Idaho Catholic Podcast

Has the Catholic Church lost its courage? It’s a question many are asking… Maybe even you. In a world that is growing louder, more aggressive, and increasingly opposed to truth—why does the Church sometimes seem quiet… hesitant… even unclear? Are we afraid to speak? Have we softened where we once stood firm? Or are we being called to something deeper than noise and reaction? In this powerful episode, I take on the real questions people are asking me as a Catholic and as a cleric—questions about truth, courage, confusion, and what it really means to stand firm in today’s culture. This is not about tearing down the Church. It’s about loving her enough to ask the hard questions… and being willing to become part of the answer. Because the Church has not lost her truth. The real question is… have we lost the courage to live it?

What if you found out… you only had 1–3 years left to live? Not someday. Not decades from now. But right now. Would anything in your life actually change? Would you go to Mass differently… Pray with more urgency… Love your family more intentionally… Let go of the things that don’t really matter? Or would you keep living… the same distracted life? This episode is more than a reflection— it’s a wake-up call. Because the way you would live if you knew your time was short… is probably the way God is calling you to live today.

Why do special forces soldiers wear St. Michael medals? Why do some have his prayer tattooed on their bodies? And why does the Church call on him in one of the most powerful prayers ever written:

Most Catholics have never heard this about St. Joseph… The Church calls him:

It didn’t start as a problem. It started as a drink. A way to relax… A way to cope… A way to take the edge off. But somewhere along the way… it stopped being a choice. Alcohol isn’t evil. But when it becomes a chain… something deeper is happening. In this episode of The Catholic Journey, Deacon Pat Kearns explores: • How addiction slowly takes hold • The spiritual battle behind alcoholism • The lies that keep people trapped • And the path back to freedom through Christ If you or someone you love is struggling… this conversation could be the beginning of hope.

Divorce can feel like the end… but what if it’s not? In this powerful episode, Deacon Pat Kearns speaks directly to those carrying the pain of divorce—offering hope, truth, and a reminder that God never walks away from broken hearts.

What if the reason you feel anxious… overwhelmed… or stuck isn’t because you’re missing something— …but because you’re holding onto something too tightly? In this powerful episode, we uncover the hidden attachments that quietly keep us from peace… and from God.

Something unexpected has been happening on my daily walks… What started as a simple attempt to get healthier has turned into something much deeper. On these quiet walks, I’ve discovered something about God, faith, and life that I never expected. In today’s episode of The Catholic Journey, I share how something as simple as walking has changed my life — body, mind, and soul. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stuck, or distant from God… this episode might speak to you.

Why Do Catholics Keep Jesus on the Cross? I recently received a comment that said: "Stop putting Jesus on the cross. He already suffered. Why do Catholics keep killing Him over and over again?" It’s a question many Christians sincerely ask. But the answer reveals something deep, powerful, and beautiful about the Catholic faith that many people have never heard before. In this episode of The Catholic Journey, Deacon Pat Kearns explains: • Why Catholics display the crucifix • Whether the Mass “re-sacrifices” Jesus • Why the Resurrection and the Cross can never be separated • And how the crucifix reveals the greatest love story in human history You may be surprised by what the Church actually teaches.

What if your hardest season is actually where God is doing His greatest work? Most of us find it easy to thank God when life is going well. But when we face disappointment, loss, suffering, or uncertainty, gratitude can feel almost impossible. Yet Scripture tells us something remarkable: “Give thanks in all circumstances.” Not because suffering is good—but because God can transform even our darkest moments into something meaningful. In this episode of The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns, we explore the powerful idea of gratitude in adversity—how faith allows us to see God working even in the struggles we wish we could avoid. You’ll discover: • Why gratitude changes the way we experience suffering • How the Cross reveals God’s purpose in pain • A simple spiritual practice that can transform difficult seasons If you’re walking through a challenging time, this reflection may help you see your story through a new lens of hope.

