Saint In Progress

Despite the unpredictable day-to-day nature of the weather, the cycle of the seasons has never stopped. Our spiritual lives go through seasons as well, and in this first episode of 2026, Mike discusses the nature of these spiritual seasons, and why it’s necessary—and good—when we have a spiritual winter, and why the harshest winters produce the most fruit-filled harvests.

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A defining moment. A simple question. A lifetime of answers.

Everyone who serves in the public square is faced with a unique set of challenges. Confronting these trials through the lens of faith presents unique challenges of its own, as well as reasoned solutions.

Part memoir, part reflection, this retrospective by author Michael Heyeck chronicles—with honesty and conviction—his own personal journey from a prayerful youth in New Jersey, to being the longest-serving member and chair in the 168-year history of the City of Westerville, Ohio.

This is not a partisan manifesto, nor a simple memoir. Rather, What Are We Looking For? is a faith-informed examination of public service, written by a man who refused to separate conscience from responsibility.

All frustrated because you can’t see the big picture and figure out the next steps in your life? In this final episode of 2025, Mike shares some advice his spiritual director gave him a long time ago that is valuable to everyone today.

A podcast of Mike’s radio appearance from this morning can be found at: https://stgabrielradio.com/cafe

Our work here on Substack is made available at no charge, but that doesn’t mean that it’s free to make. Your generous support keeps the lights on in the treehouse, and helps us deliver our content to thousands of people every day. Support our work with an annual or monthly subscription.

What do you do when you kid’s school emails and asks you be the substitute St. Nicholas? Well, what would Mary do? She would say “yes” and so did Mike.

This week, Mike’s experience playing the part of the beloved bishop of Myra has him reflecting on Matthew 18:1-6 and 19:13-14, and asking the question: “How can we enter the kingdom of heaven when we have doubts about the very thing that is the source and summit of our faith?”

* Mike recommends: Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Thérèse of Lisieux

Our work here on Substack is made available at no charge, but that doesn’t mean that it’s free to make. Your generous support keeps the lights on in the treehouse, and helps us deliver our content to thousands of people every day. Support our work with an annual or monthly subscription.

This time of year as we prepare to celebrate the coming of our Lord, a common Advent theme is one of waiting. This week Mike avoids talking about the Israelites waiting for the messiah, and instead looks at the growing impatience that we all suffer, and why we need to embrace waiting.

Our work here on Substack is made available at no charge, but that doesn’t mean that it’s free to make. Your generous support keeps the lights on in the treehouse, and helps us deliver our content to thousands of people every day. Support our work with an annual or monthly subscription.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by being always busy, and still feeling like you’re not working hard enough? You’re not alone. You’re living a broken work ethic that dates back to the mid 1500’s. (Gee, what happened around then?)

This week Mike takes a look at:

* The work ethic that the Puritans brought over that drives America today

* The modern secular always-at-work mindset

* The concept of “re-homing”

* Rerum Novarum, an encyclical by Pope Leo XIII

* Enthronement to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

* The one thing we should all do, starting this Advent, to “re-home”

Our work here on Substack is made available at no charge, but that doesn’t mean that it’s free to make. Your generous support keeps the lights on in the treehouse, and helps us deliver our content to thousands of people every day. Support our work with an annual or monthly subscription.

A postcard of Michelangelo’s Pietà and a discussion of sacred art is the jumping off point for this week’s episode. Listen in as he covers:

* Michelangelo’s unfinished “The Prisoners”

* A profound quote from Michelangelo

* The Martyrs of Constantinople (circa 730 AD)

* Exodus, Deuteronomy, the Ten Commandments, and “graven images”

* How God works as the Divine Sculptor

Our work here on Substack is made available at no charge, but that doesn’t mean that it’s free to make. Your generous support keeps the lights on in the treehouse, and helps us deliver our content to thousands of people every day. Support our work with an annual or monthly subscription.

Many devout Catholics who have a strong Marian devotion are up in arms about the latest document Mater Populi Fidelis (“The Mother of the Faithful People of God”) which they claim is de-throning the Mother of God by saying that we are not to use the title “Co-Redemptrix.”

Many Protestants who see Marian devotion as “Mary worship” see the document as the Catholic Church finally realizing the truth and changing its teaching.

In this episode, Mike uses Mater Populi Fidelis to look a litter closer at the nature of Magisterial teachings: what they are and a few of the reasons they’re issued, with a closer look at why this latest one was issued, and provide some clarity. Some highlights:

* Mark 2:23-28 as an example of Jesus’ correction of inaccurate teachings

* Some of the crazy Jewish Sabbath laws, including one involving a radish

* The role of the Church as steward of the faith

* The epistles… the first Magisterial teachings?

* The prayer, “Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation.”

* An incredible conversion story from the life of St. Gemma Galgani that explains the proper understanding of Mary’s role in salvation better than anything else

Our work here on Substack is made available at no charge, but that doesn’t mean that it’s free to make. Your generous support keeps the lights on in the treehouse, and helps us deliver our content to thousands of people every day. Support our work with an annual or monthly subscription.

Mike has a devotion to praying for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, so in this “deep dive” episode, he covers it all:

* What’s a triduum?

* When did the Christian practice of celebrating saints begin?

* Did All Saints’ Day begin with a pagan festival called Samhain?

* How to respond when someone says, “You can’t find the word Purgatory in the Bible! Purgatory is a thing made up by the Catholic Church just to sell indulgences!”

* The scriptural basis that proves Purgatory… that also disproves the “rapture.”

* What are the two kinds of sin, and the two consequences of sin?

* Why is Purgatory necessary for some people?

* What is the history of praying for the dead? Is it something Catholics made up?

* What are indulgences? Are they just “permission slips to sin?”

* Did the Catholic Church ever sell indulgences? What’s the history behind that?

* Where is Purgatory? What is it like?

* How can you get indulgences for the faithful departed?

Resources

* Mozart: The Requiem in D minor, K. 626

* English Translation of Mozart’s Requiem

Our work here on Substack is made available at no charge, but that doesn’t mean that it’s free to make. Your generous support keeps the lights on in the treehouse, and helps us deliver our content to thousands of people every day. Support our work with an annual or monthly subscription.

Following up from last week’s episode about crosses in the spiritual life, this week Mike takes a deeper look at quote from St. Philip Neri and gives you some ways to determine if a cross you’re carrying might be a cross of your own construction.

A challenging episode that’s not to be missed!

Our work here on Substack is made available at no charge, but that doesn’t mean that it’s free to make. Your generous support keeps the lights on in the treehouse, and helps us deliver our content to thousands of people every day. Support our work with an annual or monthly subscription.

The spiritual life can be a hot mess sometimes. Maybe it’s just distractions, maybe it’s a period of discouragement, maybe it’s something deeper and more difficult. This week Mike takes a look at:

* Temptations to take a shortcut (or abandon the journey)

* Spiritual desolation and consolation and St. Ignatius of Loyola

* The dark night of the soul and St. John of the Cross

* The three ages of the interior life

* What to do when you’re on a patch of “rough road” in the spiritual life

Episode Resources

* Our birth defect, Saint in Progress Episode #2

* Our handicapped life, Saint in Progress Episode #3

* Getting to the root of it all, Saint in Progress Episode #4

* Obstacles to truth, Saint in Progress Episode #44

* The Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide for Everyday Living

* Dark Night of the Soul

Our work here on Substack is made available at no charge, but that doesn’t mean that it’s free to make. Your generous support keeps the lights on in the treehouse, and helps us deliver our content to thousands of people every day. Support our work with an annual or monthly subscription.