Books and Reading • Faith and Preaching • Life and Living
Lay Catholic evangelists Michael Gormley and Dave VanVickle bring you a podcast series that teaches you how to confidently share your Catholic faith with your family members, friends, co-workers, and the strangers you meet on airplanes. Every episode, Mike and Dave give you five steps you can take each week to become an instrument God uses to spread the Gospel, heal hearts, and renew his Church. Be inspired by stories of miraculous conversions and be reminded that God still powerfully interv ...
Brandon Harvey teaches higher ed theological courses on the sacraments, the Sacred Liturgy, and is also passionate about biblical studies. The podcast episodes are meant to provide assistance for theology students.
This podcast is dedicated to a close reading of the "Catechism of the Catholic Church." Our goal is to understand, in detail, the four pillars of Catholic teaching — the Creed, the sacraments, the moral life, and prayer. Abundant use of Sacred Scripture will enhance our study of the "Catechism." "A Walk through the Catechism of the Catholic Church" is hosted by Jeff Vehige. Jeff holds a BA and MA in theology from the University of Dallas (a small, Catholic liberal arts college) and has been ...
Conversations and enriching content to set alight your inner life and our life together
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Spark My Muse


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Eps. 192: Subversive Stillness and Restorative Justice; Guest, Robert Monson
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Anti Racism as a spiritual ethicBy Spark My Muse
Numbers don’t reform a parish, prayer does. Today, Gomer responds to a listener's email on building community in diverse parishes. Snippet from the Show “Pray for renewal, work for reform.” We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to y…
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Spark My Muse


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Eps. 191: Awakened by Death to Living; Guest, Christiana Peterson
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My guest today is author and returning guest Christiana Peterson; and we are conversing about her book "Awakened by Death Life-Giving Lessons from the Mystics"By Spark My Muse
Our culture needs an evangelization that finds light in sinful situations, without glorifying them. Today, Gomer and Dave “Unquestionably Non-Schismatic” VanVickle continue their thoughts from last episode, focusing on finding light in dark places. Snippet from the Show “Every person has a duty to continually evaluate what God is calling them to.” …
A old Quaker prayer hymn invites us to find the voice of calmBy Spark My Muse
Instead of deciding whether to talk about Jesus or culture, why not discuss both? Today, Gomer and Dave “No Friends, No Fear” VanVickle discuss how we can integrate evangelization with heavy cultural topics, instead of pitting them against each other. Snippet from the Show “Calling people to evangelization is not calling people to a warm and fuzzy …
Finding a guiding star.By Spark My Muse
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The Brandon Harvey Podcast


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The Mystagogical Fathers and the Importance of Good Liturgy
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The Mystagogical Fathers catechize a certain way (moving from the visible rites to the invisible), catechize at different times, and provide a theological understanding of sacramental initiation that helps us to understand that the catechesis was mystagogical but the primary mystagogy was the sacrament itself and an important aspect of the process …
That we may be accompanied.By Spark My Muse
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Every Knee Shall Bow (Your Catholic Evangelization Podcast)


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Christmas Traditions and Parish Responsibilities
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How do you evangelize your family during Christmas? Today, Gomer and Dave “Pinball Wizard” VanVickle talk about their Christmas traditions and answer a listener’s question about balancing parish responsibilities. Snippet from the Show “To me, the sweep of salvation history is my favorite way to enjoy this season.” We want to hear from you! Email us…
Today, I'm featuring two short readings that relate to hope, comfort, peace, and Christmas. One is by Howard Thurman's book can be found and the other is by Maya Angelou.By Spark My Muse
This episode explores the use of the word "mystery" in Catholic theology as understood from the perspective of the study of the sacraments and the liturgy. There are some lengthy quotes from Fr. Odo Casel who influenced Vatican II and the Catechism of the Catholic Church (and even Joseph Ratzinger!).…
The sacrifice of Christ should be seen everywhere in our faith, especially in our parishes! Today, Gomer and Dave “Dead-Lifting the Devil” VanVickle answer a listener’s email about evangelizing through the true cross of Christ. Snippet from the Show “Preach the true cross, and watch people be resurrected.” We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb…
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Spark My Muse


