Hosts: Graziano Marcheschi and Mark Teresi. Segment I: Fr. Dominic Grassi, retired priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago, is the winner of the 2019 Catholic Publisher Association Novel of the Year for his book, "Death In Chicago: Winter." Segment II: The 4th Annual Holly Fire will be held in Chicago this October. Two of the organizers talk about Holy Fire and why it has been such a successful outreach to young people. Guests: Krystle Frey; Chelsea Piper.

Catholic Conference of Illinois Executive Director Bob Gilligan interviews Les Bernal, National Director of Stop Predatory Gambling, about the massive expansion of gaming that is coming to Illinois. Deacon John Cook and three of his fellow Deacons discuss the annual Sunrise Mass on Chicago’s lakefront. Catholic Charities President Msgr. Michael Boland visits with Misericordia’s Executive Director, Sister Rosemary Connolly, who has been an inspiring advocate for Misericordia residents and their families for 50 years. Fr. Britto Berchmans and Sandy Labouvie reflect on what they learned from newlyweds Bart and Jackie Bartosz about blending two independent lives into one. And Megan Mio talks with a missionary priest whose ministry stretches from Kenya to Chicago.

Reflecting on our interview with Bart and Jackie Bartosz, we were reminded that the early years of marriage are a period of adjustment. Rather than being a source of division, little annoyances can become occasions to deny oneself out of love for the other. More substantial challenges, such as the cultural differences between Bart and Jackie, can be overcome when there is honest and open communication. Such differences can even enhance the relationship when approached with open minds. When both people can learn to laugh together, life can become more joyful.

Megan sits down with Fr. George Omwando, Pastor of St. Catherine of Siena - St. Lucy Parish in Oak Park, originally born in Kenya and the founder of Time, Talent and Treasure International Foundation, a missionary organization that supports the educational, health, spiritual and basic human needs of the residents of Bogesumwa Village in Kisii County, Kenya. He and Megan discuss the meaning behind "time, talent and treasure" and what these can mean for mission.

This month on Mission of Love, co-hosts Jenn Delvaux and José Coronel, explore different parish led summer events happening throughout the archdiocese. Michael Silhavy, a parishioner at St. Mary Parish in Riverside, joins the team in the first half hour to discuss St. Mary’s Brass on the Grass summer music festival and how music can be a great tool for evangelization. For the last half hour, Jenn and José chat with Ceyclia Jablonska about the upcoming Polish Marian Pilgrimage, a historic mission that begins in Chicago and ends in Merrillville, Indiana. For more information on Brass in the Grass visit St. Mary’s website at https://www.stmaryriverside.org/Page/1. To learn more about the Polish Pilgrimage and/or to register, please visit their website http://polonijnapielgrzymka.com/english/

Like Catholic Charities, Misericordia Heart Of Mercy has a long history of serving vulnerable children and adults. Misericordia’s Executive Director, Sister Rosemary Connolly, RSM has been an inspiring advocate for Misericordia residents and their families for 50 years. Her leadership has inspired tremendous growth at Misericordia, and it is based on the simple premise that every person has a right to a good life. Sister Rosemary joins Monsignor Boland to discuss how charity shapes Misericordia and Catholic Charities each day.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Les Bernal, national director of Stop Predatory Gambling, joins Bob to talk about the effects expected from the massive expansion of gaming that is coming to Illinois. Segment II: Dr. Paul Berkowitz and Dennis Ryan talk with Bob about Holy Cross's grand opening of a 24-hour Crisis Stabilization Unit. Segment III: Sr. Donna Markham, OP, President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA discusses the agency's humanitarian aid to sites near the border to deal with the larger-than-usual influx of migrants.

Deacons Leroy Gill, James Norman, and Roscoe Dixon shared the beginnings on the Sunrise Prayer Service scheduled for August 2019. Each of them shared their memorable moments and also the difficult challenges trying to curb violence among our youth.

Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi talk with Tom Bednar, President of Guerin College Preparatory High School. Deacon John Cook visits with Bre Bullock, Tara Harris and Shawn Logan. Catholic Charities President Msgr. Michael Boland and Sr. Catherine Ryan, Executive Director of Maryville Academy, discuss a partnership at the Fr. Augustus Tolton Peace Center in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. On the Lifelong Journey program, Clarissa Aljentera and Kenneth Velasquez talk about new learning opportunities in the local church. Mary Amore of Mayslake Ministries, a spirituality center in Chicago’s west suburbs, visits with Catholic Chicago hosts Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Fr. Greg and Mark also visit with Fr. Eric Cruz, Director of Services for Catholic Charities in Bronx, New York.

