Men of the Hearts

Fr. Jeff Allen

March 30th, 2023  |  Season 1  |  56 mins 37 secs

“Discernment is a win-win situation!” Fr. Jeff Allan brings his insights and wisdom to today’s episode of Men of the Hearts. Fr. Craig Giera and Fr. David Pellican invite Fr. Jeff to share his vocation story, and how God moved the priesthood from “fourth to first” on his list of dreams for his future. Fr. Jeff explains his two chapters of discerning the priesthood, and now how his ministry as a hospital chaplain has opened his heart to the Holy Spirit’s activity through him.

Exciting News from Fr. David Pellican

February 27th, 2023  |  Season 1  |  47 mins 54 secs

“Do you know His voice? If you’re not praying, you’re never gonna know your vocation.” Today’s guest Fr. David Pellican joins his host Fr. Craig Giera in discussing Fr. David’s new assignment to study sacramental theology in Rome. Together, they revisit Fr. David’s vocation story, this invitation by Archbishop Vigneron to study for the sake of our future priests and the joyful adventure of freely following God’s plan for your life.

Fr. Salvatore Palazzolo

January 27th, 2023  |  Season 1  |  57 mins 51 secs

“It’s not time wasted. There’s no loss in discernment.” Fr. Craig Giera is joined by Fr. Salvatore Palazzolo, a canon lawyer for the Archdiocese of Detroit. Together they dive into Fr. Sal’s vocation story. While studying mechanical engineering, Fr. Sal went through a conversion experience after moving home with his parents. The search for Truth brought Fr. Sal into the faithful practice of his faith, daily Mass, and studying the Church. After hearing the Lord in prayer, and a car accident, Fr. Sal entered seminary.

Mr. John Pratt

January 3rd, 2023  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 3 mins

“Marriage is good. And priesthood is good. And how do you choose between two goods? God will guide you if you faithfully seek him out.” Fr. Craig Giera and Fr. David Pellican are joined by Fr. David Pellican's brother-in-law Mr. John Pratt to discuss discerning a vocation. John considered the priesthood from an early age, but felt the Lord draw him toward marriage. His insights into prayer, desire for true fulfillment and the surrender to God’s will are inspiring.

Fr. JJ Mech

November 29th, 2022  |  Season 1  |  59 mins 33 secs

catholic, discernment, priesthood, seminary

“I thought my life was going to end when I entered seminary, but it really began once I got there.” Fr. Craig Giera and Fr. David Pellican are joined by Fr. J.J. Mech, rector at Detroit’s Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. Together, they discuss the role of art in our churches and encountering the Lord. Fr. J.J. shares his vocation story, his parent’s reaction to him entering seminary, and how he’s been fulfilled and filled with joy in his vocation as a priest.

Fr. Cy Whitaker S.J.

November 1st, 2022  |  Season 1  |  54 mins 50 secs

“It’s not about what you do, it’s about who you are.” Fr. Craig Giera and Fr. David Pellican are joined by Fr. Cy Whitaker, S.J. This powerful discussion covers the early seeds of a vocation in Fr. Cy’s childhood, the loss of his father, joining the Jesuits at age 40, and his role as a spiritual director at Sacred Heart Major Seminary. Be inspired as Fr. Cy describes the priest’s identity as more important than the work he does and as he offers encouragement to all men discerning.

Fr. Perrin Atisha

September 30th, 2022  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 5 mins

discernment, priesthood, seminary, vocation

“Find Jesus in the Eucharist. If you want to know what God wants, go to Him.” Fr. Craig Giera and Fr. David Pellican are joined by Fr. Perrin Atisha who shares his journey to ordination at age 26 for the Chaldean Eparchy of St. Thomas the Apostle. Through a powerful retreat in high school, time in Eucharistic Adoration, his father’s approval of his vocation, and a trip to Iraq, God showed Fr. Perrin that he was called to the priesthood. Now Director of Vocations, Fr. Perrin gives valuable insight into the heart of a priest and discernment 101. “We don’t need perfect men. We need men who are in love with God.”

Fr. Matt Hood

September 9th, 2022  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 3 mins

discernment, priesthood, seminary, vocation

“Never be afraid to accept your vocation. Because God will supply what we need.” Fr. Craig Giera and Fr. David Pellican are joined by Fr. Matthew Hood. Together they discuss Fr. Matt’s journey from asking big questions about the Faith in high school to being ordained a priest. After spending eight years in seminary, Fr. Matt has served the Archdiocese of Detroit in parish and school ministry. He offers advice for men discerning: “If God has given you even the smallest desire for the priesthood, pursue it. That doesn't happen often.”

