The books recommended in this episode are: The Complete Stories (also available for Kindle) by Flannery O'Connor Mystery and Manners: Occasional Prose (also available for Kindle) by Flannery O'Connor, seleceted and edited by Sally and Robert Fitzgerald The Habit of Being: Letters of Flannery O'Connor (also available for Kindle) by Flannery O'Connor…

The recommended books for this episode are: The Servile State by Hilaire Belloc An Essay on the Restoration of Property by Hilaire Belloc An Outline of Sanity by G.K. Chesterton A Humane Economy by Wilhelm Röpke The Economics of the Free Society by Wilhelm Röpke Five Books for Catholics may receive a commission from qualifying purchases made using …

Discover the sacred intricacies of the Catholic Mass as Mary Hrich, our Director of the Office for Worship, discusses what happens to the Precious Blood after Communion. From reverent consumption to the purification of vessels, Mary guides us through the liturgical protocols. Church Search goes to Sacred Heart in Wadsworth. Readings for the Sixth S…

The books recommended in this episode are: Corpus Mysticum: The Eucharist and the Church in the Middle Ages by Henri de Lubac SJ Called to Communion: Understanding the Church Today by Joseph Ratzinger Flesh of the Church, Flesh of Christ: At the Source of the Ecclesiology of Communion by Jean-Marie Roger Tillard Eucharist, Bishop, Church: The Unity…

Delve into the sacred with Mary Hrich, the Diocese of Cleveland's Director for the Office for Worship, as we address the intricacies of the communion rite—is personalizing it with a communicant's name a move towards intimacy or a step away from the ritual's communal roots? As we unravel the layers of this debate, you'll gain a deeper understanding …

The books recommended in this episode are: On Matters Southern: Essays About Literature and Culture, 1964-2000 by Marion Montgomery Possum, and Other Receipts for the Recovery of "Southern" Being by Marion Mongomery Liberal Arts and Community: The Feeding of the Larger Body by Marion Mongomery Romantic Confusions of the Good: Beauty as Truth, Truth…

As Mike Hayes and Father Damian Ference recount, there's something about an eclipse that brings both wonder and joy. The recent night sky's ballet was no different, and as it cast a surreal glow, they found themselves surrounded by friends, absorbed in the spellbinding moment. This episode takes you through their weekend journey, ending with the pr…

Have you ever wondered how a simple invitation can transform someone's spiritual life? Join the three of us: Mike Hayes, Father Damian Ference and Christy Cabaniss, as we unravel the power of community and the art of welcoming others into our faith journey this Easter season. In our latest heartfelt discussion, we dive into the nuances of inviting …

Lent is just a preparation and spiritual warm-up for Easter. Now that it is Easter, it is time to get down to exercising the Christian life in full. It makes sense, therefore, to keep setting aside some time for reading about the mysteries we celebrate and how we can live them out. Here then are some books and music that might be helpful. For furth…

Fr. Eric Garris, Diocesan Vocations Director joins Mike and FD 0:45: Lent is busy for all. 1:15: It's like Finals Week 1:35: What is Holy Week like for the guys? 1:50: What is Shrove Tuesday? 2:15: Today is the Chrism Mass. 2:25: More on Shrove Tuesday and the Chrism Mass and the priests spending the day. 4:00: The priesthood is very diverse. 4:20:…

Holy Week should be, insofar as possible, a time of recollection and prayer. To this end, reading one or other of the following books may be useful. It may help us enter more deeply into the mysteries we are celebrating and contemplating. Commentary on Saint John the Apostle and Evangelist: Homilies 48-88 by St. John Chrysostom What is Redemption? …

The books reviewed in this episode are: Hearing Bach's Passions by Daniel R. Melamed Lutheranism, Anti-Judaism, and Bach's St. John Passion: With an Annotated Literal Translation of the Libretto by Michael Marissen Bach in Berlin. Nation and Culture in Mendelssohn's Revival of the St. Matthew Passion by Celia Applegate Johann Sebastian Bach's St Jo…

Christa Alaburda from the Young Adult Advisory Board and parishioner at St Hilary's Parish in Fairlawn (1:05) Christa is a Godparent to her nephew. 1:25: What are the responsibilities and requirements to be a Godparent? 2:05: It's a gift! 2:20: To be a witness and accompany. 2:40: Did Christa have active Godparents? 3:20: You might have wonderful p…

