USCCB Clips: Recent Episodes
USCCBClips
In this episode of Catholic Current, we speak with two Catholic writers, Katy Carl and Sarah Cortez. We discuss and celebrate the convergence of literature and Catholicism in America. This conversation marks the eighth episode of our new series highlighting the significant contributions of Catholics to the United States as we approach the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Black Catholic History in the U.S.A.In this episode of Catholic Current, we speak with historian and author Shannen Dee Williams, Ph.D. We discuss and celebrate the history and important role of the African Catholic experience in America. This conversation marks the seventh episode of our new series highlighting the significant contributions of Catholics to the United States as we approach the nation’s 250th anniversary.
In this episode of Catholic Current, we speak with writer and journalist Elizabeth Bruenig. We discuss and celebrate the history and important role of Catholic social teaching, especially during the past century. This conversation marks the sixth episode of our new series highlighting the significant contributions of Catholics to the United States as we approach the nation’s 250th anniversary.
In this episode of Catholic Current, we speak with Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services USA. We discuss and celebrate the history and important role of Catholic military chaplains. This conversation marks the fifth episode of our new series highlighting the significant contributions of Catholics to the United States as we approach the nation’s 250th anniversary.
In this episode of Catholic Current, we speak with Sr. Mary Haddad, RSM, president and CEO of the Catholic Health Association, and also Brian Reardon, VP of Communications and Market
In this episode of Catholic Current, we speak with historians Timothy P. O’Malley, Ph.D. of the University of Notre Dame and Maria Cecilia Ulrickson, Ph.D. of the Catholic University of America. We explore the role of Catholic liturgy and devotions in American culture. This conversation marks the third episode of our new series highlighting the significant contributions of Catholics to the United States as we approach the nation’s 250th anniversary.
In this episode of Catholic Current, we speak with historians Maria Mazzenga, Ph.D., and Julia G. Young, Ph.D., both of the Catholic University of America. We reflect on the different immigrant communities who have made the Catholic Church in this country what it is today. This conversation marks the second episode of our new series highlighting the significant contributions of Catholics to the United States as we approach the nation’s 250th anniversary.
In this episode of Catholic Current, we speak with historian and author Michael Breidenbach, Ph.D., about Catholic life during the colonial era. This conversation marks the premiere of our new series highlighting the significant contributions of Catholics to the United States as we approach the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Catholic Current talks with Most Rev. Daniel E. Garcia (Diocese of Austin), the first chairman of USCCB’s brand-new Subcommittee for the Promotion of Racial Justice and Reconciliation. Bishop Garcia is joined by Shareena Grant, who staffs the new subcommittee taking the place of the former Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism.
Four committee chairmen called on Congress to be in “radical solidarity” with women and babies. Read their letter to policymakers: https://www.usccb.org/resources/USCCB%20Letter%20and%20Policy%20Recommendations%20Supporting%20Women%20and%20Families%20-%20Oct%202022%09_0.pdfNovember is Black Catholic History Month. Related resources and information about the six African American men and women on the road to sainthood: https://www.usccb.org/committees/african-american-affairs/road-sainthood-leaders-african-descentThe USCCB Fall Plenary Assembly will take place November 14-17. More information about the event, votes, and live stream: https://www.usccb.org/news/2022/us-bishops-meet-nov-14-17-baltimore-will-elect-new-usccb-president-vice-presidentThe Pope celebrated Mass on All Souls’ Day and prayed for the cardinals and bishops who have died in the past year: https://catholicnews.com/showing-love-mercy-are-key-to-entering-heaven-pope-says-on-all-souls-day/
This week the Senate passed H.R. 8404, the “Respect for Marriage Act.” Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee for Religious Liberty, and Bishop Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life, and Youth, issued a joint letter and analysis urging Congress to oppose the measure. Read the press release.The USCCB Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs issued a statement emphasizing its recommitment to relationship with the Jewish committee. Read the press release.Pope Francis reminded the faithful that the Lord is always present and to look for signs of God’s nearness this Advent. Watch the video.
President of the USCCB Archbishop Timothy Broglio wrote a column published in America Magazine, calling for unity: https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2022/12/07/archbishop-broglio-pope-francis-unity-244275During his general audience Nov. 30, Pope Francis encouraged a daily examination of conscience. Watch the video.December 8th is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Read Pope Francis’s Prayer for the Immaculate Conception.The Vatican unveiled its Nativity scene and lit the Christmas tree in St. Peter's Square on December 3, 2022. Watch the video.
On the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Bishop Mark Seitz, Chair of the Committee on Migration, issued a statement in solidarity with migrants and invited all people of faith to pray for those forced to move from their homes. Read the statement: On Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, U.S. Bishops’ Migration Chairman Reaffirms Church’s Solidarity with Immigrants. Pope Francis also celebrated Mass for the occasion on December 12, 2022. Watch the CNS video: Pope: Guadalupe's message of hope. Learn more about the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Migration: https://www.usccb.org/committees/migration While praying on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Pope Francis broke down while speaking of the suffering in Ukraine. Watch the CNS video: Pope weeps for Ukraine. On Gaudete Sunday, Pope Francis prayed for the children of Ukraine. Watch the CNS Video Pope: May Christmas bring hope to Ukrainians.
Carol Glatz of Catholic News Service in Rome gives a short tour of more than one hundred nativity scenes from around the world under Bernini’s colonnades in St. Peter’s Square. The crèche exhibition is sponsored by the Dicastery for Evangelization.
Retired Pope Benedict XVI passed away December 31, 2022, in his residence at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican Gardens. On January 5, 2023, Pope Francis presided over the funeral Mass for his predecessor: https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/funeral-pope-remembers-benedicts-wisdom-tenderness-devotion Read USCCB President, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio’s reflection on Pope Benedict XVI: https://www.usccb.org/news/2022/reflection-usccb-president-death-pope-benedict-xvi, as well we reflections and tributes from other U.S. bishops: https://www.usccb.org/pope-benedict-xvi-tributes Starting January 5, you can also pray the novena that has been prepared in Pope benedict XVI’s memory: https://www.usccb.org/novena-pope-benedict-xvi
President Biden recently visited the border where he met with Bishop Mark Seitz, Chair of the Committee on Migration and Bishop of El Paso. Bishop Seitz issued a statement on January 6th expressing his dismay about the administration’s “ continued reliance on harmful policies over humane solutions.”Read more about the Committee on Migration: https://www.usccb.org/committees/migrationRead more of Bishop Seitz' statement: https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/us-bishops-migration-chairman-dismayed-continued-reliance-harmful-policies-over-humane January is Poverty Awareness Month. Daily reflections prepared by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (also en Español) are available that include ways to learn about poverty, get inspired by how communities are responding, and take action with others.You can also sign up to receive daily reflections by email. Learn more about the state of poverty in the United States by visiting PovertyUSA.org (or en Español at PobrezaUSA.org). Pope Francis underlined the importance of knowing the date of one's baptism as he celebrated Mass and baptized 13 babies in the Sistine Chapel.Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIo4tTb89io
Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese of the Military Services, USA, and president of the USCCB issued a statement in observance of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/usccb-presidents-statement-observance-rev-martin-luther-king-jr-day-2023 Catholics across the country are observing a nationwide prayer vigil on Thursday, January 19 to Friday, January 20, 2023 and praying a novena to protect human life with “9 Days for Life.” https://www.respectlife.org/9-days-for-life January 18-25 is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity has a history of over 100 years , in which Christians around the world have taken part in an octave of prayer for visible Christian unity. Watch the video introduction from Fr. Walter Kedjierski, Executive Director of the Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs. https://www.usccb.org/resources/introduction-2023-week-prayer-christian-unityRepresentatives of bishops’ conferences from several countries, including the United States, met for the annual Holy Land Coordination, January 14-19, 2023. Bishop David J. Malloy of Rockford, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace represented the U.S. bishops. Read the communique from the delegation. https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/2023-holy-land-coordination-communique The annual blessing of livestock took place at the Vatican on January 17, 2023.
During Mass for the Sunday of the Word of God, Pope Francis said that the Church should have an expansive heart. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTGwhXjQzwQBishop Juan Miguel Betancourt invites the Catholic faithful to view a new series of video seminars to learn more about Scripture. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qz8FAZqeBK8January 22 also marked the twentieth anniversary of Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope, a pastoral letter on migration from the bishops of the United States and Mexico.https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/immigration/strangers-no-longer-together-on-the-journey-of-hopeBishop Mark Seitz, chairman of the Committee on Migration, issued a statement to celebrate the anniversary. Read the statement: https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/us-church-marks-twenty-years-release-strangers-no-longer-together-journey-hopeFor the National Prayer Vigil for Life, the homily of Bishop Michael Burbidge, chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities, reflected on the work ahead. https://www.usccb.org/resources/1-19-23%20HOMILY_Vigil%20Mass%20for%20Shrine.pdfSpeaking separately with Catholic Current, he encouraged young people not to feel alone in their beliefs.
The observances of National Marriage Week (Feb. 7-14) and World Marriage Day (Sunday, Feb. 12) are an opportunity to focus on building a culture of life and love that begins with supporting and promoting marriage and the family. This year's theme is "Marriage...one flesh, given and received." Learn more at https://www.usccb.org/topics/marriage...The annual Catholic Social Ministry Gathering (CSMG), organized by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and 20 collaborating organizations, attracted hundreds of participants from around the country this week. The conference equips current and emerging leaders in Catholic social ministry and advocacy to cultivate God’s justice as they engage in their communities and around the world.World Day for Consecrated Life is celebrated in the Church on Thursday, February 2, 2023, and in parishes over the weekend of February 4-5, 2023. Please pray for all those who have made commitments in the consecrated life and be sure to thank them on their special day.Pope Francis heard horrifying stories of cruelty and violence February 1 during a meeting in Kinshasa with victims from eastern Congo, a region the pope had to cancel his plans to visit because of the worsening security situation.
Pope Francis and thousands of visitors and pilgrims at his general audience prayed for the victims of the earthquakes that devastated the region along the border of Turkey and Syria. Bishop David Malloy, International Justice and Peace Chairman, called for prayer and financial aid for the victims and relief workers.The Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and the International Union of Superiors General designated February 8 as an annual day of prayer and awareness against human trafficking. February 8 is the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita, patron saint of victims of modern slavery and human trafficking.Pope Francis recently concluded his historic visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan. He prayed with South Sudan’s Christians for peace and spoke about the important role of women in peacebuilding.
On Ash Wednesday Churches in the United States will take a special collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe. We were joined by Jennifer Healy, Director for Aid to the Church in Central and Eastern Europe, to tell us more about the collection. Learn more about the collection at: https://www.usccb.org/committees/church-central-eastern-europe/collection-church-central-and-eastern-europeThe Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday, February 22nd. We discussed with Father Andrew Menke, Executive Director of the Secretariat of Divine Worship, how to best utilize this period of prayer, fasting and almsgiving in preparation for Easter. Find more Lenten resources here: https://www.usccb.org/prayer-worship/liturgical-year/lentPope Francis called for prayer and peace in Nicaragua after Bishop Rolando Alvarez was imprisoned for criticizing the Ortega-Murillo regime. Last week, the USCCB welcomed expelled Nicaraguan Priest and Seminarians who were able to celebrate mass for the first time in six months. Please continue to pray for the People of Nicaragua. Read more at: https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/pope-pained-nicaraguan-bishops-26-year-prison-sentence
On February 17th, Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City dedicated a new shrine to Blessed Stanley Rother. We were joined by Most Rev. Paul Coakley to learn more about Blessed Stanley’s story and the new shrine dedicated to him. Visit https://rothershrine.org/ to learn more.February 24th marks one year since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Pope Francis spoke about the occasion, which he called a sad anniversary. He encouraged us to stay close to the Ukraine people who continue to suffer. Bishop David Malloy, Chair of the Committee on International Justice and Peace, also released a statement calling on the faithful to continue to pray for peace and to give generously to humanitarian organizations that are provided continued and much needed assistance. The full statement is available at usccb.org.Bishop David O’Connell, auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles, was found murdered in his home on Saturday, February 18th. We join Archbishop Gomez and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in grieving his death and praying for the repose of his soul. May he rest in peace.
Bishop Frank Caggiano, Chairman of the Subcommittee on the catechism, joined the show this week to discuss the future of formation and how United States Bishops are responding to the changing catechetical landscape. Following the tragic events in Southeast Turkey and Northern Syria, we spoke with Msgr. Peter Vaccari, the president of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (C.N.E.W.A), about relief efforts in Syria and Turkey.
We were joined by Jen Maez from CRS Rice Bowl – the Lenten program of Catholic Relief Services.March 13, 2023, marks the 10-year anniversary of Pope Francis’s papacy. To mark the occasion, a few cardinals reflected on Pope Francis’ legacy so far.
