Susan Flansburg, author of Feels Like Home: A Single Catholic Woman's Guide to Religious Life in the U.S. talks about her new book written for those discerning a vocation as a religious Sister. In this book, Susan provides practical information based on over 20 years of experience working with a religious community and interviewing and consulting with vocation directors and many religious Sisters and nuns. This is a book that vocation ministers, pastors, campus ministers, teachers, and parents must get into the hands of women who are considering the vocation of a religious Sister. Available for purchase on https://Amazon.com.

Deacons James Norman, Dave Brencic and Richard Hudzik talk about Companions of Christ.

Host Fr. Michael Trail and Fr. Matt O'Donnell talk about the experience of attending the National Black Catholic Congress.

CC Renews is a Catholic Charities Counseling Program that helps people of all ages who have had more than one traumatic experience in their lives. Through counseling and case management, as needed, participants receive assistance from compassionate, experienced professionals to plan for a healthier path forward. Join Phil Zepeda and Katie Bredemann as they welcome Carla Gutierrez and Daisy Gonzalez to discuss this specialized approach to counseling.

Lectura y reflexión del Evangelio según San Mateo 13, 44-52, del domingo, 30 de julio de 2023. Viernes, 28 de julio de 2023

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Segment I: In August of 2023, the Parliament of the World’s Religions returns to the birthplace of the modern interfaith movement after 30 years away to celebrate 130 years of history in the city of Chicago. Parliament Convenings attract participants from more than 200 diverse religious, indigenous, and secular beliefs and more than 80 nations. Joining us in studio for the first half of today’s program to talk about the Parliament of the World’s Relitions are Dan Olsen and Susan Pudelek from the Office For Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs. Segment II: St. Agnes of Bohemia Parish, located in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood, is hosting street Masses every Tuesday and Thursday evening through the beginning of August to bring the Gospel message of peace and hope to the community and to pray for an end to violence. Joining us for this half of today’s program are Fr. Marco Franco Luna and Tony Velasco.

July is traditionally known as the Month of the Precious Blood. In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, Danielle Noe, Timothy Johnston and Todd Williamson discuss the Precious Blood of Christ. They explore not only the Eucharistic Theology, but also the liturgical dynamic of sharing in the Precious Blood and Communion from the chalice.

Host Joyce Duriga talks to Vince Gerasole about his career in the media and his current role as Director of Multi Media Content at the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Welcome the Stranger is a Catholic Charities initiative, in conjunction with the Archdiocese of Chicago to help the 10,000 asylum seekers who have arrived in our city in recent months through a coordinated, Catholic response that is offered along with initiatives from the City of Chicago and other human service organizations. Join Katie Bredemann and Phil Zepeda as they welcome Rose Marie Lesniak-Mendez and Griselda Garibay to discuss additional Welcome the Stranger updates and how St. Barnabas Parish is generously embracing this call for charitable assistance.

Vicki Quade plays Are You Smarter Than Your 8th Grade Nun? with Fr. Greg and Mark.

Co-hosts Fr. Britto Berchmans and Sandy Labouvie spend time talking with Eric and Megan Weber about how their faith impacts their relationship.

Host Beth White talks to her guests about Evangelization and the Black Catholic reality.

Catholic Charities Counseling Programs help clients deal with a wide variety of mental health concerns. Through counseling and case management, children and adults receive assistance from compassionate, experienced professionals to identify root causes and plan for a more positive path forward. Join Phil Zepeda and Katie Bredemann as they welcome Ellen Tannenbaum and Laura Caballero to discuss how our Counseling programs are having a positive impact in many people’s lives across Cook and Lake counties.

Segment 1: SCOTUS 303 Creative Case Segment 2: Tax Credit Scholarship Program - Invest In Kids Segment 3: Physician Assisted Suicide

Lectura y reflexión del Evangelio según San Mateo 13, 1-23, del domingo, 16 de julio de 2023. Viernes, 14 de julio de 2023

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Segment I: Dr. Mary Amore talks about the latest offerings from Mayslake Ministries. Segment II: Sr. Joan McGlinchey discusses her 60 years in religious life.

