Idaho Catholic Podcast

What kind of man does Jesus choose to change the world? In this powerful episode of The Catholic Journey Podcast, we journey into the life of Saint Matthew the Apostle — the tax collector turned Apostle, evangelist, and saint. Despised by society and considered a traitor by many, Matthew seemed like the last person anyone would expect Jesus to call. Yet Christ walked directly to him, looked past his sins, and simply said: “Follow Me.” This episode explores: Who Saint Matthew really was Why tax collectors were hated The incredible mercy of Jesus Matthew’s transformation from sinner to saint The deeper meaning behind some of the most powerful verses in the Gospel of Matthew What Matthew’s story teaches us about shame, redemption, and God’s calling in our own lives If you’ve ever felt unworthy, broken, or far from God, this episode is a reminder that Christ still calls ordinary sinners to extraordinary holiness. Because saints are not people who never sinned… They are people who answered when Jesus called

Who was Saint Luke the Evangelist really? In this powerful episode of The Catholic Journey Podcast, Deacon Pat Kearns explores the life, heart, and writings of the beloved Gospel author known as the “physician of mercy.” Discover how Luke’s background as a doctor, historian, and faithful companion of Saint Paul the Apostle shaped the way he saw Jesus — with compassion, tenderness, and deep hope for sinners. Journey through some of Luke’s most beloved passages, including: The Prodigal Son The Good Samaritan “Father, forgive them…” This episode reveals why Luke’s Gospel continues touching wounded hearts more than 2,000 years later and reminds us that no one is beyond the mercy of Christ. If you have ever felt distant from God, broken, or searching for hope… this episode is for you.

What if the greatest battle of our time isn’t political… but spiritual? In this powerful episode of The Catholic Journey Podcast, Deacon Pat Kearns explores themes from his novel Catholic Special Forces — a story of wounded souls, spiritual warfare, mercy, brotherhood, and the call to holiness in a broken world. Through the journey of a returning soldier searching for healing and purpose, this episode dives deeply into: spiritual warfare authentic Catholic masculinity suffering and redemption hidden holiness the battle for souls and what it truly means to become a spiritual warrior for Christ This is not a story about perfection. It’s a story about ordinary people discovering that God can still use broken lives for extraordinary mission. If you’ve ever struggled with purpose, faith, guilt, spiritual exhaustion, or wondering what God is calling you to… this episode is for you.

Why does a loving God allow suffering? It is one of the deepest and most painful questions the human heart can ask. In this powerful episode of The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns, we explore suffering through the lens of the Cross, the saints, and the teachings of the Catholic faith. Together we reflect on grief, loss, unanswered prayers, spiritual darkness, and the mysterious ways God can bring healing, transformation, and holiness even through pain. If you have ever questioned God during difficult moments… if you have ever wondered where He was in your suffering… this episode is for you. You are not alone. And your suffering is not without meaning. Listen now through the link below. #Catholic #Christian #Faith #Jesus #CatholicPodcast #Suffering #Hope #Prayer #Healing #God #Cross #SpiritualJourney #TheCatholicJourney #DeaconPatKearns #CatholicFaith #ChristianPodcast #TrustGod #Encouragement #CatholicLife #JesusChrist

What if grief became the beginning of something greater? In this emotional and inspiring episode of The Catholic Journey Podcast, Deacon Pat Kearns shares a powerful story inspired by his novel The Ranch — a story of five brothers brought together by loss, mysterious dreams, faith, and a calling they never expected. As they struggle with grief after the death of their younger brother, they begin discovering that God may still have a mission for their lives… one centered on healing wounded souls, mentoring struggling youth, and rediscovering purpose. This episode explores: Brotherhood and authentic masculinity Grief and spiritual awakening God’s call on ordinary people Healing wounded youth Faith, purpose, and redemption If you’ve ever wondered whether God can still use broken or ordinary people to do extraordinary things… this episode is for you.

What happens when a soul spends an entire lifetime chasing success, pleasure, and comfort… while slowly pushing God away? In this deeply emotional and sobering episode of The Catholic Journey Podcast, Deacon Pat Kearns explores a fictional yet spiritually grounded reflection on the reality of hell, judgment, mercy, and eternity through the story of one man’s final moments and what follows after death. This episode is not meant to condemn… but to awaken. A powerful reminder that our choices matter, our souls matter, and God’s mercy is still available while we still have time. “The Descent: A Soul’s Journey Into Hell” is one of the most intense and thought-provoking episodes yet. Listen now. #Catholic #CatholicPodcast #TheCatholicJourney #DeaconPatKearns #Christianity #Hell #Judgment #JesusChrist #Eternity #CatholicFaith #Afterlife #SpiritualWarfare #Mercy #Faith #Repentance #Confession #God #ChristianPodcast #Salvation #Prayer

This Mother’s Day, we reflect on the hidden holiness of mothers — the prayers, sacrifices, tears, and quiet love that help shape souls for eternity. From Saint Monica praying for her lost son… to Mary standing faithfully at the foot of the Cross… this powerful episode explores how God works through ordinary mothers in extraordinary ways. Because behind many saints… stood a mother who never stopped praying.

