Lifelong Journey

We spoke about the two major events hosted by the Archdiocese of Chicago for junior high and freshmen teens and the young adult faith night (re) ENCOUNTER. We also interviewed Fernando Rayas of the Parish Peace Project, a CCHD recipient, and Maria Tatiana Aranda, youth minister for Warriors of Peace at St. Gall Parish.

We spoke about the Golden Wedding Ceremony with Victor Vallejo of the Marriage and Family Ministry Team. Also on the show, we discussed the Life and Justice Conference with Gustavo Arreguin of the Office of Human Dignity and Solidarity. Fr. Brad joined us to discuss (re) ENCOUNTER and we also discussed the Six Weeks with the Word of God Kick Off event and program.

We were joined by representatives from the youth group “Warriors of Peace” and the young adult group “Jeremiah” of St. Gall Parish in the Gage Park neighborhood in Chicago. They shared their experience in their ministry to teens and their collaboration with the young adult group. The young adults also shared personal stories of how they came to be ministers for teens and their peers. An invitation was given to come and participate in the Peace Walk organized by both ministries for September 2nd 2017 and a young adult retreat that will take place on August 18th, 19th and 20th.

In this Lifelong Journey Show, we discussed the diverse realities missionaries face in Africa. Our guest shares his personal experience in his missionary work as it relates to the challenges and fruits of his missionary work. The conversation give insight to a world very different and at the same time similar to ours. We also talk about the Renewed Theology On Tap Summer Program that will kicking off in July. Information about different host sites and how to access information about Theology on Tap was discussed.

The Lifelong Journey Show interviews the Marriage and Family Ministry Team of the Office of Lifelong Formation. Our guests the Senior Coordinator Clarissa Aljentera and Coordinators Victor Vallejo, Maryvel Torres and Laura Palafox share their stories of how they came to work in ministry. They also shared their experience during the transition to their new roles and how they are working hard to better serve parish communities through the diverse resources they offer. Also in the interview information was given on upcoming programs and events.

Patricia Malinowski and Adrian Badillo from the Catechatical Team from the Office of Lifelong Formation join us to share their personal stories on how they first started in ministry. Both also share their experiences during Holy Week and the Pascal Triduum, and how they encountered Christ. Lastly they shared upcoming and current programs as well as resources for people involved with Religious Education.

Karina De Avila from the Dioceses of Joliet shared her experience of encounter with Christ. Karina also expressed experiences with the power of prayer, her involvement in youth and young adult ministry and her role as a mentor to young leaders. We also had a conversation of Lent and how we encounter and follow Christ during the Lenten season. Karina also invited our listeners to an event at Mount Carmel in Joliet on March 11th, 2017 of assistance the immigrant community.

Reflections on National Marriage Week with our hosts Tim and Jane O’Leary. They shared their experiences of being involved in Marriage Ministry and their work in their parish as they engage married couples to reflect on the value of marriage. They also share their contribution to National Marriage Week. Also on the show were our guests Kate Macan and Kevin Foy of the Maryknoll Fathers. Kate shared her experience as a newly hired staff member to work on young adult formation programs and Kevin is working closely with Fernando Rayas of the Parish Peace Project on an event that will be both a prayer vigil for immigrants and an art show that expresses immigrant realties.

Guest Mr. John Roberto from the Talbot School of Theology spoke about the importance of inter-generational Lifelong Faith Formation. Mr. Roberto also touched on the importance of digital media to encounter people where they're at. Mr. John Roberto will be a keynote speaker at our Chicago Faith Congress on February 10th, 2018.

Today we interviewed full-time traveling speaker, singer/songwriter, and worship leader from Orange County, CA. Jackie Francois Angel. Jackie will be at our Youth Rally and Mass event hosted by the Office of Human Dignity and Solidarity via the Respect Life team of the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Department of Parish Vitality and Mission. The event will be on January 15th, 2018. Also on the show, Yazmin Saldivar speaks about National Migration Week and follow-up mass with Cardinal Cupich on January 8th, 2017. Yazmin also participated on a special research project with Dreamers from across the country in Mexico and also collaborates with the Office of Human Dignity and Solidarity with the Immigration Ministry team.

Hosts Victor Vallejo, Joshua Smyser and Juan Pablo Padilla talk with Rafal Frackiewicz, Raymund Pingoy and Maryvel Torres about Christmas celebrations and traditions from Poland, the Philippines and Puerto Rico.

Sr. Alicia Torres, Cathy Moore and Arturo Gonzalez talk about their service and ministry in our communities. They share witness of service in light of justice and love of neighbor.

Formation does not only take place within our parishes. It takes place in our parish communities, in our neighborhoods, and throughout the world! On this month’s show, Joshua and Pablo start off with Mark Goebel, Assistant Director of Development and Partnerships in the Office of Human Dignity & Solidarity, Jawanza Brian Malone, Executive Director of the Kenwood Oakland Community Organization, and Irene Robinson, one of KOCO’s community leaders, to discuss how we can better form and support people in our communities. In the second half of the show, we shift gears to formation beyond our state and country borders. Megan Mio, Director of the Mission Office, and Marta Robak, lay leader at St. Ferdinand Parish, come on to talk about missionary discipleship, World Mission Sunday, and the “Together in Mission” Conference.

On this month's show, we are visited by the Director of the ALL NEW Office for Lifelong Formation, Jesus "Chuy" DeLeon to discuss what the office makeup is and what's in store for the future. We are also visited by Maryvel Torres, Coordinator of Family Programs, and Victor Vallejo-Garcia, Coordinator of Marriage Programs, to discuss how we all can better build the Domestic Church in our lives and communities.