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Eps. 190: Medicine Man & Catechist, Nicholas Black Elk [Guest, Jon M Sweeney]
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My guest today is editor and author John M Sweeney and we are conversing about his book "Nicholas Black Elk: Medicine Man, Catechist, Saint"By Spark My Muse
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One Catholic Life


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A Scrooge on Gaudete Sunday – Homily for the 3rd Sunday of Advent
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Today we see the beautiful roses and the rose vestments, and the rose colored candle that represent the third Sunday of Advent. These are visible reminders that no matter what we are going through, no matter what is happening around us, as Christians we are always people of Good News. And when we receive good news, how do we react? We rejoice. And …
Rural communities have Catholic parishes too, and they should be celebrated! Today, Gomer shares a talk he gave to Omaha Archdiocesan "Rural Lead" program to help parishes become missional communities. Snippet from the Show “We worship God through the sacraments, so we wanna make sure people understand what it means to worship God at the mass. It d…
How forests teach us about everlasting life.By Spark My Muse
This episode explores two theological ideas: The Sacramental Principle and the Mystery of Christ made present in the sacraments.By Brandon Harvey
New year, new role, new opportunities for evangelization. Today, Gomer and Dave “the taxman“ VanVickle talk about practical ways to kickstart evangelization at your parish in the new year. Snippet from the Show “Having solid relationships just means that the tasks and mission of the Church is going to flow that much easier. You’re investing in the …
The brain isn't really for thinkingBy Spark My Muse
Thanksgiving is here, are you ready to navigate faith conversations with your family? Today, Dave “The Turkey”and I give you some quick evangelization pointers so you can navigate faith conversations smoothly and lovingly with your relatives. Snippet from the Show “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”- Mark 12:31 We want to hear from you! Ema…
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Spark My Muse


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Eps. 189: Loneliness and Belonging; Guest, Charlotte Donlon
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What is core loneliness ?By Spark My Muse
Reaching out to adults looking to convert to Catholicism and guiding them through RCIA is a key part of parish ministry. Today, Dave “Not a Mouth Breather” VanVickle and I discuss different ways to run an RCIA program at a parish and offer helpful tips in preparing adults to enter the Catholic Church. Snippet from the Show Converting to Catholicism…
True religion, worthy faith brings us to compassion.By Spark My Muse
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Every Knee Shall Bow (Your Catholic Evangelization Podcast)


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Ripe Evangelization Cultures: Bars, Schools, and Corporations
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There are ripe evangelization opportunities everywhere, we just have to be willing to notice them and bring Christ into them. Today, Dave VanVickle answers listener questions and offers us practical tools when it comes to evangelizing at bars, in schools, and at work. Snippet from the Show To transform society, we must first reach those souls in ou…
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Spark My Muse


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Eps. 188: From the Mute Center; Guest, Yahia Lababidi
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We are often seduced by the brevity of aphorisms, but they can change your life.By Spark My Muse
The New Age movement is on the rise in our culture and we have to understand how to reach those being drawn to its spirituality. Dave “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop” VanVickle and I answer a listener’s question about how to reach those involved in the New Age movement. We discuss the reasons behind the popularity of this spirituality today, and offer prac…
What is the gentle kingdom?By Spark My Muse
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Every Knee Shall Bow (Your Catholic Evangelization Podcast)


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Reaching the Hearts of Teenagers: A Guide to Confirmation ( with Colin MacIver)
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Navigating Confirmation preparation with teenagers in today’s times is not easy. Today, Colin MacIver and I discuss his newest book ,The Catechists Field Guide to Confirmation, how to reach the hearts of teenagers, and how to implement practical tools to create the best confirmation experience for candidates. Snippet from the Show The main goal of …
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Spark My Muse


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Eps. 187 Learning to Love; Guest, Jonathan Puddle
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We can't think of love as emotional good feelings.By Spark My Muse
"We are using the flotsam and jetsam of everyday worries as a proxy for an un-masterable trauma"By Spark My Muse
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The Brandon Harvey Podcast


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Liturgical Orientation in the Early Church and the Middle Ages
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This podcast is a brief overview of the common practice of the past for the liturgical assembly to pray and worship facing the East/Orient and to do so together (both priest and people). It looks at a handful of sources very briefly to help us notice some of the sources on this topic to accompany the theology of Ratzinger.…
Answering "what makes a good conversation?"By Spark My Muse
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Every Knee Shall Bow (Your Catholic Evangelization Podcast)


