1 00:00:01,420 --> 00:00:02,350 Starting now. 2 00:00:03,050 --> 00:00:07,270 Commonalities where guests find common ground through uncommon 3 00:00:07,290 --> 00:00:10,910 conversations, politics, religion, finances, 4 00:00:11,010 --> 00:00:14,590 all the topics your grandmother told you not to discuss with friends. 5 00:00:14,930 --> 00:00:17,550 And now your host, Matthew Dowling, 6 00:00:17,770 --> 00:00:20,590 and today's guests on commonalities. 7 00:00:22,260 --> 00:00:26,190 Well, thanks for joining us today on commonalities. I'm your host, Matt Dowling, 8 00:00:26,190 --> 00:00:30,350 and I have a, uh, great guest for you today. We always, uh, 9 00:00:30,350 --> 00:00:35,190 have the tagline on the show saying that we talk about politics, religion, 10 00:00:35,730 --> 00:00:36,950 and finances, 11 00:00:36,950 --> 00:00:40,390 all the things your grandmother told you not to talk about with friends. 12 00:00:40,390 --> 00:00:43,110 And my grandmother as a young adult, uh, 13 00:00:43,110 --> 00:00:47,590 used to caution me when I would start a political conversation with friends, 14 00:00:48,120 --> 00:00:50,830 uh, not to talk about any of those three subjects. 15 00:00:50,830 --> 00:00:53,310 Today's subject is going to be religion, 16 00:00:53,770 --> 00:00:56,110 and I have a guest that is, uh, 17 00:00:56,110 --> 00:01:00,270 joining us telephonically today that many of you from Uniontown, 18 00:01:00,270 --> 00:01:05,230 or especially from Connorsville, may know from her recent work, uh, 19 00:01:05,510 --> 00:01:10,110 although she's working, uh, a little further out now. Mary Samy and Mary, 20 00:01:10,110 --> 00:01:11,230 are you there on the line? 21 00:01:12,360 --> 00:01:13,220 I'm here, Matt. 22 00:01:13,360 --> 00:01:17,140 Hey, Mary, thank you so much for joining me. Just to kind of preface things, 23 00:01:17,140 --> 00:01:22,060 Mary and I, uh, friendship goes back about 30 years as kids. 24 00:01:22,060 --> 00:01:25,380 We grew up <laugh>, uh, on the same, uh, 25 00:01:25,380 --> 00:01:29,740 two streets that were front and back with an alley in between. And, uh, 26 00:01:29,790 --> 00:01:34,780 we rode bicycles up and down that short alley, many, many a times. Yeah. So, 27 00:01:34,970 --> 00:01:36,580 Mary, why don't you, uh, 28 00:01:36,600 --> 00:01:40,060 why don't you give us a little bit of a self introduction. Tell us, uh, 29 00:01:40,060 --> 00:01:42,780 what you do and who you currently work for. 30 00:01:43,990 --> 00:01:46,760 Sure. First of all, thank you so much for having me, Matt. 31 00:01:46,760 --> 00:01:48,400 Those were great times in that neighborhood, 32 00:01:48,400 --> 00:01:53,240 and I often look back fondly on them. Um, so many kids that, 33 00:01:53,240 --> 00:01:57,360 you know, had so much fun with. So those were great times, 34 00:01:57,360 --> 00:02:00,240 great memories. Uh, but my name is Mary Samy. 35 00:02:00,240 --> 00:02:03,520 Currently I'm the youth and young adult minister at Christ, 36 00:02:03,520 --> 00:02:06,000 the Divine Shepherd for the Diocese of Pittsburgh. 37 00:02:06,000 --> 00:02:09,200 And those parishes are located in Monroeville and Penn Hills. 38 00:02:10,140 --> 00:02:12,440 But I am new to the Diocese of Pittsburgh. 39 00:02:12,870 --> 00:02:16,360 I am homegrown Uniontown girl, as Matt said, 40 00:02:16,460 --> 00:02:19,360 and I grew up in Uniontown. I went to St. John, 41 00:02:19,360 --> 00:02:21,200 the Evangelist Regional Catholic School, 42 00:02:22,490 --> 00:02:25,310 and I grew up as a Catholic. 43 00:02:25,310 --> 00:02:28,990 I've been Catholic my whole life since I was three weeks old and baptized 44 00:02:29,430 --> 00:02:32,270 <laugh> at St. Anne's in Ross Traver. 45 00:02:33,540 --> 00:02:37,480 And I went to school for Catholic Theology and Religious Education. 46 00:02:38,420 --> 00:02:41,800 And I also went to Franciscan to get my master's in Catholic theology. 47 00:02:41,800 --> 00:02:44,000 And I've been in full-time ministry, 48 00:02:44,380 --> 00:02:49,040 and that's been everything from pastoral ministry to Director of Faith Formation 49 00:02:49,340 --> 00:02:50,200 Evangelization, 50 00:02:51,060 --> 00:02:54,800 and currently youth and young adult minister for the last 13 years. 51 00:02:55,730 --> 00:02:56,400 So, Mary, 52 00:02:56,400 --> 00:03:00,400 one of the reasons I wanted to have you on is because I was was very excited to 53 00:03:00,400 --> 00:03:05,080 read on Facebook and on social media that you will be, 54 00:03:05,210 --> 00:03:05,830 uh, 55 00:03:05,830 --> 00:03:10,640 co-hosting a new podcast that's gonna be starting here very 56 00:03:10,640 --> 00:03:15,440 soon. Um, why don't you tell us a little bit about that project and, uh, 57 00:03:15,440 --> 00:03:19,600 and what people can expect if the, uh, decide to tune in. 58 00:03:19,600 --> 00:03:21,880 And also where can they they find this new podcast? 59 00:03:23,440 --> 00:03:27,090 Absolutely. So this is something that I've been wanting to do for a while. 60 00:03:27,400 --> 00:03:30,370 I talk about my faith a lot on social media. 61 00:03:30,480 --> 00:03:32,850 I think that it's really important for people to, 62 00:03:32,950 --> 00:03:34,730 not only Catholics but Christians, 63 00:03:34,730 --> 00:03:39,450 people of faith to realize that there are every single day people who 64 00:03:40,050 --> 00:03:42,930 struggle, who thin, who need God. 65 00:03:43,270 --> 00:03:47,090 And just because I work for the church doesn't mean that I need God any less 66 00:03:47,490 --> 00:03:47,980 <laugh>. 67 00:03:47,980 --> 00:03:52,610 So a lot of times I feel like I am almost that voice for those on the 68 00:03:52,610 --> 00:03:56,250 outside, um, that they can reach out to. A lot of times, 69 00:03:56,250 --> 00:03:57,730 especially in the Catholic faith, 70 00:03:57,730 --> 00:04:02,490 sometimes people feel uncomfortable reaching out to a priest at first. 71 00:04:02,550 --> 00:04:05,250 And so I try to be that listening ear for people. 72 00:04:05,260 --> 00:04:10,090 So I've been talking about religion for a long time in the public sphere, 73 00:04:10,670 --> 00:04:15,290 and I'm not afraid to talk about it. People know that I'm a woman of deep faith, 74 00:04:15,290 --> 00:04:17,930 and thankfully, most people respect that fact. 75 00:04:17,930 --> 00:04:20,530 And you can believe that if I walk into a room, 76 00:04:20,850 --> 00:04:25,130 we're probably going to talk about religion <laugh> at some point in that 77 00:04:25,130 --> 00:04:26,970 conversation. If I'm meeting you, 78 00:04:27,510 --> 00:04:30,370 and I've been wanting to do a podcast for a long time, 79 00:04:30,370 --> 00:04:34,650 but I thought it was really important to have the perspective as well, 80 00:04:34,650 --> 00:04:39,130 not only as a layperson in the church, but from our priests as well. 81 00:04:39,660 --> 00:04:42,130 So, um, there's a perspective for everyone. 82 00:04:42,130 --> 00:04:45,250 There's a perspective on what the Catholic Church says, teaches, 83 00:04:45,250 --> 00:04:49,850 believes as the apostolic authority of the church through our priests, 84 00:04:50,190 --> 00:04:55,130 but also as a perspective of a layperson as someone who's married has 85 00:04:55,130 --> 00:04:59,330 kids, who is a woman in the Catholic church in leadership. 