His Own Words

The Beatitudes

Sun, 04 May 2008 18:31:52 -0600

Jesus preached the Beattitudes as a model for better living. Living The Beatitudes can be contrary to our instincts at times, and it takes effort. Nevertheless, Jesus promised that whoever practiced The Beatitudes would be blessed. Bishop Wester reflects on living The Beatitudes.

Religious Life

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 17:32:05 -0600

Priests, brothers and sisters can belong to any one of hundreds of different religious orders. What, then, is the difference between all of religious orders? How would one discern which order to choose? Which religious orders are there for women? Bishop Wester answers those questions and more in this episode of His Own Words.

Reconciliation

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 20:10:20 -0600

Jesus's most transforming gift to humankind was the gift of his forgiveness as wrought through his death and resurrection. The grace of Jesus's forgiveness is available through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, yet more often these days Catholics pass up this Sacrament. Bishop Wester joins us to share with us why he thinks this Sacrament gets over-looked more often, and reasons why integrating more of this Sacrament into our Catholic lives would be a blessing.

The Pope

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 16:21:02 -0600

Beyond having a cool Pope-hat and the ever enviable Pope-mobile, what else do you know about the Pope? How do they elect him? What might you call the Pope if you were to meet him? Bishop Wester joins us to answer these questions and others.

Abide In Christ

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 17:58:17 -0600

Being grounded in reality is one thing, but how hard is it, though, for us to remain grounded in Christ most of the time? Christ is the one for whom and through whom all things came to be. How often, then, do we Abide in Christ, the center of our Christian reality? Here today, just a little while after his one year anniversary in Salt Lake, Bishop Wester joins us to talk about his Episcopal motto, "Abide in Christ."

Easter Celebration

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 15:56:36 -0600

Listen to Bishop Wester as he shares with us the joy and the power of the Easter message, a message that conquers death and gives us new life. A message that can also sustain us through our darkest days and months.

Lent

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 01:55:19 -0700

Bishop Wester reflects on the meaning, the purpose and the history of Lent in the Church.

Advent

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 15:02:28 -0700

With Christmas not to far off, the pressure is on to wind ourselves up over every little thing that's really not that important. Bishop Wester joines us to talk about Advent and the real reason for the season.

Vocations

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 14:11:09 -0700

The call to a vocation within the church is increasingly missed in the distraction of our society. Join us today then, with Bishop Wester as he talks a lot about religious vocations, vocational discernment, our seminarians, priests from out-of-country and a little bit about when Bishop Wester decided to become a priest.

Prayer

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:12:24 -0600

Easy to forget in the bustle of our busy week, making time to pray each day doesn't have to be an obligation, but rather it can be refreshing and centering. Bishop Wester joins us to talk about prayer in our everyday lives.

School Vouchers

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 01:55:05 -0600

The divisive issue of school vouchers looms on the ballot, a measure that could potentially allow more families the choice of a private (and Catholic) education. A measure, though, that critics wage would harm the financial health of the public school system. Bishop Wester joins us this podcast to share his thoughts and illuminate the matter.

Immigration part two

Fri, 13 Jul 2007 15:13:48 -0600

Continuing the conversation on immigration from our last episode, Bishop Wester calls to mind the care we all need to show to all people, regardless of their legal status -- and especially to immigrants.

Immigration part one

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 16:17:48 -0600

This week we begin a two-part series on one of the elephants in the modern American political debate. A few weeks ago, it was at the top of the conversation list. Now it seems its under the carpet again. Immigration, or, more precisely, how we account for and treat people. This is a question about humanity.

Fathers

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 16:14:54 -0600

Among the many important things fathers do, there are lessons which we, their children, learn as testified in any story about fathers — even in the life of Christ. Three, to be precise. And its these same three qualities that extend to the best characteristics of our own fathers, who we honor this weekend in our national celebration of Fathers Day. What are they? This is the focus of this fifth issue of His Own Words, the podcast of Bishop Wester.

Neophytes

Wed, 06 Jun 2007 17:11:14 -0600

As we approach the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, the period of mystagogia has already come to an end for those who were received into the Church at Easter, and the neophytes are beginning their lives as Catholics. This is what we're going to talk about in this fourth issue of His Own Words, the podcast of Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City.

Eucharist

Wed, 30 May 2007 15:21:39 -0600

Think about it: What does the Eucharist mean to you? In this third issue of His Own Words, Barbara Lee, editor of the Intermountain Catholic, asks Bishop Wester several questions which may sound familiar. Why is the Sunday Eucharist important? What does it mean to say "the Mass never changes"? What if I feel connected to God in my garden or in the mountains?

Music: "Coenantibus autem illis," by Juan de Lienas. Choir of the Cathedral of the Madeleine and Gregory Glenn. Recorded May 29, 2005, Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ.

Mothers

Wed, 16 May 2007 16:14:18 -0600

In this second issue of His Own Words, Bishop Wester reassures us our mothers are not like everyone else and that no matter how many dozen rose bushes you may try to plant before she wakes up to a perfectly clean house and breakfast in bed, there is much, much more beyond appearances.

Easter

Wed, 09 May 2007 16:26:07 -0600

What is Easter, and how does it affect us? Join the Intermountain Catholic for the inaugural broadcast of His Own Words, the poddcast of Bishop John C. Wester, newly installed bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City.