The Brother Hut

Priests are often so busy and sometimes it can be hard to reach them. Between administration in the parish office, sacramental preparation, pastoral availability, spiritual recreation and personal downtime, the day of a priest can go by very fast. In this episode, we look at the dynamics of why your priest might be super busy.  This episode is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play & Podbean! Comments, questions & recommendations? Email us at thebrotherhut@gmail.com Follow us! Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/thebrotherhutInstagram | https://www.instagram.com/brohutpodcast/Twitter | https://twitter.com/thebrother_hut & https://twitter.com/BrVinMary

Back from a 1 Year Hiatus, The brothers share what they've been up to since you've last heard from them. New moves, pastoral year training, summer assignments and pilgrimages are just a few. Stay tuned for New episodes to look forward to.  This episode also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play & Podbean! Comments, questions & recommendations to thebrotherhut@gmail.com Follow us! Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/thebrotherhut Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/brohutpodcast/ Twitter | https://twitter.com/thebrother_hut & https://twitter.com/BrVinMary  

Welcome back to the Hut! & Happy Transitus 2022! The Transitus is the celebration of the passing of St. Francis from this life to eternal life. Today is also the 3 year anniversary of the Brother Hut Podcast!! Thanks to all our listeners for their support. In this episode, the brothers re-visit the topic, "From Life to Death" from their very first episode. When St. Francis reached the moment of death, he was able to essential pray in the presence of the brothers, “Father, into your hands I commend me spirit. Take my life. I am yours.” This leads us to choose on a daily basis to die to different options so that we may live out freely a choice that we make. The brothers also remember Bishop Michael Sheridan from Colorado Springs who died last week, also Bubba Moore, father of Br. Jason Moore, who died this week. We remember that life is passing but God is everlasting! Join us this time as they brothers are joined by Br. Kriston Mary, who shares with us his own experience as a novice as a transition from a boy to a man, and man into maturity for freedom and holiness. All this and more!  This episode also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play & Podbean! Contact us thebrotherhut@gmail.com Follow us! Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/thebrotherhut Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/brohutpodcast/ Twitter | https://twitter.com/thebrother_hut | https://twitter.com/BrVinMary      

Welcome back to the Hut! In this episode the brothers share reactions to the news of Shia LaBeouf breaking headlines with his recent interview with Bp. Robert Barron. The brothers share how incredible it was to hear and be reminded again of their first love, the order and it's charisma.  So often we focus on the blemishes of our lives, our homes, our state of life and vocations that we forget to see the goodness and beauty it holds. Until someone actually points it out, we forget to see it.  Tune in to hear reactions from the interview, updates from the brothers whereabouts, broken garage doors, arriving late to mass, and key takeaways from the interview. It's all here in the hut.   This episode also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play & Podbean! Contact us thebrotherhut@gmail.com Follow us! Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/thebrotherhut/Twitter Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/brohutpodcast/

In a first ever International episode, Br. Vinny shares his experiences in Mexico as he is learning Spanish and ministering to the people. Br. Brandon Berg shares moments of ministering to those in hispanic communities at the parish, and their children.  The brothers share pieces of what it means to live like Mary & Martha, based on the Gospel reading from Sunday (16th in OT). Don't miss this episode! You will find out we have listeners here in Puebla Mexico! shoutouts go to Juanpa Lozada here in Puebla, MX & Joe Trujillo and his new ministry, Mission House Denver - a Lay Catholic Men's community that provides a place for intentional community, missionary discipleship and a commitment to prayer. check it out! IG: @missionhousedenver Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play & Podbean Contact us thebrotherhut@gmail.com Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/thebrotherhut/Twitter | @thebrother_hut - @brvinmary - @brbrandonofmcapInstagram | @brohutpodcast

Welcome back!! In this episode the brothers recognize the various tugs of the world that threaten our interior peace. The stresses and events that cause anxiety, worry and fear are all very REAL. In reference to the hat trick, the brothers share 3 things each that help them maintain their peace, especially during times of great disturbance.  Listen in for tips on how to maintain your peace in ways that will invigorate your Catholic Christian faith.  [DISCLAIMER: Audio Probs due to connection] This episode also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play & Podbean! Email us for questions, topics, suggestions or comments at thebrotherhut@gmail.com Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/thebrotherhut/Twitter | @thebrother_hut - @brvinmary - @brbrandonofmcapInstagram | @brohutpodcast

