Chris Stefanick Catholic Show

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These Things Drive Priests Crazy with Fr. Leo Patalinghug Jan 27, 2026

Show notes

You probably have a litany of complaints about your priest. But what does your priest think about YOU?

In this episode, I sat down with Fr. Leo Patalinghug (yes, the priest who beat Bobby Flay), and I gave him permission to unload.

This priest chef turns the tables to serve up an honest assessment of the parishioner behaviors that drain the life out of priests...and how we can do better at bringing our best to Mass and Confession.

And, honestly...we need to hear this!

Our conversation is authentic, funny, and convicting as Fr. Leo reflects on his 25 years of priesthood and parish ministry to offer solid advice on how to further engage at Mass and use the sacrament of Confession for its intended purpose of both absolving your sins and healing your mind and heart.

He shares some funny stories along the way about people using the confessional as a counseling session or confessing other people's sins and not their own, those who don't pray along audibly at Mass, and his impression of the face that so many people in the pews are making while lifelessly staring back at him during Mass. (Don't miss it! )

He also offers sound reasons for WHY we should care about the way we confess our sins and our approach to attending Mass. He has some beautiful thoughts on God's mercy, the seal of Confession, and showing respect to the Lord by fully immersing ourselves in the liturgy.

Let's continue to pray for our priests who have given their lives to serve the Body of Christ. And let's use Fr. Leo's tips to renew our approach to the sacraments and fully embrace God's love and mercy.

HIGHLIGHTS
0:00 Why Catholics love critiquing priests
3:49 Confession is not counseling
6:01 Why saying the sin brings healing
9:00 Scrupulosity, despair, and self-hatred
11:29 Let God love you with his mercy
14:19 Presumption vs. real repentance
18:27 Why confession sets us free psychologically
25:21 What priests need from us at Mass
30:12 “Mouth the words” — why participation matters
35:06 Why you leaving Mass early crushes priests

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Feeling Small? Here's What God Thinks of You Jan 24, 2026

Show notes

Have you ever felt small? Like just one person among nearly 8 billion—how could you possibly matter?

That's no doubt how the apostles felt...fishermen of little consequence by the world's standards.

Until Jesus called them by using a phrase that rabbis would use to call specially gifted students: "Come follow me."

They were hearing something they'd dreamt of their whole lives—something they thought had passed them by.

That's why they dropped everything instantly.

They mattered to Jesus. And so do you.

God’s attention isn’t divided. He’s infinite. Which means He gives you His full, undivided love—right now...and he's calling you the same way: "Come follow me."

In those small-feeling moments, remember that God is perpetually pouring His grace over you. Sometimes we forget that God is there loving us, but He never forgets about us.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. When do you most struggle with feeling insignificant or unseen? What triggers those thoughts?

2. How does the idea that God gives infinite attention to each person change the way you see your relationship with Him?

3. What would it look like for you to truly believe that God is calling you personally—not just Christians in general?

4. Are there moments in your life when you felt like God's call to you was clear? What were you called to and how did you respond?

5. What is one concrete way you can respond to God's call this week?

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What the Catholic Church REALLY Says About Suicide | Fr. Chris Alar Jan 20, 2026

Show notes

Suicide rates are rising—and almost all of us have been touched by it. If you’ve ever wondered “What happens to someone who dies by suicide?” or felt crushed by fear, guilt, or unanswered questions, this episode will bring you real hope.

I sit down with Fr. Chris Alar, author of After Suicide, to unpack what the Catholic Church actually teaches: why suicide is grave matter, why that does not automatically mean someone is damned, and how God can work mercy in ways we can’t see.

Our conversation also touches briefly on the lie behind assisted suicide and Fr. Chris tells a beautiful story that explains the power of offering up your suffering as a prayer for the living and those who have died.

We also talk about practical warning signs and what to do when someone is struggling with suicidal ideation.

If you’ve lost someone, love someone who’s struggling, or you’re carrying silent pain yourself—this conversation is for you. God's mercy is real—and it's powerful beyond our human comprehension.

