Red Dirt Catholics

Bold Simplicity: Drawing People in with Truth and Tradition

Text us and let us know what you think! Tap HEREIn this episode, Jayce and James share real stories of bringing people into the Church with a question, like an agnostic who came for the music and said yes to OCIA after a gentle ask; a seeker who loves liturgy but hesitates because of family wounds; a friend wrestling with the Eucharist and the early Church. Along the way, they name what’s working—and why. Reverent worship that lets people pray without a sales pitch. Access to thoughtful sources like the Didache, the catechism, and the Church Fathers. A culture where the Holy Spirit leads and we follow with patience, courage, and love. Instead of trying to “win,” we learn to keep the door open, ask honest questions, and offer timely invitations.If you’ve ever wondered how to walk with someone who’s curious but cautious, this episode offers a field guide. They also cover thresholds of conversion, practical tools like a simple “pick five” intercessory list, and how to speak without jargon so friends actually hear the good news. Lastly, they talk about when to be bold, when to be quiet, and how prayer reshapes hard conversations. The result is a hopeful picture of evangelization grounded in beauty, truth and real friendship.************Links and other stuff from the show:Pastoral Letter, "On the Unity of the Body and Soul:" archokc.org/pastoral-lettersRed Dirt Catholics Email Address: reddirtcatholics@archokc.orgThe Book "From Christendom to Apostolic Mission" (Digital and Print): AmazonThe Social Dilemma: https://www.netflix.com/title/81254224Daily Examen Prayer: https://bit.ly/309As8zLectio Divina How-To: https://bit.ly/3fp8UTa

An Age of Extinction is Coming. Here's How to Survive. (ft. Chris Scaperlanda)

Text us and let us know what you think! Tap HEREIn this episode, Jayce and James sit down with Chris Scaperlanda, a father, attorney and friend, to wrestle with Ross Douthat's New York Times article, "An Age of Extinction is Coming. Here's How to Survive," all about how technology dulls desire, rewires dating, and thins out community, then offer concrete ways to choose presence, prayer, and embodied friendship. They strive to offer a grounded, hopeful take on resisting the virtual treadmill and building a human life that lasts.• why distraction deadens desire for God and others• tech as bottleneck replacing real practices with simulations• dating apps, risk, rejection, and thin relationships• McLuhan, Pascal, and the medium shaping attention• junk food analogy for addictive digital design• practical resistance: books, sports, gardens, live music• parenting guardrails and tech-free formation• community as inhale and exhale, parish at the center• prayer off the phone, rhythms that restore attention• ending with “choose life” as a daily practiceArticle: "An Age of Extinction is Coming. Here's How to Survive.": https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/19/opinion/extinction-technology-culture.html************Links and other stuff from the show:Pastoral Letter, "On the Unity of the Body and Soul:" archokc.org/pastoral-lettersRed Dirt Catholics Email Address: reddirtcatholics@archokc.orgThe Book "From Christendom to Apostolic Mission" (Digital and Print): AmazonThe Social Dilemma: https://www.netflix.com/title/81254224Daily Examen Prayer: https://bit.ly/309As8zLectio Divina How-To: https://bit.ly/3fp8UTa

