Dive Deep

It is a dream come true for Father Chris Comerford, pastor of St. James and Patrick in Decatur. A huge baseball fan, he has been combining two of his loves, the sport and our faith, for more than 12 years as Chaplain for the St. Louis Cardinals. Fr. Chris shares funny stories, players he has gotten to know, and what it's like ministering in Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

On May 28, Bishop Thomas John Paprocki ordained two new priests for our diocese, Father Paul Lesupati and Father Zach Samples. Their road to the priesthood took different twists and turns, but hear what ultimately led them to say "yes." It's two great stories.

Losing a loved one is painful. How we handle that loss depends on each person, but are we grieving in a healthy way? What should we say and not say to someone who lost a loved one? What should we do if the pain of a loss is just as apparent today than when it occurred? Dr. Dee Stern, a Springfield Catholic grief therapist authored a new book to help people grieve healthier and better comfort those who lost loved ones. It's called "Comforting the bereaved through listening and positive responding, what are the bereaved trying to tell us?" Dr. Stern offers her advice on Dive Deep.

Dr. Haywood Robinson grew up in Southern California and received specialty training in family practice medicine in Los Angeles. He started performing abortions in 1978 and did "hundreds." Now, he advocates for life, working on the 40 Days for Life project. Dr. Robinson explains the truth of the abortion industry, the lies they are telling to society, what it's like performing an abortion, and the positive signs he is seeing in our culture.

Is one of your Lenten goals to read and learn more about the bible? Dive Deep has you covered as we explore the Gospel of Luke.

How do they prepare a homily? Where do they get their vestments? Where do they go to confession? Dive Deep asks several fun questions about a priest’s life you may have thought before but never knew the answer. You're also guaranteed to laugh in this episode!

Millikin University’s head basketball coach, Kramer Soderberg, is passionate about our Catholic faith. But it wasn’t always that way. What led him to write a book called Fill your cup for Christ, what’s the message for every day Catholics, and how can parents better equip their children so they don’t leave the faith? Dive Deep with Coach Kramer Soderberg.

10 years ago, Chicago radio personality Kevin Matthews found a statue of the Virgin Mary broken and lying by a dumpster. His life would never be the same. His incredible story led him to bring the statue and give a talk in Springfield last October. Hear the story of "Our Lady of the Broken."

In 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court will rule on a state of Mississippi law that bans abortions after 15 weeks. This past summer, lawyers for Mississippi asked the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade. What will happen? Dive Deep interviews Peter Breen with the Thomas More Society to discuss that and the rulings from 2021. (Note, this episode was recorded before Texas passed their law).

Father Rob Johnson and Father Mark Tracy of our diocese both attended the University of Illinois. Priesthood wasn't even a thought. Then God introduced them to certain people and sent them to certain events which ultimately led them to a radical decision - the priesthood.