Host: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Segment I: Mary Amore of Mayslake Ministries discusses three programs her ministry is offering. Those programs are Spiritual Mothers Journeying Together in Faith, In Search of the Beloved, and the Formation and Professional Certification program. Segment II: Pastoral Migratoria is a parish-based immigrant-led ministry of the Archdiocese of Chicago that began in 2008. Guest: Fr. Eric Cruz.

We are building opportunities for individuals to learn about our Catholic faith at a speed and time that is more accessible for their lifestyles. Our content is put together by our Certification and Formation team after carefully listening to individuals needs and created to answer their questions. Senior Coordinator Kenneth Velasquez comes on Lifelong Journey to talk about new learning opportunities.

Bre Bullock, the gifted entrepreneur behind B'unek design among other talents, shared her faith, drive, and passion amidst a busy work schedule and pursuits of establishing T. G. B. (Thankful, Grateful, and Blessed) and Angel's in Motion. She was supported by her close partnership/family supporters Tara Harris and Shawn Logan.

In May, 2018, Cardinal Blase Cupich blessed and dedicated Catholic Charities new Father Augustus Tolton Peace Center in the Austin community on the west side of Chicago. Adjacent to the center is a Peace Garden which serves as a gathering place, a “peace hub” of violence prevention programs in the neighborhood. Maryville Academy and St. Martin de Porres parish have collaborated with Catholic Charities on this endeavor and the results have been positive. Joining Monsignor Boland to discuss updates on this important initiative is Sr. Catherine Ryan, O.S.F., Executive Director of Maryville.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz. Segment I: Guerin Pre's Academy Program. Guest: Tom Bednar. Segment II: St. Benedict (Blue Island) New Principal. Guest: Dr. Emily Hanlon.

Sister Michele Vincent Fisher, CSFN, a Sister of Holy Family of Nazareth, talks about her community’s new initiative of opening a discernment house in Richardson, Texas near Dallas, where Affiliates (women in discernment with her community) will experience community life with the Sisters, and where those who are seeking their path are given an opportunity to explore God’s call in their life. Sr. Lovina and Sr. Michele also discuss other means to discern a vocation call, such as through service and mission outreach, “Come and See” discernment weekends, and CAVA’s monthly online discernment for men and women. To contact Sr. Michele about discernment opportunities, call 847-298-6760. U.S website: www.nazarethcsfn.org; international website: www.nazarethfamily.org. To know more about CAVA’s discernment programs, visit www.vocationscava.org or call 312-534-5240.

Hear Archdiocese of Chicago Deacon John Lorbach explain his heart-warming ministry of accompanying husbands who are themselves accompanying a wife who is experiencing profound memory deficit. Deacon John is interviewed by Deacons Richard Hudzik and Dave Brencic of the Archdiocese’s Office of the Diaconate. Deacon John tells how he gathers men from a variety of faiths, stations in life and ages, who all share the common experience of seeing their marriages significantly change as their wives go down the road of “The Long Goodbye.” Both husband and wife suffer in this journey, as both face the reality that many of their dreams for the days ahead are going to be different because of the wife’s memory loss—whether it be from Alzheimer’s, vascular deficits or otherwise. Deacon John provides a monthly, informal forum for the men to come together and know that they are not the only ones facing such difficulties. They share both the ups and the downs of the process. For more information, you can reach Deacon John at his parish office at St. Raymond Penafort Parish in Mount Prospect. The number is 847-253-8600.

