Father and Joe

Father Boniface Hicks and Joseph Rockey Jr
  • 4.9 (50)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

Father and Joe is a podcast series of a continuing conversation about struggles and successes of being close to God. Father Boniface provides spiritual direction through problems of daily life. According to statistics of the average American's church habits - We went to church when we were forced to but somewhere along the way, we drifted away. The ultimate goal of this podcast is to help us get back to church, regardless of what faith you hold, and create a stronger union with God.

  1. 9h ago

    Father and Joe E468: How to Become Friends With the Saints — Prayer, Biography, and Supernatural Friendship

    The saints can feel like distant, two-dimensional figures—names on churches, statues, feast days, and stories from another world. Continuing the conversation about Saint Boniface, Joe Rockey and Father Boniface Hicks explore how someone can move beyond simply knowing about a saint and begin developing a real relationship with that saint through prayer, curiosity, and time. Father explains that the saints are alive in Christ and closer to us than we often realize. The process can begin simply: notice when a saint repeatedly captures your attention, speak directly to that saint in prayer, and begin learning about the person behind the image. A short biography may provide the introduction, while longer accounts, films, papal reflections, and continued prayer gradually reveal the saint’s personality, struggles, limitations, courage, and humanity. As that relationship develops, a saint can move from “two-dimensional to three-dimensional”—becoming a spiritual friend whose example speaks into your own circumstances. Their lives show that holiness does not erase struggle. Saints endured failure, misunderstanding, temptation, conflict, unfinished work, and gradual conversion. Their friendship gives us examples to follow, encouragement for our own weaknesses, and intercession as we continue growing in our relationship with ourselves, others, and God. Key Ideas Begin simply: notice which saints keep appearing, address them in prayer, and ask for their help. Use biographies, trustworthy films, and Church teaching to discover the saint’s humanity—not only the polished summary. Saints become relatable when we understand their fears, failures, conflicts, limitations, and gradual conversion. Learning about history through a saint’s life helps connect unfamiliar circumstances with the human struggles we still face today. The goal is not collecting information; it is developing supernatural friendships that help us become saints ourselves. Links & References Saints for Sinners by Archbishop Alban Goodier: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/saints-for-sinners/ The Chosen: https://thechosen.tv/ Pope Benedict XVI’s General Audiences: https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/audiences.index.html CTA: If this helped, please leave a review or share this episode with a friend. Questions or thoughts? Email FatherAndJoe@gmail.com. Tags Father and Joe, Joe Rockey, Father Boniface Hicks, saints, communion of saints, friendship with the saints, supernatural friendship, intercession, prayer, Saint Boniface, patron saint, spiritual friendship, saint biographies, Saints for Sinners, Archbishop Alban Goodier, Pope Benedict XVI, general audiences, The Chosen, Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Saint Francis Xavier, Saint Camillus de Lellis, missionary saints, conversion, gradual conversion, holiness, sanctity, human weakness, failure, perseverance, martyrdom, Church history, Christian history, discernment, spiritual growth, Catholic prayer, relationship with God, relationship with others, relationship with self, becoming a saint, faith and imagination, Catholic books, lives of the saints

    18 min

  2. Jun 23

    Father and Joe E467: Saint Boniface — Using Faith, Courage, and Worldly Wisdom to Build Civilization

