In Podcasts, The Inner Life

Vocations – The Inner Life – November 24, 2025

Patrick Conleyby Patrick Conley

Fr. Tom McCarthy joins Patrick to discuss Vocations

  • (3:02) What is a vocation?
  • Why doesn’t God make our vocation clear to us all of the time?
  • (10:44) How did Father discern a vocation to the priesthood.
  • What are the fears that young men and women are afraid of when discerning the priesthood.

(21:29) Break 1

  • What is the importance of encouragement when discerning a vocation?
  • (32:40) Rolando – I have a 9-yo son. He is really drawn to be a priest. How can I help him keep this fire going?
  • Patrick – I have a 3-year-old son. How as a father can I encourage my son to consider religious life?
  • (37:23) Flo – Parents should encourage their children. My granddaughter became a Dominican nun. Other parents I have known were not supportive of girls entering the convent.

(39:49) Break 2

  • (44:36) What is the importance of Courage in discerning your vocation?

Resources:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

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.