The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns
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Pat You Are The Man
21 september 2026 · 2 min
What a way to celebrate 62! 🎂❤️ Lees meer
My brother Dan and Barbara Kearns surprised me by writing this song for my birthday, and I absolutely love it. Somehow they managed to fit a whole lot of my life into one song—faith, family, BBQ, motorcycles, writing, and maybe just a little bit of brotherly humor.
As I turn 62, I’m reminded that the greatest gifts in life really aren’t things. They’re the people who have walked the road with us, shared the holidays, sat around the table, laughed at the stories, and loved us through all the different seasons of life.
Dan and Barb, thank you for the song, the memories, and most of all, for being family. I love you both.
And yes… apparently I am officially “a man of the Word and a man of the grill.” 😂🔥🏍️
Here’s to 62—and whatever God has planned for the road ahead!
#Happy62ndBirthday #Family #Brothers #FaithFamily #BirthdayBlessings #Grateful #TheCatholicJourney #KingOfTheGrill
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When You Are Carrying Regret
21 september 2026 · 9 min
When You Are Carrying Regret Lees meer
We all have moments we wish we could change—words we wish we could take back, choices we would make differently, and roads we wish we had taken.
But your past does not have to become your prison.
In Episode 11 of When Faith Meets Real Life, we discover how God can take even our regrets and transform them through mercy, forgiveness, and grace.
God doesn't need a perfect past to create a meaningful future.
🎙️ The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns
#TheCatholicJourney #DeaconPatKearns #CatholicFaith #Regret #Forgiveness #Mercy #Healing #FaithMeetsRealLife #CatholicPodcast
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62 years of Grace
21 september 2026 · 5 min
Today I turn 62. Lees meer
When I look back, I don’t just see years—I see a journey. I see a young Navy Corpsman, a nurse, a husband, a father and grandfather, a deacon, a writer, and a man who is still learning what it means to trust God.
There have been beautiful chapters and difficult ones. There have been plans that worked out exactly as I hoped and others that God completely rewrote. Through all of it, one thing has remained constant: His grace.
So I wrote this song, “Sixty-Two Years of Grace,” not because my story is finished, but because I’m realizing how much of it is still being written.
At 62, maybe life isn't about proving anything anymore. Maybe it's about loving more deeply, slowing down enough to notice the blessings, holding the people you love a little closer, and trusting God with whatever comes next.
Today, I’m simply grateful—for Liz, my children, my grandchildren, the people I’ve served and who have touched my life, and every road God has allowed me to travel.
Sixty-two years behind me, a new chapter ahead, and by the grace of God… I’m still becoming me.
#SixtyTwoYearsOfGrace #BirthdayReflections #StillBecoming #FaithFamilyGrace #TheCatholicJourney #DeaconPatKearns
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The Journey Continues
20 september 2026 · 5 min
Inspired by Health, Happiness, and Holiness, this song reflects on a life of changing roads, unexpected lessons, and discovering what truly matters. We may chase success and happiness, but eventually we learn that the deeper journey is toward health, lasting joy, holiness, and God. Lees meer
Through victories and failures, laughter and tears, God continues to shape our lives and lead us toward our true purpose.
The destination is Heaven—but until then, the journey continues.
🎵 The Journey Continues
The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns#TheCatholicJourney #DeaconPatKearns #TheJourneyContinues #HealthHappinessHoliness #CatholicFaith #FaithJourney #GodsPlan #Hope #Holiness
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When you are Lonely
19 september 2026 · 10 min
When You Are Lonely Lees meer
Loneliness isn’t always about being alone. Sometimes we can be surrounded by people and still feel unseen and disconnected.
In this episode of The Catholic Journey, we discover how God meets us in our loneliness—and how one small step toward another person can begin to change everything.
You may feel alone, but you have not been abandoned.
#TheCatholicJourney #DeaconPatKearns #WhenYouAreLonely #CatholicPodcast #CatholicFaith #YouAreNotAlone #Faith #Hope #Jesus
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My Story isn't Over
18 september 2026 · 5 min
My Story Isn’t Over ❤️🩹✝️ Lees meer
A broken heart can make you believe that something beautiful in your life has ended forever. But heartbreak does not get to write the final chapter.
This song was inspired by my book, A Broken Heart: 40 Days of Healing After a Broken Relationship—a journey through grief, anger, loneliness, forgiveness, surrender, and ultimately hope.
Healing takes time. Some scars remain. But with Christ, your past does not define your future, and your story is not over.
If your heart is hurting today, I hope this song reminds you: God is still writing your story.
#MyStoryIsntOver #ABrokenHeart #HealingAfterHeartbreak #CatholicFaith #CatholicJourney #HealingWithChrist #Brokenhearted #HopeInChrist #FaithOverFear #DeaconPatKearns
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Rise, O Man of God
17 september 2026 · 5 min
“Rise, O Man of God” is a powerful call to men to stand up, live courageously, and become the men God created them to be. It’s about leaving behind fear and complacency, embracing faith, protecting what matters, and answering God’s call with strength and humility. Rise—not because you are perfect, but because God is calling you forward. Lees meer
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When You are Afraid of the Future
17 september 2026 · 9 min
When You Are Afraid of the Future Lees meer
What if things don’t work out? What if something happens to someone I love? What if the future looks nothing like I planned?
Fear often takes us into a tomorrow that hasn’t even happened yet. But faith reminds us of something powerful: We may not know what the future holds, but we know Who will meet us there.
In this episode of When Faith Meets Real Life, we talk about letting go of tomorrow’s worries, trusting God one day at a time, and remembering that when tomorrow comes, God will already be there.
