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
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."