Welcome back to the Hut!  After some time away, the Br. Vinny & Brandon share with us the recent months. Br. Brandon's visit to the Holy Land, Br. Vinny's ordination into the transitional diaconate and the powerful experiences of both.  Join us for what will be the start of season 3!  This episode also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play & Podbean Contact us thebrotherhut@gmail.com Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/thebrotherhut/Twitter | @thebrother_hut - @brvinmary - @brbrandonofmcapInstagram | @brohutpodcast

Welcome back to the Brother Hut! In this Episode the brothers explore the long held tradition of praying with the relics of the Saints. The church has all kinds of relics, and that tradition goes all the way back to the Old Testament. We are joined by Br. Jude, future archivist and relicquist!   Join us in the episode as we talk saints, relics, and how this particular devotion begin in the church and in the life of Br. Jude. Don't miss it!  This episode also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play & Podbean! Email us for questions, topics, suggestions or comments at thebrotherhut@gmail.com Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/thebrotherhut/Twitter | @thebrother_hut - @brvinmary - @brbrandonofmcapInstagram | @brohutpodcast

Welcome back to the Hut! In this episode the brothers share about some of the dangers posed from "social" media platforms that disconnect us from having meaningful relationships and encounters. Br. Vinny shares his recent experience of the Our Lady of Guadalupe celebrations in San Antonio, Texas. He talks about the great number of people who were watching the event through their cell phone while on video or facebook live. Thus the question, "how much of life and people am I actually registering with?" The brothers discuss the fact that sometimes we become a spectator in our lives rather than participants. Br. Vinny mentions two main levels of disconnection created by overuse of social media. 1, we disconnect from real human encounters and 2, we disconnect from events. Social media and digital communication is not all bad. The brothers discuss how it Facebook and others can be used to spread the message of Jesus Christ and the Gospel. Also, Facetime can be a blessings as it allows us chance to be as present as we can when we would otherwise be far away. Two negative ways social media can affect us are 1, loss of self-esteem, loss of joy, and feeling pressure from influencers to be a certain way. 2, overuse of social media can lead to worry, we begin to try to control things that are out of our reach Real connection is what is demanded of us. It is Jesus who will give us life, joy, and meaningful experiences. Some ways to connect with Jesus are 1, stay in the moment, don’t overuse social media and 2, set up and pray at your Christmas crib 3, play a simple nondigital game that everyone can be involved in and 4, be like the wise men and journey to be with Jesus, set aside time to be with Jesus, and bring gifts to others. This episode also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play & Podbean! Email us for questions, topics, suggestions or comments at thebrotherhut@gmail.com Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/thebrotherhut/ Twitter | @thebrother_hut - @brvinmary - @brbrandonofmcap Instagram | @brohutpodcast

Welcome back to the Hut!  We recently sat down with Jarod & Amy Mintz, some great friends of ours. In part 2 of our series on Marriage, our friends share with us some insight they have learned in their 13 years of being married. Marriage is a wonderful process, one that requires dedication, commitment, vulnerability and the “ability to live for someone else.” What does that mean? How can married persons strive for this? They share with us who has inspired them in marriage, and how their marriage has impacted their own spiritual lives. In this episode, we dive into some misconceptions in our society around marriage, relational perfection, the differences between marriage as a Covenant versus a Contract and to end, some great tips for married persons to use in their own marriage. Stick around Stick around as they react to Will & Jada Smith’s definition of Marriage, and share the life, joys, love and mystery that is contained in the married life. Don’t miss it!    This episode also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play & Podbean! Email us for questions, topics, suggestions or comments at thebrotherhut@gmail.com Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/thebrotherhut/ Twitter | @thebrother_hut - @brvinmary - @brbrandonofmcap Instagram | @brohutpodcast 

