Based on the words of the Apostle Thomas, this podcast is centered on the Eucharist... helping people understand this great mystery, but above all come to a deeper encounter with the love of Christ through the Eucharist.

"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe" (John 20:29).

Your Heart is a Heaven for Him

In our show, we focus a lot on OUR encounter with Christ in the Eucharist. Yet, in communion, God desires not only that we encounter Him, but He also desires to encounter us! Not only does He dwell in us, but in the Eucharist, Christ becomes one with us! What are the implications of this profound mystery? How should it shape the way we live our lives and how we prepare our hearts for Mass? What does it reveal about God's great love for us?

Read More
Draw Near Draw Near

My Baptist Friends Led Me to Priesthood

In this episode we are joined by the co-host of the Outcast Catholic podcast, Fr Travis Crotty. In this "testimony" episode, we root our discussion in one of the foundational questions for our show: How has your encounter with Christ in the Eucharist changed your life? What was it that helped him overcome difficulty in his teenage years, and inspired him take up the call to the priesthood? To dedicate his life to helping others to encounter Christ in the Eucharist? It all began with some Baptist friends challenging him for his Catholic faith. This pressure was actually a catalyst for conversion to a deeper faith rooted in, the Eucharist. So many can give in to the temptation to slip away from the Catholic faith when challenged. Fr Travis provides a great example of how to respond in these situations.

Read More
Draw Near Draw Near

What is Liturgy?

In this episode we are joined by our friend Julie Storr, from Lectio the Liturgy! We discuss the meaning of the word, "liturgy," lectio devina, meditative prayer and especially the Mass! Catholics recognize the Mass as the highest form of public prayer in the Church, the Roman Missal as our official prayer book. The liturgy that we celebrate and the words that we hear, and pray in the Liturgy, even the simplest of words, are packed with meaning that can help us grow in our relationship with Christ and His Church. What better time than this Lent! Julie Storr offers us some guidance in how to prepare our hearts to encounter Christ in the Liturgy.

Read More
Draw Near Draw Near

Lord, I am Not Worthy

In this episode, we reflect on the words of Jesus in John 6:25 - 70, and build on the foundation of God's own example of humility demonstrated in the Person of Jesus Christ (discussed in the previous episode). St Paul reminds us, "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus." With that, he roots this encouragement in the example of the Lord's own humility. What does humility have to do with the Eucharist? How do we become one with Christ in the Eucharist? How do we live a Eucharistic life of humility? What should this "Eucharistic life of humility" look like? Listen to find out!

Read More
Draw Near Draw Near

God Humbled Himself

"Who am I that you are mindful of me?" These are the words of Scripture reflecting on the human experience in relationship to God and his great love for, and His mindfulness of, each one of us. His Love is what holds us together. He is Creator of all the universe and yet he chooses to come and dwell among us in the Incarnation. What can we learn about God's humility in reflecting on the "kenosis" (self-emptying) of God found in Phillipians 2? What can we learn from the examples of humility we find in the life of Christ? And how about the examples of humility in His Passion, Death and Resurrection? What is "true humility?" Finally, what does all of this have to do with the Eucharist? Listen to find out!

Read More
Draw Near Draw Near

Is Mass Boring? A Priest Responds

Continuing the discussion from the previous episode on the often heard statement, "Mass is boring," we thought it would be good to hear from a priest who celebrates Mass daily. What is his experience of the Holy Mass? What is his perspective on this? What potential obstacles to our participation in the Mass does he see and how might they be overcome? How might we enter into the sacred mystery of the Mass more fully engaged? Hear from our good friend, Fr Patrick Behm on this most important topic.

Read More
Draw Near Draw Near

Is Mass Boring?

Catholic Mass is beautiful! Absolutely. Heaven meeting earth. The angels join us in offering praise to the Lord. God Himself, our savior and Lord Jesus Christ is fully present. In the Scriptures, in each one of us gathered together, and even more profoundly, in the Eucharist. But... as many of us have heard... or even thought... it can also be boring. Is there shame in admitting that? Have you ever had that thought? As humans, we experience the world through our senses. But what if what we see, hear, and smell at Mass bores us? How can we enter into the Mass more fully? This is the topic we take up in this first episode of a two part series on, "Is Mass Boring?" 

Read More
Testimony Draw Near Testimony Draw Near

From Heathen to Heaven

What led a "professional heathen" to an encounter with Jesus Christ? How did merely "looking for a church to get married in" lead to a radical conversion that gave way to a quest for the fullness of faith and desire for truth? In this episode Fred tells the story of his "tale of two conversions" and recounts how a desire for a deeper encounter with Christ led him into the Catholic Church.

Read More