He\u2019s known for his spiritual guidance and online evangelization through the Catholic media platform Ascension. He hosts \u201cThe Bible in a Year<\/a>\u201d and \u201cThe Catechism in a Year<\/a>\u201d podcasts, both of which have earned No. 1 debuts among all podcasts on Apple\u2019s platform.<\/p>\n Schmitz brought his spiritual lessons and sense of meme culture to Fort Worth on Thursday night as about 6,000 attendees listened to him explore four stories in the Bible and reflect on how to apply them in daily lives.\u00a0<\/p>\n A chaplain for the Newman Center at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, Schmitz\u2019s videos reading \u201cbrain rot\u201d with his students or strutting in his Mass vestments participating in the \u201cthrowing a fit\u201d trend have caught the attention of Catholics and non-Catholics across the world.<\/p>\n Schmitz comes to Fort Worth Catholics not as a celebrity but \u201cas an evangelizer who is at heart a good priest,\u201d Bishop Michael F. Olson said.\u00a0<\/p>\n A common question Schmitz told the Fort Worth Report that he asks himself before participating in a social media trend is: \u201cDo I think this would be helpful, or do I think I\u2019ll just be adding to the noise?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you add fuel to a flame, you get a lot of attention, but you might be adding more heat than light, and so I always wanted to just try to do my best to add light,\u201d Schmitz said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Some younger attendees may have anticipated six or seven parables to be read. Schmitz talked about four: the parable of the lost sheep, the sower, the unjust steward and the 10 wise and foolish virgins. His way of weaving biblical lessons and nods to meme slang is what he and others may say is \u201ctotally unc.\u201d<\/p>\n All the proceeds from each event go toward funding the construction of a new church and a dedicated space for students to meet, pray, study and grow in their faith at the University of Minnesota-Duluth.\u00a0<\/p>\n Outside of his campus duties and his tours, Schmitz is the director of youth and young adult ministry for the Diocese of Duluth.\u00a0<\/p>\n Through his experience working with young Catholics, common challenges this particular generation faces are feelings of lacking purpose, loneliness and anxiety, Schmitz said.\u00a0<\/p>\n While his visit to Fort Worth is a short-term way to share the lessons in the Bible, he hopes the youth in attendance will join a spiritual community where they can continue growing in their faith.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe only way we really grow spiritually is when we know how to feed ourselves spiritually, no matter where we are,\u201d Schmitz said.\u00a0<\/p>\n In the audience was Fort Worth resident Erika Pantoja. She discovered Schmitz\u2019s ministry through TikTok and began listening to his \u201cThe Bible in a Year\u201d podcast at the beginning of the year.\u00a0<\/p>\n Pantoja, 30, said she appreciated Schmitz\u2019s ability to make Bible teachings accessible and relevant to modern times. She resonated with Schmitz in his moments of vulnerability during the event, sharing times in his past he struggled staying connected to his Catholic faith.\u00a0<\/p>\n She found out she was pregnant with her son when she first started with the podcast and felt challenged juggling being a new mom and staying on top of listening to the daily lessons.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s so open and he\u2019s so vulnerable himself, telling his own testimony and his own truth,\u201d Pantoja said. \u201cI felt like the Holy Spirit was truly present here.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Marissa Greene is a Report for America corps member, covering faith for the Fort Worth Report. You can contact her at marissa.greene@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative<\/a> for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.<\/p>\n Republish This Story<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/ParablesTour08.jpg\")
Father Mike Schmitz, youth and young adult ministry director for the Diocese of Duluth and host of \u201cThe Bible in a Year\u201d podcast, brought his Parables Tour to Dickies Arena on Oct. 23, 2025. (Courtesy photo | Juan Guajardo, North Texas Catholic)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/ParablesTour07.jpg\")
Father Mike Schmitz, youth and young adult ministry director for the Diocese of Duluth and host of \u201cThe Bible in a Year\u201d podcast, brought his Parables Tour to Dickies Arena on Oct. 23, 2025. (Courtesy photo | Juan Guajardo, North Texas Catholic)<\/p>\n![\"YouTube](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1761501795_352_hqdefault.jpg\")
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Father Mike Schmitz, youth and young adult ministry director for the Diocese of Duluth and host of \u201cThe Bible in a Year\u201d podcast, brought his Parables Tour to Dickies Arena on Oct. 23, 2025. (Courtesy photo | Juan Guajardo, North Texas Catholic)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/ParablesTour06.jpg\")
Father Mike Schmitz, youth and young adult ministry director for the Diocese of Duluth and host of \u201cThe Bible in a Year\u201d podcast, brought his Parables Tour to Dickies Arena on Oct. 23, 2025. (Courtesy photo | Juan Guajardo, North Texas Catholic)<\/p>\n
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