The Inner Life

Prayer Fasting and Almsgiving  Fr. Dave Heney joins Patrick to discuss Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving  (2:57) - Biblical foundations of Lenten practices  (14:15) - Lenten practices as pillars of Catholic devotion (22:07) Break 1 (23:02) - Mary  - I'm praying for my mom; will fasting help?  (29:49) - Jordan - Giving up social media for Lent (38:51) Break 2 (39:46) - Connie - I'm converting soon! What should I do for lent.  (46:24) - practical tips for almsgiving  https://lent2026.com/

Fr. Tom Wilson joins Patrick to discuss Adoration (3:07) what is Eucharistic Adoration? What makes Eucharistic Adoration different from other forms of prayer? (15:52) Linda - I've been doing adoration over 15 years. I started when God hit me on the side of the head and had me change my attitude about it. We have 24/7 adoration. I always said I was too busy. Started as sub. God said how bout you start fitting your life into mine. It's the highlight of my life now. (20:30) Break 1 Rick - Question - Whether doing adoration on the internet is the same as doing it in church. (25:10) Kristle - When I was starting with adoration, I took early morning, late hours, etc. It's easier because when you'd be sleeping, instead, you're spending an hour with Jesus. (32:47) Mary - I used to go to adoration and I loved it. Now, when you go in, they give you a pamphlet and you have to follow their routine. I'm not comfortable with that. Is that legitimate? (36:54) Break 2 Deacon Gerald - I have a grandson who is a priest with Opus Angelorum. They promote prayer with your angel....one thing they do is adoration from 9p-12a. They're imitating the angels who consoled Christ when he was in the garden. They pray for priests who are spiritually asleep. They also do this at their retreats. (42:05) Jan - As a cradle Catholic, I have difficulties. I don't know whether to have a Bible or prayer book with me, or do I just sit in silence and wait to the Lord to speak to me? I haven't gotten that perfect solution. What do I do? How does Adoration strengthen families, marriages and vocations?

Fr. Marcel Taillon joins Patrick to discuss Morality What is Morality? (5:05) Natural Law. (17:49) Sara - Currently not in a state of grace...haven't been for 2 years. Divorced...very messy. Filing for an annulment. I'm in a relationship now. Praying that God helps me to see what my path forward is. (24:15) Break 1 (25:39) Paul - Had a friend who was raised Jewish and came to the church. 3 step process. Had to know the love of God, be catechized, and then the moral demands of faith. I think we put up the immoral part of people's lives sometimes...many live far from God and we want to address them about their immoral parts first. (29:18) Tina - Went through a divorce and want to know how to move forward from it. a lot of lies and deceit. Trying to draw closer to God and walk with him. Had a lot of anger and hate. How do I regain forgiveness in my heart? (38:36) Break 2 What is the connection between moral laws and civil laws?

Check out this Awesome Encore Show from January 20, 2026 Msgr. Robert Dempsey joins Patrick in studio to discuss the Beauty of the Liturgy (4:58) What does liturgy mean? How is the liturgy primarily an act of God? What is worship? (13:55) Alex - People responding verbally during the Mass. Sometimes they respond loudly and other times softly. Is there anything official on this? (21:29) Break 1 Natalia - How verifiable is it (the liturgy) that it hasn't changed from the original? Even going back to the Old Testament (translations). (27:06) Email about who put together the Mass as we now celebrate it? (31:11) Patrick - New pastor that refuses to continue with the use of incense during Mass. How can I speak to him about this? Henry - Our new priest, during the peace offering goes into the Lamb of God and doesn't allow for the sign of peace. Wanted your opinion/more info on this. (39:06) Break 2 Can you use incense during the liturgy of the hours at home? (45:15) Jim - The liturgy and how it's celebrated. Sometimes it seems so far off the rubrics. What is the right response for me internally in that situation? Do I offer it up?

