When Father Mike Schmitz visited Cincinnati on May 21 for his national Parables tour, he was able to reconnect with the bishop who ordained and commissioned him with the assignment that has borne countless fruits for 20 years. Before showtime, as excited Catholics buzzed around the Taft Theater hoping to meet and greet a top U.S. Catholic evangelist, a quiet reunion occurred inside the empty theater.

Many people in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati already know Father Schmitz through his hundreds of YouTube videos, podcast episodes, and weekly homilies, which have helped an untold number of people grow to love and live out the Catholic faith. Many are also aware that Father Schmitz is the No. 1 religious podcaster in the world. “The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)” podcast, produced by Ascension, was the No. 1 show on Apple for a total of 24 days and remains the No. 1 religion podcast in the world. Father Schmitz is a highly sought-after Catholic speaker and evangelist, having addressed crowds as large as 50,000 people.

However, fewer people might know that our very own Archbishop-Emeritus Dennis M. Schnurr ordained Father Schmitz as both a deacon and a priest. As then-Bishop Schnurr of the Diocese of Duluth, he also assigned Father Schmitz to serve as chaplain for the Newman Center at the University of Minnesota Duluth—an assignment Father Schmitz still holds today.

“Archbishop was the person who put me in the assignment that I’m in now, and I’ve just finished my 20th year on campus and with youth ministry, and it has been an incredible blessing,” Father Schmitz said. “I’m just so grateful, because there are times when any of us could easily forget the person, or the many people, who helped you get where you’re at. And Archbishop Schnurr is one of those critical, critical people in my life—that I wouldn’t be where I am or who I am without him.”

Reflecting on the positive impact his assignment has had on the Catholic Church, Archbishop-Emeritus Schnurr said, “It goes back to what Pope Francis said very early on in his pontificate—God is a God of surprises, and you may think you know where your priesthood is going to take you but God may very well have other plans. … Father Mike is making such an impact on the young people—not only in this country but, in many ways, throughout the world. I’m just very pleased with that.”

The Parables tour supports Father Schmitz’s fundraising to build a new Newman Center and church building for his “Bulldog Catholic” campus ministry at the university. He emphasized that his digital ministry flows organically from his on-campus ministry with students and parishioners.

“Virtually every video I’ve ever made, every homily I’ve ever posted—that all comes from a conversation I’ve had with students,” he said.

Plans for the new Newman Center include a better digital recording studio to support Father Schmitz’s work with Ascension, like “The Bible in a Year” podcast and weekly YouTube videos.

With his 45-minute keynote message at the Taft, Father Schmitz wanted to “break open” some of Jesus’ parables because “they are often at the heart of Christ’s teaching.” He focused on “The Lost Sheep,” “The Sower and the Seeds,” “The Wise and Foolish Virgins,” and the “Dishonest Steward.” Following the keynote, he offered a 45-minute question-and-answer session.

Jesus used stories as a tool to help listeners understand what a relationship with Him looks like, what the Kingdom of God looks like, Father Schmitz said. He added that stories can change hearts and minds and, ultimately, have the power to change the way people live.

“In His parables, Jesus reveals the mysteries of the Kingdom, discipleship, and salvation. In His parables, Jesus makes it clear what the stakes are—life and death, Heaven and Hell—in such a way that He gets past our normal defenses and reveals His own Heart and the Heart of the Father.”

When the event ended, the crowd expressed their enthusiasm for Father Schmitz’s messages with a standing ovation. It was a joyous occasion.

This article appeared in the July 2025 edition of The Catholic Telegraph Magazine. For your complimentary subscription, click here.