What does it take to form a truly Christian man?

In Episode 10 of Arena Ablaze, Marco Sandoval and Todd Powers sit down with Father Bernie Georges, a beloved priest of the Diocese of Wichita and a true man of action.

Father Bernie explains why every man needs a battle to fight, an adventure to live and a woman to win. For him, that woman is the Blessed Virgin Mary, who leads men into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. The conversation explores the Forge of Mary, where the Holy Spirit brings the heat, hammer and anvil needed to shape and temper a man for his mission. Father Bernie also shares his journey to the priesthood, his experiences in Medjugorje, the promise he made to Mary and the moment he finally understood his identity, mission and destination. This episode is about Christian masculinity, Marian devotion, spiritual battle, suffering, humility and learning to follow God’s will with courage and joy.

If this conversation encourages you, please like the video, subscribe to Arena Ablaze and share it with another man who needs to hear it.

For more with Father Bernie, tap this LINK.

Father Carney returns to Arena Ablaze to share the incredible story of his mission to Quito, Ecuador, a city often called “The Rome of South America” because of its historic churches and deeply rooted Catholic culture.

Father Carney takes Marco and Todd inside the Royal Convent of the Conceptionists, where the apparitions of Our Lady of Good Success began centuries ago. He explains the remarkable life of Mother Mariana, her willingness to suffer for another nun’s conversion and the story of the statue reportedly completed by three archangels.

The conversation also explores Quito’s incorrupt nuns, the history of Ecuador as a Catholic nation and Father Carney’s mission to renew devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus. He describes processing through the church with a Holy Face relic touched to the Veil of Veronica as faithful Catholics placed their rosaries against it and kissed it with deep reverence.

Father Carney also shares a possible new mission to restore a historic Franciscan retreat house, school and convent that have suffered years of deterioration. This project could eventually bring Catholics from Wichita to Quito to serve local families, restore sacred places and experience the beauty of Ecuador’s Catholic heritage.

Marco, Todd and Father Carney also discuss reverence, modesty, Catholic culture, traditional dress, the importance of presenting our best to God and what American Catholics can learn from the faithful people of Quito.

Hosted by Marco Sandoval and Todd Powers, with special guest Father Carney.

Welcome into the arena.

For more information on Father Carney, visit:
martinians.org

For books by Father Carney, visit:
Father Carney Books

Shop the Lorraine crosses here: HolyFaceGifts

What happens when following your conscience costs you the career you love?

In Episode 11 of Arena Ablaze, Marco Sandoval and Todd Powers sit down with Will Durant, husband, father of eight, Catholic convert, educator and principal of St. John Paul II Independent Catholic School.

Will shares how his journey into the Catholic Church transformed his understanding of faith, family and education. After stepping away from a promising career, he trusted God through uncertainty and eventually helped build an independent Catholic classical school rooted in truth, tradition and the formation of the whole person.

The conversation explores Will’s conversion to Catholicism, raising a large family, standing firm in difficult circumstances, the intercession of St. Joseph, hands-on classical education and the importance of forming young men into faithful fathers and courageous leaders.

This is a powerful story about trusting God when the path ahead is uncertain and allowing suffering to become fertile ground for a greater mission.

If this conversation encourages you, please like the video, subscribe to Arena Ablaze and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

DONATE TO THE NEW BUILDING HERE

DONATE TO THE SCHOOL HERE

Can devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus still bring miracles into a world that has lost its faith?

Father Carney returns to Arena Ablaze to continue exploring the history and purpose of the Archconfraternity of the Holy Face. He explains how the devotion received official approval from the Catholic Church and why that process took decades of obedience, perseverance and prayer.

The conversation examines the remarkable story of Venerable Leo Dupont, a Catholic layman associated with thousands of reported healings through prayer, oil from a lamp burning before the Holy Face and images connected to the Veil of Veronica. Father Carney shares accounts of people being healed, the public miracle witnessed in Rome in 1849 and the important role these events played in spreading the devotion throughout Europe.

Marco, Todd and Father Carney also discuss why miracles may appear less common in today’s increasingly godless society. They explore the Church’s present suffering, the incorrupt body of Sister Wilhelmina and the promise that devotion to the Holy Face could help bring about spiritual renewal and the triumph of the Catholic Church.

The episode concludes with a closer look at the official double cross of the Archconfraternity, its medals and what it means to become a member.

Hosted by Marco Sandoval and Todd Powers, with special guest Father Carney.

Welcome into the arena.

For more information on Father Carney, visit:
martinians.org

For books by Father Carney, visit:
Father Carney Books

Shop the Lorraine crosses here: HolyFaceGifts

Faith in Action: From Wichita to Uganda with Bob Powers

In this episode of Arena Ablaze, Marco Sandoval and Todd Powers sit down with Todd’s father, Bob Powers, a longtime member of Wichita’s Catholic community, author and former Wichita State basketball player.

Bob shares how he went from simply following the structure of the Catholic faith to developing a deeply personal relationship with God. He discusses raising children, the health crises that brought his family to prayer and why he has attended daily Mass for nearly 50 years.

