Questions or comments about the show? Click here! Welcome back for both our final episode on Advent, and the final episode of our 2025 calendar year. We appreciate your support, comments and suggestions for our show and are already looking forward to the 2026 season. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all of us at Casting the Net! And be sure to visit the affiliate partner to our show, a fun company called Sock Religious, a division of Catholic Concepts. Need ...

Questions or comments about the show? Click here! Welcome back! Today we continue the discussion on Advent, specifically the third reflection in Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger's book titled: "Stepping out of the Night". A few highlights from the show: The Immaculate Conception and what it really isThreats to our identityIn the human face of Jesus shines the light of our FatherAdvent isn't just sentimental; it's luminousBe awake for God and for other peopleEngage in the traditions that keep C...

Questions or comments about the show? Click here! Today we continue our series on Advent, specifically with a reflection from Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (a.k.a. Benedict XVI) entitled, "Dare to Step forward Toward God's Mysterious Presence" A few highlights: Our situation in the modern world is liquid; great explanation by RickFreedom left unconstrained is anarchyIt's like playing a game without rulesIn the Advent season we're trying to turn back toward GodHow we need to step towards God's mys...

Questions or comments about the show? Click here! Today is the first episode in our new series on Advent. Kicking things off, Father Dave and Rick have a few key highlights today: The mechanics on how the new liturgical year worksWhat makes Advent a "season of hope"; the theological Christian virtue of hope...not the Hallmark versionQuotes from Pope Benedict to help explain this definition of hopeWhy God became like us And be sure to visit the affiliate partner to our show, a fun company cal...

Questions or comments about the show? Click here! Welcome back! Today is a continuation from the last couple weeks on the topic of antisemitism. It's a little heavy as Father Dave says later in the episode, but certainly important. Enjoy. And be sure to visit the affiliate partner to our show, a fun company called Sock Religious, a division of Catholic Concepts. Need a pair of socks with St. Teresa on them? Done. A tongue-in-cheek sticker of the Last Supper? Check. Whi...

Questions or comments about the show? Click here! Today's episode continues our series on anti-semitism, in particular the topic of hatred. A few key takeaways are below: The impulse doesn't have to control youAnti-semitism is really just a specific form of hateredWe become the actions we performHatred is the culmination of bad choices over a period of timeEnjoy. And be sure to visit the affiliate partner to our show, a fun company called Sock Religious, a division of Catholic Concepts....

Questions or comments about the show? Click here! Today we start a new series on non-Christian religions. It's a very interesting episode with some great highlights: A new topic!Antisemitism and what it meansFather Dave's experiences in Germany and learning how they handled teaching bout Holocaust Relationship to other religionsVatican 2And more!Also, below are a couple links mentioned during the episode: Here is the statement from Pope Leo that is mentioned: https://www.vati...

Questions or comments about the show? Click here! Welcome back! Have you ever wondered "why" the priest does certain things during mass, or what the real significance is at certain points? Then you'll love today's episode in our continuing series on the Mass. Especially the ending. Very powerful highlights and insight. A few key highlights from today: How the Incarnation makes God accessible to humanity; makes God presentThe Eucharist spreads out this divine presence and this is what yo...

Questions or comments about the show? Click here! Welcome back! Today we continue on with our series on the mass. In talking about this series, Father Dave says it best today: "This series is to ensure that our encounter at mass is even more profound and personal". They also had a few more key points: As much as we revere scripture, The Eucharist is the focal point of the massHeaven isn't something that happens just when we die; it's whenever God is presentOrdained minsitr...

Questions or comments about the show? Click here! Welcome back to our series on the mass. It's a fun discussion today with some interesting topics. How the church organizes the ScripturesThe fact that a significant portion of the Bible is covered during mass over a 3 year time periodHow Father Dave gets inspired on what he's going to discuss during the HomilyEnjoy! And be sure to visit the affiliate partner to our show, a fun company called Sock Religious, a division of Catholic Concept...

