Catholic Chicago

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Segment I: Pat Drott, the HIV/AIDS Liaison for Catholic Charities, joins us to talk about the ongoing outreach to the HIV community, and to discuss the upcoming annual Walk-Run to raise funds to help their much-needed ministry. Segment II: Dr. Mary Amore, Executive Director of Mayslake Ministries, joins us to talk about needs and opportunities for people to seek spiritual direction in these turbulent times.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Segment I: "No Ways Tired" is a drive-in parking lot prayer service, sponsored by the Black Catholic Deacons of Chicago. Every year the Black Catholic Deacons of Chicago hold a sunrise prayer service to pray for the end to the violence in our neighborhoods and the protection of our children as a new school year begins. This year with the Covid-19 pandemic, the prayer service will be held in the parking lot of St. Katharine Drexel parish. Guests: Deacon LeRoy Gill; Deacon William Pouncy. Segment II: The Illinois chapter of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums is sponsoring a virtual lecture series called Rosa Mystica: A Journey of Renewal and Restoration. The first virtual event will take place at Holy Name Cathedral on October 1st from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Guests: Anne Shea; Fr. Lou Cameli.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Segment I: Fr. Medard Laz, a prolific author now living in Florida, talks about his website, Treats for the Soul, and his latest book, The Gathering: Jesus and Abortion, A Story for Our Time. Segment II: Well-known author Sr. Helen Prejean discusses her latest book, River of Fire, in which she writes about how Vatican II changed life for many in religious orders. Sr. Helen Prejean is best known for her 1993 memoir, Dead Man Walking, about her role as a spiritual adviser to a convicted killer on death row.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Segment I: The St. Agatha Gospel Choir has a New Contemporary Gospel CD, "It's Over, It's Alright." Guests: Fr. Larry Dowling; Dennis Smith. Segment II: Josh Goralski heads up an organization called Unlocking Communities. From that group's website: "We equip entrepreneurs with the education and tools to sell sustainable products that unlock economic, social and environmental transformation in their communities."

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Segment I: Sr. Stephanie Baliga is one of the very dedicated Franciscans of the Eucharist of Chicago who can be found helping people in the West Humboldt Park neighborhood through the Mission of Our Lady of the Angels. On August 23, Sr. Stephanie ran an entire marathon...on a treadmill. The former long-distance runner at the University of Illinois now runs for God, and she was raising funds for the Mission. Segment II: As Catholic schools reopen for the new school year, social and emotional learning has become a focus. Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. Guests: Yesenia Maldonado; Rana Brizgys; Jonna Koenitzer

Host: Fr. Greg Sakowicz. The Pope has been busy appointing a few of our great priests here in the Archdiocese of Chicago to lead dioceses across the state of Illinois. Segment I: Fr. Louis Tylka is the new Coadjutor Bishop of Peoria. Segment II: Fr. Michael McGovern has become the bishop of Belleville.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Segment I: Joellyn Cicciarelli, the President and Publisher of Loyola Press, talks to Fr. Greg and Mark about Wanderlight, a groundbreaking Catholic video game. Segment II: Fr. Lou Cameli, the Cardinal's Delegate for Christian Formation and Mission, joins Fr. Greg and Mark to discuss coping spiritually with the pandemic, social unrest, and violence in our neighborhoods.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Segment I: Award-winning author and speaker Amy "A.J." Cattapan talks to Fr. Greg and Mark about what's keeping her busy during the COVID-19 pandemic…from helping to organize a retreat to working on another book. Segment II: Greg Pierce, publisher of ACTA Publications in Chicago, joins Fr. Greg and Mark to talk about his blog and specifically disinvestment in minority communities.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Segment I: Representatives of Non-Violence Works discuss the principles and practices of non-violence as a skill to help reduce violence in Chicago. Guests: Philip Bradley; Elfriede Wedam; Larry Campbell. Segment II: Fr. Dom Grassi joins Fr. Greg and Mark to discuss his blog on COVID-19, his latest mystery, and life in general.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Segment I: Brother Michael Segvich joins Fr. Greg and Mark as he wraps up his time with the Archdiocese of Chicago's Office for Religious. Brother Mike is about to begin a 6-year term on his province's leadership team in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Segment II: Joyce Duriga, Editor of Chicago Catholic, talks to Fr. Greg and Mark about the stories she's been covering during COVID-19. Joyce also talks about her recently published book, Augustus Tolton: The Church is the True Liberator.

