Priest runs Boston Marathon in 6:35/mile (under 3 hours)!

July 7, 2023

It is one the most prestigious marathons in the U.S., the Boston Marathon. Runners must quality for it. Our Father Dominic Rankin not only competed, but completed it in under three hours (6 minutes and 35 seconds per mile)! How did he do it? We discuss with him the physical and spiritual components of running the Boston Marathon.

Do we have Jesus’ DNA? Scientific findings of Eucharistic miracles will shock you

June 2, 2023

Think Jesus isn’t present in the Eucharist? We got proof. Fr. Luke Spannagel of the Diocese of Peoria joins Dive Deep to discuss eucharistic miracles where the scientific findings will shock you. The findings also beg the question, “Does this mean we have Jesus’ DNA?” Fr. Luke is one of 58 National Eucharistic Preachers who have been commissioned by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to increase the fire of devotion to the Eucharist.

‘Wives, be submissive to your husbands.’ Wait, what?

May 5, 2023

Ephesians 5:22 says, “Wives, be submissive to your husbands, as to the Lord.” That verse has caused a lot of people to scratch their heads. But what does this verse mean? Kara Johnson is a professor of Sacred Scripture and Theology of the Body at Ave Maria University in Florida, she is a PhD candidate, and writing her dissertation on this scripture passage and joins Dive Deep.

From slavery to the nation’s first black priest – Quincy’s Fr. Augustine Tolton

April 6, 2023

Fr. Augustine Tolton had to overcome many things in life – slavery, racism, prejudice, and hatred. Despite that, his love for God and neighbor makes him a model for us to follow. Learn about the incredible story of Fr. Tolton from slave to the nation’s first black priest, an update on his cause to sainthood, and what Fr. Tolton teaches us today so we can live a more virtuous life.

Fr. Mike Schmitz on what many get wrong about God, prayer

March 3, 2023

Fr. Mike Schmitz, the host of the popular podcasts The Bible in a Year and The Catechism in a Year, joins Dive Deep to discuss what many Catholics don’t realize about their faith, how the faithful Catholics can get our lukewarm brothers and sisters back to the faith, what we should do if God “doesn’t answer our prayers,” and so much more.

Contraception, transgenderism, dating, relationships – how do we navigate all this?

February 2, 2023

Jason Evert has traveled to six continents to bring the message of purity to millions of people for more than 20 years He has a masters in Theology and degrees in Counseling and Theology. He is a best-selling author of more than 15 books, and he and his wife run Chastity Project and its website, chastity.com, the podcast “Lust is Boring,” and lead an international alliance of young people who promote purity in more than 40 countries. He joins Dive Deep to discuss Contraception, transgenderism, dating, relationships, and more.

What it’s like working for 2 popes inside the Vatican

January 6, 2023

Springfield’s own, Ashley Noronha, has an amazing journey from the classrooms of Christ the King School and Sacred Heart Griffin High School in Springfield to the halls of the Vatican working for Popes Benedict the 16th and Pope Francis. Join Dive Deep as she shares stories and insights about working at the Vatican.

A miracle on I-55

December 2, 2022

On June 9, 2021 on I-55 just outside Springfield, three sisters from the Sisters of Saint Francis of the Martyr Saint George based in Alton, were driving to Alton from Rock Island. Traffic came to a sudden stop in a construction zone and their van was struck at high speed from behind, sending them into the two cars in front of them. Their van was later described as a crushed soda can or accordion. Looking at the situation, a common thought was… “no one survived that.” But, by a miracle – they all did. We talk with Sister M. Clementia Toalson about her escaping death and what she learned about surrendering to God her suffering.

The new Evermode Institute in Springfield – how it will impact you

November 4, 2022

In March of 2022, the Diocese of Springfield announced plans to create The Evermode Institute in Springfield. What will it entail and how will it benefit Catholics in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois and even across the country? We talk with Father Augustine Puchner, the Prior of the new Springfield based community of Norbertine Fathers who are leading this exciting endeavor.

He grew up non-Catholic, was thinking marriage, then became a priest. The story of Fr. John Titus

October 7, 2022

He grew up a non-Catholic. Marriage was “on the horizon.” Then he had this “crazy thing.” The Story of Father John Titus, pastor of Immaculate Conception in Mattoon and St. Colmcille in Sullivan, is a road not taken too often to priesthood.