🎙️ The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns
#TheCatholicJourney #DeaconPatKearns #WhenFaithMeetsRealLife #CatholicPodcast #CatholicFaith #TrustGod #FaithOverFear #FearOfTheFuture #JesusITrustInYou #CatholicLife #HopeInGod
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When You Feel Like You Failed
16 september 2026 · 12 min
When You Feel Like You Failed explores those moments when regret, mistakes, and disappointment make us question our worth. Through the story of Peter, we discover that failure doesn’t have to be the end of our story. God’s mercy is greater than our past, and He is still not finished with us. ✝️❤️ Lees meer
#TheCatholicJourney #DeaconPatKearns #WhenFaithMeetsRealLife #CatholicPodcast #CatholicFaith #GodsMercy #Faith #Hope #Grace #Forgiveness #SecondChances #Jesus #CatholicLife #ChristianEncouragement #BeginAgain
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Still Not Finished with me Yet
16 september 2026 · 7 min
Still Not Finished With Me is a blues-inspired song about regret, failure, and the incredible mercy of God. We may wish we could change yesterday, but our mistakes don't get the final word. God's grace meets us right where we are—and He's still not finished with us. ✝️🎶 Lees meer
Inspired by Episode 8 of When Faith Meets Real Life: “When You Feel Like You Failed.”
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Gracefully Made
16 september 2026 · 5 min
Gracefully Made Lees meer
“Gracefully Made” is an uplifting Catholic song inspired by the book Gracefully Made – 40 Days to Becoming the Woman God Created You to Be by Deacon Pat Kearns.
It is a reminder to every woman that her identity is not found in comparison, fear, past wounds, or the expectations of the world, but in knowing that she is known, loved, and called by God. Through faith, healing, surrender, courage, and grace, we slowly become the person God created us to be.
You are not an accident. You are His beloved daughter. You are gracefully made.
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It is Never Too Late for Grace
16 september 2026 · 11 min
25th Sunday in Ordinary Time — It Is Never Too Late for Grace Lees meer
In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us that God’s grace isn’t something we earn—it is a gift. Whether we have followed Him our entire lives or find our way home in the final hour, His mercy is waiting.
If you’ve ever wondered whether you’ve waited too long, wandered too far, or made too many mistakes, this message is for you. With God, there is still time. There is still mercy. There is always a road home.
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Becoming Me
15 september 2026 · 3 min
BECOMING ME Lees meer
Growing up means trying to figure out who you are, where you belong, and who God created you to become.
“Becoming Me” is a song inspired by my book 40 Days to Discover God’s Plan, written especially for young people navigating the pressures of growing up, fitting in, and discovering their purpose.
You are more than your likes.
You are more than your mistakes.
God is still writing your story. ❤️🎵 Becoming Me
Inspired by 40 Days to Discover God’s Plan
Deacon Pat Kearns | The Catholic Journey#BecomingMe #CatholicYouth #TeenFaith #GodHasAPlan #TheCatholicJourney
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When You Have Lost Your Joy
14 september 2026 · 13 min
When You’ve Lost Your Joy Lees meer
Why do some people seem genuinely joyful—even when life is difficult—while so many of us feel tired, worried, or discouraged?
In this episode of When Faith Meets Real Life, we explore the difference between happiness and true Christian joy—and whether joy can actually be a choice.
Maybe joy isn't found by waiting for life to get better. Maybe it begins by noticing God in the life we're already living.
Pray. Be grateful. Forgive. Serve. Trust. Choose joy. ❤️
🎙️ The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns
Just 7 minutes a day can change your life.#TheCatholicJourney #ChooseJoy #CatholicJoy #Faith #Gratitude #Hope
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When your Children Walk Away From The Faith
13 september 2026 · 11 min
WHEN YOUR CHILDREN WALK AWAY FROM THE FAITH Lees meer
You baptized them.
You taught them their prayers.
You brought them to Mass, watched them receive First Communion, and tried to give them a foundation of faith.
And then one day...
they walked away.
For many Catholic parents, few things hurt more. And with that hurt often comes a painful question:
“Where did I go wrong?”
In this episode of When Faith Meets Real Life, we talk about what to do when someone you love—especially your own son or daughter—no longer believes or no longer practices the faith.
The answer isn't to argue them back into the Church.
Love them. Listen to them. Keep the relationship strong. Live your faith authentically. And pray more than you preach.
Your child may know exactly what you believe. What they may need most now is to know that your love for them hasn't changed.
And remember St. Monica. She couldn't see what God was doing in Augustine's life during all those years of waiting and praying. She only knew that she loved her son and refused to give up hope.
So if you're praying for a child who has walked away:
Keep praying.
Keep loving.
Keep the door open.
And keep trusting God.You know where your child is today.
God knows where they will be tomorrow.
Their story isn't finished. ❤️
🎙️ The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns
When Faith Meets Real Life — When Your Children Walk Away from the FaithJust 7 minutes a day can change your life.
➡️ Next: When You Feel Like You Have Failed
#TheCatholicJourney #DeaconPatKearns #WhenFaithMeetsRealLife #CatholicParents #CatholicFamily #CatholicFaith #PrayForYourChildren #SaintMonica #ProdigalSon #NeverStopPraying #Faith #Hope #TrustGod
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Loved Before We Met You
13 september 2026 · 6 min
❤️ LOVED BEFORE WE MET YOU ❤️ Lees meer
Before we ever saw your face, we loved you.
Before we held your tiny hands, we prayed for you.
Before we heard your first cry, you had already changed our lives.“Loved Before We Met You” is a song inspired by my book Pregnant… Now What? and by the sacred journey of becoming a mother and father—the excitement, the fears, the first heartbeat, the tiny kicks, the whispered prayers, and finally that unforgettable moment when a child is placed into your arms.
Pregnancy reminds us that parenthood begins long before birth. With every prayer and every sacrifice, a mother and father are already learning to love a child they haven't yet met.
And then comes that moment...
The first cry.
Suddenly the waiting is over, and the little one you've dreamed about, prayed for, and loved for months is finally here.This song carries one simple message to every child:
You were known.
You were wanted.
You were prayed for.
And you were loved—before we ever met you.🎵 Loved Before We Met You
Inspired by Pregnant… Now What?
Deacon Pat Kearns | The Catholic Journey"Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you." — Jeremiah 1:5
#LovedBeforeWeMetYou #TheCatholicJourney #DeaconPatKearns #Pregnancy #NewParents #CatholicFamily #CatholicFaith #GiftOfLife #Motherhood #Fatherhood #Family #Faith #NewLife
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I Choose You Again
13 september 2026 · 6 min
❤️ I CHOOSE YOU AGAIN ❤️ Lees meer
When we first say “I do,” we really have no idea what those two little words will eventually ask of us.
