Draw Near

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!

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!

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?" 

Doubting Thomas (MLMG Ep. 1)

September 27th, 2023  |  24 mins 26 secs

doubting thomas, episode 1, my lord and my god

In our very first episode of My Lord and My God, we take some time to reflect on the words of St Thomas, "My Lord and My God." He speaks these words after his famous doubt... "Unless I stick my fingers in his wounds I will not believe." Why did Thomas say this? What can we learn from him? How is St Thomas' encounter with the risen Christ similar to what we are invited into every time we attend Mass and receive Communion? These are just some of the topics Fred Shallabarger and Kara Kardell will explore in this episode!

Trailer: My Lord and My God

September 27th, 2023  |  2 mins 53 secs

eucharist, my lord and my god, podcast trailer

The hosts of Draw Near, Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell, have a second show, My Lord & My God, focused on the Eucharist! This show is based on the words of St. Thomas. Over the next few months, this show will make it's way over to be hosted on the Draw Near podcast page, too! Enjoy this additional weekly content, and if you're already a MLMG listener, enjoy these re-runs!

PREVIEW: My Lord & My God Ep 5: Fred's Testimony

January 24th, 2023  |  4 mins 36 secs

big news, eucharist, my lord and my god, new show

We have a new podcast coming out on January 24th, 2023! This weekly, year-long show is called, "My Lord & My God," based on the words of St. Thomas. Our focus in every episode will be helping listeners to encounter Christ in the Eucharist and to better understand this most beautiful and sacred mystery: Christ present, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. We will explore Scripture, the teachings of the Church, and the writings of the saints. We will also hear many powerful testimonies of how lives have been changed through encountering Christ in the Eucharist. What difference should this encounter with Christ make in our lives? How does it shape our relationship with the Lord and with one another? Listen to find out!

Be sure to subscribe/follow on your favorite podcast platform to catch all the new episodes. In the meantime, enjoy this preview of our fifth episode. "How has your encounter with Christ in the Eucharist changed your life? What difference has it made?" We love to ask people these questions and hear their response. While in reality, this profound mystery of encounter with Christ should be more than just one single experience, we still have those moments that seem altogether unique, impactful, life changing. Like the apostle John, we can find that we even remember the time of day (John 1:39). In this episode, Fred shares his "Thomas" moment. That first encounter with Christ in the Eucharist that really led to him proclaiming, "My Lord and my God!" The full episode will post on Tuesday, February 21.

My Lord & My God website

PREVIEW: My Lord & My God Ep 4: Kara's Testimony

January 24th, 2023  |  4 mins 39 secs

big news, eucharist, my lord and my god, new show

We have a new podcast coming out on January 24th, 2023! This weekly, year-long show is called, "My Lord & My God," based on the words of St. Thomas. Our focus in every episode will be helping listeners to encounter Christ in the Eucharist and to better understand this most beautiful and sacred mystery: Christ present, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. We will explore Scripture, the teachings of the Church, and the writings of the saints. We will also hear many powerful testimonies of how lives have been changed through encountering Christ in the Eucharist. What difference should this encounter with Christ make in our lives? How does it shape our relationship with the Lord and with one another? Listen to find out!

Be sure to subscribe/follow on your favorite podcast platform to catch all the new episodes. In the meantime, enjoy this preview of our fourth episode. "How has your encounter with Christ in the Eucharist changed your life? What difference has it made?" We love to ask people these questions and hear their response. While in reality, this profound mystery of encounter with Christ should be more than just one single experience, we still have those moments that seem altogether unique, impactful, life changing. Like the apostle John, we can find that we even remember the time of day (John 1:39). In this episode, Kara shares her "Thomas" moment. That first encounter with Christ in the Eucharist that really led to her proclaiming, "My Lord and my God!" The full episode will post on Tuesday, February 14.

My Lord & My God website

PREVIEW: My Lord & My God Ep 3: Eucharistic Revival (Pt 2) w/ Tim Glemkowski

January 24th, 2023  |  3 mins 33 secs

big news, eucharist, my lord and my god, new show

We have a new podcast coming out on January 24th, 2023! This weekly, year-long show is called, "My Lord & My God," based on the words of St. Thomas. Our focus in every episode will be helping listeners to encounter Christ in the Eucharist and to better understand this most beautiful and sacred mystery: Christ present, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. We will explore Scripture, the teachings of the Church, and the writings of the saints. We will also hear many powerful testimonies of how lives have been changed through encountering Christ in the Eucharist. What difference should this encounter with Christ make in our lives? How does it shape our relationship with the Lord and with one another? Listen to find out!

Be sure to subscribe/follow on your favorite podcast platform to catch all the new episodes. In the meantime, enjoy this PREVIEW of the second part of our two part discussion with Tim Glemkowski, who is helping to lead the Eucharistic Revival in the United States. What is the Eucharistic Revival? How did it come about? Why is it necessary? What does it have to do with the mission and identity of the Church? And, how can the average lay person help? 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 full episode posts Tuesday, February 7!

My Lord & My God website

PREVIEW: My Lord & My God Ep 2: Eucharistic Revival (Pt 1) w/ Tim Glemkowski

January 24th, 2023  |  2 mins 57 secs

big news, eucharist, my lord and my god, new show

We have a new podcast coming out on January 24th, 2023! This weekly, year-long show is called, "My Lord & My God," based on the words of St. Thomas. Our focus in every episode will be helping listeners to encounter Christ in the Eucharist and to better understand this most beautiful and sacred mystery: Christ present, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. We will explore Scripture, the teachings of the Church, and the writings of the saints. We will also hear many powerful testimonies of how lives have been changed through encountering Christ in the Eucharist. What difference should this encounter with Christ make in our lives? How does it shape our relationship with the Lord and with one another? Listen to find out!

Be sure to subscribe/follow on your favorite podcast platform to catch all the new episodes. In the meantime, enjoy this preview of the first part of our two part discussion with Tim Glemkowski, who is helping to lead the Eucharistic Revival in the United States. What is the Eucharistic Revival? How did it come about? Why is it necessary? What does it have to do with the mission and identity of the Church? And, how can the average lay person help? 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 full episode posts Tuesday, January 31!

My Lord & My God website