Catholic Stuff You Should Know

In the final days of Advent, Fr. Sean and Fr. John talk about the ancient O Antiphons, names for Christ drawn from Isaiah, that express Israel’s longing for a Savior. Hidden within these prayers is God’s reply, "tomorrow, I will come” revealing Christmas as the fulfillment of centuries of hope.

Transcribed - Published: 19 December 2025

Using the film and literature adage of "Show, don't tell," Fr. Jacob leads Fr. Sean down a reflection of Catholic life using the analogies of light and perspective. How can priests and all the faithful show their faith rather than merely tell about it, and how can we all shift our perspective, or change the lighting, so that we can see our faith anew with wonder and awe?

Transcribed - Published: 12 December 2025

As the second installation on Fr. John's new book "Illuminate," Fr. Jacob and Fr. John unpack some of the deeper contours of the opening verses of the Gospel of St. John. Focused on the themes of Word and Light, the podcast is meant to aid the reading of the book, as well as help anyone to discover the deeper mystery of Christ as we await his coming at Christmas. For more on the book, cf. www.avemariapress.com/pages/illuminate

Transcribed - Published: 4 December 2025

Fittingly published on Thanksgiving Day, Fr. Sean and Fr. John delve into the modern culture of health and well-being. Starting from the perspective of the natural good, they then assess the secular and ideological character of the health and wellness culture, before offering ideas around the Christian vision of it. And don’t miss the spicy excursus on botox!

Transcribed - Published: 27 November 2025

Father Sean and Father Jacob are joined by Wyatt O'Rourke to talk about what the morality of the monetary system and how Bitcoin plays a role in that. They dive into what money is, the morality of money from a Catholic perspective, and how Bitcoin is a solution to that immorality.

Transcribed - Published: 21 November 2025

Father Jacob and Father John discuss the recent document from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith regarding Mary, exploring her roles as Co-Redemptrix and Mediatrix. They delve into the theological implications of these titles, the understanding of Mary's mediation, and her role in the Church. Their conversation emphasizes the need for a nuanced approach to Mariology.

Transcribed - Published: 14 November 2025

Only a few weeks from Advent, Fr. John and Fr. Sean offer an introduction to Fr. John’s latest book, “Illuminate: A Guided Advent Journal for Prayer and Meditation.” As they discuss how the work came to be, its structure and form, they offer practical tips for preparing for the coming liturgical season. For more on the journal, visit https://www.avemariapress.com/products/illuminate?srsltid=AfmBOooQ4QVlETqSrUNAR-azm7icXadlVb2QyvChwD372LhMFCiKQke7.

Transcribed - Published: 6 November 2025

Fr. John and Fr. Sean welcome their friend and author Dominic Polito for a discussion on his book Fathering Sons. In it they explore the need to rescue and restore authentic paternity in our cultural moment, and offer concrete ideas for a modern rite of initiation. As a firefighter of 20 years and father of five, Dominic brings an honest and inspiring example of how a lived and intentional fatherhood can transform our familial landscape. Learn more at https://fatheringsons.com.

Transcribed - Published: 30 October 2025

A Day after St. John Paul II's feast day, Fr. Jacob and Fr. John riff on JPII's philosophical ideas of the human person as they try to come to a greater understanding of healthy self-determination tied to proper self-governance in light of truth. They discuss how man is in a way a "maker of himself" through his agency, and how man can make himself good or evil through his own will. But it is not all doom and gloom, through the perspective of gift and participation the ideas of JPII can help us retrieve proper agency toward virtuous living.

Transcribed - Published: 23 October 2025

Fr. Sean and Fr. John unpack the Five Solas of the Reformation — Sola Scriptura, Sola Fide, Sola Gratia, Solus Christus, and Soli Deo Gloria — and explore how the Catholic Church understands grace, faith, and our cooperation with God.

Transcribed - Published: 16 October 2025

After his recent travels with his parents, Fr. Jacob reflects with Fr. Sean about tourism, pilgrimage, art, architecture, and the consumption of past wonders while pondering what, if, and how we are building culture, architecture and the Church today.

Transcribed - Published: 10 October 2025

Fr. John leads Fr. Jacob through part two of his reflections on the rolling effects of the rise of artificial intelligence. They explore contemporary western education and the problems that can arise from chasing technological literacy over all else.

Transcribed - Published: 3 October 2025

Fr. Sean and Fr. John do a deep dive into the understanding of the Sacrament of Confirmation. If Confirmation is not a graduation, then how do we properly understand it? Listen to know the essentials and Confirmation 101.

Transcribed - Published: 25 September 2025

Fr. Sean and Fr. Jacob answer a couple of questions from a long time listener about how to bring dead parishes back to life. Tune in to hear their thoughts and how you can help build up your local parish(es).

