In recent years, the public has become increasingly concerned about the hazards of pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and genetically modified foods. Some people have started to grow their own produce for health reasons, and some Catholic religious also promote organic gardening. How is organic gardening related to our faith?

Lay Catholics don’t get to see their bishop very often but I remember when I was growing up, I had always admired my bishop like a familiar father figure but simultaneously felt like he was high above my level. This episode is the fifth of my vocational series, where I ask my guests to pick a song relating to their vocational discernment and to answer these seven simple questions: 1. Please introduce yourself and how we got to know each other. 2. Explain your song of choice and how it relates to your discernment. 3. Please explain your vocation in general and what it means to you. 4. How did you discern your vocation in general? Were there any challenges? 5. Why did you pursue your vocation with this diocese/order/person in particular? 6. How has your faith changed since entering this vocation? 7. If you could advise your 18-year-old self about your vocation, what would you say? One day, I emailed the Archdiocese of Toronto and was absolutely delighted when I got to interview the only bishop I ever remembered having … Thomas Cardinal Collins! Cardinal Collins is a man of deep faith and wisdom and has always felt a strong connection with his priests and bishops. From his high school teacher Fr. John Newstead to the bishops of his home Diocese of Hamilton—Bishop Lloyd Ryan, Bishop Paul Reding, and Auxiliary Bishop Anthony Tonnos—and his bishop in London, John Sherlock. Cardinal Collins was ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of Hamilton before being appointed rector of the seminary in London (Ontario), consecrated Bishop of St. Paul (Alberta), Bishop of Edmonton, and finally Archbishop of Toronto. I was surprised by how Cardinal Collins discerned his call to the priesthood and found his assessment of the times and his term as bishop to be very insightful. During COVID-19, the Archdiocese is live-streaming daily and Sunday Masses. You can find their website at https://www.archtoronto.org/. The song you heard in the intro was “Wayfaring Stranger”, by The Quebe Sisters and the song Cardinal Collins chose was the “O God Beyond All Praising”, as performed here by the Villanova Pastoral Musicians. If you have any friends and family that you think would like this podcast, please share wherever you listen to your podcasts! You can drop a comment or question for me to answer in a future episode at theholycatholicbrew@gmail.com.

You might think that God calls men to become His priests in the same way. But no two vocational stories are ever exactly the same. Were they devout as children? Did they always want to become a priest? Did they ever desire another vocation? Did their peers and family support or dissuade them? You generally don’t get to ask your parish priest these sorts of questions, so let me ask one for you. This episode is the fourth of my vocational series, where I ask my guests to pick a song relating to their vocational discernment and to answer these seven simple questions: 1. Please introduce yourself and how we got to know each other. 2. Explain your song of choice and how it relates to your discernment. 3. Please explain your vocation in general and what it means to you. 4. How did you discern your vocation in general? Were there any challenges? 5. Why did you pursue your vocation with this diocese/order/person in particular? 6. How has your faith changed since entering this vocation? 7. If you could advise your 18-year-old self about your vocation, what would you say? I am really excited about this episode because I get to chat with Fr. Peter Turrone whom I know from my time at the Newman Centre, the Catholic chaplaincy at the University of Toronto. Currently the Pastor and Executive Director there, he grew up Catholic but did not take ownership of his faith until a Confirmation retreat experience drew him to a personal encounter with Christ. After his undergraduate studies at York University, he later earned his neuroscience doctorate at the University of Toronto, where he was active at the Newman Centre. At first, he was ordained a priest in the Consolata Missionaries and sent to proclaim the Gospel in Mongolia. For health reasons, he was then incardinated a priest in the Archdiocese of Toronto and then transferred to the Newman Centre chaplaincy. You can learn more from their website at www.newmantoronto.com. The song you heard in the intro was “Wayfaring Stranger”, by The Quebe Sisters and the song Fr. Peter Turrone chose was “What a Beautiful Name”, by Hillsong Worship. If you have any friends and family that you think would like this podcast, please share wherever you listen to your podcasts! You can drop a comment or question for me to answer in a future episode at theholycatholicbrew@gmail.com.

Originally a Toronto-based physician, Jacqueline was drawn closer to God through Opus Dei. As a response to God's calling, Jacqueline set aside her medical profession and went to Rome in order to pursue a degree in theology.

