Podcasts

Sometimes questions of faith arise from simply walking into a church. A listener named Laura asks, “I’d like to learn about those candles that people light. Why do we have those little areas with racks of candles?” She continues that she knows they are for prayer intentions, but would like more information.

A Protestant listener named Sean asks Father Dave for some clarification about saints in the Catholic Church. “As I read the Epistles, Paul always mentions saints as living, breathing followers of Christ that are right there with him, and [Catholics] tend to talk about saints as first you have to die and then meet a couple other requirements…I’m hoping you can help me reconcile [that],” he asks.

Feast of Saint James. Father Dave explains how the Feast of Saint James can remind us that God chooses all of us despite our shortcomings.…

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Father Dave explains how today’s Scriptures reveal two keys about prayer: It is not about changing God’s mind, and it is usually not about us. We are to focus on the needs of our world and community, in addition to praying for our own desires. Preached at Saint Paul the Apostle Church, New York City on 07-24-22

As the American Church embarks on a three-year Eucharistic Revival, Dr. Timothy O’Malley joins the Busted Halo Show to discuss his new book “Becoming Eucharistic People: The Hope and Promise of Parish Life.” O’Malley is a member of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ executive planning team for the Revival, as well as director of education at the McGrath Institute for Church Life and academic director of the Notre Dame Center for Liturgy.

Pope Francis is visiting Canada this week, and Father Dave explains the significance of this particular trip on the Busted Halo Show as well as CNN and NewsNation. 

A listener named Tim asks about a common phrase you may hear at Mass: Brothers and Sisters. After 40 years as a lector, he wonders why some readings from the epistles (or Paul’s letters) begin with this phrase. He also has noticed it more after 2010’s changes to the translation of the Roman Missal.

Wednesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time. Father Dave notes that sometimes being a disciple means God is telling us to do something, rather than asking. However, God knows what He’s doing — we are not alone on our journey, and He will give us what we need. Preached at Saint Paul the Apostle Church, New York City on 07-20-22

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Father Dave muses about how his friends call him “a Martha,” as well as how we are called to both contemplative and active service in our faith. He also stresses that we can’t be distracted or overwhelmed by the humanness of being a disciple. We are to tend to the person of Jesus and those in our lives who need hospitality. Preached at Saint Paul the Apostle Church, New York City on 07-17-22

Memorial of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha. Father Dave recalls how a friend often asks if they are being too dramatic, and connects this characteristic to Isaiah’s passion in today’s readings. He also helps us learn from Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, and challenges us to not take our faith for granted. Preached at Saint Paul the Apostle Church, New York City on 07-14-22