Catholic Apostolate Center Resources

“Loving Our Elderly,” by Braden Lynch. In his blog post, Braden describes the need and responsibility we all have to care for our grandparents, the elderly, sick, and dying in our lives, especially in light of Pope Francis’ establishment of World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. Braden specifically reflects on his grandmother and he growing dependence on her family members and how this was a time for the family to grow in love. He invites us to enter into these moments and draw upon the grace of our Lord and use it to grow in love.

The international World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly was established by Pope Francis in 2021 and is celebrated on the 4th Sunday in July near the liturgical memorial of Sts. Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus and the parents of the Virgin Mary, which is celebrated on July 26th. Some ideas for celebrating grandparents day include: writing a card, calling them on the phone, spending the day with them, share a meal.

Links:

Click here to view the Center’s Pope Francis Portal.
For more information on World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, click here.

Click here to learn about the grandparents of Jesus, Sts. Joachim and Anne.

Contributors:

Braden Lynch is a Summer Associate for the Catholic Apostolate Center. 

Patrick Hyland is a program associate for the Catholic Apostolate Center where he assists with new and existing resources on the Center’s website and contributes to the Center’s marketing and consultancy efforts. 

Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Patrick is a junior at The Catholic University of America pursuing a double major in Operations Management and Theology. On campus, Patrick is involved with the Office of Campus Ministry, planning events and accompanying undergraduate students as a Student Minister. Additionally, Patrick loves music, playing drums for various groups and working as a freelance DJ for weddings and other private events.

Follow us:

• The Catholic Apostolate Center
• The Center's podcast website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify

Blogcasts are produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources and podcasts. Listen to Fr. Frank’s weekly reflections, episodes of On Mission, and recent blogcasts.

Follow us:

• The Catholic Apostolate Center
• The Center's podcast website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify

Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.

In this segment from the Son Rise Morning Show with Sacred Heart Radio, Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. discusses the importance of accompanying couples who experience infertility in Called to the Joy of Love and the possibility of adoption and foster care. The USCCB document Called to the Joy of Love is the national pastoral framework for marriage and family life ministry, which came out in 2021 and is inspired by Pope Francis’ 2016 encyclical Amoris Laetitiaaddressing the pastoral care of families, following the Synods on the Family in 2014 and 2015.

Called to the Joy of Love is meant for the marriage and family life directors in dioceses and is focused on the reality of family life today and how the Church can assist those who are to be married, those who are married, and those who are growing their family. The four pillars of this document are: prayer and relationship with Christ, formation, accompaniment, and advocacy within the public square.

Listen to the first installment in the Called to the Joy of Love miniseries here.

Listen to the second installment here on prayer and relationship with Christ.

Listen to the third installment here on prayerful formation for marriage.

Listen to the fourth installment here on accompaniment through marriage preparation.

Listen to the fifth installment here on accompanying married couples in the early years of marriage.

Listen to the sixth installment here on accompanying married couples through times of crisis.

Listen to the seventh installment about accompanying couples who are separated or divorced

Listen to the eighth installment about accompanying parents as they raise children.

View Catholic Apostolate Center resources on Marriage and Family Life Here.

Read Called to the Joy of Love here.

Read Amoris Laetitia by Pope Francis here.

Follow us:

• The Catholic Apostolate Center
• The Center's podcast website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify

Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.

Follow us:

• The Catholic Apostolate Center
• The Center's podcast website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify

Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.

In this segment from the Son Rise Morning Show with Sacred Heart Radio, Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. discusses the accompaniment of parents as they raise and educate their children in Called to the Joy of Love. The parents are considered the primary educators of the children with the assistance of the godparents from the sacrament of baptism. The education of the children in the Faith needs to begin within the home, day in and day out. The Church’s role is to assist and accompany the parents. The USCCB document Called to the Joy of Love is the national pastoral framework for marriage and family life ministry, which came out in 2021 and is inspired by Pope Francis’ 2016 encyclical Amoris Laetitia addressing the pastoral care of families, following the Synods on the Family in 2014 and 2015.

Called to the Joy of Love is meant for the marriage and family life directors in dioceses and is focused on the reality of family life today and how the Church can assist those who are to be married, those who are married, and those who are growing their family. The four pillars of this document are: prayer and relationship with Christ, formation, accompaniment, and advocacy within the public square.

Listen to the first installment in the Called to the Joy of Love miniseries here.

Listen to the second installment here on prayer and relationship with Christ.

Listen to the third installment here on prayerful formation for marriage.

