Patrick brings together stories of faith, family struggles, and the unexpected ways generosity echoes in Catholic life. He connects parish music, gratitude, and the tension between setting boundaries and holding fast to forgiveness, while pausing for a sharp look at Christians in the Holy Land faced with unsettling challenges. Between cultural quirks and personal growth, Patrick ties everything together with his signature encouragement and direct questions.
- Jordan (email) – Instead of just complaining about the contemporary music at nearby parishes, should I learn piano (with the hope of eventually learning organ) so I can offer my services to the Church, and how difficult would that be? (01:26)
- Sylvia (email) – Is it a sin for me to block my sister (and similarly my brother) and stop speaking to them after her continued insults and lies about my husband and me made contact unbearable—even though I forgive them, love them, pray for them daily, and only reached out because the priest advised it? (03:49)
- Janet (email) – As relatively new adult Catholics, my husband and I have given priests gifts of money, food, care packages, or meals when they were sick at various parishes, yet we’ve almost never received a thank-you (only once from one priest)—is this lack of acknowledgment common, and does it seem rude given that priests act in persona Christi?
- Joshua – I need some advice on becoming the director of religious education at my parish? (18:27)
- Bruno (email) – Was it fair or appropriate for you to compare the SSPX to Calvinists in a way that implied they hold theological errors they’re unwilling to discuss, especially when the SSPX’s main criticism is that the Vatican itself is falling into such errors amid widespread ambiguity and corruption? (23:02)
- A Message from the Church in Taybeh: Taybeh’s Priest Fr. Bashar Fawadleh Warns: “We Intend to Remain” – https://vppnews.substack.com/p/a-message-from-the-church-in-taybeh?r=p2xyu&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web (29:48)
- Martine (email) – On not being thanked… (37:16)
- Jack – A director of religious education is a very important job. Need to have strong moral character, faith practice, and competence and leadership. (41:18)
- Richard – I have heard the claim Israeli settlers are taking over legitimate Palestinian claims. (46:43)