James Koller, a dentist practicing in North St. Paul, recalled being moved by lay presenters at a Cursillo retreat about 25 years ago as they described integrating prayer and their daily lives. “I really was struck by a police officer who said the moment he turns on his siren, he started praying for the people who were at the other end of that call he was going to,” he said. “And I was just like, ‘wow.’”
Koller said he was a pretty good “one-hour-a-week Catholic” at that time in his life. “But that really was a call for me to start integrating my faith much more deeply on a daily basis.”
Dr. James Koller
A Catholic Spirit Leading with Faith honoree this year, Koller spoke about integrating his faith and work on an episode debuting at 9 p.m. July 30 of the “Practicing Catholic” radio program on Relevant Radio 1330 AM.
Living authentically and freely acknowledging one’s faith is key to integrating life with faith, Koller said. For example, he strives to pray for his patients and staff.
When he encounters patients who describe problems they’re going through, whether loss of a spouse, dealing with a difficult medical diagnosis or losing a child, he tells them he’ll pray for them. “Or if I feel they’re open to it, I’ll say, ‘Are you open to praying right now?’ Just take a moment and pray with them.”
People have plenty of opportunities to let others know they are people of faith who are willing to share that faith, Koller said.
He recalled a patient telling him about 20 years ago that he worked for a “golden rule business.” Asked for clarification, the patient told Koller, “Like your office, you treat people with the golden rule, treat them how they would want to be treated.”
“So that’s really the first step for someone — to see the other person as Christ, and see them as someone that you want to always demonstrate your best for them,” Koller said. “It’s simple, yet profound.”
In addition to doing something like attending a Cursillo retreat — where Koller said he had a significant encounter with Christ — Koller described other ways “one-hour-a-week Catholics” can “turn the corner.”
“Sometimes, it’s just going for a walk with someone and asking them if they want to pray a chaplet with you, or even just asking someone else to pray for you,” Koller said. To learn his other suggestions, and to hear the full interview, listen to this episode of the “Practicing Catholic.” It also airs at 1 p.m. July 31 and 2 p.m. Aug. 1.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the latest show also includes interviews with Jason Adkins, executive director of the Minnesota Catholic Conference, who looks back on his 10 years at MCC so far, and Deacon Joe Michalak, who previews his upcoming Cuppa Joe presentation, “Saint Joseph: Savior of the Savior.”
Listen to all of the interviews after they have aired at:
soundcloud.com/PracticingCatholic
tinyurl.com/PracticingCatholic (Spotify)
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