The Catholic Files

About The Catholic Files

"Welcome, to the The Catholic Files, where we can come together as a community of faith to reflect, pray, and grow in our journey with Christ. My name is Father Sean Donnelly. This podcast is born out of a desire to share the beauty of our Catholic faith, to explore God's Word, and to discover how His love transforms our lives. Each week, we'll delve into topics that inspire, challenge, and encourage us to live as disciples of Jesus in today's world. Whether you're a lifelong Catholic, someone exploring faith, or simply seeking hope and connection, you are warmly welcome here. As we begin this new journey, let us take a moment to open our hearts to the presence of God in prayer." Description: Join Fr. Sean Donnelly of Immaculate Conception Parish in Madison, Ohio as he discusses "everything about the Catholic faith" Fr. Donnelly covers a vast range of topics including the core beliefs like the Trinity, the divinity of Jesus Christ, the importance of the sacraments (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony), the role of the Bible and Church tradition, the teachings on morality, the concept of the Church as the Body of Christ, the Virgin Mary, the Saints, prayer practices, the meaning of Mass, and the Church's stance on social issues, all grounded in the historical development of the Catholic Church and its interpretation of scripture.

Publisher

Fr. Sean Donnelly

Category

religion & spirituality · religion & spirituality

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

19 Jan 2025

Latest episode

1 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

103 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   1 Sept 2026

   The Catholic Files with Fr. Donnelly - THE LORD JESUS - Episode 23

   THE LORD JESUS On the Unicity and Salvific Universality of Jesus Christ and the Church In this week's episode of The Catholic Files, Fr. Sean Donnelly continues his journey through the writings of Saint Pope John Paul II, exploring one of the most important and often misunderstood teachings concerning Jesus Christ, salvation, and the mission of the Catholic Church. This week focuses on Dominus Iesus - "On the Unicity and Salvific Universality of Jesus Christ and the Church." At the heart of this teaching is a fundamental question of the Christian faith: Who is Jesus Christ, and what does His saving mission mean for the whole world? Fr. Donnelly looks at the Church's universal mission, beginning with Christ's command to His disciples: "Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature." - Mark 16:15 Jesus did not simply leave His followers with a message. He commissioned the Church to proclaim the Gospel, baptize all nations, and teach everything He commanded. This episode explores the Church's proclamation of the mystery of the Holy Trinity, the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, His Passion, Death, Resurrection, and the salvation He offers to all humanity. Fr. Donnelly also examines why the Church remains committed to evangelization and why Saint Paul's words continue to challenge Christians today: "Preaching the Gospel is not a reason for me to boast; it is a necessity laid on me: woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel!" -1 Corinthians 9:16 As we continue through the writings associated with the teaching of Saint Pope John Paul II, this episode invites us to reflect more deeply on the uniqueness of Christ, the universal mission of the Church, and the responsibility of every Christian to faithfully proclaim the Gospel. Join Fr. Donnelly for "The Lord Jesus" on The Catholic Files as we continue this journey through the teachings and writings of one of the great saints and teachers of our time.

2. 

   19 Aug 2026

   The Catholic Files - Redemptionis Sacramentum - w/ Fr. Sean Donnelly

   The Catholic Files with Fr. Sean Donnelly What does the Church ask of us when we come before Jesus in the Most Holy Eucharist? In this episode of The Catholic Files, Fr. Sean Donnelly explores Pope Saint John Paul II and Redemptionis Sacramentum — The Sacrament of Redemption an important document addressing matters that are to be observed and avoided regarding the celebration of the Most Holy Eucharist. Promulgated during the pontificate of Saint John Paul II, Redemptionis Sacramentum calls the Church to a deeper reverence, faithfulness, and love for the Eucharistic mystery. Join Fr. Donnelly as he examines why the Eucharist must always be treated with the profound reverence due to Christ truly present among us, and why the Church's liturgical practices matter. The Catholic Files discovering the wisdom of the Catholic faith and the teachings of the Church. Come learn. Come reflect. Come closer to Christ in the Eucharist. #TheCatholicFiles #FrDonnelly #JohnPaulII #RedemptionisSacramentum #Eucharist #Catholic #CatholicFaith #MostHolyEucharist #RealPresence #ImmaculateConceptionChurch

3. 

   4 Aug 2026

   The Catholic Files, Fr. Sean Donnelly - Born from the Heart of the Church

   In this episode of The Catholic Files, Fr. Sean Donnelly explores Pope Saint John Paul II's powerful Apostolic Constitution Ex Corde Ecclesiae — "Born from the Heart of the Church", his landmark teaching on the identity and mission of Catholic universities. Fr. Donnelly reflects on John Paul II's conviction that authentic education must be rooted in the fearless search for truth. A Catholic university is more than a place to earn a degree or prepare for a career. It is a community where faith, reason, science, philosophy, culture, and the human experience can come together in pursuit of the whole truth—ultimately recognizing that God is the source and fulfillment of all truth. Rather than being enemies, faith and reason illuminate one another and help the human person understand who we are, why we are here, and how we are called to live. At the heart of John Paul II's message is an urgent challenge that remains deeply relevant today: education must serve human dignity, freedom, justice, and the common good. Catholic institutions must never be afraid of intellectual inquiry, because the Church recognizes truth as an ally and reason as a servant of faith. As Christ proclaimed, "I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life." Join Fr. Donnelly as he examines why Pope John Paul II believed Catholic education, born from the very heart of the Church, has an essential mission—to form minds capable of seeking truth, hearts prepared to receive it, and men and women ready to bring the light of Christ into the world. Read it here https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_jp-ii_apc_15081990_ex-corde-ecclesiae.html For more information about the Catholic Files: https://www.iccmadison.com/season3

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

6 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

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Guest appearances

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