Inside CatholicPhilly.com: Recent Episodes
CatholicPhilly.com
Inside CatholicPhilly.com dives into matters of faith with a view from the pew, where the people of God are. Editor Matt Gambino, producer Gina Christian, and their guests discuss the Catholic take on everything from Mass to #MeToo, based on CatholicPhilly.com's award-winning news coverage and commentary.
La Voz de Dios en las Voces de Nuestros Pueblos es un ministerio radial en español, dinámico e interactivo, que promueve la fe católica a través del diálogo, música y oración.
International concert organist, recording artist and choral conductor Gail Archer has a heart for the music of Ukraine, a country she knows well through her many performances there. Ahead of her latest benefit concert for Ukraine, Gail spoke with Gina Christian of CatholicPhilly about contemporary Ukrainian music and the many "sonic flavors" the organ offers to performers and audiences alike.
For details about Gail’s Sept. 11 benefit concert for Ukraine, visit catholicphilly.com/2022/08/news/events/acclaimed-organist-performs-benefit-concert-for-ukraine/
To donate in advance of the concert, visit the Caritas campaign page at caritas.us/project/relief-for-ukraine-and-refugees-in-poland-1.
To support humanitarian aid to Ukraine, visit the website of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia at https://ukrarcheparchy.us/
For more information about Gail and her music, visit her website at http://www.gailarcher.com/index.html
As a young man, Father Keith Chylinski never gave priesthood a second thought, focusing instead on a music ministry career. But that quiet call persisted, and after years of priestly ministry, faculty appointments and training in psychology, he is now rector of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, PA. Ahead of the coming academic year, Father Chylinski sat down with producer Gina Christian to talk about his journey, as well as the challenges faced by young men discerning a priestly vocation. (Music by Ikson/IksonMusic.com)
Monsignor Kieran Harrington, national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States, shares with Inside CatholicPhilly.com his reflections on visiting Ukraine, where he spent time at Bucha, one of several sites of mass civilian killings by Russian forces. The Pontifical Mission Societies, along with several other Catholic organizations, are bringing both material and spiritual aid to the people of Ukraine amid their immense suffering. (To learn more about the Pontifical Mission Societies and to donate, visit missio.org/helpukraine.)
Gun violence has surged throughout the U.S. in recent years, becoming the largest cause of death for the nation's children in 2020. L.A. and Omar, two youths served by Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, joined their care worker Gary Hill to speak in detail with Gina Christian of CatholicPhilly.com about the real causes of gun violence on the streets of Philadelphia.
Genocide expert Jeff Benvenuto of Gratz College shares with producer Gina Christian how Russian atrocities in Ukraine are genocidal -- and how the difficulties of prosecution, along with indifference from bystander nations, make genocide a universal risk.
Days after his ordination, Ukrainian Catholic priest Father Volodymyr Radko watched as Russia launched a full-scale invasion against his native Ukraine -- an assault that actually began with Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea. For several weeks, Father Radko was unable to return to his Philadelphia assignment, and now that he has arrived in the U.S., he shares with CatholicPhilly's Matt Gambino and Gina Christian how the war has challenged and shaped his faith.
Holy Week presents a unique opportunity for Catholics and Christians to reexamine their ongoing relationship with the Jewish community. Professor Philip Cunningham and Professor Adam Gregerman of the Institute for Jewish-Catholic Relations at Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia share with producer Gina Christian how the post-Vatican II dialogue between the two faiths offers reasons for hope, and opportunities for more work to be done.
Bernard Ekeagwu, a seminarian at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, shares with Inside CatholicPhilly.com how we are faced each day with a single choice -- one between Jesus, the Son of God who came to save humankind, and Barabbas, the criminal whom Pontius Pilate released to appease the angry crowd calling for Christ's crucifixion. Our decision is revealed by how we live out our calling as Christians.
Philip Cheung, a seminarian at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, shares with Inside CatholicPhilly.com how Christ's encounter with the adulterous woman reveals his mercy not only to her, but to all who struggle with both sin and self-righteousness.
Gregory Miller, a seminarian at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, shares with Inside CatholicPhilly.com how the Gospel parable of the prodigal son reveals God's boundless love for us, no matter how far from him we have strayed.
