Old St. Pat's Podcast
Old St. Patrick's is a Roman Catholic community in Chicago's bustling West Loop neighborhood, founded by Irish Immigrants on Easter morning in 1846. Since then we have grown into a home to a membership of about 4,000 households and innumerable friends. As we grow, we continually redefine what it means to be an urban church. We are committed to remaining open to new visions and possibilities, seeking broader horizons as we journey into our future. We encourage you to encounter the God who loves you, engage in a community that welcomes you, and serve the world that needs you. This podcast aims...
Less Correcting, More Connecting - Fr. Christopher Alt 9.6.26
It can be so easy—and so tempting—to think we know better. He should do this. She should do that. I’m right. You’re wrong. We can find ourselves wanting to correct someone’s choices, their thinking, or the way they’re living their life because we’re convinced we know how things should be. But when we focus on correcting, we leave very little room for conversation or connection. What happens when, instead of trying to correct the person in front of us, we choose to connect with them? We get to understand them a little better. To hear where...
The Lord of the Dance: Following God’s Lead - Fr. Ed Foley 8.30.26
If life is a dance, God is our ultimate dance partner. And the music playing over the speakers? That’s the Holy Spirit—keeping the rhythm, moving us along, filling the space around us. And the DJ selecting the tunes? That’s Jesus. Sometimes DJ JC puts on a song we absolutely love. And other times, we’re thinking, “Aw, man…this song is way too slow and depressing. Or way too fast and we can’t keep up!” But here’s the thing: God has the playlist. He knows the choreography. And He knows what comes next. He knows when to pull us cl...
When We Stop Trying So Hard - Fr. Michael Simone 8.23.26
Have you ever had one of those days that you planned down to the last detail? You picked the right restaurant, made sure everyone could make it, and thought through the logistics, the timing, the weather—you even knew what topics of conversation you wanted to bring up…everything that needed to line up for the day to be fun. And then… somehow, it just wasn’t. And then there are those other days. You get a good night’s sleep. You eat a good meal. You meet up with friends. You have a general understanding of the structure of the day bu...
Music Series: Con Te Partirò, Holy Is Your Name, The Prayer (Instrumental) 8.23.26
The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's Choir
The featured songs today are listed below and sung by Michael St. Peter:
Con Te Partirò Holy Is Your Name The Prayer (Instrumental)May the Road Rise to Meet Us - Fr. Tom Hurley 8.16.26
On a trip, it’s fun to have a good travel companion. Someone who makes the load feel a little lighter—physically and mentally. Someone who makes a playlist for the long drive, can laugh when plans change, and goes with the flow when the road takes an unexpected turn. Someone who handles the tired, stressful days with patience and grace. Someone who sees the best in you and somehow brings out the best in you, too. Because every good trip has its obstacles—wrong turns, delays, traffic, bad weather, and those moments when you wonder, Are we ever going to get...
Music Series: Every Word & Every Breath, Christ Has No Body Now, I Am For You 8.16.26
The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's Choir
The featured songs today are:
Every Word & Every Breath Christ Has No Body Now I Am For YouThe Story of You and God - Fr. Pat McGrath 8.9.26
Every great story has a main character, a beginning, an arc, unexpected turns, moments of struggle, and moments that change everything. But what if you thought about your own faith that way? If you were to tell the story of your relationship with God, what would it sound like? When in your life has God felt especially close? When have you wondered where God was—or questioned whether God was there at all, or have been mad at God? Who are the people who helped you recognize God's presence? And what experiences opened your heart to something bigger, deeper, or mo...
Music Series: Gathered As One, Broken for the Broken, At The Table of Jesus 8.9.26
The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's Choir
The featured songs today are:
Gathered As One Broken for the Broken I Am The Bread of Life! At the Table of JesusRest to Renew - Fr. Pat McGrath 8.2.26
Summer is often a season that invites us to slow down. Whether you're taking a vacation, enjoying a staycation, relaxing by the neighborhood pool, or simply spending a quiet evening on the porch, this time of year reminds us that rest isn't a luxury—it's something we all need before we go back to school or work. In today's Gospel, Jesus shows us that even he needed to step away from the crowds. After hearing the heartbreaking news of John the Baptist's death, he withdrew to a quiet place to pray before returning to continue his mission. That time of so...
