Every Knee Shall Bow (Your Catholic Evangelization Podcast)

Life is messy, but we are sanctified through it. Today, Dave "How are you" VanVickle and I catch up on a bunch of random topics and the chaos in our lives. We chat about Dave's wife's cancer treatment, suffering at the parish, embracing the cross, and ideas for a discipleship think tank! Snippet from the Show When life gets messy, there is incredible grace in not asking “why?” and just letting God carry you. We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow

The intercession of the saints and angels is life-changing in our work of evangelization. This time it’s just me, Dave VanVickle, and today I share how to engage these incredible groups of persons in your apostolate! Snippet from the Show The angels and the saints want to be involved in our work of evangelization, they are experts in loving Jesus. We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow

Dave “The Body” VanVickle and I reunite to discuss mission beyond the parish and the responsibility of being on mission that every disciple of Christ has. The laity must not be afraid to step out of their comfort zone and go beyond the parish to share Jesus Christ with others. Snippet from the Show We desperately need a movement of lay evangelists who understand the urgency of mission, and aren’t afraid to bring Jesus into the world. We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow

How exactly does the death and resurrection of Jesus bring us salvation? Today, I’m not joined by Dave “Double Portion of the Spirit” VanVickle unfortunately, so this episode is a little shorter. In this episode, I dive into the art of sharing the Gospel and offer you the tools and resources you need so you can effectively share the powerful reality that Jesus saves! Snippet from the Show We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow

Is our hope in ourselves or is it in Christ? Dave “I’ll lift weights in your living room” VanVickle and I discuss the importance of the theological virtue of hope as we journey towards Christ and help others encounter him as well. Snippet from the Show We are pilgrims on earth and citizens of heaven, our ultimate hope is eternal life in Jesus Christ. We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow

Today, Dave and I brainstorm ideas and share opinions on how to approach catechesis and faith formation during this upcoming year, when groups can’t meet in person or at parishes. As you, dear listeners, know, Dave and I have lots of thoughts, and sometimes they’re pretty controversial ones--this episode might contain more of those than normal. If nothing else, our major message is this--we both agree that the way forward is to strengthen the domestic church and focus on forming adults, so that they can in turn hand on the faith to their children. This will be an ongoing conversation, so please email us with your ideas, strategies for addressing this at your parish, and feedback. Snippet from the Show “ The faith cannot be given in a disembodied manner.” We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow

Dave “The Icon” VanVickle is back with me to continue our series on sin. Today, Dave shares his comprehensive devotional model as a tool to help us overcome sin in our lives. Inspired by the lives of the saints, this model offers us a practical routine and structure to concretely drive out sin in our lives. Snippet from the Show “You can’t have a new heart if you insist on returning to the same sin.” We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow

Sin is deadly, it reproduces and reinforces itself in our lives. In this episode, I continue our discussion of sin by delving into the deadly nature of sin. By understanding the way sin wounds our nature, and how we can combat temptation, we can experience true freedom and healing in Christ. Snippet from the Show “Christ doesn’t just want to get you to stop sinning, he wants to go to the root of the sin and bring healing.” We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow

Sin destroys the life of charity between us and God, but how do we talk about it? Dave “The Hope is Real” VanVickle and I discuss sin in our walk with Christ, and share helpful ways to talk about habitual sin in discipleship. Snippet from the Show “It’s in the confrontation with sin that the fullest flowering of mercy is made manifest.” We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow

Dave “Living Large”' VanVickle and I address a question sent in by one of our listeners, Dante, on the Catholic Church’s struggle to engage men. We discuss the importance of community for men, and share tactics on how to transform men’s ministry in your parish. Snippet from the Show “Every man wants a battle to fight, a beauty to rescue, and an adventure to live”- John Eldredge We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow

Dave “Do you even lift bro?”' VanVickle and I answer a question from a listener about how to guide your family in the Catholic faith without overdoing it. Snippet from the Show “It’s time to be a saint.” We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] with your questions/comments and don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow

Today, Dave “The Navy Seal of Sitting”' VanVickle and I sit down with a question from listener, Father Timothy, about how to make disciples and not social workers, focusing on works of mercy. Snippet From the Show “Christ wants to give us full and complete liberation that starts with feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and visiting the imprisoned and the sick. But it culminates in bringing your heart in silence before the throne of God.” We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] with your questions/comments and don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow

Today, Dave “It’s-not-delivery-it’s-Dave'' VanVickle and I talk about how we can bring people to the faith with beauty, from classic Christian films, to Lord of the Rings, to marriage prep. Snippet From the Show Beauty pulls us up out of ourselves, up into the realm of the transcendental. Eventually you will see what truly makes us beautiful, and that is God who is wild beauty. Throw yourself into excellence. We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] with your questions/comments and don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow

