183. The Priest Who Changed How I See God

  When Fr. Crawford passed away, I didn’t just lose a friend — I lost the man who taught me how to see heaven in the middle of real life.He was the priest’s priest: wise, raw, deeply human, and utterly devoted to prayer. In this episode, I share the lessons that shaped my faith — from the man who showed me that prayer isn’t escape, it’s encounter. You’ll hear his words, his wit, and his wisdom — including the phrase that changed my entire understanding of the spiritual life: “All the way to heaven is heaven.” What if heaven isn’t somewhere we go, but something we start to see — right here, right now? Listen in to discover: The one truth that anchored me through every hardship The spiritual habit most people get wrong How to find peace in the middle of pain — not after it This episode isn’t just a tribute. It’s an invitation to see your own life differently.   Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Tribute to Monsignor Slade Crawford 00:00:47 - Personal Relationship with Monsignor Crawford 00:05:20 - Monsignor Crawford's Life and Legacy 00:12:39 - Wedding Homily Playback 00:32:00 - Closing Remarks   Fr. Crawford Obituary: https://www.emeraldcoastfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Monsignor-C-Slade-Crawford?obId=45958356   ✉️ Sign Up for The Beacon Email Newsletter: www.drmariosacasa.com/newsletter-opt-in Complete a survey to help me build Always Hope Together, my online community for this show: https://forms.gle/YpnfV8bS8R1ekzpR6 Subscribe for more Catholic Christian dating advice, emotional health tools, and honest conversations about love, faith, and healing. Not sure how to start a conversation with a someone you find attractive? Download my free Dating Toolkit at www.drmariosacasa.com/dating-toolkit   To catch up on previous audio-only episodes click on the links below: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/always-hope/id1437447070 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1EfQGHAQLHkQcmHeWjlCJF?si=6e6199090a0b4f0c   Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel for more insights! www.youtube.com/@drmariosacasa   Follow me on the socials: Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/drmariosacasa Facebook: www.facebook.com/drmariosacasa   Full Courses: Dating Well: www.drmariosacasa/datingwell Overcoming Stress and Anxiety: www.goodcatholic.com/product/overcoming-stress-and-anxiety/   The content of Always Hope is for purely educational reasons and is not meant as a substitute for proper diagnosis and/or professional counseling. If you need psychological or counseling services, please contact a trusted therapist for assistance. #faith #loss #wisdom #prayer #inspiration