Finding Faith: Sharing Stories of Encounter and Questions

E12. Emily's Story: A Lesson on Learning to Trust and Giving Up "Control"

E14. Emily's Story: A Lesson on Learning to Trust and Giving Up "Control"

E12. Emily Payne: A Lesson on Learning to Trust and Giving Up "Control"

Emily Payne is a Whitesville native and graduate of St Mary's and Trinity High School.  Emily talks about how her faith has always been a part of her life, but it was more centered on herself and what she wanted/needed. It wasn't until she became pregnant that she truly began to pray for someone other than herself. They discovered during pregnancy that her daughter's heart was not forming properly and she would need surgery shortly after birth to repair her heart. The birth of her daught...

E13. Ben's Story: The Holy Spirit and Joyful Living

E11. Ben's Story: The Holy Spirit and Joyful Living

E11. Ben Warrell: The Holy Spirit and Joyful Living

Ben Warrell works as the Director of Gasper River Catholic Youth Camp and Retreat Center in Bowling Green, KY.  As a young man, Ben was not interested in his faith. Once he could drive, he would "go to mass" separately from his family so he could sneak off and get breakfast with his friends. When he almost got caught, he went to mass long enough to get a bulletin and see who was saying the homily.  Ben encountered Jesus at a retreat that his brother and several friends forced him to attend...

E11. Ben Warrell: The Holy Spirit and Joyful Living

Ben Warrell works as the Director of Gasper River Catholic Youth Camp and Retreat Center in Bowling Green, KY.  As a young man, Ben was not interested in his faith. Once he could drive, he would "go to mass" separately from his family so he could sneak off and get breakfast with his friends. When he almost got caught, he went to mass long enough to get a bulletin and see who was saying the homily.  Ben encountered Jesus at a retreat that his brother and several friends forced him to attend...

E10. Helen's Story: The Good Shepherd and A Broken Leg

Helen Beckert, originally from Henderson, KY found her way to Owensboro and is now the Campus Ministry Intern at Brescia University. She graduated from Murray State University with the intention of teaching History--but God had other plans. After serving as a FOCUS Missionary for nearly three years, she was offered the opportunity to work on her Master's while working at Brescia.  Listen to Helen's story about how an injury lead to a conversion of heart and an encounter with the Lord. Throu...

E10. Helen Beckert: The Good Shepherd and A Broken Leg

Helen Beckert, originally from Henderson, KY found her way to Owensboro and is now the Campus Ministry Intern at Brescia University. She graduated from Murray State University with the intention of teaching History--but God had other plans. After serving as a FOCUS Missionary for nearly three years, she was offered the opportunity to work on her Master's while working at Brescia. Listen to Helen's story about how an injury lead to a conversion of heart and an encounter with the Lord. Throu...

E12. Helen's Story: The Good Shepherd and A Broken Leg

Helen Beckert, originally from Henderson, KY found her way to Owensboro and is now the Campus Ministry Intern at Brescia University. She graduated from Murray State University with the intention of teaching History--but God had other plans. After serving as a FOCUS Missionary for nearly three years, she was offered the opportunity to work on her Master's while working at Brescia.  Listen to Helen's story about how an injury lead to a conversion of heart and an encounter with the Lord. Throu...

E9. James Jarboe: Breaking the Cycle of Shame and Abuse

***Sorry for the poor quality of sound during James story portion! We had some technical difficulties with the equipment!*** James Jarboe is a husband, father of four and a hobby farmer. He is a life-long parishioner of St Mary of the Woods and graduated from St Mary of the Woods K-8 and Trinity High School.  James shares memories from a young age of abuse at the hands of his father, both physically and psychologically.  As a young man, the anger and shame that came along with his past ne...

E9. James Story: Breaking the Cycle of Shame and Abuse

E11. James Story: Breaking the Cycle of Shame and Abuse

E8. Kara Bekebrede: Something To Live And Die For

Kara Bekebrede is originally from Louisville KY, but now lives in Owensboro KY. She attended college at Murray State University and now works for St Lawrence/St Williams in Knottsville. Kara grew up a cradle Catholic but wondered what she was made for. Was there anything in life worth living and dying for? She tried ROTC but quickly realized that wasn't the route for her. It was through the experience of FOCUS missionaries on her college campus that she began to encounter Jesus and found s...

E8. Kara's Story: Something To Live And Die For

E10. Kara's Story: Something To Live And Die For

E7. Evan's Story: God and the Burning Stock Car

E9. Evan's Story: The Unconditional Love and Mercy of God [Part 2]

E9. Evan's Story: God and the Burning Stock Car [Part 2]

E7. Evan Burch: God and the Burning Stock Car

Evan Burch is a graduate of Western Kentucky University and a stockcar racer.  During his senior year at WKU, Evan talks about how he encountered the love of Jesus through the campus ministry FOCUS team that was present on WKU's campus. He became involved in their small group ministry and his faith began to flourish. Early one morning on the way home from a race, Evan tells the story of how the trailer containing his stockcar caught on fire. This was a pretty impactful moment for him about...

E8. Evan's Story: God and the Burning Stock Car [Part 1]

E8. Evan's Story: The Unconditional Love and Mercy of God [Part 1]

E6. Hannah Bland: Seeking Virtue and Discipline

Hannah Bland currently serves our Diocese as the Director of Children's Ministry at St Stephen Cathedral in Owensboro KY. Born and raised in Whitesville, Hannah talks about her struggles with virtue and discipline. She frequently attended retreats, youth group and other opportunities to grow in her faith, but these were often "mountain top" experiences with little conversion and substance in between. Even though she hung around with a good crowd of kids, she found herself falling into sinf...

E6. Hannah's Story: Seeking Virtue and Discipline

E6. Hannah Bland: Seeking Virtue and Discipline

Hannah Bland currently serves our Diocese as the Director of Children's Ministry at St Stephen Cathedral in Owensboro KY. Born and raised in Whitesville, Hannah talks about her struggles with virtue and discipline. She frequently attended retreats, youth group and other opportunities to grow in her faith, but these were often "mountain top" experiences with little conversion and substance in between. Even though she hung around with a good crowd of kids, she found herself falling into sinf...

E7. Hannah's Story: Seeking Virtue and Discipline

E5. Dcn. Corey Bruns: Answering the Call to Priesthood

Dcn. Corey Bruns is currently serving as a seminarian in the Diocese of Owensboro. God willing, he will be ordained a priest in 2021. From a young age, Dcn. Corey's family was immersed in the life of the Church. As a young man, Corey knew he was being called to serve God and His people as a priest. Dcn. Corey shares many many events in his life that have helped shape his love for God and His people. ----- If you have questions, need someone to journey with or would be interested in shari...

E5. Dcn. Corey's Story: Answering the Call to Priesthood

E5. Dcn. Corey's Story: Answering the Call to Priesthood [Part 1]

E6. Dcn. Corey's Story: Answering the Call to Priesthood [Part 2]

E6. Dcn. Corey's Story: Answering the Call to the Priesthood [Part 2]

E5. Dcn. Corey Bruns: Answering the Call to Priesthood

Dcn. Corey Bruns is currently serving as a seminarian in the Diocese of Owensboro. God willing, he will be ordained a priest in 2021. From a young age, Dcn. Corey's family was immersed in the life of the Church. As a young man, Corey knew he was being called to serve God and His people as a priest. Dcn. Corey shares many many events in his life that have helped shape his love for God and His people. ----- If you have questions, need someone to journey with or would be interested in shari...

E4. Mallory's Story: Finding Peace and Joy in the Eucharist

After years of falling into sinful habits, it was marriage prep that helped bring Mallory to a greater understanding of the importance of confession and regular practice of her faith.  Motherhood continued to deepen her desire to pray and seek the Lord.  But it wasn't until the Pandemic and having the Eucharist taken away that she truly began to understand the source of strength that she found in receiving Jesus. Listen to Mallory talk about her journey of faith and the many bumps she has e...

E4. Mallory Aud: Finding Peace and Joy in the Eucharist

After years of falling into sinful habits, it was marriage prep that helped bring Mallory to a greater understanding of the importance of confession and regular practice of her faith.  Motherhood continued to deepen her desire to pray and seek the Lord. But it wasn't until the Pandemic and having the Eucharist taken away that she truly began to understand the source of strength that she found in receiving Jesus. Listen to Mallory talk about her journey of faith and the many bumps she has e...

