While the online content that I produce is how most people know me, most of my time is spent serving as the chaplain of three schools. Last week the elementary school started, Wednesday is the first day for the high school, and the college students return next Sunday. Things are about to get crazy. My production won’t be able to keep up with the summer pace, but new things will certainly come. For now, let’s look back on the past few weeks.
Power is not good for the Church
In a pair of videos, I first look at what happened to the Church in Ireland, followed by a broader look at what power has done to the Church over the centuries. In both cases, my response is the same: we need to live the beatitudes, serve the poor, and return to the way of Jesus.
Some really great guys
The friars could not be more different. The only thing that unites us all, it seems to me, is our approachability and desire to live the Gospel. As you’ll see from these interviews, every friar is unique.
Also, a reminder that all of these episodes are available in podcast form.
Hope for the Future?
What do you get when you bring 150 young friars together in one place? A lot of hope for things to come.
Using Humor to Teach about the Pope
As you’ve seen this summer, I’ve been making a lot of Pope Francis content on Instagram and TitTok. None of it is overtly serious, but it all teaches in its own way.
Until next week!
Please pray for all the students and teachers starting the new school year, and for me that I can balance it all!
Peace and good,
Fr. Casey
Breaking In The Habit 
“Protect the brand” is never the right thing to do when “protect the flock” is the other option.
hope you have a great school year ⋆˙⟡♡
God bless you Fr. Casey!!
Hello Father Casey,
I want to thank you for your ministry and your videos. I’ve been seriously walking with the Lord since I was in college in the mid 2000s, and since then I’ve had a number of favorite Catholic media personalities–Christopher West, Scott Hahn, and Jeff Cavins to name a few. When I see their stuff now, I still like it, but I think to myself, “gee wiz, they’re getting old.” And so it’s really nice to see somebody about my age stepping up and putting out great and very necessary content. It’s clear to me that you’re in touch with the culture which is so helpful. You’re bold and truthful but neanced and compassionate. The fact that you work in schools shows. I do too.
Funny story. Just today a friend of mine (a Protestant) asked me to review a letter to the editor he penned comparing the Edict of Milan and the Edict of Thessalonica to modern day Christian Nationalism. I hadn’t done much thinking on the topic and am leary when my Protestant friends bring up Catholicism in the 4th century because it’s usually to suggest that Catholisim is a 4th century invention, but this friend of mine made some really good points. After our conversation, I searched the web for some Catholic commentary on the topic but couldn’t easily find anything. Then I thought, “I bet Fr. Casey could do a really good piece on this topic. I’m going to write to him to suggest it.” And so I pulled up this newsletter (which I hadn’t fully read yet) just to get your email address, and low and behold you had made a video on the very topic! I will be sure to pass it on to my friend.
Since I have your ear, I’ve also been meaning to reach out to you for another reason.
I’ve been teaching in public schools since 2008 and have longed to share my faith with my students from the earliest of days, but I’ve often been afraid or unsure of how to do so, and honestly for many years I used my role as a public educator as an excuse to remain silent. But during that time, I started writing a book sharing the great work Christ had done in my life and explaining the faith in a way that I thought my students could receive. In recent years, I’ve also started using Facebook and Youtube and Tiktok to share my faith, and gone ahead and accepted friend requests from my students–sometimes even bringing them to Mass with me and my family. In 2018, I also started up a street evangelization ministry and since then, about once a month, I stand on a street corner with my banjo and sing songs and pass out prayer cards. Getting others to join me has also been part of my mission and I have a small crew that joins me and it’s really fun and really beautiful and I think it’s something God really delights in. Here’s a video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXHAajAUKe8 of what I do if you’re interested in seeing it. (I’m the guy with the mullet, but my wife has since made me chop it off.) I’m also FINALLY finishing up yet another and hopefully a final round of edits on my book before seeking a line editor, proofreader, and nahil abstat. Whereas 10 years ago, I would have been terrified to put my story out for the world, I’m now very much ready and eager–and curious to see what God will do with it.
Would you consider reading it before I publish it? I would love to hear your thoughts. I’m also part of the Fiat Self Publishing Academy which is run by a woman who tries to help self-publishing Catholic authors go through the process and be successful, and she’s suggested the importance of networking and endorsements. You’re a media personality my target audience might recognize and trust (as I do) and if you felt like you could endorse it, I’d love to put your endorsement right on the front cover.
I know the school year has just started and that you’re very busy, but when I finish my edits (which was a summer project of mine that I’m so close to finishing), I would love to share the manuscript with you. If you have too much on your plate right now and don’t feel up to it, I would also completely understand. Thanks again for all you do.
Peace of Christ, Lucas Southerton
P.S. Here’s the working title and back cover blurb.
Broken Bones Rejoice – Coming of Age, Contested Teachings, and Life in Christ
My soul thirst like a parched land and I was plagued with resentment and doubt. Why would a loving God allow people to struggle and suffer? Is Catholicism even the truth? Do I really need to confess my sins—even the secret ones that bound me since middle school?
Entering college broken and weary, I opened up to a passionate young priest and began to make sense of myself and difficult church teachings, and by the grace of God, I found freedom, holy friendships, and a fullness of life I didn’t even know was possible. But God had work for me to do, a woman for me to love, and crosses for me to bear. If I was to persevere, I would need to draw ever closer to the wellspring of all power and blessing, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Lucas Southerton is a Catholic husband and father of two children. He has been a teacher in public schools since 2009 and is passionate about growing in virtue, loving as Christ loves, doing God’s will, and sharing his Christian faith.