What Has Your Attention? - Fr. Pat McGrath, SJ 7.26.26
What's been occupying your mind these past few weeks? Is it your career? A relationship? A dream you've been putting off? Or maybe a worry or fear you can't seem to shake. What we consistently give our attention to slowly shapes the people we become. Some things energize us and bring a quiet sense of purpose, even when they're challenging. Other things quietly drain us. They keep us stuck in cycles of anxiety, comparison, busyness, or the constant pressure to prove ourselves, pulling us further from the life we were created to live. One of the signs we're moving in...
Grow What Is Good - Fr. Michael Rossman 7.19.26
Have you seen The Odyssey yet? Whether you've already watched it or you've just been hearing everyone talk about it lately, there's something worth noticing about the story. At its heart, The Odyssey isn't simply about getting home—it's about who Odysseus becomes along the journey. The same is true of our spiritual lives. None of us begin as a finished product. We all carry strengths and weaknesses, moments of courage and moments of failure. In last Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus describes it another way: each of us has both wheat and weeds growing within our hearts and minds. The good...
The Spiritual Farmers Market: What Are You Growing? - Fr. Jack Wall 7.12.26
This time of year, summer farmers markets are everywhere. Each vendor brings something different to share—some bring flowers, others bring cheese, apples, vegetables, or fresh produce grown from their own fields. Imagine if you had a stand at a spiritual farmers market. What would you have to offer? What would be growing so abundantly in your life that you could share it with others? Would your table be filled with encouragement? Compassion? Forgiveness? Patience? Joy? Love? Or lately, have the fruits of our lives been fear, negativity, frustration, or division? Take a moment to look within. And if you do...
Music Series: For The Faithful Who Have Answered, Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam, How Can I Keep From Singing 7.12.26
The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's Choir
The featured songs today are:
For The Faithful Who Have Answered Ad Maiorem Dei, Gloriam How Can I Keep From Singing?To Know & Be Known - Fr. Pat McGrath 7.5.26
Have you ever noticed that the people who seem to have life completely figured out often stop asking questions? But the people who continue to grow—those who remain open and full of wonder—never lose their sense of humility. They know and recognize there's always more to learn, more to discover, and more ways to love. In last Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus thanks the Father that the mysteries of the Kingdom are revealed not to the wise and the powerful, but to the "little ones." Who are these little ones? They aren't simply children. They're ordinary people—people who know wha...
Expanding the Circle of Love - Fr. Ed Foley 6.28.26
Think about your family, your circle of friends, your lunch table, your neighborhood, or the people you naturally gravitate toward. These are your people—your tribe, your community, your place of belonging. And there is something beautiful and deeply human about finding a place where we feel known, loved, and accepted. But when was the last time you invited someone new into that circle? When was the last time you expanded your heart to make room for someone you once considered an outsider? Maybe you've experienced this when a sibling married and welcomed a new spouse into the family. Maybe it...
Music Series: Preparing Our Hearts for Independence Day 6.28.26
Dear God - As we approach this Fourth of July, we seek Your guidance and blessings. We thank You for the gift of freedom and the opportunities it affords us. Grant us the wisdom to be good stewards of this liberty, that we may foster justice, unity, and compassion within our communities. Bless our nation, our leaders, and all those who have sacrificed to protect our freedoms. May this holiday serve as a reminder of the values that bind us together as one nation under God. Amen. Wishing you a wonderful week leading up to the Fourth of July and...
Dad Is a Verb - Ryan Malawy 6.21.26
Think about all the people who helped shape you into the person you are today. Chances are, it wasn't just one person. It may have been a parent, a teacher, a coach, a neighbor, an uncle, or a family friend. In their own way, each stepped into your life with presence, encouragement, and loving guidance, reminding you that you didn't have to face life alone. It's in these moments that we realize God often works through a whole community of people. His love becomes tangible through those who show up, invest in us, and help us become who we are...
Music Series: Happy Father's Day 6.21.26
The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's Choir
Today's music series features a musical medley as a special tribute to all Dads, Stepdads, Grandfathers, and all Father figures!
