Ever wonder what Lent is really about? Join Fr. Mark Mary, MFVA and Fr. Edward Looney (Marian theologian and author) as they dive into the heart of Lent through the Church’s ancient prayers. In this episode, they unpack the beauty of the collect prayers, share personal stories of faith, and explore how Mary’s example can inspire us today.
The title for this blog is taken from Acts 1:8, "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses... to the end of the earth." This blog is about the witness of faith through the power of the Holy Spirit in the world today. The above photo is of the friars on the Sea of Galilee recording video reflections.
Monday, March 10, 2025
Monday, March 3, 2025
Prayer in a Distracted Age (Guest: Fr. Donald Haggerty)
0:00 - Intro & Fr. Haggerty’s Journey: From Missionaries of Charity to St. Patrick’s
5:01 - St. Patrick’s: Holiness in Manhattan’s Hustle
10:01 - Cultivating Desire in Prayer w/ St. Teresa
20:01 - Prayer Anywhere: God as Companion
27:01 - Detachment & Faith in a Distracted Age
34:01 - Priesthood Today: Purpose & Privilege
40:01 - The Power of Confession at St. Patrick’s
45:01 - Preaching to Provoke Deeper Faith
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Blending Faith & Finance (Guest: Stephen Auth)
In this episode of Power and Witness, Steve Auth returns after several years to share his remarkable dual life as a Wall Street investment expert managing over $80 billion and a passionate Catholic missionary. Steve discusses his 15-year mission in New York’s affluent Soho neighborhood, where he and his wife lead hundreds of missionaries to bring thousands of lapsed Catholics back to the sacrament of confession. From joyful street encounters to profound spiritual transformations, Steve reveals how virtues like prudence, humility, and perseverance shape both his financial success and his evangelistic work. He also touches on his upcoming book, 40 Years, 40 Lessons, and his art-based ministry, offering a unique perspective on faith, finance, and agapic love in the heart of the city.
00:00 - Introduction
00:43 - The Wall Street Missionary
05:57 - Street Evangelism
10:36 - Faith in Finance
15:55 - Virtues for Success
23:32 - Coping with Pressure
30:27 - Perseverance and Joy
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
The Heart of Marian Devotion with St. Louis de Montfort (Guest: Fr. Hugh Gillespe, SMM)
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
The First FOCUS Missionary Saint? (Guests: Ken and Mary Ann Duppong)
Fr. Mark interviews Ken and Mary Anne Duppong, parents of Michelle Duppong, a remarkable Catholic laywoman whose life of faith and service is now being considered for sainthood. Michelle served as a campus minister with FOCUS, guiding college students in their faith, and later as the Director of Adult Faith Formation for the Diocese of Bismarck. Despite passing away from cancer at just 31, her legacy of holiness and joy continues to inspire many. Learn more about her extraordinary story in this moving episode!
Learn more about Servant of God Michelle Duppong: https://www.ncregister.com/features/the-joy-of-knowing-jesus-the-holy-witness-of-michelle-duppong
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
The Power of Prayer, Morality, and Transforming Struggles (Guest: Fr. Christopher Seith)
Dive deeper into the intersection of faith, morality, and true human connection with Fr. Christopher Seith! In this thought-provoking conversation, we explore the power of living a moral life, the role of prayer, and how our relationship with God can transform our struggles into moments of grace.
Fr. Christopher Seith grew up in Bowie, MD and attended the University of Maryland before entering seminary for the Archdiocese of Washington. He was ordained a priest in 2014. After serving as parochial vicar at Our Lady of Mercy parish in Potomac, MD, he began his doctoral studies at The Catholic University of Amercia, while living at St. John Paul II Seminary. In the Spring of 2020, he successfully defended his dissertation in which he argued that digital devices, unless they are used in a way contrary to their intended use, will imprison their users within an apathetic and anxious world and damage their ability to joyfully celebrate the sacred mysteries. In 2022, he published his work as a book, entitled "Rekindling Wonder: Touching Heaven in a Screen Saturated World." He currently serves as Coordinator of Spiritual Formation at St. John Paul II Seminary in Washington, DC.
Friday, December 20, 2024
Helping Parishes Build Better Youth Ministries (Guest: Everett Fritz)
Everett Fritz is a leading expert in small group discipleship and an advocate for quality youth ministry. He is the author of 4 books, including The Art of Forming Young Disciples and One Disciple at a Time.
Everett has been serving in the trenches of youth ministry for over 15 years. He holds a BA in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville and an MA in Theology with concentrations in catechesis and evangelization from the Augustine Institute.
Everett Fritz has been a featured speaker on EWTN, Catholic Answers Live, NCYC, Formed, and in dioceses, parishes, universities and schools all over the world.
Everett Fritz founded Andrew Ministries in 2015 After throwing out the program playbook and rebuilding his youth ministry on discipleship small groups, Everett saw a 80% increase in students who stayed Catholic in college. Now he helps ministries all over the country stop spinning their wheels and build ministries that actually work.