December 7, 2018
We are in full Advent prep mode and I have a great book to share with you to help us take a focused look at the season leading up to Christmas. Celebrating a Merry Catholic Christmas: A Guide to the Customs and Feast Days of Advent and Christmas by Father William P. Saunders is the perfect resource for learning about and making Advent a prosperous season filled with faith. Join us as we discuss the numerous feast days observed in the season, objects that have become part of our celebrations, and stories behind some of the more well-known Christmas carols of the season.
November 30, 2018
Kendra Tierney made a concerted effort to bring the feasts and events of the liturgical calendar into her family life and has reaped the benefits of doing so.Now she shares the many simple ways she has found to do so in her book The Catholic All Year Compendium: Liturgical Living for Real Life. On this episode, we focus on the season of Advent and how we can stop the hustle and bustle of the secular world and come to a true appreciation for the reason for the season.
November 23, 2018
This week we celebrate the 100th episode of Off the Shelf. To do so we have guest Mike Aquilina who was my first written author interview in 2013. We chat about his most recent book Villains of the Church: And How They Made Us Better Christians. Sound ominous doesn't it? Trust me, its a great read and we will cover some of these characters from Judas to the no-so-obvious Origen.
November 16, 2018
We haven't dived into our Thanksgiving feasts yet but this week we are going to talk about Advent. I wanted to give everyone the opportunity to get their hands on the excellent Advent journal from Fr Mark Toups Rejoice: Advent Meditations with Mary. Fr Mark and I take a look at why it is important to include Mary in our Advent journey to Christmas, why Christmas day is an event rather than a single 24 hour occurrence, and how we can effectively dive into scripture to build a lifelong rewarding habit of journaling.
November 9, 2018
Sometimes it seems as if us parents are steering our ship into the wind rather than with it. Society is attempting to indoctrinate our children with one message while we attempt to teach them the messages we hold dear that our faith teaches us. Leila Miller has co-authored with Trent Horn Made This Way: How to Prepare to Kids to Face Today's Tough Moral Issues. This book is a MUST read. Listen in as we discuss the issues our kids will be faced with while being face with making potentially life altering decisions.
November 2, 2018
This week's guest requires no introduction. After four decades, fifty-plus albums, and thirty-plus books John Michael Talbot is one of the most beloved artists in Christian music today. Join as we discuss some of the life lessons he has learned along the way and that he shares in his latest book Lessons from a Troubadour: A Lifetime of Parables, Prose, and Stories.
October 26, 2018
This week it's all about the first native-born American saint, Elizabeth Ann Seton. Author Catherine O'Doneell has penned one of the most comprehensive biographies on this great saint in recent memory. Join us a s we discuss the hardships and ultimate triumphs realized by Elizabeth Seton.
October 19, 2018
Journaling seems to be all the craze these days and my dear friend Allison Gingras has brought her own spin to the options available with her new Stay Connected Journals. The series, currently at three, includes her own book The Gift of Invitation: 7 Ways That Jesus Invites You to a Life of Grace. Join us as we take a look at each of those seven invitations, as well as discussing Allison’s favorite places to journal and the impact journaling has had on her faith journey. By the end of the show you will want to grab these books, your favorite pen, and find a comfy chair to dive into the faith with!
October 12, 2018
New Age thought and the New Age Movement is a very dangerous playground to dabble in. The entire focus of New Agers is to bring the attention towards oneself making YOU the God of your life. Moira Noonan understands this because she was heavily involved in the New Age Movement for years until the Blessed Mother rescued her. Listen in as Moira and I discuss her journey which she details in her book Ransomed from Darkness: The New Age, Christian Faith and the Battle for Souls.
October 5, 2018
In the current climate of the Church today many may be feeling a mix of emotions. Hurt, confusion, sorrow, and maybe even anger. In his recently re-released book The Angry Christian: A Bible-based Strategy to Care and Discipline a Valuable Emotion, Bert Ghezzi offers some solid advice on how to rein in this emotion and make it useful. Join us as Bert and I discuss anger and how we can effectively apply it to the current crisis in the Church and in our everyday lives as well.
September 28, 2018
Papa's got a brand new bag....or Bible in this case. Over the years I have had the opportunity to check out and review many Bibles. Recently I got the chance to get my hands on the new The Great Adventure Bible from Ascension Press. What I am about to say i don't say lightly. This has become my Bible of choice. Why? Listen in as Jeff Cavins and I discuss what makes this Bible so unique.
September 21, 2018
This week Father Augustine Wetta and I take a look at the often neglected virtue of humility. In his book Humility Rules: Saint Benedict's Twelve-Step Guide to Genuine Self-Esteem Father Wetta breaks down Saint Benedict's method into twelve pithy steps for finding inner peace in a way that can be applied to anyone's life. In today's society humility is a rarity. Join us and learn how to make it a part of your virtue toolbox.
September 14, 2018
On the episode of Off the Shelf we take a look at God incidents. What are they? These are the little occurrences that God sends our way that. These are the things in life that happen to us that when we sit and think about them we have no other explanation for them then that they were the doing of Him. Join author Tom Lukes and I as we discuss his book God Incidents | True Stories of God Working in the Lives of Catholics.
September 7, 2018
In an engaging and timely interview I spend time this week with Father Thomas Berg author of Hurting in the Church: A Way Forward for Wounded Catholics. As we all come to grips with the crisis unfolding in the Church today I encourage everyone to listen to this episode as we discuss a path forward.
August 31, 2018
Conversion and reversion stories are fascinating to listen to and watch develop. Hering what people have stumbled upon that has brought back to the faith can be very fortifying in our own faith journeys. Kendra Von Esh, author of Am I Catholic?, walked away from a very successful life in the corporate world to give her all to Christ and His church. On this episode Kendra speaks about where she has been, how she realized she needed something more, and where her life and ministry goes from here.
August 24, 2018
Have you ever felt stuck on your faith? You seem to go through the motions but find Mass "boring" or that you simply don't get anything out of it? Don't worry you are not alone. We all encounter these dark nights of the soul. Teresa Tomeo has and she tackles the topic in her latest book Beyond Sunday: Becoming a 24/7 Catholic. Listen in as Teresa gives us some helpful tips on how to become an engaged Catholic not just on Sunday.....but everyday!
August 17, 2018
How can business and faith intertwine in a society that seems more focused om getting ahead then leaving a legacy of true meaning? John Abatte joins us this week to discuss just that. Learn how he built his own business while maintaining integrity and cultivating a deep Catholic faith. Business and faith can co-exist if we focus on what truly matters.
August 10, 2018
This week we wrap up our onsite interviews from the Catholic marketing Network Tradeshow in Lancaster, PA with authors Virginia Lieto, Kimberly Cook, Maureen Cummings, Tony Agnesi, and Virginia Pillars.
