Practicing Catholic Show

His name may be a challenge for some to pronounce, but after 44 years as a priest of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Fr. Michael Skluzáček is a household name and chances are pretty good that many of us have benefitted in some way from his priesthood.

That’s because – in addition to his serving at many parishes over the decades - his most recent role has found him directing pastoral formation at The Saint Paul Seminary – helping prepare our priests for ministry, including the 13 men who’ll be ordained to the priesthood May 25th. He joins host Patrick Conley to reflect on his decades of service to the archdiocese.

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With Fr. Michael Skluzáček retiring from his role as Director of Pastoral Formation at the Saint Paul Seminary, we took the chance to get to know his replacement. Host Patrick Conley sat down with Fr. Brian Gross, a priest of the Diocese of Bismarck – who will be replacing Fr. Skluzáček at SPS.   Plus, make sure to listen to Patrick's conversation with Fr. Skluzáček for a reflection on his 44 years as a priest, joys and challenges in his role at SPS, and what retirement will look like for him.

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In just over a month, the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis will have 13 new priests. God is so generous!

We continue our series “Countdown to Ordination” with Deacons Brent Bowman and Sean Mulcare.

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“Giving is faith in action.” That’s what Archbishop Hebda told us in his invitation to join the Catholic Services Appeal, which supports 19 ministries in the Archdiocese. Joining producer Kayla Mayer to share how the effort is going and what ministries will feel the impact, are Jean Houghton, Director of Mission Advancement, and Marci Franzen, the Associate Director of Mission Advancement. 

There is a homegrown ministry here in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis that you could say, is “sprouting and growing.”  

Nancy Bandzuch, creator of the daily podcast “Catholic Sprouts”, returns to Practicing Catholic to talk about her new partnership with the Augustine Institute and FORMED.

If there’s a series to listen to and share simply because of the hope and excitement it’s generating, it’s this one - “Countdown to Ordination". Each week, we’re meeting two of the thirteen men who will be ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis on Saturday, May 25th. Deacons Michael Panka and Nick Vance joined producer Kayla Mayer to talk about their vocational journeys and what they're looking forward to as a Catholic priest.

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Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Williams stops by to talk about Easter and why it’s important for us to be “Easter people.”

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Bishop Andrew Cozzens, our former auxiliary bishop and now-Bishop of Crookston, has an update on the Eucharistic Revival in the United States and the upcoming Eucharistic Pilgrimage that makes its way through Minnesota next month.

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This week we begin our pre-priestly ordination interviews with Deacon Ryan Sustacek – who'll be ordained May 25 – with twelve other men. Joining him will be Father Joseph Taphorn, rector of the the Saint Paul Seminary, to talk about this large class of men and their journey to the priesthood.

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If you’re an Easter Vigil attendee, you're be blessed to witness our newest sisters and brothers come in faith into full communion with the Catholic Church. Director of Discipleship at Nativity of Our Lord in Saint Paul, Mahalia Marcelin, joins host Patrick Conley to chat about how we can best welcome these women and men into the life of the Church.

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Many of us probably remember our Confirmation, whether it was as a teenager or as an adult. We’re entering the Confirmation season in the Archdiocese, when our bishops will be busy Confirming thousands of our young people. Joining host Patrick Conley to dig deeper into what this sacrament is and how we can unlock the Holy Spirit's presence in us is Archbishop Hebda, back for his monthly segment.

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In Minnesota and western Wisconsin, it seems we’re never far from family farms, which helps us to have an appreciation for those who grow and harvest our food. 2024 is a big year for our sisters and brothers in faith and agriculture, as the Church celebrates 100 years of Catholic Rural Life – which is based in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

Monsignor James Shea, president of the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, will be part of that celebration in May. He joined producer Kayla Mayer to reflect on how his rural upbringing influenced his faith and what all Catholics can relate to and take away from rural life.

Are you part of a small group? Some listeners probably have been for many years, while others likely just joined this Lent, as part of Archbishop’s Pastoral Letter vision to eventually have all Catholics in the Archdiocese part of a small group.

Joining host Patrick Conley to chat about why they’re so important to connecting folks to their faith and parish and form evangelists, is Andrea Krautkramer, small group coordinator at St. Hubert in Chanhassen.

