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The best theological movements present the Church as an organism, not an organization. In this episode of our new series on the eight principles of Word on Fire, Bishop Barron explains how how the Communion of Saints works in and through the Mystical Body of Christ to evangelize the world. The listener questions asks about Catherine of Siena's three levels of prayer.  Topics Discussed <ul> <li>0:17  - Introduction, filming B-roll footage for Pivotal Players Volume II</li> <li>2:00 - How are the saints powerful?</li> <li>5:55 - How can the stories of the saints aid in evangelization?</li> <li>8:30 - What is the impact of the Little Flower?</li> <li>11:15 - How can Saint Thomas Aquinas become accessible for the current culture?</li> <li>15:30 - How was Saint John Paul II able to contribute so much to the Church and evangelization?</li> <li>19:20 - What is the great contribution of Bl. John Henry Newman?</li> <li>24:00 - Question from listener: How might we aspire to attain the third level of prayer as described by St. Catherine of Siena.</li> </ul> Bonus Resources <ul> <li>Videos <ul> <li><a href= "https://www.wordonfire.org/resources/video/bishop-barron-on-satellites-and-praying-to-the-saints/5328/"> Satellites and Praying to the Saints</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> <ul> <li>DVD/Study Program <ul> <li><a href= "http://newevangelization.wordonfire.org/">CATHOLICISM: The New Evangelization</a></li> <li><a href= "http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/dvd/pre-order-catholicism-the-pivotal-players/5186/"> CATHOLICISM: The Pivotal Players</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> <ul> <li> Articles   <ul> <li><a href= "https://www.wordonfire.org/resources/article/st-patrick-st-joseph-and-the-conversion-that-makes-all-the-difference/5423/"> "St. Patrick, St. Joseph, and the Conversion that Makes All the Difference"</a> (Bishop Barron)</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <ul> <li>Calendar and Prayer Cards <ul> <li><a href= "http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/misc/pre-order-catholicism-the-pivotal-players---365-day-calendar/5189/"> Pivotal Players Calendar</a> (Word On Fire)</li> <li><a href= "http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/misc/pre-order-catholicism-the-pivotal-players---prayer-card-packet/5192/"> Pivotal Players Prayer Cards</a> (Word On Fire)</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <ul> <li>Books <ul> <li><a href= "http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/book/pre-order-praying-with-the-pivotal-players/5188/"> Praying with the Pivotal Players</a> (Amy Welborn)</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <ul> <li>Study Guides <ul> <li><a href= "http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/studyprogram/pre-order-catholicism-the-pivotal-players---leaders-guide/5194/"> CATHOLICISM: The Pivotal Players - Leader's Guide </a></li> <li><a href= "http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/studyprogram/pre-order-catholicism-the-pivotal-players---study-guide/5195/"> CATHOLICISM: The Pivotal Players - Study Guide</a></li> <li><a href= "http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/bundle/pre-order-catholicism-the-pivotal-players---leaders-kit/5190/"> CATHOLICISM: The Pivotal Players - Leaders Kit</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> <ul> <li>Websites <ul> <li><a href="http://www.WordOnFire.org">Word On Fire</a></li> <li><a href= "https://bishopbarronbooks.com/">BishopBarronBooks</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> Find bonus links and resources for this episode at <a href= "http://wordonfireshow.com/">http://WordOnFireShow.com</a> and, again, be sure to submit your questions at <a href= "http://askbishopbarron.com/">http://As</a><a href= "http://askbishopbarron.com/">kBishopBarron</a>.

WOF 078: Joining the Great Saints

First, the culture has found no good alternative to Christianity. Second, there is a growing intellectual acceptance of Christianity. Deacon Harold breaks more into this discussion as well as looking into Soulful Psalm 119-SHIN.

