By Kimberley Heatherington, OSV News
WASHINGTON (OSV News) — Father Mike Schmitz is on a mission from God.
Not just to convince more people to read the Bible through his wildly popular “The Bible in a Year” podcast, or mine the riches of the Catholic Church’s magisterium with “The Catechism in a Year” podcast, or listen to his titular podcast and Sunday sermons — all from Ascension Press.
In (one of) his day job(s) — in addition to serving as director of youth and young adult ministry in the Diocese of Duluth, Minnesota — Father Schmitz shepherds student souls as chaplain of the Newman Center at the University of Minnesota Duluth.
Now in his 20th year of “Bulldog Catholic” campus ministry, Father Schmitz has seen steady and encouraging growth — defying the prevailing narrative that 85% of Catholic college students will likely lose their faith before they graduate.
And with that growth came a goal — a goal that has taken him on a nationwide speaking tour since February titled “Parables. A Time of Reflection with Fr. Mike Schmitz.”
The proceeds of the circuit will fund the “Seeds of Faith” campaign, envisioning an enlarged UMD Newman Center and worship space to welcome students and community — and, with dedicated studio facilities, to serve as a content-producing platform for the global reach of Father Schmitz’s evangelization.
OSV News caught up with Father Schmitz for his May 19 “Parables” stop at Washington’s DAR Constitution Hall.
So why the parables?
After consideration, Father Schmitz came to a conclusion. “I know that there’s a message that is both important and urgent,” he said. “And so, just in really reflecting and praying about it, it was like, ‘Well, the parables.'”
Collections of Jesus’ sayings, he observed, “are so limited.” But even so, the parables command attention because they seem to be Jesus saying, “If you know anything about my heart; if you need to know anything about my Father’s heart, or the kingdom, or yourself — then these are the things you need to know.'”
According to “various estimates,” Jesus’ parables number in the 30s, Father Schmitz continued. “These must be very, very important. And if we don’t know them, then they’re definitely urgent.”
And did Father Schmitz realize “The Bible in a Year” podcast — originally intended as a resource for UMD students and recorded on campus — would be a smash spiritual hit?
“I didn’t know if it was going to be anything significant to anyone outside,” he admitted. “But I knew that, here’s this group of people I know that need it. And it was so great, because Ascension really put their efforts behind it.”
When Father Schmitz launched his UMD chaplaincy, perhaps six people attended daily Mass, with 20 to 30 Sunday worshippers. There are now 80 to 100 daily Massgoers, and about 800 total on Sundays between two Masses.
There was one Bible study at UMD — his own — to start. Now there are dozens of student-run Bible studies. At least 5% of UMD’s 9,253 students have taken part in a Bible study, while 10% have come to Mass.
The dilapidated split-level house UMD calls its Newman Center was long ago outgrown — daily Mass is celebrated in a 400-square-foot converted garage that seats 60; students crowd into gathering spaces to socialize and support one another — and borrowed facilities for Sunday Mass are less than ideal.
Nor is the tiny dwelling always recognized as a Newman Center, which means some spiritually drifting students don’t even realize the resource is there for them.
“It’s a part of a bigger problem — and I think it’s part of a bigger solution, too,” said Father Schmitz. “What is the time in a person’s life when they either decide, or just drift? Because sometimes, it’s one or the other.”
The hopeful online architectural renderings reveal spaces that would solve all of these issues. Initial cost estimates were $25 million, but discussions expanded that.
“So the goal — this is the first time I’ve said this out loud — we’ve raised $30 million so far, and the goal is twice that for the building and full funding with endowment — so the next priest, the next generation of priests, never have to worry,” Father Schmitz said. “We’re going to make sure this building continues to serve these students.”
While raising the funds to cover projected construction plans marks a significant milestone, it’s not the end of the campaign. Once the doors open, there are daily costs: keeping the lights and heat on; the regular maintenance any homeowner knows is critical to a solid household budget.
The same is true of a replacement worship space and Newman Center — so with an extended fundraising sprint, Father Schmitz has also vowed to fund those additional costs with a general operating endowment for the years ahead.
And the “Parables” tour is one way to do that.
With his trademark rapid-fire delivery, Father Schmitz’s appearances unpack four of Jesus’ well-known parables, delivering their essential kernels of truth:
— The lost sheep and lost coin (Lk. 15:1-10; “You are relentlessly pursued and … ridiculously celebrated” by God.)
— The sower and the seed (Mt. 13:1-23; “Jesus says worry; anxieties of daily life … choke the Word. Why? Because you can’t be both worried and joyful.”)
— The dishonest steward (Lk. 16:1-13; the dishonest steward craftily attempted to gain material wealth; the faithful should be just as resourceful in their pursuit of eternal life.)
— The wise and foolish bridesmaids (Mt. 25: 1-13; “the oil stands for something that can’t be shared” … the foolish bridesmaids know Jesus, “but they didn’t have a relationship with him.”)
Sold-out dates attest to a public thirst for the Scripture — so what’s next for Father Schmitz?
More “Parables” engagements have been added in October for Michigan and Texas.
“I’m always thinking about what is the next thing for the church? What is the next thing for the church in America?” he said.
It’s not about topping “The Bible in a Year,” he added.
“That came out of just seeing a need of the moment,” explained Father Schmitz. And so for the future, he said, “I think something similar: continuing to be attentive and pray, and see the need of the moment.”
Kimberley Heatherington writes for OSV News from Virginia.
For more information visit: https://ascensionpress.com/pages/frmiketour
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