Crooked Lines Podcast with Fr Sam French and Tom. Introduction Episode

Welcome to the introductory episode of the Crooked Lines podcast. Join your hosts, Tom and Father Sam French, as they share the inspiration behind this project and the journey of bringing it to life. In this episode, Tom and Father Sam discuss the "crooked lines" of their own lives: the mistakes, trials, and personal challenges that God uses to bring people closer to Him. They move past the "polished" image of the Christian life to explore the messy reality of personal transformation and the desire to live authentically. From a chance meeting over coffee to transforming a junk-filled garage into a 90s-themed studio, they reveal the providential moments and partnership with Parousia that made this show possible.

In the third episode of our four-part series, Salwa Elias sits down with Fr. John Iacono to explore his life-long journey as a missionary. From his early days of parish renewal across Australia to his profound, decade-long prison apostolate in the Philippines, Fr. John shares moving stories of faith, trial, and the transformative power of grace. Fr. John opens up about the reality of serving the poor, the importance of meeting material needs to reach the soul, and how his unwavering commitment to his vocation has touched countless lives—from the prisoners in Cebu to the children of scavengers. Join us for this inspiring conversation about what it truly means to live a life of purpose, faithfulness, and mission. Chapters 0:00 – Intro to Call to Purpose 1:13 – Welcome Fr. John Iacono 2:19 – The Beginning: Vocation and Mission in Australia 4:07 – A First Mission Test: The Miracle in Adelaide 6:13 – Opening a New Mission in Cebu, Philippines 7:30 – Ten Years of Prison Apostolate 10:32 – Serving the Children of Scavengers 12:25 – The Connection Between Material Needs and Spiritual Growth 14:02 – Missionary Travels: Tokyo, Beijing, and Lebanon 15:54 – Returning Home and Closing Reflections #parousiamedia #frjohniacono #salwaelias #careforyoursoul #careforyoursoultv

Welcome to the second episode of the four-part series, Called to Purpose. Host Salwa Elias sits down again with the beloved Fr. John Iacono (affectionately known as Padre Giovanni) to explore the profound reality of miracles in our daily lives. In this episode, Fr. John shares incredible first-hand testimonies of God’s intervention

In this premiere episode of Called to Purpose, host Salwa Elias sits down with the beloved Father John Iacono to discuss his extraordinary journey. Father John shares personal stories from his encounters with some of the most influential spiritual figures of the 20th century, including Mother Teresa, Padre Pio, and several Popes.    

In this episode of the Parousia Podcast, Charbel Raish sits down with Father Michael Lim, a priest of the Archdiocese of Canberra-Goulburn, to discuss his extraordinary journey from a successful Buddhist real estate agent in Singapore to the Catholic priesthood. Father Michael shares the dramatic "turning point" of his life: a miraculous healing of his sister at a charismatic session that forced him to realize that "Jesus is alive". We dive into the philosophy of Buddhism versus the revelation of Christianity, the power of Christian meditation, and Father Michael’s new book, Who Am I? In God Discovering our Christian Identity. Whether you are a lifelong Catholic or someone searching for the meaning of life, Father Michael’s testimony is a powerful reminder that God never stops reaching out to His children. Purchase Fr Michael's book at: https://parousiamedia.com/who-am-i-in-god-discovering-our-christian-identity-fr-michael-lim-dr-sunny-hong-lim-hong-paperback/?searchid=0&search_query=lim Fr Michael's Website: https://jesusisalive.com.au 00:00 – Preview: "Jesus is alive, He’s real". 01:21 – Introducing Fr. Michael Lim and his book Who Am I?. 02:45 – Life in Singapore vs. the "Bush Diocese" of Canberra-Goulburn. 06:22 – Growing up Buddhist: The plan to become a monk at age 40. 07:22 – The Miracle: Challenging Jesus to heal his sister’s arthritis. 09:38 – "The rest was history": From the healing to the Tabernacle. 10:49 – Entering the Seminary: Testing the calling. 15:23 – Philosophy vs. Revelation: The difference between Buddhism and Christianity. 19:14 – Dealing with Desire: Why Buddhists and Christians meditate. 23:08 – The "Mantra" and the Elephant: How to focus in prayer. 24:34 – A Prime Minister’s Secret: Lee Kuan Yew and Christian meditation. 30:56 – The Identity Crisis: Why modern children don’t know God loves them. 34:54 – Image and Likeness: The "Shadow" and the "Object". 46:39 – Encountering Pure Love: Fr. Michael’s 30-day silent retreat. 54:21 – The Power of Forgiveness: A daughter’s words that broke a father’s heart. 59:24 – Goulburn: Restoring Australia’s only "Greenstone" Cathedral. 01:01:15 – First-Class Relics: St. Mary MacKillop, St. Bernadette, and more. Parousia Socials: facebook.com/parousiamedia instagram.com/parousiamedia tiktok.com/parousiamedia Parousia is committed to proclaiming the fullness of truth! If you wish to help us in our mission with a donation please visit our website here https://www.parousiamedia.com/donate/ to learn ways that you can contribute. Join the Parousia mailing list at https://www.parousiamedia.com/mailing-list/

