The Inner Life

Fr. Ramil Fajardo joins Patrick to discuss Preparing for Marriage

• (4:23) what are some unrealistic experiences that we have on marriage?
• (15:56) Ed - Comment: The lack of catechism or formation of souls in parishes, and how that leads to bad marriages.

(20:23) Break 1

• Marie - Comment re: what is lacking on marriage prep... discussing addictions.
• (30:12) Michael - Any advice for people over 50 that have never been married, and still open to get married?
• Patrick shares an email about a woman who was living in a lot of sin and got married in not ideal circumstances and is looking for help in continuing her growth.

(39:01) Break 2

• Gerry - When we went through our marriage prep, we did not know anything about NFP, this was in 1990. I wish somebody could have talk to us more about the different methods.

Fr. Carter Griffin joins Patrick to discuss Supporting Priests

• (5:37) Who are priests?
•  What are some misconceptions about being a priest?
• (15:02) how are priests called to spiritual fatherhood
• Debbie - What about priests that are called through a conversion of some sort and not necessarily 'groomed in'  Does it matter how old you are? Is there a certain limit that the calling doesn't take place. I read early on in my conversion the Invitation of Christ talks about the beauty and power of a priest.

(21:09) Break 1

• What are some other struggles priests might have?
• Craig - How can people help priests? Organization for priests who have been charged with crimes, abuse, etc. and can't serve anymore. Men of Melchisidek is the organization.
• (31:46) Zach - If serving in the military and calling to the chaplaincy. Combined serving. Are they two separate things?

(36:08) Break 2

• Ed - New pastor that has just been ordained. Thanked him for the sacrifices he's made. I've been celibate for 25 years. Need to support priests and I understand how hard it is for them in this day and age.
• (40:28) Margaret - Our priest serves 3 parishes. He's elderly. I noticed whenever he comes down the aisle. His shoes are so broken down and old. My husband recently died. I don't know how to ask the rectory, but would it be ok to ask if he could use them (shoes)? Would that offend him?
• How can you help the priest in the confessional?
• What gifts should you give a priest?

Resources:

• Seven Sisters Apostolate
  • https://sevensistersapostolate.org/

Fr. Peter Armenio joins Patrick to Friendship with Christ

• How can we have friendship with God?
• (12:19) How do we understand some of the euphemism that saints use to describe their love for Christ?
• (18:25) Bob - I once went to confession and told the priest I was having trouble getting angry with God over disappointments. Angry about it and yelling at God. Fr. told me you probably think I'll get down on you for getting angry with God, but you know God and trust him enough that you can get angry with Him and you can handle that. I was really moved by that. Relationship with God is everything.

(26:05) Break 1

• Marsha - I'm a cradle Catholic. I've had a relationship with Jesus. The Baptists brought me into that relationship. They gave me a deeper dive into the intimacy with Christ. I hope they saw the beauty of the Catholic church.
• How does interior life help us from our relationship with Jesus?
• (40:40) Deedee - My relationship is one of a father and daughter. Trying to be friends with God is sacrilegious. Wouldn't there be a spiritual boundary of some sort? What does friendly speech sound like instead of prayer?

(43:43) Break 2

• (44:49) What can Mary Magdalene teach us about friendship with Christ?

Fr. Sam Martin joins Patrick in studio to discuss Mastering Fear

• (7:20) Is fear sinful?
• How is fear of the Lord differ from other types of fear.
• how does fear appear in scripture?
• (19:13) Rosemary - What I fear...I trust God, but not myself. I might not be eating right. End of the times are near and thoughts and fear for family members that don't believe.

(25:20) Break 1

• Email from Mary – When we say we trust Jesus, what are we trusting Him with?
• (31:25) Nick – In my brokenness I see the beauty to learn from it and share with others our vulnerability.

(36:25) Break 2

• Email from Adrian about how to deal with fear from your spouse.
• (45:02) Raquelle - I recently lost my job. Pregnant with 5th child. Recently had a horrible situation with police.... dealing with legal stuff. Feel complete and total fear for the future. I finally have been having miracle after miracle happening to us. The fear here is extremely real, but receiving so many graces now. God blesses us tenfold.

