formation Unable to find much else.  The most relevant passage in the CCC is paragraph 2461 which says that "True development concerns the whole man.  It is concerned with increasing each person's ability to respond to his vocation and hence to God's call.   Seminaries Pontifical North American College -- August 2019 30-page description of their Formation Program.   Interesting read, lots of good information 7 elements of their human formation program   Very detailed breakdown 31 overall goals, personal, relational,  year by year of the specific milestones in human formation each seminarian should reach average of 7 goals per year.   No definition of Human formation St. Charles Borromeo Seminary Philadelphia  St. Mary's Seminary and University Baltimore MD.  St. John's Seminary in Boston, MA  Corpus Christi College and Seminary in Carlton, Victoria, Australia.   I could go on and on.  I spent hours searching.  If you can find a solid definition of human formation in any official church document, I will send you a prize.  Email me at crisis@soulsandhearts.com or text me on my cell at 317.567.9594, and provide me your mailing address and I will mail you a prize, which is my absolute favorite image of our patroness Our Lady Undoer of Knots  Consult with religious communities.  Expert in cults.  International Cultic Studies Association refers a lot to me when a convent or monastery goes off the rails in some way -- problems in human formation.   The bottom line is that at present there is a void in institutional Catholic Church around human formation.   Maybe human formation is defined in the upcoming Program of Priestly Formation, sixth edition.  I would love to see that.  Somewhere in the additional 150 pages, they will define it.   Possibility of the Catholic Christian Meta Model of the Human Person  came out last year in 2020 -- Vitz Nordling and Titus -- faculty at DMU.   No index entry for human formation -- focus on psychotherapy or counseling.   Understandable in some ways.  Colossal Failures when poor human formation has been brought in Immaculate Heart of Mary Community Story -- California -- Bill Coulson, Carl Rogers   Story of a repentant Psychologist.'66 and '67. what we called "sensitivity" or "encounter." In a chapter of "Lesbian Nuns", one former Immaculate Heart nun describes the summer of 1966, when we did the pilot study in her order - "We" being you and Rogers? Rogers and I and eventually 58 others: we had 60 facilitators. We inundated that system with humanistic psychology. We called it Therapy for Normals, TFN. The IHMs had some 60 schools when we started; at the end, they had one. There were some 560 nuns when we began. Within a year after our first interventions, 300 of them were petitioning Rome to get out of their vows. They did not want to be under anyone's authority, except the authority of their imperial inner selves. Psychological Seduction 1983 book William Kirkpatrick. Temptation to throw out the baby with the bath water.   So one of you might say -- So, Dr. Peter, it's easy to be a critic, why don't you define human formation.  Put your big boy Catholic psychologist pants and stop complaining and light a candle in the darkness, why don't you, hmmm? All right, since you threw down the gauntlet like that,  I will define Human Formation.  Reference to Vatican II -- Decree on the Apostolate of the laity paragraph 32 Lumen Gentium 37.  The laity are, by reason of the knowledge, competence or outstanding ability which they may enjoy, permitted and sometimes even obliged to express their opinion on those things which concern the good of the Church.  When occasions arise, let this be done through the organs erected by the Church for this purpose. Let it always be done in truth, in courage and in prudence, with reverence and charity toward those who by reason of their sacred office represent the person of Christ.   Correct me if I'm wrong.  Being small and childlike here.   Definition time with Dr. Peter [Insert Sound Effect] Human formation is the lifelong process of natural development, aided by grace, by which a person integrates all aspects of his interior emotional, cognitive, relational, and bodily life, all of his natural faculties in an ordered way, conformed with right reason and natural law so that he is freed from natural impediments to trust God as His beloved child and to embrace God's love.  Then, in return, because he possesses himself, he can love God, neighbor and himself with all of his natural being in an ordered, intimate, personal, and mature way.  Insert parts of the souls in addition to passions and faculties.   Breaking down the process  Lifelong -- there is no graduation.  Conception to death Our Lord -- human formation, in his humanity.   Raised by a family St. Joseph and Our Mother Mary formed him Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. Process of natural development -- focus on the natural realm here  Aided by grace.  Because all good comes from God, even in unbaptized people and those who are not in a state of grace.   Integration -- key word.   All aspects of inner experiential and bodily life.   Awareness of experience -- making the unconscious conscious -- awareness of our parts in the multiplicity of self.  Bringing those parts into a harmonious unity with the core self.  Emotions Needs Emotions Guiding Beliefs/Assumptions Cognitions or Thought   Intentions Desires Attitudes Impulses Interpersonal style Body sensations Sexual aspects Nothing split off, repressed in the long run Revenge of the repressed  Freakouts in the post office -- Floyd.   So we can be calm, recollected and then able to enter into the phenomenological world of others Not just self-absorbed navel gazing  Starving waiter syndrome -- No one gives what he does not have.  Nemo dat quod non habet   Conformed with right reason and natural law -- this process is ordered.  It's not subjective, it's not whatever I make myself out to be -- we conform ourselves. Trust God as a His beloved child and embrace his love.   Fr, Tadeusz Dajczer -- pp 67-68 of his book "The Gift of Faith"  p.59 The foundation of evil lies in a lack of simplicity and a lack of childlike trust in God.   p.67  The lack of trust, the sowing of seeds distrust toward God is, in large measure, the source of all your sins and of all you existential and psychological anguish, and indirectly, also the source of your physical problems.   68  Distrust of God is worse than sin because it is the root and the source of sin   Lots of natural impediments to being able to love God Attachment injuries and relational traumas (discussed in the last podcast)  Integrity needs not met by parents and others infolved in our human formation  Prevent us from being small, with wonder and awe.   Then, in return, he can love God, neighbor and himself with all of his natural being in an ordered, intimate, personal, and mature way God -- overcoming negative God images  Neighbor   Self -- PPF 5th Edition self-knowledge  self-acceptance  self-gift -- the seminarian needs integrity and self-possession in order to make such a gift.   So much more than psychotherapy -- psychotherapy or counseling is only one means of human formation.   Human formation is relational  Human Deformation Trauma  Attachment Injuries   Sins Original Sin   Personal Sins Of other  Of me.   Getting stuck in old patterns -- automatic.  Trauma responses.   Vision -- Fostering Human Formation deliberately  Who?   Parents -- starting from conception Congenital impact -- hormone levels  Epigenetics -- effect on the body  CCC 2223  Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children. They bear witness to this responsibility first by creating a home where tenderness, forgiveness, respect, fidelity, and disinterested service are the rule.  CCC 2225 A wholesome family life can foster interior dispositions that are a genuine preparation for a living faith and remain a support for it throughout one's life.  Extended family -- grandparents, aunts uncles Brothers and sisters Pastors Priests -- Confessors -- Spiritual Directors Coaches Youth Group Leaders Remember, human formation is life long -- for adults Spouses  Supervisors  Friends  Life Coaches  Exodus 90 anchors  Therapists -- experts in working through de-formation.   What  This podcast helps you focus inward on your human formation -- to help you bring together the different parts of yourself into unity and harmony with God in the natural realm. a deliberate program Guided reflection.   How Set aside time -- many of you set aside regular time for spiritual work.  Prayer, Mass, spiritual reading, all kinds of spiritual formation.   Set aside time for your human formation as well.   5 minutes a day -- checking in with your parts -- meditation at the end of this podcast.   Know thyself -- Socrates Not just the spiritual focus, but a focus on your human formation   Commitment to taking human formation seriously. Hard to do on our own  Harness your own network of people to help with formation   Resilient Catholics Community -- guidance on it.  Specialize in it. Walking with each other -- companions, checking in  Supporting each other on the journey.   Get on the waiting list for the RCC --  go to soulsandhearts.com/rcc to sign up -- there's no obligation to join, but you will get all kinds of cool free stuff.  Not just for you, but for those you are called to love.  To help them with their formation.   When -- now.   Why Meditation -- parts and human formation.   Feedback.  Let me know how these episodes are landing with you -- -- some of you already have.  Get in touch with me on my cell at 317.567.9594 or my email at crisis@soulsandhearts.com Trying out a new idea -- an individual conversation hour -- I promise you I will be on my cell phone from 4:30 to 5:30 PM Eastern Time on Tuesday, April 13 to talk with any Interior Integration for Catholics podcast listener about our podcast episodes. Let's have a conversation.  I want to be accessible.  There is no need to email me beforehand or text me or anything like that, just drop in and meet with me by phone.  I'm available.  My cell is 317.567.9594.  I like the phone or Zoom a lot better for relating than email or texts.  Not therapy, but really a chance to get into a good conversation about the podcast.  Your reactions, your feedback, whatever you want to talk about with regard to this Interior Integration for Catholics podcast.  And these conversations are private, I won't use anything from them in the podcast without your permission.   Premium Podcasts each week for our Resilient Catholic community members and our Interior Therapist Community members where we go deeper.  

HOUR 3 – TUESDAY, MARCH 23: Archbishop Bernard Hebda talks about the importance of priestly formation; Father Rocky discusses the solemnity of the Annunciation and gives information about the Walk to Mary which will take place on May 1. All show notes at Priestly Formation/The Annunciation - This podcast produced by Relevant Radio

Bishop Daly welcomes Fr. Daniel Barnett to discuss the new program of priestly formation being finalized in Rome. The new program includes a new requirement called the propaedeutic phase. Father Barnett explains this new phase and the expansion of Bishop White Seminary to accommodate more young men entering formation. Walking in Faith with Bishop Daly is a production of the Catholic Diocese of Spokane. Walking in Faith is hosted by Bishop Thomas Daly and is produced and edited by Mitchell Palmquist. Free music for non-commercial use from Fesliyan Studios. Special Guest: Father Daniel Barnett.

