This past Sunday we celebrated the Feast of Corpus Christi. In today’s episode, Father Tom Hurley reminds us that we are part of the Body of Christ and provides guidance on how we can act as members of the living church. Be sure to stay tuned until the very end to hear a musical production of "I Will Lift My Eyes" by Mark Scozzafave. Words and music by Tony Alonso. Copyright 2014 GIA Publications. This piece is dedicated in memory of Pearle Hicks (July 5, 1943 - June 9, 2020) by members of the O...
Jun 17, 2020•19 min•Ep. 54
Old St. Patrick's Podcast Series Currents: Awakening to the Flow of Spirit in Our Lives. Today, we welcome Sarah Thompson. Sarah is an Old St. Patrick’s Parish Counselor who provides individual and couples therapy. Sarah reflects on finding meaning in loss and how helping is healing.
Jun 12, 2020•10 min•Ep. 53
The 3 In 1. The statement that when one suffers, we all suffer. The way of life where one respects distinct persons but lives without separation. Each of these capture the essence of the Holy Trinity. But why are we even talking about this today with everything going on in our world? This past Sunday was Trinity Sunday and while at first glance, the Trinity might not seem applicable to us right now, today, Father Ed Foley shares images of the Trinity that just might show us a way forward as we u...
Jun 09, 2020•19 min•Ep. 52
To the community of Old St. Patrick’s, Over the course of the past few years, it has become clear that we have both a challenge and an opportunity to be leaders in how we can make the church a sign of Hope and New Life for the world around us. Through encountering the people of our community and staff it was apparent that we needed a renewed articulation of our vision as a church community. A vision is a guiding, critical component of any enterprise that establishes what and who we intend to be ...
Jun 02, 2020•6 min•Ep. 51
Five years ago this week, Pope Francis released his Letter, Laudato si', that addresses consumerism, the environment, global warming, and social inequalities, so today we take some time to reflect on the contents of this letter and our call to care for our common home.
May 22, 2020•7 min•Ep. 50
Are you having a difficult time feeling hopeful right now? Are you wondering why so many people are suffering? Are you asking yourself, “Where is God in all of this?” While the pandemic has changed our world, remember that God has remained the same. Therefore, if God has remained constant and God is hope, then there is always hope! Today, Father John Cusick shares stories that explain how God is among us even during the darkest of times.
May 19, 2020•20 min•Ep. 49
Old St. Patrick's Podcast Series Currents: Awakening to the Flow of Spirit in our Lives. Today, we welcome Fr. Bill O'Shea. Father O'Shea has been a visiting priest for Old St. Pat’s since 2007 and on this episode, talks to us about prayer.
May 15, 2020•8 min•Ep. 48
How can one express the comfort it provides when the Mother figure in your life held your hand through life’s ups & downs? And in turn, when acting in the motherly role to another, how can one express the feeling of honor to be in this sacred position? This past Sunday, as we celebrated Mother’s Day, Old St. Pat’s member, Jill Wrobel, shared her personal story as a tribute to all Mother figures in our lives that sacrifice so much for us and provide that hand for us to hold.
May 12, 2020•30 min•Ep. 47
Old St. Patrick's Podcast Series Currents: Awakening to the Flow of Spirit in our Lives. Today, we welcome Mark Scozzafave. Mark is the Director of Music Ministries at Old St. Pat’s and talks to us about the importance and power of music within the church. This episode also features beautiful music performed by Mark and Aimee Scozzafave.
May 08, 2020•15 min•Ep. 46
What has the virus stolen from you? We’ve all been impacted one way or another and so it can be easy to stop there, only focusing on what we’ve lost. But what if you took a moment to take stock of the small ways in which your life has been enriched in different ways. The extra wave from a neighbor acknowledging we’re in this together? The home cooked meals with family? The video chats with old friends? Today, Father Tom Hurley points out ways we can see through appearances to see what’s going o...
May 05, 2020•23 min•Ep. 45
Old St. Patrick's Podcast Series Currents: Awakening to the Flow of Spirit in our Lives. Today we welcome Courtney Malawy. Courtney is the Director of Youth ministry at Old St. Pat's. On this episode she examines the power of stories in our lives and asks us to examine what type of narrative we are writing.
May 01, 2020•9 min•Ep. 44
How we look at a situation can make all the difference. In the brief story at the beginning, the reporters look at the rookie’s 1 point with disappointment. Whereas, the rookie came from a place of gratitude when he recognized the true reality of the situation: his contribution was needed, his point mattered, and together they were stronger! Are their situations in your life where, if you changed how you looked at it, you would recognize a new reality of hope, life and inspiration? In today’s ep...
Apr 28, 2020•16 min•Ep. 43
Old St. Pat’s Podcast Series - Currents: Awakening to the Flow of Spirit in our Lives. Today, we are excited to feature a conversation between Keara Ette, Director of Ministries here at Old St.Pat’s, and Becky Eldredge, retreat director, spiritual director, and author of “The Inner Chapel: Embracing the Promises of God”. Keara and Becky discuss wading into the waters of spiritual life, how the Holy Spirit uses our feelings to guide us, and how to access our inner chapel.
Apr 24, 2020•24 min•Ep. 42
Right now, our lives might mirror the story of doubting Thomas, afraid of what will happen next, wanting proof that everything will be okay, and doubting God is with us during our current medical and economic crisis. But just as the angels and heroes in the hospitals, on the streets and in the grocery stores do everyday as they wager their own well being for the sake of others, Fr. Ed Foley explains the story of Thomas can be used as a roadmap to help us confront fear while clinging to hope. At ...
