Draw Near

Helping each person to draw near to Christ and to one another.

About the show

“Jesus himself drew near.” (Lk 24:15)
God takes the initiative to draw near to us out of a deep and personal love for each one of us. This movement asks each of us for a response. There are so many beautiful ways we can respond to the work of God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives. This is a journey we share together, drawing near to Christ as we draw near to one another. This shared journey toward Christ, rooted in the Catholic faith, is the focus of our podcast. Our goal is to be authentic, honest, humble, faithful, loving, passionate, real and vulnerable in each episode. We also like to keep it lighthearted. We are two best friends, sharing life together with our families. We invite you to join us as we Draw Near. Let's grow towards sainthood together!

Hosts: Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell
Learn more at: www.drawnear.me

Draw Near on social media

Episodes

  • Your Heart is a Heaven For Him (MLMG Ep 12)

    December 15th, 2023  |  26 mins 10 secs
    book study, catholic, heart is a heaven, i believe in love, the eucharist

    In this episode, we share with listeners one of our "I Believe in Love" Book Study discussions, centered on the Eucharist! We regularly lead studies on this book and in many ways, its a book that changed our lives. We believe that the words of Fr d'Elbee, rooted in the spirituality of St Therese of Lisieux, will be a blessing to you! We begin my looking at the words of Fr d'Elbee, "Give Him the joy of descending upon your heart, which is a heaven for Him!"

    In our show, we focus a lot on OUR encounter with Christ in the Eucharist. Yet, in communion, God desires not only that we encounter Him, but He also desires to encounter us! Not only does He dwell in us, but in the Eucharist, Christ becomes one with us! What are the implications of this profound mystery? How should it shape the way we live our lives and how we prepare our hearts for Mass? What does it reveal about God's great love for us? Listen to find out!

  • DN Classics: There's Something About Mary

    December 8th, 2023  |  1 hr 1 min

    Reposting one of our most popular episodes ever in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary on her feast day (December 8). In the deeply personal first half of this episode, Fred and Kara reflect on their relationship with Mary, and how that has changed and grown over the years. Fred shares more of his testimony about converting to Catholicism and the role Mary played in that process. He also reflects on issues such as identity, childhood trauma, mistrust, and difficult family experiences and how these can effect our relationship with God; as well as with Mary. He shares the story of his relationship with Mary, and how she has helped him to find healing. Christ, while bleeding out and dying on the Cross, said to his Mother, “Behold your son;” and to his beloved disciple, “Behold your Mother.” Scripture then affirms that from that day, this beloved disciple “took her into his home.” We to, as beloved disciples must take her into our homes, and allow the love of the Mother of God to penetrate our hearts as only that of a faithful mother can. Her heart is to draw us near to the source of peace that surpasses all understanding: her son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

    In the second half, we return to Kara's teaching on the Immaculate Conception, which we celebrate on December 8. Kara dives into a scriptural study of key texts that point to Mary’s Immaculate Conception with hopes that each listener would be drawn deeper into the celebration of this Holy Day of Obligation.

  • To Each is Given: Discovering the Charismatic Gifts

    December 6th, 2023  |  43 mins 5 secs
    charismatic, charisms

    "To Each is Given a manifestation of the Spirit" (1 Cor 12:7). We are all given supernatural gifts, or "charisms," for the common good of the Church. Each person has a purpose in the renewal and building up of the Body of Christ. Where can you begin in your process of discerning?

  • Death Does Not Have the Final Say - Homily by Fr Patrick Behm

    December 4th, 2023  |  16 mins 30 secs

    Funeral for Jeffry Michael Behm - Homily by Fr Patrick Behm

    As many of our listeners are aware, the Behm family has fought a great battle over the last year as the result of a cancer diagnosis for Jeffry Behm, the beloved husband of Julia, and father of Fr Patrick and Tom Behm. Throughout that battle the witness of the great faith the family has demonstrated has been nothing short of inspiring. In this homily, Fr Behm reflects on death, suffering, and the confidence the faithful should have in the face of similar trials: we do not grieve as those without hope.

    Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace!

    Amen

  •

    My Baptist Friends Led Me to Priesthood (MLMG Ep 10)

    December 1st, 2023  |  29 mins 48 secs
    encounter, eucharist, fr travis crotty, my lord and my god, outcast catholic, testimony, vocation

    In this episode we are joined by the co-host of the Outcast Catholic podcast, Fr Travis Crotty. In this "testimony" episode, we root our discussion in one of the foundational questions for our show: How has your encounter with Christ in the Eucharist changed your life? Of course, this is not merely a once in a life time encounter, because the Lord is always seeking to encounter us and pour out his love into our hearts; and inviting us to go deeper in that same love.

    This invitation, found in the Eucharist, celebrated at every Mass, is the very source of stability that helped Fr Travis to overcome difficulty and suffering during his teenage years.

    So what was it then that made him take up the call to the priesthood? To dedicate his life to helping others to encounter Christ in the Eucharist? It all began with some Baptist friends challenging him for his Catholic faith. This pressure was actually a catalyst for conversion to a deeper faith rooted in, the Eucharist. So many can give in to the temptation to slip away from the Catholic faith when challenged. Fr Travis provides a great example of how to respond in these situations.