Dr. Peter Martin, Psy.D., joins WCAT Radio Show Host Dr. Mary Anne Urlakis in Episode 30 of “Vows, Vocations, and Promises: Discerning the Call of Love,” to discuss his contribution in the recently published comprehensive new book: Spiritual Husbands-Spiritual Fathers: Priestly Formation for the 21st Century, edited by Bishop Felipe Estevez and Bishop Andrew Cozzens. In this episode, Dr Martin discusses his recently published chapter, “Striving for Affective Maturity and Authentic Peace of Soul: The Role of Deep Forgiveness and Secure Attachment.”Dr. Martin is a licensed psychologist, and the Internship Director of Integrated Training and Formation at Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska, an APA accredited site, where he is responsible for the psychological and faith-integrated formation of pre-doctoral psychology interns and other mental health professionals. Additionally, in 2008 Dr. Martin initiated and heads a clinical outreach site, through Catholic Social Services, at the Newman Center on the campus of the University of Nebraska where he provides therapy to university students and consultation services to priests, FOCUS missionaries, and other staff. Dr. Martin provided growth counseling services from 2012-2013 to seminarians at the Institute for Priestly Formation summer program in Omaha. Dr. Martin served on the Executive Board of the Catholic Psychotherapy Association from 2013-2016. His areas of interest include supervising therapists in faith-integrated treatments of psychological disorders, in practicing trauma-informed therapy, Forgiveness-Therapy, treating “implicit God-image Problems” and psychological obstacles to authentic spiritual encounters with God and giving and receiving love, in studying the psychology of belief and unbelief, and the social scientific understanding of religious conversion.Dr. Martin and his employer, The Immaculate Heart of Mary Counseling Center and Catholic Social Services, are in the early stages of aggregating data for psycho-spiritual assessment project to directly serve the Church hierarchy, both women and men’s religious, and to indirectly serve all the laity. Dr. Martin is also currently developing and implementing an adaptation of Witness to Love’s Marriage Preparation Mentorship Program (a virtues-focused, attachment-based model of couples’ mentorship) to support the pillar of human formation of diocesan seminarians and religious life. In this interview, Dr. Martin discusses the need to seek and foster authentic peace of soul. He outlines various impediments to authentic peace, including flawed patterns of attachment. Dr. Martin elucidates the ways in which persistently compromised internal peace and deficit attachment patterns can negatively affect priestly formation. Peter Martin and Mary Anne Urlakis explore the role of Deep Forgiveness as the therapeutic antidote for debilitating anger and resentment, specifically delineating the definition of forgiveness, its requisite characteristics, and benefits. Dr. Martin specifically addresses the challenges of seminary formation with regard to seeking authentic peace of soul, healing attachment issues, and working through anger to the liberating joy of Deep Forgiveness.Dr. Peter Martin’s chapter, entitled: “Striving for Affective Maturity and Authentic Peace of Soul: The Role of Deep Forgiveness and Secure Attachment” is published in Spiritual Husbands- Spiritual Fathers: Priestly Formation for the 21st Century, edited by Bishop Felipe Estevez and Bishop Andrew Cozzens, published by Holy Apostles College and Seminary’s En Route Books and Media, which is available at: https://enroutebooksandmedia.com/spiritualhusbands/.

Dr. Suzanne Baars, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT, LCDC, joins WCAT Radio Show Host Dr. Mary Anne Urlakis in Episode 28 of “Vows, Vocations, and Promises: Discerning the Call of Love,” to discuss her contribution in the recently published comprehensive new book: Spiritual Husbands- Spiritual Fathers: Priestly Formation for the 21st Century, edited by Bishop Felipe Estevez and Bishop Andrew Cozzens. In this episode, Dr. Baars discusses her fascinating vocation as a marriage and family therapist and her recently published chapter, “The Importance of Human Formation and Affective Maturity in the Man of Communion.”Dr. Suzanne Baars, Ph.D. is a licensed family therapist living in Irving, Texas. She is the Clinical Director of the In His Image Counseling Center, where she teams with other Catholic therapists and a psychiatric nurse practitioner. Dr. Baars has worked extensively in the field of counseling since 1986, serving a range of patients and clients in both hospital-based and clinical outpatient settings. Dr. Baars’ expertise is based upon methodology which incorporates the Christian Anthropology of St. Thomas Aquinas in the treatment of a variety of emotional and spiritual disorders, including emotional deprivation disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and scrupulosity. Dr. Baars is a frequent presenter at Catholic conferences and has been interviewed on EWTN’s “Women of Grace” and “Coffin Nation.” Dr. Baars often presents the contributions of her late father, the renowned psychiatrist and author, Dr. Conrad Baars, M.D.- who pioneered the field of Catholic Psychology. Dr. Baars served on the faculty of the Institute for Priestly Formation from 2008-2015, actively engaging in a variety of roles in formation including the teaching of seminarians. Dr. Baars has been a contributor to two IPF publications focusing on the development of affective maturity in priestly formation. Dr. Baars has a deep love and commitment to the role of human formation in seminary education and believes the health of the Church is largely dependent upon mature and affirmed clergy. Dr. Baars is the past President of the Catholic Psychotherapy Association. She also operates the Baars Institute, which is dedicated to offering hope to those affected by emotional deprivation, as well as educating the public regarding the concept of affirmation and the healing of emotional disorders. More information can be found at the link www.Baarsinstitute.com. In this episode, Dr. Suzanne Baars details the requisite nature of affective maturity for effective seminary and priestly formation. Noting that Bishop Cozzens has previously articulated that “the benchmark for human formation which summarizes all the others is the ability to live a sacrificial life, a life of self-gift,” Dr. Baars demonstrates that restraining one’s own desires when necessary and appropriate as well as possessing the capacity to offer compassionate pastoral care can only truly flow from a character that is appropriately formed. Dr. Baars discusses the role of affirmation in overcoming challenges to affective maturity and offers hope for those who struggle with the impediments found in prior emotional deprivation. Dr. Suzanne Baar’s chapter, entitled “The Importance of Human Formation and Affective Maturity in the Man of Communion” is published in Spiritual Husbands- Spiritual Fathers: Priestly Formation for the 21st Century, edited by Bishop Felipe Estevez and Bishop Andrew Cozzens, published by Holy Apostles College and Seminary’s Enroute Books and Media, which is available at: https://enroutebooksandmedia.com/spiritualhusbands/. (December 8, 2020)

Sr. Katarina Schuth, OSF, presents on Seminary Formation: Recent History, Current Circumstances, and New Directions.

Fr. Peter Williams joins WCAT Radio Show Host, Dr. Mary Anne Urlakis, on Episode 25 of “Vows, Vocations, and Promises: Discerning the Call of Love,” to discuss his chapter, entitled “Affective Maturity: Spiritual Tools for the Interior Life,” in the new book edited by Bishop Felipe Estevez and Bishop Andrew Cozzens entitled: Spiritual Husbands- Spiritual Fathers: Priestly Formation for the 21st Century.Fr. Peter Williams was ordained in 2004 and has served as the Pastor of St. Ambrose of Woodbury Catholic Parish in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis for eight years. Fr. Peter Williams earned his Licentiate in Sacred Theology in the New Evangelization from Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit in 2018. In addition to his pastoral work, Fr. Peter has shared his manifold priestly gifts through roles in seminary and priestly formation in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, including appointments as the Director of Vocations, Director of Ongoing Clergy Formation, Vice Rector for St. Paul Seminary, and as a formator at St. John Vianney College Seminary. Fr. Peter has served as an adjunct faculty member in the Spiritual Direction Program of the Institute for Priestly Formation and serves as a spiritual director for his brother priests.In this interview, Fr. Williams relates his personal vocational journey and shares insights regarding a paradigm for the interior life necessary for effective evangelization. In this segment, Fr. Peter Williams explores the call to the New Evangelization- foreshadowed by Pope St. Paul the VI and heralded by Pope St. John Paul II. He discusses the universal call of the baptized to live integral lives of holiness and proposes concrete tools for developing an inner life requisite for effectively living the New Evangelization. Exploring the work of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger in his catechesis “The Way to True Happiness,” Fr. Peter Williams elucidates how cultivating the interior dispositions of spiritual poverty, suffering, and silence serve to foster a strong inner foundation from which the New Evangelization can best spring forth.Fr. Peter Williams’ chapter, “Affective Maturity: Spiritual Tools for the Interior Life,” is published in Spiritual Husbands- Spiritual Fathers: Priestly Formation for the 21st Century, edited by Bishop Felipe Estevez and Bishop Andrew Cozzens, published by Holy Apostles College and Seminary’s En Route Books and Media, which is available at: https://enroutebooksandmedia.com/spiritualhusbands/.

Deacon James Keating, Ph.D. joins WCAT Radio Host, Dr. Mary Anne Urlakis for Episode 22 of “Vows, Vocations, and Promises: Discerning the Call of Love,” as part of the on-going series spotlighting authors who have contributed chapters to the new book, entitled Spiritual Husbands-Spiritual Fathers: Priestly Formation for the 21st Century. Deacon Keating brings his extensive background of over 30 years in seminary formation to each the three chapters which he has contributed to this unique text.Deacon James Keating is a nationally recognized seminary theologian, spiritual director and formator who received his Doctorate in Moral and Spiritual Theology from Duquesne University. Deacon Keating is widely published in respected peer-reviewed journals, and has authored numerous books and book chapters, including his three chapters in Spiritual Husbands-Spiritual Fathers: Priestly Formation for the 21st Century: ”Real Celibacy as an Invitation from Divine Beauty” (Chapter 1), “Imagination, Prayer, and the Spousal Gift,” (Chapter 5), and “Seminary as Nazareth,” (Chapter 21); which are the subject of today’s interview. Deacon Keating has given over 800 presentations in the last 30 years, including more than 40 retreats for bishops, vocation directors, diocesan priests, deacons, and married couples since 2017.He has recently accepted an appointment by Archbishop Robert J. Carlson to the Formation Staff and as a Professor of Spiritual Theology at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. Additionally, Deacon Keating has also served as the Director of Theological Formation for the Institute for Priestly Formation at Creighton University, in Omaha, Nebraska. Prior to his appointment with the Institute for Priestly Formation Deacon Keating was a Professor of Moral and Spiritual Theology at the Pontifical College of the Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio. Additionally, Deacon Keating has served as the Director for Deacon Formation in the Archdiocese of Omaha.In this interview, Deacon Keating and Dr. Urlakis survey the three chapters which he has contributed to Spiritual Husbands-Spiritual Fathers: Priestly Formation for the 21st Century, beginning with a discussion of the vocation to priestly celibacy as an invitation to embrace Divine Beauty. In this interview, he describes the inherent danger of reducing the concept of celibacy to a mere pragmatic component of priestly ministry and identifies essential components of affective masculine maturity that must develop for seminarians to become fully integrated men.Spiritual Husbands-Spiritual Fathers: Priestly Formation for the 21st Century, is edited by Bishop Felipe Estevez and Bishop Andrew Cozzens, and published by Holy Apostles College and Seminary’s En Route Books and Media, and is available at: https://enroutebooksandmedia.com/spiritualhusbands/. (October 1, 2020)