This month Megan talks with Sr. Rose-Ange Woulaou, a Sister of Providence of St. Paul in Kara, Togo. She is the only member of her congregation living in the USA, and one of the few who speaks English. She is currently studying at Divine Word College in Epworth, Iowa. Megan asks Sr. Rose-Ange to talk about her vocational story and what it was like to come to the US for study. They also talk about life in Togo and the ministries of the Sisters of Providence of St. Paul.

Welcome the Stranger is a Catholic Charities initiative, in conjunction with the Archdiocese of Chicago to assist the 10,000 asylum seekers who have arrived in our city in recent months. Parishes in all six Vicariates are coordinating a Catholic response to offer charitable help to the asylum seekers, along with Catholic Charities programs and services as available. Join Phil Zepeda and Katie Bredemann as they welcome Marilu Gonzalez and Donald Kauffold to discuss Welcome the Stranger developments, including a special story from Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish in Elk Grove Village.

Fr. Adam MacDonald, SVD, Divine Word Missionary, looks back with gratitude and learnings through his 12 years of serving in vocation ministry. Recently, he was asked to move back to Chicago to serve as the local superior at the congregation’s Theologate Formation House at Catholic Theological Union in Hyde Park. How do discernment, shared wisdom, and servant leadership play important roles in this transition time? Society of the Divine Word/Divine Word Missionaries Website: https://www.divineword.org/. Vocations Website: https://www.svdvocations.org/ Formation House: https://www.svdvocations.org/discernment-formation/steps-formation/theologate-formation CAVA WEBSITE: https://www.vocationscava.org/

Deacon James Norman and Deacon Dave Brencic invited 3 of the members of the newly formed Diaconate Woman's Committee to discuss the role of the new committee in the Diaconate. Guests: Joan Weiss, Pam Carlson, Laura Georgen

Host Dawn Fitzpatrick talks with Jeanne Mancini, President of the March for Life Education and Defense Fund, about what pro-life work looks like in a post Roe v. Wade world.

Catholic Charities Encompassing Center was established in 2019 to provide adults and children living on Chicago’s West Side with a healing space for community-based counseling. These residents have significant obstacles to accessing good healthcare, and The Encompassing Center has been a very effective way to address this disparity. Join Phil Zepeda and Katie Bredemann as they welcome Star Braddock, Outreach Engagement Coordinator to provide a summer update on this vital Behavioral Health program.

Lectura y reflexión del Evangelio según San Mateo 10,37-42, del domingo, 2 de julio de 2023. Viernes, 30 de junio de 2023

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy Timothy Johnston and Todd Williamson talk about various aspects of the Sacrament of the Eucharist. They explore the Eucharist as Memorial, the Eucharist as Self-Offering, Eucharist as Call to Mission, and Eucharist as the Source and Summit of our Christian life.

Host Joyce Duriga talks to Michelle Martin, Staff Writer at the Chicago Catholic newspaper.

Last year, Catholic Charities Homelessness Prevention Call Center received more than 77,000 requests for assistance from people in Cook and Lake counties who were homeless or on the verge of being homeless. Our experience and trusted network of internal and community resources help address immediate needs of clients and offer them a path to greater stability in their lives. Join Phil Zepeda and Katie Bredemann as they welcome Wendy Avila and Ashley Styx to discuss the Call Center activity this summer.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Segment I: One year ago, the city of Highland Park experienced a horrific mass shooting at an event that should have been a joyous celebration of the community. This Saturday, July 1st, a mass of healing will take place at Immaculate Conception in Highland Park. Joining us this morning to talk about the faith community in Highland Park and the mass this weekend is Marvin Sabido. Segment II: Food deserts can be described as geographic areas where residents' access to affordable, healthy food options (especially fresh fruits and vegetables) is restricted or nonexistent due to the absence of grocery stores within convenient traveling distance. Joining us now to talk about the issue of food deserts in the city are Larry Campbell, Dwight Hearns, and Sandra Botello