Transcribed - Published: 18 September 2025

Fr. Jacob and Fr. John were able to get together in person for a quick episode to celebrate CSYSK’s 700th episode and they are even interrupted with a surprise interjection from the one and only Fr. Mike. Fr. Jacob leads Fr. John in a discussion considering the fruits of a creative life and co-creating with God the Creator.

Transcribed - Published: 11 September 2025

Fr. Sean and Fr. John sit down with Bo Brustkern, Executive Director of Creatio, for a conversation on the beauty of creation and its essential place in our life of faith. Together, they explore Creatio’s mission and how encountering creation can draw us deeper into God’s presence.

Transcribed - Published: 4 September 2025

Fr. Sean and Fr. Jacob dive into the four senses of Scripture—literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical—and explore how they impact the way we interpret and pray with the biblical text.

Transcribed - Published: 29 August 2025

The first of Father John’s fall series on A.I., Father Jacob and he take up the question from the perspective of the uncontrollability of the world. Unpacking the thought of Harmut Rosa and bringing Von Balthasar to bear, they seek to understand the contours of “resonance,” in place of the illusion of an engineered reality.

Transcribed - Published: 22 August 2025

Inspired by Fr. Sean’s recent ministry in retirement homes, he and Fr. John reflect on the challenges and heartache that come with retirement and the deep value of staying connected to loved ones.

Transcribed - Published: 15 August 2025

Join Fr. Sean and Fr. Jacob as they explore what it truly means to be disciples of Christ—not just within the walls of our parish, but out in the world. Be inspired to win, build and send for Christ.

Transcribed - Published: 8 August 2025

Join Fr. Jacob and Fr. John as they explore life through the lens of Ignatian spirituality, inspired by the First Principle and Foundation. They focus on the importance of knowing our true end and how it can shape and direct our life.

Transcribed - Published: 1 August 2025

Join Fr. Sean and Fr. John as they reflect on the heart of a Catholic wedding preparation, inspired by the insights of Cate (Spesia) Wisnieski. In a world where the wedding industry often overshadows the true meaning of the celebration, Cate offers a few thoughtful and faith-filled things to consider when planning a wedding with the Sacrament of Marriage at its center.

Transcribed - Published: 25 July 2025

After experiencing a lot of misunderstandings about what mass intentions and mass offerings are, Fr. Jacob and Fr. Sean dive into the history and theology of the Mass as a sacrifice and how the benefits of that sacrifice are dispersed through mass intentions.

Transcribed - Published: 18 July 2025

Fr. John and Fr. Jacob ponder a book by Paul Griffiths and discuss the experience of space and time from creation and the fall through the redemptive incarnation of Christ and how time has changed now that God has entered into His creation and drawn all things to himself from the cross.

Transcribed - Published: 10 July 2025

The whole crew gathers for Fr. Mike's last episode as he leads us on one more adventure discussing his new idea for a devotion to the Sacred Heart.

Transcribed - Published: 4 July 2025

Fr. Jacob and Fr. Sean discuss Fr. Jacob's latest hobby, gardening, and the spiritual analogies he's gleaned from his successes and failures striving to be a green thumb.

Transcribed - Published: 27 June 2025

In Fr. Mike's penultimate episode, Frs. John and Mike explore the distinctive anthropological phenomenon of the face - why we look for it and how it constitutes the fundamental experience of human life. Viewed from the lens of Dante's love of Beatrice, the face (or antlitz for Balthasar) expresses not only the fullness of the person, but truly the inner life of God. With an "homage" to Fr. John's mom, this podcast concludes with a glimpse into the Marian heart of the Church.

Transcribed - Published: 19 June 2025

Fr. Sean and Fr. Jacob discuss the significance of Pentecost finding its roots in the Jewish Feast of Weeks. There were three traditional pilgrimage feasts for the Jewish people and one of them, the Feast of Weeks, which coincided with the barley harvest, took place 50 days after Passover. How does Pentecost fulfill the handing on of the law?

Transcribed - Published: 13 June 2025

Fr. Mike and Fr. John dive into Isaiah 56:3-7 and talk about a moment where God reveals something unexpected—His own celibacy. They reflect on the significance of this divine self-disclosure and how it opens the door for men to receive the grace to share in God’s celibate love.

Transcribed - Published: 6 June 2025

Fr. Sean and Fr. Jacob dive into the intertwined realities of entitlement and giftedness.

Transcribed - Published: 30 May 2025

Join Fr. John and Fr. Mike as they dive into the Book of Acts, explore angel morphism, and uncover the mysteries of angels in the Bible and in heaven.

