Roar Like The Lamb
By Roar Like the Lamb
Roar Like The LambMay 14, 2024
Hitting Pause
This is our last episode for a little while, but we had a good time talking about a bunch of stuff.
Fr. Sam sincerely regrets not having the name Mark Schultz in his brain, but if you'd like to check out the interview with Mark that aired on The Tangent, you should give it a listen here. And check out his amazing song "Walking Her Home" here.
Sabbatical starts soon - Roar Like the Lamb will return in September!
The old folks are rambling
As we confront our mortality as very elderly millenials, our conversation meanders today. As a result, we cover some good ground, but it's hard to nail down a single theme. Anyway, it was good to record again, as our ability to actually get studio time has been limited.
I Can See Clearly Now
Did you know that "I Can See Clearly Now" talks about obstacles? Fr. Sam sure didn't. Listen in as we talk about clarity and the gift that brings to ministry, and the way God uses consolations and desolations to help us navigate the spiritual life.
The Frozen and Chosen
Sometimes Catholics or parishes are described as "frozen and chosen," and we have some thoughts on how this might apply in real life, how it might be just a stereotype, and why we need to do some work if we're going to do the hard work of evangelization and growing in holiness.
Show Notes:
Did you miss the last episode? The One That Got Away? We had the video, but the audio didn't seem to work super well. Here's the link to the YouTube https://youtu.be/dPze_ywQ0J0 - check it out!
No Idea What We're Doing
As we recognize more and more just how little we actually know, we're learning that the answers are usually found when we stop trying to figure it out all by ourselves. Take a step back, look up, and most of all, look to God.
Also... Epiphany is January 6 and should be celebrated as such. The name "Ordinary Time" should be abolished.
We are big fans of Ruuthai's Kitchen. If you're in the greater-Bridgeport area, please support them and enjoy!
All is Calm
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at Roar Like the Lamb! We're talking about Christmas prep and Christmas recovery. Asking God's blessings on you for 2024!
Shepherd us, O God!
As we're getting close to Christmas, the season can get overwhelming. Today we're talking about allowing Jesus to really shepherd us through the season so that we can pray and enter in to the most important aspects of Advent and Christmas.
SHOW NOTES
Fr. Dwight Longenecker's "The Secret of the Bethlehem Shepherds" is out now by Sophia Institute Press. Check it out!
Eternal Perspective in a Chaotic World
This is a delayed release episode...coming out today for no other reason than schedules got hectic and getting it ready for release kept getting put on the back burner. Sorry it's late!
Anyway, we're talking about keeping an eternal perspective in a chaotic world, keeping Jesus front and center, and not running away from our feelings and experiences.
The RLTL 2023 Halloween Spooktacular
So it's not spooky or anything crazy, but we get lots of questions about Halloween and this seemed as good a time as any to talk about it. Trick or treat and all that.
Oh, and Fr. Sam recently interviewed an exorcist, so you might be interested to check out the episode on The Tangent.
There's Something (Silent) About Mary
Starting with an excerpt from "In Conversation with God," Paola takes us into a conversation about Mary's silence and how silence in the spiritual life, and Mary's in particular, can help us in our daily walk with the Lord. You should get yourself a copy of these meditation books, they're really good. Link below.
SHOW NOTES
In Conversation with God - https://scepterpublishers.org/collections/in-conversation-with-god
Check out The Tangent episode w/Fr. Basil Nortz on holy silence: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-tkwaz-147f361
The Complicated World of Justice Preaching
It's not easy to preach about justice issues - you'll be accused of being too political, not political enough, focused on earthly things rather than spiritual, and on and on. Still, if we preach the Gospel in fullness, we're going to have to talk about a lot of things. We talk about that sometimes treacherous walk in this episode.
Almost forgot
We...well, Fr Sam at least...almost forgot about our scheduled recording time for this episode. But we had fun anyway. Enjoy our almost forgotten conversation!