Join CatholicPhilly.com editor Matt Gambino and producer Gina Christian in praying the official Vatican text for Pope Francis' March 25, 2022 consecration of Ukraine, Russia and the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. (Music: "Out of Time" by Ukrainian composer Zakhar Valaha.)
Ukrainian history expert Nicholas Rudnytzky of Manor College shares with Gina Christian why Russian president Vladimir Putin's version of the past is not only discredited, but deadly -- not just for Ukraine as a nation, but for the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, and for freedom itself.
Kurt Kondrich shares how he and his daughter Chloe are advocating at national and global levels to end the "silent eugenics" against pre-born persons with Down syndrome -- because "abortion is the ultimate form of exclusion," and full inclusion first depends on having the right to life.
Jacob Sanz, a seminarian at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, shares with Inside CatholicPhilly.com how the Gospel parable of the barren fig tree reminds us to embrace dying to ourselves, so that we can live in a new way
For Christians, the road to glory is always through suffering, as Jesus made clear on the cross -- but in the end, the glory is always going to be our hope. Max McGallagher, a seminarian at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, shares with Inside CatholicPhilly.com how the Transfiguration of Christ reminds us to look beyond present sorrow and affliction, and see an eternity filled with joy.
Toma Bruzaite, a Catholic journalist based in Lithuania, shared with Gina Christian how that country is opening hearts and homes to refugees from Ukraine, now under invasion by Russia. With memories of Soviet-era repression still fresh in Lithuania's national memory, she also highlighted why Ukraine’s fight matters not only for that nation, but for freedom itself.
With many teens and young adults feeling they're "trapped" in their own bodies, Mary Rice Hasson, co-founder of Person and Identity Project at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, unpacks the transgender phenomenon -- and how it looks through the prism of the Catholic understanding of personhood and human sexuality.
Do you think you're on your own when it comes to struggling with sin? Or do you have some hidden expectations of God that actually lead to resentment? Brendan Zehner, a seminarian at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, shares with Inside CatholicPhilly.com how Christ actually understands our worst temptations, and our deepest selves.
John Mulderig of Catholic News Service shares his thoughts on movie releases for the summer of 2021, along with his take on how COVID has impacted the film industry -- and why popcorn is more than just a snack.
Everybody wants to be free, but what exactly is "freedom"? Is it getting to do whatever you want, when you want -- or does it involve something more? And how do your decisions impact the liberty of others? Oblate Father Thomas Dailey of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary shares with Matt Gambino and Gina Christian of CatholicPhilly.com what the Catholic faith -- and baseball great Yogi Berra -- teach about a word that describes one of the deepest longings of the human heart.
When you walk down the street, how do you view those you encounter -- as potential adversaries, or as fellow human beings made in the image and likeness of God? Much of today's toxic social discourse comes from starting off on the wrong foot in our interactions, and forgetting our shared dignity as divinely created souls. Oblate Father Thomas Dailey of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary shares with Matt Gambino and Gina Christian of CatholicPhilly.com how it's possible to love even your enemies, once you look to Christ and his example -- and that is indeed a reason to lift up your heart.
Had enough of depressing headlines? It's time for some Good News with Oblate Father Thomas Dailey of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary and Gina Christian of CatholicPhilly.com. In the first of a new podcast series that highlights hope, Father Dailey shares insights from his new book, "Behold This Heart: St. Francis De Sales and Devotion to the Sacred Heart" (Sophia Institute Press). Christ has poured out the riches of his love for each and every person, and that is indeed a reason to life up your heart.
Modern culture seeks to label people by "gender identity" and "sexual orientation." But human beings -- made in the image and likeness of God -- are far more dimensional and complex than their sexual inclinations. Father Philip Bochanski, executive director of Courage International, shares with producer Gina Christian how the God-given gift of sexuality enables us to realize "how we're made, and how we're called to love in imitation of Christ." Through the Courage apostolate, same-sex attracted persons can open themselves to God's grace, which empowers all the faithful to steward their sexuality through the virtue of chastity.
Each May, we celebrate Older Americans Month, a time to honor those who are farther ahead of us on life's journey. Seniors' wisdom, insight, and experience has become even more invaluable as the world continues to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Producer Gina Christian speaks with Carolyn Truxell, an older Philadelphian who survived a near-fatal bout with the deadly disease, and who emerged from its depths with greater faith -- and more ambitious plans for the future.
