We turn on the TV or our phones and stories of violence seem to dominate the news cycle. So what does that mean for our youth? We sit down with Fr. Tom Boharic from St. Agnes of Bohemia to discuss what we can do as a Church to encourage a message of peace, understanding, and mercy in all young people in this ever changing world.

We speak with Tom East with Center with Ministry Development about the new Summer Institute launching in June and Robert Feduccia with Declan Weir productions about the Holy Fire event happening this Fall.

Can't make it to Krakow? Then listen in on this month's radio show where we sit down with Darius Villalobos and Jennifer Delvaux to discuss how you can be involved in World Youth Day Chicago!

We sit down with Marc Vega from LaSalle Manor and St. Kevin to share some youth ministry ideas you can use in your community in preparation for Easter.

In this month’s show, we talk to the campus ministers from Notre Dame College Prep and Sacred Heart Schools of Chicago. Take a listen and hear what engaging Lent activities they are providing to the youth they serve as well as learn some tips to help you figure out what can be done in your ministry during Lent.

We catch up with the Office of Respect Life and information about the March for Life in Chicago and Washington D.C.. We also hear about the catechist certification pilot program beginning in February 2016.

We hear from Ryan Rehkamp (OFCYM) talking about Totus Tuus and Bethany Collins (OPJ) talking about Poverty Awareness month in January.

We hear more about the new catechist formation program which is being launched with the Office for Catechesis and Youth Ministry. Kenneth Velasquez, who is the coordinator of catechist certification, introduces the new program.

We talk with Julie Welborn, who is the director of Catholic Identity with the Office of Catholic Schools. She tells us more about the Chicago Catechetical Gathering planned for Nov. 13 and 14 at Drury Lane.

On this month’s show, we discuss the Chicago Catechetical Gathering, formerly know as the Catechetical Conference, and the Catechist Self-Assessment Survey, which is ongoing this September. This assessment tool is something we are asking of all catechists to participate in this month. We invited Jesus DeLeon, Interim Associate Director of the OFCYM and Vicariate II Catechetical Coordinator, onto the show to talk to us about both.

We learn about the Chicago Catholic Scripture School in the Archdiocese. It is a multi-year program helping students learn about Sacred Scripture.

World Youth Day is the largest gathering of young adult Catholics in the world! It only happens about every two to three years and, in 2016, it will take place in Kraków, Poland. To discuss what our Archdiocese has planned for this once-in-a-lifetime experience, Alane Malicay, the Program & Event Coordinator for the Young Adult Ministry Office, sits down with us.

Forming and training catechists is a large piece for the Office for Catechesis and Youth Ministry. We speak with Kenneth Velasquez, who is the coordinator for Fostering Faith, talk about opportunities for catechists in the Archdiocese.

We speak with Cesar Vega from St. Agnes of Bohemia in Little Village who finished the Teen Peer Ministry Program this year. The program is geared toward teenagers interested in faith formation and leadership development to support their parish.

We learn more about Spirit Day in the Archdiocese as a program geared toward teenagers preparing for Confirmation. We speak with Jesus 'Chuy' De Leon, Vicariate II Ministry Coordinator, and Terry Navarro, a Director of Religious Education and Pastoral Associate at St. Mary Star of the Sea as they walk us through this life-changing program for young people.

We speak with Amanda Thompson, the Coordinator of Marriage and Family Initiatives for the Family Ministries Office, about what the extraordinary Synod on the Family means for parents and the youth of our Church as well as what exciting activities/events are available for our families here in Chicago to get involved in. Amanda also shares some updates on the World Meeting of Families pilgrimage that the Family Ministries Office has organized.

We speak with Nancy Polacek from the Office of New Evangelization and David Heimann, a youth minister at St. Isidore in the Diocese of Joliet, about the Year of the Sacraments Pope Francis' Vision of Healing and Communion. Nancy Polacek updates us on the Year of the Sacraments and the Strategic Pastoral Plan. David Heimann talks to us on ideas of celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation with Youth.

Listen to some ideas for youth ministers in 2015. Hear from Maria 'Cooky' Perez-Eraci (Vicariate V Youth Ministry Coordinator) talk about the National Catholic Youth Conference and Raymond Pingoy (Youth Outreach Coordinator for the Respect Life Office) talking about the March for Life.

We talk about an event hosted by the Office for Catechesis and Youth Ministry titled, "Reimagining Faith Formation for the 21st Century." We talk with presenter John Roberto and associate director Lois DeFelice from the Office for Catechesis and Youth Ministry.

This month's program focuses on Advent programs on faith for adults. Echoing God's Word brings in Aura Martinez, who is the Vicariate IV Catechetical Coordinator in the Office for Catechesis and Youth Ministry, to talk about the Advent Retreat sponsored by the Office for Catechesis and Youth Ministry. We also talk briefly about how to find other opportunities for Advent reflection.