Oh, and we referenced "Acts 23" and completely butchered the name. Sorry about that! In fact, it is called Acts XXIX (Acts 29). Please see the link below to learn more.
Show Notes
Ongoing Formation
We are never a finished product. Continuing to grow, to learn, and to be formed is a need for all of us, especially in the life of the Church.
The One, the Many, and the 7%
Today we're talking about reaching parishioners and the challenges attendant therein. It is very important to communicate well, and good tools like Flocknote are tremendous aids for parishes. At the same time, we need healthy staffing for our parishes (both clergy and lay staff), and a healthy engagement of lay people in the life and ministry of parishes. This was a fun conversation to have, and even though we haven't figured out all the answers, it's a blessing to be able to try to figure it out together!
SHOW NOTES
Catholic Young Adults in Fairfield County
Word on Fire podcast - Why Parishes Fail to Engage 93% of Parishioners
"Why They Follow" - by Matthew Warner
Roar Like the Lamb is produced by Chris McHugh - McQ Marketing Group
Hermits, Copyrights, and Adoration
We're ranging a bit in this episode as we talk about a whole slew of different things. All of it comes back, as usual, to our tremendous need to listen to the Lord. Check out the show notes for links to some of the things we reference!
Show Notes
"Poustinia" by Catherine Doherty
"Luv is a Verb" - DC Talk official music video
List of Catholic podcasts (since recording, we seem to have fallen a bit in the ratings, which is good for our humility)
Paola & Fr. Sam are working through the Catholic Psych certification; learn more here
Vulnerable
Paola shares some beautiful testimony in this one, gives some tremendous vulnerability and lays out where she's experiencing healing, grace, and growth. She's talking insecurities, wounds, new perspectives, what it is to feel re-created, and the ways she is finding deeper and more perfect integration. It wasn't what I (Fr Sam) was expecting, and I was so moved to hear her speak this way. See what happens when people stop being polite and start being real...oh wait, sorry, that's the intro to 90's reality show The Real World... Best thing about all this - Paola never leaves anything just for herself. This is a healing and growth that she is not just sharing verbally, but is also allowing to impact her ministry.
Representation matters?
First, we would like to apologize for the long delay since we last released an episode. There have been lots of schedule issues throughout the spring and into the summer, so we've been behind on our production plan!
In this episode, we talk about representation and how it works, or doesn't work, why it matters, or doesn't, and how we can navigate what can be a tricky area with charity.
As summer progresses, we'll try to be regular with episodes, but may continue to experience delays. We appreciate your patience, and that you stick with us!
Meet the Producer, Homily Recap, & the Gift of Human Life
We've been after him for a long time to make an appearance, and it finally happened! Our producer Chris McHugh is with us! We're talking about Fr. Sam's homily on Divine Mercy Sunday, physician assisted suicide, and the tremendous gift of human life.
If you'd like to hear Fr. Sam's homily, here it is - the Gospel starts around 17:20
Family life, tired parents, holy children, and everything in between, with Debbie Cowden
Imagine you, like Roar Like the Lamb, are a small Catholic podcast. One day, an email comes from EWTN, asking if one of their hosts (The Catholic Sphere) can join you for an episode to talk about a super important book (The Prayer Book for Tired Parents: Practical Ways to Grow in Love of God and Get Your Family to Heaven). We were blown away and super excited, then we met Debbie Cowden, and it got even better! Debbie and her husband Dave have produced a powerful book to help parents, let them know they are seen and supported, and offer practical tips for building up a strong foundation for family life. We're happy to call her a friend and fan of the show!
The Philosophical Understanding of Woman According to Edith Stein (St. Theresa Benedicta of the Cross)
We're bringing you a special talk given by Paola to the St. Pius X Walking With Purpose group. With Edith Stein (St. Theresa Benedicta of the Cross) as her guide, Paola opens up a philosophical and biblical understanding of woman, the feminine genius, and how all of us (male or female) are called into relation with God.