Genesis or Bereishis (“In the beginning”) is the first book of the Bible. It tells the story of creation and God’s covenants with the first men (1-11) and the patriarchs (12-50). It ends with the death of Joseph, who had brought to Egypt both his brothers and his father, Jacob. Many of the stories related in Genesis are amongst the most memorable o…

Mary Hrich, Director for the Office for Worship joins us as Fr. Damian is travelling. 0:20: Mary is a longtime liturgical musician, so she talks about how she's gone about selecting music in parish life. 1:40: Music must be deemed worthy and liturgically approproate. 2:35: Music has different purposes: Sometimes it's the prayer itself. Sometimes it…

The books recommended in this episode are: Saint Thomas Aquinas: The Person and His Work by Jean-Pierre Torrell OP Saint Thomas Aquinas: Spiritual Master by Jean-Pierre Torrell OP Thomas Aquinas: Selected Writings edited and translated by Ralph McInerny Commentary on the Gospel of John (vol. 1) (vol. 2) (vol. 3) by St. Thomas Aquinas Thomas Aquinas…

Mary Hrich (pronounced "Rich") joins us. She is the Director of the Office for Worship for the Diocese of Cleveland. 0;20 Fr. Damian is on Spring Break 0:35: How did Mary get her job? 1:35: Mary took a straw poll of friends. 2:00: What does the GIRM say? 2:28: Can you subtract words? 2:50: An Ash Wednesday example on the Kyrie. 3:20: On the Roman M…

The recordings recommended in this episode are of: Quatre Motets pour un temps de pénitence by François Poulenc Miserere by Henryk Górecki Triodion by Arvo Pärt Miserere and Videns Dominus by James MacMillan Symphony of Psalms by Igor Stravinsky Five Books for Catholics may receive a commission from qualifying purchases made using the affiliate lin…

Lisa Leondarides, who is Bishop Malesic's personal assistant joins us. 2:00: Lisa's small group experience. 2:30: The USCCB's Video Series on the Eucharistic Revival. 3:50: How did Lisa start getting involved with these groups? 4:50: Small groups are important to be involved in so we can hear about the spirit working in people's lives. 5:40: Mike w…

The books recommended in this episode are: Discerning the Will of God: An Ignatian Guide to Christian Decision Making by Fr. Timothy M. Gallagher OMV The Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide for Everyday Living by Fr. Timothy M. Gallagher OMV Spiritual Consolation: An Ignatian Guide for Greater Discernment of Spirits by Fr. Timothy M. Gallaghe…

0:23: What is Spiritual Direction? 0:48: Where did Mike get his training for Spiritual Direction? 1:48: How is Spiritual Direction different from Counseling, Pastoral Counseling and Pastoral Care? 3:29: How is this different from a life coach? 4:29: Who's really directing in Spiritual Direction? 6:10: Does God have a secret plan? Or is this in our …

Here are this year's list of recommended readings for Lent. You can also check out last year’s list and the Message of Pope Francis for Lent 2024. On Repentance and Almsgiving by St. John Chrysostom Encyclical Letter Dives in misericordia (Rich in Mercy) by St. John Paul II The Lord by Romano Guardini A Father Who Keeps His Promises by Scott Hahn T…

0:30: Welcome back Fr. Damian, who was out sick this past week. 2:35: Valentine's Day or Ash Wednesday? Mike is clearly making adjustments to celebrate Valentine's Day? 3:15: FD notes Ss. Cyril and Methodius Day as well. 5:20: Notes on the Super Bowl and Taylor Swift. Reference to Cain Park in Cleveland Heights. 6:20: Usher got married? 7:05: Peopl…

The books recommended in this episode are: Arcanum and Casti connubii by Leo XIII and Pius XI The Social Teachings of Wilhelm Emmanuel Von Ketteler: Bishop of Mainz (1811-1877) edited by Rupert J. Ederer Catholic Social Teaching: A Volume of Scholarly Essays edited by Gerard V. Bradley and E. Christian Brugger The Teachings of Modern Roman Catholic…

Dr. Megan Lowes-Bolin joins Mike for this episode. Dr Lowes-Bolin's new book: Ignite! The Secret to Engaing Young Adults in the Church. Fr. Damian is under the weather! Pray for him! (0:45) Megan teaches at her alma mater, John Carroll University. (1:12) So what is the secret? (1:30) Megan also worked in a number of parishes. (1:55) Who are the peo…