Welcome back to the Hut!    As part of Vocations Awareness week, we wanted to have a conversation about the Married life! Mind you, we have zero experience with how this works, but we also understand some of the traditions the Church has held for ages. Today, we explore some of the misconceptions of Marriage that we have as a society. One of which, is the understanding that marriage is a “prison,” which is not correct!  Secondly, is a culture around dedication and commitment which we sometimes run from in a relationship. Recently, Will Smith and Jada Pink have sparked some controversy around their view of having an “open” marriage. In this 2-part series, we explore the vocation of marriage as it has affected us and allowed us to grow deeper into our own vocations as religious.    This episode also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play & Podbean!   Email us for questions, topics, suggestions or comments at thebrotherhut@gmail.com Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/thebrotherhut/ Twitter | @thebrother_hut - @brvinmary - @brbrandonofmcap Instagram | @brohutpodcast 

Inspired by the conversation from the last episode on confession, the brothers talk about the power of Mercy. We experience the divine Mercy of God in the confessional, and we might also experience mercy in those around us. Fr. Brandon shares a story of encountering mercy from the Missionaries of Charity.  What is Mercy? What does it mean to be Merciful? — To be afflicted with sorrow in our hearts at the misery of others. Could this be what God feels from our sin or shortcomings? Listen now to Episode 43 as the brothers talk Bee Stings, Cats in Heat, Damaged Mirrors and some powerful mercy stories from Pope St. John Paul II. All this and more inside the Brother Hut!   This episode also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play & Podbean! Email us for questions, topics, suggestions or comments at thebrotherhut@gmail.com Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/thebrotherhut/ Twitter | @thebrother_hut - @brvinmary - @brbrandonofmcap Instagram | @brohutpodcast

Welcome back! On this 2-yr anniversary, the brothers talk about the experience of the very first episode. In honor of that, the brothers have returned to their roots of the podcast, by having poor audio quality (totally not planned, and we apologize for the poor sound) In this episode, the brothers look at the the sacrament of Confession as a sacrament of healing. What happens in Confession? What is the function of the priest? What am I to do in confession? Confession is where we encounter the mercy of God, a wonderful mystery that heals our wounds of sin. We talk about the longstanding tradition of Capuchin Confessors, as seen in the lives of St. Leopold and Padre Pio. The powerful ministry of confession is also important. One popular site of the province is a Mall Ministry, that the province has at the Citadel Mall in Colorado Springs. In that Ministry, Capuchin priests spend hours on end hearing confessions, offering masses and healing ministry. The ministry itself will soon celebrate the 20th anniversary since it's opening.  We want to know your experience of confession! As a person who goes to confession, what are you looking for?  Do you want advice? Absolution and go? Long penance / short penance?  Act of Contrition cards? Do you prefer face-to-face or behind the screen? All this and more!   Email us with answers, any questions, topic suggestions or comments at thebrotherhut@gmail.com Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/thebrotherhut/ Twitter | @thebrother_hut - @brvinmary - @brbrandonofmcap Instagram | @brohutpodcast   This episode also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play & Podbean!  

Welcome back to the Hut!    Br Vince Mary & Br Brandon Berg come to you from the mobile Brother Hut Studios.  In this episode, we talk about the spirituality of Pilgrimage and some of the ways we've been enjoying some travels and "pilgrimaging" of our own.  Between Fr. Brandon's biking trip across the state of Wisconsin, and Br. Vinny's mountain excursion trips, these brothers share with you what it means to take a pilgrimage. How do you do that? What is it about? What would a Franciscan spirituality of taking a pilgrimage look like? In this episode, we talk about pillows, biking, hiking, St. Francis, and the lesser known Saint Roch who took a pilgrimage himself. All this and more. Don't miss it!    Shoutouts this week go to uncle Bill, our listeners in Wisconsin, Hannah Stein, Serg, Inoh and Denver young adults!! Email us for questions, topics, suggestions or comments at thebrotherhut@gmail.com LIKE us on our Facebook Page at  https://www.facebook.com/thebrotherhut/ Follow us on Twitter! @thebrother_hut | @brvinmary | @brbrandonofmcap This episode is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play & Podbean!

