Confronting the Ghost of St. John Vianney: A Vision for Modern Parish Life
Is the ideal of priesthood stuck in the past?
I love the saints—especially guys like St. John Vianney—but trying to imitate their circumstances can leave today’s priests feeling defeated before they even begin. In this episode, Fr. Scott Traynor and I get honest about how different our world is now, and why that’s not a problem to mourn but a mission to embrace. We talk about the heart of priesthood today: prayer, the sacraments, and investing deeply in a few people who can carry the Gospel into a culture that’s drifting away from Christ.
And here’s the hope: renewal isn’t about going backward. It’s about priests doing what only they can do—celebrate, preach, shepherd—and unleashing the laity to live their mission with confidence. If you’ve ever felt the weight of expectations you can’t live up to or wondered whether your parish can actually flourish in a secular age, this conversation will help you imagine a future filled with purpose and hope.
[01:21] Meet Father Scott Traynor
[04:34] The Legacy of St. John Vianney
[10:51] Historical Context of Parish Life
[21:25] Modern Parish Challenges and Solutions
[31:49] The Role of the Parish Priest
[37:07] The Power of Relationships in Evangelization
[48:36] Building a Leadership Culture in Parishes
[51:20] The Transmission of Faith in Parish Life
[56:18] Practical Steps to Start Evangelizing
[59:18] Final Thoughts and Encouragement
Books mentioned in this podcast:
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Jim Jansen – Director of the Parish Support Team, Archdiocese of Omaha
with Fr. Scott Traynor