Is it appropriate for priests to make jokes in their homilies?  How is Scripture meant to be preached in the Mass? Join us today for the latest podcast episode of Upfront With The Archbishop for a discussion with Archbishop Smith about homilies! We talk about the process of writing a homily, the principles of a good homily, the differences between public speaking and homily preaching, and how to engage with the homily as members of the congregation.Subscribe to our email list: Upfront UpdatesArchbishop Smith's HomiliesUpfront with the Archbishop is a weekly podcast seeking to bridge the gap between the hierarchy and the faithful by discussing the beauty, truth, and challenges of our Catholic faith. The podcast features our host Jenny Connelly, as well as Archbishop Richard Smith, of the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton Alberta.Produced by Matthew Bodnarek

Join us for an in-depth conversation about different interpretations of Vatican II, "liturgy wars" in the Western Church, how to stay focused on Jesus amid political division, Dr. Weigel's concerns about the Synod on Synodality, whether or not the viral YouTube documentary the Mass of the Ages about the Latin Mass is worth watching or not, and Dr. Weigel’s lastest book: To Sanctify the World: The Vital Legacy of Vatican II.Subscribe to our email list: Upfront UpdatesWatch the VIDEO version of this episode.Click HERE To buy Dr. Weigel’s book.Upfront with the Archbishop is a weekly podcast seeking to bridge the gap between the hierarchy and the faithful by discussing the beauty, truth, and challenges of our Catholic faith. The podcast features our host Jenny Connelly, as well as Archbishop Richard Smith, of the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton Alberta.Produced by Matthew Bodnarek

This week we are taking a break from our regular episodes but next week we have a special episode with George Weigel, one of Catholicism's most renowned journalists and authors. We'll be talking about some issues that are bringing division into the Church and how to stay focused on Our Lord, Jesus.Click here to sign up for Upfront Updates to stay in the loop on upcoming podcast events and new episodes!Upfront with the Archbishop is a podcast where we seek to bridge the gap between the hierarchy and the faithful by discussing the beauty, truth, and challenges of our Catholic faith. Featuring Archbishop Richard Smith (Archdiocese of Edmonton, AB) and our host Jenny Connelly. Produced by Matthew Bodnarek.Produced by Matthew BodnarekSocial Media Links:FacebookInstagramTwitterYoutube

What are Archbishop Smith’s top 3 favorite international travel destinations?His Grace has had the opportunity to travel all over the world and today he shares about the places that have impacted him most: The Holy Land (specifically the house of the High Priest Caiaphas where Jesus was held overnight before his death), the burial place of St. Peter in Vatican City and Lima, Peru, where he encountered poverty in a life-changing way.Click here to sign up for Upfront Updates to stay in the loop on upcoming podcast events and new episodes!Upfront with the Archbishop is a weekly podcast seeking to bridge the gap between the hierarchy and the faithful by discussing the beauty, truth, and challenges of our Catholic faith. The podcast features our host Jenny Connelly, as well as Archbishop Richard Smith, of the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton Alberta.Produced by Matthew BodnarekSocial Media Links:FacebookInstagramTwitterYoutube

Are we not taking fasting seriously enough?Join Archbishop Smith and Jenny Connelly as they discuss the ancient spiritual discipline of fasting. What is fasting? Why is it such an important part of our Catholicism?This episode speaks about how restricting our bodies can help our souls flourish, the relationship between fasting and joy, fasting and spiritual warfare, alternative ways to fast during Lent and how giving things up can help us surrender to the goodness and power of God.Click here to sign up for Upfront Updates to stay in the loop on upcoming podcast events and new episodes!Upfront with the Archbishop is a weekly podcast seeking to bridge the gap between the hierarchy and the faithful by discussing the beauty, truth, and challenges of our Catholic faith. The podcast features our host Jenny Connelly, as well as Archbishop Richard Smith, of the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton Alberta.Produced by Matthew BodnarekSocial Media Links:FacebookInstagramTwitterYoutube

