The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. He has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives.
— cf. Lk 4:18-19 (NRSV)
A PERENNIAL WINNER …
He’s doing it again, folks! We’re talking about Fr. Mike Schmitz. And for the second year in a row, Fr. Mike has one of the most popular podcasts in the world. How’s he doing it?
Let’s talk!
MEET FR. MIKE (SCHMITZ) …
Let’s start by saying that Fr. Mike does not have any more free time than the rest of us do. He’s a Catholic priest in the Diocese of Duluth in Minnesota. He serves as the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, and he’s also the Chaplain for the Newman Center at the University of Minnesota Duluth. (SOURCE: Wikipedia. See citation below.)
When Fr. Mike’s not working directly with his diocese, he makes YouTube videos. He’s also a popular speaker and works closely with Ascension Press, a Catholic publisher committed to helping people have meaningful encounters with God.
It’s probably no surprise that this fast-talking priest didn’t always want to be a priest, however. According to the Wikipedia, Fr. Mike first felt the call to the priesthood when he was 15. It happened after going to confession (SOURCE: Fraga, Brian (1 December 2015). "Fr. Mike Schmitz, interview". Legatus. Retrieved 1 June 2016. Referenced by Wikipedia).
Although he was raised in a Catholic family, until that memorable confession, Fr. Mike was pretty much indifferent about his faith. But once he got locked into his vocation, he was full speed ahead!
Fr. Mike attended St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity and was ordained in 2003.
POPULAR PODCASTER PRIEST …
How do you top an intense podcast like the “Bible-In-A-Year,” the most popular podcast in America for much of last year? If you’re Fr. Mike, you just start the “Catechism-In-A-Year” podcast. You take people through the entire Catechism of the Catholic Church in one year, explaining things in a simple, straightforward way.
Of course, it’s a big book, so he has to speak really fast!
Fr. Mike is doing that this year, and you probably guessed it. He’s got the top podcast in America again this year!
So we have a quick, little story about Fr. Mike.
AN ALMOST TRUE STORY …
Before we get started, we have to say that don’t actually know Fr. Mike. We’ve never met him. And in fact, we haven’t even seen him except on YouTube. But we know that Fr. Mike is really making a huge difference for the Kingdom of Heaven.
When you’re a storyteller, not having met Fr. Mike won’t stop you from “telling stories” about him. We know all we need to know. He’s a busy priest — and we have a big imagination!
So here’s our “Fr. Mike Story.” It’s not completely true, of course, but it could be. So we like to call these kinds of stories “almost true” stories.
Enjoy! Be blessed! And don’t forget to keep Fr. Mike in your prayers.
OUR STORY …
That’s our story and we’re sticking to it.
Pray for Fr. Mike and for Ascension Press too please.
Vivat Jesus!
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They don’t come more dynamic than this servant of God and Church. Fr Mike puts the Spirit of God in your face and you love every moment. Thank you Jesus for this servant you called and blessed to gather your flock into your Kingdom, amen…
You are right, brother. What a gift Fr. Mike has been both to the Church today and to those wanting to “know more.” He is a “gentle giant” of the faith.
Thank you, Jesus!
Thank you Rom for exposing this servant who wants nothing more than to gather the flock in His name…
You are always a faithful supporter. God bless you and your home!