The Engaged Parish Podcast

EP 37: The Sacred Heart Comes to the Big Screen with Hubert de Torcy

What if a film could lead someone back to the sacraments after thirty or forty years away? That's exactly what's happening across Europe — and now, Sacred Heart: His Reign Has No End is coming to U.S. theaters. In this episode of The Engage Parish Podcast, we're joined by Hubert de Torcy, Chairman of Saje Distribution, to talk about this powerful new film, the spiritual story behind its creation, and why its June theatrical release in the United States is a moment the Church simply cannot miss. Hubert shares his own personal encounter with God's love at Paray-le-Monial, the very place where Jesus appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque to reveal His Sacred Heart, and how that experience became the foundation for both Saje Distribution and ultimately this film. He also reflects on the fruits already being witnessed: lives transformed, confessions heard after decades, and hearts opened to the love of Christ. 🎬 In Theaters: June 9, 10, 11 & 14(June 10 screening is for Spanish-speaking audiences)Tickets & showtimes through Fathom Events [https://www.fathomentertainment.com/releases/sacred-heart/] 🗓️ Coincides with: * The USCCB's Consecration of the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus — June 11 * America's 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence ⛪ For Parishes — eCatholic VOD:Starting July 10, Sacred Heart: His Reign Has No End will be available for parish screening licenses through eCatholic VOD, our newest platform built specifically for parish communities who want to host screenings in their parish hall, school gym, or any gathering space outside of a movie theater. 🔗 SHOW NOTES & LINKS: 📽️ Film Resources & Ticket Links (Fathom Events): https://ecatholic.com/sacredheart [https://ecatholic.com/sacredheart] (Free downloadable parish resources available here, e.g., bulletin inserts, posters, promotional materials) ⛪ Host a Parish Screening with eCatholic VOD (starting July 10): https://vod.ecatholic.com [https://vod.ecatholic.com] 📧 Email us about parish screenings: screenings@ecatholic.com [screenings@ecatholic.com] 🌐 Learn more about eCatholic: https://ecatholic.com [https://ecatholic.com]

EP 36: Finding God in the Spreadsheets of Parish Life with Father Robert Gahl, Ph.D.

What happens when a Silicon Valley engineer, Harvard lecturer, and Catholic priest walks into a business school? He builds one of the most unique programs in Catholic higher education — the Catholic Management Program [https://cmp.catholic.edu] at The Catholic University of America. In this episode, we sit down with Father Robert Gahl, Ph.D., to explore how the CMP is forming priests, parish administrators, and diocesan leaders to manage with both excellence and faith. 📚 SHOW NOTES & LINKS * 🔗 Learn more about the Catholic Management Program: https://cmp.catholic.edu [https://cmp.catholic.edu] * 🔗 Contact Father Bob: gahl@cua.edu [gahl@cua.edu] * 💰 Special offer: Graduate Certificate for $7,500 (normally ~$10,000) — mention eCatholicCMP when applying. Valid through May 31, 2026. * 🔗 Learn more about eCatholic: https://www.ecatholic.com [https://www.ecatholic.com]

EP 35: A Saint Who Refused to Be Forgotten with Father Chris Korcz

What happens when a Catholic parish is nearly closed — and a 17th-century martyr intervenes? In this special on-location episode of The Engage Parish Podcast, brought to you by eCatholic, we sit down with Father Chris Korcz, pastor of the Shrine of St. Andrew Bobola in Dudley, Massachusetts — the only shrine dedicated to this remarkable saint in the entire United States. Father Chris shares the full story of how three providential signs during a moment of crisis — a mysterious phone call from Chicago, an unexpected inheritance, and a miraculous healing from cancer during the first-ever novena — led him to ask his bishop to elevate this struggling parish to a diocesan shrine. On May 11, 2025, that became a reality. In this episode, you'll hear: * The history and martyrdom of St. Andrew Bobola, a 17th-century Jesuit who died for his faith * How St. Andrew has appeared and interceded throughout history — and why he's making himself known again * The three signs Father Chris received that changed the course of his parish * The story of a parishioner healed from colon cancer during the first novena * How you can visit, join the anniversary celebrations this May, or watch via live stream * Resources including a new book and papal encyclical on St. Andrew Bobola 🗓️ First Anniversary Celebrations — May 2025: * Novena: May 1–3 & May 8–10 (featuring Fr. Mitch Pacwa from EWTN) * Feast Day Mass: May 16 at noon (celebrant: Bishop Robert McManus, Diocese of Worcester) * Polish-language celebration: May 17 * All celebrations available via live stream at standrewbobola.com [standrewbobola.com] 📖 Resources mentioned: * The Apparitions of St. Andrew Bobola After His Death — available in English & Polish at standrewbobola.com [standrewbobola.com] * Invicti Athletae— Encyclical by Pope Pius XII, also available at the shrine website

EP 34: Igniting a Catholic Film Renaissance with Brian Shields

In this episode, host Mike sits down with Brian Shields, a devoted husband and father of nine, and the founder of Lumen Entertainment and the Lumen Institute. Brian opens up about his early success as a young actor in Hollywood, including booking a role on the HBO series "From Earth to the Moon". Despite his outward success, Brian felt unfulfilled until a life-changing encounter with the Eucharist at a retreat shifted his entire perspective. This profound experience gave him the courage to walk away from a lead role on "Dawson's Creek" after realizing the script promoted immorality to teens. Today, Brian is dedicated to equipping the next generation of Catholic filmmakers. We discuss his mission at the Lumen Institute to train artists so they don't get chewed up by the secular industry, and why he believes we need a modern "Catholic Renaissance" modeled after the 1500s. Plus, get a sneak peek at his upcoming family comedy film, Race Car Monks, hitting theaters in the spring of 2027! Show Notes: * Learn more about Brian's work and the Lumen Institute: lumen.tv [https://lumen.tv] * Follow and support the upcoming film: racecarmonksmovie.com [https://racecarmonksmovie.com] * Discover how eCatholic can help your parish thrive online: eCatholic.com [https://eCatholic.com]

EP 33: How SacredSpark Aims to Fix Catholic Dating with Daniel Hussem

Is modern dating broken? Daniel Hussem, co-founder of SacredSpark, believes the current system treats people like products in a "romantic vending machine". Join us as we discuss how he and his wife, Emily Wilson, are using technology to bring humanity, formation, and community back to Catholic dating. In this episode, we dive into the app's unique "Matchmaker" feature that lets friends and family vet matches for you , the importance of video verification for safety , and how parishes can support singles in their vocation. * Catholic and single? Take the free Dating 101 course for a Christ-centered guide to intentional relationships: https://formation.sacredspark.app/courses/dating101 [https://formation.sacredspark.app/courses/dating101] * Download the SacredSpark app: https://sacredspark.app [https://sacredspark.app] * Follow SacredSpark on IG: @SacredSparkApp