Faithful Voices Podcast

What happens after we say “yes” to God?

In Episode 10 of Faithful Voices Podcast, we reflect on what it means to be Sent Forth — nourished by the Eucharist, formed in faith, and called to carry Christ into our homes, workplaces, schools, parish, and community.

Fr. Raj opens with The Shepherd’s Voice, reflecting on the Scriptures and the call for faith to become action. We also hear from Pope Leo XIV for World Mission Sunday, along with Vatican and Diocese of San Bernardino updates.

In this month’s Ministry Spotlight, Loni Mann, Coordinator for the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion at St. Theresa, joins us to talk about the sacred responsibility of serving the Eucharist, the formation behind the ministry, and what it means to bring Holy Communion to the sick and homebound.

In Your Voice, Our Conversation, we ask:

Why does the Mass end by sending us out?

We’ll also share the latest from St. Theresa Church and School, including upcoming parish events, school fundraisers, recycling successes, and our First Annual Welcome Back Sunday.

And, of course, there’s another Holy Groaner, followed by a Spiritual Reflection and Closing Prayer centered on one question:

Who might encounter Christ because He sent me there?

🎧 Listen, reflect, and join the conversation.

Stay Faithful • Stay Joyful • Stay Connected

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In this September episode of Faithful Voices, we reflect on the many ways God continues to call us — to learn, to receive, to serve, to return, and to grow as disciples.

Fr. Raj opens with The Shepherd’s Voice, tracing the Scripture journey that has led us through faith, trust, reconciliation, forgiveness, and into the vineyard where each of us is invited to respond to God’s call.

Our Ministry Spotlight welcomes Elizabeth Bucio, St. Theresa’s First Communion Coordinator, who shares her personal calling to faith formation, her connection to St. Theresa, the importance of preparing children for the Eucharist, and how parents and families can help make First Communion the beginning of a deeper life with Christ.

In Your Voice, Our Conversation, Steve and Jennifer ask: After First Communion, why should Sunday Mass remain such an important part of a Catholic’s life? Drawing on recent teaching from Pope Leo XIV, we reflect on the Eucharist not as a milestone to complete, but as an encounter with Christ that continues week after week.

We also look beyond our parish with Pope Leo’s September prayer intention for the care of water and the Diocese of San Bernardino’s Peace in the Storm Project, supporting those living with chronic illness, pain, and disability.

Closer to home, we share important updates from St. Theresa Church and School, including the redesigned 2027 Modernism Week fundraiser, “An Evening to Remember,” the return of Friday Night Bingo, our growing Knights of Columbus recycling partnership, and the upcoming Blessing of the Pets.

And, of course, there’s another Holy Groaner, followed by a Spiritual Reflection asking each of us one simple but important question:

What invitation from God have I heard — but not yet answered?

We close with a special prayer led by one of our St. Theresa eighth-grade students, reminding us that faith is not something we simply learn or receive — it is something we continue to live.

Stay Faithful • Stay Joyful • Stay Connected

FaithfulVoicesPodcast.org

In this August episode of Faithful Voices, we celebrate the many ways faith finds a voice at St. Theresa Church and School.

We begin with The Shepherd’s Voice, as Fr. Raj reflects on St. Theresa as a house of prayer, welcome, service, and community. We also welcome our students, families, teachers, administrators, and staff back to school as the new school year begins on August 18th.

This month’s Ministry Spotlight features the Music and Choir Ministry, with conversations from Arlene, our Choir Director, and David, our longtime organist. Together, they share why music is such an important part of the Mass, how it helps lead the parish in prayer, and how others may feel called to share their own time and talent.

We also share Vatican and diocesan news, including Pope Leo XIV’s August prayer intention for evangelization in the city, the Vatican News video widget, and local happenings from the Diocese of San Bernardino. In Your Voice, Our Conversation, Fr. Brice helps answer the question: Why do Catholics sing at Mass, and why is music such an important part of worship?

Together, we reflect on the simple truth that every voice has a place — in prayer, in song, in the classroom, in ministry, and in the life of the Church.

St. Theresa begins a new chapter as Steve and Jennifer welcome Fr. Raj with a personal conversation about his vocation, ministry journey, leadership and hopes for the parish and school community.

Mike Ovesen joins us for a Ministry Spotlight on the 135 Ministry, including the renewed Meditation Garden, Fr. John’s blessing, engraved remembrance bricks and breaking news about the 2027 Modernism Week fundraiser, An Evening to Remember.

We also share Diocesan and Vatican news, a spiritual reflection on welcoming, listening and growing in faith—and, of course, this month’s Holy Groaner.