The Death of Atheism

The most recent meeting of the <a href= "http://www.usccb.org/">United States Council of Catholic Bishops</a> ended with a prayer service and a sermon by Archbishop Peter Sartain, wherein his excellency referenced the mystical prayers of St. Catherine of Siena. In this episode, Bishop Robert Barron recounts this wonderful sermon and reflects on the use of the word "thee" in St. Catherine's prayers as well as the common prayers of the Church. Bishop explains that the purpose of this sort of language is to remind us of the intimacy we share in God through the Son. Sharing this personal relationship with Jesus is the real purpose of evangelization. The listener question wonders about the purpose of petitionary prayer. Topics Discussed <ul> <li>0:15  - Introduction, information about the USCCB meeting and Bishop Barron's newly elected office</li> <li>3:53 - Word on Fire Show reaches 1 million downloads</li> <li>4:30 - Overview of Archbishop Sartain's Sermon</li> <li>9:03 - What language did Jesus use when he prayed?</li> <li>11:25 - How does the language we use about God relate to evangelization?</li> <li>13:10 - How do we navigate the fact that God is so far beyond us but also so intimately near?</li> <li>15:38 - What are some common misunderstandings about how to speak about God?</li> <li>18:15 - How do we grow in intimacy with the Lord?</li> <li>20:47 - Question from listener: When does it make sense to participate in petitionary prayer?</li> </ul> Bonus Resources <ul> <li>Videos <ul> <li><a href= "http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/video/bishop-barron-on-the-disorienting-quality-of-real-prayer/5158/"> Bishop Barron on The Disorienting Quality of Real Prayer</a></li> <li><a href= "http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/video/reflections-on-the-lords-prayer/149/"> Bishop Barron on The Lord's Prayer</a></li> <li><a href= "http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/video/thomas-merton-spiritual-master/4670/"> Bishop Barron on Thomas Merton, Spiritual Master</a></li> </ul> </li> <li>DVD's <ul> <li><a href= "http://pivotalplayers.wordonfire.org/">Catholicism: The Pivotal Players</a> (Word on Fire)</li> <li><a href= "http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/dvd/catholicism-series/1036/"> Catholicism series</a> (Word On Fire)</li> <li><a href= "http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/dvd/faith-clips/4421/">Faith Clips</a> (Word On Fire)</li> </ul> </li> <li> Articles   <ul> <li><a href= "http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/article/3-reasons-why-vikings-is-the-most-religiously-interesting-show-on-tv/5230/"> Three Reasons Why Vikings is the Most Religiously Interesting Show on TV </a>(Bishop Barron)</li> <li><a href= "http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/article/why-we-should-address-jesus-as-thou/5331/"> Why We Should Address Jesus as Though </a>(Bishop Barron)</li> <li><a href= "http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/article/why-you-need-spiritual-food/4853/"> Why You Need Spiritual Food</a> (Bishop Barron)</li> </ul> </li> <li>Books <ul> <li><a href= "http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/book/the-strangest-way/1039/">The Strangest Way</a> by Bishop Barron</li> <li><a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Praying-Confidence-Aquinas-Lords-Prayer/dp/1441147136/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1481329136&sr=8-3&keywords=praying+with+confidence"> Praying with Confidence</a> by Fr. Paul Murray, OP</li> <li><a href= "http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/book/praying-with-the-pivotal-players/5188/"> Praying with the Pivotal Players </a> by Amy Welborn</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <ul> <li>Study Program  <ul> <li><a href="http://mysteryofgod.com">The Mystery of God: Who God Is and Why He Matters</a> (Bishop Barron)</li> <li><a href= "http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/studyprogram/catholicism-the-pivotal-players---study-guide/5195/"> Catholicism: The Pivotal Players Study Guide</a> (Word on Fire)</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <ul> <li>Websites <ul> <li><a href="http://www.WordOnFire.org">Word On Fire</a> (Proclaiming Christ in the Culture)</li> <li><a href="http://dailycatholicgospel.com/get-reflections">Daily Catholic Gospel Reflections</a> (Bishop Barron)</li> </ul> </li> </ul> Find bonus links and resources for this episode at <a href= "http://wordonfireshow.com/">http://WordOnFireShow.com</a> and, again, be sure to submit your questions at <a href= "http://askbishopbarron.com/">http://As</a><a href= "http://askbishopbarron.com/">kBishopBarron</a>.

