The Inner Life

Fr. Michael Hurley joins Patrick to discuss St. Thomas Aquinas

• (4:43) who was St. Thomas Aquinas
• (11:15) what is the Albigensian heresy?
• (18:19) Brendan - The one that impacted me was Thomas Aquinas' 5 proofs. I saw a video in middle school that challenged atheists. I didn't know there were such intellectual people in the church. It really shook my faith and eased my anxieties in it and have more faith in God.

(25:05) Break 1

• Madeline - He's not my saint...I'm trying to love him as a brother and I don't know how to reconcile. I love St. Faustina. I don't like him because he said pets don't go to heaven and that's why I left the faith. I'm back in the faith now because of St. Faustina and St. Maximilian Kolbe.
• (32:53) Role of Reason in our life today
• (34:47) Jean - My most favorite thing about him...he admitted at the end of his conversations that all of his writings meant nothing. He found what he was writing was useless. Once he spoke to the Lord, he found that he was so inadequate from what he learned from the Lord.

(39:48) Break 2

• (40:52) Regina - He taught that women are defective. I want to know how to get around that. It's offensive. I have a reference from Summa Theologica.
• (45:03) Thomas Aquinas’ Devotional life
• Where should people start when reading about St. Thomas Aquinas?

Fr. Peter Armenio joins Patrick to discuss Marriage

• What is marriage?
• (13:40) why are couples not wanting to get married?

(20:56) Break 1

• (22:39) Brendan - Anxiety among young people. I'm very anxious. I want to get in a relationship and married, but now I don't have a job and anxiety is causing issues for me. I hear it's good to get married young, but I feel I'm dealing with a road block. What do I do?
• (30:45) Ureli – People living together and not married. What if your parents aren't married. IS there something I can do to help them? They both want to marry. I feel I'm a mediator sometimes. Any advice as to what to do? I do pray for them a lot.

(39:07) Break 2

• (40:27) Paul - Married 44 years. Work with engaged couples. Biggest challenge is communication. We're all so different. Any advice where to find good communication teaching? Anything out there from a Catholic perspective?
• Email from Julie – How do you know if Marriage is your vocation?

Fr. Bobby Blood joins Patrick to discuss Catholic Education

• Why is Catholic schools week important?
• (4:46) what does the Church teach about Catholic education?
• What is the connection between the intellect and the will?
• (17:35) Nicole - My experience....My grandchildren are going to Catholic school. My daughter also went. I used to volunteer. I most admire is that I attend the children's Mass and we end with adoration. Getting used to adoration and the importance of a relationship with Jesus.

(22:00) Break 1

• (23:25) Ann - I had Catholic education back in the 40's and 50's. I thank God for it every day. Those nuns really instilled the faith.
• (26:15) Tammy - I am a product of Catholic schools from the 70's and 80's. I have 4 kids. One struggled academically. Just wondering if the school system is looking into this. Not everyone is academic. Do they have other avenues to help people?
• (31:50) Carol - Our Catholic school closed 7 years ago. Wanted to re-open, but I get backlash every time it comes up. Any advice?

(35:43) Break 2

• What should parents be looking for in Catholic Schools?
• (40:24) Alex - I'm dating someone right now. Trying to figure out where to educate my kids once we have them. There is a local SSPX school. It looks like it's the only place I can afford to send them. What should I do about that?
• Can you send your kids to a non-Catholic school?
• (44:17) what are the biggest challenges facing Catholic schools today?
• (48:03)  Maria - We've been blessed with our kid's education. Just wanted to give a quick testimony.

Fr. Joseph Illo joins Patrick to discuss Holiness in your State of Life

• (4:17) who was Saint Francis de Sales?
• Introduction to the devout life, How can you be holy in the world?

(18:26) Break 1

• What are ways lay people can become holy?
• How does God multiply your time when you devote some to him?
• (34:34) Norb - Suggestion to multitask with prayer. That's what I do.
• Robin - I joined the Guard of the Sacred Heart. I get up and whatever hour it is, I will go through that process. I say the precious blood devotion, and after that, I go to the Legion of Mary, Rosary, and I do my best to go to Mass/adoration.

(38:40) Break 2

• How is holiness a work of God first?
• (43:00) Maria - My experience...we all struggle with prayer time. I humble myself and ask the Lord to organize my prayer time.
• (46:11) Robert - St. Francis De Sales....been reading that over and over for years. What I still struggle with...what is my state in life? What does that mean and how does it correspond to my time in prayer? I feel like I'm always robbing my work and myself by studying an hour.
• The four books which Father Illo recommends everyone reads.

Fr. Dave Heney joins Patrick to discuss Protecting the Unborn

• What is the Church’s teaching on the sanctity of life?
• What is at the core of the reason people get abortion?

(18:34) Break 1

• Teresa - I just wanted to say that I'm trying to start a walking with moms with need at my parish in Ohio, so we can do what Father was talking about. Help through pregnancy centers and walk with them on their journey before the baby is born and after.
• (23:23) Richard - I lead a 40 days for life campaign in the Midwest. Prayer is most important, but we're also dealing with Satan in this evil. I think it needs to be approached from that reality.
• (28:00) Craig - We just have celebrated Christmas, but it's not the first and biggest feast we should be celebrating. We should be celebrating the incarnation and then the resurrection. It all begins at conception. That's when God became present on Earth.
• Jane - I belong a group called Holy Innocents. We raise funds for various pro-life organizations. Just wanted to talk about that.

