Mahon McCann

Fr Gavan Jennings is a priest of Opus Dei, the editor of the position papers, and a presenter ⁨@ctmcatholic⁩ .

In this conversation, we explore the evolving landscape of faith in Ireland, discussing the gradual decline of religious practice, the crisis of meaning in modern society, the importance of intellectual engagement in strengthening faith, the significance of personal relationships with God and the journey towards theosis, highlighting the role of laypeople in revitalising the Catholic Church and the joy that comes from living a life aligned with faith.
*We had some technical difficulties hence Fr Gavan's miraculous background change halfway through.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Father Gavan Jennings
00:56 The Decline of Faith in Ireland
04:09 Cultural Identity and Catholicism
10:08 The Importance of Personal Faith
15:36 Intellectual Challenges Facing the Church
18:14 The Role of Catholic Intellectuals
28:20 Faith and Reason: A Balanced Approach
32:33 The Intellectual Crisis in Catholicism
39:26 The Role of Philosophy in Faith
47:42 Revitalizing Faith in Modern Ireland
54:29 Theosis: The Goal of the Christian Life
01:00:50 The Path to Sanctity and Happiness


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The last podcast before a break over the Christmas!
More than delighted to be joined by Fr Columba Jordan for an unofficial Christmas special. Fr Columba is a Franciscan Friar of the renewal ( ⁨@cfr_franciscans⁩ ), and a presenter at Call To More ( ⁨@ctmcatholic⁩ ).In this conversation, shares his journey as a Franciscan priest, challenges faced by young people in connecting with their faith, entering the dance with God, St Maximilian Kolbe and sacrifice and love, practical steps for encountering God, and the role of the internet and artificial intelligence in the return to faith.
Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Father Columba02:56 Journey to the Priesthood05:51 Engaging the Youth: Addressing Boredom in Faith08:49 The Challenge of Familiarity in Faith12:02 The Proposal of Faith: A Call to Verify14:58 The Dance of Faith: Openness and Surrender17:53 The Role of Entertainment in Worship20:59 The Nature of Relationships and Vulnerability24:01 Shame and Its Impact on Faith26:55 The Journey of Growth and Transformation34:29 The Decline of Irish Catholicism36:19 Understanding God: Love and Justice39:39 The Image of God and Its Impact42:37 Living the Faith: A Personal Journey45:49 The Risk of Faith49:41 The Role of Doubt and Verification52:39 Surrendering to God56:12 The Power of Sacrifice01:00:06 Every Action Matters01:04:23 Practical Steps to Encounter God01:07:39 Entering the Dance of Faith01:10:24 The Role of Humility in Spiritual Growth01:11:42 The Impact of Prayer and Community01:12:10 The Intersection of Technology and Faith01:18:49 AI and the Future of Humanity01:25:06 The Internet as a Tool for Evangelization


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Hey There,
New podcast on deck 🚨
This was an unbelievable conversation with Brendan Graham Dempsey on his new ‘evolution of meaning’ series!!
Evolution of Meaning part 1: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Universal-Learning-Process-Evolution-Meaning/dp/B0D88CV4GP
Evolution of Meaning part 2:https://www.amazon.com/Psyche-Symbolic-Learning-Evolution-Meaning/dp/B0FPV8M3Z8/In this conversation, we explored the themes of meaning, the meaning crisis, and the evolution of meaning through various philosophical and cultural lenses. We discuss the impact of nihilism, the role of metamodernism, and the significance of complexity theory in providing a foundation for meaning. With a new foundation in place, we explore a modern path to transcendence, the hero’s journey and the sacred! Check it out 👇
Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Evolution of Meaning02:18 Understanding the Meaning Crisis05:15 Philosophical Perspectives on Meaning08:34 The Role of Transcendence in Meaning11:31 Exploring Meaning in Life Literature14:26 The Journey Towards Meaning17:25 Complexity Theory and Meaning20:42 Active Inference and Meaning27:25 Understanding Surprise and World Models29:32 The Complexity of Human Models32:27 Cultural Evolution and Meaning Systems34:09 Moral Development and Complexity39:02 Human Learning as a Complexification Process44:48 The Role of Egocentrism in Meaning Making50:48 The Meaning Crisis and Anomie53:30 Breaking Frames: The Role of Technology and Social Media56:32 The Meta Frame: Embracing Chaos and Complexity59:40 Transcendence and Awe: The Sacred in Frame Breaking01:02:36 The Infinite Journey: Icons, Myths, and the Divine01:06:28 Faith and the Hero’s Journey: Navigating Uncertainty01:09:34 Learning and Meaning: The Evolution of Understanding
My new book Waiting For The Offo will be out next Monday 1/12/25!!!!