We don't know the joys that are coming, the struggles we'll face, the changes we'll go through, or the moments when loving one another will require something deeper than a feeling.
Over the years, I've come to believe that a strong marriage isn't built on choosing someone once.
It's choosing them again.
When life is wonderful—I choose you.
When life gets difficult—I choose you.
When we've laughed until we cried—I choose you.
When we've hurt each other and need forgiveness—I choose you.
When we're young and dreaming about the future—and when we're older, looking back at everything we've been through—I choose you again.
This song was inspired by my book 40 Days to Deeper Love and by the beautiful truth that marriage is a covenant lived one ordinary day at a time. Love becomes thousands of little decisions to stay, forgive, listen, pray, sacrifice, and keep reaching for each other's hand.
And through it all, we're not traveling alone. Christ has been with us on the journey, giving us grace when our own strength wasn't enough.
So this song is especially personal to me.
Liz, knowing everything I know now, after everything life has brought us, I'd still take your hand. I'd still say “I do.”
I'd still choose you today. ❤️
🎵 I Choose You Again
Inspired by 40 Days to Deeper Love
Deacon Pat Kearns | The Catholic JourneySame ride. New days. Still you.
#IChooseYouAgain #TheCatholicJourney #DeaconPatKearns #Marriage #CatholicMarriage #LizAndPat #MarriageVows #ChooseLove #FaithAndMarriage #SacramentalMarriage #LoveThatLasts #StillChooseYou
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When your Marriage is Struggling
12 september 2026 · 10 min
WHEN YOUR MARRIAGE IS STRUGGLING Lees meer
There was probably a time when you looked at your spouse and couldn't imagine life without them.
Then life happened.
Work. Children. Bills. Stress. Health problems. Disappointments. Unresolved hurts.
Sometimes there isn't one big event that damages a marriage. Sometimes two people simply wake up one day and realize that although they're still living under the same roof, they've somehow grown miles apart.
In Episode 7 of When Faith Meets Real Life, we talk about what happens when marriage gets hard.
Marriage isn't simply saying “I do” once at the altar. Sometimes it's looking at the same person years later—after you've both changed, struggled, failed, forgiven, and grown—and saying:
“I still do.”
This episode isn't about pretending every marriage can be fixed with a date night or a few nice words. It's about beginning again with something small:
One honest conversation.
One apology.
One act of kindness.
One prayer.
One decision to reach across the distance.Maybe God isn't finished with your story yet.
Sometimes the most beautiful marriages aren't the ones that never struggled.
They're the ones that kept choosing love through the struggle. ❤️
🎙️ The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns
When Faith Meets Real Life — Episode 7
When Your Marriage Is StrugglingJust 7 minutes a day can change your life.
➡️ Next Episode: When Your Children Walk Away from the Faith
#TheCatholicJourney #DeaconPatKearns #WhenFaithMeetsRealLife #CatholicMarriage #Marriage #MarriageStruggles #MarriageHealing #CatholicFaith #Forgiveness #SacramentalMarriage #Faith #Hope #ChooseLove
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Tom and Betty Kearns
12 september 2026 · 5 min
“Tom and Betty” is a song inspired by the story of my parents, Thomas Walter Kearns and Elizabeth “Betty” Clare Kearns, and by the memories my five brothers and I shared in our book Kearns Boys – Life Stories by Six Brothers. Lees meer
We dedicated that book to two wonderfully imperfect people who continue to hold an extraordinary place of love, respect, and gratitude in our hearts.
Dad worked hard as a teacher and gave everything he could to his family. Mom poured herself into caring for her husband, her six boys, and seemingly every kid who walked through our door. We may not have had a lot materially, but looking back, we realize how incredibly rich we really were.
They married young and stayed together for life. Through every challenge, Dad's love for Mom never seemed to waver, and Mom's devotion to him remained long after he was gone.
And perhaps their greatest legacy is this:
Six sons who still love one another.
Six men who still value faith and family.
Six lives forever shaped by the example of their Mom and Dad.
They weren't perfect.
But they loved us.
They loved each other.
And they showed us what family means.🎵 Tom and Betty
A Love That Lives On
Inspired by Kearns Boys – Life Stories by Six Brothers
Six boys. One amazing Mom and Dad. A lifetime of love.
Miss you, Mom and Dad. ❤️#TomAndBetty #KearnsFamily #FamilyLegacy #MomAndDad #SixBrothers #Family #Faith #LoveThatLivesOn #TheCatholicJourney #DeaconPatKearns #FaithFamilyLove
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Cade and Colt
12 september 2026 · 2 min
❤️ Cade and Colt, Let’s Go! ❤️ Lees meer
The song was inspired by my children’s book Cade and Colt and the Golden Day and by something I hope these two boys will carry with them throughout their lives:
Be kind. Be brave. Help others. Look out for each other. And always remember that God loves you.
One of my favorite moments in the book is when little Colt realizes, “God gave me you so I wouldn’t be alone.” That's really what this song is about—the special bond between two brothers who will hopefully grow up knowing that whatever adventures life brings, they have God, their family, and each other.
#CadeAndColt #Grandsons #Grampa #Brothers #Family #Faith #GodLovesYou #TheCatholicJourney #DeaconPatKearns #FamilyAdventures
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One day at a Time
12 september 2026 · 4 min
ONE DAY AT A TIME Lees meer
Addiction can leave behind broken promises, regret, shame, and wounds that feel impossible to overcome. But those things do not have to define the rest of the story.
“One Day at a Time” is an emotional song inspired by my book, Healing from Alcoholism – A 40-Day Catholic Journey. The book reminds us that recovery is not simply about giving something up—it is about healing, surrender, renewal, and learning to walk in freedom through the grace of Christ.
This song is about bringing the chains to the foot of the Cross—the failures, the broken promises, and the pain—and allowing Jesus to begin something new. It is about realizing that we are not defined by our addiction or our past, but by the love of God and the person He is calling us to become.
You don’t have to conquer the rest of your life today.
Sometimes the prayer is simply:
“Jesus, give me the strength for this day.”
One prayer.
One decision.
One step.
