Why Our Priests are Lonely and Our Parishes are Stuck (Guest: Marcel LeJeune)

In this episode of Power and Witness, Fr. Mark sits down with Marcel LeJeune, President of Catholic Missionary Disciples, for a raw and candid look at the state of the priesthood and the modern parish. From the "lonely island" of clerical life to the practical "how-to" of sharing your faith in an Uber, this conversation moves past the buzzwords to offer real solutions for a Church in transition.

---

Key Discussion Points

• The Priesthood Crisis: Why the jump from seminary to parish life causes a spike in anxiety and cynicism.

• Creating "Bethany": How lay families can provide a space of rest and friendship for their priests (without worrying about the laundry on the couch!).

• Evangelizing Without Being "Weird": Why questions like “Tell me about the God you don't believe in” are more effective than any argument.

• The Messy Witness: Why a "crying" parish is a living parish, and how imperfect families lead others to Christ.

• Parish Renewal: The secret to resolving staff conflict and why most strategic plans end up as dust-collecting binders.

---

Episode Chapters

00:00 – Introduction: Marcel LeJeune and Missionary Disciples.
00:45 – The "Lonely Island" of the Priesthood.
05:30 – Creating "Bethany": Inviting Father into your domestic mess.
12:15 – Seminary vs. Reality: The culture shock of the newly ordained.
21:17 – "Land the Plane": The secret to effective homilies.
33:53 – God Has No Grandchildren: How marriage and family evangelize.
40:30 – The Coffee Shop Strategy: "Underhanded" evangelization.
45:18 – Practical Tips: Asking the right questions to strangers.
51:27 – Closing: Just have the guts to try.

---

Listen to the Full Episode

Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word · Why Our Priests are Lonely and Our Parishes are Stuck (Guest: Marcel LeJeune)

---

About the Guest

Marcel LeJeune is the President and Founder of Catholic Missionary Disciples. As a veteran of campus ministry and a nationally recognized author and speaker, Marcel has dedicated his life to helping Catholic leaders move from "maintenance to mission."

A Chemist's Conversion to Catholicism (Guest: Dr. Stacy Trasancos)

Dr. Stacy Trasancos joins Fr. Mark Mary for a wide‑ranging conversation on science, faith, and the limits of materialism. A former senior research chemist at DuPont with a PhD in chemistry, Stacy shares her journey from atheism and a strictly materialist worldview to Catholicism, theology, and philosophy.

Together they explore how science was born from faith, why materialism fails to explain human dignity and meaning, and how philosophy and theology help restore a fuller vision of reality. From transubstantiation and the Eucharist to evolution, AI, and ethics in modern science, this episode offers a hopeful and intellectually rigorous vision for evangelizing through reason.

Dr. Trasancos is an adjunct professor at Holy Apostles College and Seminary, holds graduate degrees in theology and philosophy, and is currently pursuing a doctorate in philosophy in Ireland.

00:15 – Welcome & Introduction
01:14 – Materialism & Early Career
03:34 – Conversion Turning Point
05:01 – Marriage & Family
06:31 – Studying Theology
08:24 – Understanding the Eucharist
10:53 – Feminine Genius in Science & Theology
16:28 – Evangelizing Through Science
20:47 – Philosophy & Limits of Science
30:41 – Re-examining Atomic Theory
33:34 – Looking Ahead

Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word · A Chemist's Conversion to Catholicism (Dr. Stacy Trasancos)

Why Trust Still Matters (Guest: Doug Keck)

Former EWTN President Doug Keck joins Fr. Mark Mary on Power & Witness to explain why trust still matters in Catholic media amid scandals, digital chaos, and cultural doubt. He reflects on 30 years at EWTN, the rise of lay evangelization, young Catholics (especially men) seeking solid tradition, Mother Angelica’s legacy of bold faith and redemptive suffering, and the network’s role as a reliable touchstone today.

00:00 – Welcome & Doug Keck’s Retirement
00:29 – Current Shows and Ongoing Work
01:25 – Inside EWTN: News, Commentary, and Segments
02:23 – Joining EWTN in 1996 & Rise of Lay Evangelists
03:50 – Vatican II, Lay Apostolate, and Mother Angelica’s Vision
05:42 – Technology, Social Media, and Modern Evangelization
07:39 – Why Trust Still Matters in Catholic Media
11:55 – Talent, Truth, and EWTN’s Mission
16:36 – Young Catholics, Men Returning to Faith, and Tradition
25:15 – Hope, Suffering, Mother Angelica’s Legacy, and God’s Call 

Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word · Why Trust Still Matters (Guest: Doug Keck)

Why 260 Students Are Joining OCIA This Year at Texas A&M (Guest: Fr. Will Straten)

Fr. Mark talks with Fr. Will Straten of St. Mary’s Catholic Center at Texas A&M, one of the most vibrant and evangelizing campus ministries in the country. Fr. Will shares how students are formed as disciples, how small groups and missionaries impact campus life, and how worship, beauty, and community lead thousands of young people to Christ. A hopeful look at the future of the Church.