Bonus Episode: Mother Olga live at St. Pius X - Seek 2023
We were very privileged to have Mother Olga join us at St. Pius X on March 11, 2023 for our Seek 2023 conference. Mother is the foundress of the Daughters of Mary of Nazareth. She shared some beautiful stories with us about finding God even in suffering. While the audio isn't quite the quality we would like it to be, we hope you'll listen and enjoy her amazing words!
If you'd like to see more of Mother Olga, here's a quick video in which Mother shares some of her life from Iraq to the US and God's grace along the way.
You might also enjoy this longer interview she gave at the 2022 Given Forum.
3.16: Gruff, grumpy, drinking Bailey's, and cultivating Catholic culture
On a very special episode of Roar Like the Lamb, Paola is drinking Bailey's and you better believe it's hilarious. But the real point this week is to talk about the power of having our Catholic faith really imbue everything we do. Catholic culture is real and how beautiful when we allow our faith to have space in every facet of our lives.
What God Is Not Podcast with Mother Natalia
The Being Human Podcast with Dr. Greg Bottaro
3.15: The Ash Wednesday Ashtravaganza
Regretting that we have't recorded together in a few weeks, but excited about some recent interviews Fr. Sam had for The Tangent on Veritas Catholic Network, we start talking about those, before getting back to Ash Wednesday, Lent, and prayerful discernment. It's important to pay attention to the desires in our hearts, to speak those desires to the Lord, and to allow God to form, purify, and confirm the graces He offers.
Lenten video resource from Dr. Scott Hahn and the St. Paul Center
Women Made New has some great stuff for Lent from Crystalina Evert
Some of you sharp-eared listeners may notice a shift in our audio about 16 minutes in. That's because we had some technical issues and we're sorry, but assure you that they were not intentional. If you don't notice an audio change, then this was all a dream...
3.14: Crinkle...or Krinkle...Either way, we support friendship and evangelization
Starting with a new word Paola learned from a FOCUS missionary, we move into a conversation about 1 Thessalonians 2:8, comparing English translations of the Bible, parsing some of the words, and overall discussing the great gift of love and friendship in the context of ministry and mission. Check out C.S. Lewis’ The Four Loves. Crinkle. Or Krinkle. Whatever. Crush it.
3.13: Leading from the Front or Behind the Scenes or Both
Just talking about the joys and challenges of leading in ministry, knowing when to step forward, when to stay back in support, and when to know the difference.
3.12: Cookies and Popes - No Relation
Long-time listeners already know...Paola's name is hard for some people to pronounce, and Fr. Sam loves a good chocolate chip cookie. In this episode, we talk about both. Oh, and we also read Pope Benedict XVI's Spiritual Testimony and talk about his incredible theological output and papal legacy.
3.11: Marriage, Kind of a Big Deal
It's not quite a Christmas episode, but we were hoping it would be ready in time for our Lord's Nativity, and here it is on St. Stephen's Day (or Boxing Day for our British and Canadian listeners)! The reason it's not a Christmas episode is that we ended up talking about another, non-holiday-related topic: marriage. Sometimes it seems like the Church has a lot of rules about weddings and marriage, but we're taking a peek behind the rules to better understand how the truth and beauty of marriage is made apparent through the processes and rules supporting the sacramental celebration of matrimony. All in all, we think marriage is a pretty great thing, and so does the Catholic Church!
3.10: Words Matter
This week, we're talking about the importance of the language we use and why we shouldn't be afraid to define our terms, use even the words that seem most challenging, and think more seriously about the the full meaning of the way we speak. Think deeply about the words you use and hear, and you will be amazed at what is being communicated!
SHOW NOTES
For more on the importance of language, check out "Abuse of Language, Abuse of Power" by Josef Pieper
Need a good, Catholic Christmas gift? Check out the Building Blocks of Faith Series by Kevin and Mary O'Neill.
