Could we just skip Thanksgiving dinner when we don't want to talk to our relatives about politics? Do we really need to have that hard conversation with our boss or a coworker? How do we talk to grandpa when the time comes to take away his car keys? These are some of the examples mentioned in this special episode of Deacons Pod in which the Paulist…

In this episode of Deacons Pod, the Paulist Deacon Affiliates speak with Fr. Robin Ryan, CP, author of the new Paulist Press book "Life is Changed, Not Ended: An Introduction to Christian Eschatology." Christian eschatology is the study of the "last things" including death, immortality of the soul, resurrection, and the end of time. Fr. Ryan's book…

Three of the Paulist Deacon Affiliates (Deacon Drew, Deacon Dennis, and Deacon Mark) discuss the Gospel readings for the Sundays of Lent 2025 in this episode of Deacons Pod. ABOUT THE SHOW: Deacons Pod is a podcast for everyone. But, it’s especially created to inspire and give hope to people on the “threshold of faith”: Those who are thinking about…

Paulist Fr. Bruce Nieli is the guest on this episode of Deacons Pod about how threshold Catholics are dealing with issues ignited by the new presidential administration in Washington, D.C. Fr. Bruce discusses the status of refugees and migrants in the United States; the abrupt federal funding cuts for Catholic Relief Services; and how believers in …

Paulist Press' new graphic biography "Dorothy Day: Radical Devotion" is the subject of this special episode of Deacons Pod. This colorful, visual narrative tells the story of Servant of God Dorothy Day (1897 - 1980), founder of the Catholic Worker movement. The Paulist Deacon Affiliates are joined by author Jeffry Odell Korgen and illustrator Chris…

Centering prayer is the topic of this special episode of Deacons Pod. The Paulist Deacon Affiliates' guest is Colleen Thomas, a spiritual director trained in the monastic arts of discernment, spiritual companionship, and retreat leadership, and a long-time practitioner of centering prayer. Colleen is Associate Program Director at Stillpoint: A Cent…

In this special "Year In Review" episode of Deacons Pod, the Paulist Deacon Affiliates take a look back at how 2024 went for them personally, for their parish ministries, and for our podcast. The deacons chat about which of our episodes and guests over the past year resonated with them the most. They also consider the common themes that emerged fro…

Paulist Fr. Mark-David Janus joins the Paulist Deacon Affiliates for this special episode of Deacons Pod. They speak about Fr. Mark-David's wonderful new Paulist Press book "Comfort and Joy: Christmas for the Soul." The book provides a reflection for each day of the season of Advent and the 12 days of Christmas. Ordained a priest in 1979, Fr. Mark-…

Maggi Van Dorn is our guest on this special episode of Deacons Pod. She is the host of the wonderful podcast “Hark! The Stories Behind Our Favorite Christmas Carols” from America Media. The Paulist Deacon Affiliates ask Maggi about the deep dive she takes into the history, music, and lyrics of one specific Christmas carol or hymn on each installmen…

What is the Church for? Does the Church have a mission? Or, does the mission have a Church? What is your understanding of God? Fr. Stephen Bevans, SVD, raises these questions in this week's edition of Deacons Pod. Fr. Bevens is author of the new book "Community of Missionary Disciples: The Continuing Creation of the Church" from Orbis Books. A prof…

"Fighting Spirit: A Combat Chaplain's Journey," a powerful new documentary film co-produced by Paulist Productions, will be in select theaters around the United States on November 8, 2024. In this episode of Deacons Pod, the deacons speak about the film with Paulist Fr. Tom Gibbons, vice president of Paulist Productions and an executive producer of…

Do today's Catholic leaders have the knowledge and understanding to help people become disciples of Jesus Christ? Do parish leaders have the empathy and relationship-building skills to create a culture of welcome? Those are two of the questions raised in this episode of Deacons Pod featuring an interview with Dan Pierson of Grand Rapids, MI. After …

The Paulist Deacon Affiliates speak with Dr. Steven Millies, author of the new Paulist Press book "A Consistent Ethic of Life: Navigating Catholic Engagement with U.S. Politics." Dr. Millies directs The Bernardin Center at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. On September 26, 2024, Dr. Millies gave a presentation on the Consistent Ethic of Li…

Is the emotion of fear abused in politics, advertising, and other parts of life? What is the difference between natural fears and unnatural fears? Can fear be narcissistic? Can fear be transformational? Is hope the antidote to fear? These are some of the questions posed by the Paulist Deacon Affiliates to Fr. Dan Horan, OFM, in this fascinating ins…

In this rebroadcast of a 2022 episode of Deacons Pod, the deacons speak with Kevin Tuerff, the real-life “Kevin T.” portrayed in the Broadway musical “Come From Away” about the thousands of airplane passengers stranded in Gander, Newfoundland, on September 11, 2001. Kevin also is author of the book "Channel of Peace: Stranded in Gander on 9/11" and…