Apr 21, 2020•20 min•Ep. 41
Old St. Patrick's Podcast Series Currents: Awakening to the Flow of Spirit in our Lives. Today, we welcome Bob Kolatorowicz. Bob directs spiritual life programming at Old St. Patrick’s Church and during this Easter week, talks to us about how who we see among us, makes all the difference.
Apr 17, 2020•6 min•Ep. 40
This past Sunday was Easter and the anniversary of the founding of Old St. Patrick’s here in Chicago. And while it was an Easter like none-other, it allowed us to hear the story of Jesus rising from the dead with new ears because, just as we wonder what we will see on the other side of the resurrection, we wonder what we will encounter on the other side of this pandemic! How will we as a human family rise together? In today’s episode, Father Hurley shares stories of our founding members and rem...
Apr 14, 2020•19 min•Ep. 39
Welcome to our new Old St. Pat's Podcast series, "Currents: Awakening to the Flow of Spirit in our Lives"! For the first installment, we welcome Father Ed Shea to talk to us about the most unique Good Friday of our lives. And how, while we are apart, our stories are still connected to each other’s and to the paschal mystery - the story of Jesus’s passion, death, and resurrection.
Apr 10, 2020•11 min•Ep. 37
Enjoy a special Holy Week Message from Father Pat McGrath.
Apr 08, 2020•8 min•Ep. 38
As we continue to hear things in the news that challenge us, it might feel like we are in darkness. But have peace remembering, good news always finds its way, even if that way isn’t what we envisioned or expected. So during this Holy Week, Father Hurley charges us to continue to find creative ways to bring the hope to those around us.
Apr 07, 2020•20 min•Ep. 36
Enjoy a special Holy Week message from Fr. John Cusick.
Apr 06, 2020•7 min•Ep. 35
What helps you stay positive in times of trouble? And in what ways have you tried to help others keep the hope alive? In these trying days, Monsignor Ken Velo challenges us to live our faith by having courage in our own struggles and being kind to those around us.
Mar 31, 2020•22 min•Ep. 34
We all might be experiencing some level of anxiety as we face these uncertain times but the way in which friends have extended compassion, communities have found creative ways to come together, and first responders have sacrificed so much to help, allows us to see light in the darkness. And while it doesn’t change our worries, it reveals that in our new normal, it’s up to us to bring care and hope to one another. Today, Fr. John Cusick observes how these extreme adjustments to our lives have st...
Mar 23, 2020•22 min•Ep. 33
During this extraordinary time, we might be socially distant, but remember we are spiritually connected. So as you listen today, know that you are not alone. Search # WeAreOSP and #StillTogether to see how many others are with you! And if you feel up to it, please share your photo or video on social media of you listening to the podcast or watching the Livestream to let others know you are with them, too! In today’s episode, Father Hurley addresses this unique time in our world’s history, talks ...
Mar 17, 2020•12 min•Ep. 32
Who has seen the best in you? What has given you hope? Where have you found relief? When was a time someone gave you a second chance? Why do you still believe? In today’s episode, Father Hurley acknowledges that yes, we can wallow in self pity or we can choose to give someone else a glimpse of hope. People have done it for us, now it’s time for us to find creative ways to give someone else a glimmer of hope.
Mar 10, 2020•17 min•Ep. 31
We hear all sorts of negativity throughout our day. Whether it’s from people in our lives, media, or our own internal voices, we can hear messages that leave us hurt, scared, hungry, and powerless. And in order to get through these rough patches and deserts of despair, we need to know that we are loved, that we are good, and that it’s going to be okay. In today’s episode, Father Hurley reminds us of how much we are loved and how important it is to focus on the good.
Mar 03, 2020•18 min•Ep. 30
Lent 180 Series: In observance of Lent, we are running a three part series of reflections from Old St. Patrick’s members. Enjoy 180 seconds that can turn your life, 180 degrees. In Part 3 of our Lent-180 series, Director of Youth Ministry at Old St. Pat’s, Courtney Malaway, reflects on the importance of Almsgiving.
Feb 25, 2020•5 min•Ep. 29
Lent 180 Series: In observance of Lent, we are running a three part series of reflections from Old St. Patrick’s members. Enjoy 180 seconds that can turn your life, 180 degrees. In Part 2 of our Lent 180 series, spiritual director and retreat leader, Al Gustafson reflects on meaningful ways we can fast this Lent.
Feb 25, 2020•5 min•Ep. 28
Lent 180 Series: In observance of Lent, we’re running a three part series of reflections from Old St. Patrick’s members. Enjoy 180 seconds that can turn your life, 180 degrees. In Part 1 of our Lent 180 series, writer and spiritual director, Karen Skalitzky, reflects on the impact of prayer in our lives.
Feb 25, 2020•4 min•Ep. 27
When someone is bit by a poisonous snake, a powerful anti-venom is required to stop the fatal toxins. But what antidotes are available to purify poisons lurking in our current systems, organizations, and maybe even ourselves? In today’s episode, Father Hurley reflects on stories of his life in hopes we can learn from his openness to continually work on becoming a better person.
Feb 25, 2020•13 min•Ep. 26
Everyday we are bombarded with options! And with so many choices to make, we might not always check in to determine what exactly is influencing our decisions. Did you make that choice out of selfishness or out of compassion? Out of fear or out of love? To impress a friend or to help a family member? To run away from responsibility or to run towards a goal? To show off or to show gratitude? In today’s episode, Father Richard Fragomeni asks us to look at what factors are influencing our decisions ...
Feb 18, 2020•14 min•Ep. 25
