For our last episode of Season 4: 

Fr. Mattingly sits down with Rey Wilkinson, where Rey shares about making his way back to the Catholic Church through the graces of great communities in Kansas City. Rey was raised Catholic by his grandma and mom, though he sparingly went to Mass. Upon graduating college, he moved to Kansas City and through a few invitations got connected with a good community of young adults. 

Rey attributes the his reversion to the Church through the intentionality of the communities that he found in Kansas City, friendships that centered on a pursuit of holiness... rather than the current secular trend! Rey's radical openness to say yes to invitations, which allowed Rey to encounter Christ through community. (Matthew 18:30, "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”)

Show Notes: 

- Mir House of Prayer (St. Joseph): 24-hour adoration chapel 

- Morning Glory Ministries: a local ministry for homeless 

- Saint Paul's Outreach: young adult community 

- Young Catholic Professionals: Kansas City Chapter 

Justin & Kaylene Brown sit down with Fr. Mattingly, to share of their individual testimonies which coincide in a mutual conversion to the fullness of the Catholic Church. Justin grew up in a small town, with a lively Catholic Church, but Justin notes that there seemed to be a general sense of culture over faithfulness. Kaylene grew up in a home with one Catholic parent and one non-Catholic parent. 

Justin and Kaylene had their own experiences and encounters with the Lord prior to meeting one another - confirmation retreats, Teens Encounter Christ, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and more. Their story culminates in meeting one another (hint: on St. Patrick's Day while in college). From this point, Kaylene began to experience healing from her brokenness and eating disorder while dating Justin. Justin allow Kaylene to be a source of truth in his life, which led to a full belief in Catholicism. Tune in to hear how their pursuit of sainthood continued in marriage. 

Lauren Bauer shared with Fr. Mattingly and Taylor Furrer about her own conversion of heart, which began with her head and then moved to her heart. After having been raised Catholic, Lauren's parents separated and attended different churches. Lauren was faced with a decision, but chose to remain Catholic and defend the faith with her knowledge. 

After reading a book about Pope Saint John Paul II, Lauren's head learned that Jesus is a friend and desires relationship with her. So her heart followed her head, and began to dedicate her time in prayer, to be in relationship with Jesus. Lauren has continued to learn the delicate balance between knowing and loving Jesus. 

Show Notes:

- Saint John Paul the Great: His 5 Loves by Jason Evert

- Benedictine College

- Morning Offering by St. Philip Neri: "Watch me, O Lord, this day; for, abandoned to myself, I shall surely betray thee."

- Sisterhood Small Groups

- Abiding Together Podcast

- This Present Paradise: A Spiritual Journey with St. Elizabeth of the Trinity

Father Mattingly is associate pastor at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Kansas City, MO! In an effort to tap into the City on a Hill pillar of 'formation', we we will begin to record and share his Sunday homilies!

This episode features his Homily from the Baptism of the Lord (January 10, 2021).

Father Mattingly is associate pastor at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Kansas City, MO. 

In an effort to tap into the City on a Hill pillar of 'formation', we we will begin to record and share his Sunday homilies! 

This episode features his Homily from the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord (January 3, 2021). 

Our first episode of 2021 is one you will not want to miss! Gordon and Katrina Schmitz seem to do it all for City on a Hill - listen in now to learn how their passion and zeal came to be!

Katrina… even after having an encounter with God, wanted to find a group of young adults who believed what she did. Her first taste was in Peoria, IL but then moved to Maryville, MO. She routinely drove to Kansas City to find community! Eventually, she moved to KC permanently. Gordon went on a retreat and encountered the Lord. He still had highs and lows, but had a base level of happiness established after encountering the Lord better than he’d known. He selected Benedictine to take the faith seriously in order to let it grow. He also came to KC in an effort to find another community to help foster his faith.

Show notes:
- Katrina & Gordon both discovered how hard it is to live for what you believe in without people around you! They both compete regularly in Catholic Challenge Sports.
- Katrina joined a Sisterhood group once she moved to KC. She recently led a women’s group using this study.
- Gordon has been a part of Band of Brothers.
- AND their first child is due in February. Pray for little Schmitz :)

During banter, Emily teaches us about allergy tests - it’s really amazing! Throughout adolescence, her spiritual life was filled with retreat highs and then ordinary life. She didn’t know how to make the faith relevant to the day to day. She details her story of hitting rock bottom and finding hope in the Lord. AND despite loads of opposition, Emily started a pro-life group on her campus… while in medical school! Check out her episode now, wherever you get your podcasts!