It is often in unlikely individuals and places that we discover God's transforming love. That is a premise of "Why God?: Stories to Inspire Faith," the new Paulist Press book from Fr. Richard Leonard, a Jesuit priest, author, and film critic from Australia. Deacon Patrick Murphy-Racey speaks with Fr. Richard in this great new episode of Deacons Pod…

When a Catholic leaves their parish, should we call them and ask "why"? Should departing parishioners be asked to complete marketing-style exit surveys? Is the abuse crisis a factor for those leaving the Church? These are just some questions posed to Diane Blair in this episode of Deacons Pod. Diane recently served as Director of Pastoral Life at H…

In this special installment of Deacons Pod, five of the Paulist Deacon Affiliates share stories of sacred moments they experienced while traveling. The episode was inspired by this question: "What is the difference between pilgrimage and vacation?" ABOUT THE SHOW: Deacons Pod is a podcast for everyone. But, it’s especially created to inspire and gi…

Addressing racism in our nation and in our Church is the topic of this installment of Deacons Pod. The deacons speak with Matt Kappadakunnel, author of the Paulist Press book "The Catholic Church and the Struggle for Racial Justice." Matt is a Catholic of South Indian descent and a member of the Syro-Malabar Church. ABOUT THE SHOW: Deacons Pod is a…

Do our thoughts matter? Can we redirect "afflicted" thoughts like anger and dejection? What do the Desert Fathers and Desert Mothers have to teach us about managing our thoughts? Those are some of the questions addressed in this episode of Deacons Pod featuring Sr. Mary Margaret Funk, OSB, a Benedictine nun of Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech G…

Meditation and contemplative prayer may help people take a break from the drama in their lives, and be a balm to polarization in our society. Those are just two of several takeaways from this special episode of Deacons Pod featuring Fr. Laurence Freeman, OSB, a Benedictine monk and director of the World Community for Christian Meditation. Their con…

Heidi Busse, editor of the devotional periodical Give Us This Day, has a lively conversation with the Paulist Deacon Affiliates about Benedictine values, addressing polarization, and ministry with Catholics on the threshold. Published by Liturgical Press, Give Us This Day is a monthly booklet in a day-by-day format. It provides readers with the dai…

Helen Osman, a longtime leader in faith-based communications, joins us for a conversation about providing hope for the Catholics at the threshold of the Church door; trends in Church media; and more. Helen is president of SIGNIS, the international association for Catholic communicators. A resident of Austin, TX, she also serves as a consultant to t…

In this special episode, we compile responses from our several of our pod guests to our regular question: "What words of hope would you give to Catholics at the threshold of the Church door, both those who are thinking about returning to Church and those who are thinking about leaving?" ABOUT THE SHOW: Deacons Pod is a podcast for everyone. But, it…

In this episode, the deacons have a wonderful conversation with Paulist Deacon Chris Lawton and Paulist Deacon Dan Macalinao. They are both Paulist seminarians and transitional deacons who are slated to be ordained priests on May 18, 2024. Deacon Chris and Deacon Dan both met the Paulist Fathers when they were parishioners at the Church of St. Paul…

The deacons speak with Heidi Schlumpf, senior correspondent at National Catholic Reporter, about trends in the Church, Catholic publishing, and more. This is a rebroadcast of an episode from October, 2022. ABOUT THE SHOW: Deacons Pod is a podcast for everyone. But, it’s especially created to inspire and give hope to people on the “threshold of fait…

The deacons have a great conversation with Jesuit Fr. James Martin, editor-at-large of America magazine, about his new book "Come Forth: The Promise of Jesus's Greatest Miracle." In the book, Fr. Jim takes a deep dive into the Gospel account of Jesus' raising of Lazarus from the dead. The deacons also speak with Fr. Jim about his service as a votin…

John 5:17-30

John 5:1-16

John 4:43-54

John 3:14-21

The deacons have a great conversation with Paulist Fr. Rich Andre, director of the Paulist Center in Boston, about his faith journey, his call to the priesthood, preaching styles, music, the intersection of faith and science, and ministry in Boston. During their conversation, Fr. Rich shares details about the lectionary guide he helped to create wh…

Luke 18:9-14

Mark 12:28-34

Luke 11:14-23

Matthew 5:17-19

Mt 18:21-35

Lk 4:24-30

John 2:13-25

Lk 15:1-3, 11-32

Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46

Lk 16:19-31

Mt 20:17-28

Deacon Dennis and Deacon Tom share thoughts and tips for navigating the sacred season of Lent. ABOUT THE SHOW: Deacons Pod is a podcast for everyone. But, it’s especially created to inspire and give hope to people on the “threshold of faith”: Those who are thinking about going to Church and those who are thinking about leaving Church. Deacons Pod i…

Matthew 23:1-12

Luke 6:36-38

Mark 9:2-10

Matthew 5:43-48

Matthew 5:20-23

Luke 11:29-32