Faithful & Authentic: The All Saints Parish Podcast

“Lord, Teach Us to Pray” — Finding Hope in the Struggle of Prayer | Alive 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Do you ever feel like you’re not praying “the right way”? You’re not alone.
 
Even the disciples asked Jesus, “Lord, teach us to pray.” In this week’s ALIVE reflection for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 11:1–13), Fr. Jonathan Meyer explores the timeless longing to grow in prayer — and the very real struggles that come with it.
 
Whether you’re new to prayer, stuck in a rut, or yearning for deeper intimacy with God, this reflection will remind you that the struggle is part of the journey — and Jesus welcomes it.
 
💬 “Your longing to pray is already a gift.”
 
📖 Featuring wisdom from:
Eugene Boylan’s “Difficulties in Mental Prayer”
Matthew Kelly’s journey of discovering silence
The power of showing up and letting God do the work
 
🙏 “Lord, teach us to pray.” May this be the start of something deeper.
 
#Alive #CatholicReflection #PrayerLife #Luke11 #CatholicFaith #SundayGospel #FrJonathanMeyer #TeachUsToPray #CatholicChurch

What’s Lacking in the Sufferings of Christ? My Healing at Lourdes Changed Everything | Sunday Homily 7.20.25

In this powerful reflection, we hear a personal testimony of healing at Lourdes and a deeper understanding of St. Paul’s words: “I fill up in my body what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ.”
 
What could possibly be lacking in Christ’s perfect sacrifice? Nothing—except our participation. Through our own suffering, united to His, we are invited into His saving mission.
 
This talk challenges us to see every hardship as an opportunity to offer it up for others, to sit at the foot of the Cross, and to recognize the beauty of choosing the better part—being present at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
 
🙏 “It is good that we are here. We have chosen the better part—and it will not be taken from us.”

The Good Samaritan & the Catholic Church: Who Will You Bring to the Inn? | Sunday Homily 7.13.25

In this powerful reflection, we hear the deeper meaning behind the parable of the Good Samaritan. What if Jesus is the Good Samaritan—and the inn is the Catholic Church?
 
Fr. Hollowell shares how the Church is the place of healing and restoration for the wounded, and how you are called to help bring others to this place of mercy, especially those who are searching, broken, or longing for truth.
 
Who in your life is waiting for someone to open the door?
 
📍OCIA classes begin Thursday, September 4 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church.
📧 Questions? Reach out to the parish office.  www.allsaintscatholic.net
 
🙏 “Pray for the courage to invite.”
📅 Share this with someone God has placed on your heart today.
 
#CatholicChurch #RCIA #GoodSamaritan #CatholicConvert #FaithJourney #Evangelization #ComeHome

Martha or Mary? How to Choose the Better Part | Alive 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 10:38–42)

In this week’s Sunday Homily prep, Fr. Jonathan Meyer reflects on the Gospel of Luke 10:38–42 — the timeless story of Martha and Mary.
 
What does it really mean to “choose the better part”? Fr. Meyer shares powerful insights on silence, contemplative prayer, and the need to simply be with Jesus — just as Mary did.
 
📚 Book Recommendations:
Prayer Primer by Fr. Thomas Dubay
Fire Within by Fr. Thomas Dubay (based on St. Teresa of Avila & St. John of the Cross)
 
🌟 Ready to go deeper in your spiritual life? Learn how the contemplative life isn’t just for monks and nuns — it’s for YOU.
 
🎯 Challenge: Turn off your phone. Visit an unlocked church or adoration chapel. Sit in silence for 10 minutes. Be with God.
 
🙏 Support this ministry:
💻 allsaintscatholic.net
💸 Venmo: @AllSaintsParish
 
🗣️ Discussion questions available below or at allsaintscatholic.net.

Reclaiming the Faith That Built a Nation — What Will America’s Destiny Be? | Sunday Homily 7.13.25

As we prepare for America’s 250th birthday in 2026, it’s time to ask: Who is telling our history—and what is it doing to our future?
In this powerful homily, Fr. Meyer unpacks the forgotten faith behind the founding of the United States—from the prayers of the Continental Congress to the Christian convictions of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. You’ll hear surprising facts about our founding fathers, our motto “In God We Trust,” and why reclaiming our religious heritage is key to reclaiming our national identity.
👉 What were YOU taught about America’s roots?👉 What are your children being taught?👉 Are we willing to rediscover and reclaim the faith that shaped our nation?
📣 Watch now and share this message of truth and hope for America’s future.

