The Inner Life

Fr. John LoCoco joins Patrick to discuss Saint Valentine: Christian Love

• Who Was Saint Valentine?
• (9:30) what is Love?
• How does Sacrifice increase love in us?
• (20:50) Shirley - I never really had a good relationship with God and never felt that love. I was going through a divorce and walked into a church. Realized if my ex-husband didn't love me, God does. It changed my life.

(23:10) Break 1

• What is Romantic love’s place in the Christian life?
• (33:21) Doris - I was married 66 years. Had 9 kids. Men don't ever see the same thing women see and vice versa. There was a movie called Love Story. Love means never having to say you're sorry. That's not true. It means always saying you're sorry.

(38:05) Break 2

• June -Single life and how people are disappointed that they don't miss the person they are supposed to meet.  Thoughts on being a happy single person if they haven't found love and that special person.
• (42:34) How do we understand love for your enemies?
• How do you will the good of the other in practical terms?

Resources:

• • Doug's NEW Book! Rekindled Hearts: A Spiritual Journey to Marital Healing
    • https://relevantradio.store/products/rekindled-hearts-book

Fr. Dave Heney joins Patrick to discuss End of Life Issues

• What is our hope as Catholics as our lives come to a close?
• (6:22) How can we prepare ourselves for death in our lives?
• What are practical ways we can prepare for our death?
• (14:22) Medical intervention for Catholics
• (19:20) Rudy - Power of attorney for mom. Diagnosed with dementia 5 years ago. went to confession before it kicked in. She doesn't want us to spend money on her at the end. Where do I draw the line as power of attorney?

(23:44) Break 1

• (24:52) Why is assisted suicide outside of Catholic teaching?
• (35:18) Carrie - For somebody who is elderly and having some ailments but not life-threatening, and expressing an interest in suicide, what resources are there to talk them out of it?

(39:58) Break 2

• Natasha - Can you give recommendations for my 9-year-old who is having difficulty coping with the loss of family members around us?
• (46:03) Joe - I am a minister of care...bring communion to people dealing with these issues. I'm finding a lot of these people are 'prayer factories' and taking time to pray for family, friends, world in general. I have found this astonishing and something to hold up in this society that sees people as disposable.
• What is the impotence of the Funeral Mass?

Resources:

• Catholic Legacy
  • https://catholiclegacy.com/
• USCCB End of Life Resource
  • https://www.usccb.org/prolife/end-life
• Doug’s NEW BOOK!
  • https://relevantradio.store/products/rekindled-hearts-book

Fr. Brian Gross joins Patrick to discuss Transitions and the Spiritual Life

This Encore is from January 17, 2025

• What does hope have to do with transitions?
• (13:42) Mary - I just received a letter. It has to deal with inheritance. Father recently died. I'm going to trust God I make heaven and let Him be in control.

(19:51) Break 1

• E-Frank - I believe that transitions are not only phases, but transitions of feelings.  They allow us to develop in God's likeness as more mature human beings.
• (26:25) Cindy - Had a huge transition.  God had a plan.  Husband passed suddenly.  Lots of questions.  Through the next year, I cared for parents who had health issues.  Wouldn't have had that capacity if I also had to deal with my husband being ill.
• Email – What do you do with a change that happens in the family like divorce?
• Cecilia - When we moved from Mexico to US, my life changed thanks to Relevant Radio!

(38:31) Break 2

• Rudy - I worked for Disney for 33 years. Got let go for writing something on FB. Blessing in disguise because now I work for a school district which is something much greater.
• (43:18) Dorothy - 6 years ago, lost my son. He died in the water trying to save his 3 boys and wife. 1000 people at his funeral. I just put one foot in front of the other and kept doing what I've been doing. He did save his boys and wife.  Just keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep doing what you're doing.
• Email talking about a change that deeply affected her prayer life.

Fr. Joseph Johnson joins Patrick to discuss the Healing Power of Lourdes

• (4:09) what is the origins of our Lady of Lourdes?
• Who are the Knights of the Oder of Malta?
• Patty - I have a comment about a healing that happened for my daughter at Lourdes.
• Why are some place’s more holy than others?

(20:40) Break 1

• What does obedience have to do with healing?
• (25:55) Eric - I visited 2 years ago and it was an incredible experience.  Want to share that with you.
• 11:37 Sophia - My family and I are taking our daughter (1 yr old). We're making a pilgrimage there in March. Would appreciate prayers. Daughter has some neurological issues.
• Vicki - I have been to Lourdes and brought some water back. Husband's friend had testicular cancer. I asked him if he would mind if I blessed him with the water. Did a prayer and sprinkled holy water. He called after surgery and said they went in and found no sign of cancer.

(38:40) Break 2

• (40:09) John - Experience about going there as a volunteer for special needs pilgrims.
• (46:43) Doris - I've been there twice. When I was young, my mom made a sacrifice to take me there. I had epilepsy and the first day I got there, I had an attack.  After we went to Lourdes, I no longer had any issues. Now 61 years.

Fr. Eric Nielsen joins Patrick to discuss Virginity and St. Scholastica

• (4:25) Who was Saint Scholastica
• (10:12) Abby- I think this conversation is very important. The secular world really undermines it. Men in particular don't approach it in the right way. It impacts women differently.
• (17:29) Malory - I'm dealing with a situation with my 12-yr old daughter. She is aware to some degree some sort of sexuality.  To my knowledge, she is a virgin. Want to know how to address this.