Throughout its history, Catholic Charities has been committed to providing comprehensive veteran services. Last year, Catholic Charities served 9,350 veterans, with two residences that are entirely devoted to the needs of veterans. In addition to housing, Catholic Charities offers case management, counseling, family support services and job training. Mitch Siegel, Director of Catholic Charities Veterans Employment Program joins Monsignor Boland to discuss the challenges veterans can face while building their careers.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Graziano Marcheschi. Today is the official first day of Saints Joseph and Francis Xavier Parish in Wilmette. The new parish is the result of uniting St. Joseph Parish and St. Francis Xavier Parish as part of the Renew My Church process. There was a very well attended outdoor unity Mass and picnic yesterday at Vattmann Park in Wilmette to celebrate the new parish. Guests: Suzy McNamara; Sheli Sullivan; George Pearce; Herb Marros; Megan Hughes

Holy Name Cathedral Rector Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Loyola University Chicago Chief Financial Officer Wayne Magdziarz interview Fr. Ramil Fajardo of the Metropolitan Tribunal. Fr. Greg and Wayne also get a Renew My Church update from Fr. Peter Wojcik of the Archdiocese Department of Parish Vitality and Mission and Chief Program Management Officer Marco Oropeza. Catholic Charities President Msgr. Michael Boland visits with his Manager of On-Line Content and Social Media, Michael Bare. Office of Divine Worship Director Todd Williamson and Timothy Johnston of Liturgy Training Publications talk about Ordinary Time. Wayne Magdziarz visits with former Chicago television news reporter Peter Nolan. And Wayne’s next guest, Author/Professor/Historian Edward Gordon, talks about the rise of hate in America and around the world.

Lectura y reflexión del Evangelio según San Lucas 9, 51-62 del domingo, 30 de junio de 2019. Viernes, 28 de junio de 2019.

Host: Wayne Magdziarz. Segment I: Peter Nolan reflects on his years as a television news reporter, specifically stories that are in his new book, "News Stories: A Memoir." Segment II: Edward E. Gordon has a conversation with Wayne about the rise of hate in America and around the world.

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, co-hosts Timothy Johnston and Todd Williamson discuss the theology and the spirituality that is at the heart of Ordinary Time. They discuss the season as one that directs us to and helps focus us on the role of Discipleship into which we, as Catholics, have been baptized. In addition, they discuss the “Theological Feasts” of our liturgical calendar. That is, the feasts that don’t celebrate a Saint, but rather that celebrates a theological tenant of our faith (e.g, Trinity Sunday, Corpus Christi, Christ the King, etc.).

In furthering the mission of Catholic Charities, multi-dimensional efforts are underway to reach more clients, volunteers and benefactors through social media. The online conversations may vary, but the message of hope that is inherent in every Catholic Charities program always stays the same. How does Catholic Charities plan to further expand its online presence? Joining Monsignor Boland to discuss this exciting time in online content and social media is Michael Bare.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Wayne Magdziarz. Segment I: Fr. Ramil Fajardo of the Metropolitan Tribunal joins us to talk about the various responsibilities of the Tribunal including the annulment process and changes under Pope Francis. Segment II: Fr. Peter Wojcik and Marco Oropeza discuss Renew My Church and the importance of activating missionary disciples in our parishes.

Catholic Conference of Illinois Executive Director Bob Gilligan interviews Pat Winn with Catholic Charities in Rockford about human trafficking and how his organization is fighting it on a county-by-county basis. Deacon John Cook talks to Sean Flynn, coordinator for youth programming at Distinctive Schools. Catholic Charities President Msgr. Michael Boland visits with longtime volunteer attorneys Dennis Marks and Jack Lynch about the significant impact volunteer attorneys have in the lives of many people. Fr. Britto Berchmans and Sandy Labouvie interview newlyweds Bart and Jackie Bartosz about making a smooth transition to married life. And Megan Mio visits with Fr. Joseph Mulcrone who heads up the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Office for the Deaf.

Lectura y reflexión del Evangelio según San Lucas 9, 11-17 del domingo, 23 de junio de 2019. Viernes, 21 de junio de 2019.

The first years of marriage can be challenging as two individuals who led independent lives attempt to merge and become one. In this show, we interviewed Bart and Jackie Bartosz who have been married for one and a half years. Their flexibility, sense of humor, and love for each other helped to make the transition smoother.

Megan talks with Fr. Joseph Mulcrone, Director of the archdiocesan Office of the Deaf and one of the founders of the Deaf Catholic Youth Initiative of the Americas (DCYIA). He describes young people of faith who are deaf living in Mexico, Central and South America. He has encountered people who feel isolated and lost, even in the church. DCYIA trains pastoral workers and encourages deaf young people to be leaders in their communities.

