Patrick Conley Announces Retirement from Practicing Catholic, New Hosts Named

After nearly nine years hosting Practicing Catholic, the weekly radio show and podcast for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Patrick Conley has announced his departure. 

“I wouldn’t exactly call it a ‘retirement,’ but as I enter my final year of formation for the permanent diaconate for the Diocese of La Crosse, continue hosting The Inner Life on the Relevant Radio network, teaching religion classes at Thorp Catholic School, and being a husband, I prayerfully discerned it was time. It was a difficult decision, as I started in 2016 when the show was called The Rediscover: Hour, as part of the Rediscover: evangelization efforts of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis at the time, and I am thankful to have been part of the Practicing Catholic team since 2021. I am certainly going to miss working with the great producers I’ve had—Susanna Parent, Cami Berthiaume, Kayla Mayer, and Rachael McCallum—and technical producer Paul Sadek, of course, but I look forward to listening to the show with new hosts.”  

Archdiocesan Communications Director Tom Halden oversees Practicing Catholic and announced that Father Tom  Margevičius and Leah Heselton will be the new hosts, beginning in August. “I am so grateful for the foundation Patrick has helped build. I will miss him as a host but am looking forward to continuing our friendship and listening to him on Relevant Radio.”  

Father Margevičius is a familiar voice for Practicing Catholic listeners. He has been a regular guest on Practicing Catholic for many years, and his “Mass Class” series is still one of the show’s most popular segments. Halden is confident that Father Margevičius, as a priest of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis for more than 25 years, seminary professor, pastor, liturgist, musician, storyteller and more, will connect with listeners right away. 

Father Margevičius said, “To say I am ‘replacing’ Patrick Conley’ does not give him enough credit; he’s irreplaceable, and we are all indebted to him for his pioneering work. I am delighted to take the reins that he is entrusting to Leah and me so he can concentrate on formation as a permanent deacon. Who knows, maybe one day we can interview him!” 

Leah Heselton is familiar to listeners as well, as the voice behind the Practicing Catholic show open since 2024. A lifelong Catholic of this Archdiocese and deeply connected to the faith, Heselton holds a master’s degree from the University of St. Thomas’ Catholic Studies program and has also been a guest on Practicing Catholic several times. Halden said, “Her love of Christ and his Church and her joy are infectious. I am so thankful she is increasing her role in the Office of Communications to include co-hosting the show.”   

Heselton said, “Patrick’s willingness to listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit is an inspiration to all those who get the chance to know him. While we will all miss Patrick and his incredible hosting skills, I am grateful for the opportunity to host the show with Father Tom and continue to share the stories of this Archdiocese.”  

Paul Sadek will continue to serve as technical producer of Practicing Catholic, alongside show producer Rachael McCallum. Sadek also produces and hosts “Daybreak” on the Relevant Radio network.  

Practicing Catholic can be heard locally Friday evening at 9 p.m., Saturday at 1 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. on Relevant Radio 1330 AM and anytime on popular podcast platforms.