The Catholic Church celebrated the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ election. Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Promoting Integral Human Development, reflected on Pope Francis’ vision for the Church.This year, on March 19, many dioceses in the United States will observe the traditional Lenten practice of almsgiving by participating in The Catholic Relief Services Collection. Funds from this collection support the work of Catholic organizations that aid victims of war and natural disaster, provide pastoral care to migrant workers, and help welcome refugees fleeing violence and persecution. Bishop Seitz spoke about the role that this collection plays in vital Catholic programs that share in the Catholic mission of promoting the sacredness of human life and the dignity of the human person.Read the CRS Collection annual report. https://usccb.cld.bz/crs-2021-annual-report
On this week’s show, Bishop David Talley of the Diocese of Memphis and Chairman of the Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs joined the show to discuss this time of year and how it presents numerous opportunities to grow in our faith. Read more at: https://www.usccb.org/committees/ecumenical-interreligious-affairsThis week, the USCCB Committee on Doctrine issued a Doctrinal Note on the Moral Limits to Technological Manipulation of the Human Body. The focus of the statement is in the area of gender identity and medical procedures, and it provides moral criteria for medical interventions. Read the full statement at: https://www.usccb.org/resources/Doctrinal%20Note%202023-03-20.pdfPope Francis visited with migrants, refugees, and representatives this week at the Vatican from various organizations to thank them for their work in the promotion of peace. His Holiness discussed moving refugees out of dangerous crisis areas and into demilitarized areas, as well as welcoming migrants in a dignified manner and assisting them in integrating into their new communities. Read more at: https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/welcoming-migrants-refugees-first-step-toward-peace-pope-says
Looking back three years ago this week, Pope Francis gave his “Urbi et Orbi” to an empty St. Peter’s square during the Covid-19 pandemic. This message will be embedded in a satellite and launched into orbit around the Earth, where it will transmit the Holy Father’s message every day. Read more at https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/popes...Holy Week begins next week, as well as the Jewish celebration of Passover. Chairman of USCCB’s Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, Bishop David P. Talley joined the show to discuss the work of the bishops to combat antisemitism in the United States. Find more information at: https://www.usccb.org/committees/ecum...The Dicastery of Culture and the Dicastery for Integral Human Development released a joint statement rejecting the Doctrine of Discovery, a series of 15th-century papal bulls that were used to justify colonization of indigenous peoples. The statement came after a 2022 papal visit to Canada, during which Pope Francis visited indigenous communities and met with leaders. The statement renounces the Doctrine of Discovery, saying “the church acknowledges that these papal bulls did not adequately reflect the equal dignity and rights of indigenous peoples”. Read more at: https://www.usccb.org/committees/ecum...
The North American Final Document for the Continental Stage of the 2021-2024 Synod was recently released. It marks the end of the Continental Stage of the 2021-2024 Synod: For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission. Read the document and learn more at https://www.usccb.org/synod.Before reciting the "Regina Caeli" prayer April 16, Pope Francis spoke about the day's Gospel reading and how the wounds still visible on the Risen Lord are signs of God's love and a call to the church to welcome all who have been wounded into the church, the body of Christ. Read more at CNS Rome: https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/people-wounded-life-should-find-welcome-church-pope-says.
Recently the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Department of State announced a series of actions being taken in response to the anticipated end of the Title 42 public health order on May 11 and increased migration throughout the Western Hemisphere. Read about the response of the U.S. Migration Chair at https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/us-bishops-migration-chairman-addresses-new-regional-migration-mitigation-efforts On May 3rd, Pope Francis asked the faithful to renew their devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and met with a Russian Orthodox leader.Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLYsCsVFLQU&t=11s
May is the month of Mary. In this week’s episode we visit the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception to learn about the history of the month of Mary and popular Marian devotions, such as praying the rosary. The Rosary is a Scripture-based prayer. It begins with the Apostles' Creed, which summarizes the great mysteries of the Catholic faith. The Our Father, which introduces each mystery, is from the Gospels. The first part of the Hail Mary is the angel's words announcing Christ's birth and Elizabeth's greeting to Mary. St. Pius V officially added the second part of the Hail Mary. The Mysteries of the Rosary center on the events of Christ's life. There are four sets of Mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and––added by Saint John Paul II in 2002––the Luminous. Learn more about how to pray rosary. https://www.usccb.org/how-to-pray-the-rosary May is also Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. In this week’s episode we highlight a story out of the Diocese of Tulsa which reflects the diversity and richness of our faith! Fr. Samuel Perez, Pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Miami, Oklahoma celebrates mass every weekend in Chuukese for local Micronesian Catholics in addition to five other masses in English and Spanish. People in the pews wear brightly colored traditional clothing and hairstyles. One Micronesian family from southwest Missouri makes the almost two-hour drive to hear Scriptures, prayers and songs in Chuukese. Adding a weekly Mass in Chuukese has improved not just Mass attendance but religious education enrollment at Sacred Heart, from 30 students to 120. Baptisms are up too: Father Perez’s calendar in May had 11 baptisms for members of the Micronesian community. Farming jobs attracted many of Oklahoma’s Micronesian natives from the island of Chuuk in the South Pacific. For their part, the community members are grateful that Father Perez has worked to learn their language and integrate their culture into the worship experience. “It shows that he really cares,” one altar server said. Father Perez points out that he made a lot of pronunciation mistakes early on, and he’s still learning. There was no textbook; he caught on by repeating words his parishioners taught him. “They were very patient with me,” he said. “My accent is thick. I don’t know how much they understand me, but it looks like they’re OK with it.” Father Perez wants every Catholic to feel welcome and included in their Church home. “When God calls you to be a priest, you are called to serve all people.” The Diocese of Tulsa is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary jubilee year. Click here learn more about the Diocese and the Chuukese Catholic Community at Sacred Heart Church: https://dioceseoftulsa.org/ Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II, patriarch of Alexandria, Egypt, was at the Vatican to mark the 50th anniversary of a joint declaration signed by St. Paul VI and Pope Shenouda III in 1973 outlining the beliefs shared by their churches. Pope Tawadros II called for unity between Catholics and Copts during Pope Francis' general audience.Read the CNS Rome story: https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/pope-pope-let-our-churches-be-united-christs-love Watch the video of this historic meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCTAC7dE_uI
May 22nd is the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for Mariners and Seafarers. Bishop Brendan Cahill discusses the ministry of the church to seafarers through the work of Stella Maris. The day is intended to remember the men and women seafarers. Many seafarers are Catholic Christians and largely a migrant population in the world. Because of the nature of their work, they are not always a visible community presence. In over 50 ports, there are more than 100 Stella Maris chaplains, maritime deacons, and lay ecclesial ministers who minister to seafarers. They welcome, network, and reach out to seafarers, fishermen and women, their families, and all who work or travel on the seas. Through the celebration of the Eucharist and the Word of God, the chaplaincy team helps seafarers discover the loving presence of God in an often-challenging world. Their continued presence is a clear indication of their dedication to this vital pastoral ministry and love for the people of the sea. https://www.usccb.org/committees/pastoral-care-migrants-refugees-travelers/stella-maris-who-we-areOn Wednesday, May 10, a panel of advisors to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) voted unanimously to make the birth-control drug, Opill, available to consumers over-the-counter in the United States. The FDA is reportedly poised to make a final decision this summer. In response to the FDA panel’s recommendation, Bishop Robert E. Barron of Winona-Rochester, and chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth, urged the government agency to reject this advice as “not good medicine” and continue their efforts to protect women’s health. Read the full statement. https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/fda-acknowledges-harm-oral-contraceptives-while-its-own-panel-advisors-push-make-drugAfter literally hundreds of public prayers for peace in Ukraine and 443 days after Russia launched an all-out war on the Eastern European country, Pope Francis welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the Vatican. This was their first face-to-face meeting since the war began. Read the Catholic News Service Rome story. https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/pope-ukrainian-leader-talk-about-humanitarian-situation-provoked-war
Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), has appointed Bishop Joseph N. Perry, auxiliary bishop of Chicago, to serve as the next chairman of the USCCB’s Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism. Read the pastoral letter against racism, Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love. https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/racism/upload/open-wide-our-hearts.pdfLaudato Si’ Week is an eight-day campaign held annually in May to mark the anniversary of Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical on creation care. Find prayer and action resources to engage your community. https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/environment/index.cfmArchbishop Broglio sent a special message for Memorial Day. Watch the video and pray for those who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Prayer: https://www.usccb.org/prayers/prayer-memorial-day-last-monday-may
At the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, Cardinal Wilton Gregory and Archbishop Timothy Broglio celebrated a special Mass on the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to pray for the Synod, as requested by Pope Francis. The Synod enters its global phase in October of this year. Learn more about the Synod at www.usccb.org/synod.The Vatican Dicastery for Communication has provided a new reflection on social media. Find that document at www.vatican.va/roman_curia/dpc/documents/20230528_dpc-verso-piena-presenza_en.html.During his General Audience on May 31, Pope Francis spoke about the need to live a life that is consistent with our faith.
The Catholic bishops of the United States are preparing to meet in Orlando, Florida for their spring plenary assembly. Agenda items include the upcoming Synod on Synodality, a new national pastoral plan for Hispanic ministry, a plan for the ongoing formation of priests, the 2025-2028 USCCB strategic plan, revisions to certain English liturgical texts, and more. Watch the plenary assembly either live or as video-on-demand at www.usccb.org.The bishops of Florida have appealed a planned execution. Catholic Current spoke with Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy of the Catholic Mobilizing Network about alternatives to the death penalty.Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the USCCB, asks for prayers as Pope Francis recovers from recent abdominal surgery.
The bishops’ plenary assembly held its first public session on June 15th in Orlando, Florida, where the bishops have gathered for fraternal dialogue and listening.Among the agenda items was the advancement of the local cause of beatification and canonization of the five Shreveport martyrs, who heroically ministered to victims of an 1873 yellow fever epidemic in Shreveport, LA. Several of the presenters spoke about the ongoing Synod on Synodality (https://www.usccb.org/synod) and the Eucharistic Revival (https://www.usccb.org/resources/welcome-national-eucharistic-revival).
Bishop Andrew Cozzens, chairman of the Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis, shares incredible stories of a pilot pilgrimage for the upcoming Eucharistic Congress.Following the bishops’ overwhelming approval of the new national pastoral plan, Bishop Oscar Cantú talks with Catholic Current about strengthening Hispanic/Latino Ministry in parishes and dioceses.The bishops have voted to begin a process of consultation and eventual revision of the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Ministry.Forty-five years after the landmark pastoral letter on disabilities, the USCCB voted to begin drafting a new statement. Bishop Michael Burbidge, episcopal moderator of the National Catholic Partnership on Disability, shares his enthusiasm for the upcoming document.In his opening address to the bishops, the apostolic nuncio Archbishop Christophe Pierre exhorts the baptized to be “ambassadors for Christ.”
The working document for the Synod of Bishops in October was released by the Vatican on June 20th. The document will form the basis for the discernment and discussion for the participants of the first session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops to be held in October 2023 in the Vatican.Read the CNS story (https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/synod-document-asks-how-increase-unity-participation-mission-outreach).Press release (https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/usccb-welcomes-release-instrumentum-laboris-first-session-xvi-ordinary-general-assembly).The Archdiocese of St. Louis held its second annual ‘Forgive Us Our Trespasses’ Maafa and prayer service to remember enslaved persons and acknowledge the archdiocese’s involvement with the institution of slavery.Read the story from the St. Louis Review (https://www.archstl.org/-forgive-us-our-trespasses-maafa-and-prayer-service-remembers-enslaved-persons-8740).Learn about the USCCB Subcommittee on African American Affairs (https://www.usccb.org/committees/african-american-affairs) and the Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism (https://www.usccb.org/committees/ad-hoc-committee-against-racism).Pope Francis blessed a four-foot-tall monstrance for the U.S. National Eucharistic Congress in 2024 and spoke about how at Mass that morning he was thinking about Jesus' great gift of himself in the Eucharist, a gift that nourishes and consoles believers. Read the CNS story. Learn more about the Eucharistic Revival at (https://www.eucharisticrevival.org/)Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, spoke with Catholic Current about the gifts and challenges of the Catholic Church in the United States.
In May, Pope Francis created the Ecclesiastical Province of Las Vegas, comprised of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Las Vegas, and the suffragan dioceses of Reno and Salt Lake City. At the same time, he named Most Reverend George Leo Thomas, as the first Metropolitan Archbishop of Las Vegas. On June 19th, the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, Archbishop Thomas received the pallium in Rome. Watch the CNS Rome video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L27V8k6tMqk&t=3s The Vatican Observatory resumed its biennial summer school program for young scientists around the world. Read the CNS Rome story: Rising stars: Vatican hosts astronomers of tomorrow for summer school. Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QnnUx_ymYk&t=28s Beginning June 22, the feast of Sts. Thomas More and John Fisher, the USCCB invited Catholics to pray, reflect, and act to promote religious freedom. Visit the Religious Freedom Week website. Statement from the Chairman of the Committee on International Justice and Peace released a statement on religious persecution in Nicaragua in April. Read the statement.https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/us-bishops-international-justice-and-peace-chairman-ongoing-religious-persecution
On July 9, Pope Francis named twenty-one new cardinals, including two with deep ties to the United States: U.S.-born Archbishop Robert Prevost, Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, and Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States. The cardinals-designate will be installed during a consistory in Rome on September 30. The Vatican has released names of several hundred participants in the upcoming Synod on Synodality in October. Along with bishops and cardinals from around the world, the Holy Father personally appointed other participants, including some non-bishop voting members. Catholic Current spoke with Archbishop Paul Etienne of Seattle, one of delegates appointed by Pope Francis.
On July 14, 2023, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection released the 2022 Annual Report – Findings and Recommendations on the Implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. This is the twentieth such report since 2002 when the U.S. bishops established and adopted the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, a comprehensive framework of procedures to address allegations of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy and establish protocols to protect children and young people.The international World Youth Day celebration takes place every 2-3 years, typically in the summer months and on a major scale. The next one of these will take place soon, from Tuesday to Sunday, August 1 to 6, 2023, in Lisbon, Portugal with millions of people and the Holy Father. The U.S. Bishops invite all young people across the United States to be a part of this global event - in person, digitally, or stateside. Learn more at https://www.usccb.org/topics/world-youth-day/international-celebration.On July 7, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the implementation of new family reunification parole (FRP) processes for nationals of Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Read the statement from Bishop Seitz, chair of the Committee on Migration, and the press release: https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/us-bishops-migration-chairman-responds-new-family-reunification-programs.