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In the Beginning Was the Word: The Trinity and the Incarnation
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There are two fundamental doctrines every Catholic needs to understand; the Trinity and the Incarnation. Today, I share a fun RCIA talk that I recently gave to help you understand the very identity of God. I delve into salvation history in Scripture to demonstrate how the incarnation shows us the eternal self-giving love of the Trinity. Snippet fro…
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The Brandon Harvey Podcast


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Cardinal Newman, Vatican I, and Pope Leo XIII
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We will explore three selected texts from Catholic figures during the Modern Era: Cardinal Newman (Saint John Henry Newman), the First Vatican Council, and Pope Leo XIII.By Brandon Harvey
Dave “I’m the Hurricane” VanVickle and I answer a listener’s question about practically guiding someone in the midst of a conversion, and also speak on the importance of leaving room for the dynamism of the Holy Spirit when we approach spiritual multiplication. Snippet from the Show Evangelization cannot be reduced to merely mechanics or processes,…
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Spark My Muse


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Eps 186: Connection over Consumption; guest, Megan Westra
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Megan Westra reminds us that the opposite of consumption is connection.By Spark My Muse
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The Brandon Harvey Podcast


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Saint Francis deSales on Devotion, Vocation, and the Mass
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In this audio mini-lecture we look at some highlights in our reading of Saint Francis deSales and insights into the experience of Mass at that time.By Brandon Harvey
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The Brandon Harvey Podcast


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Saint Catherine of Sienna on Times for Prayer
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Saint Catherine notes the importance of accepting moments of Divine Visitation while praying and whether or not the Liturgy of the Hours should be concluded after this visitation.By Brandon Harvey
Discover how Hebrews 8 speaks of Jesus as the Liturgist who carried out our work of redemption and has gifted us New Covenant liturgies.By Brandon Harvey
Discipleship with Jesus truly flourishes when we are faithful to a few basic disciplines. Today, Dave VanVickle dives into four disciplines that are key in the life of a new disciple in order to live a fruitful Christian life. Snippet from the Show Discipleship with the Lord must eventually turn outward. Once our thirst for Christ is quenched, he w…
Gorgeous, spacious, and needed gems from three poets: Steve Garnaas-Holmes, Mary Oliver, Yahia LababidiBy Spark My Muse
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The Brandon Harvey Podcast


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Saint Thomas Aquinas' 5 Ways, the church building, and sacred vessels
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Explore a summary of Aquinas 5 ways, his insights into a church building, and the consecration of sacred vessels. On the 5 ways: ST I, q. 2, a. 1-3. On the respective liturgical rites: ST III, q. 83, a. 1-6.By Brandon Harvey
Dave “Well Prepared” VanVickle and I chat about returning to Mass, the craziness in our lives, and continuing to evangelize and reach the faithful creatively during these uncertain and challenging times. Snippet from the Show In times of isolation and uncertainty, we have the gift of the crucifix to gaze at and identify with. We want to hear from y…
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Spark My Muse


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Eps 185: What’s Bugging You and Giving you Joy|Guest, Cindy Bunch
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The simple and profound ways we grow into spiritual maturity—Cindy Bunch from IVP is our guest.By Spark My Muse
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The Brandon Harvey Podcast


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The Church Fathers: Saint Cyprian of Carthage
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Explore the life/background of Saint Cyprian of Carthage, his insights on the Lord's Prayer, and his witness to an early form of the Liturgy of the Hours.By Brandon Harvey
Discover the background of Tertullian and his words on persecution, Christian Initiation, and what we would now call the "Liturgy of the Hours."By Brandon Harvey
It is easy to get worn out when you work for the Kingdom of God. Today, Dave VanVickle shares a word of encouragement for all who feel weary and tired laboring for the Lord. Dave gives us practical advice to find rest when evangelization gets hard and tiring. Snippet from the Show When you feel overwhelmed by the weight of sin in the world, root yo…
What does embodiment do and what does it look like in ordinary life?By Spark My Muse
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The Brandon Harvey Podcast


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The Universal Catechism and the Four Pillars
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This podcast looks at some of the items concerning the CCC and the 4 Pillars to emphasize particular points that you will discover in your CCC reading/work.By Brandon Harvey