Patrick opens up the hour exploring forgiveness and the longing for redemption, responding to listeners wrestling with decades away from the sacraments and the heaviest sins. The conversation shifts between the specifics of confession, concrete church teachings on annulments and in vitro fertilization, and the subtleties distinguishing Catholic priestly societies, all while fielding heartfelt questions about facing moral conflict in ordinary life—like how to attend an IVF baby shower as a Catholic. The current of hope, reassurance, and practical spiritual advice surges beneath every honest exchange.

 

• Patrick continues his conversation with James who, just before the break asked, “Is there any hope for me?” (01:04)
• Cheryl - When I returned to the Church, there was an amazing priest who helped me. (07:33)
• Michael (email) - You mentioned to James that Mary is the highest human creature. What about Jesus's human nature? Is His human nature a creation? Is it more accurate to call Mary the highest human “person”?  (12:10)
• Chris (email) - My first wife and I were married by a Unitarian minister.  We divorced after 8 years of marriage.  Neither of us were practicing Catholics.  I had no affiliation with the Catholic Church but was baptized in a Baptist church. I have since started OCIA classes to become Catholic.  The woman I’m dating is Catholic and is getting an annulment. Would I have to get an annulment as well?  (13:25)
• Ellen (email) - Why does it bother you when people ask to remain anonymous? (14:51)
• Judith (email) - Prior to a young man going through a bone marrow transplant that would leave him sterile, he stored some of his sperm for use with his future wife. After he recovered and married, he used his sperm with his wife’s eggs to create a beautiful embryo that became a wonderful faithful young man. This embryo was placed in the body of his biological mother.  Was this a sin? (19:17)
• Carolyn - Can a diocesan priests celebrate mass facing the people versus religious order priests facing ad orientem? What’s the difference between SSPX and FSSP orders? (28:03)
• Liana – A couple of close friends got pregnant using IVF. How should our relationship go forward? (40:33)
• John - If after communion is distributed there are several hosts leftover, can they be used at another Mass? (46:22)