The Engaged Parish Podcast

Join guest host Katie Clark as we unveil the winners of the Best Catholic Websites of 2025, showcasing how digital hospitality can transform your ministry. In this episode, we explore the stunning videography of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, the user-friendly design of the Diocese of Helena, and the immersive experience of St. Charles Catholic Pilgrimages. Tune in to discover how these organizations are using clear navigation and welcoming visuals to serve the new evangelization.

Featured Websites:

• Best Parish: Cathedral of the Holy Spirit (Bismarck, ND) – cathedralparish.com
• Best Diocese: Diocese of Helena (Montana) – diocesehelena.org
• Best Ministry: St. Charles Catholic Pilgrimages – stcharlespilgrimages.com

Resources:

• View the full list of winners (including best School website and honorable mentions): https://ecatholic.com/blog/best-websites-of-2025
• Start your custom design journey: meetings.ecatholic.com/designservices

In this episode of The Engaged Parish Podcast, we sit down with Christian and Darcie Nielsen, founders of Catholic Go, a new platform designed to help Catholics explore the rich spiritual heritage of the United States.

Catholic Go’s mission is simple but powerful: “To inspire an adventure of faith and build community on the journey.”
Their growing national map includes shrines, retreat centers, historic churches, basilicas, quiet prayer spaces, outdoor Stations, and even a few monastery-owned coffee shops.

During our conversation, we discuss:

✨ How Catholic Go began
✨ Why “micro-pilgrimages” can transform your spiritual life
✨ Why so many Catholics don’t know about nearby sacred sites
✨ How parishes can use Catholic Go to build community
✨ Inspiring stories from early users
✨ Upcoming features—yes, even an app in the works!

Whether you're a parish leader, ministry coordinator, or someone who loves exploring the Church’s beauty, this episode will inspire you to rediscover what’s right around the corner.

🔗 Explore Catholic Go: https://catholicgo.com
📬 Submit your site: [email protected]
🎧 Listen to more episodes: The Engaged Parish Podcast

As Advent draws near, we’re joined by folk/pop singer-songwriter Marie Miller, whose heartfelt lyrics and faith-filled storytelling have encouraged thousands to rediscover the beauty of Christ. In this episode, Marie shares the inspiration behind her brand-new Advent musical presentation, Prepare the Way of Love, and reflects on how sacred art can open hearts to encounter Jesus in a profound way.

From performing for the Holy Father to writing songs shaped by St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Marie’s journey is a testament to the power of beauty to evangelize. We talk about her creative process, her transition into Catholic music, and why Advent invites all of us to make space for the Lord in a busy world.

📌 Show Notes & Links

– Marie’s Website

– Book Prepare the Way of Love by emailing [email protected]

– Follow Marie on Instagram

– Marie’s YouTube

– Letter to Artists by Pope St. John Paul II

In this episode of The Engaged Parish Podcast, we sit down with Cassidy Mann, Catholic creator, storyteller, and co-founder of PriestPro—a groundbreaking platform helping priests and ministries transform homilies into short-form evangelizing content.

Cassidy shares:

• How one priest’s social media strategy transformed his parish
• Why video is essential to evangelization today
• How AI can amplify the Church’s message (without replacing the human voice)
• Practical steps for parishes to begin using technology in their mission

🎧 Tune in on the Fio app, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and the iHeartRadio mobile apps. You can also subscribe to The Engaged Parish Podcast at ecatholic.com/podcast.

In this episode of The Engaged Parish Podcast, Marian Father Chris Alar joins host Mike Josephs to discuss Triumph Over Evil: Battle of the Exorcists, a new Vatican-approved documentary delving into the Church’s ministry of exorcism and the reality of spiritual warfare.

Father Chris shares what every Catholic should know about the devil, demonic influence, and the power of the sacraments and Our Lady in defeating evil. The film features rare commentary from the late Father Gabriele Amorth, the world’s most renowned exorcist, and offers an inside look at the unseen battle between good and evil—and Christ’s ultimate victory.