Today, Mike “I-drive-a-little-too-fast-but-I-like-it'' Gormley and I talk about what role the papacy and the kerygma play in our lives. Thanks to our listeners for inspiring this topic! Snippet From the Show > When preaching the kerygma around people (Evangelicals) who have spent their whole lives dedicated to preaching the gospel, I show them the Catholic Church is the home of the kerygma. The papacy safeguards the basic gospel message. We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] with your questions/comments and don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow

Today, Dave “Slippery Slope'' Vanvickle and I address a listener’s email about teaching the faith to teens and heroic virtue. Snippet from the Show “Just as Dave said to unleash the saints, unleash Jesus.” We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] with your questions/comments and don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow

Today, Dave “Homefool” Vanvickle and I are answering questions from you! This week, we talk about how we can pass on the faith to our kids without forcing it on them, tithing, and how to do youth ministry during quarantine. Snippet from the Show “People don’t just want to belong, they want to contribute. Belonging makes people feel welcome, but contributing brings them into the mission.” We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] with your questions/comments and don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to subscribe!

Dave VanVickle is joined today by Franciscan University President, Fr. Dave Pivonka. Together they share their thoughts on forming intentional disciples, including Father's decision to offer free tuition to incoming freshmen next year.

Dave “Gym Shorts Only” Vanvickle and I give some recommendations and tips for picking up evangelization with limited resources after COVID-19 and the difficulties of a digital church. _Snippet of the Show “Your role in the kingdom of Heaven is to advance the Gospel in the world, and maybe this quarantine can reemphasize the power of the laity.”_

Today's show, is from a talk I gave at the Fullness of Truth Conference last year. It was a weekend long conference on Mary from an apologetics standpoint. My talk was on Mary and the spiritual warfare. Typically someone like Dave VanVickle would give this talk. In fact, Dave sorta did give this talk because in my preparation for this, while driving from Houston to San Antonio, I listened to Dave's Ten Principles of Spiritual Warfare in Every Knee Shall Bow and it helped me formulate my thoughts. We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] and don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to subscribe!​ You can also go to [AscensionPress.com](media.ascensionpress.com) full shownotes.

Dave “the Luddite” VanVickle and I are eating meat and answering emails (not at the same time). We answer questions about the importance of signs, wonders, prophecy, and miracles when it comes to evangelization. We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] and don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to subscribe!

If we could re-do our parish ministries knowing everything we know now, what would we do? Dave and I zero in on the number one thing we would focus on if we could go back in time. This is a good exercise for parishes to do every year, to help focus in on the things that will have the biggest impact, and also a good idea to do right now, as many parishes will have to streamline programs in the coming year. Text “EKSB” to 33-777 to subscribe and get the shownotes.

Dave “The Vengeance” VanVickle and I are geeking out today, because we’re talking to Dr. Scott Hahn—yes, that Dr. Scott Hahn. Text “EKSB” to 33-777 to subscribe and get the shownotes!

Dave “Can’t Spare a Square” VanVickle joins me today, as well as our illustrious producer, Marisa Beyer, to talk about life as a Catholic during these crazy COVID-19 times. We reflect on the Catholic response we’re seeing so far, share ideas for making your home the domestic church, and round things out with a special Coronavirus edition of the 5 Practical Takeaways. Check out the shownotes at AscensionPress.com or text EKSB to 33-777.

Today I’m speaking with Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P., the Assistant Director for Campus Outreach at the Thomistic Institute. We mix apologetics, intellectual formation, campus ministry, and morality, and sprinkle a healthy dose of Aquinas on top. Text “EKSB” to 33-777 to subscribe or email us at [email protected] Snippet from the Show “What we’re experiencing in the last five years as concerns same sex attraction and transgenderism has a lot of people afraid. We’re nervous that if we were to treat those issues, we would be genuinely persecuted.”

Dave “He Must Increase, I Must Decrease” VanVickle is not joining me (Mike “Gomer” Gormley) today, but we’ve still got a great show. First, I talk about the poverty of the Cross, how Jesus was stripped of everything, and suffered like no one else ever has or ever will and how that needs to be at the absolute center of everything we do. Next, I read some glory stories from our audience (someone from Ireland wrote in, so we’re bonafide international now). It’s amazing to hear about the good things happening in parishes, since we’re constantly inundated with negative news. Finally, I answer a couple questions about how to make meetings more Christocentric, and how to include the kerygma in training efforts. We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] and be sure to check out the shownotes at ascensionpress.com/everykneeshallbow or text “EKSB” to 33-777 to subscribe!

A thorough understanding of the world Jesus lived in is vital to a thorough understanding of Jesus himself. I’m talking to Marcellino D’Ambrosio, aka “Dr. Italy” founder of Crossroads Initiative and co-author of Jesus: The Way, The Truth, and The Life about the historical context of the Old Testament, the world in which Jesus began his ministry.

