Host Andrew Lyke shares a recent blog on that highlights resilience as part of the heritage we focus on during Black History Month, He also shares an "Open Letter to Pope Francis" by Judge & Mrs. Raymond Bolden of Joliet.

This month I will be talking to Maryvel Torres, the Divorce Ministry Coordinator for Marriage and Family Ministries. Maryvel will share the resources available for couples who are in the process of getting a divorce and annulment as well as the resources available to help couples who are struggling. She will talk about ways to keep a marriage healthy and how to handle situations when divorce in inevitable. Join us to learn about this valuable resource.

Today's show focuses on Pastoral Juvenil in the Archdiocese of Chicago. And we talk to April Gutierrez from Loyola University about ope Francis, Ignatian Spirituality and the Young Church.

In the first half-hour, Fr. Francis Bitterman, Vocation Director for the Archdiocese of Chicago, turns the mic over to St. Joseph College Seminarian Charlie Plovanich for a special show on why more and more young men are responding to God's call to the priesthood. Charlie's guests include college seminarians Theo McManigal and Dylan Conover. Hear their vocation stories and a lively discussion on the joys and challenges of discernment. In the second half-hour a group of young adults led by current seminarians studying for the priesthood at the University of St. Mary of the Lake, Mundelein Seminary, discuss an upcoming event called Night Fever. Guests for the second half hour are: Deacon Bradley Zamora; Deacon Matthew Marshall, Colin Parrish; Michael Metz; and Courtney Bonty.

Andrew Lyke interviews three student campy ministers from Lyke House Catholic Center about there experiences at the gathering.

Devin Jones guests hosts this edition of God's Praises Tell. He talks with two of his religious education students about their recent trip to Washington D.C. for the March for Life and gets their perspective on how the culture of abortion has affected their generation.

Andrew Lyke talks with Rev. Marlan Branch of St. James A.M.E. Church on Chicago's Southside about the issue of mass incarceration of men of color and the Martin Luther King Day event that addressed the issue with key political leaders.

Parishes are finding creative ways to gather families together to learn and grow in faith. St. Anne, St. Mary and St. Paul the Apostle each have a different version of family faith formation. Everyone will be inspired by listening to their stories and advice. Guests: Clare Poupard, Karie Ferrell, Mary Jane Kurowski

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.

Andrew Lyke interviews Amalia NietoGomez of Alliance of the SouthEast, and Maria Fitzsimmons of Organizing Catholics for Justice to discuss the January 19 Martin Luther King Day event at St. Michael the Archangel in South Chicago, and issues around combating poverty.

Join us for an exciting program with Catherine O'Connell-Cahill, the Senior Editor for US Catholic and the Managing Editor for the publication At Home with Our Faith. We will be discussing the ways that faith can be passed on in the homes and the ways that parishes can help parents articulate their faith to their children.

In this edition of "The Light Show," Darius Villalobos, Pablo Padilla and Alane Malicay discuss New Year's resolutions for themselves and for their Office of Young Adult Ministry. They also discuss the Epiphany and the "nones" (those who have no religious affiliation) of our society.

Host Andrew Lyke interviews Black Catholic recording artist Amanda Vernon.

Fr. Francis Bitterman, Vocation Director for the Archdiocese of Chicago, speaks with Fr. Mike Scherschel, Assistant Vocation Director from St. Joseph College Seminary, and college seminarians Charlie Plovanich and Adam Gonzales. They discuss not only the Program of Priestly Formation at St. Joseph College Seminary, but also the Quigley Scholars Program--a discernment program for men in high school. Charlie and Adam explain how they found two great programs that fit exactly what they were looking for at this point in their lives.

Host Andrew Lyke shares the history and practice of celebrating Kwanzaa

Host Andrew Lyke looks back on 2013 in the Office for Black Catholics. He shares an article by his wife and him titled “Celebrating and Suffering: Holidays with Family.” And he sings a song to the Blessed Mother.

