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What does it mean to truly belong in the Catholic Church?
In this special final episode of The Hot Seat, Fr. Mike answers some of the toughest questions about the Catholic faith—from why Jesus is fully human, to the difference between purgatory and hell, Catholic funerals, and what it really means to find your place in a parish.

Along the way, Fr. Mike and Katie Love talk about something at the heart of the Church: welcome, forgiveness, love, and belonging.

Whether you’re a lifelong Catholic, someone returning to the Church, or simply wondering where you fit, this episode offers a reminder that the Church should be a place where you can hear:

Here you are welcomed.
Here you’re forgiven.
Here you’re loved.
Here you belong.

Thank you for joining us for The Hot Seat. We hope that wherever you find an open seat, you’ll invite someone to join you.

🎙️ The Open Seat Podcast
Learn more and listen to additional episodes: holyfamilyadrian.org/podcast

Support the show

This is a podcast of Holy Family Parish, located in Adrian MI. We are a Catholic people, not a place, striving to Live Jesus through celebrating the sacraments and forming disciples in Adrian and beyond.

www.HolyFamilyAdrian.org
Instagram: Instagram.com/holyfamilyadrian
Facebook: Facebook.com/adrianCatholic
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@holyfamilyadrian

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In this episode of The Hot Seat, Father Mike Newman and Katie Love tackle some of your questions about the Catholic faith—from the difference between the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed to the role of relics in the altar and what would happen if the Pope were kidnapped.

They also take a deeper look at something that affects all of us: how should Catholics live their faith on social media?Are the people we encounter online our neighbors in the Christian sense? How can we move beyond anger, arguments, and algorithms and instead treat others with charity, patience, gentleness, and respect?

Father Mike and Katie discuss the temptation to post every thought, the way social media can fuel anger and division, and the importance of knowing when to step away. They also share practical ways to be more intentional with our phones and remember that our faith doesn't stop when we go online.

In this episode:

• What's the difference between the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed?
• What does it mean when an altar contains a relic?
• What would happen if the Pope were kidnapped?
• Are people on social media our neighbors?

Support the show

This is a podcast of Holy Family Parish, located in Adrian MI. We are a Catholic people, not a place, striving to Live Jesus through celebrating the sacraments and forming disciples in Adrian and beyond.

www.HolyFamilyAdrian.org
Instagram: Instagram.com/holyfamilyadrian
Facebook: Facebook.com/adrianCatholic
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@holyfamilyadrian

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In this episode of The Open Seat, we sit down with Sonja Howell to hear her inspiring journey from being raised Baptist to becoming Catholic and finding a home at Holy Family Parish.

Sonja shares how a love of learning has shaped both her career in education and her walk of faith. She talks about why she looks forward to the homily each week, how she finds practical lessons for everyday life in Scripture, and why she believes there's always something God wants us to hear.

We also discuss her passion for serving in middle school faith formation, the joy of accompanying young people as they discover their faith, and how creating a safe, welcoming space helps them grow in confidence and in Christ.

Whether you're searching for encouragement in your own faith journey or looking for inspiration to serve your parish, Sonja's story is a reminder that God continues to teach us, guide us, and call us closer every day.

Support the show

This is a podcast of Holy Family Parish, located in Adrian MI. We are a Catholic people, not a place, striving to Live Jesus through celebrating the sacraments and forming disciples in Adrian and beyond.

www.HolyFamilyAdrian.org
Instagram: Instagram.com/holyfamilyadrian
Facebook: Facebook.com/adrianCatholic
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@holyfamilyadrian

Send us Fan Mail

What happens when a lifelong skeptic begins searching for the truth?
In this episode of Open Seat, Austin See shares his  journey from questioning God and wrestling with faith to becoming Catholic through history, service, and a life-changing encounter that challenged everything he believed.
As a Marine Corps veteran, former city council member, and nonprofit leader, Austin has dedicated his life to serving others. But it wasn't until he began exploring the historical evidence for Christianity—and asking some difficult questions—that he discovered a deeper relationship with Christ.

Whether you're searching for answers, curious about the Catholic faith, or simply looking for an inspiring story of hope and transformation, Austin's testimony is a reminder that God often meets us where we least expect Him.

If this conversation encouraged you, share this episode with someone who may need to hear it.

Support the show

This is a podcast of Holy Family Parish, located in Adrian MI. We are a Catholic people, not a place, striving to Live Jesus through celebrating the sacraments and forming disciples in Adrian and beyond.

www.HolyFamilyAdrian.org
Instagram: Instagram.com/holyfamilyadrian
Facebook: Facebook.com/adrianCatholic
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@holyfamilyadrian

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of Open Seat, Lora Arriaga joins us for a conversation about faith, family, service, and finding joy in the everyday moments of parish life.

Lora shares how welcoming her nieces and nephew into her home changed her life, the ministries that keep her connected to the Holy Family community, and why she believes the Gospel message is something we need not just on Sunday, but throughout the week.

From the Giving Tree and parish softball to quiet prayer and coffee and donuts after Mass, Lora reflects on the people, experiences, and moments that have helped shape her faith journey.

Whether you're looking for encouragement, community, or a reminder of what really matters, pull up a chair and join us for this inspiring conversation.

