Pentecost and Confirmation: Unlocking the Holy Spirit's Power

The Lost Art of Leisure: Resting in God in a Busy World

What does it really mean to rest? In a culture that celebrates busyness and measures successby productivity, Christians are called to something radically different. In this episode, Mark returns after a brief hiatus, and we explore one of the most overlooked virtues of modern life: leisure. Drawing from the insights of philosopher Josef Pieper, wediscuss why leisure is far more than simply "doing nothing."Authentic leisure creates the space to contemplate God, strengthen friendships, enjoy beauty, and rediscover our humanity. We also reflect on Father Edwin's homily about truly resting in God, the importance of reclaiming Sunday as theLord's Day, and how our hobbies—even sharing a cigar with friends—can become occasions for authentic Christian fellowship. Whether you're planning a summer vacation, trying to reclaimyour Sundays, or simply feeling exhausted by the constant pace of modern life, this conversation offers a practical reminder that rest is not laziness—it's an act of gratitude. What Ya Smokin' Don * Padrón 1964 Anniversary Presidente Maduro [https://padron.com/padron-1964-anniversary-series/] * 6¾ x 50 * All-Nicaraguan wrapper, binder, and filler * Medium-to-full-bodied * Approx. $22 * Flavor notes: cocoa, espresso, cedar, black pepper, naturalsweetness Mark * Arturo Fuente 8-5-8 Maduro [https://blindmanspuff.com/blind-cigar-review-arturo-fuente-858-maduro/] * Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper (proprietary blend) * Flavor notes discussed: dark chocolate, cedar, subtlesweetness What Ya Drinkin' * Booker's Bourbon (Noe Series) [https://www.beamdistilling.com/bookersbourbon/about-bookers] * Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey * Barrel Proof • Uncut • Unfiltered * 124 proof (62% ABV) * Approx. $90–110 * Tasting notes discussed: caramel, brown sugar, cinnamon,cedar, rich oak, and plenty of Kentucky heat. Topics We Discuss * Why leisure is different from idleness * The "servile arts" versus the "liberal arts" * Sharpening the saw and the necessity of rest * How friendship grows through shared leisure * Why Sundays should be intentionally different * Leisure as preparation for contemplation * Resting in God instead of merely distracting ourselves * Practical ways to reclaim Sunday as the Lord's Day Reflection Questions 1. When was the last time you truly rested rather than merelydistracted yourself? 2. What do your Sundays reveal about what you really believe gives your life value? 3. What practical change could you make this week to reclaim Sunday as a day of worship, leisure, and celebration? Practical Challenge This week: * Attend Mass without rushing to the next activity. * Protect at least one hour for intentional leisure. * Share a meal with family or friends. * Put your phone away for part of the afternoon. * Read something that nourishes your soul. * Spend time outdoors simply enjoying God's creation. Remember: Rest is not laziness; it is gratitude lived out. Sources & Citations * Josef Pieper, Leisure: The Basis of Culture [https://ignatius.com/leisure-lbcp/?searchid=0&search_query=Josef+Pieper%2C+Leisure%3A+The+Basis+of+Culture] * The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey [https://www.amazon.com/Habits-Highly-Effective-People/dp/1471195201/ref=sr_1_2?crid=12TJJT27E5NQR&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.SqwOwJ5zN4dTSawslkpGL4sGjHHIS-ttN50KvpUo4KL28FtVapXNKibzC8ZBXNqagxuzpWUgGsZRYw06VIA1YvBAmq4K2RWv8QY0up-9CrlSkTEiycXdyXqK-TiLW0KMD4-riZlHCe5BevLGEne-RUK8QJ5ZChm98_SuErhinKO5kC2j14axZZke-CRHO0BCGpc9j-GBnLq4iiep0X8i8vGaKjSmQ-BqbaZ_WtcIuMg.sGDhIwjYpeMOrv448WGS1BtuwZTcOoOydc_ecjWzCkk&dib_tag=se&keywords=The+7+Habits+of+Highly+Effective+People+by+Stephen+R.+Covey&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1783631689&sprefix=the+7+habits+of+highly+effective+people+by+stephen+r.+covey%2Caps%2C261&sr=8-2] ("Sharpen the Saw") * Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2172 [https://www.catholiccrossreference.online/catechism/#!/search/2172] * MassTimes [https://masstimes.org/] * Matthew 11:25–30 * Great Books Podcast discussion of Leisure: The Basis ofCulture

