Dive Deep

Vatican Two in the 1960's continues to be discussed, implemented, debated, and disagreed upon all these decades later. But did Vatican Two really implement changes so many people think it did? The answer is no.

We interview Tom Groppel, the former Director of Ceremonies for the Military District of Washington who planned the funerals of five U.S. presidents. Groppel shares behind-the-scenes stories from presidential funerals, state visits to the White House—including St. John Paul II’s historic 1979 visit—and personal conversations with presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, and George H. W. Bush.

Ever wondered why Catholics believe sin still has consequences even after forgiveness in Confession? In this episode, we dive deep into the Church’s teaching on temporal punishment — what it means, why it matters, and how God’s mercy and justice work together. Discover how confession wipes away guilt but not always the damage left behind, and how we can heal that through prayer, penance, and love. Father Christopher Trummer, a moral theologian, joins Dive Deep.

It’s one of the biggest challenges facing Catholic families — protecting their homes and family member’s souls from online dangers, especially children. Whether it’s sexual content, social media, or children playing video games with friends. My guest is Dr. Peter Kleponis — a Catholic pastoral counselor, author, and Director of Integrity Counseling Services. With over 25 years of experience helping individuals, couples, and families find healing and freedom, Dr. Kleponis brings both professional insight and deep Catholic faith to his work. What families are underestimating… when is the right age for a child to have social media, and what are practical, faith-filled strategies for building a digitally safe, spiritually strong home?

What should Catholics think about deportation? What should immigration look like? What are the non-negotiables? Who is right, Republicans or Democrats on this debate from a Catholic perspective? Father Christopher Trummer, a moral theologian, breaks it all down.

Crowds pressed in from every side at St. Peter’s Square as 98-year-old Phyllis LaRoche of Quincy, Illinois, held up a sign, hoping to get Pope Leo's attention.

In this episode of Dive Deep, we explore a story many are calling miraculous: a baby that is incorrupt? Brian Gallagher died in 1982, but looking at images nearly 40 years after his death, it looks like he is simply sleeping. What is going on here. Is this the first incorrupt baby? We interview Brian's brother, Thomas, from Charleston, IL.

What does the Catholic Church teach about the use of contraception? Is there ever a time a woman can what is commonly called The Pill? What about Natural Family Planning, is this just Catholic birth control? Bishop Thomas John Paprocki has the answers.

Father Dominic Rankin answers questions about not eating right, not exercising, and not taking medicine. Where is the moral line? Where does sin come in? What about if you are obsessed with exercising and eating healthy?

How does a bishop get paid? How much does a bishop make? Does he do his own laundry? What about grocery shopping? What are the perks? Who cleans his vestments. It's everything you want to know about a Catholic bishop's life beyond the Mass and sacraments.

There is new hope for Archbishop Fulton Sheen's Beatification Mass after a Peoria couple talks with Pope Leo XIV about Sheen's cause, which has a pause on it right now. Why is there new hope? What did the Holy Father say?

On June 22, 2010, Bishop Thomas John Paprocki was installed as bishop of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. 15 years later, he sits down to discuss a phone call, a meeting with Pope Benedict, what were his expectations, did he think he would be in Springfield for 15 years, what's next for him before retirement, and why he is grateful for this assignment.

What does the Catholic Church teach about smoking marijuana and cigarettes and drinking alcohol? Are they morally OK, morally wrong, or is there gray area that depends on certain factors? How much is too much? Bishop Thomas John Paprocki discusses.

Pope Leo XIV was elected the new Pope! Bishop Thomas John Paprocki reacts to the election of the new Holy Father.

What happens behind the scenes at the Papal conclave? How does a pope actually get elected? Burning of ballots, verbalizing names, and politicking behind the scenes. Is all that true? Father Chris House breaks down how a pope is elected, what goes on during a papal election, and the rules and unwritten rules. #news #pope

She is saving lives as biomedical engineer and she is also a religious sister! The crazy story of Sister Pieta Keller, a sister from the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George, based in Alton.

Father Marty Smith joins Dive Deep to discuss what is the number one thing he is seeing that even practicing Catholics are not doing as good of a job as they should be. How should we be taking to youth? What really is the role of Catholic education?

Darren Price of Springfield converted to the Catholic Church in 2019. Just a few months later, he went on a trip to the Holy Land where he almost died. His incredible story of walking the streets of Jerusalem in severe pain, needing the US Embassy to get involved, and money wire transfers needing to happen all sound like a movie script, but it was his reality. How his story gave him a new appreciation for Christ and suffering.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order to expand access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures. But, this is a big loss for those who value human life and consider themselves pro-life. The main problem is human embryos are destroyed in the process. Our Father Christopher Trummer, S.T.L, breaks down why IVF is immoral for several reasons. Father Trummer is an associate delegate for Health Care Professionals, associate chaplain of the Springfield Chapter of the Catholic Physicians Guild/Catholic Medical Association, and has a license in Sacred Theology in Moral Theology at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome, Italy.

