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

Episode 18: Preparing for your Advent Penance Service

November 25th, 2024  |  Season 1  |  57 mins 10 secs

advent, austin, catholicism, penance, reconciliation, religion, spirituality, st. theresa catholic church

Our parish Advent Penance Service is coming up Tuesday, December 3 at 7:00 PM. Confession is complex, particularly for children and those with limited experience. How should you prepare?

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.