Finding New Life in the Valley of Dry Bones

Encouragement and insight for those is a spiritual dryspell
Finding new life in the story of creation, Dry Bones & the Gospels.

This is a talk Taylor gave at St. Jerome's Parish in Waco, Tx. The theme was Arise: Jesus is Lord so we walk together through four stories in the Scriptures about when God's spirit breathed new life into dead spaces: the Creation story, the valley of the dry bones, the Talitha Koum healing story and Pentecost. We hope this talk nourishes you and leads you closer to Christ. Blessings!

Catholic Prayer Positions | How Catholics Pray

Sit, Stand, Kneel, Sit, Stand, Kneel.

There's gotta be more to it right? Taylor & Liv share what they have found works for them.

Watch it now on YouTube

Why I Hated the Loki Series on Disney+ | A Catholic Perspective

Huge issues with Free Will & Trust in the Loki series
Check out the video to find out what I liked and what I hated about it

So many people loved the Loki series but I hated it from the first episode. It left such a bad taste in my mouth that even the incredible acting couldn't fix my issues with it. Check out the video and let me know what you thought about the series in the comments.

It's Not That Late w/Liv Harrison (Guest Appearance)

Liv started a new radio show/podcast so I headed to her studio to flip roles with her and be a guest on her show. It’s one of the best things we’ve ever recorded together. Constant laughs and just a simply joyous occasion. Give it a watch/listen today :)

Liv Harrison makes her podcast debut | Forte Flashbacks

This is the moment Taylor began to lose his mind and control of the show

Liv, Taylor & Allison all together for her 1st appearance as a guest

We've been doing this show for five years and we know that not everyone has listened since back in the day. So we've started a new series called Forte Flashbacks highlighting the best moments of the show.

This week, we listen to the first time Liv came to town in order to drive Taylor crazy. Not only that, but Allison is also involved so the ladies team up against Taylor to make him look like the bad guy. It's a fun episode to listen back to to see how so much has changed and yet stayed the same. Enjoy!

Jon Blevins makes his podcast debut | Forte Flashbacks

We've been doing this show for five years and we know that not everyone has listened since back in the day. So we've started a new series called Forte Flashbacks highlighting the best moments of the show.

Taylor listens to the interview and then shares his thoughts and highlights from the conversation. This week is Jon’s first appearance back in 2018. It's amazing how much has changed in three years but also seeing the seeds of friendship being sown in this conversation.

The Falcon & Winter Solider Disney+ Series | A Catholic Perspective

Taylor shares his thoughts on The Falcon & Winter Soldier series from Disney+. What he liked, what he didn’t and the most important takeaway from it in our “A Catholic Perspective” series.

Fr. Anthony's 1st Appearance on the Podcast | Forte Flashbacks

We've been doing this show for five years and we know that not everyone has listened since back in the day. So we've started a new series called Forte Flashbacks highlighting the best moments of the show.

This episode proves how far we've come! Fr. Anthony sounds like he called in from a cell phone in Atlantis, Taylor had no mic ettiquette BUT we learn where "Pittsburgh's okayest priest" came from, the things he's done as a priest for the first time in human history & highlight his first utterly insane first podcast, The Flue. Enjoy his origin story on Forte Catholic!

Allison Sullivan's 1st Appearance on the Podcast | Forte Flashbacks

We've been doing this show for five years and we know that not everyone has listened since back in the day. So we're starting a new series called Forte Flashbacks highlighting the best moments of the show.

We're kicking off the series with each of the five cohosts first appearance on the show as guests. Every Friday, we will take a listen to their first segment and Taylor will provide his commentary on it at the end. Enjoy the origin stories of the best cohosts in the Catholic world!!!

Why St. Joseph Didn't Have Any Lines in the Bible | Bonus Content

In segment one of Ep 240 of the Forte Catholic podcast, we discussed new theories on why St. Joseph didn't have any speaking lines in the Bible. After we finished the segment, we had a few more ideas to share as follow up lolol.