We are talking about programs in the Archdiocese of Chicago that will enhance religious education lessons. We talk with Sarah Ruszkowski from the Office for Peace and Justice and Nancy Polacek from the Office for New Evangelization.

We talk about the Chicago Catechetical Conference coming up Oct. 17-18. We interview keynote presenter Keith Strohm, director of evangelization and faith formation for the Queen of the Rosary parish in Elk Grove Village, and Alane Malicay, program and event coordinator for the Young Adult Ministry Office.

Echoing God's Word invites Jose Torres from the Office for Immigration and Immigrant Education and Kate Kinser a DRE from St. Joan of Arc to talk about Social Justice and Catechesis. We focus our show on the thousands of unaccompanied minors at the border and our call to witness, pray and accompany them in their journey.

We discuss opportunities for adult faith formation in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Patricia Malinowski, the Vicariate V Catechetical Ministry Coordinator and coordinator of the Chicago Catholic Scripture School, joins us in studio.

We talk about summer plans and summer ideas for adults and teenagers for the parish and abroad. We speak with Carol Nowatzke, who is the Coordinator of Youth Ministry at Sacred Heart in Winnetka, and Ricardo Moreno, Vicariate IV Youth Ministry Coordinator.

We interview Fr. Jim Martin, SJ who joins us via phone from New York. We talk about Keeping the Faith Alive as Ministers. As we are nearing the end of the year for Religious Education, we want to know how to remain joyful as catechetical leaders.

With Spring fast approaching we look at helping catechetical leaders affirm and appreciate their leadership. Juan Carlos Roca, a DRE at St. Rita Cascia and St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr, shares his experience and stories gathering and appreciating his catechists. We talk briefly about the youth ministry awards banquets with host Joshua Smyser-DeLeon and then talk with Joanna Arellano, with the Office for Peace and Justice, about Catholic Relief Services and the Lenten Rice bowls.

We talk to Rebecca and John Ramonez the youth ministry coordinators from St. Mary of Celle in Berwyn about the Lenten activities that happen at the parish for adults and teenagers. We also talk with parishoner Luis Alvarez, a high school freshman, who is involved in his parish youth group and a member of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Youth Council.

We are taking a mid-year check up and exploring Evangelii Guadium (Pope Francis' Exhortation on Joy) with Boston College Professor Tom Groome and Strong Catholic Parents Strong Catholic Youth with Lisa Mersereau, a DRE at St. Matthew's Church.

In the preparation for Christmas we focus on Catechetical moments in Christmas traditions around the world. We have Willie Cobb, Vicariate VI Youth Ministry Coordinator, and Fr. Tirso Villaverde, who is the pastor at St. Thomas of Canterbury, to talk about Christmas and catechetical moments.

In the preparation for Christmas we focus on Catechetical moments in Christmas traditions around the world. We have Willie Cobb, Vicariate VI Youth Ministry Coordinator, and Fr. Tirso Villaverde, who is the pastor at St. Thomas of Canterbury, to talk about Christmas and catechetical moments.

We speak with Lois De Felice, Vicariate 6 coordinator, and Terry Bergmann, Director of Religious Education at St. Julian Eymard in Elk Grove Village as they talk about traditions and activities to help celebrate Advent.

The Chicago Catechetical Conference is the focus of this month’s show as we speak with Sr. Mary Katherine Glavich and Carmen Grengo. Sr. Katherine is one of our presenter’s and Carmen has attended the conference for many years. Both offer wisdom and perspective on the conference which will be held October 25 and 26. This year’s theme is Believe, Deepen, Proclaim.

In this year of the Strong Catholic Parent we talk about resources available for families and parents to talk about faith. We invite Amanda Thompson, who works in the Marriage and Family Ministries office, to talk about the year of Strong Catholic Families, Strong Catholic Youth as we look at resources to sharing faith among families

As families and their children are returning from vacation and other activities, it is time to invite new volunteers. Co-hosts Clarissa Aljentera and Javier Castillo invite Katie Hayes, who is the director of youth ministry at St. John of the Cross in Western Springs, to the monthly program for Echoing God’s Word. Katie talks to listeners about her experience of recruiting volunteers to programs and her own spiritual growth in the call to invitation.

Join Javier Castillo and new host, Clarissa Aljentera as they interview Patricia Malinowski, the Coordinator of the Chicago Catholic Scripture School and Mary Pelc, a recent graduate of the school. They will share the details about the school as well as personal experience of being a part of the school. Listen and learn how to get involved!

