Dan Masterton
@thisladdan.bsky.social
Dad, husband, mostly stay-at-home parent 👨👩👧👧🏡
Catholic writer & freelancer👨💻✍️ and part-time pastoral minister🤝⛪️
Catholic writer & freelancer👨💻✍️ and part-time pastoral minister🤝⛪️
Pinned
Dan Masterton
@thisladdan.bsky.social
· Nov 20
Allow Me to Reintroduce Myself
Hi, friends. I'm Dan.
open.substack.com
Hey folks! I’m Dan, and I’m a Catholic writer/Substacker. Allow me to reintroduce myself! Come along for weekly reflections from the life of faith, ministry, and Catholic living. It’s well informed but not lofty. Try it out! #Catholic #Catholicism open.substack.com/pub/danmaste...
Playing on Substack with an idea that lives richly in my brain but would never be actualized by me, a beer-loving, theology-consuming, non-entrepreneurial/risk-averse fellow. danmasterton.substack.com/p/a-differen...
A Different Sort of Faith-Based Third Space
We need third spaces. Some won't turn to churches for them. What if, in church's quest to come to where people are, that new third space had beer (or coffee and baked goods)?
danmasterton.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Playing on Substack with an idea that lives richly in my brain but would never be actualized by me, a beer-loving, theology-consuming, non-entrepreneurial/risk-averse fellow. danmasterton.substack.com/p/a-differen...
Reposted by Dan Masterton
“People are still worried things are going to get worse before they get better.”
In a year of high prices, economic uncertainty and other jitters, Americans are united in uncertainty — and poultry — this Thanksgiving.
In a year of high prices, economic uncertainty and other jitters, Americans are united in uncertainty — and poultry — this Thanksgiving.
Anxiety. It’s What’s for Thanksgiving Dinner.
In a year of high prices, economic uncertainty and other jitters, America is united in uncertainty — and poultry.
nyti.ms
November 25, 2025 at 7:40 PM
“People are still worried things are going to get worse before they get better.”
In a year of high prices, economic uncertainty and other jitters, Americans are united in uncertainty — and poultry — this Thanksgiving.
In a year of high prices, economic uncertainty and other jitters, Americans are united in uncertainty — and poultry — this Thanksgiving.
Reposted by Dan Masterton
Watching the Bears try to protect a double digit 4th quarter lead:
November 23, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Watching the Bears try to protect a double digit 4th quarter lead:
Reposted by Dan Masterton
More US adults identify with no religion (29%) than with the Catholic Church (19%) or evangelical Protestant denominations (23%).
www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
November 13, 2025 at 6:52 PM
More US adults identify with no religion (29%) than with the Catholic Church (19%) or evangelical Protestant denominations (23%).
www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
The breadth of content is overwhelming, but the pro is you can find what fits you just right; for me, it’s Freakonomics. The ethos of the host/show, which I loved already, sharpened my vocational understanding, especially what I need work on: #Catholic #Vocations
open.substack.com/pub/danmaste...
open.substack.com/pub/danmaste...
Realizing We Are Curiosity Engines, Myself Included
Hearing my favorite podcast host in the interviewee chair helped me understand why I like his ethos and approach so much, and what I lack and need as I continue growing
open.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:24 AM
The breadth of content is overwhelming, but the pro is you can find what fits you just right; for me, it’s Freakonomics. The ethos of the host/show, which I loved already, sharpened my vocational understanding, especially what I need work on: #Catholic #Vocations
open.substack.com/pub/danmaste...
open.substack.com/pub/danmaste...
Reposted by Dan Masterton
Reposted by Dan Masterton
Today, with Bishop Seitz and members of the immigrant community, Hope Border met Pope Leo and gave him messages and a video from those fearing Trump’s mass deportations. ‘The church cannot stay silent before injustice. You stand with me. And I stand with you’, the pope said.
October 8, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Today, with Bishop Seitz and members of the immigrant community, Hope Border met Pope Leo and gave him messages and a video from those fearing Trump’s mass deportations. ‘The church cannot stay silent before injustice. You stand with me. And I stand with you’, the pope said.
Reposted by Dan Masterton
Today marks the first day in public media’s history without federal funding. And we’re not going anywhere.
Listeners like you keep our mission alive. Protect one of the last places where America comes together to hear itself.
Stand with us today. Donate at this link: n.pr/46wamAj
Listeners like you keep our mission alive. Protect one of the last places where America comes together to hear itself.
Stand with us today. Donate at this link: n.pr/46wamAj
October 1, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Today marks the first day in public media’s history without federal funding. And we’re not going anywhere.