Nowadays, the average Catholic doesn’t get to see many nuns. While they used to run schools and hospitals, these are now secular institutions and we might only catch a glimpse of them assigned to different parishes or at retreats. What is the life of a religious sister like? Do they pray all day in their convents? This episode is the third of my vocational series, where I ask my guests to pick a song relating to their vocational discernment and to answer these seven simple questions: 1. Please introduce yourself and how we got to know each other. 2. Explain your song of choice and how it relates to your discernment. 3. Please explain your vocation in general and what it means to you. 4. How did you discern your vocation in general? Were there any challenges? 5. Why did you pursue your vocation with this diocese/order/person in particular? 6. How has your faith changed since entering this vocation? 7. If you could advise your 18-year-old self about your vocation, what would you say? Listen to me chat with Sr. Mary Grace from the Sisters of Life, whose journey so far has brought her from Australia to New York to Toronto, where she is currently assigned. The Sisters of Life are a female religious order dedicated to protecting human life in our culture and helping women in crisis pregnancies. They also hold retreats for the public. You can find their website at https://sistersoflife.org/. The song you heard in the intro was “Wayfaring Stranger”, by The Quebe Sisters and the song Sr. Mary Grace chose, “I Will Wait”, by Mumford & Sons. If you have any friends and family that you think would like this podcast, please share wherever you listen to your podcasts! You can drop a comment or question for me to answer in a future episode at theholycatholicbrew@gmail.com.

Deacons have always been a mystery to me – they are married and sometimes have secular jobs outside of their work in the parish but they also help out with a lot of church duties, and even give homilies. Are they closer to lay people or consecrated religious? This episode is the second of my vocational series, where I ask my guests to pick a song relating to their vocational discernment and to answer these seven simple questions: 1. Please introduce yourself and how we got to know each other. 2. Explain your song of choice and how it relates to your discernment. 3. Please explain your vocation in general and what it means to you. 4. How did you discern your vocation in general? Were there any challenges? 5. Why did you pursue your vocation with this diocese/order/person in particular? 6. How has your faith changed since entering this vocation? 7. If you could advise your 18-year-old self about your vocation, what would you say? Listen to me chat with Deacon Mark Neugebauer, whose epic faith journey has included stops at Conservative Judaism, Messianic Judaism, and Evangelical Protestantism on his way home in the Catholic Church. He is currently the Deacon at Blessed Trinity Parish in the Archdiocese of Toronto and formerly worked as an elementary school teacher before being recommended by his parish to become a permanent deacon. The song you heard in the intro was “Wayfaring Stranger”, by The Quebe Sisters and the song Deacon Mark picked was the hymn “It Is Well With My Soul” (I picked the version by Anthem Lights). If you have any friends and family that you think would like this podcast, please share wherever you listen to your podcasts! You can drop a comment or question for me to answer in a future episode at theholycatholicbrew@gmail.com.

In 55 days, Fr. Carlos Martins and his team brought the major relics of St. Maria Goretti to 54 cities across the United States. They wish that the story of the saint would inspire people to be more merciful.

Husband, Wife, Monk, Friar, Sister, Father, and … Consecrated Virgin? If you’re like me, you have never heard of Consecrated Virginity before as a vocation in the Catholic Church. But this vocation’s history stretches back to the early days of the Church and is being revived in recent years. This episode is the first of my vocational series, where I ask my guests to pick a song relating to their vocational discernment and to answer these seven simple questions: 1. Please introduce yourself and how we got to know each other. 2. Explain your song of choice and how it relates to your discernment. 3. Please explain your vocation in general and what it means to you. 4. How did you discern your vocation with this diocese/order/person in particular? Were there any challenges? 5. Why did you pursue your vocation with this diocese/order/person in particular? 6. How has your faith changed since entering this vocation? 7. If you could advise your 18-year-old self about your vocation, what would you say? Listen to me chat with Erin Kinsella, the Directory of Campus Ministry at the University of Toronto’s Newman Centre, as we learn about her conversion, her early years, and how she discerned Consecrated Virginity at the Archdiocese of Toronto. The song you heard in the intro was “Wayfaring Stranger”, by The Quebe Sisters and the song Erin picked was “Halo”, by Beyoncé. If you have any friends and family that you think would like this podcast, please share wherever you listen to your podcasts! You can drop a comment or question for me to answer in a future episode at theholycatholicbrew@gmail.com.

