Bridge Builder Podcast

In vitro fertilization and the ethical dilemma created when life is created and then discarded or kept in a frozen state not allowing the child to continue growing past an embryonic state. We discuss these issues with Laura Elm, founder of Sacred Heart Guardians and Shelter. She also gives some great practical ways that we can make a difference for families facing infertility, and for embryonic children who are kept from reaching their fullest potential.

In our mailbag segment, we answer a question about upcoming primaries and caucuses.

Plus in our bricklayer segment, we’ve got details on how you can start to shape the future of political parties with a simple proposal.

This week's episode starts with a very special interview with a woman who, spurred by her passion for educational opportunity, inspired families, filmmakers, and lawmakers to make positive changes to the education system.

Virginia Walden Ford is one of America’s leading advocates for parent empowerment. As a student, a mother, an advocate, and a grandmother, Virginia has spent her life fighting to create new educational opportunities for children and families.

A native of Little Rock, Arkansas and the daughter of two public school educators, Virginia and her twin sister, Harrietta, were among the first 130 students chosen to desegregate Little Rock’s high schools in the mid-1960s.

In our mailbag segment, we discuss charter schools and how they function and provide parents one more option for their children's education.

In our bricklayer segment, we discuss how you can get involved with National School Choice Week, and catch the film Miss Virginia based on Ms. Ford's true story.

Links to resources mentioned in the podcast:

Virginia's book, "School Choice: A Legacy to Keep" and film "Miss Virginia" are available through her website: https://www.virginiawaldenford.com/

Opportunity for All Kids, an education advocacy partner of the Minnesota Catholic Conference: www.OakMN.org

Registration for "Miss Virginia" film-screening: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/movie-screening-miss-virginia-starring-uzo-aduba-tickets-89660983415?ref=estw

Minnesota's National School Week Events: https://schoolchoiceweek.com/states/minnesota/

In today’s episode, we discuss immigration, pornography, human trafficking and how you can make a difference on these issues.

National Migration Week, wrapped up January 11th, and is an opportunity for the Church to reflect on the circumstances confronting migrants, including immigrants, refugees, children, and victims and survivors of human trafficking. January is also human trafficking awareness month.

In our interview segment, we speak with Sarah Hoff, the national coordinator of the USCCB's Catholic Accompaniment and Reflection Experience (CARE). The program is run by the USCCB’s Justice for Immigrants and Migration Services offices.

In our mailbag segment, we answer a question about trying to control or even ban pornography through passing legislation.

Plus, in the bricklayer segment, we discuss a number of ways you can take action to fight against human trafficking and assist victims and survivors.

Religion and politics - the two topics you're not supposed to bring up at the dinner table, right? As Catholics, we know that in reality, it is our faith that is supposed to form our consciences and thereby inform our politics. So, in a society that is less and less religious and more and more polarized, how can we go about sharing our faith and talk about politics without causing division? How can we help put civility back in civil discourse?

To help Catholics across the country answer these questions and truly engage in civil discourse, the USCCB has launched a new campaign called, “Civilize It”.

Emily Schumacher-Novak the assistant director of education and outreach at the USCCB who helped manage much of the content creation for the Civilize It campaign explains what this campaign is all about.

Then in our mailbag segment, we answer a question of how to respond with and model civility when our elected leaders and those running for elected office fail to do so.

In the bricklayer segment, this week's practical tip for becoming a disciple in the public arena: how you can help welcome those who are newcomers to our neighborhoods whether as migrants or as refugees.

Thousands upon thousands of pro-lifers are preparing for the March for Life 2020 to make their presence known and voices heard in defense of the unborn and their mothers. The 47th annual March for Life in Washington, DC takes place on January 24th.

This year’s theme, “Life Empowers: Pro-Life is Pro-Woman” carries a special historic moment with it. 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment of the Constitution which guarantees women the right to vote. The movement to pass the 19th Amendment was led by women suffragists, considered the early pioneers of the feminist movement, who understood that abortion ends a life and harms women.

To delve into the details of this year’s March and today’s pro-life movement we speak with Jeanne Mancini, President of the March for Life.

Then in our mailbag segment, we answer questions regarding end-of-life care decisions and POLST forms that many doctors ask patients to fill out.