Dave “The Kangaroo” VanVickle and I are bouncing around (see what I did there?) answering your questions about spiritual direction, Church scandals, and bringing Jesus into secular work environments, like the medical field and academia. Snippet from the Show “Every Catholic needs spiritual direction, but you don’t necessarily need a regular spiritual director.”  SHOWNOTES *Please continue to pray for Dave’s wife and family during this difficult battle with cancer. Janet’s Email (7:57) - Using the Kerygma in the Medical Field Jen’s Email (11:26) - Are Spiritual Directors Necessary?  Matthew’s Email (21:04) - How to Encourage Parishioners Not to Leave after Scandal Kiara’s Email Pt. 1 (28:22) - Prayer Request Kiara’s Email Pt. 2 (33:39) - How to Call Our Colleagues to a Life with Jesus 5 Practical Takeaways Pray for the plenary council mentioned in Kiara’s emailPray for Janet and her group of nurses in Cincinnati Pray for Matthew’s parish, that God sends them healing and great leadersPray for Kiara’s PhD thesis Pray that God sends more spiritual directors to those who need them Resources Email us at [email protected] Text “EKSB” to 33-777 to subscribe and get added to Gomer and Dave’s email list!Previous Episode: Prison Stories with GomerCatching Foxes Podcast with Gomer and LukeLearn more about Opus Dei and Regnum ChristiThe Activated Disciple: Taking Your Faith to the Next Level by Jeff CavinsJesus: The Way, the Truth, and the Life 

Dave “The Meateater” VanVickle and I talk about the trap of thinking we need to earn God’s love. This idea is what leads us to that “holier-than-thou” attitude where we congratulate ourselves for not sinning, and then look down on those who are struggling with sin. The reality is that God is a loving father who will give us what we need to serve and love him (aka grace). It’s not through our own efforts that we earn God’s love, it is a free gift that we can respond to … or not.

Today, I’m talking to the one and only Brandon Vogt, Content Director at Word on Fire, and expert in all things online evangelization. We talk about Bishop Barron, debating with atheists, proving the existence of God, and how to read more books. Email us at [email protected] Text “EKSB” to 33-777 to subscribe and get added to Gomer and Dave’s email list!

Dave “The Exception for Every Rule” Van Vickle is back with me, Mike “Gomer” Gormley, as we talk about the ups and downs of prison ministry. 5 Practical Tips for Prison Ministry Connect with a corrections ministry in your diocese so you don’t reinvent the wheel or cause any missteps that could get you in trouble.If you have a relative in prison, put money in their commissary account and call them or write to them.Donate Bibles, Catechisms, and apologetics books to your local unit, including ones in Spanish.Pray a Rosary this week for the incarcerated and for the correction officers.Check out the Romans Bible study by Ascension Press. Email us at [email protected] or text “EKSB” to 33-777 to subscribe and get the shownotes!

First off, I want to thank you all for your pouring of prayers, concern, and even money to the VanVickle family as his wife battles cancer. He wanted me to tell you that he has been uniquely blessed by your love and support and he is praying for you all. Today we are pulling an episode from the archives about spiritual warfare, becuase it's a hugely important topic. Quite literally, spiritual warfare is a struggle between two kingdoms—a battle between man and that which draws man away from God. This fighting and resisting evil is a common experience, yet many don’t believe they are at war. Therefore they come unprepared to fight the battle. We discuss the Church Fathers’ understanding of spiritual warfare, the context behind the Church’s teachings on the subject, and practical ways you can resist evil and equip yourself with the best possible resources.

Dave “Brother from the Blessed Mother” VanVickle is unfortunately not with us today. Just before Christmas, Dave’s wife was diagnosed with stage four cancer, so please storm heaven with your prayers for Amber VanVickle and their family! Today is a short episode about the meaning of generosity in the Christian life. We don’t usually hear about generosity until tithing time, but generosity extends far beyond dollars. We need to practice generosity at all times, especially when it comes to our prayers and participation in the Church. Snippet from the Show Generosity is not God asking too much of us, it is God asking for a fraction of what he has already done for us. SHOWNOTES 2 Corinthians 8:9 - For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. Philippians 2: 5-8 - Have this mind among yourselves, which was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. GoFundMe for the VanVickle family

Happy New Year! We’ve got five resolutions for Catholics who want to continue to spread the Good News in 2020. 5 Resolutions for Catholic Evangelizers Read a Gospel a week. Read The Soul of the Apostolate by Jean-Baptiste Chautard. Begin the practice of mental prayer. Look for one chance each day to evangelize by listening first, and then maybe speaking. Pray the Memorare each day asking Mary to bring people to you, so you can introduce them to her Son. We want to hear from you! Text ESKB to 33-777 to subscribe and email us at [email protected] with your comments and questions—or if you’ve got a new nickname for Dave.

