התמלול המלא של Purpose Every Day with Fr. Mike Coleman

put that thought on hold. 00:04:19.199 --> 00:04:21.279 And then uh got a job. 00:04:21.439 --> 00:04:41.759 I majored in journalism at Mizzou, got a degree from there, and then I worked for three years in uh Catholic journalism, and it was there in Jefferson City that I met so many uh priests that became friends, and I decided instead of going back to my home, St. 00:04:42.000 --> 00:04:44.720 Louis, I would stay in Jeff City. 00:04:45.199 --> 00:04:47.519 And they needed priests more than St. 00:04:47.759 --> 00:04:48.959 Louis did at that time. 00:04:49.199 --> 00:04:49.519 Okay. 00:04:51.439 --> 00:04:54.639 Okay, so you're you're a priest. 00:04:54.720 --> 00:04:56.560 You're the first priest I've had on the show, you know. 00:04:56.800 --> 00:04:57.040 Really? 00:04:57.199 --> 00:04:57.439 Yeah. 00:04:58.319 --> 00:04:59.199 Does that surprise you? 00:05:01.600 --> 00:05:03.519 Do you know what this show is about? 00:05:03.920 --> 00:05:09.759 I just know you talked to really up until today, you've talked to really interesting people. 00:05:10.879 --> 00:05:28.079 Yeah, I I created this show called I Do This for a Living because I have had some struggles in my life with enjoying the work that I have, but I haven't struggled with enjoying life and other hobbies and things like that. 00:05:28.240 --> 00:05:36.240 And so in my mind, I'm trying to create this atmosphere where we get to talk about the things that make us feel alive, the things that are important to us. 00:05:36.399 --> 00:05:40.240 Now, what I have found is a lot of people do really love their work. 00:05:40.319 --> 00:05:43.360 And I think you might be one of those people. 00:05:43.839 --> 00:05:44.800 I don't think of it as work. 00:05:44.879 --> 00:05:47.199 I think of it's just who I am. 00:05:47.439 --> 00:05:47.759 Yeah. 00:05:47.920 --> 00:05:52.160 And when you love what you do, you never work a day in your life. 00:05:52.399 --> 00:05:54.079 So I'm basically lazy. 00:05:54.160 --> 00:05:56.720 I've never worked in my life. 00:05:56.959 --> 00:06:01.120 Because no matter how busy I am, I love every minute of it. 00:06:01.839 --> 00:06:03.680 It's just a great life. 00:06:04.079 --> 00:06:08.319 Okay, but I want to hear more about how you got to the decision. 00:06:08.560 --> 00:06:08.800 Okay. 00:06:09.040 --> 00:06:16.720 Okay, so your what is your earliest memory of if someone was to ask you what do you want to be when you grow up? 00:06:17.040 --> 00:06:21.439 Probably in seventh grade, I went to Catholic High School. 00:06:21.600 --> 00:06:28.879 I was up on a hill, and right down below on Main Street was the town theater. 00:06:29.759 --> 00:06:40.800 And it was right before, I think the last day before Christmas break, uh, they showing a brand new movie, The Greatest Story Ever Told. 00:06:41.199 --> 00:06:43.600 It had all the big stars. 00:06:43.839 --> 00:06:47.199 John Wayne was in it and Dorothy McGuire. 00:06:47.600 --> 00:06:49.759 Those names will mean nothing to young people now. 00:06:50.319 --> 00:06:51.600 They were the big star. 00:06:51.839 --> 00:06:54.240 Telly Savalas, remember Kojak? 00:06:54.399 --> 00:06:54.800 Uh-huh. 00:06:55.279 --> 00:06:58.639 All those guys were in this movie, guys and gals. 00:06:58.879 --> 00:07:02.399 And uh just it just touched my heart. 00:07:02.639 --> 00:07:03.920 Seventh grade. 00:07:04.319 --> 00:07:10.560 And there was one point in that movie when they started to hammer the nails. 00:07:11.519 --> 00:07:19.920 Uh one of our, one of the girls, most popular girl in the class, actually, and we're still in touch today, still good friends. 00:07:20.160 --> 00:07:21.839 She started to cry. 00:07:22.480 --> 00:07:27.040 And one of the guys kind of laughed and said, Well, it's not real. 00:07:27.279 --> 00:07:33.920 She turned around and she said, The crucifixion of Jesus was real, you moron. 00:07:34.319 --> 00:07:35.600 And I love that. 00:07:35.839 --> 00:07:38.399 Because I felt I had permission to cry then. 00:07:38.800 --> 00:07:40.079 Oh I did. 00:07:40.240 --> 00:07:43.680 And I fell in love with Jesus that day, seventh grade. 00:07:44.399 --> 00:07:46.240 Were your parents Christians? 00:07:46.480 --> 00:07:46.959 Oh, yeah. 00:07:47.120 --> 00:07:47.279 Okay. 00:07:47.519 --> 00:07:48.480 Yeah, we never missed. 00:07:48.879 --> 00:07:53.439 Okay, but that was a more that was your dramatic experience where it became really real to you. 00:07:53.759 --> 00:08:00.879 Well, I always actually I did enjoy going to mass, even as a little kid, especially when I served. 00:08:01.120 --> 00:08:03.439 Because then you're really involved in the mass. 00:08:04.160 --> 00:08:06.000 It was it was awesome. 00:08:06.319 --> 00:08:07.759 But my parents were. 00:08:07.920 --> 00:08:09.439 Yeah, they were very devout. 00:08:10.160 --> 00:08:15.279 So you fell in love with Jesus at that, did you immediately think I'm gonna be a priest? 00:08:15.360 --> 00:08:24.240 Or at that time was it just That's when I first started thinking about being a priest, because I just fell in love with Jesus at that movie. 00:08:24.480 --> 00:08:30.480 I still will watch that movie once a year, and I I still find myself in tears. 00:08:31.199 --> 00:08:38.960 And even though there's been a lot of good movies about Jesus since then, that's still for me the best one. 00:08:40.159 --> 00:08:41.519 Oh my goodness. 00:08:42.000 --> 00:08:47.600 Okay, so what about what was work like in your household? 00:08:47.919 --> 00:08:56.159 Well, my father had an eighth-grade education, and he worked in the lead mines in Herculaneum, Missouri. 00:08:56.480 --> 00:08:59.679 And I started, I had a paper out at 12. 00:08:59.919 --> 00:09:01.600 I went to Kavric High School. 00:09:01.840 --> 00:09:06.480 My senior year, I was told I was on my own as far as paying for stuff. 00:09:06.639 --> 00:09:11.279 And so I had to pay my own tuition, had to pay room and board. 00:09:11.600 --> 00:09:14.879 And so I had