Sr. Marysia Weber, R.S.M., M.A., D.O., joins WCAT Radio Host, Dr. Mary Anne Urlakis for Episode 21 of “Vows, Vocations, and Promises: Discerning the Call of Love,” to discuss her chapter, entitled “Affective Maturity: Markers of Human Development, Psychological Insights and Resources,” in the new text Spiritual Husbands- Spiritual Fathers: Priestly Formation for the 21st Century.Sr. Marysia is a board-certified physician, specializing in psychiatry with a fellowship in consulting-liaison psychiatry; she completed her residency and training at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Sister earned a Master’s Degree in Theology from Notre Dame. Sr. Marysia Weber practiced psychiatry at her religious institute’s multidisciplinary clinic- Sacred Heart Mercy Health Care Center, in Alma, MI from 1988-2014. In 2014, Sr. Marysia accepted the role of Director of the Office of Consecrated Life for the Archdiocese of St. Louis, where she is also a member of the Archdiocesan Review Board, the Child Safety Committee, a facilitator for Project Rachel, the Chair of the Board of Directors for MyCatholic Doctor, and an executive board member of the St. Louis Guild of the Catholic Medical Association, and an executive board member for the Institute for Theological Encounter with Science and Technology. Sister also serves as an Adjunct Clinical Instructor in the Dept of Psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine, in St. Louis. Additionally, Sr. Marysia has published numerous articles in peer reviewed journals and has authored a number of books and chapters- including Chapter 9, in Spiritual Husbands- Spiritual Fathers, which is the subject of this interview. Sr. Marysia is a highly sought-after speaker and expert, and has presented to the Curia, at the Vatican in 2002 regarding the Sexual Abuse by Clergy in North American.In this interview, Sr. Marysia discusses the important process of assessing the development of human formation and affective maturity of seminarians as prospective candidates for the ministerial priesthood. Recent directives, including the 2008 Guidelines for the Use of Psychology in Administration and Formation of Seminarians for the Priesthood from the Congregation for Catholic Education, the 2016 Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis from the Congregation for the Clergy, and the most recent edition of the USCCB’s Program for Priestly Formation all stress the sacred duty of bishops and formations to assess the totality the human person when considering the suitability of seminarians for ordained priestly ministry. Utilizing the six-interrelated markers that are common to all major psychological theories of development, Sr. Marysia has developed an on-going tool to assist seminary formators charged with the task of assessing the capacities of seminarians to fulfill the role of spiritual husband and spiritual father which is at the core of the vocation of the priesthood. Sr. Marysia’s Chapter 9, entitled: Affective Maturity: Markers of Human Development, Psychological Insights, and Resources, is published in Spiritual Husbands- Spiritual Fathers: Priestly Formation for the 21st Century,Spiritual Husbands- Spiritual Fathers: Priestly Formation for the 21st Century, edited by Bishop Felipe Estevez and Bishop Andrew Cozzens, published by Holy Apostles College and Seminary’s Enroute Books and Media, which is available at: https://enroutebooksandmedia.com/spiritualhusbands/.

Dr. Emilio Chavez interviews Jonle Sedar and Annia Montero of CPI Spanish Immersion School in Costa Rica. https://cpi-edu.com/

Dr. Emilio Chavez interviews Jonle Sedar and Annia Montero of CPI Spanish Immersion School in Costa Rica. https://cpi-edu.com/

Dr. Emilio Chavez interviews Jonle Sedar and Annia Montero of CPI Spanish Immersion School in Costa Rica. https://cpi-edu.com/

So many of us have a longing and ache for a spouse—feeling called to marriage and yearning for relationship and love but not being in that place of total communion yet. That ache and longing is, at its foundation, a desire for Beauty. Our deep ache for Truth and Beauty points us back towards the heavens. In Episode 3, host Elizabeth Busby continues her conversation with TOB Institute's Christopher West with a focus this time on what Beauty is, why it’s important, and how to handle the profound ache in the depths of our hearts. Show Notes "In my heart I treasure your promise, that I may not sin against you." - Psalm 119:11 Order Fill These Hearts: God, Sex & the Universal Longing (https://shop.corproject.com/collections/other-featured-products/products/copy-of-fill-these-hearts-paperback) by Christopher West. Select two copies of the book, then enter the discount code SHAREHEARTS during checkout and you will get one of the copies for free. Please see instructions on book page if there are any questions. Christopher West, ThD is a devoted husband and father of five. As President of the Theology of the Body Institute, he leads an international apostolate spreading St. John Paul II’s life-transforming teaching through graduate level courses, on-site events and programs, clergy enrichment training, and an online global community dedicated to ongoing formation. Beyond serving as Professor of Theological Anthropology in the Institute’s jointly sponsored M.A. program with Pontifex University, Dr. West has served on the faculties of St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver; the Institute for Priestly Formation in Omaha; the St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission in Canada; and as a visiting professor of the John Paul II Institute in Australia. West is the author of more than a dozen best-selling books and numerous video and audio programs. He cohosts the popular podcast Ask Christopher West (https://askchristopherwest.com) with his wife Wendy, and his work has been featured in The New York Times, on ABC News, Fox News, MSNBC, and in countless Catholic and evangelical media outlets. A huge thank you to Catholic record label NOVUM Records (https://www.novumrecords.com) and artist John Finch for our theme song "Send Down Your Spirit"! Get to know Elizabeth by listening to her intro episode here (https://discerningmarriage.fireside.fm/1)! Learn more about Discerning Marriage Ministries here (https://www.discerningmarriage.com). Learn more about Theology of the Body Institute here (https://tobinstitute.org). Send a question to host Elizabeth Busby here (https://discerningmarriage.fireside.fm/ask).

His Excellency, the Most Reverend Andrew H. Cozzens, Auxiliary Bishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota joins Dr. Mary Anne Urlakis on Episode 19 of WCAT Radio’s “Vows, Vocations, and Promises: Discerning the Call of Love.” Bishop Cozzens is a native of Denver, and a graduate of Benedictine College in Kansas. While discerning a priestly vocation, he served as a traveling missionary with the Twin-Cities based NET Ministries, subsequently joined the Companions of Christ in St. Paul in 1992. After completing four years of study at the Seminary of St. Paul, he was ordained to the priesthood in 1997. After serving as the Parochial Vicar at the Cathedral of St. Paul, he was sent to the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome where he completed a doctoral dissertation which focused on the manner in which the priest is called to be the living image of Jesus Christ the Bridegroom of the Church. Bishop Cozzens was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis on Oct 11, 2013, and His Ordination to the Episcopacy took place on Dec 9, 2013- the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. In 2019, he was elected to a 3-year term as the Chairman of the USCCB Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis- a role which began in November 2020.His Excellency has worked extensively in priestly formation, including his work on the USCCB Working Group for the Program of Priestly Formation the (PPF6) based on the new Ratio Fundamentalis. Bishop Cozzens serves as the Board President of the Seminary Formation Council, and His Excellency is also the Board President for the Institute for Priestly Formation.Bishop Cozzens and Bishop Felipe Estevez are the Co-Editors of the text: Priestly Husbands: Priestly Fathers: Seminary Formation for the 21st Century. As such he brings a wealth of insight and experience to this unique book project. The text brings together in one volume a dynamic collection of essays, documents, and tools for those who work in the area of seminary formation. The goal of this comprehensive book is to provide a spiritual and psychological resource that engenders affective maturity and fruitful celibate chastity for a renewal of priestly formation, an aim which echoes the objectives expressed by the Church in the 2016 Ratio Fundamentalis and the 6th edition of the Program for Priestly Formation. The text has been hailed by bishops and formators as an essential guide which provides concrete tools that assist formation by taking into account the spiritual and humans needs of the candidates, while helping them determine whether those same candidates are capable of the self-gift required by priestly celibacy.In this interview, Bishop Cozzens discusses with Mary Anne Urlakis both his role in the development of the book as well as his own personal contribution- Chapter 10, entitled: “The Essential Role of Mentor-Formation Advisor.” Spiritual Husbands-Spiritual Fathers: Priestly Formation for the 21st Century is published by Enroute Books and Media and can be purchased at https://enroutebooksandmedia.com/spiritualhusbands/, as well as on Amazon.com.

There is something so powerful about a story, and a story about how someone made one of the biggest decisions of their life is no different. On today’s very first episode of the Discerning Marriage podcast, Elizabeth Busby interviews Theology of the Body Institute's Christopher West about his discernment story. You’ll hear how Christopher knew he was called to marriage and how he realized that his beloved wife of two decades, Wendy, would be a good spouse for him! On The Discerning Marriage Podcast, we accompany you on the journey to discover if marriage is God’s will for you, and if you already know that you’re called to marriage, we want to help you bring glory to God in your vocation. Show Notes Chastity: The ability to raise all of your emotional and sensual reactions and desires to the level of the dignity of the person Christopher West, ThD is a devoted husband and father of five. As President of the Theology of the Body Institute, he leads an international apostolate spreading St. John Paul II’s life-transforming teaching through graduate level courses, on-site events and programs, clergy enrichment training, and an online global community dedicated to ongoing formation. Beyond serving as Professor of Theological Anthropology in the Institute’s jointly sponsored M.A. program with Pontifex University, Dr. West has served on the faculties of St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver; the Institute for Priestly Formation in Omaha; the St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission in Canada; and as a visiting professor of the John Paul II Institute in Australia. West is the author of more than a dozen best-selling books and numerous video and audio programs. He cohosts the popular podcast Ask Christopher West (https://askchristopherwest.com) with his wife Wendy, and his work has been featured in The New York Times, on ABC News, Fox News, MSNBC, and in countless Catholic and evangelical media outlets. A huge thank you to Catholic record label NOVUM Records (https://www.novumrecords.com) and artist John Finch for our theme song "Send Down Your Spirit"! Learn more about Discerning Marriage Ministries here (https://www.discerningmarriage.com). Learn more about Theology of the Body Institute here (https://tobinstitute.org). Send a question to host Elizabeth Busby here (https://discerningmarriage.fireside.fm/ask). Listen to Elizabeth's intro episode here (https://discerningmarriage.fireside.fm/1)!