One day at a time.🎵 One Day at a Time
Inspired by Healing from Alcoholism – A 40-Day Catholic Journey
Deacon Pat Kearns | The Catholic Journey#OneDayAtATime #TheCatholicJourney #DeaconPatKearns #Recovery #Sobriety #Healing #CatholicFaith #Jesus #FreedomInChrist #Hope #AddictionRecovery #FaithAndRecovery
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When You Can't Forgive
12 september 2026 · 10 min
WHEN YOU CAN’T FORGIVE Lees meer
Some wounds are easy to move past. Others stay with us for years.
A betrayal. A broken promise. Words that can never be taken back. Someone we trusted who hurt us deeply.
Jesus tells us to forgive—but what happens when we honestly don't know if we can?
In Episode 5 of When Faith Meets Real Life, we talk about what Christian forgiveness really means—and what it doesn't mean.
Forgiveness doesn't mean pretending the hurt never happened. It doesn't mean immediately trusting someone again. And it doesn't mean allowing someone to continue hurting you.
Sometimes forgiveness begins with a much smaller prayer:
“Jesus, I want to want to forgive.”
And sometimes that's enough to begin the journey toward freedom.
🎙️ The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns
When Faith Meets Real Life — Episode 5
When You Can't ForgiveJust 7 minutes a day can change your life.
➡️ Next Episode: When Your Marriage Is Struggling
#TheCatholicJourney #DeaconPatKearns #WhenFaithMeetsRealLife #Forgiveness #Healing #CatholicFaith #CatholicPodcast #Jesus #Faith #ChristianLife #LettingGo #Catholic
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When You Are Angry with God
10 september 2026 · 11 min
WHEN YOU ARE ANGRY WITH GOD Lees meer
Have you ever prayed desperately for something—and God didn’t answer the way you hoped?
Maybe someone you loved died. A relationship fell apart. A door closed. Or you begged God to change something, and nothing seemed to happen.
And somewhere inside, you found yourself asking:
“God, where were You?”
In this episode of When Faith Meets Real Life, we talk about something many Christians are afraid to admit: sometimes we get angry with God.
But anger doesn’t necessarily mean you've lost your faith. God can handle your questions, disappointment, tears—even your anger. The important thing is to keep talking to Him.
Sometimes the most genuine prayer we can offer is simply:
“Lord, I don't understand…but I'm still here.”
🎙️ The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns
Helping Catholics see life through the eyes of faith.✨ Just 7 minutes a day can change your life.
🌐 TheCatholicJourney.NET
Next in the series: When You Can't Forgive
#TheCatholicJourney #DeaconPatKearns #WhenFaithMeetsRealLife #AngryWithGod #CatholicFaith #Prayer #TrustGod #FaithInHardTimes #JesusChrist #CatholicPodcast
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Tal Vez Dios Dijo: “Descansa”
10 september 2026 · 6 min
Tal Vez Dios Dijo: “Descansa” Lees meer
A veces una puerta cerrada no significa que Dios nos haya abandonado. Tal vez significa que Él nos está invitando a detenernos, respirar y confiar.
Después de casi veinte años sirviendo como diácono mientras trabajaba a tiempo completo, ha llegado para mí una temporada diferente. No fue la que esperaba. Hubo decepción, preguntas y un cambio de planes. Pero en medio de todo eso también apareció algo inesperado: paz.
Esta canción nace de ese momento.
Durante los próximos seis meses quiero descansar, recuperar mi salud, fortalecer mi matrimonio, caminar junto a mi esposa mientras buscamos una vida más saludable y comenzar juntos un nuevo capítulo en nuestro hogar en Redding.
No estoy dejando atrás mi llamado. La estola seguirá esperando. La Iglesia seguirá allí. Simplemente estoy aprendiendo que servir a Dios también significa saber cuándo detenerse y escuchar.
Quizás lo que parecía una puerta cerrada era, en realidad, un regalo escondido.
Tal vez Dios simplemente dijo: “Descansa.”
— Diácono Pat Kearns
The Catholic Journey
Fe • Vida • Un mañana mejor -
Buen Camino
9 september 2026 · 5 min
Buen Camino — A Song for the Journey Lees meer
In the summer of 2016, my brother Tim and I walked the Camino de Santiago together across northern Spain. It became far more than a long walk. Mile after mile, through small villages, ancient churches, mountains, aching feet, laughter, prayer, and countless “Buen Caminos,” the road had a way of stripping away the noise of everyday life and making room for God.
Years later, those experiences became part of the inspiration for my novel Climbing Out of the Darkness, and now they have inspired this song, “Buen Camino.”
The Camino taught me something I have never forgotten: sometimes we begin a journey looking for answers, only to discover that God is changing us along the way. The destination may be Santiago, but the real Camino happens within the heart.
This song is dedicated to my brother Tim, to the miles we walked together, and to every pilgrim who has discovered that faith, friendship, struggle, and perseverance can lead us closer to God.
Buen Camino, my friends. Keep walking. One step closer to God.
— Deacon Pat Kearns
The Catholic Journey#BuenCamino #CaminoDeSantiago #TheCatholicJourney #DeaconPatKearns #CatholicFaith #Pilgrimage #FaithJourney #SantiagoDeCompostela #Brotherhood #ChristianMusic
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Forgiveness
9 september 2026 · 10 min
24th Sunday in Ordinary Time — Forgiveness Lees meer
How many times are we supposed to forgive someone who has hurt us? In Matthew 18:21–35, Peter asks Jesus that very question. Jesus’ answer challenges us to stop keeping score and remember how much mercy we ourselves have received.
Forgiveness does not mean pretending the wound didn’t matter. It doesn’t excuse what happened, erase necessary boundaries, or automatically restore trust. Forgiveness means refusing to allow someone else’s actions to control the rest of our lives.
Sometimes the person we need to forgive is another person. Sometimes it is ourselves.
This Sunday, Jesus invites us to put down the weight of resentment, surrender the debt to Him, and discover the freedom that comes from mercy.
“What you did will no longer have the final word in my life. Jesus will.”
✝️ Matthew 18:21–35
The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns#24thSundayInOrdinaryTime #Forgiveness #CatholicFaith #CatholicHomily #SundayGospel #Matthew18 #Mercy #JesusChrist #TheCatholicJourney #DeaconPatKearns
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Maybe God Said Rest
9 september 2026 · 6 min
Maybe God Said Rest Lees meer
Sometimes what feels like a closed door may actually be God opening the way to something we didn’t realize we needed.
