Upstream Podcast

Pat is joined by his friends Fr. Austin Gilstrap, pastor of Our Lady of the Lake in Hendersonville, TN, and Fr. Michael Fye, pastor of St. Anne in Nashville, TN.  The three of them have a spirited conversation about OCIA and what it really means to initiate people into the Catholic church. They discuss the importance of excitement, depth, and timeliness in conducting spiritual formation, and explore the differe...

Pat and his friend Fr. Michael Andrade, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Clovis, CA, have a vulnerable and practical conversation about the challenges pastors face when taking over a new parish. They challenge the conventional wisdom of waiting to make changes and explore how immediate, prayerful, and intentional leadership fosters healthier transitions. Fr. Michael also shares his personal experiences o...

Pat and Fr. Mike Schmitz tackle the tension priests encounter between being popular and being authentic. The conversation dives into the spiritual and practical dangers of avoiding conflict, the need for truth-tellers in leadership, and the importance of genuine relationships built on love rather than admiration. Together, Pat and Fr. Mike challenge listeners to choose truth over com...

With an increasing yearning for unadulterated truth and an attraction to the beauty of the sacraments, more and more people are curious about the Catholic Church. Today, Pat talks with his good friend, Fr. John Riccardo from ACTS XXIX, about the importance of sharing the fullness of the Church with conviction and joy and without apology.

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Check out all the great work that Fr. John and ACTS XXIX team are doin...

The Church in America is facing significant challenges related to the restructuring of parishes due to priest shortage. While some may suggest closing parishes to streamline operations, the Church is a spiritual entity that requires thoughtful, prayerful management rather than just business-like solutions. The approach taken to address these challenges can greatly impact vocations and the overall spiritual life...

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 t...

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: h...

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.

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 – Re...

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 – Re...

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 ...

Every pastor dreams of a parish that is full, vibrant, and active.  But making this dream a reality can be difficult, maybe even overwhelming.  So we look to established programs for structure and to take away the guess work.  Yet still, rolling out a new program at your parish takes serious commitment.  There never seems to be a shortcut.  

Or maybe we're just making this too complicated?  In today's show, Pat...