Leisure and the Spiritual Life – The Inner Life – May 29, 2026

Father Robert Kroll joins Patrick to discuss Leisure and the Spiritual Life

  • (4:15) What is the Church’s teaching on Leisure?
  • (12:07) Mark – Been to retreat center. They would pray 8 times a day but would work too. Majority of retired people out there…it’s getting a balance. Going to Mass everyday. Take care of your body like you’re going to be 100 but take of your soul like you’re going to die tomorrow.

(21:53) Break 1

  • (24:02) Chrystal – Something that happened with me in my career. Was a teacher and the district decided not to renew my contract. Only jobs I’ve been able to find and apply for are part-time. I’ve applied to other full time. My kids are little and keep asking God to show me what path to take. Pursue teaching where I have more time with family or do I choose the other that’s more time consuming?
  • How does leisure help us to grow in trust?
  • (32:31) How do we honor the Sabbath day as Catholics?

(36:49) Break 2

  • Marcy – Teaching at the same school as my kids helps me to relax
  • Leisure in art and music.
  • (44:13) James – How do I get motivated now that I’m retired? I just do the basic Sunday Mass. Used to go more often and adoration. Just the lack of enthusiasm in activities and spiritual life.

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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.