Show notes:
- Interested in starting a Students for Life group? Find more information here.
- Emily hosts an event on the MAP. You can find more info about 2nd Sunday at Spokes here.

Taylor had always wanted to be a good person thanks to a great family and talkative dinners. She went to YoungLife and accepted Jesus into her heart. She graduated from Mizzou, and it was there that she took on four different bible studies of various Christian denominations. She encountered the Lord in Matthew 16, where Jesus claimed Peter as the rock on which his Church would be built. Previously she’d been to Rome and saw the bones of St. Peter and connected the dots that the Catholic church was started by the Lord and consequently is her home.

Show notes:
- Check out FOCUS at Mizzou.
- Read more on the discovery of St. Peter’s Tomb in Rome.

"The journey to sainthood is a lifelong thing… I’ve realized more and more throughout discernment that the Lord needs time to work with and on me." Listen to hear of Paul Sappington, seminarian for the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, share of his life and discernment!

Show notes: 

- Paul attended Missouri S&T, and mentions the Rolla Newman Center. 

- Pray for the seminarians from the KC-SJ diocese.

Will has a contagious joy and childlike trust in God’s mercy that surfaced in a unique way through the Community of the Lamb. Will used to play basketball on Monday nights… then after one Monday night with the Community of the Lamb, he gave up the league.  Now, he routinely goes door to door with mendicants to beg for food for the Community!

Show notes: 

- Will leads a Monday night group with the Community of the Lamb. Find information here. 

- For Community of the Lamb information in general click here.

A skit demonstrating a backpack being emptied was a revolutionary moment in Ali’s life. She encountered Jesus as the Savior of her life and became His disciple - seeing Him as gentle and challenging. Even if scruples or perfectionism get the best of you in daily life, He’s present. Ali’s life is a testament to that!

Show notes: 

- A shameless plug for the book Fr. M recommended about “being grounded in things”called Out of the Ashes.  

-And Dain’s recommendation for better understanding the call of perfection in the Christian life called The Heart of Perfection.
- For those curious about the wichita flag, or the term for someone from Wichita, is, upon research, referred to as a Wichitan. :)

Before they even met, Dave gave Sarah top marks in the “yearly review”… little did they know, they’d be husband and wife :) A living room experience in high school with her father is how Sarah learned that the Eucharist is real. Later in life, Sarah came to a more full conversion to the Lord and eventually she served as a FOCUS missionary and is now pursuing a counseling degree. Dave, her husband, came to know the Lord and His truth over various encounters with Him… particularly through a friend, Tim, while at KU and then as a camp counselor at Camp Wojtyla. It was there that Dave saw men who were “tough as nails guys” and completely uncompromising in their faith.

Show notes: 

- Sarah worked for FOCUS and was placed as a missionary at KU. 

- It was there that she met Dave through the Newman Center. 

- Dave served as a camp counselor at Camp Wojtyla.

When she graduated college, she had also completed another tremendous accomplishment... she wrote a book! After college, Megan took a job across the country and lived away from people she was comfortable with. When she came back to KC, surrounded by people she knew, she was afraid of the comforts of friendship and familiarity. God was the constant in both as well as courage to press into the season. **Disclaimer, for the first five minutes while Megan talks, there’s a buzzing sound. Press on, it goes away. Mea culpa- Dain**

Show Notes: 

- “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”  Frederick Buechner
- Say a prayer in gratitude for Sheryl’s life :) And for any mentors in your own life!
- If you would like to purchase Megan’s book, A Heart for the World, you can do so here.

Fr. Andrew Mattingly sits down with Diego Payan to share of his conversion, which hinged on a decision to begin attending daily Mass. One Monday evening, he wasn't sure if he would find a daily Mass to attend after a long day of work. After using MassTimes.org (shout out!), he found a quaint little chapel tucked in Kansas City, Kansas - the Little Sisters of the Lamb. 

The Community of the Lamb is a humble little religious community, that is nestled in the streets of Kansas City, KS. Diego immersed himself in the community and became a young adults of the lamb. One thing led to the other, Diego sought healing, and he now desires to share the joy he receives from his faith with others. Join Diego and attend their young adult night on Monday evenings! 

Show Notes: 

- Donnelly College

- MassTimes.org

- Little Sisters of the Lamb 

- Small Get-Together: Monday Nights at Community of the Lamb

- Desert Stream Ministries 

Lee Volmer hadn’t gone to Mass at all over his time in college. His senior year, he was signed up to  go on a mission trip by a friend who ended up not joining him, and he encountered the Lord there. When he came back to Northwest, he went to confession and radically encountered the Lord’s mercy after being away from the sacrament for 6 years! He is currently discerning a call to the priesthood as a seminarian at Kenrick-Glennon in St. Louis.

Show notes: 

- Northwest Missouri State Newman Center: http://northwestnewman.com/
- FOCUS: https://www.focus.org/what-we-do/campus-life

Drew & Melora Williams share their personal conversions of heart as well as their discernment in marriage. Both Drew & Melora had gradual conversions growing in intimacy with the Lord. They are now navigating how to cultivate a culture of prayer within their family life - a practical conversation that most Christian families struggle to implement in their own homes. Fun fact: when the podcast was recorded, they only had one kiddo out of utero, and now there are two.

Show notes: 

- Rolla Newman Center: https://www.rollanewman.org/

Episode #006 Clare Larkin

Opening up to other people does wonders. A friend kept inviting Clare to a weekly meeting called School of Community. She rejected him for years, but he never let up. Finally, she went. It was there that Clare heard “Christ is present in all of your circumstances” with fresh ears. Rather than God being elsewhere, she had someone speak into her life that God is in her life, just as she is.

Show notes:
- Benedictine College: https://www.benedictine.edu

#005 Lee McMahon

Lee: “Why is your family so happy?”

Future wife: “I don’t know, but want to go to Mass with us this Sunday?”

Lee: “Sure! What’s the Mass?”

Over time, Lee went to Mass and pursued his girlfriend and eventually asked her to be his wife. He grew up in an unchurched home. But his wife’s mother, Katrina, was the one who reassured him and helped Lee with many of his questions with the Catholic church.

Show notes:

- KU Newman Center: https://kucatholic.org/

- RCIA at Good Counsel: https://www.goodcounselkc.org/become-catholic

The power of one woman’s invitation … thank you Haley Cunningham!  Both Collin and Elizabeth knew deep heartache and pain at young ages. Through their suffering, they learned how to love others and found the Lord and eventually each other through the Newman Center thanks to Haley Vonfeldt (now Cunningham).

Show notes: 

- Emporia State Newman Center: https://www.diddecenter.org/

- Totus Tuus: https://www.totustuus.church/projects

- They had just found the day before recording (and didn’t share on the show), but Collin and Elizabeth are pregnant with their first child! Please pray for their little one :)

Episode #003: Kelly Hunt

The testimony of another set ablaze the kindling within her heart. Relating to God the Father was natural for her. Relating to the Holy Spirit was also natural for her creative and artistic soul. Relating to the Person of Jesus was awkward. The profound understanding that came to Kelly can be yours too. Listen in!

Show notes:

- Performing her music publicly seemed impossible, but it became a career! Give her a listen: www.kellyhuntmusic.com.

Episode #002: Sam + Emily Sharpe

They have been described as complementarity at its finest!!! Both Sam and Emily wrestled with difficult questions within their lives but at very different points. After leaving behind a life of sin, and then a life as a religious brother, Sam pursued Emily with everything that he had. When Emily was asking, Lord, am I going to stay with you? Sam came in to bring her Him and His joy.

Show notes:

- Master’s degree in common sense. Email Sam directly: samsharpekc@gmail.com.

- Sam and Emily met at Franciscan University : https://franciscan.edu/

Episode #001: Andrew Marquez

“I was panicked and didn’t know where to go. Mom said, “vete a confesar, mi niño!”” Andrew started living for the world bit by bit and eventually a Sunday night near-panic attack sent him on a search. He called his mom and she told him to go to confession. An immediate dark to light conversion story.

