Catholic Diocese of Saginaw Podcast
Religion & Spirituality
About
Talks and presentations to help you in your Catholic faith. We participate in activities of social justice, support the good works of persons locally and in other countries, prepare our children and young people to be faith-filled, responsible members of the community — and we do all this in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.The Catholic Diocese of Saginaw includes 56 parishes in 11 counties of Mid-Michigan.Our Mission Statement: Trusting in the Holy Spirit and nourished by the Eucharist, we, the faithful of the Diocese of Saginaw, are companions on the journey to share the love of Jesus Christ.
Episodes
- 'I am your forgiveness. I am your light. I am your resurrection.' Bishop Gruss' Easter message
- Holy Week is here—and this message will change how you enter it- Bishop Gruss' Lent 2026 Reflections
Holy Week is here—and this message will change how you enter it. After six weeks of Lenten reflections, Bishop Gruss shares a powerful invitation: don’t rush past this week. Stay with Jesus. This is the heart of everything—why He came, why…
- Bravery or conformity...which way do you live your Christian life? Bishop Gruss' Week 5 Lent 2026 Reflection
Bravery or conformity...which way do you live your Christian life? In this powerful Lenten reflection, you’ll hear a challenge most Christians avoid: -It’s not enough to be kind -It’s not enough to believe -The mission isn’t complete until…
- What is your "elevator speech" for Jesus? Bishop Gruss' Week 4 Reflection for Lent 2026
We often talk about our faith in general terms, but when someone asks how Jesus has personally changed your life, do you have an answer ready? In this week’s Lenten Reflection, we move from serving others to sharing our story. It is not a…
- Bishop Gruss: True Freedom Comes Through Surrender to God
Bishop Robert Gruss is inviting Catholics to reflect on one of the most challenging — and transformative — parts of the Christian life: surrendering completely to God. Speaking at the First Friday gathering at the Cathedral of Mary of the…
- Loving and serving our neighbor - Bishop Gruss' Week 3 Lenten reflection
- The critical importance of prayer, Bishop Gruss’ Week 2 Lenten reflection
In this week’s Lenten reflection, Bishop Gruss focuses on the significance of prayer in understanding and fulfilling God's will in our lives, particularly in the context of the mission of Jesus. Bishop Gruss asks, “How often do you pray se…
- What is Jesus’ mission? What is yours?- Week 1 Lenten Reflection by Bishop Gruss
Do you believe that God has created you and put you on this earth for a specific purpose with a specific mission for him? In this week’s Lenten reflection, Bishop Gruss discusses what is necessary to embrace the mission God has given you…
- Ash Wednesday Message: 'Is your heart on fire for the mission of our Lord Jesus?'
As we begin 2026 Lenten season, Bishop Robert Gruss invites us to hear Jesus’ call anew: “Repent and believe in the Gospel.” To believe in the Gospel means more than words — it means embracing the mission of Christ and carrying it into our…
- Bishop Gruss on fasting, including tips on fasting, how fasting helps us draw nearer to God, the Biblical roots of fasting and more
Bishop Gruss explores the significance of Lent, emphasizing the importance of preparation, desire, and the practices of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. In this talk, he encourages the faithful to prepare for Lent intentionally and highlig…
- Bishop Gruss' homily from the Closing Mass for the Jubilee Year
- Bishop Gruss: Christmas Eve Interview with Art Lewis on WSGW (Dec. 24, 2025)
Bishop Robert Gruss, known for his insightful and compassionate leadership in the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw, recently appeared on WSGW for a Christmas Eve interview. He shared his thoughts and reflections on the holiday season while talk…
- O Come Let us Adore Him! Bishop Gruss' Message for Christmas 2025
- Mary's posture of adoration- Bishop Gruss' reflection for Advent Week 4