    What can a missionary from the eighth century teach us about faith, leadership, history, and using our talents well? Recorded on the feast of Saint Boniface—the patron saint and namesake of Father Boniface Hicks—this episode explores the life of the Benedictine monk known as the Apostle to the Germans and the lasting civilization that grew from his mission. Father Boniface explains how Saint Boniface left England to preach among the Germanic peoples, established monasteries and dioceses, strengthened connections with Rome, reformed parts of the Church, and worked wisely with political leaders who could protect the growing Christian communities. His monasteries became more than religious buildings: monks and nuns cultivated land, educated people, stabilized communities, and helped create the foundations from which towns and cities grew. Joe reflects on what this means today. Saint Boniface did not separate spiritual faithfulness from practical competence. He used language, organization, diplomacy, courage, Scripture, liturgy, and political awareness in service of God. His life demonstrates that Christians are not called to withdraw from the world or reject success. They are called to develop their gifts, use worldly knowledge wisely, and direct everything toward love, evangelization, and the good of others. Key Ideas Reading the lives of the saints gives us a personal and often more reliable way to understand history. Saint Boniface combined missionary courage with organization, education, diplomacy, and practical leadership. Monasteries became centers of evangelization, agriculture, stability, learning, and the development of communities. Worldly skills are not opposed to holiness when they are placed in service of God and the good of others. Saint Boniface invested his talents rather than protecting them, ultimately giving his life while continuing his missionary work. Links & References None explicitly referenced with a clear official/source link in this episode. CTA: If this helped, please leave a review or share this episode with a friend. Questions or thoughts? Email FatherAndJoe@gmail.com. Tags Father and Joe, Joe Rockey, Father Boniface Hicks, Saint Boniface, feast of Saint Boniface, Apostle to the Germans, Benedictine, Benedictine monk, missionary, evangelization, Christian history, Church history, eighth century, Germany, England, Rome, Pope Gregory, Saint Augustine of Canterbury, Charles Martel, Charlemagne, Holy Roman Empire, monasteries, monasticism, Church reform, Latin Church, Latin liturgy, Scripture, martyrdom, courage, talents, stewardship, leadership, diplomacy, political wisdom, civilization, agriculture, education, community building, Fulda, Saint Vincent Archabbey, Boniface Wimmer, Catholic history, relationship with God, relationship with others, relationship with self

    21 min

  3. Jun 16

    Father and Joe E466: The Golden Rule Isn’t Enough — “Love One Another as I Have Love You”

    Most of us grew up with the Golden Rule: “Treat others the way you want to be treated.” It’s simple, it’s memorable, and it works at a basic level. But as adults, Joe Rockey has been noticing a hard truth: that rule can fail fast in real relationships—because people value different things, receive care differently, and can completely miss a gesture that would have meant the world to you. So Joe and Father Boniface Hicks press into the upgrade Jesus gives at the Last Supper: “Love one another as I have loved you.” That standard doesn’t start with your preferences. It starts with Jesus—His self-emptying love, His patience, His sacrifice, and the grace that makes that kind of love possible in us. The conversation reframes Christian love as more than being “nice” or being reciprocal; it’s learning to see and serve the other person as Christ sees and serves them, in a way that builds communion rather than control. Key Ideas The Golden Rule helps children learn the basics, but adult relationships need more than “my preferences projected onto you.” Jesus sets a higher standard: love as He loves—not simply “love your neighbor as yourself.” That love isn’t willpower; it’s grace-driven transformation (sanctification) into Christlikeness. Real love requires mutuality: listening, learning, appropriate vulnerability, and choosing what actually serves the other. God’s love is personal and present: Jesus knows us fully and loves us anyway—so we can stop “performing” and start growing. Links & References (official/source only) None explicitly referenced with clear official/source URLs in this transcript. CTA: If this helped, please leave a review or share this episode with a friend. Questions or thoughts? Email FatherAndJoe@gmail.com . Tags (comma-separated) Father and Joe, Joe Rockey, Father Boniface Hicks, Golden Rule, love one another as I have loved you, new commandment, Last Supper, Jesus’ love, grace, sanctification, becoming like Christ, Christian love, love your neighbor, relationships, relationship with God, relationship with self, relationship with others, reciprocity, preferences, communication, listening, vulnerability, communion, humility, self-emptying love, discipleship, Ten Commandments, moral formation, spiritual growth

    17 min

  4. Jun 9

    Father and Joe E465: Building a Relationship With the Holy Spirit — The “Third Point” That Connects You to God

