Canons On The Run

Along the journey of life, there are plenty of temptations toward comfort. Comfort can easily present itself as a way of "affirming" that we're doing the "right thing." But our Lord calls us deeper. He calls us to more. In this episode, Fr. Johnathan and Fr. Jordan discuss the journey of conversion in our daily lives. As we all continue to live into the question, "Who am I called to be?", one way we can discern that path is to seek peace, rather than comfort, and pursue it.

When facing big decisions in life, making a choice can feel daunting. This holds true for those discerning religious life too: "How do I choose which religious community?" Listen as Fr. Johnathan and Fr. Jordan share some brief thoughts from their own experiences, including what helped them eventually find the Norbertine Order and take that first step, that choice, to apply and try this way of life, one step at a time.

After a four-year hiatus, they're back! Fr. Jordan Neeck, O. Praem., and Fr. Johnathan Turba, O. Praem., share a conversation about their lives as Norbertines, and a particular conversation about what it means to stay. In the challenges of life, we can return to comfort and the old way, or we can respond to the invitation to stay — to stay with our Lord, and let Him lead us to something new.

Norbertine life has a cloistered aspect, and even a time for hermitage. But a hermitage period and a period of quarantine, like we have all been experiencing in various ways these past months, are two very different things. Listen as our podcast co-hosts reflect on their hermitage experiences, staying at home, and finding God amidst these difficult times.

During a time when we are so physically separated from one another, community is more important than ever. Even in religious life, there is a new dynamic to the current situation we all find ourselves in. But the reality for us all still remains: God made us for community.

Sometimes in life, whether it’s a new school year or tackling a large project, we just need to start. Other times there’s a need to do a little planning before diving-in. In either case, we are called to cooperate with God, but we can’t begin to do that until we act. So what is all of this really about? If we’re being honest, it boils down to trusting God. Even amidst struggle, uncertainty, and challenges, we must turn again and again to God.

Former St. Norbert College President Thomas Kunkel wrote a recently published, compelling biography on St. Norbert titled "Man on Fire." Capturing the life of this profound yet often overlooked saint was no small task. Our podcast co-hosts had the exciting opportunity to be a part of an interview with the author to discuss the writing process and to talk about St. Norbert.

Life gets busy, even in religious life! This mini-episode is a quick update from our podcast co-hosts. They’ve been busy, but even amidst the busyness there is plenty of joy to be found!

 In this final installment of the “Only for Today” series, our co-hosts grapple with a short yet challenging statement: Only for today, I will have no fears. What is that we are afraid of? Is it a fear of things going wrong, or is it a fear to enjoy what is beautiful, to believe in goodness? As strange as it may sound, the latter may actually be what we are all afraid of in some way. 

The ninth installment of our "Only For Today" series.

If you want to make God laugh, tell Him about all of your plans. A wise adage, but making plans isn’t necessarily a bad thing! God calls us to be active participants in building the Kingdom of God here on Earth. This means using our gifts to give glory to God, to commit to something, yet remain open to see God’s invitation when plans change.

To-do lists feel great. You determine the work. But sometimes we are asked to do things that are not on the to-do list, that we don’t even want to do. Then what? Though we may be disinterested in the work, this can be an opportunity not only to love others, but to grow in love ourselves.

What did you do today to help somebody? A seemingly simple question, but if you were stopped and asked that question, what would your answer be? Listen as our co-hosts reflect on good deeds: our intentions, our expectations, and how they transform not only those who we encounter but ourselves as well.

We all know the feeling: a sinking feeling in the stomach, a tight neck, back, or shoulders. Our bodies are telling us tension has showed up again, uninvited, and now obviously present. Tension shows up in our lives and relationships whether we like it or not. However, when met with openness and confidence and grounded in finding God’s will, the tension we experience actually can become an opportunity for transformation. 

As October draws to a close and November begins, the Church once again presents us with the human reality of death in the celebrations of All Saints Day and All Souls Day. This comes at a poignant time for the Norbertine Community of St. Norbert Abbey as our co-hosts traveled back to the abbey to celebrate the life and death of a confrere.  Listen to how the Norbertine community prayerfully embraces the reality of death and clings to the hope of Christian resurrection and triumph over death!

When injuries or infirmities creep into our lives, physical or spiritual, we tell ourselves, "I can take care of this," or, "This will probably go away." Why do we instinctively resist seeking professional help?  Like a doctor wants to make our physical ailments better, so our God wants to help us find true healing and wholeness. By letting God into our pain, God's love transforms us so that we can begin to better understand what St. Paul wrote: "when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10).