After nearly twenty years of balancing full-time work with active ministry as a deacon—often working seven days a week—I’ve decided to enter a six-month season of rest. A hoped-for assignment didn’t work out, and while that brought disappointment, it also brought an unexpected sense of relief.
This season will be about getting healthy, losing weight, strengthening my marriage, helping my wife and me focus on our health together, settling into our new home in Redding, and simply rediscovering what it feels like to have a weekend together.
“Maybe God Said Rest” is a song about realizing that not every closed door is a rejection. Sometimes God redirects us. Sometimes He asks us to serve. And sometimes, after years of giving, He may simply be saying:
Rest. Heal. Refocus. Love your family. I’ll show you what comes next.
The stole isn’t being put away forever. This is simply a new season—same calling, greater trust.
— Deacon Pat Kearns
The Catholic Journey -
Untitled design (19)
9 september 2026 · 6 min
Four Days on the Road — Tim, Sean & Pat Lees meer
Four days. Three nights. Three motorcycles. And memories that will last a lifetime.
My brother Tim, my son Sean, and I packed up the bikes and headed into Northern California for a motorcycle camping adventure through Shingletown, Mount Shasta, and Hat Creek. We slept beneath the pines, explored waterfalls and mountain country, fished quiet lakes, ate around the campsite, laughed until our sides hurt, and simply enjoyed being together.
The song “Four Days on the Road” was inspired by that trip—not just the places we visited, but what those miles meant. Life moves quickly. Sons grow up. Brothers get older. And sometimes you realize that the greatest adventures aren't really about where you went at all. They're about who was beside you along the way.
Someday the motorcycles will be parked for the last time, but I have a feeling we'll still be telling stories about these four days.
Tim. Sean. Pat. Four days on the road. A lifetime of memories.
🏍️ Faith • Family • Adventure
— Deacon Pat Kearns | The Catholic Journey#FourDaysOnTheRoad #MotorcycleAdventure #FatherAndSon #Brothers #Family #MountShasta #HatCreek #Shingletown #MotorcycleCamping #MakingMemories #TheCatholicJourney
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When Someone You Love Dies
8 september 2026 · 10 min
When Faith Meets Real Life: When Someone You Love Dies Lees meer
Losing someone we love can shake us to the very core. Even when we believe in heaven, trust in the resurrection, and know that death is not the end, our hearts can still break.
In this episode of The Catholic Journey, Deacon Pat Kearns reflects on grief, faith, and the hope we find in Christ. Jesus Himself wept at the death of Lazarus, reminding us that tears are not a sign of weak faith—they can be a sign of deep love.
Faith doesn't take away our grief. It gives us hope in the midst of it. We can miss someone terribly and still believe. We can cry and still trust. And we can carry the memory of those we love while trusting that, through Christ, the grave does not have the final word.
If you're grieving someone today, this episode is for you.
“Jesus wept.” — John 11:35
🎙️ When Faith Meets Real Life
The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat KearnsNext episode: When You’re Angry at God
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Taking a short Break
4 september 2026 · 1 min
The Catholic Journey is Taking a Short Break! Lees meer
I normally share something new every day, but every once in a while, it’s good to step away, rest, recharge, and enjoy some of God’s blessings.
I’m taking a few days off for a little fun and relaxation, but don’t worry—The Catholic Journey will be back soon with new episodes!
Sometimes we all need the reminder:
🙏 Rest is a gift from God, too.
See you in a few days, and God bless!
— Deacon Pat Kearns
#TheCatholicJourney #DeaconPatKearns #CatholicPodcast #RestAndRecharge #Faith
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Forgotton and Lost
3 september 2026 · 6 min
Forgotten and Lost Lees meer
This song was inspired by my spiritual adventure novel, Forgotten and Lost. At the heart of the story is Jonas, a man who sets out on an unusual journey of faith, trusting God to lead him wherever he is needed. Along the way, he encounters people who are hurting, searching, lonely, and sometimes forgotten by the world—but never forgotten by God.
The message of the song is simple: No one is forgotten. No one is truly lost. God sees the person others walk past. He knows our wounds, our stories, and our names. And sometimes He calls ordinary people to become His hands and feet in the lives of those who need Him most.
Jonas keeps walking, one encounter at a time, reminding us that our own Catholic journey isn't only about finding God—it's also about helping others discover that God has never stopped looking for them.
🎵 “Forgotten and Lost”
Inspired by the novel Forgotten and Lost by Deacon Pat Kearns
The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns
Helping us see life through the eyes of faith. -
When Your Prayers Aren't Answered
2 september 2026 · 10 min
WHEN FAITH MEETS REAL LIFE — EPISODE 2 Lees meer
When Your Prayers Aren’t Answered
Have you ever prayed desperately for something…and it didn’t happen?
Maybe you prayed for healing. For a relationship to be restored. For someone you love to return to the faith. For a door to open. Maybe you even prayed for someone you loved to live.
You prayed. You waited. You believed.
But the answer you hoped for never came.
In this episode of When Faith Meets Real Life, we talk about one of the hardest parts of our relationship with God: trusting Him when His answer isn’t the answer we wanted.
Prayer isn’t a transaction—it’s a relationship. And sometimes the deepest prayer we can offer is the prayer Jesus Himself prayed in Gethsemane:
“Not my will but yours be done.”
That doesn’t mean we stop asking. It doesn’t mean we stop hoping. It means that even when we don’t understand, we place what matters most to us into the hands of God.
🙏 An unanswered prayer does not mean an uncaring God.
Join me for Episode 2 of When Faith Meets Real Life.
🎧 The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns
Next episode: When Someone You Love Dies
#TheCatholicJourney #DeaconPatKearns #WhenFaithMeetsRealLife #UnansweredPrayers #Prayer #TrustGod #CatholicFaith #CatholicPodcast #Faith #Jesus
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When God Seems Silent
1 september 2026 · 10 min
🎙️ NEW SERIES: When Faith Meets Real Life Lees meer
Episode 1: When God Seems Silent
Have you ever prayed and heard… nothing?
