Catholic Stuff You Should Know

Fr. John and Fr. Sean discuss the life of Venerable Aloysius Schwartz, an American priest who gave his life to serving the poorest of the poor in Korea, Mexico, and beyond. Through his witness, the podcast takes up the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience, with special attention to what poverty means for priests, lay people, Americans, and even those discerning how to tithe after retirement.

Transcribed - Published: 2 July 2026

This week's episode begins a three-part series by Fr. John, pairing French saints with famous Tour de France stage climbs. These reflections, born from his recent pilgrimage, begin in the farmtown of Ars with St. John Vianney and make their way to the acclaimed Col du Galibier in the French Alps. Fr. Sean, having visited Ars and himself an avid cyclist, brings his own thoughts to bear on the first of these curious pairings.

Transcribed - Published: 25 June 2026

In this week’s episode Frs. John and Sean explore the baptismal call to share in Christ’s threefold office as priest, prophet, and king. What do these titles actually mean for ordinary Catholics? Drawing from Scripture, tradition, and everyday life, the podcast examines how all the baptized are called to offer sacrifice, proclaim truth, and exercise stewardship. Far from being reserved for clergy, the mission of priest, prophet, and king belongs to every Christian as a participation in the life and mission of Christ Himself.

Transcribed - Published: 19 June 2026

Fr. Jacob and Fr. Sean talk about their various experiences with family ministry and emphasize the importance of communities of families living out the Catholic faith.

Transcribed - Published: 12 June 2026

In this week's episode Frs. John and Sean take up Wendell Berry's Life is a Miracle: An Essay Against Modern Superstition. Laying out his critique of Edward O. Wilson's Consilience, the podcast discusses how the Enlightenment worldview seeks to enshrine empiricism and adorn science as the capstone of reality. In Berry we find a compelling argument for the true unknowability of creation, which as gift, is nothing short of a miracle.

Transcribed - Published: 4 June 2026

This week guest host Fr. CJ Mast takes the lead on discussing the educational ideal of St. John Bosco. Known as the "preventive system," Bosco's approach is informed by the experience not just "being loved" - but "knowing that you are loved." Reflecting on his six years of high school chaplaincy, Fr. CJ unpacks with Fr. John the varying themes that lie within this authentic human approach to education.

Transcribed - Published: 29 May 2026

This episode explores the profound importance of confession in the Catholic faith. Fr. Sean and Fr. Jacob offer practical guidance on how to make a good confession, the sacramental theology of it, and the spiritual benefits of this sacrament.

Transcribed - Published: 21 May 2026

Fr. Sean and Fr. John unpack the mystery of the Ascension through the lens of Scripture. Far more than Jesus floating into the sky, the Ascension reveals Christ’s heavenly enthronement as king and high priest. Drawing from Acts 1, Daniel 7, and Hebrews, they explore the cloud of glory, the heavenly Temple, and the heavenly glory.

Transcribed - Published: 15 May 2026

Fr. Jacob and Fr. John welcome a special guest Anthony D'Ambrosio, the director of the film Triumph of the Heart. Between Fr. Jacob and Anthony nerding out about film and the creative process, they talk about the journey of faith, passing through trials, Catholic art, and the creative spirit.

Transcribed - Published: 8 May 2026

Concluding our three-series on Dante, Fr. John and Fr. Jacob walk through the finale of Dante's Divine Comedy, the Paradiso. This "highlights reel" serves as an overview of the work for anyone every interested, but intimated by a poem of such stature. We hope it inspires a reading, as the poetry of Dante is truly inexhaustible. If you are interested in more, check out Fr. John's nine-part lecture series at Our Lady of Lourdes: https://www.youtube.com/@LourdesDenver/streams.

Transcribed - Published: 1 May 2026

Fr. Jacob and Fr. Sean look at some of the compelling contemporary scientific evidence for the existence of God before discussing St. Thomas' 2nd and 3rd cosmological proofs. Join this discussion of causality, contingency, beauty and wonder at the universe and it's creator.

Transcribed - Published: 24 April 2026

As the second installation of his three-part series, Fr. John offers an introduction and overview of the second canticle of Dante's Divine Comedy - The Purgatorio. He is joined by guest host Fr. CJ Mast, a fellow companion and long time friend. If you are looking for more on Dante, check out Fr. John's nine-part lecture series at Our Lady of Lourdes: https://www.youtube.com/@LourdesDenver/streams.

Transcribed - Published: 16 April 2026

This week Fr. Jacob and Fr. John talk about the hinge pin of the liturgical year, Holy Week, the Triduum and the Easter Octave. Launching from the Easter season they discuss the liturgical year at large and how it all flow from and to the greatest of solemnities Easter!

