Certifiably Catholic

Some Spicy Catholic Quick Takes

In this 50th celebration episode Fr. Mario Amore, Mary Wilkerson and Mike Chamberland sit down to catch up and discuss some spicy Catholic cultural quick takes.  We hope you enjoy!

Talkin ministry and keeping it real! (Feat. Fr. Stephen Pullis)

Culture is always changing.  Therefore, our ministry needs to always change and be adaptable to the current audiences and situations.  And yet something about the message and the ministry always remains the same.  In this episode Mary Wilkerson and Mike Chamberland welcome special guest Fr. Stephan Pullis (Director of Evangelization and Missionary Discipleship) to discuss the ever changing world of ministry.

Catholics and "The Fuzz" (feat. Brian Buckley)

In this episode Mary Wilkerson and Mike Chamberland welcome Brian Buckley to share his experience of: living his life as a Catholic Seminarian, Family Man and Father of 8 children, and being a Catholic Police officer during these crazy times.

What's the deal with Beauty?

In this episode of Certifiably Catholic Mary and Mike welcome Fr. Craig Giera, Vocations Director for the Archdiocese of Detroit!  Since Fr. Craig is not only the vocations director but also a professional artist we discuss priestly vocations but also beauty as a transcendental and means of drawing close to God.  We are all old friends and had a blast recording this episode.  We hope you enjoy it.   Fr. Craig also has his own podcast which can be found at: https://detroitpriestlyvocations.c...

If I Could Turn Back Time

In this episode Mary Wilkerson and Mike Chamberland listen to clips from Episode #40 - "Its he End of the World as we Know It" which aired just before the covid shutdowns happened.  We take a moment to review the entire pandemic year and process what we have learned but personally, culturally and spiritually.

Conflict Fatigue and Catholicism (feat. John Lajiness)

In this episode we are happy to welcome John Lajiness (Husband, Father, Church minister, smoked meats master) to the table as we discuss conflict fatigue, how to have healthy conflict and inserting God into every conflict.  It was a great conversation and we hope you enjoy it also.

Habits of a Disciple (feat. Erik Coules)

In this episode we warmly welcome Erik Coules to join Mary Wilkerson and Mike Chamberland as we discuss the difficulties of reshaping old habits for the sake of Love, God and our lifestyle as Catholic Disciples.  Erik shares how many recent changes in life have got him thinking about making new and lasting habits for the good.  

Rollin with Adversity (feat. Jay Jackett)

Covid-19 has stretched us all in ways we wouldn't have imagined even a year ago.  This month join Mary Wilkerson, Mike Chamberland and special guest Jay Jackett as we discuss our Catholic faith and lifestyle when rolling with adversity.    

Racism, Civil unrest and our Catholic Response (Feat. Aaron Wilkerson)

Man we live in challenging times.  With everything going on it can be difficult to know who to believe, what to make of all this, and our best way forward.  Hopefully good conversations take place.  Civil conversations where people truly listen and possibly disagree but still seek truth together.  In this episode of Certifiably Catholic Fr. Mario Amore, Mary Wilkerson, Aaron Wilkerson and Mike Chamberland discuss our current race situation in America and how the Catholic Church through the ...

How is the Church Covid Coping?

In this Episode Fr. Mario Amore, Mary Wilkerson and Mike Chamberland discuss how they are personally doing but also how the Church is "Covid Coping" during this time.  Join us as we discuss how have we had to shift gears and how will the immediate future of the Church and Sacraments look?

Ep. 40 - Its the end of the world as we know it!

In this episode Fr. Mario Amore, Mary Wilkerson and Mike Chamberland discuss the Coronavirus and its implications on our society and faith life.  What wisdom does the Church offer its believers when considering the end of the world, fear, panic and the promise of heaven?

Ep. 39 - Remember the dead...but like, in a happy way!

In this episode Fr. Mario Amore, Mary Wilkerson and Mike Chamberland remember our dead in the month of November.  Is it weird to think of and pray with the dead?  How can we remember those who have gone before us? 