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Right now in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, about a hundred of our sisters and brothers are immersed in the School of Charism Discovery – led by Father Michael Becker. But, charisms are as old as the Church, and the Twin Cities have been home to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Office for many years.

Joining host Patrick Conley to talk charisms and CCRO's upcoming conference are Peter Yurek – board member of CCRO and a parishioner at Saint Peter in North Saint Paul – and Father Boniface Hicks, Benedictine monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey, Catholic priest and Director of Spiritual Formation at Saint Vincent Seminary in Pennsylvania – among other things – and speaker at the CCRO spring conference.

The Archdiocesan Men’s Conference returns again this year, as it’s led by the Catholic Watchmen: a local apostolate of men offering prayer for the Church, led by the bishops of our Archdiocese and other lay leaders. One of those leaders is with us today, Deacon Gordon Bird – the Catholic Watchmen point man for the Archdiocese. Along with one of the keynote speakers for the Conference, Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers – also known as the Dynamic Deacon, a renowned speaker and author.  

They join producer Kayla Mayer to talk about this year's men's conference and why it's important for Catholic men to come together to be re-inspired.

We’re already to the tail end of Lent, and it’s time to dig a little deeper – to re-commit to our Lenten promises, to reflect more deeply on how God is moving in our hearts, and to embrace this time of penance before the joy of Easter. Bishop Michael Izen joins producer Kayla Mayer to talk about availing ourselves to the beauty of the Sacrament of Reconciliation in these days leading up to Holy Week.  

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With all the recent, unseasonably warm weather, kids have been out and about, having a ball—a baseball, a basketball, a football, a soccer ball. Kids and youth still love sports! If only there was some way of bringing sports and faith together...

Regular listeners are familiar with this summer’s Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, which will mark the high point of the Eucharistic Revival in the United States. Even if you can’t make it to Indy, you’re invited to participate in the Eucharistic Pilgrimage right here in our Archdiocese. Practicing Catholic producer Kayla Mayer checks in with Father Tim Tran and Amy Tadlock – who's organizing Jesus’s trip through our area this May.

Many of us have encountered religious sisters in some way throughout our lifetimes. Some as teachers in our Catholic schools, catechists in parish faith formation programs, or mission trips and other ministries.

Say a special prayer for our sisters in faith, as we honor them during Catholic Sisters Week, March 8-14. Joining Practicing Catholic contributor Tom Halden is Sr. Mary Micaela Hoffmann, a member of the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Michigan, who teaches theology courses at the University of Saint Thomas in Saint Paul.

The themes of Catholic social teaching are principles we should certainly strive for in our care for others. In this Practicing Catholic Classic, we revisit a conversation between host Patrick Conley and Fr. Daniel Griffith about teaching on “rights and responsibilities” - that is, the right to basic human needs and the responsibilities to care for those who are lacking these things. In a culture of abundance, how do we connect with those not in our immediate sphere who go without even the basics? What is this social teaching truly calling us to?

As Christians, we love Jesus. As Catholics, we unite ourselves with him – body, blood, soul, and divinity – each time we receive the Eucharist. What a great gift!

Joining producer Kayla Mayer to go deeper into the gift that is Jesus in the Eucharist and how we can learn more, is Deacon Charles Bobertz, professor of Theology at Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota and a deacon at Pax Christi in Eden Prairie.

Minnesotans are proudly aware of our home state being the “State of Hockey.” Stories abound. Legends are made. One such legend joins us today to tell his story, including how his Catholic faith has influenced his hockey career. Host Patrick Conley sits down with Bill Lechner, head coach for the powerhouse boy’s hockey team at Hill-Murray School.

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Some big news recently, as Archbishop Hebda announced that three priests from the Archdiocese are headed north for three-year assignments to assist the Diocese of Crookston. The priests are all part of a group called the “Companions of Christ”.

Joining host Patrick Conley to explain what’s happening and why – Father David Blume, director of the Archdiocesan Office of Vocations and one of the priests being assigned to Crookston, and Father Peter Williams, pastor of Saint Ambrose in Woodbury and moderator for the Companions of Christ.