What makes life worth living, and death worth dying? Whom do we love more than ourselves, and why does it matter? Archbishop Charles Chaput sits down with CatholicPhilly.com editor Matt Gambino and producer Gina Christian to share insights from his new book, "Things Worth Dying For: Thoughts on a Life Worth Living." Tune in to find out why the church is and isn't a democracy, what cancel culture really says about our society, and what's on Archbishop Chaput's to-do list once COVID restrictions are eased.
As humans, we instinctively run from, not toward, suffering. But embracing the cross with Jesus enables us to accept our weaknesses, and to move beyond them into eternal life, as Randy Kraft -- a seminarian at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania -- shares with Inside CatholicPhilly.com.
Finding everlasting life by dying to self seems impossible in a culture that values comfort, ease, and personal satisfaction. But Jesus sacrificed himself on the cross to give us a freedom that sin and death can never take away, as John Okpara -- a seminarian at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania -- shares with Inside CatholicPhilly.com.
"Love" is a word that is used for everything from food to football to family and friends. But in God's language, it means far more than we can possibly imagine, as Shane Flanagan -- a seminarian at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania -- shares with Inside CatholicPhilly.com. When divine love is lifted up as Jesus was on the cross, everlasting life triumphs.
Anger has become a way of life for many in recent years, with frustrations and fears boiling over in troubled hearts. Ricardo Martinez, a seminarian at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, shares with Inside CatholicPhilly.com how Jesus' cleansing of the Temple in Jerusalem modeled a healthy anger designed to bring peace, holiness, and eternal life.
Until the mid-eighteenth century, persons with disabilities were rarely provided with any formal education. Today, special education is a well-developed field that is gradually focusing more on what students can, rather than can't, do. Dr. Danielle Heeney, the new director of special education for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, shares with producer Gina Christian why her field is ultimately based on the essence of Christ's teachings, which stress "honoring, valuing and treating every life with dignity and respect.”
In a hectic world, our hearts can become deaf to the voices of God and others. Phong Le, a seminarian at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, shares how the Transfiguration of the Lord stuns us into a beautiful silence where Jesus whispers his love -- drawing us closer to him and to those around us.
After a year of pandemic, racial reckonings, and social unrest, many feel as if they've been in a desert of suffering with no water in sight. Anthony Albanese, a seminarian at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, shares how Jesus is with us through it all, and how the kingdom of God is both already here -- and still to come.
Did Advent 2020 pass you by? After a year of heartbreaks and challenges, you might be tempted to rush the Christmas holiday that's only days away. But the final moments of Advent still offer many opportunities to slow down and to prepare for the Lord's birth in our hearts. Faithful from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia share with producer Gina Christian some of their insights for making the most of the time at hand.
As Hunger Action Month concludes, producer Gina Christian shares the voices of those who have depended on (or worked at) the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's pantries and food distribution sites, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although September is a time to refocus on hunger, for too many, food insecurity is a year-round reality, and one we are all called to change.
In the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's new Arise podcast series, Father Richard Owens, O.F.M. Cap., Father Eric Banecker, and Gina Christian present the truth, beauty, and goodness of the Catholic faith to Catholics, fellow Christians, and all those who seek something more. Renowned Bible teacher, author and speaker Jeff Cavins shares with the Arise team why it's vital to create a "culture of Scripture" in order to face not only a pandemic and a time of social unrest, but life itself. (Music by Johnny Markin, taken from the "Instrumental Acoustic Hymns Project," owned by Essential Christian under the imprint Elevation, with an arrangement copyrighted by Music Services. For more information on the Arise Project, visit archphila.org/arise.)
Starting a new school year amid the COVID-19 pandemic requires detailed planning, a willingness to be flexible, and a determination to move students' education forward while keeping them safe. Producer Gina Christian speaks with I.H.M. Sister Maureen Lawrence McDermott, superintendent for secondary schools of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, to discuss how this academic year will look in the classrooms of the 17 archdiocesan high schools and four schools of special education.
"Back to school" has come to mean something quite different during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for elementary school children who generally benefit more from in-person rather than virtual learning. Producer Gina Christian speaks with Andrew McLaughlin, superintendent for elementary schools of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, to discuss how this academic year will take shape in the more than 100 archdiocesan elementary schools. (And here's a hint: uniforms will be required, whether you're at home or in the classroom.)
In the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's new Arise podcast series, Father Richard Owens, O.F.M. Cap., Father Eric Banecker, and Gina Christian present the truth, beauty, and goodness of the Catholic faith to Catholics, fellow Christians, and all those who seek something more. Father Liam Murphy, Father Stephen Thorne, and I.H.M. Sister Kathleen Schipani discuss the spiritual lessons they've learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, including a deeper awareness of what it means to be the church when you can't physically be in church. They also share their favorite saints, and what they've been watching on Netflix these days. (Music by Johnny Markin, taken from the "Instrumental Acoustic Hymns Project," owned by Essential Christian under the imprint Elevation, with an arrangement copyrighted by Music Services. For more information on the Arise Project, visit archphila.org/arise.)
In the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's new Arise podcast series, Father Richard Owens, O.F.M. Cap., Father Eric Banecker, and Gina Christian present the truth, beauty, and goodness of the Catholic faith to Catholics, fellow Christians, and all those who seek something more. Tucker Brown, a seminarian at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, shares how God called him from the medical field to the priesthood, and from healing bodies to healing souls destined for eternal life. (Music by Johnny Markin, taken from the "Instrumental Acoustic Hymns Project," owned by Essential Christian under the imprint Elevation, with an arrangement copyrighted by Music Services. For more information on the Arise Project, visit archphila.org/arise.)
In the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's new Arise podcast series, Father Richard Owens, O.F.M. Cap., Father Eric Banecker, and Gina Christian present the truth, beauty, and goodness of the Catholic faith to Catholics, fellow Christians, and all those who seek something more. In the second of a two-part interview, Philadelphia Archbishop Nelson Pérez shares his thoughts on "setting a welcoming table" at church, "not staying too long inside yourself" and choosing hope over fear, both during a pandemic and always. (Music by Johnny Markin, taken from the "Instrumental Acoustic Hymns Project," owned by Essential Christian under the imprint Elevation, with an arrangement copyrighted by Music Services. For more information on the Arise Project, visit archphila.org/arise.)
In the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's new Arise podcast series, Father Richard Owens, O.F.M. Cap., Father Eric Banecker, and Gina Christian present the truth, beauty, and goodness of the Catholic faith to Catholics, fellow Christians, and all those who seek something more. The first episode features a two-part interview with Philadelphia Archbishop Nelson Pérez, who shares his insights on faith amid the pandemic, his return to Philadelphia and his love of pizza and Star Trek. (Music by Johnny Markin, taken from the "Instrumental Acoustic Hymns Project," owned by Essential Christian under the imprint Elevation, with an arrangement copyrighted by Music Services. For more information on the Arise Project, visit archphila.org/arise.)
The coronavirus pandemic has moved Catholic Masses online, but should parishes try to set up last-minute livestreamed liturgies for Holy Week? Digital theologian Father Thomas Dailey and media consultant Dan Kearns share with Inside CatholicPhilly.com why Mass through a cell phone may not be the best option, and how parishes can develop a long-term approach to livestreaming.
In the tragedies and hardships of life, we often feel alone. Jesus knows this isolation well: despite his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, he quickly found himself misunderstood, abandoned, and hated. Christopher Massaro, a seminarian at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania shares how Christ enters into our suffering and ultimately transforms it through His passion, death, and resurrection.
The coronavirus pandemic has become a global lesson in medical ethics, as health care professionals struggle to treat patients amid shortages of equipment and hospital beds. Bioethicist Steven Bozza of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia shares with Inside CatholicPhilly.com how doctors can meet the challenges of the current crisis while upholding the sanctity of human life.
The coronavirus pandemic has led thousands of families to seek help from Catholic Social Services (CSS) of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Demand at some CSS food pantries is up by 100%, but donations are down due to grocery shortages and strict stay-at-home orders in the Philadelphia area. Sarah Hanley, president and CEO of the Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia, shares with Inside CatholicPhilly.com how her team has created an emergency fund to enable CSS frontline workers to help those in critical need.