What happens when a group of bishops breaks unity with the universal church? Is the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops just another bureaucracy? Archbishop Smith was the president of the CCCB from 2011-2013 and on today’s episode our host jenny and Archbishop Smith have an in-depth conversation about conferences of bishops and how these conferences impact – for good and bad – Catholics in the Edmonton Archdiocese and all throughout the world. Main highlights of the conversation: What is the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and why is it relevant to the local Church? Does the CCCB get tied down by red tape and bureaucracy?What happens when a conference of Bishops starts to clash with the Vatican? Or when bishops are no longer in unity with the universal Church? Can bishops change Catholic theology? What happens when Bishops don’t get along with one another?Should lay people take messages and publications by the CCCB seriously? How much authority does a Bishop’s conference actually have?Click here to sign up for Upfront Updates to stay in the loop on upcoming podcast events and new episodes!Upfront with the Archbishop is a weekly podcast seeking to bridge the gap between the hierarchy and the faithful by discussing the beauty, truth, and challenges of our Catholic faith. The podcast features our host Jenny Connelly, as well as Archbishop Richard Smith, of the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton Alberta.Produced by Matthew BodnarekSocial Media Links:FacebookInstagramTwitterYoutube

Youth camps have been paused in the Archdiocese of Edmonton since 2019. What is the future of youth camp ministry in the Archdiocese? What communication issues and concerns regarding camps have arisen over the past five years – and how can we do better in the future? Join Archbishop Smith, Camp Director Fr. Marc Cramer, Camp Coordinator Mike Landry and our podcast host Jenny Connelly for a candid conversation about why youth camps closed down in the Archdiocese, the frustrations, grief and communications concerns that have been faced with the temporary closure of camps, transparency regarding the money spent on camps, whether the Archbishop sees youth ministry as a priority in the Edmonton Archdiocese and the long-expected reopening of Archdiocesan youth camp ministry this summer! Pray for the team of passionate and devoted individuals who are leading the way forward with the re-opening of youth camp ministry in our Archdiocese this summer.Click here to sign up for Upfront Updates to stay in the loop on upcoming podcast events and new episodes!Camp Links:Our Lady of Victory Camp WebsiteSummer 2023 RegistrationCamp Donation PageCamp Flocknote to if you would like email updates.Email Contact: camps@caedm.caCamp Ministries 2023 Relaunch PlanSave the date"Celebrate & Say Goodbye: Camp Encounter"May 27th, 2023Email judyannkramer@gmail.com  if you would like to help or want more information.Upfront with the Archbishop is a weekly podcast seeking to bridge the gap between the hierarchy and the faithful by discussing the beauty, truth, and challenges of our Catholic faith. The podcast features our host Jenny Connelly, as well as Archbishop Richard Smith, of the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton Alberta.Produced by Matthew BodnarekArchEdmonton Social Media Links:FacebookInstagramTwitterYoutube

We held our second LIVE recording event at St. Joseph's College on the University of Alberta campus this week and had an electric Q&A. His Grace dove into facing doubt in University, apostolic boldness, and holding on to our fundamental relationship with Jesus, especially during challenging times. Click here to sign up for Upfront Updates to stay in the loop on upcoming podcast events and new episodes!Upfront with the Archbishop is a weekly podcast seeking to bridge the gap between the hierarchy and the faithful by discussing the beauty, truth, and challenges of our Catholic faith. The podcast features our host Jenny Connelly, as well as Archbishop Richard Smith, of the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton Alberta.Produced by Matthew BodnarekSocial Media Links:FacebookInstagramTwitterYoutube

Today on the podcast Archbishop Smith is speaking about having a holy relationship with sensual pleasure. Food, entertainment, sexuality - how do we exercise temperance towards the experience of pleasure? How can pleasure draw us closer to Christ, rather than farther away? Today we are on the third and final episode of our “Embrace Limit” miniseries. There are many different parts of being a Catholic that can seem to limit our freedom, and therefore limit our happiness. But if we look a little closer, sometime the parts of being a follower of Christ that can seem most constraining are the parts that lead to the most freedom and joy! Embrace Limit is a miniseries that explores why the limits of our Catholic faith can lead us to a life of limitless joy and freedom.Our first Embrace Limit episode focused on the Catholic Church’s teachings on sexuality, including the definition of marriage, contraception and sex outside of marriage. Last week's episode focused on the Catholic concept of vocation. Click here to sign up for Upfront Updates to stay in the loop on upcoming podcast events and new episodes!Social Media Links:FacebookInstagramTwitterYoutubeUpfront with the Archbishop is a weekly podcast seeking to bridge the gap between the hierarchy and the faithful by discussing the beauty, truth, and challenges of our Catholic faith. The podcast features our host Jenny Connelly, as well as Archbishop Richard Smith, of the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton Alberta.Produced by Matthew Bodnarek