WOF 053: How to Speak about God

<a href="https://store.magiscenter.com/products/the-catholic-faith-and-science-parish-edition-participant-workbook" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(63, 81, 181);">Get the Workbook</a> | <a href="https://store.magiscenter.com/products/facilitators-guide-parish-edition-the-catholic-faith-and-science" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(63, 81, 181);">Facilitator Guide</a> | If you take a moment to think about all the choices you make in life, from what to have for breakfast to charting a course to achieve your long-term goals, you will notice that everything you want to do is because you believe it will make you happy. So, what makes you happy? A good meal? Winning a game? Getting more likes, views, and upvotes? Making the top 10% of your class and getting into the best colleges? Each of these examples are good. But is there anything beyond these forms of happiness, a form of happiness which could be more pervasive, enduring, deep?In this episode you will learn that ...■ There are four major kinds of desire: the desire for sensual pleasure, the desire to get ahead over others, the desire to help others, and the desire for the transcendent.■ When our desires are satisfied, we feel corresponding levels of happiness.■ Sensual pleasure is fleeting, and a focus only on ego-comparative desires traps us in a comparison game.■ The human capacity for empathy and conscience forms the basis for contributive-empathetic desires and the happiness we feel when we make a positive difference to someone or something beyond ourselves.■ Even if we live a completely contributive-empathetic life, we will still experience a desire for the transcendental.■ Our four fundamental desires exist in us, whether we acknowledge them or not. It is important to let the higher levels take a lead role in our lives and keep the lower levels in their proper place, as a means to the end of a fully lived life.About Fr Spitzer: Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on May 16, 1952, Fr. Spitzer is a Catholic priest in the Jesuit order and is currently the President of the Magis Center of Reason and Faith (<a href="https://magiscenter.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(63, 81, 181);">magiscenter.com</a>). The Magis Center produces documentaries, books, high school programs, college courses, adult-education programs, and social media materials on the close connection among science, reason, and faith. Fr. Spitzer is also the President, Master of Ceremonies, and speaker at the Napa Institute (<a href="https://napa-institute.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(63, 81, 181);">napa-institute.org</a>).

Episode 16: The Four Kinds of Desire & Happiness

What do typhoon evacuations, koala selfies, and second breakfast in Hobbiton have in common? They’ve all been part of Deacon Bob’s adventurous month. 
After a few weeks apart, Father Dave and Deacon Bob are back, swapping globe-trotting tales, ministry moments, and a surprisingly full slate of sports updates. Bob’s recent trip took him from the typhoon-swept Philippines to Singapore, Perth, Sydney, and a bucket-list stop in New Zealand’s Hobbiton (yes, complete with hobbit holes, the Green Dragon Inn, and second breakfast). 
Along the way, he preached to 90 youth leaders just hours after a typhoon hit, met a koala, saw kangaroos, and even met a listener named Rain who drove five hours just to hear him speak. There were plenty of memorable meals, from perfect pancakes to less-than-crispy bacon. 
Meanwhile, Father Dave stayed stateside, baptizing great-nieces (one walked to her own baptism), speaking at the Knights of Columbus Conference, and making a moving visit to the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine in Oklahoma City. He shares Rother’s remarkable story—from failing Latin in seminary, to obeying his bishop’s call to return to Guatemala, to his martyrdom in 1981—and the beauty of a shrine built right in the heart of the city it serves. 
Sports fans get plenty too: the debut of MLB’s first female umpire Jen Pawol (including her Hall of Fame–bound first pitch), Tom Brady’s towering new statue, and even a trivia challenge about the University of Michigan making draft history. 
Naturally, there are detours, including CGI vs. AI, bad sports statues, and ministry moments that transcended cultural boundaries. But through it all, the heart stays the same: joyfully sharing the Gospel, wherever God sends you (even if it’s to a sheep paddock in New Zealand). 
 