On this glorious Christmas day, I, Gomer, give an abbreviated recap of King Herod’s dark, violent, and corrupt history. It was in the face of this proud ruler who did anything to secure his worldly power and wealth that God sent the most humble Christ-child. This Christmas, remember that no matter how small and insignificant you might feel, your “yes” to God will allow Christ to be born into this proud and haughty world in which we live. As a practical takeaway, meditate on this reality while praying the words of Mary’s Magnificat: “My soul magnifies the Lord And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; Because He has regarded the lowliness of His handmaid; For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed; Because He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name; And His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear Him. He has shown might with His arm, He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and has exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. He has given help to Israel, his servant, mindful of His mercy Even as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity forever.” **Snippet from the Show **God always works through the hidden, the small, and even the despised things of this world. Resources Text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get on our email list! Daniel 9: Daniel’s Prayer for the People 1 Maccabees and 2 Maccabees

Dave “The Wolf of Main Street” VanVickle and I wrap up our Advent series on repentance. We talk about interior repentance and how that shows up through things like fasting, keeping Fridays a day of penance, forgiving others, serving the poor, and constantly reorienting our lives towards Christ. We can’t buy heaven with these acts, (the cross of Christ is our salvation) but true repentance will always show up in our words and deeds. Snippet from the Show “Penance is not about paying for sin, it’s about being more free to surrender to what God is doing in your life.” Get the shownotes! Text ESKB to 33-777 to subscribe or email us at [email protected]

I, (Dave VanVickle), have no nickname today, because sadly Gomer isn’t here. (He’s OK, he’s just been sick.) So I’m continuing our conversation about repentance solo. I want to talk about what repentance looks like in Scripture, especially Zacchaeus’ repentence in Luke 19, and how we can incorporate continual repentance and conversion in our day-to-day lives. _Snippet from the Show “God is not just calling us away from sin, but also to accept this beautiful new life in the kingdom; to see the world, the poor, and our brothers and sisters through the eyes of Jesus Christ.” _ Get the shownotes! Text EKSB to 33-777 to subscribe!

Dave “The Giraffe” Van Vickle and I (Mike “Gomer” Gormley) start off nice and easy by talking about the darkness in the Church right now … and then we ease into our main topic for this Advent season—repentance. The repentance aspect of Advent is highly neglected but extremely important. Most people like to focus on the love of God made man (which is huge, don’t get me wrong) but what is the proper response to this great love? Repentance. So, how do we repent, why do we repent, why is Advent a season of repentance? Snippet from the Show Our entire Theology revolves around repentance because it’s not Jesus overlooking our sins, it’s him dying for us so that we may be transformed. Text ESKB to 33-777 to subscribe and get added to Gomer and Dave’s email list!

You’ve probably heard people say that evangelization is proclaiming the gospel and using words when necessary. Well, Dave “Roaring Lion” VanVickle and myself (Mike “Gomer” Gormley) have a problem with this phrase—it only covers one aspect of evangelization. There’s a whole other big part of evangelization where you use words. A big reason we reduce evangelization to the interior life is because there is fear involved with proclaiming the Gospel and talking about Jesus. We’re afraid of saying the wrong thing, of being rejected, so we just say, “well as long as you’re living like a disciple, you’re good.” But we’re not. Introducing people to the Gospel of Jesus Christ takes many, many different forms. You don’t have to do all of them all the time, but we’re pretty sure both words and actions will be involved. Snippet from the Show “There were all kinds of people who were not apostles who followed Jesus. We’re called to encounter Christ in others” SHOWNOTES Saint Francis of Assisi - “There’s no use walking somewhere to preach unless your walking is also your preaching.” Evangelii Gaudium, 165 - “We must not think that in catechesis the kerygma gives way to a supposedly more “solid” formation. Nothing is more solid, profound, secure, meaningful and wisdom-filled than that initial proclamation. All Christian formation consists of entering more deeply into the kerygma, which is reflected in and constantly illumines, the work of catechesis, thereby enabling us to understand more fully the significance of every subject which the latter treats.” Frank Sheed - “It’s the union of man with God and Christ Jesus.” Jesus Visits Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42) - “Now as they went on their way, he entered a village; and a woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.” Saint Mother Teresa - “Do you want to change the world? Go home and love your families.” Five Practical Takeaways Talkie-talkie: Pick a person and tell them about a change Christ has made in your life. Walkie-walkie: Don’t gossip this week. At all. Literally. Talkie-talkie: Invite a co-worker or acquaintance to grab a coffee and get to know them better. Walkie-walkie: Fast for one day and donate the money to charity or your parish. Talkie-talkie: Ask a person what Christ has done in their lives.