Equipping the Church with spiritual directors

In this episode of I Thought You'd Like to Know This, Too, Dr. Bryan Froehle interviews Fr. Alfredo Hernández concerning his book Formation Activities & Catholic Seminarians (July 23, 2020)https://enroutebooksandmedia.com/formationactivities/What can we seminary formators, bishops, and others involved in the formation of seminarians do to help the men who are ordained from our seminaries to be joyful and fruitful as priests and persevere in ministry? The answer to this question is grounded in practical theology and concerns the specific changes we might make in the choice of formation activities during seminary to increase the likelihood of lifelong perseverance. Father Alfredo Hernández invites his fellow formators to consider with him the theological and pastoral benefits and the impact on priestly formation of each of the programs included in the study: Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), the Institute for Priestly Formation, pastoral year internships, spirituality or propaedeutic year experience, priestly fraternity groups, and pastoral language immersion programs.

In this episode of I Thought You'd Like to Know This, Too, Dr. Bryan Froehle interviews Fr. Alfredo Hernández concerning his book Formation Activities & Catholic Seminarians (July 23, 2020)https://enroutebooksandmedia.com/formationactivities/What can we seminary formators, bishops, and others involved in the formation of seminarians do to help the men who are ordained from our seminaries to be joyful and fruitful as priests and persevere in ministry? The answer to this question is grounded in practical theology and concerns the specific changes we might make in the choice of formation activities during seminary to increase the likelihood of lifelong perseverance. Father Alfredo Hernández invites his fellow formators to consider with him the theological and pastoral benefits and the impact on priestly formation of each of the programs included in the study: Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), the Institute for Priestly Formation, pastoral year internships, spirituality or propaedeutic year experience, priestly fraternity groups, and pastoral language immersion programs.

In this episode of I Thought You'd Like to Know This, Too, guest host Dr. Bryan Froehle interviews Dr. Jose Redondo about his Psycho-Sexual Survey entitled "Questionnaire on Sexuality of Candidates for the Priesthood (QSCP). (July 9, 2020)

In this episode of I Thought You'd Like to Know This, Too, guest host Dr. Bryan Froehle interviews Dr. Jose Redondo about his Psycho-Sexual Survey entitled "Questionnaire on Sexuality of Candidates for the Priesthood (QSCP). (July 9, 2020)

In this episode of Author to Author, Dr. Cynthia Toolin-Wilson interviews Fr. Alfredo Hernandez concerning his book Formation Activities and Catholic Seminarians: A Practical Theological Study of their Impact on Subsequent Perseverance in Ministry. (July 9, 2020)See https://enroutebooksandmedia.com/formationactivities/

Episode 13 -The Way of Mystery: The Eucharist and Moral Living– the spiritual life and moral living… understanding the journey through the Purgative and Illuminative Way and their role in the moral life. Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., the director of Theological Formation for the Institute for Priestly Formation, located at Creighton University, in Omaha.   ... Read more The post WOM13 – The Purgative and Illuminative Way – The Way of Mystery with Deacon James Keating – Discerning Hearts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Episode 13 -The Way of Mystery: The Eucharist and Moral Living– the spiritual life and moral living… understanding the journey through the Purgative and Illuminative Way and their role in the moral life. Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., the director of Theological Formation for the Institute for Priestly Formation, located at Creighton University, in Omaha.   ... Read more The post WOM13 – The Purgative and Illuminative Way – The Way of Mystery with Deacon James Keating – Discerning Hearts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

In Episode 13 of “Vows, Vocations, and Promises: Discerning the Call of Love,” Dr. Mary Anne Urlakis interviews guest Dan Almeter regarding his regarding his chapter in the recently published text: Spiritual Husbands- Spiritual Fathers: Priestly Formation for the 21st Century, edited by Bishop Felipe Estevez and Bishop Andrew Cozzens, published by Holy Apostles College and Seminary’s Enroute Books and Media. Dan authored Chapter 12, entitled: A Testimonial and Some Pastoral Wisdom, in which he discusses the salient and sensitive topic of transitory same-sex attraction.After earning a Master of Education in Counseling from Augusta University in 1998, Dan has worked as a licensed professional counselor for over two decades and is credentialed a credentialed spiritual director. Dan is also the long-time leader of the Alleluia Community in Augusta, Georgia- a community that has been blessed by the Holy Spirit, and produced over 15 vocations to the ministerial priesthood and religious life. Dan’s own background includes 6 years of seminary formation and he has headed the Spiritual/Pastoral Formation Team in the Alleluia Community since 1980. In 2010, Dan was appointed Moderator of the Alleluia Catholic Fellowship by the Bishop of Savannah, Georgia, and in 2013, he was elected as leader of the Catholic Fraternity of Charismatic Covenant Communities and Fellowships of North America- a private canonically recognized Pontifical Association.Dan travels nationally and internationally speaking on three primary topics: growing deeper in prayer, ecumenism, and the truth about same sex attraction. Dan’s book, “Unity: On Earth as in Heaven” has been translated and published in Polish. In this very special interview, Dan discusses his contribution to the book Spiritual Husbands- Spiritual Fathers: Priestly Formation for the 21st Century, while sharing his own personal story and professional perceptions regarding transitory same-sex attraction and grace of healing. Throughout the chapter, “A Testimonial and Some Pastoral Wisdom,” Dan weaves significant themes from the Ratio Fundamentalis with professional insights, and offers concrete tools for formators, rectors, and bishops as they seek to identify appropriate seminary candidates.Spiritual Husbands-Spiritual Fathers: Priestly Formation for the 21st Century is published by Enroute Books and Media and can be purchased at https://enroutebooksandmedia.com/spiritualhusbands/ as well as on Amazon.com.

Fr. John Horn, S.J. and Deacon Thomas Pulickal join Dr. Mary Anne Urlakis on Episode 12 of “Vows, Vocations, & Promises: Discerning the Call of Love,” to discuss the new book, Spiritual Husbands- Spiritual Fathers: Priestly Formation for the 21st Century, co- edited by Bishop Felipe Estevez and Bishop Andrew Cozzens. The goal of this comprehensive book is to provide a spiritual and psychological resource that engenders affective maturity and fruitful chaste celibacy for a renewal of priestly formation, an aim which echoes the objectives expressed by the Church in the 2016 Ratio Fundementalis and the 6th edition of the Program for Priestly Formation. Fr. John Horn, S.J., is a priest of the Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus who was ordained in 1985. Fr. Horn’s 25-year+ experience in priestly formation encompasses many roles including: Co-Founder of The Institute for Priestly Formation at Creighton University, Co-Founder of the Seminary Formation Council, former President and Rector of Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, as well as his current role as a spiritual director and Professor in Spiritual Theology at St. Vincent de Paul Seminary. Two of Fr. Horn’s contributing works are included in the text. Deacon Thomas Pulickal just completed his seminary studies and Master of Divinity at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, in Florida and will be ordained to the ministerial priesthood on June 6th for the Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago. Deacon Thomas also holds a Master of Arts Degree in Philosophy from Holy Apostles College and Seminary. Fr. John Horn, S.J. and Deacon Thomas worked as managing editors for the text Spiritual Husbands-Spiritual Fathers: Priestly Formation for the 21st Century. The text has been hailed by bishops and formators as an essential guide which provides concrete tools that assist formation by taking into account the spiritual and humans needs of the candidates, while helping them determine whether those same candidates are capable of the self-gift required by priestly celibacy. In this episode, Fr. Horn and Deacon Thomas share their experience and insights regarding the development of this valuable text. Spiritual Husbands-Spiritual Fathers: Priestly Formation for the 21st Century is published by Enroute Books and Media and can be purchased at https://enroutebooksandmedia.com/spiritualhusbands/ , as well as on Amazon.com.

Episode 5 – The Penitential Rite The penitential rite of the mass, while not the pivotal point, it is one of the most important points of the mass, and key in our moral conversion…it’s about the crucifixion to sin, meeting evil with love. Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., the director of Theological Formation for the Institute for Priestly Formation, ... Read more The post WOM5 – The Penitential Rite – The Way of Mystery with Deacon James Keating – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Welcome to the first episode of The Burrowshire Podcast! In this episode we discuss why we started this podcast, how it's different than other podcasts, and what you expect on future episodes. We also share how we first met each other and became rapid friends. LINKS The Four Dimensions of Priestly Formation (from Pastores Dabo Vobis)

Episode 2 - The Centrality of the Eucharist Placing the Eucharist as the center of who we are as Catholics part 2 Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., the director of Theological Formation for the Institute for Priestly Formation, located at Creighton University, in Omaha. The Vatican II documents remind us that the spiritual journey is not made in a vacuum.  God has chosen to save us, not individually, but as The People of God. The Eucharist must help Christians to make their choices by discerning out of Christ's paschal mystery. For this process to take place, however, Christians must first understand how the Eucharist puts them in touch with Christ's passion, death, and resurrection, and what concrete implications being in touch with this mystery has for their daily lives. The post WOM2 – “The Centrality of the Eucharist” – The Way of Mystery with Deacon James Keating – Discerning Hearts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Fr. Edward Looney keynoted the Support Our Seminarians Gala of the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph and Conception Seminary College. In his address, he shared the story of the Wisconsin apparition and its relevance to priestly formation.

This episode talks about what seminarians do over the summer. It should be noted that the summer assignments discussed in this episode are particular to this diocese. Other dioceses may have their seminarians do additional activities (i.e. Institute of Priestly Formation, Chancery, Catholic summer/work camps).

In the lead-up to Super Bowl Sunday, we talk about domestic violence. Plus, in the wake of cheating being a hot topic in MLB news lately, we cover that as well. In addition, there's a discussion on "participation trophies" and playing time. Plus, there's practical advice for listeners to take away. All this and more from a professional and spiritual perspective via the Clinical Psychologist at Saint Paul VI Institute in Omaha, Nebraska, where part of her work includes meeting with priests, religious, and lay men & women who are seeking faith-based counseling. With a sports background herself, she also works with seminarians attending the Institute for Priestly Formation and conducts psychological evaluations for individuals interested in entering seminary, the deaconate, or religious communities. She is a member of both the Catholic Psychotherapy Association and the Catholic Medical Association.