Show notes:
- Andrew prays the rosary with his family several times a week through Mike’s rosary : https://www.schooloffaith.com/rosary-archive

- Band of Brothers group : https://www.kansascityonahill.org/small-groups

Welcome to the City on a Hill podcast!! 

Our hope is to launch the podcast in the next month and celebrate so by releasing a handful of episodes at once!! 

Meet your hosts: Father Andrew Mattingly, Director of City on a Hill, and Dain Finney, Assistant Director of Mission! 

Shelby Hennen shares a very relatable testimony about placing her worth in accomplishments and her work. However, a sudden turn of events left her questioning her identity in Christ. When we place our worth in our treasures, rather than in God, and those things are taken away, it has the potential to lead to a pivotal moment in a person’s life. Tune in to hear how Shelby navigated these challenges and strives to live on mission every day. Shelby shares how she pursues a relationship with Christ in prayer and practical tips on how to live this out.

Andrew & Ellen Holzum sit down with Fr. Mattingly to discuss all the ways they are pursuing Sainthood in Kansas City! They each share how they eventually came to make the faith their own—sending each of them on the pursuit for Catholic community, which they ultimately found in City on a Hill. They both recently decided on a Plan of Life and share the benefits and struggles of sticking to it. Ellen also shares her practice of mental prayer and the personal apostolate she started at the Catholic school where she teaches.

Show Notes:

- Daily Rosary Podcast

- "Rediscover Catholicism" by Matthew Kelly

- "Time for God" by Jacques Philippe

- "Theology for Beginners" by Frank Sheed

This week, Fr. Mattingly and Taylor Downey sit down with Jordyn Kukla as she shares how the Lord has pursued her heart over the last few years. Hear how Jordyn uncovered her feelings of unworthiness and the way it extended into her life. The promptings of the Lord and those around her pointed her towards a more accurate depiction of how God truly sees her. Jordyn shares the ways she worships the Lord daily and one thing she does to grow in humility that may surprise you! This episode is packed full of goodness and one you do not want to miss!

Show Notes:

- “Be Healed” by Bob Schuts

- Maverick City Music

- SPO (Saint Paul’s Outreach)

We are back with Season 4 of the City on a Hill Podcast! Kicking off the first episode is Dr. Luke Murray! He is the headmaster at Chesterton Academy in Kansas City! He shares how he first had an intellectual conversion during his early years of college, which was later followed by a heart conversion while attending Steubenville. Dr. Luke shares what lead him to his current position at Chesterton Academy and his heart behind it. If you are interested learning more about classical education, Dr. Luke and Fr. Mattingly discuss the differences between a modern education and the Chesterton model. He also shares the need for this form of education in our society today and the skills that it equips students with to not only benefit them in their professional lives, but set them on a path to Sainthood.

Show Notes:

- Mount Angel Seminary

- “The Everlasting Man” (1993) by G.K. Chesterton

- Chesterton Academy of St. Philip Neri: Kansas City

As many may know, City on a Hill has been led by Father Andrew Mattingly as Director & Chaplain of City on a Hill since the summer of 2016. Through mutual discernment with Bishop Johnston and Fr. Mattingly, in the summer of 2021 City on a Hill became its own, independent lay apostolate. In light of this shift, one of the next goals was for the newly formed board of directors to hire a full-time lay director. It is only fitting that a lay apostolate would be led by a lay director, allowing an assigned chaplain to spend time bringing the Sacraments to the young adults and allowing a lay director to inspire the mission of young adults!

Catherine shares her testimony and how the Lord has been ever present in her life since a young age. Learn how Catherine shares her gifts to inspire those around her. She dives deep into what it means to seek healing in the Lord and how to identify charisms in others. Catherine also shares some of her favorite books and resources to continue to grow and learn more about the Catholic faith daily. Continue to pray for Catherine as she begins her new role as Director of City on a Hill! 