Dave “The Perpetual Penitent” VanVickle and I (Mike “Gomer” Gormley) are talking about something we all know, but few people truly understand—God’s love. We’ve heard, “God loves you” just enough to make us content with the thought of it, and totally unfamiliar with the radial depth of that reality. By looking at some passages in the Bible (the woman at the well, the Good Samaritan, the conversion of Zacchae′us the tax collector) we discover the beautiful truth of God’s love: that he knows us through and through, and loves us more deeply than we can comprehend in this life. (Something to look forward to in death, am I right?) _Snippet from the Show What we desire most of all is to be known, and loved. Because if you are loved, but not known, that’s superficial and weak. If you’re known, but not loved, that’s our greatest nightmare. _ Get the shownotes! Text ESKB to 33-777 or email us at [email protected]

Dave “The Dandy” VanVickle and I are talking about a different approach to evangelization: philosophy. A lot of people respond to the kerygma alone, but some really need a rational argument to understand the reason for belief in God. So today we dig into natural happiness. To be brief, the idea is that nothing in the world can completely satisfy us, because we were made for something eternal, which is God. We also talk a bit about parish bureaucracy and the hierarchy of the Church. Let’s just say you should pray for your parish. What do you think about philosophical approaches to evangelization? Do they work? Are they helpful? Email us at [email protected] with your story, question, or comment—or if you’ve got a new nickname for Dave. Snippet from the Show “Your spouse is not sufficient to make you happy. They are a human person and your heart has an infinite longing that only an infinite God can fulfill. So if you demand your husband or wife to complete you, you are asking them to be God for you. That’s unrealistic.”

Dave “He Stole My Eggo” VanVickle and I are coming up with answers faster than the dusty magic 8-ball that’s probably still in your attic somewhere. We’re addressing your quick questions about parish life and evangelization including: What’s the deal with stewardship parishes (parishes where your salary is on record so they’re sure you’re tithing fully)? How can I make discipleship tracks in my parish? How can I talk about Jesus when talking in general is hard enough? ... (I'm an introvert) And how can I be a good witness when the first contact I have with someone is about sexual morality? Snippet from the Show “It’s easier to give money than it is to give your whole life.” Five Practical Takeaways Look for ways to bring the Holy Spirit into your daily job or hobby. Look at local events and go to one of each: Kerygma, Catechesis, and Conquer. Kerygma event - retreat or a speaker at your parish Catechesis event - Bible study or other learning opportunity Conquer event - outreach event at your parish, or volunteering opportunities Five Minute Exercise: Go on YouTube and find videos that fall into the Kerygma, Catechesis, and Conquer categories above and maybe send them out. Ascension Presents has some good ones for you! Intercessory Prayer: Prayers for Catholics involved in OBGYN and family medicine. Introverted ways to evangelize: Do it online! Head over to Brandon Vogt’s Strange Notions and read up, or consume “Classical Theism Podcast” and share it out there on your social feeds. We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] with your story, question, or comment—or if you’ve got a new nickname for Dave.

Dave "Skull Crusher" VanVickle and I talk about seven common pitfalls of evangelization that we see at parishes around the country. Recognize any?

Dave “The Dutch Shnauzer” VanVickle and I (Michael “Gomer” Gormley), tell you how to start catalyzing parish evangelization and how not to make the kinds of mistakes we made when we were but young, eager, parish evangelization greenhorns. Snippet from the Show This is not the time for good priests, good bishops, and good Catholics; it is a time for heroic priests, heroic bishops, and heroic Catholics. Shownotes Listener Feedback from Amanda Last week I met with a local parish priest to talk about the possibility of creating an evangelization position at his parish. I'm a former campus missionary (Brew City Catholic, I think Gomer spoke at one of our annual conferences!) and Father wanted to invite me to help him convince his parish and finance councils that creating a dedicated Director of Evangelization position would benefit the parish. In order to do this, he asked if I'd be able to develop something like a 5 year plan. As soon as I left that meeting I searched "Parish evangelization podcasts" which is how I came across the two of you! In the past week, you've become my favorite podcast. I love the practicals! My question for you is this: where should I start? Do you have any resources that I could explore as I begin to develop this plan? My "Step One" as it were is simply to start an intercessory prayer group, but I'm rather intimidated by what is a very daunting task. If we succeed in convincing the council that this position is worth it, I would in fact be the only full time person on staff. Our religious education program is through a different parish. It would be the pastor and I starting almost essentially from scratch. This is a vague request, but I appreciate any wisdom you can share! 8 Things to Consider When Developing a Parish Evangelization Plan ADULTS NEED CONVERSION: Most Catholic parish employees and volunteers do not think adult Catholics need evangelization, but they desperately do. Evangelicals convert adults. They target adults and they get them. We don’t because we just make assumptions about faith and conversion. STUDY OF EVANGELIZATION: Your parish council and finance council needs to understand the Church’s vision of evangelization and Catholic discipleship. You need to study the heck out of this so it becomes second-nature to you and you can educate the staff, the councils, and any key stakeholders. START AT THE END OF CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP: List the qualities of a Catholic disciple in your parish. What are the different aspects of following Christ that matter most. Then ask yourself, “What do we currently offer and what new things need to come into being that will lead people to this end goal of discipleship?” THE PITCH NEEDS A TIMELINE: Your councils want practicals. Your case becomes stronger when you offer a timeline and your strategic initiatives to them to consider. SOW THE SEEDLINGS YOUR FIRST YEAR: Councils want to see the sizzle, “What are you offering us now?” They want to see where the money goes quickly, but you need the time to build up discipleship. So, create seedling programs that are short and sweet that will perhaps later be developed into full-blown ministries or processes. This demonstrates your are building something and you take away their anxiety. THE FORMALIZED GOAL OF ONE-ON-ONE MINISTRY: Part of my job is meeting one-on-one with people and working with them. Start with the classes and funnel them down to the small group. From the small group, try to connect with them one-on-one. Also, the people in the office and the pastor and the councils and any other stakeholders need to see that meeting one-on-one is an essential part of your ministry. Others will gossip incessantly that you aren’t doing your job because you aren’t in your office. But meeting with people is your job. PARTNER WITH ALREADY EXISTING MINISTRIES: The lowest hanging fruit is partnering with the ministries and groups that already exist at your parish. Your job will be to change the culture toward evangelization, constantly holding evangelization up to them and showing them how central it is to the Catholic life. Offer retreats, days of reflection, brief talks, testimonies, whatever it takes to these groups to spread the gospel. TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE PARISH’S CULTURE: Do not, for the love of Christ, try to put a round peg in a square hole. Understand your parish’s culture and specific ministries’ cultures before you start imposing your approach onto them. Realize culture is expressed through things like schedules and priorities at the parish. Do your best to work within the culture to change the culture, but don’t think you'll be successful if you blindly start throwing things around. Nothing will stick. Nothing will change, unless you’re patient! Five Practical Takeaways Pray for the Councils who will make these decisions. And listeners, let’s all pray a Hail Mary right now for Amanda, her pastor, and her parish. Meet regularly with a group of like-m