“Being limited is something our current world is raging against.”There are many different parts of being a Catholic that can seem to limit our freedom, and therefore limit our happiness. But if we look a little closer, sometime the parts of being a follower of Christ that can seem most constraining are the parts that lead to the most freedom and joy! Embrace Limit is a miniseries that explores why the limits of our Catholic faith can lead us to a life of limitless joy and freedom.Last week's Embrace Limit episode was focusing on the Catholic Church’s teachings on sexuality, including the definition of marriage, contraception and sex outside of marriage. Today's episode focuses on the Catholic concept of vocation. Next week's final episode is focused on having a holy relationship with pleasure.Click here to sign up for Upfront Updates to stay in the loop on upcoming podcast events and new episodes!Social Media Links:FacebookInstagramTwitterYoutubeUpfront with the Archbishop is a weekly podcast seeking to bridge the gap between the hierarchy and the faithful by discussing the beauty, truth, and challenges of our Catholic faith. The podcast features our host Jenny Connelly, as well as Archbishop Richard Smith, of the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton Alberta.Produced by Matthew Bodnarek

“Being limited is something our current world is raging against.”There are many different parts of being a Catholic that can seem to limit our freedom, and therefore limit our happiness. But if we look a little closer, sometime the parts of being a follower of Christ that can seem most constraining are the parts that lead to the most freedom and joy! Embrace Limit is a miniseries that explores why the limits of our Catholic faith can lead us to a life of limitless joy and freedom.Today's episode of Embrace Limit is focusing on the Catholic Church’s teachings on sexuality, including the definition of marriage, contraception and sex outside of marriage. Episode 2 will focused on the Catholic concept of vocation. And the final episode is focused on having a holy relationship with pleasure.Click here to sign up for Upfront Updates to stay in the loop on upcoming podcast events and new episodes!Social Media Links:FacebookInstagramTwitterYoutubeUpfront with the Archbishop is a weekly podcast seeking to bridge the gap between the hierarchy and the faithful by discussing the beauty, truth, and challenges of our Catholic faith. The podcast features our host Jenny Connelly, as well as Archbishop Richard Smith, of the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton Alberta.Produced by Matthew Bodnarek

"O Lord, give what you command, and command what you want."This week we explore one of Archbishop Smith's favourite saints, Augustine of Hippo! Discussing the different heretics and heresies he confronted in his day, we also look at how they still have an influence in today's culture.Click here to sign up for Upfront Updates to stay in the loop on upcoming podcast events and new episodes!Show Links:St. Augustine BioPelagianism ExplainerUpfront with the Archbishop is a weekly podcast seeking to bridge the gap between the hierarchy and the faithful by discussing the beauty, truth, and challenges of our Catholic faith. The podcast features our host Jenny Connelly, as well as Archbishop Richard Smith, of the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton Alberta.Produced by Matthew Bodnarek

"He was for me a constant point of reference." In this special bonus episode Archbishop Smith recalls the times he met and talked with the late Pope Benedict XVI, and reflects on what his enormous contribution to the church has meant to him as a priest and bishop.Click here to sign up for Upfront Updates to stay in the loop on upcoming podcast events and new episodes!Links:Pope Benedict WritingsArticle: Benedict XVI RememberedChristmas Resource Page!Upfront with the Archbishop is a weekly podcast seeking to bridge the gap between the hierarchy and the faithful by discussing the beauty, truth, and challenges of our Catholic faith. The podcast features our host Jenny Connelly, as well as Archbishop Richard Smith, of the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton Alberta.Produced by Matthew Bodnarek

We're talking about our Blessed Mother today! Having just celebrated the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God we get the Archbishop to give a crash course in how to have a relationship with Our Lord's mother. What does that look like? How is it possible? Are their limits?Click here to sign up for Upfront Updates to stay in the loop on upcoming podcast events and new episodes!Visit our Christmas Resource Page!Record your question/feedback for the Archbishop at the link below using the SpeakPipe widget, or send it to podcast@caedm.caUpfront with the Archbishop is a weekly podcast seeking to bridge the gap between the hierarchy and the faithful by discussing the beauty, truth, and challenges of our Catholic faith. The podcast features our host Jenny Connelly, as well as Archbishop Richard Smith, of the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton Alberta.Produced by Matthew Bodnarek

"It's easy to fall into the trap, when a microphone is in front of you, to start thinking; what script am I supposed to be following? You risk becoming inauthentic."Archbishop Smith was in the media quite a bit this year! In our year end review He takes a look at how he approached the media, and reflects on the many historic events that occurred this year:The Canadian Papal Delegation to the VaticanThe End of Pandemic Restrictions on WorshipThe Papal Visit to CanadaThe War in UkraineCatholic Near East Welfare AssociationClick here to sign up for Upfront Updates to stay in the loop on upcoming podcast events and new episodes!Visit our Christmas Resource Page!Record your question/feedback for the Archbishop at the link below using the SpeakPipe widget, or send it to podcast@caedm.caUpfront with the Archbishop is a weekly podcast seeking to bridge the gap between the hierarchy and the faithful by discussing the beauty, truth, and challenges of our Catholic faith. The podcast features our host Jenny Connelly, as well as Archbishop Richard Smith, of the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton Alberta.Produced by Matthew Bodnarek