86 00:05:00,020 --> 00:05:03,930 So it's going to be, we're gonna be talking about all the Catholic things, 87 00:05:04,270 --> 00:05:09,170 but also about Christianity in general and what we are called to as 88 00:05:09,170 --> 00:05:10,003 Christians, 89 00:05:10,150 --> 00:05:14,490 particularly who we are called to be as missionary disciples, 90 00:05:14,790 --> 00:05:18,930 and what we are supposed to be doing in the culture that we live in, 91 00:05:18,930 --> 00:05:22,530 in order to effectively be the disciples that were made to be. 92 00:05:23,470 --> 00:05:28,450 And your new podcast, if I'm correct, is titled From Sheep to Shepherd. 93 00:05:28,670 --> 00:05:32,570 And, uh, yes. And I think some of the, the items that, uh, 94 00:05:32,640 --> 00:05:37,170 that you just mentioned, uh, make that a, a, a great, uh, 95 00:05:37,600 --> 00:05:42,530 a great theme or a great title for your podcast. Now, in the first episode, 96 00:05:42,530 --> 00:05:44,490 you're gonna be talking, uh, 97 00:05:44,490 --> 00:05:48,410 about the woman at the well mm-hmm. <affirmative> and, uh, 98 00:05:48,420 --> 00:05:53,010 sharing some of your, as you said, some of your personal faith journey as well. 99 00:05:53,150 --> 00:05:55,970 Why don't you give us a little glimpse into, uh, 100 00:05:55,970 --> 00:06:00,040 what you'll be talking about or what you talk about with the woman at the well? 101 00:06:00,040 --> 00:06:00,873 Sure. 102 00:06:01,350 --> 00:06:04,840 Sure. So the first podcast is going to be on Monday, March the sixth, 103 00:06:04,840 --> 00:06:08,320 with which also happens to be my birthday. So I was really excited. 104 00:06:08,320 --> 00:06:11,440 I was going to get to share my personal faith story that day. 105 00:06:11,790 --> 00:06:14,360 It's going to be live on Facebook, on the Christ, 106 00:06:14,360 --> 00:06:17,960 the Divine Shepherd Facebook page, and on our YouTube channel, 107 00:06:18,180 --> 00:06:21,200 and it will also be available on Spotify. 108 00:06:22,180 --> 00:06:26,800 And so that first episode, we, I wanted to entitle it the woman at the well, 109 00:06:26,800 --> 00:06:29,120 because I used to write a lot of articles, 110 00:06:29,220 --> 00:06:32,400 and I usually would call myself the woman at the well. 111 00:06:32,400 --> 00:06:35,000 And if you're familiar with that story, which I know you are, Matt, 112 00:06:35,580 --> 00:06:37,120 the woman at the Wells, 113 00:06:37,120 --> 00:06:41,040 a story of a woman who did not have God in her life. 114 00:06:41,180 --> 00:06:45,280 She had been living in a way that was not, um, 115 00:06:45,280 --> 00:06:50,040 according to God's law. And in this moment or in her life, 116 00:06:50,180 --> 00:06:53,800 she meets Jesus. And she's a Samaritan woman, 117 00:06:53,800 --> 00:06:58,320 which means she is supposedly an, an enemy of the Jewish culture. 118 00:06:58,490 --> 00:07:03,040 So Jesus should not have been conversing with her at all. Number one, 119 00:07:03,040 --> 00:07:06,560 men would not usually converse with women one-on-one, that was a no-no, 120 00:07:06,560 --> 00:07:07,600 unless you were married. 121 00:07:08,380 --> 00:07:12,880 And he also meets this woman who is his enemy at this well, 122 00:07:12,880 --> 00:07:17,160 and he meets her where she is. He doesn't judge her. 123 00:07:17,570 --> 00:07:19,880 He, and he seeks her out. 124 00:07:20,780 --> 00:07:23,400 And through this conversation, 125 00:07:24,060 --> 00:07:28,920 she comes to realize that this Jesus is someone who can give her 126 00:07:28,920 --> 00:07:30,840 every single thing that she's always wanted. 127 00:07:31,780 --> 00:07:35,600 And I relate to that so much because growing up in the church, 128 00:07:36,110 --> 00:07:39,760 I went to church just like you, Matt. I was involved in youth group. 129 00:07:40,250 --> 00:07:44,400 We would go every Sunday there. It was a non-negotiable <laugh>. 130 00:07:46,220 --> 00:07:50,240 And I knew a lot about the faith because I went to 131 00:07:51,200 --> 00:07:52,033 Catholic school, 132 00:07:52,660 --> 00:07:56,280 but I didn't necessarily have relationship with Jesus. 133 00:07:56,780 --> 00:08:01,720 And I didn't realize that Jesus wanted to have a love relationship with me, 134 00:08:01,720 --> 00:08:05,480 and I didn't even think Jesus would want to have a relationship with me, 135 00:08:06,090 --> 00:08:09,120 or why would he care, um, 136 00:08:09,120 --> 00:08:12,720 with some of these things that I dealt with. And, you know, as a young person, 137 00:08:12,770 --> 00:08:17,440 we all struggle. We all go through things. And I was that young person. 138 00:08:17,670 --> 00:08:22,280 I was the typical college kid who liked to have fun, liked to party, 139 00:08:22,280 --> 00:08:25,720 liked to get into things, and I was not happy. 140 00:08:26,580 --> 00:08:31,160 And in this brokenness and in this sinful sinfulness, 141 00:08:31,270 --> 00:08:33,800 thankfully, I had an encounter with Christ, 142 00:08:34,430 --> 00:08:37,600 with the Jesus that basically said like, I love you, 143 00:08:37,990 --> 00:08:40,800 regardless of what's going on unconditionally. 144 00:08:41,460 --> 00:08:43,440 And because of that encounter, 145 00:08:43,470 --> 00:08:48,360 I was able to live my life for him in a way that I 146 00:08:48,360 --> 00:08:52,960 think hopefully would be pleasing to him, or at least I try to every day. 147 00:08:52,960 --> 00:08:57,720 Obviously, we all struggle with that and, and need him constantly. Um, 148 00:08:58,340 --> 00:09:03,160 but it was that encounter at the well where he just met me wherever I was and 149 00:09:03,160 --> 00:09:07,120 just said, I love you. Aren't you exhausted of living this way? Like, 150 00:09:07,120 --> 00:09:11,600 let me be that living water for your life and give you that joy 151 00:09:11,600 --> 00:09:16,520 everlasting. So that's what it's gonna be about. It's gonna be about, um, 152 00:09:16,760 --> 00:09:18,080 encounter with Jesus. 153 00:09:19,500 --> 00:09:23,760 And, uh, people can look for that March 6th, 2023. 154 00:09:23,760 --> 00:09:27,640 That'll be live at 10:00 AM again on the Christ, 155 00:09:27,640 --> 00:09:32,640 the Divine Shepherd Parish Facebook page and YouTube channel. Mary, 156 00:09:32,640 --> 00:09:34,680 uh, I do have more questions for you, 157 00:09:34,680 --> 00:09:38,120 but we have to get our first break in today. So, uh, 158 00:09:38,120 --> 00:09:41,880 we will pause to recognize our sponsors and we'll be right back. 159 00:09:44,820 --> 00:09:49,360 You are listening to commonalities where guests find common ground through 160 00:09:49,680 --> 00:09:50,840 uncommon conversations. 161 00:09:51,360 --> 00:09:54,960 We'll be back after this brief break to recognize our sponsors. 162 00:09:57,950 --> 00:09:59,920 When it comes to buying a home, 163 00:10:00,270 --> 00:10:03,360 what you see isn't exactly what you get. 164 00:10:03,750 --> 00:10:08,160 That's why home buyers should call Dave Dowling at Grandview 165 00:10:08,160 --> 00:10:12,840 Inspections at 7 2 4 2 0 8 4 1 0 8. 