Old St. Pat's Podcast

The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's ChoirHappy Advent 2025!  Join the Old St. Pat's community this Advent and Christmas season! To explore the resources and programming that will take place during the 2025 Advent and Christmas season, click HERE.The featured songs today are:On That Holy MountainO Come, O Come EmmanuelRose In December

As you take some time off this week for the Thanksgiving holiday, you’re invited to pause with a question that sits at the heart of our faith: “What does it mean to have dignity?” It means that every Thanksgiving guest you chat with this Thursday, every co-worker on Zoom or in the office, every driver you pass along the Eisenhower, every person who tests us or challenges us—every one of us—is intrinsically valuable, inherently honorable, and endlessly lovable, because we are made in the image of God. It’s a truth we often forget, yet it changes everything when we remember it and recognize it in ourselves and in others. In a season where gratitude takes center stage, this homily asks us to go even deeper. Gratitude not just for what we have, but for who we are—and for the divine dignity placed in every single person. Today, Fr. Foley’s homily is rich, timely, and resonant. It’s the kind of message that lingers. The kind you may find yourself thinking about long after the episode ends. The kind you might even feel moved to recommend and pass along to someone else. It’s a homily that reminds us of our own God-given worth and that of every person—even the poor, the immigrant, the marginalized, the migrant, and the outcast. So wherever you are listening today—let this be a moment of grounding, of gratitude, and of rediscovering the sacred dignity within you and around you.

The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's ChoirThe featured songs today are:The Lord Is KindWith Great LoveRecibe Tu Ser

Can you remember the days when Blockbuster was the place to go to rent a movie? It was a staple—a reliable, familiar brand that felt like it would always be there. And then, almost overnight, with the rise of new technology, Blockbuster fell off the map. We saw how quickly even the strongest institutions can crumble when the world shifts around them. For some, that rapid change may have stirred a sense of confusion or powerlessness—especially if you still just wanted to rent a good old VHS tape. That’s a low-stakes example, of course. But it gives us a glimpse into what it feels like when the things we depend on start to fall apart. In more serious moments, this can look like political division, societal instability, institutional breakdown, or deeply personal seasons where life feels uncertain and destabilizing. And yet, in the midst of all of that, God wants us to know something essential: God’s love endures all. When systems fail, when the structures and institutions we trust prove fragile, God’s love still remains. It endures beyond fear, injustice, and every earthly collapse. So today, Fr. Pat McGrath reminds us that we are invited not only to receive this enduring love, but to manifest God’s love through justice, kindness, reconciliation, and courage.

The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's ChoirThe featured songs today are:All Our WelcomeRejoice In LoveHow Can I Keep From Singing

In the city that claims the birthplace of the skyscraper, we take pride in our architectural wonders. Here in Chicago, names like Burnham, Sullivan, Mies van der Rohe, and Frank Lloyd Wright roll off the tongue like familiar friends. And if you’ve ever had guests visit, you’ve probably sent them straight to the architectural boat tour so they can fully appreciate the skyline. And in every city and town throughout the globe, there are buildings that are beloved. So if you live outside of Chicago, think of your favorite building in your town. We all live in a society that reveres its buildings: their design, their beauty, their purpose, and the role they play in our shared life. These structures give us spaces to gather, to work, learn, and worship. In many ways, they’re our modern-day temples — temples to education, to art, and to living itself. But in admiring these beautiful spaces, it’s easy to forget something essential: that the true temple of God isn’t made of steel, stone, marble, or glass. It’s made of people. Saint Paul says: “You are God’s building.” The Church is not merely a structure — it is us. So while we can — and should — appreciate the beauty and function of the buildings around us, we’re called to remember that the most sacred space God inhabits is the human heart. The Almighty’s local address isn’t a famous cathedral or towering skyscraper — it’s within each of us. It’s important to respect yourself as a temple of God — and to recognize that same holiness in every person you encounter, especially those who are hurting, overlooked, or left on the margins. Today, Father Pat McGrath reminds us the true Church isn’t limited to a building — it’s alive in you and in every act of love you share.