    Many Catholics can describe their relationship with Jesus and God the Father—but feel vague when it comes to the Holy Spirit. In this episode, Joe Rockey and Father Boniface Hicks address that gap head-on: the Holy Spirit is not an “it,” but a Person, and learning to relate to Him changes how you pray, discern, and grow. Through the lens of relationships—with self, with others, and under God—they show how the Holy Spirit quietly does what we cannot: transforms us day by day into Christlikeness and draws us deeper into the Father’s love. Father offers language and images that make the mystery workable: you don’t “see” the Holy Spirit the way you see a person—you see His effects (like wind). The Holy Spirit’s joy is to glorify Jesus, and when we become more like Jesus, we are cooperating with the Spirit’s work. They also use a practical “triangle” picture: the Holy Spirit is often the “third point” that completes the connection—not by replacing Jesus or the Father, but by uniting us to them through lived relationship, guidance, and interior transformation. Key Ideas The Holy Spirit is a Person, not a concept—and He wants real relationship, not vague acknowledgment. We often don’t see the Spirit directly; we see the effects (like wind): conviction, guidance, growth, attention drawn back to Christ. The Holy Spirit’s delight is to glorify Jesus; becoming more like Jesus is cooperating with the Spirit. Relationship is hard to “diagram,” but it’s real—especially in God: Father, Son, and Spirit as communion. Healthy spiritual life includes both speaking and listening: not only talking at God, but making room for promptings and guidance. Scripture Mentioned (no links) John 3:8 (the wind blows where it wills) The Creed language about the Holy Spirit (Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed themes) Links & References (official/source only) None explicitly referenced with clear official/source URLs in this transcript. CTA: If this helped, please leave a review or share this episode with a friend. Questions or thoughts? Email FatherAndJoe@gmail.com . Tags (comma-separated) Father and Joe, Joe Rockey, Father Boniface Hicks, Holy Spirit, Trinity, Father Son Holy Spirit, relationship with God, prayer, discernment, spiritual growth, sanctification, becoming like Jesus, glorify Jesus, wind analogy, John 3:8, Nicene Creed, creed, perichoresis, communion, transformation, listening to God, silence in prayer, guidance, promptings, virtue, humility, relational faith, Catholic podcast

    17 min

  5. Jun 2

    Father and Joe E464: Continual Conversion — You’re Not “Done” After the Sacraments

    A common trap in the Christian life is the “graduation mindset”: I got baptized, received First Communion, got confirmed… I’m good. Joe Rockey and Father Boniface Hicks argue that this is not only false—it quietly starves your soul. This episode is a practical invitation and blueprint for continual conversion: ongoing reaffirmation with Jesus that turns faith from a box you checked into a life you live. Father lays out a simple foundation that makes growth sustainable: Sunday Mass, monthly confession, daily prayer (15 minutes to an hour), spiritual reading, and a dose of silence. Once those basics are in place, faith begins to “take on a life of its own.” You start pulling on a thread—an event, a parish opportunity, a lead—and it opens doors you didn’t plan: Bible study, new friendships, new discoveries, deeper prayer, real formation. And God isn’t passive in any of it—He attracts, invites, and prepares opportunities without manipulating your freedom. Joe adds what this looks like in real practice: don’t stay a passive listener to Scripture. Put yourself in the scene. Notice the emotions that aren’t written down. Ask what the apostles needed their readers to understand and why. That habit of deeper attention builds a stronger interior life—and even changes how you hear the homily at Mass. The call is simple: keep going deeper, because depth is what breaks the “I did this once, I’m done” illusion. Key Ideas The “I’m done” mindset (post-sacraments) is spiritually costly; the antidote is ongoing conversion. A durable foundation: Sunday Mass + monthly confession + daily prayer + spiritual reading + silence. Growth often starts with a small “thread” (event/opportunity) that becomes a habit and opens unexpected doors. God draws without coercion: invitation, attraction, prepared opportunities—no manipulation. Go deeper in Scripture by entering the scene: emotions, relationships, motives—not just facts. Links & References (official/source only) Hallow (official): https://hallow.com/ Bible in a Year (Ascension, official): https://ascensionpress.com/pages/bibleinayear Catechism in a Year (Ascension, official): https://ascensionpress.com/pages/catechisminayear Jeff Cavins (official): https://www.jeffcavins.com/ CTA: If this helped, please leave a review or share this episode with a friend. Questions or thoughts? Email FatherAndJoe@gmail.com . Tags (comma-separated) Father and Joe, Joe Rockey, Father Boniface Hicks, continual conversion, ongoing conversion, sacraments, baptism, first communion, confirmation, Sunday Mass, confession, monthly confession, daily prayer, spiritual reading, silence, Scripture, Bible study, catechism, formation, discipleship, Catholic life, parish life, retreat, pilgrimage, parish mission, Eucharistic adoration, holy hour, daily Mass, Hallow app, Bible in a Year, Catechism in a Year, Jeff Cavins, homily, spiritual growth, curiosity, habits, events to habits, freedom, God’s invitation

    18 min

  6. May 26

    Father and Joe E463: Abundance Mindset — Stop Taking God’s Gifts for Granted and Start Using Them