166 00:10:13,230 --> 00:10:16,680 You'll see colorful flowers, freshly painted walls, 167 00:10:16,970 --> 00:10:21,240 granite countertops, gleaming hardwood floors, and other touches. 168 00:10:21,590 --> 00:10:25,480 What you can't see is the cracks, ancient plumbing, 169 00:10:25,800 --> 00:10:27,040 dangerous wiring, 170 00:10:27,370 --> 00:10:32,320 or broken appliances that might be revealed when you hire a home 171 00:10:32,320 --> 00:10:35,960 inspector. 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Find us also on Facebook, 199 00:12:24,760 --> 00:12:26,080 Instagram, and Twitter, 200 00:12:26,410 --> 00:12:29,800 or email info coordinated three sixty.com. 201 00:12:35,480 --> 00:12:38,360 Hello, Uniontown Mayor, bill Gerkey. Here. 202 00:12:38,610 --> 00:12:42,520 There's nothing quite like the feeling of home, that sense of belonging, 203 00:12:42,680 --> 00:12:46,720 those fall Friday nights under the lights, those winter nights in the gym, 204 00:12:47,000 --> 00:12:51,000 watching our red Raiders, those refreshing spring afternoons at Bailey Park, 205 00:12:51,170 --> 00:12:54,200 rooting on our Red Raider, softball and baseball teams. 206 00:12:55,150 --> 00:12:59,000 I am grateful for those memories and hope our community's children and 207 00:12:59,000 --> 00:13:02,440 grandchildren can enjoy those memories too. But to do that, 208 00:13:02,440 --> 00:13:06,560 we have to plan for the future. During my first term in office, 209 00:13:06,560 --> 00:13:09,880 the city has got Bailey Park back to a place where we can be proud of. 210 00:13:10,640 --> 00:13:14,160 Begun our city's first comprehensive plan in over 20 years. 211 00:13:14,890 --> 00:13:17,880 Started work on the city section of the Sheep Skin Trail, 212 00:13:18,590 --> 00:13:22,800 worked on eliminating blighted properties and are rebuilding the city's 213 00:13:22,800 --> 00:13:26,720 neighborhoods. We've updated the faulty equipment in the parking garages, 214 00:13:26,820 --> 00:13:30,360 and we're bringing a more competitive, reliable, faster, 215 00:13:30,360 --> 00:13:33,600 and less expensive internet service to our city residents. 216 00:13:34,570 --> 00:13:39,160 We have done a lot, but there's still more to do. So I Bill Gerkey. 217 00:13:39,160 --> 00:13:44,040 I'm running for a second term. We're Uniontown proud, we're Uniontown strong, 218 00:13:44,380 --> 00:13:49,120 and together we can continue to rebuild Uniontown for the next generation. 219 00:13:51,150 --> 00:13:51,640 Paid. 220 00:13:51,640 --> 00:13:52,880 For by Mayor Bill Gerkey. 221 00:13:59,690 --> 00:14:00,950 Are you enjoying the program? 222 00:14:00,950 --> 00:14:05,150 You're listening to support commonalities and help keep us on the air by making 223 00:14:05,150 --> 00:14:07,950 a donation of five, 10 or $25, 224 00:14:08,200 --> 00:14:13,030 or any amount you feel comfortable sharing online@donate.commonalities.online. 225 00:14:13,190 --> 00:14:18,070 Again, that is donate.commonalities.online on the worldwide web. 226 00:14:18,290 --> 00:14:22,830 Buy our host a cup of coffee or help pay for airtime at donate dot commonalities 227 00:14:22,830 --> 00:14:23,663 online. 228 00:14:27,250 --> 00:14:30,070 I'm Melinda de LaRose. As an Assistant District attorney, 229 00:14:30,100 --> 00:14:33,990 I've protected Fayette County families and fought to uphold our constitutional 230 00:14:33,990 --> 00:14:37,030 rights. As a prosecutor entrusted local attorney, 231 00:14:37,030 --> 00:14:41,030 I've provided victims of crime with a strong voice and put criminals behind 232 00:14:41,030 --> 00:14:44,390 bars. My pledge to you as judge is to follow the law, 233 00:14:44,390 --> 00:14:46,710 always maintain the highest ethical standards, 234 00:14:46,710 --> 00:14:50,910 and to run a courtroom that's respectful of your time and tax dollars. 235 00:14:51,380 --> 00:14:54,440 I'm Melinda de LaRose asking for your vote for Judge. 236 00:14:54,440 --> 00:14:56,600 Paid for by Friends of Melinda de LaRose. 237 00:15:00,270 --> 00:15:04,880 You're listening to commonalities where guests find common ground through 238 00:15:05,200 --> 00:15:06,360 uncommon Conversations. 239 00:15:07,750 --> 00:15:10,840 Well, thank you for sticking with us. I'm your host Matt Dowling, 240 00:15:10,840 --> 00:15:14,280 and my guest today is Mary Samy. We're talking, uh, 241 00:15:14,280 --> 00:15:19,080 a little bit about religion as well as her new podcast that is 242 00:15:19,080 --> 00:15:23,880 going to be starting on, uh, the 6th of March, 243 00:15:24,450 --> 00:15:28,440 uh, where she will be, uh, co-hosting with, uh, 244 00:15:28,440 --> 00:15:32,680 with the priest from the Christ, the Divine Shepherd, uh, 245 00:15:32,680 --> 00:15:36,360 parish in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. And, uh, Mary, 246 00:15:36,360 --> 00:15:39,880 before we get too far into, um, 247 00:15:40,350 --> 00:15:42,400 into anything else about, uh, 248 00:15:42,420 --> 00:15:45,360 our faith backgrounds or our religion or your podcast, 249 00:15:45,910 --> 00:15:50,600 I want to take a moment to, uh, invite you and your family out to an event, 250 00:15:51,250 --> 00:15:55,360 um, that my wife Rebecca and I are putting on. And, uh, 251 00:15:55,360 --> 00:16:00,360 it is the the first annual Union town Pierogi party. Um, 252 00:16:00,360 --> 00:16:03,520 and, uh, it's gonna be a lot of fun. Uh, it's, 253 00:16:03,530 --> 00:16:06,440 we just put out a press release yesterday that, uh, 254 00:16:06,440 --> 00:16:08,200 that we're going to be doing this on Saturday, 255 00:16:08,200 --> 00:16:13,000 March 25th from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM In addition to 256 00:16:13,200 --> 00:16:17,000 inviting your family, we invite the community as well. Uh, 257 00:16:17,000 --> 00:16:21,320 we will be at the Uniontown Senior Center that's on North Beon Avenue in 258 00:16:21,320 --> 00:16:22,070 Uniontown, 259 00:16:22,070 --> 00:16:26,360 making Pierogis to feed 200 local senior citizens. 260 00:16:26,810 --> 00:16:28,120 Uh, over the, 261 00:16:28,120 --> 00:16:33,080 that week following that are at the Community Action Senior Centers in 262 00:16:33,080 --> 00:16:37,880 Fair Chance Bull Skin, the Mountain Area, and Uniontown. We did this, 263 00:16:37,970 --> 00:16:42,920 uh, back, uh, my wife and I, uh, with my parents and one other couple, couple. 264 00:16:43,210 --> 00:16:46,160 We did this during the vaccination stage of the pandemic, 265 00:16:46,460 --> 00:16:48,280 and we fed some of the, uh, 266 00:16:48,280 --> 00:16:53,080 the healthcare workers that were vol volunteering their time. Uh, 267 00:16:53,080 --> 00:16:57,880 at that point in time, I think we made a 23 dozen or so pierogis. 268 00:16:57,900 --> 00:16:59,000 But this time around, 269 00:16:59,020 --> 00:17:03,280 our goal is to produce a thousand pierogis in six hours, 270 00:17:03,300 --> 00:17:06,720 and we hope to have Wow. At least 30 volunteers. 