The Father Joe Podcast

You've heard the expression, if you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life. Well, meet a couple of 92 year old priests still saying Mass and loving the ministry. Our Fr. Joe Grimaldi is 82 and is the pastor of a large church. How do they do it?

'Alone Together', is a total contradiction, except that more and more, it is how people have spent their time since March of 2020. We've discovered that a decent number of Americans are comfortable, and enjoy, rolling solo. Can we apply that going to Mass?

Purple is used at Advent as it is at Lent to represent the penitential nature of the season. In fact, Advent used to be known as “little Lent.” The color is a symbolic reminder for us to be preparing ourselves for the coming of our Lord.

The pandemic had a devastating impact on our students. The 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress found that nearly four in ten eighth graders failed to grasp basic math concepts and only one in three students achieved reading proficiency standards.

If you took your parish’s catechism classes when you were growing up you remember actual grace. It’s a supernatural kick in the pants. It gets your will and intellect moving so you can seek out and provide acts of kindness to those in need.

The feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran is celebrated by the entire Church. It marks the dedication of the cathedral church of Rome by Pope Sylvester I in 324. This church is the cathedral (or chair) of the bishop of Rome, who is our Pope.

Day of the Dead combines the ancient Aztec custom of celebrating ancestors with All Souls' Day, a holiday that Spanish invaders brought to Mexico starting in the early 1500s. The holiday, which is celebrated mostly in Mexico on November 1 and 2, is like a family reunion—except dead ancestors are the guests of honor.

Sometimes when we go to Mass, things don't go as well as we wish. In an ideal world Mass would be full of life and joy. Everyone would leave feeling completely one with God. But other times, Mass can feel different. Remember this, Christ is truly present in the Mass.

This summer the Jesuit order celebrated their 488th birthday. The Jesuits were founded by Ignatius de Loyola, a Spanish soldier turned priest. For centuries, the Jesuits have worn many hats: missionaries, educators and writers. The prospect of a Jesuit pope was once considered unlikely Therefore, the 2013 as Pope Francis surprised many.

The next time you are at Church look for the Keys of St. Peter. The Keys of Heaven refers to the image of crossed keys used to represent the metaphorical keys of the office of Saint Peter, the keys of Heaven, or the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. It is explicitly referenced in the Bible in Matthew 16:19.

COVID has changed our lives forever. Pardon the metaphor, but it's like we've spent over two years in a storm shelter. We're free to move about once again; however, the landscaped has changed. A Funeral became a Major challenge. Maybe COVID's N0.1 Victim.

Near my parish in metro Detroit an event called The Woodward Dream Cruise is held. Classic car enthusiasts attend the event held annually on the third Saturday of August. The Cruise now attracts more than 1.5 million visitors from around the world. We pray for a safe and fun filled event.

Some Catholics go elsewhere to find what they like. For example, they go to a historic, ornate church that offers the official Latin Mass. The same with a church that offers the Gregorian chant. Some Catholics would even like the Church to return to pre-Vatican II.

We could not help but notice the Pope’s health issues as he journeyed to Canada. The pontiff's knee has hampered his ability to move about without the assistance of a wheelchair. The possibility of retirement appears to be an option. Pope Benedict XVI resigned in 2013 after roughly seven years in office.

A May 2022 Study finds too many Catholics are “accustomed to not being in church.” The survey conducted by Vinea Research is examining the effects of the pandemic on Church attendance and faith practice. Among the key findings, the survey discovered that a significant portion of Catholics have become “accustomed to not being in church.” The authors suggest that while Catholics have been generally strengthened in their faith during the pandemic, many are in no rush to return to the pews.

For any number of reasons, a priest may conclude that he cannot continue living the life of a priest. Most priests who leave have done so after months and perhaps years of prayer and reflection, often shedding tears as they make this important decision.

May I say the rosary during the celebration of the mass? Praying the rosary is defined as a devotion. We are requested to concentrate our attention on the sacred actions of the memorial of Jesus' passion, death and resurrection as is celebrated in Holy Mass.

To say America is in a delicate place right now is an understatement. Abortion, gas prices, the January 6th insurrection, gun control, immigration, climate change and our old friend covid – That’s enough to make the point. Some say we haven’t been this divided since the Civil War. I believe that the solution is staring you right in the face.

Most of us probably do not think of ourselves as prophets. Every baptized person, is called to be a prophet. How can we do what Jesus asks, to bring his love to bear on every situation in our everyday life. Let's discuss.

It was my first ever trip to Mackinac Island for a conferance at the historic Grand Hotel. It was a great conferance at a stunning Michigan location. It was the parting gift that I wish I'd left in my hotel room.