Is the Eucharist just a symbol, or is it something more? In this episode of The Journey to the International Eucharistic Congress 2028, Fr Ben Saliba and Professor Hayden Ramsay are joined by world-renowned theologian Professor Tracy Rowland (University of Notre Dame) to unpack one of the most profound mysteries of the Catholic faith: The Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. As we prepare for the ‘Eucharist28’ in Sydney, it is vital to understand what we believe and why. Professor Rowland breaks down the theological differences between Catholic and Protestant views and discusses the role of faith in recognising Christ’s presence when our senses perceive only bread and wine. Professor Rowland’s piece "The Presence of Christ in the Eucharist," is available now on the Eucharist28 website https://eucharist28.org/parishes/the-presence-of-christ-in-the-eucharist JOIN THE MOVEMENT and stay connected in the lead up to Eucharist28 https://eucharist28.org/join-us Eucharist28 Socials: instagram.com/eucharist_28 facebook.com/eucharist28 x.com/eucharist28 Parousia Socials: facebook.com/parousiamedia instagram.com/parousiamedia tiktok.com/parousiamedia   Parousia is committed to proclaiming the fullness of truth! If you wish to help us in our mission with a donation please visit our website here https://www.parousiamedia.com/donate/ to learn ways that you can contribute. Join the Parousia mailing list at https://www.parousiamedia.com/mailing-list/

Episode 4 - Cultivating One's Personal Vocation and Mission This final episode of the series explores how God works powerfully through wounded hearts, generous mentors, and ordinary people who choose to say yes. It reveals that leadership is not reserved for the perfect or the fearless, but for those willing to be shaped through faith, trust, and perseverance. These are stories of personal transformation, where grace meets human weakness and turns it into something fruitful and life-giving. Steve Lawrence invites us to rediscover what it truly means to live with purpose. Through reflection and lived experience, this episode encourages viewers to consider how influence, faith, and courage intersect in everyday life, and how responding to God’s call can lead not only to personal renewal, but to meaningful service of others. Visit Steve's website: stevelawrence.com.au altumgroup.net Steve's book Tiny Book for Giant Men: https://parousiamedia.com/the-tiny-book-for-giant-men-steve-lawrence-paperback/ Join the Parousia mailing list at https://www.parousiamedia.com/mailing-list/ Parousia is committed to proclaiming the fullness of truth! If you wish to help us in our mission with a donation please visit our website here https://www.parousiamedia.com/donate/ to learn ways that you can contribute.

