Old St. Pat's Podcast

Think about the last time you gathered around a table with family or friends. Maybe it was a holiday meal. Maybe it was dinner after a long day. Maybe it was coffee with a friend. Whatever the occasion, chances are it involved more than food. Around the table, stories were shared. Laughter erupted. Memories were made. And perhaps there were even difficult conversations, tears, or moments of healing. There's something powerful about a table. It brings us together. It unites. We arrive hungry, but we leave with more than a full stomach. We leave feeling connected. Nourished. Reminded that we belong to something bigger than ourselves. In many ways, that's what happens every time we gather for the Eucharist. We come carrying the joys, worries, questions, and challenges of our lives. We bring our successes and failures, our celebrations and sorrows. And at the table of the Lord, we hear Jesus say, "I am the bread of life." We are fed by His presence, strengthened by His love, and reminded that we do not walk this journey alone. But the Eucharist is not simply something we receive. It is something that transforms us. Just as a family meal strengthens us physically, the Eucharist nourishes us spiritually and sends us back into the world with purpose and inner peace. We are fed so that we can feed others. We are comforted so that we can offer comfort. We are loved so that we can become love in action. Today, Father Tom Hurley reflects on the beautiful connection between the tables of our everyday lives and the altar table and he challenges us to see the Eucharist as the source of spiritual life - nourishing, strengthening, and renewing us so that we can become nourishment, comfort, and support for others.

The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's Choir The featured songs today are: One Bread One Body  Holy Is Your Name  Go Light Your World 

Have you ever felt lonely? Not just physically alone, but disconnected and unseen. Like you're moving through life without a real sense of belonging. It's a curious paradox of modern life. We can live in a city of millions yet still feel isolated. We can spend our days on video calls, emails, and text messages and go hours—or even days—without a meaningful face-to-face conversation. We live in an age of unprecedented connection, and yet many people are experiencing unprecedented loneliness. Why? Perhaps it's because, deep down, we were never meant to live as isolated individuals. At our very core, we are relational beings. We were created to be connected to God and to one another. Think about the moments when you feel most alive. Chances are they involve relationships: sharing a meal with friends, helping someone in need, laughing with family, encouraging a coworker, mentoring a young person, or simply sitting with someone who needs to be heard. There is something about giving love, receiving love, and being known by others that awakens us to our deepest selves. We discover who we are, not by focusing only on ourselves, but by giving ourselves away in love. Not out of obligation, guilt, or trying to earn approval. But rather, because we already know we are loved by God. When we recognize ourselves as beloved, love naturally begins to overflow. So today, Father Jack invites us to look at the people right in front of us and recognize that every relationship is an opportunity to love and to become who we were created to be.

The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's Choir The featured songs today are: Go Be Justine For the Healing of the World In the Breaking of the Bread

What is one thing in your life right now that you are not doing because you are afraid? Maybe you are afraid of failing. Afraid of what others might think. Afraid of being judged, rejected, or not being enough. Maybe you are afraid of letting someone down, getting hurt, or stepping into something uncertain. Fear has a way of locking us up. It convinces us to stay quiet, small, and hidden. But think about the moments in your life when you did push past the fear. What helped you move forward? Maybe it was encouragement from someone you trusted. Maybe it was focusing less on yourself and more on the people you could help. Maybe it was remembering the joy, healing, or goodness that could come if you took the risk anyway. Courage is not the absence of fear. Often, courage is simply recognizing that something else is more important than fear. Fear is part of the human experience. Even the disciples at Pentecost were afraid. They literally locked themselves in a room — confused, anxious, and uncertain about what would come next. But then Jesus entered into that fear and spoke peace. He breathed the Holy Spirit upon them and sent them out on a mission so the world could hear the Good News of the Gospel. And it is a good thing they left that room. Because their courage changed lives. Their willingness to move forward despite fear allowed others to encounter hope, healing, and the love of God. Whatever fear you may be carrying today, remember this: fear does not have to have the final word. You can still feel afraid and move forward anyway. And when you do, both you and the people around you can be blessed by your courage. It can strengthen you, stretch you, and help you grow into the person God is calling you to be. In today’s episode, Father Pat McGrath reminds us that the question is not whether fear exists. The question is whether we will allow the Holy Spirit to move us beyond it and into the life and mission God is calling us to live.

