Synopsis: This marks the final episode of Native Soil’s first season. Join Fr. Victor as he looks back over the ground thus far explored. Consider the blessings that have come from this ministry so far. Further consider what ground ought to be covered in Season Two and what ways God is calling you to bring renewal to our Native Soil.Dig In Further:What Episode has resonated most with you this season? Why?How have you felt called to bring renewal to your neck of the woods?How can you respond t...

Synopsis:How is it that we can get away with praying in the field of sports more than most any other area of public life? How is it that we raise the bar of our expectations for our young people who are athletes—expecting excellence from them both on and off the field physically, morally and spiritually? What can we learn from the dynamic of coaches, players, prayer and pursuing excellence that could be integrated into other fields of our Native Soil?Dig In Further:How can we raise the bar of...

Consoling Our MotherSynopsis: A distraught mother is a tough thing to witness. Our Mother in heaven is distraught about the hate in the world and our lack of love for her Son and each other. The only thing that can really console her is our repentance. Let us do our best to console Our Blessed Mother and allow Peace to reign in our hearts and our land. Dig In Further:Where in your life do you need to repent and ask God to forgive you? Can you see any seeds of hate in your heart that...

Synopsis:Meet Simon Cortopassi. A Mobile native who grew up at St. Pius and McGill and now coaches at St. Michael Catholic High School. Hear about he had to “grow up early” becoming a father at the age of 19. The lessons the Lord has taught him along the way, he now is able to share with the young people God has put on his path.Dig In Further:Did you have to “grow up early” in one way or another? How did this shape you? How does it affect the way you coach/mentor the young people God has plac...

Synopsis:Meet Anthony Stiell. A native to Mobile. A deacon candidate from Prince of Peace parish. Listen to how the Lord got him into coaching and gave him a chance to mentor hundreds of young people over the years. A long time coach at Leflore High School, Coach Stiell never shied away from praying with his students and even his opposing team…every game!Dig In Further:How can you make prayer more commonplace in the place that God has you? How can you reach out to others and invite them into ...

Synopsis: Someone has to have ultimate power and authority over our lives. Who will we choose? Jesus wants to be the one. Only in giving him power and authority will we receive our truest selves in return.Dig In further:In what ways have you tried to be your own “king”?Is there someone in your life you Have tried to make your king? Become overly dependent on them for your happiness?Have you ever allowed evil to rule your life or some aspect of your life?How can you choose Jesus daily as your ...

Synopsis:Meet Fr. Pat Arensberg. He grew up at St. Mary’s in Mobile and then attended McGill-Toolen. He helped with the McGill football team during his college years at Springhill. His dad and brothers have been involved in coaching. Listen to how God used these experiences to foster his walk with Christ and call to the priesthood.Dig In Further:Have you ever had a coach challenge you about some aspect of your life and call you to a higher standard? How did you respond?How may God be cal...

Synopsis: It’s easy to focus on what we don’t have in life. But God calls us to focus on the “talents” he has given us and to simply “Use What You Got.” Three things commonly keep us from doing so—comparison, fear and lack of faith.Dig In Further:What are the greatest talents God has given you?What is holding you back from fully “Using What You Got”?Is there any resentment in your life for “What You Got” or “Don’t Got”? How can you deepen your trust in God’s Providence? That “What You Got” is...

Synopsis:Sports is a huge part of the makeup of our Native Soil. Consequently we are all impacted by “Coaches” in one way or another. Fr. Victor shares some of the coaches who were most influential in his life and invites us to consider how these people can more and more contribute to the renewal of our Native Soil.Dig In Further:What coach has had the biggest impact on your life? What lessons did you learn from him/her? How did they help form you to be a better person?How have you seen a coa...

Synopsis: Fr. Victor spent this week at St. Martin de Tours in TROY. Today he invites the people there to consider how great a gift Priesthood is. Particularly, he invites them to contemplate the Priesthood of their Pastor Fr. Chris Boutin. A clear consideration of it all should lead you to conclude: God is Real, God is With You & God Loves You.Dig In Further:How have you encountered Christ through the ministry of a priest?Have you ever considered how much God must love you to invit...