Father Mike Schmitz is a Catholic priest, author, and speaker in the Diocese of Duluth, MN. Working with Ascension Press, he is the author of the Belonging study program, and is featured in many others, including Altaration, YOU, Chosen, and I Will Follow. Father Schmitz has been the primary personality involved in Ascension Press’ outlet, Ascension Presents, with weekly YouTube videos offering Catholic perspectives of cultural and societal issues. Beginning in 2017, these talks were also offered in audio form as podcasts. He currently runs the Newman Center at the University of Minnesota-Duluth and is also the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the diocese.