Have you ever had the chance to care for someone? Maybe professionally as a nurse or doctor, or maybe in a personal way — caring for a sick child, helping a spouse recover after surgery, or supporting a bedridden friend. When someone is unable to care for themselves fully, you become their hands and feet. You bring the medicine, prepare the meals, offer comfort, run errands, and help them heal. Their well-being depends, in part, on your willingness to show up with love, compassion, and empathy. And often, the most healing part of care is not the task itself, but the feeling that someone truly sees your pain and is there for you. That is the power of empathy. It reminds us that we are not alone in our suffering. At the heart of the Ascension that we celebrated this past Sunday is this beautiful truth that Jesus does not leave humanity behind. Instead, He carries the full human experience — our grief, fear, heartbreak, joy, and hope — into the very heart of God. The Ascension is not about distance from humanity, but divine empathy embracing it forever. In many ways, that is exactly what the Feast of the Ascension asks of us. Jesus’ physical body is no longer here on earth. And so now, we are called to become His hands and feet, His voice, His compassion, and His presence in the world. We are the ones called to carry out acts of mercy, pursue justice, spread kindness, and remind people they are deeply loved by God — especially in moments when God can feel absent or far away. And imperfect as we are, we are the ones entrusted to continue His mission. So today Fr. Ed Foley reminds us that Jesus is counting on us to be His healing presence in the world.

The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's Choir The featured songs today are: Only This I Want I Will Be The Vine I Am For You

At first glance, The Sound of Music is a musical filled with singing children, rolling hills, and catchy songs. But underneath it all is something much deeper: a story about choosing strength in difficult times…having the integrity & moral courage to do what’s right…creating beauty in the middle of fear… and building a home filled with love in a world that feels uncertain. And maybe that’s why the story continues to resonate so deeply today. Because many people are carrying a sense of heaviness right now — politically, socially, and spiritually — as so much about the future feels uncertain. But today’s message reminds us that hope is still stronger than fear. And perhaps one of the clearest places we learn that lesson is through the people who raised us, cared for us, protected us, and loved us unconditionally. Long before we fully understood faith or resilience, many of us first experienced them through the quiet witness of a mother’s love — a love that kept showing up, kept believing, kept nurturing, even in uncertain times. That’s why Motherhood becomes more than parenting. It becomes a reflection of God’s nurturing love — the choice to keep creating beauty, tenderness, safety, and hope even when the world feels divided, anxious, or heavy. Not hope as wishful thinking but hope as a daily spiritual practice. Because sometimes the most powerful witness to God isn’t found in grand gestures — it’s found in ordinary acts of care that quietly tell someone: “You are loved. You are safe. You belong here.” So today, Maura Keller shares a beautiful witness about motherhood and reminds us that even in a fractured world, ordinary acts of love can become sacred acts of hope… and that, with God, hope and goodness can still bloom and grow forever.

What happens when you stop holding back love? Have you ever caught yourself doing it—holding back just a little? Not saying the kind thing. Not reaching out. Not fully showing how much you care… because somewhere in the back of your mind, there’s that quiet thought: What if I get hurt? It’s a natural instinct. We protect ourselves. We think if we keep some distance—if we don’t give too much—then maybe we won’t feel the sting of rejection, loss, or disappointment. But what if holding back love doesn’t actually protect us? What if it slowly does the opposite? Because love isn’t meant to be stored away. It’s meant to move. In a way, love is like breathing. We’re meant to breathe in… and breathe out. Receive… and give. If we only receive love but never give it, something feels off and we are disconnected. And if we only give love but never allow ourselves to receive it, we become drained, exhausted, and feel like we’re running on empty. A healthy life is a balance of giving and receiving. When we live that way—when we stop holding back—love doesn’t disappear. It multiplies. Because when love is poured out, it has a way of coming back—in ways more abundant, more beautiful, and more meaningful than we could ever expect. So maybe the real question isn’t: What if I get hurt? Maybe it’s: What might happen… if you didn’t hold back? Today, Father Novak shares the story of a life well lived—a life where love was given freely and received fully - a life that shows us we don’t have to be afraid to love boldly.

