Idaho Catholic Podcast

Why Do Catholics Keep Jesus on the Cross? I recently received a comment that said: "Stop putting Jesus on the cross. He already suffered. Why do Catholics keep killing Him over and over again?" It’s a question many Christians sincerely ask. But the answer reveals something deep, powerful, and beautiful about the Catholic faith that many people have never heard before. In this episode of The Catholic Journey, Deacon Pat Kearns explains: • Why Catholics display the crucifix • Whether the Mass “re-sacrifices” Jesus • Why the Resurrection and the Cross can never be separated • And how the crucifix reveals the greatest love story in human history You may be surprised by what the Church actually teaches.

What if your hardest season is actually where God is doing His greatest work? Most of us find it easy to thank God when life is going well. But when we face disappointment, loss, suffering, or uncertainty, gratitude can feel almost impossible. Yet Scripture tells us something remarkable: “Give thanks in all circumstances.” Not because suffering is good—but because God can transform even our darkest moments into something meaningful. In this episode of The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns, we explore the powerful idea of gratitude in adversity—how faith allows us to see God working even in the struggles we wish we could avoid. You’ll discover: • Why gratitude changes the way we experience suffering • How the Cross reveals God’s purpose in pain • A simple spiritual practice that can transform difficult seasons If you’re walking through a challenging time, this reflection may help you see your story through a new lens of hope.

Fear holds many people back from the life God is calling them to live. Fear of failure. Fear of rejection. Fear of stepping into the unknown. Yet throughout Scripture, God repeats the same words again and again: “Do not be afraid.” In this episode of The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns, we explore how courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to trust God even when the path ahead feels uncertain. You’ll hear: • Why fear often keeps us from becoming who God created us to be • How faith can free us from hesitation and doubt • Inspiring examples of courage from the saints • How one step of faith can transfor

What if the person who needs your mercy the most… is the one who hurt you the deepest? Mercy sounds beautiful in theory. But when someone wounds us, betrays us, or breaks our trust… mercy becomes incredibly hard. Yet Jesus teaches something radical: Mercy doesn’t just free the person we forgive — it frees us. In this episode of The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns, we explore the power of compassion through Christ’s teachings, the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, and a powerful real-life story of forgiveness that transformed a broken heart. If you’ve ever struggled with resentment, anger, or forgiving someone who hurt you… this message may open the door to a freedom you didn’t know was possible. Because mercy is not weakness. Mercy is the strength to let God heal what bitterness never could.

A monk once nearly destroyed his health trying to become holy. He prayed longer. Fast more. Slept less. He thought holiness meant pushing harder… until his abbot stopped him and said something that changed his life forever: “Don’t destroy the instrument God gave you. Tune it so it can make beautiful music.” In this episode of The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns, we explore the forgotten virtue of charity toward yourself—why caring for the body and soul God gave you is not selfish, but essential to living a faithful life. If you’ve ever felt spiritually exhausted, overwhelmed, or like you’re not doing enough for God… this message might change how you see your faith.

“I Was Blind… and Now I See.” In this episode of The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns, we begin by listening to the powerful story from the Gospel of John about the man born blind. Then we reflect on what this miracle reveals about our own lives. So often when suffering appears, we ask the same question the disciples asked: “Whose fault is this?” But Jesus gives a very different answer. Sometimes God allows struggles so that His work can be revealed in ways we cannot yet see. The man in the Gospel doesn’t understand everything—but he trusts. He obeys Jesus. And his life is transformed. His testimony is simple, but powerful: “I was blind, and now I see.” In this homily we explore: • Why suffering is not meaningless • How faith grows through trust before understanding • The journey from darkness → sight → faith → worship • And how Jesus still seeks us out when the world pushes us away Included is a moving story of a young girl who learned to trust God before she could see clearly, reminding us that

If you could change one thing about your spouse… what would it be? Every marriage eventually reaches moments of frustration, misunderstanding, and conflict. We sometimes find ourselves thinking: “If only they would change this one thing…” But what if the real key to transforming a marriage is not what we think? In this episode of The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns, we explore: • Why many couples struggle to influence each other • The surprising way real change often begins in a marriage • A powerful story about how one person’s transformation changed an entire relationship • How faith, humility, and grace can strengthen even difficult marriages If you are married—or hope to be someday—this conversation may change the way you see your relationship.

