Deacons Pod

The Paulist Deacon Affiliates consider questions of faith and life.

Religion & Spirituality
Christianity
Spirituality
1
Hark!: The Stories Behind Our Favorite Christma...
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 installment of "Hark!" released during Advent.
43 min
2
What Is the Church For? - Fr. Stephen Bevans, SVD
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.
58 min
3
Fighting Spirit: A Combat Chaplain's Journey - ...
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 "Fighting Spirit." The film shares the stories of multiple U.S. military chaplains who died while serving.
53 min
4
Challenging People to Be Disciples: Dan Pierson
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.
43 min
5
A Consistent Ethic of Life: Navigating Catholic...
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.
63 min
6
Fear and Faith: Hope and Wholeness in a Fractur...
The Deacons welcome Fr. Daniel P. Horan, OFM, author of the new Paulist Press book "Fear and Faith: Hope and Wholeness in a Fractured World."
60 min
7
Come From Away: Kevin Tuerff (Rebroadcast)
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.
58 min
8
Why God?: Stories to Inspire Faith: Fr. Richard...
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.
54 min
9
Creating a Culture of Relationships and Welcome...
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.
46 min
10
God on the Road: Stories of Sacred Travel
In this special installment of Deacons Pod, five of the Paulist Deacon Affiliates share stories of sacred moments they experienced while traveling.
52 min
11
Racism: A Sin That Divides - Matt Kappadakunnel
The deacons speak with Matt Kappadakunnel, author of the Paulist Press book "The Catholic Church and the Struggle for Racial Justice."
50 min
12
Managing Our Afflicted Thoughts - Sr. Mary Marg...
This episode of Deacons Pod features Sr. Mary Margaret Funk, OSB, a Benedictine nun of Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove, IN. Sr. Meg is author of "The Matters Series" and other books from Liturgical Press. She also is a leader in interreligious dialogue.
51 min
13
Letting Go of the Drama - Fr. Laurence Freeman,...
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.
61 min
14
An Extroverted Editor: Heidi Busse of Give Us T...
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.
59 min
15
Right There With You: Helen Osman
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.
49 min
16
Words of Hope for Catholics at the Threshold
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?"
51 min
17
Ministry of Service: Deacon Chris Lawton, C.S.P...
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.
46 min
18
Heidi Schlumpf of National Catholic Reporter (R...
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.
47 min
19
Come Forth: Fr. James Martin, SJ
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.
49 min
20
Lightning Bolt Call: Fr. Rich Andre, C.S.P.
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.
63 min
21
Packing Your Lenten Toolbox: Deacon Dennis and ...
Deacon Dennis and Deacon Tom share thoughts and tips for navigating the sacred season of Lent.
56 min
22
Nun on the Bus: Sr. Simone Campbell, SSS
The deacons speak with Sr. Simone Campbell, SSS, who served from 2004 to 2021 as executive director of the NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice and helped to organize the "Nuns on the Bus" lobbying tours around the country.
64 min
23
Helping Seekers See God - with Diana Macalintal...
The deacons speak with Diana Macalintal, co-founder and co-director of TeamRCIA, a resource for parishes and ministers working with adults who are becoming Catholic. She also is an author and speaker on topics related to liturgy, music, prayer, and intercultural ministry.
69 min
24
Hidden Gems of the Synod: Fr. Thomas Reese, S.J.
The deacons are joined by Jesuit Fr. Thomas Reese to discuss his essay "15 Hidden Gems in the Synod on Synodality Report" that appeared November 9, 2023, in the National Catholic Reporter.
60 min
25
Media Mindfulness and the Whole Person: Sr. Ros...
Media literacy education, digital literacy skills, artificial intelligence, and the power of movies are topics in this first Deacons Pod episode of 2024. The deacons' wonderful guest is Sr. Rose Pacatte, a Daughter of St. Paul, the founding director of the Pauline Center for Media Studies, and a film critic.
57 min