Even though he restored Lazarus to life, Jesus allowed himself to enter deeply into the sorrow of loss. Seminarian Andrew Auletta of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania shares with Inside CatholicPhilly.com how it's all right to cry during the sad parts, even when you know the story has a happy ending.
Although we may have the gift of physical sight, we are all born blind -- blind to our pride, our sinfulness, and above all, to our true dignity as beloved children of God. Andrew Lane, a seminarian at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania shares how Christ's miraculous healing of a man born blind invites us to let ourselves be healed by God's love, that we in turn might help to heal others and the wounded world in which we live.
With social distancing and church closures, the coronavirus pandemic has forced the faithful to find new ways to keep holy the Lord's day. Oblate Father Thomas Dailey shares with Inside CatholicPhilly.com how livestreamed Masses and other digital devotions can sustain our relationship with God and with each other.
A woman with an empty jug and an even emptier life meets Jesus at the town well, and she finds herself completely transformed. Instead of judgment, she encounters mercy and true fulfillment. Ricardo Tobar, a seminarian at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, shares how Jesus awaits us at the point of our greatest need -- and once we have received his love, it will overflow into the lives of those around us.
Stories connect us to each other, and to the past, present and future. Father Thomas Dailey shares with Inside CatholicPhilly.com how the power of stories draws us closer to God, who reveals himself in the greatest story of all: the Word made flesh.
During the journey through Lent, we read in the Scriptures how Christ is transfigured before Peter, James, and John prior to his crucifixion. Henry Graebe, a seminarian at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania shares with Inside CatholicPhilly.com how Christ's transfiguration prepares us for his Passion, giving us hope that new life transcends suffering and death.
Lent starts off with a call to confront temptation, as Christ enters the desert to be tested by the devil. Eric Tamney, a seminarian at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, shares how focusing on our intimate relationship with God can help us face anything that would seek to draw us away from his love.
A 17th-century bishop might not seem like the best source of advice on how to celebrate Valentine's Day, but St. Francis De Sales -- nicknamed "the gentleman saint" -- knew what true love was, and he wants to let you in on it as well. Father Thomas Dailey, OSFS shares with Inside CatholicPhilly.com how St. Francis De Sales' love for Christ, along with devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, can help us to transcend the world's narrow definition of "love" and discover real joy.
Grab your popcorn and settle in for a look at this year's Academy Award contenders with John Mulderig, a longtime movie critic for Catholic News Service. John shares his insights on the Oscars shortlist, as well as his reflections on faith and film.
Composer Tony Manfredonia brings his deeply held Catholic faith to his work, whether he's writing music for Mass or for video games. Inside Catholic Philly.com producer Gina Christian caught up with Tony, who lives in northern Michigan, for his take on the rise of video game soundtracks, the quality of modern Catholic hymns, and the ways in which music -- regardless of style -- can build community. Listen for clips from Tony's original compositions, including "Kharon's Crypt," "The Ambassador," and "Call of Sarengar," as well as a setting of "Ave Maria."
Christmas in a consumer society may evoke a jumble of images, from angels to antlers, but the Nativity scene takes center stage in the hearts of those who long for a God they can see and touch. Father Thomas Dailey shares with Inside CatholicPhilly.com how the Christmas crèche, which traces its origins to St. Francis of Assisi, reminds us that the Lord wants to be part of the human story -- including yours.
Religion and politics can be volatile topics in themselves -- and when combined, the results can be explosive. Father Thomas Dailey shares how it's possible to live out the Catholic faith in both the spiritual and political contexts, and how you can "stand for what you believe without running over other people."
What does charitable giving look like in the digital age -- and in a Catholic Church wounded by scandal and secularization? Sarah Hanley, president and CEO of the Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia, shares how she and her team work to steward their clients' gifts with diligence and transparency, while encouraging donors to give from the heart to the ministries and causes that inspire them the most.
