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Father Mike Schmitz, known for his popular podcasts "The Bible in a Year" and "The Catechism in a Year," is currently on a nationwide speaking tour titled "Parables. A Time of Reflection with Fr. Mike Schmitz." The tour, which began in February, aims to fund the "Seeds of Faith" campaign. This initiative seeks to expand the Newman Center at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) and create a content-producing platform for Father Schmitz's global evangelization efforts.
During his May 19 stop at Washington’s DAR Constitution Hall, Father Schmitz explained his focus on parables: “I know that there’s a message that is both important and urgent,” he said. He believes Jesus' parables are essential teachings about understanding God’s heart and the kingdom.
Father Schmitz has been serving as chaplain at UMD's Newman Center for 20 years, witnessing significant growth in student participation. The current facilities are inadequate for the increasing number of students attending Mass and Bible studies. The proposed expansion aims to address these needs with an estimated cost initially set at $25 million but later expanded to $60 million.
“So the goal — this is the first time I’ve said this out loud — we’ve raised $30 million so far, and the goal is twice that for the building and full funding with endowment,” Father Schmitz revealed.
His tour focuses on four well-known parables: The lost sheep and lost coin, The sower and the seed, The dishonest steward, and The wise and foolish bridesmaids. Each offers insights into spiritual truths relevant today.
As demand continues, more engagements have been scheduled for October in Michigan and Texas. Looking ahead, Father Schmitz stated: “I’m always thinking about what is the next thing for the church? What is the next thing for the church in America?”
Kimberley Heatherington reports from Virginia for OSV News.