to really so I had the paper out. 00:09:15.039 --> 00:09:21.919 I worked in the grocery store, and then the last two years of college, I worked with my dad in the lead mines. 00:09:22.159 --> 00:09:22.639 Oh my god. 00:09:23.519 --> 00:09:28.879 That was I remember thinking there's gotta be an easier way to make a living with this. 00:09:29.039 --> 00:09:40.639 But by then I was pretty set on journalism and graduated from Mazoo and got a job working for the uh Catholic newspaper in Jeff City. 00:09:41.279 --> 00:09:49.600 And that only enhanced I thought about it and fought it off because I want to be a father and a husband. 00:09:49.840 --> 00:09:56.399 And any American male who's worth anything probably feels the same way. 00:09:56.639 --> 00:09:59.600 Wouldn't be much of a sacrifice if you didn't. 00:09:59.919 --> 00:10:03.360 So that was my uh what kind of held me back for a while. 00:10:03.440 --> 00:10:07.919 And then it got to the point where Jesus is gonna fulfill me. 00:10:08.960 --> 00:10:09.600 Whatever. 00:10:09.840 --> 00:10:15.519 And I just couldn't get that desire to serve him full-time out of my out of my heart. 00:10:15.759 --> 00:10:20.960 So I figured I can always go to school for a couple years and quit. 00:10:21.519 --> 00:10:24.240 I went to school and never quit. 00:10:24.480 --> 00:10:28.000 Oh, so how far had you gotten in the journalism path? 00:10:28.240 --> 00:10:30.480 Oh, I I had a degree from Mizzou. 00:10:30.639 --> 00:10:31.120 Oh my gosh. 00:10:31.360 --> 00:10:36.159 And worked three years in, like I said, a Catholic newspaper in Jeff City. 00:10:36.480 --> 00:10:39.519 And then what is school for a Catholic priest? 00:10:39.679 --> 00:10:40.960 What school did you go to? 00:10:41.279 --> 00:10:41.600 Okay. 00:10:41.840 --> 00:10:43.039 Uh I went to St. 00:10:43.200 --> 00:10:48.799 John's Seminary in Minnesota, the coldest place in God's earth. 00:10:49.519 --> 00:10:51.840 But it was surrounded by water. 00:10:52.080 --> 00:10:56.159 And I had two priests I really admired that had gone there. 00:10:56.639 --> 00:10:59.840 And uh they took me up and showed me around. 00:11:00.080 --> 00:11:03.519 Fell in love with the place and never looked back. 00:11:03.759 --> 00:11:04.799 How many years is that? 00:11:05.039 --> 00:11:05.679 Five years. 00:11:05.919 --> 00:11:06.720 Five years? 00:11:07.600 --> 00:11:12.799 Well, I had to do an extra year because I had never gone to Catholic seminary. 00:11:12.960 --> 00:11:16.480 And usually you go to college at least one year. 00:11:16.799 --> 00:11:18.639 So actually it was four and a half. 00:11:18.879 --> 00:11:23.919 They let me off for good behavior with only a half semester. 00:11:24.639 --> 00:11:31.679 They said, well, because I took courses that I knew I would eventually take if I wanted to be a priest. 00:11:31.919 --> 00:11:36.720 So I took all the philosophy and uh Bibles, Catholic Bible classes. 00:11:36.879 --> 00:11:38.399 They had all those at Mizzou. 00:11:39.360 --> 00:11:42.559 So I was really happy to have done that. 00:11:44.799 --> 00:11:52.399 Did in all that time when you were young, when you were in journalism, did you ever have someone tell you what you should be? 00:11:52.720 --> 00:11:54.320 Oh, several people. 00:11:54.559 --> 00:12:07.360 My grandma and my aunt, who never married, my aunt took care of my grandma, and she was my godmother, and she really they pounded it in you should be a priest. 00:12:07.519 --> 00:12:07.840 Oh. 00:12:08.000 --> 00:12:12.720 And it was funny because my aunt would play at the 10:30 mass. 00:12:13.039 --> 00:12:31.200 She would bring my sisters and I to her home and my grandma's home, and we got to set up on TV trays in front of the television, and my grandma had a rosary in one hand and a cane in the other, and they would turn on wrestling at the chase out of St. 00:12:31.360 --> 00:12:38.639 Louis, and my grandma would scream and cuss at the bad guys, wave that cane and wave the rosary. 00:12:39.039 --> 00:12:40.080 It was hilarious. 00:12:40.240 --> 00:12:40.720 What is that? 00:12:40.879 --> 00:12:41.679 Wrestling or something? 00:12:41.840 --> 00:12:42.080 Yeah. 00:12:42.399 --> 00:12:43.600 Professional wrestling out of St. 00:12:43.679 --> 00:12:44.000 Louis. 00:12:44.159 --> 00:12:44.720 Oh my god. 00:12:44.879 --> 00:12:47.840 It was an iconic show when I was a kid. 00:12:48.159 --> 00:12:49.440 Cane and the Rosary. 00:12:49.679 --> 00:12:49.919 Yeah. 00:12:50.080 --> 00:12:51.600 Wrestling of the Chase out of St. 00:12:51.759 --> 00:12:52.080 Louis. 00:12:52.240 --> 00:12:54.240 So they told you you should be a priest. 00:12:54.320 --> 00:12:56.159 What did they think when you went to journalism school? 00:12:56.399 --> 00:12:58.399 Oh no, they were happy whenever I did. 00:12:59.919 --> 00:13:00.480 Yeah. 00:13:00.720 --> 00:13:04.480 They were very happy when I told them what I was gonna do. 00:13:04.720 --> 00:13:05.279 I bet. 00:13:06.240 --> 00:13:06.559 Okay. 00:13:07.200 --> 00:13:08.080 Well, I only agree. 00:13:08.320 --> 00:13:10.559 I uh my dad didn't live to see that. 00:13:10.960 --> 00:13:13.039 He took me up to St. 00:13:13.279 --> 00:13:24.480 John's, Minnesota my first uh semester, and he and my mom took me out and unloaded everything, and we went out to eat. 00:13:24.960 --> 00:13:28.240 And uh last time I saw my dad alive. 00:13:28.320 --> 00:13:28.799 He died. 00:13:29.440 --> 00:13:37.519 He died uh that Christmas, December 18th, which is the anniversary of my dad's death. 00:13:37.840 --> 00:13:41.519 It's also the anniversary of my deacon ordination. 00:13:42.639 --> 00:13:50.000 So two memories, kind of one good and one awful. 00:13:50.320 --> 00:13:54.480 So you think he would have loved he was proud of you for doing the priest thing? 00:13:54.720 --> 00:13:55.120 Oh yeah. 00:13:55.200 --> 00:13:56.320 Yeah, very much so. 00:13:56.559 --> 00:14:08.960 Now, mom told me, we're all friends, and she told me there's

some story about your dad with becoming a priest or possibly becoming a baseball player, or some story like that that we have to hear. 00:14:09.279 --> 00:14:10.159 Oh yeah. 00:14:10.399 --> 00:14:16.799 I was a little boy, and uh my dad and I were I got my first baseball glove. 00:14:16.879 --> 00:14:19.039 I was about eight or nine years old. 00:14:19.279 --> 00:14:29.279 And the truck, that was the it wasn't FedEx then, but it was uh that same they brought uh delivery to the house. 00:14:29.519 --> 00:14:29.840 Mr. 00:14:30.000 --> 00:14:37.200 Mike Coleman, my first baseball glove, my dad had ordered it, and it was a Brooks Robinson special. 00:14:37.440 --> 00:14:41.840 He's the greatest defensive third baseman of all time, probably. 00:14:42.639 --> 00:14:44.960 And uh I was so proud of that glove. 00:14:45.200 --> 00:14:47.120 So we were playing catch. 00:14:47.519 --> 00:14:56.559 And I said to him, I said, Dad, I'm gonna grow up, I'm gonna be a great baseball player like Stan the Man Museum. 00:14:56.799 --> 00:14:58.000 You've probably heard of St. 00:14:58.720 --> 00:14:59.039 Okay. 00:14:59.759 --> 00:15:12.639 Well, my dad called me over and uh sat down the grass, put me on his lap, and he said, Do you know why Stan the Man is such a great baseball player? 00:15:12.960 --> 00:15:13.919 I said, No. 00:15:14.240 --> 00:15:21.360 When he was born, Jesus tapped him on the shoulder, said, Stan, you're gonna play ball for me. 00:15:21.600 --> 00:15:26.720 He said, Someday he'll tap you on the shoulder and ask you to do something. 00:15:27.039 --> 00:15:30.799 I hope you can do it as good as Stan Museo has. 00:15:30.960 --> 00:15:31.440 Oh my god. 00:15:31.679 --> 00:15:39.360 And I started practicing my autograph in cursive, real like scrawled out like the athletes do. 00:15:39.919 --> 00:15:45.039 That's a just uh a practice that I mastered but never have to use. 00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:47.440 You never have to sign an autograph as a priest. 00:15:47.919 --> 00:15:52.320 So when do you have a specific moment that felt like the tap for you? 00:15:52.639 --> 00:15:54.480 Well And that is the story, by the way. 00:15:54.559 --> 00:15:55.600 That's the one she was thinking. 00:15:56.000 --> 00:16:07.440 Well, I guess uh seventh grade when we went to see that movie, I just I just fell a whole head over heels in love with Jesus. 00:16:07.679 --> 00:16:15.039 And I'd always I said, Well, I love God, but you didn't really feel it as a little kid, but after that I did. 00:16:16.240 --> 00:16:17.519 Never forget it. 00:16:18.320 --> 00:16:21.279 Did you ever talk to your dad about that story later in life? 00:16:21.600 --> 00:16:23.039 Oh, he knew it, yeah. 00:16:23.679 --> 00:16:24.639 He heard me say it. 00:16:24.879 --> 00:16:30.399 I'm sorry he didn't see you get what was what's it called when you ordained? 00:16:30.559 --> 00:16:30.799 Yes. 00:16:30.960 --> 00:16:32.720 Yes, he was only 52. 00:16:33.120 --> 00:16:34.080 Oh man. 00:16:34.559 -->

