Old St. Pat's Podcast

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.

To keep our bodies physically fit, we have to move. We walk, run, lift weights, play pickleball—whatever it is, our bodies need movement to stay healthy. But have you ever considered that our spiritual lives need movement, too? Just like we train our bodies, we can “train” our souls. Prayer, acts of kindness, going to Mass, volunteering, choosing what’s right, helping a neighbor—these are the reps and sets of our spiritual workout. And Advent is the perfect season for it. Advent invites us into a shared journey of movement—climbing toward God while supporting one another through life’s toughest terrain. It’s a season that calls us not to stay stuck or complacent, but to keep moving spiritually, even when the path gets rocky. And the best part? We don’t climb alone. We’re called to walk together through challenge, loss, struggle, and hope… moving as a community toward the God who meets us at the summit. So think of this Advent as a cleanse—a spiritual fitness program preparing your heart for Christmas. Today, Father Tom Hurley outlines a spiritual workout plan to help keep our souls strong, healthy, and ready for the joy that’s coming.

The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's ChoirHappy Advent 2025!  Join the Old St. Pat's community this Advent and Christmas season! To explore the resources and programming that will take place during the 2025 Advent and Christmas season, click HERE.The featured songs today are:On That Holy MountainO Come, O Come EmmanuelRose In December

As you take some time off this week for the Thanksgiving holiday, you’re invited to pause with a question that sits at the heart of our faith: “What does it mean to have dignity?” It means that every Thanksgiving guest you chat with this Thursday, every co-worker on Zoom or in the office, every driver you pass along the Eisenhower, every person who tests us or challenges us—every one of us—is intrinsically valuable, inherently honorable, and endlessly lovable, because we are made in the image of God. It’s a truth we often forget, yet it changes everything when we remember it and recognize it in ourselves and in others. In a season where gratitude takes center stage, this homily asks us to go even deeper. Gratitude not just for what we have, but for who we are—and for the divine dignity placed in every single person. Today, Fr. Foley’s homily is rich, timely, and resonant. It’s the kind of message that lingers. The kind you may find yourself thinking about long after the episode ends. The kind you might even feel moved to recommend and pass along to someone else. It’s a homily that reminds us of our own God-given worth and that of every person—even the poor, the immigrant, the marginalized, the migrant, and the outcast. So wherever you are listening today—let this be a moment of grounding, of gratitude, and of rediscovering the sacred dignity within you and around you.

The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's ChoirThe featured songs today are:The Lord Is KindWith Great LoveRecibe Tu Ser

Can you remember the days when Blockbuster was the place to go to rent a movie? It was a staple—a reliable, familiar brand that felt like it would always be there. And then, almost overnight, with the rise of new technology, Blockbuster fell off the map. We saw how quickly even the strongest institutions can crumble when the world shifts around them. For some, that rapid change may have stirred a sense of confusion or powerlessness—especially if you still just wanted to rent a good old VHS tape. That’s a low-stakes example, of course. But it gives us a glimpse into what it feels like when the things we depend on start to fall apart. In more serious moments, this can look like political division, societal instability, institutional breakdown, or deeply personal seasons where life feels uncertain and destabilizing. And yet, in the midst of all of that, God wants us to know something essential: God’s love endures all. When systems fail, when the structures and institutions we trust prove fragile, God’s love still remains. It endures beyond fear, injustice, and every earthly collapse. So today, Fr. Pat McGrath reminds us that we are invited not only to receive this enduring love, but to manifest God’s love through justice, kindness, reconciliation, and courage.

The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's ChoirThe featured songs today are:All Our WelcomeRejoice In LoveHow Can I Keep From Singing

In the city that claims the birthplace of the skyscraper, we take pride in our architectural wonders. Here in Chicago, names like Burnham, Sullivan, Mies van der Rohe, and Frank Lloyd Wright roll off the tongue like familiar friends. And if you’ve ever had guests visit, you’ve probably sent them straight to the architectural boat tour so they can fully appreciate the skyline. And in every city and town throughout the globe, there are buildings that are beloved. So if you live outside of Chicago, think of your favorite building in your town. We all live in a society that reveres its buildings: their design, their beauty, their purpose, and the role they play in our shared life. These structures give us spaces to gather, to work, learn, and worship. In many ways, they’re our modern-day temples — temples to education, to art, and to living itself. But in admiring these beautiful spaces, it’s easy to forget something essential: that the true temple of God isn’t made of steel, stone, marble, or glass. It’s made of people. Saint Paul says: “You are God’s building.” The Church is not merely a structure — it is us. So while we can — and should — appreciate the beauty and function of the buildings around us, we’re called to remember that the most sacred space God inhabits is the human heart. The Almighty’s local address isn’t a famous cathedral or towering skyscraper — it’s within each of us. It’s important to respect yourself as a temple of God — and to recognize that same holiness in every person you encounter, especially those who are hurting, overlooked, or left on the margins. Today, Father Pat McGrath reminds us the true Church isn’t limited to a building — it’s alive in you and in every act of love you share.

The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's ChoirThe featured songs today are:The Angel's FarewellThe Greater Glory of GodSing With All the Saints in Glory

Have you ever had a moment when you felt like you were lacking? Like you weren’t enough — or didn’t quite deserve good things to come your way? Maybe you’ve had those quiet worries, or even deep doubts, that you’re not lovable. Those moments can be painful — when the thought “I’m not enough” crosses your mind or settles into your heart. We often try to explain it away — thinking we’re not perfect enough, that we have too many flaws, or that we’re still carrying regrets from the past that keep us from believing we deserve love. Or maybe we convince ourselves that once we get there — after we earn the degree, after we land the job, make the money, lose the weight, or hit that next big goal — then someday we’ll finally be lovable. But that’s just not true. You are lovable right now — just as you are. With all your perfect imperfections, your beautiful gifts, and your glorious soul — you are loved. So if you ever find yourself doubting your worth, pause for a moment, take a deep breath, and remember this: You belong. You are loved. And you are lovable. Right now, exactly as you are. Today, Fr. Jayme Stayer reminds us of this truth in a profound way and shares that God is constantly at work, gently convincing us that we are loved and that we are, in fact, lovable beyond measure.