Catholics Living Discipleship
Welcome to the Catholics Living Discipleship podcast. Here we talk with individuals about how they grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. We also have conversations with parish leadership to discuss evangelization initiatives and parish life strategies that are helping them to be more missionary. We hope these stories and discussions provide encouragement, awaken transformation, and inspire mission.
Episodes

22 hours ago
22 hours ago
In today’s episode we have our second conversation with Msgr Benwell around how to live out our call to be saints. In this episode we begin to discuss the process of Canonization. We begin discussing the first step toward Canonization called Servant of God. We talk about the relevancy of this first step not only for that individual but also how it can relate to our own lives. As you listen to the conversation, we hope it encourages you to look further into the lives of those who are currently considered Servants of God. Learning about their lives can be just as important as learning about those who have been Canonized.
Links
Fr. Walter Ciszek
https://www.jesuits.org/stories/jesuit-father-walter-ciszek-a-life-in-service/
Fr. Walter Ciszek book He Leadeth Me
https://amzn.to/4ldvtg2
Catholics Living Discipleship Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1DbCFiks5J/

Saturday Mar 22, 2025
Saturday Mar 22, 2025
In this reflection we look at the story of the deaf and mute man Jesus heals in the Gospel of Mark (7:31-37). It is a way to reflect on how God desires to help us. #Discipleship #Prayer #scripturereflections
Youtube version of this podcast
Recommended Gospel of Mark Commentary
Catholics Living Discipleship Facebook
Music Credits: Ben Nelson

Thursday Mar 20, 2025
Thursday Mar 20, 2025
In this episode I have a conversation with Dianne Davis, Director of Mission Expansion at ChristLife. We discuss the importance of Forgiveness, the impact it has on our lives and those around us. In our journey of Discipleship Jesus calls us to merciful. Come discover for yourself areas of your life you may need to still provide forgiveness.
To connect with ChristLife please go to www.Christlife.org.
We encourage you to connect with us on Facebook Catholics Living Discipleship
Music credits: Ben Nelson

Thursday Mar 13, 2025
Thursday Mar 13, 2025
This episode is Part 2 of a two part series on the document The Process of Evangelization and Discipleship Diagram. Nick and I discuss the stages and thresholds found in the document. Nick Hardesty who works with the Center for the New Evangelization at the Archdiocese of Cincinnati as the Associate Director of Adult Evangelization and OCIA. This document and conversation is a wonderful tool to help your parish leadership grow in a deeper understanding of these processes and how to better accompany people in their faith journey. You can find a link to this document and resources below.
Facebook Group Catholics Living Discipleship
Below are the resources we mention in our conversation:
Process of Evangelization and Discipleship Diagram resources
https://www.centerforthenewevangelization.org/process-of-evangelization/documents-and-links
Directory for Catechesis
https://amzn.to/3EXWmns
Forming Intentional Disciples
https://amzn.to/3XjQhYG
Catherine of Siena Institute – Ananias Training
https://siena.org/
Other great resources to help foster Discipleship
Made for Mission by Tim Glemkowski
https://amzn.to/4bMlObQ
Start with Jesus by Julianne Stanz
https://amzn.to/3R2D7vM
Into His Likeness by Dr Ed Sri
https://amzn.to/41Ofyf4
Music Credits: Ben Nelson

Wednesday Feb 26, 2025
Wednesday Feb 26, 2025
In this episode I speak with Nick Hardesty, who works with the Center for New Evangelization at the Archdiocese of Cincinnati as the Associate Director of Adult Evangelization and OCIA. We discuss a document that his office created to help support parishes foster evangelization and grow disciples. The document is called The Process of Evangelization and Discipleship Diagram. This is first of two episodes. In the second episode Nick breaks down the different stages of Evangelization and the relate to the different thresholds of Discipleship in a person’s faith journey.
Below are the resources we mention in our conversation:
Process of Evangelization and Discipleship Diagram resources
https://www.centerforthenewevangelization.org/process-of-evangelization/documents-and-links
Directory for Catechesis
https://amzn.to/3EXWmns
Forming Intentional Disciples
https://amzn.to/3XjQhYG
Catherine of Siena Institute – Ananias Training
https://siena.org/
Music Credits: Ben Nelson