Host: Mark Teresi. St. Mary of the Lake Parish has opened a pop-up food pantry in collaboration with the Greater Chicago Food Depository. This food pantry serves the needs of at-risk residents of the Buena Park neighborhood, especially immigrants. St. Mary of the Lake will also be hosting a two-day event, in collaboration with the St. Vincent DePaul Society, about the merging of justice with faith. Guests: Pamela Matambanadzo; Claire DesHotels.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Segment I: Fr. Jason Malave and Cliff Barber discuss how they have been able to move forward with the Renew My Church initiative despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Segment II: Kevin Foy with the Office for Lifelong Formation talks about Catholic faith formation during the pandemic, and how his office compliments the evangelization efforts of Renew My Church.

Host: Fr. Greg Sakowicz. Dr. Edward Gordon is an internationally recognized historian, researcher, and author who has taught at DePaul, Loyola and Northwestern University. Dr. Gordon spends the hour with Fr. Greg discussing the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Segment I: Dr. Mary Amore talks about what has been happening at Mayslake Ministries during the pandemic. Segment II: Playwright and comedian Vicki Quade, co-creator of Late Night Catechism and head of Nuns for Fun Entertainment, gives news of a special Summer online performance that's available now. A portion of proceeds will go to the Daughters of St. Paul, whose religious bookstore on Michigan Avenue was heavily damaged by looters following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Also participating in this segment is Sr. Tracey Dugas, Director of Pauline Mission Advancement for the Daughters of St. Paul.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Segment I: Todd Williamson, director of the Office for Divine Worshop, talks about the reopening of our churches for public mass. Segment II: St. Joseph Parish in Libertyville launches a unique way to attend mass without entering a church building. Guests: Deacon Dan Coughlin; Stan Taylor. Segment III: We stay with St. Joseph Parish in Libertyville but shift the conversation to its International Sharing Ministry. Guests: Mary Causey; Deacon Dan Coughlin; Stan Taylor.

Host: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Segment I: Following George Floyd's death and the civil unrest that followed, representatives of Non-Violence Works joined Fr. Greg and Mark to talk about principles and practices of non-violence as a skill. Guests: Philip Bradley; Elfriede Wedam; Larry Campbell. Segment II: The importance of exercise, how to be creative with exercise, and adding a spiritual twist to your exercise routine. Guests: Michele Sotak; Fr. Lou Cameli.

Host: Fr. Greg Sakowicz. Segment I: Fr. Greg talks with Cardinal Blase Cupich about the Church's response in these disheartening times. Segment II: Fr. Greg welcomes Fr. Matt O'Donnell, pastor of St. Columbanus, to discuss the status of the neighborhood where he ministers. As one of the priests who ministers to COVID-19 patients, Fr. Matt talks about how the pandemic disproportionately affects communities of color.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Fr. Richard Fragomeni is the Rector of the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii, adjunct faculty member in the Department of Religious Studies at DePaul University, and a member of the faculty of Catholic Theological Union. In addition to his teaching duties, he gives presentations around the world on liturgical, sacramental and catechetical topics.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Segment I: Author, educator and on-line innovator Kathy DeNicolo talks about what she is doing on-line to help children and parents during this challenging time of the pandemic. Segment II: Fr. Larry Sullivan, Director of Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Chicago, discusses on-line field masses that will be held on Memorial Day. Fr. Larry also talks about protocols that are in place at Catholic Cemeteries during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Host: Fr. Greg Sakowicz. Dr. Edward Gordon is an internationally recognized historian, researcher and author. In today's program Dr. Gordon continues the discussion about the history of the Catholic Church in regards to pandemics and epidemics.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Segment I: Fr. Wayne Watts, Pastor of Sts. Joseph and Francis Xavier in Wilmette, is one of the priests in the Archdiocese of Chicago who has been designated to minister to people and families who have been sickened by COVID-19. Segment II: The holy month of Ramadan and overall Catholic-Muslim relations. Guests: Dan Olsen; Sheikh Hassan Aly.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Segment I: Fr. John Kartje, Rector/President of Mundelein Seminary/University of St. Mary of the Lake, talks about the seminary hosting a virtual May Crowning on May 3. Segment II: The Overall Impact of COVID-19 on the Church and our Health Care System. Guests: Fr. William Grogan; Kathy Donahue; James Sifuentes; Dawn Mayer.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Dr. Edward Gordon is an internationally recognized historian, researcher and author. In today's program Dr. Gordon talks about the history of the Catholic Church in regards to pandemics and epidemics.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Segment I: Mercy Home for Boys and Girls is greatly affected by the COVID-19 crisis. Guest: Mark Schmeltzer. Segment II: Author Mary Doyle talks about her book, The Alzheimer's Spouse: Finding the Grace to Keep the Promise.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Segment I: Greg Pierce, Publisher of ACTA Publications, talks about what community organizations in Chicagoland are doing about the pandemic. Segment II: Kay Metres, author of the book "After the Fear, Come the Gifts: Breast Cancer's Nine Suprising Blessings" and Brigid Gerace, one of the narrators of the audio book version, talk about the book.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Segment I: Mary Jane Doerr, director of the Office for the Protection of Children and Youth, talks about how her office is impacted by COVID-19. Segment II: Todd Williamson, Director of the Office for Divine Worship, talks about how worhip is being affected by the virus outbreak. Segment III: Jim Disch, Director of the Radio/TV Office, gives an update on where Catholics can find daily and Sunday masses online.