Get Fr. Chris' book "After Suicide": https://www.amazon.com/After-Suicide-Theres-Hope-Them/dp/1596144343

Highlights:

0:00 Intro

5:00 The myth: “Suicide = automatic hell”

9:45 Catechism 2282: mitigating factors & God’s mercy

22:45 Catechism 2283: don’t despair—God can act in ways we can’t see

29:10 Your prayers can still matter (even when it feels “too late”)

37:03 Why some people prefer legalism over mercy

42:12 Suicide today is not an epidemic but a pandemic

44:35 The #1 risk factor for those considering suicide

46:13 Warning signs + what to say when you’re worried about someone

50:11 “I’m a burden” — the lie behind assisted suicide/euthanasia

56:18 Closing prayer + blessing

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or considering self-harm: please call 988 (U.S. Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or your local emergency number right now. If you’re outside the U.S., look up your country’s crisis line and reach out immediately.

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Lessons in Joy from a Child's Funeral Jan 17, 2026

Show notes

I recently had the honor of being at the funeral of Micah Kim, the five-year-old son of my friend Paul J. Kim. And I don’t use the word honor lightly.

Because while the pain of losing a child is unimaginable…what I witnessed there was just as unimaginable: JOY.

At Micah’s wake, Paul stood next to his son’s casket—his little body dressed in cowboy boots—and he pointed and said:

“That’s my son’s body. He’s not there. My son is alive.”

Paul said they gave Micah the greatest gift a parent can give: baptism. His passport to heaven. And then I watched this family walk down the aisle behind the casket—hands on it, tears streaming down Paul’s face—and his other hand lifted high in praise as we sang Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.

Listen to my reflection to hear how Paul's witness of joy in the face of tragedy and Micah's brief life are both tied to the truth of our baptism—that we are beloved children of God and he wants us to live forever with him.

In baptism, we are sealed in this identity and receive our ticket to heaven. We just need to lean into his love and let his grace transform our lives.

Our days here are numbered. But heaven is real, it lasts forever, and you don't need to prove yourself to earn God's love. Receive it!

Follow Paul J. Kim on Instagram to see how God is already using Micah for his glory: https://www.instagram.com/heypjk

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Have you ever witnessed faith lived out powerfully in the middle of suffering? What impact did it have on you?

2. Do you think our culture understands joy the way Christianity does? Why or why not? How does the Christian understanding of hope differ from simply “staying positive”?

3. Does your baptism shape your identity? What does it mean to you that, at baptism, the Father looks at you and says, “That’s my son. That’s my daughter”?

4. Where in your life do you find yourself trying to earn God's love or prove your worth? How can you work against that mindset?

5. What can you do this week to live like holiness is your top priority? What needs to change?

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Join Chris Stefanick on pilgrimage to the Holy Land: https://www.canterburypilgrimages.com/tour/cs-holyland2026/

You’re Not Abandoned in the Hardest Moments Jan 10, 2026

Show notes

When most people think about where God is, they look to the sky or point to a mountaintop. God is ON HIGH, right?

But the reality of the incarnation flips that vision upside down.

Christ dwelt among us. God came to the lowest of places to meet us in our brokenness and heal our sin.

Did you know the spot where Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River is literally one of the lowest places on earth? That can't be an accident.

It reminds us that even when we are at our lowest point—a medical diagnosis, marital issues, problems with our children, job loss—God is right there alongside us. He doesn't want us to walk these trials alone.

Hear the words God spoke at Christ's baptism. They are meant for you, too:

“You are my beloved son… you are my beloved daughter… with whom I am well pleased.”

If you find yourself in a low place right now, take it to the Lord. He's already there next to you.

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Join Chris Stefanick on pilgrimage to the Holy Land: https://www.canterburypilgrimages.com/tour/cs-holyland2026/

God is Hiding in Plain Sight | Reflection on the Epiphany of the Lord Jan 03, 2026

Show notes

Have you ever noticed that when God shows up, he often does so in ways that are...completely ordinary?

Think about the Epiphany of the Lord that we are celebrating today. Angels fill the sky. A star bends the universe. Heaven breaks into earth. Kings come to pay homage.

And at the center of it all? A poor child. A nursing mother. A scene you could walk right past.

Fast forward two thousand years and God is still so often hiding His glory in plain sight, but we've lost the ability to contemplate and truly SEE him in the ordinariness of the world around us. God made Himself small—so ordinary that only the humble can see Him. And that’s exactly why so many of us miss Him.

