Catholic Conference Hour

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Manya Brachear, religion reporter for the Chicago Tribune, talks to Bob about her career here in Chicago as she moves onto bigger things on the East Coast. Segment II: Eric Scheidler, executive director of the Pro-Life Action League, joins Bob to talk about a new abortion clinic that just opened in Skokie under the name of Carafem. Segment III: Ryan Gruenenfelder, director of advocacy and outreach for AARP Illinois joins Bob in talking about a recent public opinion poll conducted for the over-50 crowd. Segment IV: Melissa Hastings, policy advisor for the USCCB's Migration and Refugee Services, talks to Bob about a proposed federal change in the "public charge" rule.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Matt Dietrich with the Illinois State Board of Elections joins Bob to talk about election security after last year's hacking of the agency's database. Segment II: Bob talks with Anthony Granado with the USCCB's Office of Domestic Social Development about the status of the food stamp program. Segment III: Joyce Duriga, editor of the Chicago Catholic, talks about her recent pigrimage to Lourdes with St. John Berchmans parish in Chicago.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Rob Griffin, associate director of research at the Washington, D.C.-based Public Religion Research Institute joins Bob to talk about recent results of a public opinion poll indicating the tide seems to be turning in favor of religious freedom.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Jim Geoly of the law firm of Burke, Warren, MacKay and Serritella in Chicago joins Bob to talk about the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court. Segment II: State Senator Dale Righter, R-Mattoon, talks to Bob about the impact of a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling regarding crisis pregnancy centers and how it may set a precedent for a similar Illinois case currently in the courts. Segment III: Greg Bishop, a journalist for the Illinois News Network, joins Bob to talk about a recent story he did on a 274% increase in the number of taxpayer-funded abortions for the first six months of 2018 as compared to the same time frame in 2017. Segment IV: Mary Kate Knorr, the new executive director of Illinois Right to Life, joins Bob to talk about her new role.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Some clarity on the issue of family separation, unaccompanied minors, and the so-called "lost" children. Guest: Ashley Feasley. Segment II: The recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd., v. Colorado Civil Rights Commision. Guest: Rick Garnett. Segment III: The recent CDC report on an increased suicide rate across the country. Guest: Dr. Frances Broghammer. Segment IV: Fr. Matt O'Donnell talks about his work that garnered him the 2018 CCHD Cardinal Bernardin New Leadership Award.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Robert Dunham from the Death Penalty Information Center talks about Gov. Rauner's call for the death penalty to be reinstated for mass murderers and cop killers. Segment II: Greg Schleppenbach from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops talks about a proposed rule change that would drop a requirement that Title X funding recipients must provide abortion counselling to patients. Segment III: Hillary Bynes with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops discusses a current U.S. Supreme Court case concerning a California law that requires crisis pregnancy centers to post notices that women can get information on free or low-cost abortions from the state. Segment IV: Lou Slapshak, a lay Catholic in the Belleville diocese, talks about an organization called Our Brothers' Keepers.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Sister Jean Schmidt talks about her recent international celebrity status. Segment II: Bishop Joseph Perry discusses the canonization cause for Fr. Augustus Tolton. Segment III: Don Carlson joins Bob to talk about legislation that would cap car title loan interest at 36%. Segment IV: Jennifer Colins talks about the Millenial Conference this Tuesday.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: John Shaw, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University, talks about the races in Tuesday's primary election. Segment II: Fr. David Kelly of Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation discusses restorative justice hubs and his May 2nd fundraiser. Segment III: Anthony Holter, managing partner and Empower Illinois, talks about the Tax Credit Scholarships and Catholic Schools. Segment IV: Jason Welch, the boys' basketball coach at Bloomington Central Catholic High School, talks with Bob about a spontaneous show of faith at a tournament game last week that has gone viral.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: State Sen. Jason Barickman, R-Bloomington talks about Senate Bill 2236 which seeks to undo the new Tax Credit Scholarship program by making it part of the annual budget process. Segment II: Kris Cortes from Flossmoor joins the show to talk about the new Planned Parenthood clinic that has opened in her community. Segment III: Fr. Corey Brost and Viatorian Brother Michael Gosch discuss the Viator House of Hospitality in Des Plaines which houses 20 young men who came to the United States seeking asylum. Segment IV: Kerry Lester talks about her new book, "No, My Place," which profiles women across Illinois who work in politics who have endured sexual harrassment on the job -- including herself.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: John O'Connor, a political writer for the Associated Press at the Illinois state capitol, joins Bob to give a preview of the upcoming spring session that is slated to begin when the Illinois House returns on January 23. Segment II: Lucas Swanepoel, Vice-President of Social Policy at Catholic Charities USA, joins Bob to talk about the importance of reauthorizing CHIP. Segment III: Jesuit Fr. Robert Spitzer, president and founder of the Magis Center of Reason and Faith, joins Bob to talk about physician-assisted suicide. Segment IV: Ann Grelecki and Mary Ann Bibat with Catholic Charities of Chicago, join Bob to talk about the current state of the Community Care Program, which allows senior citizens to stay in their own homes, retain their independence, and join with others to ward off isolation.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Nate Kellum, chief counsel for the Memphis-based Center for Religious Expression, joins Bob to talk about the amicus brief he filed in support of the Colorado cake baker at the center of a U.S. Supreme Court case that was argued a couple of weeks ago. Segment II: Ramona Trevino, keynote speaker for the March for Life Chicago-2017, talks to Bob about her experiences as the manager of a Planned Parenthood abortion-referral facility in Sherman, Texas. Segment III: Luke Niforatos, special assistant for policy at Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), joins Bob to talk about the organization founded by former Rhode Island Congressman Patrick Kennedy and conservative journalist David Frum and the work the organization does.