So Will I (Cover)

Every week during the Easter season, we're releasing a worship cover connected to the Resurrection. Today's in So Will I by Hillsong.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel today

Resurrecting (Cover)

Over the next few weeks, we will be releasing a song each Friday that connects to the Easter Season. Today’s is Resurrecting by Elevation Worship.

Subscribe to YouTube today.

Break Every Chain (Cover)

Over the next few weeks, we will be releasing a song each Friday that connects to the Easter Season. Today kicks it off with a cover of Break Every Chain by Tasha Cobbs.

God of War and the Love of a Father (Guest Appearance)

Really enjoyed joining Mike Tenney & Nick de la Torre on Pop Culture Catechism to discuss my favorite video game ever…God of War. We talked about how great the game is, it’s impact on us as Fathers and a few more connections to our faith.

Check it out!

David Studebaker | Catholic Comedians on Forte Catholic

We've always had a love for Catholic comedians here at Forte Catholic. We like to think of ourselves as amateur comedians but every now and then we bring in the big guns: professional standup comedians.

In this vid, comedian David Studebaker joins the show to share his conversion story from Buddhism to Catholicism at 18, being a Catholic in comedy and what he finds funny about some aspects of Catholicism.

Over the past few years, we've had three professional comedians who are Catholic on the show: Aaron Weber(twice), Jeremy McLellan(twice) & David Studebaker. We're re-releasing these conversations over the next few weeks to bring you some joy in what has been a difficult time. Hope you like it! Please be sure to subscribe to check out the previous comedians and the rest of the great content we have coming soon!

Jeremy McLellan | Catholic Comedians on Forte Catholic

We've always had a love for Catholic comedians here at Forte Catholic. We like to think of ourselves as amateur comedians but every now and then we bring in the big guns: professional standup comedians.

In this vid, Jeremy McLellan(who admits we're the ones who made him famous) shares his comedic brilliance and (surprisingly) his Covid-19 conspiracy theories lolol. Liv tries to find out exactly where he lives(terrifying!)

Over the past few years, we've had three professional comedians who are Catholic on the show: Aaron Weber(twice), Jeremy McLellan(twice) & David Studebaker. We're re-releasing these conversations over the next few weeks to bring you some joy in what has been a difficult time. Hope you like it! Please be sure to subscribe so you don't miss, David Studebaker next week!

Pray the Stations of the Cross

A typical Catholic tradition during Lent is to pray through the stations of the cross at the parish on Friday afternoons. For those times we can't do that(looking at you Coronavirus), Taylor and Fr. Anthony wanted to pray with you digitally.

Taylor and a friend wrote these reflections while in college for a young adult audience and they have been used for youth nights and young adult groups throughout the country. We hope you enjoy praying and reflecting with us.

They are available below in video, audio and text format. Feel free to use these reflections for your parish.

Stations of the Cross

Happy Lent everyone! I hope this season has been a time of returning all of your heart, mind and soul to the Lord. 

One of my favorite prayers of this season is the Stations of the Cross. The reflections below were written by Michael Maldonado and myself during college. They have been prayed with college students, Jr. High and High School youth and at parish-wide events. They have received great feedback and I would love to share them with a wider audience. Feel free to use them for your personal prayer or at your parish.

If you enjoy these reflections or use them with your family or parish, please like, comment and share at the end. I would love to hear your feedback. For more to come from Forte Catholic, subscribe to the blog below.

Blessings to you and yours in this beautiful desert season of Lent.

In Christ,
Taylor Schroll

President of Forte Catholic

Reader: Please join us in our opening prayer, an Act of Contrition. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

All: O my God, my Redeemer, behold me here at Your feet. From the bottom of my heart I am sorry for all my sins, because by them I have offended You, Who are infinitely good. I will die rather than offend You again.

