Join Fr. Mark and Dr. Ralph Martin, author of A Life in the Spirit, as they explore a journey from a questioning Catholic upbringing to a pivotal Cursillo retreat and leadership in the Charismatic Renewal. Dr. Martin shares how the Holy Spirit ignited his faith, shaped his work with Renewal Ministries, and guides his prayer life today. From personal surrender to practical advice for believers facing a turbulent world, this episode offers an inspiring look at living the fullness of Catholic faith with eyes fixed on Jesus.
Ralph Martin is the president of Renewal Ministries and the host of the weekly Catholic television program The Choices We Face. He holds a doctorate in theology and is the director of Graduate Theology Programs in the New Evangelization at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in the Archdiocese of Detroit. Ralph is also the author of the widely read A Church in Crisis: Pathways Forward and The Fulfillment of All Desire: A Guidebook for the Journey to God Based on the Wisdom of the Saints.
Ralph and his wife, Anne, reside in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and have six children and nineteen grandchildren.
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 17, 2025
Walking by the Spirit (Guest: Dr. Ralph Martin)
Monday, March 10, 2025
Deepening Lent with the Collect Prayers (Guest: Fr. Edward Looney)
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.
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