Fr. Michael Denk
Brief Biography:
Fr. Michael Denk is the Founder of The Prodigal Father whose mission is to inspire, introduce and guide people in a deep and authentic life of prayer, leading them to an intimate, mystical and personal relationship with God their Father, in and through Jesus Christ and the working of the Holy Spirit. He is the author of “Pray40Days: The Personal Relationship With God You Have Always Wanted”, and the creator of the “Examen Prayer App.” Fr. Michael is a priest of the Diocese of Cleveland, an Aspirant of the Institute of Voluntas Dei and Priest in Residence at Walsh University. He is a prolific writer and blogger and is published in numerous periodicals including The Priest, Our Sunday Visitor, Emmaus, Crisis, Catholic-Link, UCatholic, Homiletics and Pastoral Review, and Shalom Tidings. Fr. Michael has appeared on appeared on EWTN, and produced series for Shalom TV and Salt and Light Network. He has been heard on the popular series “Faith With Father” on Living Bread Radio as well as on the Catholic Channel on Sirius XM Radio. He is a dynamic, inspiring and entertaining speaker. For speaking engagements, please email Scheduling@TheProdigalFather.org
Full Biography:
Fr. Michael J. Denk is the Founder of The Prodigal Father Productions whose mission is to inspire, introduce and guide people in a deep and authentic life of prayer, leading them to an intimate, mystical and personal relationship with God their Father, in and through Jesus Christ and the working of the Holy Spirit.
In August of 2018 he entered as an Aspirant of The Institute of Voluntas Dei (A Secular Institute of Pontifical Rite).
He is currently a Priest in Residence at Walsh University https://www.walsh.edu/national-author-rev-michael-j-denk-joins-walsh-university-as-priest-in-residence
Accomplishments:
Founder of The Prodigal Father Productions: A ministry to help people grow in their prayer life using the New Media. http://www.theprodigalfather.org/
Author of the Book: Pray40Days: “The Personal Relationship With God You Have Always Wanted.” Creator of Pray40Days Web-App and parish program.
Creator and author of the App: The Examen Prayer (available on iOS and Android and web)
Creator of the video series: Praying with the Mass
He is a prolific writer and has been published in numerous periodicals including The Priest, Our Sunday Visitor, Emmaus, Crisis, Catholic-Link, UCatholic, Homiletics and Pastoral Review, and Shalom Tidings.
He can be heard regularly on Living Bread Radio on the Series “Faith with Father” (Covering the YouCat) and daily scripture reflections. He has done interviews with numerous local, national, and international secular and Catholic radio and TV stations including The Catholic Guy: Lino Rulli on Sirius XM. He has appeared numerous times on EWTN on Living Right with Dr. Ray as well as the Salt and Light Network as a witness interview and Liturgical Season Weekly Reflections. He also has his own blog where he publishes his homilies weekly, “Praying with Priests,” and other series.
You can see Fr. Michael every Monday night on his Facebook Live show which reaches over 10,000 viewers nationally and internationally. Consider it like a late-night talk show hosted by Fr. Michael. There is always a ukulele, entertainment, laughter, and above all reflection on the upcoming Sunday Mass readings!
Fr. Michael is dedicated to helping others encounter Christ through the celebration of the Eucharist, Preaching, Confession, Spiritual Direction, and Prayer.
Fr. Michael Denk is dedicated to the Right to Life cause and has presented “Lessons from Rwanda for America’s Abortion Holocaust.” He also has the “Call within the Call” of helping people grow in their spiritual life. He has presented workshops on “Spiritual Reading,” “Discernment of Spirits,” and “Christology in the Mystics.”
He is devoted to the poor especially in Africa and El Salvador where he has taken his parishioners on annual mission trips. Maintaining this bond with the poor is important so he continues to be a mentor for Catholic Relief Services: Global Fellows Parish Homily Program which allows him to continue to spread the message of coming to encounter Christ in the poor. http://www.crs.org/global-fellows/rev-michael-j-denk
Current presentations are: “The Examen Prayer” and “Pray40Days.”
Contact:
Fr. Michael J. Denk
Priest in Residence
Walsh University
2020 East Maple Street
North Canton, Ohio 44720
Personal Email: Fathermichaeljdenk@gmail.com
Mobile: 440.836.3365
He served 11 years as a parochial vicar in parish ministry at:
St. Gabriel, Mentor, OH.
St. Joseph, Amherst, OH
St. Barnabas, Northfield, OH.
Ordained: 12 May 2007
Education:
Saint Mary Seminary: Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts “With Honors” from St. Mary Seminary in Wickliffe, OH. Thesis: Christology in the Mystics: Coming to Know, Love, and Serve Christ through John the Evangelist, Teresa of Avila, and Ignatius of Loyola.
Borromeo College Certificate - 2002
Cleveland State University: Bachelors of Communications with a Specialization in Video and Audio Production. Graduated 2001
Cuyahoga Community College
Valley Forge High School in Parma, OH – Graduated 1997
Holy Family Grade school in Parma, OH – Graduated 1993
He was born, baptized and raised at Holy Family in Parma, Ohio.
Why pray Lectio Divina?
Lectio Divina is one of the earliest forms of prayer. It was practiced by the monks as they prepared for Liturgy and as an extension of the Eucharist in The Liturgy of the Hours. Lectio Divina gives you a good experience of all three levels of prayer: Vocal, Meditative, and Contemplative. It is also encouraged by the Catechism of the Catholic Church as a way to meditate! (CCC 2708)
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