What’s the real difference between Catholic priests, Protestant pastors, deacons, and elders? In this episode of The Catholic Journey, Deacon Pat Kearns explores the deeper meaning behind Holy Orders, Apostolic Succession, the laying on of hands, and the sacraments handed down from the time of Christ and the Apostles. This conversation isn’t about attacking other Christians—it’s about understanding what the Catholic Church believes about authority, the Eucharist, confession, and the unbroken line of ordination that stretches back over 2,000 years. If you’ve ever wondered: Why Catholics have priests What makes the Eucharist unique Why deacons are ordained Or what Apostolic Succession really means …this episode is for you.

Most people say, “Just follow your conscience.” But what if your conscience is wrong? In this episode of The Catholic Journey, Deacon Pat dives into one of the most misunderstood teachings of our faith—how conscience works, how it can be misled, and why it must be formed in truth. This might challenge you… but it could also change everything.

He couldn’t forgive himself… and it was destroying him. In this powerful episode of The Catholic Journey, we enter the heart of a man carrying a burden many of us know too well—the weight of past sin, regret, and the quiet belief that “God may forgive… but I can’t forgive myself.” But what happens when mercy is real… and we refuse to receive it? This story will take you into a deeply human struggle—one that challenges pride, exposes wounds, and ultimately reveals a truth we often resist:

“Do not let your hearts be troubled…” In a world filled with uncertainty, anxiety, and questions about the future, Jesus offers us something deeper than answers—He offers us Himself. In this homily for the 5th Sunday of Easter, we reflect on one of the most powerful truths in Scripture: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6) If you’ve ever felt unsure about where life is heading… If you’ve ever wished for clarity, direction, or peace… This message is for you.

Some losses are carried quietly… A child you never got to hold. A goodbye you never got to say. A love that had nowhere to go. If you’ve ever walked through miscarriage… or love someone who has… this reflection was made with you in mind. Not as an answer… but as a gentle reminder of hope. That your child is known. That your love matters. And that in God… nothing is ever lost.

They thought it was just a game… Ten minutes. Two teams. Build the tallest snow tower. But when the whistle blew… everything changed. At the top of each tower… something no one could explain appeared. One… Christ the King. The other… Our Lady. No one had carved them. No one had time. And yet… they were there. What happened on that mountain didn’t just surprise these men… It transformed them. This is a story about brotherhood, effort, surrender… and what happens when God meets us in the middle of it all.

He went to Mount Shasta searching for clarity… But what he found… was something far deeper. Blake was strong. Disciplined. A former military man who knew how to push through anything. But on that frozen climb—crampons biting into ice, wind cutting through him—he came face to face with something he couldn’t outwork… The weight he had been carrying for years. Halfway up the mountain… he broke. Not physically. Spiritually. And in the silence… when everything finally stopped… God met him there. This is a story about pain… surrender… and the moment everything changes. If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying too much… This one is for you.

What if the greatest miracle… wasn’t healing in an instant— but healing that happens step by step? A father and daughter… years of distance between them… set out on an ancient pilgrimage from Florence to Rome. They don’t talk much. They don’t know how. But somewhere along the road… through silence, struggle, and unexpected grace… everything begins to change. This is a powerful story of: • Broken relationships • Unspoken wounds • Forgiveness that feels impossible • And a God who walks with us… even when we don’t feel Him If you’ve ever: • Felt distant from someone you love • Carried regret as a parent or as a child • Wondered if it’s too late to heal This story is for you.

What if the deepest confusion in our lives… isn’t the truth about who we are— but the result of wounds we’ve never healed? In this powerful episode of The Catholic Journey, I share a story that has stayed with me for years… A young boy… lost in pain, rejection, and identity confusion… searching for peace in all the wrong places. Until one moment—alone, broken, and ready to give up— he encountered something… or Someone… that changed everything. This isn’t a story about judgment. It’s a story about being seen. About being loved. About discovering that our identity is not something we create… but something we receive.

She was 25… and already felt like her life was over. Broken family. Painful choices. Addiction. Life on the streets… And a quiet belief that she was no longer worth saving. But one night… in the silence… everything changed. In this episode of The Catholic Journey, I share a powerful story inspired by real lives— a story of brokenness, encounter, and radical transformation.

There’s often someone in our family… Someone we just can’t seem to get along with. Over time, the tension becomes distance… The distance becomes normal… And before we know it, years have passed. In this episode of The Catholic Journey, I explore a difficult—but freeing—question:

I wasn’t planning on finding anyone that day… I was just hiking alone in the mountains of Northern California—trying to clear my head. But something told me to step off the trail. And that’s when I found him. A man lying in the forest… barely alive… who had come there to die after losing his wife and two daughters just weeks before. What followed was a conversation I will never forget. A moment of grace. A moment of truth. And a vision that changed everything. In this episode of The Catholic Journey, I share a powerful story about grief, faith, and the mysterious way God meets us in our darkest moments. If you’ve ever struggled with loss… If you’ve ever questioned God… If you’ve ever felt like giving up… This story is for you. Because sometimes… we are not meant to disappear. We are meant to be found.

Do I need counseling… or do I need spiritual direction? It’s a question more people are asking—especially in a world that tells us to “fix how we feel” but rarely asks why we feel the way we do. In this episode of The Catholic Journey, I speak not only as a Deacon… but as someone who has spent over 40 years working in mental health. Here’s what I’ve seen: