What is the purpose of a Catholic priest and what is it not? The Catholic priesthood can spark a lot of confusion. Are they a symbolic leader or a CEO? Mike Gormley and Dave VanVickle answer many of the common questions associated with the priesthood and emphasize why it is such an essential part of the Catholic faith. Snippet from the Show “The priest is not a priest for himself. He does give himself absolution, he does not administer the sacraments to himself. He is not for himself. He is...

What is the best thing you can do for your marriage? In their final episode on marriage, Mike Gormley and Dave VanVickle address the topic of marital spirituality. They share their own experiences of developing a prayer life with their spouse and the challenges they faced. Together, they encourage every person to prioritize prayer in their marriage. Snippet from the Show Choosing to love and choosing to build a marriage includes the decision to live a marital spirituality. We want to...

What does a truly Christian marriage look like? Continuing their discussion on the sacrament of marriage, Michael Gormley and Dave VanVickle discuss the characteristics and traits of a truly Christian marriage. They also discuss what sort of impact a Christian marriage ought to have on those who have received the sacrament. Snippet from the Show You should remind yourself every day of the vows you made on your wedding day. We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]...

Have you ever thought of marriage as a sacrament of communion? The heart of marriage is not emotional support within a domestic relationship, but rather the mutual giving of two entire lives. Michael Gormley and Dave VanVickle compare and contrast how society and the Church view marriage and remind those partaking in and preparing for the sacrament that, when you serve your spouse and your children, you are truly serving Jesus Himself. Snippet from the Show Marriage is truly a crucible in the...

Do you know what happens after you die? What does the Church tell us about what will occur after our death? Dave VanVickle and Michael Gormley take up these questions and explain the Church’s teachings. They explain how judgment works and why it is so important for those on earth to do penance for the dead. Snippet from the Show “Death proves also that life has meaning, because it reveals that the virtues and goodness practiced within time do not find their completion except in eternity.”...

What is Anointing of the Sick? This sacrament can receive a lot of misunderstanding and confusion. Who can receive it? Is it for spiritual or physical ailment? What does it actually do? Michael Gormley and Dave VanVickle respond to these questions and offer their personal experiences of witnessing the sacrament. Snippet from the Show The Anointing of the Sick completes our conformity to the death and resurrection of Christ just as Baptism began it. We want to hear from you! Email us at...

How do you make a good confession? How do you cope with a bad confession? Going to confession is a very vulnerable thing. It can be a great experience, but occasionally, it can be a negative one. Michael Gormley and Dave VanVickle discuss some of the common reasons why people may have a negative experience in confession. They offer advice on how to respond and how to potentially avoid them all together. Snippet from the Show "The priest is not a priest for himself; he does not give himself...

Confession can feel uncomfortable, intimidating, and even burdensome. However, the sacrament of confession is one of the greatest gifts from God. How can we understand that better? Mike Gormley and Dave VanVickle explain the joy and goodness of confession. They share their own feelings about the sacrament and how they have worked to overcome sin in their own lives. Snippet from the Show If you truly understand confession, you will realize how freeing it is. We want to hear from you!...

Why is the Eucharistic theme so central to the Catholic life? Perhaps, you have heard the term “Eucharistic people” and wondered what it means and what that might look like. Michael Gormley and Dave VanVickle discuss the impact of the Eucharist on our lives. They also offer advice on how to prepare well for receiving the Eucharist. Snippet from the Show Remember that you are encountering the living God. There is no reason that you should walk away the same. We want to hear from you!...

What is the high point in life? Where ought everything to lead? Michael Gormley and Dave VanVickle continue their conversation around mystagogy as they discuss the Eucharist. They explain its importance and why everything ought to point to the Eucharist. Snippet from the Show Every bit of our life ought to be oriented towards encounter with Jesus Christ. We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get...

Is Confirmation really important? What does it do that Baptism doesn’t already do? For many, Confirmation can seem like an afterthought or some rite of passage. However, Mike Gormley and Dave VanVickle share why it is so much more than that. They explain its incredible significance and why it is essential for someone striving for salvation. Snippet from the Show The most underplayed sacrament of the life of the Church is one of the most important. We want to hear from you! Email us at...

Is there anything pointing to Baptism in the Old Testament? Are there shadows of it that come into the light in the New Testament? Mike Gormley is here with a bonus episode to dive into this very topic. Enjoy this bonus content looking at typology of the Old Testament and Baptism. Snippet from the Show The sacramental life of the Church communicates the life of Christ to us. We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] with your questions/comments Don't forget to text...

