The Inner Life

Father Eric Nielsen joins Patrick to discuss Conscience and Catholic Guilt

• (2:47) What is the Conscience?
•  Comparison Game
• (14:32) Nick -In my own life before conversion, so many thing innate about me. Compared myself to others. Not seeing the plank in my eye and trying to remove the splinter in theirs. What got me away from the evil Father Talked about. Go before the tabernacle. Keeps me grounded and what the Lord wants me to know is the truth and follow.
• (16:41) Mark - Everything is normalized in our society. Adultery, abortion, trans. etc. One big denial of sin. Having a conscience, you're lucky to have some Catholic guilt. You gotta have some discipline and a strong will.

(19:24)  Break 1

• Email about the role of guilt in our life.
• (22:48) how to form our Conscience?
• (25:28) Lorraine - Once a catholic always a catholic. Have a best friend who hasn't been a catholic for years. We use each other for reality checks to see if we did something right or wrong.
• (31:21) Lewis - Is there such a thing as spiritual adultery?
• Conrad - Guilt...and sins in my lifetime. I had a bad life growing up and I've repented and changed. Say the rosary everyday for 20 years or more. I was the black sheep. I was born a catholic and went off track.

(39:19) Break 2

• (43:09) Bernice - Even when you believe you're right, the holy spirit always helps you to reflect. My brother was getting on my patience, and I did not speak as a true Catholic who receives the body and blood of Christ. Started praying and found how my Catholic conscience helped.
• (45:54) Josephine - I get a lot of thoughts of fear and shame and guilt and it takes away my peace. How do I deal with this?

Father Dave Heney joins Patrick to discuss Anxiety and Stress

• (9:07) Spiritual need to not be stressed.
• (13:44) How to sleep better at night?
• (17:45) Jim - I was married at St. Bruno 30 years ago. I've just recently had a lot of stress in my life. Our marriage isn't 100percent as it used to be. AS far as married couples, you're both going to stress...how do we approach that subject together and help each other? I pray a lot, but she takes it a little bit differently.

(23:41) Break 1

• Patty - I refrain my anxiety to the word of fear. Fear is a lot easier to overcome than anxiety in my head.
• (34:21) Rose - How do you handle the stress over a child who isn't responsible? He's an adult and I don't know how to cope with it.

(41:03) Break 2

• What do you do if you want out in your marriage because of all of the stress?
• (45:57) Adrianne - I had been watching Mass most days and I came across a priest who talked about his life and how things were going wrong. One day, he said, 'what's important...I don't care about my business...bank account, etc.' I kind of modified that to any kind of stress and think of it that way, it looks stupid. It helped me a lot.
• Who is a great saint for anxiety?

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 John Paul Erickson joins Patrick for another installment of Ask Me Anything about the Catholic Faith.

• How is Faith a Journey?
• (5:59) how do you navigate change in your life?
• (13:43) Martin - Honoring your mother and the challenges of having to deal with her not being honest with respect to her care.
• (18:28) Amy - Planning my demise from this world. Devout Catholic and single. I do want to have a catholic ceremony. My remains are going to be cremated. Organization places remains in a vessel in the ocean to provide for other eco systems. Is it against the church to do this?

(23:13) Break 1

• Charlene - I noticed in the Mass the priest looks at the missal...after all these years, I'm sure they've memorized it. Are they required to read from it or can they just say it from memorization?
• (25:54) Theresa - How can the church be the true church as you say when people have to go to purgatory when Jesus died for our sins?
• (32:19) Bonita - My older brother died and it's going to affect my family. Looking for some advice in dealing with it.
• Email from Betty health care provider asked me to not receive communion for health reasons
• (37:17) Deanna - What is the reason for breaking off a piece of the host and putting in the chalice?

(39:50) Break 2

• (41:13) David - Trying to understand cremation teaching. What is wrong with keeping cremation in the house that you can visit everyday?
• (45:08) Email from Adrian – What is the proper response to a political leader who disagrees with Church authority?
• Email from Connie – How do I argue for the existence of God?

Father Joseph Illo joins Patrick to lead a Sunday Bible Study on the Road to Emmaus

• (10:32) Gospel Luk 24: 13-35
• How does this passage reflect the Mass?