Episode 3 - Growing a Culture of Faith In this third episode of our conversation with Steve Lawrence, we explore one of the most crucial questions facing our Church, our schools, and our families today: How do we grow a genuine culture of faith? Building on the previous episode’s discussion about the challenges within education, Steve reflects on the fundamental truth that you cannot give what you do not have. A culture of faith begins with individuals who are rooted in prayer, silence, and a living relationship with Christ. Throughout the episode, Steve uses powerful imagery—fire that needs dry wood, soil that must be cleared, and seeds that grow only when tended—to illustrate how faith takes shape in the human heart. He speaks about the importance of making space for the Holy Spirit, of embracing silence in a noisy world, and of allowing God’s mercy to transform us from within. The conversation highlights the need for authentic witness, reminding us that people are moved far more by lived faith than by instruction alone. We also reflect on the temptations that can arise within church communities, especially the danger of becoming like the “older brother” in the parable of the prodigal son—judgmental, hardened, or blind to our own need for conversion. Steve and Salwa discuss the beauty of welcoming families and children, even amidst the distractions they bring, because a noisy church is a sign of a growing one. They explore the humility required to step aside and allow God to work, as well as the courage to trust His timing in our personal mission and in the life of the Church. Ultimately, this episode is a heartfelt invitation to examine our own hearts and ask how we can personally contribute to a culture of faith. It reminds us that everything begins with intimacy with Christ, openness to grace, and the daily choice to let His love shine through us. Stay tuned for the next episode, where we turn to the themes of vocation and mission—discovering how each of us is called to live out our faith in a unique and transformative way. Visit Steve's website: stevelawrence.com.au Steve's book Tiny Book for Giant Men: https://parousiamedia.com/the-tiny-book-for-giant-men-steve-lawrence-paperback/ Join the Parousia mailing list at https://www.parousiamedia.com/mailing-list/ Parousia is committed to proclaiming the fullness of truth! If you wish to help us in our mission with a donation please visit our website here https://www.parousiamedia.com/donate/ to learn ways that you can contribute.

Episode 2 - The Challenges Facing Catholic Educators Today In this second episode of A Call to Lead, Steve Lawrence joins us again to dive deep into the real challenges facing Catholic educators and school leaders today. From the inspiring role of Barnabas in forming St Paul, to the pressures teachers face in modern schooling systems, this conversation shines a light on the heart of Catholic leadership—encouragement, formation, discernment, and courage. Steve unpacks how the example of Barnabas’ mentorship shaped St Paul and what this means for leaders today, reflecting on the essential role of encouragement for principals, teachers, and staff. He explores the tension between authentic Catholic identity and increasing secular pressures, while also addressing the unique struggles educators face from administrative overload and the loneliness of being one of the few faith-filled staff members, to the challenges of teaching sensitive topics in a culture that often misunderstands or resists the Church’s perspective. Steve also discusses the importance of strong relationships between schools and families, the impact of social media on young minds, and why the Catholic vision of salvation and the supernatural must once again become central in forming our students. Whether you are a teacher, leader, parent, or anyone passionate about the future of Catholic education, this episode offers wisdom, clarity, and hope for building strong, faith-filled communities in our schools. Stay tuned for the next episode where we explore how to grow a culture of faith. Visit Steve's website: stevelawrence.com.au Steve's book Tiny Book for Giant Men: https://parousiamedia.com/the-tiny-book-for-giant-men-steve-lawrence-paperback/ Join the Parousia mailing list at https://www.parousiamedia.com/mailing-list/ Parousia is committed to proclaiming the fullness of truth! If you wish to help us in our mission with a donation please visit our website here https://www.parousiamedia.com/donate/ to learn ways that you can contribute.

In this episode Charbel sits down with Fr Sam French, one of Australia’s most dynamic Catholic voices online. Fr Sam shares the story of his calling, his journey through discernment, and the moment God made his vocation unmistakably clear. He reflects on how both charismatic and traditional expressions of faith shaped him, and how his experience as a vocations director taught him what authentic discernment really looks like. Fr Sam also reveals why he uses humour and culturally relevant content on social media, showing how digital evangelisation can open hearts in surprising ways and make the priesthood relatable. This honest and uplifting conversation is perfect for anyone seeking clarity, direction, or inspiration in their faith. For all of Fr Sam's social links, resources and more visit: www.frsamfrench.com For more information about Fr Sam's Spiritual Conversations Group visit: https://www.manlyfreshwaterparish.org Joseph House Broken Bay Diocese Link: https://www.bbcatholic.org.au/mission/vocations/joseph-house Broken Bay Vocations Link: https://www.bbcatholic.org.au/mission/vocations Join the Parousia mailing list at https://www.parousiamedia.com/mailing-list/ Parousia is committed to proclaiming the fullness of truth! If you wish to help us in our mission with a donation please visit our website here https://www.parousiamedia.com/donate/ to learn ways that you can contribute.