Episode 7: Welcome, Listen, Grow

Episode 7: Welcome, Listen, Grow

St. Theresa begins a new chapter as Steve and Jennifer welcome Fr. Raj with a personal conversation about his vocation, ministry journey, leadership and hopes for the parish and school community. Mike Ovesen joins us for a Ministry Spotlight on the 135 Ministry, including the renewed Meditation Garden, Fr. John’s blessing, engraved remembrance bricks and breaking news about the 2027 Modernism Week fundraiser, An Evening to Remember. We also share Diocesan and Vatican news, a spiritual reflection on welcoming, listening and growing in faith—and, of course, this month’s Holy Groaner. Stay faithful. Stay joyful. Stay connected.

Episode 6 - Rest, Renew, Respond: Staying Connected and Serving Through Summer

Summer can change our schedules, but it does not have to weaken our connection to faith, parish life, or one another. In this special June episode of Faithful Voices, Steve and Jennifer step away from the usual format for a summer reflection on staying connected: connected to God, connected to our parish family, and connected to the mission of the Church. The episode includes a heartfelt final pastoral message from Fr. John as he enters retirement, along with a warm welcome for Fr. Ros as St. Theresa begins a new chapter. Steve and Jennifer share practical ways to stay engaged while traveling or away for the season, including daily parish social media posts, the Faithful Voices podcast site, diocesan resources, and the online Rosary led by Bishop Alberto Rojas. They also highlight open enrollment for the 2026–2027 school year at St. Theresa Catholic School and invite parishioners to consider how they can offer their time, talent, and treasure through lay ministry. From liturgical service and faith formation to outreach, hospitality, Catholic education, technology, and behind-the-scenes support, every gift offered in love helps strengthen the life of the Church. The episode closes with a Scripture reflection inspired by the Sunday readings from the end of May through July: God’s faithfulness, the Eucharist, the call for laborers, courage in discipleship, Christ’s invitation to rest, and the power of small acts of service. Rest. Renew. Respond. Wherever summer takes you...Stay Prayerful, Stay Joyful, and Stay Connected!

Episode 5 - Faithful Voices - Faithful Voices – From Foundation to Mission

In this May episode of Faithful Voices, Steve and Jennifer reflect on a season of transition, gratitude, healing, and mission within the St. Theresa Catholic Church & School community. We begin with a pastoral message from Fr. John, then share important parish news about his upcoming retirement as pastor, effective July 1, 2026. Fr. John reminds us that while he is retiring as pastor, he is not retiring as a priest, and we give thanks for his many years of faithful service in the Coachella Valley. We also celebrate joyful news from the Diocese of San Bernardino, where Luis Angeles and Larry Curtis were ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Alberto Rojas on May 16. Their vocation stories remind us that the Holy Spirit continues to call people to serve the Church in powerful ways. This month’s Church News also highlights the 2026 Camino de California Eucharistic Pilgrimage, a statewide journey through all 21 California missions centered on the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Our Ministry Spotlight features Good Grief, St. Theresa’s bereavement support ministry. Jerry joins us to talk about walking with those who are grieving and how faith can offer comfort, healing, and hope without rushing the process. In our school segment, St. Theresa School – Firm Foundation, Lasting Legacy, we hear from two graduating 8th graders as they reflect on their time at St. Theresa, their memories, their faith, and what they carry with them into the next chapter. We also speak with Mr. Michael Keno, principal of St. Theresa School, as he looks back on the school year and ahead to what’s next. In Your Voice, Our Conversation, we welcome a special audio clip from Fr. Mike Schmitz answering the question: Why do Catholics confess their sins to a priest instead of just praying directly to God? We close with a reflection on the movement from Ascension to Pentecost to Ordinary Time — a reminder that Christ sends us, the Holy Spirit strengthens us, and ordinary days become holy ground when we live them with faith. All links and resources from this episode are available at: FaithfulVoicesPodcast.org Stay Prayerful. Stay Joyful. Stay Connected.

Episode 4

Episode 4 – April 19, 2026 Faithful Voices Podcast | St. Theresa Church & School As we step into the joy of the Easter season, Episode 4 invites our Faithful Family to reflect on what it truly means to live the Resurrection in everyday life. This week, we hear a powerful Pastor’s Message from Fr. John, reminding us that Christ is not only risen—but present in our lives, our questions, and our daily walk of faith. We also share important moments from our parish and beyond: * Diocesan News: Bishop Alberto Rojas’ appointment to a national immigration committee—and why this matters for our local Church * Parish Highlight: A beautiful celebration of Confirmation, where both youth and adults fully entered into the Church * School News: The incredible success of our Read-A-Thon, with over 37,000 minutes read and more than $11,000 raised * National Recognition: A special spotlight on three of our students honored through the Footsteps2Brilliance program, with insights from Dr. Gregory Spencer Our Ministry Spotlight focuses on the St. Theresa Food Pantry Program, where dedicated volunteers help serve over 300 people each week—bringing faith into action in a real and meaningful way. In Your Voice, Our Conversation, we take on a thoughtful and important question from one of our parishioners, with guidance from Fr. David, followed by helpful insights from local funeral planning expert Ernesto Rosales. Plus: * A one-on-one conversation with Dr. Spencer on literacy and free community resources * Voices from our ministry volunteers * A lighthearted “holy groaner” * A Scripture-based reflection to guide your week * A closing prayer from one of our parish lectors We wrap with a look ahead to next month, including a spotlight on our Good Grief Bereavement Ministry, another listener question, and exciting updates for our parish community. No matter where you’re listening—from home, on the road, or right here in Palm Springs—you’re part of the conversation. Stay Faithful. Stay Joyful. Stay Connected.

Faithful Voices Podcast – Episode 3 Journeys of Faith

Episode 3 of Faithful Voices explores how God often works through seasons of preparation before something new begins. Steve and Jennifer begin with news from the Diocese of San Bernardino, where nearly 900 adults across the diocese signed the Book of the Elect during the Rite of Election. Among them were 134 catechumens from the Low Desert Vicariate, preparing to receive the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil. Locally, we share important updates from St. Theresa Catholic Church in Palm Springs, including the upcoming Lenten Penance Service, the Holy Week Mass schedule, and the weekly Stations of the Cross, leading up to the parish’s powerful Living Stations of the Cross presentation. We also spotlight the Knights of Columbus, whose parish council continues its tradition of service through a creative recycling program that supports St. Theresa Catholic School tuition assistance. Longtime Knight Ross shares about the mission of the Knights, while Jack explains how a simple act of stewardship can help students and families in our community. The program also received a generous $1,000 matching gift from the Sally Sauter Foundation, honoring the memory of a beloved parishioner. In our Your Voice, Our Conversation segment, we answer a listener’s question: Why does the number 40 appear so often in the Bible? From Noah and the Flood, to Moses on Mount Sinai, to Jesus’ forty days in the wilderness, we explore how Scripture uses the number forty as a time of testing, preparation, and transformation—and how that meaning connects directly to the Church’s season of Lent. We close the episode with a lighthearted Holy Groaner, a Scripture reflection, and a prayer as we continue our Lenten journey together. Along the way, we invite you to stay connected with the parish community between episodes through our daily reflections and updates on Facebook and Instagram, and we encourage listeners to submit questions and topic ideas through Your Voice, Our Conversation on the podcast page. Because this conversation belongs to the whole parish family. Faithful Voices is the official parish podcast of St. Theresa Catholic Church & School in Palm Springs. Stay Faithful. Stay Joyful. Stay Connected.