  Fr. Spencer Howe joins Patrick to discuss Saints of England (4:00) Why is England such a rich Catholic site? Who was Saint Alban? (9:10) – James - I was raised in an episcopal church. I wondered why they reject so much about the church and why do they refer to them as saints? Tom - Literature of Shakespeare. Every time I ask questions...the answers I get are defensive and that had nothing to do with Catholicism. Everything that had to do with it usually made a mockery of the king. Wouldn't it be also making a mockery of the religion? is there hidden references to religion in it? (18:30) Break 1 Madeline - St. Edmund Campion. He's my favorite saint. He's a powerhouse. (24:51) What is the Aylesford Priory? (37:32) Break 2 (39:39) Anita - John Henry Newman. He represented truth. Risked it all and approached it on an intellectual level. Fell in love with the Lord. How did G.K. Chesterton influence the Catholic Faith? Resources: Relevant Radio Pilgrimage to England with Patrick Conley & Fr. Spencer Howe https://app.nativitypilgrimage.com/trip/?trip=55805

Fr. Carter Griffin joins Patrick to discuss Fighting for Chastity The beginnings of the fight for Chastity? (4:29) what is the connection between war and chastity? (9:23) How is discouragement combated in fight sin?  How is sexuality a gift? (15:06) Harmony - I was separated and still separated for 15 years. It didn't work out. Said I need to be abstinent. Asked God for help. First two years were hard. It's been 15 years of chastity and still going strong. (20:33) Break 1 Annie - In the catechism...widows...single for years. having difficulty through that and when I'm lonely, I get tempted about that. Is there resources on this? I'm really struggling. (30:56)  in what ways does impurity damage masculinity? (36:52) Break 2 What are other battle fronts for Chastity? (44:36) Tony - I was introduced to porn at 8. With it most of my life. Being free from it now and it's great. Took a long time to figure it out. How can we help our young people grow in chastity in their life? Resources: Reclaimed: Win the War of Freedom, Self-Mastery, and Holy Purity https://scepterpublishers.org/products/reclaimed-win-the-war-of-freedom-self-mastery-and-holy-purity?srsltid=AfmBOop65ZyDTDQVxQtcy7OI_IStWBK6anpbeBEYClhkTNCMHVm7ibLe

Fr. Patrick Hyde joins Patrick to discuss Faith and Sports (4:53) What is the connection between athletics and the pursuit of holiness? (12:23) Mary - Sports and spiritual life. I'm working out right now and listen with my air pods. I've always found that when people talk about body building, I've always thought about it as we as a church are building a body. It is made up of many people and we're all working to build together. How can Sports become too all consuming for families? (27:00) Break 1 Should you pray for your favorite team to win? (30:20) Kevin - Grew up in St. Louis and was there when Rams went to the Superbowl. Professional sports athletes have the courage to witness like that and it's great to see that. The holy spirit allows this to happen through the medium of sports.  Fr. Patrick Hyde -resident parishioner of St. Paul's. What do we do with dreams of doing great things in our life? (41:28) How do we deal with controversies in the super bowl? What is a good way to view competition?

Fr. Ramil Fajardo joins Patrick to discuss True Piety (1:56) what is piety? (12:00) How can we distinguish authentic devotion from external practices that may lack interior conversion? How can devotions be misshaped? (26:59) Break 1 (27:27) Mike - If I'm praying and it's a conversation with God, I recognize my voice, but not sure how it is that I'm interacting with God. What does that look like? It feels dry sometimes. Email from LA – shares a good habit developed in prayer. (40:43) How do sacramentals remind us of God’s presence? (43:58) Didier - Assuming that piety is one of the gifts from the holy spirit, can we say someone who has piety has received the gift from the HS...does he also have the other 6 gifts for the 7 complete gifts of the holy spirit?

Fr. Peter Armenio joins Patrick to discuss Marriage: Part 2 (2:17) Fear of something better when it comes to dating. What does service have to do with Marriage? (26:59) Break 1 What is the importance of children in a strong marriage? (31:54) What happens when marriage gets boring? When should you start looking for outside help in your marriage?