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Segment I: On May 20th of this year, Cardinal Blase Cupich ordained 5 men to the priesthood at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago. Joining us this morning to talk to us about his vocation journey is one of those men. Fr. Jesus Custodio will be serving the community of St. Alphonsus. Segment II: Sports are filled with liturgical actions and rituals. Watch any sporting event from beginning to end, in-person or on-screen, and there is clearly a liturgy, or ordered structure to the event that is filled with rite and ceremony. It is part of what makes sporting events meaningful, memorable, and participatory. Joining us today to talk about parallels between sports and religion is Todd Williamson.

Host Dawn Fitzpatrick spends time talking with Joe Lazar about the Vision 2020 of Illinois; Chicago Coordinator, 40-Days for Life. Dawn then chats with Hope Miller, the Founder and President of Simply Pro-life

Catholic Charities offers affordable housing in 19 residences to seniors, veterans, and persons with disabilities, providing pleasant, independent living within a safe, caring community. Join Phil Zepeda and Katie Bredemann as they welcome five sisters, Robbie Preston, Nina McPherson, Jenelle Hendrix, Mary Bowden, and Dorothy Jackson, with Property Manager Margarita Rios to discuss how the family connections that exist between the sisters enrich their lives at two of these residences: Matthew Manor and Ozanam Village.

Lectura y reflexión del Evangelio según San Mateo 9,36-10, 8 del domingo, 18 de junio de 2023. Viernes, 16 de junio de 2023

This month Megan meets with Fr. Leo Tinkatumire, PhD. Fr. Leo is a priest of the Archdiocese of Mbarara in Uganda. He is also the Founder and President of Leti Resource Center, an Illinois-based not for profit organization focused on transforming the rural poor community of Isingiro, Uganda. Leti oversees the installations of rain water harvesting cisterns, Leo Primary School, St. Oliva Medical Center, Isingiro Business Community Savings and Credit Cooperative and the launching of women's clubs. Megan asks Fr. Leo to share his vocational journey in Uganda and why he was inspired to develop these resources with his home community.

Catholic Charities Golf Classic is a favorite tournament for golf fans throughout Chicagoland. Played on two superior courses in Lake County, the Golf Classic offers a fantastic opportunity to gather family, friends and colleagues for golf and an elegant dinner in support of Catholic Charities. Join Phil Zepeda and Katie Bredemann as they welcome Matt Davis and Meisha Lyons to preview this Signature Event and take a closer look at Catholic Charities Senior Services, one of the Impact Areas that will benefit from the proceeds of this outing.

The Unified Sports Basketball Team. Catholic School Principal, Kelly Foyle.

Lectura y reflexión del Evangelio según San Juan 6,51-58, del domingo, 11 de junio de 2023. Viernes, 9 de junio de 2023

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Segment I: Al Castillo talks about the current Hispanic young adult speaker series. Segment II: St. Josephine Bakhita parish is sponsoring a second annual Town Hall meeting on Safety.

Catholic Charities Family Self-Sufficiency Program helps low-income, single parents with case management and employment services, for up to five years as they work towards greater stability and improve their quality of life. Join Phil Zepeda and Katie Bredemann as they welcome Patricia Fuller, Heather Stewart and Ashley Reynolds to discuss the upcoming Annual Achievement Celebration that acknowledges milestones reached by participants over the past year as they continue to strive for their goals.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Msgr. John Pollard discusses his book “An Account of Our Hope” regarding the Catechism of the Catholic Church

Lectura y reflexión del Evangelio según San Juan 3, 16-18, del domingo, 4 de junio de 2023. Viernes, 2 de junio de 2023

