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The Padre Pad digs into what it is like to be a Catholic priest. In each episode the host, Matt Kettinger, has a conversation with a different priest to examine his call to the priesthood, his formation and training, and the joys, challenges and graces that make up the life of a priest.
For the month of January we welcome Fr. Joe Weigman, the chaplain at Saint Clare Commons Senior Living facility, and a staff member at Saint John XXIII Parish in Perrysburg, Ohio. Fr. Joe is a proud Miami Redskin and was ordained as a priest for the Diocese of Toledo in 1991. Just prior to his ordination Fr. Joe was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosi…
This month's guest is Monsignor Michael Hohenbrink, the Pastor Emeritus of St. Michael Parish in Findlay, Ohio. Fr. Mike has served a number of roles since his priestly ordination in 1974, including high school teacher, retreat director, vocations director, and pastor. In this episode Fr. Mike reflects back on his days attending high school seminar…
Our guest for this month is Fr. Keith Stripe, the pastor of St. Ignatius Parish in Oregon and Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Bono, Ohio. Fr. Keith is a native of Van Wert, Ohio and has recently become an avid fisherman. He is also as aspiring farmer and loves to can.By Matthew Kettinger
In this episode we meet Father Eric Schild, the pride of Norwalk, Ohio. The interview with Fr. Eric covers a multitude of topics, including the joys and challenges of young adult ministry, how to be a welcoming parish, the beauty of fund-raising, and Fr. Eric's favorite (and least favorite) desserts.…
The September, 2022 episode of the Padre Pad features Monsignor William Kubacki, the Vicar General for the Diocese of Toledo and the Rector of Holy Rosary Cathedral. Listen in to hear what it was like growing up in the 1960's, and learn of the unconventional path that priesthood has taken for Msgr. Kubacki. AND . . . sign up for a European riverboa…
Meet Fr. Andrew Wellmann, the pastor of two parishes in the far northwestern part of Ohio - St. Patrick in Bryan and Sacred Heart in Montpelier. Fr. Andrew grew up on a farm near Delphos and is a big fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes. Listen in to hear his thoughts about skydiving, ice cream, rap music, and Chick-fil-A.…
This is a terrific conversation with a great friend and mentor, Fr. Paul Fahrbach. Fr. Paul is one of the most kind and pastoral men that I know, and our conversation was recorded on June 24 - the date of the U.S. Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe vs. Wade. Listen in to here his thoughts on what the decision means for the future of the Cat…
This brief episode features original music composed by Fr. Paul Fahrbach. The first song is titled "Proclaim the Gospel of Christ" and was written by Fr. Paul and arranged and sung by Sean Beeson. The second song is titled "The Priest as the Blood of Christ" and is sung by Fr. Paul and arranged by Brother Terry Nufer, C.PP.S. Enjoy.…
Our guest for the month of June is Fr. Al Beltz. Fr. Al is the Associate Pastor of Saint John the Evangelist parish in Delphos - and effective July 1 he will be the pastor of Immaculate Conception parish in Bellevue, Ohio. Listen in to learn about Fr. Al's journey from professional artist to Catholic priest.…
Our guest for the month of May is Chris Turner, a seminarian for the Diocese of Toledo who is studying for the priesthood. Chris just completed his pastoral year at Findlay St. Michael, which was essentially an immersion into the daily life of the parish. Chris hails from Perrysburg, Ohio, and is already making plans for a unique party after his an…
In this episode we meet my old grade school buddy, Fr. Mark Davis. In this rambling conversation we talk about playground football, the beauty of funerals, Harry Potter, and Bruce Springsteen. Buckle up.By Matthew Kettinger
In the episode we are introduced to Fr. Bernie Owens, SJ. Fr. Bernie serves the St. John's Jesuit community in Toledo and has worn many priestly hats - as a teacher, retreat director, missionary, author, and spiritual director. This is the story of a man who has lived to serve others.By Matthew Kettinger
What an honor to have Bishop Daniel Thomas of the Diocese of Toledo on the podcast! Bishop Thomas talks about growing up in Philadelphia, the 18 years he spent in Rome, and his surprise at being asked to serve as a bishop in the Catholic Church.By Matthew Kettinger
Fr. Dave Nuss is currently the pastor of Little Flower Parish - and soon to be pastor of Christ the King Parish in Toledo.By Matthew Kettinger
This episode features Fr. Geoff Rose, the president of Saint Francis de Sales High School in Toledo. We learn about his background in politics, his love of hockey, and what it's like to be the CEO of a Catholic high school.By Matthew Kettinger
In this episode we meet Fr. Simon Herrmann, a priest-monk at Saint Meinrad Archabbey in southern Indiana. Fr. Simon was ordained in June of 2021 and shares what the life of a monk is like - including his new X-Box ministry.By Matthew Kettinger
Fr. Jeremy Miller is the pastor of Corpus Christi University Parish in Toledo. In this episode he shares his experience growing up in the Marblehead area along the shores of Lake Erie and chronicles his ongoing love affair with Skyline Chili. Fr. Jeremy loves working and ministering to university students and appreciates the vitality and hope that …
This is part two of my discussion with Fr. Joseph Mominee, a priest who was ordained by Bishop Daniel Thomas for the Diocese of Toledo in June of 2021. In this half of the interview we talk about the ordination ceremony and learn about what it is like to be a rookie priest.By Matthew Kettinger
This is part one of a two-part discussion with Fr. Joseph Mominee, a priest who was ordained by Bishop Daniel Thomas for the Diocese of Toledo in June of 2021. In this half of the interview we learn about Fr. Joseph's call to the priesthood and his years spent in formation in Rome. Fr. Joseph is spending his summer at St. Mary's Parish in Tiffin, O…
Fr. Nick is a senior-status priest for the Diocese of Toledo and now lives in Bucyrus, Ohio. Fr. Nick was born in Yugoslavia just prior to the start of the Second World War and he and his family fled to Germany in 1945 to avoid being captured by the Russians. In the early 1950's his family emigrated to the United States and settled in Mansfield, Oh…
Fr. Dave Cirata is the pastor of two parishes in north Toledo (as of June, 2021) and in July, 2021 he will begin serving as the pastor of Saint John the Evangelist Church in Defiance, Ohio. His field of special interest is Catholic liturgy, and in this episode we learn exactly what is meant by the word liturgy and why it is important.…
Today's guest is Fr. Kishora Kottana, the Associate Pastor of Saint Rose Parish in Perrysburg, Ohio. Fr. Kishore is a native of India and became a U.S. citizen in 2019 - here is his story from submarine engineer to Catholic priest.By Matthew Kettinger
Our guest today is Fr. Phil Smith, the Director of the Office of Priestly Vocations for the Diocese of Toledo.By Matthew Kettinger
In this episode we meet Fr. Matt Rader, a priest who has spent his entire ministry serving the needs of students and families associated with Catholic schools.By Matthew Kettinger
In this episode we hear from Fr. Peter Grodi, the Associate Pastor of Saint Michael the Archangel Parish in Findlay, Ohio. Please contact thepadrepad@gmail.com with any comments on the show or suggestions for future episodes.By Fr. Peter Grodi