Do you struggle to stick to your Lenten commitments? You’re not alone! Lent is a challenging season. We’re giving up small pleasures or adding in virtuous habits, working toward becoming holier selves. Joining producer Kayla Mayer to offer encouragement and advice to persevere despite the challenges we may face this Lent is Fr. Joseph Johnson, pastor of Holy Family in St. Louis Park and a spiritual director on The Inner Life.

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As you know, here on Practicing Catholic, we focus on what the Lord is doing here—in our local Church, the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. But we can never forget that we are part of the Church Catholic—which is universal and global! Joining host Patrick Conley to share about a special relationship God is continuing to develop between our Archdiocese and Tanzania, Africa are Dr. Mark and Molly Druffner, founders of Partners 4 Hope Tanzania.

Pope Francis has asked that we be a “listening Church,” listening to the Holy Spirit and each other. As the delegates to the Synod on Synodality prepare to return to Rome in the fall for the second part of the Vatican Synod, there are two opportunities for us to get involved and do some listening right here in the Archdiocese.

Archbishop Hebda joins host Patrick Conley to discuss how YOU can let the Vatican know what feedback you have.

Is there a young man in your life who you think, “He’d make a great priest”? If the answer is “yes,” you'll want to hear about the culture, fraternity, and whole-person formation at Saint John Vianney College Seminary. Host Patrick Conley chats with Saint John Vianney's rector, Father Jonathan Kelly, and one of the men discerning a call to the priesthood, Nick Deutsch.

We’re blessed in this Archdiocese to be home to the Center for Social Thought. The group's 2024 spring speaker series, called "Rebuilding Catholic Community", is covering a variety of ways in which we as Catholics experience the call to community.

It was one of the most hopeful and real stories of the pandemic – the courageous priests who spent their time visiting the sick and dying in their homes and at hospitals. While for some of us it may feel like life is back to normal, the pandemic revealed the importance of access to spiritual care for the sick and dying.

Host Patrick Conley sits down with Father John Paul Erickson, pastor at the Church of the Transfiguration in Oakdale, and Sydney March, an ER nurse at Abbott Northwestern and prenatal nurse at Options for Women East, to talk about how the important work of the Anointing Corps continues.

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With the number of young people leaving the Church, there's no question that we need to rebuild the Catholic community. Bishop Williams sat down with producer Kayla Mayer to talk about how we find and create Catholic community and why it's important to do so.

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With Lent starting February 14, there’s no better time than now to explore “turning our hearts, minds and souls toward God.” What a great opportunity to, once again, lean-in on God and ask him to help us do just that!

Joining producer Kayla Mayer to talk about how we can grow in holiness this Lent is Dr. Kate Walsh-Soucheray, a Catholic licensed marriage and family therapist and regular columnist in The Catholic Spirit.

Have you ever read one of those signs like, “We serve only the finest wines in our home. What did you bring?” Well, did you know that you can answer that question by saying “An award-winning wine from a Catholic family in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis”? It may not flow off the tongue like California or Spain, but it’s true. 

Lent is fast approaching, and for the Maronite Church, Lent starts a couple days sooner than the Roman Church. Here to share more about what Lent looks like in the Maronite Church is our good friend Chorbishop sharbel Maroun. He joins producer Kayla Mayer to talk about special traditions and why you should consider joining for a Divine Liturgy.

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Catholic Schools Week helps us appreciate all the wonderful gifts of our Catholic schools, but teachers in Catholic schools are right up there at the top of the list. Joining host Patrick Conley to share about her experience as a Catholic school teacher is Pam McSweeney, a fifth-grade teacher at Saint John the Baptist Catholic School in Savage.

As Practicing Catholics, we are blessed with opportunities to look at our faith anew each day. Host Patrick Conley sits down with local Catholic photographer and videographer, Neal Abbott, who will help us see the good, the true and the beautiful all around us.  

Last week was Catholic Schools Week, the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. Chances are pretty good you’ve got a Catholic schools connection – whether it’s you, your kids, or your grandkids. Catholic schools are an important ministry of many parishes and groups in our community. Back for his monthly segment, Archbishop Hebda chats with producer Kayla Mayer about just how important this ministry is. 