Holiness can seem out of reach for those living in the ordinary realm of home, office, shopping mall and traffic jams. But in this episode of Inside CatholicPhilly.com, Father Thomas Dailey, O.S.F.S. shows how the cloistered Visitation Sisters (who live on one of the busiest roads in Philadelphia) embody a spirituality ultimately intended for, and ideally suited to, people living “in the world.” As part of a jubilee year, these women religious are welcoming visitors to experience the peace inside their monastery walls -- and to bring that serenity back to a world that needs it more than ever.
Are adjectives unholy, or just unhelpful? Father Thomas Dailey, O.S.F.S. shares how Pope Francis recently asked the faithful to delete the descriptive terms (such as "authentically Christian"), which can actually intensify the divisions in our polarized culture. Instead, says the pope, simple language better communicates the reality of life in Christ. More than a grammar lesson, the pope's insights show that our words have power to open others' hearts to the love of God.
When your early life is marked by trauma and at-risk behavior, how do you reshape your future? Duane Price, a recent graduate of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's De La Salle Vocational School, shares with producer Gina Christian how he learned to "own his voice" and choose to believe in himself -- so that he can help others do the same.
Is there such a thing as "Catholic sportsmanship"? Or are Catholics just as rough and tumble during gametime as any other athletes and fans? Veteran sports reporter John Knebels shares with Inside Catholic Philly.com how Catholic faith and identity is still at the heart of Catholic League sports in Philadelphia -- and where that spirit could use some extra practice.
Philadelphia's Catholic League football teams are back on the gridiron, and veteran sports journalist John Knebels shares with Inside CatholicPhilly.com what to expect this season, and which players and teams are destined for victory.
What's your story? Are yesterday's wounds injuring you and those around you in the present? Drawing on his long experience of working with at-risk youth, counselor Fred Trainer describes how coming to terms with past trauma can free you to forgive, and to embrace hope and healing in Christ.
Even in the worst of times -- such as the clerical abuse crisis -- Catholics can still discern the voice of their true Shepherd. Meghan Cokeley of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia shares with producer Gina Christian how the "sensus fidei" (the sense of faith) can guide laity who are living out their baptismal vows. Although church leaders can and do fail, Christ never abandons the flock for which he gave his very life.
What should lay people do at a time of crisis and heartache in the Catholic Church? Between scandals and secularization, do the people in the pews have any real power to create change for the better? Yes, says Meghan Cokeley, director of evangelization for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, who shares with producer Gina Christian the inside story on how the Catholic Church is actually supposed to work, thanks to its "two dimensions."
Do spirits and spirituality mix? Yes, according to Oblate Father Thomas Dailey, as long as we're drinking to the joy of the Lord, and in fellowship with one another. Father Dailey draws on Dr. Michael Foley's popular book, "Drinking with the Saints," to show how we can lift both glasses and hearts with friends, and honor God by taking delight in his countless blessings. Cheers!
Young people aren't storming out of the Catholic Church; they're simply drifting away, as Bishop Robert Barron has pointed out. So how can an ancient faith speak to a new generation? Father Thomas Dailey, OSFS, shares his insights on evangelizing youth and young adults.
Is poverty a blessing? Yes, but only if it's the type that Jesus meant when he said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit." In the second of a two-part series, Father Arthur Purcaro, O.S.A. of Villanova University explains how spiritual poverty -- which recognizes that "all is gift" from God -- transforms hearts and builds the kingdom of God on earth.
How do you find your true path? Where and who are you meant to be? How do you make life choices in a world that advises you to "keep your options open" and to "have it all"? Oblate Father Thomas Dailey shares how you can discern your vocation -- God's specific call for you -- even in the noisy digital age.
"Poverty" is a small word that encompasses measureless misery. Christians often have a confused relationship with poverty. Is being poor a sign of holiness? Or is it evidence of a deep evil in our hearts, one that allows only a few to enjoy God's abundance while others go without? In the first of a two-part series, Father Arthur Purcaro, O.S.A. of Villanova University explains the different types of poverty, and how each can become an encounter with a Lord who showers all with his blessings.
Does Mass on television "count"? And are your online friends really your friends? Father Thomas Dailey, OSFS discusses how digital communications shapes our sense of community, especially when we gather -- online or offline -- to share our faith. In his message for this year's World Communications Day, Pope Francis has called for a unity that moves us all from a mere "like" to an "amen" that is grounded in real and welcoming relationships.
