Sign in

Dan Masterton

@thisladdan.bsky.social
120 followers 227 following 150 posts

Catholic writer/freelancer 👨‍💻✍️📝 | communications director @ViatorianUSA | Notre Dame & Catholic Theological Union alum | Dad 👧👧👧

PostsRepliesMedia
Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 19h
Hey @awfulannouncing.bsky.social am I wasted or is this CF angle waaaaayyyyyy off centered?
001
Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
If you could only bring one bible passage with you to a deserted island, which would it be? Is there one that seems to have a claim on you or speaks to you with inexhaustible depth? I have mine here: danmasterton.substack.com/p/the-bible-...
danmasterton.substack.com
The Bible Passage I’d Take to a Deserted Island
Which would you take? I’m confident Mark 10:46-52 and Bartimaeus will keep teaching me new things for life
000
Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
I find Garrett to be perhaps the most grounded, intellectually honest, and clear thinker in an era when each day’s chaos is so disorienting. Make crimes criminal again.
000
Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Nature is healing.
000
Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
I wore a Bears jersey to Mass last Sunday. So did many other Chicagoans. I think this is fine and even kind of great. danmasterton.substack.com/p/jersey-doe...
danmasterton.substack.com
Jersey Doesn’t Rhyme with Heresy
I often wear Chicago Bears clothes to Sunday Mass. I don’t just think it’s fine; I kind of love it.
000
Reposted by Dan Masterton
Bleacher Nation Bears @bn-bears.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
How I’m gonna sleep after watching the Bears score 59 points in a Week 1 win. 😴
0404
Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Appreciate the folks @uscatholic.bsky.social giving me a chance to apply CST and unpack solidarity + preferential option to consider social issues — think of it less as total endorsements or something, and more like giving people as much (or more) support as you can. uscatholic.org/articles/202...
uscatholic.org
When on the fence about an issue, choose solidarity - U.S. Catholic
For those on the fence about whether to stand in solidarity with marginalized groups, the church's preferential option can be instructive.
011
Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Fellow millennial parents, Danny Go! has released a new song for the first time since Danny’s son passed. It’s a banger. And I can’t help but feel the grief and joy but a big hearted dude and his friends. youtu.be/ebBH6umnDPE
youtu.be
“Burning ENERGY!” ⚡️ Don’t-Stop-Moving Challenge | Danny Go! Dance Songs for Kids
YouTube video by Danny Go!
000
Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Have your close friends and loved ones ever seen you live in your element professionally? It’s an oddly deficit in adult life, especially contrasted to childhoods of recitals, games, performances — and reason to share proudly and inquire of others curiously. danmasterton.substack.com/p/do-your-th...
danmasterton.substack.com
Do Your Thing and Share Your Thing
An odd quirk of adulthood and professional life: some of us may never get to have our loved ones and close friends see us in live, real time, doing our greatest passions and living our vocations
000
Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Preach, Susan. Often the easy and convenient thing becomes the enemy of the intriguing and beautiful thing. And our faith and faith communities don’t need this sloppy homogeneity 🫠
021
Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Consoled to have taken time to process a long path of vocational discernment in a new and life-giving way. So much grace and good from God here. danmasterton.substack.com/p/the-road-t...
danmasterton.substack.com
The Road That Rises Ever to Meet Me, Part 3
Ireland helped four silly boys celebrate the hero of their lives – and points ever forward to deeper, love-filled roots that help to fill us with grace and build connections
010
Reposted by Dan Masterton
Viatorians @viatorianusa.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
What's it like to gather with the young religious of our worldwide community? Br. Juan David shares a bit on his week with some younger brothers in Burkina Faso. #AdoredAndLovedBeJesus More to come from our Congress of Young Religious – on our website and social media tomorrow.
011
Reposted by Dan Masterton
Dave Itzkoff @ditzkoff.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
RIP Dolly 😭
61517178
Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
I feel this big time. On summer nights, my brother and I regularly watched the late Baseball Tonight to get the highlights, Touch ‘Em All, and Web Gems, and sometimes would handle insomnia by trying to name all 30 MLB teams by memory, referencing the Tribune sports section as a key when needed.
010
Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Come along with me to the iconic spot where I had the greatest vocational clarity of my life so far! A double roundabout may confuse American drivers, but my soul navigated it just fine. danmasterton.substack.com/p/the-road-t...
danmasterton.substack.com
The Road That Rises Ever to Meet Me, Part 2
Vocation is an ever unfolding story, and at this stage, there is a profound Irish blessing woven all the way through – here, learning the centrality of relationship
000
Reposted by Dan Masterton
Viatorians @viatorianusa.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Br. Tony Davies and Br. Sal Solis have begun their Viatorian novitiates. Please pray for our brothers as they undertake this intensive year of prayer, study, and discernment. #AdoredAndLovedBeJesus www.viatorians.com/br-tony-and-br-s…
viatorians.com
Br. Tony and Br. Sal Begin Viatorian Novitiate
012
Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Some vocation stories are short and sweet, some maybe a bit longer and more complex. A facet of mine is so built so centrally on Ireland and Irishness that I’ve gotta go back decades before a was born. danmasterton.substack.com/p/the-road-t...
danmasterton.substack.com
The Road That Rises Ever to Meet Me, Part 1
Vocation is an ever unfolding story, and at this stage, there is a profound Irish blessing woven all the way through, starting decades before I was born
000
Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
open.substack.com/pub/danmaste...
open.substack.com
Take A Random Day Off (If You At All Can)
When you need it for downtime or personal mental health space, do it. But when you can burn it on a loved one, man oh man should you do that.