FACT(s) of Mission | Part 1

Text us and let us know what you think! Tap HEREIn this episode, Jayce and James explore how the FACT framework (Faithful, Available, Contagious, Teachable) serves as both a barometer for disciple readiness and a personal examination tool for those leading others toward Christ.Have you ever wondered what truly makes someone ready to be a disciple-maker? This episode dives deep into the first half of the powerful FACT framework – Faithful and Available – that serves as both a barometer for discipleship readiness and a personal examination tool for spiritual growth.• Faithfulness includes alignment with Church teaching, honest acknowledgment of struggles, and consistent striving toward holiness• Being faithful requires humility and obedience rather than elevating personal opinions above Church teaching• True availability doesn't mean an empty calendar but rather a heart oriented toward what truly matters• Availability means being present in the moment, putting down phones, and prioritizing prayer despite competing demands• Our availability or lack thereof reveals "who we are bowing to" - what we truly worship• A "schedule conversion" may be necessary if we're too busy for prayer and silence• Seeking counsel from trusted friends provides essential perspective on our blind spots• Making even small adjustments can significantly align our lives more closely with Christ's call************Links and other stuff from the show:Pastoral Letter, "On the Unity of the Body and Soul:" archokc.org/pastoral-lettersRed Dirt Catholics Email Address: reddirtcatholics@archokc.orgThe Book "From Christendom to Apostolic Mission" (Digital and Print): AmazonThe Social Dilemma: https://www.netflix.com/title/81254224Daily Examen Prayer: https://bit.ly/309As8zLectio Divina How-To: https://bit.ly/3fp8UTa

Living Mission (ft. Jared Williams)

Text us and let us know what you think! Tap HEREIn this episode, Jayce and James are joined (again) by Jared Williams, a FOCUS missionary at the University of Memphis, who shares his transformative experience living on mission and the beautiful intersection between personal holiness and evangelization efforts on campus.• Campus outreach strategies including move-in assistance and root beer float stations• "The little way" of evangelization through genuine friendship and authentic relationships• Daily prayer routines incorporating Mass, holy hour, and rosary as the foundation of missionary life• Intercessory prayer as a powerful tool in campus ministry• The rewards of watching students embrace their faith and begin to lead others• Learning to surrender when faced with rejection or unexpected outcomes• How mission transforms the missionary even more than those being served• The inseparable connection between holiness and evangelistic mission• Practical ways anyone can build Catholic community in their parishReady to take the next step in your faith journey? Look into opportunities like Zeal in Oklahoma City, or simply introduce yourself to someone at your parish you've seen but never met. "You can't expect to have good Catholic community and grow in your faith if you're by yourself."************Links and other stuff from the show:Pastoral Letter, "On the Unity of the Body and Soul:" archokc.org/pastoral-lettersRed Dirt Catholics Email Address: reddirtcatholics@archokc.orgThe Book "From Christendom to Apostolic Mission" (Digital and Print): AmazonThe Social Dilemma: https://www.netflix.com/title/81254224Daily Examen Prayer: https://bit.ly/309As8zLectio Divina How-To: https://bit.ly/3fp8UTa

Real and Intentional Community (ft. Josh Paiement)

Text us and let us know what you think! Tap HEREIn this episode, Jayce and James are joined by Josh Paiement to discuss authentic community from its theological roots to practical application in our parishes and ministries. Building real community means moving beyond surface-level gatherings to sharing our authentic selves with one another.• Community finds its origin in the Trinity as the original communion of persons• The root word "communio" combines "with/together" and "gift/service" – pointing to communion as mutual contribution• Authentic community goes deeper than social activities to real relationship and vulnerability• Josh shares his step-by-step approach: meet individuals, befriend them, introduce to others, help them integrate• Taking off our "masks" and being vulnerable is essential but challenging for community building• A major pitfall is the "hot tub mentality" where communities become comfortable but closed and sterile• True community naturally leads to mission – without outward focus, communities stagnate• We need both "breathing in" (receiving formation) and "breathing out" (mission) for healthy community• Personal invitations and investments matter more than large events or programsWe invite you to reflect on your own approach to community. Are you keeping people at a surface level, or allowing yourself to be truly known? Consider one relationship you could deepen this week by taking a small step toward greater vulnerability.************Links and other stuff from the show:Pastoral Letter, "On the Unity of the Body and Soul:" archokc.org/pastoral-lettersRed Dirt Catholics Email Address: reddirtcatholics@archokc.orgThe Book "From Christendom to Apostolic Mission" (Digital and Print): AmazonThe Social Dilemma: https://www.netflix.com/title/81254224Daily Examen Prayer: https://bit.ly/309As8zLectio Divina How-To: https://bit.ly/3fp8UTa