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David Quinn, is a columnist for the Sunday Independent/Irish Catholic and Commentator on society, religion and politics since 1994.
Iona Institute Poll: https://ionainstitute.ie/big-revival-of-interest-in-religion-among-many-young-people-in-northern-ireland-says-new-poll/
In this conversation, David Quinn discusses the current state of Irish Catholicism, reflecting on its historical context and the evolving perspectives of younger generations towards religion. He emphasises the importance of religion in providing meaning, purpose, and community, especially in a society facing increasing secularisation. Quinn highlights signs of hope among younger people who are becoming more open to religion, suggesting a potential resurgence in religious engagement as they seek answers to life’s challenges.
Chapters:
00:00 The Evolution of Irish Catholicism
12:05 The Church’s Influence and Secularisation in Ireland
19:54 Generational Perspectives on Religion and Progress
24:40 Woke Ideology vs. Christianity: A Cultural Clash
32:25 The Crisis of Modernity and Mental Health
33:10 The Role of Religion in Society
34:11 Rediscovering the Great Tradition
35:01 Perceptions of Church vs. Christianity
37:53 Distinguishing Between Institution and Faith
40:12 Rationality and the Existence of God
42:31 The Shift from Default Theism to Atheism
44:40 The Changing Landscape of Belief
47:35 Materialism and Free Will
49:16 Transhumanism and the Future of Humanity
51:01 Demographic Shifts and Religion’s Role
55:47 Signs of Hope Among Younger Generations
Waiting For The Offo is coming out on 1/12/25!!!



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Robert Freese converted to Catholicism in 2020 after 20 years of practicing and eventually teaching Vipassana meditation. He and his wife Gosia are volunteers in the Faustinium, the lay order of Saint Faustina who initiated the devotion to Divine Mercy.
In this conversation, Robert shares his profound journey from a secular upbringing in Texas to exploring Buddhism and eventually returning to Catholicism. He discusses the influence of his family background, the transformative power of meditation, and the importance of community in spiritual practices. Robert reflects on his experiences with Vipassana meditation, the challenges of balancing spiritual commitments with worldly responsibilities, and the ongoing quest for self-discovery and meaning in life. In this conversation, Robert Freese shares his profound journey of faith, detailing his experiences of encountering Jesus during meditation, the integration of his Buddhist practices with Catholicism, and the transformative power of suffering and grace. He reflects on the significance of communion, confession, and the importance of bringing one’s suffering to God, emphasising the deep connection between personal experiences and spiritual growth.
Chapters
00:00 Journey of Spiritual Exploration
10:11 The Shift to Buddhism
19:57 Deepening the Practice
29:49 Teaching and Transformation
39:57 Navigating Challenges in Spiritual Life
49:51 Encountering Jesus in Meditation
54:00 The Cross and Personal Suffering
58:08 Navigating Faith and Personal Crisis
01:01:22 The Journey to Catholicism
01:07:20 Integrating Buddhism and Catholicism
01:14:14 Desire, Suffering, and Spiritual Growth
01:20:50 The Role of Confession and Grace


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