Bishop Fisher

July 29th, 2022  |  Season 1  |  46 mins 1 sec

catholic, discernment, priesthood, vocation

“Don’t be afraid.” Fr. David Pellican welcomes Bishop Robert Fisher, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit, to Men of the Hearts. In this episode, they discuss His Excellency’s journey to the priesthood. He first considered the priesthood at age 10, but that thought was pushed away by a desire for marriage and a job in the business world. After serving at a summer camp in college, he felt his faith reawakened. Though not having full clarity, he entered seminary and took it one year at a time before being ordained in 1992. Bishop Fisher also shares about serving as Director of Priestly Vocations and how he found out Pope Francis selected him to be a bishop.

Fr. John Kopson

June 29th, 2022  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 7 mins

"Whatever you need to hear the voice of God, if you're open to it, God's gonna talk to you." Join Fr. Craig Giera as he welcomes Fr. John Kopson, who shares his journey to the priesthood. After leaving college seminary with a desire for more certainty in his vocation, Fr. John began working at a nursing home as a Certified Nurse Assistant. After an encounter with a dying priest, Fr. John experienced the Lord giving him the grace and clarity he needed to return to the seminary and ultimately, be ordained to the priesthood. This episode of Men of the Hearts closes with encouragement for men discerning to surrender to the Lord, and He will satisfy their desires.

Bishop Donald Hanchon

May 31st, 2022  |  Season 1  |  57 mins 18 secs

catholic, detroit, priest, vocation

“Can I really be happy doing this?” Join hosts Fr. Craig Giera and Fr. David Pellican as they welcome Bishop Donald Hanchon, a Detroit native brimming with wisdom for vocational discernment. His Excellency shares his story of feeling called to the priesthood in grade school, attending high school seminary, and the questions and fears he faced along the way. A significant health concern in college seminary threatened his studies and brought him before Jesus in the Eucharist, a moment in which the Lord confirmed his vocation, “From your mother’s womb, I have called you.” Bishop Hanchon reminds us that God’s call for our life will bring us joy and satisfaction.

Msgr. Tim Hogan

May 3rd, 2022  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 1 min

catholic, detroit, priest, vocation

If you think the priesthood is boring or mundane, this episode of Men of the Hearts is for you. Monsignor Tim Hogan shares the journey the Lord has brought him from being a medic in the military, to religious life, to diocesan priesthood as a Navy chaplain, including being airdropped from a helicopter to offer Mass on nine different ships. “These people really wanted a chaplain, they wanted Mass, they wanted Confession, they wanted to talk with someone.” Join hosts Fr. Craig Giera and Fr. David Pellican as they marvel at the Lord’s spirit of adventure and the unknown plans God has for each man thinking about the priesthood.

Divine Child Priests: Fr. Bob, Fr. John, Fr. David

April 4th, 2022  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 1 min

This episode of Men of the Hearts is full of priestly fraternity, two inspiring vocation stories, and encouragement against fears of inadequacy related to the priesthood. Join hosts Fr. Craig Giera and Fr. David Pellican as they welcome Fr. David’s fellow Divine Child Parish clergy, Fr. Bob McCabe and Fr. John Dudek. Each shares his own vocation story, how to overcome “analysis paralysis” and fears related to returning to school in seminary, and how gifts are never wasted in a priestly vocation. “God is calling us to expand our comfort zone.”

Fr. Tim Birney's Vocation Story

March 1st, 2022  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 8 mins

catholic, detroit, priest, vocation

In this 12th episode of Men of the hearts, Fr. David and Fr. Craig welcome a priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit, Fr. Tim Birney. Fr. Tim shares his journey to the priesthood that began with family life centered around his parish. A high school assignment was a catalyst to encountering God’s call to serve God as a Catholic priest. The priests discuss an active discernment group in the archdiocese, what seminary really is, how to approach fears surrounding discernment, as well as advice to men discerning. The podcasts closes with an acronym to sumup how to encourage healthy and holy vocations. Take a listen!

Celebrating the Mass

January 12th, 2022  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 4 mins

Fr. Craig and Fr. David take a deep dive into the mystery of offering Mass from a priest’s perspective. They share about their own experiences with saying the Mass, both their first Masses and in recent days during sickness. Fr. Craig shares how a Gospel passage addressed his fears of the priesthood as well as stories of epic priests over the years. Together they reflect on the feeling of unworthiness when discerning the priesthood and God’s ability to use our smallness to feed His people.

Fr. John Riccardo

December 8th, 2021  |  Season 1  |  59 mins 29 secs

catholic, detroit, priest, vocation

Fr. Craig and Fr. David host Fr. John Riccardo, who shares his vocation story which led him to the priesthood, including hearing God speak to him, journeying to Rome, and how what he considers his “conversion experience” continues to develop his faith life to this day.