"Fall on your knees, where salvation history finds it's fulfillment."Thanks to our listeners request, Archbishop Smith reveals the truth behind the many liturgies celebrated for the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord. Midnight Mass, Mass at Dawn, Christmas/Easter Catholics, and some funny stories about past Christmas's are all part of this joyous episode.Looking for Christmas Mass times in the Archdiocese of Edmonton? Click here to find a mass near you!Sign up for Upfront Updates to stay in the loop on upcoming podcast events and new episodes.Visit our Advent Resource Page!Record your question/feedback for the Archbishop at the link below using the SpeakPipe widget, or send it to podcast@caedm.caUpfront with the Archbishop is a weekly podcast seeking to bridge the gap between the hierarchy and the faithful by discussing the beauty, truth, and challenges of our Catholic faith. The podcast features our host Jenny Connelly, as well as Archbishop Richard Smith, of the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton Alberta.Produced by Matthew Bodnarek

"Am I stewarding my eyes? Am I stewarding my ears? What am I allowing into my thinking by what I choose to see and listen to?"This week Archbishop Smith speaks specifically to what our Catholic faith can bring to the conversation around anxiety. Can we find healing through the spiritual realities of our faith, most especially the Eucharist?Click here to sign up for Upfront Updates to stay in the loop on upcoming podcast events and new episodes!Visit our Advent Resource Page!Record your question/feedback for the Archbishop at the link below using the SpeakPipe widget, or send it to podcast@caedm.caUpfront with the Archbishop is a weekly podcast seeking to bridge the gap between the hierarchy and the faithful by discussing the beauty, truth, and challenges of our Catholic faith. The podcast features our host Jenny Connelly, as well as Archbishop Richard Smith, of the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton Alberta.Produced by Matthew Bodnarek

"Being a Christian is an intentional reality today."In this special episode Archbishop Smith is joined by Bishop-Elect Gary Franken to talk about his upcoming episcopal ordination for the Diocese of St. Paul Alberta. Some of the topics in this broad interview include forming priests with emotional maturity, the difference in seminaries, and swimming against cultural currents.Click here for more information on Bishop-Elect Gary Franken!Click here to sign up for Upfront Updates to stay in the loop on upcoming podcast events and new episodes!Visit our Advent Resource Page!Record your question/feedback for the Archbishop at the link below using the SpeakPipe widget, or send it to podcast@caedm.caUpfront with the Archbishop is a weekly podcast seeking to bridge the gap between the hierarchy and the faithful by discussing the beauty, truth, and challenges of our Catholic faith. The podcast features our host Jenny Connelly, as well as Archbishop Richard Smith, of the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton Alberta.Produced by Matthew Bodnarek

Click here to sign up for Upfront Updates to stay in the loop on upcoming podcast events and new episodes!Visit our Advent Resource Page!Hurry up and Wait..."Advent is not just getting ready for the Christmas celebrations." This week Archbishop Smith sets the record straight on Advent, it's true meaning, and what modern day pitfalls to avoid leading up to Christmas.Record your question/feedback for the Archbishop at the link below using the SpeakPipe widget, or send it to podcast@caedm.caUpfront with the Archbishop is a weekly podcast seeking to bridge the gap between the hierarchy and the faithful by discussing the beauty, truth, and challenges of our Catholic faith. The podcast features our host Jenny Connelly, as well as Archbishop Richard Smith, of the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton Alberta.Produced by Matthew Bodnarek

Click here to sign up for Upfront Updates to stay in the loop on upcoming podcast events and new episodes!Archbishop Smith Goes to Ireland!After a much needed break, Archbishop Smith sits down to to talk about his recent trip to Ireland. A great conversation on rediscovering cultural and family roots, trusting in God, and the joys of a pint of Guinness.Record your question/feedback for the Archbishop at the link below using the SpeakPipe widget, or send it to podcast@caedm.caUpfront with the Archbishop is a weekly podcast seeking to bridge the gap between the hierarchy and the faithful by discussing the beauty, truth, and challenges of our Catholic faith. The podcast features our host Jenny Connelly, as well as Archbishop Richard Smith, of the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton Alberta.Produced by Matthew Bodnarek