Stop Scrolling. Start Serving. Deacon Pedro's Challenge to Catholic Men
The veteran Catholic broadcaster says the Church already has everything men need—but they won't find it by staying idle.
One Mission. Many Ministries.
For more than two decades, Deacon Pedro has helped tell the stories of the Catholic Church through Salt + Light Media.
As Director of Programming and Production, he has spent years producing documentaries, interviews, live broadcasts, and programming from around the world. Along the way, one truth has become increasingly clear:
The Church is full of incredible ministries—but too few people know they exist.
“There are so many Catholic organizations that are doing really good work,” he said. “In fact, I think that most of them are doing really good work. But we don’t know about them.”
Rather than competition, he believes Catholic organizations need greater collaboration.
“Our job, if anything, is to let everybody else know the work that Heroic Men and other organizations are doing. But we can’t do that if we don’t know about it.”
The Great Commission Is Still the Mission
Speaking just one day after Pentecost, the conversation naturally turned toward evangelization.
“We all have the same mission,” Deacon Pedro said.
“Go make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Teach them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and remember that I am with you always.”
For him, that passage from Matthew’s Gospel remains the Church’s permanent call to action.
Rather than creating isolated ministries working independently, he hopes Catholics continue building bridges that help people discover the many resources already available.
The Catholic “Tool Bag”
One image Deacon Pedro returns to often is what he calls the Catholic “tool bag.”
“Catholics—we have the biggest tool bag. Everything that’s going to help you get to heaven is in that Catholic tool bag.”
The challenge isn’t a lack of resources.
The challenge is helping people discover them.
“Most people only know what’s in the front pocket.”
Because of his work, he regularly encounters movements, apostolates, religious communities, and ministries that many Catholics have never heard of.
That knowledge allows him to connect people with ministries suited to where they are spiritually.
“I like to see my work as being a bridge builder.”
Catholic Men Need Something Built for Them
One area where Deacon Pedro believes the Church still has room to grow is ministry specifically for men.
“Other than the Knights of Columbus, people ask, ‘What else is there?’”
He noted that many men faithfully attend Mass—even without their spouses—but often struggle to find opportunities for fraternity, formation, and mission afterward.
“What is there specifically for men?”
He encouraged parishes to think intentionally about different groups of men:
Young professionals
Young fathers
Single men
Widowers
Seniors
Rather than expecting one program to fit everyone, each parish can respond to the actual needs already present.
Every Man Is Somewhere on the Journey
The discussion shifted toward evangelization and recognizing that every man arrives at Church from a different place.
Some are simply curious.
Some are cultural Catholics.
Others are already committed missionary disciples.
The task is helping each man take the next step.
Programs like Alpha can be valuable entry points, Deacon Pedro said, but they cannot be the destination.
“If there’s nothing for them to join after they leave Alpha, then those opportunities have to be available.”
You Don’t Need a Theology Degree
One of Deacon Pedro’s strongest encouragements was directed toward ordinary Catholics who feel unqualified to share the Gospel.
“You don’t need to be a deacon or have a theology degree.”
When he preaches, he intentionally keeps that in mind.
“If I know it, you can know it.”
Being ordained simply means he has spent more time praying with Scripture—not that holiness or evangelization belong only to clergy.
He sees one of the permanent diaconate’s greatest strengths in this reality.
“They have jobs. They mow the lawn. They fix their cars. They have regular lives.”
Their role is not to replace the laity but to empower them.
The Danger of Endless Scrolling
When asked how media can best serve Catholic men, Deacon Pedro offered an answer many might not expect.
“My first advice for men when it comes to media is to lay off the media.”
He pointed to the story of King David.
Before David’s fall with Bathsheba, Scripture notes that he stayed home while his army went to battle.
Instead of doing the work entrusted to him, he was idle.
“He was sitting around doing nothing.”
Deacon Pedro believes that lesson remains surprisingly relevant.
“Every time I grab my phone and I’m just scrolling through social media—that is a huge danger for men.”
Idleness opens doors.
Not necessarily to dramatic sins immediately—but often one small compromise at a time.
Men Need Mission More Than Content
Rather than consuming endless media, Deacon Pedro believes men flourish when they have meaningful work to do together.
He shared the example of gathering men from his parish to help a nearby monk maintain his monastery.
Some operated chainsaws.
Others carried lumber or used hand tools.
Everyone contributed.
Then they shared a meal, conversation, and prayer.
“What a great opportunity to get a bunch of guys together.”
Service naturally becomes fraternity.
Fraternity naturally becomes discipleship.
“If I were to do anything in media,” he said, “it would be to promote those kinds of things.”
Built for Action
The conversation closed with a simple but powerful reminder.
Men were created to build.
To serve.
To go.
“We are all doers,” Deacon Pedro said.
“How did I do? Did I get it done?”
Rather than seeing that as a flaw, he believes it reflects how God created men.
Authentic masculinity isn’t found in endless consumption.
It’s found in accepting Christ’s commission:
Go.
Make disciples.
And then come back with stories of what God has done.