Host: Mark Teresi. Segment I: Fr. Marek Smolka, head of Chicago Polish Ministry and Cathedral Associate, is in studio to talk about his role as the head of the Chicago Polish Ministry. Segment II: Todd Williamson, Director of the Office for Divine Worship, discusses the season of Lent.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Segment I: Amanda Thompson, Director of Catholic Campus Ministry at DePaul University, talks about Catholics on campus. Segment II: Fr. Hans Zollner and Mr. Juan Carlos Cruz talk about safeguarding children in the church. Fr. Zollner is one of the world's leading experts in the area of safeguarding minors. He is the President of the Centre for Child Protection at the Pontifical Gregorian Institute in Rome, a member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, and a consultor to the Vatican's Congregation for Clergy. Juan Carlos Cruz is an advocate for victim-survivors and a survivor himself. He influenced the Pope to set the stage for the global Church to move away from thinking that survivors want to destroy the Church, but instead, to partner with victims as they move forward with their lives as Catholics.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Segment I: Mark Schmeltzer, Director of Communications for Mercy Home for Boys and Girls talks about their annual March for Kids Campaign. Segment II: Josh Goralski, Founder and CEO of Unlocking Communities, a social enterprise that puts economic power in the hands of Haitians to create an environment of self-respect and sustainability.

Host: Fr. Greg Sakowicz. Segment I: Lent and Ash Wednesday at St. Peter's Church in the Loop. Guest: Fr. Bob Hutmacher. Segment II: Fish fries and variations on the tradition throughout the Archdiocese of Chicago will begin this Friday. Guests: Mike McGovern; Tom Spratt. Segment III: Brian Brach talks about Lenten Reflections produced by the Archdiocese of Chicago's Radio/TV Office that will be available on the Archdiocese web site as well as on Facebook and Twitter.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Segment I: Meg Hall, Archdiocese of Chicago Director of Archives and Records Center, talks about the importance of properly taking care of records and documents in a parish. Segment II: A panel of guests talk about the Annual Catholic Appeal 2020. Guests: Elizabeth Anastasia; Brendan Keating; Barbara Shea Collins.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Segment I: Greg Pierce, publisher of ACTA Publications, talks about his soon-to-be-published book, "Reveille for a New Generation - Organizers and Leaders Reflect on Power." Segment II: Author Helen Reichert Lambin discusses her recently published book, "An A-Z Guide to Letting Go."

Host: Mark Teresi. Segment I: The Archdiocese of Chicago and Big Shoulders Fund have announced that the Big Shoulders Fund will donate $47.5 million and the Archdiocese of Chicago will provide $44.9 million to help ensure the continuing mission of 30 schools over 10 years. The schools, mainly on Chicago's south and west sides, serve 5,600 children, their families and their communities. Guests: Big Shoulders Fund CEO Josh Hale; Catholic Schools Superindendent Dr. Jim Rigg. Segment II: Bob Fallon and Nancy Giani discuss "The Gathering IX - Men's Day of Renewal".

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Segment I: Mary Seat of Wisdom Parish in Park Ridge is partnering with a priest from Zambia to establish a parish in the harsh wilderness of Africa. A film titled "Labor of Love" documenting this partnership premiered at the Pickwick Theatre in Park Ridge last September. There will be another screening of the documentary at the Athenaeum Theatre in Chicago on Saturday, February 1 at 7 p.m. Guests: Fr. Gerald Gunderson; Fr. Bwezani Wildred Phiri; Kuba Luczkiewicz. Segment II: Catholic Schools Week is celebrated by listening to excerpts from the recent Celebrating Catholic Education Breakfast.