000
Reposted by Dan Masterton
The Onion @theonion.com · 31/07/2026
Chicagoans Over 25 Urged To Shelter In Place Until Lollapalooza Over
Chicagoans Over 25 Urged To Shelter In Place Until Lollapalooza Over
181840274
Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Reflecting on some negative moments I’ve met cold gatekeepery receptions and thinking about the ways we can do better in Church ministry and outreach. open.substack.com/pub/danmaste...
open.substack.com
Gates That Don't Open Are Just Walls
Gatekeeping is fine and sometimes necessary, but sometimes in Church life gatekeepers don't open the gate often enough or wide enough – and should
000
Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
open.substack.com/pub/danmaste...
open.substack.com
I Know I Want AI to Leave Me Alone
I feel, think, and believe it's excessive and out of control. I'm still finding my way to a more articulate "why"
000
Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Call me Alphonse Paleale
0300
Reposted by Dan Masterton
Ken Tremendous @kentremendous.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
This photo absolutely rules. One kid hitting the Spidey, the other brandishing a weapon that has absolutely gone house on Schwarb's pants, the youngest wearing like full Confirmation Gown-level outfit while the boys are in shorts, and Schwarbs and his wife just loving all of it. Peak parent life.
943228
Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Rewatching The Sandlot many times with my kids, it holds up so well. Through adult eyes and parent perspective, it’s fun to see how Benny uses the no opt out, practices a little upstanding, and even flexes coaching muscle! Just don’t fake a drowning to kiss a girl. open.substack.com/pub/danmaste...
open.substack.com
The Sandlot is the Fine Wine of the 1990s
In a time when many things have aged poorly, we Millennials can relish how 1990s movies remain a cultural standard worthy of repeat viewing and savoring ad infinitum
000
Reposted by Dan Masterton
John T. Grosso @jtgrosso.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
"The kids gave me this platform. They chose me. How could I not use it to help them?" Last month, I had the privilege of interviewing @msrachelforlittles.bsky.social about her deep, unshakable faith. You can read more from our incredible conversation today in @ncronline.bsky.social.
ncronline.org
The unshakable faith of Ms. Rachel
Having achieved worldwide fame for her educational YouTube videos, Rachel Accurso is an advocate for children's rights. Behind it all? An unshakable faith in the love of God and steadfast commitment t...
041
Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Watching The Sandlot again with the kids and wondering if @mikelaskey.bsky.social is gradually aging into becoming legendary police chief Squidman Palidorus… 🤔🤓
100
Reposted by Dan Masterton
Jason Koebler @jasonkoebler.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
ChatGPT posters and flyers are polluting real life and driving me insane. Please respond to this with the worst ones you've seen irl. I'll post some in the thread www.404media.co/we-are-livin...
404media.co
We Are Living in a ‘ChatGPT Flyer Pandemic’
"Hey if this is your flyer, I’m not going, I’m not donating, I’m not sharing. Don’t ask me."
2772917872
Reposted by Dan Masterton
Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · 02/07/2026
A debate over Matthew 25 has been brewing in Congress over the last year. It’s pitting mainline pastors, Black protestants and the pope against evangelical politicians put on the defensive amid outspoken religious criticisms of President Donald Trump’s policies. religionnews.com/2026/07/01/i...
religionnews.com
The Bible verses dividing Washington: How Matthew 25 became a political litmus test
(RNS) — 'He told me that Matthew 25 was about individuals, and not nations,' Sen. Raphael Warnock said, referring to Speaker Mike Johnson. 'The text actually says nations.' Warnock added: “It's a ver...
2829181
Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
I think I just barely resisted turning my love of Swedish breakfast food into a pedagogy of family faith formation. open.substack.com/pub/danmaste...
open.substack.com
Kids Learn What We Delight In
I love a good lecture but know how many tune them out – so, in parenting, when example and tradition can displace blabbing on, it's a real big deal
000
Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
My friends. Yes.
000
Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
I couldn’t shake discomforting pre-Vatican II-ness of a recent Mass where it felt as if the congregation was superfluous to the liturgy — felt like it wouldn’t have been different if the pews were empty. I’m here for full, active, conscious participation. #Catholic open.substack.com/pub/danmaste...
open.substack.com
Feeling Superfluous Amid Active, Conscious Participation
I didn't expect a brief visit to a special shrine to unearth such discomfort and then refine a key trait of my personal piety
000
Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Some thoughts on the blessing of hybrid work and how I try to guard against its downsides to take care of myself and keep my work strong. open.substack.com/pub/danmaste...
open.substack.com
Working Mostly Alone Helped Me Value People
Being a hybrid/WFH worker helped clear the decks and give flexibility and control, but I only thrive when I welcome or proactively incorporate human interactions into my workflow
000
Reposted by Dan Masterton
Rich Raho @richraho.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
‪“A law does not attain its true greatness merely by having been formally enacted; it attains it when, in addition to being valid in form, it can stand before the dignity of the person and pass that test without shame.” - Pope Leo
1154
Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
My brain blended these two posts together, and, honestly, not wrong.