Fr. Matthew Widder joins Patrick to have a Sunday Bible Study with the Nation

What is the context within this Sunday’s passage?

• (6:36) Father proclaims the Sunday readings Gospel.
• How do we know if we are doing good work?
• Stephanie - I totally resonate with the home work thing because I'm 37 weeks pregnant and struggle with it and just trusting God.

(23:45) Break 1

• Tom - I'd like to know what Father and Patrick think about the 2 images of discipleship with Martha being very busy and Mary sitting and listening. The postures and approaches when Jesus comes.
• Patrick shares an email about the connection between this weeks Gospel and last week’s Gospel.
• (23:45) Kelly - I tend to be more like Martha, but want to be more like Mary. Mary has put God first and Martha seems to be doing everything that needs to get done first. I know I need to get outside and weed, garden, etc. I don't know how to resolve it. My husband isn't Catholic and doesn't feel prayer is a priority.

(37:54) Break 2

• Ed - Watching the Chosen. When that part came up, I thought it was interesting they brought it  up. Jesus came in and Martha said that. Apostles got up and helped with the food. Thought that was interesting.
• David - Perspective on Martha. Want to make sure I'm in line with church teaching...My thought was Jesus didn't correct Martha because she was busy, but corrected her because she was worried.
• (43:40) Mary - I hate that reading because I'm so Martha! I'm always cooking, cleaning, preparing. I'm the one missing out on events because I'm doing all the prep work.
• (45:45) Brittney - There have been seasons of my life where I have related to both. Getting older and having children has given me a better blend of the two in situations. I think our faith in the word of God available to us and also through the saints shows these women are two sides of the same coin. We can be offering our service and prayer as well. Motherhood and being a wife has taught me this.
• Sunday as the litmus test for if we are really imitating Mary Properly.

Fr. John Paul Erickson joins Patrick for his debut to discuss Sacrificial Living

• (7:07) How is sacrificial living played out in our Lord Jesus?
• (12:51) Mary - Our 33-year-old daughter and her husband got engaged on Good Friday 3 years ago. At the time I thought it was odd, but he did it deliberately. He wanted to show the sacrificial love of their intended marriage as Jesus' sacrificial love on Good Friday.
• Justin - I know exactly what it is. I have lived for 24 years doing what I love to do and what I believe that is what I'm doing. I'm a clown. Professional clown for 24 years. 9 years as circus clown performing around the US. I sacrificed a lot in my life to do this. I believe this is what I was meant to do and love it.

(23:02) Break 1

• Andy - In Sept of 2021, I was hospitalized for 13 days. Fr. Erickson potentially sacrificed his life by coming into the Covid wing to bring me the Eucharist, blessing, etc. He was all suited up and courageously came in to help me.
• (31:25) Genevieve - When I was in high school, I came down with pneumonia. a non-Christian friend of my mom's came and helped my mom who had just given birth. The baby had an ear infection. She wanted to see me graduate (the friend). I was never able to say thanks to her as I should have. She went way out of her way to help me.
• Linda - I think the biggest lesson God gave me was sacrificing when I had my children. You sacrifice sleep, what you want vs. what they need. That is one of the biggest blessings to work toward understanding; you are not the center of the universe. It's the best gift God has given me...the lessons in learning that it's not about you.
• (38:50) Jeannie - Our mothers sacrifice for us...very much. I think they're often forgotten because they're simple.

(42:26) Break 2

• Do you need to enjoy it when you sacrifice?
• (45:13) Email from Grace – Single mom who is overwhelmed. What does she do?
• (47:37)  Carrie - Some people that really helped me and my girls a long time ago. In the 90's when my two oldest daughters were young, I was in an abusive marriage. I wound up having to leave and some of our friends let us stay with them. I'm totally blind and they took on a lot of responsibility. They gave up so much. They weren't Catholic, but did so much for us.