We’ve trained ourselves to scroll past miracles. To numb ourselves when big questions stir in our souls. To distract instead of contemplate. And in doing that, we don’t just lose silence—we lose wonder.

As we enter the new year, let's cultivate a contemplative heart that recognizes Jesus in the bread and the wine...and in our spouse, family, friends, and coworkers. When you become humble enough to see God in the ordinary, life becomes a constant epiphany.

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How to Keep Your New Year's Resolution | Fr. Peter Mussett Dec 30, 2025

Show notes

Why do we keep confessing the same sins… making the same resolutions… and falling back into the same patterns?

In this practical and powerful episode of The Chris Stefanick Show, I sit down with Fr. Peter Mussett, a priest who has heard thousands of confessions—and has lots of advice to share about human nature, change, and mercy.

In this conversation, we talk about real sins and real solutions so you can make real changes in your life.

Fr. Peter explains:

-Why most people don’t actually change
-The hidden link between unforgiveness, victimhood, and temptation
-Why willpower alone never works
-How habit stacking, conscience, and mercy work together
-Why God sometimes allows us to keep struggling
-And the one mindset shift that finally makes real change possible

If you’re frustrated with yourself, tired of starting over, and feel like you can't conquer your vices, I hope this interview will give you hope, clarity, and a true path forward.

Highlights:

0:00 Why real change is so hard

2:08 Why priests see what most people never notice

7:00 The beauty of Confession

16:58 The movie-scene insight that reveals how people change

19:18 Conscience: where God actually speaks

24:13 Why “deliver us from evil” is where change starts

27:27 The difference between passion-driven and reason-driven living

29:23 Habit stacking: a spiritual key to breaking bad habits

33:31 How unforgiveness fuels temptation

39:28 Why mercy—especially toward yourself—changes everything

57:33 “You are not your sin” (John Paul II’s powerful reminder)

1:07:36 A prayer for anyone frustrated with themselves

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Support the creation of this content by becoming a Missionary of Joy with a monthly gift to Real Life Catholic and get free access to the new Living Peace study series: https://bit.ly/4nTHbN0

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Surviving Your Current Chaos with Confidence Dec 27, 2025

Show notes

Happy Feast of the Holy Family!

One of the most comforting truths of our faith is also one of the hardest to live. You’re not living the whole story — you’re living your current page.

One of the most powerful (and overlooked) truths of the Bible is typology—the way God weaves the same story across centuries, fulfilling promises in ways no human author could plan. Different people. Different centuries. Same Author.

In this reflection, we look at the stunning parallels between Joseph in the Old Testament and St. Joseph in the New, and what they reveal about suffering, trust, and God’s plan.

Old Testament Joseph didn’t get to see the whole picture. He only saw the chaos of the page he was on—betrayal, exile, fear, uncertainty. And yet, he lived with peace because he trusted the Author...and look what happened thousands of years later! Prophecies fulfilled. A Savior born in a manger. And another Joseph managing the chaos of his current page while trusting in the larger story.

If you’re walking through illness, family struggles, anxiety, grief, or confusion…this message is for you. This can be especially difficult to remember during the holidays, but your pain isn’t your story. It’s one page in a much bigger one that is unfolding according to divine plans we may not understand in our lifetime.

I hope this reflection puts you on the path to accept the peace that both Josephs found amidst chaos—by trusting in the love of the Lord who knows the glorious ending of your story.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Chris talks about “the chaos of the page you’re on.” What does that phrase bring up for you right now?
2. Can you think of a time in your life when something that felt chaotic later made sense in hindsight?
3. Where do you struggle most to trust God when you don’t understand what He’s doing?
4. The Holy Family experienced fear, displacement, stress, and uncertainty, but had confidence in God's ultimate plan. How does that change the way you think about holiness in family life? What would it look like to invite God’s peace into the “chaos” of your own family?
5. What “page” of your story are you living right now? (Illness, transition, joy, stress, grief, growth, confusion, etc.) How might remembering that this is not the whole story change the way you face it?

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Exclusive Interview with Santa Claus | What It's Like to Be Santa (Eddie Cotter, Jr.) Dec 22, 2025

Show notes

What if Santa Claus wasn’t just a character… but a calling?