Saturday Feb 22, 2025
Saturday Feb 22, 2025
In this episode I share with you how Respond, Encounter, and Witness are three key words that I like to reflect on in scripture reading The First Disciples found in the Gospel of John. I come back to this reading from time to time to reflect on my journey of discipleship with Christ and to grow in a deeper awareness of Respond, Encounter, and Witness.
Resources shared
YouTube Video version: https://youtu.be/AwhQHoXWEeU
Gospel of John Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture
https://amzn.to/4gULcNI
Other Books to help you grow
Into His Likeness by Dr Ed Sri
https://amzn.to/3Qw2dmy
Start with Jesus by Julianne Stanz
https://amzn.to/41pacrP
Walking with Jesus by Pope Francis
https://amzn.to/4hO9XfN
Catholics Living Discipleship Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1GjQkFaKVT/
Music Credit: Ben Nelson / Stare Away

Friday Feb 14, 2025
Friday Feb 14, 2025
In this podcast, I provide three simple considerations about becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ. 1)Why does Jesus want us to follow Him 2) How do I respond to his invitation? 3) What can I do in my daily life to grow in this journey?
Here are some of the resources that I encourage to read
Into His Likeness by Dr Ed Sri
https://amzn.to/42RjCxv
Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture -Gospel of Mark
https://amzn.to/4aYoQcE
Start with Jesus by Julianne Stanz
https://amzn.to/4gEGWBM
Walking with Jesus by Pope Francis
https://amzn.to/3X0Dz0R
Fruitful Discipleship
https://amzn.to/3WYsL3i
Catholics Living Discipleship Podcast website
https://catholicslivingdiscipleship.com/
Catholics Living Discipleship Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1A8cnNmJz5/
Catholics Living Discipleship Youtube Channel
http://www.youtube.com/@CatholicsLivingDiscipleship
Music Credits: Ben Nelson

Tuesday Feb 11, 2025
Tuesday Feb 11, 2025
In today’s episode we begin a journey learning about how we are called to be saints, the impact it can have for our lives, and the relevancy between Small s and Big S saints.
This podcast segment called Saints for Sinners, will be with Msgr. William Benwell, past Vicar General for the Diocese of Metuchen, and current pastor of St Mary’s Stony Hill in Watchung NJ. Our hope is to encourage you as listeners to either become a little more interested in learning about the Saints. And if you already have a patron saint or enjoy learning about saints, our episodes encourage you to grow even more.
https://catholicslivingdiscipleship.com/
Music credits: Ben Nelson

Wednesday Jan 15, 2025
Wednesday Jan 15, 2025
In this episode I speak with Keaton Douglas, Executive Director and creator of iThirst. The iTHIRST Initiative is a comprehensive program which focuses on spirituality in the prevention, treatment, and aftercare of those suffering from substance use disorders and their families. The iTHIRST Spiritual Companionship (ITSC) Training, is a faith-based continuing education which instructs lay leaders and clergy on the spiritual dimension of addiction/recovery, certified through Seton Hall University. This is a wonderful way to broaden how we Accompany people along their life journey at parishes.
Here is information on how you can connect with the iThirst Initiative
https://ithirstinitiative.org/
Podcast music credits: Ben Nelson

Tuesday Dec 19, 2023
Tuesday Dec 19, 2023
This episode is Part II of our Stewardship conversation with my guest Dave Baranowski, Director of Parish Stewardship and Leadership Formation for the Archdiocese of St Louis MO. Part I discussed the first 5 of 11 key points. Part II we discuss the remaining six points. Below you will find the document mentioned in the podcast as well as the website Revive Parishes that I also mention in the podcast.
Revive Parishes https://reviveparishes.com/
David Baranowski document: Dave Baranowski 11 Key Suggestions for Parish Stewardship and other info
Podcast music credits: Ben Nelson