Bishop Gruss: When we wait on God, we open ourselves up to a deeper intimacy with Him, even in the midst of uncertainty. You can view previous reflections here: https://saginaw.org/advent
- Mary's posture of waiting- Bishop Gruss' reflection for Advent Week 3
Bishop Gruss: In this season of Advent, have you been waiting for Christmas or longing for Jesus? This week we will reflect upon Mary’s posture of waiting. The length of an average pregnancy is forty weeks. After Mary gave her fiat – her s…
- Mary's posture of hospitality - Bishop Gruss' reflection for Advent Week 2
In any given week, how many anonymous Catholics are in the pews at the Mass in which you attend? When was the last time you went up to someone you did not know and introduced yourself to that person? As I mentioned last week, during this s…
- As Advent begins, Bishop Gruss offers weekly reflections on four postures of Mary - Week one, Mary’s posture of surrender
Bishop Robert Gruss: Our reflections will look at four postures of our Blessed Mother. It is my hope that during this season of Advent, Mary will lead us into her heart, a heart that longed with hopeful expectation of the Lord’s coming. As…
- Deacon Larry Gayton discusses march for migrants and refugees and Hispanic Mass on Art Lewis Show
On Oct. 23, Deacon Larry Gayton discussed the upcoming march for migrants and refugees and Hispanic Mass on the Art Lewis Show. At 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 25, faithful will gather for a solemn March for migrants and refugees. The march…
- What's your blueprint for growing in your spiritual life?
This is Bishop Gruss' homily during staff Mass at the Diocesan Center for Ministry on Sept. 25, 2025.
- Bishop Gruss homily from Thursday, Sept. 4
- Bishop Robert Gruss and Charles Warner Interview on the Art Lewis Show
- John Gonzalez discusses evangelization, Rescue Michigan and more during Ave Maria Radio Interview
John Gonzalez was interviewed by Vanessa Denha Garmo on Ave Maria Radio's "Epiphany" program. During the interview, John shares about evangelization, Rescue Michigan and more.
- Father Richard John shares about his journey to the priesthood, the importance of hope and our call to serve and evangelize on Ave Maria Radio's Epiphany show
Father Richard John shares about his journey to the priesthood, the importance of hope and our call to serve and evangelize. Parish of the Week: St. Dominic Parish in Saginaw is our Parish of the Week. Their Parochial Administrator, Fr. Ri…
- From the Secular to the Sacred: Preparing Your Heart for a True Encounter - First Friday Talk April 4, 2025 -
Bishop Gruss' presentation emphasizes preparing the heart for genuine encounters with God, highlighting the difference between viewing sacraments as mere events and experiencing them as personal encounters. Bishop Gruss addresses misconcep…
- Is your faith a ‘firsthand experience’ or a ‘second hand story?’
“When I was growing up, my family was never really much involved in parish life other than attending Mass on Sunday and Holy Days. As kids, we attended Religious Ed – back then it was called CCD. “As far as living out a life of faith in th…
- Where is your heart directed? Bishop Gruss' message for fifth weekend of Lent
A number of years ago, I was on a retreat with the other bishops of the United States and the retreat director posed a question to us – and perhaps it is a good question for everyone today. “Where is my heart directed?” It is a question th…
- Bishop Gruss discusses Scripture – Hearing God’s Voice through His Word
Through his words in Sacred Scriptures, the Lord reveals his hopes and dreams for us, each of us, as well as for your family and your faith community. How many of you want to know God’s hopes, dreams and plans for you, for your life? This…
- Bishop Gruss discusses growing in holiness and the upcoming men's conference
- John Gonzalez shares good news from Diocese as well his own faith journey during Ave Maria Radio Interview
- Bishop Gruss discusses Almsgiving – Living God’s Generosity
This episode is part of Bishop's Lenten series on six Spiritual Practices that will deepen our relationship with the Lord, helping us to live more fully the life the Lord seeks to give us – as a way of personal encounter.