🎥 Triumph Over Evil: Battle of the Exorcists opens in theaters nationwide October 30 only
🎟️ Learn more and get tickets at FathomEvents.com

Former NFL defensive lineman and Grey Cup Champion John Chick has taken his passion for strength and discipline off the field and into the mission of faith. In this episode, John shares the story behind ActF8: The Iron Saint Method—a Catholic fitness and accountability ministry helping men reclaim their God-given strength, purpose, and identity in Christ.

In this episode, we talk about his journey from professional football to faith-filled fatherhood, why discipline is the key to holiness, and how brotherhood can help Catholic men rise above the noise of modern culture.

👉 Learn more: https://ironsaints.fit

And be sure to tune in on the Fio app, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and the iHeartRadio mobile app.

In this episode of The Engaged Parish Podcast, we talk with Cande de Leon, Chief Mission Engagement Officer for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (Phoenix, AZ).

Cande shares the incredible scope of St. Vincent de Paul’s mission: serving thousands of meals a day, offering housing, medical and dental care, and preventing homelessness for families in crisis. But even more, he highlights how their work builds relationships, combats loneliness, and opens doors for evangelization.

We also dive into parish fundraising, the importance of storytelling, and what it means to radically trust in God’s providence.

📌 Topics covered:

• The epidemic of loneliness and how the Church can respond

• St. Vincent de Paul’s mission to feed, clothe, house, and heal

• The difference between transactional giving and relational stewardship

• Lessons for parishes in fundraising and vision-casting

• Radical trust in God’s provision

🎧 Listen to more episodes of The Engaged Parish Podcast on Fio, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and YouTube.

In this episode of The Engaged Parish Podcast, we sit down with Will Hickl—husband, father, worship leader, producer, and founder of Novum Records, Novum Collective, and the brand-new Fio app—to explore the intersection of faith, creativity, and technology.

Will shares his journey from a life-changing moment in Eucharistic adoration to launching a record label, mentoring Catholic artists, and building a revolutionary platform that’s giving Catholic creators a home in the digital space.

👉 Links mentioned in the show:

• Novum Records: https://novumrecords.com
• Submit a demo: https://novumrecords.com/demo
• Novum Collective: https://novumcollective.co
• Booking: https://novumcollective.co/booking
• Downlad the Fio App: https://fio.fm
• Ads on Fio: https://fio.com/ads
• Liturgy Resources: https://liturgyresources.com

You can also reach out to Will at [email protected]

🎧 Don’t forget—you can now listen to The Engaged Parish Podcast on Fio, in addition to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeart Radio.

#CatholicPodcast #FioApp #CatholicMusic #NovumRecords

In this episode of The Engaged Parish Podcast, we sit down with award-winning filmmaker Sean McNamara at the Catholic Media Conference. Known for films like Soul Surfer, The Miracle Season, and Reagan, Sean shares:

• How a childhood vacation sparked his love of filmmaking
• The role of Catholic faith in his life and career
• Why storytelling is one of the Church’s most powerful evangelization tools
• Why Catholics need to show up in theaters to support good films
• A look ahead at his upcoming projects, including Battle Artist at War and Soul on Fire

🎧 Subscribe for more conversations with Catholic leaders and storytellers: https://ecatholic.com/podcast

#CatholicMedia #FaithAndFilm #EngagedParishPodcast

In this episode of The Engaged Parish Podcast, we sit down with Patrick Yanke, author of The Personal Rosary. Patrick shares how the Rosary is more than beads and prayers—it’s an invitation to live the mysteries of Christ in our daily lives.

From his unique reflections on the Luminous Mysteries to discovering the virtues hidden within each decade, Patrick shows us how the Rosary can become a true guide for discipleship and love.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• The Personal Rosary (book & app): https://thepersonalrosary.com

• Patrick Yanke’s speaking & missions: https://yankeacademy.com

• Free copy giveaway (limited to first 10): https://ecatholic.com/personal-rosary

Support this ministry by liking, sharing, and subscribing to The Engaged Parish Podcast.

#Rosary #CatholicPodcast #TheEngagedParishPodcast