A SCHOOL BENEATH A TREE — THE STORY OF MY FRIEND BETO

 

❤️ A SCHOOL BENEATH A TREE — THE STORY OF MY FRIEND BETO ❤️

Many years ago, in a small Guatemalan village called Godínez, local farmers asked a teacher named Beto to open a school so their children could have a better future.

Beto had no money. But he had faith.

He prayed, listened to God, and began teaching children beneath a tree.

Decades later, that little dream has become a thriving school bearing his name. Countless children have been given opportunities because one man said YES to God.

Today, Beto needs our help.

He recently suffered a serious stroke and now needs a pacemaker, medications, and ongoing medical treatment. His family simply doesn't have the resources to cover these expenses.

Beto and his wife Ruth opened their home to Liz and me when we lived in Guatemala. He taught me more about faith, generosity, and serving others than he will ever know.

I wrote this song to honor my friend and tell his extraordinary story.

If many of us give just a little, together we can make an enormous difference.

Please consider donating, sharing this song, and praying for Beto and his family.

❤️ Help Beto and his family here:
https://gofund.me/44a4cd19e

Sometimes God asks us to plant the seeds. Sometimes He asks us to help care for those who planted them.

— Deacon Pat Kearns
The Catholic Journey

#HelpBeto #FaithInAction #Guatemala #TheCatholicJourney #LoveYourNeighbor

“WILL YOU ALSO LEAVE?”

 ✝️ EPISODE 8 — SERIES FINALE

“WILL YOU ALSO LEAVE?”
Things Jesus Said That We Still Don't Understand

📖 John 6:60–69

What happens when following Jesus becomes difficult? When His teachings challenge us, our prayers seem unanswered, or life tests the very foundation of our faith?

After Jesus delivered His powerful teaching about the Bread of Life, many of His disciples turned away. Jesus then looked at the Twelve and asked a question that still speaks to every one of us today:

“Do you also want to leave?”

In this powerful final episode, Deacon Pat Kearns explores what it truly means to remain faithful when we don't have all the answers.

Through Peter's unforgettable response, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life,” we discover that genuine faith isn't about understanding everything. It's about trusting the One who does.

❤️ In this episode, we'll reflect on:

• Why people sometimes walk away from their faith.

• The difference between struggling with faith and abandoning it.

• What Peter teaches us about trust and discipleship.

• Why Jesus never promised that following Him would be easy.

• How to remain close to Christ even during life's greatest challenges.

As we conclude this series, one truth stands above all others:

Faith isn't about having all the answers. It's about knowing the One who does.

🙏 Wherever you are in your spiritual journey, Jesus is still inviting you to follow Him.

The question is: Will you stay?

🎧 Join Deacon Pat Kearns for this meaningful conclusion to Things Jesus Said That We Still Don't Understand.

#TheCatholicJourney #DeaconPatKearns #CatholicPodcast #CatholicFaith #JesusChrist #WillYouAlsoLeave #John6 #FaithOverFear #TrustInGod #CatholicLife #ChristianDiscipleship #WordsOfEternalLife

A Little Faith Everyday Can change Your Life!

 

A Little Faith Everyday Can change Your Life!

❤️ Please Help a Very Special Man in Guatemala

 ❤️ Please Help a Very Special Man in Guatemala

Our dear friend Beto has spent his life serving others in San Lucas Tolimán, Guatemala. He founded a school for rural children and has dedicated decades to teaching the Catholic faith.

Beto and his wife, Ruth, welcomed Liz and me into their home for an entire year. His friendship, faith, and generosity changed my life.

Beto has now suffered a serious stroke and is hospitalized. After a lifetime of helping others, he needs our help.

Please consider making a donation toward his medical expenses. Any amount will help. If you cannot donate, please share this post and keep Beto and Ruth in your prayers.

🙏 Let's come together for a man who has given so much to others.

❤️ https://gofund.me/44a4cd19e

Deacon Pat Kearns

“Why Do You Call Me Good?”

 ✝️ THINGS JESUS SAID THAT WE STILL DON'T UNDERSTAND

🎙️ Episode 7 — “Why Do You Call Me Good?”

The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns

📖 Mark 10:17–27

Did Jesus actually question whether He was good?

A wealthy young man approached Jesus with one of the most important questions anyone could ask:

“Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

But Jesus responded with something unexpected:

“Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.” — Mark 10:18

Wait a minute! Was Jesus suggesting that He wasn't good? Was He denying that He was God? Or was He trying to teach this young man something far more profound?