Marriage isn't just about two people finding happiness in each other. Father Frank Berna of La Salle University shares with producer Gina Christian how this consecrated union actually translates into "everyday holiness," blessing not only the couple and their families, but the human community as a whole.
Fewer couples are getting married these days, and "wedded bliss" can mean very different things in the culture and in Catholic teaching. The sacrament of matrimony isn't just a prelude to a lavish wedding party; instead, it's central to the life of the Church. Father Frank Berna, a theologian from La Salle University and a popular wedding celebrant, shares with producer Gina Christian the meaning behind marriage, and how the Catholic Church can invite others to experience the joy of this consecrated union.
How can the Catholic faith -- and more specifically, the Mass -- engage today's youth? Father Thomas Dailey shares his thoughts on how teens and young adults encounter the presence of God in the liturgy, although they may not fully know or understand everything that's happening during the rites. Even in the digital age, the call to holiness remains in our genes, and in our hearts.
Palm Sunday puts Christians in the heart of the action, as Christ enters Jerusalem to win eternal life for humanity through his passion, death, and resurrection. Seminarian John Paul Heisler of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania shares how our annual remembrance of Christ's passion is new and lifegiving over two thousand years later. Whether we exalt him with the crowds, or deny him as Peter did, Jesus remains with us, offering his all-powerful love and mercy.
The woman caught in adultery stood before Christ completely vulnerable, fearing death and damnation. Yet Jesus silenced her accusers with his just and merciful love, restoring her dignity and her life. Seminarian Mark Tobin of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania shares how the Lord does the same for us when we have been wounded and alienated by our sins. By humbly giving our brokenness to Christ, we are cleansed and renewed -- and free to share that mercy with others. (Image: Andrey Mironov, "Christ and the Sinner" via Creative Commons).
"Having it all" means having nothing if our definition of "all" is money, worldly success and pleasure -- a lesson the prodigal son learned the hard way. Seminarian Wesly Taveras Medina of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary (Wynnewood, Pennsylvania) shares how the radical love of God satisfies our deepest needs. Conversion isn't about the Lord taking away all our fun, but rather about him giving us real and lasting joy.
What do God and grand slams have in common? Quite a lot, according to Father Thomas Dailey, OSFS. An avid baseball fan, Father Dailey shares with editor Matt Gambino and producer Gina Christian how the divine can be found on the baseball diamond.
Like any good gardener, Jesus looks for a harvest. When he cursed a barren fig tree, Christ reminded us that time is short, and that we miss out on true growth by choosing to stagnate in sin. Seminarian Steven DiMassimo from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania shares how we can move from frustration to freedom and fruitfulness.
For decades, Catholics have placed the Rice Bowl, a small cardboard box for alms, in their homes during Lent. Sponsored by Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the outreach does much more than collect spare change for the hungry. Anne Ayella of CRS describes how the Rice Bowl initiative radically connects individuals across the globe in a shared journey towards sustenance and solidarity.
Can modern eyes (and hearts) blinded by digital-age special effects take in the Transfiguration of Christ? Have we lost the ability to be stunned into silent reverence before God's glory? Kenneth Cavara, a seminarian from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, shares how we can reclaim our sense of wonder in God's holy presence.
Fasting, the ancient practice of abstaining from food, enables us to create a greater space for God in our lives. But denying ourselves is difficult, especially in a culture of all-you-can-eat buffets. Father Thomas Dailey, OSFS, shares how fasting is designed to work (hint: it's not about "gaming the Lenten system"), and what fruits this vital discipline can bring to our lives.
Ever feel like you can't overcome temptation, and that you're doomed to sin in ways great and small? Jesus understands. Before he began his public ministry, he faced off against Satan after a 40-day fast in the desert. Austin Robuck, a seminarian from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, shares how Christ's response in this encounter offers us hope and power when we're confronted with the choice between sin and life in the Spirit.
Lent is a time of prayer and fasting that opens our hearts to the beauty of love. Forty Days for Life, a global grassroots movement, does just that through its peaceful, compassionate witness to the rights of the unborn. Tom Stevens (president of the Pro Life Union of Greater Philadelphia) and Steve Bozza (director of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's Office for Life and Family) share how this ministry can be part of a Lenten journey to renewed life for all.