(26:03) Break 1

• (28:04) Deacon Michael - My homily is very simple...point about not recognizing Christ is because we're all walking the road to Emmaus. Christ shows up and we have got to be attentive and see Christ. sometimes it's obvious.
• (30:25) Robert - Father said reading the scripture with good compendium or commentary. I came across a comment recently and I think a lot of folks don't know what a good commentary would be. Could you provide more about this?
• Paul - Interesting that he consecrated the bread and it's because perhaps he was present in the bread and had to be there.
• (37:47) Alex - My church started an Emmaus retreat which is all over now. Been immersed with this reading for years. I continue to learn from it. One part left out is discussing...let's not forget Jesus went farther. They invited him in. What would have happened if they didn't invite him in? What a lost opportunity this would have been. Think of how this relates to our lives.

(41:26) Break 2

• (42:35) Abby - Road to Emmaus...I was curious on seeing Christ in our moments of joy and blessing as well. Where do we align that with Christ?
• How we are in the light in Christ even when in darkness
• Daniel - Inviting Jesus in. In Jeremiah...you will find me when you search for all your heart. You're supposed to go after God with all your heart.

Father Michael-Joseph Paris joins Patrick to discuss Silence

• (4:15) no time for silence and wide is it so important?
• (12:53) Why is silence difficult for us to enter into sometimes?
• (16:26) Agnes - What is a suggestion for a teacher or mother with a house full of kids? How does she find silence in the middle of all that noise?

(19:26) Break 1

• (21:13) Visual Noise
• (24:36) Sonya - Last week, that quiet voice said come down to the lake (here in Maine). I heard the voice again asking me to come to the lake. Later, the voice said 'now.' I went down to the lake and all quiet around. Sat there for 10 minutes and told God I was there. He told me 'Be still and know that I am God.' Saw the stillness of the winter beauty and lost myself in His presence. I was running from being busy for so long.
• (29:49) Kathy - I've been to silent retreats before. I brought books and stuff. Went to dinner and it was like all were mad at each other because nobody was talking. I worked in schools and son and friends would come over. Told kids to go outside while I had my coffee. Mom used to get up early. Have to arrange time for it.
• Email – Mary keeps the radio off while driving.
• (36:53) Marie - Go to the woods. Find a tree, bush, flower, listen to a bird. Just check out and be in nature...He is there.

(39:02) Break 2

• (40:29) Michelle - It is so precious. Adoration chapel...people wonder what should they do when they're there. Just present yourself to the Lord. With me, it's hiking in the woods. Get tired enough to sit down and breathe and listen to mother nature. I need nature to bring the sense of awe.
• (45:15) What is Mental prayer?
• Matt - The silence that people have is something I strive for. This show has been really helpful to get to that.

Father Ramil Fajardo joins Patrick to discuss Annulments

• What is marriage?
• (4:39) What are ways people misunderstand what annulments are?
• (11:59) What does free, full Faithful and Fruitful mean?
• (23:44) Adrianne - What happens when the person files for divorce and gets it and takes off and marries another. Or if the divorce was pending and the woman became pregnant? Does that make it easier for the other spouse to get the annulment?

(32:07) Break 1

• Loretta - My marriage was annulled years ago. Father is so spot on. If there's something inside of you about entering marriage and didn't realize it. I should have been more mature.
• (35:13) Why are declarations of nullity more readily available now days?
• Jamie - I have a spouse that was previously married. trying to understand if we can get our marriage in the Catholic church because he wasn't married in the Catholic church originally.
• What is the difference between a blessing and a convalidation?

(40:58) Break 2

• Email – if you are in a relationship and waiting for an annulment what does that mean?
• (44:12) Mercedes - Once a person starts to do the process and the three witnesses, is the ex-wife made aware of the documentation of the other replies of the three witnesses?
• Email – Do I need to pursue a declaration of nullity if I don’t plan on getting married again?
• Healing process of declarations of nullity.

Check out this great show from May 28, 2025

Fr. Rob Kroll joins Patrick to discuss Mental and Spiritual Health

• (7:12) What is the correlation of mental and spiritual health?
• How does the prayer help with metal health?
• (19:12) Mary Ellen - I've struggled with mental health all my life. 60 years old. Suicidal, but I've always been faithful Catholic. I love God and have had a good relationship with Him. Even though I've been in and out of the hospital many times, I'm on meds that keep me steady and I've always had a deep faith life, but only since I've had good mental health therapy and meds.

