223: Open for Business: Hope and Renewal in Ireland | Bishop Fintan Gavin

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 -0600

When Bishop Fintan Gavin was appointed to the Diocese of Cork and Ross, he inherited what so many of us in parish ministry are looking at right now: tired priests, historic churches echoing with memories, and a rapidly changing culture where the old ways of "doing church" simply don't connect anymore. It’s easy to look at those empty pews and think the story is over, but that’s not what’s happening on the ground. Across Ireland, the old ways of doing things are breaking open to reveal something fresh: packed young adult masses and 5,000 pilgrims pouring out onto rain-soaked streets behind the Blessed Sacrament. The scaffolding of cultural Catholicism might be falling away, but Jesus is very much alive. Join Bishop Fintan and me as we talk through shifting from parish maintenance to mission, learning to trust the Holy Spirit in the transition, and the quiet power of person-to-person invitation.

Episode Timeline:

00:00 - Welcome: Bishop Fintan Gavin of Cork and Ross
01:57 - From Dublin to Rome: Vocation, homeless ministry, and spiritual fatherhood
09:40 - Lourdes pilgrimages: Vulnerability, healing, and Irish community
14:44 - The secular shift: Cultural Catholicism and the modern mission field
21:18 - Rebuilding post-COVID: Families of Parishes and reimagining priesthood
28:56 - Maintenance to mission: The power of one-on-one evangelization
33:08 - Carlo Acutis in Cork: Relics, adoration, and 5,000 pilgrims in the rain
37:48 - Signs of hope: The Emmaus Cafe, adult baptisms, and young adult life
43:30 - Encouragement for tired leaders: Trusting the Spirit today

Resources Mentioned

Diocese of Cork and Ross

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Episode 174: Experience Miracles: How Alpha Youth Changed the Culture of a School

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0600

Do you expect the miraculous from God? As believers, we are invited to trust in God's power and love, knowing He desires to move in our lives in profound and unexpected ways. Miracles are not confined to biblical times; they are a testament to God's ongoing presence in our world. When we step out in faith, we open the door for the Holy Spirit to work, transforming lives and communities.

In this episode, I sit down with Fr. Walter Nolte, Pastor of the Padre Pio Family Parish Group, to discuss the incredible impact of the Alpha Youth program at Archbishop Bergan High School. Fr. Nolte shares inspiring stories of miracles, heartfelt prayers, and the transformative changes in students’ openness to God. We explore how simple acts of prayer and listening have broken down barriers—within students, families, and the broader faith community. This conversation is a powerful reminder of the importance of following the Holy Spirit's lead, connecting authentically with youth, and trusting in the transformative power of God's love.

[01:25] Father Nolte's Journey to Priesthood
[06:00] Challenges in Engaging High Schoolers with Faith
[10:52] Transforming School Culture with Alpha Youth
[15:24] Experiencing God's Presence
[25:26] Miraculous Moments and Personal Testimonies
[29:25] The Role of the Holy Spirit in Modern Times
[31:46] Transforming School Culture Through Prayer
[36:25] Engaging Parents and the Larger Community
[38:13] The Importance of Sharing Personal Faith Stories
[42:23] Implementing Alpha Youth in Schools

For more check out Archbishop Bergan, Alpha Youth, and their story in video form, A Catholic School Runs Alpha Youth.

For more practical advice and experiences from real people sharing their mission with the world, go to https://equip.archomaha.org/podcast/.

A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha
Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com)