Heart of Hope Part 6 – Is there a light at the end of the tunnel?  Am I being punished?  Why do the innocent and faithful suffer?  Behold the wood of the cross. The core of redemptive suffering. Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., the director of Theological Formation for the Institute for Priestly Formation, located at Creighton ... Read more The post ROHC-6 – The Light at the End of the Tunnel – The Heart of Hope w/ Deacon James Keating Ph.D. – Discerning Hearts podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Heart of Hope Part 4 – The healing hand of Christ, seeing the will of God, and how we suffer love.  The tale of the two criminals on the cross next to Christ on Golgotha. Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., the director of Theological Formation for the Institute for Priestly Formation, located at Creighton University, in Omaha This ... Read more The post ROHC-4 The Suffering of Love – The Heart of Hope w/ Deacon James Keating Ph.D. – Discerning Hearts podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

What does it take to become a priest? What qualities do you want in a Priest? How can monastic life help form parish priests? As the Church becomes smaller, will the faith be stronger? The Church will always include those who “have it all figured out” and those who are still struggling. Saints and sinners […] All show notes at Priestly Formation & Monastic Life, Smaller Church, Knights of Columbus & St. Joseph, Persevere in Faith 10.23.19 - This podcast produced by Relevant Radio

Welcome to episode five of the St. Thomas More Academy podcast.   Today, Dr. Jake Noland, our STMA Dean of Faculty and Athletic Director, joins our headmaster, Deacon Brad Watkins, as they discuss our mission to form the whole person, and what that means, especially here at St. Thomas More Academy.  As always, we thank you for this download and taking the time to listen. We hope this episode proves helpful. Pastores Dabo Vobis - Pope Saint John Paul II Program for Priestly Formation  

Fans taking sports too seriously. Parents being WAY too involved in their son or daughter's sports. Superstitions that fans carry out. Sports betting. Hear about these and other issues from a professional and spiritual perspective via the Clinical Psychologist at Saint Paul VI Institute in Omaha, Nebraska, where part of her work includes meeting with priests, religious, and lay men & women who are seeking faith-based counseling. With a sports background herself, she also works with seminarians attending the Institute for Priestly Formation and conducts psychological evaluations for individuals interested in entering seminary, the deaconate, or religious communities. She is a member of both the Catholic Psychotherapy Association and the Catholic Medical Association.

In this episode of The Two Wings Seminar, Sr. Marysia Weber, RSM, D.O., the director of the Office of Consecrated Life with the Archdiocese of St. Louis, interviews Fr. Alfredo Hernandez, Academic Dean of St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, FL, concerning Priestly Formation. (August 27, 2019)

In this episode of The Two Wings Seminar, Sr. Marysia Weber, RSM, D.O., the director of the Office of Consecrated Life with the Archdiocese of St. Louis, interviews Fr. Alfredo Hernandez, Academic Dean of St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, FL, concerning Priestly Formation. (August 27, 2019)

In this episode of En Route Books and Media, Sister Marysia Weber, RSM, shares her presentation to a group of formators concerning her work on the art of accompaniment. (June 5, 2019)

This is part two of our conversation about the seminary life and its importance to our faith and society. Often we hear and pray for more vocations to the priesthood, in today’s episode we discuss what the seminary life is like. If you are exploring the idea of becoming a priest or know someone who is, this episode outlines what that process actually looks like. Knowing the process is beneficial for everyone to help us guide our faith into future generations. The podcast Father and Joe brings us, as individuals, closer to the Holy Spirit and his Church.Thank you for listening.FatherAndJoe@gmail.comAlso you can find is on twitter @FatherAndJoe

Episode 6: ​In this episode of Christian Democracy, Jack Quirk interviews Dr. Sebastian Mahfood, OP, co-author with Bishop Richard Henning of the forthcoming book entitled Missionary Priests in the Homeland: Our Call to Receive [En Route Books and Media, 2018] concerning the opportunities and challenges associated with missionary priests in the United States. Aired July 24, 2018.

This sin of objectification is truly hurting us all, men and women alike. Women have been taught they can use their body to manipulate others and men have been sold the lie that they are just naturally lustful and are hopeless to change. But, the Christ – centered, good news message St. John Paul II delivered during his Wednesday addresses tells us something very different. In Part 2 of our conversation with Christopher West, we go deeper into the meaning of Theology of the Body and how “we must rediscover the lost fullness of our humanity and long to regain it.” (JPII) Part 2 of 2 – Make sure you start with Part 1 (last week) for the beginning of the story. Please consider supporting our Podcast Our Guest: Christopher West is a proud husband and father of five. His global lecturing, best-selling books and multiple audio and video programs have made him the world’s most recognized teacher of John Paul II’s “Theology of the Body” – a bold, biblical vision of love and sexuality that takes us to the “cor” of what it means to be human. As founder and president of The Cor Project, Christopher leads an international outreach devoted to spreading this liberating teaching and empowering others to learn, live, and share it. His work has been featured in The New York Times, on ABC News, Fox News, MSNBC, and countless Catholic and Evangelical media outlets. Beyond his work as a popularizer of the Theology of the Body, Christopher has been teaching graduate and undergraduate courses on the subject since the late 1990s, having served on the faculties of St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver, the Institute for Priestly Formation in Omaha, and as a visiting professor of the John Paul II Institute in Melbourne, Australia. In 2004, he helped establish the Theology of the Body Institute near Philadelphia, Pa., and serves today as Senior Lecturer of Theology and Christian Anthropology. His weeklong courses there continue to draw students from around the world. Among Christopher’s best-selling books are Theology of the Body for Beginners, Good News About Sex & Marriage, At the Heart of the Gospel, Fill These Hearts and Pope Francis To Go: Bite-Sized Morsels from The Joy of the Gospel. His latest release is a free eBook Theology of the Body at the Movies, which can be downloaded at corproject.com/movies. You can stay in touch with Christopher at corproject.com and by following Christopher West (cwestofficial) on Facebook and Twitter (@cwestTOB) and on his new YouTube Channel: The Cor Project. You can also learn more about becoming a Cor Member and the many exclusive benefits you receive at cormembership.com. Show Notes: The Cry of the Heart Video by Christopher West Registration is open for Christopher’s TOB Pilgrimage to Italy. Click here for details. Make sure you check out Christopher’s new program for Made for More Find all of Christopher’s many books on Amazon.com Love and Responsibility by John Paul ii Beyond the Birds and the Bees by Gregory and Lisa Popcak The Truth and Meaning of Sexuality by the Pontifical Council of the Family Beyond the Talk – Educating Our Children About Sexuality by Christopher West Healing the Reformation’s Wounds with the Theology of the Body by Christopher West Matt Fradd Podcast with Christoper West Episode 56 Thriving in the Trenches Podcast Episode on Modesty with Susan Husband    Call to Action –  Let us rebuke and reject the lie that our bodies are bad. For some this may be very difficult to do but it is only in this light that we can truly give Jesus our heart so that we might be healed. Scripture –  8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” – Matthew 5: 8 Quote –  “What really matters in life is that we are loved by Christ and that we love Him in return. In comparison to the love of Jesus everything else is secondary. And without the love of Jesus everything is useless.” St. John Paul II “The deepest desire of every human heart is to see another and be seen by that other’s loving look .” – St. Augustine  

So we know that you have likely heard about Theology of the Body through many sources, including us. You are also likely familiar with world renowned speaker, Christopher West. In this episode of our podcast, Christopher really just preaches the Gospel of Grace, Mercy, and Love. The Gospel of God’s love for each and everyone of us. Our goal in this interview was to speak life into the soul of anyone listening and share in the hope that comes from the love of Abba Father. Our world has been fed so many lies about sex, sexuality, beauty, our bodies, our desires, and our sins by many different fundamental religious. We are not called to be white washed tombs nor perfectionist, yet we are called to the way of perfection. We are not created to be a sack of dead bones, but a living soul and body created by love and for love. Part 1 of 2 – Join us next week for the rest of the story. Please consider supporting our Podcast Our Guest: Christopher West is a proud husband and father of five. His global lecturing, best-selling books and multiple audio and video programs have made him the world’s most recognized teacher of John Paul II’s “Theology of the Body” – a bold, biblical vision of love and sexuality that takes us to the “cor” of what it means to be human. As founder and president of The Cor Project, Christopher leads an international outreach devoted to spreading this liberating teaching and empowering others to learn, live, and share it. His work has been featured in The New York Times, on ABC News, Fox News, MSNBC, and countless Catholic and Evangelical media outlets. Beyond his work as a popularizer of the Theology of the Body, Christopher has been teaching graduate and undergraduate courses on the subject since the late 1990s, having served on the faculties of St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver, the Institute for Priestly Formation in Omaha, and as a visiting professor of the John Paul II Institute in Melbourne, Australia. In 2004, he helped establish the Theology of the Body Institute near Philadelphia, Pa., and serves today as Senior Lecturer of Theology and Christian Anthropology. His weeklong courses there continue to draw students from around the world. Among Christopher’s best-selling books are Theology of the Body for Beginners, Good News About Sex & Marriage, At the Heart of the Gospel, Fill These Hearts and Pope Francis To Go: Bite-Sized Morsels from The Joy of the Gospel. His latest release is a free eBook Theology of the Body at the Movies, which can be downloaded at corproject.com/movies. You can stay in touch with Christopher at corproject.com and by following Christopher West (cwestofficial) on Facebook and Twitter (@cwestTOB) and on his new YouTube Channel: The Cor Project. You can also learn more about becoming a Cor Member and the many exclusive benefits you receive at cormembership.com. Show Notes: The Cry of the Heart Video by Christopher West Registration is open for Christopher’s TOB Pilgrimage to Italy. Click here for details. Make sure you check out Christopher’s new program for Made for More Find all of Christopher’s many books on Amazon.com Love and Responsibility by John Paul ii    Call to Action –  Take the time to get honest with Jesus, let him into all the dark places in your own heart so that He can really shine his light and love and mercy into your deepest hurts. Scripture –  “17 Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation;[a] the old has passed away, behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, God was in Christ reconciling[b] the world to himself,[c] not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.” – 2 Cor 5: 17-19 Quote –  “The joy of the gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness. With Christ joy is constantly born anew.” – Pope Francis  

Institute for Priestly Formation, Omaha, Nebraska

Host Kathleen Beckman dialogues with Fr. Richard Gabuzda, a priest of the Diocese of Scranton, PA, regarding his journey to the priesthood and the path that led him to the vital work of the Institute for Priestly Formation. Fr. Gabuzda shares some powerful testimonies about how an increasing number of seminarians and priests are spiritually […]

Host Kathleen Beckman interviews Dr. Margarett Schlientz, Director of the Healing and Deliverance Conference at Mundelein Seminary, Assistant Director of the Institute for Priestly Formation at Creighton, doctor in psychiatric nursing. They discuss the spiritual battle, discernment of spirits, and what is being done to catechize bishops, priests and laity about spiritual warfare. They share […]

Continuing in his series on Optatam Totius, the decree on priestly training from the Vatican II Council, Bishop Conlon talks about the four areas of the seminary program: spiritual, academic, pastoral and human training.