The fourth African National Eucharistic Congress was held in Washington, DC on July 19-23. It brought together African Catholics from across the United States for worship, fellowship, and workshops. Learn more at https://anec-us.org. The National Black Catholic Congress, which meets every five years, also gathered on July 20-23. An estimated 3,000 Black Catholics from 80 dioceses renewed their mission and worked on a pastoral plan for local implementation. https://nbccongress.org/Bishop Robert Barron, chairman of the Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth, offers his thoughts on Natural Family Planning Awareness Week, which is an annual educational campaign. https://www.usccb.org/topics/natural-family-planning/national-nfp-awareness-week At the recitation of the Angelus on July 23 following a Mass in commemoration of the Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, Pope Francis was joined at the papal balcony by a young person and his grandmother. The young man will attend World Youth Day in Lisbon next week, and the Holy Father noted the significance of the proximity of these two days, seeing it as an invitation to promote an alliance between generations.
Upon the anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Bishop David J. Malloy of Rockford, chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace, issued a statement in remembrance and support of nuclear arms control. Visit www.usccb.org/nuclear for more information and resources on the bishops’ teachings related to nuclear disarmament.Pope Francis spoke about the observance of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on July 30th. The USCCB’s Anti-Trafficking Program aims to educate on the scourge of human trafficking as an offense against the fundamental dignity of the human person, to advocate for its end, and to provide training and technical assistance to support survivors. Learn more and get involved at https://www.usccb.org/topics/anti-trafficking-program.More than 28,600 young people and 60 bishops travelled from the United States to Lisbon, Portugal for World Youth Day. Follow the latest stories from the global celebration at https://www.usccb.org/newsroom.
In 2022, an estimated 258 million people in 58 countries experienced crisis-level acute hunger, according to the World Food Programme (WFP), the global humanitarian organization addressing food security. Russia’s recent decision no longer to allow Ukraine to export tons of grain means more people are likely to go hungry. In response to the rising concern, Bishop David J. Malloy of Rockford, chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on International Justice and Peace, called on global leaders to do more to ensure food security for all. Read Bishop Malloy’s full statement. Pope Francis asked the 1.5 million young people who attended World Youth Day to take "what God has sown into your hearts" back to their home countries and build a joyful church that is open to all. Look back at the significant moments and messages of Pope Francis' Aug. 2-6 trip to Portugal. • Watch: Huge crowds gather for WYD vigil, papal Mass • Watch: U.S. pilgrims celebrate WYD The next WYD has been announced. Taking place in Seoul, South Korea, WYD 2027 will be the first to take place in on mainland Asia. Korea has a growing Catholic population of about 11 percent, or 6 million believers. Pope Francis has also announced the Jubilee of Youth in Rome 2025 for the interim. See you in Seoul in 2027!
Pope Francis prayed for Hawaii, Ukraine, and migrants during his Angelus address on August 13. Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC6oCoQoRO4Recovery efforts continue following the catastrophic wildfires that burned the historic town of Lahaina on the island of Maui. Pope Francis sent a papal message to Bishop Larry Silva of the Diocese of Honolulu expressing his closeness and solidarity with all those affected. Bishop Silva shared his thoughts and how to help those in need on Maui in a letter on August 11, 2023. You can also read and reflect on his homily delivered on August 13th in Kapalua, Maui, after visiting Lahaina.To help the people of Maui recover, please prayerfully consider contributing to the Hawai’i Catholic Community Foundation at https://tinyurl.com/MauiCatholic or Catholic Charities USA at https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/?form=hawaii23
As millions of students return to school after summer break, Bishop Thomas Daly of Spokane spoke with Catholic Current about the importance of Catholic Education. He is chair of the Committee on Catholic Education, which provides guidance for the educational mission of the Church in the United States in all its institutional settings. Learn more at https://www.usccb.org/committees/catholic-education.With its Rome bureau founded in 1950, Catholic News Service has been providing complete, in-depth coverage of the popes and the Vatican for more than 70 years. CNS-Rome Bureau staff members Carol Glatz and Justin McLellan joined Catholic Current to discuss what it is like working as a journalist in the Vatican and what we can look forward to in the upcoming Synod. Read the latest from CNS Rome at https://www.usccb.org/newsroom?f%5B0%5D=type%3A9043.
In preparing for the observation of Labor Day in the United States on September 4, Archbishop Borys Gudziak of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, and chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, issued a statement calling for radical solidarity with working families. Read the 2023 Labor Day statement (also available in Spanish). Learn more USCCB’s work on Economic Justice and Domestic Poverty.Each year on September 1, the Catholic Church commemorates the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. This day of prayer also marks the beginning of a month-long ecumenical awareness initiative known as the “Season of Creation,” which concludes on October 4 with the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology. The theme chosen for this year’s Season of Creation is “Let Justice and Peace Flow,” and it calls on the faithful to reflect on the relationship between justice and creation. Archbishop Borys Gudziak of the Ukrainian Archeparchy of Philadelphia, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, and Bishop David J. Malloy of Rockford, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on International Justice and Peace issued a reflection: https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/laudato-si-20-pope-announces-new-document-ahead-season-creation.Pope Francis announced this week he would publish a follow-up document to his 2015 encyclical on the environment “Laudato Si’” on the October 4 feast of St. Francis of Assisi. Read the story from Catholic News Service in Rome.
We spoke with Kim Burgo, Vice President of Disaster Operations at Catholic Charities USA, about the devastation in Maui and ongoing emergency disaster relief operations. The mission of Catholic Charities is to provide service to people in need, to advocate for justice in social structures, and to call the entire church and other people of good will to do the same. Learn more at https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/.Pope Francis traveled to Mongolia and met with the country’s small Catholic community which is buoyed by the presence of missionaries from dozens of countries. Read the Catholic News Service story: https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/pope-encourages-little-mongolian-flock-faith-unity-witnessThe Catholic Biblical Federation has elected Mary Elizabeth Sperry as its first woman and first lay person to serve as moderator. Learn more about fruitful Scripture reading: https://www.usccb.org/bible/understanding-the-bible.
The third Sunday in September is set aside for acknowledging the importance of catechists in the Church’s teaching ministry. Catholic Current speaks with Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes, who serves on the USCCB Committee for Evangelization and Catechesis. Learn more about Catechetical Sunday at http://www.usccb.org/committees/evang....The 109th World Day for Migrants and Refugees is on September 24. Bishop Mark J. Seitz, chairman of the Committee on Migration, invites viewers to think about the root causes of migration. Resources and information may be found at http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org.Every 25 years, the Church celebrates a Jubilee. The next will be in 2025, and more than 30 million visitors are expected in Rome. Preparations are underway now. Visit https://www.iubilaeum2025.va to learn more.
Since 1973, the Catholic Church in the United States has observed October as “Respect Life Month.” This year, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Arlington, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Pro-Life Activities invites Catholics to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Respect Life Month by embracing “radical solidarity” with women facing difficult or challenging pregnancies. Read Bishop Burbidge’s full statement, “Living Radical Solidarity.” Resources for Respect Life Month are available at https://www.respectlife.org/respect-life-month. More than one hundred bishops from around the world recently attended the Vatican’s school for new bishops. Bishop Jeffrey Fleming of Great Falls, Montana, and Bishop Michael Izen, Auxiliary Bishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, shared their experiences with Catholic Current.
Released 2023.09.28 Archbishop Timothy Broglio, President of the USCCB, wrote a letter asking Congress for bipartisan action to avert or bring an end to federal government shutdowns and the hardships that come when Congress and administrations fail to reach agreements on such actions. Read the letter: https://www.usccb.org/resources/letter-congress-fiscal-year-2024-continuing-resolution-and-government-shutdown-september?utm_source=hootsuite&utm_medium=twitter&utm_term= Representatives from Catholic Indigenous organizations came together with Catholic bishops and staff from the episcopal conferences of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States for the International Conference on Catholic Indigenous Ministry (ICCI). The purpose of the week-long gathering was to share experiences, ideas, resources, and best practices encountered in the relationship between the Catholic Church and Indigenous communities. Read the press release: https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/international-conference-seeks-enrich-ministry-catholic-indigenous-populationsLearn about the work of the USCCB Subcommittee of Native American Affairs: https://www.usccb.org/committees/native-american-affairs Praying for those who have died in the Mediterranean Sea and praising those who help rescue and welcome migrants attempting the treacherous crossing, Pope Francis insisted compassion, encounter and fraternity are the only possible responses to migration. Read the CNS Rome story: https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/people-have-duty-save-migrants-danger-drowning-pope-says Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNmlBLb5ydI
Released 2023.10.06 Pope Francis told the church's 21 new cardinals, including one born in the United States, that the key to evangelizing is to "cherish in our hearts the wonder and gratitude" of having heard the Gospel message and of knowing that they, like all Christians, still must grow in faith. Read the CNS story: Creating cardinals from 16 nations, pope asks them to join church 'symphony'. Watch the CNS video ”Cardinals for a Synodal Church”, an interview with Cardinal Prevost, and an interview with Cardinal Pierre. In Pope Francis' new document on the climate crisis, he urges everyone to "move beyond the mentality of appearing to be concerned" and to have "the courage needed to produce substantial changes." Catholic Current speaks with Metropolitan Archbishop Borys Gudziak, Chair of the Domestic Justice and Human Development Committee, about environmental concerns. Learn more about the USCCB’s work to promote care for our common home at www.usccb.org/environment. Read the CNS Story: Pope, in document on climate crisis, criticizes science 'deniers.' Read Laudate Deum. Catholic Current speaks with Antonia Salzano Acutis, mother of Blessed Carlo Acutis who is patron of the National Eucharistic Revival. Learn about Eucharistic Miracles of the World – an initiative led by Carlo Acutis as a teenager. Pope Francis opened the assembly of the Synod of Bishops on October 4th, 2023, with a Mass in St. Peter's Square. Read the CNS story: Pope addresses fears around synod: 'Not a political gathering'. Watch videos from CNS Rome: Pope: The church has stopped to listen and Pope: Trust God, don't fear the synod. Learn more about the synod at https://www.usccb.org/synod and visit https://www.usccb.org/newsroom for the latest news on the Synod.
Released 2023.10.19 Pope Francis invited all people of faith to join him on October 27th for a day dedicated to prayer, fasting, and penance for peace and reconciliation in Israel and Gaza.Watch the CNS video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiuzrjveGv4 The bishops of the United States launched a mental health campaign on October 10th, Mental Health Day. It is a time when people from many nations are seeking to raise awareness and remove the stigma around issues concerning mental health. The bishops invite people to pray a special Novena for Mental Health.Watch : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR9s8jAcqik As the Synod on Synodality continues in Rome, Catholic News Service has spoken with participants about their experiences:• WATCH: At the synod on synodality, Cardinal Tobin said a more inclusive church would better spread the Gospel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pK7nKJYa88g• WATCH: Cardinal Cupich said the synod on synodality is advancing the place of women in the church: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWrbp9v5tYI• WATCH: Synod leaders respond to hopes and fears about their work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvTXUSmP3Ho
Released 2023.10.26 Pope Francis invited all people of faith to join him on October 27th for a day dedicated to prayer, fasting, and penance for peace and reconciliation in Israel and Gaza. Watch the CNS video: Pope: War is always a defeat. Read the letter from Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, to his entire diocese: https://www.lpj.org/posts/letter-to-the-entire-diocese.htmlOctober is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Read the U.S. Bishops’ pastoral letter, When I Call for Help: A Pastoral Response to Domestic Violence Against Women. Catholics For Family Peace Education and Research on Domestic Abuse provides education, resources, and research that help Catholics promote peace within families and to recognize and respond with compassion to domestic abuse. Visit https://www.catholicsforfamilypeace.org/ to learn more and download resources.Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has been participating in the assembly of the Synod of Bishops and shared with CNS some of his thoughts about the monthlong experience. Read “USCCB president talks about his synod experience.” Participants in the Synod on Synodality have approved a Letter to the People of God giving thanks for their experience, detailing the work of the past few weeks, and expressing the hope that in the coming months, everyone will be able to "concretely participate in the dynamism of missionary communion indicated by the word 'synod.'"