Have you ever wondered how to go about training Catholic lectors or how to inspire teens as they begin preparing for confirmation? In this special episode of_ Every Knee Shall Bow,_ hear two practical applications where Michael Gormley preaches first to Confirmation teens and then to lectors at his parish. Snippet from the Show "We shall not approach the text of the Word of God so casually when we are in the midst of the Liturgy. This is not a performance. This is a proclamation." Shownotes Inspiring Teens Who Are Preparing for Confirmation In this first talk, Michael "Gomer" Gormley uses humor and personal testimony to relate to teens as they embark on their journey towards Confirmation. During his presentation, he holds up one of the Church's newly canonized saints, St. Cardinal Henry Newman, as a model for Catholics who question and seek: St. Cardinal Henry Newman - “A thousand questions does not a single doubt make.” Training Catholic Lectors In this second talk given to Catholic lectors in training, Michael "Gomer" Gormley explains the gravity and beauty of proclaiming God's word. Listen to how he connects a lector's role with personal spirituality and the goal of conversion. Here are the quotes he references during this presentation: Dei Verbum - “The Holy Spirit is the principle divine author of sacred scripture” Read the rest here Pope St. John Paul II - “I use the word communion not community because I don’t want people thinking the Church is a sociological reality, it is first a theological reality.” Romans 5:14 - “Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sins were not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.” Read the rest here Romans 6:3-4 - “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” Read the rest here St. Teresa of Avila - “If you want to hear God talk to you, read scripture. If you want to see a miracle, go to Mass.” Francis Chan - “Imagine someone told you, ‘I want you to go to the nearest cemetery, and I want you to pray fervently to raise one person from the dead. Not the whole cemetery just one person.’ Who would you take with you?... I’ll tell ya who I’d take: I’d take that person who's known for always coming into the presence of God. Because to raise the dead is a miracle. And isn’t that what conversion is?” Resources 1 Corinthians 15 Romans Bible Study The Bible Timeline Chart Ephesians 1

Dave “The Angelic Doctor” VanVickle (he’s really uncomfortable with that one) and I break down ten things you need to know to go out into the world right now and start evangelizing your family, friends, coworkers, and the random people you meet on the street. We’ve made all the evangelization mistakes through our years of talking to people about Jesus and the Church so that you don’t have to. We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] with your story, question, or comment—or if you’ve got a new nickname for Dave. Snippet from the Show “Real evangelization takes place within a trusting relationship. That means listening to the story they want to tell so that you actually understand where they’re coming from. Only then can you truly offer a response to the yearning of their soul.” Five Practical Takeaways Read Mark’s account of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Go back to your conversion story and review everything, asking God to reveal new parts of your story. Intercede for the healing of someone you know. Go to the internet and search for conversion stories, studying the way the Holy Spirit moves in people’s lives. Google the JPII Healing Center and research what healing looks like.