Fr. Matthew Widder joins Patrick to discuss The Presentation of the Lord What is happening in our Church today? (2:01) Why does Mary get purified if she is perfect? (12:57) Nick - Love the presentation. Love the old testament connection. Amazing how Jesus celebrates major accomplishments through the old. Waiting for something...I wait for so much because there's so much to overcome. How the law is given to us...how it is written into our hearts. What does the sacrifice mean in the bible? (21:49) Michael - I'm a parishioner of Fr. Matthew's parish. I've been going through a lot of stuff and might not be here without Fr. Matthew. (23:59) Break 1 What is Candlemas, and how are we called to be light? (31:09) What is a world day of consecrated life? (38:29) what does Simeon’s prophecy mean in the Bible? How can we turn over our trails to the Lord?

Fr. Eric Nielsen joins Patrick to discuss Ministering to the Youth (3:31) What makes working with Youth different from ministering to adults? Why is ministering t the youth so important for the life of the Church? (15:59) threats that young people are facing? (19:15) Break 1 How do we have good boundaries for our children? (23:26) Lourdes - Resiliency - Fr. is right about it. As a young person, I went to Catholic school and when I complained about getting hit on the knuckles, mom said, 'well, I'm sure you weren't praying the Rosary dear.' But I did well in school. The danger of self-esteem. Mary - I think it's never too late to turn it around. Even in their 70's my parents shared that they wished they hadn't sweated the little things. It's ok to make mistakes. God loves everyone. How do you pray the family rosary? (36:52) Break 2 (42:29) Helen - I'm a teacher who teaches theology of the body to teens. We need to get down to the middle schoolers and educating them better about our faith and TOB is a wonderful program that ministers to them. Teresa - I have a new family that moved in next door. Little girl is in 4 or 5th grade. She likes me. We haven't related that much, but I noticed she's doing an exercise and I think she's a cheerleader. Doing suggestive gyrations. How can I be there for her without being judgmental? (46:10) Theresa - I am a widow with 7 kids. Can't get my kids to go to church. Such a heavy burden on my shoulders. When the father is taken out of the home, it's tragedy. Feel so wounded.

Fr. Rob Kroll joins Patrick to discuss Confession Why do we need the Sacrament of Confession? What are the parts of confession? (14:05) What if someone hasn’t been in confession in a long time? (19:30) Kevin - I was in confession the other day. At the end, I had a feeling to say thank you Jesus, and the priest said you're welcome. He's in persona Christi and sometimes we forget that. (22:27) Break 1 (23:58) Lynn - Not Catholic yet, going through the OCIA program. Through that process, there's the first confession. Am I supposed to make a list of every sin in my life, or how am I supposed to do that? (32:54) Paul - 40 years as a Baptist, I felt the need to go to confession which lead me to RCIA and into the church. How should non-Catholics feel about confession and approach the sacrament? (37:51) George - I'm having a little trouble with confession. Every day I can't forgive myself. Am I doing something wrong by doing that? (43:12) Break 2 Barbara - I'm in a parish that had a priest who was moved several years back due to behaviors. I wonder sometimes if the confessions or baptisms were valid because of what was going on with him.

Fr. Michael Hurley joins Patrick to discuss St. Thomas Aquinas (4:43) who was St. Thomas Aquinas (11:15) what is the Albigensian heresy? (18:19) Brendan - The one that impacted me was Thomas Aquinas' 5 proofs. I saw a video in middle school that challenged atheists. I didn't know there were such intellectual people in the church. It really shook my faith and eased my anxieties in it and have more faith in God. (25:05) Break 1 Madeline - He's not my saint...I'm trying to love him as a brother and I don't know how to reconcile. I love St. Faustina. I don't like him because he said pets don't go to heaven and that's why I left the faith. I'm back in the faith now because of St. Faustina and St. Maximilian Kolbe. (32:53) Role of Reason in our life today (34:47) Jean - My most favorite thing about him...he admitted at the end of his conversations that all of his writings meant nothing. He found what he was writing was useless. Once he spoke to the Lord, he found that he was so inadequate from what he learned from the Lord. (39:48) Break 2 (40:52) Regina - He taught that women are defective. I want to know how to get around that. It's offensive. I have a reference from Summa Theologica. (45:03) Thomas Aquinas’ Devotional life Where should people start when reading about St. Thomas Aquinas?

