Deacons Pod

Maryknoll Fr. James Kroeger, a longtime missionary and author, speaks with the Paulist Deacon Affiliates in this episode of Deacons Pod. Fr. Kroeger, who was a missionary in Asia for more than five decades, shares details about his life and ministry, and reflects on the 60th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council. Ordained a priest in 1975, he is the author of many articles as well as multiple titles from Faith Alive Books including "A Joyful Journey with Pope Francis: Exploring Twelve Pivotal Documents" and "Exploring Vatican II Treasures: Actors, Events, Insights." His new book is "Living in Joyful Hope: Insights, Models, Challenges." Maryknoll is the Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America

In this "Year In Review" episode of Deacons Pod, the Paulist Deacon Affiliates comment on the highs and lows of 2025 for them personally and in their ministries. "Through it all, I have seen the hand of God," reflects Deacon Patrick Ouellette. The deacons also chat about which of our 2025 episodes and guests resonated with them.

In this special Advent episode of Deacons Pod, the Paulist Deacon Affiliates welcome two guests: Maggi Van Dorn, host and producer of America Media's Hark! podcast, and Shemaiah Gonzalez, author of the new book "Undaunted Joy: The Revolutionary Act of Cultivating Delight." The deacons speak with Maggi about three of the Christmas carols featured in this Advent's new season of "Hark!," including "Coventry Carol," "Angels We Have Heard on High," and "The First Noel." Maggi also was a guest on Deacons Pod in December, 2024. The deacons chat with Shemaiah about the importance of prayer and more. She also shares her Advent poem "Out of Sight."

Bishop Daniel Turley, O.S.A., is our guest on this special episode of Deacons Pod. Like Pope Leo XIV, he is a Chicago native, a member of the Midwest Augustinians, and served for decades as a missionary in Peru. In this conversation with the Paulist Deacon Affiliates, Bishop Turley shares memories of Pope Leo and speaks about the pope's gift for listening. He also provides insights into the Augustinian charism and what it might mean for the Church in the coming years. Bishop Turley was bishop of the Diocese of Chulucanas in Peru from 2000 to 2020 (and coadjutor bishop from 1996 to 2000). During his time as bishop, he faced death threats after standing in solidarity with people who were endangered by the actions of mining companies. Bishop Turley returned to Chicago in 2020 and, this year, became rector of the National Shrine of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini in the city's Lincoln Park neighborhood.

How does the Church welcome people and express hospitality? How does the Church live out Catholic social teaching? Are our parishes in "maintenance mode" or "mission mode"? These are some of the important questions that Sr. Donna Ciangio, O.P., discusses with the Paulist Deacon Affiliates in this episode of Deacons Pod. Sr. Donna has served since 2018 as Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Newark in New Jersey. One of the Sisters of Saint Dominic of Caldwell, she has extensive experience in the areas of parish vitality and pastoral direction, congregational and leadership development, faith formation, Small Christian Communities, and more. Sr. Donna previously served with RENEW International.

Colleen Dulle, author of the compelling new book "Struck Down, Not Destroyed: Keeping the Faith as a Vatican Reporter," is our guest on this episode of Deacons Pod hosted by the Paulist Deacon Affiliates. Colleen is the Vatican correspondent for America Media where she co-hosts the "Inside the Vatican" podcast. In "Struck Down, Not Destroyed," Colleen shares her personal faith journey and how, at times, her job reporting on the Church has strained that faith. In each chapter, she revisits a recent church crisis and details how, despite feelings of betrayal and hurt, she managed to stay Catholic.

In this episode of Deacons Pod, three of the Paulist Deacon Affiliates take note of some of the things happening in the United States, including the federal government shutdown; the demolition of the White House's East Wing; the banishment of the Pentagon press corps; and more. They also report on happenings in their own ministries and reflect on some of the topics in our recent episodes.