- Father Andy LaFramboise discusses his new podcast, growing in faith, the Jubilee of Hope and more during Ave Maria Radio Interview
- Father Andy LaFramboise interview on WSGW's Art Lewis Show
Father Andy LaFramboise discusses his new podcast "Finding and Burying Again", vocations to the priesthood and more on WSGW's Art Lewis Show
- Listening to God's voice- homily from March 16
Bishop Gruss discusses listening to God's voice during his homily from Sunday, March 16.
- Bishop Gruss discusses fasting – a way to the heart of God
Fasting enables the Holy Spirit to reveal our true spiritual condition, our brokenness, leading to repentance and a transformed life – conversion. This video is part of Bishop's Lenten series on six Spiritual Practices that will deepen our…
- Bishop Gruss discusses what happens when the Pope dies (First Friday presentation)
During First Friday on March 7, Bishop Gruss discussed what happens when the Pope dies, including details about how the Conclave works, who participates and more.
- Bishop Gruss: What is the most fruitful activity in your life?
This is part of Bishop Gruss' six part Lenten series on spiritual practices that will deepen our relationship with the Lord, helping us to live more fully the life the Lord seeks to give us – as a way of personal encounter.
- "God is waiting with open arms and he's pleading with us to return to him..." Bishop Gruss' homily from Ash Wednesday Mass
- Bishop Gruss' homily from Sunday, Feb. 10, 2025
- Bishop Gruss discusses upcoming Come and See vocations gathering, discernment and more
Bishop Gruss was interviewed by Vanessa Denha Garmo on Ave Maria Radio's "Epiphany" program. During the interview, Bishop Gruss discussed the upcoming Come and See Dinner, the importance of family support in discernment, obstacles in the d…
- Bishop Gruss' homily on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
This homily was given by Bishop Gruss on Feb. 2, 2025 at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption.
- What we celebrate today, and what we heard over these past five weeks is the greatest love story in human history- The conclusion of Bishop Gruss' Advent series
The invasion of one kingdom by another kingdom is complete. As C.S. Lewis said, the rightful king has landed in disguise.
- God has rescued me. Now, what will be my response?- Fourth Sunday of Advent - RESPONSE - Bishop Gruss' Advent retreat
Yes, the Gospel is not just the Good News. It is Great News! Spectacular news! God has rescued me. Now, what will be my response?
- 'If we have been captured by the Enemy, what has God done about it?'- Bishop Gruss' Advent retreat series
'If we have been captured by the Enemy, what has God done about it?' What He has done is extraordinary - unbelievable Good News! This video is part of Bishop Gruss' Advent retreat. The purpose of this retreat is to lead us into a deeper re…
- 'Why is everything so obviously messed up?'
Look around at what has happened and is happening in our world today. Wouldn’t you agree that the world is a bit messed up today? Why is that? This is an important question to answer. Again, the purpose of this retreat is to lead us into a…
- What is Mary’s actual impact on the Church? Diocesan theologian discusses this on during Ave Maria Radio interview
"Dr. Dan Osborn from the Diocese of Saginaw explains his groundbreaking research project to gather data regarding Mary’s influence as Mother of the Church."- Ave Maria Radio
- 'Why is there something instead of nothing?' First Sunday of Advent - CREATED - Week Two of Bishop Gruss' Advent retreat
So many people today live as if there is nothing – nothing beyond this world. So many people today live as if there is no hope. The world is dire, and there is nothing anybody can do about it. Are you one of them? Well, the Lord God has th…
- Christ the King - Following the True Voice of the King, Week 1 of Advent Series
Bishop Gruss: Thank you for joining me as we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King and begin this six week retreat together all across the diocese. Again, the purpose of this retreat is to lead us into a deeper relationship with Jesus…
- Having a Biblical Worldview and Intro to Advent Series
Have you ever been overwhelmed by the Gospel? Secondly, what is the lens in which you view your life and our world? In other words, what is the lens of your personal reality?
- Bishop Gruss' discusses discernment during First Friday talk on Nov. 1, 2024
- Bishop Gruss discusses how to evangelize and the importance of evangelization during First Friday Talk on Oct 4, 2024