Sister Beth Murphy, O.P., Communicator for the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, IL, talks about her community’s 150th anniversary celebration, their charism, mission, and various ministries. All are invited to join the Sisters in celebrating this event. Visit: https://springfieldop.org/150years/. Check out their podcast at https://flowcastlisten.org/. Young adult women interested in deepening their spiritual lives, visit: https://springfieldop.org/join-us/cor-unum/. Pray the Dominican Blessing with the community at: https://springfieldop.org/dominican-blessing/

Part 2 of a discussion started the previous episode

Host Joyce Duriga has a conversation with the award winning band director at Marian Catholic High School, Greg Bimm.

More than 8,000 men, women and children have arrived in Chicago since last August seeking safety and opportunity in the United States. Our Tuesday Night Suppers have helped Catholic Charities provide a hot meal to the asylum seekers and share information about our other programs and services. Join Phil Zepeda and Katie Bredemann as they welcome Mary Anzilotti and Noreen Russo to discuss how staff and volunteers at the Tuesday Night Suppers have compassionately responded to the significant increase in the number of people reaching out to Catholic Charities for assistance as the asylum seekers establish new lives in our city.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. In this episode of Catholic Chicago we sit down with historian Dr. Edward Gordon to talk about the current situation in regards to Covid-19 and also the state of the United States Economy.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Segment I: Dr. Shannen Dee Williams is Associate Professor of History at the University of Dayton. She is an award-winning scholar of the African American experience and Black Catholicism with research and teaching specializations in women’s, religious, and Black freedom movement history. Dr. Williams is also the author of Subversive Habits, the first full history of black Catholic nuns in the United States. Guest: Dr. Shannen Dee Williams. Segment II: Niles College Seminary educated and formed men for the priesthood in the Archdiocese of Chicago for 33 years, from 1961 to 1994, and, during that time, witnessed great changes both in the church and in society. Now researchers, alumni and others interested in the seminary’s history can learn more by examining a new collection at the Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Archives and Records Center. The Niles College Seminary Collection includes everything from the rectors’ logbooks to yearbooks to photographs and newspaper articles about the seminary, which educated men in their undergraduate years for most of existence. Guest: Archivist Charles Heinrich.

Co-hosts Danielle Noe, Timothy Johnston and Todd Williamson spend time breaking down the Solemnities of The Ascension of the Lord and Pentecost

Catholic Charities Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) Food Centers are a welcoming hub of activity for vulnerable families. Last year, more than 51,000 low-income mothers and caregivers visited our WIC Centers, and this was a 90% increase from the previous year. Join Phil Zepeda and Katie Bredemann as they welcome Michael Heroldt and Shivonnia Dickson to discuss the many ways that WIC Centers strengthen individuals, families and communities in Chicago.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. A Catholic deacon is one who is ordained to diakonia, that is, a service to God’s People in communion with the bishop and his body of priests. “The principal function of the deacon is to collaborate with the bishop and the priests in the exercise of a ministry which is not of their own wisdom but of the Word of God, calling all to conversion and holiness. A new class of 19 permanent and 4 transitional deacons were ordained at Holy Name Cathedral on Saturday, May 13. Today we will meet a couple of the new deacons in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Lectura y reflexión del Evangelio según San Mateo 28,16-20, del domingo, 21 de mayo de 2023. Viernes, 19 de mayo de 2023

Brother Mark Elder, C.M. defies being put into just one “box.” He is a religious brother of the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians), Art Professor at DePaul University, Muralist, and is known to wear a cowboy hat. He has a funny way (and a serious way too) of explaining why not be a priest? For more about his murals, watch: HERE.. and visit: The Little School Under the "L".. Follow Bro. Mark on Facebook.. Interested in the Vincentian community? Visit https://www.vincentian.org/. or contact Fr. Toshio Sato at [email protected]