St. Paul’s Greatest Failure — and What He Learned From It | Sunday Homily Fr. Hollowell 7.6.25

Even the greatest evangelist in Church history made mistakes. In this reflection, we look at the moment St. Paul failed to preach Jesus in Athens—and how that failure shaped his entire mission going forward.
 
Fr. Hollowell unpacks the two powerful lessons Paul learned after the philosophers of Athens rejected his message:
Never be afraid to say the name of Jesus.
Never hide the truth about the Cross.
 
We live in a world that needs to hear the name of Jesus and understand that suffering has meaning. Like St. Paul, we are all called to preach Christ crucified, with boldness and love.
 
🕊 “Never let a drop of your suffering go to waste.” – Mother Angelica
 
#StPaul #CatholicTeaching #Evangelization #JesusChrist #ActsOfTheApostles #PreachTheGospel #FrHollowell #ChristCrucified

Peter, Paul, and Mary: A Priest’s Reflection on 22 Years of Fatherhood | Sunday Homily 6.29.25

On the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Fr. Jonathan Meyer reflects on the lives of two great martyrs, the beauty of the priesthood, and the unexpected ways God forms us—through tension, humility, and love.
 
This isn’t just a feast day homily. It’s a deeply personal testimony of 22 years of priesthood. Fr. Meyer opens his heart to share:
 
🔑 Why Peter was chosen, even though Paul seemed more gifted
💔 What seminary never taught him about true fatherhood
🏡 How the men and women of his parishes shaped his priesthood
🕊 The power of consecration to Our Lady—and the witness of the Church as Bride
 
From humorous insights to tender stories, this homily weaves theology, gratitude, and lived experience into a powerful reminder: someone is always watching—and we are all called to be witnesses.
 
🙏 Saints Peter and Paul, and Mary, pray for us.
 
#FrJonathanMeyer #PeterAndPaul #CatholicPriesthood #22YearsAPriest #FeastDayReflection #CatholicChurch #AllSaintsParish #Fatherhood #ConsecrationToMary

When the Ones Who Lead Must Be Led | Saints Peter & Paul + A Father’s Legacy | 6.29.25

On the feast of Saints Peter and Paul, we reflect on an unlikely partnership between two giants of the Church—very different men, both chosen by God, learning to serve in a hierarchy that didn’t always make sense.
 
Fr. Bolick brings that tension into our own lives with a touching and vulnerable story about his father, leadership, and the humility it takes to receive help from those who shouldn’t have to give it.
 
🔴 What do Peter and Paul teach us about unnatural leadership?
🧡 What does it mean to let others carry us—financially, spiritually, emotionally?
🕊 How can we let someone “chase the monsters away”?
 
This is a powerful reminder that love is sometimes expressed most deeply when we allow ourselves to be helped—even by those we least expect.
 
#SaintsPeterAndPaul #CatholicHomily #FatherBolek #FeastDayReflection #Humility #Family #Gratitude #CatholicChurch #LetThemPrayForYou

The Good Samaritan: No More Excuses | ALIVE: 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

In this week’s ALIVE reflection, Fr. Jonathan Meyer breaks open the well-known Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37). We’ve all heard the story—but are we truly living it?
 
Jesus challenges us to stop crossing to the other side of the road and start stepping into the mess of others’ lives with compassion. From hospitals to laws, the legacy of the Good Samaritan is everywhere… but the call is personal.
 
🔍 Who is your neighbor?
💡 What excuses are you making?
💬 Let’s pray for the grace to recognize Christ in others and act with mercy.
 
Grab a friend, a cup of coffee, and dive into this week’s Gospel discussion using the questions below.
 
#BeALIVE #Catholic #SundayGospel #FrMeyer #GoodSamaritan #FaithInAction #YoungAdultMinistry

The Harvest Is Abundant | ALIVE with Fr. Jonathan Meyer (14th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

Welcome to ALIVE, a weekly Gospel reflection with Fr. Jonathan Meyer!
This week’s message dives into Luke 10:1–12, 17–20, where Jesus says:
“The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few.”
 
Fr. Meyer reminds us that every parish has the potential for greatness—but it starts with each of us answering the call. Whether you’re a priest, teacher, musician, neighbor, or friend, YOU are a laborer in God’s abundant harvest.
 
💬 What small action can you take this week to awaken the faith in someone around you? Invite. Encourage. Welcome. Inspire.
 
👇 Find discussion questions and more at:
AllSaintsCatholic.net
Or in the video description below.