Resources

• Buckfest Abby
  • https://www.buckfast.org.uk/

Fr. Michael-Joseph Paris joins Patrick for his debut to discuss Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Brown Scapular

• (4:32) What is the spirituality of the Carmelites?
• What makes our lady of mount Carmel different than other titles of Mary?
• (12:41) What is a sacramental?
• Pat - Every time I wear a scapular at work, they usually rip apart. If I get a new one, do I need to be re-enrolled? I also have a brown scapular medal. I was told by a Carmelite at Holy Hill that you do not have to have a prayer said over you if you replace the medal, but you do if you have a cloth one. Am I right or wrong. This was years ago.

(20:22) Break 1

• What is the history of the Brown Scapular?
• What is enrollment to the Brown Scapular?
• (28:15) Diane - I wear a medal, scapular medal. Supposed to be the same as cloth. Is that true and what has to be in place. Medal or cloth?
• Madonna - What is it with the different colors of scapulars, pink, blue, purple, etc.? Does that have anything to do with it?
• (32:46) Mary – I've been wearing one for 3 years. Is it inappropriate to wear it outside your clothing?
• Gina - My sister and I wore the scapular. Started 10 years ago. We got invested. Every time I think of that, I think of my sister.

(38:55) Break 2

• What are the promises of the brown scapular?
• (43:05) Juliana - If you're wearing a formal dress, could you pin the scapular or medal inside the garment or does it have to be worn around the neck?
• (45:14) Mike - How do you dispose of the scapular when it's time for a new one?
• Kelly - My mother died in the hospital. Wore it for forever. Hospital staff took it off. I didn't put it back on her. I've always been concerned about that.

Fr. Joseph Johnson joins Patrick to discuss The Sacrifice of the Mass

• (3:10) What makes the Mass so important?
• (12:56) do we get more grace the more prayerful we are?

(21:24) Break 1

• Michelle - When I came back to the church. I would go to whatever Mass worked into my schedule. Church had a 1pm Latin Mass. I didn't understand, but knew what was going on. Beautiful feeling of all these people worshiping God together and it was such a great joy.
• (26:57) What are the different parts of the Mass?
• (35:19) Aldrina - About 5 years ago, during the consecration when Fr. was raising the host, I felt a sense that the entire church especially the altar was filled with heavenly beings. I was in tears when this happened

(38:09) Break 2

• Father talks about the liturgy of the Eucharist.
• (47:15) Anna - When the priest says through Christ, in Christ and with Christ, can he say that instead of through him with him in him, can he say that instead?
• How can we prepare ourselves before going to Mass?

Fr. Allen Hoffa joins Patrick to Discuss Difficult Bible Passages

• (2:43) What is the bible a challenging book for people to read and understand?
• How does the magisterium help us stay in the bounds of scripture?
• (12:50) What do we do when we come across a difficult bible passage?

(20:40) Break 1

• Father talks about the different senses in scripture
• (25:49) Susan email – about a passage which causes doubt in God’s love
• Why is turning the other check not contrary with being a door Matt?

(38:16) Break 2

• (39:46)  Dan - Why was it ok for Jacob to steal his father's blessing from his brother?
• Patrick shares an Email about Lk 5: 36-39.
• Michael - 2 Corinthians verse chapter 5- verse 8. I think there has to be a different way to interpret this.

Fr. Bobby Blood joins Patrick in studio to Discuss How to Navigate Relationships: Leading and Following

• You are always leading or following in a relationship.
• (8:49) If you think your leader is going in the wrong direction what should you do?
• How can insubordination become sinful a relationship?
• (19:13) Nicole - Following. The wife is the neck. How do deal with a leader that is avoiding difficult conversations?

(23:13) Break 1

• (25:33) Crystal - I am a follower. I just experienced this with my husband. I felt more uncomfortable and it caused my anxiety. But your conversation is really helping.
• (29:51) Vittorio 14-years-old - I am likely going to become a chief of my group but some boys that I am leading do not show respect to me as leader of this group. How can I lead and still tolerate them?
• What do we do if there is a difference it values between leaders and followers?

(37:09) Break 2

• What is needed for a good leader?
• (40:05) Jen - My spouse and I have a topsy-turvy dynamic where I am the leader. I want my spouse to be a leader.
• (46:38) What is servant leadership?