The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's Choir The featured songs today are: Sing A New Church Holy Spirit, We're Calling You Ever We Praise You

Do you ever wonder why your dreams are what they are? Why certain goals have always stayed with you… even when they don’t quite make sense? Why you’re drawn to certain subjects or certain activities? Sometimes those desires can feel foolish, maybe even impractical… or even a little childish. And you may dismissed them, thinking they won’t lead anywhere, won’t make a difference or won’t make any money. And maybe these dreams just keep coming back—and you’re not sure why. We all carry desires, hopes, and expectations—and they’re not random. They’re rooted in who we are. And yet, it’s easy to compare. To look at others and wonder if you should be different. To question your personality… your interests… your path. To feel like you don’t quite fit the mold the world seems to reward. But what if the very things you question… are the very things that matter most? Because at the heart of today’s message is this simple truth: Jesus loves who you are. And those desires in your heart? They’re not accidents. They’re invitations.Invitations to grow. To become. To discover how your life can be a gift—not just for yourself, but for others. Today, Father Paul Novak reminds us that Jesus wants to guide you, to nurture you, to help you grow in love and purpose so that what’s been placed within you can be shared with the world.

The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's Choir The featured songs today are: Healing Time on Earth Love Is the Boat Hope Will Not Fail

Have you ever had a time when you were casually messaging with a coworker online, typing whatever came to mind—and then suddenly you saw the notification: “Your boss was added to the chat”… along with the entire chat history!? Your heart dropped. You started scrolling up to see everything you said—every complaint, every offhand comment—and you thought, If I had only known my boss would see this, I might have spoken a little differently. In a way, that moment reveals something important. It makes you more aware of your words, tone, and of what you’re really saying. Now imagine Jesus walking beside you and asking a simple question: “What are you talking about?” How would that change your conversation? Think about your texts threads, emails, and phone calls. What do you tend to focus on with friends, with family, and even within your own mind? Where is your energy going? Is the conversation of your life simply reflecting the noise of the world or is it rooted in something deeper—something God might be inviting you to see, to wrestle with, to become? This past week, Pope Leo called for dialogue and peace in a world marked by conflict. And at its core, peace begins with conversation—honest, courageous, compassionate conversation. Not just on the global stage, but in our everyday lives. In our homes. In our relationships. Even in the quiet conversations we have with ourselves. Because dialogue has the power to move us from division to understanding, from reaction to reflection, from war to peace. So today, Father Pat McGrath invites us to do something simple, but not easy: to change the conversation of our lives.

The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's Choir The featured songs today are: Calming Instrumental Piece Eye Has Not Seen I Am For You

There are moments in life that shake us to the core. You can feel it—not just in your mind, but in your body. The fear. The pressure. The quiet voice that wonders, am I enough? The uncertainty of change. The hesitation to be fully known. It’s disorienting… like walking through a mirror maze on a tilted floor—nothing feels steady, and you’re not quite sure which way is forward. And when we feel that way, something shifts in us. We turn inward. We isolate. We lose patience. We become reactive, anxious… even agitated. Most of us don’t lose our faith—we lose our peace. And when peace disappears, fear quietly takes over. But into that exact space—the locked rooms of fear, the unsettled heart, the restless mind—Jesus speaks the same words: “Peace be with you.” How do we find peace? It’s found through prayer, through community, through remembering that we belong to God—and to each other. Today, Father Shelton reminds us that no matter where we find ourselves—overwhelmed, uncertain, or just trying to hold it all together—there is always a way back to peace.

