The Inner Life

Check out this great show from April 21, 2026

Father Peter Armenio joins Patrick to discuss Finding Joy in a Life with Christ

• (8:06) Joy the midst of suffering.

(18:29) Break 1

• Janet - Person who I find joy from...Right after Vatican 2, she helped prepare laity what sisters couldn't help with. Did it so peacefully. Loved to talk about the Lord and catechesis.
• (24:32) Angelo - Dealing with mother who has dementia. Trying to find joy in this. Looking for some inspiration. It's been difficult.
• (33:05) Matt - My dad's side is from Denmark. Grandffather had a tough life. settled in small town. A lot of these people have had difficult lives. When you struggle and suffer with Christ, you find great joy and community and unity. It's a beautiful thing.

(37:42) Break 2

• Ann - When I was doing work with husband in the missions, we met a lady who made a pie, so kind and sweet. One day, I went to her house and I noticed how messy her house was. I found out later she suffered from back problems. She was always doing such good things for others. I felt bad for being judgmental. She radiated Christ.
• (42:27) Joy lived out in a deep way.
• Prayer brings joy.
• (47:07) Email from Lisa about her mom with Parkinson’s
• Encounters with true Joy in evangelizing.

Father Donald Hying joins Patrick to discuss Holy Orders

• Bishop Hying shares his vocational story.
• (5:17) How should a young man discern his vocation story?
• (9:23) Sacrament of Holy Orders
• Nature of service in Holy Orders

(19:18) Break 1

• (21:47) What do the Clergy need to do in order to serve the Church well?
• (25:54) Indelible character of Holy Orders
• Form and Matter of Holy Orders
• (32:48) Dennis - Does the bishop think the restriction on marriage would be relaxed like for Anglicans?

(37:11) Break 2

• What are some of the Challenges the clergy face today?
• (44:13) Thomas - Just saw my son ordained to the transitional diaconate. Thought you might like some perspective from the parent of a newly ordained deacon.
• (46:45) Bishop Hying shares his experience of ordaining Deacons and Priests.
• (47:53) Annette - comment: Thanks to the bishop and Patrick for their service and sacrifice for the church.

Father Joseph Johnson joins Patrick to discuss Journeys of Faith

• Father shares his faith journey.
• (11:18) When God feels distant in our sufferings.
• (17:31) Nancy - Being a befriender. I go to our local hospital and see the Catholic patients each week. Takes me all day. I get more from it I think than they from it. God calling me to my gift of time.

(21:14) Break 1

• (23:28) Karen - I have lived a long life doing a lot for the church. Find it difficult to speak about God to those who are not believers. How do I get past that because I've been praying a long time.
• Why does there need to be a journey?

(36:36) Break 2

• (42:11) Lolly- My husband and I dealing with fertility. Not angry at God, but just don't know how to 'lean' into him right now.

Father Matthew Widder joins Patrick to discuss Holiness in the Ordinary

• (3:15) Is ordinary mundane?
• What is holiness?
• How do you resist the temptation to see the daily life as boring?
• (11:54) Jesus’ hidden life explained
• (15:31) Jeff - Listening to Relevant Radio is what I do.
• Nancy - St Therese of the Little Flower. Try to be holy that way. Listening to Christian music. Not listening to inappropriate music.

(20:09) Break 1

• (21:54) Eli - My artwork and how it has transformed in a way. God's calling me to create works for him.
• Email from Jenna – Sign of the cross whenever you hear a siren.
• Email from Lori – Morning Coffee and morning offering are great!
• (29:55) How do small things help us grow in what we are suppose to do in life?
• How do you get in touch with God’s love for you?
• Offering up EVERYTHING for the glory of God.

(36:59) Break 2

• How does community help with us growing in holiness?
• (41:29) Adrian - My Catholic faith. Convert of 12 years. I take part in Bible studies, Sunday Mass. I'm the only Catholic in my family. I don't push it. Give sound advice in helping raise my daughter with my ex.
• (45:46) Lynn - As a homeschooling family and the way we try to live out our vocations and vacations. With children, we go places including daily Mass and put it as a priority even on vacation.

Father Ethan Southard joins Patrick to discuss New Ways to Evangelize

• Importance of Evangelization
• (14:49) what is the New Evangelization?

(19:10) Break 1

• (20:54) Arlene - My way of evangelizing is I'm a pretty good in giving reflections. Just an ordinary woman trying to be a better person as a Catholic. Every time I read the gospel, I try to search prayers and if I see a prayer or reflection, I share it with relatives/friends.
• (28:03) Joe - One way is trying to do ministry of care. Bringing the Eucharist to people who are sick and in nursing facilities. Also believe we need to learn how to help someone who wants to become Catholic. Referring people to sources of information and also being welcoming.
• How pleasant we are is important with generalization.

(37:17) Break 2

• How can we evangelize if we are afraid or feel inadequate.
• (42:09) Marcel - I think that the dioceses that have active young adult groups and Cursillo...sets a wonderful experience that many have made. By being involved with that, you learn a lot about evangelization and can share what works and what doesn't. Get to know them.
• Dangers of AI.

Father Robert Kroll joins Patrick to discuss Leisure and the Spiritual Life

• (4:15) What is the Church’s teaching on Leisure?
• (12:07) Mark - Been to retreat center. They would pray 8 times a day but would work too. Majority of retired people out there...it's getting a balance. Going to Mass everyday. Take care of your body like you're going to be 100 but take of your soul like you're going to die tomorrow.

(21:53) Break 1

• (24:02) Chrystal - Something that happened with me in my career. Was a teacher and the district decided not to renew my contract. Only jobs I've been able to find and apply for are part-time. I've applied to other full time. My kids are little and keep asking God to show me what path to take. Pursue teaching where I have more time with family or do I choose the other that's more time consuming?
• How does leisure help us to grow in trust?
• (32:31) How do we honor the Sabbath day as Catholics?