Simon P. Keefe recommends some books that can help us learn about Mozart’s music and penetrate it more deeply as we listen to it. The Letters of Mozart and his Family (3rd edition) edited by Emily Anderson Mozart: A Documentary Biography by Otto Erich Deutsch Mozart's Requiem: Reception, Work, Completion by Simon P. Keefe Mozart in Vienna: The Fina…

Maria Wancata, Lindsay Fullerman, and Desi Gould all join us from the Behold Retreat. 1:00 An Aside on Spiders! 3:15: How did they all join together to collaborate on this retreat and what parts are they playing? 4:00: Desi talks about her passion for Theology of the Body and talks about how we relate to each other as mothers and daughters. 4:55: F…

The books recommended in this interview are: Understanding Early Christian Art by Robin M. Jensen The Clash of Gods: A Reinterpretation of Early Christian Art by Thomas F. Mathews The Invisible God: The Earliest Christians on Art by Paul Corby Finney Likeness and Presence: A History of Art before the Era of Art by Hans Belting, trans. E. Jephcott T…

It's coming up on Catholic Schools Week so this is an entire podcast on Catholic Schools week. Michael Suso, Director of Marketing for Cleveland Catholic Schools. Fred Roberts, Director of Development for Catholic Education for the Catholic Community Foundation. 0:45: Michael is only 6 months into the job. 1:14: How do we help schools tell their st…

The books recommended in this interview are: Tales of Faith: A Guide to Sharing the Gospel through Literature by Holly Ordway Faith, Hope and Poetry: Theology and the Poetic Imagination by Malcolm Guite Imaginative Apologetics: Theology, Philosophy, and the Catholic Tradition by Andrew Davison Spiritual Direction from Dante: vol. 1, Avoiding the In…

(0:40) Sr. Jane Nesmith, Director of the Office of Black Catholics joins us. (1:00) Sr. Jane reviews the past few days of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebrations in the Diocese of Cleveland. (1:52) Fr. John Judie, from the Archdiocese of Louisville, preached at the Cathedral yesterday. (4:25) We talk about the Diocesan Gospel Choir. (6:14) We debr…

Dr. Thomas Scheck discusses Origen of Alexandria (185-253) and recommends the following books: Contra Celsum by Origen (edited by Henry Chadwick) Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans (vol. 1) (vol. 2) by Origen (translated by Thomas P. Scheck) Homilies on Joshua by Origen (translated by Barbara J. Bruce) Homilies on Numbers by Origen (translated…

Maria Wancata joins us to talk about The Barbie Movie winning the Golden Globe Award and her and FD did a workshop on the movie at CLE 21:6. 1:35: We recap the movie a bit. And the tension between men and women and who should run the world? 2:40: The unresolved dilemma is that neither work well. 3:25: Review of the creation story and provide some t…

The books recommended in this episode are: Faith and Politics: Selected Writings by Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI A New Song for the Lord: Faith in Christ and Liturgy Today by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger What is Christianity?: The Last Writings by Benedict XVI Fundamental Speeches from Five Decades by Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI The Nature and Miss…

WELCOME TO SEASON 2 0:00: We review FD's NPR voice. 1:25: Mike talks about his experience of doing Sports on NPR. 2:22: We talk about 2024 and our looking forward to this for many years. 3:00: We talk about Generations among ourselves. 3:30: The Catholic Project at Catholic U is the subject today . 4:20: Priests and the Orthodoxy range in the study…

Prof. Dwight Lindley, the Barbara Longway Briggs Chair in English Literature at Hillsdale College, discusses some of the best of Dickens’s novels and of the studies on them. He recommends: David Copperfield by Charles Dickens Bleak House by Charles Dickens A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens Chesterton on Dicken…

Fr. Eric Garris joins us for the year ender podcast. Fr. Damian does this episode in an NPR voice. 1:07: Fr. Garris talks about his highlight at the Seminary with the new seminarians. 2:15: Mike tries to do his highlight in a sportscaster voice (for a bit). 3:42: The old guy still got it. 4:07: FD recaps the Eucharistoc Revival. Tune in to our You …

The works recommended are: Fantasia on Christmas Carols by Ralph Vaugh Williams Lauda per la Natività del Signore by Otterino Resphighi Quatre Motets pour le temps de Noël by François Poulenc Retablo de Navidad by Joaquín Rodrigo Having beheld a strange Nativity (Canticles and Prayers II) by Georgy Sviridov Five Books for Catholics may receive a co…