Ordinary People, Extraordinary Mission: Peter, Paul, and the God Who Writes Straight with Crooked Lines

This week on My Stogie Mystagogy, Don flies solo after Mark loses an unexpected battle with a nest of wasps... and then a second battle with Benadryl. But in a providential twist, the evening becomes a fitting reflection on one of Christianity's central truths: God rarely waits for perfect circumstances or perfect people before accomplishing extraordinary things. As the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, we examine two men who, on paper, seem like unlikely candidates to change the world. Peter was impulsive, fearful, and often misunderstood Christ's mission. Paul actively persecuted Christians before his dramatic conversion. Yet Christ chose them anyway. Their stories remind us that discipleship is not about flawless execution; it is about fidelity, repentance, and showing up when God calls. 🥃 What Ya Drinkin'? Glenmorangie Harrison Ford Limited Edition [https://www.glenmorangie.com/en-us/products/glenmorangie-harrison-ford-limited-edition?srsltid=AfmBOopy7VBP6k0wuFtlgaEbaYwXDdrpfNsLwwdbdj5Q_RFs0_IXLPW2] What Ya Smokin'? Arturo Fuente Hemingway Best Seller [https://www.cigaraficionado.com/top25cigar/arturo-fuente-hemingway-best-seller-2005] 🤔 Reflection Questions 1. What failure still convinces you that God cannot use you? 2. Where has God been nudging you to get off the sidelines? 3. Who has God entrusted to your care that nobody else can reach?

Fathers, Faith, and the Memories That Last

This week, Don flies solo behind the microphone for a Father's Day-themed episode reflecting on the unique role fathers play in shaping the faith and character of their children. Drawing from both Catholic teaching and modern research on religious transmission, Don explores why a father's witness often has a lasting impact on whether children continue practicing their faith into adulthood. Along the way, he shares personal stories spanning three generations: fishing trips with his grandfather, a quiet act of love from his own father, lessons learned raising his son Kevin, and the intentional fatherhood he has witnessed in both Kevin and a longtime friend. The result is a heartfelt conversation about presence, example, and the ordinary moments that become lifelong memories. Don also reviews a pairing that unfortunately doesn't go according to plan: an Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story paired with Little Saints Saint Oak Non-Alcoholic Spirit. Sometimes the cigar dies, sometimes the pairing misses the mark, but the ritual still has something to teach us. What Ya Smokin'? Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story [https://www.tampasweethearts.com/hemingwayshortstory.aspx] What Ya Drinkin'? Little Saints Saint Oak [https://littlesaints.com/products/st-oak?srsltid=AfmBOorIQUEz9TA2nSZI9Qg0G1SwAKn9Llm5-o9g68ziPPOUFIWXUaUs&variant=45774913110169] Sources & CitationsChurch Documents * Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2221-2231 [https://www.catholiccrossreference.online/catechism/#!/search/2221-2231] (Parents as primary educators in the faith) * Lumen Gentium [https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html], 11 (The family as the Domestic Church) * Familiaris Consortio [https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_jp-ii_exh_19811122_familiaris-consortio.html], 25 & 36(Teachings of Saint John Paul II on the unique and irreplaceable role of fathers) * Joe Catholic, Why Your Children are Watching You More than They are Listening [https://thejoecatholic.org/blog/f/why-your-children-are-watching-you-more-than-listening-to-you]

