Friar Time

Today on Friar Time, we delve into a subject most of us would rather not talk about, but one that deeply affects so many: Grief: Loss of a Child (Part II).When a child dies, the world that existed yesterday instantly disappears. Parents are left navigating unimaginable pain, carrying anger, and wrestling with deep questions of faith as they look to God and ask, "Where were you?"Joining us for this moving conversation is Diane Monaghan, Director of the Emmaus Program for Grieving Parents. Since its inception, the Emmaus Program has served over a thousand parents across twenty-six states, Canada, and Ireland, offering a sanctuary to begin the long journey of healing. Together, we explore what grieving parents truly need, how loss impacts a marriage, and how to find a path forward through faith—even when the answers aren't easy.Tune in for a compassionate, honest, and healing conversation—let’s start talking!Thanks for Tuning In!This podcast is hosted by Fr. David Covertino, OFM. Sign up to stay connected with us for exclusive updates, inspiring content, and upcoming events!  Your support allows us to keep these important conversations going—join us in supporting Friar Time here. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode.You can also follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

Today on Friar Time, we tackle a critical issue affecting all of us in the digital age: Cybercrime on the Rise.In an era of rapid technological advancement, criminals don't necessarily have to break down your door—sometimes, we open it for them. With the rise of artificial intelligence, bad actors can now imitate the voices, photos, and institutions we trust most, making cyber threats more personal and convincing than ever before.Joining us for this unsettling but necessary conversation is Mr. Edgar Melo, an Information Technology and Cyber Security expert. Together, we explore the reality of who is watching us online, how much cybercriminals already know, and how we can protect ourselves and maintain trust in an increasingly digital world.Tune in for a revealing and enlightening conversation—let’s start talking!Thanks for Tuning In!This podcast is hosted by Fr. David Covertino, OFM. Sign up to stay connected with us for exclusive updates, inspiring content, and upcoming events!  Your support allows us to keep these important conversations going—join us in supporting Friar Time here. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode.You can also follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

Today on Friar Time, we dig deeper into an issue many of us know only on a surface level: Putting a Face on Homelessness.We see the unhoused in our local communities and places we visit. A quick search reveals staggering statistics—hundreds of thousands of people across the country experiencing homelessness every night, sleeping in tents, on sidewalks, under bridges, or in their cars. Yet as overwhelming as these numbers are, the real heart of the issue lies in the human stories behind them.Joining us for this eye-opening episode is Br. Andrew Dinegar, OFM, a Franciscan Friar who has spent years walking directly alongside men and women experiencing homelessness. Brother Andrew doesn't just know the statistics—he knows their names and their personal journeys. Through these encounters, he has come to discover the face of Christ in a profound way.Tune in for a revealing and enlightening conversation—let’s start talking!Thanks for Tuning In!This podcast is hosted by Fr. David Covertino, OFM. Sign up to stay connected with us for exclusive updates, inspiring content, and upcoming events!  Your support allows us to keep these important conversations going—join us in supporting Friar Time here. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode.You can also follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

Today on Friar Time, we present an experience that is deeply Catholic, deeply American, and too often overlooked: The Black Catholic Experience in America.Join us alongside Br. Henry Fulmer, OFM, as we explore a story of faith carried through suffering, of communities built in the face of racism, and of families who held onto God even when society often rejected them. Discover a rich spirituality filled with joy, resilience, vibrant music, prayer, and enduring hope.Brother Henry brings both personal experience and profound spiritual insight to this vital conversation. Was there a specific moment in his life when he realized his experience in the Church was different because he was Black? What are some of the unique gifts the Black Catholic community brings to the Church as a whole?Tune in for compelling answers to these questions and more—let’s start talking!Thanks for Tuning In!This podcast is hosted by Fr. David Covertino, OFM. Sign up to stay connected with us for exclusive updates, inspiring content, and upcoming events!  Your support allows us to keep these important conversations going—join us in supporting Friar Time here. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode.You can also follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

On this episode of FRIAR TIME, we welcome Michael Duffy, ofm, for a moving reflection on the 25th Anniversary of 9/11: Courage, Sacrifice, and Remembrance. September 11, 2001, began like any other day, but in a single moment, the world changed forever. Yet, amidst the smoke, fear, and falling towers, incredible courage, faith, and love emerged.Join us as we honor the lives lost and remember Michael’s dear friend and fellow Franciscan, Fr. Mychal Judge, OFM. As chaplain to the FDNY, Fr. Mychal ran directly toward the burning towers to bring peace to the suffering and dying—becoming Victim 0001 in the tragedy. Together, we explore how his ultimate sacrifice continues to teach us about compassion, hope, and finding God’s presence in our darkest hours.FEATURINGHost: Fr. David Convertino, OFMGuest: Michael Duffy, ofmThanks for Tuning In!This podcast is hosted by Fr. David Covertino, OFM. Sign up to stay connected with us for exclusive updates, inspiring content, and upcoming events!  Your support allows us to keep these important conversations going—join us in supporting Friar Time here. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode.You can also follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