The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's ChoirThe featured songs today are:The Angel's FarewellThe Greater Glory of GodSing With All the Saints in Glory

Have you ever had a moment when you felt like you were lacking? Like you weren’t enough — or didn’t quite deserve good things to come your way? Maybe you’ve had those quiet worries, or even deep doubts, that you’re not lovable. Those moments can be painful — when the thought “I’m not enough” crosses your mind or settles into your heart. We often try to explain it away — thinking we’re not perfect enough, that we have too many flaws, or that we’re still carrying regrets from the past that keep us from believing we deserve love. Or maybe we convince ourselves that once we get there — after we earn the degree, after we land the job, make the money, lose the weight, or hit that next big goal — then someday we’ll finally be lovable. But that’s just not true. You are lovable right now — just as you are. With all your perfect imperfections, your beautiful gifts, and your glorious soul — you are loved. So if you ever find yourself doubting your worth, pause for a moment, take a deep breath, and remember this: You belong. You are loved. And you are lovable. Right now, exactly as you are. Today, Fr. Jayme Stayer reminds us of this truth in a profound way and shares that God is constantly at work, gently convincing us that we are loved and that we are, in fact, lovable beyond measure.

The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's ChoirThe featured songs today are:Every Word & Every BreathTaste & SeeCanticle of Turning

In college, I remember a friend giving me a piece of advice I’ve never forgotten. She said, “If you’re feeling down, do one of three things: work out, pray for someone else, or do something kind for another person.” In other words—stop turning in on yourself, and start turning outward toward life. Because when we turn in on ourselves for too long, it’s easy to get trapped inside our own heads. Psychologists call it rumination—that endless loop of replaying what went wrong or what we wish we’d said. We think we’re solving a problem, but really, we’re just deepening the groove of our pain. The more we focus inward, the more we can begin to feel stuck, self-critical, even hopeless. And slowly, we stop engaging—with others, with joy, with the world around us. But the way out of that spiral is action. Small, outward steps that reconnect us—with people, with purpose, and with God. Pope Francis once said that the Church faces a similar temptation—to become what he called “self-referential.” When we talk only to ourselves, focus on our own needs, and forget the world beyond our walls, we lose our mission. A healthy Church, like a healthy soul, must move outward—toward the wounded, the searching, the forgotten. So today, Father Pat McGrath invites us to reflect on this truth: that healing comes through connection. When we step beyond ourselves—to serve, to love, to listen—we not only renew our own spirits, but also renew the Church and the world God so deeply loves.

This past Sunday was one of those days that makes you fall in love with Chicago all over again. The sun was shining, the leaves were beginning to turn brilliant colors, and more than 50,000 runners took to the streets for the Chicago Marathon — weaving through the city’s neighborhoods, cheered on by thousands of strangers who came together to celebrate endurance, courage, and community. There’s a certain beauty in it: the hum of sneakers on pavement, the handmade signs, the rhythm of encouragement echoing through every neighborhood. The way people of all backgrounds unite for one shared purpose. And each runner enters the race with their own story, their own reason for running — yet all moving in the same direction. But the marathon isn’t just beauty — it’s also pain and struggle. It’s sore muscles, blistered feet, and those moments of doubt when your body wants to quit but your heart whispers, “Keep going.” It’s the mental strength that says, “I can do this,” even when everything in you says otherwise. And in that, there’s something deeply spiritual. Because our faith journey is a marathon, too. We experience seasons of pain, despair and sorrow where the path is rough. We face doubts, fatigue, and the temptation to give up. But in those moments, grace meets us — reminding us that we don’t run alone. In the race of faith, each of us carries our own aches and wounds. And even there God meets us. He fills the holes in our hearts with love, gives us strength for the next mile, and invites us to keep going in the race of life. So today, Father Novak reflects on what it means to run a marathon — not just through the streets of Chicago, but through the course of our lives: to run it well, with hope, with love, and with great faith.