Host: Mary Massingale. Segment I: Dan Lesser from the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law in Chicago talks about the tax reform bills debated in Congress. Segment II: Dr. Jim Rigg, Superintendent of Chicago Catholic schools, gives an update on outreach efforts his office is making to inform low-income to working-class students and their families of the availability of the Tax Credit Scholarship. Segment III: Fr. Larry Dowling of St. Agatha Parishtalks about his involvement with The News School and what it does for high school students in the neighborhood. Segment IV: Marie Jochum of Catholic Charities of Chicago talks about that agencies' "Celebration of Giving" that allows individuals to sponsor low-income families for Christmas gifts and provide toys for low-income children.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: The political fallout from Governor Bruce Rauner signing House Bill 40. Guest: Jak Tichenor. Segment II: The latest on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Guest: Tony Cube. Segment III: Joyce Duriga, editor of the Chicago Catholic, talks about her new book - "Helen Prejean: Death Row's Nun." Segment IV: McHenry County nonprofit organization Rest In His Arms. Guest: Susan Walker.

Host: Mary Massingale. Sarah Brune, Executive Director for the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, joins Mary to talk about the large number of both Republican and Democratic state lawmakers who have chosen to retire when their terms expire in January 2018. Segment II: Greg Dolan, associate director for public policy for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, talks about how potential federal tax credits would work with the hoped-for Scholarship Tax Credit in Illinois. Thomas Olp, an attorney with the Thomas More Society, joins Bob to talk about that law firm's next step in trying to burst the city of Chicago's bubble zone. Segment IV: Sue Barrett, executive director of Aid for Women, talks about the organizations annual dinner on Thursday, September 14 at the Union League Club.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Recapping the budget agreement and income tax increase and what's up with Senate Bill 1, the education funding reform bill. Guest: Jak Tichenor. Segment II: Dr. Jim Rigg joins Bob to talk about the scholarship tax credit that is being lobbied to get into Senate Bill 1. Segment III: Jim Geoly talks about the recent Supreme Court 7-2 decision in Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia, Inc v. Comer, which is being hailed by the USCCB as a "landmark victory for religious freedom". Segment IV: John Haas, president of the National Catholic Bioethics Center, joins Bob to talk about the case of Charlie Gard, the 11-month old boy in England.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Dr. Brian Callister, an internal medicine specialist located in Reno, Nevada, joins Bob to talk about the video he recently did for the Patient's Rights Action Fund, an organization that lobbies against physician-assisted suicide. Segment II: Monsignor Pat Pollard joins Bob to talk about the unique cemetery ministry as he approaches retirement on June 30. Segment III: Rachel Yarch, a partner with the downtown Chicago law office of Burke, Warren, MacKay and Serritella, joins Bob to talk about a recent unanimous U.S. Supremen Court ruling that holds the faith-based hospital pension plans are covered by the "church plan" exemption under the Employment Retirement Income Security Act.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: State Sen. Tim Bivins, R-Dixon joins Bob to talk about House Bill 40, which was passed by the Senate. Governor Rauner has promised to veto the legislation, but Senate leadership has used a procedural move to keep the bill in the Senate. Segment II: Hillary Byrnes joins Bob to talk about the religious freedom exectutive order that President Donald Trump recently signed. Segment III: Sam Tuttle talks about House Bill 3142, which would "ban the box"-the question box on college admisstions applications that asks about criminal history. Segment IV: Sue Barrett joins Bob to talk about Aid for Women's upcoming June 10 fundraiser, "A Day at the Races".