When was the last time you truly listened? Not just waiting for your turn to speak… But really listening. In a world filled with constant noise, silence has become rare. Yet silence may be one of the most powerful spiritual practices we can rediscover. In this episode of The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns, we explore: • Why silence is essential for hearing God • How listening can transform relationships • Why reacting quickly often leads to conflict • How a simple pause can bring wisdom and peace Sometimes the most powerful words come after we learn to listen.

What if you are capable of far more than you realize? Many people spend their entire lives believing a smaller story about themselves than the one God wrote. You were created as a unique person, with unique gifts, and for a unique purpose. But fear, distractions, comfort, and self-doubt often prevent us from becoming the person we were meant to be. In this episode of The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns, we explore: • 5 things that often prevent us from becoming our best self • 6 practical ways to grow into the person God created us to be • The powerful transformation of St. Peter • How our lives can quietly change the lives of others If you’ve ever wondered whether you are truly becoming the person God created you to be… this episode is for you.

Every parent wants the same thing: To raise children who grow up to be good people. But in today’s world, parenting is not easy. Even loving, dedicated parents can unintentionally fall into patterns that shape their children in ways they never expected. In this episode of The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns, we explore: • The 5 parenting mistakes many parents don’t realize they’re making • The most important things fathers and mothers can do for their children • How parenting should change as children grow • How to know if what you’re doing is actually working • How to raise children who will still love and respect you as adults If you are a parent, grandparent, or someone who cares about the next generation, this conversation is for you.

Choosing the right spouse may be the most important decision of your life. The person you marry will influence your faith, your peace, your children, and the direction of your future. Yet many people today choose a spouse based only on attraction, emotion, or convenience — and later discover warning signs they missed along the way. In this episode of The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns, we explore: • What qualities truly matter in a future spouse • Red flags you should never ignore • What healthy Catholic courtship should actually look like • How long couples should court and be engaged • Why marriage in the Church is so important If you or someone you love is discerning marriage, this conversation could save years of heartache and help build a relationship centered on God.

What happened to discipline in our Catholic life? In this enlightening episode of The Catholic Journey, Deacon Pat explores how discipline, a cornerstone of catholic spirituality, forms the foundation for spiritual growth and true freedom. Reflecting on the challenges faced by today’s youth in a world of comfort and instant gratification, Deacon Pat offers an honest faith discussion about why discipline is essential for both men and women. Discover why maintaining discipline is more important now than ever before, and how a disciplined life rooted in Catholic values leads to peace, freedom, and true joy. Join us on this catholic journey as we reveal how the saints found happiness not through indulgence but through steadfast discipline. Embrace this hidden path to freedom and deepen your spiritual growth today. Listen now.

Have you ever felt like everything in your life was falling apart? In this episode of The Catholic Journey, we explore how such moments of loss—whether a relationship ending, a plan failing, or a door closing—are not signs of God's abandonment but part of His greater plan. Join Deacon Pat for an honest faith discussion about trusting God through challenges, drawing on Catholic spirituality and practical insights that encourage spiritual growth. This episode offers guidance for anyone navigating change within their catholic life, shedding light on how God's purpose unfolds even when plans seem to fall apart.

Temptation is rarely obvious; it often comes quietly, disguised as something harmless. In this insightful episode of The Catholic Journey, Deacon Pat Kearns explores the subtle nature of temptation and how the enemy quietly traps souls, offering deep reflections on Catholic life and spiritual growth. Discover how to recognize these subtle snares before they pull you away from God and gain a fresh perspective on your own Catholic journey. This honest faith discussion may change the way you view temptation forever.