00:16:39.039 Just my grandfathers and grandmothers, you had to shoot 'em. 00:16:39.279 --> 00:16:42.720 They got so they had to be way old. 00:16:43.279 --> 00:16:43.919 My dad. 00:16:44.080 --> 00:16:46.480 My mother's still alive at 95. 00:16:46.720 --> 00:16:47.279 Wow. 00:16:47.600 --> 00:16:51.200 But my dad just I don't know what it was. 00:16:51.440 --> 00:16:54.159 You know, he was in the war at 18. 00:16:54.799 --> 00:16:58.879 He was exposed to Agent Orange in World War II. 00:16:59.120 --> 00:16:59.679 Oh man. 00:17:00.159 --> 00:17:02.399 So that could have been part of it. 00:17:02.720 --> 00:17:07.200 Could have just been that he lived a tough life. 00:17:07.839 --> 00:17:09.440 Yeah, landmines. 00:17:10.079 --> 00:17:11.039 Yikes. 00:17:11.759 --> 00:17:25.920 Well, they actually uh they call it the s they they smelt it, turn gold, they turn those little briquettes like they turn them into gold bars, you know. 00:17:26.480 --> 00:17:29.200 That's what they did at the place where my dad worked. 00:17:29.440 --> 00:17:29.759 Wow. 00:17:30.000 --> 00:17:33.359 It was the only uh place like it in the world at that time. 00:17:33.599 --> 00:17:34.079 Oh my god. 00:17:34.400 --> 00:17:38.240 All their customers were from Africa, all kinds of places. 00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:39.839 Was he still working when he died? 00:17:40.160 --> 00:17:40.559 He was. 00:17:40.720 --> 00:17:41.039 Yeah. 00:17:41.839 --> 00:17:43.039 Did your mom work? 00:17:43.440 --> 00:17:43.759 No. 00:17:43.920 --> 00:17:45.119 She took care of the home. 00:17:45.279 --> 00:17:45.440 Okay. 00:17:45.839 --> 00:17:53.200 And my dad, he was actually dancing with my mom at the parish Christmas party. 00:17:53.759 --> 00:17:57.119 And his last words were, this sure is fun. 00:17:57.519 --> 00:17:59.279 And then he collapsed and died. 00:17:59.519 --> 00:18:04.559 So I thought to be able to have your last words mean this sure is fun. 00:18:04.960 --> 00:18:06.799 What a what a great way to go. 00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:07.200 Yeah. 00:18:09.200 --> 00:18:09.519 Yeah. 00:18:09.759 --> 00:18:11.200 And you have two sisters? 00:18:11.440 --> 00:18:11.599 Three. 00:18:11.920 --> 00:18:12.240 Three sisters. 00:18:12.480 --> 00:18:13.519 And three stepsisters. 00:18:13.680 --> 00:18:14.240 Oh wow. 00:18:14.480 --> 00:18:16.960 One of whom we just buried this past summer. 00:18:17.200 --> 00:18:18.000 Oh, I'm sorry. 00:18:18.559 --> 00:18:24.000 But they they've been with we've been together for over 40 40 some odd years. 00:18:24.240 --> 00:18:26.000 45 years actually. 00:18:26.480 --> 00:18:39.759 And we uh we don't differ differentiate whose step and who's we've just gotten along, done holidays together, and uh they don't they seem like regular sisters. 00:18:39.920 --> 00:18:40.559 Yeah. 00:18:41.680 --> 00:18:51.039 So I like to ask in case someone listening, I would love it if kids listen to this podcast and can learn different jobs and what it takes to get there. 00:18:51.359 --> 00:19:00.160 So if someone is interested in this path, it is they can they can go straight from high school to seminary? 00:19:00.480 --> 00:19:01.039 Or okay. 00:19:01.359 --> 00:19:06.240 Yeah, there's uh now our guys would go to conception, Missouri. 00:19:06.400 --> 00:19:09.440 There's a monastery there that is also a seminary. 00:19:09.680 --> 00:19:10.000 Okay. 00:19:10.720 --> 00:19:12.960 And it will typically be four years? 00:19:13.200 --> 00:19:13.519 Yes. 00:19:13.680 --> 00:19:13.920 Okay. 00:19:14.240 --> 00:19:15.119 Regular college. 00:19:15.359 --> 00:19:16.160 And then you're done. 00:19:16.240 --> 00:19:16.880 You're a priest. 00:19:17.039 --> 00:19:18.240 You don't have like a practice here. 00:19:18.559 --> 00:19:21.200 No, then you do four years of grad school. 00:19:21.599 --> 00:19:22.480 Oh, okay. 00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:27.039 And one of those years is you serve your deacon internship. 00:19:27.200 --> 00:19:28.799 So that's the practice. 00:19:29.119 --> 00:19:30.079 It's a lot. 00:19:30.400 --> 00:19:31.039 It is. 00:19:31.440 --> 00:19:33.680 But I value it now. 00:19:34.000 --> 00:19:36.559 The time I was just impatient. 00:19:36.640 --> 00:19:36.720 Okay. 00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:40.000 Wanting to be a priest to get going. 00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:42.480 And I know, I think we all are. 00:19:42.640 --> 00:19:50.240 I when I was in college, I remember thinking, I keep wondering, I keep thinking about when my life will begin. 00:19:50.319 --> 00:19:53.759 But I have to think you have to think of every part of life as life. 00:19:54.160 --> 00:19:54.400 Exactly. 00:19:54.799 --> 00:19:55.680 Might be all you get. 00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:58.559 And otherwise you could be pushing it ahead. 00:19:58.799 --> 00:19:59.200 Forever. 00:19:59.440 --> 00:20:00.319 Yeah, exactly. 00:20:00.559 --> 00:20:00.960 Yeah. 00:20:01.599 --> 00:20:09.440 I have two boys in the parish, two teenage boys are becoming in the process of becoming Catholic. 00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:12.640 And recently they pulled me aside. 00:20:12.880 --> 00:20:16.160 They're about 16 or so, both of them. 00:20:16.400 --> 00:20:20.079 And they both said they really feel called to be priests. 00:20:20.319 --> 00:20:20.640 Wow. 00:20:20.799 --> 00:20:24.160 So they want to be Catholic, and then they want to seek out the priesthood. 00:20:24.400 --> 00:20:24.880 My goodness. 00:20:25.039 --> 00:20:28.480 Now they may change their minds a dozen times. 00:20:28.799 --> 00:20:30.480 Or they may not, who knows? 00:20:30.720 --> 00:20:32.799 They're both sincere young men. 00:20:34.960 --> 00:20:36.960 That really is awesome. 00:20:37.119 --> 00:20:37.359 Yeah. 00:20:37.599 --> 00:20:39.200 When young men tell you that. 00:20:39.440 --> 00:20:40.079 Yeah. 00:20:41.200 --> 00:20:41.599 Yeah. 00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:48.079 We were talking about a boy that I used to babysit who it was in your parish in Edyna, Missouri. 00:20:48.480 --> 00:20:49.200 Slark, Father Paul.