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Greg Dolan with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops joins Bob to talk about what the Trump administration means for Catholic Education. Segment II: Fr. Tom Walsh, pastor of St. Martin de Porres parish in Chicago's Austin neighborhood talks with Bob about Cardinal Cupich's new anti-violence initiative announced last week. Segment III: Kate Kuhn, assistant director of Catholic Charities of Chicago's refugee resettlment program discusses the program and Catholic Charities' need to raise $250,000 by July 1 to continue the program.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Sr. Carol Keehan, President and CEO of the Catholic Health Association of the United States, joins Bob to talk about the House GOP's replacement for Obamacare, the American Health Care Act. Segment II: State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Aurora, joins Bob to talk about House Bill 2647, which would boost services for veterans in an effort to prevent suicide. Segment III: Sue Barrett, executive director Aid for Women joins Bob for an update about their case against the state and Senate Bill 1564. Segment IV: Alexandra Fedosenko, who heads up the Respect Life Office in the Joliet Diocese, joins Bob to talk about two upcoming "Life Advocacy Days" for lay Catholics to lobby their state House Representative against House Bill 40.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Cardinal Blase Cupich joined Bob to discuss Illinois House Bill 40 which would allow state funding to pay for elective abortions for Medicaid participants and state employees, and also the potential crackdown on undocumented immigrantsby the Department of Homeland Security. Segment II: State Rep. David Harris, R-Mount Prospect, joings Bob to talk about the Earned Income Credit. Segment III: State Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Red Bud, talks with Bob about House Bill 2884, which allows Illinois residents to buy "In God We Trust" decals for their licence plates.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Joe Scheidler joins Bob to talk about his recently-released memoir, "Racketeer for Life." Segment II: Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Perry joins Bob to talk about the most recent step in the canonization process of Fr. Augustus Tolton, the first African-American priest in the United States. Segment III: Michael New talks about a September study he wrote that analyzed the impact of the federal Hyde Amendment, which prohibits the use of federal Medicaid dollars to pay for abortions. Segment IV: Senator Tim Bivins, R-Dixon, talks to Bob about HOOT, the state Hotel Operator's Occupation Tax, and it's effect on religious retreat houses.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Bill O'Keefe with CRS talks about Aleppo and CRS efforts to help the war-torn city. Segment II: State Rep. Tom Morrison, R-Palatine, talks about the potential for culture wars returning to the Illinois legislature as a pushback response to any potential success at the federal level against abortion. Segment III: Attorney Mary McWilliams talks about the need for advance directives and CCI's new publication, "Encouraging End-of-Life Conversations: A Catholic Perspective on Advance Directives. Segment IV: The 2017 Chicago March for Life on January 15. Guests: Kevin Grillot; Dawn Fitzpatrick

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Joyce Duriga, Editor of the Cxatholic New World, talks to Bob from Romew about the weekend festivities which were highlighted by Archbisihop Cupich's elevation to cardinal. Segment II: Bob talks about the recent election results. Segment III: Fr. Burke Masters, vocations director for the Joliet Diocese, talks about serving as chaplain to the Chicago Cubs. Segment IV: Jennifer Collins talks about their priestly take-off of James Corden's "Carpool Karaoke."