E3. Ethan Bennett: The Prodigal, The Father and Reckless Love

Ethan shares his story of how his relationship with God the Father lead to a reconciliation with his earthly father. Ethan grew up in the small town of Fancy Farm Ky in a single parent household.  He hadn't seen his dad since he was four years old. During spiritual direction he was challenged to read "The Return of the Prodigal Son" and consider reaching out to his dad. While it seemed these two challenges were unconnected, the journey that unfolded led to a joyous reunion and a lesson in ...

E3. Ethan's Story: The Prodigal, The Father and Reckless Love

Ethan shares his story of how his relationship with God the Father lead to a reconciliation with his earthly father.  Ethan grew up in the small town of Fancy Farm Ky in a single parent household.  He hadn't seen his dad since he was four years old. During spiritual direction he was challenged to read "The Return of the Prodigal Son" and consider reaching out to his dad. While it seemed these two challenges were unconnected, the journey that unfolded led to a joyous reunion and a lesson in ...

E2. Danielle Rhodes: From the Homeless Shelter to the Catholic Church

Danielle shares her story of how she found her way, ever so slowly, into the Catholic Church after meeting Jarrod, an adorable Catholic country guy from Kentucky, at a homeless shelter. Growing up in an Interdenominational Protestant home, a relationship with Jesus was encouraged and expected. Danielle's parents taught her to listen to the voice of God and follow Him where ever he lead. After six years of asking questions and seeking answers, Danielle finally felt the peace she had been se...

E2. Danielle's Story: From the Homeless Shelter to the Catholic Church

Danielle shares her story of how she found her way, ever so slowly, into the Catholic Church after meeting Jarrod, an adorable Catholic country guy from Kentucky, at a homeless shelter.  Growing up in an Interdenominational Protestant home, a relationship with Jesus was encouraged and expected. Danielle's parents taught her to listen to the voice of God and follow Him where ever he lead. After six years of asking questions and seeking answers, Danielle finally felt the peace she had been se...

E2. Danielle Rhodes: From the Homeless Shelter to the Catholic Church

Danielle shares her story of how she found her way, ever so slowly, into the Catholic Church after meeting Jarrod, an adorable Catholic country guy from Kentucky, at a homeless shelter. Growing up in an Interdenominational Protestant home, a relationship with Jesus was encouraged and expected. Danielle's parents taught her to listen to the voice of God and follow Him where ever he lead. After six years of asking questions and seeking answers, Danielle finally felt the peace she had been se...

E1. In The Beginning: We All Have A Story

Each episode in this podcast carries with it the privilege of hearing the stories of people from this community.  Guests will share their experience of walking, crawling towards or running away from Faith and God. In this first episode we will begin by sharing the story of Jesus. No matter where you are in your faith journey, I encourage you to begin here and listen closely to what I am about to share. You may be skeptical or unsure of the message you hear—that’s ok. From beginning to end, i...

E1. Jesus' Story: In The Beginning

Each episode in this podcast carries with it the privilege of hearing the stories of people from this community.  Guests will share their experience of walking, crawling towards or running away from Faith and God. In this first episode we will begin by sharing the story of Jesus. No matter where you are in your faith journey, I encourage you to begin here and listen closely to what I am about to share. You may be skeptical or unsure of the message you hear—that’s ok. From beginning to end, i...

E1. Jesus' Story: Sharing The Good News

Each episode in this podcast carries with it the privilege of hearing the stories of people from this community.  Guests will share their experience of walking, crawling towards or running away from Faith and God. In this first episode we will begin by sharing the story of Jesus. No matter where you are in your faith journey, I encourage you to begin here and listen closely to what I am about to share. You may be skeptical or unsure of the message you hear—that’s ok. From beginning to end, i...

Trailer for "Finding Faith"

Finding Faith: The Unconditional Love of God

"But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, Jacob, and formed you Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name and you are mine. For I the Lord am your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. You are precious in my eyes and honored, and I love you." -Isaiah 43: 1, 3-4 These words serve as a reminder of not only who you are, but whose you are. The Lord has called you by name, and he says "you are mine."  It is the abundant love of God that calls you for...

Finding Faith: Unlovable Doesn't Exist

"But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, Jacob, and formed you Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name and you are mine. For I the Lord am your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. You are precious in my eyes and honored, and I love you." -Isaiah 43: 1, 3-4 These words serve as a reminder of not only who you are, but whose you are. The Lord has called you by name, and he says "you are mine."  It is the abundant love of God that calls you for...