The phrase “personal relationship with Jesus Christ” has become so synonymous with Protestant spirituality that many Catholics seem to think it’s not that important. This is a huge problem. Dave “The Cheddar” VanVickle and I talk about why having a personal relationship with Jesus is absolutely vital for Catholics. It’s not about just having an emotional reaction, it’s about knowing the God we claim to love and allowing that intimacy to draw us ever deeper into the sacraments and mysteries of the Catholic Faith. Snippet from the Show “Having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ ignites and amplifies the sacramental reception of him.” SHOWNOTES Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2558 - "Great is the mystery of the faith!" The Church professes this mystery in the Apostles' Creed (Part One) and celebrates it in the sacramental liturgy (Part Two), so that the life of the faithful may be conformed to Christ in the Holy Spirit to the glory of God the Father (Part Three). This mystery, then, requires that the faithful believe in it, that they celebrate it, and that they live from it in a vital and personal relationship with the living and true God. This relationship is prayer. THE SOUL OF THE APOSTOLATE - If I do not believe the active presence of Jesus is within me, and if I did not try to make this presence within me a vital reality, I would be depriving my interior life of Jesus. . When Jesus, in this manner, becomes my light, my ideal, my counsel, my support, my refuge, my strength, my healer, my consolation, my joy, my love, in a word, my life, I shall acquire all the virtues. On Spiritual Perfection - The measure of a man’s love for God depends upon how deeply aware he is of God’s love for him. St. Theresa of Avila - “Mental prayer in my opinion is nothing else than an intimate sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with Him who we know loves us.” Pope St. John Paul II - “Conversion means accepting, by a personal decision, the saving sovereignty of Christ and becoming his disciple.” Galatians 2:20 - “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8 - “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” St. John Paul II, speech to bishops of Southern Germany, Dec. 4, 1992 - “It is necessary to awaken again in believers a full relationship with Christ, mankind’s only Savior. Only from a personal relationship with Jesus can an effective evangelization develop.” Pope Benedict, Deus Caritas Est 1 - "Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction." Pope Benedict XVI, May 2004 - "Many people perceive Christianity as something institutional -- rather than as an encounter with Christ -- which explains why they don't see it as a source of joy." John 15:15 - “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” Marriage Analogy: If a couple has a great friendship, but refuses intimacy. If a couple has intimacy, but refuses to have a close friendship. Catholics are the latter, Protestants are the former. Neither is healthy! Five Practical Takeaways Read: A book about the life of a saint (St. Francis of Assisi, St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, St. Augustine, etc.) Intercession: Pray for someone whose love for Christ or his Church has grown cold. Read: Read the Song of Songs Community: Host a dinner, but not a potluck. Provide everything for them and ask nothing from them in return. Reflection: Examination of a relationship you have Resources The 99 - now shipping! Romans: The Gospel of Salvation

I’m your host, Mike "Gomer" Gormley but I am not joined by my illustrious co-host, Dave “The Bearded Fox” Van Vickle because of life. Yes, life. For two weeks we kept trying to record a show together, but my daughter ended up in the hospital (she’s home now) for a few days and threw everything off. Prayers appreciated! Dave was flying all over the country talking about Catholic spiritual warfare (like a gentleman ought) so instead I’m bringing you another example from my own ministry of how I preach the gospel. This talk was given to the men's group at my parish (even though some people don’t like those cough Dave cough) and focuses on the message of salvation through Genesis up to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and points to the responsibility this puts on Christians to spread the good news. We will be back with a regular show next week so you can hear the wonderful vibrato of “The Bearded Fox” himself. Snippet from the Show “The very spirit of Christ is breathed out upon us, giving us the ability to overcome sin, death, and darkness in our own lives. The Holy Spirit is the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ unleashed into the human heart.” SHOWNOTES Matthew 28:16-20 - “Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.’” Dr. Scott Hahn - “The moment I’m more outraged at another person’s sin than my own is the day I need a reality check, because their sins don’t send me to hell the last time I checked.” Genesis 3:15 - “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” GK Chesterton on Original Sin - “The only doctrine of the church that’s empirically verifiable” St. Paul - “I do the very thing I don’t want to do, and I don’t do the very thing I want to do. Who will deliver me from this wretched body?” Two questions to ask yourself Why is it so difficult for you to evangelize? How has the resurrection of Jesus changed your life? Resources Frank Sheed, Theology and Sanity Pope St. John Paul II, Theology of the Body

There’s a lot more to being a Catholic speaker than what you see. Dave “Extreme Narcissist” VanVickle and I discuss the little-known problems and behind-the-scenes difficulties of people who talk about the Faith for a living. From bringing kids to RCIA to feeling guilty about a paycheck, we talk about balancing family life, parish life, full-time jobs, and time on the road. Snippet from the Show “The life of a professional traveling speaker is not what most people think it is.” SHOWNOTES Money and Guilt Charging for a talk isn’t about making money off the gospel, it’s about providing for time spent away from family. Family Values Being on the road makes your spouse temporarily a single parent. It’s a huge strain on the family and the spouses are the ones who really have it hard. Missional Continuity What is the mission with the audience? The speaker is there to continue the work that is already happening, not to have a singular affect that probably won’t stick. Five Practical Takeaways Pray for your favorite Catholic speaker. Read Marcel’s article, “Why You Probably Don't Want To Be A Catholic Speaker!” Evaluate your most recent event and ask yourself about the impact it had weeks later. Critically examine your money and fame motives. Community: try to learn something new about someone already in your life. Try Patrick Lencioni’s opening question: what life event from your childhood affected you the most?

