The new Paulist Press book "Women Responding to the Spirit: Selections from the Madeleva Lectures" is the topic of this special episode of Deacons Pod.

Since 1985, the Center for the Study of Spirituality at Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, IN, has hosted the annual Madeleva Lecture. This book is a one-volume anthology of essential selections from this world-class program.

The lectures were delivered by women theologians, scholars of religion, and authors from an array of theological disciplines such as Elizabeth Johnson, Sandra Schneiders, M. Shawn Copeland, Joan Chittister, Kathleen Norris, Ilia Delio, and others.

In this episode, Deacon Patrick Murphy-Racey, one of the Paulist Deacon Affiliates, interviews the book's editors, Prof. Jessica Coblentz and Prof. Dan Horan.

They are both past guests on Deacons Pod to discuss their own books. Prof. Coblentz was a guest in April, 2023. Prof. Horan was a guest in September, 2024.

In this "Back to School" episode of Deacons Pod, the Paulist Deacon Affiliates have a wonderful conversation with Marissa Papula, the Director of Campus Ministry at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

They speak about what draws today's college students to Catholic campus ministry; the powerful impact of Kairos weekend retreats; and much more.

Marissa also is a contributor to Catholic Women Preach. Earlier this year, she preached for the Second Sunday of Easter.

In this special episode of Deacons Pod, learn about the lives and ministries of our three brand new Paulist Deacon Affiliates.

They are Deacon Mike Berstene of Tollan, CT; Deacon Mike Hayes of Cleveland, OH; and Deacon Dennis Rybicki of Grand Rapids, MI.

Rev. Joseph Yoo is an Episcopal priest in Texas with a dynamic presence on Instagram and TikTok.

He has a wonderful conversation with the Paulist Deacon Affiliates in this thought-provoking episode of Deacons Pod.

Rev. Yoo is the pastor of Mosaic Episcopal Church in Pearland, TX, and author of the book "When the Saints Go Flying In: Stories About Faith, Life, and Everything in Between."

In the wake of the U.S. government's massive cuts to international aid funding, Jesuit Refugee Service USA is persevering in its important work to serve refugees in multiple countries.

In this episode of Deacons Pod, Deacon Drew Dickson of the Paulist Deacon Affiliates has a conversation with Hilary Chester, Ph.D., JRS/USA's Vice President for Domestic and Acting Vice President for International Program Operations.

Deacon Drew and Dr. Chester speak about how the organization's programs have been impacted by the U.S. funding cuts, as well as how Catholics can assist JRS/USA with political advocacy and private financial contributions.

This is the second time the good work of JRS/USA has been featured on Deacons Pod. The organization's past president, Joan Rosenhauer, was a guest in late 2023.

Could "radical non-judgement" be a balm for polarization?

Isn't "judging" a necessary part of everyday life?

The Paulist Deacon Affiliates consider these questions in this thought-provoking episode of Deacons Pod featuring an interview with Fr. Isaac Slater, OCSO, author of the new Liturgical Press book "Do Not Judge Anyone: Desert Wisdom for a Polarized World."

Fr. Isaac is a Trappist monk who lives at the Abbey of the Genesee in Piffard, NY.

Daryl Russell Grigsby, author of the new Paulist Press book "Catholics for the Common Good: An Eternal Offering" is the guest on this episode of Deacons Pod.

The Paulist Deacon Affiliates ask Daryl about the 36 contemporary Catholics profiled in the book, each of whom lived the prayer "Make of us an eternal offering to you" in their commitment to the common good and to human flourishing.

In particular, the deacons ask Daryl about his accounts of the inspiring lives of Fr. Pedro Arrupe, SJ, Mary Lou Williams, Fr. Daniel Berrigan, SJ, Sr. Thea Bowman, FPSA, Dr. Paul Farmer, and Sr. Helen Prejean, CSJ.

ABOUT THE SHOW:

Deacons Pod is a podcast for everyone. But, it’s especially created to inspire and give hope to people on the “threshold of faith”: Those who are thinking about going to Church and those who are thinking about leaving Church.

Deacons Pod is hosted by the Paulist Deacon affiliates. The podcast is a production of the Paulist Fathers.

More at ⁠⁠deaconspod.com

Mollie Wilson O'Reilly, Editor-at-Large of Commonweal Magazine, is our guest on this episode of Deacons Pod.

The Paulist Deacon Affiliates ask Mollie about her early impressions of Pope Leo XIV; the role of LGBTQ+ people and women in the Church; and why she remains a Catholic when the Church seems to be stuck in some ways.

They also chat about Mollie's reflection for the Fourth Sunday of Easter shared by the Catholic Women Preach initiative.

Hear more from Mollie on Bluesky.

"You will find your place in the Church. Everyone has one. It may not seem obvious at first where that place is. But everyone has a place inside the Church," says Paulist Deacon Ben Chisholm in this episode of Deacons Pod.

Deacon Ben, a Paulist seminarian, is slated to be ordained a priest during a Mass on Saturday, May 17, 2025.

He is to be ordained alongside Paulist Deacon Chris Malano, who was our guest on last week's episode of Deacons Pod.

This episode was recorded on Friday morning, May 9, 2025, the day after the election of Pope Leo XIV, and includes reactions to the historic news.

ABOUT THE SHOW:

Deacons Pod is a podcast for everyone. But, it’s especially created to inspire and give hope to people on the “threshold of faith”: Those who are thinking about going to Church and those who are thinking about leaving Church.

Deacons Pod is hosted by the Paulist Deacon affiliates. The podcast is a production of the Paulist Fathers.

More at ⁠deaconspod.com

In this episode of Deacons Pod, the Paulist Deacon Affiliates have a wonderful conversation with Paulist Deacon Chris Malano.

He is a Paulist seminarian and transitional deacon who is slated to be ordained a priest on Saturday, May 17, 2025.

He is to be ordained a priest alongside Paulist Deacon Ben Chisholm, who will be a guest on a future episode of Deacons Pod.