The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's Choir The featured songs today are: How Great Thou Art Gather Us In Ever We Praise You

When a newborn enters the world for the first time everything is unfamiliar. There’s noise, light, movement—nothing makes sense. The only response is to cry, to reach, to react. And yet, in that moment of total vulnerability, there are arms waiting. Loving. Steady. Certain. Meeting us exactly as we are. Maybe faith is a little like that. Not something we arrive at fully formed or fully understanding—but something we grow into. Just like birth, Easter doesn’t begin with certainty—it begins in the dark. With Mary in the garden, searching and not yet recognizing. With disciples who believe… but still don’t understand. And maybe that’s the good news. That faith doesn’t require everything to make sense. That even when we’re grieving, confused, or just trying to survive—something deeper is already unfolding. Because the resurrection isn’t just something that happened long ago. It’s happening now. Bringing hope out of despair. Meaning out of confusion. Life out of what feels like death. Today, Fr. Rossmann reminds us that even when we don’t have the words, feel like we’re just holding on and clinging in the dark— God sees us and comes to find us!

The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's Choir Happy Easter!  The featured songs today are: Hallelujah Chorus How Can I Keep From Singing? To Where You Are

The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's Choir The featured songs today are: Blessed Be Here In This Place A Pilgrim's Journey 

When you’re on a long road trip, there’s a certain comfort in the signs along the highway. You know the ones — a sign a few miles out letting you know a rest stop is ahead… and then another right before the exit. One to alert you, and one to remind you. That’s usually all you need to trust it’s there. But imagine if, instead, there were one hundred signs between you and that exit. At some point, it wouldn’t feel reassuring — it would feel unnecessary… maybe even a little ridiculous. And yet, in our spiritual lives, we often want many signs from God to reassure us. We tell ourselves, “If I just saw something more, I would believe.” But the real issue isn’t the absence of signs. It’s our struggle to recognize and trust what’s already been revealed — what’s right in front of us. Because faith doesn’t come from endlessly receiving more proof. It comes from responding to the signs we’ve already been given. At some point, the question shifts from: “Will God show me more?” to: “Will I trust what I’ve already seen?” So today, Father Pat McGrath challenges us — when we find ourselves asking God for a sign — to stop and wonder if He already has.

The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's Choir The featured songs today are: The Lord Is My Shepherd I Lift My Soul Be Thou My Vision

What are you giving up for Lent? Or maybe a better question is: what have you started doing this Lent to become a better person? Are you praying more, fasting, trying to get your spiritual life in order as we prepare for Easter? All of those things are good. In fact, they’re part of the beauty of the season. But sometimes, if we’re not careful, they can subtly reinforce a deeper assumption — the idea that we need to improve ourselves first… that we need to become worthy before we can really encounter God. We often think the spiritual life is about getting our act together, becoming disciplined enough, holy enough, or good enough to finally approach God. But the Gospel tells a very different story. We have a God who goes looking. A God who approaches us first. A God who seeks us out and wants a relationship with us as we are today — not someday when we’ve perfected ourselves in the eyes of our own inner critic, or in the eyes of our family, our workplace, or the culture around us. The surprising message of the Gospel is this: we are already enough. Today, Father Michael Rossmann reflects on this beautiful truth — that the real joy of the spiritual life isn’t that we finally reach God, but that God never stops searching for us

Happy St. Patrick's Day! We hope you'll enjoy this special St. Patrick's Day 2026 collection of Irish music.

Have you ever noticed how the most memorable characters in movies are the ones hiding behind a mask — performing a version of themselves they think the world expects? In The Lion King, Simba runs away after his father’s death and hides behind the carefree philosophy of “Hakuna Matata.” It sounds fun and freeing, but it becomes a mask — a way to avoid guilt, responsibility, and the truth about who he really is. In The Wizard of Oz, the great and powerful wizard turns out to be something very different — just an ordinary, frightened man hiding behind a curtain. And Shrek hides behind the mask of the grumpy ogre to avoid rejection, convincing himself he doesn’t need anyone… until the truth breaks through. These stories resonate with us because we recognize something of ourselves in them. Like those characters, many of us spend part of our lives wearing a mask, too. We wear a mask and perform for protection. To hide our fears, doubts, or insecurities. To appear more confident, successful, or worthy than we sometimes feel. But while the mask may help us temporarily fit in, it often leaves us feeling unseen. It promises protection, but it can create exhaustion and distance. Authenticity can feel risky at first. But it’s also where freedom and real connection begin. Many of us spend years constructing versions of ourselves we hope the world will accept. Today, Father Pat McGrath invites us to take off the mask, live authentically, and become the person God created us to be.