Bob also tells the story of his involvement with the Men of the Sacred Heart and how he helped enthrone the Sacred Heart of Jesus in nearly 300 Wichita homes. What began during one of the most difficult seasons of his family’s life became a mission to bring prayer, hope and devotion into the homes of others.

The conversation then turns to Bob’s friendship with Father Vincent Kajoba and his work supporting Catholic communities in Uganda. Through churches, dormitories, water wells and other projects, Bob helped meet the physical and spiritual needs of families living in extreme poverty.

His book, “The Journey of Father Vincent Kajoba: Building Saint Kizito,” documents that remarkable journey from Wichita to Madudu, Uganda.

Bob’s story is a reminder that faith is more than attending church. It is a lifelong journey of prayer, service, sacrifice and saying yes when God gives us an opportunity to act.

Welcome into the arena.

BOOK by Bob Powers:
The Journey of Father Vincent Kajoba: Building Saint Kizito

Todd Powers shares his personal testimony of faith, family, failure and learning to surrender his life to God.

Raised in a large Catholic family, Todd grew up with a strong understanding of confession, Catholic education and stewardship. However, his faith would eventually be tested through career demands, personal failures, the collapse of his marriage and the painful reality of becoming a single father.

At one of the lowest points in his life, Todd began to understand that stewardship is about much more than money. It is a way of recognizing that everything we possess, including our time, talents, family and future, belongs to God.

Todd reflects on the people who helped keep his children in Catholic schools, the grace he received through parish life and the difficult process of accepting responsibility for his failures. He also speaks openly about feeling unworthy of Christ’s love and the truth that Jesus meets us in our wounds, cleanses us and calls us forward.

This testimony is a powerful reminder that God can use failure, suffering and surrender to transform a life.

Hosted by Marco Sandoval and Todd Powers.

What does it mean for a Catholic man to be meek without becoming passive or weak?

Father Carney returns to Arena Ablaze for a conversation about the Sacred Heart of Jesus, hardness of heart and the misunderstood virtue of meekness. He explains how meekness allows a man to possess strength, courage and righteous anger while remaining obedient to God.

Marco, Todd and Father Carney discuss praying for virtue, the power of the Rosary and the relationship between the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Holy Face devotion. They also examine the need for authentic Catholic brotherhood and the responsibility of Catholic men to take their faith beyond the walls of the church.

The episode concludes with a call for men to publicly witness to Christ through prayer, sacrifice, processions and acts of reparation. True meekness is strength placed under the direction of God.

Hosted by Marco Sandoval and Todd Powers, with special guest Father Carney.

For more information on Father Carney, visit: martinians.org

For books by Father Carney, tap HERE

In this deeply personal episode, Marco Sandoval shares his testimony and the experiences that shaped his journey back to the heart of God.

Marco speaks honestly about growing up without a stable father in the home, becoming a young husband and father, the collapse of his first marriage and the destructive habits that followed. Even during seasons of sin and personal failure, he continued returning to the sacrament of confession and asking God for the grace to change.

His journey eventually led him to Scripture, Eucharistic adoration, Marian consecration and a deeper understanding of Catholic virtue. Marco shares how God used suffering, fatherhood, the Blessed Mother and the sacraments to reshape his mind, soften his heart and restore his life.

He also recounts the serious trial that later threatened his second marriage and how surrender, patience and faith helped bring healing. Marco’s story is a reminder that our hearts will remain restless until they rest in God.

Hosted by Marco Sandoval and Todd Powers.

What is the devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus, and how can it deepen our relationship with Christ?

Father Carney joins Marco Sandoval and Todd Powers to introduce the Manual of the Arch-confraternity of the Holy Face and explain the six conditions traditionally associated with membership. He discusses the image left on Veronica’s veil, the history surrounding the Holy Face and practical ways Catholics can incorporate this devotion into their daily spiritual lives.

The conversation also explores the influence of the Holy Face on Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, the connection between suffering and spiritual growth and how devotion can soften a heart hardened by fear, pain or past wounds.

The Holy Face devotion invites us to encounter the suffering face of Christ, bring our own wounds to Him and grow in tenderness, intimacy and love.

Hosted by Marco Sandoval and Todd Powers, with special guest Father Carney.

For more information on Father Carney, visit: martinians.org

For books by Father Carney, tap HERE

Welcome to the first episode of Arena Ablaze. Marco Sandoval and Todd Powers introduce the mission behind the podcast and explain what it means to enter the arena of everyday life as Catholic men. They discuss faith, family, brotherhood, temptation, recovery, vulnerability and the daily struggle to become the men God is calling them to be.

Marco and Todd also share the story behind Arena Ablaze, the importance of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Holy Face devotion and the need for men to support one another through honest conversations about their victories, wounds and failures.

None of us has everything figured out. We fall, receive God’s mercy, get back up and continue moving forward. This podcast is an invitation to stop watching from the sidelines, say yes to God and enter the arena.

Hosted by Marco Sandoval and Todd Powers.