Fr. Simon Cleary, LC, returned home to New Zealand from his mission in the Philippines to share a powerful series of talks across NZ and Australia. In this conversation, we dive into what it means to live out the Catholic faith in today’s world, drawing on his wealth of personal experience and missionary insights.

👉 Topics we cover:

• How to stay rooted in Christ amid modern challenges
• Why faith isn’t just private but lived out in community
• Lessons from Fr. Simon’s missionary work in the Philippines
• The role of St. Joseph as a guide for modern disciples

🌏 Follow Evangelion for more Catholic content:

📸 Instagram: @evangelion_nz

📘 Facebook: EvangelionNZ

🎵 TikTok: @curiouslycatholic

🙏 Hear more from Fr. Simon:

▶️ YouTube: Fr. Simon Cleary

📖 Book: God’s Carpenter: Joseph’s Short Stories

🔔 Subscribe for more Catholic conversations exploring faith, reason, and mission.

This is an interview I recorded 4 years ago, but the content was so good I had to put it out there!!

🎙️ Why would a loving God allow us to be poor, to struggle, or to feel abandoned?

In this powerful episode of Curiously Catholic, Fr. Mark-Mary of Ascension Presents opens up about the often misunderstood realities of God’s providence and spiritual poverty. What does it really mean to trust God when everything is falling apart? What if poverty — material or spiritual — is actually part of God's loving plan?

We dive into:

The hidden grace in our dependence

How poverty can lead to deeper faith

Real stories from religious life and ministry

The surprising freedom in surrendering control

Whether you're in a season of lack, uncertainty, or simply wrestling with big questions about God's plan — this conversation is for you.

👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if this episode speaks to your soul.

#FrMarkMary #AscensionPresents #GodsProvidence #SpiritualPoverty #CatholicPodcast #CuriouslyCatholic #CatholicFaith #TrustInGod #FranciscanFriars #ChristianSuffering #CatholicYouTube #CatholicInspiration #CatholicSpirituality #CatholicLife

In this episode we are focussing on the "lift" in Lifting His name on high. But is going to the Gym for a pump session just inflating your ego and leaving you interior life in tatters? Is it possible to deadlift without killing your soul?

Well Bede Alexander is here to show us that the gains from the gym go further than your biceps!! He shares about his struggles being one of the best power lifters in NZ and how he got back on track after leaving that world.

See the work they're doing at:

Youtube @kingdomfitnz

Insta @ kingdomfitnz

https://www.kingdomfitnz.com/

Get more involved in the mission here at NZ

www.evangelion.co.nz

Lets go for a coffee and talk shop

Ladies and Gentlemen, if you have not heard of Stacy Trasancos, you're welcome. An Atheist Chemist turned Catholic theologian and philosopher, Stacy is a phenomenal woman on the pursuit of truth and willing to spend her life trying to find it.

In this Episode I dig deep and look to see if quantum physics is the scientific communities version of God of the gaps, does it answer all of life's questions or does it fall short. Listen in to this brilliant conversation and find out!!

ALSO get involved!! Evangelion is aiming to change this nation to help them find Christ, if that's something you want to help with drop a line and lets go for a coffee

Contact us at:

www.evangelion.co.nz

See more from Stacy at:

https://stacytrasancos.substack.com/

Author William West joins us to unpack the enduring mystery of the Shroud of Turin and the inspiration behind his latest book. Together, we explore the deep questions his work raises—about faith, evidence, and the hunger for spiritual meaning in today’s skeptical world.

💭 What does the Shroud offer modern believers?

🔍 Why does this ancient relic continue to captivate hearts and minds?

📖 And how do we speak about sacred mystery in a culture obsessed with certainty?

🎟️ Want to get involved with the Evangelion Mission

go to:

www.evangelion.co.nz

🧬 Explore Fr. Dalton’s research and Shroud studies here:

https://othonia.org

Buy William wests new book:

https://amzn.asia/d/5TBYVsq

🔔 Subscribe for more Catholic content at the intersection of faith, reason, and wonder.

The Shroud of Turin: What It Reveals About Jesus | w/ Vatican Expert Fr. Andrew Dalton

Blurb:

What is the Shroud of Turin—and why does it still captivate scientists, skeptics, and believers alike?

In this episode of Curiously Catholic, I sit down with Fr. Andrew Dalton, a Vatican-recognized expert on the Shroud, to explore its history, mystery, and meaning for us today.

🔥 Why does the Shroud matter in a modern world?

🧬 What does it reveal about Christ’s Passion and Resurrection?

🎟️ Want to see Fr. Dalton live in New Zealand?

Book your tickets here: www.evangelion.co.nz

📖 Learn more about Fr. Dalton’s work and the Shroud:

https://othonia.org

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of science, faith, and mystery.

Title: Big Things Coming at Evangelion + Can You Manifest Your Way to Heaven?

Blurb:

Lawyer. Teacher. Apologist. Robert Haddad has spent decades on the frontlines of faith and reason.

In this episode, I sit down with Robert to hear his incredible journey—from the courtroom to the classroom—and explore how Catholics today can boldly and charitably defend the faith.

We also dive into his book “Defend the Faith,” breaking down practical ways to answer tough questions and stand firm in a secular age.

🛡️ Get inspired. Get equipped. And learn how to speak truth with confidence.

📚 Subscribe for more interviews, insights, and tools for living and sharing your Catholic faith.

More info:

www.roberthaddadcatholicapologist.com/robert-haddad-biography

insta @drrobertmhaddad

Youtube @roberthaddad7850 ​

Another Speaker coming to the Divine Mercy Conference in May, Fr Chris Alar and Marian Father dedicated to the immaculate heart and message of divine Mercy talks with me about Divine Mercy, not just as a devotion but as a mind set, prayer as not just words spoken but training for spiritual warfare. He talks about the F.I.N.C.H. protocol and ABC of Divine mercy.

To see Fr Chris in person go to:

https://divinemercyconference2025.co.nz/

For more from Fr Chris check out:

Youtube: @DivineMercy_Official

Spotify: Explaining the Fatih with Fr Chris Alar

For more from me check out:

Youtube: @curiouslycatholic

Insta: @evangelion_nz

TikTok: @curiouslycatholic

Substack: curiouslycatholic.substack.com

Spotify: Curiously Catholic

In this episode I talk with Pat Barett about the upcoming Divine Mercy conference, and he cracks open the heart of Jesus' Divine Mercy for us and shows us that this is much more than merely a set of prayers.

https://www.divinemercyconference2025.co.nz/

More info on:

Instagram @evangelion_nz

Spotify Curiously Catholic

TikTok @curiouslycatholic