Released 2023.11.02 In response to the escalating Israel-Hamas war, Bishop David J. Malloy of Rockford, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on International Justice and Peace, renewed his call for peace. Read his full statement: https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/statement-us-bishops-international-justice-and-peace-chairman-continued-violence-holyAs war continues in Ukraine, the Holy See has expressed its ongoing commitment to pursuing peace. We spoke with Bishop Vitaly Kryvytsky about his experience as bishop of Kyiv-Zhytomyr. Learn about the Collection for The Church in Central and Eastern Europe: https://www.usccb.org/committees/church-central-eastern-europeNovember is Native American Heritage Month. Learn about the work of the USCCB Subcommittee on Native American Affairs, whose mission is to enhance the relationship of the Catholic Native American/Alaska Native communities with Jesus Christ and His Church in the United States. https://www.usccb.org/committees/native-american-affairsSince the Hamas attacks earlier this month, and in the wake of boldly proclaimed rhetoric and the increase of actions of religious hatred in the United States, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Religious Liberty issued a sharp rebuke and called for peace. Read the full statement: https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/us-bishops-religious-liberty-chairman-speaks-out-against-religious-hatred
Released 2023.11.09 The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will gather for the 2023 Fall Plenary Assembly in Baltimore, November 13-16. Throughout the meeting, the bishops will spend time in prayer and fraternal dialogue with one another. Public sessions of the assembly on November 14 and 15 will be livestreamed at https://www.usccb.org/plenary-assembly-november-13-16-2023. Read the press release. The Catholic Church in the United States celebrates National Vocation Awareness Week November 5-11. Each year, national Catholic organizations, dioceses, schools, and local parish communities sponsor events and provide different resources to raise awareness for vocations, and help those who are discerning a vocation, particularly one to ordained ministry or consecrated life. Read the press release. Learn about the work of the USCCB Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations at https://www.usccb.org/committees/clergy-consecrated-life-vocations.On the weekend of November 18-19, Catholics across the United States are asked to respond to Pope Francis’ World Day of the Poor by giving to the U.S. bishops’ Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD). This special annual collection supports the U.S. bishops’ anti-poverty and social justice program established a half-century ago. It assists poor and marginalized populations in communities across the United States. Read Pope Francis’s message for the World Day of the Poor at https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/poveri/documents/20230613-messaggio-vii-giornatamondiale-poveri-2023.html. Learn more about the work of CCHD at https://www.PovertyUSA.org
Released 2023.11.14 The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) gathered for the 2023 Fall Plenary Assembly in Baltimore, November 13-16. Among the speakers were Apostolic Nuncio to the United States Cardinal Christophe Pierre and President of the USCCB Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio.Watch the livestream and read related materials at https://www.usccb.org/plenary-assembly-november-13-16-2023.Catholic Current also spoke with recent delegates to the Synod on Synodality about their experience in Rome. Learn more about the Synod on Synodality at https://www.usccb.org/synod.
Released 2023.11.15 The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) gathered for the 2023 Fall Plenary Assembly in Baltimore, November 13-16. Watch the livestream and read related materials at https://www.usccb.org/plenary-assembly-november-13-16-2023.The Catholic bishops of the United States approved an updated introductory note to the teaching document on political responsibility, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship (en Español), as well as new bulletin inserts and video template script. This statement represents the bishops’ guidance for Catholics in the exercise of their rights and duties as participants in our democracy. The updated version and related materials will be posted soon at www.faithfulcitizenship.org. In October Archbishop Borys Gudziak of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia and chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, and Bishop Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life, and Youth, launched a National Catholic Mental Health Campaign. The campaign aims to inspire a national conversation around the topic of mental health and to mobilize the Catholic Church to respond compassionately and effectively to the mental health crisis. Learn more at https://www.usccb.org/mental-health-novena.
Released 2023.11.30 December 3, 2023, the Church begins its liturgical year with Advent, which is the season encompassing the four Sundays (and weekdays) leading up to the celebration of Christmas. Learn about the season of Advent, download the USCCB’s daily Advent calendar, and read about the tradition of blessing your Advent wreath.Advent Calender: https://www.usccb.org/resources/2023-daily-advent-calendar-englishBlessing your Advent Wreath: https://www.usccb.org/prayers/blessing-advent-wreathThe month of November is Black Catholic History Month. Learn about the holy men and men of African descent who are on the road to sainthood and the work of the USCCB Subcommittee on African American Affairs.https://www.usccb.org/committees/african-american-affairs/road-sainthood-leaders-african-descenthttps://www.usccb.org/committees/african-american-affairsPope Francis, who is recovering from illness, spoke at his general audience this week about the need for peace in Gaza and Ukraine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ez4LGQNqD14
Released 2023.12.07 The Church continues to celebrate the season Advent, leading up to the celebration of Christmas. Learn about the season of Advent, download the USCCB’s daily Advent calendar, bless your Christmas manger or nativity scene, and pray with the “O Antiphons” of Advent. (https://www.usccb.org/prayers/o-antiphons-advent)Participating remotely in the inauguration of a Faith Pavilion at the COP28 conference in Dubai, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of present choices for the future of humanity. Watch the full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDr2lrtnSV8Read the statement from Archbishop Borys Gudziak of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, and Bishop A. Elias Zaidan of the Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on International Justice and Peace: COP 28: U.S. Bishops Call for International Climate Policies that Promote Justice. https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/cop-28-us-bishops-call-international-climate-policies-promote-justice
Released 2023.12.15 Pope Francis celebrated Mass this week for the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Vatican. Watch the video from CMS Rome: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPGyQFJCivE&t=1s Read the CNS Rome story: https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/message-guadalupe-based-simplicity-not-ideology-pope-says
Released 2024.01.04 This week we talked with Felicitas Brugo Onetti, the Anti-Trafficking Education and Outreach Coordinator in Migration and Refugee Services at the USCCB, about the Church’s work to prevent human trafficking and support survivors. Learn more about human trafficking, how you can help, and pray for the intercession of St. Josephine Bakhita at https://justiceforimmigrants.org/stbakhita/
Released 2024.01.11 Catholic Current talks with Anne Ferreira of the USCCB Pro-Life secretariat about “9 Days for Life,” an annual novena for the protection of human life. Each day’s intention is accompanied by a short reflection and suggested actions to help build a culture of life. The novena begins on January 16. Sign up at https://www.respectlife.org/9-days-signup
Released 2024.01.25 Catholic Current talks with bishops ahead of the National Prayer Vigil for Life in Washington, DC (https://www.usccb.org/prolife/national-prayer-vigil-life-schedule).Guests include Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City, Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington, Virginia, and Bishop Joseph Coffey of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA.You can join thousands across the country in prayer by signing up for “9 Days for Life” at https://www.respectlife.org/9-days-signup.You can receive short new prayer intentions, reflections, and suggested sacrifices each day by email, text message, or app (in both English and Spanish).
Released 2024.01.25 Catholic Current talks with veteran Vatican reporter Cindy Wooden about her recent meeting with Pope Francis in Rome and the Holy Father’s message for the global Church.
Released 2024.02.01 As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Catholic Schools Week, guests Mary Pat Donoghue, Executive Director of the Secretariat of Catholic Education, and Fr. Daniel Mahan, Director of the Institute on the Catechism, talk about the enduring legacy and the future of Catholic education in the United States.
Released 2024.02.08 Guest Father Dustin Dought, Executive Director of the Secretariat of Divine Worship, discusses the observance of Ash Wednesday and Lent.
Released 2024.02.13 Guests Auxiliary Bishop of the Archeparchy of Kyiv Andriy Khimyak and Jennifer Healy, Director of the Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe, discuss the impact of the ongoing war in Ukraine on the faithful and how the support of Catholics in the United States has brought hope to people in need.
Released 2024.03.01 The situation along the U.S.-Mexico border has grown increasingly challenging. Bill Canny from Migration and Refugee Services and David Cronin from Catholic Relief Services talk with Catholic Current about the Catholic ministries serving migrants and the need for comprehensive immigration reform in the United States.
Released 2024.03.01 Guests Bishop Michael Burbidge, Chair of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities, and Mary McClusky, Assistant Director of Project Rachel Ministry Development, discuss hope and healing after abortion. Learn more at https://hopeafterabortion.com.
Released 2025.03.03 We speak with Cathy McCarthy of the Diocese of Gallup, a “mission diocese” in New Mexico, about the reality of life in mission dioceses and how the Catholic Home Mission Appeal strengthens the Church “at home.” Learn more at https://www.usccb.org/committees/catholic-home-missions.
Released 2024.05.23 Bishop Edward J. Burns of the Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life & Youth discusses the issue of mental health among the clergy with Rev. James E. Garvey, O.Praem., D.Min. (St. Luke Institute), Patricia Donoghue, Ph.D. (St. John Vianney Center), and Anthony Isacco, Ph.D. (Chatham University). Watch the full-length roundtable at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XQnxBdEUCM&t=1s
Released 2025.05.28 Making Catholic education inclusive and accessible for students with special needs is a priority for the Committee on Catholic Education. Guests Mary Pat Donoghue, Executive Director of USCCB’s Secretariat for Catholic Education, and Maggie Hubbard, Ed. D, with the National Catholic Partnership on Disability, discuss the importance of serving all students in Catholic schools.
Released 2025.06.07 Guest Andrew Middleton, Director of the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Apostleship of the Sea, discusses ministry to the crew of the container ship Dali, which crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge causing its collapse and the death of six construction workers.Learn more about the Apostleship of the Sea ministry at https://www.aos-usa.org/.
Clare Morell and Fr. Allen Hoffa join to discuss the fight against pornography. What does the Supreme Court’s decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton mean for how we protect ourselves and loved ones against addiction? How do we shield against tech advancements that make it easier to get hooked at a young age? Register here for the live follow-up Q&A on July 30, 2025: https://usccb.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mK7EeXzwTUSziDXUxBYPmQ#/registrationMore information in the video description on Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X8Un6vyeMM
After a long time off, we have an exciting announcement about the future of this podcast feed!To see our new home, visit LoveMeansMore.org!
In this special episode, we reflect on the life and legacy of Pope Francis, a shepherd whose papacy transformed hearts and guided the global Church with humility, compassion, and courage.
Pope Francis officially proclaimed that 2025 will be an Ordinary Jubilee year. Guests discuss preparations for the Jubilee, what pilgrims can expect throughout this occasion, and how the universal Church can celebrate this Holy Year.
Michael B. Sheedy, Executive Director of the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, discusses the important role that state Catholic conferences play in community and political participation at the state and local levels. Learn about the Call to Family, Community, and Participation at https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catholic-social-teaching/call-to-family-community-and-participation National Association of State Catholic Conference Directors (NASCCD) website: https://www.nasccd.org/
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) gathered for the 2024 Fall Plenary Assembly in Baltimore, November 11-14. Among the speakers were Archbishop Borys Gudziak on the celebration of the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’, Bishop Timothy Senior on the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Bishop Seitz on the Church's support for migrants and refugees, and Bishop Robert Baron, Bishop Thomas Daly, and Bishop Michael Burbidge on the teaching of Dignitas Infinita .
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) gathered for the 2024 Fall Plenary Assembly in Baltimore, November 11-14. Among the speakers were Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, Cardinal Christophe Pierre, and President of the USCCB, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio. Watch the livestream and read related materials at www.usccb.org/plenary-assembly-november-11-14-2024Catholic Current also spoke with Ukrainian Bishop Stepan Sus, delegates to the Synod on Synodality, and Bishop Roy Campbell, who shared the history of the National Black Catholic Congress.
Archbishop William E. Lori, Vice President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, discusses the importance of political participation in Catholic teaching. The bishops’ teaching document Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility and related materials are available online at www.FaithfulCitizenship.org.
Guest Bishop Arturo Cepeda, Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit and Chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church, shares how the Church can accompany and evangelize young people.The document Listen, Teach, Send: A National Pastoral Framework for Ministries with Youth and with Young Adults is available online.
Guest Archbishop Charles Thompson of Indianapolis and Chair of the USCCB’s Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis discusses the important role of catechists as the Eucharistic Revival enters its Year of Mission. September 15, 2024, is Catechetical Sunday. Learn more about this day to recognize and celebrate the gift that catechists bring to a parish community: https://www.usccb.org/committees/evangelization-catechesis/lord-when-did-we-see-you-hungry
Guest Ansel Joseph Augustine, D.Min., Assistant Director of the Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, talks about the Feast of Saint Peter Claver and the 40th Anniversary of “What We Have Seen and Heard,” a pastoral letter on evangelization from the Black bishops of the United States. The Pastoral Letter What We Have Seen and Heard is available online, along with a study guide. The documentary film, Going Home Like a Shooting Star: Thea Bowman's Journey to Sainthood, presents the riveting life of Sister Thea Bowman, an African American Catholic Franciscan Sister who used her powerful gifts to educate and challenge the church and society to grow in racial inclusivity.
Guest Anthony Granado, Associate General Secretary of the USCCB, discusses the dignity of work, the rights of workers, and the role of immigrants in the U.S. economy.
Catholic Current talks with Bishop Peter Smith, chairman of the Subcommittee on the Church in Africa, about the Solidarity Fund. Bishop Smith shares his experiences with the vibrant faith in Africa, including the blessings we share with one another.
Nearly 50,000 people will gather in Indianapolis on July 17–21 for five days of transformation, prayer, and community. Archbishop Charles Thompson, chairman of the Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis, and Bishop Andrew Cozzens, chairman of the National Eucharistic Congress, offer a preview of what to expect and share their hopes.
The USCCB Spring 2024 plenary assembly concludes with a report on the upcoming Eucharistic Congress, discussion about religious workers’ visas, an outgoing address from Suzanne Healy, the chair of the National Review Board, and approval of the new pastoral framework for Native and Indigenous people, “Keeping Christ’s Sacred Promise.”
The USCCB Spring 2024 plenary assembly gets underway with addresses from Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, as well as Archbishop Timothy Broglio, President of the USCCB. Catholic Current also spoke with Bishop Robert Barron, Chairman of the Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life & Youth, about the proposed pastoral framework for youth and young adults.
Guest Andrew Middleton, Director of the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Apostleship of the Sea, discusses ministry to the crew of the container ship Dali, which crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge causing its collapse and the death of six construction workers.
Making Catholic education inclusive and accessible for students with special needs is a priority for the Committee on Catholic Education. Guests Mary Pat Donoghue, Executive Director of USCCB’s Secretariat for Catholic Education, and Maggie Hubbard, Ed. D, with the National Catholic Partnership on Disability, discuss the importance of serving all students in Catholic schools.
In his recently published book, Learning to Disagree: The Surprising Path to Navigating Differences with Empathy and Respect, John Inazu reflects on his experiences as a law professor and considers how we can build bridges with our neighbors, coworkers, and loved ones. Dr. Inazu talks with Aaron about the unique approach he takes in this book and what we can learn about how to disagree better.