Christy Cabaniss, Director of Missionary Discipleship is our guest. 0:30: Mike and Christy are new to Cleveland (sorta)... 1:40: FD has almost never missed Christmas. 2:20: FD's going back to Rome during the Christmas season. 2:50: Marion's (Mike's wife) family Christmas Party. 3:25: Christy celebrates Christmas "day" differently. 4:00: On Signing …

The books recommended in this episode are: Christ the Educator by Clement of Alexandria Catechism of the Catholic Church by John Paul II Gospel, Catechesis, Catechism by Card. Joseph Ratzinger The Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Craft of Catechesis by Pierre de Cointet, Barbara Morgan and Petroc Willey Theology and Sanity by Frank Sheed Fi…

Calla Gill is Our Guest 0:40: Check out our Billboards on our YouTube Channel? 1:00: Mary isn't alone! 1:20: Anthony Van Ardsdale is the artist. 1:50: A bit on the Black Catholic Conference and how this all started. 3:50: Where are these billboards? 4:50: We had to get permission to use this image. 6:10: We're invited to kneel at Christmas ... 7:10…

The books recommended in this episode are: Jesus of Nazareth, Volume 3: The Infancy Narratives by Benedict XVI The Sermons of St. Francis de Sales: For Advent and Christmas by St. Francis de Sales The True Meaning of Christmas: The Birth of Jesus and the Origins of the Season by Michael Barber The Nativity Scene by Eduardo de Filippo Illuminating L…

Christy Cabaniss , Director of Missionary Discipleship joins us. You can watch this podcast on our You Tube Channel now: https://www.youtube.com/@QuestionOfFaith Editor's Note: We likely will only publish select video clips in the future as opposed to the whole show---but chime in on our poll and let us know what you'd like us to do. 0:30: How Can …

The books recommended in this episode are: The Elements (alternative edition, Books I-VI with coloured diagrams) by Euclid Almagest by Ptolemy Timaeus by Plato On order (De ordine) (alternative edition) by St. Augustine To Save the Phenomena: An Essay on the Idea of Physical Theory from Plato to Galileo by Pierre Duhem Five Books for Catholics may …

It's Podcast #100 FD and Mike look back on a number of Episodes from the past 100 (or so) shows. What have been our favorite episodes? (1:50) On Death and Dying with Tom Pussell from St. Rafael Parish. (3:30) The hysterical Halloween episode with Maria Wancata. (5:20) We became Swifties with Emily Ahlin and talked about religious experiences and th…

The Church closes the liturgical year with the Solemnity of Christ the King. Pius XI instituted this feast in his 1925 encyclical Quas Primas. In that document, he unpacked the mystery of Christ’s kingship while acknowledging that only the liturgy, not his encyclical, could impress that mystery upon the minds and hearts of the faithful. Here is a s…

Fr Eric Garris joins us. 0:00 We talk a bunch of Thanksgiving... 3:30: Our Question....by the way...Why do we bless objects? 4:15: We make distinctions...what happens when we bless something? 5:00: Sacraments vs. Sacramentals 6:10: The strangest thing FD ever blessed is.... 7:10: We're participating in God's work... 7:35: Fr Eric and hotel rooms...…

This episode's recommended books are: The Solzhenitsyn Reader: New and Essential Writings, 1947-2005 by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, edited by Edward E. Ericson Jr. and Daniel J. Mahoney The Gulag Archipelago: An Experiment in Literary Criticism (Abridged) (Vintage Edition) (Complete 3 Volume Edition) by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn In the First Circle by Ale…

Tom Pussel, Director of Outreach and Evangelization at St. Raphael Parish in Bay Village, OH joins us. (0:30) Tom has a lot of experience with accompanying the dying and their loved ones. (0:40) Tom is also a convert to Catholicism. (2:00) We refer to this news story about Boston Red Sox Pitcher Tim Wakefield and Curt Schilling. (3:30) Tom gives us…

This episode's recommended books are: Ignatius Catholic Study Bible (also available for Kindle) edited by Curtis Mitch and Scott Hahn Kingship by Covenant: A Canonical Approach to God's Saving Promises by Scott Hahn The Kingdom of God as Liturgical Empire: A Theological Commentary on 1-2 Chronicles (also available for Kindle) by Scott Hahn Jesus of…