    Abundance isn’t a business cliché—it’s a spiritual reality most of us underuse. In this episode, Joe Rockey and Father Boniface Hicks unpack an “abundance mindset” through the lens of faith: the human gifts we notice (marriage, family, friendships) and the supernatural riches we often forget (baptismal identity, forgiveness, Mass, the Church as family, communion with the saints). The question isn’t whether God gives abundantly. The question is whether we practice receiving those gifts—and build habits that make them real in daily life. Father offers a simple framework for making the abundance of Christ usable: events → habits → knowledge. Events (retreats, pilgrimages, special liturgies, novenas, missions) “strike the match.” Habits keep the flame burning (Mass, adoration, prayer rhythms). Knowledge anchors and integrates what we experience (learning the doctrine behind what we felt). Joe brings it home: don’t build a wall between “faith life” and “real life.” When you integrate the gifts of God into relationships, work, and ordinary conversations, you become more fruitful—and that fruit becomes a sign you’re moving in the right direction. Key Ideas Abundance starts with gratitude: name what you’ve already been given instead of living like it’s scarce. The faith offers “untapped riches”: baptismal identity, mercy, Eucharist, supernatural family, communion with saints. The integration path: events create ignition, habits sustain, knowledge stabilizes. Many gifts become meaningful only after repetition—sometimes you “do it” before you fully “get it.” Don’t separate church-world and life-world; abundance grows when it flows into relationships and service. Links & References (official/source only) None explicitly referenced with clear official/source URLs in this transcript. CTA: If this helped, please leave a review or share this episode with a friend. Questions or thoughts? Email FatherAndJoe@gmail.com . Tags (comma-separated) Father and Joe, Joe Rockey, Father Boniface Hicks, abundance mindset, abundance, gratitude, gifts of God, baptism, divine life, forgiveness, hope, Mass, Eucharist, Body and Blood, Church as family, communion of saints, angels and saints, vocation, priesthood, monastic life, conversion, ongoing conversion, spiritual habits, spiritual disciplines, retreat, pilgrimage, parish mission, novena, Eucharistic adoration, holy hour, daily Mass, real presence, Scripture study, Bible study, evangelization, serving the poor, soup kitchen, homeless shelter, Marian consecration, relationships, integrate faith, supernatural family

    17 min

  7. May 19

    Father and Joe E462: Riches, Talents, and Trust — Money Isn’t the Sin, Self-Reliance Is

    A real client conversation turns into a real Gospel question: if a Christian builds something that genuinely helps people—and it becomes financially successful—how do you reconcile that with Jesus’ warning that it’s hard for the rich to enter the Kingdom? Joe Rockey brings the tension to Father Boniface Hicks and pressure-tests the advice he gave: Jesus didn’t condemn “business” when He flipped the tables; the deeper issue was blocking outsiders from worship. And the parable of the talents points to growth and stewardship—God needs people who can carry “five talents” without losing their souls. Father affirms the direction, but sharpens the edge: Scripture’s warnings about wealth aren’t about cash being evil—they’re about what wealth tempts us to believe. Money, honor, power, and pleasure can become idols because they create the illusion that I can provide for myself, so I don’t need God. That’s the rub: when things break, do I fall back on the Lord—or do I buy my way out, control my way out, reputation-manage my way out? Poverty can be “blessed” because it forces dependence: The Lord is my shepherd—not the bank account. And the Gospel is not simplistic. Jesus Himself relied on benefactors: wealthy women supported His ministry; He had the Upper Room; He rode a colt; He was buried in a new tomb; He was anointed with costly nard. The point is order: have resources, put them at His feet, and use them to build up the Church and love in the world—without claiming they’re “mine.” Father shares an example of a wealthy man who sees money as God’s to steward, discerns carefully how to spend and give, and feels the weight of accountability. Joe closes with a practical business litmus test: is the business making clients’ lives better—and treating employees in a way that makes their lives better? If yes, the work can be noble. If no, the conscience conflict is a signal. Key Ideas Wealth isn’t automatically evil; the danger is idolatry: money as a substitute shepherd.The parable of the talents calls for stewardship and growth—not fear-driven hiding.“Blessed are the poor” can mean: fewer fallbacks force deeper trust in God.Those with more have more accountability; gifts aren’t “mine”—they can vanish tomorrow.Gospel balance: Jesus accepted costly gifts and benefactors; the call is to order wealth under love and mission.Practical test: does the business improve clients’ lives and treat employees with dignity?Scripture Mentioned (no links) Parable of the talentsRich young man“Blessed are the poor”“What do you have that you have not received?” (St. Paul)Acts of the Apostles community sharing (“placed at the apostles’ feet”)Links & References (official/source only) None explicitly referenced with clear official/source URLs in this transcript. CTA: If this helped, please leave a review or share this episode with a friend. Questions or thoughts? Email FatherAndJoe@gmail.com . Tags (comma-separated) Father and Joe, Joe Rockey, Father Boniface Hicks, money and faith, riches, rich man, kingdom of God, wealth, stewardship, providence, trust in God, self reliance, idols, money honor power pleasure, value hierarchy, parable of the talents, talents and stewardship, accountability, blessed are the poor, Gospel vision, natural law, business and Christianity, vocation, entrepreneurship, purpose driven business, serving clients, treating employees well, dignity of work, Acts of the Apostles, benefactors, costly nard, Upper Room, discernment, generosity, humility, gratitude, Christian maturity