(23:24) Break 1

• How do you talk with a 10 and 12 year olds about chastity and virginity?
• (30:10) Elizabeth - I know there's a lot of female saints who have the title virgin, but I'm not aware of any male saints who have that title.  Why is that?
• What is a Virgin Soul?
• (35:14) Adrianna - Want to shed some light on how I introduced this to my little ones. My girls are now chaste at 19 years old.

(40:03) Break 2

• What are some safeguards we can put up to help our children?
• (46:57) Laura – How can I stay strong in wanting to remain a virgin if it seems to be keeping me from getting married?

Fr. Robert Kroll joins Patrick to discuss Hope in the Jubilee Year

• (2:32) What is a Jubilee Year?
• What is hope and how can we grow it during this year?
• (19:07) what does Saint Thomas Aquinas teach us about hope?

(27:00) Break 1

• What is despair and how does the will play a role in it?
• How do we hold onto hope when in mortal sin?
• (40:58) Christina - in regards to the brown scapular. is that a way to have hope?
• How can we grow in hope in our lives?

Resources:

• Spe Salvi
  • https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20071130_spe-salvi.html
• Spes Non Confundit
  • https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/bulls/documents/20240509_spes-non-confundit_bolla-giubileo2025.html

Fr. Carter Griffin joins Patrick to discuss Dealing with Anger

• When is anger good and when is anger bad?
• (7:23) Patty - I found something that was appalling.  I walked away. I don't know if that was the right thing. It angered me later because I should have done or said something.  When do you step out and say something when you've seen something awful?
• Nick - I blow my top at the stupidest things.  Still dealing with a foul mouth. Some things I refer to is some of the most potent scripture that combats it. If we can think of the heavenly virtues that combat that in the moment of anger.
• (20:00) Bridget - In my late 60's. Always have had a problem with anger. I've learned how not to get angry anymore and it's a game changer. It has made my life and everyone else's much better.
• (26:59) Break 1
• How do we find our triggers of anger?
• (40:18) Kathy - I'm a convert married to a man who is very angry. Always complaining, yelling, etc. How can I deal with that?

Fr. Scott Bailey joins Patrick to discuss Masculinity

• (2:14) what does the Church say about seminarian?
• How is community impotent in masculinity?
• Christine – As I was listening to Father, it made me think of when Jesus told the apostles to get the colt that nobody had ridden on. I know that horses that haven't been ridden on can be unpredictable. Horses don't just comply with everyone. Masculinity - fearless awareness. Men are called to be leaders.
• (21:35) How does escapism affect men in growing in maturity?

(26:59) Break 1

• (27:55) What should you do if you are in a broken household without a Father Figure?
• How do humility and courage complement each other?
• How can masculinity be expressed in different ways?
• (41:59) John – I was raised without a dad. Had a stepdad. My earliest experiences were from the saints. They are great examples and have been for me.  Being active in sports. As an adult man, I come from an emotional base. I've navigated it and have never gotten angry. I've found other men have had a similar upbringing. Father of 4 and grandchildren.

Fr. Joseph Illo joins Patrick to discuss St. Blaise and Blessings

• (2:13) why do we bless throats today?
• Jerry -We had St. Blaise blessing yesterday and the sacristan did it.  Is that okay?
• (13:31) What is a blessing and who can perform it?
• What are different types of blessings?
• (20:34) Eduardo - How can I get my house blessed?

(26:59) Break 1

• Gaylen - When I was young, I always heard if something was blessed and it got old and unusable, it was to be burned or buried.  Is that true?
• Tiffany - I have 5 kids, one of my kids is 2 and she is having a lot of nightmares.  Are there any blessings we could do before bedtime for them?
• What do you do with a wedding ring that is blessed but you are no longer married.
• (30:38) Can you have a blessing during communion if you don’t receive the Eucharist?

Resources:

• Blessing for parents for their children
  • Most Heavenly Father, I commit my children to your holy providence. Mercifully supply whatever is lacking in me through frailty or negligence. Strengthen my children to overcome the corruptions of the world and deliver them from the secret snares of the enemy. May they daily grow in grace and in knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, and so, faithfully serving you in this life, come to rejoice forever with you in heaven. Amen.

Fr. John Eckert joins Patrick to discuss Evangelizing the Youth

• (4:06) Who was St. John Bosco and what is his story?
• Why is it important to teach children the Faith?
• What is the role of parents in raising their kids in the Faith?

(20:39) Break 2

• Donna - My experience with the catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Helps them desire to know Jesus more and live their faith and being more responsible for seeking God.
• (27:16) What is the importance of having fun with children?
• (33:31) Lisa - When I was 14, my freshman science teacher led me to Christ. She said she loved me and brought me to church. She said because Christ first loves me.

(38:11) Break 2

• Mark - I'm a school bus driver.  I'm around kids all day and really enjoy it.  I'm able to interact with them and have been doing that for 9 years.
• (44:05) George - 27 year catechist. 3 years ago, moved into an impoverished neighborhood. I've been challenged by being able to relate to 7th graders. Pre-confirmation. I always place my classes in the hands of the holy spirit.  Always asking what I can do to bring Christ to them. Am I doing all that I can?
• Maria - Great granddaughter is 12 years old. Went to Mass with me. Now she and her mother say they're busy. I try to be joyful and tell her about the saints. I don't know how to encourage her if they're not attending Mass.