271 00:17:06,720 --> 00:17:09,640 So if you and your kids or your husband, if you're, if you're available, 272 00:17:09,790 --> 00:17:13,160 please join us for that. And, uh, the general public, 273 00:17:13,610 --> 00:17:18,360 if you want some more information about that, you can visit, uh, 274 00:17:19,310 --> 00:17:23,600 http uh slash slash polish 275 00:17:23,900 --> 00:17:27,480 dot matthew d dowling.com or just visit my site, 276 00:17:27,490 --> 00:17:31,920 matthew d dowling.com. So Mary, I, I wanted love, 277 00:17:32,030 --> 00:17:33,640 wanted to, uh, 278 00:17:33,870 --> 00:17:38,720 wanted to get back to talking a little bit about our faith 279 00:17:38,720 --> 00:17:42,360 backgrounds and, uh mm-hmm. <affirmative>, you know, you, you mentioned that, 280 00:17:42,360 --> 00:17:46,400 uh, that you were a student at Franciscan University for your masters. Uh, 281 00:17:46,400 --> 00:17:48,400 while we weren't there together, uh, 282 00:17:48,400 --> 00:17:52,760 I was a theology and philosophy major at Franciscan University, 283 00:17:53,370 --> 00:17:57,920 uh, during my undergrad, so mm-hmm. <affirmative>, so I know the place well. Uh, 284 00:17:57,920 --> 00:18:02,520 you and I both grew up, uh, Catholic. We are, we're, yeah. You know, 285 00:18:02,520 --> 00:18:07,440 what would we would refer to as cradle Catholics? Yeah. Um, so we, 286 00:18:07,810 --> 00:18:12,400 we don't know, uh, really anything else. Although, you know, 287 00:18:12,400 --> 00:18:14,840 over my years I've had, uh, 288 00:18:15,280 --> 00:18:19,200 exposure to other faith backgrounds and mm-hmm. <affirmative> And have enjoyed, 289 00:18:19,250 --> 00:18:24,040 uh, worshiping and celebrating with, uh, people who are United, Methodist, 290 00:18:24,040 --> 00:18:27,520 and Baptist mm-hmm. <affirmative> and so forth. What I wanted to, you know, 291 00:18:27,520 --> 00:18:32,440 give you a chance to kind of expand upon is, you know, how can we, 292 00:18:32,440 --> 00:18:35,560 as Catholics, and in southwestern Pennsylvania, 293 00:18:35,560 --> 00:18:40,080 especially if you eat Pierogis on Friday, you're probably Catholic <laugh>. Um, 294 00:18:40,080 --> 00:18:41,040 you know, you, 295 00:18:41,140 --> 00:18:44,960 you can't throw a stone without hitting a Catholic in southwestern Pennsylvania. 296 00:18:45,410 --> 00:18:49,920 Uh, not, not that you'd wanna do that, but, uh, but that being said, 297 00:18:49,980 --> 00:18:50,813 you know, 298 00:18:50,820 --> 00:18:55,600 how are Catholics called to interface with our 299 00:18:55,600 --> 00:19:00,320 brothers and sisters in Christ who are of other denominations? And Yeah. 300 00:19:00,380 --> 00:19:04,360 And, you know, how do we go about, you know, as, as Catholics, 301 00:19:04,360 --> 00:19:09,280 I think sometimes we throw this immediate shield up, uh, yeah. To say, 302 00:19:09,780 --> 00:19:13,080 you know, we're right and, and, you know mm-hmm. <affirmative>, 303 00:19:13,290 --> 00:19:16,840 we wanna be defensive about, um, you know, 304 00:19:16,840 --> 00:19:20,240 the accusations that are sometimes made that, you know, 305 00:19:20,330 --> 00:19:24,640 we have statues in our churches, or we worship Mary, or things of that nature. 306 00:19:24,640 --> 00:19:29,160 Yeah. So, what's your advice to, to a Catholic who, uh, 307 00:19:29,160 --> 00:19:32,280 you know, may have friends of other denominations mm-hmm. <affirmative>, 308 00:19:32,300 --> 00:19:36,480 how can we still share our common faith, uh, yeah. 309 00:19:36,950 --> 00:19:37,783 With them? 310 00:19:39,360 --> 00:19:43,200 Great question. I'm so glad you wanna talk about this, because, you know, 311 00:19:43,200 --> 00:19:46,760 number one, we live in a world that is very anti-Christian in general, 312 00:19:47,560 --> 00:19:50,000 <laugh> in our culture. And so, to me, 313 00:19:50,000 --> 00:19:53,920 the fact that Christians are spending any amount of time 314 00:19:54,530 --> 00:19:58,440 arguing with each other is such a colossal waste of time, 315 00:19:58,450 --> 00:20:03,120 because we need to be united <laugh> like never before <laugh>. 316 00:20:04,010 --> 00:20:07,240 Um, there's just, there's no time to lose, you know, 317 00:20:07,330 --> 00:20:12,200 we should be spending time concentrating on the things that 318 00:20:12,200 --> 00:20:16,680 unite us. And there are misconceptions on both sides. You know, 319 00:20:16,680 --> 00:20:20,160 I'm not gonna say that I haven't heard Catholics, you know, 320 00:20:20,160 --> 00:20:23,840 say things like they're gonna pray for people that aren't Catholic, because, 321 00:20:23,840 --> 00:20:24,360 you know, 322 00:20:24,360 --> 00:20:28,320 they're of that generation where they truly believe if you are not Catholic, 323 00:20:28,580 --> 00:20:30,240 you are not gonna be in heaven. 324 00:20:30,240 --> 00:20:33,960 Which is not what the catechism of the Catholic Church says, 325 00:20:34,020 --> 00:20:37,200 but that's kind of what they grew up to believe. 326 00:20:37,540 --> 00:20:39,120 And then on the other side, 327 00:20:39,120 --> 00:20:43,040 you have misconceptions in the Protestant church of them saying that we're not 328 00:20:43,040 --> 00:20:47,680 really Christian, or that we believe that we have to work our way into heaven. 329 00:20:48,500 --> 00:20:52,120 And something that really helped me was actually when I started dating my 330 00:20:52,120 --> 00:20:56,640 husband, who grew up in the Protestant faith, and as a cradle Catholic, 331 00:20:56,710 --> 00:21:01,600 I had never really been exposed to any other form of worship outside of mass. 332 00:21:02,130 --> 00:21:04,800 So he took me to my first service, 333 00:21:04,800 --> 00:21:08,400 Christian service at the church that he had been going to. 334 00:21:08,780 --> 00:21:13,080 And I got to meet a lot of people that were Christian, um, 335 00:21:13,080 --> 00:21:17,160 in non-denominational church. And they knew that I was Catholic. 336 00:21:17,740 --> 00:21:22,120 And thankfully they realized through my witness, 337 00:21:22,120 --> 00:21:26,920 through my life, that I did in fact believe that Jesus Christ died for me, 338 00:21:27,750 --> 00:21:32,320 that he rose again, and that he's my savior, and that I want, 339 00:21:32,320 --> 00:21:36,560 I have a relationship with him. And because of that, it really, bro, 340 00:21:36,560 --> 00:21:39,760 started breaking down a lot of those walls. So what I would say is, 341 00:21:41,080 --> 00:21:44,100 you know, don't not have that conversation, 342 00:21:44,100 --> 00:21:47,300 because a lot of times we just don't wanna talk about it because it can be 343 00:21:47,300 --> 00:21:51,540 awkward. We should be concentrating on the things that unite us, 344 00:21:51,540 --> 00:21:55,340 not the things that separate us. So, for a long time in my marriage, 345 00:21:55,360 --> 00:22:00,060 for the first 10 years, my husband and I concentrated on the fact that, 346 00:22:00,060 --> 00:22:03,580 number one, we believe in God, we believe in Jesus Christ, 347 00:22:03,800 --> 00:22:07,820 and we believe in the Holy Spirit, and we believe in the power of the church, 348 00:22:07,820 --> 00:22:09,460 and that we wanna follow Christ, 349 00:22:10,300 --> 00:22:13,620 those other things that separate us. Yes, 350 00:22:13,810 --> 00:22:18,660 they do divide us in certain ways. I don't want to minimize that fact. 351 00:22:18,910 --> 00:22:23,380 However, once you have a solid foundation, you know that you're, 352 00:22:23,380 --> 00:22:28,020 you're both we're playing on the same side. We are on the same team. <laugh>, 353 00:22:28,720 --> 00:22:30,700 how can we work together? 