Part of the process of helping parishes change their culture to one that prioritizes evangelization is to invite them to use a new soft entry point tool – a way to enter the faith community in a low-key manner that is focused on faith. One such tool is Alpha. Co-hosts Beth White, Director of the Office for Evangelization and Missionary Discipleship, and José Coronel, Evangelization Coordinator, discussed with guests their experience with Alpha. Charlie Thomas, a recently retired lawyer, is coordinating Alpha at St. John of the Cross in Western Springs who has completed a pilot and season one. He shares how he got involved and how this experience has helped him grow. Aida Rodrigues is the volunteer Evangelization Coordinator at St. William Parish where they just finished their pilot Alpha. She shares how this tool works and how it has helped her personally.

For over fifteen years, Catholic Charities has been blessed to have dedicated volunteer attorneys who have been instrumental in our efforts to expand legal services for our clients. Today, we are able to offer competent legal advice and assistance on a wide range of issues and the expertise of volunteer attorneys continues to be vital to the work that we do. Longtime volunteer attorneys Dennis Marks and Jack Lynch join Monsignor Boland to discuss the significant impact volunteer attorneys have in the lives of many people.

Sean Flynn was the guest on today's program. Sean is coordinater for youth programming at Distinctive Schools. He is also an accomplished author of a self published book containing advice on mentoring youth. Sean shared his humble beginnings, his exciting new challenge with Distinctive Schools and his thoughts on the family and youth of today.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Juan Rangel with Empower Illinois talks to Bob about the complete funding of the Tax Credit Scholarships to most of the Catholic Schools in Illinois despite earlier threats to it. Segment II: Pat Winn with Catholic Charities of the Rockford diocese joins Bob to discuss the scourge of human trafficking and how his organization is fighting it on a county-by-county basis. Segment III: Ralph Rivera, lobbyist for Illinois Right to Life, talks about the final version of the "Reproductive Health Act" that was signed into law last week by Gov. Pritzker.

Dr. Jim Rigg and Fr. Greg spend time talking with Carrie Spano and Tom Gouterman about Marist High School’s Faith in the Future Campaign. They also get to know the new director of Inclusive Education, Kat McConnell.. Deacon John Cook chats with Professor Ted Williams from Kennedy King College. Catholic Charities President Msgr. Michael Boland visits with Andrew McKernin and Michelle Medzigian to discuss the Pope Francis Ministry. And Fr. Greg and Graz invite Deacon John and Fr. Claudio into the studio to wrap up the week.

Lectura y reflexión del Evangelio según San Juan 16, 12-15 del domingo, 16 de junio de 2019. Viernes, 14 de junio de 2019.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Graziano Marcheschi. Segment I: Deacon John Cook joins Fr. Greg and Graz to talk about his busy life as a deacon in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Segment II: Fr. Claudio Diaz discusses the history of St. Aloyisius parish

We speak with Juan Pablo Padilla who guides our conversation about Theology on Tap and the collaborative approach parishes are taking to host this yearly summer event. We speak about accompaniment and collaboration in supporting the young adults in our parishes and within our communities.

Today's guest Professor Ted Williams from Kennedy King College shared his passion for God's people and his Juneteenth sneak preview and ultimate production in August.

Soon after Pope Francis was elected, he opened a shower room and a laundry facility in Rome for use by the homeless. Inspired by this initiative, last June Monsignor Boland established a similar service called the Pope Francis Ministries at Catholic Charities headquarters, 721 N. LaSalle Street in Chicago. As the anniversary of the opening of the Pope Francis Ministries approaches, Andrew McKernin and Michele Medzigian join Monsignor Boland to discuss how the program has evolved in its first year.

Hosts: Dr. Jim Rigg and Fr. Greg Sakowicz. Segment I: Marist High School's Faith in the Future Campaign. Guests: Carrie Spano; Tom Gouterman. Segment II: New Director of Inclusive Education. Guest: Kat McConnell

Fr. Greg spoke with Megan Deichl, Dr. Anthony Pagliarini and John Ellgas about the Summer Scripture Conference at Mundelein Seminary. Deacon John Cook talked about advocating for senior citizens with talk show host Clara Hubbard. Monsignor Boland’s guests, Peter Hoy and Angela Brown chatted about the Garden Project at St. Sabina Elders Village. Ryan Lents and Dawn Fitzpatrick had Mary Kate Knorr in the studio to discuss the recent abortion legislation in Illinois. Sr. Lovina Pammit talked vocations with Passionist brother Nicholas Divine. And the Deacons invited fellow Deacon Jim Pauwels to talk about the Rest In His Arms ministry.