Support the show

This is a podcast of Holy Family Parish, located in Adrian MI. We are a Catholic people, not a place, striving to Live Jesus through celebrating the sacraments and forming disciples in Adrian and beyond.

www.HolyFamilyAdrian.org
Instagram: Instagram.com/holyfamilyadrian
Facebook: Facebook.com/adrianCatholic
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@holyfamilyadrian

Send us Fan Mail

What happens when someone leaves religious life, builds what seems like the perfect life, and then feels called back?
In this episode of Open Seat, we sit down with novice Chris Allen, OSFS, to talk about his vocation journey with the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. His story is a powerful reminder that vocation is not about having everything figured out—it's about responding to God's call one step at a time.

Support the show

This is a podcast of Holy Family Parish, located in Adrian MI. We are a Catholic people, not a place, striving to Live Jesus through celebrating the sacraments and forming disciples in Adrian and beyond.

www.HolyFamilyAdrian.org
Instagram: Instagram.com/holyfamilyadrian
Facebook: Facebook.com/adrianCatholic
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@holyfamilyadrian

Send us Fan Mail

What does faith look like through the eyes of a teenager?
In this episode of Open Seat, we sit down with 14-year-old Omar Garcia Jr. to talk about growing up Catholic, serving at church and discovering a deeper relationship with God along the way.
Omar shares how serving at a young age helped him grow in confidence and faith, how prayer became personal during the pandemic, and how young people can inspire an entire church community. Omar’s story is a reminder that faith can grow in unexpected ways — and that young people have more to offer the Church than many realize.

Support the show

This is a podcast of Holy Family Parish, located in Adrian MI. We are a Catholic people, not a place, striving to Live Jesus through celebrating the sacraments and forming disciples in Adrian and beyond.

www.HolyFamilyAdrian.org
Instagram: Instagram.com/holyfamilyadrian
Facebook: Facebook.com/adrianCatholic
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@holyfamilyadrian

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of The Hot Seat, Father Mike and Katie Love tackle some of the toughest questions Catholics wrestle with today:

🔥 What boundaries can you have with family members involved in grave sin or illegal activity?
🔥 Why do priests lay face down during the Good Friday service?
🔥 Do you need to go to confession before receiving the Eucharist?

Father Mike breaks down Church teaching on confession, mortal sin, family boundaries, suffering, and the healing power of the Eucharist.Whether you’re struggling with difficult relationships, questions about worthiness, or simply curious about Catholic traditions, this episode offers practical insight and encouragement rooted in the Catholic faith.
Do you have a question for a future Hot Seat episode? Submit a question to the podcast at: www.HolyFamilyAdrian.org/Podcast

Support the show

This is a podcast of Holy Family Parish, located in Adrian MI. We are a Catholic people, not a place, striving to Live Jesus through celebrating the sacraments and forming disciples in Adrian and beyond.

www.HolyFamilyAdrian.org
Instagram: Instagram.com/holyfamilyadrian
Facebook: Facebook.com/adrianCatholic
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@holyfamilyadrian

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of Open Seat, we sit down with Paul Pfeifer — horticulturist, nature lover, and director at Hidden Lake Gardens — for a thoughtful conversation on faith, family, trees, and spirituality.

Paul shares his journey from studying horticulture at The Ohio State University and Purdue University to discovering a deeper spiritual connection through nature, prayer, and the Ignatian spiritual exercises. Together, we explore eco-spirituality, the healing power of slowing down, and how encounters with creation can open our hearts to God’s presence.

The conversation also touches on the story behind the canopy walk at Hidden Lake Gardens, everyday blessings, helping people reconnect with nature in a meaningful way as well as finding community at Holy Family Parish. 

Whether you love gardening, enjoy being outdoors, or are searching for God in ordinary moments, this episode offers encouragement to notice the blessings already surrounding you. 

Reflection Question for this episode: where are you missing blessings in your life by not realizing God is in your midst?

Support the show

This is a podcast of Holy Family Parish, located in Adrian MI. We are a Catholic people, not a place, striving to Live Jesus through celebrating the sacraments and forming disciples in Adrian and beyond.

www.HolyFamilyAdrian.org
Instagram: Instagram.com/holyfamilyadrian
Facebook: Facebook.com/adrianCatholic
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@holyfamilyadrian

Send us Fan Mail

In this powerful episode of Open Seat, we sit down with Dan Schwartz to explore what it truly means to step out in faith—especially when the path ahead is uncertain.

Dan shares his journey about discovering the Catholic faith later in life, a decision that came after years of searching, questioning, and ultimately surrender. But it’s his family’s story that brings faith to life in a profound way. Through their experience as foster parents, Dan,his wife Beverly and their two children, opened their home and their hearts to multiple children, learning to love deeply while also learning how to let go.

What begins as a difficult “yes” to fostering becomes a story filled with unexpected grace, miracles, and ultimately, adoption —a moment Dan describes as nothing short of divine providence.

Throughout the conversation, Dan reflects on the importance of prayer, trust, and discernment when facing life’s biggest decisions. He also speaks candidly about forgiveness, family struggles, and recognizing the spiritual battles that often lie beneath everyday challenges.

This episode is a moving reminder that stepping out in faith isn’t always easy—but it’s often where the most meaningful moments of our lives unfold.

Listen in and consider: Where is God calling you to take a step of faith?

Support the show

This is a podcast of Holy Family Parish, located in Adrian MI. We are a Catholic people, not a place, striving to Live Jesus through celebrating the sacraments and forming disciples in Adrian and beyond.

www.HolyFamilyAdrian.org
Instagram: Instagram.com/holyfamilyadrian
Facebook: Facebook.com/adrianCatholic
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@holyfamilyadrian