In this unforgettable episode of The Chris Stefanick Show, I sit down with one of my oldest and dearest friends, Eddie Cotter, Jr.—a longtime Catholic youth minister who unexpectedly took on the role of Santa Claus and eventually ended up appearing as Santa at Rockefeller Center in New York City!

What starts as a fun conversation turns into something deeply moving as Eddie tells the story of how he became Santa Claus for his autistic grandson, attended the Harvard of Santa training schools, and has had some truly magical experiences serving in this beloved role.

And then… Eddie steps out, and Santa Claus himself walks in for an exclusive interview!

Yes. I really interviewed Santa Claus. And yes…I cried.

Santa gets deep as we delve into the history of St. Nicholas, the backstories behind some well-known Christmas traditions and legends, and how Santa Claus points us to the real reason for the season—the greatest gift of all. This episode is about hope, goodness, repentance, and the deep truth behind Christmas—that God really did come into the world, and love still wins.

You do not want to miss this one.

HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 – Intro

02:51 – How Eddie first felt called to become Santa

06:14 – The moment Santa changed Eddie’s autistic grandson’s life

07:17 – “Lord… if You want me to do this, I’m in”

09:05 – Santa school is WAY more intense than you think

14:35 – Why being Santa makes you a better Christian

17:42 – The Rockefeller Center Santa moment

19:37 – “I’ll never live long enough to give back that much love”

31:39 – Santa Claus walks into the studio

36:38 – What it means to be Santa Claus

37:40 – Redemption from the Naughty List

39:12 – The Legend of Receiving Coal

41:20 – The Story of St. Nicholas

46:10 – St. Nick Bows Before the King (A New York Story)

49:54 – Santa's Outift Explained

52:53 – How He Does It All In One Night

59:55 – Milk and Cookies

1:03:01 – Be A Giver

1:04:54 – Santa's Message to Those Struggling This Christmas

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Learn more about Eddie's work:

Eddie's ministry: https://deadtheologianssociety.com
Eddie's book: https://deadtheologianssociety.com/product/wisdom-inspiration-from-the-saints-in-a-sentence/
Email Santa: santa@santaclauseddie.com
Book Santa Claus Eddie: santaclauseddie.com

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Support the creation of this content by becoming a Missionary of Joy with a monthly gift to Real Life Catholic and get free access to the new Living Peace study series: https://bit.ly/4nTHbN0

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Join Chris Stefanick on pilgrimage: https://www.reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages

What are you really worth? | Advent Reflection Dec 20, 2025

Show notes

As we draw close to the mystery of Christmas, we don’t just discover who God is—we discover who we are...and what we're worth.

When you look at the face of the Christ child in the manger, you’re not just seeing Emmanuel, God with us. You’re seeing your own value reflected back at you. Your worth is revealed by what God was willing to pay for you. And the price wasn’t silver or gold...It was the precious blood of Christ.

In this reflection I offer some thoughts on what your true price tag should mean for your own self-worth—how you take care of your body, how you talk about yourself, how you think about your sin, and what it means when we hear "Body of Christ."

Here's the game plan:

1. Take better care of yourself.
2. Value the people around you.
3. See your sins in the proper light.

Don't sell yourself to the lowest bidder...especially when that lowest bidder is your own negative self-talk.

Take a few quiet minutes this weekend. Look at Him, remember what you're really worth, and honor how precious you are to God.

Special thanks to Rick Warren for the inspiration on this one!

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. In what ways do you personally struggle to believe your worth is as great as God says it is?

2. Where in your life might you be “selling yourself to the lowest bidder” instead of living from your true value?

3. How does seeing Jesus as an infant in Bethlehem change the way you see yourself?

4. What would it look like—practically—to treat yourself with the dignity God has already given you?

5. How can you better reflect God’s attentiveness and love to the people around you this week?

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Join the mission to spread the joy of the Gospel! Become a Missionary of Joy to support this free content: https://bit.ly/4nTHbN0

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Join Chris Stefanick on pilgrimage: https://www.reallifecatholic.com/pilgrimages

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Learn more about CORE, Real Life Catholic's new Confirmation prep experience for the next generation to be released in 2026: https://bit.ly/4p6HrsW

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