Show Notes:

- "Interior Freedom" by Jacques Philippe

- "I Believe in Love: A Personal Retreat Based on the Teaching of St. Therese of Lisieux" by Jean C. J. d'Elbee

- "The Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis

- Benedictine College

- The Avila Institute: School of Spiritual Formation

Jeff Shields sits down with Fr. Mattingly to chat about how his faith has been strengthened over the years. Jeff shares how he is striving for holiness on a daily basis by acknowledging that every person we encounter is a child of God. Changing his perspective has deepened his own faith and relationships with those around him.

Show Notes: 

- Tuesdays at the Boulevard : 6 times a year, 200+ young adults attend Mass together, complete with beautiful music. Following Mass, we walk across the parking lot Boulevard Brewery and it costs $15 for Waldo pizza and Boulevard beer. Check out the link for more information! 

- Band of Brothers is a community of men who meet regularly in small groups to hold each other accountable in pursuing holiness in the modern world. Email bandofbrothers.coah@gmail.com if you have questions or want to sign up.

Madison Allen shares her journey with Christ as he revealed himself to her in a number of unique experiences. She speaks about her time of discernment and what it was like to transition back to “normal” life after living at the Madonna House in Ontario, Canada for a brief time (an apostolate of a Catholic community of men, women and priests, dedicated to loving and serving Jesus Christ in all aspects of everyday life).

Madison continues to serve those around her in the little ways and by bringing Christ to those who may be lonely. She is continually on mission to do what delights the heart of the Father.

Show Notes: 

- Essence of Prayer by Ruth Burrows

- The Community of the Lamb in Kansas City

- 33 Days to Merciful Love by Fr. Michael Gaitley

- The Madonna House 

After a few impactful experiences in his classical high school education & Great Books program, Gabe LeBeau started on an intellectual pursuit which lead him to want to study philosophy at Benedictine College in Kansas. Most people are drawn to one of the transcendentals—truth, beauty, and goodness. Gabe realized he specifically encounters the Lord through pursuing Truth, which has guided him along the way.

After College, Gabe has since moved to Kansas City and is currently studying to be a doctor at KU Med. He is pursuing a path to Sanctity through the medical field and with the intent to regain the integrity of the medicine. Gabe shares how conversations with his peers in med school have allowed him to dive into Catholic principles, appealing to them through the transcendentals.

Show Notes:
- City of the Lord – Catholic Charismatic Covenant Community

- The Republic by Plato

- Benedictine College in Atchison, KS

- Opus Dei Men's Recollection

- Catholic Medical Student Association at KU Medical

- Confessions by St. Augustine

Miss Catherine Kluempers hailed from Atchison, KS to sit down with Fr. Mattingly and Taylor Furrer. This episode is steeped with goldmines of truth and encouragement in learning to more clearly hear the Father's voice in prayer! Catherine started off with a story of when she was in kindergarten. When asked what she would want to be when she grew up, she answered 'Saint Catherine of the Rainbow' spreading joy wherever she goes. And it is true that she does so! 

Catherine shares of her realization of how important prayer is, that without daily prayer we lack a necessary piece of our relationship with the Lord. She notes the perseverance it took to cultivate the habit of prayer - through reading good books and conversing good friends. Catherine notes that in Time for God, she read that the devil will stop at nothing to distract us from prayer... and that alone ought to prove how important prayer alone is! 

Show notes: 

- Time for God 

- Catherine's music 

- Reform Wellness 

Kendall Nick shares how just a few moments of courage set her on a path of healing and began to transform her relationship with Jesus Christ. Once she started talking to God as a friend, her relationship with Christ became more intimate and personal, which ever so subtly began to change her life. Kendall is actively pursuing sainthood by living out the words of Mother Teresa, “Do small things with great love.”

Kendall shares how Feeding Homeless Friends got started, a personal apostolate she began which serves those in the River Market area in Kansas City every other Friday night. They bring food, clothes, consistency and comfort to those who lack it. They have built friendships, shared stories, and are impacting lives just by showing up. To learn more or get involved with Kendall’s ministry, check out the Show Notes!

Show Notes:

- Feeding Homeless Friends

Sam and Adrienne Volkmer chat about their lives in Kansas City since moving here, meeting each other while on a run, getting married, and starting their family. They both share similar stories from living their faith lukewarm to being surrounded by people who encouraged them to pursue Christ on a more intimate level.