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Faithful Citizenship in light of this very challenging presidential election. Guest: Dr. Jonathan Reyes. Segment II: Illinois Election Data, a website that compiles and reports on money being spent on Illinois campaigns. Guest: Scott Kennedy. Segment III: Senate Bill 3368, which would streamline the process of just-released inmates to get a state ID card. Guest: State Sen. Kwame Raoul, D-Chicago. Segment IV: Partnership between the Archdiocese of Chicago and the Art Institute to create a special Art Tour to celebrate the Year of Mercy. Guest: Elizabeth "Beth" White.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Illinois Catholic Health Association Executive Director Patrick Cacchione address the controversy over Senate Bill 1564, which modifies Illinois' Health Care Right of Conscience Act. Segment II: Sr. Ann Scholz, SSND, Director for Social Mission of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, talks about the letters the organization sent to the presidential candidates, their running mates and their party chairs asking for civil discourse as we approach the November 8 election. Segment III: Jim Ennis, Executive Director of Catholic Rural Life, talks to Bob about the Catholic perspective on a recent 4-part investigative series in the Chicago Tribune about mega-hog farms in downstate Illinois. Segment IV: Bryant Jackson-Green, a criminal justice policy analyst with the Illinois Policy Institute, joins Bob to talk about a recent public opinion poll commissioned by IPI that shows the public wants bold reform of the state's criminal justice system. Segment V: Pat Shehorn, board member of Aid for Women, talks about the organizations annual dinner on Wednesday, September 21 at the Union League Club.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Discussing the recent rash of voilence and shootings in Chicago and across the nation. Guest: Fr. Tom Walsh. Segment II; Pilot Program for a Restorative Justice Community Court. Segment III: What the stopgap Illinois budget really means for Catholic Charities and other social service providers. Guest: Stephanie Murray. Segment IV: Illinois Right to Life Barnyard Bash. Guest: Regina D'Amico.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Sr. Cathy Ryan lf Maryville Academy joins Bob to talk about Maryville's new direction. Segment II: Ned Dolesji of the California Catholic Conference joins Bob to discuss California's new physician-assisted suicide law. Segment III; David Yepsen with the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University joins Bob to talk about the new report by the institute that compiles results from it's public opinion polls over the past nine years. Segment IV: Greg Schleppenbach, new Director of Pro-life Activites at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, talks about taking over for Richard Doerflinger who has retired.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: The Independent Maps Coalition. Guests: Cynthia Canary. Segment II: Senate Bill 2370. Guest: Sen. Patricia Van Pelt, D-Chicago. Segment III: "Church Madness". Guest: Patrick Murray. Segment IV: Social Action Summer Institute. Guest: Joanna Arellano.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Sr. Rosemary Connelly and Scott Mendel join Bob to talk about state legislation that would create a special state license to oversee the coninuum of care for the developmentally disabled. Segment II: State Rep. Patti Bellock (R-Westmont) talks about the extension of the All Kids health insurance plan to 2019. Segment III: State Rep. Marcus Evans (D-Chicago) discusses House Bill 5973 which would make it easier for ex-offenders to get occupational licenses unless their crime was connected to the profession. Segment IV: Ralph Rivera joins Bob to talk about House bill 4013, which would allow taxpayer money to be used for elective abortions.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Jim Geoly gives a brief update on the Little Sisters of the Poor HHS mandate case that will be heard before the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday. Segment II: Fr. Dave Kelly of Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation talks about his work in restorative justice. Segment III: Andrew Walther discusses the Knights of Columbus' recent report documenting instances of genocide against Christians by ISIS in the Middle East. Segment IV: Michael Josephson talks about civility in politics.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Monsignor Mike Boland talks about the dire straits the social services arm of the Catholic Church finds itself in because of the state budget impasse. Segment II: Dr. Richard Dye discusses a report released on February 15 outlining the impact of operating without a state budget at the halfway point of the current fiscal year. Segment III: John Maki offers his perspective on the recommendations issued in December by the Illinois Commision on Criminal Justice and Sentencing Reform. Segment IV: Eleanore Strong joins Bob to talk about the Chicago chapter of Young Catholic Professionals.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Dr. Robert Sawick joins Bob to talk about paliative care. Segment II: Tony Cube discusses immigration issues. Segment III: Dr. Rodney Starktalks about his new book, "The Triumph of Faith".

