Draw Near

A Chosen People: Building the Kingdom of God

May 28th, 2025  |  8 mins 44 secs

catholic, church, community, discipleship, holy spirit, scripture, unity

What does it mean to be a "living stone" in God's Church? How can we live as a royal priesthood, and build communities that truly reflect the love and unity of Christ?

In this episode, Fred explores the readings for the Sixth Sunday of Easter and unpacks our identity as chosen people—called not just to believe, but to build. Drawing from Acts, Revelation, and John’s Gospel, we’ll dive into what it means to be part of something eternal and radiant: the Kingdom of God.

🔹 Discover how God is building his Church through us
🔹 Learn what it means to offer spiritual sacrifices in daily life
🔹 Be inspired to live your faith with peace, purpose, and unity

Whether you're new to the faith or a lifelong disciple, this episode will challenge and encourage you to take your place in God’s spiritual house.

The Shepherd’s Voice: Trusting in God’s Guidance

May 14th, 2025  |  42 mins 58 secs

catholic, discernment, faith, good shepherd, hearing god, john 10, prayer, st ignatius, trust

How do we hear the voice of Jesus in a world full of noise, distraction, and doubt? And what does it mean to truly follow him—especially when the road is uncertain or difficult?

In this episode, we reflect on John 10 and Jesus’ words: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” We explore how to discern the voice of the Good Shepherd through prayer, silence, and Scripture—and we introduce insights from St. Ignatius of Loyola on the discernment of spirits to help you grow in spiritual clarity and trust. If you’re longing for peace, direction, or deeper intimacy with Christ, this conversation is for you.

The Cross Isn’t the End of the Story: Holding Onto Hope in Grief

February 18th, 2025  |  8 mins 51 secs

catholic, catholic reflection, christian living, christianity, cross, endurance, faith, faith in trials, finding peace, grief, hope, jesus christ, redemptive suffering, resurrection, spiritual darkness, spiritual growth, suffering, trust in god, unseen joy

What happens when you endure the Cross, but joy feels impossibly far away? In this episode, we explore the mystery of suffering, the hope of unseen joy, and the strength we find in Christ to carry us through life’s heaviest trials.

200th Episode Special: "Best of Guests"

December 13th, 2024  |  55 mins 37 secs

anniversary, bonus, catholic, draw near, guest, mash-up, podcast

Fred and Kara could think of no better way to celebrate the 200th Episode of the Draw Near Catholic Podcast, than spotlighting some "Best of Guests" moments. The truth is, there are too many to fit in one episode... but this is a good start! We have Catholic Speakers and friends: Matthew Leonard, Sonja Corbitt, Sister Fidelis Marie, Julie Storr, and Father Patrick Behm

DN Classics: There's Something About Mary

December 6th, 2024  |  1 hr 1 min

blessed mother, catholic, catholic teaching, conversion, december 8, encouragement, full of grace, healing, identity, immaculate conception, mary, scripture, trauma

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.

Catholic Calisthenics (MLMG Ep 26)

April 12th, 2024  |  34 mins 29 secs

catholic, mass postures

What's with all the sitting, standing, and kneeling at a Catholic mass? What is the meaning behind the different postures, because there IS meaning. There is a reason, and that reason brings us deeper into prayer!

The Soul of the Apostolate

February 21st, 2024  |  55 mins 38 secs

apostolate, catholic, discipleship, evangelization, interior life, ministry, relational ministry

We are joined by our good friend Eric Gallagher over the next five epsiodes on the apostolate and the interior life! This episode originally posted as part of the Substack platform/podcast we share with Eric, called I See a Movement! We thought this series would be a blessing to all of our Draw Near listeners on your Lenten journey. And of course... we also want you to check out https://www.iseeamovement.com/

In this episdoe, we begin by laying a foundation for this new season. Here we look at the foundational truth, that by grace and the power of the Holy Spirit at work in our souls, we are apostles. We take an honest look at what this means for our our lives; and discuss our tendency to want to be independent and in control. We look at the value and necessity of the interior life, and the role our relationship with Christ bears in the fruitfulness of our efforts. We also take a look at the importance of prayer and humility as the greatest strength.

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!

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?"