Bishop Edward J. Burns of the Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life & Youth discusses the issue of mental health among the clergy with Rev. James E. Garvey, O.Praem., D.Min. (St. Luke Institute), Patricia Donoghue, Ph.D. (St. John Vianney Center), and Anthony Isacco, Ph.D. (Chatham University).
We speak with Cathy McCarthy of the Diocese of Gallup, a “mission diocese” in New Mexico, about the reality of life in mission dioceses and how the Catholic Home Mission Appeal strengthens the Church “at home.” Learn more at https://www.usccb.org/committees/catholic-home-missions.
Dr. Kenneth Craycraft of Mount St. Mary's Seminary & School of Theology in Cincinnati discusses his most recent book, Citizens Yet Strangers: Living Authentically Catholic in a Divided America. The book aims to help Catholics recover the grammar and moral imagination of Catholic teaching in their engagements with American culture.
Bishop Robert E. Barron, Chairman of the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth, discusses the mental health crisis among young people with two Catholic psychologists. The discussion touches on issues such as social media, depression, and spiritual engagement.
Guests Jeffrey Monforton, chair of the Subcommittee on Aid to the Church in Central and Eastern Europe, and Fr. Anthony Corcoran, SJ, Apostolic Administrator of Kyrgyzstan, discuss the mission of the Catholic Church in Central Asia and the importance of solidarity among Catholic globally.
Dr. Abigail Favale of the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame discusses her book The Genesis of Gender: A Christian Theory, which weaves personal experience with expert knowledge to provide an in-depth yet accessible account of the gender paradigm—a framework for understanding reality and identity that has recently risen to prominence.
Carol Glatz, Correspondent with Catholic News Service Rome, speaks with Ambassador to the Holy See Joe Donnelly about diplomacy and working with the Vatican on global issues such as peace, human trafficking, and environmental concerns.
Michael Dunnigan discusses his book Religious Liberty and the Hermeneutic of Continuity: Conservation and Development of Doctrine at Vatican II. He addresses issues such as the foundation of religious liberty, whether Vatican II changed Catholic teaching, and what Dignitatis humanae is most fundamentally about.
Guests Auxiliary Bishop of the Archeparchy of Kyiv Andriy Khimyak and Jennifer Healy, Director of the Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe, discuss the impact of the ongoing war in Ukraine on the faithful and how the support of Catholics in the United States has brought hope to people in need.
Guest Father Dustin Dought, Executive Director of the Secretariat of Divine Worship, discusses the observance of Ash Wednesday and Lent.
Catholic Current talks with veteran Vatican reporter Cindy Wooden about her recent meeting with Pope Francis in Rome and the Holy Father’s message for the global Church.
Dan Balserak, Director of Religious Liberty at the USCCB, discusses the USCCB's first Annual Report on Religious Liberty in the United States.
We are currently experiencing the largest and fastest religious shift in US history. Political scientist Ryan Burge, who contributed to the book The Great Dechurching, by Jim Davis and Michael Graham, joins Mary and Aaron to talk about who's leaving, why they are going, and what it will take to bring them back.
Fr. Gregory Schnakenberg of the Dominican House of Studies talks about the history, meaning, and contemporary relevance of the Solemnity of Christ the King.
Richard Garnett of the University of Notre Dame discusses the book Religion and the American Constitutional Experiment, 5th edition. He talks about how different understandings of religion contributed to our constitutional order, and describes six principles of the American vision of religious freedom.
Vincent Phillip Muñoz discusses his book Religious Liberty and the American Founding, which explores the political philosophy of the Founders and their understanding of religious freedom.
Jose Pulido knows what it takes to evangelize men and to drive men to evangelize others. He's done it in his ministry At the Service, and he knows how scripture can help make it happen. Later, (21:10) Kara joins to get a jump on the upcoming Christopher Nolan film Oppenheimer by looking back at Inception and its overlooked emphasis on the role of objective reality in truly loving relationships. Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2023/07/14/ep-117-evangelizing-men-plus-inception/
We’re back with the rest of our conversation with Jason Evert on his book Male, Female, Other? and how it can help us approach gender theory and those who experience gender discordance. Then (19:35), Kara joins to finish talking about Pixar’s Inside Out. Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2023/06/23/ep-116-jason-evert-on-gender-theory-plus-inside-out-part-2/
Jason Evert of the Chastity Project joins to discuss his new book Male, Female, Other?, which addresses the current state of gender theory in our culture. He goes into great detail about how to address the problems in the ideology, but more importantly he provides insight into how to lovingly speak and listen to someone struggling with gender discordance, not as an advocate, but as a child of God. Later (18:55), Kara joins in advance of Pixar's new film Elemental to talk about another Pixar movie, one that has a lot to say, both true and misleading, about the human person: Inside Out. Will Andrew be able to restrain his philosophical finger-pointing to recognize the positive elements? Only one way to find out!
Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2023/06/09/ep-115-jason-evert-on-gender-theory-plus-inside-out-part-1/
Does God need us? Why would he create us (or anything) if he didn't? How is God's relationship with us and with the world different than any other religion's account? How does it change the way we love? Bishop Robert Barron, head of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester and Word on Fire, discusses how the Christian distinction answers all of those questions and more.Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2023/05/26/ep-114-bishop-robert-barron-on-everything/
Our conversation on human ecology continues with Dr. Jennifer Frey, who dives deeper into the mind of the Church and the work of the Institute for Human Ecology. Then (19:15), we celebrate Mother’s Day with Kara by talking about Lady Bird. The prestigious 2017 movie has a surprisingly nuanced take on family life and love-related wounds, without turning its nose up at Christianity.Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2023/05/12/ep-113-human-ecology-part-2-plus-lady-bird/
When talking about humanity's relationship with nature, John Paul II used the phrase "human ecology". Benedict XVI used a similar phrase. So did Francis. What do they all mean by it? Dr. Jennifer Frey, of the Institute for Human Ecology and a philosophy professor at the University of South Carolina, helps unpack this theme in the Church's recent tradition. Kara hops in to talk about Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2 (20:25) and its bad dad before the release of volume 3.Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2023/04/28/ep-112-human-ecology-plus-guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2/
Dan Balserak and Madeleine Ostertag talk with Mary and Aaron about the latest updates on the seven proposed federal regulations that could harm religious freedom for healthcare workers, religious student groups, and faith-based organizations.
Happy Easter! We're back with a shorter episode during the Easter Octave, celebrating the 30th anniversary of Sleepless in Seattle! Kara and Andrew complete their coverage of the Nora Ephron-Meg Ryan romcom trilogy. Destiny takes a hand, or does it?Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2023/04/14/ep-111-sleepless-in-seattle/
The addictive danger to our families from pornography is far too great to ignore, which is why Amanda Zurface of Covenant Eyes is here to help. She talks about how communities and families can guard against these risks, and how parishes can do the same, with Safe Haven Sunday. Then, Kara joins (18:00) to chat about the recent AI/chatGPT news developments, through the lens of the film Her (2013), directed by Spike Jonze. Could an advanced AI genuinely take part in a romantic relationship? (Spoiler: of course not).Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2023/03/31/ep-110-protecting-from-porn-plus-ai-dating/
When you think of your soul leaving your body, what image comes to mind? If it's a ghostly duplicate of your physical body, boy do we have a show for you. Dr. Therese Scarpelli Cory joins from Notre Dame's philosophy department to examine how that view has some unintended side effects for our sense of self, how to improve on that view, and what it has to do with our relationship with Jesus Christ. Then, Kara joins to finish our Oscars run-up with the rest of our heartfelt discussion of last year's Academy Award Best Picture winner, CODA (21:10).Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2023/03/10/ep-109-spooky-body-problems-plus-coda-part-2/
Robert Vega, Director of Public Policy for the USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, discusses recent attempts to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment and why the USCCB is concerned.
Why do we feel more isolated than ever? How do kids from smaller families have a harder time forming connections later in life? What do people mean when they talk about identity, using phrases like "it's who I really am"? Mary Eberstadt discusses answers to those questions, her new book Adam and Eve After the Pill Revisited, and the unfolding impact of the Sexual Revolution. Later (32:00), Kara joins as we continue our run-up to the Oscars with part 1 of our discussion of CODA, last year's Academy Award Best Picture winner.Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2023/02/24/ep-108-the-revolutions-aftermath-plus-coda-part-1/
Our coverage of the National Eucharistic Revival continues with Sr. Alicia Torres, managing editor of the Eucharistic Revival's newsletter, who shares how her relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist animates her calling as a Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist. Later (18:45), Kara Bach joins as we attempt to wrap our minds around Everything Everywhere All at Once. This Academy Award front-runner has a lot to say about a lot (as the title might suggest), and we try to separate the googly eyes from the sinister bagels.Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2023/02/10/ep-107-eucharist-and-vocation-plus-everything-everywhere-all-at-once/
Lucas Koach talks with Aaron Weldon and Todd Scribner about the 2023 International Religious Freedom Summit, and talks about the USCCB's role in promoting religious freedom around the world.
Kara and Andrew devote an entire episode to Titanic on the 25th anniversary of the film's long run in theaters, which happens to coincide with director James Cameron's new film, Avatar: The Way of Water. The aquatic adventure from 1997 has quite a bit more to offer for reflection on the call to love, however. As is unavoidable when talking about this movie, the conversation gets emotional. Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2023/01/27/ep-106-titanic/
We are kicking off the new year with a look at the Eucharistic Revival! Fr. Craig Vasek gives us the scoop on this growing movement to restore faith in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Then (27:35), Kara Bach joins to talk about Steven Spielberg's Oscar-contending autobiographical family drama, The Fabelmans.Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2023/01/13/ep-105-eucharistic-revival-plus-the-fabelmans/
We're ending the year by celebrating the 30th anniversary of The Muppet Christmas Carol! Kara and Andrew wax theological about this all-time classic, which builds in surprising ways on Charles Dickens's original 1843 novella. According to this version of Scrooge, love is the only thing sillier than a Merry Christmas. How's that working out for him?Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2022/12/15/ep-104-the-muppet-christmas-carol/
What did Aquinas say about marriage? How does he reveal the true nature of marriage as we live it out today? Did he get everything right, and if not, how do we approach it now? Fr. Gregory Pine, OP, joins to answer those questions and more! Then, Kara joins (22:30) to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Casablanca and how world events impact the call to love.Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2022/12/02/ep-103-aquinas-and-casablanca/
Kara and Andrew finally complete their quest to review season 1 of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power! Most of the story is not original to Tolkien and was produced by a company whose practices diverge considerably from the Gospel. So why does the show quote almost directly from scripture and the moral theology of Thomas Aquinas with strange regularity? Why is divine providence hinted at more heavily than in the Lord of the Rings films? What's going on here?Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2022/11/18/ep-102-the-rings-of-power/
Canavox's Lucas Fennell joins to talk about what we can learn about friendship and its impact on fatherhood, drawing from his years of experience working with teenage boys and incarcerated men. Then (25:10), Kara and Andrew finally start their coverage of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Now that season 1 is complete, we can finally talk about it, but will we fit everything into one episode? (No).Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2022/11/04/ep-101-friends-and-fatherhood-plus-the-rings-of-power/
William McCormick, SJ, discusses his book, The Christian Structure of Politics: On the De Regno of Thomas Aquinas, with Aaron. The book discusses key principles of Catholic political thought, as well as offering a close reading of an important work by St. Thomas Aquinas.
We're celebrating 100 episodes by celebrating the movies! Deacon Steven Greydanus of Decent Films joins to offer some perspective on our approach to film, declining religious themes in Marvel movies like Thor: Love and Thunder, Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, plus a plethora of recommendations!Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2022/10/21/ep-100-movie-spectacular-with-steven-greydanus/
Dr. Andrew Sodergren brings his psychological expertise to the podcast to help us tackle questions surrounding the development of men and women. This fascinating look includes Attachment Theory, questions about gender discordance and dysphoria, and how to treat people with those experiences compassionately and truthfully. Then (36:55), Kara joins to mark the onset of Fall as is commonly done: by talking about You've Got Mail.Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2022/10/07/ep-99-psychology-and-gender-plus-youve-got-mail/
Experts in medicine, psychology, philosophy, and theology recently collaborated on a new book, which comprehensively outlines a coherent view of the human person. Dr. Paul Hruz, one of the medical contributors to Sexual Identity: The Harmony of Philosophy, Science, and Revelation, joins to talk about the book and what exactly are the factors of biological sex. Later (22:55) Kara joins to celebrate Hobbit Day, and put up with Andrew's effusive praise for JRR Tolkien's The Silmarillion, part of which overlaps with the new show The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.
Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2022/09/23/ep-98-biology-and-the-sexes-plus-the-silmarillion/
Should health care workers be mandated to perform gender transition procedures? Abortions? Lauren McCormack, Robert Vega, and Dan Balserak talk with Mary and Aaron about new, concerning regulations and legislation and the Church's role in promoting life, marriage, and religious freedom.
Jonathan and Amanda Teixeira of WalletWin are back to offer more financial help, combining the vocation of Catholic families with money management wisdom. And we return to last episode's cliffhanger ending (16:40) to wrap up Before Midnight, but not before Andrew tries yet again to find a secret Catholic meaning, which Kara may or may not validate.
Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2022/09/09/ep-97-finances-and-faith-plus-before-midnight-part-2/
For as much stress as they can cause to marriages, finances don't usually get a lot of direct attention around here. Jonathan and Amanda Teixeira of WalletWin are here to help, combining the vocation of Catholic families with money management wisdom. Kara joins (16:40) to find Andrew debuting an exciting new podcast segment coinciding with the final film in the "Before trilogy", Before Midnight.
Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2022/08/26/ep-96-finances-and-family-plus-before-midnight-pt-1/
Helen Alvaré discusses her recently published book, Religious Freedom After the Sexual Revolution: A Catholic Guide, which aims to help Catholics both defend religious liberty and explain how our institutions and communities foster authentic love, freedom, and happiness.
Fresh off their talk at the 2022 World Meeting of Families in Rome, Soren & Ever Johnson join to talk about discernment in family life, how it's oriented toward communion, and their ministry with Trinity House Community. Later (23:15) Kara joins to continue our trek through Richard Linklater's "Before trilogy" with its exciting midpoint, Before Sunset.
Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2022/08/12/ep-95-discernment-communion-and-before-sunset/
Before Sunrise came out 27 years ago. Its sequel, Before Sunset, came out 18 years ago. The finale in the trilogy, Before Midnight, came out 9 years ago. Today, Kara Bach joins to kick off our series on the trilogy, starting with Before Sunrise. It follows a couple meeting, falling in love, and asking the big questions about love, God, and the world… all in one day.
Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2022/07/29/ep-94-before-sunrise/
Historian Michael Breidenbach discusses his book, Our Dear-Bought Liberty: Catholics and Religious Toleration in Early America, which looks at how English Catholics in Maryland helped to shape the American founding.
Friend of the podcast, Dr. Abigail Favale, returns to talk about her new book, The Genesis of Gender! We visit disparate sources like Plato, Stranger Things, and Simone de Beauvoir, but we promise you one thing: by the end we will arrive at stable definitions of “man” and “woman”. Later (29:40), Kara joins for even more Stranger Things! We wrap up season 4 and conclusively answer whether this is a secret Catholic show.
Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2022/07/15/ep-93-genesis-of-gender-plus-stranger-things-finale/
Lauren McCormack and Aaron Weldon discuss the bishops' focus for Religious Freedom Week 2022 on how the Catholic Church can promote religious freedom and a culture of life.
We're heading to Rome! The Tenth World Meeting of Families is happening and we are going to be there. That's great, but... what does that mean? The USCCB's own Julia Dezelski joins us to answer that question and more! Then (18:45), Stranger Things returns! Kara Bach joins to chat about the entire show up through Season 4, volume 1, with spoilers! Is Stranger Things secretly a Catholic show inspired by Lord of the Rings? Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2022/06/17/ep-92-leaving-for-rome-plus-stranger-things/
Abortion doesn’t have to tear the country apart. It doesn’t have to be the option women turn to in crisis. With the upcoming Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson likely overturning Roe v. Wade, we have to be part of a quantum leap in caring for mothers. We can do it, because Tiffany Farley and Dan Miller of Gabriel Network already have been doing it. They join us for the entire episode to provide insight and a wealth of opportunities to help save lives and make it easier for mothers to love their children. Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2022/06/03/ep-91-abortion/
Concluding our series of episodes on vocations, Fr. Dan Hanley (Associate Director of the USCCB's office for Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations) joins us to run the gamut of the various ways God calls us to love. For anyone who might be confused about the scope of vocational options, his insight goes a long way toward making sense of the whole. Then Kara Bach joins (30:20) to celebrate the 40th anniversary of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Few movies have ever offered a better reflection on family life and the sense of wonder. Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2022/05/20/ep-90-vocations-plus-e-t/
What's the best way to love God? The answer can vary a bit from person to person, and impacts who we care for, what we do, where we live, and how we act. You know, minor stuff. Having formed priests for over a decade, Fr. Carter Griffin joins to provide insight on how to respond to God's call. Then (24:35), Kara jumps in to talk about The Children of Men, both the novel and the film based on it. We... had definite opinions on which was better. Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2022/05/06/ep-89-discerning-vocations-plus-children-of-men/
Ten years ago, the HHS contraceptive mandate provoked widespread concern about threats to religious liberty. Today, federal agencies are poised to issue 7 regulations that would seriously harm human life and religious freedom. USCCB Religious Liberty Director, Dan Balserak, joins the podcast to talk about these regulations and what we can do about them.
Happy Easter, Christ is Risen! Fr. Timothy Gallagher is back for the second half of our interview, taking us deeper into the world of spiritual discernment. Then, Kara returns (15:55) to finish our chat about The Prince of Egypt. Topics covered include: finding a spiritual director, BattleCrocs, and the Eucharist as the new Passover. Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2022/04/22/ep-88-discernment-plus-prince-of-egypt-part-2/
For decades, Fr. Timothy Gallagher has been spreading the spiritual wisdom of St. Ignatius of Loyola and his predecessors- wisdom that can help answer questions like "why am I here?" and "is this desire to follow a certain path from God?". We had a lot to talk about, so naturally we had too much to fit into one episode. Later (16:30), Kara joins to chat about The Prince of Egypt, a sensational and underrated movie, which Andrew claims is the greatest movie based on scripture. Regardless of whether it's the best or merely one of the best, it makes for a great preparation for Passover and Holy Week. Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2022/04/08/ep-87-discernment-plus-prince-of-egypt-part-1/
Leah Libresco Sargeant is here to help us better understand the spiritual and theological side of being a mother or father. How do kids empty us of our false selves in their radical dependence? How does that dependence reveal our own, even more radical, dependence on God? That, Broadway musical nerddom, and a chat with Kara about the 2019 film Weathering with You to come in today's episode. Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2022/03/25/ep-86-kids-kenosis-and-weathering-with-you/
Asma Uddin discusses her book The Politics of Vulnerability: How to Heal Muslim-Christian Relations in a Post-Christian America: Today's Threat to Religion and Religious Freedom.
It's too late to stop us now. We're talking about Bruno. And the rest of Encanto. That follows another topic people don't always enjoy talking about: wedding planning. Catherine Boizelle is here to make the process easier, so that engaged couples can focus on what matters most in the sacrament. Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2022/03/11/ep-85-fine-well-talk-about-bruno-plus-wedding-planning/
Newlywed life is always challenging and exciting, but in a pandemic it can be more the former than the latter. It doesn’t have to be that way though, as Alessandro DiSanto’s experience shows. The co-founder of Hallow joins to chat about life as a newlywed, continuing our miniseries on marriage. Kara joins (19:50) to talk about the Oscar contender King Richard, starring Will Smith, and what it has to say about sports and fatherhood. Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2022/02/25/made-for-love-ep-84-newlywed-life-plus-king-richard/
Virginia Farris of the USCCB's Office of International Justice & Peace discusses some of current religious freedom challenges around the world.
The marriage crisis in the United States will deepen if we don’t do something to help, and JP DeGance knows how. In honor of National Marriage Week, part 2 of our interview with him dives deeper into concrete ways parishes are helping couples to stay together. Speaking of families in crisis, our second segment (19:45) celebrates the 50th anniversary of the greatest movie ever made: The Godfather. Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2022/02/11/made-for-love-ep-83-marriage-enrichment-part-2-plus-the-godfather/
JP DeGance knows how parishes can help married couples stay together. His organization Communio proved it in Jacksonville, where the divorce rate dropped 28%, largely as a result of their work. As part of our ongoing series leading up to National Marriage Week, JP tells us how to enrich marriages, no matter how stable they are, which in turn strengthens the Church. There was definitely a lot to cover, so this is part one of that interview, with the second part coming in our next episode. After that, Kara (along with her baby daughter!) joins to talk about West Side Story, both the 1961 classic and the 2021 Steven Spielberg-directed remake... which might actually be better? Both versions have a bit to say about the call to love; not all of it's great, but it's definitely worth reflecting on.
Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2022/01/28/made-for-love-ep-82-endgame-marriage-enrichment-and-west-side-story/
Joseph Capizzi of the Catholic University of America discusses the importance of religious freedom for the common good.
Marriage prep varies widely from place to place. The marriage catechumenate is changing the way formation works for couples as they prepare to live out their life in Christ together. This responds to a call from Pope Francis, echoing JPII, in reforming sacramental catechesis. Richard Budd from the Diocese of Lansing is here to help explain what that means, how the kerygma plays into it, and how some practical angles usually go overlooked.
Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2022/01/14/made-for-love-ep-81-the-marriage-catechumenate/
Lucia Luzondo of the Person and Identity Project weighs in on aspects impacting Hispanic/Latino family life. Kara joins to talk about Pixar’s film Coco (28:00) which definitely did not make us cry multiple times. Topics covered include: ideological colonization, machismo vs. manhood, abuelita shoe combat, loving family across generations, rethinking “parents just don’t understand” narratives.
Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2021/12/17/made-for-love-ep-80-hispanic-family-life-and-coco/
Struggles with body image don’t get a lot of attention in our culture, but Dr. John Acquaviva is here to help with that. He walks us through the ways which JPII’s Theology of the Body catecheses and scripture can resolve those struggles so they don’t stand in the way of loving relationships. Then, Kara rejoins (29:48) for the second half of our coverage of C.S. Lewis’s The Great Divorce.
Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2021/12/03/made-for-love-ep-79-body-image-plus-the-great-divorce-part-2/
The vaunted birds and the bees talk. April Readlinger of CanaVox offers tips to make it easier to have successful conversations with your son or daughter about sex. Later (29:47), Kara joins for part 1 of our chat about C.S. Lewis’s novel The Great Divorce. Topics covered include: the obliviousness of teenage boys, how the love of neighbor relates to the meaning of all human life, and Sonny Corleone.
Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2021/11/19/made-for-love-ep-78-having-the-talk-plus-the-great-divorce-part-1/
Emmanuel Arenas, S.J., joins Mary and Aaron to talk about the martyrdom of Bl. Miguel Pro and how all of us can be witnesses to Christ the king.
Ann Koshute and Kimberly Henkel of Springs in the Desert wrap up our discussion on infertility, then we pit Beauty and the Beast against Shrek (21:10) on the occasion of their 30th and 20th anniversaries respectively. Topics covered include: deep-fried Shrek memes, love and appearances, postmodernism, and surprise weddings. Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2021/11/05/made-for-love-ep-77-infertility-part-2-plus-beauty-and-the-beast-vs-shrek/
Katherine Clifton and Todd Scribner join the podcast to talk about the role of religion and refugee resettlement, and to share stories from refugees about their experiences with religious persecution and settling in the United States.
Kimberly Henkel and Ann Koshute of Springs in the Desert join us to talk about their ministry to those who experience infertility. We had a lot to talk about, so the conversation will pick back up next episode. Later in this episode (21:05) Kara joins to talk about the surprisingly fun and encouraging I'm Your Man, a new German film about a robot husband.
Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2021/10/22/made-for-love-ep-76-infertility-and-relationships-part-1/
We're back with lots more Lord of the Rings and its significance for fantasy and family! First, the founder of Tea with Tolkien joins us to share her mission of spreading the author's wisdom and world. Then, Kara joins to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the film release of Fellowship of the Ring. Topics covered include: the Immaculate Conception, Frodo paying off his student loans, Tom Bombadil's divisiveness, and trees. Lots of trees.
Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2021/10/08/ep-75-fantasy-and-family/
Kara and Andrew go on a journey with Sir Gawain to see if he’s up to the Green Knight’s challenge. Honestly, though, traveling with Bilbo or Frodo would be a more enjoyable experience. Topics include: Memento Mori, humanity’s relationship with nature, talking foxes, and random giants.
Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2021/09/24/made-for-love-ep-74-the-green-knight-vs-lord-of-the-rings/
The USCCB's Alexandra Carroll talks with Mary and Aaron about the recent initiative Civilize It: A Better Kind of Politics.
Our journey through Men, Women, and the Mystery of Love concludes with the book’s author, Dr. Edward Sri! Join us as he gives the inside scoop on the book’s background and where it leads. Topics covered include: doing it for the gram, the scourge of event maybes, Jesus is enough, and the point of virtue is to give us the freedom to love. Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2021/09/10/made-for-love-ep-73-edward-sri-wraps-up-mwml/
Is religious freedom merely a pretext for Christians to discriminate against persons who identify as LGBT? Dr. Angela Franks works through this question with Mary and Aaron.
We had too much to say about When Harry Met Sally! We’re back with the second part of our chat about this endlessly entertaining, and at least somewhat edifying, look at relationships. Topics include: Gerald Ford, 80’s hair, the disputed nature of “chick flicks”, and the applicable ideas from Men, Women, and the Mystery of Love.
Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2021/08/27/made-for-love-ep-72-when-harry-met-sally-part-2/
We finish up our two-part interview with Eden Invitation’s Anna Carter BUT we also start another multi-parter with the first of (at least) two episodes on When Harry Met Sally, the classic romcom from 1989. Seriously, we had way too much to say about this movie, even more than we thought going in.
Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2021/08/13/made-for-love-ep-71-attraction-and-discordance-plus-when-harry-met-sally/
In the first of a two-part interview, Anna Carter imparts her wisdom gained from Eden Invitation's exciting ministry relating to same-sex attraction and gender discordance. Following that, Kara jumps in to wrap up Men, Women, and the Mystery of Love with a cool conversation about remote preparation for marriage (i.e. singlehood).
Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2021/07/30/made-for-love-ep-70-attraction-and-discordance-part-1/
Professor Richard Garnett talks with Mary and Aaron about three different ways of defining religous freedom, and how those approaches play out in practical ways.
Damon Owens of Joyful Ever After joins for a surprisingly fun chat about NFP Week. Then Kara stops by for a while to cover Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, one of our favorite movies. Topics covered include: Elon Musk’s space ambitions, the Trinitarian theology of booby traps, and can archeology serve as a vessel for loving your family?
Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2021/07/16/made-for-love-indiana-jones-and-nfp-and-the-last-crusade/
Our guest Alice Heinzen tells us about grandparenthood, but maybe we should have brought her back for the second segment too. Kara and Andrew talk about Men, Women, and the Mystery of Love‘s section on tenderness, and find themselves disagreeing a bit. Is this the end for our heroes? Nah, it’s fine.
Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2021/07/02/made-for-love-ep-68-grandparents-plus-a-relationship-disagreement/
To mark Father’s Day, our chairman Bishop David Konderla joins us to chat about St. Joseph, fatherhood, and Pope Francis’s apostolic letter Patris Corde. Then later we keep the Father’s Day vibes rolling when Kara joins to talk about A Quiet Place (2018) and A Quiet Place Part II (2021), starring Emily Blunt and John Krasinski. Topics covered: cheating off of Bishop Barron’s work, Neil Young’s devotion to music at risk of life and limb, and does John Krasinski’s fatherhood model Christ’s sacrificial love?
Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2021/06/18/made-for-love-ep-67-st-joseph-fatherhood-and-a-quiet-place/
Baptist theologian, Andrew Walker, talks with Mary and Aaron about his recently published book, Liberty for All: Defending Everyone’s Religious Freedom in a Pluralistic Age.
Dr. Abigail Favale is back for part 2 of her interview about language in Gender Theory. Plus, Kara joins us to cover Men, Women, and the Mystery of Love chapters 7-9. Topics covered include chastity, modesty, the Me Too movement, and frat bros.
Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2021/06/04/made-for-love-ep-66-language-in-gender-theory-part-2/
Dr. Abigail Favale joins us for part 1 of her interview on the language of Gender Theory, which has a huge influence on current thought about what the human person is made for. Then, Kara talks excitedly about Pride and Prejudice (the 1995 BBC miniseries, not so much the movie).
Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2021/05/21/made-for-love-ep-65-gender-theory-plus-pride-and-prejudice/
The second part of our interview with Mike and Alicia Hernon of the Messy Family Project continues our conversation about balancing priorities in a marriage. Totally by coincidence, our discussion of Men, Women, and the Mystery of Love later in the episode happens to intersect.
Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2021/05/06/made-for-love-ep-64-priorities-in-love/?preview_id=8647&preview_nonce=a67d7e0007&_thumbnail_id=-1&preview=true
Mike and Alicia Hernon join us for part 1 of their interview on how to balance loving your spouse and kids. Kara stops by to chat about the Oscar contender Minari.
Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2021/04/26/made-for-love-ep-63-marriage-balance-and-minari/
Dr. Greg and Lisa Popcak are back for part 2 of our interview on overcoming resentment, this time in marriage. Later, Kara returns to talk about chapters 3-4 of Men, Women, and the Mystery of Love.
Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2021/04/09/made-for-love-ep-62-overcoming-resentment-in-marriage/
The Equality Act is a well-intentioned but ultimately destructive bill. The USCCB's Lauren McCormack and Robert Vega join Mary and Aaron to discuss what the Act does and why it's a problem.
Dr. Greg and Lisa Popcak are here to offer ways to help with resentment in dating and breakups. Kara joins us to cover Pixar's most recent film Soul, starring Jamie Foxx and Tina Fey, because how could we not? Jazz and metaphysics never went so well together.
Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2021/03/23/made-for-love-ep-61-dating-breakups-and-pixars-soul/
Fr. Philip Bochanski, Executive Director of Courage International, about accompaniment and same-sex attraction. Then Kara joins us to start our journey through Dr. Edward Sri’s Men, Women, and the Mystery of Love, with detours through Sex and the City and the Supreme Court. You know, like you’d expect.
Episode Notes: https://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2021/03/05/made-for-love-ep-60-accompaniment-and-same-sex-attraction/
Fr. Vincent De Rosa, pastor of St. Mary Mother of God parish in Washington, DC, talks with Mary and Aaron about beauty, evangelization, and the Catholic tradition of patronizing the arts.
Made for Love returns to talk about the impact of the sacraments on life as an embodied person, plus Andrew and Kara chat about the Studio Ghibli classic movie My Neighbor Totoro.
Thanks to Sara Perla for everything she did to get this show off the ground and pilot it for the first two years. Without her efforts, we would not be able to continue on. She has moved on to work at the Catholic Project on their podcast “Crisis”: https://open.spotify.com/show/58E5C5SftGLxEWU08MBNgp
G.E.M. Anscombe bio: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G._E._M._Anscombe
Fr. Conrad Murphy on Catholic Bytes: https://open.spotify.com/show/5lYSzlxuEBX3BNjMGZPNYI
My Neighbor Totoro: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096283/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
National Marriage Week at ForYourMarriage: https://www.foryourmarriage.org/
Joseph Capizzi of The Catholic University of America joins Mary and Aaron to discuss the meaning of civility and our call as Christians to work for the common good of all people in political life.
Chris Anzidei from the Archdiocese of Washington discusses the latest news on COVID restrictions and houses of worship.
Nick Reaves from the Becket Fund discusses an important case about the rights of faith-based foster care services to operate in accordance with their religious convictions.
Bishop Robert Barron joins Mary and Aaron to talk about how Catholics can defend our church property from attacks while also bearing witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Has Catholic engagement with American politics been good for the Church's witness? Bill McCormick, SJ, joins Mary and Aaron to talk about politics, evangelization, parish life, and more.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami was recently appointed to serve as acting chairman of the Committee for Religious Liberty. On this episode, he joins Mary and Aaron to discuss his ministry and his perspective on religious liberty issues facing the Church today.
Montse Alvarado, Vice President and Executive Director of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, discusses Church re-openings and some Becket cases before the Supreme Court.
What did the process of religious disestablishment look like in the United States? Carl Esbeck, professor of law emeritus at the University of Missouri, has some surprising answers in this discussion of his recently edited book, Disestablishment and Religious Dissent: Church-State Relations in the New American States, 1776–1833.
In this pandemic, it is more important than ever to love one another! Today's episode features Amy Stout (and family), Sarah Engel, Fr. Dan Leary of the Archdiocese of Washington, and Jason Kidd. This is also the last episode of Made for Love for now, as Sara Perla is leaving for another adventure!
The primary place for education on human dignity is the family. Racism has no place in Catholic families. Today’s episode features Bishop Shelton Fabre of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, Danielle Brown, Associate Director of the Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism for the USCCB, and Louis Damani Jones, intern at the Catholic Campaign for Human Development in St. Louis.
Down Syndrome is a part of many Catholic families’ stories. Children with Down Syndrome bring immense joy into their families, even as their intellectual disabilities and medical problems bring crosses and hardships. Today we’ll hear from Archbishop Kurtz (Louisville), a family who have children with Down Syndrome (J.D. and Kate Flynn), the UK filmmaker whose documentary about L'Arche follows people who work with people with intellectual disabilities (Randall Wright), and a reporter from Aleteia (Zoe Romanowsky).
The primary place for education on human dignity is the family. Racism has no place in Catholic families. Today’s episode features Bishop Fabre of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, Danielle Brown, Associate Director of the Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism for the USCCB, and Louis Damani Jones, intern at the Catholic Campaign for Human Development in St. Louis.
Mary's son made a surprise announcement one Sunday: I'm no longer Catholic or Christian, and by the way, I'm gay.
When Catholics marry, they promise to be together “as long as we both shall live.” Death brings about the end of a marriage, and the other partner is free to marry again. Today we’ll hear the stories of men and women who have married after losing their first spouse to death. The episode features Randy and Lucy Hines and Andy and Beth Huseman.
Mary and Aaron welcome friend and colleague Chris McCaffery to discuss the film A Hidden Life, which tells the story of the martyr Bl. Franz Jägerstätter.
Bishop George Murry, SJ, of Youngstown was elected chair of the Committee for Religious Liberty in November 2019 in Baltimore. He joins the First Freedom Podcast today to discuss what he hopes we can accomplish during his term.
Andie continues her healing story, and others supplement it; including her sister Maria, the artist Michael Corsini, and the Asst. Director for Project Rachel Ministry Development at the USCCB, Mary McClusky.
Samuel Goldman, associate professor of political science at George Washington University and executive director of the Loeb Institute for Religious Freedom, discusses the effects that political polarization, religious disaffiliation, and nationalism have on religious freedom.
Andie was eighteen years old, pregnant, and scared. She did what many others have done. Andie shares her story, and others supplement it; including her sister Maria, and the Asst. Director for Project Rachel Ministry Development at the USCCB, Mary McClusky.
Catholics have so many seasons and feast days to celebrate and live: how do you do this well? Today we’re sharing ideas from families about living Advent, Lent, and other feast days. Features Bishop Milan Lach, SJ, Bishop Konderla from the Diocese of Tulsa, and Andy and Sara Sefranek.
Julia Young, an associate professor of history at the Catholic University of America, talks with Mary, Todd, and Aaron about the Cristero war and how that conflict has shaped the Church in Mexico and the United States.
Engagement is an exciting time for a man and a woman who have decided to marry; but how do they spend those months before the wedding? Planning for their marriage, or planning the party? This episode features Bishop Warfel from the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings, Bishop Cary from the Diocese of Baker, Sophie Caldecott, and Cadence McManimon (who missed her own wedding!).
Fr. Kyle Schnippel has always liked to be in the kitchen. A friend suggested that he try out for the Great American Bake Show... sure enough, he was chosen!
No one really teaches families how to pray together. They know they should, but they don’t necessarily know how. Today we’ll hear from some past guests about how they go about praying with their spouse and children. Features Bishop Milan Lach, SJ, Lindsay Schlegal, Dan Meola, David and Kate Dawson, Andy and Sara Sefranek, and Steve and Jacinta Splonkowski.
Luke Goodrich, vice president and senior counsel at Becket, discusses his new book, Free to Believe: The Battle Over Religious Liberty in America, which helps Christians respond practically to today's challenges to religious freedom.
God does not promise us that we will be successful in our worldly endeavors. In fact, many of the saints look like total failures from the outside. Today’s episode focuses on one story, similar to episode two. This is Frank Fullin, who went through brain surgery while losing his company, savings, and house all at the same time. He and his wife, Jennifer, describe it as “the most spiritually rewarding time of my life.”
What do you do when your Marvel-comic-loving father has 5 weeks to live? Make sure he can see Captain America, of course! Here's Sophie Caldecott sharing how she did just that, getting the attention of Marvel on social media. This is just a five-minute special for All Saints day!
When someone comes out of prison, what does the Church do to help them pick up their lives again? Today we’ll talk with Bishop Wack from the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee and Fr. Dustin Feddon, of Joseph House, Angela Burrin, who ministers at a Maryland women’s prison, and Lindsay Myers.
USCCB Associate General Counsel, Mike Moses, talks with Mary and Aaron about Supreme Court cases that present the question of whether the term "sex" in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 includes "sexual orientation" and "gender identity."
Catholic families suffer separation when one of their members is in prison. What is Catholic prison ministry all about? Today we’ll talk with Bishop Wack from the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, Bishop Cary of the Diocese of Baker, Fr. Dustin Feddon, of Joseph House, Fr. Michael Carson, who ministered in San Quentin, and Angela Burrin, who ministers at a Maryland women’s prison.
Lauren McCormack joins host Aaron Weldon to talk with Kim Colby of the Christian Legal Society about 'all-comers' policies, which have the effect of excluding religious organizations from college campuses.
What does the Church mean when it insists that parents are the first educators of their children? Today we’ll talk about some of the different ways that Catholic families engage in education, from homeschooling to co-ops to Catholic schools to public schools. This episode features Mary Pat Donoghue, Executive Director for the Secretariat of Education at the USCCB, Tom Burnford, President and CEO of the National Catholic Educational Association, Jay Boren of St. Benedict in MA, Sara and Andy Sefranek, and Lindsay Schlegal, author of Don’t Forget to Say Thank You: And Other Parenting Lessons That Brought Me Closer to God.
Catholic families are called to be missionary disciples, reaching out to others with the love of Jesus. How can spouses cultivate hospitality? This episode features Sr. Mariae Agnus Dei of the Sisters of Life, Soren and Ever Johnson of Trinity House, and Anna Hitchings (an Australian!).
Surprise! You aren’t expecting one child; you’re expecting two… three… four…! How do Catholic families adjust to taking care of multiples? This episode features Paul Gondreau of Providence College, Stefan and Valeri Syski and Matt and Jill Kerr (triplets!).
Catholic families are found all around the world getting some rest from the “workaday” world. Listen to a few stories from families on vacation. This episode features the Hadley family, Shemaiah Gonzalez, and David Spesia, Executive Director of Evangelization and Catechesis at the USCCB.
Do you have a favorite hymn? Do your kids settle down at Mass when they hear the music? On this episode, Bishop Berg of Pueblo, CO and Archbishop Sample of Portland, OR talk about the power of music to raise the soul to contemplate God.
Do you know the four temperaments? Which one are you? Today we focus on the temperaments and marriage. Some temperament matches are going to be “easier” than others, but no matter what temperaments you and your spouse have, you can still help each other get to heaven! This episode features Art and Laraine Bennett, the authors of The Temperament God Gave You (and others), Nick and Lucy van Schaijik, and Brady and Sarah Wilson.
Every child is a gift, and the loss of even the smallest life is mourned by Catholic parents. Today we’re talking about one of the heaviest crosses that is borne in Catholic family life: miscarriage and infant loss. This episode includes Leah Libresco, Laura Fanucci, author, with her husband Franco, of Grieving Together: A Couple’s Journey through Miscarriage, and Msgr. Donald Sakano from the Archdiocese of New York.
