The Tangent on Veritas Catholic Network

The Tangent on Veritas Catholic Network

Tangents show us how close things really are. Join Fr. Sam Kachuba, Matt Sperrazza, and their guests as they connect Catholicism to sports, art, music (and everything else)!

Episodes

July 21, 2025 76 mins

Fr. Sam and Matt continue their conversation on St. Therese of Lisieux from last week, diving into some of the fundamentals of prayer - consolation and desolation. Fr. Sam draws the distinction between the two categories and then their subcategories (spiritual vs. non-spiritual consolation/desolation). He uses the teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola as the launching pad for this discussion. 

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Matt and Father Sam focus on the life and spirituality of St. Therese. They discuss the importance of boldness in prayer, the nature of divine will, and the role of intercessory prayer. They also highlight the significance of personal connection with God and the impact of spiritual motherhood in praying for others' salvation, exemplified by Saints Therese of Liseux and Maria Goretti.

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In this conversation, Matt and Fr. Sam discuss the challenges and joys of parenting, particularly as Matt transitions from one child to two. They explore themes of trust in divine providence, the impact of moving on family dynamics, and the significance of having a place to call home. They also discuss the importance of prayer during transitions, the balance between comfort and challenge, and the role of community in parenting. Ult...

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Jennifer Coffey Shevchuk sits down with Fr. Sam and Matt to discuss the impact that a holy pilgrimage can have. She offers her own testimony as someone who was deeply impacted on a pilgrimage, her expertise as a pilgrimage leader, as well as how she is incorporating her training as a Catholic Mentor into the new venture, Integration Pilgrimages.

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Integration Pilgrimages: https://integrationpilgrimages.com/

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Father John Nepil joins Fr. Sam and I (Matt) to share the experience of his upbringing as a cultural Catholic and how he experienced the call to the priesthood. This leads into conversation on a deeper understanding of an authentic Catholic worldview, the importance of integrating faith into culture, the role of liturgy in our lives, and how engaging creation improves one's relationship to God.

Included in this are the challenges o...

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In this conversation, Matt and Fr. Sam explore the complexities of social media, its impact on mental health, and the role it plays in evangelization.

 

 

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In this conversation, Matt and Father Sam explore the sacrament of Holy Orders, discussing its significance in the Catholic Church, the role of the priesthood, and the historical context of priestly functions. They delve into the distinction between the Old and New Testament priesthood, the nature of true sacrifice, and the transformative role of Christ in the priesthood. They also discuss the importance of sincerity in worship and...

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In this conversation, Father Donald Haggerty discusses the challenges facing the Catholic Church today, particularly the issue of ecclesial uncertainty. He emphasizes the importance of discernment in a media-saturated world, the potential impact of the next papacy, and the need for genuine evangelization alongside sacramental preparation.

The conversation also touches on the growing apathy towards God in society and the unprecedent...

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Since beginning the Tangent a couple years ago, Fr. Sam and I have had the opportunity to interview some amazing guests. One of those guests, who was kind enough to return to the show, is Stephanie Gray Connors.

Stephanie Gray Connors is a prolific pro-life speaker. She’s debated against abortion for decades and is now the author of two books in Word on Fire’s Dignity Series - “On Assisted Suicide” and “On IVF”.

I (Matt) invited St...

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Father Carter Griffin is a Princeton grad, former Navy Line Officer and now rector of a seminary. His book focuses on how parents can incorporate elements of priestly formation into how they raise their children.

LINKS

Veritas: https://www.veritascatholic.com/

Support Veritas: https://www.veritascatholic.com/donate

OTHER SHOWS

Restless Catholic Young Adults: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1SbvGysG6C0mnQRAVcagkg

Let Me Be Fran...

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Fr. Sam and Matt discuss the upcoming conclave, going through the logistics of how it works, the responsibility voting Cardinals hold, the need for the whole to Church to pray for an out pouring of the Holy Spirit, and how the Holy Spirit guides the Church during this time.

LINKS

Veritas: https://www.veritascatholic.com/

Support Veritas: https://www.veritascatholic.com/donate

OTHER SHOWS

Let Me Be Frank: https://www.youtube.com/c...

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April 28, 2025 52 mins

Fr. Sam and Matt reflect on the Holy Father's funeral, especially, the public witness of a Papal funeral, the catechetical elements of the broadcast, and the truly Catholic (as in universal) nature of a papal funeral. 

 

LINKS 

Veritas: https://www.veritascatholic.com/

Support Veritas: https://www.veritascatholic.com/donate

OTHER SHOWS

Restless: https://www.youtube.com/channel...

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April 21, 2025 59 mins

Pope Francis, the 265th successor of St. Peter passed away early this morning. Fr. Sam and Matt discuss the "official" mourning the Church welcomes all Catholics to embrace (Papal wake, funeral, etc.) and how all of us, even those who can't go to Rome can participate in it. Most of all, we are called to pray for the repose of Pope Francis's soul. 

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let Your perpetual light shine upon him. May...

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Matthew Petrusek joins the Tangent again to take a deep dive into utilitarianism, classical liberalism, libertarianism, progressivism (wokeism), and non-theistic conservatism. Perhaps most importantly, he, Matt and Fr. Sam discuss how each of these ideologies understand and live the experience of suffering. This is than contrasted with the Catholic understanding of suffering. They finish up the episode by discussing what it means t...

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Matthew Petrusek joins Fr. Sam and Matt to discuss the anatomy of various ideologies and the importance of logic in politics.

GREATER SUMMARY

Matthew Petrusek discusses his transition from academia to the  @word-on-fire  exploring the intersections of theology, ideology, and education. He emphasizes the importance of true philosophy and logic in understanding and responding to contemporary ideologies, particularly in the context of...

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Nick Clune of  @heybrotherpodcast  joins Fr. Sam and Matt to discuss Nick and Fr. Sam's respective experiences with the Catholic Psych Model of Applied Personalism program, the importance of relationships in healing, and the impact of John Paul II's personalism on counseling. They explore the challenges men face, particularly regarding addiction to p*rnography and the need for authentic relationships.

LINKS

Mentorship with Nick: ht...

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In this conversation, Fr. Sam and Matt explore the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, discussing its significance and historical development. They delve into the evolution of sacramental practices, the importance of faith in healing, and the relationship between spiritual care and medical science.

Matt and Fr. Sam also explore the connection between redemptive suffering and the sacramental understanding...

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Fr. Sam and Matt jump into any and every topic related to the Sacrament of Confession, including: understanding the effect of sin, mortal vs. venial sin, the ecclesial dimension of sin & penance, the healing power of confession, and much more! 

LINKS

Email List: https://www.veritascatholic.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpeAxbil8_mgC4Ielq0_MRQ/

Fr. Sam's Daily Reflections: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDXE8Y...

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In this conversation, Fr. Sam and Matt catch up after Fr. Sam's pilgrimage/vacation to Ireland. They explore the significance of Our Lady of Knock and the importance of silence and contemplation in daily life. They discuss the challenges of balancing personal desires with spiritual discipline, the emotional impact of music and prayer, and the need for silence in a noisy world. The dialogue emphasizes the value of intentionality in ...

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