3.9: The 2022 RLTL Thanksgiving Extravaganza
We actually don't say much about Thanksgiving, but we do talk quite a bit about Advent and some thoughts as we start this amazing season. As we so often do, we're happy to talk about Hallow and the Pray 25 Advent Challenge. Happy Thanksgiving!
3.8: Why Be Good?
In this short episode, we talk about being good even when we don't see the benefit, doing what is right because there is an intrinsic value to virtuous living, and not getting too caught up in what other people seem to have in spite of not always following the rules. St. Martin de Porres figures large in the conversation, so why not ask for his intercession today?
3.7: Preparing to Prepare
Advent is coming and somehow feels sneaky, even though we know exactly when it's coming. Not only is Advent almost here, it's four full weeks! So what's the excuse for not preparing now?
3.6: You're Not Disgusting
Choosing between good things is not always easy. As much as we might see lots of good opportunity in front of us, and recognize that God is generous in giving us so many good things, we also have to understand our own limitations, and discern which of the goods God truly desires for us. That's what we're talking about today!
SHOW NOTES
I teased Paola a fair bit about retelling a story incorrectly. Now, I didn't know anything about the story, had never heard it before. I'm still fairly confident she didn't quite get the story right. HOWEVER, Paola's story was an attempt at communicating some things said by Jackie Francois-Angel in a talk at a Steubenville Youth Conference. The talk is fantastic and full of other stories, which will make you forget Paola's story. Totally worth the time, and I'm grateful to Paola for tolerating me every day.
Also, over on the Tangent, I talked about discernment in an episode, and if you want to listen to that, I won't argue with you.
3.5: Infinite Stuff for Finite Us
Separate studios for us today so Fr. Sam's cold doesn't infect Paola! We'll hear all about Paola's recent retreat with the Sisters of Life, talk about God's abundant gifts to us, and more!
SHOW NOTES
You can watch "The Chosen" over at formed.org - make your free account today!
That re-baptism controversy we were talking about? Going back to St. Cyprian of Carthage (martyr) and Pope Stephen in the 200s, and continuing to the Donatist heresy in the fourth and fifth centuries, it was a big deal. But from this controversy, the Church was able to articulate the theological idea of ex opere operato, that the grace of the sacraments do not depend on the worthiness of the one administering the sacraments, as well as highlight the enduring grace of baptism even when marred by sin!
3.4: An Adequate Ethnic Person
Paola and Fr. Sam went on retreat! In this episode, they're talking about some of the fruits of that retreat, dreaming with the Lord, and what those dreams look like currently, might look like in the future, and just plain old rediscovering the capacity to dream.
SHOW NOTES
Check out "Searching For and Maintaining Peace" by Fr. Jacques Philippe
The Tangent on Veritas Catholic Network
And even though we're not sponsored by anyone, we love to plug the Hallow app!
3.3: Angels and Wires
With the feast of the Archangels just passed, and the feast of the Guardian Angels to come (sort of...Sunday takes precedence this year), we're looking at angels both arch and guardian. Plus some fun discussions on Genesis, creation, and how God's love for us is reflected back to us.
SHOW NOTES
Check out the men's retreat that the Sisters of Life are hosting next week. And just in general, check out their retreat offerings!
3.2: Charismatic Kerygmatics
In something of a continuation of last week's episode, we're still talking catechesis, this time with a special focus on the kerygma, or first proclamation of the Gospel. In the end, we are all entrusted with the kerygma, though we have different ways of bearing witness.
Some light reading to go along with this episode:
"The General Directory for Catechesis" - available free on the Vatican website, but you might want a printed version.
"Lumen Gentium" - also available free on the Vatican website. If you've listened to us for a while, it's about time you read it.
"Gravissimum Educationis" - Vatican II's document on education...go figure, available free on the Vatican website.
