Episodes

  • Facing the Headwinds from Within
    Jun 19 2024

    It may come as a surprise to many lay people, and perhaps even priests too, that worldly opposition can come from within the Church. Pat sits down with his friend Fr. John Riccardo of ACTS XXIX to discuss the different ways we can face this truth, overcome worldly opposition, and avoid being discouraged in the process.

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    41 mins
  • Maximizing the Mass
    May 22 2024

    The power of the Mass is the Eucharist. Sometimes the efforts to elevate the beauty of the mass can actually detract from magnifying Christ. There are a few implementations that you as a priest can instill that enhances rather than detracts from the elevation of the Mass. Today Pat is joined with Chris Stefanick and Fr. Sean Conroy from the Archdiocese of Denver to discuss this topic.

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    42 mins
  • Managing Transition as a Priest
    May 8 2024

    Transition is a challenge that every priest encounters but how do you not only navigate but embrace it. Oftentimes the challenge comes not singularly in the change but primarily in the loss. When these losses come it is absolutely necessary that our priests come to terms, respond, ceremonialize, and finally ask for a brother or member of Christ who reminds and encourages them of their purpose, picture, plan, and part to play in the midst of that loss.

    In today’s episode I am joined by co-host Matt Rudolph, founder of Chrism, with Priest Fr. Adam Cesarek from the Diocese of Peoria.

    Find out where you can listen to our podcast: https://upstreampodcast.com/

    Find more information on transition management here: https://tinyurl.com/3f5n9p4y

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    51 mins
  • Hungry Priests are Not Needy Priests
    Apr 24 2024

    The position of a priest can be the loneliest position in the world. All humans have a fundamental hunger to be appreciated, yet very few of our Spiritual Fathers fully receive or seek this out. Affirming what you know is good and true about another person is not only necessary, but essential, for the nourishment of any relationship. This can begin with you.

    Find out where you can listen to our podcast: https://upstreampodcast.com/

    Check out the Amazing Parish Summit: https://amazingparish.org/summitsanantoniocoaching/

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    25 mins
  • An Outsider's View of the Priesthood
    Apr 10 2024

    From an Evangelical pastor, to a consultant, to working with priests and Archbishops, Chris Jenson’s interactions with clergy have helped to shape his view of Catholicism from the outside. In this episode, Pat is joined by his friend and colleague who shares how he has been drawn to the Church through the witnessing of priests’ love of Jesus and their devotion to people being transformed by Him.

    Find out where you can listen to our podcast: https://upstreampodcast.com/

    Check out the Amazing Parish Summit: https://amazingparish.org/summitsanantoniocoaching/

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    36 mins
  • An Easy On-Ramp to Scripture
    Mar 27 2024

    One of the most important and visible tasks that priests carry out during Mass is the delivery of the homily. To some, this part of the role comes naturally, but to others, it can be a struggle. This week, our goal is to provide simple feedback and offer some advice in the hopes that it might help you make your homilies as impactful as they can be. P – Passionate, O – Organized, U – Understandable, R – Relevant. POUR yourself into your homilies, and trust those around you enough to receive constructive feedback. Don’t be performative, don’t be boring, and keep your homilies just long enough to get your message across.

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    Mentioned in this E

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    17 mins
  • The Unmentionable H Word
    Mar 13 2024

    One of the most important and visible tasks that priests carry out during Mass is the delivery of the homily. To some, this part of the role comes naturally, but to others, it can be a struggle. This week, our goal is to provide simple feedback and offer some advice in the hopes that it might help you make your homilies as impactful as they can be. P – Passionate, O – Organized, U – Understandable, R – Relevant. POUR yourself into your homilies, and trust those around you enough to receive constructive feedback. Don’t be performative, don’t be boring, and keep your homilies just long enough to get your message across.

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    43 mins
  • Every Priest is a Genius
    Feb 28 2024

    Parish priests are under a lot of pressure to be good at all things. Good homilists, good operators, good with pastoral care—the list doesn't stop. It's unrealistic that any of us would be good at all things, yet the pressure persists. In this episode, we discuss the "Working Genius" model created by Patrick Lencioni. The "Working Genius" is an assessment that reveals an individuals strengths and weaknesses so that we work better together. It's a helpful model for a priest to better understand what brings you to life, what exhausts you, and how to build a team around you so that your parish can grow stronger.

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    26 mins