Two teens from St. Blase Polish School share their experience on attending NCYC that inspired them to make a video for the Teen Video Contest. They describe their experience growing up as Polish Catholics and offer advice to other teens… “don’t be afraid to show your faith!”
Year of Strong Catholic Parents Video Contest

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.

Host Andrew Lyke talks with Fr. Andrew Smith, formerly a Chicago police office and recently installed pastor of Holy Angels Church in Bronzeville.

Join us for a wonderful show about "Keeping the Holidays Holy". Tom McGrath, the Vice President for New Product Development for Loyola Press, author and speaker is our guest. He will be sharing his wisdom about the holidays and family as well as practical ways of passing on the faith in the home.

The Young Adult Ministry team of Darius Villalobos, Pablo Padilla and Alane Malicay discuss Advent preparations, the significance of Mary, and the different cultural traditions we use to celebrate the Christmas Season.

Andrew Lyke and author Monique B. Martin discuss married life and how it shapes us into who we need to be.

Father Baima explores the first of three major themes in the Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, where Pope Francis reflects on the nature and identity of the Church as an evangelist.

Sr. Elyse Ramirez and Fr. Francis Bitterman talk about vocations. They specifically talk about the renewed interest among young people towards vocations to priesthood and religious life. They also discuss the huge turnout of men to the "Who Will Fill These Shoes?" event at Mundelein, as 14O men came to the event. Another topic is the increase of interest in religious communities, and finally upcoming vocation events around the dicoese are discussed..

Host Andrew Lyke talks with guest Maria Fitzsimmons of the Office for Peace & Justice about the new initiative, "Organizing Catholics for Justice", and the benefits of community organizing as a strategy for Church ministry.

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.

This year Our Lady of Grace parish required parents who bring their child for First Eucharist and Confirmation to attend a parent Retreat. It has been a powerful experience for the pastor and the parents. Divine Providence parish is developing a plan to follow up with young parents who bring their child to Baptism. Guests: Rev. George Schopp, Debbie Cammarata

Host Andrew Lyke discusses the "Pilgrimage of Pain & Hope" in Uganda and the relationship between Sacred Heart Church in Joliet and the Ugandan villages with fresh water wells funded by that parish.

This month you will be hearing about Natural Family Planning and the Billings Ovulation Method from three guests, Maria Garcia, Tessa McEwen and Jelani McEwen. Maria is the Coordinator for NFP for Marriage and Family Ministries. Tessa and Jelani are a married couple who are using Natural Family Planning and the Billings Ovulation Method. Tessa is a Women's Health Educator and Certified Instructor for this method. Maria will share her many years of experience in helping couples understand and use NFP. Tessa and Jelani will share their amazing testimony on how this method has brought them closer as a couple and provided a more natural and safe way to postpone or achieve pregnancy.

An update on the Young Adult Ministry Office, four months later. Anna Jacewizc; Alane Malicay; Darius Villalobos; Pablo Padilla

Host Andrew Lyke discusses with Pam Harris of the Diocese of Richmond the Diocesan Black Catholic Congress convened there on November 16.

Host Andrew Lyke discusses with Willie Cobb of the Office for Catechesis & Youth Ministry the ministry of hospitality and welcoming for youths.

Judgment is the seventh conference in the Year of Faith Series. The conference explores Jesus return as the merciful judge at the end of time. In a particular way, it will offer Christians a fresh way of understanding the place of an anticipated judgment and grace in our spiritual lives.

Host Andrew Lyke talks with twin brothers Frs. Chester and Charles Smith of the Francis-Bowman Ministry Team and coordinators of the National Black Catholic Men's Conference. Also interviewed is Joyce McBee of Atlanta, Georgia who leads a team of women volunteers who provide background support for the Conference.

Host Andrew Lyke talks about the Catholic Campaign for Human Development and the work it supports with Lori Felix and Diana Krpan of the Office for Peace and Justice, and Teresa Pennix-Gill of Parenting for Nonviolence.