In this special episode of Deacons Pod, Deacon Patrick Murphy-Racey and Deacon Mark Asselin remember their moms, Sheila Murphy and Julienne Asselin, who both passed away earlier this year. Deacon Patrick and Deacon Mark share details about their mom's lives and how they each died. The deacons also reflect on how their faith has sustained them over the past year.

In this thought-provoking episode of Deacons Pod, the Paulist Deacon Affiliates speak with esteemed Catholic speaker and broadcaster Gloria Purvis. On Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at 6 p.m. Eastern, Gloria will deliver the 2025 Gallagher Talk at the Catholic Information Center, a Paulist Fathers ministry in Grand Rapids, MI, on the topic "The Role of Compassion in a Divided World." Those interested in the Gallagher Talk may register to attend online or in-person.The host of "The Gloria Purvis Podast" from America Media, Gloria recently began a new role at Providence College in Rhode Island as a special advisor for Integral Human Development and Dignity. She also is a senior fellow at Georgetown University’s Initiative for Catholic Social Thought and Public Life and serves as a board member of Catholic Charities USA. The Gallagher Talk at the Catholic Information Center in Grand Rapids is named after Paulist Fr. Joseph Gallagher (1923 - 2007).

In this special episode of Deacons Pod, the Paulist Deacon Affiliates discuss "the friendship recession" – the possible change in the way adults today experience and maintain friendships, notably due to workplace changes sparked by the COVID pandemic. During their conversation, the deacons consider how "the friendship recession" differs between men and women, as well as the role of friendships in the spiritual life and in parish life. Two recent articles in the secular media inspired this episode. The first was an August 11 column at Fast Company by Mark Crowley called "No one has office friends anymore. Why that’s bad news for employers: How to combat the ‘friendship recession.'" The second article was a May 25 piece in the New York Times by Sam Graham-Felsen called "Where Have All My Deep Male Friendships Gone?"

The new Paulist Press book "Women Responding to the Spirit: Selections from the Madeleva Lectures" is the topic of this special episode of Deacons Pod. Since 1985, the Center for the Study of Spirituality at Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, IN, has hosted the annual Madeleva Lecture. This book is a one-volume anthology of essential selections from this world-class program. The lectures were delivered by women theologians, scholars of religion, and authors from an array of theological disciplines such as Elizabeth Johnson, Sandra Schneiders, M. Shawn Copeland, Joan Chittister, Kathleen Norris, Ilia Delio, and others. In this episode, Deacon Patrick Murphy-Racey, one of the Paulist Deacon Affiliates, interviews the book's editors, Prof. Jessica Coblentz and Prof. Dan Horan. They are both past guests on Deacons Pod to discuss their own books. Prof. Coblentz was a guest in April, 2023. Prof. Horan was a guest in September, 2024.

In this "Back to School" episode of Deacons Pod, the Paulist Deacon Affiliates have a wonderful conversation with Marissa Papula, the Director of Campus Ministry at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. They speak about what draws today's college students to Catholic campus ministry; the powerful impact of Kairos weekend retreats; and much more. Marissa also is a contributor to Catholic Women Preach. Earlier this year, she preached for the Second Sunday of Easter.

In this special episode of Deacons Pod, learn about the lives and ministries of our three brand new Paulist Deacon Affiliates. They are Deacon Mike Berstene of Tollan, CT; Deacon Mike Hayes of Cleveland, OH; and Deacon Dennis Rybicki of Grand Rapids, MI.

Rev. Joseph Yoo is an Episcopal priest in Texas with a dynamic presence on Instagram and TikTok. He has a wonderful conversation with the Paulist Deacon Affiliates in this thought-provoking episode of Deacons Pod. Rev. Yoo is the pastor of Mosaic Episcopal Church in Pearland, TX, and author of the book "When the Saints Go Flying In: Stories About Faith, Life, and Everything in Between."