What are the top moments in your life that changed you forever? Was it the day you met your spouse? The moment you held your child for the first time? The day you graduated — or the day you took a risk that scared you but opened a new door? Throughout our lives, there are moments we never go back from. Some are deeply personal — marriage, parenthood, a new beginning. Others are collective. You remember where you were when you heard the news. The assassination of John F. Kennedy. September 11th. Covid. The first time you realized how much the smartphone would change everything — and now, how artificial intelligence is reshaping our world. When history shifts, something in us shifts too. Disruptive events — can stir fear, uncertainty, even a sense that the ground beneath us isn’t as steady as we thought. And what do faithful people do when something consequential happens? We gather. We pray. We lean into the mystery rather than run from it. Because faith is not escape from reality; it is courage to enter it. When something happens, we do not respond with fear alone — we go deeper into the mystery of God at work in the world. We remember that God invites us not just to observe history, but to shape it — to become instruments of peace. Today, Father Jack Wall reminds us that we are called to incarnate God’s love, mercy, peace, and hope right in the middle of a changing world. To be peacemakers. To courageously and creatively build communion in one human family.

The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's Choir The featured songs today are: Eye Has Not Seen Rejoice in Love Love Divine, All Love Excelling

There is a delicate line in the spiritual life — so subtle we often cross it without noticing. It is the line between wanting to be like God… and wanting to be God. The first is holy. The second is destructive. What makes it dangerous is how thin that line can be. We may begin with pure intentions — wanting to love, to help, to stand for what is right. But somewhere along the way, the ego slips in. We start believing we are righteous simply because we started with good motives. And before we know it, we are no longer reflecting God — we are acting like a god. Our actions drift from humility into control, from service into self-importance, and the result is hurt, division, and destruction. We act like we are a god when we condemn rather than discern… when we try to control everything… when we redefine truth to suit our comfort… withhold mercy… seek glory over service… assume we know the whole story… equate retaliation with righteousness… or allow pride to quietly convince us that everything revolves around us. But there is another way — not to be a god, but to be like God. To be like God is to be merciful. To trust. To forgive. To be generous. To heal and to serve. It looks like humility, mercy, kinship, justice without vengeance, and truth spoken with love. We get to choose which path we take. And Lent becomes the perfect time to reflect on our choices. Today, Father Ed Foley invites us to decern how we can be more like God — not by replacing Him, but by reflecting Him.

The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's ChoirThe featured songs today are:Healer of Our Every IllWho Is the Alien?If Today You Hear the Voice of God

Strike a pose. Curate the image. Build the brand. But forgiveness, generosity, and kindness? Those don’t always photograph well. You can’t filter them. You can’t stage it. You can’t hashtag “letting go of resentment” and expect applause. In fact, forgiveness can often looks weak. It can even look like losing. And kindness looks naïve. And yet — Jesus says it’s the way. Living the Gospel often requires us to do things the world doesn’t understand. Things that won’t land us on a magazine cover. Things that may not even make sense in the moment. Like holding your tongue when you want to fire off a cutting remark. Like accepting an apology you didn’t want to receive. Like forgiving someone who will never ask for it. This isn’t about striking a pose. It’s about striking at the root of pride. It’s about loosening the grip of resentment. It’s about choosing love when the ego wants revenge. So while forgiveness may not be in fashion, it is at the very heart of the Gospel. Today, Fr. Michael Simone reminds us that when we dare to forgive, we step off the cover… and into communion with the God who loves us.