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Emily Miller joins Bob to give an overview of the state budget impasse as we approach the end of the calendar year. Segment II: Jim Finnegan talks about his organization, American Nativity Scene. Segment III: Mike O'Neill discusses how his website, MiracleHunter.com, was featured in the December cover story of National Geographic on the Virgin Mary. Segment IV: Emily Zender talks about the upcoming March for Life in Chicago.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Daniel Blomberg of the D.C. based Becket Fund for Religious Liberty talks to Bob about the U.S. Supreme Court agreeing to hear in March the case by the Little Sisters of the Poor and other faith-based nonprofits regarding their objection to the HHS mandate. Segment II: Mike Clark, a high school sports writer for the Chicago Tribune, joins Bob and talks about how Chicago-area Catholic high schools have fared during the Fall 2015 football season. Segment III: Maria Fitzsimmons of the Archdiocese of Chicago's Office for Peace and Justice talks about the Catholic Campaign for Human Development and it's upcoming collection. Segment IV: Grant Gallicho, new director of publications and media for the Archdiocese of Chicago, joins Bob to talk about the recent Synod on the Family in Rome.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Elizabeth Kirk talks about the current state of adoption in the United States. Segment II: Tony Paulauski discusses the concerns of the disabled community regarding physician-assisted suicide. Segment III: Pat Winn talks about the Syrian refugee families that are resettled in the Rockford Dicoese. Segment IV: Dawn Fitzpatrick talks about the upcoming Chasity Education Initiative Dinner.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Michael O'Loughlin joins Bob to discuss his new book, "The Tweetable Pope: A Spiritual Revolution in 140 Characters". Segment II: Maria Goldstein and Thomas More attorney, Thomas Olp, discuss Office Depot's refusal to print copies of a flier that included facts about abortion. Segment III: Richard Doerflinger of the USCCB joins Bob to discuss proposed rules to allow Medicare coverage of conversations between a doctor and patient regarding end-of-life decision-making.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: State Rep. Jeanne Ives, R-Wheaton talks about House Resolution 671, a bipartisan measure she is sponsoring in reaction to the undercover Planned Parenthood videos. Segment II: Fr. John Belmonte, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Joliet, talks about his Tuition Transfer Grant program. Segment III: Sue Barrett, executive director of Aid for Women, talks about the opening of Monica's House. Segment IV: Joyce Duriga, editor of the Catholic New World, discusses Pope Francis' upcoming visit to the United States.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Jason Negri, a lawyer and assistant director of the Patients Rights Council, joins Bob to talk about the physician-assisted suicide movement in the United States. Segment II: Dr. Mark Potosnak, an assistant professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Studies at DePaul University, joins Bob to talk about Pope Francis’ recent encyclical, Laudato Si’, and what it means to Catholics and the Archdiocese, in particular. Segment III: Pam Terrell, division director of community services for Catholic Charities in the Joliet diocese, will talk about how proposed budget cuts will affect their services, and what impact the state budget impasse is having on Catholic Charities.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Zach Wichmann talks to Bob about the Illinois Kids Campaign. Segment II: Anita Bedell of Illinois Church Action on Alcohol and Addiction Problems discusses the latest gambling expansion proposal being considered by lawmakers. Segment III: Hillary Byrnes joins Bob to talk about this year's "Fortnight for Freedom". Segment IV: Fr. Chris Reuter of the diocese of Belleville discusses the prison ministry.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: The Illinois Kids Campaign. Guest: William Godwin. Segment II: The Slippery Slope of Medical Marijuana. Guest: Dr. Stuart Gitlow. Segment III: Charity Burials and Budget Cuts. Guest: Fr. Larry Sullivan. Segment IV: Resentencing Hearings for Juvenile Life Without Parole Sentencings. Guest: Julie Anderson.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Bishop Edward Braxton of Belleville talks about the pastoral letter he issued in January, "The Racial Divide in the United States". Segment II: Fr. William Grogan, the Archdiocese's vicar for health care and Patrick Cacchione discuss Illinois Senate bill 1564 that guts the Illinois Healthcare Right of Conscience Act. Segment III: Illinois State Rep. Barbara Wheeler (R-Crystal Lake) joins Bob to talk about the House Violence Prevention Task Force and also House Bill 2701, The Ultrasound Opportunity Act. Segment IV: Illinois Citizens for Life lobbyist Ralph Rivera discusses House Bill 4013 which would allow taxpayer money to pay for the elective abortions in state employees' health insurance plans and the state's Medicaid program.