(38:05) Break 2

• (39:59) Connie - I'm in OCIA and joining the church in a couple months. Something that slowed me down was encountering those who claim to be Catholic, but support abortion. What do you say to 'pro-choice Catholics?'
• (43:53)  Norma - I am a counselor at a pregnancy center. Want to say thanks for all who can help those centers.
• How can we speak about protecting the unborn with truth and compassion?

Fr. Allen Hoffa joins Patrick to discuss Overcoming Pornography

• What is Pornography?
• What is integrity restored?
• (14:31) Is pornography a private sin?
• (20:01) Mike - I'm a porn addict. I've been able to find sobriety from counseling and 12 steps. Want to give a word of encouragement to those struggling.

(23:11) Break 1

• How does pornography play a role in the abortion issue?
• (29:41) How is AI used for pornography harmful to people?
• (34:58) Norman - When you see a woman come into church and try to battle with thoughts. It's a sin and you have to watch out. It can be a distraction.

(39:59) Break 2

• (41:09) Raquel - 17-year-old son. Struggling with this issue. It could be a same sex issue as well. Not knowing what to do.
• What can people do who struggle with pornography?

Resources:

• Integrity Restored
  • https://integrityrestored.com/

Msgr. Robert Dempsey joins Patrick in studio to discuss the Beauty of the Liturgy

• (4:58) What does liturgy mean?
• How is the liturgy primarily an act of God?
• What is worship?
• (13:55) Alex - People responding verbally during the Mass. Sometimes they respond loudly and other times softly. Is there anything official on this?

(21:29) Break 1

• Natalia - How verifiable is it (the liturgy) that it hasn't changed from the original? Even going back to the Old Testament (translations).
• (27:06) Email about who put together the Mass as we now celebrate it?
• (31:11) Patrick - New pastor that refuses to continue with the use of incense during Mass. How can I speak to him about this?
• Henry - Our new priest, during the peace offering goes into the Lamb of God and doesn't allow for the sign of peace. Wanted your opinion/more info on this.

(39:06) Break 2

• Can you use incense during the liturgy of the hours at home?
• (45:15) Jim - The liturgy and how it's celebrated. Sometimes it seems so far off the rubrics. What is the right response for me internally in that situation? Do I offer it up?

Fr. Marcel Taillon joins Patrick to discuss Catholic Social Teaching

• What is Catholic Social Teaching?
• (10:03) What are the main themes on Catholic Social teaching?
• (17:07) what does the “common good” mean?

(23:45) Break 1

• (25:51) Lillian - When we talk about Catholic social teaching and catholic social justice, there is some confusion with one world order. The issue for us to be closer to God, but when it comes to this communal thing, we become confused and become more involved with community and not Jesus Christ.
• What are things that we can do for the poor?

(38:52) Break 2

• Cynthia - In my work with the homeless, we are trying to make them aware of their dignity. So many people have a negative view of the homeless. We do not have a strong Catholic presence in the streets of Austin. Any advice to help with that?
• (45:45) Richard - There's a document from the synod about 9 months ago...Life is Always a Good. It gives parishes a structure to put together a structure for the dignity of the individual as a person. Getting back to basics and having our faith and every person is valued. It's really a blue print to make that concept a reality on the ground.

Resources:

• https://www.laityfamilylife.va/content/laityfamilylife/en/life-is-always-a-good.html
•  https://www.laityfamilylife.va/content/dam/laityfamilylife/Lavitasempreunbene/BROCHURE_EN.pdf

(2:46) Fr. Sam Martin joins to discuss praying with Scripture.

• (6:05) Pray to the Holy Spirit when reading the Bible.

• Break 1
  • (23:05) Camille - It's amazing how the Scriptures have changed my life.
  • (30:33) Vanessa - I had back surgery and was praying for healing, and this scripture, Mark 2:30 changed how I looked at everything and how Christ is here to heal me.

• Break 2
  • (39:22) Susan - I grew up learning the stories of the Bible. In 2023, my mom was diagnosed with lung cancer and six months later, I got very sick and needed a bone marrow transplant. I was angry with God for the first time in my life. One night, dark and alone, I said the Lord's prayer and it changed my life.

(11:03) Fr. Ryan Brady joins Patrick to talk about Reliance on God.

• (11:08) God works at a completely different schedule than we do.

• (12:08) Car shopping is a great example and also very biblical.

• (15:40) Patty - I am waiting and discovering God's way to help me with weight loss. 

• (19:17) Email: Leanne - Relying on God as a young adult, cancer survivor.

• Break 1

• (23:58) Email: Gloria – I’m afraid of trusting the Lord.

• (27:43) Patrick - Relevant Radio brought me back to the church 5 years ago. Also, I've overcome addictions and now am faced with a new challenge of leukemia. It's a new opportunity to evangelize.

• Break 2

• (40:23) God’s mercy will endure far longer than our desire to ask for it. Jesus relied on his friends and disciples to support his ministry. He was not alone. In your struggle talk to your priests and other faithful friends. Jesus humbled himself and relied on His Father in heaven and His friends on earth and the world was never the same.