Highlighted Sections 
(00:00) Sports, Schedules, and Saying Goodbye 
The guys open with bittersweet news about the podcast winding down, why recording has gotten harder, and an invitation for listeners to share favorite memories. They then go into the week’s light sports slate and review the <a href='https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5950044/'>new Superman</a>. Even with the end in sight, their trademark banter is alive and well. 
 
(05:41) Football, Statues, and Sports Trivia 
Deacon Bob previews a Buccaneers-Steelers preseason game while Father Dave looks forward to Steelers training camp. They discuss <a href='https://www.boston.com/community/readers-say/2025/08/11/tom-brady-statue-reactions/'>Tom Brady’s towering statue</a> and celebrate <a href='https://www.mlb.com/video/jen-pawol-debuts-behind-the-plate'>Jen Pawol historic debut as MLB’s first female umpire</a>. The segment wraps with a trivia challenge about a university making draft history in all four major leagues. 
 
(15:44) From Typhoons to Hobbit Holes 
Bob recounts ministry in the Philippines, Perth, and New Zealand, including speaking to youth leaders <a href='https://apnews.com/article/typhoon-comay-philippines-9b0c191c63112a109b60b420b5917010'>after a typhoon</a> and connecting with alumni abroad. He describes <a href='https://www.hobbitontours.com/'>walking through the Shire set</a> from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, complete with hobbit holes and the Green Dragon Inn. Jenny may not be a huge fan of the films, but even she found the tour magical. 
 
(23:42) Sydney, Koalas, and the Ends of the Earth 
From welcoming bishops to preaching across cultures, Bob reflects on moments when the Holy Spirit’s anointing was tangible. He shares encounters with young adults, a koala, and a listener who drove five hours to hear him speak. Each stop reaffirmed the universal joy of sharing the Gospel. 
 
(25:42) Baptisms, Knights, and Blessed Stanley Rother 
Father Dave talks about baptizing his great-nieces and representing Franciscan University at the <a href='https://www.dckofc2025.com/'>Knights of Columbus Conference.</a> He shares the moving story of <a href='https://archokc.org/stanleyrother'>Blessed Stanley Rother</a> a missionary priest martyred in Guatemala, and describes visiting the shrine dedicated to him. The witness of Rother’s courage and devotion left a lasting impression. 
 
(32:37) Feast Days and a Chapel Blessing 
Looking ahead to the <a href='https://bustedhalo.com/ministry-resources/understanding-and-celebrating-the-feast-of-the-assumption'>Feast of the Assumption</a> they pray for peace amid global tensions. Father Dave previews the blessing of Franciscan University’s newly renovated Christ the King Chapel, while Bob outlines upcoming speaking engagements. The conversation closes with anticipation for the start of the school year. 
 
Resources Mentioned 
<a href='https://rothershrine.org/'>Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine</a> – Learn more about the first American-born martyr 
<a href='https://www.cbsnews.com/video/mlb-first-woman-umpires-regular-season-game/'>MLB First Female Umpire – Jen Pawol</a> – Read about her historic debut 
<a href='https://www.hobbitontours.com/'>Hobbiton Movie Set</a> – Explore the filming location of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit 
<a href='https://bustedhalo.com/ministry-resources/understanding-and-celebrating-the-feast-of-the-assumption'>Feast of the Assumption</a> – August 15, a Holy Day of Obligation in the Catholic Church 
<a href='https://franciscan.edu/christ-the-king-chapel-renovations/'>Christ the King Chapel Renovation</a> – Franciscan University’s expanded and renewed chapel 
<a href='https://faithandreason.com/series/purposeful-lab/'>Purposeful Lab</a> – New season started on <a href='https://faithandreason.com/'>Faith and Reason </a>

Bob's Hobbit Adventure

Deacon Harold helps us wrap up the summer to deal with why we fear death and how to overcome it. Also  looking into Soulful Psalm 50:20-23