You asked God for direction. You needed an answer. You waited, prayed, and waited some more—but heaven seemed silent.
In the first episode of my new series, When Faith Meets Real Life, we explore one of the most difficult experiences in our spiritual lives: those moments when God seems distant and we begin to wonder, “God, are You even listening?”
But silence doesn't mean absence.
Sometimes the deepest faith is formed not when we clearly hear God's voice, but when we choose to trust Him even when we don't.
God's silence is not God's absence.
Join me for this short reflection as we talk about trusting God in the waiting, listening for His quiet voice, and continuing to take the next faithful step.
🎧 The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns
When Faith Meets Real Life — Episode 1: When God Seems Silent
🙏 Next episode: When Your Prayers Aren't Answered
#TheCatholicJourney #DeaconPatKearns #WhenFaithMeetsRealLife #WhenGodSeemsSilent #CatholicFaith #CatholicPodcast #Prayer #TrustGod #Faith #Catholic
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Nothing at Mass is Accidental
1 september 2026 · 12 min
Nothing at Mass Is Accidental Lees meer
Have you ever wondered why Catholics do all the things we do at Mass?
The holy water. The candles. The incense. The different colors. The gestures. The water mixed with the wine. The priest washing his hands. Even those few seconds of silence after he says, “Let us pray.”
Throughout this series, we've discovered that these aren't simply old traditions or meaningless rituals.
They are signs. They are symbols. They are prayers. And ultimately, they are pointing us toward Jesus Christ.
In this final episode of the series, we bring everything together and look at the Mass with new eyes.
My hope isn't simply that you've learned why Catholics do certain things. My hope is that the next time you walk into church, you notice things you may have overlooked before—and through them, encounter Jesus a little more deeply.
Because sometimes tremendous spiritual meaning is hidden in the smallest moments.
Nothing at Mass is accidental.
Everything is drawing us deeper into the mystery.
Everything is inviting us to worship.
And ultimately…
it is all leading us to Jesus Christ.
🎙️ The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns
Helping Catholics see life through the eyes of faith.
#TheCatholicJourney #NothingAtMassIsAccidental #CatholicMass #CatholicFaith #Eucharist #JesusChrist #CatholicPodcast #HolyMass #DeaconPatKearns
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Catholic Special Forces 2
31 augustus 2026 · 5 min
Catholic Special Forces — Song Inspired by the Novel Lees meer
What does it mean to be a soldier for Christ?
“Catholic Special Forces” is an original song inspired by my novel C.S.F. – Catholic Special Forces: A Spiritual Adventure. The story imagines ordinary men and women being called to something extraordinary—to stand for Christ when faith is challenged and darkness seems to be winning.
But the real battle is ultimately a spiritual battle. Our armor is truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, the Word of God, prayer, and the courage to follow Christ wherever He leads.
This song is about faith, courage, sacrifice, brotherhood, and answering God's call—even when we feel unqualified or afraid.
We may be ordinary people, but we serve an extraordinary God.
Put on the armor of God. Stand your ground. Hold the line.
✝️ Catholic Special Forces
🎵 Inspired by the novel by Deacon Pat Kearns
🎙️ The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns#CatholicSpecialForces #TheCatholicJourney #DeaconPatKearns #ArmorOfGod #CatholicFaith #SpiritualWarfare #CatholicMen #Faith #JesusChrist #CatholicMusic
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The Hermit's Word
31 augustus 2026 · 6 min
The Hermit’s Word — Inspired by the Novel Lees meer
Sometimes God uses the most unexpected people, places, and circumstances to lead us toward the purpose He has planned for our lives.
This song was inspired by my spiritual adventure novel, The Hermit’s Word. It follows people carrying very different struggles—loss, brokenness, questions, regret, and a longing for something more. Their journeys eventually reveal a common truth: God is often working in our lives long before we understand what He is doing.
Sometimes all it takes is a moment of silence, an unexpected encounter, or even a single word to change the direction of a life.
🎵 “The Hermit’s Word”
Inspired by the novel The Hermit’s Word by Deacon Pat KearnsThe Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns
Helping us see life through the eyes of faith. -
Why does the priest wash his hands in the middle of the Mass
31 augustus 2026 · 10 min
Why Does the Priest Wash His Hands at Mass? Lees meer
You've probably seen it countless times.
The bread and wine have been prepared, and just before the Eucharistic Prayer, a server pours a small amount of water over the priest's hands.
But why?
His hands probably aren't dirty. So what exactly is he washing?
In this episode of The Catholic Journey, we explore the beautiful meaning behind this ancient ritual, known as the Lavabo, and the quiet prayer the priest says while washing his hands:
“Wash me, O Lord, from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.”
What appears to be a simple washing is actually a powerful prayer of humility, purification, and preparation as the priest prepares to enter into the Eucharistic Prayer.
And perhaps this little ritual isn't only a prayer for the priest. Maybe when we see it, we can make it our prayer too:
“Lord, cleanse my heart and prepare me to receive You.”
Sometimes the smallest gestures at Mass carry the deepest meaning.
🎙️ The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns
Helping Catholics see life through the eyes of faith.
#TheCatholicJourney #CatholicPodcast #CatholicMass #Lavabo #CatholicFaith #Eucharist #HolyMass #CatholicTradition #DeaconPatKearns
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Church - More than just a Building
31 augustus 2026 · 5 min
It Is Us Lees meer
“It Is Us” is an original song inspired by my novel, Church – More Than Just a Building.
At its heart, the story reminds us that a church is so much more than walls, pews, stained glass, or a place we visit on Sunday. The Church is us—the people of God, brought together by faith, love, struggle, community, and our shared journey toward Christ.
This song grew out of that message.
Buildings may change. Communities may change. People may come and go. But the Church has always been about something much deeper—the relationships we build, the lives we touch, the faith we share, and Christ living among His people.
It isn't just a building. It is us.
I hope you'll take a few minutes to listen to the song and reflect on what it truly means to be Church.
