Greater Things with J.D. McQueen and Fr. Barry Cuba

Episode 17: Be Subject to One Another: On Ephesians 5

November 15th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  57 mins 21 secs

austin, catholicism, ephesians, marriage, religion, spirituality, st. theresa catholic church

J.D. and Fr. Barry discuss a well-known yet difficult section of scripture for some: the closing of the fifth chapter of Ephesians. What does mutual submission and respect within marriage look like, and how is it analogous to Christ's relationship with the Church?

Episode 16: Learning Simplicity from St. Therese of Lisieux (St. Therese, Part 2)

November 8th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  49 mins 51 secs

austin, catholicism, religion, spirituality, st. theresa catholic church, st. therese of lisieux

Fr. Barry and J.D. McQueen continue their discussion of the document C’est la confiance, an apostolic exhortation from Pope Francis that discusses the holiness of our patroness, Saint Therese. What value does simplicity have in our lives? How can we have more confidence in God's guidance?

The document we reference throughout the podcast:

Episode 15: Uncovering the Little Way of St. Therese

October 11th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  47 mins 37 secs

catholicism, october, religion, spirituality, st. theresa catholic church, st. therese of lisieux

In this episode, Fr. Barry Cuba and J.D. McQueen introduce the life and teachings of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, one of the most beloved saints and a Doctor of the Church. Through her "Little Way," they show how Thérèse's spirituality is not just an ancient tradition but a powerful, transformative guide for our lives today. By connecting her simple yet profound approach to holiness with our daily experiences, they lay the groundwork for deeper discussions on how this incredible saint can inspire and reshape our spiritual journey. Don’t miss this opportunity to discover St. Thérèse in a fresh and life-changing way!

Episode 14: Using Your Gifts, Part 2

September 12th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  57 mins 54 secs

austin, catholicism, happy thoughts, movies, peter pan, religion, spirituality, st. theresa catholic church

J.D. and Fr. Barry talk about movies, Peter Pan and happy thoughts, and continue their discussion about how giving in whatever way a person can is a beautiful and worthy response to God's goodness, love, and mercy.

Episode 13: Using Your Gifts

September 3rd, 2024  |  Season 1  |  40 mins 34 secs

austin, catholicism, giving, religion, spirituality, st. theresa catholic church

Fr. Barry and J.D. discuss the concept of receiving gifts from God and what happens when these gifts are freely shared with others. When you enter into the flow of blessings, you will find yourself and your purpose and often be surprised by joy.

Episode 12: Blessings

August 22nd, 2024  |  Season 1  |  49 mins 51 secs

austin, blessings, catholicism, religion, spirituality, st. theresa catholic church

Catching up after summer activities, Fr. Barry Cuba and J.D. McQueen discuss a topic and activity seen every day in the life of the Church: Blessings. What happens when someone or something is blessed and how can blessings have a profound impact on our lives?

Episode 11: Three Stages of the Interior Life

July 29th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  50 mins 50 secs

austin, catholicism, illuminative, purgative, religion, spirituality, st. theresa catholic church, summer, unitive

Fr. Barry and J.D. speak about their study and experience of the three traditional stages of the interior life of one who is seeking God: the purgative way, the illuminative way, and the unitive way.

Episode 10: Public v. Private Revelation

July 19th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  49 mins 53 secs

acc, austin, austin community college, catholicism, mary, religion, revelation, spirituality, st. theresa catholic church

J.D. and Fr. Barry introduce a topic that can sometimes be confusing, and even a bit personal, to Catholics - the difference between public and private revelation.

Public revelation is God's self-disclosure to all people.
Private revelation is God's self-disclosure to an individual or a group.

Various devotions and piety exist within the Catholic Church due to its global nature and long history; but what beliefs are essential to our faith and lead us to salvation?

Fr. Barry also speaks a bit to his new role as Chaplain for Austin Community College.

Episode 9: Glory to God

July 3rd, 2024  |  Season 1  |  45 mins 52 secs

catholicism, pope francis, praise, religion, spirituality, st. theresa catholic church, training camp

J.D. and Fr. Barry consider a listener's insightful question about why we sing the Gloria. They also discuss how worship is like training camp: an intense, focused period of preparation so that when we who have worshiped walk out of the Church and into the world, we can recognize God in it and respond in faith to whatever life may throw at us.