00:20:49.599 --> 00:20:50.480 He became a priest. 00:20:50.720 --> 00:20:51.680 I baptized him. 00:20:51.839 --> 00:20:52.720 Yeah, amazing. 00:20:52.880 --> 00:20:55.519 And we worked together at Tolton for a couple years. 00:20:55.759 --> 00:20:56.160 Cool. 00:20:56.319 --> 00:20:57.680 We were co-chaplains. 00:20:57.839 --> 00:20:59.039 Yeah, let's talk about that. 00:20:59.200 --> 00:21:05.119 What does your life your work life, which I know you don't think of as work, look like today? 00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:07.759 Well, today is usually my free day. 00:21:08.079 --> 00:21:09.519 But just today in life. 00:21:09.680 --> 00:21:16.480 Like so you're you're the pre you're the priest here at Centralia Holy Spirit. 00:21:18.079 --> 00:21:19.920 And it's a regular parish duties. 00:21:20.799 --> 00:21:26.000 It's about 250 families, but it's growing. 00:21:26.240 --> 00:21:31.920 All our masses are packed, and we are in the process of building a new church. 00:21:32.559 --> 00:21:34.880 Because we just don't fit anymore. 00:21:35.039 --> 00:21:38.240 We have people out the door, and that's a great blessing. 00:21:38.559 --> 00:21:39.680 It's a great problem. 00:21:40.160 --> 00:21:46.160 When you described that to me, the people hang out the door and down the aisles, you know, it makes me think of Sister Act. 00:21:46.720 --> 00:21:47.519 Oh, yes. 00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:48.640 Whoopi Goldberg. 00:21:48.799 --> 00:21:49.680 You're just bringing them in. 00:21:49.839 --> 00:21:50.880 But I'm no whoopy Goldman. 00:21:51.039 --> 00:21:51.920 You're no whooping goldmer. 00:21:52.240 --> 00:21:53.519 Holy Spirit brings him in. 00:21:53.599 --> 00:21:54.160 Yeah. 00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:56.240 I just happen to be the guy here. 00:21:56.880 --> 00:21:58.960 But then you talked about Tolton. 00:21:59.119 --> 00:22:01.039 You also What do you do at father schools? 00:22:01.359 --> 00:22:03.920 Oh, I love the high school kids. 00:22:04.160 --> 00:22:06.160 Ever since I was ordained. 00:22:06.400 --> 00:22:08.559 And I never expected this. 00:22:08.880 --> 00:22:11.279 I love being around teenagers. 00:22:11.519 --> 00:22:16.079 So when I was in Jeff City, I did a lot of stuff with Helias. 00:22:16.160 --> 00:22:16.559 Mm-hmm. 00:22:16.720 --> 00:22:18.319 You know, I was never assigned there. 00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:22.000 But as an area priest, you're encouraged to get involved. 00:22:22.240 --> 00:22:28.240 So I was a chaplain to both basketball teams and the volleyball team. 00:22:28.640 --> 00:22:32.400 And of course, at Tolton, you're chaplain to every sport. 00:22:32.720 --> 00:22:37.759 But I announce the volleyball games and the basketball, boys and girls both. 00:22:38.000 --> 00:22:41.519 So I get to put my journalism still to work. 00:22:42.000 --> 00:22:44.799 And when we're on the road, I ride with the teams. 00:22:44.960 --> 00:22:45.519 Oh my goodness. 00:22:45.839 --> 00:22:47.200 Sit on the bench with them. 00:22:47.519 --> 00:22:50.319 So technically you're a chaplain to the athletics? 00:22:50.480 --> 00:22:50.799 No, no. 00:22:50.880 --> 00:22:51.200 Oh, okay. 00:22:51.839 --> 00:22:53.599 Yeah, I have all school masses. 00:22:53.759 --> 00:22:54.079 Okay. 00:22:54.400 --> 00:22:56.559 Uh twice a week I have mass there. 00:22:56.880 --> 00:23:02.240 If anyone knows, there's probably more famous people you could talk about, but Michael Porter. 00:23:02.480 --> 00:23:03.440 And his brother Jr. 00:23:03.759 --> 00:23:03.920 and John. 00:23:04.799 --> 00:23:05.680 And Michael Porter Jr. 00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:06.799 is he's still a nugget. 00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:11.200 No, he's a Brooklyn uh is it Met? 00:23:11.599 --> 00:23:12.640 Brooklyn Nets. 00:23:12.960 --> 00:23:13.279 Okay. 00:23:13.519 --> 00:23:15.920 I I'm not watching the Pro Basketball except for him. 00:23:16.079 --> 00:23:16.240 Yeah. 00:23:16.400 --> 00:23:17.839 But he he's in Brooklyn with Brooklyn. 00:23:18.079 --> 00:23:19.039 Okay, he's in Brooklyn. 00:23:19.279 --> 00:23:21.440 He was he was a Father Tolton graduate. 00:23:21.759 --> 00:23:24.480 And he and I were inducted into the Hall of Fame together. 00:23:24.720 --> 00:23:26.400 Oh, that's so last fall. 00:23:26.559 --> 00:23:26.799 Yeah. 00:23:27.200 --> 00:23:28.640 Yeah ago this week. 00:23:28.960 --> 00:23:30.960 And he was very honored. 00:23:31.119 --> 00:23:33.039 And I was so honored. 00:23:33.359 --> 00:23:40.640 And uh I was standing there, he had his arm around me, and I looked up and I thought, this is like heaven. 00:23:40.799 --> 00:23:44.240 You know, Michael Porter's standing here with his arm around me. 00:23:44.400 --> 00:23:48.160 They're saying all this great stuff about me from the press box. 00:23:48.319 --> 00:23:51.599 I don't deserve it, but I sure appreciate it. 00:23:52.640 --> 00:23:53.519 That was last year. 00:23:53.680 --> 00:23:53.839 Yeah. 00:23:54.000 --> 00:23:55.359 That's so cool. 00:23:55.680 --> 00:23:57.279 I love that story. 00:23:57.839 --> 00:24:01.359 So you announce you do such a good job at that. 00:24:01.519 --> 00:24:04.480 We played my top played you. 00:24:04.640 --> 00:24:06.160 And um two boys. 00:24:06.240 --> 00:24:07.039 Yep, two boys. 00:24:07.200 --> 00:24:08.799 And I gave you a special shout out. 00:24:08.960 --> 00:24:09.759 Yes, you did. 00:24:10.000 --> 00:24:11.759 The crowd went crazy. 00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:18.480 My oldest is uh John Bohan in middle name Michael, which most people didn't call him John Michael at that point. 00:24:18.559 --> 00:24:21.200 And when he came on the court, you said John Michael Bohan. 00:24:21.599 --> 00:24:22.079 I did. 00:24:22.240 --> 00:24:23.359 It was so fun. 00:24:24.160 --> 00:24:25.200 I loved it. 00:24:25.519 --> 00:24:27.440 I like to build up the other team too. 00:24:27.680 --> 00:24:29.359 Yeah, I bet I bet you do. 00:24:29.440 --> 00:24:30.079 Yeah. 00:24:30.559 --> 00:24:31.200 Yeah. 00:24:31.839 --> 00:24:34.880 But so when your first job in