Ep. 38 - Audience of ONE

In this episode Fr. Mario Amore, Mary Wilkerson and Mike Chamberland discuss how to navigate the wide world of criticism, constructive criticism, slander, and online trolls.  Who's opinion matters most?  

Ep: 37 - Back to School Special: and the future of Catholic Schools

In this episode Fr. Mario Amore, Mary Wilkerson and Mike Chamberland discuss school and more specifically Catholic Education.  Is Catholic education a positive model for building disciples?  Why do parents choose Catholic schools over other options?  All this and much much more!

Ep. 36. - R.E.S.P.E.C.T - Women in the Catholic Church

On this episode Fr. Mario Amore, Mary Wilkerson and Mike Chamberland have an engaging conversation about Fr. James Martins' recent tweets regarding women in the Church.  Should women give homilies? Assign Priests? Have bigger decision making abilities? You will want to give this one a listen.   

Ep. 35 - Should I stay or should I go? Feat. Aaron Wilkerson

The statistics of people leaving the Catholic Church are down right scary.  In this Episode we welcome millennial and convert to the faith, Aaron Wilkerson (Mary's husband) to  discuss why he converted.  We also converse about the latest informal Facebook poll conducted by Mary herself asking people to "weigh in" about why they left the faith and why they stayed.  

Ep. 34 - Turn Back Time: Find healing and meaning in your history.

In this episode Fr. Mario Amore, Mary Wilkerson and Mike Chamberland discuss their past history to discover how God has moved and worked for their healing and goodness.  

Ep. 33 - Looking Back at Lent

So often we are busy and running from one thing to the next without stopping to look back, reflect, and access.  This episode Fr Mario, Mary and Mike take a moment to reflect on this past Lent for what they learned and what the Lord is doing in their lives.  We also take a moment to discuss our most powerful lents and what made them so powerful.

Ep. 32 - Do Priests Have Too Much Power?

In this Episode a priest, stay at home mom and guy who works for the Church discuss the magic of Disney, power in the Church and what is our part to play in making the Church all Christ wants it to be.

Ep. 31 - Spiritual Temperature Check (with special announcement)

In this episode Fr. Mario, Mary and Mike discuss the benefits of taking an occasional spiritual temperature check and being spiritually aware of what God is doing in your life.

Ep. 30 - Reflections from Rome

This episode Fr. Mario Amore shares insights and thoughts about his recent trip to Rome.  How has this trip changed since being a priest and what was it like to serve Mass with the Holy Father!

Ep. 29 - What will you do this year?

2018 has been a great year but what will 2019 hold for your spiritual life?  Join Mary, Mike and Fr. Mario as we discuss resolutions and what they mean to us as disciples of Jesus.

Ep. 28 - The Virtue of Charity

"Love one another as I have loved you." This is the greatest of all the commandments.  But how?  Why?  Listen as we speak about the one thing that will remain...LOVE.

Ep. 27 - Something is coming!

Advent is a wonder season and a fresh start to the Church new year.  Join us as we discuss how to make the most of Advent so that your Christmas is that much more powerful!

Ep. 26 - The Virtue of Hope

In today's episode Fr. Mario, Mary and Mike discuss the virtue of Hope, the movie Hope Floats and which celebrity Fr. Mario looks like most.  

Ep. 25 - What about Faith?

Join Fr. Mario, Mary and Mike as we discuss faith and its deep importance to our daily lives. 

Ep. 24 - Come at me Bro! - Fraternal Correction

This episode we discuss the difficulty and necessity of having those difficult conversations with others.  In the church we call it fraternal correction or admonishing the sinner.  Either way its tough and takes courage and love.

Ep. 23 - An Epidemic Only Whispered About? (Feat. Patty Breen)

Is there an epidemic level cultural cancer ruining marriages, sex life and the dignity of the human person?  Imagine there is and yet VERY few mention it or talk about it?  Join us this episode to learn more.

Ep. 22 - Fun with Scripture? (Feat. Fr. Brian Meldrum)

It's always fun when friend of the show Fr. Brian Meldrum joins us. This episode we discuss the importance of Scripture and best ways to approach this sacred word.