Fr. Peter Armenio joins Patrick to discuss Marriage What is marriage? (13:40) why are couples not wanting to get married? (20:56) Break 1 (22:39) Brendan - Anxiety among young people. I'm very anxious. I want to get in a relationship and married, but now I don't have a job and anxiety is causing issues for me. I hear it's good to get married young, but I feel I'm dealing with a road block. What do I do? (30:45) Ureli – People living together and not married. What if your parents aren't married. IS there something I can do to help them? They both want to marry. I feel I'm a mediator sometimes. Any advice as to what to do? I do pray for them a lot. (39:07) Break 2 (40:27) Paul - Married 44 years. Work with engaged couples. Biggest challenge is communication. We're all so different. Any advice where to find good communication teaching? Anything out there from a Catholic perspective? Email from Julie – How do you know if Marriage is your vocation?

Fr. Bobby Blood joins Patrick to discuss Catholic Education Why is Catholic schools week important? (4:46) what does the Church teach about Catholic education? What is the connection between the intellect and the will? (17:35) Nicole - My experience....My grandchildren are going to Catholic school. My daughter also went. I used to volunteer. I most admire is that I attend the children's Mass and we end with adoration. Getting used to adoration and the importance of a relationship with Jesus. (22:00) Break 1 (23:25) Ann - I had Catholic education back in the 40's and 50's. I thank God for it every day. Those nuns really instilled the faith. (26:15) Tammy - I am a product of Catholic schools from the 70's and 80's. I have 4 kids. One struggled academically. Just wondering if the school system is looking into this. Not everyone is academic. Do they have other avenues to help people? (31:50) Carol - Our Catholic school closed 7 years ago. Wanted to re-open, but I get backlash every time it comes up. Any advice? (35:43) Break 2 What should parents be looking for in Catholic Schools? (40:24) Alex - I'm dating someone right now. Trying to figure out where to educate my kids once we have them. There is a local SSPX school. It looks like it's the only place I can afford to send them. What should I do about that? Can you send your kids to a non-Catholic school? (44:17) what are the biggest challenges facing Catholic schools today? (48:03)  Maria - We've been blessed with our kid's education. Just wanted to give a quick testimony.

Fr. Joseph Illo joins Patrick to discuss Holiness in your State of Life (4:17) who was Saint Francis de Sales? Introduction to the devout life, How can you be holy in the world? (18:26) Break 1 What are ways lay people can become holy? How does God multiply your time when you devote some to him? (34:34) Norb - Suggestion to multitask with prayer. That's what I do. Robin - I joined the Guard of the Sacred Heart. I get up and whatever hour it is, I will go through that process. I say the precious blood devotion, and after that, I go to the Legion of Mary, Rosary, and I do my best to go to Mass/adoration. (38:40) Break 2 How is holiness a work of God first? (43:00) Maria - My experience...we all struggle with prayer time. I humble myself and ask the Lord to organize my prayer time. (46:11) Robert - St. Francis De Sales....been reading that over and over for years. What I still struggle with...what is my state in life? What does that mean and how does it correspond to my time in prayer? I feel like I'm always robbing my work and myself by studying an hour. The four books which Father Illo recommends everyone reads.

