Catholic Minute

Send us Fan MailIs “be true to yourself” enough? Fr. Stephen Penna joins Ken Yasinski to explore happiness, the difference between values and virtue, and why God calls us beyond comfort to sainthood. The first episode in our eight-part series on Catholic virtues.Support the showSupport this show and get all future episodes by email atwww.kenandjanelle.com

Send us Fan MailWhy did the North American Martyrs refuse to flee when they knew death was approaching? Discover the extraordinary faith and courage of these Catholic missionaries who chose to remain with the people they served, even at the cost of their own lives.In the 17th century, eight Jesuit missionaries were martyred while bringing the Catholic faith to North America. Their stories of sacrifice, suffering, and unwavering devotion to Jesus Christ continue to challenge and inspire Catholics today.Ken Yasinski is joined by Fr. Penna to explore the lives of the Canadian Martyrs, including St. Jean de Brébeuf, St. Isaac Jogues, and St. Gabriel Lalemant. Together, they discuss what these saints endured, why they remained faithful despite the danger, and what their witness teaches us about living our Catholic faith with courage.Support the showSupport this show and get all future episodes by email atwww.kenandjanelle.com

Send us Fan MailCan you still believe in God while neglecting the prayer that strengthens your faith? A memorable encounter with a 90-year-old woman offers Ken Yasinski a simple lesson: if you don’t use it, you risk losing it.Drawing on St. Alphonsus Liguori’s teaching, Ken explores why prayer is essential to living the Catholic faith, why willpower alone isn’t enough, and how God’s grace helps us persevere through temptation.If your prayer life has slipped, this episode offers encouragement to begin again—with words as simple as “God, help me.”Support the showSupport this show and get all future episodes by email atwww.kenandjanelle.com

Send us Fan MailArchangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael: who are they, and when should you ask each one for help? You may know St. Michael as a defender in spiritual battle—but what about the other two?For the September 29 Feast of the Archangels, Ken sits down with Fr. Penna to explore the three archangels named in the Catholic Bible. Their names and stories reveal their missions and help us understand when to seek their intercession.St. Michael is associated with protection against evil and spiritual warfare. St. Gabriel brings God’s message to Mary at the Annunciation. St. Raphael accompanies Tobias in the Book of Tobit, bringing healing and guiding him on his journey.Fr. Penna also explains why Catholics focus on these three archangels, shares the story behind the St. Michael Prayer, and leads us in that prayer at the end of the conversation.Which archangel’s story speaks to you most right now? Let us know in the comments.Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, pray for us!#Archangels #StMichael #StGabriel #StRaphael #CatholicSupport the showSupport this show and get all future episodes by email atwww.kenandjanelle.com

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when an atheist pop-star hopeful walks into a quiet chapel and suddenly experiences a profound illumination of conscience?In this episode, Addie shares her extraordinary and terrifying testimony. From living a life far from God to feeling the staggering, eternal weight of her soul exposed before Him, Addie opens up about confronting divine justice, experiencing the chilling reality of sin, and ultimately being drawn back by the overwhelming mercy of Christ.A powerful and sobering reminder of God's pursuit of every soul.#Catholic #ConversionStory #IlluminationOfConscience #FaithTestimonySupport the showSupport this show and get all future episodes by email atwww.kenandjanelle.com

Send us Fan MailHave you ever caught yourself thinking, “If only this would change… then I’d finally be at peace”?Those two seemingly innocent words can quietly become a spiritual trap—causing us to look for peace in different circumstances instead of in Christ.In this episode, we look at why the “if only” trap can hinder our spiritual growth and share 3 simple things you can do to return to the present moment, recognize God’s presence, and do the next loving thing He is asking of you.Because holiness doesn’t begin in the life you wish you had. It begins right where you are.Support the showSupport this show and get all future episodes by email atwww.kenandjanelle.com

Send us Fan MailWe recently had the privilege of witnessing something most Catholics rarely see: two religious sisters making their final vows and giving their lives completely to Jesus.In this episode, we share our experience attending the perpetual profession of two sisters from the Queenship of Mary Community in Ottawa, including a close friend we have known for many years.One moment especially stayed with us. During the ceremony, the bishop asked the sisters:“What do you desire?”Their response challenges all of us to consider the same question: What do I desire most—and am I willing to give everything to Jesus in order to become a saint?We discuss the beauty of religious life, the sacrifices these sisters make, what their vocation asks of their families, and what their witness can teach every Catholic—whether married, single, a priest, or religious—about giving our lives completely to Christ. Support the showSupport this show and get all future episodes by email atwww.kenandjanelle.com

Send us Fan MailThe devil told three great lies in the Garden of Eden—and he still wants us to believe those same lies today.In this episode, we expose these three lies and look at how they can quietly creep into our thinking: causing us to distrust God, minimize the consequences of sin, and seek happiness apart from Him.We’ll also look at how Catholics can resist these lies through trust and obedience, repentance and Confession, and the humility modeled for us by the Blessed Virgin Mary.The devil’s lies don’t always sound like lies. Sometimes they sound surprisingly reasonable. The question is: could we be believing them without realizing it?Support the showSupport this show and get all future episodes by email atwww.kenandjanelle.com

Send us Fan MailWhen Hollywood and the Catholic faith meet, the result may surprise you. In this video, I sit down with Mark Matthews, who spent 10 years working at DreamWorks Animation, to discuss what he saw as a Catholic, the pursuit of fame and celebrity culture, and why he came to see Hollywood as a mission field.Support the showSupport this show and get all future episodes by email atwww.kenandjanelle.com

Send us Fan MailThe 12-Year Prayers of St. Bridget have inspired countless Catholics for centuries—but what are they, where do they come from, and what should we make of the extraordinary promises associated with them?In this episode, Ken and Janelle discuss St. Bridget of Sweden, her profound devotion to the Passion of Christ, and Janelle's personal experience praying both the one-year and 12-year St. Bridget prayers. They also explore the Church's understanding of private revelation, the remarkable promises connected to these prayers, and why meditating daily on Our Lord's Passion can transform the spiritual life.Whether you're already devoted to St. Bridget or hearing about these prayers for the first time, this conversation will encourage you to deepen your love for Jesus Christ and His saving Passion.Support the showSupport this show and get all future episodes by email atwww.kenandjanelle.com