journalism was writing? 00:24:35.039 --> 00:24:35.359 Yes. 00:24:35.519 --> 00:24:38.480 Yeah, but you get to do the broadcast thing with the announcing. 00:24:38.640 --> 00:24:39.200 I love it. 00:24:39.440 --> 00:24:42.000 I still I still write articles now and again. 00:24:42.240 --> 00:24:42.640 Do you? 00:24:42.799 --> 00:24:43.200 Yes. 00:24:43.440 --> 00:24:49.359 Oh, I know you're a writer because I have books you have written of stories from your life. 00:24:49.599 --> 00:24:50.160 Yes. 00:24:50.480 --> 00:24:51.440 So many stories. 00:24:51.759 --> 00:24:53.200 A couple of different books. 00:24:53.839 --> 00:24:54.480 Yeah. 00:24:54.799 --> 00:24:55.440 Yeah. 00:24:56.880 --> 00:24:58.160 Um, okay. 00:24:58.559 --> 00:25:02.000 So what what do you love about this? 00:25:02.240 --> 00:25:03.920 What do you love about your work? 00:25:04.240 --> 00:25:07.359 Oh, uh you just feel Jesus with you. 00:25:07.519 --> 00:25:15.200 Uh you do that in every line of work, but but he's like this is front lines, you know, with Jesus. 00:25:15.759 --> 00:25:20.720 And I love being able to worship with people, lead them in worship. 00:25:22.079 --> 00:25:33.599 It just uh you just see the best of people and sometimes the worst, as you well know, being a church lady on your most of your life. 00:25:33.920 --> 00:25:37.519 And uh but I have no complaints. 00:25:37.839 --> 00:25:49.440 People have been so good, and I can't believe that next in a couple few weeks, it's my 45th anniversary as a priest. 00:25:49.680 --> 00:25:50.799 I can't believe that. 00:25:51.039 --> 00:25:59.599 And so that is from the day, so you had those four years of and then an internship with the deacons or so the 45 years started after all that? 00:25:59.839 --> 00:26:00.640 The day I was ordained. 00:26:01.519 --> 00:26:04.000 November 28th, 1981. 00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:04.480 Okay. 00:26:04.559 --> 00:26:06.640 And you were ordained in Kirksville, Missouri, right? 00:26:06.880 --> 00:26:07.200 I was. 00:26:07.359 --> 00:26:07.680 Yeah. 00:26:08.400 --> 00:26:09.119 Your hometown. 00:26:09.440 --> 00:26:09.920 Yeah. 00:26:10.240 --> 00:26:13.839 Do you do you counsel people, one-on-one counseling like therapy? 00:26:14.160 --> 00:26:14.400 Yeah. 00:26:14.559 --> 00:26:16.480 Do you do people talk about work? 00:26:16.720 --> 00:26:17.119 Sometimes. 00:26:17.519 --> 00:26:18.720 Is it a stressor for people? 00:26:18.880 --> 00:26:20.160 Is it It depends. 00:26:20.319 --> 00:26:20.480 Yeah. 00:26:20.640 --> 00:26:22.319 Usually it's with other people. 00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:24.960 Oh, relationship. 00:26:25.440 --> 00:26:26.640 Stuff's going on at work. 00:26:26.799 --> 00:26:38.960 It's usually because of people they work with, not so much the or maybe a boss that's not so kind or so you don't have a lot of people asking about per finding purpose and meaning in their work? 00:26:39.279 --> 00:26:39.920 Sometimes. 00:26:40.079 --> 00:26:40.720 Yeah. 00:26:41.039 --> 00:26:50.960 But more it's like, oh gosh, I just uh I'm not fulfilled, or somebody's being abusive to them. 00:26:51.119 --> 00:26:52.880 Well, they see it as abusive. 00:26:53.200 --> 00:27:06.319 You know, I'm sure the boss doesn't see it that way, but everybody that comes to you, you you totally they're here and you are hopefully fixed on them so you can help them. 00:27:06.480 --> 00:27:07.759 And no judgment. 00:27:07.920 --> 00:27:09.200 That's up to God. 00:27:09.440 --> 00:27:13.680 You just listen to them and love them and do your best with them. 00:27:15.119 --> 00:27:20.559 That sounds kind of like a program my mom was talking about called re regeneration. 00:27:20.640 --> 00:27:35.119 And they they taught she talked about it's a little bit like AA alcoholics anonymous, and it's very important that people can share their story and not be oh exactly yay or nay or you're bad or you're good or this do this next or anything. 00:27:35.200 --> 00:27:37.759 It's just listening, really mod listening. 00:27:38.000 --> 00:27:41.599 And your listeners should know how much I love your mom and dad. 00:27:41.920 --> 00:27:43.039 They're good people. 00:27:43.440 --> 00:27:45.279 She's been on the show, so they'll know. 00:27:45.440 --> 00:27:49.680 Kathy Nickerson, anyone, if you want to go listen to my mom's episode. 00:27:50.079 --> 00:27:57.119 So uh I liked how you said you look you feel Jesus with you constantly, but you can have that in any job. 00:27:57.279 --> 00:27:57.519 Yeah. 00:27:57.759 --> 00:27:58.160 Yeah. 00:27:58.319 --> 00:28:06.000 And so I'm sure when people talk to you about uh work that you can kind of help them figure out how to find that in there. 00:28:06.400 --> 00:28:06.720 Sure. 00:28:06.880 --> 00:28:07.359 In their work. 00:28:07.680 --> 00:28:08.240 It's everywhere. 00:28:08.400 --> 00:28:09.200 It's everywhere. 00:28:09.440 --> 00:28:10.000 Yeah. 00:28:10.319 --> 00:28:10.559 Yeah. 00:28:10.720 --> 00:28:17.359 My husband talked a lot about how he believes a calling is really about who you are to people. 00:28:18.079 --> 00:28:20.799 And um you could do that in any job. 00:28:20.960 --> 00:28:21.279 Yeah. 00:28:21.519 --> 00:28:22.000 Bewitchers. 00:28:22.400 --> 00:28:26.079 When I was in Moberly, I had mass in the prison every Sunday. 00:28:26.400 --> 00:28:26.880 Wow. 00:28:27.119 --> 00:28:35.519 And that was uh well, I never was afraid in there because the guys are very they were very protective. 00:28:36.640 --> 00:28:39.519 You had escort guards escorting you. 00:28:40.480 --> 00:28:43.599 We never had any trouble during mass and anything. 00:28:43.839 --> 00:28:46.400 So no, I enjoyed going out there. 00:28:47.920 --> 00:28:51.680 Okay, so you're it sounds to me like you work every single day. 00:28:51.839 --> 00:28:53.200 I mean, I know you don't call it work. 00:28:53.440 --> 00:28:53.839 Pretty much. 00:28:54.319 --> 00:28:55.920 You don't really have a day off. 00:28:56.240 --> 00:29:08.720 Well, Mondays can be a day

off, but uh most days there's something going on at the high school or so do you get anything like the Sunday night bliss? 00:29:09.359 --> 00:29:09.680 Ever. 00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:11.279 The Sunday night bliss? 00:29:11.519 --> 00:29:12.079 Blues. 00:29:12.559 --> 00:29:15.039 No, never start of a new week. 00:29:16.000 --> 00:29:17.119 I can't wait. 00:29:17.359 --> 00:29:19.519 This is a question I ask a lot of people. 00:29:19.680 --> 00:29:20.720 I get them very bad. 00:29:20.960 --> 00:29:21.359 Really? 00:29:22.240 --> 00:29:22.720 Sometimes. 00:29:22.880 --> 00:29:26.079 Sometimes I can I can fight it off if I'm thinking the right thing. 00:29:26.400 --> 00:29:28.799 Maybe in the summer when there's no high school. 00:29:29.119 --> 00:29:29.440 Oh. 00:29:30.400 --> 00:29:35.200 Although I wouldn't call them blues, just oh, I miss the kids. 00:29:35.440 --> 00:29:35.839 Yeah. 00:29:36.319 --> 00:29:36.640 Okay. 00:29:37.119 --> 00:29:39.759 But you look so forward to your work, I can tell. 00:29:40.000 --> 00:29:40.559 I do. 00:29:40.720 --> 00:29:41.519 I love it. 00:29:41.759 --> 00:29:43.599 Is there any part you don't like? 00:29:44.240 --> 00:29:45.440 Finances. 00:29:46.880 --> 00:29:51.759 Have to raise money and although here there's no money problems. 00:29:51.920 --> 00:29:54.400 We're getting ready to build a new church, as I said. 00:29:54.559 --> 00:29:58.559 And we're gonna have a big fundraising campaign shortly. 00:29:58.880 --> 00:30:04.640 But people want the church, so they know we need it, and the money will come. 00:30:05.359 --> 00:30:10.079 Oh man, I really appreciate you even had an answer for something you don't like. 00:30:10.160 --> 00:30:13.279 And finances, yeah, people can relate, I think. 