In Podcasts, The Inner Life

Family and Community – The Inner Life – July 29, 2025

Patrick Conleyby Patrick Conley

Fr. Eric Nielsen joins Patrick to discuss Family and Community on the feast of saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus

  • (3:57) what do we know about Martha, Mary and Lazarus?
  • how does our confidence with Christ help us be vulnerable with other people?
  • (16:18) Karen – I grew up and our family had a family business. All the community knew our business. I was known as ‘the daughter’ of this family business. Dad was charitable. He donated clocks to our church. Always very giving. We grew up very Catholic and very giving. I’m now a caregiver for my brother.

(20:16) Break 1

  • Arlene – God gave me a friend for 50 years. From the time of first grade until they died. Important to have a good friend. Gone since 2001. She was always there for me an d I was always there for her.
  • (28:24) Sebastian – How do I discern about what to do with difficult family members? We currently live with my sister and brother in law. We live different life styles. As our family grew, they say they just worry about our health and well-being. They seem to run an accounting system to our defects. How do I be Christ-like?

(38:27) Break 2

  • Email about caring for family, is it a responsibility or an option?
  • (43:06) Elizabeth – in my youth, very outgoing, now as I get older, I find myself not wanting to socialize. Can you offer some insights?
  • What are some advantages and pitfalls in communicating in a digital age?

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Patrick Conley

Patrick Conley

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.