Listen to the fourth installment here on accompaniment through marriage preparation.

Listen to the fifth installment here on accompanying married couples in the early years of marriage.

Listen to the sixth installment here on accompanying married couples through times of crisis.

Listen to the seventh installment about accompanying couples who are separated or divorced

View Catholic Apostolate Center resources on Marriage and Family Life Here.

Read Called to the Joy of Love here.

Read Amoris Laetitia by Pope Francis here.

Follow us:

• The Catholic Apostolate Center
• The Center's podcast website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify

Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.

Follow us:

• The Catholic Apostolate Center
• The Center's podcast website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify

Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.

This blogcast explores “The Sacred Heart of Jesus: Image of God's Infinite Love," written by Braden Lynch and read by Brian Rhude.

“The Sacred Heart of Jesus: Image of God’s Infinite Love,” by Braden Lynch and read by Brian Rhude. In his blog, Braden reflects on how the image of the Sacred Heart is a perfect reflection of how God loves us infinitely. St. Margaret Mary Alacoque is the patron Saint of devotees to the Sacred Heart. The Church celebrates devotion to the Sacred Heart in the month of June. The Sacred Heart is depicted as a flaming heart shining with divine light, pierced by the lance-wound, encircled by the crown of thorns, surmounted by a cross, and bleeding.

Click here to learn more about your favorite saints including St. Margaret Mary Alacoque.

Click here to listen to the On Mission episode about First Friday Devotions.

Listen to another blogcast by Brian Rhude, Anima Christi.

Braden Lynch:

Braden Lynch is a summer associate for the Catholic Apostolate Center, assisting with various projects for the Center, and with day-to-day operations at our Green Hill facility.

Braden received a Bachelor of Philosophy degree from the Catholic University of America in 2019.

Follow us:

• The Catholic Apostolate Center
• The Center's podcast website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify

Blogcasts are produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources and podcasts. Listen to Fr. Frank’s weekly reflections, episodes of On Mission, and recent blogcasts.

Follow us:

• The Catholic Apostolate Center
• The Center's podcast website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify

Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.

In this segment from the Son Rise Morning Show with Sacred Heart Radio, Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. discusses couples who are separated or divorced in Called to the Joy of Love and the need for the whole community to accompany them. The USCCB document Called to the Joy of Love is the national pastoral framework for marriage and family life ministry, which came out in 2021 and is inspired by Pope Francis’ 2016 encyclical Amoris Laetitia addressing the pastoral care of families, following the Synods on the Family in 2014 and 2015.

Called to the Joy of Love is meant for the marriage and family life directors in dioceses and is focused on the reality of family life today and how the Church can assist those who are to be married, those who are married, and those who are growing their family. The four pillars of this document are: prayer and relationship with Christ, formation, accompaniment, and advocacy within the public square.

Listen to the first installment in the Called to the Joy of Love miniseries here.

Listen to the second installment here on prayer and relationship with Christ.

Listen to the third installment here on prayerful formation for marriage.

Listen to the fourth installment here on accompaniment through marriage preparation.

Listen to the fifth installment here on accompanying married couples in the early years of marriage.

Listen to the sixth installment here on accompanying married couples through times of crisis.

View Catholic Apostolate Center resources on Marriage and Family Life Here.

Read Called to the Joy of Love here.

Read Amoris Laetitia by Pope Francis here.

Follow us:

• The Catholic Apostolate Center
• The Center's podcast website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify

Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.

Follow us:

• The Catholic Apostolate Center
• The Center's podcast website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify

Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.

In this segment from the Son Rise Morning Show, Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. discusses accompaniment of Married Couples in Crisis through each unique situation with both spiritual and professional counseling resources. The USCCB document Called to the Joy of Love is the national pastoral framework for marriage and family life ministry, which came out in 2021 and is inspired by Pope Francis’ 2016 encyclical Amoris Laetitia addressing the pastoral care of families, following the Synods on the Family in 2014 and 2015.

Called to the Joy of Love is meant for the marriage and family life directors in dioceses and is focused on the reality of family life today and how the Church can assist those who are to be married, those who are married, and those who are growing their family. The four pillars of this document are: prayer and relationship with Christ, formation, accompaniment, and advocacy within the public square.

Listen to the first installment in the Called to the Joy of Love miniseries here.

Listen to the second installment here on prayer and relationship with Christ.

Listen to the third installment here on prayerful formation for marriage.

Listen to the fourth installment here on accompaniment through marriage preparation.