Reader: The First Station: Jesus is condemned to death 

Priest: We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.  (genuflect)
All: Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

Reader: Standing before Pilate, Jesus, the ultimate Judge, is being put on trial for crimes he did not commit. Look at how dignified he remains amidst the false claims.  The crowds, who just a week earlier welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem with praise and shouts of “Hosanna” now clamor for his death. How must he have felt? They have turned on Him so quickly. How often have I praised and welcomed Jesus into my life at one moment and so quickly turned my back on Him the next?

Pilate understands the predicament he is in. He finds no fault in Jesus, but the people are insistent on his death. He begins by standing up for Jesus but the consistent pestering of the crowds chisel away at him until he finally gives in to the pressure. How often have I done the same exact thing by putting my own reputation and desires before those of God or others? 

Priest-Lord Jesus, help me to stay calm when being wrongly accused, stay focused on you no matter the circumstances and find my ultimate joy in following Your will for my life. 

“Jesus Remember Me, When You Come into Your Kingdom” (2x)

Reader: The Second Station: Jesus carries His cross

Priest: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you. (genuflect)
All: Because by your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

Reader: When Christ carries the cross He carries you and me and all of humanity from the dawn of creation up to the present and through the future. He embraced the cross; the cross that would consummate his sacrifice to redeem the world. And as Christ assumed the cross for our salvation, we are called in the same way to “deny” ourselves, take up our cross to unite our suffering with His and follow Him in our journey into Heaven. And as we carry our cross He will carry us, uniting us to His sacrifice and renewing our strength to continue forward. The cross is the outward sign of our surrender to Christ. We live this when we deny ourselves and follow him. It is also a manifestation of Victory in Christ who conquered sin and death by and through the cross.

Priest-Lord Jesus, help me to always live in the victory that you brought through Your Passion. 

“Jesus Remember Me, When You Come into Your Kingdom” (2x)

Reader: The Third Station: Jesus falls the first time

Priest: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you. (genuflect)
All: Because by your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

Reader: After all the beating, whipping, mocking and torment, Jesus eventually stumbles and falls to the ground. The wooden cross falls hard and the rough ground is unforgiving. His body is a mix of sweat, blood and dirt. The king and creator of the world, who 33 years earlier, had humbled himself to become a man, feels the human pain physically, the mental pain of betrayal and humiliation, and the spiritual pain of knowing that as His tormenters and the crowds beat and mock Him, He is giving His life up for them.

But just when you think he is going to give up with all the struggles, He rises to His feet, takes the cross and presses forward. How many times have I given up when everything seems to be going wrong?

Priest-Lord Jesus, I look to you to learn and receive the fortitude and strength I need to press forward in doing what I know you are calling me to do, especially when it is hard. I humbly admit that I cannot do it on my own and I pray that I always seek your guidance and be willing to ask for help from You and Your body here on earth when I am struggling.

“Jesus Remember Me, When You Come into Your Kingdom” (2x)

Reader: The Fourth Station: Jesus meets His Mother. 

Priest: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you. (genuflect)
All: Because by your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

Reader: It is incomprehensible to try and understand the totality and fullness of the suffering Christ endured for us and the complete misery our Blessed Mother experienced in watching. One of the greatest moments of grief our Savior encountered on the path of his crucifixion was the sight of his sorrowful mother. An exchange of extreme hurt and sadness with floods of tears pierced the hearts of our Savior and Blessed Mother. Our Mother was shattered and broken at the sight of her perfect son being tormented by our sin and the sin of the world. In the same way that she expressed great sorrow for her son, we too should imitate that sorrow for our sin that placed this cross on Jesus’ back. Sin distorts the truth in our lives and in several ways brings “sorrow” and misery upon us and our brothers and sisters. How am I then called to act toward offenses against God? Have I portrayed deep sincere sorrow for our sins that nailed Christ to the Cross?

Priest-Lord Jesus, grant me the grace to trust that You are in control of not only my life, but all of creation. Help me to see Mary’s example of trusting Your divine plan, even when it looks hard and heartbreaking at times. Help me to trust You and let You have Your way.