Fr. Dave Heney joins Patrick to discuss Protecting the Unborn What is the Church’s teaching on the sanctity of life? What is at the core of the reason people get abortion? (18:34) Break 1 Teresa - I just wanted to say that I'm trying to start a walking with moms with need at my parish in Ohio, so we can do what Father was talking about. Help through pregnancy centers and walk with them on their journey before the baby is born and after. (23:23) Richard - I lead a 40 days for life campaign in the Midwest. Prayer is most important, but we're also dealing with Satan in this evil. I think it needs to be approached from that reality. (28:00) Craig - We just have celebrated Christmas, but it's not the first and biggest feast we should be celebrating. We should be celebrating the incarnation and then the resurrection. It all begins at conception. That's when God became present on Earth. Jane - I belong a group called Holy Innocents. We raise funds for various pro-life organizations. Just wanted to talk about that. (38:05) Break 2 (39:59) Connie - I'm in OCIA and joining the church in a couple months. Something that slowed me down was encountering those who claim to be Catholic, but support abortion. What do you say to 'pro-choice Catholics?' (43:53)  Norma - I am a counselor at a pregnancy center. Want to say thanks for all who can help those centers. How can we speak about protecting the unborn with truth and compassion?

Fr. Allen Hoffa joins Patrick to discuss Overcoming Pornography What is Pornography? What is integrity restored? (14:31) Is pornography a private sin? (20:01) Mike - I'm a porn addict. I've been able to find sobriety from counseling and 12 steps. Want to give a word of encouragement to those struggling. (23:11) Break 1 How does pornography play a role in the abortion issue? (29:41) How is AI used for pornography harmful to people? (34:58) Norman - When you see a woman come into church and try to battle with thoughts. It's a sin and you have to watch out. It can be a distraction. (39:59) Break 2 (41:09) Raquel - 17-year-old son. Struggling with this issue. It could be a same sex issue as well. Not knowing what to do. What can people do who struggle with pornography? Resources: Integrity Restored https://integrityrestored.com/

Msgr. Robert Dempsey joins Patrick in studio to discuss the Beauty of the Liturgy (4:58) What does liturgy mean? How is the liturgy primarily an act of God? What is worship? (13:55) Alex - People responding verbally during the Mass. Sometimes they respond loudly and other times softly. Is there anything official on this? (21:29) Break 1 Natalia - How verifiable is it (the liturgy) that it hasn't changed from the original? Even going back to the Old Testament (translations). (27:06) Email about who put together the Mass as we now celebrate it? (31:11) Patrick - New pastor that refuses to continue with the use of incense during Mass. How can I speak to him about this? Henry - Our new priest, during the peace offering goes into the Lamb of God and doesn't allow for the sign of peace. Wanted your opinion/more info on this. (39:06) Break 2 Can you use incense during the liturgy of the hours at home? (45:15) Jim - The liturgy and how it's celebrated. Sometimes it seems so far off the rubrics. What is the right response for me internally in that situation? Do I offer it up?

Fr. Marcel Taillon joins Patrick to discuss Catholic Social Teaching What is Catholic Social Teaching? (10:03) What are the main themes on Catholic Social teaching? (17:07) what does the “common good” mean? (23:45) Break 1 (25:51) Lillian - When we talk about Catholic social teaching and catholic social justice, there is some confusion with one world order. The issue for us to be closer to God, but when it comes to this communal thing, we become confused and become more involved with community and not Jesus Christ. What are things that we can do for the poor? (38:52) Break 2 Cynthia - In my work with the homeless, we are trying to make them aware of their dignity. So many people have a negative view of the homeless. We do not have a strong Catholic presence in the streets of Austin. Any advice to help with that? (45:45) Richard - There's a document from the synod about 9 months ago...Life is Always a Good. It gives parishes a structure to put together a structure for the dignity of the individual as a person. Getting back to basics and having our faith and every person is valued. It's really a blue print to make that concept a reality on the ground. Resources: https://www.laityfamilylife.va/content/laityfamilylife/en/life-is-always-a-good.html  https://www.laityfamilylife.va/content/dam/laityfamilylife/Lavitasempreunbene/BROCHURE_EN.pdf