In Episode 7 of our series, Things Jesus Said That We Still Don't Understand, we explore this fascinating encounter and discover that being a good person and truly following Jesus aren't always the same thing.

❤️ One of the most beautiful moments in this Gospel comes when Scripture tells us:

“Jesus, looking at him, loved him.” — Mark 10:21

Jesus saw a man who had followed the commandments, lived a respectable life, and genuinely wanted eternal life.

But there was one thing he couldn't let go of.

And when Jesus invited him to surrender it and follow Him, the young man walked away sad.

Here's the question this Gospel asks each of us:

What is the one thing in your life that might be keeping you from following Jesus more completely?

Maybe it's money, pride, fear, resentment, the need for control, or simply the comfort of living life on your own terms.

🙏 In this episode, we'll explore why Jesus challenged this young man, what true goodness means, and why God's invitation to surrender something is often an invitation to discover something greater.

Jesus doesn't simply want us to be good people. He wants us to become His disciples.

And the most beautiful part?

Even when we struggle to let go, Jesus looks at us with love.

🎧 Join me for this meaningful reflection. You may discover that the very thing you've been holding onto is what God is inviting you to release.

🎙️ The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns

✝️ Sometimes the greatest step forward in faith begins with learning to let go.

#TheCatholicJourney #DeaconPatKearns #ThingsJesusSaid #CatholicPodcast #CatholicFaith #JesusChrist #Mark10 #RichYoungMan #FollowingJesus #ChristianLiving #FaithAndTrust #LettingGo #CatholicReflection #GodsLove #Discipleship

HE LOOKED AT ME AND LOVED ME

 

✝️ HE LOOKED AT ME AND LOVED ME ❤️

🎶 A new original Christian rock ballad inspired by Mark 10:17–27 and Episode 7 of The Catholic Journey.

A young man came to Jesus searching for eternal life. He had followed the commandments and lived a good life, but there was one thing he couldn't let go of.

And Scripture tells us something beautiful:

“Jesus, looking at him, loved him.” — Mark 10:21

❤️ Sometimes Jesus asks us to let go of things not because He wants to take something away, but because He wants to give us something greater.

This song is about surrender, second chances, and the incredible love of a Savior who sees our struggles and loves us anyway.

🎸 “He looked at me and loved me... and His love still calls me home!”

🙏 What might Jesus be asking you to let go of today?

🎙️ The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns

#TheCatholicJourney #DeaconPatKearns #ChristianMusic #CatholicMusic #HeLookedAtMeAndLovedMe #JesusLovesYou #FaithAndHope #ChristianRock

“I Came Not to Bring Peace, but a Sword”

 

✝️ THINGS JESUS SAID THAT WE STILL DON'T UNDERSTAND

🎙️ Episode 5 — “I Came Not to Bring Peace, but a Sword”

The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns

📖 Matthew 10:34–39

Did Jesus really say He came to bring a sword instead of peace?

How could the same Jesus who taught us to love our enemies, forgive those who hurt us, and become peacemakers say something so shocking?

Was Jesus encouraging conflict? Division? Even violence?

Absolutely not. But His message may challenge you more than you expect.

In this powerful fifth episode of our series, Things Jesus Said That We Still Don't Understand, we explore one of the most misunderstood teachings of Jesus.

We discover that following Christ doesn't always make life easier. Sometimes it creates tension in our families, challenges our relationships, and requires us to stand firm when the world pressures us to compromise our beliefs.

❤️ And here's something especially important:

Many Catholic parents know the heartbreak of watching their children walk away from the faith. How do we remain faithful to Christ while continuing to love those who no longer share our beliefs?

Jesus reminds us that we don't have to choose between standing for truth and treating others with love.

Real Christian courage isn't about winning arguments. It's about remaining faithful to Christ without losing our compassion for others.

🙏 In this episode, we'll reflect on the true meaning of the sword, the cost of discipleship, and why the peace Jesus promises is so much deeper than simply avoiding conflict.

Here's a question worth asking yourself today:

Are you willing to stand for your faith, even when doing so comes at a personal cost?

🎧 Join me for this thought-provoking reflection. You may never hear these words of Jesus the same way again.

🎙️ The Catholic Journey with Deacon Pat Kearns

#TheCatholicJourney #DeaconPatKearns #ThingsJesusSaid #CatholicPodcast #CatholicFaith #JesusChrist #Matthew1034 #FollowingJesus #ChristianLiving #FaithAndFamily #CatholicReflection #StandForChrist #PrinceOfPeace