“Jesus Remember Me, When You Come into Your Kingdom” (2x)

Reader: The Fifth Station: Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry His Cross

Priest: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you. (genuflect)
All: Because by your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

Reader: Jesus once said, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest….for My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” It didn’t seem too easy and light to Simon, who was pressed into service of a man he didn’t know while going about his daily business.

I often don’t see how Jesus is making my burden light and easy. It seems that times are just as hard, just as often. But what can I learn from this situation? Would I rather have the burden and punishment of my sin that Jesus has taken off my shoulders or the burdens of stress I feel from time pressures, school, work, family or anything else that I often complain about? Thank you Jesus for showing me that You don’t mean that my life will not present troubles, but that you remind us that You have taken and defeated the burden of my sin and offer me life and life more abundantly in following you. 

Priest-Lord Jesus, help me to mold my will with yours so that I can link my sufferings with yours and take joy in the toughest times in the fact that You are “always with me until the end of the age.”

“Jesus Remember Me, When You Come into Your Kingdom” (2x)

Reader: The Sixth Station: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

Priest: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you. (genuflect)
All: Because by your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

Reader: Seraphia was deeply moved by the sight of Christ agony that she offered her veil to bring relief to Jesus in the midst of his torture. She gave what she had in that exact moment. She wanted to see Christ to bless Him as best as she possibly could. She put aside all fear and all human considerations as she broke through the crowds and fell prostrate before our Lord. In all that I have been given have I blessed the Lord even in suffering as Seraphia did? In return of her fearless deed, she received back her veil to behold imprinted on it the face of the Son of Man. From then on she earned her new name Veronica which means “true image”. As Christ imprinted his face on Veronica’s veil, He does so in the depth of each of our hearts. 

Priest-Lord Jesus, help me to come to You in prayer, the Eucharist and Your Word and leave with Your image on my face and heart to share with all that I meet. 

“Jesus Remember Me, When You Come into Your Kingdom” (2x)

Reader: The Seventh Station: Jesus falls the second time

Priest: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you. (genuflect)
All: Because by your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

Reader: All of the physical strength in the world could not bear the load of carrying a cross the length of time that Jesus did after all of the torture beforehand without eventually falling. Jesus is tired, hurting and looks as though he is failing. The crowds had wanted a warrior Messiah; One who would overthrow Rome and make Israel a powerful nation again. They wanted the Messiah to put them in power and be a militant leader. How could this man being publicly humiliated and murdered possibly be the Messiah? To many, He is a failure.

But who do you say that He is? Do you trust Him? Trust that He will return in three days, give you life, joy, love, peace? Do I love Him for who He is, or like the crowds, do I selfishly want Him for the things he can give me? 

Priest-Lord Jesus, in recognizing that You are showing that true power is not in physical strength, but in walking in Your Father’s will in faith, I ask that I may be more humble before you, love you for who you are and put You and the needs of others before myself. Thank you that our strength does not lie in our physical or mental prowess but that our strength comes from Our Creator protecting us with His rod and staff.

“Jesus Remember Me, When You Come into Your Kingdom” (2x)

Reader: The Eighth Station: Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem

Priest: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you. (genuflect)
All: Because by your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

Reader: Compassion and sensitivity moved the women in Jerusalem at the viewing of Christ affliction to tears. Just outside the city is where most of the women gathered. Some of them who wept did not know Jesus at all but it was out of their human pity that they cried. Some of them did not even believe in His divinity. They saw in Christ either an innocent man condemned to death, or a criminal who was punished unjustly. But yet their humanity moved their hearts with compassion for Jesus. Have I expressed compassion and mercy for those around me who are suffering today? 

Priest-Lord Jesus, help me to be a vessel for change in the world for those suffering around me in my everyday life. Help me to notice the spiritual suffering and longing for You around me and be willing to help.

“Jesus Remember Me, When You Come into Your Kingdom” (2x)

Reader: The Ninth Station: Jesus falls a third time

Priest: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you. (genuflect)
All: Because by your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

Reader: It is almost the end. You can see Calvary’s hill up ahead. You are almost there. That place of destruction. That place of redemption. You know that you only have a little more to go, but you still fall. The weight of the world is bearing down on your shoulders even more. But with the knowledge that in a few hours you will say “It is finished,” You rise up quicker than the previous falls and continue on your way with the power of patience, endurance and trust providing all you need to push forward and finish what you have started.