Veteran players often mentor those new to the team during training camp. Developing that same attitude towards those new to the church, welcoming them with experience and mentorship, can build community and connection.

Another image of the Church is used by Pope Francis and others, that of a field hospital. The Church forms and trains disciples, but it's also a place for the wounded to heal, a respite for those who may be bruised or injured by the world. J.D. and Fr. Barry share their experience of worship as an encounter with Christ the healer and Divine Physician.

Episode 8: Getting Worship "Rite"

June 24th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  48 mins 59 secs

austin, catholicism, relationship, religion, rituals, spirituality, st. theresa catholic church, texas, worship

Fr. Barry and J.D. continue their exploration (and explication?) of a solid Catholic understanding of worship. Why do we "have to go" to Mass? How can we participate fully, actively, and consciously in the liturgy so that worship is a transformative experience instead of a repetitive responsibility? We hope this episode will have you thinking about Mass in a new way and attending Mass with a new sense of awe!

Episode 7: Worship and Idolatry

June 18th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  48 mins 36 secs

catholicism, church family, idolatry, religion, spirituality, st. theresa catholic church, worship

So many people spend their lives trying to fill the hole of emptiness inside us. Fr. Barry and J.D. reflect on the concept of the church as a family and the communal experience of attending Mass. Worship is discussed as a relationship with God rather than just an activity, and prioritizing this relationship is emphasized. The concept of idolatry is explored, highlighting how prioritizing work or other things over God can negatively impact our lives.

Episode 6: If You Don't Go to Daily Mass, Are You a Bad Catholic? Seeking a More Meaningful Relationship wtih God

April 30th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  50 mins 19 secs

austin, catholicism, confirmation, god's image, religion, spirituality, st. theresa catholic church, texas

The podcast explores various aspects of Christianity, including the concept of God, the importance of prayer, and the process of discerning a vocation in the church.

Topics covered include:
The meaning of Confirmation and the Bishop's role.
Having a positive image of God for mental and spiritual well-being.
How God's justice and mercy work together.
Discerning God's voice and following a calling.
The importance of daily spiritual practices and prayer.
Developing a meaningful relationship with God.
J.D. and Father Barry emphasize the importance of understanding God's nature and building a personal connection through prayer and reflection.

Episode 5: Spiritual Dentistry?: On Suffering, Listening and Loving like Jesus

April 24th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  46 mins 30 secs

austin, catholicism, easter, lent, religion, spirituality, st. theresa catholic church, suffering, texas

J.D. and Fr. Barry talk about responding to suffering. Why do pain and roadblocks happen in our lives and what should we do when it happens to us?

Episode 4: The Reunion & Reconciliation of the Season of Easter: How to Be More Like Peter

April 17th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  43 mins 21 secs

austin, catholicism, easter, fr. mike schmitz, lent, religion, spirituality, st. theresa catholic church, texas

Fr. Barry and J.D. discuss how to live the Easter season like St. Peter. We consider what it was like for Peter to be around a resurrected Christ, his friend, brother and God who he personally put to death. How did the future first Pope and father of the church, Peter, react during Christ's resurrection, and what does that mean for us today?

Episode 3: Easter: From Fast to Feast

April 5th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  38 mins 44 secs

austin, books, catholicism, easter, lent, priesthood, religion, spirituality, st. theresa catholic church, texas

Now that we are in the Octave of Easter, J.D. and Fr. Barry discuss how we should move from the Fast of Lent to the Feast of Eastertide. Is this an excuse to eat a whole bag of jellybeans?

Episode 2: Is Your Holy Week Story a Theo-Drama or an Ego-Drama?

March 26th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  40 mins 21 secs

austin, catholicism, easter, god, lent, religion, spirituality, st. theresa catholic church, texas

It's Holy Week and the time we begin the walk with Jesus towards the cross. Come along with current Catholic priest, Fr. Barry Cuba and former Episcopal priest, J.D. McQueen, II, of St. Theresa Catholic Church in Austin to ponder creating space for God this week.