    22 min

  8. May 12

    Father and Joe E461: “The Lord Is My Shepherd” — Desire, Provision, and the Messy Gift of Kids at Mass

    A single Psalm line can mess with your head—in a good way. Joe Rockey brings a phrase from the Good Shepherd Mass that sounds impossible on first hearing: “The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.” Joe’s honest reaction is simple: I still want things… like a burger. So what is the Church actually saying here? Father Boniface Hicks grounds it in Psalm 23’s meaning: the Lord provides for our needs—He doesn’t leave us destitute or deprived. Desire isn’t the enemy; it’s essential. St. Augustine calls prayer an exercise of holy desire, and the spiritual life involves attuning and purifying what we want. The key is order: keep God at the top of the value hierarchy, resist the temptation to cut corners on Him to “provide for ourselves,” and trust that if we seek first the Kingdom, God will provide what’s needed—often in ways we wouldn’t have predicted.  Joe then gives a concrete, family-life example: raising little kids at Mass can feel embarrassing and “imperfect,” but staying faithful reshaped the whole parish. Their consistency helped normalize young families, encouraged grandparents to invite their children, and grew the number of small kids in the congregation. Father reframes it: Mass isn’t a private piety project—it’s communal worship. A healthy parish supports families instead of treating them like an “intrusion.” Children don’t just disrupt; they awaken the community to reality and train the body of Christ to revolve around the weakest members—like a healthy family does.  The episode closes with an athletic analogy: practice includes drills and scrimmage. We aim at “ideal prayer” in quiet moments, but we also learn to worship faithfully in the real-world chaos—because that’s how love matures.  Key Ideas “Nothing I shall want” doesn’t mean “no desires”; it means God provides what is needed and doesn’t abandon us.  Desire is good; prayer forms and purifies desire (“holy desire” as a spiritual discipline).  Keep God at the top of the value hierarchy instead of cutting corners to self-provide.  Kids at Mass reveal what the Church is: a body, not an individual “quiet bubble.”  Healthy communities revolve around the weakest members; that’s how God loves us and how parishes should live.  Scripture Mentioned (no links) Psalm 23 Matthew 6:33 (“Seek first the kingdom…”) “Father gives good gifts” (bread/stone, fish/scorpion; Father gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask) Links & References (official/source only) None explicitly referenced with clear official/source URLs in this transcript. CTA: If this helped, please leave a review or share this episode with a friend. Questions or thoughts? Email FatherAndJoe@gmail.com . Tags (comma-separated) Father and Joe, Joe Rockey, Father Boniface Hicks, Psalm 23, Good Shepherd, the Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want, desire, holy desire, St Augustine, prayer, providence, God provides, value hierarchy, worship, Mass, distractions at Mass, kids at Mass, young families, parish community, communal worship, body of Christ, shame, vulnerability, support for parents, family life, parenting, one year old, four year old, drills and scrimmage analogy, practice and real life, ideal prayer, chaos and faithfulness, Easter season, discipleship, gratitude

    23 min
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4.9
out of 5
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About

Father and Joe is a podcast series of a continuing conversation about struggles and successes of being close to God. Father Boniface provides spiritual direction through problems of daily life. According to statistics of the average American's church habits - We went to church when we were forced to but somewhere along the way, we drifted away. The ultimate goal of this podcast is to help us get back to church, regardless of what faith you hold, and create a stronger union with God.

Information

  • Creator
    Father Boniface Hicks and Joseph Rockey Jr
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    470
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Father and Joe
  • Show Website
    Father and Joe

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