Father Allen Hoffa joins Patrick to discuss Battling Addiction

• (3:32) what is addiction?
• 11:17 Chris - I've struggled with Sexual addiction. I'm in recovery now. Wreckage it's left behind is terrible. Trying to figure out how to repair that. Making amends is something that just doesn't happen.

(21:07) Break 1

• Chris- 2 programs for sexual addiction. Which one is conformity with Catholic teaching?
• (27:22) Can you be addicted to romance novels?
• (29:50) Cynthia - Just got off the phone with somebody in rehab with a crack issue. God has opened that door to help them. Going to rehab Saturday. Those of us that have had issues need to speak out and share our story and testimony. So often it's a secret because of shame.
• How can we help others who are struggling with addiction?

(37:43) Break 2

• Can you use anointing of the sick for addiction?
• (41:02) Sharice - How does God feel about pushing child away? Son has been addict for 11 years. He gets physical and abuse towards us. Husband is afraid he's going to go on the street and die.
• How can you be aware of and stop addictions before they begin?

Resources:

• Hope’s Garden
  • https://hopesgarden.com/
• Integrity Restored
  • https://integrityrestored.com/
• Catholic Therapist
  • https://catholictherapists.com/

Father Patrick Hyde joins Patrick to discuss Prayer

• (2:22) What is prayer?
• (13:01) What are the different forms of prayer?
• Walter - Holy spirit the main person in prayer because he is so much and possessing us and leads us all the time. He is love.

(27:00) Break 1

• Dee -When you pray for someone does it have to be a 'full on' prayer? I'll offer up a word list prayer and not necessarily a hail Mary, etc. If someone asks me to pray for them, I'm not 100 percent sure I remembered everyone. If I don't remember specifically, I'll mention any prayer that I said I would pray for. Is that ok?
• (41:35) How do you deal with distractions in prayer?

Father Ramil Fajardo joins Patrick to discuss Office of Bishop

• Who was Saint Mathias how does he relate with the office of bishop?
• (12:51) Father offers his thoughts on Pope Leo XIV
• How does a bishop become elected?
• (18:05) Bob - were any of the original apostles alive when peter died. If so, why was one of those not chosen as his successor?
• Deacon Martin - I've been present at all types of ordinations. It's a phenomenal experience. If you have the chance to go to an episcopal ordination, I highly recommend it. I've also been at a Bishop's installation.

(27:00) Break 1

• What can only bishops do ordinations?
• (32:05) Email – What happens to the vows of a religious when they are made a bishop?
• (42:07) How can we disagree with the bishops in authority over us?
• How can we help our bishops?

Father John Eckert joins Patrick to discuss Our Lady of Fatima

• (2:30) Pope Leo’s connection with Mary.
• What is a Marian apparition and what are the big 3 Marian apparitions?
• (15:58) Father explains the story of Fatima, and the secrets of Fatima

(27:00) Break 1

• Nick - I have a devotion. Introduced to Our Lady in 1986. Started praying the Rosary. I loved her message. She asks us to pray and offer up sufferings and conversions - unite with our Lord.
• What is the time frame of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima?
• (41:55) Maritsa -  I was in Fatima about a month ago. It was an extraordinary blessing and amazing place to be. Humble town. I can imagine when the Virgin appeared, it had to be more humble.
• Fatima is everywhere?

Resources:

• Inside the Light: Understanding the Message of Fatima
  • https://www.amazon.com/Inside-Light-Understanding-Message-Fatima/dp/1505116074
• Fatima for Today The Urgent Marian Message of Hope
  • https://ignatius.com/fatima-for-today-fatop/

Father Marcel Taillon joins Patrick to discuss Obedience

• (1:50) more about the new pope.
• (3:58) what is obedience?
• Who can help us with obedience?

(27:00) Break 1

• Is it ever okay to disobey earthly authorities?
• (40:22) how do we foster obedience in our lives?
• How can we help family members grow in obedience?

Father Eric Nielsen joins Patrick to discuss Motherhood

• (2:47) Father shares his thoughts on the new Pope Leo
• The importance of Mary our mother
• (17:58) Anne - She wasn't a saint, but she gave her 4 children the gift of knowing God. She made sure we went to Catholic school. Up until she died, she prayed the rosary and talked to us about Jesus and passing that along to our kids. I know many who didn't have that kind of mom. Feel so blessed.

(20:40) Break 1

• How can mothers bring the faith to their children.
• JoAnn - I'm one of 9. Mom is deceased. Greatest gift is our faith. She was raised Catholic. Her mom started the Rosary society in Brooklyn, NY. Great role model.
• What if mom
• (30:47) Mario - My mom passed away 4 years ago. I was in charge of her Rosary. Wrote a eulogy about her.
• (35:41) Teresa I struggled because I didn’t remember my mom but now I am thankful for it.

(41:26) Break 2

• (45:07) Vince - My mom (immigrant Italian) married at the shrine of Pompeii. I remember her being very devoted. Watched the angelus every Sunday. She went through so much growing up in WWII Italy.
• Sharon - My mom was a convert and raised us all Catholic. What do you do when the father isn't Catholic and teaches them not to follow what the mother says?