(24:51) Break 1

• How can we be aware of our mental state?
• (30:17) Doug - I struggle with schizophrenia. I'm consecrated to St. Dymphna. I've seen many things with this illness. Struggled throughout most of my life. I live in a mental health community and we all struggle with many different diseases. Every day I wake up with my devotionals and spiritual guidance. Want to thank you all for bringing awareness.
• (36:12) Carlo - What does father thing about 'warm lines.' Different than hotlines, They're set up so people can call in and talk to someone who is willing to listen.

(41:16) Break 2

• How can prayer and the sacraments help us mentally?
• (45:46) Recommendations for mental and spiritual health.

Resources:

• Catholic Therapist.
  • https://catholictherapists.com/
• Be Healed - Dr. Bob Schuchts
  • https://www.avemariapress.com/products/be-healed
• Real Suffering - Dr. Bob Schuchts
  • https://www.amazon.com/Real-Suffering-Dr-Bob-Schuchts/dp/1505112486
• The Catholic Guide to Depression
  • https://www.catholiccompany.com/catholic-guide-to-depression-i36385/?sku=1004922&utm_term=&utm_campaign=**LP+-+Shop+-+*Catch+All&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=1453680900&hsa_cam=18868498708&hsa_grp=142003438246&hsa_ad=634071324946&hsa_src=g&hsa_tgt=pla-297267570956&hsa_kw=&hsa_mt=&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18868498708&gclid=CjwKCAjw6NrBBhB6EiwAvnT_rrqpbpv_xw9kc_GSb_8BKGKE7PrjqftpOkAvIdS_YvMoEglfqSv82BoCRSMQAvD_BwE
• Understanding Scrupulosity: 3rd Edition of Questions and Encouragement
  • https://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Scrupulosity-3rd-Questions-Encouragement/dp/0764825275
• The Catholic Guide Through Anxiety - Fr. John Paul Mary Zeller
  • https://www.amazon.com/Catholic-Guide-Through-Anxiety-Wellness/dp/B09QP22W14

Check out this show from June 23, 2025

Fr. Eric Nielsen joins Patrick to Discuss Eucharistic Adoration

• What is Eucharistic adoration?
• (4:11) Why is adoration different from just praying to God in the quiet?
• (11:23) Pat - I go to adoration every Friday and 3rd or 5th Thursday. Went last Friday and came to the conclusion that we see the creator of everything we have. I think that's an amazing thing.
• How to deal with distractions during Adoration?
• (18:07) Patrick - Praying the Rosary. What's your opinion on that?

(21:28) Break 1

• Dave - Adoration...doing it for 10-12 years. Game changer. Turned my life around and made tough decisions because of it.
• (27:10) Linda - Question about adoration in our chapel. We have a chapel that is open to our main church. Tabernacle is easily accessible. We pray weekly in a group (group of mothers).
• Theresa - I was first introduced in 1976 when I was in a youth mission program. I didn't fully embrace it at that point. I was 16. in 2018...I became a regular adorer. One night it wasn't my night to be there, awoke abruptly and went to the adoration chapel to pray for someone who was dying. Next day, I found out it was a friend whose husband was dying. Appreciate the relationship with Christ.

(37:02) Break 2

• What is a “holy hour”?
• (42:57) Carol - I'm learning to do more in Adoration. Love this subject and learning so much from it. Now I really know what to do. It's helping to save lives. Grateful for RR.
• (46:19) Marie - I go to adoration. After Mass, we have prayer group. We cannot go to the chapel because people don't like the audible prayer. Is it equal to pray in front of the tabernacle in the church?
• Armando – What is the proper dress code for adoration?

Father Marc Lenneman joins Patrick for a Sunday bible study to discuss Doubting Thomas and Divine Mercy

• (4:39) what is the background of this passage?
• (10:37) Father Proclaims the Gospel for Sunday.
• (16:18) Regina - Father referenced 'by His wounds we are healed.' What does this mean? How does this work?

(24:08) Break 1

• Were the Apostles cowards?
• (34:51) why is he doubting Thomas?

(43:00) Break 2

• (44:53) Julie - Belief and unbelief. The apostles were the 1st evangelists. What do you do when someone stubbornly refuses to believe?
• Divine Mercy Sunday