Summary of today's show:Scot and Father Chris talk about the Society of St James the Apostle with Fr David Costello, the newly elected Director of the Society. Fr David discusses his early formation for the Diocese of Limerick, Ireland, his work starting a brand new parish in the diocese of Lima, Peru, and what he looks forward to accomplishing over his upcoming three year tenure as Director. Today's host(s): Scot Landry and Father Chris O'Connor Today's guest(s): Father David Costello, Director of the Society of St James the Apostle Links from today's show: Today's topics: Fr David Costello and his formation, the work of Fr David and the Society of St James in Peru, the Society itself, the future and mission of the Society. 1st segment: Scot welcomed Fr Chris back to the show, and asked about what he did to celebrate Mother's Day this past weekend. Fr Chris said he visited with his sister and family and did lots of grilling, and connected not only to his biological mother but Mary, our spiritual mother. Scot commented he liked St Agnes in Arlington's way of celebrating Mother's Day - by crowning Mary right after the morning Mass. Scot also mentioned that the Pastoral Center crowned the statue of Mary today in a celebration after the noon-time Mass. Fr Chris said most prayers now are directed towards doing well on exams before heading out to their summer assignments - men will be working 6 to 8 weeks in a parish, shadowing priests and learning how to live a holy life. It also gives the seminarians a chance to put the pastoral skills they are learning into practice. Some of the men go to the Institute for Priestly Formation, Fr Chris said, a program in Omaha that teaches the Igantian Spirituality to men preparing for the priesthood. Lastly, Fr Chris said there are several men traveling to Portugal this summer for an immersion in the language - this will better prepare the men to serve the Portuguese-speaking communities here in the Archdiocese of Boston. Scot also gave a "shout out" to Paul Blanchette, who ministered to the listeners at Norfolk State Prison this past weekend with the Cursillo program. Fr Chris added that he sees the fruit of Cursillo in the lives of all the men there, and thanked them all for listening and for their prayers. 2nd segment: Scot welcomed Father David Costello to the show. Fr David said he is from the south of Ireland, a town named Limerick. Scot asked when Fr David got the idea that God might be calling him to serve as a priest - Fr David replied that from a very early age he always knew he wanted to be a priest. Growing up, Fr David said he was very involved in his parish as an altar server, with family events, and more. The priests, people in his parish, and the community influenced him in a positive way, and when he was 16 he made the decision to enter the seminary after high school. He was ordained for the Diocese of Limerick in 1995, and spent his first 8 years as a priest in a parish in County Limerick. Fr David said at that point, he heard a vocation call within a vocation call - to not just be a priest but to be a missionary priest. Fr David said he was lucky that there was a St James priest from Limerick he knew well - he spoke with his fellow priest about the St James Society and visited him in Peru. Scot noted that the whole country of Ireland has been very active in the missions throughout the world, and that activity has been part of the foundation of the Irish population here. Fr David agreed and said that it was difficult to get a place in the diocese in Ireland when he was younger, so Irish priests were sent abroad. Every diocese would also have its own mission outreach in those days as well, Fr David added. Fr Chris said that we're very proud of the Society here in Boston because it was at the idea of Richard Cardinal Cushing that the Society started. Fr David explained that the membership being made of diocesan priests is the most unique part of the Society - being able to live out a mission call while still being incardinated to their home diocese. Priests generally remain members for about 5 years, Fr David said, and are then sent back to their home dioceses after service. Fr David said most of the pioneers were from Boston - the ones who went to the furthest parts of Bolivia and Peru and did the hardest work to start the mission of the Society. Fr Chris said he thinks the other great benefit to the diocese is that the priests come back home with a new language skill and cultural knowledge to minister to South American Catholics who have migrated. Fr David agreed, and said it's interesting to him to meet people from parishes as he does appeals and parish missions who remember past priests in their lives who have served with the Society. Scot noted that priests who come back have a deeper cultural connection to their people, not just a new language. He asked Fr David how that worked in his case - Fr David said he didn't even speak Spanish when he first went to Peru! Fr David said that it was an exciting time for him to go to Peru - it was like being ordained again, and learning everything again for the first time, even without the support structures or physical structures that we may be used to in Boston or Limerick. Saying Mass on the street wouldn't be unheard of - it's a very different way of becoming a priest, Fr David said. There was a young population where he worked, Fr David continued, which kept both him and his Masses very active and lively. Fr Chris asked what the most difficult transition was for Fr David - Fr David replied that the biggest fear of his was the language gap, but he realized that the biggest gap is cultural. He said a Peruvian culture of "manana" (tomorrow) is a bit different - time doesn't mean much to the people there, and it can be difficult to adjust to that. Fr David gave the example that a Bishop came to confirm some Catholics and he told the people the Mass was at 8:30am so that 90% of them would be there by the actual start time of 11am! Scot asked Fr David how the Mass is the same or different down in Peru. Fr David said first that the Mass has a different sense of liveliness - there is always music, whether there are musicians or good singers or not. One thing Fr David said he noticed was that Mass would start when the priest showed up - he would start the Mass with only a few people, but by the time you get to the Gospel, many people will be attending. Fr Chris asked Fr David to describe the processions that are in Peruvian culture. Part of the culture is to express their faith publicly, Fr David said - blessing with water and proclaiming their faith in the street aren't at all unusual - to say, "We are the Catholics here, and we're proud to be Catholic!" Scot asked why countries like Peru, who we may hear are very Catholic places, are not producing as many vocations. Fr David said that historically he would imagine that it is due to a lower level of education - not many people would have the knowledge that being a priest requires. Now, Fr David, many of the dioceses are starting to produce native and local priests from seminaries based in the diocese. There are many signs of hope of fruitful vocations Fr David said, unlike 40 to 50 years ago - much of that may be due to Cardinal Cushing's decision to send priests to Peru long ago. Fr David said that the mission is to "get in, get on, and get out" - to set the parish up, put the infrastructure in place, and then hand the founded parish to a native priest - essentially, to "put themselves out of work!" Fr David said he was very proud when he attended an ordination and both of the new priests spoke highly of how the St James priests had encouraged and fostered their vocations throughout the years. Currently, Fr David said, the Society is in Peru and Ecuador, with about 21 priests total serving abroad and two in the United States. Several of the parishes in Peru are very new - the parish that Fr David just left is only 6 years old. Scot asked how the parish structure is in the missions - one pastor typically takes care of one church here in Boston, but Fr David said his parish covered about 12 chapel areas he managed by himself for about 2 years - now there are two priests. The mountain parishes, though, can sometimes cover an area as big as Ireland with only one priest, covering various outstations sometimes only once per month. Fr Chris asked Fr David to talk about what the average day in his old diocese was. Fr David said the daily Mass was always in the evening - nothing really happened before 3pm. Not for laziness - but because the people are up at dawn working. Fr David said he was involved with many of the social outreach programs, feeding school children meals Monday through Friday or working with a social worker. After 3pm, people would come in for catechetical programs or evangelization programs, followed by Mass at a different chapel each evening. Sometimes meetings would even go to 10pm - much different than a morning weekday Mass and early dinner. Apart from the social worker, Fr David said, all the parish workers are volunteers - almost 80 catechists come for preparations each week and then in turn prepare their individual groups for sacraments. In one case, Fr David described, one boy about 15 years old was a catechist for a group of his peers - it was encouraging for Fr David to see a young boy express his faith so publicly. Schooling in Peru is provided by the state, but sacramental preparation happens on the parish level. The social worker Fr David employed helped him figure out who was needy or who wasn't, and would also visit them in their home to get a sense of what the home was like. The role of the priest was not to hand out money, though - Fr David said he helped with food or navigating red tape. The social worker was invaluable here, Fr David said, helping him get discounts for parishioners or even free medical care. Fr Chris noted that Lima isn't what people might think of with the missions - not a jungle with dense vegetation but rather a desert. Fr David said there isn't much rain where his parish was on the coast because of geography, and no trees because watering trees costs a lot of money. Going into the mountains, however, Fr David said it becomes much more of a tropical climate instead. Fr David said he enjoyed experiencing the different rhythms of life in the parishes all over Peru. Scot asked what the level of poverty is - Fr David answered that 80% of the citizens of Peru live in dire or extreme poverty. A typical home in his parish was a one room straw shack - the lucky ones would have a bed. The social progarams the Society runs cover nutrition programs, inexpensive but healthy food, meals for school children, even just teaching the value of eating a salad is something the people need to be taught. 3rd segment: Scot asked Fr David to talk about "Rescusitado", "The Resurrected One" - Fr David's parish in Peru. Fr David said that 6 years ago he was asked to move to Lima to form a new parish. When he went there, there was no rectory, parish center, or central place at all - the first month was spent looking for somewhere to live. The first few months, Fr David said he spent time just introducing himself - spending his time wasting time, in a way, saying hello to everyone he could find. The parish next door might have been accessible by a bus, but it's very hilly and not easy for them to make it down to the local village. This is the reason for the twelve different chapel sites - each area is at a different level of development but the key is to get people involved and signed up for sacramental preparation and adult education. Fr Chris asked Fr David what an invasion was - Fr David said that people usually come from the mountains into the coast by Lima, the capital, and just invade the land - claim their spot of land on the side of a hill and build a house. Over time, they eventually get a title or deed and paperwork to prove they own the land. Sometimes whole villages do this, Fr David said - even forming their own elected governments to coordinate. Scot asked how a church gets built - Fr David said if you're there at the beginning of an invasion, the priest just lays claim to a piece of land for the Church, a right the government has recognized. Fr David said this is important because the people get the sense that this is their parish and take a sense of ownership in the church. Fr Chris asked what Fr David's role as the "head honcho" of the Society of St James entails - even though he was left the missions, he is still doing mission work. Fr David laughed and said he finds out more about what the work is every day! Fr David continued and said that all the financing comes through the Boston office, so he is responsible for that fiscal work. He's also responsible for the personnel, taking him out of Boston to Peru and Ecuador to visit the parishes and ensure the priests in his care are doing well. Fr David said another primary mission is to recruit new members - many priests are nearing the end of their 5 year commitment, so he hopes to bolster their numbers. Fr Chris asked what Fr David talks about when he does a mission appeal - Fr David said he speaks a bit of the St James Society, but always shares a story from the missions, and asks for prayerful and fiscal generosity. Obviously Fr David said he has to ask for financial help, but it's also about sharing the information about what the Society does in Latin America. Scot asked Fr David to describe the ways that local Catholics could come and hear more about the Society - Fr David said their main means of fundraising is the Missionary Cooperative program through the Pontifical Mission Societies here in Boston, which allows them to speak in parishes all over the Archdiocese. Fr David said that they have two dinners and a golf tournament for fundraising, and distribute a monthly newsletter called "Friends" that is available on their website. Fr David said people can also visit Fr Derek Leonard's blog, who he worked with in Peru. The blog has great pictures of the parish and life as a Catholic in Peru. Scot asked Fr Chris what he and the seminarians have taken away during their visits to Peru - Fr Chris answered that the importance of giving with your resources is always made clear when they visit - that they see the dedication of the priests in Peru to spread the Word of Jesus. The people in Peru are filled with joy and love for the Lord, Fr Chris said, and is a great way to experience the world-wide nature of the Church - as one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. Fr David said even $30 is salary for 3 days for a hard laborer who works all day - feeding a family with small donations or supporting a parish is very easy. Fr David concluded by asking for prayers for new priests to send down to Peru and Ecuador, and for all the priest members and their parishioners.