Priest-Lord Jesus, Give me opportunities to grow in patience, not only with You but with all those that I encounter. Help me to grow in the gift of placing all my trust about my present and future in You. 

“Jesus Remember Me, When You Come into Your Kingdom” (2x)

Reader: The Tenth Station: Jesus is stripped of His garments

Priest: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you. (genuflect)
All: Because by your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

Reader: The last disrobing of Christ was ever more painful than the first. It tore open new wounds and pulled flesh off his body, burning like fire. Christ then not only bore our sin but He also bore our shame and humiliation as he was stripped completely naked. The shame and humiliation that Adam and Eve brought into the world through the fall was first understood in their nakedness. When sin entered into the world Adam and Eve first saw their nakedness and hid themselves from God. Christ’s crucifixion was going back into that garden to replace what was stolen; our ability to be unashamed; Our ability to confess our sins, wrong doings, and faults and no longer walk in shame but to walk with God. 

Priest-Lord Jesus, help me to be truly sorry for the times I hurt you and everyone around me through my sin. Help me to desire to be reconciled to You through a contrite heart and the sacrament of Confession. 

“Jesus Remember Me, When You Come into Your Kingdom” (2x)

Reader: The Eleventh Station: Jesus is nailed to the cross

Priest: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you. (genuflect)
All: Because by your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

Reader: With three nails and a hammer, the Tree of Life is nailed to a tree that will bring about His death. It is sad how something as small as a nail can cause so much pain and death. Jesus, I want to be convicted of the small things I do that take me away from You. I want to be a loving, generous person in every little action, no matter what mood I am in.

As You are raised up, we remember how Your Father told Moses to raise up a serpent on a stick and all who looked upon it after sin or sickness would be healed. We thank you for the cross that defeats all evil and that the cross is where we look for redemption and healing. Thank you for doing what we couldn’t. 

Priest-Lord Jesus, help me not drive the nails further by wandering away from You. Help me to recognize the power of my words and actions so that I do not drive nails into my friends and family with hurtful actions. Help me to be an agent of Your redemption and healing by leading people to the cross.

“Jesus Remember Me, When You Come into Your Kingdom” (2x)

Reader: The Twelfth Station: Jesus dies on the cross.  Please Kneel

Priest: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.
All: Because by your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

Reader: Jesus is dead. He has taken his last breath. His heart no longer beats. His body hangs there, lifeless. The Jewish leaders who stood and watched the death of Christ unfold were satisfied that finally “this rebel” was done away with because His teachings and those following Him would fade away. The Jewish leaders thought that they could finally get back to normal duties and comfortable lives. But... suddenly a darkness fell over the land. And the curtain that separated the Holy of Holies was torn in half. The earth shook violently. The veil was torn that separated God from his people. By Christ’s death He liberated us and made a way for all people to move from sin and death to everlasting life. What a gift to lay down one’s life for others. How will I respond to this ultimate gift? 

Priest-Lord Jesus, send Your Holy Spirit to guide me in responding to You daily in prayer and worship and through my actions to Your people.

“Jesus Remember Me, When You Come into Your Kingdom” (2x)

Reader: Please Stand.  The Thirteenth Station: The body of Jesus is taken down from the cross

Priest: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you. (genuflect)
All: Because by your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

Reader: Joseph of Arimethea responded to your death with bold faith. He approached Pilate to ask if He could have the body of Jesus. He put his reputation, finances and life on the line to give a gift to Jesus and His family and friends. Before Joseph was granted permission to take Jesus down, Pilate had to make sure the Lord was dead so he had a solider stab him in the side. As the spear pierced Jesus, the water and blood of mercy streamed out onto the ground. Thank you Jesus that even in the moment of death You poured out Your mercy upon our world. Your work was finished and this cleansing was a sign of hope in the world’s darkest moment.