They are currently striving for holiness by praying with scripture, saying a daily rosary, and praying together as a couple. They also discuss the apostolate of the dinner table and Fr. Mattingly gives important insight on having intentional conversations.

Show Notes: 

- University of Nebraska Lincoln Newman Center 

- Band of Brothers is a community of men who meet regularly in small groups to hold each other accountable in pursuing holiness in the modern world. Email bandofbrothers.coah@gmail.com if you have questions or want to sign up. 

- Sisterhood is focused on building authentic, feminine friendships centered on Christ. Each group is unique in the content they choose and the frequency with which they meet! Email sisterhoodkc@gmail.com to learn more or find a group! 

- Catholic Challenge Sports, often called CCS, is more than a sports league. CCS challenges you to connect mind, body, and soul. Check out a seasonal sports league or sign up for a 1-day tournament!

- In Conversation with God

Jackson McElroy shares how his faith has slowly strengthened over the years through constant pursuit of the capital “T” (Truth). Although Jackson learned the what of the Catholic faith growing up, once he started learning more about the how and why in college, he began to think about things in a deeper way. His gradual persistence in keeping the faith let God open his eyes to think and love better.

Jackson is a Kansas City native and now works as a Data Analyst at Hallmark. Jackson and Fr. Mattingly discuss how dressing well and elevating your language can point to the dignity of those around you and how this can apply in the workplace and other secular settings.

Show Notes:

- The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis

- Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

- Exodus 90

Jessica Le grew up in St. Louis, Missouri and shares how a few positive peer influences growing up nudged her to seek out the faith on a deeper level. By making a conscious effort to just show up, Jess was amazed how the Lord worked in her life during college and continues to do so. She has made a conscious effort to have a personal encounter with each person she interacts with daily and shares practical tips on how to do so.

Jessica chats with Fr. Mattingly and Taylor Downey about how to stay strong in your faith through big life transitions, specifically going from college to adult life. They discuss the importance of seeking out opportunities and finding community.

Show Notes: 

- “Rediscover Catholicism: A Spiritual Guide to Living with Passion & Purpose” By Matthew Kelly

- Catholic Challenge Sports (CCS)

Jarrad Condreay grew up in a Catholic family in Wichita. Although he had great faith formation growing up, he began to question his faith when his family faced some difficult challenges during his sophomore year of college. After realizing it was faith that got them through it, he began to seek more involvement in Catholic community. After discovering City on a Hill, Jarrad has gotten involved in a variety of ways—pushing himself out of his comfort zone. Jarrad is on the hospitality team, was the Mass Hospitality lead for City Lights 2021, and leads a Band of Brothers group.

Jarrad and Fr. Mattingly discuss the need to go from being a “comfortable Catholic” to putting yourself out there and digging deeper into community. They also discuss the benefits of frequent confession and how specificity in confession can fuel humility.

Show Notes:

- “The Screwtape Letters” by C.S. Lewis

- Band of Brothers is a community of men who meet regularly in small groups to hold each other accountable in pursuing holiness in the modern world. Email bandofbrothers.coah@gmail.com if you have questions or want to sign up.

- Sisterhood is focused on building authentic, feminine friendships centered on Christ. Each group is unique in the content they choose and the frequency with which they meet! Email sisterhoodkc@gmail.com to learn more or find a group!

- KC Underground

NOTICE: CONTENT NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN (i.e. mentions masturbation)

As a young girl, Abbey Foard longed for the fullness of life. She shares her powerful story of healing from sexual sins and finding freedom in the truth. She became Catholic shortly before recording this podcast and shares how she went from the Christian charismatic world to finding stability in the Sacraments. Rather than relying on a feeling, she liked that they are “guaranteed touch-points to heaven” and is finding new life in receiving Jesus in the Eucharist.

Abbey is now helping others on their own paths to healing and finding freedom in their sexuality through her work as a counselor. She also serves as the Executive Director for Desert Stream/Living Waters. To learn more about this ministry, check out the show notes below!