"Ministry or Apostolate: What Should the Catholic Laity be Doing?" - by Russell Shaw (2002). Not free on Vatican.va, sorry
3.1: Spock is a Vulcan
New season just because we can do a new season. With a new catechetical year underway, and Paola's graduate studies beginning, we're talking catechesis and the need to teach the faith well. Check out Pope St. John XXIII's address at the opening of the Second Vatican Council.
2.17: Can I get a ride?
Gaudium et Spes, the Second Vatican Council's Pastoral Constitution on the Church serves as our jumping off point for a whole bunch of stuff. Helps us talk about our mission, art in the world, liturgy, and more. And Paola is a generous non-uber driver.
SHOW NOTES
Check out Dr. Larry Chapp and https://gaudiumetspes22.com/
2.16: Celibate, not stupid
The "method modeled by the Master" is something you might have heard us talk about in the past. It comes up especially when we're talking about discipleship and evangelization. The phrase is used to great effect by the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS). Today we go in-depth with the method and add some pieces.
2.15: Searching for and Finding Meaning
Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning" gets us talking about meaning in our lives, boredom, automation, striving for purpose, and being more human. Which somehow brings us to the Pastoral Constitution on the Church of the Second Vatican Council, Gaudium et Spes, which Fr. Sam has long held as his least-favorite document of the Council...but something is changing. Keep listening to find out why he's being converted to this beautiful document. And sorry for the abrupt end, but Padre did a bad job at time management.
2.14: Basket Weaving with a minor in Klingon
We'll get there eventually. Talking about accountability and leadership, drawing on an essay written for the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) alumni by our newest friend-of-the-show Andrea Halfmann (Andrea, we hope someday you'll listen to the show!) and the SLII Leadership Model developed by Ken Blanchard. We all need to be accountable, but before we can expect anyone to hold us accountable, we need to be accountable to ourselves.
SHOW NOTES
For more on SLII - https://www.kenblanchard.com/Solutions/SLII#:~:text=LEADERSHIP%20MODEL,D4%20%E2%80%93%20Self%2DReliant%20Achiever.
We hoped to be able to link to Andrea Halfmann's essay "Hate the word accountability? Me too...But that doesn't mean you don't need it," but we've only found it in e-mail form, sent to FOCUS alumni. Nevertheless, we want to give her credit for a thought-provoking piece and confirm her status as friend-of-the-show. Thanks, Andrea!
2:13 - God wants to walk with you
Paola questions Father's ability to bless things, discussion of the evilness of cats ensues, followed by the best reaction Fr. Sam has ever gotten from Paola on the podcast. And that's all in the first five minutes! All this to get us into the idea that God comes looking for us, wants to walk with us, and what a joy it is to step forward and allow God to find us and accompany us on the way. Helping us dive into this...yet another RLTL "Leisure the Basis of Culture" reference!
Also...stay tuned for a HUGE personal sharing from Paola.
--- SHOW NOTES ---
Pray for Shannon! https://nunsforpriests.org/
“When we really let our minds rest contemplatively on a rose in bud, on a child at play, on a divine mystery, we are rested and quickened as though by a dreamless sleep. Or as the Book of Job says, “God giveth songs in the night” (Job 35:10). Moreover, it has always been a pious belief that God sends his good gifts and his blessings in sleep. And in the same way his great, imperishable intuitions visit a man in his moments of leisure. It is in these silent and receptive moments that the soul of man is sometimes visited by an awareness of what holds the world together:” ― Josef Pieper, Leisure: The Basis of Culture
And if you want to WATCH Paola's reaction to Shannon's picture, check it out here: https://youtu.be/Tck8fKrGcHI
2.12: Bootstrap Spirituality
Awareness of our culture can help us understand our spirituality. Today we're looking at some of the cultural history that has found its way into our American Catholic spiritual worldview and some of the ways we need to depend on God more than our own efforts.
"Obedience means falling in the abyss of God's love." Cardinal-designate Gianfranco Ghirlanda, SJ
2.11: Clutter in the morning, clutter in the evening, clutter at supper time, when clutter's in a rectory, you can have clutter anytime
A very messy rectory prompts discussion of how physical clutter impacts ministry, how priests might struggle to take care of their living arrangements because they're torn between simplicity of life and building maintenance, and more.
