Skip to main content

About

The Prodigal Father Productions is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3), non-profit Catholic ministry. Founded with a vision to shepherd the faithful into a deeper relationship with God the Father through prayer, the Prodigal Father Productions is dedicated to bringing the reality and love of God the Father to a world that no longer knows or recognizes the love of the Father, the mercy of the Father, or the embrace of the Father.

Through the many prayer aids and resources we offer, from sacramentals such as prayer medals, scriptural relaxation CDs, and even online social media, parish missions, and a Prayer App, Prodigal Father Productions is making known the love of the Father through powerful modern modes of new media communication.

Mission

The TPFP is a Catholic non-profit organization that supports and Furthers the work of Fr. Michael J. Denk, our mission is to inspire, introduce and guide people in a deep and authentic life of prayer, leading them to an intimate, mystical and personal relationship with God their Father, in and through Jesus Christ and the working of the Holy Spirit.

Our Vision

Our vision is to bring everyone to God.

Every single person on this earth is called to be a mystic (one who has experienced God for real and lives with him in a nuptial union) and we are going to be the instrument to foster that encounter with God the Father which will lead them to desire to grow deeper in their prayer. We will also provide the tools and resources for them to grow from vocal prayer to meditative and contemplative prayer.

Meet Fr. Michael J. Denk

fr michael 2

Fr. Michael J. Denk is the Founder of The Prodigal Father Productions whose mission is to inspire, introduce and guide people in a deep and authentic life of prayer, leading them to an intimate, mystical, and personal relationship with God their Father, in and through Jesus Christ and the working of the Holy Spirit.

 

Accomplishments:

  • Founder of The Prodigal Father Productions: A ministry to help people grow in their prayer life using the New Media.
  • Author of the Book: Pray40Days: “The Personal Relationship With God You Have Always Wanted.” Creator of Pray40Days Web-App and parish program.  Author of the upcoming book and web app “PrayAdvent: The Personal Relationship with God You’ve Always Wanted.” 
  • Creator and author of the App, parish mission, and parish program: The Examen Prayer 
  • Creator of the video series: Praying with the Mass
  • Host of The Fireside Chat Live! 
  • He gathers over 1,000 people for his parish missions. 
  • Leads priests, deacons, and religious retreats and convocations. 

He is a prolific writer and has been published in numerous periodicals including The Priest, Our Sunday Visitor, Emmaus, Crisis, Catholic-Link, UCatholic, Homiletics and Pastoral Review, and Shalom Tidings.

He can be heard regularly on Living Bread Radio on the Series “Faith with Father” (Covering the YouCat) and daily scripture reflections. He has done interviews with numerous local, national, and international secular and Catholic radio and TV stations including The Catholic Guy: Lino Rulli on Sirius XM. He has appeared numerous times on EWTN on Living Right with Dr. Ray as well as the Salt and Light Network as a witness interview and Liturgical Season Weekly Reflections. He also has his own blog where he publishes his homilies weekly, “Praying with Priests,” and other series.

You can see Fr. Michael every Tuesday night on his Facebook Live show which reaches over 10,000 viewers nationally and internationally. Consider it like a late-night talk show hosted by Fr. Michael. There is always a ukulele, entertainment, laughter, and above all reflection on the upcoming Sunday Mass readings!

Fr. Michael is dedicated to helping others encounter Christ through the celebration of the Eucharist, Preaching, Confession, Spiritual Direction, and Prayer.

Fr. Michael Denk is dedicated to the Right to Life cause and has presented “Lessons from Rwanda for America’s Abortion Holocaust.” He also has the “Call within the Call” of helping people grow in their spiritual life. He has presented workshops on “Spiritual Reading,” “Discernment of Spirits,” and “Christology in the Mystics.”

He is devoted to the poor especially in Africa and El Salvador where he has taken his parishioners on annual mission trips. Maintaining this bond with the poor is important so he continues to be a mentor for Catholic Relief Services: Global Fellows Parish Homily Program which allows him to continue to spread the message of coming to encounter Christ in the poor.

Current presentations are: “The Examen Prayer” and “Pray40Days.”

He served as parochial vicar and priest in residence at: 

Holy Family, Stow, OH

Walsh University, Canton, OH. 

St. Gabriel, Mentor, OH.

St. Joseph, Amherst, OH

St. Barnabas, Northfield, OH.

Ordained: 12 May 2007

Education:

  • Saint Mary Seminary: Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts “With Honors” from St. Mary Seminary in Wickliffe, OH.
  • Thesis: Christology in the Mystics: Coming to Know, Love, and Serve Christ through John the Evangelist, Teresa of Avila, and Ignatius of Loyola.
  • Borromeo College Certificate – 2002
  • Cleveland State University: Bachelors of Communications with a Specialization in Video and Audio Production.
  • Cuyahoga Community College – Graduated 2001
  • Valley Forge High School in Parma, OH – Graduated 1997
  • Holy Family Grade school in Parma, OH – Graduated 1993

He was born and raised, baptized, first communion, confirmation, and first mass at Holy Family in Parma, Ohio.

THE PRODIGAL FATHER PRODUCTIONS, INC., IS A TAX-EXEMPT SECTION 501(C)(3) NON-PROFIT CORPORATION INCORPORATED IN THE STATE OF OHIO. THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF THE PRODIGAL FATHER PRODUCTIONS, INC., FILED WITH THE OFFICE OF THE OHIO SECRETARY OF STATE, PROVIDE THAT THE PRODIGAL FATHER PRODUCTIONS, INC., IS AN ORGANIZATION FUNCTIONING IN ACCORD WITH THE TRADITIONS AND THE TEACHINGS OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. ALTHOUGH THE PRODIGAL FATHER PRODUCTIONS, INC., IS LOCATED IN THE CLEVELAND, OHIO, AREA, IT IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND. A PRIMARY CONTRIBUTOR OF CONTENT TO THE PRODIGAL FATHER PRODUCTIONS, INC., IS FATHER MICHAEL J. DENK, A PRIEST OF THE DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND, BUT THE PRODIGAL FATHER PRODUCTIONS, INC., DOES NOT SPEAK FOR FR. DENK AND THE PRODIGAL FATHER PRODUCTIONS, INC., AND FR. DENK ARE TWO SEPARATE AND DISTINCT ENTITIES. ALL OF THE CONTENT USED BY THE PRODIGAL FATHER PRODUCTIONS, INC., IS USED WITH THE PERMISSION OF, AND UNDER LICENSE WITH, ALL ORIGINAL AUTHORS, INCLUDING FR. DENK.