The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's ChoirThe featured songs today are:From Now On - The Greatest ShowmanSeasons of Love - RentLullaby

In order to renovate a house, you need the new blueprint, the vision… and then you start digging the foundation for the addition—maybe with a shovel or a backhoe. Next comes framing—but you don’t just hammer and hope for the best. You grab a level, a saw, and a measuring tape. You make sure the structure is level, solid and ready to stand. Blue print. Measuring tape. Shovel. Level. Saw. Simple tools. Real results. Now what if creating joy worked the same way? What if deep happiness isn’t mystical or out of reach… but something that can be built with the right tools? The really good news is that there are shockingly practical tools to create joy: Feed the hungry. Care for the poor. Stand up for the voiceless. Heal the sick. Do the good that’s right in front of you. The path to deep joy isn’t self-protection. It’s care for others. In other words, it’s mercy in motion. And when we live that way, something shifts—not just in the world, but in us. This isn’t sentimental spirituality. It’s radical practicality. It’s fixer-upper faith. So today, Father Pat McGrath hands us tools from the spiritual toolbox—because when mercy and love are put into action, they renovate our lives, transforming what feels worn down into something beautifully restored.

The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's ChoirThe featured songs today are:Rejoice Be GladI Saw A StrangerCanticle of the Turning

Have you ever seen pictures of—or maybe even stood inside—Sainte-Chapelle in Paris?It’s one of those places that almost doesn’t feel real. Towering stained-glass windows flood the space with color and light. And when you stand at the center of the chapel and watch that light pour through the glass, something stirs in your soul. You don’t just see it—you feel it.What makes that beauty even more remarkable is its history. Sainte-Chapelle was built in 1248. It survived the French Revolution, world wars, and centuries of wear and tear. At one point in the 18th century, it was vandalized and even used as a warehouse. The windows became darkened, dirty, and nearly unrecognizable.But then came restoration—first in the 1800s, and again beginning in 2008, with a painstaking seven-year effort to clean, preserve, and repair the glass. Today, Sainte-Chapelle stands as a jewel once more. The light still shines—but only because the glass was carefully cleared so that the light could pass through.And in many ways, we are like stained glass. God’s light is always shining—but how clearly it passes through us depends on the condition of our hearts. When our hearts are simple, open, and loving, that light moves through us more freely, more beautifully.Today, Father Joe Simmons invites us to examine what might be clouding our own glass—and to rediscover the quiet, radiant beauty that emerges when we allow God’s light to shine through us once again. To see images of Sainte-Chapelle, visit: https://www.sainte-chapelle.fr/en

The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's ChoirThe featured songs today are:I Am For YouGather Us InLove Endures

How many times a day does a thought of fear or irritation toward another person—or even an entire group—pop into your head? And how often does that thought quietly start to become part of who you are? Picture this: you’re driving along, minding your own business, when a Ford pickup cuts you off. Your shoulders tense, your jaw tightens. Suddenly, it’s not just a bad driver—it’s a Ford F-150. And then the story grows. You decide that all Ford F-150 drivers are terrible. Before long, every Ford pickup you spot on the road sends your heart racing and gets you worked up… even when they haven’t done anything yet. What started as a split-second moment has now turned into a full-blown narrative—one that adds stress, tension, and a little unnecessary suffering to your daily commute. But what if, the very first time that thought popped up, you caught it—and let it go? What if you realized there’s no link between the type of truck someone drives and how they behave behind the wheel? Odds are, your drive to work would feel a lot more peaceful. And the funny thing is—this little traffic drama is a perfect metaphor for so much more than vehicles. When we identify too closely with our thoughts—especially thoughts rooted in fear or anger—they begin to shape how we see others. And conflict thrives in that space. The ego wants to be right, to defend itself, to stay in control. Violence and division feed on judgment and “us versus them” thinking. And when those inner divisions take root, they inevitably show up as outer divisions. But here’s the good news: there’s another way. When we learn to observe our thoughts rather than become them—when we anchor ourselves in the present moment—anger, fear, and judgment begin to lose their grip. From that place of inner peace, we’re able to see others not as threats, but as fellow human beings. This doesn’t mean ignoring injustice or pain. It means responding from love rather than fear. This movement—from inner awareness to outward action—is deeply rooted in the Gospel: when Jesus calls us to repent —to turn inward —to reorient our hearts, this is what He means: to find peace inside. In other words, peace in the world starts as an inside job. So today, Father Pat McGrath invites us to cultivate inner awareness and let love, clarity, and presence guide our actions—so we can become people who bring light into darkness and help heal a divided world.