Today on Friar Time, we hear directly from a voice we don’t listen to enough. Not an expert, not a politician, and not a commentator—but a young man named Chris Berrios, a 17-year-old high school senior.A lot is said about young people today, but very little is actually heard from them. When Chris and his peers talk about the future, what excites them—and what genuinely scares them? Is there something older generations completely misunderstand about what it’s like to be 17 today? What are they searching for, and where—if anywhere—do they see God in it all?It’s Friar Time, let’s start talking!SUPPORT OUR MINISTRY Your support allows us to continue these vital conversations. Donate here: https://give.franciscanfriarscharities.org/page/146090/donate/1?ea.tracking.id=FFC262OYOPTIMEC03CFTVFFCTAKE THE PODCAST ON THE GO You can also listen to Friar Time on: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7oucTkJK1ALttEkKANcQZx Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/friar-time/id1767004378JOIN OUR COMMUNITY Subscribe to Franciscan TV: https://www.youtube.com/c/FranciscanTV?sub_confirmation=1 Sign up for our Monthly Newsletter :https://join.thefranciscans.org/page/144472/subscriptions/1?ea.tracking.id=FFC262OYOPFWAYC03CFTVFFC Facebook: https://facebook.com/FranciscanTV#FriarTime #GenZ #YouthVoices #FaithAndYouth #UnfilteredConversation #FranciscanTV #TeenPerspectiveThanks for Tuning In!This podcast is hosted by Fr. David Covertino, OFM. Sign up to stay connected with us for exclusive updates, inspiring content, and upcoming events!  Your support allows us to keep these important conversations going—join us in supporting Friar Time here. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode.You can also follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

Today on Friar Time, we explore an issue that affects nearly 80% of Americans, yet remains a topic many are afraid to face. Join us alongside David O'Brien, OFS, CFA, and Chief Financial Officer of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, to learn practical and approachable strategies on how to get out of debt.For some, debt feels like a quiet burden. For others, it can feel completely overwhelming—like there’s no way out. But what if there is a path forward? David O’Brien understands how to make complex financial realities accessible, and he’s ready to share his expertise to help you find financial peace.It’s Friar Time, let’s start talking!Thanks for Tuning In!This podcast is hosted by Fr. David Covertino, OFM. Sign up to stay connected with us for exclusive updates, inspiring content, and upcoming events!  Your support allows us to keep these important conversations going—join us in supporting Friar Time here. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode.You can also follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

On this episode of FRIAR TIME, we welcome Fr. James Bok, OFM, for a deeply moving and raw conversation about faith in the midst of tragedy: Finding God in the Storm. As a Franciscan Friar who walked directly into the devastation left by Hurricanes Beryl and Melissa in Jamaica, Fr. James brings us firsthand stories of survival, heartbreak, and resilience.Behind every headline, there are faces, fears, and a question that naturally rises in the human heart when everything is torn apart: Where is God in all of this? Join us as we explore how the people of Jamaica processed the devastating loss of their homes, memories, and sense of safety. Fr. James shares honest reflections on whether they felt like giving up, and how—even in the wreckage—faith managed to survive. Get ready to have your spirits lifted by this profound testament to the human spirit and divine grace.Get your spirits soaring on Franciscan TV, where you’ll find UPLIFTING TV for EVERYONE. EVERY DAY.Thanks for Tuning In!This podcast is hosted by Fr. David Covertino, OFM. Sign up to stay connected with us for exclusive updates, inspiring content, and upcoming events!  Your support allows us to keep these important conversations going—join us in supporting Friar Time here. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode.You can also follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

On this episode of FRIAR TIME, we welcome Bro. Jimmy Kernan, OFM, for a deep and meaningful conversation about Science & Religion: Can They Coexist? As a Franciscan Friar and a Lecturer in Physics and Astronomy at Siena University, Bro. Jimmy is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between the laboratory and the chapel.Join us as we explore whether faith and reason are destined to clash or if they are simply two different paths leading toward the same ultimate Truth. In a world that often views science and religion as enemies, Bro. Jimmy shares how his work in the stars and his role at the Laudato Si Center for Integral Ecology inform a more unified perspective. It’s time to start talking about how these two worlds can—and do—work together.Thanks for Tuning In!This podcast is hosted by Fr. David Covertino, OFM. Sign up to stay connected with us for exclusive updates, inspiring content, and upcoming events!  Your support allows us to keep these important conversations going—join us in supporting Friar Time here. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode.You can also follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

On this episode of FRIAR TIME, we welcome Fr. Jim Sabak, OFM, for a powerful conversation about Resilience: Winning, Losing, and Everything In Between. As the Director of the Master’s in Theological Studies Program at the Franciscan School of Theology in San Diego, CA, Fr. Jim is uniquely qualified to share how our personal narratives and beliefs help us navigate adversity.Join us as we explore how to find purpose in hardship and reframe negative experiences in a culture that celebrates "winning" while hiding "losing." It’s time to start talking about how this mindset shapes the way we deal with failure.Thanks for Tuning In!This podcast is hosted by Fr. David Covertino, OFM. Sign up to stay connected with us for exclusive updates, inspiring content, and upcoming events!  Your support allows us to keep these important conversations going—join us in supporting Friar Time here. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode.You can also follow us on Instagram and Facebook.