In this final episode of the I AM HERE podcast, Fr. Mario and Leah discuss some of the highlights of the 32 Eucharistic testimonies that have been shared over the last year and a half. They share how these testimonies have been particularly inspiring during this season of Eucharistic revival for the Church in the United States, and they encourage listeners to consider and share their own Eucharistic testimonies to inspire others to encounter Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

Show notes:

(00:23) Fr. Mario and Leah acknowledge that today is the final episode of the I AM HERE podcast and share some of the highlights from the 32 episodes recorded over the course of the last year and a half.

(02:22) Fr. Mario highlights the trend he has observed in the role of parents in the lives of those who have a profound devotion to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, drawing particular attention to Paolo Vitale’s testimony. Leah shares how she was personally impacted by Serenity Quesnelle’s testimony about carrying the cross of infertility. Fr. Mario draws attention to the stories in which God shows up in the lives of people unexpectedly.

(10:16) Fr. Mario asks Leah to share her testimony, and she briefly unpacks how she first encountered Jesus in the Eucharist and how that encounter has impacted her life ever since.

(14:57) They discuss the reality of Eucharistic revival and why the sharing of personal testimonies is such a powerful way to inspire curiosity and devotion.

(21:09) They encourage listeners to take ownership of their own Eucharistic testimonies and to share them with others.

(23:41) Citing the statistic that only 1/3 of Catholics believe in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, they share the power of hearing the stories of those who do believe. Fr. Mario notes how the Church is growing and how hearing these testimonies has inspired and encouraged him personally.

(27:37) Fr. Mario and Leah thank each other for their work on the podcast and, for the final time, thank listeners for tuning in to the I AM HERE podcast.

On this episode of the I AM HERE podcast, Dcn. Mike Houghton, a deacon of the Archdiocese of Detroit, husband, and father, shares his “slow burn” to deep devotion to the Eucharist. Listen as he describes the impact of his parents on his faith, the role of the Eucharist in his discernment of the diaconate, and his insights on Eucharistic revival.

Show notes:

(00:24) We meet Dcn. Mike Houghton, a deacon of the Archdiocese of Detroit, husband and father, to the podcast. He shares briefly about his family, his professional background, his journey to the diaconate, and about his work with UTG at Work, an apostolate of the Archdiocese of Detroit.

(04:35) Dcn. Mike describes his “slow burn” of growth in his Catholic faith. He highlights how his parents instilled faith in him from a young age and his eventual interest in the priesthood, which evolved into his desire and call to the diaconate.

(07:37) Fr. Mario asks Dcn. Mike about the role of the Eucharist in his discernment and he describes developing the habit of spending time in Eucharistic adoration beginning after college.

(10:35) Dcn. Mike shares the impact that the words Jesus speaks at the Last Supper and how he grew to more deeply understand Jesus’ promise that he would not leave us orphans. He also shares how he likes to spend his time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.

(13:32) Dcn. Mike shares some of the ways he has benefited from quietly listening to the Lord during times of Eucharistic adoration, particularly how that listening led him to explore the possibility of establishing UTG at Work in the Archdiocese of Detroit.

(14:36) He describes how he has come to understand and experience the connection between Heaven and Earth made possible through the Eucharist. He describes an experience he had at a funeral that brought this reality into sharp focus.

(15:33) Fr. Mario and Dcn. Mike discuss and share the unique perspectives that they have as clergy when they celebrate the Mass.

(18:57) Dcn. Mike shares how he would encourage listeners to seek Eucharistic revival in their own hearts, highlighting the power of witnessing those who are new to the faith encountering Jesus in the Eucharist. He talks about his own perspective of them through his role in leading OCIA at his parish.

(21:40) He also offers advice to parents, emphasizing the importance of modeling prayer and devotion for our children.

Dcn. Bob, a deacon for the Archdiocese of Detroit, came to know the Lord through a conversion experience he had in his twenties, but it was the Eucharist that sustained him. On this episode of the I AM HERE podcast, listen as he describes the role the Eucharist played in his family life, his discernment of the diaconate, and his daily life today.

Show notes:

(00:43) We meet Dcn. Bob Calleja, who briefly shares about his upbringing, how he met his wife, and a conversion experience he had when he was in his twenties. He shares about the inspiration his Grandmother was to his faith.

(03:29) Fr. Mario highlights how the Lord has worked powerfully to eventually lead him to become a husband and father and serve the church as a deacon. Dcn. Bob shares the impact that his parents had on his faith life as a young person. He also shares about experiencing a season of “wandering” in his twenties and how the Lord was still close during that time.

(06:18) Dcn. Bob talks about how he sought wisdom in his twenties and his desire to find a sense of purpose. He shares the sense of feeling that something was missing despite having good friends and a happy life. He goes into more detail about the conversion experience he had in his twenties, the role that his wife played on his journey to the Church, and describes his experience in RCIA.

(10:03) He shares how, after getting married, he and his wife leaned on Jesus in the Eucharist when they sought to grow their family. He shares a powerful experience that he and his wife had before the Eucharist. He then shared how, soon after, he and his wife were somewhat miraculously given the opportunity to adopt their daughter. He describes how he shares his faith, especially in the Eucharist, with his daughter.

(18:43) Dcn. Bob describes how he spends his time when he visits Jesus in the adoration chapel. He talks about the gift of being able to work for the Church and go to adoration fairly regularly. He shares the role that adoration had on his discerning the call to serve as a deacon. He shares a bit about that journey.

(24:21) Fr. Mario comments on the way Dcn. Bob (and his brothers, whom he mentions) all use their gifts to serve the Church and how he has seen God use them. Dcn. Bob describes the prayerful aspect he brings to his work and how it can unite him to the Lord.

Dcn. Bob, a deacon for the Archdiocese of Detroit, came to know the Lord through a conversion experience he had in his twenties, but it was the Eucharist that sustained him. On this episode of the I AM HERE podcast, listen as he describes the role the Eucharist played in his family life, his discernment of the diaconate, and his daily life today.

Show notes:

(00:43) We meet Dcn. Bob Calleja, who briefly shares about his upbringing, how he met his wife, and a conversion experience he had when he was in his twenties. He shares about the inspiration his Grandmother was to his faith.

(03:29) Fr. Mario highlights how the Lord has worked powerfully to eventually lead him to become a husband and father and serve the church as a deacon. Dcn. Bob shares the impact that his parents had on his faith life as a young person. He also shares about experiencing a season of “wandering” in his twenties and how the Lord was still close during that time.

(06:18) Dcn. Bob talks about how he sought wisdom in his twenties and his desire to find a sense of purpose. He shares the sense of feeling that something was missing despite having good friends and a happy life. He goes into more detail about the conversion experience he had in his twenties, the role that his wife played on his journey to the Church, and describes his experience in RCIA.

(10:03) He shares how, after getting married, he and his wife leaned on Jesus in the Eucharist when they sought to...