C&SI - Father Mike Schmitz: Take the next step in faith (TheWay.ie) - 2 Aug 2026 (S06E35)

Welcome to this weeks podcast here on C&SI.

First off, an apology to our regular listeners. We weren't in a position to produce a podcast for the last two weeks as we were trying to reorganise and work out the impact of the closure of WestLimerick102fm radio which was announced two weeks ago. We are still processing the implications of the news and how it is going to affect how we do things as we had just recently returned to the slot on the radio. For the moment this means we have to reorganise our planned and up coming guests and planned podcasts so bear with us.

On this weeks shorter than usual podcast, in part two we are sharing a homily given by Fr Mike Schmitz at St Kevin's Church on Haddington Road in Dublin on  20th July which we are sharing via TheWay.ie. More than 800 people gathered for a special Mass before Father Mike Schmitz’s sold-out Parables Tour event at Dublin’s National Stadium. The evening continued with 1,600 people filling the National Stadium, with young adults making up the vast majority of those attending. Many travelled from across Ireland as part of parish groups, university chaplaincies, youth ministries and ecclesial movements.

The Mass was organised by the Irish Bishops’ Conference’s Council for Evangelisation, Catechetics and Pastoral Renewal and was celebrated by Bishop Fintan Gavin, Bishop of Cork and Ross and chair of the council. Father Mike Schmitz preached the homily.

Addressing those who may be uncertain in their faith, Father Schmitz encouraged people to take the next step without waiting for complete certainty.

“To anyone standing on the edge of faith – uncertain, hesitant, or searching – the invitation is not to have all the answers before you begin,” he said. “God always gives us enough light and enough information to take the next step, and we can trust Him with that next step.”

Drawing on the example of the Virgin Mary, Father Schmitz said that “obedience often comes before understanding,” noting that God does not always provide “a plan” or “a roadmap” before calling people to act.

[Video link and full information from Irish Episcopal Conference here]

In part one of this weeks podcast we have our regular (although brief!) run through the upcoming liturgical odds and ends including saints of the week which includes the feast day of our unofficial podcast patron saint St Mary MacKillop on August 8th.

In part three we share this weeks Sunday gospel (Matthew 14:13-21) which is the account of the miracle of the loaves and fishes.