Witness Over Words | Mike Pacer | Episode #254

Mike Pacer is with the BeatiDudes to talk about the gritty, grace-filled reality of Catholic marriage and fatherhood. From why kids actually want boundaries to how husbands can shift from praying “next to” to praying “with” their wives, Mike lays out a hopeful, practical path: witness first, build a shared spirituality, make joy a decision, and apologize quickly.

Paul Kolker, Nick Bezner, and Jeff Schiefelbein laugh their way through Ignatian holy water, Latin(ish) dad jokes, and a peek behind the scenes of 5 Stones’ work with the Eucharistic Congress.

Top Takeaways

• Witness Over Words: Your kids imitate what you do before they believe what you say.

• Love = Willing the Good: Love isn’t a butterfly; it’s a choice repeated daily, especially when it costs you.

• Pray Together, Not Just “Next To”: Stop forcing your spouse into your style; discover a shared spirituality through dialogue and humility.

• Boundaries Are Love: Discipline that trains, not shames.

• Entrance Prayer: Before you walk in the door, pause and pray because your primary vocation is waiting at home.

• Joy on Purpose: Temperaments differ, but joy can be a decision in service of love.

• Own It Fast: The quickest way to lead at home? Admit faults and apologize to your wife and your kids.

Practical Challenge (Do This Today)

• Text of Blessing: Send your wife a simple, sincere note, no agenda, just love.

• Hidden Service: Do one chore she’ll never notice… because you did it before it became a burden.

• Couple Prayer Plan: Choose one shared devotion for the week (e.g., Divine Mercy Chaplet in the car; a decade after dinner; or a bedtime psalm).

• Driveway Pause: Say a short prayer in the car before entering the house.

Learn more about 5 Stones

weare5stones.com

https://www.linkedin.com/company/5-st...

Books by Mike Pacer

Prayers for Catholic Men

https://ignatius.com/prayers-for-cath...

Mercy and Hope

https://ignatius.com/mercy-and-hope-m...

The Three Comings of Christ - Daily Meditations for Advent

https://ignatius.com/the-three-coming...