Old St. Pat's Podcast

In college, I remember a friend giving me a piece of advice I’ve never forgotten. She said, “If you’re feeling down, do one of three things: work out, pray for someone else, or do something kind for another person.” In other words—stop turning in on yourself, and start turning outward toward life. Because when we turn in on ourselves for too long, it’s easy to get trapped inside our own heads. Psychologists call it rumination—that endless loop of replaying what went wrong or what we wish we’d said. We think we’re solving a problem, but really, we’re just deepening the groove of our pain. The more we focus inward, the more we can begin to feel stuck, self-critical, even hopeless. And slowly, we stop engaging—with others, with joy, with the world around us. But the way out of that spiral is action. Small, outward steps that reconnect us—with people, with purpose, and with God. Pope Francis once said that the Church faces a similar temptation—to become what he called “self-referential.” When we talk only to ourselves, focus on our own needs, and forget the world beyond our walls, we lose our mission. A healthy Church, like a healthy soul, must move outward—toward the wounded, the searching, the forgotten. So today, Father Pat McGrath invites us to reflect on this truth: that healing comes through connection. When we step beyond ourselves—to serve, to love, to listen—we not only renew our own spirits, but also renew the Church and the world God so deeply loves.

This past Sunday was one of those days that makes you fall in love with Chicago all over again. The sun was shining, the leaves were beginning to turn brilliant colors, and more than 50,000 runners took to the streets for the Chicago Marathon — weaving through the city’s neighborhoods, cheered on by thousands of strangers who came together to celebrate endurance, courage, and community. There’s a certain beauty in it: the hum of sneakers on pavement, the handmade signs, the rhythm of encouragement echoing through every neighborhood. The way people of all backgrounds unite for one shared purpose. And each runner enters the race with their own story, their own reason for running — yet all moving in the same direction. But the marathon isn’t just beauty — it’s also pain and struggle. It’s sore muscles, blistered feet, and those moments of doubt when your body wants to quit but your heart whispers, “Keep going.” It’s the mental strength that says, “I can do this,” even when everything in you says otherwise. And in that, there’s something deeply spiritual. Because our faith journey is a marathon, too. We experience seasons of pain, despair and sorrow where the path is rough. We face doubts, fatigue, and the temptation to give up. But in those moments, grace meets us — reminding us that we don’t run alone. In the race of faith, each of us carries our own aches and wounds. And even there God meets us. He fills the holes in our hearts with love, gives us strength for the next mile, and invites us to keep going in the race of life. So today, Father Novak reflects on what it means to run a marathon — not just through the streets of Chicago, but through the course of our lives: to run it well, with hope, with love, and with great faith.

Have you ever noticed how things start to feel more real the moment you write them down? According to a study by Dr. Gail Matthews at the Dominican University of California, you’re 42% more likely to achieve your goals just by writing them down. All it takes is a pen and paper.

We usually think of that in terms of personal goals—finishing a big project, getting healthy, saving for something important. But have you ever thought of writing down your spiritual goals? Or the vision of the world you want to help create?

God invites us to write down our vision—not to simply sit on the sidelines and think there is nothing we can do. God wants us to claim our own vision and take action. And we can start right where we are: joining a volunteer team, showing up for someone in need, or simply spending a few minutes praying for the world we want to see.

In today’s episode, Father Pat McGrath invites us to see vision as a spiritual practice—one that gives us purpose, hope, and direction—and encourages us to picture the world we want to help create, write it down, and take one small step this week to move toward it.

Have you ever seen an improv show? It’s impressive to watch a whole story—characters, setting, even the drama—come to life in the moment, all from a single audience suggestion. What makes it work isn’t just the actors’ quick wit, but their trust in one another. Before stepping on stage, improv actors often turn to each other and say, “I’ve got your back.”

It’s a promise that no matter what happens, I’m here for you. I won’t let you flounder—because when one actor struggles, the whole scene suffers. It’s a commitment to build on what you create so that together, we make the scene the best it can be. That’s the heart of the “yes, and” philosophy. Instead of shutting down an idea, you accept it, and then you add to it. That simple approach opens the door to creativity, connection, and trust.

Now, imagine if we carried that same spirit into our everyday lives. What if we treated the world like a stage, and everyone we encountered as our fellow scene partners? What if our posture toward each other was: “I’ve got your back—because what hurts you, hurts me too.”

Our lives are deeply interconnected. When others suffer, we suffer too—even if we don’t recognize it right away. Indifference leads to coldness, but compassion keeps our hearts alive and aligned with God’s will. So today, Fr. Michael Simone encourages us to ask: how can I say “yes, and” to the people in my life, and how can I live out that promise, I’ve got your back?

Have you ever thought, “If I just had a little more money, life would finally feel secure?” We’ve all been there. We track our accounts, build our savings, chase that next raise. But today’s gospel flips the script and asks: What is true wealth?

Think of this episode as Spiritual Finance 101. Father McGrath is stepping in as our investment advisor—but not for your 401k. This is about a different kind of portfolio. Jesus says true wealth isn’t measured in dollars or dividends. It’s measured in mercy. Compassion. Forgiveness. Healing. And radical love.

And he asks: How are you managing those assets? Are you hoarding compassion like a secret rainy-day fund? Or are you actually spending and investing kindness, love, and forgiveness—generously—on the people who need it most?

The good news is, God has already deposited these gifts into our spiritual bank accounts in abundant measure, and our “return on investment” comes when we give them away. That’s how we grow real, lasting, spiritual wealth—the kind that heals relationships, lifts burdens, transforms the world, and yes—gives us a deeper security than money ever could. So today, Father McGrath gives us a lesson in how to grow our true, spiritual wealth.