The featured songs today are:
Our Father (The Lord's Prayer) You Raise Me Up (Lovland/Graham)A Glimpse of Something Holy - Fr. Pat McGrath 6.14.26
Do you ever find yourself unexpectedly emotional when listening to a beautiful song? Maybe it's at a concert when thousands of voices join together, and suddenly you feel something stirring deep within you. Or perhaps you've gotten teary-eyed watching a loved one walk across a graduation stage, hearing a moving speech, or witnessing an act of kindness that seemed to restore your faith in humanity. Maybe it happens while standing before a breathtaking piece of art, watching a sunset over the water, or stepping into a sacred space that leaves you speechless. In those moments, it's almost as if a...
So Much Can Happen at the Table - Fr. Tom Hurley 6.7.26
Think about the last time you gathered around a table with family or friends. Maybe it was a holiday meal. Maybe it was dinner after a long day. Maybe it was coffee with a friend. Whatever the occasion, chances are it involved more than food. Around the table, stories were shared. Laughter erupted. Memories were made. And perhaps there were even difficult conversations, tears, or moments of healing. There's something powerful about a table. It brings us together. It unites. We arrive hungry, but we leave with more than a full stomach. We leave feeling connected. Nourished. Reminded that we...
Music Series: One Bread One Body, Holy Is Your Name, Go Light Your World 6.7.26
The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's Choir
The featured songs today are:
One Bread One Body Holy Is Your Name Go Light Your WorldCreated for Connection - Fr. Jack Wall 5.31.26
Have you ever felt lonely? Not just physically alone, but disconnected and unseen. Like you're moving through life without a real sense of belonging. It's a curious paradox of modern life. We can live in a city of millions yet still feel isolated. We can spend our days on video calls, emails, and text messages and go hours—or even days—without a meaningful face-to-face conversation. We live in an age of unprecedented connection, and yet many people are experiencing unprecedented loneliness. Why? Perhaps it's because, deep down, we were never meant to live as isolated individuals. At our very core...
Music Series: Go Be Justine, For the Healing of the World, In the Breaking of the Bread 5.31.26
The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's Choir
The featured songs today are:
Go Be Justine For the Healing of the World In the Breaking of the BreadFrom Fear to Peace - Fr. Pat McGrath 5.24.26
What is one thing in your life right now that you are not doing because you are afraid? Maybe you are afraid of failing. Afraid of what others might think. Afraid of being judged, rejected, or not being enough. Maybe you are afraid of letting someone down, getting hurt, or stepping into something uncertain. Fear has a way of locking us up. It convinces us to stay quiet, small, and hidden. But think about the moments in your life when you did push past the fear. What helped you move forward? Maybe it was encouragement from someone you trusted. Maybe...
Divine Empathy - Fr. Ed Foley 5.17.26
Have you ever had the chance to care for someone? Maybe professionally as a nurse or doctor, or maybe in a personal way — caring for a sick child, helping a spouse recover after surgery, or supporting a bedridden friend. When someone is unable to care for themselves fully, you become their hands and feet. You bring the medicine, prepare the meals, offer comfort, run errands, and help them heal. Their well-being depends, in part, on your willingness to show up with love, compassion, and empathy.
And often, the most healing part of care is not the task it...
Music Series: Only This I Want, I Will Be The Vine, I Am For You 5.17.26
The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's Choir
The featured songs today are:
Only This I Want I Will Be The Vine I Am For YouBloom & Grow Forever - Maura Keller 5.11.26
At first glance, The Sound of Music is a musical filled with singing children, rolling hills, and catchy songs. But underneath it all is something much deeper: a story about choosing strength in difficult times…having the integrity & moral courage to do what’s right…creating beauty in the middle of fear… and building a home filled with love in a world that feels uncertain. And maybe that’s why the story continues to resonate so deeply today. Because many people are carrying a sense of heaviness right now — politically, socially, and spiritually — as so much about the future feels uncertain. But...
What Happens When You Stop Holding Back Love - Fr. Paul Novak 5.3.26
What happens when you stop holding back love? Have you ever caught yourself doing it—holding back just a little? Not saying the kind thing. Not reaching out. Not fully showing how much you care… because somewhere in the back of your mind, there’s that quiet thought: What if I get hurt? It’s a natural instinct. We protect ourselves. We think if we keep some distance—if we don’t give too much—then maybe we won’t feel the sting of rejection, loss, or disappointment. But what if holding back love doesn’t actually protect us? What if it slowly does...
