In this uplifting episode of Father & Dad, Fr. Steven shares highlights from his recent trip to the National Catholic Youth Conference, where he accompanied a group of Andrean students along with teens connected to Our Lady Queen of Martyrs. Over three powerful days, thousands of high schoolers gathered to hear inspiring keynote speakers, worship together, and deepen their commitment as disciples of Jesus.

Fr. Steven reflects on the profound moments of adoration at NCYC and talks about how the spiritual fire the teens experienced doesn’t have to fade once they return to their normal routines. He and Dad discuss how young people can nurture that spark of faith in everyday life. This year’s conference also featured a special, planned livestream appearance by Pope Leo, who answered questions from teenagers and offered words of encouragement—an unforgettable moment of connection for everyone present.

In this engaging episode of Father & Dad, Fr. Steven and Dad tackle a question many people have wondered about: how do priests go to confession? Do they just confess to themselves? Fr. Steven explains that, just like everyone else, priests confess their sins to another priest and receive God’s mercy through the sacrament. He shares how many priests also have a spiritual director and regular confessor who help guide them on their own journey toward holiness.

The conversation turns to the laity as well, as Dad reflects on how every Christian can benefit from spiritual direction and offers thoughts on how to seek one out. Together, they remind listeners that confession and spiritual guidance are not just for priests—they’re gifts for all who want to grow closer to Christ.

In this thought-provoking episode of Father & Dad, Fr. Steven and Dad explore how priests live out their vocation in ways that go far beyond what people typically expect. 

While celebrating Mass, hearing confessions, and anointing the sick are central, many priests also engage in ministries like pro-life work, public speaking, and other unique forms of service. Each priest, they reflect, brings his own God-given talents, skills, and passions to imitate Christ and make His love visible in a particular way.

Their conversation also turns toward the vocation of marriage, drawing a parallel between priesthood and family life. Just as no priest is “cookie-cutter,” no marriage looks exactly the same, and God continues to call each person to live their vocation more deeply through the daily choices of love and sacrifice. 

Ultimately, they remind us that discernment of God’s will is never finished; it doesn’t end once we choose marriage, priesthood, religious life, or the single life, but continues until our final breath as we strive to follow where God leads.

In this episode of Father & Dad, join Fr. Steven and Dad as they unpack the spiritual richness of their recent pilgrimage to MaryTown, a sacred pause that goes beyond Sunday Mass and breathes life into everyday faith. Discover how stepping out of routine can open your heart to deeper communion with the Lord.

Then they recount the highlights of the Emmaus Conference, a vibrant missionary discipleship gathering for the Diocese of Gary. From stirring keynote talks to meaningful fellowship, hear why this event continues to ignite a fire for mission and community across the region.

Want to be part of the next Emmaus Conference? Buy your tickets here. (https://dioceseofgary.jotform.com/252044460687156)

Finally, Fr. Steven and Dad share their thoughts on Triumph of the Heart, the new film celebrating the heroic life of St. Maximilian Kolbe. Dive into how this inspiring story echoes the values of courage, service, and sacrificial love that define a faith lived deeply.

In this episode, Fr. Steven shares about his latest academic adventure — beginning work toward an STL (Licentiate in Sacred Theology) in the New Evangelization at Sacred Heart Major Seminary. 

What exactly is an STL? Why go back to school now? And what does the New Evangelization even mean in a world that often seems tired of religion?

Fr. Steven unpacks the structure of the program, the classes he's diving into this semester — Theology of the New Evangelization, Carmelite Spirituality, and Vatican II — and what he hopes to carry from the classroom into the pulpit, the parish, and beyond.

Whether you're a theology nerd or just wondering what "Carmelite spirituality" even is, this episode offers a great look at the intersection of faith, study, and mission.

In this special Father’s Day episode, Fr. Steven sits down with Dad to reflect on his first full year of priesthood. They talk about the joys, challenges, and surprises of this past year—from parish life to school ministry—and share how it’s impacted both of them. 

They also discuss attending the recent Ordination Mass for Fr. Alex and Fr. Ivan, newly ordained for the Diocese of Gary. 

The episode wraps up with a shoutout to the upcoming Collars vs. Scholars Softball Game at Andrean’s softball field on June 27 at 5:00pm. Bring a lawn chair and come cheer on your favorite team!

In this episode of Father and Dad, Fr. Steven shares the experience of his first Holy Week as a priest. He and his dad dive into the highs, the surprises, and the sacred moments of those unforgettable days.  Fr. Steven recalls the profound experience of speaking the part of Jesus during the Palm Sunday Passion Gospel and the fraternity of the Chrism Mass where he reaffirmed his priestly promises.

In an unexpected turn of events on Holy Thursday Fr. Steven needed to step in for his pastor, Fr. Ted, who had suddenly fell ill.

From the solemn reverence of Good Friday to the awe and glory of the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday, Fr. Steven reflects on what it meant to walk with Jesus through the holiest days of the Church’s year through the unique lens of his priesthood.

Fr. Steven shares the incredible journey of writing The Bluff, a musical he and some friends have been working on for the past 10 years and is now set to be performed by a Catholic high school in Monroe, MI.

He and Dad reflect on the creative process, how faith has shaped his storytelling, and the joy in surrendering all things to God.

Join them for a thoughtful discussion on vocation, creativity and how priests - like everyone - are called to use their gifts for God's glory.

Here is a link to the soundtrack for "The Bluff"

https://open.spotify.com/album/3f4PKcLHNlCF2ppUoqMYnQ

The end of January brings with it Catholic Schools week.    Fr. Steven’s home parish St. Thomas More traditionally holds and open house accompanied by a pancake breakfast on this Sunday.

Fr. Steven has been assigned as the chaplain to two local catholic schools.    The first is the grammar school associated with his parish.    While pastor Fr. Ted serves more of an administrative role with the school Fr. Steven is able to serve as the “fun uncle”.

Fr. Steven makes it a point to be there often during the week, greeting the young students when they arrive and seeing them at the end of the day.    One of the joys of working with these young children is that they do not hide their mood.   Whether happy or sad, they leave no doubt to their feelings.    Of course, the young students enjoy asking Fr. Steven any question that pops into their heads.

Fr. Steven has started an Altar Server program at the school.   While the school has had altar severs, Fr. Steven provides a priestly presence.   He also strives to make certain to teach them something new every time they serve.

The local catholic High School offers another opportunity for Fr. Steven.  Recognizing the importance of this time of life, he does his best to be present for the students.   He is also part of committee that is looking at the Catholic Identity of the school.

This was Steven's first Christmas as a priest and it marked his first time attending Christmas mass at a parish other than his childhood parish.   In recent history, midnight mass at our local parish has been a bit of a Caraher family affair with Steven and his brother serving at the altar and his mom playing music.

Now that Steven is a priest, the challenge is to integrate that into our family life.    Even during non-holiday times, Steven's time is not his own in that various emergency events may pop up.

At Steven's new parish, he and pastor Fr. Ted decided to celebrate Midnight mass on Christmas Eve.    Both Fr. Steven and Fr. Ted planned to make this a special mass including lighting by candlelight and chanting all of the mass parts.

One adjustment that Fr. Steven has been making while settling into the life of a priest is how the pacing differs from seminary.   During seminary, everything was a sprint with a definite start and end.    Semesters had beginning and end dates followed by a break period.    In contrast, the rhythm of parish priest life is more of a marathon where the pace is set for the long run.