Transcribed - Published: 23 May 2025

Fr. Sean and Fr. Jacob share their journeys to the priesthood and dive into the seminary formation that shaped their faith, prayer life, and calling.

Transcribed - Published: 17 May 2025

Hosted by Fr. Mike and Fr. John, this episode—inspired by Matthew Walther’s article “What Is a Parish”—dives into the history of parish life, the rise of parish shopping, and where the future of parish communities may be headed.

Transcribed - Published: 9 May 2025

Fr. Sean and Fr. Jacob delve into the rich significance of the Chrism Mass. They explore the importance of the blessing of the holy oils—especially the Chrism, Oil of Catechumens, and Oil of the Sick—as essential tools for priests in their ministry throughout the liturgical year.

Transcribed - Published: 1 May 2025

With Fr. Sean preparing for a new assignment and the recent anniversary of the passing of Pope John Paul II on their minds, Fr. John and Fr. Sean dive into what it means to leave a legacy.

Transcribed - Published: 25 April 2025

Fr. Mike and Fr. Jacob talk about forming one’s heart in Compassion like the prophets and Jesus. How do we weep with those who weep without losing hope? We can trust in the power of prayer and the help of the Communion of Saints.

Transcribed - Published: 17 April 2025

Fr. John and Fr. Sean discuss the Catholic understanding of justification and the question of whether Christ had faith.

Transcribed - Published: 12 April 2025

Join Fr. Jacob and Fr. Mike as they explore the power of the stories we tell—about others and ourselves. Inspired by Ignatius’ Annotation 22 and Fr. Jacob’s recent read, Viper’s Tongue, this thought-provoking discussion dives into how our perceptions shape relationships, influence motives, and impact the narratives others create about us and our narratives about others.

Transcribed - Published: 3 April 2025

Fr. John and Fr. Sean explore this week’s topic through the lens of two thought-provoking writings: A Meditation on Givenness by St. John Paul II and The Thoughtful Home by Dia Boyle. Together, they reflect on the essence of home and its profound impact on a a family as well as a priest’s life in a rectory.

Transcribed - Published: 27 March 2025

Drawing upon the teachings of Saint Augustine of Hippo and Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Father Mike and Father Jacob discuss the role of memory in the spiritual life, and also discuss some of the possible pitfalls of nostalgic escape.

Transcribed - Published: 22 March 2025

Fr. Sean and Fr. John dive into the significance of the Jubilee Year of Hope and touch on a few virtues that nourish and strengthen our hope.

Transcribed - Published: 13 March 2025

Fr. Mike confesses to Fr. Jacob that he's discovered a new vice to add to his list of favorites...but then the Christian twist! In his weakness, Jesus will be proved stronger.

Transcribed - Published: 7 March 2025

Join Fr. John and Fr. Sean for the final episode of their podcast series on Fr. John's new book, To Heights and Unto Depths: Letters from the Colorado Trail. In this episode, they delve into several chapters of the book, touching on manhood and Mary's fiat.

Transcribed - Published: 27 February 2025

In this week’s episode, "Yes Mother", Fr. Jacob is joined by Fr. Mike. Inspired by John Henry Newman’s A Grammar of Assent, they discuss the importance of assenting to truth while maintaining a thoughtful and open mind.

Transcribed - Published: 21 February 2025

In this episode, Fr. John and Fr. Sean revisit Fr. John's transformative experience along the Colorado Trail. Fr. John shares how his encounter with creation opened a deeper connection to God, allowing him to more fully participate in God's being.

Transcribed - Published: 14 February 2025

Fr. Mike and Fr. Jacob talk about donkeys in the Bible. Awesome!

Transcribed - Published: 6 February 2025

In this week's episode, Father Sean and Father John continue their discussion of Fr. John's new book, To Heights and Unto Depths, with Father Sean sharing more about his personal experience on the trail.

Transcribed - Published: 31 January 2025

To celebrate 15 years of "Catholic Stuff You Should Know," the four hosts reunite for a special episode answering questions submitted by you, the listeners! Join them as they dive into your burning questions about the faith.

Transcribed - Published: 23 January 2025

It’s episode #666 and instead of skipping over it, Fr. Jacob and Fr. Mike dive into the scriptural meaning of the number 666 and the mark of the beast exploring various interpretations: historical, scriptural and even some of Fr. Mike's personal theories.

Transcribed - Published: 16 January 2025

In this special episode, Fr. John and Fr. Sean dive into the inspiration and journey behind Fr. John’s newly published book, To Heights and Unto Depths. Join the hosts as Fr. John shares spiritual reflections, and experiences that sparked the writing of this book and his invitation for readers to explore the heights of faith and the depths of the human experience.

Transcribed - Published: 9 January 2025