Host: Bob Giligan. Segment I: Conversation with Archbishop Cupich. Segment II: Fr. Dan Brandt, chaplain for the Chicago Police Department. Segment III: Sr. Carol Keehan, president and CEO of the Catholic Health Association of the United States. Segment IV: State Senator Julie Morrison (D) from Springfield talks about Senate Bill 43 regarding human trafficking.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Ron Jackson talks about Paul Ryan's proposal to consolidate several federal programs into block grants to the states. Segment II: Sr. Rose Mary Meyer discusses Project Irene and human trafficking. Segment III: Erendira Rendon covers upcoming informational sessions on President Obama's executive action on immigration. Segment IV: Sr. Lakshmie Napagoda talks about her organization which helps mothers and children of domestic violence break the cycle.

Host: Bob Gilligan: Segment I: Claire Halbur from the Joliet diocese joins Bob in the studio to talk about her experience on Lifetime's "The Sisterhood: Becoming Nuns." Segment II: Elizabeth Fenner, editor-in-chief of Chicago Magazine, talks about a just-published article about the decrease of Catholics in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Segment III: Emily Zender and Mary Hallan-FioRito talk about the upcoming March for Life Chicago on Sunday, January 18 and an Aid for Women event that morning at the Union League Club.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Dr. Miguel Diaz of Loyola University joins Bob to talk about President Obama's executive action regarding immigration. Segment II: Randi Belisomo discusses the importance of having key discussions with loved ones about end-of-life decisions. Segment III: Zach Wichmann gives and update about the first week of the fall legislative veto session.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Kim Daniels attended the Synod in Rome and offers her perspective. Segment II: Mary Hallan-Fiorito offers a look at the accomplishments of Cardinal George as he approaches retirement. Segment III: Brian Burch talks about his new book, "The American Catholic Almanac". Segment IV: Bob offers some thought on the upcoming November 4th election.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Scott Hibbard talks about ISIS and religious persecution in Iraq and Syria. Segment II: Kellie Fiedorek discusses the possibility of the U.S. Supreme Court taking up same-sex marriage this coming term. Segment III: Mary Lou Gervacio talks about President Barack Obama's decision to defer any executive action on immigration until after the November 4th election.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Bill O'Keefe tells us about what Catholic Relief Services is doing to help embattled Christians in Iraq. Segment II: University of Notre Dame professors Nicole Garnett and Margaret (Peg) Brinig discuss their new book, "Lost Classrom, Lost Community: Catholic Schools' Importance in Urban America." Segment III: Sheila Liaugminas talks about her new book, "Non-Negotiable: Essential Principles of a Just Society and Humane Culture".

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Pastor Cory Brooks of New Beginnings Church talks about taking on violence in the city. Segment II: Dawn Fitzpatrick discusses her path to becoming the new Respect Life Director for the Archdiocese of Chicago. Segment III: Ashley Collinstalks about #ProjectCST. Segment IV: Ashley Feasley discusses the "unaccompanied minors" crisis.

Host: Bob Gilligan. Segment I: Bishop Thomas Paprocki talks about the third annual Fortnight for Freedom. Segment II: Jim Geoly talks with Bob about the upcoming Supreme Court ruling on the Hobby Lobby case. Segmetn III: Sate Senator Matt Murphy joins Bob to talk about the plethora of advisory referenda slated for the Nov. 4 general election.