354 00:22:31,240 --> 00:22:35,140 And how can we get to understand each other a little bit more, 355 00:22:35,140 --> 00:22:36,340 the more my husband 356 00:22:37,880 --> 00:22:41,780 experienced the Catholic church and realize that, no, 357 00:22:41,780 --> 00:22:46,020 we do not worship Mary. We do not wor, you know, we have statues in our home. 358 00:22:46,430 --> 00:22:50,420 He asked me one time, why do you pray to Mary when you have Jesus? And I said, 359 00:22:50,420 --> 00:22:54,500 well, you ask me to pray for you all the time. And he said, well, 360 00:22:54,500 --> 00:22:58,900 of course I do. I said, well, Mary is a lot closer to Jesus than I am. 361 00:22:58,990 --> 00:23:03,500 So it's the exact same thing. I'm asking her to pray for me. 362 00:23:03,530 --> 00:23:08,060 I don't think she can do anything on her own, <laugh> her power. Um, 363 00:23:08,060 --> 00:23:12,100 she doesn't have any power outside of Christ. So, um, 364 00:23:12,100 --> 00:23:16,700 once I started explaining it to him on, in that way, um, 365 00:23:16,910 --> 00:23:20,700 it led to a lot of really great conversation. Um, 366 00:23:20,800 --> 00:23:23,700 and I will tell you now, my husband is a Catholic. 367 00:23:23,700 --> 00:23:27,300 He converted to the Catholic faith two years ago. Um, 368 00:23:28,560 --> 00:23:30,340 and you know, still to this day, 369 00:23:30,340 --> 00:23:34,700 we have many close friends who are of other denominations. Um, 370 00:23:34,700 --> 00:23:37,900 I have many close friends who are not even Christian, um, 371 00:23:37,900 --> 00:23:41,860 that they just see the love of God in me. I don't need to say anything. 372 00:23:42,330 --> 00:23:46,520 I think just being an effective witness and loving people wherever they are, 373 00:23:46,520 --> 00:23:50,840 people are gonna notice something's different about that person, 374 00:23:50,860 --> 00:23:52,480 and they're gonna be attracted to it. 375 00:23:53,020 --> 00:23:53,760 You know? And, 376 00:23:53,760 --> 00:23:57,600 and that reminds me of the quote that I believe is attributed to St. 377 00:23:57,600 --> 00:24:02,240 Francis of Assisi Speak the Gospel at all times and when necessary, use words, 378 00:24:02,540 --> 00:24:06,160 you know, exactly. When we were, uh, while we were talking, 379 00:24:06,190 --> 00:24:11,040 I pulled up on my laptop, um, the Webster's Dictionary, and as, uh, 380 00:24:11,040 --> 00:24:15,800 someone who studied theology, uh, you know, I I know that, you know, that, uh, 381 00:24:15,800 --> 00:24:20,800 that Catholic means universal and Yeah. Um, that's why some of our, 382 00:24:20,850 --> 00:24:25,600 uh, non, uh, big Sea Catholic, uh, 383 00:24:25,600 --> 00:24:29,600 brothers and sisters in Christ will pray the creed that, uh, 384 00:24:29,600 --> 00:24:34,520 that uses the word Catholic in it. Yeah. But what I was interested in was, 385 00:24:34,690 --> 00:24:38,760 uh, the second de definition that it shows, uh, 386 00:24:38,760 --> 00:24:43,560 as an adjective is, um, broad in sympathies tastes, 387 00:24:43,570 --> 00:24:48,040 or interest mm-hmm. <affirmative>. And then it gives a, a sentence that says, 388 00:24:48,340 --> 00:24:50,840 she is Catholic in her taste of music. 389 00:24:51,890 --> 00:24:52,723 Mm. 390 00:24:53,180 --> 00:24:58,000 And, uh, that interesting, that was interesting to me that, uh, that, you know, 391 00:24:58,150 --> 00:25:00,680 really, it, it doesn't have to, you know, 392 00:25:00,790 --> 00:25:04,760 just describe a faith background or a denomination, 393 00:25:05,540 --> 00:25:10,400 but it, it really means, um, universal, broaden those sympathies Yeah. 394 00:25:10,400 --> 00:25:14,960 Tastes or interests. Mary, we have to get, I don't wanna cut you off, 395 00:25:14,960 --> 00:25:16,600 so I'm gonna give you a second to finish, 396 00:25:16,600 --> 00:25:18,280 but we do have to get to one more break, 397 00:25:18,380 --> 00:25:20,720 and then we'll come back to wrap up the show. 398 00:25:23,540 --> 00:25:28,320 You are listening to commonalities where guests find common ground through 399 00:25:28,640 --> 00:25:29,840 uncommon conversations. 400 00:25:30,400 --> 00:25:33,880 We'll be back after this brief break to recognize our sponsors. 401 00:25:36,870 --> 00:25:38,800 When it comes to buying a home, 402 00:25:39,190 --> 00:25:42,200 what you see isn't exactly what you get. 403 00:25:42,470 --> 00:25:47,080 That's why home buyers should call Dave Dowling at Grandview 404 00:25:47,080 --> 00:25:52,000 Inspections at 7 2 4 2 0 8 4 1 0 8. 405 00:25:52,350 --> 00:25:55,560 You'll see colorful flowers, freshly painted walls, 406 00:25:55,890 --> 00:26:00,120 granite countertops, blaming hardwood floors and other touches. 407 00:26:00,430 --> 00:26:04,200 What you can't see is the cracks, ancient plumbing, 408 00:26:04,520 --> 00:26:05,760 dangerous wiring, 409 00:26:06,090 --> 00:26:10,800 or broken appliances that might be revealed when you hire 410 00:26:10,870 --> 00:26:14,840 a home inspector. 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Find us also on Facebook, 437 00:28:03,620 --> 00:28:04,940 Instagram, and Twitter, 438 00:28:05,230 --> 00:28:08,980 or email info coordinated three sixty.com. 439 00:28:14,420 --> 00:28:17,300 Hello, Uniontown Mayor, bill Gerkey. Here. 440 00:28:17,550 --> 00:28:21,420 There's nothing quite like the feeling of home, that sense of belonging, 441 00:28:21,580 --> 00:28:25,580 those fall Friday nights under the lights, those winter nights in the gym, 442 00:28:25,860 --> 00:28:30,100 watching our red Raiders, those refreshing spring afternoons at Bailey Park, 443 00:28:30,270 --> 00:28:33,100 rooting on our Red Raider, softball and baseball teams. 444 00:28:34,050 --> 00:28:37,940 I am grateful for those memories and hope our community's children and 445 00:28:37,940 --> 00:28:41,340 grandchildren can enjoy those memories too. But to do that, 446 00:28:41,340 --> 00:28:45,420 we have to plan for the future. During my first term in office, 447 00:28:45,420 --> 00:28:48,740 the city has got Bailey Park back to a place where we can be proud of 448 00:28:50,340 --> 00:28:53,060 our city's first comprehensive plan. In over 20 years, 449 00:28:53,790 --> 00:28:56,820 started work on the city's section of the Sheep Skin Trail, 450 00:28:57,530 --> 00:29:01,700 worked on eliminating blighted properties and are rebuilding the city's 451 00:29:01,700 --> 00:29:05,540 neighborhoods. We've updated the faulty equipment in the parking garages, 452 00:29:05,680 --> 00:29:09,180 and we're bringing a more competitive, reliable, faster, 453 00:29:09,180 --> 00:29:12,500 and less expensive internet service to our city residents. 454 00:29:13,510 --> 00:29:18,100 We have done a lot, but there's still more to do. So, I Bill Gerkey. 455 00:29:18,100 --> 00:29:22,940 I'm running for a second term. We're Uniontown proud, we're Uniontown strong, 456 00:29:23,280 --> 00:29:27,900 and together we can continue to rebuild Uniontown for the next generation. 