000
Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
In 16+ years blogging & 37+ years of life, I've gravitated to the power of BOTH-AND, especially vs. false dilemmas & polarization. I write because I love to share & find resonance w/others. It'd mean a lot to me if you read & subscribe. #Catholic #Christian danmasterton.substack.com/p/let-me-be-...
danmasterton.substack.com
Let Me Be Your Guide to Catholicism AND
I bring my Catholicism into any and all areas of my life, and I write with the hope that it will resonate with you and ignite Jesus and your faith to ride shotgun in your life, too
030
Reposted by Dan Masterton
Anne M. Carpenter @catholickungfu.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Here’s my intellectual problem with this: most of it. But my central one is I don’t think can evangelize *a culture.* That feels very wrong-headed to me. I thought the object of the Gospel (evangelion, good news) was persons. Human beings. (Also theology is not culture. I will die on this hill.)
7392
Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
I don’t need all my shows and movies to be religious, but boy do I get lathered up when I find some good religious themes and explorations in a good show. I have spoken. open.substack.com/pub/danmaste...
open.substack.com
Careful Giving Me Religious Themes in a Good Show
How Season 3 of The Mandalorian provides absolutely delicious religiosity ready to be devoured by a thematically ravenous audience
000
Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Ok @grammargirl.bsky.social, is “officially” the new “literally” in that it will lose its actual meaning? Election days are brutal as candidates are “officially accepting” nominations even though vote totals aren’t certified, party meetings are yet to come, etc. Often an issue in sports news too 🫠
100
Reposted by Dan Masterton
Mina Kimes @minakimes.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
AI can tell you how a word is spelled. But the work these kids do to solve those words—developing study tactics, identifying linguistic patterns, honing their ability to perform under pressure—is something a computer can’t do for you. The Bee is a reminder of what the human brain is capable of.
472131160
Reposted by Dan Masterton
Anne M. Carpenter @catholickungfu.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
To me the kind of remarkable thing is that Catholics trust a messy, human process to genuinely lead us places. I like that. Where is the Holy Spirit: right there. In the difficulties.
3152
Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
I get Catholic guilt about buying name brand over private label at the grocery store
000
Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Catholic News can get rough— esp closures and abuse settlements. Yet, there’s new church construction, OCIA young adults, and @viatorianusa.bsky.social, surging vocations. It renews and strengthens my Christian hope. #AdoredAndLovedBeJesus #Catholic substack.com/@danmasterto...
substack.com
A Ready Explanation for My Hope
000
Reposted by Dan Masterton
On This Day in Simpsons History @dailysimpsons.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
30 years ago today, Bart Simpson got the “dud” while playing a game of Mystery Date with Milhouse and his parents. #TheSimpsons episode “Summer of 4 Ft. 2” first aired May 19, 1996.
11872338
Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
To Catholic/Protestant posters, I heard Br. Alois of Taizé speak at a Catholic gathering in 2012. He reflected on baptismal call & suggested when we introduce ourselves/our faith, we should first simply say, “I’m a baptized Christian,” and proceed from there. That’s always stuck with me. #Catholic
000
Reposted by Dan Masterton
Br. Dr. Ken Homan, SJ @kenhomansj.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
It's strange to me that this crowd & speakers include Catholics who say Catholics can't work w/ certain orgs b/c they're too woke or un-Catholic but they can share a stage & platform w/ speakers & orgs not only whose social beliefs contradict ours, but who are wholly anti-Catholic. Makes no sense.
2326
Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Striping a Teeball field peeled back the curtain on another layer of vocation for me, thanks especially to my dad’s fidelity and passion in being a great coach and supporter forever. open.substack.com/pub/danmaste...
open.substack.com
The Bases for Living Vocations
Stumbling on a fresh wrinkle of vocational living while carefully striping a teeball field with a rickety chalk-line caddy in the straightest line I could eyeball
000
Reposted by Dan Masterton
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops @usccbofficial.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
One year ago today, the College of Cardinals elected Cardinal Robert Prevost as the 267th Successor of Peter. Taking the name Leo XIV, he became the first U.S.-born pope in the history of the Church. We give thanks for his ministry and continue to pray for our Holy Father.
2208
Reposted by Dan Masterton
Brett Taylor @brett-taylor.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
1524
Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
There’s a couple basic pieces to unpack on how the Church and our faith is political, partly by saying how it is not and can never be political. If all the Trump/Vance/Rubio silly season stuff is twisting you up, maybe I can help reset you a bit. substack.com/@danmasterto...
substack.com
How the Catholic Church Is (and Isn't) Political
Unpack the word political, peek at its layers, and take this little stroll me around some of the ins and outs of the extent to which Catholic faith is fundamentally political
000