00:30:13.599 --> 00:30:16.400 That's a a problem for a lot of us sometimes. 00:30:16.720 --> 00:30:17.039 Okay. 00:30:17.759 --> 00:30:18.720 Here's a question. 00:30:18.880 --> 00:30:21.839 Kind of it can be about work or life or anything. 00:30:22.079 --> 00:30:23.759 What do you like to do? 00:30:24.079 --> 00:30:25.519 Oh, the Cardinals. 00:30:25.920 --> 00:30:27.039 I love the Cardinals. 00:30:27.119 --> 00:30:27.519 You know this. 00:30:27.680 --> 00:30:28.079 Yes, I do. 00:30:28.240 --> 00:30:28.720 You've been the base. 00:30:29.200 --> 00:30:30.079 My audience didn't know. 00:30:30.240 --> 00:30:32.480 You've been to Cardinal games with me as a little girl. 00:30:32.880 --> 00:30:33.039 St. 00:30:33.200 --> 00:30:34.000 Louis Cardinals. 00:30:34.079 --> 00:30:34.319 Yep. 00:30:34.400 --> 00:30:34.799 You bet. 00:30:35.200 --> 00:30:36.559 I still love the Cardinals. 00:30:36.720 --> 00:30:40.079 My sisters and I go on a road trip every year. 00:30:40.319 --> 00:30:44.000 We've been to 21 of the 30 stadiums now. 00:30:44.160 --> 00:30:45.039 Oh my god. 00:30:45.279 --> 00:30:48.720 This year we were in Anaheim and they got pounded. 00:30:48.880 --> 00:30:49.759 I think I told you that. 00:30:50.079 --> 00:30:50.559

Yeah, you did. 00:30:51.359 --> 00:30:52.480 That's a bummer. 00:30:52.720 --> 00:30:53.200 It is. 00:30:53.359 --> 00:30:54.079 But it's fun. 00:30:54.319 --> 00:30:56.400 Do you know the do you what's the word? 00:30:56.559 --> 00:30:59.440 Do you know how many wins and losses you've had you've seen on the road? 00:30:59.680 --> 00:31:00.319 Oh heavens. 00:31:01.359 --> 00:31:02.640 Been so many over the years. 00:31:02.880 --> 00:31:04.799 Any great wins that you remember? 00:31:04.960 --> 00:31:05.839 Oh, yeah. 00:31:06.079 --> 00:31:12.640 I remember we were in Atlanta, and David Ectein hit a grand slam to win the game. 00:31:12.799 --> 00:31:18.400 They were down four to two, and he hit a grand slam to win at six to four in the top of the ninth. 00:31:18.640 --> 00:31:19.599 Oh my god. 00:31:19.839 --> 00:31:20.880 Oh, that was great. 00:31:21.200 --> 00:31:21.440 Fun. 00:31:21.519 --> 00:31:22.640 Have you been to Finway? 00:31:23.200 --> 00:31:23.279 No. 00:31:24.240 --> 00:31:27.200 I've uh not been to Finway or Yankee Stadium. 00:31:27.519 --> 00:31:29.759 And those are two I really want to. 00:31:30.079 --> 00:31:30.960 Are they on the list? 00:31:31.119 --> 00:31:31.440 Yeah. 00:31:31.599 --> 00:31:34.160 I've been to Shea Stadium in New York. 00:31:34.240 --> 00:31:34.319 Okay. 00:31:34.720 --> 00:31:36.079 City field now. 00:31:36.480 --> 00:31:42.559 And uh I've been to LA and San Francisco, but not Oakland. 00:31:42.960 --> 00:31:43.279 Okay. 00:31:43.759 --> 00:31:46.880 So what started your love of Cardinals baseball? 00:31:47.119 --> 00:31:48.480 Ever since I can remember. 00:31:48.640 --> 00:31:50.319 My dad would your dad like it? 00:31:50.480 --> 00:31:52.559 Oh, he loved him and my mom both. 00:31:52.799 --> 00:31:54.319 They would have it on every night. 00:31:54.480 --> 00:31:56.640 It's very seldom on TV back then. 00:31:57.039 --> 00:31:59.200 But they would listen to it on KLX. 00:31:59.920 --> 00:32:03.279 And the announcers, Harry Carey and Jack Bush. 00:32:04.000 --> 00:32:04.960 They were awesome. 00:32:05.039 --> 00:32:06.000 You remember Harry Carey? 00:32:06.319 --> 00:32:06.640 Yes! 00:32:07.119 --> 00:32:08.559 Holy cow. 00:32:09.839 --> 00:32:12.319 That's who I grew up listening to. 00:32:12.799 --> 00:32:15.920 And they helped me fall in love with the Cardinals. 00:32:16.160 --> 00:32:17.680 Do you remember your first actual game? 00:32:18.400 --> 00:32:19.200 Yes, I do. 00:32:19.519 --> 00:32:24.640 It was in June of 1962. 00:32:25.200 --> 00:32:33.119 And I went with the little league playing the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Cardinals got beat 17 to 7. 00:32:33.279 --> 00:32:33.519 Oh. 00:32:34.240 --> 00:32:35.519 They got pounded. 00:32:36.799 --> 00:32:41.359 But it was such a great experience being at the ballpark. 00:32:41.680 --> 00:32:42.000 Yeah. 00:32:42.160 --> 00:32:42.880 It's different. 00:32:42.960 --> 00:32:44.720 It's so different to be there in person. 00:32:44.960 --> 00:32:45.440 Oh, it

is. 00:32:45.599 --> 00:32:46.160 That's delightful. 00:32:46.400 --> 00:32:48.400 I still I go a lot now. 00:32:48.640 --> 00:32:51.920 Saw eight games this year, but I still love going. 00:32:52.160 --> 00:32:54.000 There's such a thrill in going. 00:32:54.160 --> 00:32:54.640 Yeah. 00:32:54.960 --> 00:32:56.640 And I was there one night. 00:32:56.880 --> 00:33:05.680 I had somebody gave me a uh a t-shirt or a jersey, cardinal jersey, for my 40th anniversary. 00:33:05.839 --> 00:33:10.480 And on the back it said, Father Mike with a big Farty underneath. 00:33:11.759 --> 00:33:20.240 And I was sitting watching the game, and a young lady came over and tapped me on the shoulder, said, You're a priest? 00:33:20.559 --> 00:33:22.720 I thought, oh brother. 00:33:23.359 --> 00:33:24.079 Not now. 00:33:24.960 --> 00:33:28.960 I didn't say that, of course, but she said, Can I talk to you? 00:33:29.839 --> 00:33:32.000 So the Cardinals were just starting to rally. 00:33:32.400 --> 00:33:36.160 They were down by two, and I was there with some friends. 00:33:36.480 --> 00:33:43.680 And uh anyway, we went over by the restroom, and uh she had lost uh a baby to Sid's. 00:33:44.079 --> 00:33:44.640 Oh no. 00:33:44.880 --> 00:33:52.559 And she said, I asked God for a sign, and he sent me a priest at a baseball game. 00:33:52.799 --> 00:33:56.000 She said, What how could you have a better sign than that? 00:33:56.240 --> 00:34:00.640 Well, you can see I'm tearing up now, just talking about that. 00:34:00.799 --> 00:34:03.759 But I thought, what a priesthood, what a gift. 00:34:04.000 --> 00:34:09.199 You know, it wasn't me, it was just whoever would have been there with that shirt on. 00:34:09.360 --> 00:34:12.159 Well, it wouldn't have been Father Mike necessarily. 00:34:12.880 --> 00:34:19.039 Whoever would have been the one that she reached out to would have done fine for her. 00:34:19.519 --> 00:34:22.079 But I was honored that I had that chance. 00:34:22.320 --> 00:34:25.199 And the Cardinals scored four runs while I was talking to her. 00:34:25.360 --> 00:34:26.960 Oh they won the game. 00:34:27.280 --> 00:34:27.920 Yay. 00:34:28.239 --> 00:34:28.719 Yes. 00:34:29.039 --> 00:34:30.239 But you kind of missed it. 00:34:30.480 --> 00:34:31.360 I did miss it. 00:34:31.599 --> 00:34:33.519 But I got to see the last three outs. 00:34:33.840 --> 00:34:34.159 Okay. 00:34:34.719 --> 00:34:36.320 Wow, that's a beautiful story. 00:34:36.559 --> 00:34:42.719 And I love taking kids because our priest took us to Cardinal Games when I was a little boy. 00:34:42.960 --> 00:34:45.280 Once a year, he'd take all the servers. 00:34:45.920 --> 00:34:49.760 So I love taking high school kids or junior high kids. 00:34:49.920 --> 00:34:52.159 I love taking them to see the Cardinals. 