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In this issue we look at agricultural work as a vocation. While outside of the traditional view of vocation as either marriage or religious life, being a farmer or rancher is also a distinct calling from God to work with him in the garden of creation. You will read about families who are agricultural leaders in their communities, as well as a couple who turned to farming in their retirement. You will also read an enlightening article about how attentiveness to creation is necessary to understanding Scripture.

The Vocation of the Agricultural Leader Food, Faith, and the Environment (Summer 2022)

Catholic Rural Life has sought to strengthen the bonds between urban and rural communities since our founding more than 90 years ago. In this issue, we celebrate the urban-rural connections through various stories of those who remain &ldquo;rural at heart&rdquo; even after one or two generations removed from their rural roots. We also take a look at those who share an affinity for the agrarian lifestyle because of their concern for healthy foods and a healthy planet. Still, we remain concerned that urbanization and industrialization can disrupt our rural foundations. Through our programs and mission, CRL works for greater solidarity between urban and rural life.

Rural at Heart: Celebrating the City-Country Connection (Winter 2016)

Join us as we explore the fascinating life of Paul Casey, a Catholic cowboy, wrestler, and dedicated teacher. Discover his journey from Ireland to Wyoming, his unique approach to horsemanship, and the values that shape his life and work.

The Journey of a Catholic Cowboy (Paul Casey) Ep 5

Fall is my favorite time of year. I love the cooler weather, the beautiful colors of the leaves, hot and steamy soup for dinner, and of course, football. Recently, my family was able to savor all of these things on a week&rsquo;s getaway to the Black Hills of South Dakota. We were fully immersed in rural life, having to drive 11 miles of winding gravel roads just to get to our cabin, periodically stopping so that free-range cattle could cross the road. My children loved the beautiful landscape and the deer in our front yard every morning.
In this issue, we see many families choosing to move to the country precisely for the life they want to give their children. They view their move back to the land as a step forward toward a more wholesome and grounded life, one that is in-tune with their creator. We see a couple marvel at how all 10 of their children chose an agricultural life, something very unheard of today! We also see how God is more powerful than a family land dispute, bringing healing and peace to a family. There&rsquo;s the beautiful story of a woman and her horse, and how the horse turned her into a morning person. And finally, for anyone who is thinking about farming, we have included a 10-step guide to making the leap.

Forward to the Land: Rural Life Movement Among the Young (Fall 2021)

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Fourth Child Syndrome - Ep 129

Join us for an inspiring conversation with John Chick, a former professional football player turned faith-driven prison minister. Discover how his journey of faith, discipline, and service is transforming lives behind bars and fostering community through his Iron Saints program.

From the NFL to Prison Ministry (John Chick) Ep 6

In this issue, we are interested in the beauty of rural life and how that inspires rural artists. We look through the lens of writers, poets, painters, and musicians, as they share their personal experiences of craft, practice, and inspiration. We pose the question, &ldquo;How does rural life inspire your work?&rdquo;

Rural Inspirations: Reclaiming Beauty, Culture and Tradition (Summer 2018)

Matthew is joined by author and homesteader, Jason Craig to discuss the challenges and joys of homesteading in today's consumerist, suburbanized culture, by reconnecting to our natural roots in family, community, and the land itself. This conversation explores the deep reasons behind the modern interest in small farming and homesteading, emphasizing natural human inclinations, cultural roots, and practical steps for starting a land-based lifestyle.

Homesteading and Building a Village with Jason Craig

Fr. Bryce is joined by North Dakota cowboy, Jonathan Marohl. He gives a powerful testimony of his love of the Catholic faith and his lifelong journey of faith, surrender, and healing.

Living the Catholic Cowboy Way (Jonathan Marohl) Ep 9

In this episode, seminarian and rodeo cowboy, Carson Kitaif, shares his journey from a rodeo family background to seminary, exploring the intersection of faith and cowboy life. We discuss the challenges and blessings of staying Catholic in the cowboy world, and how faith shapes his identity and vocation. #catholic #discernment #rodeo #cowboy #faith

Family, Faith, and Rodeo (Carson Kitaif) - Ep. 13

In this issue of CRL Magazine, we were intrigued by the idea of &ldquo;tithing&rdquo;. In the course of investigating the meaning of tithing, we found that there are so many ways to give of oneself. We discovered through many beautiful personal experiences that the value of the gift is truly in the heart.

Offering Our First Fruits: The Value of the Gift is in the Heart (Winter 2018)

In this issue of&nbsp;CRL Magazine, we look deeply into the problem of &ldquo;preservation.&rdquo; In rural communities preservation is an especially important issue and has many facets: family, tradition, religion and resources. Through personal experiences from across the country, we show how the rural population of Native Americans is working hard to preserve their culture, spirituality, sacred foods, agricultural techniques, land and water.

