The Sound of Silence – April 28, 2023

Father Joseph Johnson talks to Patrick about the value of silence in our lives. Topics included: why is silence is so important (5:16), why silence is so hard for us (16:56), caller: I try to find silence at mass (21:09), caller: is too much silence a bad thing? (26:13), caller: I wake up before the day starts to pray (33:23), the loneliness of silence (38:28), caller: we have to prioritize silence (44:04), caller: morning prayer time is important (48:10). 

Patrick Conley was born, raised, and baptized in Wisconsin in a Protestant tradition. After meeting his wife, Kendra, through an Evangelical ministry at the University of Minnesota, they entered the Catholic Church in 2010. They listened to Relevant Radio, specifically The Inner Life, while preparing to enter the Church. Conley now holds a degree in theology from Oxford University and has served the Church in both academic theology and grassroots pastoral ministry. Conley teaches religion classes in a Catholic elementary school, serves as his parish Director of Religious Education, and is in formation for the permanent diaconate. He also hosts Practicing Catholic on Relevant Radio, exclusive to the Minneapolis area’s airwaves, and is a traveling presenter for the Catherine of Siena Institute apostolate. He lives in rural Wisconsin with his wife and their bulldogs, Georgie and Bingley.