Stay faithful. Stay joyful. Stay connected.

Summer can change our schedules, but it does not have to weaken our connection to faith, parish life, or one another.

In this special June episode of Faithful Voices, Steve and Jennifer step away from the usual format for a summer reflection on staying connected: connected to God, connected to our parish family, and connected to the mission of the Church.

The episode includes a heartfelt final pastoral message from Fr. John as he enters retirement, along with a warm welcome for Fr. Ros as St. Theresa begins a new chapter.

Steve and Jennifer share practical ways to stay engaged while traveling or away for the season, including daily parish social media posts, the Faithful Voices podcast site, diocesan resources, and the online Rosary led by Bishop Alberto Rojas.

They also highlight open enrollment for the 2026–2027 school year at St. Theresa Catholic School and invite parishioners to consider how they can offer their time, talent, and treasure through lay ministry.

From liturgical service and faith formation to outreach, hospitality, Catholic education, technology, and behind-the-scenes support, every gift offered in love helps strengthen the life of the Church.

The episode closes with a Scripture reflection inspired by the Sunday readings from the end of May through July: God’s faithfulness, the Eucharist, the call for laborers, courage in discipleship, Christ’s invitation to rest, and the power of small acts of service.

Rest. Renew. Respond.

Wherever summer takes you...Stay Prayerful, Stay Joyful, and Stay Connected!

In this May episode of Faithful Voices, Steve and Jennifer reflect on a season of transition, gratitude, healing, and mission within the St. Theresa Catholic Church & School community.

We begin with a pastoral message from Fr. John, then share important parish news about his upcoming retirement as pastor, effective July 1, 2026. Fr. John reminds us that while he is retiring as pastor, he is not retiring as a priest, and we give thanks for his many years of faithful service in the Coachella Valley.

We also celebrate joyful news from the Diocese of San Bernardino, where Luis Angeles and Larry Curtis were ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Alberto Rojas on May 16. Their vocation stories remind us that the Holy Spirit continues to call people to serve the Church in powerful ways.

This month’s Church News also highlights the 2026 Camino de California Eucharistic Pilgrimage, a statewide journey through all 21 California missions centered on the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

Our Ministry Spotlight features Good Grief, St. Theresa’s bereavement support ministry. Jerry joins us to talk about walking with those who are grieving and how faith can offer comfort, healing, and hope without rushing the process.

In our school segment, St. Theresa School – Firm Foundation, Lasting Legacy, we hear from two graduating 8th graders as they reflect on their time at St. Theresa, their memories, their faith, and what they carry with them into the next chapter. We also speak with Mr. Michael Keno, principal of St. Theresa School, as he looks back on the school year and ahead to what’s next.

In Your Voice, Our Conversation, we welcome a special audio clip from Fr. Mike Schmitz answering the question:
Why do Catholics confess their sins to a priest instead of just praying directly to God?

We close with a reflection on the movement from Ascension to Pentecost to Ordinary Time — a reminder that Christ sends us, the Holy Spirit strengthens us, and ordinary days become holy ground when we live them with faith.

All links and resources from this episode are available at:
FaithfulVoicesPodcast.org

Stay Prayerful. Stay Joyful. Stay Connected.

Episode 4 – April 19, 2026
Faithful Voices Podcast | St. Theresa Church & School

As we step into the joy of the Easter season, Episode 4 invites our Faithful Family to reflect on what it truly means to live the Resurrection in everyday life.

This week, we hear a powerful Pastor’s Message from Fr. John, reminding us that Christ is not only risen—but present in our lives, our questions, and our daily walk of faith.

We also share important moments from our parish and beyond:

• Diocesan News: Bishop Alberto Rojas’ appointment to a national immigration committee—and why this matters for our local Church
• Parish Highlight: A beautiful celebration of Confirmation, where both youth and adults fully entered into the Church
• School News: The incredible success of our Read-A-Thon, with over 37,000 minutes read and more than $11,000 raised
• National Recognition: A special spotlight on three of our students honored through the Footsteps2Brilliance program, with insights from Dr. Gregory Spencer

Our Ministry Spotlight focuses on the St. Theresa Food Pantry Program, where dedicated volunteers help serve over 300 people each week—bringing faith into action in a real and meaningful way.

In Your Voice, Our Conversation, we take on a thoughtful and important question from one of our parishioners, with guidance from Fr. David, followed by helpful insights from local funeral planning expert Ernesto Rosales.