457 00:29:30,050 --> 00:29:30,540 Paid. 458 00:29:30,540 --> 00:29:32,020 For by Mayor Belkey. 459 00:29:38,570 --> 00:29:39,870 Are you enjoying the program? 460 00:29:39,870 --> 00:29:44,080 You're listening to support commonalities and help keep us on the air by making 461 00:29:44,080 --> 00:29:49,000 a donation of five, 10, or $25, or any amount you feel comfortable sharing 462 00:29:49,000 --> 00:29:52,880 online@donate.commonalities.online. Again, 463 00:29:52,880 --> 00:29:56,880 that is donate.commonalities.online on the worldwide web. 464 00:29:57,100 --> 00:30:01,800 Buy our host a cup of coffee or help pay for airtime at donate dot commonalities 465 00:30:01,800 --> 00:30:02,633 online. 466 00:30:06,170 --> 00:30:09,030 I'm Melinda de LaRose. As an Assistant District Attorney, 467 00:30:09,060 --> 00:30:13,070 I've protected Fayette County families and fought to uphold our constitutional 468 00:30:13,070 --> 00:30:15,830 rights. As a prosecutor and trusted local attorney, 469 00:30:15,830 --> 00:30:19,710 I've provided victims of crime with a strong voice and put criminals behind 470 00:30:19,990 --> 00:30:23,350 bars. My pledge to you as judge is to follow the law, 471 00:30:23,350 --> 00:30:25,670 always maintain the highest ethical standards, 472 00:30:25,670 --> 00:30:29,990 and to run a courtroom that's respectful of your time and tax dollars. 473 00:30:30,290 --> 00:30:33,350 I'm Melinda de LaRose asking for your vote for Judge. 474 00:30:33,350 --> 00:30:35,470 Paid for by Friends of Melinda de LaRose. 475 00:30:38,090 --> 00:30:42,830 You are listening to commonalities or guests find common ground through 476 00:30:43,150 --> 00:30:44,350 Uncommon Conversations. 477 00:30:45,580 --> 00:30:48,310 Well, thanks for sticking with us. I'm your host Matt Dowling, 478 00:30:48,310 --> 00:30:52,510 and my guest today is Mary Samy. Mary works at, uh, 479 00:30:52,510 --> 00:30:56,310 Christ the Divine Shepherd Parish in the diocese of Pittsburgh. 480 00:30:56,510 --> 00:31:00,750 She's been working in youth and young adult ministry, uh, 481 00:31:00,750 --> 00:31:05,150 for quite some time. Many of you from Connellsville may know her from your work, 482 00:31:05,200 --> 00:31:10,030 uh, or for her from her work out there. Uh, and she's a union town native. Uh, 483 00:31:10,030 --> 00:31:12,150 and like I said, at the top of the show, 484 00:31:12,290 --> 00:31:15,950 her and I have known each other probably for 30 plus years, and, uh, 485 00:31:15,950 --> 00:31:20,590 and have remained friends. So, uh, much credit to her on that part, uh, 486 00:31:20,590 --> 00:31:25,190 cuz she's put up with me for that log. You know, uh, Mary, I I, 487 00:31:25,660 --> 00:31:28,670 I find it hard to have a show, uh, 488 00:31:28,980 --> 00:31:33,710 regardless of what topic that we're on, where I don't mention politics, 489 00:31:33,710 --> 00:31:36,670 because since the early two thousands mm-hmm. <affirmative> <laugh>, Uh, 490 00:31:36,670 --> 00:31:41,470 I've either been on the sideline or directly involved in politics, uh, 491 00:31:41,470 --> 00:31:46,190 for, for Yeah. You know, in one way or another. Uh, and I have a, 492 00:31:46,190 --> 00:31:50,390 a recent editorial that was run in, uh, some of the local papers, 493 00:31:51,000 --> 00:31:55,230 uh, that was titled Why We Must Work Together on Common Goals. Mm-hmm. 494 00:31:55,270 --> 00:31:59,750 <affirmative>. And, uh, I really, I, I don't know if you know Dolly Parton's, 495 00:31:59,760 --> 00:32:04,350 uh, new song that she released, um, where she in, 496 00:32:04,350 --> 00:32:09,310 in all of her Dolly Parton sass <laugh>, um, you know, talks about, 497 00:32:10,000 --> 00:32:12,830 um, why we should, uh, be faithful, 498 00:32:13,430 --> 00:32:16,270 faithful individuals in our everyday life. Um, 499 00:32:16,270 --> 00:32:20,870 but the question that I have for you is one that, that I address in, 500 00:32:21,480 --> 00:32:25,190 uh, in that piece that ran, and that is, you know, 501 00:32:25,530 --> 00:32:29,630 how much should we as American citizens, uh, 502 00:32:29,630 --> 00:32:32,350 expect our politicians to mm-hmm. 503 00:32:32,390 --> 00:32:36,030 <affirmative> talk about their faith background or faith in general. 504 00:32:36,050 --> 00:32:38,990 And I have a statistic I wanted to share, uh, and then, 505 00:32:39,080 --> 00:32:42,680 then I'll turn it over to you for your opinion. But in the past decade, 506 00:32:42,680 --> 00:32:45,840 more Americans said, political leaders, uh, 507 00:32:45,970 --> 00:32:48,920 express religious faith too little. 508 00:32:48,920 --> 00:32:53,040 That was 37% rather than too much at 509 00:32:53,040 --> 00:32:58,000 29%. And that was according to the Pew Institute. So what's your opinion, Mary, 510 00:32:58,420 --> 00:33:02,960 are, you know, are are leaders in government and in politics? 511 00:33:03,230 --> 00:33:07,440 Should they express their faith and as voters, should we Absolutely. 512 00:33:07,440 --> 00:33:08,480 Should we expect them to. 513 00:33:08,880 --> 00:33:12,560 <Laugh>? I think absolutely. Um, I, 514 00:33:13,130 --> 00:33:16,520 we live in a quote unquote cancel culture, 515 00:33:16,740 --> 00:33:20,400 and I feel terrible that people are terrified, 516 00:33:21,030 --> 00:33:24,400 absolutely terrified to talk about their faith. 517 00:33:24,760 --> 00:33:28,760 Whatever faith it is does not need to be a Christian faith. You know, 518 00:33:29,050 --> 00:33:32,400 as human beings in general, we should, 519 00:33:32,400 --> 00:33:36,360 because we're all created in the image and likeness of God, we should love 520 00:33:37,880 --> 00:33:40,200 everyone and seek to understand them. 521 00:33:40,200 --> 00:33:44,920 And how can we understand them truly if we don't even know what their faith 522 00:33:44,920 --> 00:33:45,800 background is? 523 00:33:46,340 --> 00:33:51,240 And they're absolutely terrified to talk about it because they're afraid of 524 00:33:51,240 --> 00:33:54,480 being canceled. And what's more, especially as a Christian, 525 00:33:55,050 --> 00:33:56,640 if you are given a platform, 526 00:33:56,860 --> 00:34:01,440 you are obligated to use that for the good of the church. 527 00:34:01,440 --> 00:34:06,280 It goes beyond your reputation, your ego, your career, whatever you want. 528 00:34:06,410 --> 00:34:07,210 If, 529 00:34:07,210 --> 00:34:11,960 if God does not come first and you are afraid to say His name 530 00:34:12,820 --> 00:34:15,840 out of fear of your reputation or what, it's, 531 00:34:15,840 --> 00:34:19,400 then I would not vote for that person. That's just my opinion. 