The Sacredness of Water: Preservation, Tradition, Culture and Hope (Fall 2017)

In this episode of the Catholic Passage podcast, John interviews Sam Estrada, a Catholic artist and storyteller whose work bridges faith and creativity. Sam shares his journey from a young artist inspired by family to creating graphic novels that depict the lives of saints. He discusses his time in religious life, the challenges of transitioning back to lay life, and how he found love while discerning his vocation. Sam emphasizes the impact of his art on youth and the importance of using one's talents for God. He also shares insights into his future projects and the lessons he's learned about faith and creativity.

Saints, Superheroes, and Evangelizing through Art with Sam Estrada

As Catholics try to navigate a more polarized and fractured American society, CRL wanted to highlight some of the beautiful stories of rural communities coming together to support one another and increase unity. First and foremost, there&rsquo;s a recap of CRL&rsquo;s Anniversary Gala, a celebration of the community CRL has built. You&rsquo;ll also read about the Eucharistic Revival Pilgrimage that has stretched across the country, uniting young and old, rich and poor, urban and rural, all in the name of Jesus Christ. Then there&rsquo;s a tear-jerking story of a community coming together to support a farmer friend during a heart transplant. And lastly, lest we forget about the community of saints in heaven, we bring you a story of a big-hearted North Dakota prairie girl whose cause for sainthood is being investigated by the Church. May this issue remind you of all the beautiful people in your community, inspiring you to see anew Christ in your neighbor.

Building Community: Seeing Christ in One Another (Summer 2024)

Dr. Christopher Thompson, professor of moral theology and academic dean at St. Paul Seminary, spoke at Catholic Rural Life's 100th Anniversary about integral ecology and theology of creation.

Dr. Christopher Thompson

In this issue, CRL also takes the time to look at various areas of rural life with new eyes. There are stories about new ways to look at rural evangelization, as well as a story about Catholic converts who started to see God (and their gardens) in a new way after spending time working in Creation. This issue also includes a longer, but quite interesting, article summarizing what international historical figures saw when they visited rural America. It is a fascinating read, I hope you enjoy it! Lastly, there&rsquo;s a beautiful article about the power of place, written by Father Jim Schmitmeyer, one of CRL&rsquo;s favorite authors.&nbsp;

Though the Lens of Faith (Spring 2023)

In this issue, Catholic Rural Life (CRL) takes a journey through the past 100 years of our organization since its founding in 1923 by Fr. Edwin V. O&rsquo;Hara. Delve into the decades that have shaped CRL, exploring the moments that define our commitment to faith, love, and service. Our magazine features a compelling article by Fr. Jim Schmitmeyer, sharing profound insights on Thriving in Rural Ministry. His reflections offer a deep understanding and a sense of wonder about the unique challenges and joys of rural ministry. As we celebrate this monumental milestone, don&rsquo;t miss the event details for our 100th Anniversary gathering on May 8th, 2024, in St. Paul, Minnesota. Join us as we honor a century of impactful service and set the stage for the inspiring chapters yet to unfold.

Celebrating 100 Years (Fall 2023)

In this episode, we explore the intersection of faith, spirituality, and everyday life through personal stories and practical insights. Our guest shares how his faith informs his decisions, especially in challenging moments like insomnia and temptation, offering valuable lessons on abiding in God and spiritual resilience. In this episode, Fr. Bryce and Jake share deeply personal stories and insights on spiritual warfare, overcoming addiction, and the importance of brotherhood in faith. They explore practical steps for battling pornography, the power of confession, and the role of mercy and grace in recovery. #catholic #faith #recoveryjourney #faithoverfear #virtue

Abide in God: Faith, Temptation, and Manly Virtue (Jake Hostetler) - Ep. 14

Catholic dairy farmer and social media content creator Dan Venteicher talks about his journey away from and back to the Catholic faith he was born into. After becoming atheist in his teenage years, Dan converted to being a fervent evangelical in college. From there, Dan and his wife went on a years long journey of seeking the truth and God's will that finally brought them to the Catholic Church.

Becoming Catholic Again: How Protestantism Led Me Home

Father Zane Pekron is another cowboy Catholic priest, from the Diocese of Rapid City, South Dakota. On this episode, Fr. Zane shares his journey from ranching to priesthood, his unique cowboy priest identity, and how his background enriches his ministry. Discover inspiring stories, practical insights, and the joy of living out faith in everyday life.