The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Are You a “Child of God”? Feb 02, 2023

Show notes

When we’re baptized, we become adopted sons or daughters of God. We become “children of God”. So… does that mean we aren’t children of God before that? And if we aren’t… what are we?

Today, Fr. Mike explains to us how baptism makes us “partners in the divine nature”, so that we can truly call God our Father.

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“Why Baptizing Your Baby Is the Most Important Thing You Can Do” Jan 26, 2023

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Why does the Catholic Church baptize babies rather than wait until they are older and capable of choosing this sacrament for themselves?

Salvation requires faith, and it can be challenging to understand how an infant accepts the truths of the Catholic Faith at the moment of Baptism.

Today Fr. Mike uses an example from Mark’s Gospel to help us understand how the profession of faith by our parents at the moment of our Baptism prepares us to receive the gift of salvation later in our lives.

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Pray as You Can, Not As You Can’t Jan 19, 2023

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Need more advice on prayer? Fr. Mike has you covered.

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The Stories We Tell Our Children Have Consequences Jan 12, 2023

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Stories matter. We tell them to help us understand the world around us. But what if the stories we tell don't mirror our Catholic morals? What if the lessons that they teach don't agree with our values? Should we keep telling those stories?

Today Fr. Mike wrecks your childhood version of the Little Mermaid and spoils the ending of the real story. Spoiler: It doesn't have a happy ending.

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If God Loves Everyone, Why Doesn't Everyone Go to Heaven? Jan 05, 2023

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"If not everyone is going to heaven, then I don't want to be there." Is this sentiment honorable? Or misguided? Fr. Mike addresses the mystery of heaven and hell and gets to the core of what it means to be with God... or without him.

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How to Begin with the End in Mind Dec 29, 2022

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What do I want to be true about me at the end of this year that is not currently true? At the beginning of this new year, Fr. Mike shares the advice of Stephen Covey: "Begin with the end in mind." Our days are limited and Fr. Mike encourages us to examine who we want to be and to start working towards that now.

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God Is Asking You to Give Him Everything Dec 22, 2022

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How do we give God everything? It's obvious from the stories throughout the Scriptures that God is asking us to give him everything but is He also calling us to "sell everything and give alms to the poor" as he asks of the rich young man?

Today, Fr. Mike helps us make the distinction between the sometimes particular call to "give everything away" and the universal call to give God everything. It is certainly the case that each and every one of us is called to relinquish all that we have and all that we are to God's service and to trust Him with everything.

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Does God Need Me to Pray for What I Need? Dec 15, 2022

Show notes

When we are struggling spiritually or experiencing some physical suffering we can find ourselves asking the question; "Is God listening to my prayer?"

Since he already knows what we need before we even ask him, should we just trust in his providence? Is it an either or?

Today, Fr Mike encourages us with examples from scripture to highlight that we ought to both pray for what we need as well as trust that God hears our prayers and will respond according to his good will and pleasure.

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Give God Your Best Yes (like Mary Did) Dec 08, 2022

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"God will never ask you to do more than Mary did." And what did Mary do? She said "yes". Today, on the eve of the celebration of Mary's Immaculate Conception, Fr. Mike wants us to meditate on how we can learn to say "yes" to God from the ultimate example of what a "yes" looks like: Mary, our mother.

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A Message to Catholic Men Dec 01, 2022

Show notes

If you or someone you know has benefited from Ascension's free media, would you consider giving a gift of financial support? (https://tinyurl.com/2g7flrnp)

While Ascension is not a non-profit organization, support from Catholics around the world helps us produce this free Media content and reach as many people as possible. Because of the generosity of viewers like you, Ascension is able to secure the resources necessary to continue delivering podcasts and videos that seek to draw Catholics closer to the heart of the Father. Learn more about what Ascension does with the financial support of our audience here: https://tinyurl.com/2g7flrnp

For those of you who are not in the position to give financially at this time, thank you for tuning in, spreading the word, and (most importantly) lifting up Ascension in prayer!

Today Fr. Mike encourages all men watching to consider taking the 90 day journey of Exodus 90. Learn more about Exodus 90 at www.Exodus90.com

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