Transcribed - Published: 10 April 2026

This week Fr. Sean and Fr. John do a deep-dive introduction to the first canticle of Dante's Divine Comedy, The Inferno. Following the lecture series of Fr. John at Our Lady of Lourdes, they provide a comprehensive overview, the first of a three-week program from the podcast. To view the lectures at Lourdes by Fr. John, visit https://www.youtube.com/@LourdesDenver/streams.

Transcribed - Published: 3 April 2026

Fathers Sean and Jacob reflect on the Arma Christi, the weapons of Christ, which were used as the instruments of Christ's Passion. In addition, they dive into the brutality of the sufferings that Christ experienced and then reflect on redemptive suffering.

Transcribed - Published: 26 March 2026

In this week's episode, Fr. Jacob and Fr. John unpack one of the key features of Paul Kingsnorth's Against the Machine: On the Unmaking of Humanity. Understanding the modern world from the perspective of the "machine," the hosts draw us into a conversation about the inner logic of lent, and how to avoid making it an instance of machine-like faith.

Transcribed - Published: 20 March 2026

This week Fr. Jacob and Fr. Sean reflect on the questions asked during the rites of marriage and ordination as a means to explore what it is we promise when we freely enter into marriage or holy orders. They explore these missional vocations and reflect on the missions we promise to carry out by entering them.

Transcribed - Published: 13 March 2026

In this week's episode, Frs. Sean and John take a deep dive into two theological topics often untreated (and rarely ever in common) - sin and beauty. The reality of sin, itself a privation, offers a kind of "photographic negative" of the meaning of the beautiful. In a condensed form, Fr. John presents his research on the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas and Hans Urs von Balthasar, as well as arguing for the complementarity of their theological visions.

Transcribed - Published: 6 March 2026

While searching for his notes, Fr. Jacob quizzes Fr. John on Augustine's Trinitarian Theology, and then he leads us through the writings of St. John the Apostle, his Letters, his Gospel, and The Book of Revelation with an eye toward the Trinitarian Theology in John. As they ponder the Trinity, Fr. Jacob and Fr. John close the episode by reflecting on the High Priestly Prayer of Jesus found in the Gospel of John, chapter 17.

Transcribed - Published: 26 February 2026

This week Fr. Sean and Fr. John welcome friend and Sigrid Undset aficionada Danielle Coon to the podcast. Our conversation covers the life of the great Norwegian convert, a survey of her greatest works, and most importantly, an attempt to delve deeply into the genius of her literary witness to the Incarnation. For more from Danielle, check out https://daniellecoon.substack.com.

Transcribed - Published: 20 February 2026

Fr. Sean and Fr. Jacob discuss the different prayer postures that happen during the liturgy. Understanding prayer postures will then help us to better understand what we believe and how we live.

Transcribed - Published: 12 February 2026

This week Fr. Jacob and Fr. John take up the question of what makes a teacher truly excellent in the classroom. Taking up the theme "Authenticity is the universal language of resonance" (from a friend Weston), they work to source it in the thought of Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas.

Transcribed - Published: 6 February 2026

Fr. Sean and Fr. John talk about how to discern vocation in todays world. They discuss the importance of charisms, discernment, the councils, and more. Tune in to understand how to best discern a consecrated call.

Transcribed - Published: 30 January 2026

Fr. Jacob and Fr. Sean discuss the representation of priests in film, especially the priests in the new film from Rian Johnson, Wake Up Dead Man. They then discuss various themes that the film wrestles with.

Transcribed - Published: 23 January 2026

On the heels of the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Fr. Jacob and Fr. John discuss the symbolism of the Baptismal and Easter Candle and how we pass on faith from one generation to the next as we receive the light of Christ. They further discuss the role of anointing before public ministry and how sin mars our baptismal garment and dampens our flame, yet God is always working to restore even a smoldering wick.

Transcribed - Published: 15 January 2026

This week Fr. Sean and Fr. John hash through the difficult challenges that face parents in selecting a high school. Distilling down the four basic motives, they hope to offer a deeper engagement of the question, one that offers salient and helpful suggestions for the cultivation of faith and the impartation of a worldview.

Transcribed - Published: 8 January 2026

As the new year begins, Fr. Sean and Fr. Jacob reflect on why most resolutions fail and propose a more Christian approach: ordering our lives around love rather than self-improvement. They explore practical ways to love God more through attention and silence, to love the Church with fidelity rather than critique, and to love priests with prayer and charity.

Transcribed - Published: 1 January 2026

Father Sean, Father John, and Father Jacob wish you all a Merry Christmas and share a few graces from the year. Merry Christmas and thanks for listening to CSYSK!

Transcribed - Published: 25 December 2025

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