Welcome back beloved listeners!! We are your number one randomly scheduled catholic podcast. Thanks for tuning in!          On this episode 40, a recent picture of Bro Brandon Berg with “nutty” the squirrel who lives in Colorado Springs at our Postulancy house. Br. Vinny posted the legendary picture of Br. Brandon on Twitter asking for captions. Check out our twitter page for a good laugh!          In this episode the brothers look at the topic of Change and the many different ways that ‘change’ has happened in our personal lives and journeys. Br Brandon changes residence once again and the experience that brought him while Br Vinny experiences changes that other people go through in the hospital. In these encounters of change, the bros encourage facing that emotion and taking the time to pray with it, journal, and talk to God.          From paying attention to those changes happening in your life and applying that to active participation of God’s goodness in your life, the bros both share the intimate experience of God within those changes. God doesn’t change! – and as brother Brandon shares we see God in every moment and among those changes happening, but are you paying attention to that? As humans, we often need to take time and look back at past events to see Him working clearly.          All kinds of change happens at every level of our lives and of the world. As Catholic Christians our goal is to “stay with the unchanging God in the midst of the changes of life.” God bless! Bro Vinny and Br. Brandon   Email us for questions, topics, suggestions or comments at thebrotherhut@gmail.com LIKE us on our Facebook Page at  https://www.facebook.com/thebrotherhut/ Follow us on Twitter! @thebrother_hut | @brvinmary | @brbrandonofmcap This episode is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play & Podbean!    

Help! This episode is an update on our Capuchin Franciscan life and a reflection on help. The brothers, Vince Mary Carrasco and Brandon Berg, have been busy with life, but are back in the studio! Thanks for tuning in!             The brothers give an update on the last month or so and talk about their plans for the summer. Br. Vince is preparing for a summer as a hospital chaplain in Denver Colorado. Br. Brandon is preparing to move to Colorado Springs and towards a year learning about the postulancy program. Postulancy is the first year of initial formation and, God willing, Br. Brandon will take over as director of the program in 2022.             The brothers transition into the topic of help. Why do we sometimes not like to ask for help? Why do we wait until our ways have failed to ask for help? The brothers share some reflections on these questions. Brother Vince flips the script and ponders what God must feel like when we ask him for help. Since Jesus taught us to pray “Our Father” we stand on good ground in asking God for help. We assume God is the best of fathers willing and wai ting to come to the assistance of his children who ask for his help.            The brothers hope this episode helps you to grow in your relationship with God and to ask for help when you need it. Email us for questions, topics, suggestions, donations or comments at thebrotherhut@gmail.com ‘LIKE’ us our Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/thebrotherhut/ Follow us on Twitter! @thebrother_hut | @brvinmary | @brbrandonofmcap This episode is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play & Podbean!  

  May the Fourth be With You!! In honor of Star Wars day, Brothers Vinny and Brandon welcome Brother Jordan for a special look into the Stars Wars world, the creation of George Lucas, the creative force behind the franchise and more importantly for us, the theology behind it all. Brother Jordan was initially drawn into Stars Wars by seeing Luke’s searching to the ends of Dagobah. Brother Jordan says that the theology of Star Wars is based on themes of searching, redemption, and hope. Other themes are light versus dark and working to instill the virtuous life. A big attraction to Star Wars is the depths of the characters as one sees how their past (their stuff) affects the decisions they make. The brothers discuss their favorite movies and characters. The brothers highlight their interest in the new Mandalorian series and applaud the work of Dave Filoni. The brothers discuss the Jedi and their relation to the ascetical life. Have you noticed the Jedi have different colored light sabers? The reason for this is examined. May the Forth Be With You, and With Your Spirit!!    Email us for questions, topics, suggestions or comments at thebrotherhut@gmail.com LIKE us on our Facebook Page at  https://www.facebook.com/thebrotherhut/ Follow us on Twitter! @thebrother_hut | @brvinmary | @brbrandonofmcap This episode is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play & Podbean!