532 00:34:19,540 --> 00:34:22,560 And, and I, I would completely agree with you. You know, I, 533 00:34:22,590 --> 00:34:26,720 I kind of believe that if we are given any soapbox to stand on, 534 00:34:27,250 --> 00:34:31,520 um, mm-hmm. <affirmative>, that we have to use our voice in, in positive ways, 535 00:34:31,520 --> 00:34:34,320 and, and I think talking about our faith, uh, 536 00:34:34,320 --> 00:34:36,520 is one of the ways that we can do that. Or, 537 00:34:36,610 --> 00:34:41,480 or just simple expressions of our faith, um mm-hmm. <affirmative>, you know, I, 538 00:34:41,480 --> 00:34:46,360 I remember as, you know, someone in my early twenties, uh, 539 00:34:46,360 --> 00:34:51,280 thinking when I was out to a restaurant that it would be odd to make the 540 00:34:51,280 --> 00:34:55,920 sign of the cross as I silently prayed before a meal. Um, you know, 541 00:34:55,950 --> 00:34:59,960 n now pushing 40 and not being, uh, 542 00:34:59,960 --> 00:35:03,520 I guess as young as I once was, <laugh>, um, you know, 543 00:35:03,520 --> 00:35:07,760 those things don't bother me quite the same way. Right. But, um, you know, 544 00:35:07,760 --> 00:35:12,400 but I think everyone's called to, uh, to do what they can and, 545 00:35:12,400 --> 00:35:15,080 and to speak the truth. Um, and, 546 00:35:15,080 --> 00:35:19,600 and not only in your faith background, but, um, you know, as, 547 00:35:19,650 --> 00:35:22,800 as you probably know, because it's been widely covered as, 548 00:35:22,800 --> 00:35:24,520 and as a lot of other people know, 549 00:35:24,520 --> 00:35:27,280 and I've been trying to be transparent about it. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, 550 00:35:27,280 --> 00:35:29,720 you know, during my time in office, I, uh, 551 00:35:29,910 --> 00:35:34,520 I developed an addiction with alcohol and, uh mm-hmm. <affirmative>, and I was, 552 00:35:35,170 --> 00:35:39,480 um, not lucky to have had an, an accident, but I had a, a minor accident. 553 00:35:39,480 --> 00:35:44,480 No one was hurt. Uh, and I was under the influence and, and, uh, 554 00:35:44,810 --> 00:35:47,560 decided to seek treatment and, uh mm-hmm. <affirmative>. 555 00:35:47,560 --> 00:35:51,640 And now it's been since June, since I have, uh, I've, uh, 556 00:35:51,640 --> 00:35:55,120 been on that road to recovery. And I, you know, 557 00:35:55,400 --> 00:35:59,760 I feel very called to share that story and that message Yeah. With, uh, 558 00:35:59,760 --> 00:36:04,320 with people because it's not just, um, you know, 559 00:36:04,320 --> 00:36:07,360 it's not just normal people that have those problems, 560 00:36:07,360 --> 00:36:11,040 politicians have them as well. In fact, uh, you know, I, 561 00:36:11,040 --> 00:36:14,120 I was just in the Connellsville paper yesterday, uh, 562 00:36:14,120 --> 00:36:17,560 piece I wrote about John Federman, uh, Senator Federman, 563 00:36:17,560 --> 00:36:21,640 and I would not ever agree politically <laugh>, uh, in fact, 564 00:36:22,290 --> 00:36:26,600 uh, we battled it out while I was in the State House and while he was Lieutenant 565 00:36:27,040 --> 00:36:31,480 Governor mm-hmm. <affirmative>. Um, but I, I see an extreme, uh, 566 00:36:31,840 --> 00:36:36,840 strength in him. And I think he took a courageous act to get the psychological, 567 00:36:37,250 --> 00:36:39,040 uh, you know, uh, 568 00:36:39,040 --> 00:36:43,680 the psychological help that he needed and the treatment that he needed. And, 569 00:36:43,680 --> 00:36:48,120 and I just, I think that that's fantastic. So I think we are calling to, uh, 570 00:36:48,370 --> 00:36:53,040 to speak the truth kind of, uh, at all times no matter what it is. Right. 571 00:36:53,100 --> 00:36:57,160 You know, we only have a few minutes left, Mary, but what I wanted to, 572 00:36:57,490 --> 00:37:01,240 to talk to you about, and, and I know, um, you know, 573 00:37:01,240 --> 00:37:04,480 if we were having tea this afternoon with, uh, 574 00:37:04,480 --> 00:37:09,000 a bunch of Catholic ladies in their, you know, late sixties, early seventies, 575 00:37:09,300 --> 00:37:14,120 one of the things that we'd probably hear is that young people today just aren't 576 00:37:14,120 --> 00:37:18,600 engaged in the faith like we used to be. And, uh, you know, I, 577 00:37:18,600 --> 00:37:20,800 I know you've probably heard that around the dinner table, 578 00:37:20,820 --> 00:37:25,080 and truth be told Yes. Um, I, I probably would agree with them. 579 00:37:25,490 --> 00:37:28,840 Um, yep. But, you know, as people that, uh, 580 00:37:29,030 --> 00:37:33,680 that are the faithful working in ministry, how do we, uh, 581 00:37:33,680 --> 00:37:35,760 how do we engage those young people mm-hmm. 582 00:37:35,800 --> 00:37:40,000 <affirmative> that may not have faith beliefs or a background. Right. 583 00:37:40,000 --> 00:37:41,920 And that's what I wanna close out the show with is, 584 00:37:41,920 --> 00:37:45,640 is a conversation about how we get our young people back in the pews. 585 00:37:46,550 --> 00:37:50,160 Yeah. So I have not, I have been popular talking about this, 586 00:37:50,160 --> 00:37:54,080 and I haven't been popular talking about this because, um, 587 00:37:54,790 --> 00:37:58,400 it's looking at it from a little bit of a different angle. Um, I am, 588 00:37:58,870 --> 00:38:03,720 I am not even 40 yet, and I have been in ministry almost 15 years. 589 00:38:04,350 --> 00:38:08,520 I see people leaving the church. I don't see a lot of young families like me. 590 00:38:09,140 --> 00:38:10,240 And, you know, 591 00:38:10,470 --> 00:38:15,280 I have been dedicated for the last almost 15 years of my full-time ministry 592 00:38:15,290 --> 00:38:17,960 in being a missionary disciple. 593 00:38:17,960 --> 00:38:22,360 And that means going outside of your church building 594 00:38:22,620 --> 00:38:25,840 and being Christ engaging the community. 595 00:38:26,660 --> 00:38:28,960 And we don't do this a lot as Catholics. 596 00:38:28,960 --> 00:38:33,160 What has worked in the past is that we are Catholic in name, 597 00:38:33,160 --> 00:38:37,880 we go to church and we just assume people are going to show up 598 00:38:37,940 --> 00:38:41,560 for our meetings, for our social events, for our pancake, breakfast, 599 00:38:41,560 --> 00:38:46,160 coffee and donuts. And when they don't, we blame them. Now, 600 00:38:46,280 --> 00:38:48,600 would the disciples do this? I mean, 601 00:38:48,600 --> 00:38:50,760 they were in the upper room with the doors locked, 602 00:38:50,760 --> 00:38:54,480 and imagine if they would've just stayed there and assumed everyone should just 603 00:38:54,480 --> 00:38:58,960 come to them and they blame everyone if they don't show up. Absolutely not. 604 00:38:59,180 --> 00:39:01,360 You know, we need to be looking at ourselves, 605 00:39:01,380 --> 00:39:03,760 the things that used to work aren't working. 606 00:39:04,620 --> 00:39:07,760 And so the first thing I do when I go into a church community is say, 607 00:39:08,020 --> 00:39:12,840 how actively are you engaged outside of the four walls of your church in 608 00:39:12,840 --> 00:39:17,560 your local community? Do people even know you exist? And if they don't, 609 00:39:17,560 --> 00:39:20,880 that's the very first thing that we need to be working on. 610 00:39:21,460 --> 00:39:25,480 How are we bringing other people in? And once we get them, 611 00:39:25,510 --> 00:39:29,880 what kind of church are we bringing them to? Is it a welcomed parish? 