(36:49) Break 2

• Marcy – Teaching at the same school as my kids helps me to relax
• Leisure in art and music.
• (44:13) James - How do I get motivated now that I'm retired? I just do the basic Sunday Mass. Used to go more often and adoration. Just the lack of enthusiasm in activities and spiritual life.

Resource:

• Leisure the Basis of Culture
  • https://ignatius.com/leisure-lbcp/

Father Ramil Fajardo joins Patrick to discuss Foundations of Religion

• What is Religion?
• (8:26) What is it about Religion versus Spirituality
• (18:27) What is the difference between Catholicism and other religions?

(20:50) Break 1

• What is the importance of the Church in connecting us with our Faith?
• (26:38) John - It seems to me that instead of one or the other, it's all of the above. I remember when the Lord told us I have more to tell you, but you can't handle it. Unless you're in the state of fellowship with God, it's hard for us to accept certain truths because we have dimmed our intellect. I think sin dims our intellect.
• (32:42) Mike - It seems to me that instead of one or the other, it's all of the above. I remember when the Lord told us I have more to tell you, but you can't handle it. Unless you're in the state of fellowship with God, it's hard for us to accept certain truths because we have dimmed our intellect. I think sin dims our intellect.

(37:48) Break 2

• Why rules and regulations help us in our Faith?
• (43:31) Email – How do we explain to none believers why life is so difficult?
• (48:20) How can we pass on the Faith to our children and grandchildren?

Resources:

• Fides et Ratio: Between Faith and Reason
  • https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_14091998_fides-et-ratio.html

Father Joseph Illo joins Patrick to discuss Worship Through the Mass

• What is Worship and the Mass?
• (16:08) Miguel - How can I talk to my pastor about making the mass more reverent?

(19:59) Break 1

• What does it mean to participate in the Liturgy?
• (28:00) What if you don’t “get anything” out of the Mass?
• (32:44) Gilberto -Mass for me is a representation of Jesus with his disciples at last supper

(35:28) Break 2

• Arlene - When there is no applause, the mass is always more reverent for me
• How do you prepare yourself well for Mass?
• (45:09) Sherry - How can I make my sister understand that she needs to go in person to mass instead of watching on tv
• (48:30) Rose - I'm a convert due to beautiful mass at the cathedral of St. Paul

Resources:

• Spirit of the Liturgy
  • https://ignatius.com/the-spirit-of-the-liturgy-commemorative-edition-splcep/?searchid=4934343&search_query=spirit+of+the+liturgy
• Sacrosanctum Concilium: Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (from the Second Vatican Council)
  • https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19631204_sacrosanctum-concilium_en.html

Father Tom Wilson joins Patrick to discuss Human Dignity

• (10:45) Identity of human Dignity
• Why does the Church even care about AI?
• (18:31) Nick - In a couple months, it would be nice to go back to this to see how the public has digested it. Militia of the Immaculate...look at encyclicals. We have a duty to uphold and live a life worthy and protect the venerable. We're called to be missionary disciples. Hold the identity of all.
• Tom -Remember back in 3rd grade...had to use the bathroom. Janitor was in there and asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. Said I didn't want to be a janitor and he told me there's dignity in every job you do.

(25:23) Break 1

• Is AI all bad?
• (32:12) Erica - Separate time talent and treasure from the idea that we're not needing to do anything to be valuable to God. Trying to be fruitful with the gifts he's given us.
• How does human interaction get lost in technology?

(38:21) Break 2

• Margo - For the people who are not intellectually able. I work with some of them. They get caught up with a lot of scams...tend to be gullible. As things advance with AI, grows worse. Their level of comprehension is more challenging.
• (42:33) Mary Alice - There's an epidemic of loneliness. I've asked them to stop texting me. I understand there's so many who are craving to get together, but guys play with hand held devices and have little social skills.
• (47:52) How does upholding human dignity help society to flourish?

Resources:

• MAGNIFICA HUMANITAS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE LEO XIV
  • https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/encyclicals/documents/20260515-magnifica-humanitas.html

Bishop Joseph Coffey joins Patrick to discuss Veterans and the Military 

• (3:10) what is the teaching of the Church on war?
• (8:16) Where do Military people celebrate Mass?
• Robert - Met the Bishop a few years ago. He was invited to Dayton where 2 of my daughters were confirmed. So cool and laid back.
• (15:17) Paul - If he's on the field with the soldiers, and runs out of wine but has hosts, can he celebrate mass without wine and just the host?
• John - I saw him in Philadelphia. I have children in the Military. shook hands with him. Both active duty. Want to thank him for the chaplaincy.

(20:00) Break 1

• (21:54) John - How do the priests get recruited for military?
• Lisa – How can we involved with the Archdiocese of the Military?
• (25:45) Ralene - Thank you . They're out there in danger and helping men and women grow. Dear friend who was in the army and assisted chaplains at Mass. Friend built portable kneelers. Also have RCIA (OCIA). Armor of God.
• Vicki - He was here for many years as a pro life supporter. Thank him for his protection for all and hello from San Diego.
• (30:55) Noma - How does the chaplain have ranks in the military? I thought they were just a priest.
• History of the Chaplains in the Military.
• (36:36) Shelly - I'm military family and want to share my experience how important it is to have military parishes and life.

(40:12) Break 2

• (42:59) Mike - All the military chaplains are commissioned officers I believe. What is the highest rank of a chaplain?
• Kevin - I'm a military retiree. the value of chaplains specifically to leaders who have to make hard decisions.
• How can we encourage military chaplaincy?