Listeners like you keep our mission alive. Protect one of the last places where America comes together to hear itself.
Stand with us today. Donate at this link: n.pr/46wamAj
Listeners like you keep our mission alive. Protect one of the last places where America comes together to hear itself.
Stand with us today. Donate at this link: n.pr/46wamAj
Reposted by Dan Masterton
We need better and more frequent experiences of unbridled joy and support. So if you can’t make it to Heathrow, here’s another spot:
danmasterton.substack.com/p/when-you-c...
danmasterton.substack.com/p/when-you-c...
When You Can't Get to the Heathrow Arrivals Gate
Our routines could use a few more places like that, where we remember the essential nature of unbridled joy and love and seek to find and share it more
danmasterton.substack.com
August 27, 2025 at 12:27 PM
We need better and more frequent experiences of unbridled joy and support. So if you can’t make it to Heathrow, here’s another spot:
danmasterton.substack.com/p/when-you-c...
danmasterton.substack.com/p/when-you-c...
Reposted by Dan Masterton
The Venerable Louis Querbes was born – and baptized – on this day in 1793 in Lyon, France. We thank God for his dedicated service and ministry and the charism he passed down to us to carry today. Venerable Louis Querbes, inspire us! #AdoredAndLovedBeJesus
August 21, 2025 at 2:00 PM
The Venerable Louis Querbes was born – and baptized – on this day in 1793 in Lyon, France. We thank God for his dedicated service and ministry and the charism he passed down to us to carry today. Venerable Louis Querbes, inspire us! #AdoredAndLovedBeJesus
Reposted by Dan Masterton
Here’s the full video from the Pop Tarts Bowl.
August 20, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Here’s the full video from the Pop Tarts Bowl.
Reposted by Dan Masterton
In @nytopinion.nytimes.com
“Trump may have a greater impact on the English language than any president in the history of the United States, maybe ever,” writes Adam Aleksic, an American linguist known online as the Etymology Nerd.
“Trump may have a greater impact on the English language than any president in the history of the United States, maybe ever,” writes Adam Aleksic, an American linguist known online as the Etymology Nerd.
Opinion | The Insidious Creep of Trump’s Speaking Style
The fact that we’re talking like Donald Trump could mean that we’re starting to think like him as well.
nyti.ms
August 18, 2025 at 1:45 AM
In @nytopinion.nytimes.com
“Trump may have a greater impact on the English language than any president in the history of the United States, maybe ever,” writes Adam Aleksic, an American linguist known online as the Etymology Nerd.
“Trump may have a greater impact on the English language than any president in the history of the United States, maybe ever,” writes Adam Aleksic, an American linguist known online as the Etymology Nerd.
I’d never taken part in a demonstration til this month. Unjust capricious immigration enforcement got me off the sidelines to stand with increasingly marginalized folks, as the son of an immigrant who became a person of privilege because of my grandparents/parents. open.substack.com/pub/danmaste...
Long-Time Listener, First-Time Caller
Moments of change often depend on people usually on the sidelines joining those who've stood up – in a small way, I have came off the sidelines
open.substack.com
August 12, 2025 at 12:56 PM
I’d never taken part in a demonstration til this month. Unjust capricious immigration enforcement got me off the sidelines to stand with increasingly marginalized folks, as the son of an immigrant who became a person of privilege because of my grandparents/parents. open.substack.com/pub/danmaste...
Reposted by Dan Masterton
On Ep. 93 of Viatorian Voices, we hear from Viatorians + partners who come to stand up for immigrants at our public witness in Arlington Hts, IL. Hear why they show up and think it's important. #AdoredAndLovedBeJesus https://www.viatorians.com/first-hand-witness-from-our-public-witness/p=130901
First-Hand Witness from Our Public Witness
www.viatorians.com
August 11, 2025 at 5:00 PM
On Ep. 93 of Viatorian Voices, we hear from Viatorians + partners who come to stand up for immigrants at our public witness in Arlington Hts, IL. Hear why they show up and think it's important. #AdoredAndLovedBeJesus https://www.viatorians.com/first-hand-witness-from-our-public-witness/p=130901
Reposted by Dan Masterton
Reposted by Dan Masterton
Ryan Burge, who for years juggled roles as a Baptist pastor, political scientist and go-to source on America’s changing religious landscape, has a new gig.
Ryan Burge joins the Danforth Center at Washington University
(RNS) — A political scientist and former small-church pastor, Burge has long studied the intersection of religion and politics.
religionnews.com
August 6, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Ryan Burge, who for years juggled roles as a Baptist pastor, political scientist and go-to source on America’s changing religious landscape, has a new gig.