Priest-Lord Jesus, help me to be as bold in my faith as Joseph. Help me to not back down from challenges to stand up for my faith and to stand up for those around me, especially the most vulnerable. 

“Jesus Remember Me, When You Come into Your Kingdom” (2x)

Reader: The Fourteenth Station: Jesus is laid in the tomb

Priest: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you. (genuflect)
All: Because by your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

Reader: Right after the death of Christ, His closest followers are left all alone. For the past few years they gave up their livelihood and all they had to follow the Messiah. Now He is gone and almost everyone has either forgotten or lost hope in the Lord’s promise to return. The disciples during this time experienced an extreme feeling of being lost. Their future was unknown. They witnessed this Man heal people and perform miracles and all of a sudden He is gone. The combination of anxiety, fear, and loneliness was fully felt between the death of Christ and his resurrection. Have I allowed myself the time to be still and patient for God? In areas of my life that I am trying to find quick solutions for and easy paths around a situation, how can I instead wait and allow God to move in my life? 

Priest-Lord Jesus, help me to find You in the stillness and quiet and await Your coming. Help us to live lives worthy of Our King. I lay my life before You. Thank you for finishing what You set out to do.

“Jesus Remember Me, When You Come into Your Kingdom” (2x)

Reflection

Reader: Following this last meditation and closing song, we ask that you dismiss yourselves from the Church in silence. Please be respectful of those who wish to stay and pray in the Church.

Reader: Jesus, you went to the tomb without a word of protest even though you were innocent.  How many of us can say the same?  All around us people suffer and we fail to reach out to them.  We fail to reach out in love to those who are closest to us.  Lord, help us to walk our way of the cross with a little more faithfulness.  You said that in order to follow you we must pick up our cross daily.  Help us to recognize our crosses with joy, because in accepting them we imitate your life.  In imitating you we will eventually share in your death and resurrection.  Amen.

Closing Song

Aaron Weber | Catholic Comedians on Forte Catholic

Catholic Comedians | Aaron Weber on the Forte Catholic Podcast

The amateur comedians bring in the professional comedians to save us

Catholic comedy is the best!

We've always had a love for Catholic comedians here at Forte Catholic. We like to think of ourselves as amateur comedians but every now and then we bring in the big guns: professional standup comedians.

In this conversation, Taylor & Fr Anthony talk to Aaron Weber about how he is the Michael Jordan of comedy, best practices for getting away with not kneeling in Mass and Fr. Anthony rants and raves about who knows what in the middle of a show designed to make people happy lol. We also try to convince him to get back into podcast WHICH HE HAS NOW DONE on the Nateland Podcast w/Nate Bargatze. Before Aaron was one of three dudes laughing on a podcast there, he was doing it here with us ;)

The Forte Catholic Hosts Play the Game of Favorites!

The Forte Catholic Hosts Play the Game of Favorites!! Taylor gathered the four cohosts to play one of his favorite games! Fr. Anthony, Bearded Blevins, Allison Sullivan & Liv Harrison face off in a brawl for the ages!

THIS WAS SO MUCH FUN!!!

Our friend Peter Schmidt hosts a weekly game show called Game of Favorites which is a comedy game with the winner decided by the viewers on Twitch. It's unlike anything else. Check out the video of our time on Game of Favorites for the first time all five hosts have ever been together and it is craziness and people roasting each other for over an hour. Enjoy!

And if you do enjoy it, subscribe to Game of Favorites on Twitch to catch the action live every Friday at 7pm CST.

Share Your Presents | My session for the Emmanuel Conference hosted by Smart Catholics

Taylor clearly remembers the greatest Christmas gift he ever received as a young kid. Do you remember yours? He shares one of Jesus' parables about the greatest gift God has given us and our responsibility as the recipients. This session was part of the Emmanuel Conference hosted by Smart Catholics. Find out more about their online conferences at smartcatholics.com.