Disclosure Day, Aliens, and the Call to Evangelize

What happens when a blockbuster alien movie raises questions about God, faith, and humanity's place in the universe? This week, Don is joined by special guest co-host Kevin Gonzalez, who steps in while Mark celebrates his father's 90th birthday. Together they discuss Steven Spielberg's new film Disclosure Day and the controversy surrounding claims that the movie is anti-religious or anti-Catholic. Along the way, they explore what the Catholic Church teaches about the possibility of extraterrestrial life, whether aliens would challenge Christian belief, and how Catholics can engage popular culture as an opportunity for evangelization. In the second half of the episode, the conversation shifts to the Gospel's call that "the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few." Kevin shares the story behind his Saturday morning men's coffee group and how a simple invitation grew into an informal apostolate that has fostered fellowship, accountability, and faith formation for years. Together, Don and Kevin challenge listeners to discover how God may be calling them to evangelize through their ordinary talents, friendships, and daily lives. Whether you're interested in science fiction, Catholic theology, or practical ways to live your faith, this episode offers thoughtful conversation about listening to God and becoming fishers of men. What Ya Smokin' * Arturo Fuente Don Carlos No. 4 [Arturo Fuente Don Carlos No. 4] * Drew Estate Deadwood Fat Bottom Betty [https://drewestate.com/products/deadwood/deadwood-fat-bottom-betty/] What Ya Drinkin' * Glenmorangie Triple Cask Reserve [https://www.glenmorangie.com/en-us/products/glenmorangie-triple-cask-reserve?srsltid=AfmBOoqCWLrj9hN8XypufN9Tb9C1Mh4qZDtAFdj-2nd8aIpz79lx32vD] * Chick-fil-A Lemonade [https://www.chick-fil-a.com/menu/beverages/chick-fil-a-lemonade] Film Reviews & Commentary [https://www.chick-fil-a.com/menu/beverages/chick-fil-a-lemonade] * Disclosure Day * Decent Films Review Archive [https://decentfilms.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * Decent Films Substack (Deacon Steven Greydanus) [https://decentfilms.substack.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Catholic Teaching & Resources * Catholic Answers [https://www.catholic.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * Jimmy Akin on faith and extraterrestrial life [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3woBfYQG_Qo] * Solemnity of Christ the King * Matthew 9:37-38 * Matthew 10:1-8 * Matthew 28:18-20 Saints Mentioned * Saint Clare of Assisi * Saint John the Baptist * Saint Josemaría Escrivá

The Eucharist, Real Presence, and Living a Eucharistic Life

What does the Catholic Church actually teach about the Eucharist? On this Solemnity of Corpus Christi, Don and Mark discuss the Church's belief that Jesus Christ is truly, really, and substantially present in the Eucharist. They examine the Bread of Life Discourse in John 6, the Last Supper, and the witness of the earliest Christians. Why did so many disciples walk away when Jesus spoke about eating His flesh and drinking His blood? Why didn't He correct them if they misunderstood Him? And how did the first generations of Christians understand His words? The conversation also explores the connection between the Incarnation and the Eucharist, the meaning of transubstantiation, and why the Catechism calls the Eucharist the "source and summit" of the Christian life. Don shares a personal story about a season when he was unable to receive Holy Communion and how that experience transformed his appreciation for the Blessed Sacrament. The episode concludes with practical suggestions for becoming more Eucharistic people through Mass, Adoration, prayer, and intentional discipleship. What Ya Smokin • Arturo Fuente Don Carlos Personal Reserve Parejo [https://cigarcountry.com/product/arturo-fuente-don-carlos-personal-reserve-robusto/] • Casdagli European Experiment Short Double Perfecto [https://cigarwell.com/cigars/casdagli-european-experiment-short-double-perfecto] What Ya Drinkin • Chivas Regal 18 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky [https://www.totalwine.com/p/19745750-1] Sources Referenced • Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1324-1327 [https://www.catholiccrossreference.online/catechism/#!/search/1324-1327] • John 6 (Bread of Life Discourse) • Matthew 26:26-28 • Mark 14:22-24 • Luke 22:19-20 • 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 • 1 Corinthians 11:23-29 • St. Ignatius of Antioch • St. Justin Martyr • St. Irenaeus • St. Thomas Aquinas • St. John Paul II, Ecclesia de Eucharistia [https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_20030417_eccl-de-euch.html] • St. Carlo Acutis