Lectura y reflexión del Evangelio según San Juan 20, 19-23 del domingo, 9 de junio de 2019. Viernes, 6 de junio de 2019.

Sr. Lovina Francis Pammit, OSF, interviews Nicholas Divine, originally from Holyoke, Massachusetts, a Passionist confrere on the way to being ordained as transitional Deacon in the fall and as a Religious priest by next year. Nicholas talks about how as a young man he felt a call to religious life but found himself first living through a series of events that changed his life. He also talked about his play based on a true story from his childhood, “Right Angles: A Polish American Christmas Comedy in Two Acts” which hopefully will be performed live in the Chicago area. “Right Angles” is available for sale online at https://outskirtspress.com/brothernickdivine or contact Sr. Lovina if interested in buying a copy signed by the author.

Archdiocese of Chicago Deacon Jim Pauwels speaks about Rest in His Arms, a ministry that provides the dignity of a Christian burial for children, many of them tiny infants, whose remains have been abandoned. The children might be left in a garbage dump, along the side of the road, in a viaduct on a busy city street or in the county morgue. The spiritual care that Deacon Jim and those who work with him attends to not only the children but also the communities in which the bodies are found. Tragedy abounds but hope endures. Deacon Jim speaks with the regular hosts, Deacons Richard Hudzik and Dave Brencic. For more information, go to www.restinhisarms.org.

Dawn and Ryan begin the show by discussing the Vitality Days that are currently running in each Vicariate around the Archdiocese. Vitality Days are a Renew My Church Effort and begin by a simply example of how to set a theme of hospitality to welcome people to our Catholic faith. Next, Mary Lou Matheke, IPC Coordinator for Immigration Ministries joins the discussion to share an effort to welcome immigrants through hospitality in a service trip to El Paso that will take place in July. Next, Mary Kate Knorr, Executive Director of Illinois Right to Life joins the show to discuss the recent abortion legislation passed in Illinois, and how we as Catholic can still share hope with people in spite of the impending new laws. A spirit of hospitality can be incorporated into meaningful conversations with others about the importance of life from conception to natural death. And finally, Brian Butler of Dumb Ox Ministries shares the essence of the Echo experience, which will be hosted by the Archdiocese June 14-20 at St Xavier University.

Clara Hubbard is a senior citizen advocate and talk show host who provides a plethora of services and activities for seniors and shares with our community how they can get involved and keep up to date.

As one of the twenty Catholic Charities affordable residences in the Chicago area, St. Sabina Elders Village offers seniors the opportunity to live independently within a caring community of people. Staff members invite residents to participate in a wide range of activities that give them the opportunity to pursue interesting goals and enjoy spending time with one another. Joining Monsignor Boland to discuss a new and very popular program at St. Sabina’s are Peter Hoy and Angela Brown.

Host: Fr. Greg Sakowicz. Segment I: Summer Scripture Conference at Mundelein Seminary. Guests: Megan Deichl; Dr. Anthony Pagliarini; John Ellgas. Segment II: Rev. Robert McLaughlin Faith Foundation and it's upcoming golf outing. Guest: Mark Terisi

Homelessness in Chicago is the topic as Deacon John Cook talks with Abraham Morris of DePaul USA. Catholic Charities President Msgr. Michael Boland talks about the importance of having a strong and vibrant Board of Advisors with Board Member Emile Johnson and his son, Andrew. Holy Name Cathedral Rector Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Graziano Marcheschi of Shalom Media discuss Muslim-Catholic relations with Dan Olsen and Susan Pudelek of the Archdiocese Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs and Abdullah Mitchell, Executive Director of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago. And Fr. Greg and Graz visit with Dawn Fitzpatrick, the Respect Life Coordinator in the Office of Human Dignity and Solidarity, about abortion legislation being considered here in Illinois.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Graziano Marcheschi. Segment I: The state of Muslim-Catholic relations in Chicago. Guests: Dan Olsen; Susan Pudelek; Abdullah Mitchell. Segment II: Abortion legislation in the state of Illinois. Guest: Dawn Fitzpatrick.

Abraham Morris, Director of the Dax Program for Depaul U.S.A., talked to us about the student homelessness program and the offerings for Depaul students to attend school while providing them with housing. Next week they will be having their annual fundraiser to help support the needs of the Chicago area homeless community that affects students nationally with a population of approximately 58,000 students.