Among the saints canonized by the Catholic Church, St. Maria Goretti is one of the youngest. She was just 11 years old when she died. Maria died of a fatal attack by her neighbour Alessandro, after she refused to submit to his sexual advances. Fountain of Grace's production team followed Fr. Carlos Martins to Maria's former residence to learn about forgiveness from this saint.

We’re back to Ordinary Time again and it’s time for a new season! Among the new changes, Lyndon will be the sole host going forward and has found a job. There will also be more interviews and reflections from reading material and prayer. Episodes will be more varied and sporadic this time, so check for updates from time to time. If you have any friends and family that you think would like this podcast, please share us with them wherever you listen to your podcasts! You can drop a comment or question for me to answer in a future episode at theholycatholicbrew@gmail.com.

For four years, Our Lady of Carmel Church in Chinatown, Toronto has been holding a Marian Procession in May, providing the faithful a wonderful opportunity to bear witness to their faith in public. Overcoming adversities and bracing all kinds of weather conditions, the parishioners were dedicated to making this event a success. Fountain of Grace takes you to Chinatown to uncover the driving force behind their enthusiasm and determination.

We all yearn to live in a just society. However, justice cannot be achieved without charity. In our busy lives, do we pay attention to those who need help? Fountain of Grace takes a look at how Catholics live out mercy through various initiatives.

Irene held her first solo art exhibition in 2017. Behind this exhibition lies a dream that Irene spent ten years to actualize. Through making abstract art, Irene gets closer to God.

What is working poverty? The Hong Kong Catholic Commission for Labour Affairs organized a 7-day poverty experiential program in which participants tried to live with a weekly expense in line with a minimum wage earner.

You only live once. Is it possible to turn life around after making a terrible mistake? Hawkins, who is in his early 30s, once hit rock bottom in his early years. Through his unwavering faith in God, he has rediscovered his purpose in life.

Fr. Anthony Bogadek, a Salesian priest, has dedicated his life to serve in St. Louis School in Hong Kong. His passion for amphibians and reptiles, as well as his humility and conscientiousness has inspired countless students.

Many consider Canada to be one of the best countries to live in. However, in the 17th century, when Canada was just newly founded, it was considered the country of crosses. Fountain of Grace takes a look at how Blessed Catherine of St. Augustine and St. Francois de Laval sacrificed their comfort and contributed to the well-being of Canadians.

Montreal, Canada was very different from what it is now when the city was first founded more than 370 years ago. The cross at Mount Royal reveals the deep Catholic roots of this city. Fountain of Grace takes a look at how two saints, both named Marguerite - St. Marguerite Bourgeoys and St. Marguerite d'Youville - contributed to the early developments of Montreal.

Grace continues to share with us what she has encountered and what she has learned from her Panama WYD experience.

Kintore College is an all-female student residence located in downtown Toronto. It is a home away from home that offers an excellent environment for study. It also seeks to meet the needs of students by providing laundry, meals, career guidance, social life, philosophy classes, as well as faith and spirituality. Kintore College is partly managed by Opus Dei, a personal Prelature of the Roman Catholic Church.

The office of deacon traces all the way back to the early church and had disappeared for a long time. At the Worldwide Chinese Permanent Deacon Conference which took place at Toronto on May 2018, Fountain of Grace talked to a number of permanent deacons to explore the role they place in the Church and the society.

In January 2018, a precious relic of St. Francis Xavier - his right forearm which he used to baptize more than 100,000 people - was on tour across Canada. One of the churches even attracted 13,000 people to venerate the relic in one day. Fountain of Grace takes a look at the life of St. Francis Xavier, as well as Catholic Christian Outreach - the group of modern missionaries that organized the relic pilgrimage.

Children are naturally more perceptive to faith due to their innocence and humility. As parents accompany their children on their spiritual journey, not only do they draw closer to their children, they are also drawn closer to God. Federation of North-American Explorers (FNE) not only helps kids encounter Jesus, it also provides opportunities for parents to walk alongside their kids on their faith journey.

As Grace has arrived at Panama City without much expectation, what did she encounter in the World Youth Day week? What is her most memorable moment?