Show Notes:

- Desert Stream / Living Waters Ministries : provides help for Christians struggling with sexual and relational problems. Their help is based on the biblical foundation of compassion, integrity, and dependence on God. Living Waters is a closed group for men and women seeking healing in their lives through weekly times of worship, teaching, and small group prayer with the goal to pray for God’s healing to restore broken areas of life so that people can “love well” as God intended. For more information or to get connected with the ministry, check out their website and social channels below!

- Website  

- Instagram 

Michael and Gina Tinio are truly on fire for their faith in Kansas City! They met at the one and only Kanza Hall, a country dance hall in Overland Park! Their meeting was truly a work of the Holy Spirit and a beautiful start to their vocation of marriage. Both Gina and Michael have had strong role models in their life who set the example in living out the Catholic faith.

Michael and Gina share a glimpse into how their pursuit of holiness has guided their marriage—for example, making daily mass a priority has made all the difference.

Show Notes:

- "Emotional Virtue" by Sarah Swafford

- Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Michigan

- FOCUS Conferences

- Totus Tuus

- City Lights Gala

- Daily Rosary Podcast

Jack Oxley grew up in Kansas City in a home where the Catholic faith was not modeled before the age of 10. As he grew older, he noticed a distinction between non-denominational churches and the Catholic faith and was ultimately drawn towards Catholicism. Jack now works at Holy Family School of Faith, a Catholic organization!

Jack and Fr. Mattingly chat about how to deepen friendships and invest in people. They also discuss why it so important to have good, holy people in your life.

Show Notes:

- Tuesday’s Crew

- School of Faith

Alex Weibel and Fr. Mattingly chat about many specific moments in Alex's life that have ultimately lead to a deepening of her faith over time. Alex shares how she strives to be heroic in the small moments every day and how this has made her more willing and able to face larger things head on. Alex also describes ways she welcomes others into her home and why hospitality and creating a space for others in your home is so important.

Alex is originally from Minnesota and currently teaches 1st grade at Stanley Elementary in Kansas City.

Show Notes: 

- Capen Rock Park in Columbia, MO

Fr. Mattingly chats with Ignateus Marten as he shares his journey from lukewarm catholic to on fire for his faith. The two discuss how God moves into the human struggle and helps you carry the cross, rather than simply remove it. Ignateus shares many nuggets of wisdom he has learned over the years through his healing journey and involvement with City on a Hill.

Show Notes:

- Unwanted: How Sexual Brokenness Reveals Our Way to Healing | by Jay Stringer

- Four Loves | by C.S. Louis

Madi Abbott shares of her humble beginnings on a farm in Oklahoma, learning to love the simplicity of life. Before too long, she fell into the allure of secular success and desire to be the best in all she did. At the beginning of high school, a broken foot led to being benched for the season... and Madi shares that one by one, her idols were smashed! 

Through life experiences, Madi has learned that the Lord did not need to create her... but He did, and continues to give gift after gift in her life! Madi reflects that in the midst of the day to day, it can be easy to allow suffering to distract us and detract from the gifts we receive... but suffering can be embraced as a gift, too! A true conversion that her broken foot allowed her to embrace suffering and allow her idols to be smashed - that she might live life more fully. 

Anne Schwartz shares how she first truly realized God’s existence after a wild experience in the 8th grade. Anne, Fr. Mattingly, and Marco chat about how to keep your prayer life strong after the initial spark of a conversion. They discuss the importance of having a spiritual mentor in leading us to sainthood and how this has greatly impacted Anne in her spiritual journey since graduating college. They discuss what perseverance looks like in “the real world” and how even the greatest saints had mentors.

Anne currently works at KU Med as a physical therapist in the patient burn unit. She shares her talents through leading a Sisterhood group through City on a Hill and is a member of the Hospitality Team.

Show Notes:

- Spiritual Mentorship through School of Faith

- Interested in joining a Sisterhood group through City on a Hill? Email sisterhoodkc@gmail.com to learn more and get connected with a group!

- Blessed is She studies for small groups

Derek and Kelly Maghe sit down with Fr. Mattingly to discuss all things marriage, family life, and evangelization in their everyday activities. They are also joined by their adorable daughter Pia. Derek and Kelly share their individual testimonies of how their faith grew to what it is today.