Does God have a sense of humor? Can you be holy and still enjoy a good joke? Father Thomas Dailey, OSFS shares with editor Matt Gambino and producer Gina Christian how laughter helps to spread the good news of the Gospel, while deepening relationships and making life's journey easier.
Pornography has become a multi-billion dollar industry, harming individuals and families by degrading human dignity and the God-given gift of sexuality. Archbishop Charles Chaput of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia discusses a new initiative to protect families from pornography, and shares the Catholic faith's call to mercy and healing for those struggling with sexual addiction.
Pope Francis has observed that the internet can both connect us to others and entrap us in a web of self-isolation. Father Thomas Dailey, O.S.F.S., shares his thoughts with producer Gina Christian and editor Matt Gambino on how we can create real communities through social media -- without becoming ensnared in false identities and shallow relationships.
If we are all made in the image and likeness of God, why do we so often close our hearts to those whose skin color differs from our own? God is relational, and invites all to enter into communion with him and with one another. Father Arthur Purcaro, O.S.A. of Villanova University shares his insights on how love conquers racism, reflecting on the U.S. bishops' pastoral letter "Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love."
When it's time for the homily at Mass, do you find yourself flipping through the bulletin, or even dozing off? The homily is much more than a lecture to endure so you can receive communion. Father Thomas Dailey, OSFS shares the real purpose of the homily (hint: it's not to drum up money for the collection), and what makes for preaching that brings the Word of God alive in the hearts of the faithful.
Can you be in love with the Lord while you're angry at the world? Many Christians are engaged in a spiritual battle with the wrong enemy. Father Thomas Dailey shares how St. Francis de Sales focused on gentleness as a sign of God's presence in the soul. Having lived during a time of intense conflict between Catholics and Protestants, this saint knew the importance of true kindness and humility in everyday life.
With so many people talking (and shouting) online and in person, is anyone actually listening? Drawing on over 40 years of missionary experience in Peru, Father Arthur Purcaro, OSA shares his insights on how listening can lead us to discover God in others -- and in ourselves.
How does faith in Christ influence the way we interact with each other when we're online? Social media platforms present real challenges to -- and opportunities for -- authentic, respectful communication. Father Thomas Dailey, OSFS, shares his thoughts with editor Matt Gambino and producer Gina Christian on how to be a true Facebook friend, both on and offline.
How do we move from online networks to human communities? How do we make friends in person, and not just online? These are the questions that Pope Francis has asked the Catholic Church to consider while preparing for World Communications Day 2019. Father Thomas Dailey, OSFS shares how we can use the gift of modern media to build authentic connections among each other.
What is "the church"? Is it a building, an organization, or something you "do" on Sunday? Father Thomas Dailey, OSFS shares with editor Matt Gambino and producer Gina Christian the many meanings of this one little word, and why knowing who "the people of God" are is key to understanding what we mean by "church."
Is God on the gridiron? Can we find the Lord at the 50-yard line? Sports are a major part of the human experience, whether we're on the field or watching the Sunday game from the comfort of our couch. Father Frank Berna of La Salle University shares with producer Gina Christian how athletes and fans alike can encounter the divine through sports -- and how we can transfer our game-time enthusiasm to Sunday worship.
What is fake news? We've heard a lot about it, but do we know exactly what it is and how to spot it? Editor Matt Gambino and producer Gina Christian explore this issue with Father Thomas Dailey, OSFS, a specialist in church communications. Father Dailey describes how fake news, propaganda, sponsored content, and advocacy journalism intersect in today's media.
In the age of the selfie, how can the church reach "real people"? We asked Father Thomas Dailey, O.S.F.S., an expert on social media and the new evangelization, to share his thoughts on the relationship between the actual self, the virtual self and the Gospel. Father Dailey is the John Cardinal Foley Chair of Homiletics & Social Communications at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary (Wynnewood, Pennsylvania), and has written and lectured extensively on church communications in the age of cyberspace. He offers a message of both hope and challenge to editor Matt Gambino and producer Gina Christian.
If we have millions of Facebook friends, why do we still feel so lonely? In this week's podcast, editor Matt Gambino and producer Gina Christian explore how social media shapes our sense of community and spirituality.