The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's ChoirThe featured songs today are:Spirit of LifeI The Lord of Sea & SkyWe Have A Dream

When you receive an invitation to an event or party, it usually arrives in a pretty ordinary way — an email, a text, maybe even a piece of mail. You decide whether to RSVP yes or no. And if you say yes, something shifts. You put it on our calendar. You plan what to wear. You bring a gift, or a dish to share. Then you show up. You engage with fellow attendees. You listen. You participate. And when the event ends, you leave with something new — memories, maybe new friendships, new perspectives. You’re changed, even if only in a small way. And if the event was especially meaningful, you tell someone about it. You recommend the concert. You post the photos. You share the joy. The experience doesn’t stay with you — it moves through you. In many ways, this is what life with God looks like. God sends us invitations in ordinary ways - through people, through prayer, or through ways we don’t expect. We always have the freedom to decline. But when we say yes and show up with open hearts, we encounter something that changes us. And that kind of encounter is never private. Like John the Baptist and Martin Luther King, those who have seen cannot keep it in. Encounter becomes testimony. Faith becomes mission. To know Christ is to be changed by Christ — and to be sent to speak, to act, and to live differently in response. Today, Father Pat McGrath reflects on how an authentic encounter with God naturally sends us forth — to witness through love and action.

The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's ChoirThe featured songs today are:Light the FireHow Can I Keep From SingingLead Me, Guide Me

Have you ever noticed how the moments that change us most are rarely the ones we plan for? The events we assume will be meaningful sometimes fall flat, while the ordinary—or completely unexpected—moments can take us by surprise and make a big impression. After celebrating the story of Jesus’s baptism this past Sunday, we explore the idea that baptism isn’t just something that happened once, long ago. It’s a living identity—a daily invitation to be changed. Baptism reminds us that God doesn’t wait for perfect conditions or polished moments to enter our lives. God meets us in crowded, messy spaces, in lives that are unfinished and complicated. When we loosen our grip on expectations and remain open to the Holy Spirit, those unexpected moments can become holy. Today, Father Pat McGrath invites us to reflect on how we can remain open to God, welcome surprises, and allow God to continue shaping us in ways we never imagined.

The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's ChoirThe featured songs today are:Every Nation On EarthThe First NowellPeace Carol

A clean slate. A fresh start. A new year offers us the chance to begin again. If last year left us caught between future worries and past regrets—quick to criticize, slow to trust, and weighed down by fear—then 2026 invites us to choose a new path. A road marked by reconciliation, purpose, service, and presence. Because faith is not about remaining the same—it is about being changed by what we encounter. Just as the Magi were transformed by meeting Christ in the manger, we too are invited to allow our encounters to reshape how we live. Faith is not about arriving, admiring, and leaving unchanged, but about being moved so deeply that we cannot return the way we came. The Gospel tells us the wise ones went home by a different way. And we, too, are invited—to step off familiar paths and walk new roads marked by peace, generosity, love, and healing. So today, Father Tom Hurley reminds us that the new year is not simply about resolutions—it is also about direction: choosing, again and again, to go by a different way, carrying the wisdom, peace, love, and holiness of Christ into the year ahead.

The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's ChoirThe featured songs today are:A Weary CoupleGloriaJoy to the World

As 2025 winds down, what if next year isn’t about doing more… but becoming someone new? Someone braver, kinder, more patient… or maybe a little more forgiving? Is it time to soften, to heal, to let go of fear and step into trust? Who is it that you are being called to be in 2026? This question sits at the heart of today’s episode—and at the heart of the Christmas story itself. Because Christmas isn’t just about remembering something that happened long ago; it’s an invitation to step inside the story and let it shape us personally, here and now. When we listen to the story of the Holy Family—from the vulnerability of a manger to the uncertainty of life as refugees—their fear, their trust, and their resilience—we begin to see how God works. Not through violence, ego, or power struggles, but through vulnerability. Through love. Through the quiet, persistent hope embodied in a child. And when we truly enter that story, it begins to change us—softening our hearts, challenging our cynicism, and inviting us toward something new. In the midst of darkness, fear, and fatigue, Christ longs to be born anew in us—as light, as healing, as hope. And even if we’re not sure we’re ready, we’re still invited to stand near the manger, to listen, to watch, and to let grace do its work. Today, Father Pat McGrath invites us not just to reflect—but to respond, to step into the new year willing to become who we are being called to be—so that, little by little, we might bring more love in the world in 2026.

