Bridge Builder Podcast

Today we’re talking about gender identity and the impacts this ideology is having in our society. We’ll be speaking with a great Minnesota Catholic advocate on this issue, Emily Zinos, who works with the coalition Hands Across the Aisle.

Then in our Classic Catholic Social Teaching segment, we’re discussing Christifidelis Laici – which translates as “The lay members of Christ’s Faithful People”. In this 1988 letter Pope St. John Paul II writes on the laity’s vocation and mission in the Church after the Second Vatican Council.

Then in the Bricklayer segment, we discuss a great tool that you can use to find out where various bills are at in the legislative process, and how, through this tool, you can directly contact your legislators to tell them why you want them to support or oppose a specific bill.

In this episode of the Bridge Builder Podcast, we learn about some of the legislative priorities of the US Bishops. We speak with Lauren McCormack of the USCCB’s office of government relations.

In our Classic Catholic Social Teaching segment, we examine Pope St. John Paul II’s very first encyclical, "Redemptor Hominis" – Redeemer of Man - written at the start of his pontificate in 1979 in which he speaks of the road to Christian Unity, the Mystery of Redemption, and how this looks in the modern world.

Then in our bricklayer segment, you'll hear how you can learn about and track the progress of bills that are being put in front of your legislators.

We speak with a Minnesota woman, Lisa Kremer, who as a lay-Catholic has answered the call to advocate for our immigrant neighbors by creating the organization “Familias Juntas” or “Families Together.”

In our Classic Catholic Social Teaching segment, we’re discussing the encyclical Pope Pius XI wrote in 1937 to the Bishops in Germany concerning the Church and the Third Reich.

Then in our bricklayer segment, Rachel gives us practical tips for living out faithful citizenship both with the other Catholics in our own communities and with our elected officials.

In this episode, we’re talking with a great woman of the Catholic faith who is a great witness in the pro-life movement, Gloria Purvis. You may also recognize her voice from EWTN’s Morning Glory radio program or as the Emcee from our own Catholics at the Capitol event in 2017 & 2019.

In our Classic Catholic Social Teaching segment, we’re going to look at a very recently published document, Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love – A Pastoral Letter Against Racism was developed by the Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

You can find that full document here: http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/racism/upload/open-wide-our-hearts.pdf

Environmental policy, integral ecology, and how the environment and evangelization work together. We speak with Ricardo Simmonds, the founder of the Catholic non-profit “Creatio” out of the Archdiocese of Denver, which integrates the environment and evangelization.

In our Classic Catholic Social Teaching segment, we discuss Pope Paul VI’s letter, “Credo of the People of God” which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The credo, or creed, we say it at Mass every Sunday, but Pope Paul’s VI’s apostolic letter provides us with great substance to what it is that we are proclaiming as believers.

Then in our bricklayer segment, we discuss how you can incorporate the principles of Catholic Social Teaching into living out faithful citizenship.

In today’s podcast, we’re talking with George Weigel a Catholic theologian and one of America’s leading public intellectuals. We’ll be discussing his recent book “The fragility of order” (Published by Ignatius Press)and some of the disorder we see in today’s world especially amid much of our current political upheaval.

In our Classic Catholic Social Teaching segment, we’re discussing Ecclesia in America a letter from Pope John Paul II to bishops, priests, deacons, men and women religious, and all lay Catholics. This letter focuses on the encounter with the living Jesus Christ, the way to conversion, and communion and solidarity in America.

Then in our Bricklayer segment, we talk about a "citizenship hour" and the ways you can bring your faith into public life for even just one hour per week.

Links to further information:

The fragility of order: https://www.ignatius.com/The-Fragility-of-Order-P2801.aspx

Ecclesia in America: http://w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_jp-ii_exh_22011999_ecclesia-in-america.html

Find your newly-elected Minnesota legislators: https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/hmem.asp#mem_elect

We speak with author Leah Libresco about her new book, Building The Benedict Option, and the practical ways that you can begin living out a life of intentional discipleship.

Then, in our Classic Catholic Social Teaching segment, we continue the discussion on the Benedict Option by examining Pope Benedict XVI's address to representatives of the World of Culture in France 10 years ago. In that address, he discussed the ways in which culture is formed first by people who are seeking God above all else.

Finally, now that the election has passed, we look at practical ways that you can begin building relationships with your newly elected officials.

We round out the episode with sacred music from the National Catholic Youth Choir at St. John's University in Collegeville. They perform the Hymn to St. Cecilia In honor of her feast day on November 22nd.

Useful links:

Order "Building the Benedict Option": https://www.ignatius.com/Building-the-Benedict-Option-P2963.aspx

Pope Benedict's Address:

http://w2.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/speeches/2008/september/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20080912_parigi-cultura.html

FInd your new members-elect in the Minnesota legislature: https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/leginfo/18mem_elect.pdf

In today’s podcast, we’re talking about the ways that abortion advocates in western cultures are imposing their beliefs on the pro-life culture of Africans. We’ll speak with the author of “Target Africa”, Obianuju Ekeocha, about this concept of ideological colonization.

Then in our Classic Catholic Social Teaching segment, we take a deep dive into the papal document “Populorum Progressio” the encyclical from Pope Paul VI on the development of peoples.

We’ll also be providing you with practical tips on how to put your faith into action.

In today’s podcast we’re talking about the connection between declining family stability and the increasing stronghold of secularism in society. Mary Eberstadt of the Faith and Reason Institute joins us for that conversation.

In our Classic Catholic Social Teaching segment we’re discussing Blessed Archbishop Oscar Romero’s final homily which he finished just moments before being fatally shot in El Salvador on March 24th, 1980. Pope Francis will canonize Archbishop Romero on October 14th.

And, we’re getting close to election day so we’re going to talk about what voters can do to get to know their candidates and how to help your neighbors get to know the candidates as well.

And we finish out with a bit of sacred music from the Gregorian Chant Schola of Saint John’s Abbey and University performing “Vivo autem ego”- “I still Live” in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi whose feast day is October 4th.

In this episode of the Bridge Builder podcast it's the 25th anniversary of St. Pope John Paul II's encyclical Veritatis Splendor - The Splendor of Truth. We speak with Dr. Samuel Gregg, director of research at the Acton Institute about the significance and impact of this document in today's society. Plus, Jason and Rachel share the personal effects this document has had in their own faith lives.

Plus, how you can make an impact in your own community ahead of the election. Rachel discusses how you can make your voice heard on issues that matter in your own neighborhood.

We round out the podcast with sacred music from the Gregorian Chant Schola of St. John's Abbey and University.