00:34:52.480 --> 00:34:54.239 Gets very expensive now. 00:34:54.559 --> 00:35:01.440 Tickets used to be a dollar, and now it's probably 70, 80 bucks for the cheapest ticket. 00:35:01.599 --> 00:35:02.800 Oh my gosh. 00:35:03.280 --> 00:35:04.239 But that's okay. 00:35:04.480 --> 00:35:05.440 More fundraising. 00:35:05.679 --> 00:35:06.000 Yes. 00:35:06.239 --> 00:35:11.280 If you want to get a good seat, you've got to have you gotta pay for it. 00:35:11.599 --> 00:35:14.159 Do you still love movies? 00:35:14.400 --> 00:35:15.199 Oh yes. 00:35:15.440 --> 00:35:15.760 Yeah. 00:35:16.000 --> 00:35:16.400 I do. 00:35:16.639 --> 00:35:18.960 You've taken us to some movies, my siblings. 00:35:19.360 --> 00:35:21.360 I remember remember your favorite one. 00:35:21.599 --> 00:35:22.159 I do. 00:35:22.480 --> 00:35:23.039 Harley. 00:35:23.199 --> 00:35:23.679 Harley? 00:35:24.079 --> 00:35:26.159 And only it's actually Harry. 00:35:26.400 --> 00:35:27.039 Harry, yes. 00:35:27.280 --> 00:35:28.320 Harry and the Henderson. 00:35:28.639 --> 00:35:29.039 Yes. 00:35:29.280 --> 00:35:31.360 That was like 30, 40 years ago. 00:35:31.519 --> 00:35:32.079 Oh, sure. 00:35:32.159 --> 00:35:32.559 At least. 00:35:32.639 --> 00:35:32.800 Yeah. 00:35:33.039 --> 00:35:33.920 We were a little girl. 00:35:34.239 --> 00:35:34.639 Little girl. 00:35:34.880 --> 00:35:36.639 But it was we laughed so hard, I remember. 00:35:36.880 --> 00:35:37.199 Yeah. 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:39.440 We went with Father Rich Frank. 00:35:39.760 --> 00:35:41.360 Oh, we went to that movie with him? 00:35:41.519 --> 00:35:43.840 Yeah, and he drove us in your parents' van. 00:35:44.159 --> 00:35:45.199 Oh, okay. 00:35:46.079 --> 00:35:48.559 So there were two priests in the car when I said that. 00:35:48.880 --> 00:35:49.360 Yeah. 00:35:49.679 --> 00:35:50.000 Tell me. 00:35:50.639 --> 00:35:51.360 Try to tell that story. 00:35:51.519 --> 00:35:52.400 Yeah, you tell that story. 00:35:52.639 --> 00:35:52.960 Okay. 00:35:53.119 --> 00:35:56.880 We're driving along and somebody cut us off. 00:35:57.199 --> 00:36:05.840 And you rolled down the window and you we pulled up beside him and you shouted as loud as you could, there's a priest in this car. 00:36:07.280 --> 00:36:10.159 And they looked at you like Yeah, they didn't care. 00:36:10.800 --> 00:36:11.679 I loved it. 00:36:11.920 --> 00:36:13.679 You were defending me. 00:36:14.079 --> 00:36:17.760 I I had someone tell me once, I heard you used to be audacious. 00:36:17.920 --> 00:36:19.519 I was I could be audacious. 00:36:19.599 --> 00:36:21.679 I'm trying to keep I'm trying to get that back a little. 00:36:21.920 --> 00:36:22.880 Oh, I see it. 00:36:23.119 --> 00:36:23.440 Good. 00:36:24.239 --> 00:36:25.280 God, as far as I'm concerned. 00:36:25.519 --> 00:36:26.559 I want to be audacious. 00:36:26.800 --> 00:36:28.000 You are audacious. 00:36:28.239 --> 00:36:34.880 And you're brilliant and beautiful and uh alive. 00:36:35.360 --> 00:36:35.760 Yes. 00:36:36.000 --> 00:36:38.000 I we both have cancer stories. 00:36:38.400 --> 00:36:38.960 We do. 00:36:39.599 --> 00:36:44.159 Yours is probably worse than mine, but uh Well, there's no

measurement. 00:36:44.400 --> 00:36:46.079 I wasn't expected to live. 00:36:46.320 --> 00:36:46.639 Yeah. 00:36:46.960 --> 00:36:47.920 And you weren't either. 00:36:48.239 --> 00:36:48.639 Right. 00:36:48.880 --> 00:36:50.880 You had it four times, as I recall. 00:36:51.039 --> 00:36:51.599 Yeah. 00:36:51.920 --> 00:36:53.599 I've only had it once. 00:36:53.840 --> 00:36:55.599 But the chemo just wrecked me. 00:36:55.840 --> 00:36:56.480 Me too. 00:36:56.639 --> 00:36:56.960 Yeah. 00:36:57.199 --> 00:36:58.079 It was the worst part. 00:36:58.320 --> 00:37:00.639 To this day, I still get nauseated easily. 00:37:00.800 --> 00:37:01.039 Yeah. 00:37:01.280 --> 00:37:07.360 Every couple of months, about three days where I just can't hardly function for the nausea. 00:37:08.960 --> 00:37:16.639 And and you have to you have to keep kicking for a while because you made a deal with God about me. 00:37:16.960 --> 00:37:18.159 Yes, I did. 00:37:18.639 --> 00:37:19.519 Yes, I did. 00:37:19.599 --> 00:37:20.400 You remembered that. 00:37:20.559 --> 00:37:20.880 Yeah. 00:37:21.039 --> 00:37:22.159 Well, you tell that story. 00:37:22.400 --> 00:37:27.920 Oh, I just know you you asked God that you that I outlive you. 00:37:28.239 --> 00:37:29.280 Yes, I did. 00:37:30.000 --> 00:37:33.039 So that girl can't die in my lifetime. 00:37:33.199 --> 00:37:34.239 I said that to him. 00:37:34.400 --> 00:37:35.679 That's a little audacious. 00:37:35.920 --> 00:37:36.960 That's audacious. 00:37:37.199 --> 00:37:38.000 That's audacious. 00:37:38.239 --> 00:37:39.440 But he's answered me something. 00:37:39.679 --> 00:37:41.280 So you look healthy. 00:37:41.519 --> 00:37:44.960 I just had a checkup this July and all was good. 00:37:45.599 --> 00:37:50.320 And they're getting new, they get new treatments all the time that my doctor tells me about. 00:37:50.480 --> 00:37:54.239 So if if it was to come back, there's still lots of. 00:37:54.480 --> 00:37:55.199 Oh, I know. 00:37:55.440 --> 00:37:56.880 The stuff they can do. 00:37:57.280 --> 00:38:01.039 If I'd have gotten sick 50 years ago, I would have been like my dad. 00:38:01.199 --> 00:38:03.280 Just probably not much hope. 00:38:03.519 --> 00:38:04.159 Yeah. 00:38:05.199 --> 00:38:05.840 Yeah. 00:38:06.719 --> 00:38:08.239 So we have miracle stories. 00:38:08.480 --> 00:38:09.679 Yes, we do. 00:38:10.800 --> 00:38:13.760 Okay, let's just dream and imagine for just a moment. 00:38:14.000 --> 00:38:14.320 Okay. 00:38:14.559 --> 00:38:23.280 I mean, I know you love your work and you know it's what you're called to do, but do you ever imagine if I could have a day in the life of someone else? 00:38:23.599 --> 00:38:24.559 I really don't. 00:38:24.880 --> 00:38:25.360 Really? 00:38:25.599 --> 00:38:27.440 No, I I You're so content. 00:38:27.760 --> 00:38:29.039 Yeah, I have the perfect life. 00:38:29.519 --> 00:38:31.760 Who would I want to follow? 00:38:31.840 --> 00:38:32.079 You know? 00:38:32.400 --> 00:38:35.760 You really let go of that dad thing, the husband-dad thing? 00:38:36.079 --> 00:38:36.960 Well, you have to. 00:38:37.119 --> 00:38:37.280 Yeah. 00:38:37.440 --> 00:38:43.039 I mean, I still, I still like I treat my nieces and nephews, I try to spoil. 00:38:43.360 --> 00:38:43.599 Yeah. 00:38:43.760 --> 00:38:45.199 I just don't see them that often. 