In the wake of the U.S. government's massive cuts to international aid funding, Jesuit Refugee Service USA is persevering in its important work to serve refugees in multiple countries. In this episode of Deacons Pod, Deacon Drew Dickson of the Paulist Deacon Affiliates has a conversation with Hilary Chester, Ph.D., JRS/USA's Vice President for Domestic and Acting Vice President for International Program Operations. Deacon Drew and Dr. Chester speak about how the organization's programs have been impacted by the U.S. funding cuts, as well as how Catholics can assist JRS/USA with political advocacy and private financial contributions. This is the second time the good work of JRS/USA has been featured on Deacons Pod. The organization's past president, Joan Rosenhauer, was a guest in late 2023.

Could "radical non-judgement" be a balm for polarization?Isn't "judging" a necessary part of everyday life? The Paulist Deacon Affiliates consider these questions in this thought-provoking episode of Deacons Pod featuring an interview with Fr. Isaac Slater, OCSO, author of the new Liturgical Press book "Do Not Judge Anyone: Desert Wisdom for a Polarized World." Fr. Isaac is a Trappist monk who lives at the Abbey of the Genesee in Piffard, NY.

Daryl Russell Grigsby, author of the new Paulist Press book "Catholics for the Common Good: An Eternal Offering" is the guest on this episode of Deacons Pod. The Paulist Deacon Affiliates ask Daryl about the 36 contemporary Catholics profiled in the book, each of whom lived the prayer "Make of us an eternal offering to you" in their commitment to the common good and to human flourishing. In particular, the deacons ask Daryl about his accounts of the inspiring lives of Fr. Pedro Arrupe, SJ, Mary Lou Williams, Fr. Daniel Berrigan, SJ, Sr. Thea Bowman, FPSA, Dr. Paul Farmer, and Sr. Helen Prejean, CSJ. ABOUT THE SHOW: Deacons Pod is a podcast for everyone. But, it’s especially created to inspire and give hope to people on the “threshold of faith”: Those who are thinking about going to Church and those who are thinking about leaving Church. Deacons Pod is hosted by the Paulist Deacon affiliates. The podcast is a production of the Paulist Fathers. More at ⁠⁠deaconspod.com

Mollie Wilson O'Reilly, Editor-at-Large of Commonweal Magazine, is our guest on this episode of Deacons Pod. The Paulist Deacon Affiliates ask Mollie about her early impressions of Pope Leo XIV; the role of LGBTQ+ people and women in the Church; and why she remains a Catholic when the Church seems to be stuck in some ways. They also chat about Mollie's reflection for the Fourth Sunday of Easter shared by the Catholic Women Preach initiative. Hear more from Mollie on Bluesky.

"You will find your place in the Church. Everyone has one. It may not seem obvious at first where that place is. But everyone has a place inside the Church," says Paulist Deacon Ben Chisholm in this episode of Deacons Pod. Deacon Ben, a Paulist seminarian, is slated to be ordained a priest during a Mass on Saturday, May 17, 2025. He is to be ordained alongside Paulist Deacon Chris Malano, who was our guest on last week's episode of Deacons Pod. This episode was recorded on Friday morning, May 9, 2025, the day after the election of Pope Leo XIV, and includes reactions to the historic news. ABOUT THE SHOW: Deacons Pod is a podcast for everyone. But, it’s especially created to inspire and give hope to people on the “threshold of faith”: Those who are thinking about going to Church and those who are thinking about leaving Church. Deacons Pod is hosted by the Paulist Deacon affiliates. The podcast is a production of the Paulist Fathers. More at ⁠deaconspod.com

In this episode of Deacons Pod, the Paulist Deacon Affiliates have a wonderful conversation with Paulist Deacon Chris Malano. He is a Paulist seminarian and transitional deacon who is slated to be ordained a priest on Saturday, May 17, 2024. He is to be ordained a priest alongside Paulist Deacon Ben Chisholm, who will be a guest on a future episode of Deacons Pod.