2.10 - Trying to be realistic
We started slow on this one, then forgot to post it, then recorded a different episode which we posted last week. But here we talk about how the church, especially in local parishes, could use a good, collaborative boost. If all together, we Catholics could realize that we may need to make some sacrifices to get to Mass, or that parishes should not be in rivalry with one another, we'll be able to get stronger in faith, have more robust community life, and take on a growth mindset, rather than a maintenance model.
2.9: Uvalde
In the aftermath of the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX, we want to talk about the Christian response to such evil. Everything we do must start with prayer. It is when we turn to God that we invoke divine guidance and healing on those who suffer, that we process our own outrage and grief, and that we receive inspiration for action. Please remember the victims of the Uvalde shooting by name in your prayer.
Eva Mireles
Irma Garcia
Uziyah Garcia
Xavier Javier Lopez
Eliahana Cruz Torres
Jose Flores
Alithia Ramirez
Amerie Jo Garza
Annabell Guadalupe Rodriguez
Jackie Cazares
Rojelio Torres
Jayce Carmelo Luevanos
Jailah Nicole Silguero
Eliahna Garcia
Nevaeh Bravo
Makenna Lee Elrod
Miranda Mathis
Tess Marie Mata
Layla Salazar
Maite Rodriguez
Alexandria Aniyah Rubio
The shooting at Robb Elementary follows shortly after a horrific attack on a supermarket in Buffalo, NY. Please pray also for those who were murdered in that shooting, and for their families and community.
Roberta Drury
Margus Morrison
Andre Mackniel
Aaron Salter
Geraldine Talley
Celestine Chaney
Heyward Patterson
Katherine Massey
Pearl Young
Ruth Whitfield
2.8: Just 4 Things
We're talking about the word "just" and how we just can't seem to stop saying it. Then 4 things about the Catholic Church and how we see the Church reflected in the Bible. We had a lot of fun with this one.
Show Notes
His mother was a mudder...this horse loves the slop!
Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist - by Dr. Brant Pitre
2.7: Opening Day - a Non-Starter
Paola, for reasons inexplicable, does not like baseball, or talking about baseball, or anything having to do with the subject of baseball. So listen in as Father Sam insists on talking about baseball, the metaphysical superiority of baseball over other games, and the profoundly beautiful spiritual lessons to be learned from such a beautiful game.
NB - we're a little late publishing this episode because Holy Week got busy. Happy Easter!
SHOW NOTES
2.6: Ministry In a Time of Cholera
OK, so we don't actually have cholera. The mild inconvenience of a slight cold got Father's attention as he looked at Paola power through an ACTUAL illness (still lingering) and sparked a whole conversation without resolution about ministry in the Church (clerical or lay), complementarity of vocation, ministering differently but together, and so much more. Again, we haven't figured it all out yet, but what a great thing to talk about.
Here's the information we talked about regarding paid family leave, and a petition you can sign, too!
2.5: Tradition, Education, and Tangents
From Disney movies to agenda-driven education issues, we're going to bounce around a bit today. Tradition grounds us, and is discarded only at our peril. Parents have both the right and obligation to educate their children, especially in the faith - what a beautiful gift! All that, plus the songs stuck in the heads of Paola and Fr. Sam.
“Tradition means giving a vote to most obscure of all classes, our ancestors. It is the democracy of the dead.” Chesterton goes on to say: “Tradition refuses to submit to the small and arrogant oligarchy of those who merely happen to be walking about. All democrats object to men being disqualified by the accident of birth; tradition objects to their being disqualified by the accident of death. Democracy tells us not to neglect a good man’s opinion, even if he is our groom; tradition asks us not to neglect a good man’s opinion, even if he is our father.” - G.K. Chesterton "Orthodoxy" ch. 4