Thinking Faith Catholic Podcast

|TF| S4 EP 2 | How can you know that you’re saved? And if you’ve received the Holy Spirit, should you be certain of your salvation? This week on Thinking Faith, Deacon Eric Gurash and Dr. Brett Salkeld respond to a Miller High School student’s question about assurance of salvation and the Catholic understanding of hope. Along the way, they explore baptism, the Holy Spirit, Ignatian discernment, purgatory, and why Catholics and Protestants can approach the question of being “saved” so differently.When it comes to salvation, where should our confidence ultimately rest?02:14 Salvation Question Setup02:57 Mailbag From Students04:54 Assurance vs Hope05:47 Protestant Roots of Assurance08:58 Quicksand of Self-Doubt10:47 Sacraments and Agency13:39 Catholic Answer14:59 Hope and Salvation Anxiety15:40 Theological Virtue of Hope16:14 Feelings and the Holy Spirit17:24 Ignatius and Discernment Anchors19:55 Hoping Hell Is Empty21:06 Purgatory as Restorative Hope25:44 My Hope Is in Jesus26:43 Closing

| S03 E22 | On the cusp of the 10th anniversary of MAiD in Canada, and as our country prepares to expand Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) to cases where mental illness is the sole underlying condition, important questions remain about safeguards, mental health care, physician conscience rights, and the protection of vulnerable people. In this final episode of Season 3, Deacon Eric Gurash and Dr. Brett Salkeld welcome Larry Worthen of the Christian Medical and Dental Association of Canada for a conversation about the future of MAID, the challenges facing patients and physicians, and the Christian call to accompany those who suffer with dignity, compassion, and hope.00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro01:02 Tour Stories02:40 MAID Expansion Explained05:26 Legal Origins and Slippery Slope09:03 Burden and Human Dignity11:00 From Burden to Infanticide15:08 Conscience Rights and Doctor Duties17:24 MAID as "Treatment"18:30 Real Cases and Warnings20:09 Safeguards Always Fail22:09 Normalize Suicide Agenda23:34 Doctor Shopping Loopholes24:51 Keanu Case Explained26:57 Care Wait Times Crisis28:24 Palliative Care Underserved30:13 Suicide Line After Expansion33:54 Church Response39:11 Dying Well42:40 Final Blessing Farewell

TF S03 E21 | As we head into Laudato Si' Week (May 17-24) Dr. Brett Salkeld speaks with Comboni Missionary priest, Fr. Dario Bossi, about the Church’s vision of integral ecology, the human and environmental impacts of mining in the Amazon, and the work of Justiça nos Trilhos (Justice Along the Rails) supporting communities affected by industrial development. Together they explore faith, solidarity, Catholic social teaching, and the connection between the cry of the poor and the cry of the Earth.00:00 Welcome to Thinking Faith00:46 Meet Father Dario02:25 Missionary Journey04:38 Why the Amazon Matters06:27 Integral Ecology Explained10:07 Mining and Its Impacts13:11 Economy Versus Ecology22:25 Community Alternatives26:48 Churches and Mining Network28:04 Option for the Poor32:50 Justice on the Rails35:38 How to Learn More37:35 Catholic Solidarity38:19 Closing

TF | S03 E20 | In this episode of Thinking Faith, Deacon Eric Gurash and Dr. Brett Salkeld respond to a question from Grade 9–10 students at Miller High School: Do miracles still happen—and why can’t science prove them?Exploring Scripture, theology, and real-world examples, they unpack the relationship between miracles, faith, and scientific evidence. The conversation highlights why miracles in the Bible—and today—are not “proofs” that force belief, but signs that invite a personal response and deeper relationship with God.They also examine how the Church evaluates miracles, the limits of science in explaining the supernatural, and why openness—rather than certainty—shapes how we interpret extraordinary events. This episode offers a thoughtful and accessible look at how faith and reason work together, and why miracles ultimately point beyond themselves to hope, conversion, and God’s presence in the world.00:00 Miracles Question00:52 Why We Love Q and A01:55 Framing Modern Skepticism03:27 New Testament Not Naive05:08 Miracles Need Interpretation07:39 Miracles Don't Force Faith09:20 Science Limits and Saints12:09 Canonization Beyond Evidence13:53 Shroud of Turin Cautions16:49 Historical Case for Resurrection19:01 Historical Evidence Limits20:32 Hume and Miracle Bias21:23 Modern Miracles and Lourdes23:05 Why Miracles Leave Scars24:42 Signs That Build Hope29:44 Choosing Good Over Despair32:04 Prayer and Shared Responsibility35:44 Atheists' Prayer for a Sign37:13 Incremental Faith and Unbelief38:51 Wrap Up and Blessing

TF | S03 E19 | In this episode of Thinking Faith, Deacon Eric Gurash and Dr. Brett Salkeld respond to a powerful question from Grade 9–10 students at Miller High School: If God is always helping us, why is there so much suffering in the world?Drawing on Christian theology, Scripture, and real-life experience, they explore the problem of evil, distinguishing between natural suffering and moral evil, and examining how faith understands both. The conversation highlights how God does not cause suffering—but works through it, bringing grace, growth, and hope even in the most difficult moments.Through insights from the Psalms, the Cross, and everyday life, this episode offers a deeply honest and hopeful look at suffering—encouraging listeners to seek the full truth of their lives, practice gratitude, and trust that evil does not have the final word.01:14 Student Questions02:23 Why God Allows Pain03:19 Natural vs Moral Evil05:24 Death and Sin10:07 Grace Changes Perspective12:41 Holy Indifference Ignatius14:47 Evil Feels Like Winning17:57 Hope Through Suffering18:59 God Doesn't Waste Pain20:18 Remembering Past Grace20:56 When You Would Trade It23:04 Trust Beyond Answers24:17 Christ in Gethsemane25:08 Despair After the Cross27:11 John the Baptist Doubts29:30 Guilt Over Graces30:15 Why Me to Why Not32:10 Evil Defeats Itself33:08 Problem of the Good35:30 Gratitude in Hard Times40:24 Truth Not Denial42:04 Wrap Up and Thanks