Hi Catholic folks. I needed to reset my brain a bit on Catholicism and modern American politics. Here’s my best effort at the moment. #Catholic substack.com/@thisladdan/...
Peering Out the Overton Window
Unpacking a salient political science concept and filtering it through our modern Catholic faith in American political life
substack.com
August 5, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Hi Catholic folks. I needed to reset my brain a bit on Catholicism and modern American politics. Here’s my best effort at the moment. #Catholic substack.com/@thisladdan/...
Check, check, and check. 🎧☕️
1) Stop scrolling.
2) Donate to your local public radio station - it suddenly has a massive budget gap
3) I dunno, treat yourself to a break from screens and make yourself a coffee
2) Donate to your local public radio station - it suddenly has a massive budget gap
3) I dunno, treat yourself to a break from screens and make yourself a coffee
July 18, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Check, check, and check. 🎧☕️
Reposted by Dan Masterton
NEW: In a statement, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops declared that irrespective of the IRS filing, their policy is still to avoid endorsing candidates.
July 8, 2025 at 9:31 PM
NEW: In a statement, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops declared that irrespective of the IRS filing, their policy is still to avoid endorsing candidates.
Reposted by Dan Masterton
A thing to keep in mind here: As the article notes, the provision of the IRS tax code that prevented churches from openly endorsing candidates — the Johnson Amendment — is almost never enforced as it is.
But sanctioning it may change a lot of things about campaigning — in *both* parties.
But sanctioning it may change a lot of things about campaigning — in *both* parties.
July 8, 2025 at 1:06 AM
A thing to keep in mind here: As the article notes, the provision of the IRS tax code that prevented churches from openly endorsing candidates — the Johnson Amendment — is almost never enforced as it is.
But sanctioning it may change a lot of things about campaigning — in *both* parties.
But sanctioning it may change a lot of things about campaigning — in *both* parties.
Reposted by Dan Masterton
INBOX: Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, head of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, is urging lawmakers to change the GOP-led “Big, Beautiful Bill” budget proposal, citing Pope Leo to argue that the bill “takes from the poor to give to the wealthy.”
It’s the strongest language USCCB has used yet
It’s the strongest language USCCB has used yet
June 26, 2025 at 7:54 PM
INBOX: Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, head of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, is urging lawmakers to change the GOP-led “Big, Beautiful Bill” budget proposal, citing Pope Leo to argue that the bill “takes from the poor to give to the wealthy.”
It’s the strongest language USCCB has used yet
It’s the strongest language USCCB has used yet
Reposted by Dan Masterton
At last week's assembly, Viatorians practiced Conversations in the Spirit, heeding Pope Francis' call to journey together in listening where the Holy Spirit can take the lead. #AdoredAndLovedBeJesus
https://www.viatorians.com/feature-making-the-holy-spirit-our-protagonist-via-synodality/p=130396
https://www.viatorians.com/feature-making-the-holy-spirit-our-protagonist-via-synodality/p=130396
FEATURE: Making the Holy Spirit Our Protagonist via Synodality
www.viatorians.com
June 25, 2025 at 7:00 PM
At last week's assembly, Viatorians practiced Conversations in the Spirit, heeding Pope Francis' call to journey together in listening where the Holy Spirit can take the lead. #AdoredAndLovedBeJesus
https://www.viatorians.com/feature-making-the-holy-spirit-our-protagonist-via-synodality/p=130396
https://www.viatorians.com/feature-making-the-holy-spirit-our-protagonist-via-synodality/p=130396
Reposted by Dan Masterton
Some helpful tips for following the awful news out of Minnesota today.
June 14, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Some helpful tips for following the awful news out of Minnesota today.
Kudos to NPR for this piece on women’s diaconate—1st-person witness, citation of documents/process, a portrait of the Church/Leo XIV, and steers clear of labeling the Church out of touch or worse (even if a bit true). Refreshing to hear, especially these impressive women! www.npr.org/2025/06/10/n...
Women who want to be Catholic deacons are hopeful about Pope Leo XIV. Here's why
Those who've been advocating for women deacons in the Catholic Church are taking stock of the possibility under the papacy of Pope Leo XIV.
www.npr.org
June 10, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Kudos to NPR for this piece on women’s diaconate—1st-person witness, citation of documents/process, a portrait of the Church/Leo XIV, and steers clear of labeling the Church out of touch or worse (even if a bit true). Refreshing to hear, especially these impressive women! www.npr.org/2025/06/10/n...