Merry Christmas from Old St. Pat's!  Enjoy a special Christmas music episode!  The featured songs today are:Deck the HallSilent Night Joy to the World

What if the thing you’re avoiding right now is actually the doorway to new life? Maybe it’s that inner Scrooge whispering “Bah humbug”, convincing you to play it safe, keep your distance, and protect yourself from the messy, unpredictability of life. In the story we all know this time of year, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, Ebenezer Scrooge isn’t transformed by staying in his comfort zone. He’s changed because he has the courage to face the shadows of his past, see the truth of his present, and imagine a future that could be brighter, warmer, and more generous. Christmas becomes the moment he steps out of fear — out of his bah humbug attitude — and into love, courage, and connection. That same invitation echoes through the Advent story. It’s not a denial of fear or discomfort, but a call to bravery: to face what’s hard, trust what’s unfolding, and believe that something good can still be born. Today, Claire Noonan delivers a special Advent reflection and explores how the Advent journey continues to call us to enter into the Christmas story — and to hear, once again, the quiet but persistent reminder: Do not be afraid.

The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's ChoirThe featured songs today are:The Christmas SongWhat Child Is ThisSoon & Very Soon

How do you use AI to make your life easier? Have you used it to help compose emails, put together a meal plan, or organize a busy week? There’s no question—it can be a helpful tool. AI moves fast, processes information quickly, and helps us get more done. But for all its power, there’s something it still can’t do. AI can’t doubt. It can’t be unsure. And it can’t practice humility. As humans, doubt and uncertainty aren’t flaws—they’re pathways to wisdom. They slow us down just enough to help us reflect, listen, and grow. In a world moving at lightning speed—filled with transactions, notifications, and opinions—we’re reminded that we aren’t robots. We’re people, with emotions, stories, wounds, and souls. We need love. We need empathy. We need humility—and the willingness to be unsure. It’s a reminder that the ethical development of AI—and the spiritual development of humanity—depends on something technology can’t manufacture: humility. So today, Father Foley invites us to reflect on this truth: if AI is a powerful force in our world, then we, too, can choose to be a force—of joy, hope, humility, and love—capable of doing truly great things.

The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's ChoirThe featured songs today are:Christ Be Our Light,Jesus, Hope of the World,Silent Night

“My way or the highway.” “I’m right, you’re wrong.” “Because I said so.” We’ve all heard these lines before and maybe we’ve even spoken them ourselves. They’re the kinds of phrases that signal closed mindedness, a hardened heart, and a spirit unwilling to listen. And in a world that feels increasingly divided this kind of posture doesn’t just end conversations… it deepens wounds. It breeds anger, resentment, and the belief that life is a zero-sum game where someone must win and someone must lose. It causes frustration and when we’re frustrated, it’s easy to vent to a friend or complain to a coworker. And while venting might offer temporary relief, it rarely transforms the situation — or us. But what if, instead of leaping straight to defensiveness or irritation, we paused long enough to get curious? What if we wondered why someone acts the way they do, or what experiences shaped their perspective? That tiny shift — from judgment to curiosity — can be revealing. It can soften our edges. It can remind us that most people aren’t out to hurt us; they’re simply navigating life with the tools they have, just like we are. God calls us to love one another, and love isn’t possible without three essential ingredients: kindness, the willingness to receive people exactly as they are, and curiosity. All three ask us to loosen our grip on pride. In this season of Advent, Father Pat McGrath invites us to notice where pride may be crowding out connection — and to carve out space for humility: the humility to listen and to discover that the person on the other side of the argument isn’t so different from us after all.