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.

Author, Margaret Brennan describes her new book, Celebrating Sunday for Catholic Families. St. Barnabas Religious Education and Youth Ministry programs have distributed the book to families as just one of the many ways they are making the Year of Strong Catholic Parents come alive in their parish. Guests: Margaret Brennan, Matt Furjanic, Maryellen Harrington, Sue Poole

Host Andrew Lyke interviews Johnnie Dorsey of Austin, Texas who was recently elected the vice-president of the National Association of Black Catholic Administrators. He also interviews Adrienne Curry, the newly elected secretary of that organization. The final segment is a tribute to Black Catholic leader Margo Butler who died of a massive heart attack on October 5, 2013.

Every year Marriage and Family Ministries hosts an Archdiocesan Mother Daughter Tea. This is an event coordinated by Maria Garcia, the NFP Coordinator for Marriage and Family Ministries, as well as two wonderful parents, Denise Wassermann and Monica Cassidy. Listen and learn about what the Tea is and how it works to open up communication with moms and their daughters about God's Incredible Act of Creation and the changes their bodies will be going through.

A conversation on the: What? Who? And How? Of the Chicago Archdiocesan Vocation Association…(CAVA) with the Office of Young Adult Ministry

Host Andrew Lyke talks with Br. A. Gerard Jordan, O.Praem. about the Cause for Sainthood for Fr. Augustus Tolton, the first African American to be ordained a Catholic Priest. Brother Gerard assists Bishop Joseph Perry, who is the principle advocate for the Cause.

The first half hour was on the Insearch Discernment Program. Fr. Mueller, the founder and director of the program, was my guest along with Fr. Kevin McCray and Seminarian Christian Shiu who both went through the program. We talked about why the program began, what the program entails and how it helped both Fr. McCray and Christian discern their calling to the priesthood. The second half hour was with Fr. Barron talking about the event he is hosting at Mundelein Seminary on Friday, November 29th called "Who Will Fill These Shoes?" The goal is to invite men in Chicago between the ages of 16-35 to come up to Mundelein to learn more about the priesthood. The day goes from 10am until 2pm. It will begin with a presentation on the priesthood by Fr. Barron, followed by an opportunity to meet seminarians and hear their vocation stories, next we will celebrate Mass with Cardinal George and end with lunch and tours of the campus. During the show we also talked about priests that inspired both of us and the need to invite young men to discern God's call.

Host Andrew Lyke talks with Monique B. Martin, author of children's book "The Moon Is Broken", and a devoted Black Catholic.

Host Andrew Lyke talks with Norbertine seminarian A. Gerard Jordan, O.Praem., an African-American man in religious life, father of two young adults, and one who follows a long-heard call to serve God.

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

Mike and Lori Pacer changed their careers and their lives to bring other adults to a deeper faith. Their work eventually lead them to create Evangelize All ministries, which offers a retreat and a plan for learning and developing small faith-sharing communities. Mark and Gidget share how their retreat experience helped them deepen their faith. Guests: Mike and Lori Pacer, Mark Scolieri, Gidget Baker

Host Andrew Lyke discusses effective outreach to men with Deacon Alfred Coleman of Zacchaeus House and St. Basil/Visitation Parish, and Frank Casella of Catholic Men Chicago Southland.

This month's show will focus on marriage. Dr. Jim Healy, the Director of Family Ministry for the Diocese of Joliet, will talk about his message for married couples. During this Year of Strong Catholic Parents, parishes will be offered the opportunity to purchase Jim's practical and informational CD on marriage called "When the Cake is Gone: How to Be Married and Stay Married". Listen and learn more about Jim's work with couples and those who minister to couples.

Host Andrew Lyke discusses with newly ordained Deacon James Norman about his life in ministry and perspectives on leadership in the Black Catholic community.