Plus:

• A one-on-one conversation with Dr. Spencer on literacy and free community resources
• Voices from our ministry volunteers
• A lighthearted “holy groaner”
• A Scripture-based reflection to guide your week
• A closing prayer from one of our parish lectors

We wrap with a look ahead to next month, including a spotlight on our Good Grief Bereavement Ministry, another listener question, and exciting updates for our parish community.

No matter where you’re listening—from home, on the road, or right here in Palm Springs—you’re part of the conversation.

Stay Faithful. Stay Joyful. Stay Connected.

Episode 3 of Faithful Voices explores how God often works through seasons of preparation before something new begins.

Steve and Jennifer begin with news from the Diocese of San Bernardino, where nearly 900 adults across the diocese signed the Book of the Elect during the Rite of Election. Among them were 134 catechumens from the Low Desert Vicariate, preparing to receive the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.

Locally, we share important updates from St. Theresa Catholic Church in Palm Springs, including the upcoming Lenten Penance Service, the Holy Week Mass schedule, and the weekly Stations of the Cross, leading up to the parish’s powerful Living Stations of the Cross presentation.

We also spotlight the Knights of Columbus, whose parish council continues its tradition of service through a creative recycling program that supports St. Theresa Catholic School tuition assistance. Longtime Knight Ross shares about the mission of the Knights, while Jack explains how a simple act of stewardship can help students and families in our community. The program also received a generous $1,000 matching gift from the Sally Sauter Foundation, honoring the memory of a beloved parishioner.

In our Your Voice, Our Conversation segment, we answer a listener’s question:

Why does the number 40 appear so often in the Bible?

From Noah and the Flood, to Moses on Mount Sinai, to Jesus’ forty days in the wilderness, we explore how Scripture uses the number forty as a time of testing, preparation, and transformation—and how that meaning connects directly to the Church’s season of Lent.

We close the episode with a lighthearted Holy Groaner, a Scripture reflection, and a prayer as we continue our Lenten journey together.

Along the way, we invite you to stay connected with the parish community between episodes through our daily reflections and updates on Facebook and Instagram, and we encourage listeners to submit questions and topic ideas through Your Voice, Our Conversation on the podcast page.

Because this conversation belongs to the whole parish family.

Faithful Voices is the official parish podcast of St. Theresa Catholic Church & School in Palm Springs.

Stay Faithful.
Stay Joyful.
Stay Connected.

🎙️ Faithful Voices – Episode 2

Lenten Journey of Faith & Service

In this February episode of Faithful Voices, we enter the season of Lent together — a time of reflection, renewal, and drawing closer to Christ.

We begin with a pastoral message from Fr. John as our parish remembers the life and ministry of Fr. Martin Connole, whose service touched many in our community. His witness reminds us that a life given to God continues to bear fruit long after it is lived.

As we prepare our hearts for Lent, we explore what fasting truly means in our segment Your Voice, Our Conversation, and how small, intentional sacrifices can open space for grace.

This episode also highlights the life of our parish and school:

• A Ministry Spotlight on Gifted & Called, a Catholic faith-sharing ministry accompanying LGBTQ+ Catholics and others on their spiritual journey
• A special conversation with Fr. James Martin, SJ, sharing insight on prayer, pastoral outreach, and encounter
• Celebrating St. Theresa School’s Catholic School Award honorees, Jessie Lopez and Heather Hodge, recognized for extraordinary service and vocation in Catholic education
• School highlights showing how faith, learning, and kindness shape our students
• A reverent closing prayer led by one of our parish lectors

Lent isn’t about perfection — it’s about beginning again, making room for God, and walking together in faith.

📌 Find related articles, event links, and parish resources mentioned in this episode at:
FaithfulVoicesPodcast.org

Thank you for being part of our Faithful Family.

Stay Prayerful. Stay Joyful. Stay Connected.

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Faithful Voices, the monthly podcast of St. Theresa Catholic Church & School in Palm Springs, CA.

In this first episode, we officially kick things off with a special welcome from Fr. John, and we share what you can expect from the podcast moving forward: meaningful parish and school updates, ministry highlights, diocesan news, special events, and a monthly closing reflection and prayer to help keep our Faithful Family connected—wherever life takes you.

✅ Church News & Stewardship✅ Meditation Garden Redesign✅ School News

✅ Ministry Spotlight: Friday Bingo✅ Diocesan News✅ Your Voice, Our Conversation

✅ Reflection + Prayer

🎧 New episodes post the third Sunday of each month.📩 Submit your questions and topics for a future episode at: FaithfulVoicesPodcast.org

Stay faithful. Stay joyful. Stay connected.