Bridge Builder Podcast

In this episode, we are joined by Montse Alvarado, the Vice President and Executive Director of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty. In addition to her work at the Becket Fund, Alvarado is also a lay consultant to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Religious Liberty Committee.

We discuss the need and importance of religious liberty for all, as well as the work of the Becket Fund. Becket has helped secure religious liberty victories against the contraceptive mandate, protect the rights of churches to choose their leaders, and safeguard the free speech of crisis pregnancy centers and religious groups on campus.

In the mailbag segment, we discuss a question around defining the term “systemic racism”.

Finally, in our brick layer segment, it's Religious Freedom week. We discuss where you can learn more about current Supreme Court cases regarding religious liberty. These cases include the Little Sisters of the Poor and their fight against the contraceptive mandate, as well as the Supreme Court’s Blaine Amendment case and its impact on Catholic Education.

Additional resources mentioned in the episode: https://www.becketlaw.org/ , http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/index.cfm

In this episode, we are joined by Fr. Tom Knoblach, a health care ethicist from the Diocese of St. Cloud. We discuss COVID-19 and the impacts of a pandemic on health care ethics.

Fr. Tom Knoblach has served many parishes across the St. Cloud diocese in addition to having his P.h. D. in healthcare ethics. Fr. Knoblach serves as a consultant for healthcare ethics for the St. Cloud diocese and serves on several committees and boards on issues related to theology and ethics including the Minnesota Catholic Conference’s Life, Family, Health Care Committee.

In our mailbag segment, we discuss a question about government funding of private education.

Also, in our brick layer segment, we discuss resources you can use to start to change how you engage with others in discussions leading up to the presidential election this fall.

Additional resources mentioned in this episode: www.CivilizeIt.org

www.MNCatholic.org/HealthCareDirective

In today’s episode, we’re talking about the legalization of recreational marijuana both nationally and the efforts being made right here in Minnesota and the many concerns surrounding its legalization.

We speak with Dr. Kevin Sabet is a veteran drug policy advisor, having served in the Clinton, Bush, and Obama White House Administrations. He founded Smart Approaches to Marijuana in 2013, alongside former Congressman Patrick Kennedy and Republican pundit David Frum. His book, "Reefer Sanity: Seven Great Myths About Marijuana", was published by Beaufort (Midpoint) in 2013, and was released in its second edition at the end of 2017. He is also the co-editor of Marijuana and Contemporary Health, published by Oxford University Press.

In our mailbag segment, we dive into a question about “the common good”. It’s a term often used and perhaps just as often it is misunderstood.

And stick around for the bricklayer segment, we discuss how you can make your voice heard both in gratitude and in defense of religious freedom.

In today’s episode, we speak today with Terry Forliti, CEO of Breaking Free an organization that helps hundreds of women escape systems of prostitution and sexual exploitation. Breaking Free directly serves people impacted by trafficking and prostitution through advocacy, housing, education, and immediate action.

In our mailbag segment, we’re covering a question about a recent phone call between Catholic educational leaders and President Trump.

In the bricklayer segment, we discuss how you can connect your faith with public life during the month of May, which is traditionally known as Mary’s month.

In today’s episode, we speak with Sr. Helen Prejean, known around the world for her tireless work against the death penalty. Sr. Helen Prejean has been instrumental in sparking national dialogue on capital punishment.

She is a Sister of St. Joseph and the force behind the organization “Ministry Against the Death Penalty”. Many of our listeners will be familiar with her book, which was later turned into a movie, “Dead Man Walking: An Eyewitness Account of the Death Penalty in the United States”.

In our mailbag segment, we’re covering a question about an abortion lawsuit in Minnesota.

And stick around for the bricklayer segment for details on resources from Pope Francis that can help you mark the 5th Anniversary of Laudato si’ his letter on caring for our common home.

In today’s episode, we discuss assisted suicide and how the COVID-19 pandemic is shedding new light on the way patients are treated. We speak with Matt Vallière the Executive Director of the Patients' Rights Action Fund whose mission is to protect patients’ civil rights and oppose efforts to make suicide a legal medical treatment option. Matt is also an emergency medical services first responder. His recent op-ed in Newsweek points out the need for federal triage protocols that ethically and legally ensure equal access to care.

In our mailbag segment, we are discussing the ethics of vaccines and the call for creating a COVID-19 vaccine that is free from ties to abortion.

In the bricklayer segment, we look at how you can help ensure every Minnesotan receives real care throughout life’s journey by joining the Minnesota Alliance for Ethical Healthcare.

Further resources:

Newsweek article: https://www.newsweek.com/we-urgently-need-federal-triage-protocols-that-ethically-legally-ensure-equal-access-care-1498163

www.EthicalCareMN.org

www.PatientsRightsAction.org

Action Alert to Develop an Ethical COVID-19 Vaccine: https://www.votervoice.net/USCCB/Campaigns/73486/Respond

In today’s episode, we continue our Catholics at the Capitol segment. Today we are featuring Santo Cruz Vice President of Government and Community Relations & Associate General Counsel at CentraCare Health. We discuss the role of the Catholic faith in health care and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on caring for those in need.

In our mailbag segment, we’re covering a question about making end-of-life health care decisions.

And stick around for the bricklayer segment we have details on a great distance learning opportunity for middle and high school students that will teach them how to become effective advocates for life and dignity.

Further resources:

Lessons in Advocacy: Students Standing for Life and Dignity - www.MNCatholic.org/LessonsInAdvocacy

In today’s episode, we’re discussing how COVID-19 is impacting Catholic schools and what is being done to help at the national and state levels.

In our mailbag segment, we’re covering a question about COVID relief efforts that may be well-intentioned but could negatively impact students attending non-public schools.

And stick around for the bricklayer segment for details on how you can join with others nationwide to pray for our elected leaders.

Further resources:

National Day of Prayer action alert - www.MNCatholic.org/actioncenter

In today’s episode, we continue our Catholics at the Capitol segment. Today, we are featuring Emily Piper who has worked both within the Capitol and is now an advocate for individuals, families, and communities affected by substance abuse. Emily is the Executive Director of Government Relations & Contracting at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation which provides hope and healing for individuals, families, and communities affected by addiction to alcohol and other drugs.

In our mailbag segment, we’re covering a question about financial assistance for Minnesota’s poorest families in this time of economic uncertainty brought on by the coronavirus.

In the bricklayer segment, we examine how to remain connected with your legislators in a time when in-person meetings cannot happen.

In today’s episode, we’re discussing the economics of justice and charity through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching and what that looks like for bringing our faith into the public arena.

We are joined by Thomas Storck a prolific writer on Catholic Social Teaching, Catholic culture, and a variety of theological and philosophical topics. He has authored three books, The Catholic Milieu, Foundations of a Catholic Political Order, and Christendom and the West. He has also taught history and philosophy at the college level and holds degrees in English literature, history, and economics.

In our mailbag, we answer a question regarding a bill that would provide funding for school safety and specifically counseling for students.

In our bricklayer segment, we have details on a couple of events at the Capitol to train Catholics to be advocates and pray for our elected leaders.

***Note that this episode was recorded before the COVID-19 outbreak. Events may have changed or been canceled.***