🎵 “It Is Us”
Inspired by the novel Church – More Than Just a Building#ItIsUs #ChurchMoreThanJustABuilding #OriginalSong #CatholicFaith #CatholicChurch #Faith #Community #PeopleOfGod
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The Ranch
29 augustus 2026 · 4 min
The Ranch — A Song of Brothers, Faith, and Purpose Lees meer
I wrote The Ranch as a spiritual adventure novel, but at its heart, it has always been a story about brotherhood, loss, faith, and discovering that God can give purpose even to our deepest pain.
The story begins with brothers grieving the loss of one of their own and eventually discovering a calling they never expected—to create a place where wounded young people can find healing, family, faith, and hope.
I recently took the heart of that story and turned it into this song, “The Ranch.”
There is also something very personal behind the novel. I dedicated The Ranch to my own brothers—the Kearns Boys—because pieces of each of them helped inspire the characters and the bond between the brothers in the story.
Maybe that is the message behind both the book and the song: God wastes nothing—not our struggles, our losses, our gifts, or the roads we've traveled. He can use all of it for something greater.
🎵 The Ranch
Inspired by the novel by Deacon Patrick KearnsFaith. Family. Brotherhood. Purpose. Healing.
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Saying Goodbye
29 augustus 2026 · 12 min
Saying Goodbye — and Going Home Lees meer
This weekend marks the end of a special chapter for Liz and me as I say goodbye to Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish after three years of serving this wonderful community.
In this episode of The Catholic Journey, I reflect on the people, the memories, the privilege of preaching and serving, and the many ways God has been present throughout these years.
Now, we begin a new chapter as we move back to Redding—the community where we raised our family and called home for nearly twenty years. There is sadness in saying goodbye, but also gratitude for what has been and excitement for what God may have waiting ahead.
Life is filled with seasons. Some we choose, and some God chooses for us. The challenge is to remain grateful for yesterday, present to today, and trusting of tomorrow.
Thank you, Presentation Parish, for allowing me to be part of your journey. You will remain part of mine.
This isn't just goodbye. It's another step along The Catholic Journey.
— Deacon Pat Kearns
The Catholic Journey -
The Man beside that Truck
28 augustus 2026 · 7 min
The Man Beside That Truck Lees meer
I came across this old photograph of myself standing beside a little pickup truck that, at the time, I thought was about the greatest thing in the world.
But when I looked at the picture again, I realized I wasn’t really looking at the truck. I was looking at the young man standing beside it—young, healthy, energetic, and completely unaware of everything life still had waiting for him.
He didn’t know about the love, family, faith, joys, struggles, losses, accomplishments, and countless miles that would eventually become his story.
That thought inspired this song, “The Man Beside That Truck.”
There are times I miss that younger version of myself. But I wouldn’t trade all the years I’ve lived just to be young again. That young man had his whole future ahead of him.
I have the memories of the ride.
And maybe that’s the real lesson: no matter our age, there is still some road ahead of us. Keep driving. Keep loving. Keep believing. And thank God for every mile.
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Why does the Priest Pause at the beginning of Mass
28 augustus 2026 · 11 min
Why Does the Priest Pause at the Beginning of Mass? Lees meer
You've heard it hundreds of times.
The priest says, “Let us pray.”
And then… silence.
Have you ever wondered why he pauses?
That silence isn't empty space, and the priest isn't simply finding his place in the Roman Missal. That moment is actually there for you.
In this episode of The Catholic Journey, we explore the beautiful meaning behind those few seconds of silence and the prayer that follows—the Collect.
It's a moment when we become aware of God's presence, bring Him the intentions we carried into Mass, and then join those individual prayers to the prayer of the whole Church.
The next time you hear “Let us pray,” you may never experience that silence the same way again.
🎙️ The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns
Helping Catholics see life through the eyes of faith.
#TheCatholicJourney #CatholicPodcast #CatholicMass #TheMass #CatholicFaith #LetUsPray #CatholicTradition #DeaconPatKearns
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They Called Me Doc
27 augustus 2026 · 5 min
They Called Me “Doc” Lees meer
Long before I became a deacon, before the years of ministry and everything that followed, there was another chapter of my life that helped shape the man I would become.
I was a United States Navy Hospital Corpsman serving alongside the Marines. To them, I wasn’t just the Navy guy—I was “Doc.”
This song is about those days. It’s about service, sacrifice, brotherhood, and the bond that forms when you know the person beside you is depending on you. It’s about being there for the wounded, sharing the hardships, carrying the same load, and earning a name that, even all these years later, still means something to me.
The young Corpsman in this photo on the left is me. I couldn’t have known then where God would eventually lead my life. But looking back, I can see that the lessons of those years—serve others, stay when things get difficult, care for the person in front of you, and never leave a brother behind—would follow me for the rest of my life.
This is a little piece of that story.
🎵 “They Called Me Doc”
For every Corpsman who ever heard someone yell “DOC!”—and for every Marine who trusted us enough to call us that—this one is for you.
Semper Fi. 🇺🇸
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What would the Country Look Like If Everyone Was A Practicing Catholic
27 augustus 2026 · 14 min
What would our country look like if everyone didn’t just call themselves Catholic—but truly tried to live the Catholic faith? Lees meer
In this episode of The Catholic Journey, I imagine what might change if we genuinely allowed the Gospel to shape our families, marriages, workplaces, communities, politics, and the way we treat one another.
What if we protected the unborn and walked beside struggling mothers? What if we cared for the poor, elderly, immigrant, prisoner, sick, and forgotten? What if businesses valued human dignity, political disagreements didn’t become hatred, and forgiveness became more common than resentment?
But eventually the question becomes much more personal.
I can’t make an entire country live the Gospel. I can only begin with me.
Maybe changing the world doesn’t begin in Washington. Maybe it begins in our homes, our parishes, our relationships—and in our own hearts.
🎙️ What Would Our Country Look Like If Everyone Was a Practicing Catholic?
The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns
#TheCatholicJourney #CatholicFaith #CatholicPodcast #LiveTheFaith #DeaconPatKearns #JesusChrist #CatholicLife #FaithInAction
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Roots and Wings
26 augustus 2026 · 6 min
Some songs are written from imagination. This one came from a letter I have treasured for years. Lees meer
My daughter wrote this letter to me for Father’s Day while she was serving as a missionary in Guatemala. She couldn’t be home to celebrate with me, so she put into words what was in her heart.