The couple shares how they keep daily prayer in their relationship and the importance of spending that time together with the Lord. Derek and Kelly continue to spread light by intentionally hosting others and engaging in fruitful conversations.

Show Notes:

- FOCUS

- Benedictine College

- Domestic Church

Jacob Woods, a previous Reformed Evangelical, recently entered the Catholic Church on Pentecost Sunday. He shares how his search for truth lead him to Catholicism as he began to question his beliefs. Jacob’s advice to Catholics is to dive into Scripture and learn how to defend the faith.

Jacob now has a YouTube channel, “The Candid Catholic,” where he shares on topics of Scripture, Theology, Life as a Catholic, Catholicism’s view on culture, stories of the Saints and more to help Catholics and non-Catholics alike to discover more about the Catholic faith.

Show Notes:

- Pope Peter by Joe Heschmeyer

- YouTube debate between James White & Trent Horn

- Jacob’s YouTube Channel: The Candid Catholic

- Scott Hahn

- Trent Horn

- Jimmy Akin

Fr. Mattingly sits down with Ellen Kopetzky as she shares how the Lord has touched her life through the Eucharist. Ellen grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska and now works as an elementary and special education teacher in Kansas City. Listen to hear how a severe injury in high school became a pivotal moment in Ellen’s faith journey.

We discuss how getting rid of distractions and spending one-on-one time with God is essential in our spiritual lives. Ellen also shares some resources she has found helpful in her prayer life and making time for God.

Show Notes:

- "Time for God" by Jacques Phillipe

- In Sinu Jesu by anonymous Benedictine Monk

- Abiding Together Podcast by Blessed is She

- Abiding Together's study on female Doctors of the Church

- Interested in joining a Sisterhood group? Email sisterhood@kansascityonahill.org to get connected to a group!

Keevan Statz is currently working on his PHD at the University of Kansas in Kansas City. He shares how he came to make the faith his own and found his true identity in Christ. Keevan chats with Fr. Mattingly about how goal setting in your spiritual life is a good thing and why it is important to be intentional with your prayer time.

Keevan shares his purpose is to get to heaven by acquiring virtue and helping others to do the same. Listen how Keevan uses his talents to help others feel seen, known, and loved.

Show Notes:

- Interested in grabbing coffee or a beer with Keevan? Reach out to him at his email here: keevanstatz@gmail.com

- Magnificat Daily Companion

- “I believe in Love” by Father Jean C. J. d’Elbee

- “Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming” by Henri Nouwen

- “The Life of Christ” by Fulton Sheen

- Catholic Challenge Sports (CCS)

- FOCUS

Father Mattingly, Director of City on a Hill, is also the associate pastor at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Kansas City, MO. In an effort to tap into the City on a Hill pillar of 'formation' we share his Sunday homilies.

This episode features his homily from 10/24/21. Fr. Mattingly, for the first time, preaches on the Psalm from this Sunday. He shares that real Christian joy springs from knowing what the Lord has done for you! Can you answer the question of what the Lord has done for you in your life? 

NOTE: this will be the LAST homily episode on this platform. If you'd like to keep up with Fr. Mattingly's homilies, please head on over to the podcast named Padre's Points -- BONUS: any sort of meditation or talk Fr. Mattingly gives will also be shared on this podcast!

It was truly a treat to chat with Sr. Sanguinis as she shared her wisdom with us. She belongs to the religious order of The Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matara. Her full title is Sister Maria Mater Sanguinis Preciosi meaning Mary Mother of the Precious Blood of Jesus. She is currently serving in Guyana and shares how the sisters there are carrying out the mission of evangelizing culture.

She shares her own journey towards becoming a sister and offers tips on how to find clarity in times of discernment. She discussed the importance of falling in love with God’s will and how she lives out her life as a bride of Christ.

Show Notes:

- Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matara

- Focus SEEK

- Blessed Piere Giorgio Frassati--Learn more! 

- I.N.R.I Jesus Nazareno Rey De Los Judios—By Father Miguel Fuentes

- FOCUS Missions

- FOCUS Missions--India

Moved by Sr. Sanguinis story and want to support the mission of The Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matara? 

DONATE HERE

Please keep the Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matara in your prayers!