Baptism is not just something to check off on the “To Do” list of the Christian life. So, what is it and what does it do? How can we understand the mystery of Baptism? Michael Gormley and Dave VanVickle tackle these questions and encourage believers to share the truth about Baptism. Snippet from the Show Baptism is salvific because it communicates the very life of God. We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB”...

How important are the sacraments? Are they just steps in the Christian life or do they bear a lot more weight in our journey towards salvation? Mike Gormley and Dave VanVickle continue their series on Mystagogy by addressing the importance of the sacraments. They discuss the mystery of the sacraments and why they are truly a matter of life and death. Snippet from the Show The sacraments are a matter of life and death: eternal life and eternal death. We want to hear from you! Email us at...

Every Knee Shall Bow is back for another season! Michael Gormley and Dave VanVickle are addressing the topic of Mystagogy. In this episode, they explain what Mystagogy is and why it is such an important part of the Christian life. Snippet from the Show The Lord wants to give you a deeper hunger for the divine life. We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You...

What is happiness and how do you get it? This question has been at the forefront of humanity since the beginning of time. Mike Gormley and Dave VanVickle are joined by Dr. Jennifer Frey to discuss happiness and the role virtue plays in attaining it. Snippet from the Show The reason why sin must be avoided at all costs is because it prevents you from being totally fulfilled with God. We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] with your questions/comments Don't forget to...

There are a lot of opinions on liturgy in the Catholic Church. So, it is understandable to wonder, “Is there a right way to do liturgy?”. Mike Gormley is joined by Fr. David Hust to discuss the purpose and goodness of liturgy. They explain why it is so important to understand liturgy and all the ways that the faithful can participate in the liturgies of the Church. Snippet from the Show If we’re meant to be the light to the nations, we better get liturgy right. We want to hear from you!...

How much do you know about Venerable Fulton Sheen? Mike Gormley and Dave VanVickle are joined by Bonnie Engstrom to talk about this incredible man. Not only does Bonnie offer a wealth of knowledge on his life, but she also shares her experience of an incredible miracle through his intercession. Her story will leave you speechless. Snippet from the Show “For six months I had been asking Bishop Sheen to pray for my son on a daily basis, and in that moment that is who I called on.” We want...

Do you believe that prayer makes a difference? Is it obvious what kind of difference prayer makes? Michael Gormley and Dave VanVickle are joined by Dr. Edward Sri to discuss the importance of prayer. They observe the importance prayer has in our relationship with God and how it affects every other part of our spiritual lives. Snippet from the Show Our daily prayer cannot simply consist of reciting prayers or reading spiritual books. It must involve meditation and opening our hearts and...

What is a woman? It is a simple question. However, the answer to this question has become a topic for debate in the culture today. Mike Gormley and Dave VanVickle are joined once again by Dr. Abigail Favale in order to discuss the different sides of the debate and to answer the question “What is a woman?”. Snippet from the Show If I don’t speak the truth in love, am I participating in other people’s destruction? We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] with your...

Gender, feminism, equality, etc. are all prevalent topics in the culture today. However, it can sometimes feel difficult to gain a thorough understanding of these issues and engage in conversation about them. Mike Gormley and Dave VanVickle are joined by professor and author Dr. Abigail Favale to discuss some of these issues. Snippet from the Show “Whoever controls the narrative, who controls language, they decide what is real, what is knowable, what is good, what is bad.” We want to...

What does it mean to think Christologically? How do you put Christ at the center of all thought? Intimacy with Christ is a goal in the Christian life, but the how and why for this goal are not easily understood. Michael Gormley and Dave VanVickle are joined by Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P. to discuss the difference between thinking about Christ and thinking with Christ. Snippet from the Show In all things, seek the face of God. We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] with...

The cross of infertility is one that many people bear. Many of these people suffer in silence and are unsure what to do in the face of their infertility. Mike Gormley and Dave VanVickle are joined by Emily Chapman to discuss her own challenges with infertility and how it affected her on a deeper level. Together, they address what people can do in the face of infertility and why the Church does not permit IVF, surrogacy, or contraception. Snippet from the Show "We are all called to trust...

What does pro-women healthcare look like? In the culture today, women’s healthcare fails too often to address the actual needs of a woman’s body. There is a lack of understanding and respect when it comes to hormonal health and true fertility care. Michael Gormley and Dave VanVickle are joined by Teresa Kenney to discuss why this is the state of women’s healthcare and what pro-women healthcare should look like. Snippet from the Show The reality of the human body is amazing. It is such a...