Ep. 21 - Scandal Part II

In this episode we continue to discuss our reactions and how we feel we move forward during this time of Church crisis and scandal.

Ep. 20 - Scandal Part 1

It has been a rough summer for the Catholic Church. In this episode Fr. Mario Amore, Mary Wilkerson and Mike Chamberland discuss our initial feelings and the facts about the Summer of Shame. Look out for part two when we discuss practical ways we move forward.

Ep.19 - Take Care of Yourself

In this Episode we discuss how to take care of your mind, body and Spirit as gifts from God.

Ep.18 - What am I doing with my life? Vocation Crisis.

In this episode we discuss the nature of vocations. How we have personally felt called to our own vocations and why there may be a vocation crisis on out hands.

Ep.17 - Oh, You’re My Best Friend! (guest Fr. Brian Meldrum)

Friendship is a valuable gift. But how do we make friends? How does friendship help us draw close to God? What does friendship say about our God. These questions and many stories abound as we welcome Fr. Mario's best friend Fr. Brian Meldrum.

Ep.16 - The early loss of Anthony Bourdain, Kate Spade and TOO many others.

When we lose people from suicide we are often left feeling confused and wondering what to make out of everything. In this episode Fr. Mario, Mary and Mike discuss depression, suicide and the loss of some pop culture icons.

Ep.15 - Words of Wisdom from Hollywood?

Not long ago there were some words of wisdom from an MTV acceptance speech. If you aren't aware then please take a second to consider the magnitude of these words for today's culture.

Ep.14 - Are we getting too comfortable with Evil?

Today people often seek the spiritual but forget there may be a "dark side" to the spiritual realm. How can we protect ourselves and our neighbor from involvement with those things that are truly evil?

Ep.13 - Whats Happening to Catholic Culture?

The recent vote in Ireland is a tragety and has us asking about the future of Catholic culture and what this means in a larger context.

Ep.12 - Are they Mocking Us?

Catholics are often the brunt of many jokes and mockery. But was the recent Met Gala mockery or honoring?

Ep.11 - Lets be honest do we have idols in our lives?

What is the "god" of your life? Do we ever enter into idolatry without realizing it or thinking about it? Take a listen and re-think who the real "god of your life is?"

Ep.10 - Different Prayer Styles for Different Vocations

Prayer is key to our faith life but how we pray and what works best for each vocation is going to be different. In this episode we discuss the variety of our prayer life and styles.

Ep.9 - How to love those hard to love people

We all know them, those people who are hard to love. But as Christians we must. In this episode we discuss how we can live our Lords call regardless of difficult people.

Ep.8 - In Real Life People are Awesome

Do you ever feel sad about humanity? In this podcast we seek to give to big picture context and a reminder that its not all dark and scary because in real life most people are awesome!

Ep.7 - Papa Francis! 5 Years of Service

In this episode Mary, Fr. Mario and Mike discuss Pope Francis, his many writings and media relations over the course of his five year pontificate. He has certainly shaken things up.

Ep.6 - Roaming Catholic - Top Travel Sites for your faith

Love to travel? Love to ignite your faith life? We do too. Here is our take on some of the top places to travel for your faith and why.

Ep.5 - Media Consumption. What's good, whats not?

In this episode Mary, Mike and Fr. Mario discuss what movies, TV and Music we consume. Should Catholics use some gauge or filter when ingesting media?

Ep.4 - Priest, Mom, Minister. Who has the Hardest Job?

Fr. Mario Amore, Mary Wilkerson and Mike Chamberland discuss their different vocations in life. The good, the bad and the blessed moments.

Ep.3 - Special Holy Week Mini-Podcast

In this mini-episode Fr. Mario, Mike and Mary discuss how to make the most of your Holy Week regardless of your state in life.

Ep.2 - Be Reconciled!

A Catholic Priest, stay at home mom and husband/parish minister discuss the in's and out's of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (aka. Confession).

Ep.1 - A New Venture with Friends