When it comes to balancing work in life, it often comes down to deciding to say “Yes” or “No.” This is no easy task! Our podcast co-hosts reflect on some decision-making in their own lives, and how ordering this discerning process toward God has guided them to finding the best way to move forward. Sometimes even a “No” surprisingly opens doors that actually are saying “Yes” to God.“Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ ” —Matthew 5:37

In the seemingly humdrum moments of life, it’s easy to lose sight of goals and motivation. Our co-hosts reflect on recent experiences that helped them to step outside of themselves, to see the gifts that God has given them, and to use them to help others. For all of us, by seeing and sharing these gifts, we all not only get “unstuck,” but we continue to grow in holiness—into the people God made us to be. 

“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” —Matthew 10:39. Experiencing some major milestones in their formation, our co-hosts reflect on their profession of vows within the Norbertine community and call to Holy Orders. Within the podcast they compellingly share their journey filled with uncertainty, hope, and faith and how they wholeheartedly were able to say “yes” to God and to their community. 

“You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27)—this is the greatest commandment, but just what does loving our neighbor look like? Who exactly is our neighbor? Back from their summer travels, our co-hosts reflect on how they learned more about this call in places they least expected. 

Frater Jordan Neeck, O. Praem., and Frater Johnathan Turba, O. Praem., continue their short-and-sweet “summer interview series” with Norbertine guest Fr. Matthew Dougherty, O. Praem. Currently a doctoral student of ecology and evolutionary biology at Yale University, Fr. Dougherty reflects upon his vision of the world, and the beauty and wonder of all God’s creation. (this episode originally published in 2018)

Guest Deacon Patrick LaPacz, O. Praem., shares his circuitous journey to Norbertine priesthood with our podcast co-hosts. After spending his first two years in the seminary preparing for diocesan priesthood, Deacon LaPacz discusses his calling to live instead with the community of St. Norbert Abbey, and the perspective and understanding he has gained about himself and God’s call in his life. (this episode originally published in 2018)

We all belong to various communities, yet even with today’s technology it is often a challenge to express our appreciation of one another. Our co-hosts share the importance of expressing care and concern for community members, even from afar. 

Rightly ordered, sports can help us answer God’s call to conversion, to praise God for who He has made us to be! Yet in this world of fierce competition and a win-at-all-cost mentality, how can this be? Join our co-hosts as they examine how sports and faith can actually intertwine, supporting each other. 

As wonderfully anticipated as summertime is, it often brings a more-than-ever busyness and lost sense of purpose. Jesus Christ shows us what it is like to be busy but with purpose—single-mindedly focusing on loving his Father. How can we follow his example? 

"Messiness, beauty, complexity, and sacredness” are words used by special guest Fr. Michael Brennan, O. Praem., to describe not only the Holy Land, but also the Holy Ground on which each of us walks throughout our lives.  As Frater Johnathan Turba, O. Praem., listens attentively, Fr. Brennan and Frater Jordan Neeck, O. Praem., share their journey to the Holy Land and its influence on their understanding of Scripture and their faith.

The Easter season is not over yet! But how do we sustain authentic Easter joy? Our co-hosts reflect upon their own experiences of life, death, and resurrection, and find that the Paschal Mystery is part of their daily lives. In times of transition, of moving from the known into the unknown, it takes a leap of faith and complete trust in God. 

To many of us, doubt seems the opposite of faith and belief. Yet within our spiritual lives, it is often doubt that moves us closer to God. In fact, doubt can be a sign of growth and an important part of our faith lives. Our podcast hosts share their own doubt experiences and the value that doubt has brought to their faith journey. 

The Norbertine Community of St. Norbert Abbey recently elected their seventh abbot, Abbot Dane Radecki, O. Praem. Congratulations Abbot Radecki! Using their previous work experiences as a point of reflection, perspective, and comparison of various leadership roles, Frater Jordan Neeck, O. Praem., and Frater Johnathan Turba, O. Praem., reflect upon this momentous event at St. Norbert Abbey. 

After their recent visit to Rome, Frater Jordan Neeck, O. Praem., and Frater Johnathan Turba, O. Praem., stayed at the Norbertine Generalate House. Traveling as Religious isn’t the same as it was before joining the Order! Listen to the fraters as they reflect further on their recent experience in Rome, what they learned, and what some of their highlights were. 

