Silence -The Inner Life – April 16, 2026

Father Michael-Joseph Paris joins Patrick to discuss Silence

  • (4:15) no time for silence and wide is it so important?
  • (12:53) Why is silence difficult for us to enter into sometimes?
  • (16:26) Agnes – What is a suggestion for a teacher or mother with a house full of kids? How does she find silence in the middle of all that noise?

(19:26) Break 1

  • (21:13) Visual Noise
  • (24:36) Sonya – Last week, that quiet voice said come down to the lake (here in Maine). I heard the voice again asking me to come to the lake. Later, the voice said ‘now.’ I went down to the lake and all quiet around. Sat there for 10 minutes and told God I was there. He told me ‘Be still and know that I am God.’ Saw the stillness of the winter beauty and lost myself in His presence. I was running from being busy for so long.
  • (29:49) Kathy – I’ve been to silent retreats before. I brought books and stuff. Went to dinner and it was like all were mad at each other because nobody was talking. I worked in schools and son and friends would come over. Told kids to go outside while I had my coffee. Mom used to get up early. Have to arrange time for it.
  • Email – Mary keeps the radio off while driving.
  • (36:53) Marie – Go to the woods. Find a tree, bush, flower, listen to a bird. Just check out and be in nature…He is there.

(39:02) Break 2

  • (40:29) Michelle – It is so precious. Adoration chapel…people wonder what should they do when they’re there. Just present yourself to the Lord. With me, it’s hiking in the woods. Get tired enough to sit down and breathe and listen to mother nature. I need nature to bring the sense of awe.
  • (45:15) What is Mental prayer?
  • Matt – The silence that people have is something I strive for. This show has been really helpful to get to that.
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.