Host: Mark Teresi. Segment I: Exploring efforts to promote, nourish and grow religious vocations throughout the United States. Guests: Phil Loftus; Patrice Tuohy

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Segment I: The International Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is January 18 to January 25. Guests: Dr. Daniel Olsen; Tom Masters; Rev. John Armstrong. Segment II: Michael O'Loughlin is a national correspondent for America Magazine and the host of the new podcast, "Plague: Untold Stories of AIDS and the Catholic Church." Michael is also author of "The Tweetable Pope: A Spiritual Revolution in 140 Characters".

Host: Fr. Greg Sakowicz. Annual Year-in-Review program, when we get a chance to visit with leaders of important ministries here in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. An hour of Christmas music.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz, Wayne Magdziarz and Mark Teresi. Segment I: Fr. Greg and Wayne talk to Ron Polaniecki and Elizabeth Kohlbeck with Chicago Shares, a not-for-profit that allows people to buy vouchers that can be given to people-in-need that can then be redeemed at participating businesses. Segment II: Fr. Greg and Mark chat with Rich Daniels, Musical Director of the City Lights Orchestra, about a number of holiday projects and performances including the first ever Rector's Christmas Concert at Holy Name Cathedral on Friday, December 13.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Dr. Edward Gordon discusses the history of the Catholic Church through through it's first 1,000 years.

Host: Fr. Greg Sakowicz. Segment I: The Religious Retirement Fund collection takes place this year on December 7th and 8th. Guests: Brother Michael Segvich; Sister Mary Ellen Gemmell. Segment II: The state of Muslim-Christian Relations. Guests: Dan Olsen; Daoud Casewit

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Segment I: Religion and Scouting. Guests: Stan Potempa; Brian Brach. Segment II: Renew My Church update. Guests: Cathy Walz; Fr. Jason Malave.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Segment I: Sr. Stephanie Baliga, a Sister belonging to the Franciscans of the Eucharist of Chicago, talks about the 2020 Bank of America Chicago Marathon and the 2020 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle. Both events are great fund-raising events for the Mission of Our Lady of the Angels and now is the time to join Team O-L-A for this coming year. Segment II: Brother Charles Nuwagaba discusses his ministry helping people in need in a slum area of Nairobi. Brother Nuwagaba is currently studying at Loyola University Chicago to receive a master's degree in pastoral care. He is a finalist for the 2019 Opus Prize which awards a one-million-dollar prize to an organization in honor of the winner.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Segment I: Fr. Richard Fragomeni discusses All Saints Day and All Souls Day. Segment II: Fr. Jason Malave talks about the latest developments in the Renew My Church initiative.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Segment I: "Love and Mercy: Faustina" is a docudrama that premiers today. The movie is about Sr. Faustina Kowalska and the message of Divine Mercy. Guest: Fr. Kazimierz Chwalek, MIC. Segment II: Sr. Lovina Pammit, OSF, talks about all the activities planned for National Vocation Awareness Week, November 3-9.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Dr. Edward Gordon discusses the history of the Catholic Church through the Renaissance and Reformation.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Segment I: Non-Violence Works is a non-profit organization that focuses on violence prevention in our homes, neighborhoods and wider community. Guests: Elfreide Wedam; Larry Campbell; Shalini Gupta. Segment II: Several parishes, including Holly Name Cathedral, will be sponsoring a play called Conversation with My Molester. The play will be held at the Cathedral on October 26 and at Old St. Mary's on October 27. Guest: Playwright Michael Mack; Fr. Brad Schoeberle

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi. Segment I: Faith and Fellowship is a ministry in which people with a mental illness can experience the love of God along with their sisters and brothers. Guests: Deacon Dan Welter; Connie Rakitan; Deacon Tom Lambert. Segment II: Megan Mio from the Archdiocese of Chicago Mission Office talks about Extraordinary Missionary Month and the upcoming Global Mission Mass and Celebration on Sunday, October 27 at St. Ferdinand Parish

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Wayne Magdziarz. Segment I: A "Mass of Remembrance for the Little Ones" in honor of pregnancy and infant loss is scheduled for Monday, October 14 at 7 p.m. at Holy Family Catholic Community in Inverness. Guests: Fr. Rich Jakubik; Kristen Berryhill. Segment II: The reality of HIV/AIDS and it's impact on patients, their families and society in general. Guest: Pat Drott.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi.The Moving Wall is a half-size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. It will be on display along with the "Through the Eyes" traveling museum at Quyeen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside through Monday, September 30. Guest: Fr. Larry Sullivan. Segment II: The Lifelong Formation Office is extremely busy with events and programs coming up including Holy Fire. Guests: Kevin Foy and Chelsea Piper.