Frater Johnathan Turba, O. Praem., and Frater Jordan Neeck, O. Praem., share their experience in Rome as part of a Media and Relation Group Commission in preparing for the 900th Anniversary since the founding of the Norbertine Order. Listen to this special bonus episode as they share about their work with the international order, as well some initial reactions to their first visit to Rome! 

Recorded from O’Hare International Airport on their way to Rome, Frater Jordan Neeck, O. Praem., and Frater Johnathan Turba, O. Praem., discuss the challenges and opportunities of Lent and remind us that there is still time to dedicate ourselves to the three pillars of this sacred season: praying, fasting, and almsgiving. 

Vocational seeds are often planted in the most unexpected or unusual ways. Join our two co-hosts as they reminisce about their journey toward priesthood and how God and the Norbertine community drew them in.

When joining a religious community, one enters into a period of formation. While formation is a life-long endeavor for all of us, within the Norbertine community it involves a formal two-year period, known as “novitiate,” enabling men to discern their calling and vocation and to “grow harmoniously into a mature human and Christian person.”  What exactly are these years like? How do men grow in faith and in community during this critical time?

In a culture that values “doing” more than “being,” resting can be viewed as lazy and unproductive. Scripturally, we are called to rest, to take time for ourselves, our families and friends, and especially God. Like many religious orders, including Norbertines, all of us are called to live a life in balance—a life of contemplation and action. But how do we do this? What changes do we need to make in our lives? 

If a man walked into a room wearing all white from head to toe, he would get noticed. At first glance it could be the Pope, or a ghost, or it could be a Norbertine in his white habit—an almost 900-year tradition and a symbol of the life he has chosen.  Compellingly and with a bit of humor, our co-hosts discuss their habit, the conversations that have occurred because of it, and their continual witness to God’s call. For more information about St. Norbert Abbey, please visit norbertines.org. (this episode originally published in 2018)

For religious communities following the Rule of St. Augustine, it is clearly stated that members should be “of one heart and one mind on the way to God.” While these words are lovely, in actuality, community life can pose challenges, especially when it is often our nature to think of what is best for ourselves. How do we truly celebrate each other’s gifts while also recognizing we too have something to offer? 

Christmas is a time filled with heartwarming traditions—within families and within the rituals of the Church. But what are traditions really about and how do we remain open to their transformative power and meaning in our daily lives? 

Quite a statement—all is gift. It’s rather easy to understand when life is rolling along and everything is going our way. But what about the times life is challenging—filled with disappointment, discomfort, and difficult choices? How are these gifts and where is God and God’s Grace in all of this? 

Christmas, Christmas, Christmas. This time of year, everything in our culture screams Christmas. But what about Advent—a time of prayer and preparation?  After all, the season of Christmas actually begins on Christmas day, but these wonderful weeks beforehand are meant for us to prepare, intentionally, for the celebration of the Mystery of God Incarnate.  As we look at our lives, how are we preparing for the coming of our Lord? What does prayer and contemplation look like for us during these extraordinarily busy days? Take a few minutes to reflect on the importance of intentional prayer and silence during this sacred season. For more information about St. Norbert Abbey, please visit norbertines.org. (this episode originally published in 2017)

"To share a meal, and not just food, but also affection, stories, events, is a fundamental experience.” — Pope FrancisIn our fast-paced culture, it is too easy to grab a meal on the go and rationalize why it’s okay not to spend “all that time” preparing a sit-down meal. For the sake of efficiency however, what are we really sacrificing? True joy can be found at a shared meal. Sharing a meal is transformative. Taking the time to make and share a meal creates an opportunity for us all to encounter Christ in ourselves, and especially in one another - whether that shared meal is in our home or in the Eucharist every Sunday. For more information about St. Norbert Abbey, please visit norbertines.org. (this episode originally published in 2017)

“Holiness does not consist in not making mistakes or never sinning. Holiness grows with the capacity for conversion, repentance, willingness to begin again, and above all with the capacity for reconciliation and forgiveness.” —Pope Benedict XVI  It is easy to set goals for running, studying, or eating well, but what about goal-setting when it comes to other aspects of our lives? How do we measure holiness? How do we know we are actually growing in our faith? What does saintliness even look like? Perfection? Or simply the willingness to begin again? Enter the Communion of Saints—our guides, our exemplars of faith, our teachers. For more information about St. Norbert Abbey, please visit norbertines.org (episode originally published in 2017)