The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's ChoirThe featured songs today are:Canticle of Brother Sun and Sister MoonBe Thou My VisionI Will Lift My Eyes

Have you ever noticed how things start to feel more real the moment you write them down? According to a study by Dr. Gail Matthews at the Dominican University of California, you’re 42% more likely to achieve your goals just by writing them down. All it takes is a pen and paper. We usually think of that in terms of personal goals—finishing a big project, getting healthy, saving for something important. But have you ever thought of writing down your spiritual goals? Or the vision of the world you want to help create? God invites us to write down our vision—not to simply sit on the sidelines and think there is nothing we can do. God wants us to claim our own vision and take action. And we can start right where we are: joining a volunteer team, showing up for someone in need, or simply spending a few minutes praying for the world we want to see. In today’s episode, Father Pat McGrath invites us to see vision as a spiritual practice—one that gives us purpose, hope, and direction—and encourages us to picture the world we want to help create, write it down, and take one small step this week to move toward it.

The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's ChoirThe featured songs today are:One Bread One Body Go Light Your World Holy Is Your Name 

Have you ever seen an improv show? It’s impressive to watch a whole story—characters, setting, even the drama—come to life in the moment, all from a single audience suggestion. What makes it work isn’t just the actors’ quick wit, but their trust in one another. Before stepping on stage, improv actors often turn to each other and say, “I’ve got your back.” It’s a promise that no matter what happens, I’m here for you. I won’t let you flounder—because when one actor struggles, the whole scene suffers. It’s a commitment to build on what you create so that together, we make the scene the best it can be. That’s the heart of the “yes, and” philosophy. Instead of shutting down an idea, you accept it, and then you add to it. That simple approach opens the door to creativity, connection, and trust. Now, imagine if we carried that same spirit into our everyday lives. What if we treated the world like a stage, and everyone we encountered as our fellow scene partners? What if our posture toward each other was: “I’ve got your back—because what hurts you, hurts me too.” Our lives are deeply interconnected. When others suffer, we suffer too—even if we don’t recognize it right away. Indifference leads to coldness, but compassion keeps our hearts alive and aligned with God’s will. So today, Fr. Michael Simone encourages us to ask: how can I say “yes, and” to the people in my life, and how can I live out that promise, I’ve got your back?

Have you ever thought, “If I just had a little more money, life would finally feel secure?” We’ve all been there. We track our accounts, build our savings, chase that next raise. But today’s gospel flips the script and asks: What is true wealth? Think of this episode as Spiritual Finance 101. Father McGrath is stepping in as our investment advisor—but not for your 401k. This is about a different kind of portfolio. Jesus says true wealth isn’t measured in dollars or dividends. It’s measured in mercy. Compassion. Forgiveness. Healing. And radical love. And he asks: How are you managing those assets? Are you hoarding compassion like a secret rainy-day fund? Or are you actually spending and investing kindness, love, and forgiveness—generously—on the people who need it most? The good news is, God has already deposited these gifts into our spiritual bank accounts in abundant measure, and our “return on investment” comes when we give them away. That’s how we grow real, lasting, spiritual wealth—the kind that heals relationships, lifts burdens, transforms the world, and yes—gives us a deeper security than money ever could. So today, Father McGrath gives us a lesson in how to grow our true, spiritual wealth.

The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's ChoirThe featured songs today are:God's InvitationWe Sing God's TruthFor The Healing of the World

Have you ever carried something you thought was unredeemable—maybe a mistake, a failure, or a burden so heavy you weren’t sure it could ever be lifted? What if the very thing you most regret or struggle with could, through God’s grace, become the place where healing begins? Redemption isn’t just something that waits for us in heaven. It’s something God offers here and now—through prayer, the sacraments, and the slow, steady work of grace in our daily lives. Today, Father Jayme Stayer reminds us that when we dare to bring our burdens to the altar, Christ transforms them—not someday, but right now—into something redemptive and healing.