Fear holds many people back from the life God is calling them to live. Fear of failure. Fear of rejection. Fear of stepping into the unknown. Yet throughout Scripture, God repeats the same words again and again: “Do not be afraid.” In this episode of The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns, we explore how courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to trust God even when the path ahead feels uncertain. You’ll hear: • Why fear often keeps us from becoming who God created us to be • How faith can free us from hesitation and doubt • Inspiring examples of courage from the saints • How one step of faith can transfor

What if the person who needs your mercy the most… is the one who hurt you the deepest? Mercy sounds beautiful in theory. But when someone wounds us, betrays us, or breaks our trust… mercy becomes incredibly hard. Yet Jesus teaches something radical: Mercy doesn’t just free the person we forgive — it frees us. In this episode of The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns, we explore the power of compassion through Christ’s teachings, the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, and a powerful real-life story of forgiveness that transformed a broken heart. If you’ve ever struggled with resentment, anger, or forgiving someone who hurt you… this message may open the door to a freedom you didn’t know was possible. Because mercy is not weakness. Mercy is the strength to let God heal what bitterness never could.

A monk once nearly destroyed his health trying to become holy. He prayed longer. Fast more. Slept less. He thought holiness meant pushing harder… until his abbot stopped him and said something that changed his life forever: “Don’t destroy the instrument God gave you. Tune it so it can make beautiful music.” In this episode of The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns, we explore the forgotten virtue of charity toward yourself—why caring for the body and soul God gave you is not selfish, but essential to living a faithful life. If you’ve ever felt spiritually exhausted, overwhelmed, or like you’re not doing enough for God… this message might change how you see your faith.

“I Was Blind… and Now I See.” In this episode of The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns, we begin by listening to the powerful story from the Gospel of John about the man born blind. Then we reflect on what this miracle reveals about our own lives. So often when suffering appears, we ask the same question the disciples asked: “Whose fault is this?” But Jesus gives a very different answer. Sometimes God allows struggles so that His work can be revealed in ways we cannot yet see. The man in the Gospel doesn’t understand everything—but he trusts. He obeys Jesus. And his life is transformed. His testimony is simple, but powerful: “I was blind, and now I see.” In this homily we explore: • Why suffering is not meaningless • How faith grows through trust before understanding • The journey from darkness → sight → faith → worship • And how Jesus still seeks us out when the world pushes us away Included is a moving story of a young girl who learned to trust God before she could see clearly, reminding us that

If you could change one thing about your spouse… what would it be? Every marriage eventually reaches moments of frustration, misunderstanding, and conflict. We sometimes find ourselves thinking: “If only they would change this one thing…” But what if the real key to transforming a marriage is not what we think? In this episode of The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns, we explore: • Why many couples struggle to influence each other • The surprising way real change often begins in a marriage • A powerful story about how one person’s transformation changed an entire relationship • How faith, humility, and grace can strengthen even difficult marriages If you are married—or hope to be someday—this conversation may change the way you see your relationship.

When was the last time you truly listened? Not just waiting for your turn to speak… But really listening. In a world filled with constant noise, silence has become rare. Yet silence may be one of the most powerful spiritual practices we can rediscover. In this episode of The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns, we explore: • Why silence is essential for hearing God • How listening can transform relationships • Why reacting quickly often leads to conflict • How a simple pause can bring wisdom and peace Sometimes the most powerful words come after we learn to listen.

What if you are capable of far more than you realize? Many people spend their entire lives believing a smaller story about themselves than the one God wrote. You were created as a unique person, with unique gifts, and for a unique purpose. But fear, distractions, comfort, and self-doubt often prevent us from becoming the person we were meant to be. In this episode of The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns, we explore: • 5 things that often prevent us from becoming our best self • 6 practical ways to grow into the person God created us to be • The powerful transformation of St. Peter • How our lives can quietly change the lives of others If you’ve ever wondered whether you are truly becoming the person God created you to be… this episode is for you.