Questions or comments about the show? Click here! Welcome back! Today we continue the series on the Mass, with particular emphasis on the following: How the mass is universal around the worldThe guise of being spiritual but not religious Various parts of mass explainedThe importance of being intentional in prayerHow being an active participant in mass is not necessarily what you might thinkEnjoy! We'd also like to introduce you to a new affiliate partner to our show, a fun comp...

Questions or comments about the show? Click here! Welcome back! Today we continue the series on "The Mass" with some key points: How familiarity can breed complacencyThe beauty of the massUnderstanding objectively what happens every time it's performedWe are participating in His presence, in His powerThe role of the priestEnjoy! We'd also like to introduce you to a new affiliate partner to our show, a fun company called Sock Religious, a division of Catholic Concepts. Need a pair of so...

Questions or comments about the show? Click here! Welcome to our second episode in our series on The Mass. Today Father Dave and Rick go into some detail on how the mass is profoundly scriptural and is celebrated in it's same essential form throughout the entire world. Some interesting conversation today. Enjoy! We'd also like to introduce you to a new affiliate partner to our show, a fun company called Sock Religious, a division of Catholic Concepts. Need a pair of soc...

Questions or comments about the show? Click here! Welcome to a new series here at Casting the Net! It's called The Meaning of Mass, and Father Dave and Rick dive right in. Some key moments: How Mass is an event; an encounter with ChristThe problem with familiarityConducting mass is not about looking good; it's about so much moreWe are a soundbyte culture; need to see the bigger pictureWe can't ignore contextThe need to see the wisdom behind massEnjoy! We'd also like to introduce you to ...

Questions or comments about the show? Click here! Welcome back! We are continuing our discussion on the works of C.S. Lewis, with particular emphasis on the following: The importance of the rejuvenation of familyConnectedness of human existenceForging identities, how it's important today, but not historicallyYou are a beloved child of GodThis is the truth and starting pointRick also introduces the writing of Rene Girard, Rene Girard (d. 2015), one of the most important religious writers of th...

Questions or comments about the show? Click here! Welcome back to our discussion on the Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. Today has an emphasis on chapters 8 and 9 which cover the Law of Undulation and pleasure. They discuss the ups and downs of life and the impact they have on your soul, with a few more key takeaways: How Pleasure is God's giftBeing open to GodThe importance of making pleasure an ultimate end in a good, positive wayIdea of Seeking pleasure itself, not the acts of...

Questions or comments about the show? Click here! Welcome back to our discussion on the Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. Today has an emphasis on the present, vs the past or future. They talk about how the devil tries to lure us out of the present, with a few more key takeaways: The past is still important to draw lessons from, and the future is important; but we shouldn't dwell in the past or the future at the expense of the presentGot doesn't change; he's eternalIt's important t...

Questions or comments about the show? Click here! Today episode continues our series on C.S. Lewis, with particular emphasis on: The strategies of the Devil in drawing our attention away from GodHow evil is inflictedHow the safest road to Hell is the gradual oneThe dangers of increasing preoccupation with selfWhat keeps us from going to GodEnjoy! We'd also like to introduce you to a new affiliate partner to our show, a fun company called Sock Religious, a division of Catholic Concepts. Nee...

Questions or comments about the show? Click here! Welcome back! Today we continue with C.S. Lewis, this time discussing the first two Screwtape Letters. A few highlights from the discussion... The importance of having trust in the LordHow the devil is sowing the seeds of confusion and doubtHow the devil gets us lost on the ordinariness of things, and how it’s related to things today like social media, excessive gaming, etc…How we need to live in the true identity that is oursJealo...

Questions or comments about the show? Click here! Welcome to our fourth installment in our series on C.S. Lewis. Today's discussion is centered around the Screwtape Letters, with particular emphasis on genre, different points of view, and learning about ourselves through angels and what it means to be human. Enjoy! We'd also like to introduce you to a new affiliate partner to our show, a fun company called Sock Religious, a division of Catholic Concepts. Need a pair of socks wi...