The Inner Life

Father John Eckert joined Patrick for a conversation about spiritual dryness. Topics included: what spiritual dryness is (2:44), honesty with God (8:36), gratitude during dryness (12:18), St. John of the Cross (15:40), Christ on the Cross (22:00), Caller: better to have dry crust with peace (28:56), Caller: I feel dryness in my prayer, should I continue praying the rosary? (30:48), consolation & desolation (38:44), and dryness vs. depression (45:36). 

Father Joseph Johnson joined Patrick for a conversation about the Patroness of the Americas. Topics included: the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe (2:33), the Mother who gathers her children (13:38), caller: we named our son Juan (19:22), caller: Mary helped the direction of my life (23:27), Our Lady of the Americas (27:00), email: the devotion to Our Lady started with my parents (30:00), those who avoid Mary (31:24), Fr. Joseph's story of Our Lady (36:47), caller: my mom prayed for my brother in Vietnam (42:44), and caller: I went to the Shrine 2 weeks ago! (44:51). 

IL – Fr. Bobby Blood joins Patrick to discuss rule of life.

• (3:06) What is the rule of life?
• (8:25) – how to start a rule of life?
• (16:33) – Nick - The Lord gives us rules to give us freedom-sometimes we need a little flare to shake things up.
• Break 1 (20:08)
• (21:35) – Leah - what is a good way to silence myself during prayer? my mind wanders and I want to be able to dedicate more to prayer.
• (26:27) – Jo Anne - you don't have to be so structured in prayer, just talk to God like a friend all day long.
• (29:53) – How to fight against the temptation to just go through the motions in prayer?
• Break 2 (33:18)
• (34:49) – Tina - try focusing the attitude of how you can love the lord through prayer and rule of life.
• (36:17) – Margaret - when I feel distracted during prayer i remember that prayer is lifting up my heart and mind to God, so I’m all good
• (39:42) – Alma - how can I balance my prayer life with the responsibilities of raising 4 kids?
• (42:35) – How to participate in the sacraments as part of the rule of life?

Sr. Alicia Torres, FE joined Patrick for the first time to discuss how Our Lady is the Woman of the Eucharist. Topics included: getting to know Sr. Alicia (2:15), why the Immaculate Conception is so important (6:55), why Marian devotion is intrinsic to Christian worship (9:37), Mary, Woman of the Eucharist (13:56), living Eucharistically (20:16), how Mary helps us see the Eucharist (25:49), Mary's fiat (28:33), having a Eucharistic attitude (36:20), How Mary helps us serve others (40:59), email: I pray the rosary for my son's family (44:29). 

Father John Paul Erickson joined Patrick for a conversation about growing in patience. Topics include: God wants us to be patient (2:31), why is patience hard? (6:35), love is patient (9:55), grace builds on nature (13:55), patient penances (20:07), caller: I struggle to be patience when I'm on the phone with companies (24:53), caller: my strategy for patience in traffic (28:07), caller: I was patient as a child and it paid off (29:52), email: I learned I don't have control (36:58), caller: finding patience in retirement (39:04), and caller: I think nutrition impacts mood (43:42). 

Father Eric Nilsen joined Patrick for a conversation about chastity. Topics included: temptation vs. sin (2:35), the Christian vision of sexuality (7:00), pornography (11:38), what chastity is (14:31), caller: confession has helped me (22:20), caller: I recommend Reclaim Sexual Health (26:07), chastity in marriage (28:32), Caller: I pray three Hail Mary's and the Rosary each day (33:30), Caller: I've been free from pornography for 2 months (38:13), caller: regular confession has helped me (41:13), caller: How can hate the sin better (44:44).

Original Air Date: May 4, 2023

Father Tom Wilson joined Patrick for a conversation about mixed-faith marriage. Topics included: mixed-faith marriages (3:14), St. Paul's encouragement (9:29), caller: my wife converted to Catholicism (16:47), what if one spouse is more religious than the other? (22:06), caller: my son is in a mixed-faith marriage (29:02), caller: when I met my wife she wasn't Catholic (33:45), caller: Mixed-faith marriages can be tough! (39:37), and caller: my daughter's boyfriend is an atheist (44:20). 

Father Brian Fallon joined Patrick for a conversation about Advent. Topics included: what Advent is (2:11), the Old Testament & Advent (6:40), how Advent shakes us out of complacency (11:47), Shadow & Light book (18:45), how to keep Advent, Advent (20:09), loneliness (25:18), Caller: how I use the Jesse tree (28:04), the O Antiphons (29:01), Advent as a penitential season (35:11), traditions (39:00), the second coming of Christ (42:41). 

Father Marcel Taillon joined Patrick for a conversation about greed. Topics included: what greed is (3:14), the most anti-Scrooge person Fr. Taillon ever met (7:20), control (9:50), greedy for time (20:35), stewardship (33:22), caller: we build a manger for Jesus (40:02), and caller: if I win the lottery can I give that money to the Church (42:30). 

Fr. Tim Wyciskalla joined Patrick for a conversation about doing God's will. Topics included: God has a desire for my life (3:17), discernment (8:28), caller: God called me to adoration (19:02), desires and God's will (22:22), two wills of Christ (25:04), two wills of Christ (25:04), community (27:20), caller: I obeyed my spiritual director (35:56), caller: Did I follow God's will? (40:02), what if I don't want to do God's will? (42:29), and caller: should I leave my business? (45:42). 

Book: Pray, Decide, and Don't Worry