Efforts to engage college students in the faith are an important ministry in our Church. Host Patrick Conley is joined by Derek Waldbillig, Donor Engagement Officer and former missionary for Saint Paul's Outreach, to talk about SPO's mission to do just that and how you can support them.  

Here on Practicing Catholic, we always appreciate it when the Church celebrates a “world day” of something. It just makes us feel so connected to our one billion Catholic sisters and brothers, right? Well, in just a few days, we’ll be uniting in celebrating the 2024 World Day for Consecrated Life.  

Here with host Patrick Conley to share more on the big day and how we can participate is Nicole Bettini, Delegate for Consecrated Life at the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

A south metro parish recently published a book – filled with dozens of stories by parishioners – ranging from awe-inspiring to deeply personal – but all having to do with faith. The book is titled Cairn - God Moment Stories. A cairn is a small pile of stones you may have seen while out hiking. 

Host Patrick Conley was joined by three parishioners at the Church of St. Rita – Stephanie, Ariana, and Santiago Villanueva-Montoya – to talk about the process of putting together the book and the meaning behind the title.

Our special edition of Practicing Catholic is focused on the book Cairn - God Moment Stories - from the parishioners of the Church of St. Rita in Cottage Grove.  

Chris Reckinger and Becky Fox, parishioners at St. Rita and editors of the book, joined host Patrick Conley and producer Kayla Mayer to share their stories from the book in their own words.

On this special edition of Practicing Catholic, we're featuring the people and the stories behind the new book - Cairn - God Moment Stories - from the folks at the Church of Saint Rita in Cottage Grove.  

Joining producer Kayla Mayer to share their stories are Alice and Rory Gilbert. And, no story about the power of parish collaboration would be complete without hearing from the pastor. Fr. Mark Joppa chats with Kayla about the dream behind the book and the power of community.

Food. It’s one of our most basic needs. And there’s a Twin Cities group that's creatively working to get really good food to those who really need it. Will Pittner, founder and CEO of Food to People, joins Patrick Conley to talk about his work and how it's serving our local community.

With the US Supreme Court’s 2022 decision sending abortion laws back to the states, many of us had hoped our lawmakers would protect moms and babies, but they did the opposite last year, passing some of the most extreme abortion laws in the country.

Despite the setback, those of us who care about life in all its forms are still focused on caring for our most vulnerable sisters and brothers. As we get ready for the annual March for Life to the State Capitol, we’re checking in with Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life.

Where does a year go? Just about a year ago, Pope Francis announced that then-Father Michael Izen would be ordained a bishop. Auxiliary Bishop Izen joins us to talk about what the past year has been like and how he's adjusted to life as a bishop. Like what you're hearing? Leave us a review, subscribe, and follow us on social media @practicingcatholicshow!

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Have you ever met someone who has composed a symphony? They might just be closer than you think! Local organist, composer, and Director of Sacred Music & Liturgical Life for the Church of the Holy Cross in NE Minneapolis, Samuel Backman joins host Patrick Conley to share his latest opus and the inspiration behind it.

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Where can young adults have an extraordinary summer mission experience, further discern their vocations, and actually get paid? Totus Tuus! Joining host Patrick Conley to share more about this missionary initiative are Nancy Palachek, Family and Laity Outreach Coordinator for the Archdiocesan Office of Marriage, Family and Life and Maura Dobie, an experienced Totus Tuus missionary.

Do you think Church is losing its appeal to men? Look around at any given Sunday Mass, and you may see a decent mixture of women and men. But many parishes struggle to get men involved beyond that once-a-week commitment. In this Practicing Catholic Classic, Fr. Tom Wilson, Pastor of All Saints in Lakeville, discusses what masculinity in the Church looks like and why it’s important.

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As we wrap up 2023, we finish the year with a special feast day, the Feast of the Holy Family. Joining producer Kayla Mayer to help us reflect on how the Holy Family can be models for our earthly families, is Archbishop Hebda.

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Are you in a small group? Archbishop Hebda wants each of us to answer “yes” to that question by Ash Wednesday. Deacon Joe Michalak and Gizzy Miko from the Archdiocese’s Office of Synod Evangelization join host Patrick Conley to explain why it’s Archbishop’s dream for the Archdiocese and how you can connect with one this winter.

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