The Inner Life was pleasantly interrupted by the announcement that we have a new pope!

(5:53) Check out this Live and in the moment commentary on the election of the new pope! Pope Leo XIV

Check out this encore show from April 30, 2025

Father John Paul Erickson joins Patrick to discuss Confirmation

• What is a Sacrament?
• (5:12) What is Confirmation?
• What are some misconceptions about confirmation?
• (13:19) Laura - I'm 57 and converted when I was 19. My mom was Catholic and dad was Lutheran. We didn't have formal RCIA at that time. Feel like I missed something in the process. I did get a certificate of confirmation from the church. My kids are in Catholic school and I've learned so much from them.

(20:00) Break 1

• Sandra - Born in Mexico. Confirmation and baptism was done at the same time. I just want to make sure that is valid when you don't have full knowledge of your confirmation.
• (24:20) David - I taught CCD for a number of years. Some weren't interested in becoming confirmed, How is grace confirmed at confirmation when they are accepting it but not really wanted?
• Katie - I made my first communion in April of the 1960s...three weeks later I made confirmation because the bishop only came every 4 years.
• (30:46) How is Confirmation a missionary Sacrament?
• John - I was confirmed in 72. I remember we being nervous. Reaffirming that you had attitudes of people being bored, but others being nervous and perhaps more serious about it.
• John - I have fond memories about it. I was an altar boy and when I was confirmed I was able to be a lector. Very rewarding. It forced me to learn and study the readings.

(40:15) Break 2

• Why does the Bishop need to be the one to Confirm people?
• (44:05) John - Question:  I recently got confirmed but my wife and I were supposed to get convalidated. I was wondering about the process and whether that is true or not.
• Who can be confirmed?
• Niki - Confirmed in 2014. Felt so much joy and cried happy tears. Daughter was my sponsor. I became catholic when Pope Francis stepped out on the balcony. Felt the holy spirit tell me I had to become Catholic.

Father Peter Armenio joins Patrick to discuss Forgiveness

• (4:01) What is forgiveness?
• (15:08) Patsy - Married 47 years. Difficult marriage. I find myself touched by the holy spirit. Devoted myself to believing. However, my husband has continued on his path the way he has lived his life. Difficult time talking to him. I don't know if that's the same as not forgiving him. I feel no sense in trying to communicate.

(21:32) Break 2

• Fred - How far does forgiveness go when you think you have someone and make contact, and no response? I thought I did my duty before God in asking for forgiveness. Did I do enough.
• (26:15) Crystal - I've been struggling with this topic. My family escaped communism. It's created a broken situation with my family. Sibling and father don't talk. Done a lot mentally, spiritually, physically, but they're not open to relationships unless it's conditional. I still struggle with getting to answer to this. I think forgiveness is a process and some days I'm unhappy with the situation.
• 11:36 Rob - Struggling with a brother in law. I've forgiven him, but I don't want to talk to him. It always ends up the same way. What should I do?
• Ann - My late husband died several years ago. Was a permanent deacon. He was obliged to say the divine office. I prayed part of it with him. If couples pray together everyday, they'll get rid of a lot of these issues. I wonder how many people who have trouble forgiving would be better off by praying together. I think it applies to those having difficulties.

(37:26) Break 2

• How do we know if we haven’t forgiven someone?
• (44:02) Patrick shares an email about how to forgive someone with narcissistic tendencies?
• (46:28) Yvonne - Someone very close to me did some things he shouldn't have. I think that I've forgiven him, but the hurt keeps coming up. I keep questioning as to whether I really forgave him.

Father Tom Wilson joins Patrick to discuss Spiritual Hunger and the Eucharist

• What is Spiritual hunger?
• (7:18) What should we be looking for when it comes to spiritual hunger?
• Why is it a blessing to be hungry?

(20:07) Break 1

• (22:02) What happens when people say they are not being fed?
• (27:49) Sebastian - in my experience, I have relied on my relationship with Jesus with my attempt of fidelity to Him with constantly a sense of anxiety. I have a family member who grew up Catholic and eventually became protestant. He gives the impression that he's living the sense of bliss and roll with the punches by the use of psychedelics. I don't feel the need to use them.
• Annette - Not Catholic, but watch mass etc. Spiritual hunger for me is when I'm not in my daily reading devotions. That's when I huger for God most because I'm out of place.

(39:28) Break 2

• (41:00) Colleen - Eucharist and presence of Christ. Years ago, my husband and I (dating) I remember receiving Christ and then going to my husband's church (Lutheran) and he wasn't there. It's in your soul...you know when he's there, in the Eucharist.
• Is it ever appropriate to abstain from communion to build up our spiritual hunger?
• Patrick shares an email about receive
• Mayra - I was raised without any faith. Found myself in a Baptist church at age 10. As the pastor held up the bread, he said we're only doing this to remember Jesus. He said the words, this is my body given up for you. I had a long faith journey and I feel learning about the Eucharist was the easiest part because I already believed that was the body and blood of Christ.