The Brother Hut

Brother Hut | Ep. 39 - Help

Help! This episode is an update on our Capuchin Franciscan life and a reflection on help. The brothers, Vince Mary Carrasco and Brandon Berg, have been busy with life, but are back in the studio! Thanks for tuning in!
            The brothers give an update on the last month or so and talk about their plans for the summer. Br. Vince is preparing for a summer as a hospital chaplain in Denver Colorado. Br. Brandon is preparing to move to Colorado Springs and towards a year learning about the postulancy program. Postulancy is the first year of initial formation and, God willing, Br. Brandon will take over as director of the program in 2022.
            The brothers transition into the topic of help. Why do we sometimes not like to ask for help? Why do we wait until our ways have failed to ask for help? The brothers share some reflections on these questions. Brother Vince flips the script and ponders what God must feel like when we ask him for help. Since Jesus taught us to pray “Our Father” we stand on good ground in asking God for help. We assume God is the best of fathers willing and wai ting to come to the assistance of his children who ask for his help.
           The brothers hope this episode helps you to grow in your relationship with God and to ask for help when you need it.
Email us for questions, topics, suggestions, donations or comments at thebrotherhut@gmail.com
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This episode is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play & Podbean!
 

Brother Hut | Ep. 38 - Star Wars & Theology ft Br. Jordan Rojas

 
May the Fourth be With You!!
In honor of Star Wars day, Brothers Vinny and Brandon welcome Brother Jordan for a special look into the Stars Wars world, the creation of George Lucas, the creative force behind the franchise and more importantly for us, the theology behind it all.
Brother Jordan was initially drawn into Stars Wars by seeing Luke’s searching to the ends of Dagobah. Brother Jordan says that the theology of Star Wars is based on themes of searching, redemption, and hope. Other themes are light versus dark and working to instill the virtuous life. A big attraction to Star Wars is the depths of the characters as one sees how their past (their stuff) affects the decisions they make.
The brothers discuss their favorite movies and characters. The brothers highlight their interest in the new Mandalorian series and applaud the work of Dave Filoni.
The brothers discuss the Jedi and their relation to the ascetical life. Have you noticed the Jedi have different colored light sabers? The reason for this is examined.
May the Forth Be With You, and With Your Spirit!! 
 
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This episode is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play & Podbean!

Brother Hut | Ep. 37 - St. Conrad of Parzham feat. Br. Mark Schenk

Welcome back to the Hut! 
 
In this episode the brothers are joined by special guest, Br. Mark Schenk the Provincial Minister of our Province to talk about the history of our province, the establishment of Mid-America Capuchins and also a bit of how he came to grow into the vocation of lay brother. 
 
Every year on April 21st, we celebrate the feast of St. Conrad of Parzham, who is our Province Patronal Feast. In this episode hear about how we got our name, and the blessing of St. Conrad himself at the time of the first Capuchin missionaries. Saint Conrad was a man of simplicity, patience, a man who served the poor as a porter for 40 years, always recognizing the presence of God in every person.
 
Don’t miss this episode as we tackle the birth of our province, amazing stories of St. Conrad like the Holy Finger, Him giving out Beer, personal pilgrimages and things about his life that have resonated with us personally. Don’t miss it!
 
For more on St. Conrad visit https://www.capuchins.org/documents/conrad.bio.2017.0728.pdf or www.capuchins.org
 
Email us for questions, topics, suggestions or comments at thebrotherhut@gmail.com
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This episode is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play & Podbean!

Brother Hut | Ep. 36 - Ways to stay in Season (Easter is not finished!)

Welcome to the Hut!
In this episode the brothers talk, hallelujahs, springtime, slippers, more food, silkworms, stickers, new things, baseball's big move to Denver and most of all EASTER!
In this episode, the brothers dive into some of the emotions that the Apostles might have felt at the loss of their friend and Lord, Jesus. We felt the same and in many ways, we're forgetting that Jesus has Risen.
It's so easy to forget that we're still in the season of Easter. But it's not a one day thing! Jesus is Risen and we celebrate that for 50 days leading up to Pentecost. In this episode we give just a few practical things you can do to help you STAY in THE SEASON of EASTER. 
Tune in and let us know what works best for you! 
Email us for questions, topics, suggestions or comments at thebrotherhut@gmail.com
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This episode is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play & Podbean!