Listen and learn about the Peer Ministry Formation Program offered by the Office for Catechesis and Youth Ministry. We interviewed Jesus "Chuy" Deleon who is the coordinator of this wonderful one year program that empowers the teens in our parishes to become the leaders for tomorrow. We also interviewed Cassie Sauleiko who is a student who graduated from the Peer Ministry Program this year. You can learn about how to get your teen or a teen you know involved!

Join us for a program on the Fostering Faith Catechist Certification classes that are offered in the Archdiocese. We have invited Juan Castillo, the Coordinator of Catechist Formation, to tell us about the program. And we have also invited Maria (Bebe) Layton, a catechist, to tell us about her experience in the program.

We have an exciting program on World Youth Day-Chicago in store for you with guests, Robbie Anderson, the Pastoral Associate and Youth Minister at St. George and Beth Starczewski, the Vicariate VI Youth Ministry Coordinator for the Office for Catechesis and Youth Ministry. We will be talking about the experience of the World Youth Day-Chicago that happened two years ago and the exciting planning for the World Youth Day- A Midwest Celebration that will be happening this summer on July 27th!

Join us to hear the Director of Biblical Formation for the Department of Parish Life and Formation teach about the Triduum and Easter. It will prepare you to fully enjoy the Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter services.

Join us for a conversation with Bishop Alberto Rojas on his presentation at the Lenten Retreat. We will also be talking to Clare Poupard, the Director of Religious Education at St. Paul the Apostle in Gurnee, about ways that parishes can help parishioners observe Lent.

In this show, we will be hearing about Fr. Louis Cameli's new book "The Bread of Life". We will also learn how one catechetical leader, Susan Doubet, is using the resources from the Strategic Pastoral Plan website in her parish to focus on the Year of the Sunday Mass. Tune in!

Tune in to this fantastic holiday event! Fr. Leo Patalinghug is a priest, TV show host, author, chef, blogger, and foodie! He will be joining us for a very special program about ways to focus on Jesus through the holidays and will share some wonderfully delicious recipes, too! He will also tell us about his new book, "Spicing up the Married Life".

Learn more about two events that are happening this December! First, Fr. Larry Dowling, the pastor at St. Agatha Parish on the west side of Chicago will talk about the upcoming Advent Retreat for catechists and all ministers in the Church. Fr. Larry is also very active with the Priests for Justice for Immigrants. He will share his experience with this organization. Maria “Cooky” Perez-Eraci will share with us information about the upcoming National Conference for Catholic Youth Ministers.

This month's show will feature two of the keynote speakers for this year's Chicago Catechetical Conference- "Live Your Faith Boldly". Sr. Maureen Sullivan, OP, a Dominican Sister of Hope from New York, will be speaking about Vatican II: The Once and Future Church. Fr. Pawel Komperda, the Director of Liturgy and Pastoral Formation at St. Joseph's Seminary, will be speaking about "The Importance of Faith: A Reflection on the Parable of the Mustard Seed and the Leaven in the Bread. This will give everyone a taste of the exciting presentations that will happen at the Conference on November 3rd and 5th at Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace.

Listen to Juan Carlos Farías-González, the Coordinator of the Scripture School in Spanish and Vicariate IV Catechetical Coordinator, teach us about Jesus' call of the first disciples and how we can be disciples in this generation. He is joined by Joshua Smyser, the Director of Youth Ministry at St. Aloysius Parish, who will talk about his experience with how the young people of today envision discipleship and give practical advice on how to recruit for youth ministry and religious education programs.

This month's guests are Fr. Mike Moczko, the Associate Pastor at St. Gerald in Oak Lawn, Marek Smolka, a Seminarian and Youth Minister at St. Albert the Great in Burbank, and Jacek Chaba, the Polish Youth Ministry Coordinator for the Office for Catechesis and Youth Ministry. Along with hosts, Javier Castillo and Amanda Thompson, they will be explaining the Feast of the Assumption and how Polish Catholics celebrate this feast with pilgrimages.

Lois DeFelice, the Catechetical Ministry Coordinator for Vicariate VI and Black Catechesis, and Avis Coleman, a certified Spiritual Director and parishioner at St. Basil/Visitation in Chicago, will describe the beginnings and background of the Archdiocesan Black Catholic retreat called Mawusi. Are you Mawusi? The answer is "yes" because it means "In the hand of God" in a language from Ghana and Togo. They will share information of programs offered to Black Catholics and those serving them. They will also explain the cause for the canonization of Augustus Tolton.

Hosts Christian Rocha and Amanda Thompson talk with Nancy Polacek and Robbie Anderson about the Year of Sunday Mass.

Patricia Malinowski, the new coordinator for the Chicago Catholic Scripture School, starts us off by describing how the Holy Spirit is at work when we read the Scriptures. Then, seasoned Catechetical Leader Terry Navarro (from St. Mary of the Sea Parish in Chicago) shares her experience with Spirit Day, a retreat for Confirmation Candidates.