00:38:45.360 --> 00:38:45.599 Yeah. 00:38:45.760 --> 00:38:47.840 Because they don't none of them live around here. 00:38:48.000 --> 00:38:53.119 But when I see them, I try to and I pray for them all every day. 00:38:53.360 --> 00:38:55.360 And they're really special to me. 00:38:55.599 --> 00:38:56.800 Hope they know that. 00:38:57.119 --> 00:38:59.119 Oh, well, they I hope they do too. 00:38:59.280 --> 00:39:01.519 Hopefully they'll hear this and then they'll know for sure. 00:39:01.679 --> 00:39:05.280 But I'm sure how could anyone in your life not know that you love them? 00:39:05.599 --> 00:39:06.559 I would hope so. 00:39:06.719 --> 00:39:07.039 Yeah. 00:39:07.280 --> 00:39:08.639 You're very good at that. 00:39:08.880 --> 00:39:09.679 Aww. 00:39:10.880 --> 00:39:11.199 Okay. 00:39:13.119 --> 00:39:20.159 So do you have any advice for people who don't have, maybe haven't felt that tap on the shoulder? 00:39:20.480 --> 00:39:21.920 Well, just ask the Lord. 00:39:22.079 --> 00:39:24.800 And he does it in so many different ways. 00:39:25.119 --> 00:39:32.559 You know, uh, I hear so many stories about how so-and-so decided to become a priest. 00:39:32.719 --> 00:39:34.320 I have a sister who's a nun. 00:39:34.480 --> 00:39:34.800 Yeah. 00:39:35.039 --> 00:39:40.960 And her story was was really beautiful, you know, about how God touched her. 00:39:41.199 --> 00:39:49.760 And uh so you just say you know, ask the Lord, He'll help you decide what to do. 00:39:50.559 --> 00:39:51.199 Yeah. 00:39:51.840 --> 00:39:52.559 Love it. 00:39:52.800 --> 00:39:57.679 Okay, there's a segment that I do with everyone at the end, and I call it It Worked for Me. 00:39:57.920 --> 00:40:02.880 So it's kind of like a recommendation, except it doesn't have to be something that you know would work for other people. 00:40:03.119 --> 00:40:04.239 It just worked for you. 00:40:04.400 --> 00:40:15.199 And it can be anything in work or life, and it worked for you like it led to a big win, or it just helps you every day, helps you get through the day, find meaning in life, that kind of thing. 00:40:15.519 --> 00:40:16.480 Exactly. 00:40:16.719 --> 00:40:28.159 I I don't know how to phrase it, but I just when I wake up, I have a purpose every day, and that's you just can't find that everywhere. 00:40:28.400 --> 00:40:28.719 Yeah. 00:40:28.880 --> 00:40:39.440 You know, and hopefully any husband or wife or spouse or parent or grandparent would feel the same way, you know. 00:40:40.320 --> 00:40:43.840 And uh that's just what it is. 00:40:44.000 --> 00:40:46.960 You know, you you just try to do your best. 00:40:47.519 --> 00:40:51.679

And for me, it was just always relying on the Lord. 00:40:51.840 --> 00:40:55.440 I learned that from my parents and my Aunt Aggie. 00:40:56.079 --> 00:41:12.400 She was so such a role model for us, you know, taking care of my our grandma and just the rustling at the chase and all those great memories of her and church were kind of together, you know. 00:41:13.679 --> 00:41:23.440 I used to love in grade school, uh we would on Fridays during Lent, we would always end the school day with Stations of the Cross. 00:41:23.920 --> 00:41:26.719 I don't know if you're familiar with that or you are somewhat. 00:41:27.039 --> 00:41:27.280 Yeah. 00:41:27.440 --> 00:41:29.119 Those were great memories too. 00:41:29.360 --> 00:41:32.880 And I could feel, and we we have that here too. 00:41:33.119 --> 00:41:33.280 Yeah. 00:41:33.440 --> 00:41:36.960 We have stations of the cross on Fridays during Lent. 00:41:37.280 --> 00:41:38.800 And I just love it. 00:41:39.599 --> 00:41:42.079 Just love, and we get big crowds for that. 00:41:42.320 --> 00:41:43.280 Young people too. 00:41:43.599 --> 00:41:45.760 So it's connecting to your purpose. 00:41:46.239 --> 00:41:46.559 Yes. 00:41:46.800 --> 00:41:50.079 Do you wake up every morning and that's your first thought? 00:41:50.320 --> 00:41:50.880 Pretty much. 00:41:51.039 --> 00:41:52.800 Or do you have to talk yourself into it at all? 00:41:53.039 --> 00:41:58.239 No, I wake up and uh first thing I do is thank you, Jesus, for another day. 00:41:58.480 --> 00:42:00.320 I always say that out loud. 00:42:00.559 --> 00:42:05.599 And then I always say once a day, out loud, tell the Lord I love him. 00:42:06.159 --> 00:42:08.639 And uh out loud, I love you, Jesus. 00:42:08.880 --> 00:42:12.239 And I encouraged my Tolkien kids to do that. 00:42:12.639 --> 00:42:27.679 And last year, right after I gave that homily, uh the boys' basketball team was warming up, and one of the players came over, one of the varsity guys came over and he said, I want you to know I started doing that. 00:42:27.920 --> 00:42:29.840 And he got a little choked up. 00:42:29.920 --> 00:42:32.159 And he said, It has totally changed my life. 00:42:33.360 --> 00:42:35.760 Oh, I could hardly announce that. 00:42:35.920 --> 00:42:37.840 I was so touched by that. 00:42:38.000 --> 00:42:41.360 You know, the fact that he was so open about how that helped him. 00:42:41.519 --> 00:42:46.960 I don't know if anybody else did it, but I was really grateful that he said something to me. 00:42:47.199 --> 00:42:48.719 Yeah, that's beautiful. 00:42:48.960 --> 00:42:51.440 You're passing on your legacy. 00:42:52.159 --> 00:42:54.320 You didn't need a podcast to say it worked for me. 00:42:54.400 --> 00:42:55.599 You tell people every day. 00:42:56.159 --> 00:42:56.559 Thank you. 00:42:56.880 --> 00:42:57.360 It works for me. 00:42:58.239 --> 00:42:59.679 It did, it does. 00:42:59.920 --> 00:43:02.480 And I have bad days like anybody else. 00:43:03.440 --> 00:43:04.719 That's part of life. 00:43:04.960 --> 00:43:05.440 Yeah. 00:43:05.760 --> 00:43:08.079 But I bet you kind of know how to rise above. 00:43:08.559 --> 00:43:09.760 I try to do my best. 00:43:09.920 --> 00:43:10.239 Yeah. 00:43:10.480 --> 00:43:25.519 A lot of times it's like uh if somebody's killed in a car wreck, a young parent, or uh I've had too many of those, or a teenager, way too many of those in my life. 00:43:26.639 --> 00:43:33.119 And not recently so much, but it's happened and it's very sad. 00:43:33.599 --> 00:43:34.000 Yeah. 00:43:34.559 --> 00:43:41.760 So we get to be with people on their best days, and we get to be people when they're hurting the worst. 00:43:42.559 --> 00:43:46.079 So that's a a great way to live. 00:43:46.559 --> 00:43:47.840 You take it all as it comes. 00:43:48.159 --> 00:43:54.239 I do, and I appreciate the opportunity to share Jesus with people every day. 00:43:56.000 --> 00:43:58.000 Well, thank you for being here. 00:43:58.320 --> 00:44:01.360 Oh, honey, it's been great to be with you. 00:44:01.599 --> 00:44:02.800 Great to see you again. 00:44:03.280 --> 00:44:06.000 Then I hope I can make this um this go. 00:44:06.639 --> 00:44:07.599 Oh, you'll do great. 00:44:08.159 --> 00:44:09.760 I hope I think we were heard. 00:44:09.840 --> 00:44:18.639 I think the microphone worked, but I also want to say, and I'm sure my audience will join me in saying, congratulations on almost 45 years next month. 00:44:19.039 --> 00:44:22.320 In work that you don't even call work because you love it so much. 00:44:22.480 --> 00:44:22.800 Amen. 00:44:23.280 --> 00:44:26.320 Which is just a beautiful thing to have on this show. 00:44:26.559 --> 00:44:26.719 Amen. 00:44:27.199 --> 00:44:27.679 So thank you. 00:44:28.000 --> 00:44:28.719 Love you storing.