    How does one maintain a fervor and love for the Eucharist? How should understanding the reality of the Christ being present in the Eucharist shape the way we live our lives and approach the world around us? Listen to find out!

  • Authentic Christian Service (Homily by Fr. Behm: Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe)

    November 27th, 2023  |  12 mins 43 secs
    christian charity, fr. patrick behm, service, sunday homilies

    As always, Fr. Behm speaks truth with love helping all to Draw Near to God and grow in Christian charity. Enjoy Fr. Patrick Behm's Sunday homily from the Solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe as weekly bonus content for the Draw Near Podcast.

  • Lord, I am Not Worthy (MLMG Ep 9)

    November 24th, 2023  |  26 mins 12 secs
    eucharist, humility, kenosis, life in christ, padre pio, pride

    In this episode, we reflect on the words of Jesus in John 6:25 - 70, and build on the foundation of God's own example of humility demonstrated in the Person of Jesus Christ (discussed in the previous episode). St Paul reminds us, "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus." With that, he roots this encouragement in the example of the Lord's own humility. What does humility have to do with the Eucharist? How do we become one with Christ in the Eucharist? How do we live a Eucharistic life of humility? What should this "Eucharistic life of humility" look like? Listen to find out!

  • God Humbled Himself (MLMG Ep 8)

    November 24th, 2023  |  26 mins 31 secs
    eucharist, humility, life of christ, my lord and my god, podcast

    "Who am I that you are mindful of me?" These are the words of Scripture reflecting on the human experience in relationship to God and his great love for, and His mindfulness of, each one of us. His Love is what holds us together. He is Creator of all the universe and yet he chooses to come and dwell among us in the Incarnation. By the power of the Holy Spirit, he becomes present in the Eucharist. Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity: He further humbles Himself that he may dwell in us in the form of bread and wine.

    What can we learn about God's humility in reflecting on the "kenosis" (self-emptying) of God found in Phillipians 2? What can we learn from the examples of humility we find in the life of Christ? And how about the examples of humility in His Passion, Death and Resurrection? What is "true humility?" Finally, what does all of this have to do with the Eucharist? Listen to find out!

  • Dad Joke Rematch

    November 22nd, 2023  |  33 mins 40 secs
    dad joke challenge

    Back by popular demand, enjoy Draw Near's "dad joke" challenge. We have a rematch between Fred Shellabarger and Phillip Grothus, with Kara as the judge. Who do you think will take the title this time?

  • Heaven: What God Has Planned for Those Who Love Him - Homily with Fr Patrick Behm (33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time)

    November 20th, 2023  |  18 mins 22 secs

    We are blessed to share that our good friend and frequent guest, Fr Patrick Behm, has joined us as a guest contributor! We will be posting some of his homilies as bonus content, confident that they will provide some great spiritual nourishment! Check out our website (under the blog tab) to find more of his homilies from week to week! We will also (after Thanksgiving) have small group questions available for each homily!

    This week, Fr Behm continues his series on the Four Last Things with a homily on Heaven!

  • The God Who Sees: Lectio of Genesis 16

    November 15th, 2023  |  45 mins 39 secs
    encouragement, hard times, promises of god

    We are back! (Again)! We are back in the studio TOGETHER with a new episode! Here we share some updates on our lives, where we are and what God has been doing in our hearts and in our lives over the last month and a half. Very much the fruit of prayer, in this episode, we return to our Lectio Divina series and reflect on Genesis 16, the story of Hagar, and what we can be sure of in our relationship with God during dark, difficult and dry seasons.

    One thing we are sure of... We don't know who needs to hear this, but if you are finding yourself in a place of feeling like life has just happened to you, maybe right now circumstances have presented themselves that leave you feeling bruised and broken, maybe even through no fault of your own, feeling like it's hard to get up, maybe you are tired, things seem too hard to fix, you are losing hope... If that is you, take courage! Take comfort. THERE IS A GOD WHO SEES!

    He sees. He is with you. You may think He is far, but He has never been closer. Call out to Him!

    Pray this prayer with us:
    "Heavenly Father, I know you see. You see my hurts, my scars, my falls. Help me to know and believe that you are with me. Help me to know your love. That I am your beloved child and you see me. Lord, you say, "Come to me all who are burdened and heavy ladened and I will give you rest." Lord, I give you all my burdens. I lay them at your feet. You see it all. You know me. Lord, stay with me. Fill me with your love and help me to know your peace."

  • Purgatory: Letting Our Eyes Adjust to the Light - Homily with Fr Patrick Behm (32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time)

    November 13th, 2023  |  11 mins 17 secs

    We are blessed to share that our good friend and frequent guest, Fr Patrick Behm, has joined us as a guest contributor! We will be posting some of his homilies as bonus content, confident that they will provide some great spiritual nourishment! Check out our website (under the blog tab) to find more of his homilies from week to week! We will also have small group questions available for each homily!

    This week, Fr Behm continues his series on the Four Last Things with a homily on Purgatory.

    Read the readings for the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time here!