Welcome to EKSB, your weekly Catholic podcast on evangelization. I’m your host, Mike “Gomer” Gormley, and I’m joined, as always, by my co-host, Dave “The Masked Pamphleteer” Van Vickle. Today we’re answering questions and handing out sweet sweet nicknames. We talk about how to make men’s groups less painful, what to do if your parish has little to no money, our essential reading list for people who want to evangelize, resources for introducing kids to Adoration, and the Pew Research study on the True Presence in the Eucharist. Snippet from the Show “If you can teach what the Church actually believes about the True Presence, and then set up an encounter in Adoration, you will bring people to Jesus in droves.” SHOWNOTES Chaz The Man writes: Hey guys! Love the podcast. I have been asked to start/lead a men’s group at our parish. We have a mini retreat this weekend and I spoke to the guy leading about what were we going to do following the retreat to keep and engage the men coming. In turn he said great idea.....so now I have the reins on it which I’m pumped about but I don’t want it to be your typical old guys drinking coffee and talking about surface topics. My idea was to first give my testimony to show them how God can polish a turd:) Then I was thinking about something light to build trust and something that doesn’t require much from them except to show up! I was thinking just reading the Gospel for the coming Sunday in the same small groups every week and talking about it. How it applies to our life, what we take from etc. Then maybe do a book study. Thoughts? Luke the Seminarian writes: Dear Gomer and Dave ‘too hot to handle, too cold to hold’ VanVickle, I’m an English Seminarian preparing for ordination to the diaconate this coming year and I just wanted to say thank you for the great work your doing on the podcast and to ask a question. In the UK we face a lot of the same problems as you do in the states, our people generally aren’t well formed and we struggle for volunteers; but on top of that our weekly collections tend to be so low that paid employees aren’t typically realistic for most parishes. We can’t afford to pay a director of religious education or evangelisation and these things tend to fall (along with everything else) on the Priest. So I suppose my question is, what would you guys suggest as the absolute basics to start building from for a priest to get in place that he can manage reasonably alongside all of his other duties? I realise that it’s a big question, sometimes it seems a little overwhelming! I’ve read a lot of the books, Divine Renovation etc, but a lot of the time their starting position is so radically different from our average parishes that it’s difficult to think how you would even start to implement them. Please be assured of my prayers and keep up the great work. Aaron the Book Nerd writes: Hey fellas, love the podcast. Can't get enough. Was hoping you could help me out with a few things. First off, you make a ton of books recommendations on the podcast, but was hoping you could narrow it down a bit for me. I am a cradle Catholic who recently went through sort of a conversion experience where I feel I am being called to evangelize and bring the Gospel to people to advance the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth; however, I am extremely knew to evangelization and so was looking for one or two key books that you believe every evangelist should read. Secondly, our Parish asked for anyone interested in prison ministry to reach out to them. This is another area where I feel I am being called, but it seems like I may be the only at my Parish called to do so, as I seem to be the one now leading the charge to start the prison ministry at my Parish while getting advice from another Parish with an already established prison ministry. So my question is ....any advice? God Bless. Aaron the Adorer writes: Hello, Michael Gormley and Dave “Milk and honey” Van Vickle! First off, thank you. I have been listening to your podcast since day one and, while I haven’t always been faithful to the 5 practical tips each week, they have stretched me in ways I was afraid of in the past. In fact, the tips stretched me enough to take up a position in July at a local parish collaborative (2 parishes sharing resources) up here in Massachusetts as the Director of Lifelong Faith Formation. Your insights, challenge and resources (especially Sherry Weddell’s book) has been transformative for me and my family. I cannot thank God enough for the ways your podcast has prepared me for a deeper commitment as a disciple. The other reason I am e-mailing you is in reference to something Dave mentioned in one of the recent podcasts: guiding kids through an experience of Adoration. After the most recent Pew poll that just came out on Catholics and their understanding (or lack-there-of) of the Eucharist, I am wanting to focus the efforts of our religious ed and faith formation on the Real Presence and Adoration. I am hoping

Dave “Wolfsbane” VanVickle is … not here today. It’s just me, Gomer, with a special episode where I recorded a talk I gave to my catechists about how to become excellent teachers of our Faith. This talk is the past two episodes of EKSB put into practice. If you are a catechist, thinking about becoming a catechist, or work with catechists in any way, this episode will be extremely helpful. Snippet from the Show What is catechesis? It’s about giving growth to a faith that already exists because of evangelization that has already happened. But if evengalization hasn’t happened, what are we maturing? 5 Practical Takeaways Read and pray with Ephesians 4:1-16 Memorize Catechesi Tradendae paragraph five. Handwrite every student’s name and pray for them for 1 min every day. Write one sentence per lesson that ties it to the person of Jesus Christ. Come up with one example from your life per lesson.