We wrap up the show with our bricklayer segment, giving you practical tips on how to begin building bridges between faith and politics one brick at a time. This week we discuss how to get involved with a local March for Life.

Useful Links:

Minnesota's March for Life: https://www.mccl.org/march

Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis March for Life registration: https://www.archspm.org/marchforlife/

Catholic Healthcare Directives & End-of-Life Care Decisions Guide: www.MNCatholic.org/healthcaredirective

Response to MMA revisions of the Provider Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form: https://www.mncatholic.org/response-mma-revisions-provider-orders-life-sustaining-treatment-polst-form/

A Pastoral Statement on Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST): https://www.mncatholic.org/stewards-of-the-gift-of-life/

Guidance for completing the POLST form: https://www.mncatholic.org/guidance-completing-polst-form/

We get a great perspective from a Catholic who has worked for years inside the Capitol. Kevin Matzek now works in government relations but was most recently the Executive Director of the Senate Republican Caucus. We delve into what it takes to keep our government running.

In our mailbag segment, we answer questions about "Minnesota, Our Common Home" the newly released teaching resource from the MN Catholic Conference which helps put Pope Francis' encyclical into a local context. We also discuss the newly published ecological examen and the purpose of an examen. You can order copies of "Minnesota, Our Common Home: Study Guide Version" and the "Ecological Examen" by going to www.MNCatholic.org/OurCommonHome.

In our bricklayer segment, we let listeners know how they can get involved with the Catholic Advocacy Network to stay informed on all that is happening during the legislative session and take action. To sign up visit www.MNCatholic.org/ActionCenter.

In this week's episode, we delve into the ethics of care for the environment, and the Catholic response to climate concerns and calls for population control.

Then in the mailbag segment, we discuss questions regarding the removal of historical monuments.

In the Bricklayer segment, we highlight a great new resource, the "Minnesota, Our Common Home: Ecological Examen" for examining your own practices with regard to caring for creation. You can order your own copies of the Examen by visiting www.MNCatholic.org/OurCommonHome

As Americans, we’re all familiar with the phrases, “One nation under God” in our pledge of allegiance to the flag. Or, the phrase “In God We Trust” on the back of our money. But these phrases are often under attack and many people raise the question of whether the United States had a Christian founding.

We discuss that question with Dr. Mark Hall. He is a Herbert Hoover Distinguished Professor of Politics at George Fox University in Newburg, Oregon.

In our mailbag segment, we examine questions surrounding the Church's teaching on immigration and finding solutions to the broken immigration system in America.

In our bricklayer segment, how you can help spread the Good News of Christ as the reason for the season of Christmas.

In this episode, we discuss with Dr. Thomas Hibbs, president of the University of Dallas, the role of Catholic education in shaping civil discourse.

In our mailbag segment, we discuss the Church's response as it relates to the student debt crisis. We mention the Labouré Society, which exists to provide financial assistance and spiritual support to individuals who must resolve education loans in order to pursue a vocation to the priesthood and/or religious life in the Catholic Church. Find more details by visiting: https://rescuevocations.org/about/

In our bricklayer segment, we discuss the USCCB's "Civilize It" Pledge you can take as we enter into a presidential election year. Visit: www.CivilizeIt.org

We live in a fallen world that must deal with the effect that sin has on creating social problems. Because of the interconnectedness of humanity one person’s decision or sin can have ripple effects on the rest of society. These so-called “social-sins” can be reinforced by social structures or systems that reinforce decisions contrary to God’s will and lead to on-going social problems.

To discuss this concept of "structures of sin" we speak with Dr. David Cloutier an associate professor of theology at the Catholic University of America in the School of Theology and Religious Studies. He is the author of four books, including "The Vice of Luxury: Economic Excess in a Consumer Age."

In our mailbag segment, we answer the question of how to approach our elected officials when we disagree with them on an issue especially if their position goes against Church teaching.

In our bricklayer segment, we explore a new resource, the "Minnesota, Our Common Home: Ecological Examen" to help you review your life in light of the teachings of Laudato si. It is recommended as a practice during Lent or Advent to help you overcome temptations and make important changes in your attitudes and actions that will bring your life into greater harmony with God’s will for your life.

You can order copies of the Ecological Examen by visiting www.MNCatholic.org/OurCommonHome