Blessed Sacrament Voices Podcast

In this deeply personal episode, Dan Tuma shares his journey from childhood prayers to a life-changing encounter with God at a Christian youth camp in northern Michigan. Through candid stories and honest reflection, Dan explores Romans 5 and the profound truth that while sin entered the world through Adam's disobedience, grace and eternal life come through Jesus Christ's obedience. Dan recounts how his faith moved from his head to his heart while counseling high school teenagers, how God spoke directly to him during a worship night at camp, and how nearly 12 years of returning to that camp—plus his involvement in Christ Renews —taught him that grace isn't earned but freely given. Despite feeling limited by his past and brokenness, Dan discovered that Jesus had been with him all along, walking beside him through every high and low. This episode is an invitation to recognize that we are all broken, beautiful creations desperately in need of a Savior—and that his grace surpasses everything. --- A Midland native, Dan Tuma is both a Special Education teacher and a business owner - doing what he loves working with children at Central Park Elementary, and providing photo and videography services through his company, Dan Tuma Media. Dan is a proud graduate of both Delta College (Associate's Degree in Electronic Media Broadcasting) and Ferris State University (Bachelor's of Science Degree in Television and Digital Media Production). Dan deeply values spending time with his family, which includes his golden retriever best friend, Joey. Dan is involved in the Men’s Christ Renews team at Blessed Sacrament Parish, and also volunteers at the Children's Grief Center of the Great Lakes Bay Region. Dan is passionate about many things in life - including his faith, his Children's Televison Program, “Mr. Tuma & Friends”, future chaplaincy opportunities (for hospitals/hospice), and also, later in his life, working in Memory Care/Assisted Living facilities in some capacity. Last, but not least, Dan is passionate about his favorite TV show, The Chosen!

In this week's episode, Corinne Cathcart uses a charming story from the Hallmark show "When Calls the Heart"—where a Mountie tells a white lie about loving lemon curd—to explore Jesus' simple yet profound command: "Let your yes mean yes and your no mean no." Corinne reflects on how we live in a world where artificial intelligence and internet misinformation make truth increasingly difficult to find, where even second graders must be taught to fact-check their research. She contrasts this with a time when the World Book Encyclopedia was the unquestioned source of truth, and challenges us to imagine a world where everyone has the integrity of a frontier town Mountie or the reliability of that encyclopedia. Through personal anecdotes and honest reflection, Corinne invites us to accept Jesus' challenge to co-create God's kingdom of love, justice, and truth here on earth—one honest word at a time. --- Corinne was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, but has been a member of the Blessed Sacrament community for 14 years. She earned a bachelor's degree from The Ohio State University, where she met her husband of over 25 years, and a Master's in Education from the University of Cincinnati. She was a second grade Catholic school teacher in Cincinnati before moving here when her husband started working for Dow Chemical. She loves working with the littles of the Blessed Sacrament family as the Children's Faith Formation Coordinator. When she's not at work, you'll find her with her nose in a book or learning something new!

In this episode, Vicki Briggs unpacks St. Paul's letter to the Corinthians, exploring how pride and power can blind us from God's truth—just as it did for Paul before his Damascus road encounter. Vicki reflects on how God consistently chooses the lowly and despised to accomplish His work, from the shepherds at Christ's birth to the possibility of redemption even for King Herod. She challenges us to recognize that our talents, achievements, and successes are all gifts from God, not personal accomplishments to claim as our own. Through personal stories and examples from everyday life (including football players pointing to heaven), Vicki invites us to look back on our lives, identify where God has been working, and give credit where it's truly due. --- Vicki grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas. She attended Catholic schools before moving to Austin to earn a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Texas. After graduating, she moved to Houston to work for Exxon Refining at Baytown. There she met Mike Briggs, a native of Midland. Mike returned to Midland to work for Dow Corning, and Vicki followed shortly thereafter. They were married here at Blessed Sacrament and have three children and eight grandchildren. Mike and Vicki lead a Small Faith Group and enjoy being active in our Midland community.

Pulling back the curtain on the podcast, Kristyn Russell turns our attention to one of the most overlooked—and most relatable—parts of Scripture: the Psalms. Through music, memory, and Psalm 40, we explore how praise and lament often live side by side, just like they do in our own hearts. From prayers that sound like “What the heck, God?” to quieter moments of gratitude, this homily reminds us that every honest prayer counts. The psalms don’t ask for polished performances or grand sacrifices; they invite us to listen, to love, and to live lives shaped by obedience and compassion. A reflection on hearing God’s voice, trusting the law written on our hearts, and responding with courage: “Here I am, Lord.” Psalm Recommendations: For Joy & Praise Psalm 100: "Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth." Psalm 103: Blesses the Lord for His forgiveness, healing, and love. Psalm 150: A crescendo of praise using all instruments. For Hope & Trust Psalm 23: "The Lord is my shepherd..." Psalm 62: "My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him." For Fear & Anxiety Psalm 27: "The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?" Psalm 46: "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." For Grief & Distress Psalm 6: "Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint; heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony." Psalm 13: "How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?" For Anger & Outrage Psalm 137: Expresses righteous anger and longing for justice. Psalm 4:4: "Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent." For Loneliness & Abandonment Psalm 142: A cry for refuge when no one cares. For Confession & Repentance Psalm 51: A classic prayer for mercy and cleansing. Psalm 130:

At the close of the Christmas season, the Gospel invites us to linger with the Magi—mysterious seekers who followed signs and wonders until they encountered Emmanuel, God-with-us. In this reflection, Lyn Pajk explores who the Magi really were, what drew them across deserts and darkness, and how a single encounter with Christ changed the direction of their lives. Through a nostalgic journey back to Christmas traditions of the 1970s—and a heartfelt retelling of The Little Drummer Boy—Lyn reminds us that coming before Jesus doesn’t require perfect gifts or polished hearts. Like Aaron with his simple drum, we bring what we have: our wounds, our hopes, our small offerings of love. As the Magi returned home “by another way,” we are challenged to ask the same question: after Advent and Christmas, how will we go back into ordinary time? Will we choose a path marked by mercy, kindness, forgiveness, and joy? Enjoy this reflection on Epiphany, transformation, and the daily invitation to encounter Christ in one another—and to be changed by him. --- Originally from Ohio, Lyn and her husband Tim moved to Midland in October of 1999 and became part of the Blessed Sacrament family that very first week. With a biology degree from Ohio State and post grad work in secondary science education, she brought 6 years of Middle School Science teaching experience with her to Michigan, as well as two young sons. During her 8 years as a stay-at-home mom, Lyn volunteered as a coach, room parent, catechist, and Cub Scout Den Leader for her now, 3 sons. In 2007 she entered the Saginaw Diocese Lay Ministry program and in 2008 joined the staff of Blessed Sacrament as the Coordinator of Elementary Faith Formation. Five years later she took on the role of Middle School Youth Minister (her favorite job of all time) and finished up her 15-year tenure as a member of the Faith Formation Team as the Coordinator of Adult Formation/Discipleship in addition to being the Team Leader. in 2023 Lyn "retired" from ministry, and she and Tim moved back to Ohio where their parents and their 3 boys all lived. And though she was certain that she wouldn't ever work in ministry again, Lyn is in her second year as DRE at their new parish, St. Victor, in Richfield, Ohio.