**Today's host(s):** Scot Landry and Fr. Chris O'Connor **Today's guest(s):** Fr. Derek Borek, spiritual director at St. John Seminary * [St. John Seminary](http://www.sjs.edu) * [Program of Priestly Formation, USCCB](http://www.usccb.org/vocations/ProgramforPriestlyFormation.pdf) * [Pastores Dabo Vobis](http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_jp-ii_exh_25031992_pastores-dabo-vobis_en.html) **Today's topics:** What is spiritual direction? Is it for everyone? **Summary of today's show:** Fr. Derek Borek joins Scot and Fr. Chris to talk about his work as spiritual director at St. John Seminary; to explain what spiritual direction is; how it is not just for priests and religious, but for all Christians seeking to deepen their relationship with the Lord; and how to go about finding a spiritual director. **1st segment:** Scot welcomed Fr. Chris back to the show and asked him how his Fourth of July weekend was. They had a Mass at the seminary and Fr. Chris discovered that there are particular prayers for Independence Day. The Church acknowledges the good and prays for areas of growth. The prayers talk more about the nation and the work of the Holy Spirit uniting us together. Fr. Chris noted how people of diverse backgrounds are brought together on Independence Day. Scot said it was amazing how diverse the crowd was at Walden Pond in Concord, people speaking 10 or more languages. Growing up in Lowell, Scot heard from his Cambodian and Loatian classmates how precious America is to them. Fr. Chris was able to watch the fireworks from the roof of the rectory at Sacred Heart in East Boston. Scot watched the fireworks from Cambridge. Fr. Chris is getting ready to celebrate a Mass for the Missionaries of Charity on Thursday. They run a day camp for 50 or 50 young people, teaching them about the faith and Mother Teresa. The sisters provide a set of eyes and ears for the kids during the summer while their parents are working. Scot noted that today is his parents' 42nd anniversary. **2nd segment:** Scot welcomed Fr. Borek to the show. He asked him how came to his vocation. He hadn't really thought about the priesthood growing up. In high school, he was greatly influenced by a Protestant friend with whom he discussed faith. He challenged Fr. Derek about what he really believed. So he questioned what he believed and it was in college that he started to sense God's calling to the priesthood. He had a friend die suddenly in an accident and that made him step back and take stock. He became attentive to God's presence in his life. At U. Mass Lowell, he got involved in campus ministry and the chaplains had a great influence on him. After graduating he went to the seminary. Fr. Derek grew up in Quincy and went to public school all his life. There is a diversity in the seminarians who come from public and Catholic schools. His decision to enter seminary was a practical decision. While he'd felt the call for 4 years, he had been resistant. He had no loans to pay off, had no girlfriend, didn't have a job, or grad school lined, so he decided to take the chance and explore the option. Over the next five years, he grew in relationship with the Lord. Like many seminarians, he did not know for sure he had a vocation to the priesthood, but he was willing to discern that in the seminary. Seminary formation helps a man come to a greater understanding of the life and responsibilities of the priest and the best place to learn that is in the seminary. Fr. Chris said the faculty's job is to help men figure out what God wants them to do. Discernment comes from God, from the men, and from the Church and if all three are saying that there is a call, then there is a clear indication. That's an important part of the whole process. The men don't sign their life away by walking in the door. Fr. Chris said a seminarian told him that he wished every Christian man could enter the seminary because even if they don't become a priest they are formed in Christian virtue and gain the tools that would make them great fathers and husbands if not priests. His background helps him remember that men in spiritual direction will have uncertainties and he shouldn't impose on them a sense that they need to have it all figured out. **3rd segment:** In talk about spiritual formation, there are two different fora: the external forum and internal forum. The internal forum contains spiritual direction and it allows confidentiality because it is just between the spiritual director and the seminarian. External forum deals with aspects of formation that would be manifested in his demeanor, public person, and academics. Spiritual directions concerns the inner man. It also pre-supposes a life of prayer. The spiritual director is the third person in a conversation the person is having with the Lord. It's not telling a man what to do, but primarily being attentive to the movement of the Spirit and helping understand more clearly what the Lord is saying to him, particularly the question of what is his vocation. Fr. Chris recalls having people come to spiritual direction, not knowing why they are there, and then as they talk revealing where the Lord is in their life. The spiritual director helps put the pieces on the table and discern where the Lord is active in their lives. It's not just for seminarians. As they are ordained, the men are encouraged to find a spiritual director to keep them honest and accountable and to help direct the prayer life. Fr. Derek said the spiritual director is for discussing the seminarian's relationship with the Lord in a deeper way than they might talk with a formation director. For example, on the issue of celibacy, as the man considers the reality of forgoing marriage and family life, it can have so many effects on the man as he copes with that idea. Or difficulties with academics or relationships with people around him that he feels discussing more confidentially. But first and foremost what's going on in his prayer life. The Sacrament of Reconciliation can be part of spiritual direction, but it's up to the seminarian. That would be ideal, because the relationship allows the director to advise in the most intimate details of life. But it's important that each seminarian be able to choose his confessor. There is training to become a spiritual director. Fr. Derek went to a three-week program at the Institute for Priestly Formation. There were lectures coupled with role-playing as both directee and director. He found it nerve-wracking when they had to role-play before the class. The spiritual director begins the session with prayer, either led by himself or the directee. The latter allows something to come up for discussion from the prayer. Then he allows the seminarian to bring up what he sees as needing to be discussed and then they go from there. If there's something from a past session that needs to be followed up, then Fr. Derek will bring it up. In some sense, it is really the Holy Spirit who directs. Scot said in Confession a priest can't bring up previous confessed sins and ask how the penitent is doing it. In spiritual direction they definitely can bring up issues that come up in spiritual direction. The confidentiality is not the same as the seal of the confessional. If it's working well, the seminarian will see improvement in his own life of grace. If he's committed to his life of prayer, he will grow in knowledge of God, in the life of charity and virtue. Fr. Chris said it is a privileged position for him to see the hand of God working in other's lives. Fr. Derek said when you can the Lord at work in another's life, it helps him to appreciate the ways the Lord works in his own life as well. This was his second year at St. John's. In his first year, he was the Dean of Men, working primarily in the external forum. In two years, he's seen the two difference fora. As a spiritual director, he's been able to get to know a number of the men even better. He's able to see in a more specific manner how the Lord is at work in the lives of these men. It's different than seeing it in the external aspects of their lives. It's another thing to see it at work in their hearts. He has been admitted to a mystery, which is an awesome experience. Fr. Chris said he can only see the external signs of the man's attitudes, but Fr. Derek can see what others cannot. Fr. Chris said the faculty votes on every man that goes through the seminary and make recommendations to their bishops. Fr. Derek does not vote and makes separate recommendations. Fr. Derek said he helps the men warm up to spiritual direction by helping them understand it's a safe environment to talk. He is himself very guarded and careful in opening up to people.  **4th segment:** Scot said spiritual direction isn't just for seminarians or priests, but it's a helpful tool for everyone to grow in holiness. Fr. Derek said spiritual direction in the seminary is focused first on discerning vocation to the priesthood and all other aspects that fall under that. But spiritual direction in general is helping someone to grow in intimacy with the Lord. It's for anyone seeking that deeper intimacy. It is a means of helping someone stay accountable to spending that time in prayer and being attentive to where God is active in their life. Fr. Derek began spiritual direction in college and his first spiritual director was a woman religious. In a sense, it's just like what seminarians: an extra pairs of ears to help you determine what the Lord is calling you to and to see the Lord's presence in your life. There priests and religious and even lay spiritual directors. It's about finding the person with whom you'd feel comfortable talking to about the movement in your heart. They should be a holy person who can help. The directee brings their experiences in prayer and receives in seeing God's hand in it. Fr. Chris has many lay people studying at the seminary in the Master of Arts in Ministry or the Theological Institute for the New Evangelization who are required to attend spiritual direction. These people will themselves be offering spiritual direction, even informally, when they return to their parishes, so it is important that they experience it themselves. It's also important for them to be sure they are doing what they're doing for the right reasons. People going through major life changes or struggles are prime candidates for spiritual direction. Fr. Derek said in the major moments of life, we can be more attentive. It's difficult in the ordinariness of life to realize we need to grow more and more in holiness and to be more attentive. They encourage seminarians every day to make an examination of conscience to recognize the blessings they've received and to see the ways God was active in their life and then to be attentive to ways that they were not open to His grace. Spiritual direction takes that one step further, and instead of one day looks at larger parts of their life. Fr. Chris said in his own spiritual direction, he feels like about 75% of the time it's more like coaching him where he needs to improve or reaffirm what he already knows. But there are other moments that are grace0filled where the spiritual director can open the eyes up to a whole new vista that he hadn't even considered. **5th segment:** Scot asked how someone would find a good spiritual director for themselves. Fr. Derek said they should look for someone who is themselves in tune with the Lord, with an active prayer life, and is growing in virtue as well. First, go to the pastor. HE might not be able to provide spiritual direction himself, but he would be a good resource to point you to someone who would be able to direct you. Or a religious community might be able to offer someone who can be a spiritual director. Fr. Chris noted the Oblates at the Shrine of St. Joseph in Lowell and the Franciscans at Arch Street in Boston. He said the person must be comfortable with the spiritual director and the relationship has to be based on trust and respect. Sometimes, you might need a new spiritual director to take you in the new directions you need to go. A good spiritual director will recognize it themselves and take that step first. Fr. Derek said the asks the directee to make a commitment of six meetings and at the end of those meeting they will reevaluate and determine whether this is something that is going to work from both perspectives. Each person needs to have a thick skin to recognize whether the direction is going to work. Scot said it sounds like the best way is to ask people in the faith you trust. Maybe you can take it to prayer and ask God to reveal where to go for a spiritual director.