Everyone desires happiness, but true joy is a gift rooted in Catholic spirituality and spiritual growth. In this episode of The Catholic Journey, we engage in an honest faith discussion about the difference between fleeting worldly happiness and the unshakable joy that comes from freedom in Christ. Jesus promised, “that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11), and we explore how to experience that joy daily through authentic Catholic life practices. Drawing inspiration from the witness of the saints and real-life experiences serving in humble villages in Guatemala, we uncover the profound truth: joy doesn't originate from comfort, wealth, or worldly success but from a heart aligned with God and a life embraced in Catholic spirituality. If you've ever felt overwhelmed, restless, or sensed something missing, this episode will guide you to rediscover the joy only God can provide. Join us as we journey through faith, exploring spiritual growth and the freedom that accompanies a joyful

Why does God allow the journey of Catholic life to feel so long sometimes? In this episode, we dive deep into the challenges of perseverance in the Catholic journey and how spiritual growth often comes through quiet, consistent faithfulness rather than dramatic moments. Join us as we explore Catholic spirituality through the inspiring story of St. Monica, who prayed faithfully for nearly two decades for her son's conversion. Learn why perseverance is one of the most powerful virtues in the Christian life and how simple daily choices can transform your spiritual journey. If you’ve ever felt discouraged in your honest faith discussion or wondered whether your efforts in Catholic life matter, this episode offers hope and encouragement. Discover how God uses the long road to form saints—and why victory belongs to those who refuse to quit. Listen now to be inspired and motivated to keep walking with Christ on your own unique Catholic journey.

For nearly ten summers, our family immersed ourselves in the Catholic life by living simply in Guatemala—embracing unfamiliar food, learning a new language, and collaborating closely with villagers to provide clean water to remote communities. These transformative experiences fueled our spiritual growth and deepened our understanding of Catholic spirituality. In this episode of The Catholic Journey, I share how these mission trips, combined with nearly 20 years of service as a deacon, revealed a powerful truth: the Catholic life is not meant to be comfortable—it's an adventurous path of honest faith discussion and spiritual growth. Join me as I recount how living the Catholic life in such a profound way shaped our faith forever and inspired a richer, deeper journey of faith.

In this insightful episode of The Catholic Journey, we explore the profound role of hope as the anchor of the soul amidst life's trials—including illness, broken relationships, and uncertain futures. Join us for an honest faith discussion on how hope sustains us in the Catholic life and spiritual growth. Discover the inspiring story of St. Maximilian Kolbe, a Catholic priest whose unshakable hope endured even in the darkest of places—the Auschwitz concentration camp. His example teaches us powerful lessons about faith and resilience, offering fresh perspectives on what it means to live a hopeful Catholic life. This episode will enrich your catholic journey and deepen your appreciation of catholic spirituality, encouraging you to anchor your soul firmly in hope.

Jesus Knows Your Past… And He Still Wants to Meet You at the Well In John 4:5–42, Jesus meets a woman carrying shame, mistakes, and a complicated past. Instead of rejecting her, He offers her something greater than water—living water that satisfies the deepest thirst of the human soul. This powerful encounter reminds us that Christ meets us exactly where we are. He knows our past, our struggles, and our wounds—and still calls us to transformation. This reflection explores how one moment with Jesus turned a broken woman into one of the first witnesses of the Gospel. Come discover the living water that only Christ can give.

“Most Christians Get This Wrong About Faith…” Many people think faith is just believing in God. But the Bible says something very different: “Faith without works is dead.” So what does real faith actually look like in everyday life? In this episode, we explore how faith becomes powerful when it moves into action—and how the courage of saints like Joan of Arc and Damien of Molokai shows us what it means to trust God even when the path is uncertain. You may discover that the freedom you’re searching for begins with one small step of faith.