She wrote about faith, family, her missionary calling, and the example she felt Liz and I had given her. One line especially stayed with me—the gratitude she felt for having been given “the permission and the invitation to live in the love of God and serve Him with my whole life.”
I recently took the heart of that letter and turned it into a song called “You Gave Me Wings to Go.”
As a father, there aren't many greater gifts than seeing your child discover who God is calling her to be—and then having the courage to let her go and follow that call.
The letter meant the world to me when I received it.
It means even more to me today.
“You gave me roots to love Him,
You gave me faith to trust Him,
And when He called my name…
You gave me wings to go.”❤️ A song from a daughter's letter to her dad—and a reminder that sometimes the greatest act of a parent's love is giving our children both roots and wings.
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Why Does the Priest or Deacon Mix Water with Wine at Mass
26 augustus 2026 · 13 min
Why Does the Priest or Deacon Mix Water With the Wine at Mass? Lees meer
It happens quietly at nearly every Mass.
As the chalice is prepared, the priest or deacon pours in the wine—and then adds just a small amount of water.
Why?
Those few drops may seem insignificant, but they carry a beautiful message about Christ and our relationship with Him.
In this episode of The Hidden Meanings Behind Catholic Traditions, we explore this ancient practice, the prayer said quietly while the water is added, its connection to Christ's humanity and divinity, and the blood and water that flowed from His side on the Cross.
And perhaps most beautifully, those few drops of water can remind us of ourselves.
We bring Christ our weaknesses, our families, our struggles, our hopes, our sins—even the parts of our lives that seem insignificant—and ask Him to unite them completely with Himself.
💧 A few drops of water. A chalice of wine. An incredible mystery of union with Christ.
Join me for another episode of The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns as we uncover the deeper meaning behind the Catholic traditions we see every Sunday but may never have understood.
🙏 Helping Catholics see life through the eyes of faith.
#TheCatholicJourney #DeaconPatKearns #CatholicFaith #CatholicTraditions #CatholicMass #Eucharist
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Why does the Priest and Deacon Kiss the Altar
25 augustus 2026 · 11 min
Why Does the Priest or Deacon Kiss the Altar? Lees meer
It happens at nearly every Mass.
The priest and deacon enter the sanctuary, approach the altar…and kiss it.
But why?
It isn't simply a formal gesture or an old Catholic custom. The altar holds a profound place in our worship. It points us toward Christ, His sacrifice, the Eucharist, and even the witness of the early martyrs.
In this episode of The Hidden Meanings Behind Catholic Traditions, we uncover what that simple kiss really means—and why understanding it might change the way you look at the altar the next time you attend Mass.
Because the altar isn't just a table.
It points us to Christ—the center of everything.
Join me for another episode of The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns as we discover the deeper meaning behind the Catholic traditions we often see but don't always understand.
🙏 Helping Catholics see life through the eyes of faith.
#TheCatholicJourney #DeaconPatKearns #CatholicFaith #CatholicTraditions #CatholicMass #Eucharist
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Take Up Your Corss and Follow Me
24 augustus 2026 · 10 min
Take Up Your Cross and Follow Me Lees meer
Some crosses are visible. Others are carried quietly in the heart.
In this episode of The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns, we reflect on Jesus’ challenging words: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” — Matthew 16:24
Through an emotional story of a father who would give anything to take away his child’s suffering, we discover an important truth: faith does not promise us a life without crosses. It promises that we will never carry them alone.
Jesus does not ask us to understand every cross, like it, or pretend it doesn’t hurt. He simply asks us to trust Him enough to take the next step and follow.
Whatever you are carrying today, remember: there is another set of hands beneath your cross—His.
🎙️ The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns
A Catholic Podcast about living life to the fullest.🌐 www.TheCatholicJourney.NET
#TheCatholicJourney #DeaconPatKearns #CatholicPodcast #CatholicFaith #TakeUpYourCross #FollowJesus #JesusChrist #Catholic #Faith #Hope #Matthew16
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Why the Church Uses Different Liturgical Colors
24 augustus 2026 · 12 min
Why Does the Church Use Different Liturgical Colors? Lees meer
Green. Violet. White. Red. Rose. Even black.
We see these colors throughout the Church year—but have you ever wondered why the Church uses them and what they actually mean?
The colors we see at Mass aren't simply decoration. Each one tells part of the story of our faith. They call us to grow, prepare, rejoice, sacrifice, persevere, and hope.
In this episode of The Hidden Meanings Behind Catholic Traditions, we'll explore the meaning behind the Church's liturgical colors and discover how the Church is communicating something to us even before the first word of Mass is spoken.
Sometimes the Church speaks through bells.
Sometimes through incense.
Sometimes through silence.
And sometimes… she speaks through color.Join me for another episode of The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns as we discover the deeper meaning behind the Catholic traditions we often see but don't always understand.
🙏 Helping Catholics see life through the eyes of faith.
#TheCatholicJourney #DeaconPatKearns #CatholicFaith #CatholicTraditions
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Ride through the Pines (Kearns Boys)
24 augustus 2026 · 6 min
🏍️🎶 Ride Through the Pines — The Kearns Boys Lees meer
Some trips are about the destination. Others are about who you're riding with.
This Labor Day weekend, my brother Tim, my son Sean, and I are heading out for a four-day motorcycle camping adventure through the mountains of Northern California.
We'll meet up in Shingletown and then make our way through places like Burney Falls, McCloud, Mount Shasta, Castle Lake, and Hat Creek—motorcycles, tents, mountain roads, campfires, and hopefully a lot of laughs along the way.
As I was thinking about the trip, I decided it needed its own song.
So here is “Ride Through the Pines.”
The song isn't really about motorcycles. It's about something much more important: two brothers, a father and son, and taking the time to make memories together while we still can.
Life moves quickly. We get busy, we get older, and it's easy to tell ourselves, “We'll do it someday.”
Sometimes you just have to pick a date, pack the bikes, and go.
Two brothers. One son. One road.
🏍️ Pat • Sean • Tim
🌲 Northern California
📅 September 4–7, 2026🎧 Here's “Ride Through the Pines.”