**Today's host(s):** Scot Landry and Fr. Chris O'Connor **Today's guest(s):** Fr. Edward Riley, Director of Pastoral Formation and Dean of Men at St. John Seminary * [St. John Seminary](http://www.sjs.edu) * [World Apostolate of Fatima](http://www.wafusa.org/) * [Home School Ministry of the Archdiocese](http://www.bostoncatholic.org/HomeSchoolMinistry.aspx) **Today's topics:** Fr. Ed Riley's vocation story and ministry to the seminarians of the Archdiocese and many more **Summary of today's show:** Fr. Ed Riley shared with Scot and Fr. Chris how his path to the priesthood took him through Appalachia, and what his various duties entail, including Dean of Men and Director of Pastoral Formation at St. John Seminary and the Master of Arts in Ministry and Cardinal Seán's liaison to home schooling families **1st segment:** Scot welcomes Fr. Chris back to the show. Fr. Chris went to Omaha this week to the Institute for Priestly Formation. There are now 175 seminarians spending 10 weeks in Omaha, where's not much to do but pray and reflect. There are 7 or 8 men from Boston there. Fr. Chris mentioned the terrible Midwestern flooding affecting the area. They studied all four pillars of formation: spiritual, intellectual, pastoral, and human. Cardinal Sean is very keen on this program because it integrates the four pillars. The men come back excited that they learned to pray with Ignatian spirituality, which is helpful for diocesan priests who are active in the world, as well as the camaraderie with the 175 men from all over the United States. He's also hoping to welcome 21 new men to the seminary this fall. It looks great for the seminary and the archdiocese. Scot wanted to go back to "praying like St. Ignatius". Fr. Chris said it's going deeper with the Scripture, taking a passage, praying with it, reflecting on it, imagining yourself in the scene, and then asking what the Lord is saying to you. In the seminary they are so busy, that it was great to be able to share time with the seminarians one on one in Omaha. Fr. Ed Riley is on the program today, and he is the Dean of Men. His job is to "crack the whip" and make sure the men are doing what they should be doing when they should be doing it and being "bad cop" to Fr. Chris' "good cop." **2nd segment:** Scot and Fr. Chris welcome Fr. Ed. Scot asked him how he first experienced God's calling to the priesthood. He didn't hear until his late 20s, when he was living in Kentucky, working with a diocesan priest establishing the Christian Appalachian Project. He witnessed his life as a priest, his desire to serve, his love for the people. That was Fr. Ed's encouragement. In hindsight, he realizes the Lord had been calling him for a long time. After college, Fr. Ed was an accountant at a top five firm. He graduated from Boston College in 1984, he worked for Arthur Anderson. He had great opportunities for a career, but after 6 years, he realized something was missing, that there should be something more. He went to the parochial vicar at his own parish at St. John's, Wellesley, Fr. Joe Driscoll, and asked him about it. Fr. Driscoll told him to pray actively and to listen, and then he said he should try to hear the voice of the Lord. He felt the Lord calling him to work with young people so he went to work in Franciscan Children's Hospital. In the late 1980s, he was laid off from his job and so he became more involved at Franciscan Children's Hospital as a full-time volunteer. He says he never knew how many Catholics worked at his firm until he was leaving although he had worked with them for years. A lot of them were active Catholics in their parishes, but it never came up until he was leaving and it came up that he was going to be a volunteer. After a year, he felt his call was to help disabled adults get into the workforce. This was at the time that the Americans with Disability Act was coming into force. He decided to spend some time away and then come back and work for disabled adults. His sister went to Kentucky on spring break and so he decided to spend three weeks in Appalachia helping out. But then he stayed for six weeks because so much was going on there. On the last weekend of his trip, he met the founder of the Christian Appalachian Project who asked him if he was going to stay for a year-long commitment. He came back to Boston, but then he felt called to go back to Kentucky and so he went back to work directly for this priest for three years, starting up local Catholic communities. Father was encouraging to him to enter the priesthood, but Fr. Ed felt called to stay. But it was on the last year of his volunteer work that he really felt the call to return to Boston for the priesthood. Fr. Chris said we often think of the missions as being in a faraway place, but Fr. Ed worked in Kentucky. Western Kentucky is very Catholic. One of the first five dioceses in the US was Bardstown, which is now Louisville. The 50 counties of Eastern Kentucky in the Appalachian foothills are very poor. One-third of 1 percent are Catholic in Eastern Kentucky. There are more Catholics in India and Pakistan as a percentage. There are many Christians there, but they don't have the Church. The total square mile of the parish of the priest he knows in Eastern Kentucky is 800 square miles. One of his previous parishes was the size of the state of Rhode Island. **3rd segment:** Fr. Ed was ordained on May 27, 2000. He was assigned to St. Catherine of Siena in Norwood, one of the largest and most active in Boston. There is something special about your first parish, but it's a  wonderful parish of faith-filled families and a parochial school. He arrived there at the same time with two other priests: the pastor, Msgr. Cornelius McRae, Fr. John Currie, and Fr. Ed. They had a wonderful experience. Every day they could, they prayed morning prayer together. They found the town of Norwood to be very open to the life of the Church and worked well with the parish. His next assignment was in 2005 and was assigned to Immaculate Conception in Weymouth, another large parish. He had asked to be assigned wherever he was needed. He was there for two years in Weymouth, where there were five parishes and three elementary schools. Then he was assigned to St. Joseph, Holbrook, as pastor. There's a big difference between being a parochial vicar and pastor. It's much smaller than Norwood, but still very good faith-filled families. They have an elementary school and he loved being part of the school when he was there. He got the call to St. John's Seminary after two years. He had thought that he would be at St. Joseph's for at least 6 years and perhaps a second-year term. It was a harder transition. He remembers praying the day before he got the call that he prayed to turn over His entire life to God, whatever he wants. Fr. Ed said the people make you the priest you become. Parishioners deserve a lot of the credit for helping priests becoming who they are. His work in the parish helps him now as he works with seminarians preparing them. His primary responsibility is to assign seminarians for their pastoral assignments and to help them, along with their on-site supervisor, to help them grow. The men share their work with him and he encourages them. What he loves most about being a priest is being able to celebrate the sacraments. This last weekend, he helped out at St. Paul Parish in Hamilton and it was a joy and privilege. He loved the celebrations to experience family, community, and grace coming together. **4th segment:** Fr Ed is also the Dean of Men. It's like the Dean of Students at a university. He works with the men on day to day functions. He coordinates illness and absences. There's a lot of scheduling items for the whole community. He sees it as a role like being a father to them. He equates it to what his brothers do for their families or provincials do for their religious communities. He helps them work around some of the snags. When a seminarian has an issue, Fr. Ed is the first call he makes. Sometimes it's Fr. Ed making the call to the seminarian. It's an opportunity for growth.  Fr. Chris said when men have gone to the hospital, Fr. Ed is the man on the scene. The Dean of Men is about having a well-functioning house. Anytime 100 men live under one roof, there will always be issues. He looks out for the common good. As Formation Director of Pastoral Ministries, he starts the year by meeting the men, finding out their skills, what they like, and where they need growth. Then he looks at apostolates where they can be assigned: parishes, nursing homes, prisons, and other ministries. He follows up with their on-site supervisors. The supervisors meet with the men to make sure they are integrating their experiences: what are they learning, how did that touch their spiritual life? Fr. Ed's work is to help them see their own personal growth toward ordination. About 50 percent of the pastoral assignments are in parishes. The men have pastoral assignments for five of the six summers they are at the seminary. Most of the men in the early years are familiar with the parish setting when they come in so they get assigned to the institutional settings to give them more experiences. When they are in their later assignments, they get parish assignments. Near the end of the seminary, they get two years in one parish to give them more time to experience the life of the parish. During the school year, they spend their weekends in the parish. The men are evaluated twice per year on their pastoral assignments. Those evaluations by the supervisors are used in the overall evaluation of the seminarians toward ordination. You can see a lot of gifts and talents in their pastoral assignments that you wouldn't see inside the seminary walls.  Fr. Chris said that at ordination Cardinal Seán asks the seminary rector if they have inquired among the people whether the determine these men worthy. That's where these evaluations come in. Fr. Ed said he gives credit to a lot of the seminarians for their willingness to experience these opportunities for growth. Many of them came to the seminary after having been accomplished in life and now they place themselves often in a more subservient position than they were used to. **5th segment:** In addition to his other roles, Fr. Ed is also Cardinal Seán's representative to Catholic homeschoolers, is involved with the World Apostolate for Fatima, works with the Master in Ministry program. He also works with the Master's in Ministry program, helping lay students with their pastoral formation, which is two years of field education. They are assigned by their choice to a ministry and he works with them and their supervisor. They work 4-5 hours per work in these assignments. It's different because he's not choosing the assignments, but he does have to approve it as engaging their intellectual, spiritual, pastoral and human formation. As spiritual director to homeschooling families, he is the contact for families who need help from the Archdiocese and he gives support to them. There are literally thousands of families in the Archdiocese that homeschool. He finds a lot of the families are very faith-filled. they integrate faith into regular academics. He works with a couple of communities of homeschooling for holy hours once per month. For someone who wants to find out more about the homeschooling, go to [BostonCatholic.org](http://www.bostoncatholic.org/HomeSchoolMinistry.aspx) and connect with Fr. Ed. He's also the uncle to 30 nieces and nephews under the age of 15. They complement his ability to be a better priest. It means a lot to have brothers and sisters who are raising their children in the faith. His father also inspires him in his faith.