Recent Archives

BKLSpecial2 – Enduring Love – The Grace of the Canonization with Msgr. John Esseff

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:50 — 39.6MB) | Embed

Having just returned from Rome, Msgr. Esseff reflects on his experience of the canonization of St. Teresa of Calcutta.

“The Touch of Love” was a standout experience of the day, as well as the abiding presence of the saint, the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Carrier of God’s Tender Love and Mercy

Lord Jesus, merciful Face of the Father, you came to give us the Good News of the Father’s mercy and tenderness.

We thank you for the gift of our dearest Mother, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, who will be canonized in this Jubilee Year of Mercy. You chose her to be your presence, your love and compassion to the brokenhearted, the unwanted, the abandoned and the dying. She responded wholeheartedly to your cry, ‘I Thirst,’ by the holiness of her life and humble works of love to the poorest of the poor.

We pray, through her intercession, for the grace to experience your merciful love and share it in our own families, communities and with all our suffering brothers and sisters. Help us to give our “hearts to love and hands to serve” after the example of Mother Teresa. Lord Jesus, bless every member of our family, our parish, our diocese, our country, especially those most in need, that we all may be transformed by your merciful love. Amen.

Text © Mother Teresa Center of the Missionaries of Charity

Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30th 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to Blessed Mother Teresa. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Bl. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around the world.

To obtain a copy of Msgr. Esseff’s book byvisiting here

Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff’s website “Building a Kingdom of Love”

IP#209 Dr. Peter Kreeft – Jacob’s Ladder on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:11 — 18.7MB) | Embed

What a glorious opportunity to discuss “Truth” with the one and only Dr. Peter Kreeft. I have to admit; one must be on their toes when discussing any topic with the good doctor, he is one of the great intellects and authors of our time, period. He is always patient, kind and just downright fascinating in this conversation; Dr. Kreeft engages the imagination and guides us deeper into the reality of Divine Revelation. “Jacob’s Ladder: 10 Steps to Truth” is an absolutely splendid voyage to undertake; put on your thinking caps, dive in to the ocean of your heart, and be prepared to be awed and delighted. A must have book for anyone who is seeking Truth.

You can find the book here

From the book description:

Among the topics, or “steps”, that Kreeft’s characters delve into include:

Do you have the passion to know?
Does truth exist?
What is the meaning of life?
What is love, and why is it so important for our lives?
If there is a God, what proof is there for his existence?
Has God revealed himself to us in a personal way?

SP#7 “The Heart to Heart Conversation with a Spiritual Companion” – The School of Prayer w/ Fr. Scott Traynor

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:29 — 31.6MB) | Embed

SP#7 The School of Prayer: Foundations for the New Evangelization

Fr. Scott Traynor talks about the importance of “spiritual friendship or companionship”. He discusses “heart-sharing” between spouses, but also in friendship with others. He give us models on how this can look. Fr. Scott also helps us to understand the difference between ordinary relationships and the unique gift of the “spiritual friendship”. What is a healthy sharing relationship and what are the signs of unhealthy ones which we may want to avoid.

In Father Scott Traynor’s book, Blessed John Paul II’s memorable call to make of the parish a school of prayer takes on flesh and becomes concretely attainable. Those you read these faith-filled pages will find renewed desire to create such parishes and a clear road-map toward this goal.

–Father Timothy Gallagher, OMV

Father Traynor is a retreat master and spiritual director who has travelled the country as a speaker at various conferences, diocesan gatherings and national conferences.. He is especially sought after to present on the topics of prayer, discernment and priestly identity and mission.

He serves the Rector of the St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver Colorado.

SP#6 – “The Difference between Spiritual Reality and Fantasy” – The School of Prayer with Fr. Scott Traynor

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:31 — 30.7MB) | Embed

SP#6 The School of Prayer: Foundations for the New Evangelization

Fr. Scott Traynor talks about how God wants to have an intimate relationship with us. What is the dynamic of this relationship? He longs for us to freely give ourselves to Him. Fr. Scott talks about the gift of our imagination and what is true spiritual reality as opposed to fantasy. How do I tell the difference? What is the nature of the effect? Is it lasting or does it evaporate after the experience? Is Jesus in the center of the reality we are encountering? He describes the use of Lectio Divina, the praying with Sacred Scripture, that helps us to enter into the deeper relationship we are called to by God. Fr. Scott explains the difference between the Ignatian and Carmelite understandings of “contemplation”. Is there an ordinary Catholic “mysticism”? Do we miss it?

–Father Timothy Gallagher, OMV

Father Scott Traynor received his STB from the Pontifical Gregorian University and his JCL from the Catholic University of America. He has been an instructor and spiritual director for many of the programs at the Institute for Priestly Formation.

Father Traynor is a retreat master and spiritual director who has traveled the country as a speaker at various conferences, diocesan gatherings, and national conferences. He is especially sought after to present on the topics of prayer, discernment and priestly identity and mission.

He serves the Rector of the St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver Colorado.

BKL70 – “Let them grow together until harvest” – Building a Kingdom of Love w/ Msgr. John Esseff

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:57 — 25.6MB) | Embed

Gospel MT 13:24-30

Jesus proposed another parable to the crowds, saying:
“The kingdom of heaven may be likened
to a man who sowed good seed in his field.
While everyone was asleep his enemy came
and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off.
When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well.
The slaves of the householder came to him and said,
‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field?
Where have the weeds come from?’
He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’
His slaves said to him,
‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’
He replied, ‘No, if you pull up the weeds
you might uproot the wheat along with them.
Let them grow together until harvest;
then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters,
“First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning;
but gather the wheat into my barn.”

Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30th, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Mother Teresa. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the Missionaries of Charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around the world.

SP#5 – “The Hazards in Spiritual Desolation” – The School of Prayer with Fr. Scott Traynor

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:51 — 26.4MB) | Embed

SP#5 The School of Prayer: Foundations for the New Evangelization

Fr. Scott Traynor talks about the fear of pain. He speaks of the difference between true and false suffering. The gaze of the Father transforms our pain. How do we invite Jesus into the heart of that pain? Fr. Scott helps us to recognize the “mine field” we navigate in our lives and how it affects our relationship with God, especially in prayer. He speaks abut the “hazards” in spiritual desolation. Jesus can “disarm” those “landmines”, if we allow Him in. We should never travel in the “mine field” alone. Fr. Scott also talks about the importance of silence and discernment. To attend to moment of God’s loving gaze.

–Father Timothy Gallagher, OMV

He serves the Rector of the St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver Colorado.

IP#269 Tim Staples – Behold Your Mother on Inside the Page with Kris McGregor

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:31 — 21.0MB) | Embed

“Behold Your Mother – A Biblical and Historical Defense of the Marian Doctrines”, by Catholic apologist Tim Staples, is outstanding! For those who are unfamiliar or even unsure what the Church teaches about the Mother of God, this is a tremendous entry point for your study. For all who have a great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, this is the book to have in order to help articulate the truths of Marian Dogma clearly to others! Director of Apologetics and Evangelization for Catholic Answers, Tim Staples, has authored a work that is easy to navigate and filled with solid biblical and historical reasons for what we as Catholics believe about Mary. A must for the Catholic library in every parish and home! A GREAT book for Advent reflection and study, as well as a gift for family and friends!

Tim Staples respectfully but clearly answers every conceivable Protestant objection to Mary, the Mother of God. With the street cred of one who has been there, Tim backs up his words with Scripture every time. His answers are exhaustive but not exhausting! An invaluable book for thoughtful, truth-seeking Christians. —-Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S.J., EWTN host and author of Mary: Virgin, Mother, and Queen

The greatest doctrinal obstacle to my return to the Catholic Church was fear that Catholics had no basis for or boundaries on the Marian dogmas. If only Tim Staples had written Behold Your Mother then! His presentation is fearless, precise, biblically wise, historically rooted, and popular in expression. He addresses objections I haven t seen addressed elsewhere. I can t think of a more insightful, comprehensive single volume that persuades so thoroughly. Great, truly great, piece of apologetics. — Al Kresta, president, Ave Maria Communications and host of Kresta in the Afternoon

Tim Staples presents a remarkable defense of the six major Marian doctrines, including a veritable compendium of source material from the Bible, Fathers, and Church documents. He gives clear presentations of the controversial issues surrounding each doctrine, makes careful definitions and distinctions, and thinks his way through each issue as if he were having a conversation with the reader. Even well-informed readers will benefit from this engaging book. – –Fr. Robert J. Spitzer, S.J., president, Magis Center of Reason and Faith

SP#4 “The Suffering of Fear” – The School of Prayer – with Fr. Scott Traynor

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:30 — 27.0MB) | Embed

Fr. Scott Traynor talks about the suffering of fear. Thoughts, feelings, and desires all come into play in our understanding of this topic. Wherever there is fear there dwells an experience of pain and wounding, which perfect love desires to heal. The love of God is the remedy and our prayer opens the door to healing and/or union with the One that loves perfectly. Our response in not trusting that love and areas of unforgiveness can be a block to that healing. How do we, in our united prayer with God, overcome this obstacle?

Father Scott Traynor received his STB from the Pontifical Gregorian University and his JCL from Catholic University of America. He has been an instructor and spiritual director for many of the programs at the Institute for Priestly Formation.
Father Traynor is a retreat master and spiritual director who has travelled the country as a speaker at various conferences, diocesan gatherings and national conferences.. He is especially sought after to present on the topics of prayer, discernment and priestly identity and mission.
He serves the Rector of the St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver Colorado.

SP#3 “Prayer in the Heart of Suffering” – The School of Prayer – with Fr. Scott Traynor

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:29 — 21.5MB) | Embed

SP#3 “Prayer in the Heart of Suffering” – The School of Prayer: Foundations for the New Evangelization

Fr. Scott Traynor talks about the darkness that can be found in our lives. How can we experience the overwhelming love and mercy of God, even in our suffering? How can we live out the teaching of St. Paul:

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!
In Father Scott Traynor’s book, Blessed John Paul II’s memorable call to make of the parish a school of prayer takes on flesh and becomes concretely attainable. Those you read these faith-filled pages will find renewed desire to create such parishes and a clear road-map toward this goal.
–Father Timothy Gallagher, OMV

SP#2 “To Live Our Prayer in Union with Love” – The School of Prayer – with Fr. Scott Traynor

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:00 — 25.6MB) | Embed

SP#2 “To Live Our Prayer in Union with Love” – The School of Prayer: Foundations for the New Evangelization

Fr. Scott Traynor talks about how we have to do more than just talk about prayer. He discusses how we must “live” our prayer in the union of love within the heart of the Holy Trinity. That is the goal of Christian prayer. He goes on to describe the very nature of the Holy Trinity….the relationship of love between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
In Father Scott Traynor’s book, Blessed John Paul II’s memorable call to make of the parish a school of prayer takes on flesh and becomes concretely attainable. Those you read these faith-filled pages will find renewed desire to create such parishes and a clear road-map toward this goal.
–Father Timothy Gallagher, OMV