Music Episode: Sing A New Church, Holy Spirit We're Calling You, Ever We Praise You 5.3.26
The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's Choir
The featured songs today are:
Sing A New Church Holy Spirit, We're Calling You Ever We Praise YouLove Who You Are: Trust What’s Within You - Fr. Paul Novak 4.26.26- Fr. Paul Novak 4.26.26
Do you ever wonder why your dreams are what they are? Why certain goals have always stayed with you… even when they don’t quite make sense? Why you’re drawn to certain subjects or certain activities? Sometimes those desires can feel foolish, maybe even impractical… or even a little childish. And you may dismissed them, thinking they won’t lead anywhere, won’t make a difference or won’t make any money. And maybe these dreams just keep coming back—and you’re not sure why. We all carry desires, hopes, and expectations—and they’re not random. They’re rooted in who we are...
Music Episode: Healing Time On Earth, Love Is the Boat, Hope Will Not Fail 4.26.26
The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's Choir
The featured songs today are:
Healing Time on Earth Love Is the Boat Hope Will Not FailJesus Was Added to the Chat - Fr. Pat McGrath 4.19.26
Have you ever had a time when you were casually messaging with a coworker online, typing whatever came to mind—and then suddenly you saw the notification: “Your boss was added to the chat”… along with the entire chat history!? Your heart dropped. You started scrolling up to see everything you said—every complaint, every offhand comment—and you thought, If I had only known my boss would see this, I might have spoken a little differently. In a way, that moment reveals something important. It makes you more aware of your words, tone, and of what you’re really saying. Now im...
Music Series: Instrumental Piece, Eye Has Not Seen, I Am For You 4.19.26
The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's Choir
The featured songs today are:
Calming Instrumental Piece Eye Has Not Seen I Am For YouThere’s Always a Way Back to Peace - Fr. Paul Shelton, SJ 4.12.26
There are moments in life that shake us to the core. You can feel it—not just in your mind, but in your body. The fear. The pressure. The quiet voice that wonders, am I enough? The uncertainty of change. The hesitation to be fully known. It’s disorienting… like walking through a mirror maze on a tilted floor—nothing feels steady, and you’re not quite sure which way is forward. And when we feel that way, something shifts in us. We turn inward. We isolate. We lose patience. We become reactive, anxious… even agitated. Most of us don’t lose our fai...
Music Series: How Great Thou Art, Gather Us In, Ever We Praise You 4.12.26
The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's Choir
The featured songs today are:
How Great Thou Art Gather Us In Ever We Praise YouFaith Before Understanding - Fr. Michael Rossmann 4.5.26
When a newborn enters the world for the first time everything is unfamiliar. There’s noise, light, movement—nothing makes sense. The only response is to cry, to reach, to react. And yet, in that moment of total vulnerability, there are arms waiting. Loving. Steady. Certain. Meeting us exactly as we are. Maybe faith is a little like that. Not something we arrive at fully formed or fully understanding—but something we grow into. Just like birth, Easter doesn’t begin with certainty—it begins in the dark. With Mary in the garden, searching and not yet recognizing. With disciples who believ...
Music Series: Happy Easter!
The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's Choir
Happy Easter! The featured songs today are:
Hallelujah Chorus How Can I Keep From Singing? To Where You AreWhen Holding On Is Holding You Back - Fr. Pat McGrath 3.29.26
Music Series: Blessed Be, Here In This Place, A Pilgrim's Journey 3.29.26
The Old St. Pat's Music Series Is Brought To You By The Old St. Pat's Choir
The featured songs today are:
Blessed Be Here In This Place A Pilgrim's JourneyStill Waiting for a Sign? - Fr. Pat McGrath 3.22.26
When you’re on a long road trip, there’s a certain comfort in the signs along the highway. You know the ones — a sign a few miles out letting you know a rest stop is ahead… and then another right before the exit. One to alert you, and one to remind you. That’s usually all you need to trust it’s there. But imagine if, instead, there were one hundred signs between you and that exit. At some point, it wouldn’t feel reassuring — it would feel unnecessary… maybe even a little ridiculous. And yet, in our spiritual lives, we often wa...