In Podcasts, The Inner Life

Sacrificial Living – The Inner Life – July 17, 2025

Patrick Conleyby Patrick Conley

Fr. John Paul Erickson joins Patrick for his debut to discuss Sacrificial Living

  • (7:07) How is sacrificial living played out in our Lord Jesus?
  • (12:51) Mary – Our 33-year-old daughter and her husband got engaged on Good Friday 3 years ago. At the time I thought it was odd, but he did it deliberately. He wanted to show the sacrificial love of their intended marriage as Jesus’ sacrificial love on Good Friday.
  • Justin – I know exactly what it is. I have lived for 24 years doing what I love to do and what I believe that is what I’m doing. I’m a clown. Professional clown for 24 years. 9 years as circus clown performing around the US. I sacrificed a lot in my life to do this. I believe this is what I was meant to do and love it.

(23:02) Break 1

  • Andy – In Sept of 2021, I was hospitalized for 13 days. Fr. Erickson potentially sacrificed his life by coming into the Covid wing to bring me the Eucharist, blessing, etc. He was all suited up and courageously came in to help me.
  • (31:25) Genevieve – When I was in high school, I came down with pneumonia. a non-Christian friend of my mom’s came and helped my mom who had just given birth. The baby had an ear infection. She wanted to see me graduate (the friend). I was never able to say thanks to her as I should have. She went way out of her way to help me.
  • Linda – I think the biggest lesson God gave me was sacrificing when I had my children. You sacrifice sleep, what you want vs. what they need. That is one of the biggest blessings to work toward understanding; you are not the center of the universe. It’s the best gift God has given me…the lessons in learning that it’s not about you.
  • (38:50) Jeannie – Our mothers sacrifice for us…very much. I think they’re often forgotten because they’re simple.

(42:26) Break 2

  • Do you need to enjoy it when you sacrifice?
  • (45:13) Email from Grace – Single mom who is overwhelmed. What does she do?
  • (47:37) Carrie – Some people that really helped me and my girls a long time ago. In the 90’s when my two oldest daughters were young, I was in an abusive marriage. I wound up having to leave and some of our friends let us stay with them. I’m totally blind and they took on a lot of responsibility. They gave up so much. They weren’t Catholic, but did so much for us.

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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.