Listen to the fifth installment here on accompanying married couples in the early years of marriage.

View Catholic Apostolate Center resources on Marriage and Family Life Here.

Read Called to the Joy of Love here.

Read Amoris Laetitia by Pope Francis here.

Follow us:

• The Catholic Apostolate Center
• The Center's podcast website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify

Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.

Follow us:

• The Catholic Apostolate Center
• The Center's podcast website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify

Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.

This blogcast explores “Summer Reading - Catholic Style," written by ​Tyler Lomnitzer and read by Rachel Dugan Wood. 

“Summer Reading - Catholic Style," written by ​Tyler Lomnitzer. Tyler describes what seven Catholic books he is reading this summer to nourish his soul during his free time.

Tyler Lomnitzer:

​Tyler Lomnitzer is Membership Engagement Manager for the Knights of Columbus. He holds a B.A. in English Literature from The Catholic University of America.

Rachel Dugan Wood:

Rachel Dugan Wood is an Editing Associate for the Catholic Apostolate Center, where she assists with the creation, editing, and updating of content on the Center’s website, as well as collaborating on various Center projects.

Follow us:

• The Catholic Apostolate Center
• The Center's podcast website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify

Blogcasts are produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources and podcasts. Listen to Fr. Frank’s weekly reflections, episodes of On Mission, and recent blogcasts.

Follow us:

• The Catholic Apostolate Center
• The Center's podcast website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify

Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.

In this segment from the Son Rise Morning Show, Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. discusses the need to accompany newly married couples through the early years of marriage and the need to draw upon the graces of the sacrament. The USCCB document Called to the Joy of Love is the national pastoral framework for marriage and family life ministry, which came out in 2021 and is inspired by Pope Francis’ 2016 encyclical Amoris Laetitia addressing the pastoral care of families, following the Synods on the Family in 2014 and 2015.

Called to the Joy of Love is meant for the marriage and family life directors in dioceses and is focused on the reality of family life today and how the Church can assist those who are to be married, those who are married, and those who are growing their family. The four pillars of this document are: prayer and relationship with Christ, formation, accompaniment, and advocacy within the public square.

Listen to the first installment in the Called to the Joy of Love miniseries here.

Listen to the second installment here.

Listen to the third installment here.

Listen to the fourth installment here.

View Catholic Apostolate Center resources on Marriage and Family Life Here.

Read Called to the Joy of Love here.

Read Amoris Laetitia by Pope Francis here.

Follow us:

• The Catholic Apostolate Center
• The Center's podcast website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify

Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.

Follow us:

• The Catholic Apostolate Center
• The Center's podcast website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify

Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.

In this segment from the Son Rise Morning Show, Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. discusses accompaniment through marriage preparation and the importance of formation and education surrounding marriage and family life in the USCCB document Called to the Joy of Love. Called to the Joy of Love is the national pastoral framework for marriage and family life ministry, which came out in 2021 and is inspired by Pope Francis’ 2016 encyclical Amoris Laetitia addressing the pastoral care of families, following the Synods on the Family in 2014 and 2015. 

Called to the Joy of Love is meant for the marriage and family life directors in dioceses and is focused on the reality of family life today and how the Church can assist those who are to be married, those who are married, and those who are growing their family. The four pillars of this document are: prayer and relationship with Christ, formation, accompaniment, and advocacy within the public square.

Listen to the first installment in the Called to the Joy of Love miniseries here.

Listen to the second installment here.

Listen to the third installment here.

View Catholic Apostolate Center resources on Marriage and Family Life Here.

Read Called to the Joy of Love here.

Read Amoris Laetitia by Pope Francis here.

Follow us:

• The Catholic Apostolate Center
• The Center's podcast website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify

Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.

Follow us:

• The Catholic Apostolate Center
• The Center's podcast website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify

Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.

This blogcast explores “Starlight," written by William Clemens and read by Greta David. 

"Starlight,” by William Clemens.

Author:

William Clemens is an Undergraduate Student of Theology & Religious Studies at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

Reader:

Greta grew up in Miami, FL and currently lives in Maryland. In May 2017, Greta completed her B.A. in Theology & Religious Studies from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. In December 2019, Greta completed her M.Ed. in College Student Personnel Administration at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. In addition to her role at the Center, Greta works at Catholic University as the Assistant Director for Campus Events in the Office of Campus Activities.

Follow us:

• The Catholic Apostolate Center
• The Center's podcast website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify

Follow us:

• The Catholic Apostolate Center
• The Center's podcast website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify

Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.