612 00:39:30,210 --> 00:39:34,720 Is it a place where we're actually going to give them the empowerment to do the 613 00:39:34,920 --> 00:39:39,240 things that they wanna do and cultivate a relationship with the Lord? You know, 614 00:39:39,240 --> 00:39:43,600 a lot of times we finally get them in the building and no one even says hello to 615 00:39:43,600 --> 00:39:44,800 them, you know? 616 00:39:44,800 --> 00:39:49,440 So it's looking at it from a different point of view and really 617 00:39:49,440 --> 00:39:54,160 just honing into who we are created to be as disciples going 618 00:39:54,220 --> 00:39:58,520 out into the community in order to bring other people into us. 619 00:39:58,520 --> 00:40:00,480 And this has been highly effective. 620 00:40:00,480 --> 00:40:04,400 People don't wanna invest in it because it's a scary thing. <laugh>, you know, 621 00:40:04,400 --> 00:40:07,760 it's something different. It's not something that Catholics are used to doing. 622 00:40:08,330 --> 00:40:11,520 Um, but we had great success in Connellsville. 623 00:40:11,610 --> 00:40:13,720 We had the highest R C I A, 624 00:40:13,720 --> 00:40:17,920 those are people coming into the church in the diocese of Greensburg, um, 625 00:40:17,920 --> 00:40:22,440 consistently year round, because we were very, very engaged in the community. 626 00:40:22,440 --> 00:40:24,280 I see. The Uniontown Church is doing this. 627 00:40:24,280 --> 00:40:27,080 People know that they care and they wanna be a part of that. 628 00:40:27,080 --> 00:40:28,520 Young people will get behind it. 629 00:40:29,150 --> 00:40:30,800 Absolutely. And I, you know, I, 630 00:40:30,800 --> 00:40:33,640 I know that the Roman Catholic churches of Uniontown, uh, 631 00:40:33,640 --> 00:40:35,640 have been doing a lot to, 632 00:40:36,170 --> 00:40:41,080 to deal with food inadequacies and with hunger. Um, you know, and, 633 00:40:41,080 --> 00:40:45,080 and kind of those ministries where they're not preaching at all, 634 00:40:45,080 --> 00:40:49,320 they're just trying to take care of someone's basic human needs. Um, yeah. 635 00:40:49,320 --> 00:40:50,153 You know, being a church. 636 00:40:50,910 --> 00:40:51,400 Just. 637 00:40:51,400 --> 00:40:55,320 Be it, and being priced to others has been extremely important. You know, 638 00:40:55,320 --> 00:40:58,240 in education, um, there is, 639 00:40:58,290 --> 00:41:00,960 there's been an argument that's been made, uh, 640 00:41:00,960 --> 00:41:03,640 for free and reduced lunches and breakfasts. 641 00:41:04,060 --> 00:41:08,920 And the thought process is that if a student's basic human 642 00:41:08,920 --> 00:41:10,560 needs, like having a full mm-hmm. 643 00:41:10,600 --> 00:41:13,720 <affirmative> belly when they go to class have not been met, 644 00:41:13,750 --> 00:41:18,520 then it's very hard for them to be engaged in their class 645 00:41:18,660 --> 00:41:21,560 and to learn and to do well. You know, 646 00:41:21,560 --> 00:41:25,240 I think everyday life is very much like that, where, you know, 647 00:41:25,240 --> 00:41:28,120 if basic human needs aren't being met, 648 00:41:28,120 --> 00:41:33,000 then maybe going to church and participating on Sunday isn't 649 00:41:33,200 --> 00:41:37,240 at the top of your list, you know, if you can't afford groceries that week. So. 650 00:41:37,240 --> 00:41:42,040 Right. You know, we as the faithful and people that have been blessed, uh, 651 00:41:42,170 --> 00:41:46,400 to have things, uh, you know, things like, uh, 652 00:41:46,400 --> 00:41:50,920 like money and or, or time, we should be blessing others, uh, 653 00:41:50,920 --> 00:41:54,400 with those, um, you know, so I, I, 654 00:41:54,400 --> 00:41:58,920 I completely agree with you, Mary. We're down to, uh, just a couple moments. 655 00:41:58,920 --> 00:42:00,840 I want to give you a chance to, uh, 656 00:42:00,840 --> 00:42:05,840 to give any final thoughts and one more promo for your new, uh, 657 00:42:05,840 --> 00:42:09,320 podcast that's gonna be starting if people want to, uh, 658 00:42:09,320 --> 00:42:10,720 want to listen and learn more. 659 00:42:11,870 --> 00:42:14,730 Yes. So, thank you so much for having me on today. 660 00:42:14,800 --> 00:42:19,050 I thank the Uniontown community and the Collinsville community for always 661 00:42:19,050 --> 00:42:22,970 supporting every single thing, every missionary, every nonprofit, 662 00:42:22,970 --> 00:42:24,610 everything that I've ever done. 663 00:42:24,730 --> 00:42:28,650 Uniontown and Conwell has always stepped up in a huge way, um, 664 00:42:28,650 --> 00:42:32,570 for those initiatives. So thank you so much for your support, your prayers, um, 665 00:42:32,570 --> 00:42:36,570 your financial giving. Um, in those missions that I have done over the past, 666 00:42:36,940 --> 00:42:41,610 my podcast starts on Monday, March the sixth, live on our Facebook page, 667 00:42:41,610 --> 00:42:44,050 Christ the Divine Shepherd Parish. It'll be on YouTube, 668 00:42:44,050 --> 00:42:47,570 and it'll also be on Spotify, and you can find it from Sheep to Shepherd. 669 00:42:48,310 --> 00:42:52,290 And, uh, my guest today has been Mary Samy. Um, you know, 670 00:42:52,290 --> 00:42:56,370 we've talked a little bit about some of the, the writings that I've put out. Uh, 671 00:42:56,370 --> 00:42:57,690 if you wanna read any of those, 672 00:42:57,770 --> 00:43:02,290 visit matthew d dowling.com and click on news. 673 00:43:02,290 --> 00:43:07,130 You'll see all of, uh, my letters to the editor and news releases. And, uh, 674 00:43:07,130 --> 00:43:11,050 because I mentioned, uh, Ms. Dolly Parton, who is one of my favorite, uh, 675 00:43:11,050 --> 00:43:14,970 singer songwriters of all times. Um, you know, I, 676 00:43:14,970 --> 00:43:18,330 I mentioned that she just released on her 77th birthday. 677 00:43:18,510 --> 00:43:22,050 The song Don't Make Me Have to Come Down There. And, uh, 678 00:43:22,050 --> 00:43:26,850 the lyrics that really stand out to me, uh, are I gave you a book. 679 00:43:26,850 --> 00:43:31,330 You didn't read it. I gave you my word. You didn't read it, gave you a map. 680 00:43:31,390 --> 00:43:35,770 You said you didn't need it, and now you've lost directions. You're, 681 00:43:35,770 --> 00:43:39,170 you're wandering aimlessly. Don't make me have to come down you. 682 00:43:39,170 --> 00:43:43,050 This is down there. It's not a game of truth or dare. 683 00:43:43,420 --> 00:43:47,890 So those are the words of Dolly Parton, which we'll close it out with today. 684 00:43:48,380 --> 00:43:50,250 Uh, I'm your host, Matthew Dowling, 685 00:43:50,250 --> 00:43:54,530 and this has been commonalities on w Nmb S five 90 am 686 00:43:54,530 --> 00:43:56,650 1 0 1 0.1. That's up. 687 00:43:58,240 --> 00:44:00,290 This has been commonalities, 688 00:44:00,560 --> 00:44:04,810 a show where guests find common ground through uncommon conversations. 689 00:44:04,890 --> 00:44:07,650 Copyright 2022 Coordinated 360. 690 00:44:07,870 --> 00:44:11,330 All public rebroadcast should be done with prior written approval from Matthew 691 00:44:11,330 --> 00:44:11,890 Dowling. 692 00:44:11,890 --> 00:44:16,370 All requests should be sent to info@coordinatedthreesixty.com. 693 00:44:16,370 --> 00:44:18,770 Thank you for listening to commonalities.
02Mar, 2023
