The Heart of a Spiritual Father – Fr. Nick Smith – 06/19/2026

A Father's Day conversation between Deacon Mark Campbell and Father Nick Smith, pastor of Saint Patrick's in Perry and the familiar voice of Iowa Catholic Radio's daily Gospel reflection. Father Nick explains how spiritual fatherhood was a central theme throughout his eight years of seminary formation — learning to know God as Father and to model the fatherhood witnessed in his own family. He honors two formative men: his own father, an attorney and judge marked by a hunger for righteousness, and the late Father John Acree, who gave over sixty years to the priesthood and accompanied Father Nick into his vocation. He describes the deep joy of priesthood — being the instrument through whom the faithful receive the Eucharist, absolution, and blessing — and the privilege of seeing spiritual life grow in souls. For those discerning the priesthood, his counsel is direct: if there's any inkling of a call, say yes and give the Lord a chance to work. To parents and grandparents, he offers reassurance that God desires the happiness of their sons and will give the hundredfold. And to all fathers, he encourages perseverance in the ordinary, hidden battles of daily life, where "fatherhood is won and lost." To hear Father Nick's daily Gospel reflection, subscribe wherever you find podcasts or visit IowaCatholicRadio.com. Listen to The Catholic Morning Show weekdays at 7 AM Central on the Iowa Catholic Radio Network or on the Iowa Catholic Radio app. #SpiritualFatherhood #FathersDay #Priesthood #Catholic #Vocations #CatholicPriest #IowaCatholicRadio #CatholicMorningShow #Discernment #FatherNickSmith Credits: Produced, Edited, and Mixed by Ayden Pugh, Alexia Baker, and Brady Grimm. ENJOYING THE SHOW? Follow The Catholic Morning Show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss an episode — and if this one was worth your time, please leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating. It takes ten seconds and it's the single best way to help more people find the show. 🎧 LISTEN LIVE Catch The Catholic Morning Show live, weekday mornings on Iowa Catholic Radio. Listen Live · Program Schedule · Our Stations LINKSYou can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Tiktok! More on our website.If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here! More from Iowa Catholic Radio:Sunday Dive with Katie PatrizioMan Up! with Joe StopulosCatholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie NelsonThe Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud MarrBe Not Afraid with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce RiebeBe Not Afraid en Español con el P. Fabián MoncadaMaking it Personal with Bishop William JoensenFaith and Family Finance with Gregory WaddleThe Great Men of the Bible with Joe Stopulos Liturgy & DevotionsThe Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick SmithThe Daily Mass from St. Francis of AssisiThe Daily Mass from St. Pius XThe Daily Mass from St. TheresaSunday Mass from the Basilica of Saint JohnWant to support your favorite show? Click Here Iowa Catholic Radio - Connecting People to Christ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.