Welcome back to the Hut!    In this episode the brothers are joined by special guest, Br. Mark Schenk the Provincial Minister of our Province to talk about the history of our province, the establishment of Mid-America Capuchins and also a bit of how he came to grow into the vocation of lay brother.    Every year on April 21st, we celebrate the feast of St. Conrad of Parzham, who is our Province Patronal Feast. In this episode hear about how we got our name, and the blessing of St. Conrad himself at the time of the first Capuchin missionaries. Saint Conrad was a man of simplicity, patience, a man who served the poor as a porter for 40 years, always recognizing the presence of God in every person.   Don’t miss this episode as we tackle the birth of our province, amazing stories of St. Conrad like the Holy Finger, Him giving out Beer, personal pilgrimages and things about his life that have resonated with us personally. Don’t miss it!   For more on St. Conrad visit https://www.capuchins.org/documents/conrad.bio.2017.0728.pdf or www.capuchins.org   Email us for questions, topics, suggestions or comments at thebrotherhut@gmail.com LIKE us on our Facebook Page at  https://www.facebook.com/thebrotherhut/ Follow us on Twitter! @thebrother_hut | @brvinmary | @brbrandonofmcap This episode is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play & Podbean!

Welcome to the Hut! In this episode the brothers talk, hallelujahs, springtime, slippers, more food, silkworms, stickers, new things, baseball's big move to Denver and most of all EASTER! In this episode, the brothers dive into some of the emotions that the Apostles might have felt at the loss of their friend and Lord, Jesus. We felt the same and in many ways, we're forgetting that Jesus has Risen. It's so easy to forget that we're still in the season of Easter. But it's not a one day thing! Jesus is Risen and we celebrate that for 50 days leading up to Pentecost. In this episode we give just a few practical things you can do to help you STAY in THE SEASON of EASTER.  Tune in and let us know what works best for you!  Email us for questions, topics, suggestions or comments at thebrotherhut@gmail.com LIKE us on our Facebook Page at  https://www.facebook.com/thebrotherhut/ Follow us on Twitter! @thebrother_hut | @brvinmary | @brbrandonofmcap This episode is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play & Podbean!

Have you ever encounter a Leprechaun? A leprechaun, no. But a Leper probably! Welcome to the brother Hut. In Today's episode we combine Saint Patrick's Day with Francis’ experience of embracing the leper. Brother Brandon and the people of Denver recover from snowmageddon. Brother Vinny recovers from a few days of illness. What is a Leprechaun!? Per Wikipedia, they are “diminutive supernatural beings, solitary fairies, or little bearded men with coats and hats that like to cause mischief. They are often depicted as shoemakers and with a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.” Sure these are they mythological figures that we hear in Irish folk tales, but in our episode we want to share of our experience of encountering the LEPER. In this episode you’ll hear from Br. Vinny, who met a homeless man named was Felix, who encouraged brother Vinny to keep pursuing God in ministry. You’ll hear Br. Brandon talk about his encounter with a mysterious Christy, a name meaning “of Christ” for example, as in Lumen Christi, “light of Christ”, or Mater Christi, “Mother of Christ”. Although Br. Brandon was patient with her the situation did not end well, and she was forced to go off into the cold night. Don’t miss this episode as we talk about Francis’ experience of the leper, his desire to do more and reach out to the leper. This is our experience in serving the poor, and the demands that has on us – to be lovers, to be relational and be present. The brothers read and pray Saint Patrick's breastplate. This prayer reminds us of Christ’s presence in the leper and Christ’s presence among us. This week’s shoutout goes to the Irish Community! Br. Brian Sullivan, Fr. Simeon Gallagher and the Irish sisters with the Holy Spirit and Mary Immaculate in San Antonio, Tx.!! See you next time!   Email us for questions, topics, suggestions or comments at thebrotherhut@gmail.com LIKE us on our Facebook Page at  https://www.facebook.com/thebrotherhut/ Follow us on Twitter! @thebrother_hut | @brvinmary | @brbrandonofmcap This episode is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, & Podbean!