There is more than just sticking out your hand or tongue when receiving our Lord in the holy Eucharist. Father Marty Smith spells out the do's and don'ts when preparing for holy Communion, receiving holy Communion, the time after holy Communion, and even before you even leave for Mass. Are you doing any of these things?

Bishop Kevin Vann of the Diocese of Orange, California was born in Springfield, IL, became a priest there, and then received the call to become an apostle of the Church. On this Dive Deep, he’s back home and we interview him at Blessed Sacrament Church on Sept. 13, 2024, where he first started as a priest, became pastor, and received "the call" to become a bishop. Enjoy this conversation with Bishop Vann.

Father Chris House answers Google’s questions on Catholicism! Is the Catholic Church the one true church? Do Catholic priests still perform exorcisms? Why are Catholics obsessed with Mary? Who do Catholics believe can go to heaven? Why does a priest where a collar? Why does the Catholic Church baptize infants? Do Catholics believe in cremation? Why do Catholics believe in Purgatory? Do Catholics believe in the rapture? Why do Catholics not eat meat on Fridays? Why do Catholics confess their sins to a priest? Why are Catholics against birth control? How did Catholics respond to the protestant reformation? Why does the Catholic Church have a Pope? Is the Catholics religion strict? How do Catholics get to heaven? Why are Catholics called Catholic? Why do Catholics exhume bodies? Why do Catholics call priests “father?” Is the Catholic Church dying or growing?

Dive Deep presents 25 not impossible Catholic Trivia questions about Christmas! Take the quiz and let us know how many you get right in the comment section!

Angels, guardian angels, the devil, demons. What can they spiritual powers do and not do? How can they impact our lives for the better or worse? What about being possessed and needing an exorcism? Father Chris House, who has given a presentation on angels and demons breaks it down.

Is speeding a sin? What about white lies? What about lying to protect someone? Father Peter Harman and Father Christopher Trummer, both Moral Theologians, come on Dive Deep to answer those questions and more.

Pope Francis weighed on the American presidential election on Sept. 13 when he said this on board the papal plane saying, “One must choose the lesser of two evils. Who is the lesser of two evils? That lady or that gentleman? I don’t know. Everyone with a conscience should think on this and do it. To send migrants away, to leave them wherever you want, to leave them … it’s something terrible, there is evil there. To send away a child from the womb of the mother is an assassination, because there is life. We must speak about these things clearly.” Bishop Thomas John Paprocki of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois weighs in.

The Catholic faith is full of rich traditions, some of which have gone away and some of which are making a comeback. Fr. Chris House breaks down seven traditions of the Catholic faith you may have never heard of and the symbolism behind them.

Does it seem like God is not hearing your prayers? Can prayer change God's mind? Do more prayers help? What can we be doing better when we pray? Does being a holier person mean God listens to that person more? Father Chris House explains how prayer actually works, and it may change your entire outlook on prayer.

Bishop Robert Barron is one of the Church’s leading theologians. Bishop Thomas John Paprocki is one of the Church’s leading Canon lawyers. They are both some of the Church’s best teachers of the faith. Dive Deep sits down with both of them to get their thoughts on the number one things about their own struggles with God, how to deepen your faith, how to improve your relationships, being a bishop, and more.

Marriage, raising kids, navigating life, and knowing the intentions of your spouse is difficult and messy! How should you navigate it all so you can stay madly in love with your spouse and have a beautiful marriage? Dive Deep is pleased to talk to Beth Sri, a Catholic speaker and author and mother of 8 children. She serves as the Denver chapter coordinator for Life-Giving Wounds, a Catholic ministry for adult children of divorce. She is also the co-author with her husband of the award winning book, “The Good, The Messy and The Beautiful: The Joys and Struggles of Real Married Life.”

Kelsey Skoch had a pornography addiction. How she overcame it, how you too can avoid temptation and addiction, advice for you on how to live with freedom from impurity, and how can we convince young women to save sex for marriage. The Catholic speaker, author, mentor, and life-coach sits down with Dive Deep.

How well do you know our faith, the history of the Church, the sacraments, the bible, Catholic tradition, and more? Take the test!

Bishop Thomas John Paprocki of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois says, "God bless Harrison Butker for speaking the truth." This, in response to Butker's commencement speech at Benedictine College in May. Bishop Paprocki responds to Butker's speech that has caught the conversations of America.

Bishop Thomas John Paprocki's May 8 viral video titled, “President Biden Mocks our Catholic faith,” is receiving tens of thousands of views (it received 21,000+ views alone in the first 24 hours). We sit down with the bishop to explain it all and what we should take from his message.

What does a diocese look for in a man who wants to become a priest? What are red flags? What evaluations occur? What about the cost of education and what exactly do seminarians learn? Becoming a priest is a lot more than than an application and going to school. Dive Deep sits down with Brian Alford, Director of the Office for Vocations for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.