The Brother Hut | Ep. 35 - Encountering the “leper-chaun”

Have you ever encounter a Leprechaun? A leprechaun, no. But a Leper probably!
Welcome to the brother Hut. In Today's episode we combine Saint Patrick's Day with Francis’ experience of embracing the leper. Brother Brandon and the people of Denver recover from snowmageddon. Brother Vinny recovers from a few days of illness.
What is a Leprechaun!? Per Wikipedia, they are “diminutive supernatural beings, solitary fairies, or little bearded men with coats and hats that like to cause mischief. They are often depicted as shoemakers and with a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.”
Sure these are they mythological figures that we hear in Irish folk tales, but in our episode we want to share of our experience of encountering the LEPER. In this episode you’ll hear from Br. Vinny, who met a homeless man named was Felix, who encouraged brother Vinny to keep pursuing God in ministry. You’ll hear Br. Brandon talk about his encounter with a mysterious Christy, a name meaning “of Christ” for example, as in Lumen Christi, “light of Christ”, or Mater Christi, “Mother of Christ”. Although Br. Brandon was patient with her the situation did not end well, and she was forced to go off into the cold night.
Don’t miss this episode as we talk about Francis’ experience of the leper, his desire to do more and reach out to the leper. This is our experience in serving the poor, and the demands that has on us – to be lovers, to be relational and be present. The brothers read and pray Saint Patrick's breastplate. This prayer reminds us of Christ’s presence in the leper and Christ’s presence among us.
This week’s shoutout goes to the Irish Community! Br. Brian Sullivan, Fr. Simeon Gallagher and the Irish sisters with the Holy Spirit and Mary Immaculate in San Antonio, Tx.!! See you next time!
 
Email us for questions, topics, suggestions or comments at thebrotherhut@gmail.com
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Follow us on Twitter! @thebrother_hut | @brvinmary | @brbrandonofmcap
This episode is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, & Podbean!

The Brother Hut | Ep. 34 - Staying Motivated during Lent

Back in the Hut, the Brothers discuss some of the great ways to continue on the Lenten Journey. Now might be the time when our lenten journey and sacrifices might become “watered-down” — But don’t give up! 
In this episode, the brothers talk about ways to continue the lenten Journey, things to remember; things to consider and ways to stay motivated.
Remember the reasons why! — Sacrifice, offering and suffering involves something greater than ourselves; there’s a spiritual aspect of recognizing why we do what we do.
Listen to God — Give time, in silence, entering the desert and being awareness of God and your family. 
Obedience — obedient to God, paying attention our families, spouses, our neighbor and friends. This is motivation to help those “outside” of ourselves.
It’s okay to Start Over — don’t get discouraged in your short-comings, don’t be afraid to start again! (Nunc Cepi!)
Go to Confession — frequent the sacrament of reconciliation, and examine your own conscience. This will affirm your lenten journey and keep you pushing toward the path to holiness.
Don’t miss this episode! This week’s shout out go to Br. Vinny’s mother today on her Birthday; Tim Fernandez, and Janet Leehill 
Email us for questions, topics, suggestions or comments at thebrotherhut@gmail.com
LIKE us on our Facebook Page at  https://www.facebook.com/thebrotherhut/
Follow us on Twitter! @thebrother_hut | @brvinmary | @brbrandonofmcap
This episode is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts & Podbean!

The Brother Hut | Ep. 33 - Ash Wednesday Special!!

It's our Ash Wednesday special & We wanted to fill our listeners in on what's happening in our houses. Bro Vinny shares the experience of the Texas winter storm, that knocked off the power in the house. Bro Brandon shares with us his plan to eat stale hotdog buns. 
Together, they give you short tips on how to move forward in this journey of lent. Don't miss this short, special! 
Email us for questions, topics, suggestions or comments at  thebrotherhut@gmail.com
LIKE us on our Facebook Page at  https://www.facebook.com/thebrotherhut/Follow us on Twitter! @thebrother_hut | @brvinmary | @brbrandonofmcap
This episode is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, & Podbean!

