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Dan Masterton

@thisladdan.bsky.social
120 followers 227 following 152 posts

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

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Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Agreed. Well said. danmasterton.substack.com/p/better-def...
danmasterton.substack.com
Better Defining Toughness and Masculinity
Sports are a lot of things, including a lot of problematic things, but they can provide amazing human insight and uniquely invite us to reflection, too
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Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Let’s talk masculinity, toughness, and manhood, and LETS CRY ABOUT IT LIKE MATURE MEN danmasterton.substack.com/p/better-def...
danmasterton.substack.com
Better Defining Toughness and Masculinity
Sports are a lot of things, including a lot of problematic things, but they can provide amazing human insight and uniquely invite us to reflection, too
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Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Hey @awfulannouncing.bsky.social am I wasted or is this CF angle waaaaayyyyyy off centered?
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Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
I like how proper apostrophe use led to it looking like ‘em fuckin’ is some kind of scare-quotes jargon
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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
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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.
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Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
But the TOOTBLAN legacy is immortal
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Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Nature is healing.
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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.
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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. 😴
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Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Open window sleeping weather and bears tv yelling let’s go
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Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Just watched. Great call. Really neat combo of character shifting, high tempo, neat set and lighting, and tight and focused performance — and a distinct way to honor the occasion of this anniversary. Thanks, Ben!
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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.
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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!
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Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
These have been great, Sarah! Love the guest list, and I particularly enjoyed your religious literacy shining with exploring Tom Suozzi’s spiritual tangents during his time away. Congrats!
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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
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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 🫠
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Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Man I would read those ombudsman columns every time.
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Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
How can we make a baseball version of NHL’s EBUG — have some neutral semi pros up in the clubhouse who can come in and throw BP quality strikes?
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Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
We’re talking the father, son, holy spirit, Ozzie and The Straw
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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
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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.
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Dave Itzkoff @ditzkoff.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
RIP Dolly 😭
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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.
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Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
The real pausa is the hidrataciones you had along the way
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Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Wtf.
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Keep up the great work, Ben! You guys are awesome.
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Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Well said — it’s gone from being a reductionist and lazy modifier to being often a full-on tribal pejorative.
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Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Feels a lot like the broader AI zeitgeist — capitalists insisting it’s the inevitable future but running into lesser interest and usage in reality that may not tick up as they envision. But quantity of people and quantity of money are different factors 🙄
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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
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Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
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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"
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Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Call me Alphonse Paleale
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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.
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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
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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...
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Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Could be a top notch Halloween costume
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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… 🤔🤓
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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."
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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...
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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
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Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
My friends. Yes.
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Dan Masterton @thisladdan.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
I think “porposal” should henceforth be the new jargon, defined as an unserious proposal.
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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
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