Dignitatis humanae and Church teaching on religious liberty, with Barrett Turner by USCCBClips
Pope Francis has spoken on numerous occasions, such as the World Meeting of Families in Dublin in 2018, about the impact of technology on family life, and the importance of a family’s “unplugging” in order to be together. Today we’ll talk about how families balance technology, especially social media, and their time together. This episode features Bishop Konderla of the Diocese of Tulsa, Dr. Timothy O’Malley of the U. of Notre Dame, Mary Warren of CUA, and Tommy Tighe.
When your parents get divorced, it’s not a one-time event. It remains with you for life. Today we continue the conversation with three adult children of divorced parents about the road to healing and how they seek to build up their own families. This episode features Dan Meola, Beth Sri, and LeeAnne Abel.
The divorce of your mother and father affects you as a child, but not only as a child... Today we introduce you two three adult children of divorce who share their stories and experiences. This episode features Dan Meola, Beth Sri, and LeeAnne Abel. Some of their stories appear in the book Primal Loss: The Now-Adult Children of Divorce Speak by Leila Miller.
There are quotes galore on the joys of friends, and what they bring to our lives. They are “the family we choose for ourselves,” for example. How can a Catholic better learn and live the virtues required to be a good friend? How can married couples cultivate friendships, both as individuals and as a couple? This episode features Bishop Caggiano of Bridgeport, Fr. Paul Scalia, James and Danielle Dill, Dr. John Cuddeback, and Mary Warren.
Catholic families are not immune from tragedy. Today Made for Love addresses the heartbreaking reality of suicide. The episode features Chris Miller, Tommy Tighe, and Sister Colleen Ann Nagle, FSE.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is: 1-800-273-8255
How do Catholic families navigate the waters of addiction to drugs or alcohol? How can the Church better support recovery efforts? On this episode, hear from two men in recovery, Dan Buckley and Brian Peck, who were interviewed by Zoey Maraist at the Arlington Catholic Herald, and Bishop Burbidge in the Diocese of Arlington who has many ideas for the Church’s ministry to families dealing with addiction. We also talk with Nina Marie Corona, who experienced the heartache of watching her daughter struggle with addiction and who is certified in alcohol and drug recovery and began the programs “We Thirst” and “Afire.”
Every one of us faces death; it is a door we think that we walk through alone. But Catholics know that there is Someone who is with us even in death: Jesus Christ. Today we’re talking about dying well. This episode features Sister Theresa Aletheia, of the Daughters of St. Paul and Fr. Paul Dressler, O.F.M. Cap.
Described in a popular book by Gary Chapman, the five love languages are five ways that we give and receive love; and some of them speak to us better than others. Today we’re talking about the love languages in marriage with Francis and Julia Dezelski, Bryan and Liz Smalley, Craig and Stephanie Rapp.
Pets can make a huge positive difference in the life of a family. They can bring out different sides of family members, provide an opportunity to learn responsibility, and provide surprises and entertainment. On this episode, we’ll hear from Bishop Vann (Orange), who is a dog-lover, Sarah Coffey, who grew up with horses and other pets, Fr. Brian Mahoney, who writes about his cats in his parish bulletin, and a few kids with pets!
This episode is full of stories from Catholics dating. Some are dating fails, some are successes.
How can Catholics approach dating in a healthy way? Who should do the initiating? How do you break up with someone nicely? This episode includes Dr. Kerry Cronin, the professor from Boston College who is featured in the film, The Dating Project, Dr. Paul Gondreau from Providence College, and USCCB staff members.
There’s a lot of secular evidence that there isn’t a great dating culture in America right now. What about dating as a Catholic? Today we’re talking with Dr. Kerry Cronin, the professor from Boston College who is featured in the film, The Dating Project, Dr. Paul Gondreau from Providence College, and LMFLY interns Kelly Walsh and Elizabeth Plaza.
The first time Alice went to Christmas with Jeff’s family, things were a little different. How do you navigate the holiday season and juggle all the family traditions with grace? Hear a few stories that will get you ready for Christmas. Also features Bishop Ricken (Green Bay) and Aaron and Lindsay Weldon.
God’s gifts are often abundant! Today we talk with three Catholic families who have big families (by today’s standards): Jerry and Kate Hadley, parents of 10 children, along with their 3rd (Cecilia) and 8th (Tim) children; Andrew and Vivian Nelson, who are expecting their 8th child, and Sam Fatzinger, mother of 13+1 foster child.
"Porn Kills Love." This slogan from “Fight the New Drug” resonates with Catholic teaching about pornography. This episode is about Catholics dealing with porn addiction. It includes DJ Hueneman, Jeff and Annette Kohn, Kevin and Krista Burridge, Patty Breen, and Perry West.
As the bishops of the Church discussed during last month's synod, we here at home are discussing young people, the faith, and discernment with Bishop Caggiano of Bridgeport (also a delegate to the synod), Bishop Sis of San Angelo, Sr. Helena Burns, fsp, Anna Carter of the Eden Invitation, and 3 young people: Jeanne Marie Hathway, Kelly Walsh, and Elizabeth Plaza.
Catholic, Divorced Catholics who are divorced go through a hard process, and can feel forgotten, marginalized, or unwanted at our parishes. How can we make sure that is not the case? This episode features Rose Sweet of Divorce Healing, Patty Breen, Brad Grey, and Fr. Steve Porter.
Catholics have a well of spiritual insight to dip into to prepare for the birth of a child. On today's episode, you'll hear from Mary Haseltine, author of Made for This: The Catholic Mom’s Guide to Birth, Haley Stewart (from the popular blog Carrots for Michaelmas) and birth stories from a few of Sara's friends, including a baby who was born in the car in the driveway of the hospital: good catch, dad!!
Sometimes our society makes us think that romantic love is the only kind of love that matters. This episode features stories about love that challenge that idea. The episode features Dr. Adrian Walker (Visiting Professor of Theology at the Catholic University of America), Alice Heinzen (Marriage and Family Life Director of the Diocese of LaCrosse, Wisconsin), Anna Carter (Founder of Eden Invitation), and Therese Bermpohl (Family Life Director for the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia).
Navigating cultural differences in marriage can be a challenge but brings great rewards. This episode features Dushan and Elizabeth Turcon, Christine and Ysias Martinez, Dunn and Mary Estacio.
This Natural Family Planning awareness week (July 22-28), we talk about NFP, but this time more about how NFP methods can help couples to get pregnant. This episode features Sister Helena Burns, fsp, Chris and Becky Wilson, Dr. Lionel and Janet Yaceczko, and Dr. Karen Poehailos (M.D.).
Chastity doesn’t mean abstinence, but rather integrating one’s sexual impulses into love. That’s obviously important in marriage. Anticipating Natural Family Planning awareness week (July 22-28), we talk about NFP with Amy and Duston Stout, Mark and Leslie Wolf, and Rachel and Dax.
On today’s Made for Love, we continue to look at Humanae Vitae fifty years later. What is the Church’s teaching on the “transmission of life”? This episode features Chris and Becky Wilson, Sister Helena Burns, fsp, Chris Reynolds from the Couple to Couple League, Dr. John Grabowski of CUA, and Dr. Theresa Notare of the USCCB’s NFP office.
Staff from the USCCB reflect on decisions made by the Supreme Court during the summer of 2018.
On today’s Made for Love, we look at Humanae Vitae from the perspective of fifty years of change. What is HV all about? Have Pope Paul VI’s predictions come true? This episode features Bishop Ricken (Green Bay), Bishop Rassas (Auxiliary in Chicago), Dr. John Grabowski of CUA, Sister Helena Burns, fsp, Dr. Theresa Notare of the USCCB’s NFP office, and Dr. Lionel and Janet Yaceczko.
Fathers are a gift to their children. Fatherhood is also an immense task; a father is meant to represent God the Father to his children: that unconditional love and acceptance, along with protection and challenge. This episode features Bishop Mansour (Eparchy of St. Maron of Brooklyn, Bishop Caggiano (Bridgeport), Bishop Sis (San Angelo), Bishop Paprocki (Springfield), Mark Hartfiel of That Man is You, Paul Jarzembowski and Andy Lichtenwalner from the USCCB, Katy Doran of CanaVox, Deborah Savage from the University of St. Thomas, and Joseph Capizzi from the Catholic University of America.
When a man decides to go to the seminary, his family’s reaction matters. In this episode, two bishops (Bishop Caggiano, Bishop Rassas), 2 priests (Fr. Al Baca, Fr. Luke Ballman), and 1 seminarian (Brendan Glasgow) share their parents’ reaction to their discernment.
On this episode of Made for Love, bishops speak about their mothers and celebrate the gift that motherhood is for the Church and the world. Bishops Caggiano (Bridgeport), Mansour (Eparchy of St. Maron of Brooklyn), Paprocki (Springfield, IL), Ricken (Green Bay), Sis (San Angelo), and Rassas (Chicago).
He shoots… he scores! Did you know one of our bishops was a hockey player who has also run 23 marathons? Find out more on today’s Made for Love, as we discuss how sports can enrich family life. This episode features Steve Splonskowski, Bishop Paprocki of the Diocese of Springfield, Sister M. Xavier Schulze, FSGM, and Jeanne and Veronica Canavan.
Sexual complementarity does not mean that men and women are half a person walking around looking for their other half (sorry, Plato). This episode explores complementarity with stories from Pat and Elisa Fleming, Andy Lichtenwalner, Joseph Capizzi, and Deborah Savage.
Infertility is a reality for thousands of Catholic marriages. On this episode of Made for Love: how married couples face the cross of infertility together, and find love through it. Sara and Tom Faenhle, Chris and Emily (nee Stimpson) Chapman, Jen and Mark Crowley of Sarah's Hope and Abraham's Promise, and Connie Poulos from the USCCB are featured on the episode.
Archbishop Joseph Kurtz talks about what he hopes to accomplish in leading the U.S. Bishops' religious liberty efforts.
Mental illness is a reality for many families. Today, we’re focusing on depression and anxiety, two of the most common mental illnesses, and their effects on family life. This episode features Dr. Aaron Kheriaty, author of The Catholic Guide to Depression, Tommy Tighe (author of Catholic Hipster), Sarah Elliot and her daughter Moire, and Teresa Bippus.
This is bonus information about the program that Elizabeth Kirk was part of: Safe Families for Children
Kate was pregnant and in shock. Deborah, Elizabeth, Bethany, and their respective husbands, all felt an ache that their arms were empty after years of hoping for a child. This episode highlights the gift of adoption and its complexity in real life.
The Murphys, Dawsons, Stouts, and Hartfiels all thought that because they studied theology, they would be really good at this marriage thing. But knowing the Theology of the Body, while that knowledge is certainly a gift, does not mean your marriage will be easy. The messiness and difficulty of marriage is part of the vocation; it doesn’t mean that you are failing. Listen to these stories of real marriage.
Eating dinner together as a family used to be common and expected. The table is the place where members of the family can talk things out and hear about each other’s lives. This episode features Bishop Caggiano, Bishop Malone, Brendan Glasgow, Christina Strafaci, Craig and Stephanie Rapp, Tim and Lisa Roder, and Mary Beth Bonacci.
Domestic violence is a tragic reality in families today. The bishops issued a statement on domestic violence over 20 years ago (“When I Call for Help”), but many people do not know what the Church’s teaching is. Some people mistakenly believe that they must stay in an abusive situation. This episode features Denise, Kathy Bonner, Fr. Chuck Dahm, OP, and the founder of Catholics for Family Peace, Sharon O’Brien.
Just how do Catholic social teaching and religious liberty intersect? One theology professor says in many ways, starting with the Gospel.
Stacy and Nabil met in college. Their wedding day was the happiest day of Stacy’s life. But within a few years, they were divorced and Stacy was petitioning for an annulment. What happened? This episode explores the complex issue of annulment in the Catholic Church and features Stacy Thomlison, Fr. Bob Cannon of the Archdiocese of the Military Services, and Alice Heinzen, the marriage and family life director from the Diocese of La Crosse.
Terri and Vince Corcoran met later in life and married with a vision of years of companionship ahead. This vision lasted only one month, when Vince started showing signs of an illness that there was no name for. Terri took care of Vince until he died seventeen years later, showing fidelity to her promises in a beautiful way. This episode includes Bishop Frank Caggiano, of the Diocese of Bridgeport, Fr. Scott Sina of the Diocese of Arlington, and Robert Mastrogiavanni, the President of the Well Spouse Association.
Usually, parents baptize their children. They dress them up in beautiful white gowns, invite friends and family, and promise to teach their children about God. But sometimes, God reaches the child first, and the child brings the parents along. The first episode of Made for Love features Bishop James Conley, of the Diocese of Lincoln, who is the Chair of the Subcommittee on the Promotion and Defense of Marriage.
Bishop Conley recites A.E. Housman's poem, "When I was One-and-Twenty" on episode one-- this is part of that poem!
A second sneak peak at episode 2 of Made for Love: Stacy talks about the peace that the annulment gave her.
Stacy Thomlison thought she had found the man who would love her all her life, but it didn't turn out that way. This podcast episode is about annulments in the Catholic Church: What are they? What are they not? What is it like to go through the process?
The second episode of Made for Love features the story of Terri Corcoran, who cared for her husband who suffered from a rare genetic disorder.
This is a teaser of the first episode of the new podcast from the USCCB: Made for Love. This episode is called "Baptismal Reversal" and features Bishop James Conley of Lincoln, Chairman of the Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage.
USCCB Staffers discuss breaking developments impacting religious freedom in the Supreme Court
Greg Dolan of the USCCB talks about how Catholic education and religious freedom intersect.
Why are the bishops so concerned about the migration issue, and how is it a religious liberty issue? Historian Todd Scribner gives us the context.
Faith is public: Talking dogma living loudly and disaster relief for churches with Montse Alvarado.