Buddhists make up 1% of the US population, but what about Buddhists who become Catholic? Who knows, but you know it's tiny, yet Dive Deep found one of them! Deena Bell of Springfield joins Dive Deep to share her conversion story from Buddhism to Catholicism.

Father Chase Hilgenbrinck had everything, at least in terms what the culture says - professional athlete, cool lifestyle, and fame. But that life didn't make him fulfilled. The now Diocese of Peoria Vocation Director shares why ultimately he left life as a professional athlete to become a professional servant of God.

You’ve seen in the movies the extremeness of an exorcism. But, did you know, Confession is more powerful? Fr. Ambrose Criste, O.Praem., who has performed exorcisms, dives deep into the Rite of Exorcism, what he has experienced as an exorcist, why Confession is more powerful, and tips for how we can fend of evil.

Dr. Scott Hahn joins Dive Deep to discuss topics such as what habits practicing Catholics need to change; why was Dr. Hahn “anti-Catholic” before he converted; how John’s Gospel changed his entire outlook on faith; how we can have Eucharistic amazement; and what should we lean on when we’re facing hardships. Dr. Hahn joined Dive Deep from the BOS Center in Springfield on Oct. 28, 2023 when he was the featured speaker at the Eucharistic Congress.

Fr. Michal Rosa, pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Effingham, became a U.S. citizen July 7. It's a journey he would have never imagined, growing up in Poland. So how did this all happen, how did Bishop Paprocki play a role, what does Fr. Rosa think of America, what does he miss the most about Poland (besides family), and what aspects of our faith does he wish America prioritized more? We Dive Deep with Fr. Michal Rosa.

It's one of the deepest theological questions - judgement. What is the particular judgement and the last judgement? Will we know everything in heaven? Will we know if our loved ones are in hell? Ultimately, what does the Church say about what will happen at your judgement? Father Peter Harman, who holds a Doctorate in Moral Theology from the Catholic University of America, joins Dive Deep.

Indulgences are a great treasure of the Church that too few take advantage of. But, you may be confused on how they work, what you have to do, what’s the point of doing them, and where you can find out what indulgences are available. Fr. Chris House answers all things indulgences.

Sometimes you don’t need a priest, a theology professor, or even your spouse to get you inspired about our Catholic faith. You can look to children who are excited to live out our faith. But why do they live it joyfully? How do they get this way? What suggestions do they have for parents? Matthew and Thomas of Springfield join Dive Deep to inspire us.

Thousands have watched our documentary, God is Alive | Incredible stories of faith and miracles, and it has inspired them and impacted their relationship with God in profound ways. How did this project even come about? What was the inspiration, how was it filmed, what happened behind the scenes, and what were some funny moments? After listening to this conversation, watch the documentary at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4Zq8y27ljU&t=14s

It is one the most prestigious marathons in the U.S., the Boston Marathon. Runners must quality for it. Our Father Dominic Rankin not only competed, but completed it in under three hours (6 minutes and 35 seconds per mile)! How did he do it? We discuss with him the physical and spiritual components of running the Boston Marathon.

Think Jesus isn’t present in the Eucharist? We got proof. Fr. Luke Spannagel of the Diocese of Peoria joins Dive Deep to discuss eucharistic miracles where the scientific findings will shock you. The findings also beg the question, "Does this mean we have Jesus' DNA?" Fr. Luke is one of 58 National Eucharistic Preachers who have been commissioned by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to increase the fire of devotion to the Eucharist.

Ephesians 5:22 says, “Wives, be submissive to your husbands, as to the Lord.” That verse has caused a lot of people to scratch their heads. But what does this verse mean? Kara Johnson is a professor of Sacred Scripture and Theology of the Body at Ave Maria University in Florida, she is a PhD candidate, and writing her dissertation on this scripture passage and joins Dive Deep.

Fr. Augustine Tolton had to overcome many things in life - slavery, racism, prejudice, and hatred. Despite that, his love for God and neighbor makes him a model for us to follow. Learn about the incredible story of Fr. Tolton from slave to the nation's first black priest, an update on his cause to sainthood, and what Fr. Tolton teaches us today so we can live a more virtuous life.

Fr. Mike Schmitz, the host of the popular podcasts The Bible in a Year and The Catechism in a Year, joins Dive Deep to discuss what many Catholics don't realize about their faith, how faithful Catholics can get our lukewarm brothers and sisters back to the faith, what we should do if God "doesn't answer our prayers," and so much more.

Jason Evert has traveled to six continents to bring the message of purity to millions of people for more than 20 years He has a masters in Theology and degrees in Counseling and Theology. He is a best-selling author of more than 15 books, and he and his wife run Chastity Project and its website, chastity.com, the podcast “Lust is Boring,” and lead an international alliance of young people who promote purity in more than 40 countries. He joins Dive Deep to discuss Contraception, transgenderism, dating, relationships, and more.