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

  • Is Mass Boring A Priest Responds (MLMG Ep 7)

    November 10th, 2023  |  28 mins 31 secs
    boring, catholic, mass, my lord and my god

    Continuing the discussion from the previous episode on the often heard statement, "Mass is boring," we thought it would be good to hear from a priest who celebrates Mass daily. What is his experience of the Holy Mass? What is his perspective on this? What potential obstacles to our participation in the Mass does he see and how might they be overcome? How might we enter into the sacred mystery of the Mass more fully engaged? Hear from our good friend, Fr Patrick Behm on this most important topic.

  • Is Mass Boring? (MLMG Ep 6)

    November 10th, 2023  |  25 mins 29 secs
    boring, catholic, mass, my lord and my god

    Catholic Mass is beautiful! Absolutely. Heaven meeting earth. The angels join us in offering praise to the Lord. God Himself, our savior and Lord Jesus Christ is fully present. In the Scriptures, in each one of us gathered together, and even more profoundly, in the Eucharist. But... as many of us have heard... or even thought... it can also be boring. Is there shame in admitting that? Have you ever had that thought? As humans, we experience the world through our senses. But what if what we see, hear, and smell at Mass bores us? How can we enter into the Mass more fully? This is the topic we take up in this first episode of a two part series on, "Is Mass Boring?" 

  •

    Hell: Understanding What's At Stake - Homily with Fr Patrick Behm (31st Sunday in Ordinary Time)

    November 5th, 2023  |  15 mins 21 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!

  • Fred's Testimony: From Heathen to Heaven (MLMG Ep 5)

    October 27th, 2023  |  25 mins 12 secs
    convert, fred shellabarger, testimony

    What led a "professional heathen" to an encounter with Jesus Christ? How did merely "looking for a church to get married in" lead to a radical conversion that gave way to a quest for the fullness of faith and desire for truth? In this episode Fred tells the story of his "tale of two conversions" and recounts how a desire for a deeper encounter with Christ led him into the Catholic Church. Fred also recounts his First Communion and how that has shaped his reception of Communion ever since that first moment. He also recounts the challenges he faced coming into the Catholic Church and why he would do it all over again. As he states, "For me, receiving Christ in the Eucharist was the end of a lifelong journey; I found what I had been looking for my whole life. But, it was also more than that. It was also the commissioning for a new journey. A mission; sharing the love of Christ that I have found in the Eucharist with others."

  • Kara's Testimony: "I Am Here" (MLMG Ep 4)

    October 27th, 2023  |  25 mins 52 secs
    adoration, kara kardell, testimony

    God deeply desires our love, just as he gives his love to us. He draws us to a deeper encounter with Christ through the Eucharist. This is exactly what happened in Kara Kardell's life. From a lukewarm Catholic with every opportunity to leave the Faith to a Catholic in love with God and the Church, tune in to this episode to hear her testimony of how her life was changed one night in Adoration.

  • Greatness Is... What you were made for

    October 24th, 2023  |  22 mins 1 sec
    encouragement, greatness, holiness, mission, purpose, reflection

    Once again, Fred invites you into his morning routine. The obligatory coffee and a reflection on the call to holiness and mission, the purpose for which we were created, and how God desires to work in our lives. Drawing on the words of Pope Benedict XVI, Scripture, the Catechism, and the lives and teachings of the saints, we pray this reflection will help you to begin your day, the right way! Listen to find out what that means! :)

  • BONUS: The Book of Philippians

    October 20th, 2023  |  16 mins 3 secs
    encouragement, philippians, reading, scripture

    As we have mentioned in the past, Fred's favorite Scripture passage... Literally, the Book of Philippians. We have teased posting a simple recording, reading the Philippians. So, as he sipped his coffee this morning, and prepared for the day, Fred thought, "Why not today!" So, we hope you enjoy!

    Take some time to reflect on the wisdom the Lord offers us through St Paul; four simple chapters on living the Christian life well. And a great way to start the day.

  • Being the Right Kind of Ass: A Reflection on Num 22

    October 17th, 2023  |  28 mins 59 secs
    balaam's donkey, hearing god's voice, love, reflection, relationships

    In this at times humorous, but always heartfelt (and honest) reflection, Fred brings our "Hearing God's Voice" series to a close by sharing some insights from the story of Balaam and his talking... @$$... er... eh... donkey. What can we learn about the Christian life, hearing the Lord's voice and the importance of relationships? Listen to find out!

  • Encountering Christ in Adoration w/ Tim Glemkowsi (MLMG Ep 3)

    October 13th, 2023  |  25 mins 55 secs
    eucharist, eucharistic revival, real presence, tim glemkowski

    In this second part of a two part discussion, we are joined by Tim Glemkowski, who is helping to lead the Eucharistic Revival in the United States. In this episode, Tim shares his own profound encounter with Christ in the Eucharist and the very heart and foundation of the national Eucharistic Revival efforts led by the USCCB.

  •

    Eucharistic Revival w/Tim Glemkowski (MLMG Ep 2)

    October 13th, 2023  |  22 mins 28 secs
    eucharist, eucharistic revival, real presence, tim glemkowski

    In this first part of a two part discussion, we are joined by Tim Glemkowski, who is helping to lead the Eucharistic Revival in the United States. What is the Eucharistic Revival? How did it come about and is it necessary? What does it have to do with the mission and identity of the Church? And, how can the average lay person get involved? These are some of the many questions we seek to answer as we sit down to discuss this generational moment and growing national movement.

  • The Still Small Voice: Finding God in Silence

    October 4th, 2023  |  35 mins 50 secs
    hearing god's voice, silence

    Why are so many uncomfortable with silence? We live in a world where there is always noise. There's always something to consume. We are never without entertainment. However, God is found in the silence; the still small voice. Why is this both scary and amazing? How can we set aside silence in our lives?

  • An Invitation and a Challenge to Abide

    September 30th, 2023  |  15 mins 17 secs

    Surprise! We've got some Saturday morning bonus content for you! Fred provides an update on what is coming up in the next week, shares some news, and finally offers a reflection on what it means (well... at least SOME of what it means) to ABIDE!