00:00 – Introduction & Welcome
01:10 – Who Is Fr. Will Stratton?
03:05 – Campus Ministry at Texas A&M
05:20 – Forming Apostles in College Life
08:10 – Evangelization on a Large Secular Campus
11:25 – FOCUS Missionaries & Student Leadership
15:40 – Outreach to Corps of Cadets & Greek Life
19:05 – John 15 Small Groups Explained
23:50 – Worship, Liturgy & Daily Mass Culture
28:30 – Building the New Church: Vision & Symbolism
34:55 – OCIA Growth & Stories of Conversion
40:20 – Hope for the Future of the Church
44:00 – Closing Thoughts & Final Blessing 

Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word · Why 260 Students Are Joining OCIA This Year at Texas A&M (Guest: Fr. Will Straten)

The Battle for Beauty and Truth (Guest: Noelle Mering)

Catholic author and commentator Noelle Mering joins Fr. Mark Mary, MFVA, on Power & Witness to explore the renewal of faith and culture through truth, beauty, and authentic Christian witness.

In this heartfelt and intellectually rich conversation, Noelle shares her journey of conversion and formation—from her California roots to studying philosophy and co-founding Theology of Home. She and Fr. Mark Mary discuss the modern crisis of identity, the call to live beautifully amid confusion, and how family life, faith, and friendship can rebuild a culture of grace.

00:00 – Introduction & Noelle’s Background
02:00 – Growing Up Catholic and Discovering Faith
06:00 – Philosophy, Beauty, and the Search for Truth
10:00 – Family Life, Marriage, and Conversion
14:00 – Lessons from Evangelical Joy and Scripture
18:00 – The Feminine Genius and the Mission of Theology of Home
24:00 – Rebuilding Culture Through Faith and the Home
30:00 – The Power of Beauty in Evangelization
36:00 – Men, Women, and the Renewal of Christian Culture
42:00 – Living Ordinary Holiness & Hope for the Future

Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word · The Battle for Beauty and Truth (Guest: Noelle Mering)

The Origins of the Rosary (Guest: Gabriel Castillo)

Catholic speaker and evangelist Gabriel Castillo joins Fr. Mark Mary on Power & Witness to explore the fascinating history and spiritual power of the Rosary. From its hidden beginnings in the heart of Mary to St. Dominic’s revelation and the victory at Lepanto, Gabriel traces how this simple prayer became the Church’s spiritual “battering ram.” They also discuss Our Lady of Fatima, Marian apparitions, and the personal call to rediscover the Rosary as a path to holiness and conversion.

0:00 – Introduction & Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary
2:15 – The Story Behind the Feast of the Rosary
5:10 – St. Dominic and the Birth of the Rosary
9:45 – The Albigensian Heresy and Our Lady’s Intervention
13:20 – The Power of Prayer and Preaching
17:00 – Lepanto: The Rosary’s Historic Victory
21:50 – From Lepanto to Fatima: Our Lady’s Continuing Call
26:30 – The Rosary as a Weapon of Peace
31:00 – How to Pray the Rosary with Heart and Faith
35:15 – Gabriel’s Personal Experience with the Rosary
39:45 – Fr. Mark Mary on Marian Devotion Today
44:20 – Practical Tips: Bringing the Rosary into Daily Life
48:00 – Closing Reflections & Prayer 

Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word · The Origins of the Rosary (Guest: Gabriel Castillo)

Escaping Busyness (Guest: Fr. Christopher Seith)

Why do we flee silence for constant busyness? And how can beauty draw us back to God?

In this episode of Power & Witness, Fr. Mark speaks with Fr. Christopher Seith, priest of the Archdiocese of Washington, DC and Coordinator of Spiritual Formation at St. John Paul II Seminary. Together they explore the timeless insights of Catholic philosopher Josef Pieper on acedia (spiritual sloth), wonder, leisure, and beauty—and how these themes open us to reality as a gift and draw us deeper into God’s presence.

If you’ve ever felt restless, distracted, or caught in endless activity, this conversation offers a path back to peace, joy, and authentic Christian living.

0:00 – Introduction
1:12 – Who Was Josef Pieper?
4:08 – Acedia Explained
8:15 – Busyness & Distraction
12:27 – Leisure as the Basis of Culture
17:49 – The Role of Beauty
23:35 – The Present Moment
28:52 – Formation & Priesthood
34:10 – Living Pieper’s Wisdom Today
38:45 – Closing Reflections

Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word · Escaping Busyness (Guest: Fr. Christopher Seith)