Ep. 32 | Brother Deacon Jason Moore & the Fried Thermometer

Familiar voices in a new logo, the brothers are back in the Hut! Today we sat down with special guest Deacon Br. Jason Moore, OFM Cap, our brother.
Br. Jason is born in Denver and raised in the foot hills of Evergreen, Colorado. With a ton of experience in his life, he spent some time as a bartender and says is favorite drink is a Ketel One dry martini. In this episode, we hear how he found out about the community, what led him to the Capuchins, and powerful ministry experiences of working in the prison.
Br. Jason describes his time of growth in the faith and discernment of religious life. Br. Jason sites St. John Paul II as a major influence and got him to think about diocesan priesthood. Br. Jason has been to 5 different world youth days (Denver, Paris, Germany, Sydney, and Madrid). WYD in Paris involved a side trip to Assisi, Italy and started Br. Jason’s interest in the person of St. Francis.
Years later during a time of prayer at his parish Br. Jason thought of the priesthood and asked the Lord “Is this what you want from me?” Br. Jason discerned different religious orders and felt most at home with the capuchins of St. Conrad’s province. By the time he made solemn vows Br. Jason says, “No other option even seemed close.”
Don't miss this episode as we look into the life of Dcn Jason, sharing experiences of ministry, world youth day, the corona "prison cake", fried thermometers, and life as a religious! 
Thanks for our vocation, Brother!
This week's shoutouts are for Kevin Croghan, the Sisters of Life, various saints, the Shrine of Padre Pio in San Antonio, Texas along with Maddie Ware and her young adult group there! 
Email us for questions, topics, suggestions or comments at  thebrotherhut@gmail.com
'LIKE' our Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/thebrotherhut/'FOLLOW' us on Twitter! @thebrother_hut | @brvinmary | @brbrandonofmcap
This episode is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, & Podbean!

The Brother Hut | Ep. 31 - 4 Keys to Conversion

Back in the Hut Studios, the brothers share 4 key elements that are essential for your conversion, drawing closer to the Lord and growing in holiness!
God has Designated you!
Encounter with God
Detachment
Prayer
Br. Brandon focuses on Acts of the Apostles 22:3-16 and brings up two points of conversion summarized as 1, designated and 2, encounter. Br. Vinny focuses on Mark 10:17-31 and two points of conversion summarized as 3, detachment and 4, prayer. 
Br. Brandon discusses a recent help to his deepening conversion of knowing and loving Jesus that came through a talk by Vinny Flynn found on Formed.org (and probably other places). 
https://watch.formed.org/7-secrets-of-confession-by-vinny-flynn
Banter includes the topics of Br. Brandon’s St. Paul moment of getting hit by a dump truck while riding his bicycle and on Br. Vinny mistakenly ripping out a trumpet vine. 
 
Br. Brandon gives shout outs to Br. Vinny for the release of his new album “The Inner Room,” available on all your favorite streaming platforms. 
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbpyFIsMrlOOQ3mvD2HS0WA
Itunes. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbpyFIsMrlOOQ3mvD2HS0WA
spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/22ajb87Qdtxk2fUWXkExmj?si=1LJ_Yl-AQfmA_dbybxxgsQ
 
God bless you good listeners. Take care. Peace and all good. 
Brs. Vince Mary and Brandon!!

Brother Hut | Ep. 30: Epiphany - Seeking Christ in the New Year

Brothers are back and it's 2021! Brothers Vincent Mary Carrasco and Brandon Berg are together in Amarillo, Texas. Good listeners, thanks for your patience. Br. Vinny has been in Puebla, Mexico on a culture and language immersion. 
After some beginning banter on Mexico, the holiday season, and the star of Bethlehem the brothers move into today’s theme; Epiphany and seeking Jesus. The question is: as we seek the star of Jesus, what do we need to leave behind to start out on the journey and what will sustain us on the way?
Brother Brandon mentions that he needs to leave behind himself; as in leave behind distractions, comforts, food, and worry. Br. Vinny mentions he needs to leave behind fear and pick up a new level of awareness. Br. Brandon mentions that devotion to St. Joseph and Mary and a focus on his duties will sustain him throughout this new year. 
So dear listener, ask yourself what do you need to leave behind as you seek after Jesus, and what will sustain you in this new year?
Best wishes and prayers from Brother Vincent Mary and Brandon.