Catholic Conference Hour host Bob Gilligan talks with Matt Dietrich with the Illinois State Board of Elections about “vote-by-mail”.  

We hear about how regional food pantries are faring during the Covid-19 pandemic on the Voice of Charity.

And Fr. Britto Berchmans and Sandra Labouvie return from hiatus to discuss how the Covid-19 pandemic has adjusted our priorities on Built on the Rock.

Lectura y reflexión del Evangelio según San Mateo 16, 13-20, del domingo, 23 de agosto de 2020. Viernes, 21 de agosto de 2020

Megan Mio, Coordinator in the Mission Office, talks with the Rt. Rev. Dr. Trevor Alexander, Senior Pastor of True Vine Church and Protestant Chaplain at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX. They discuss two forms of division: the separation of Christian churches and the reality of racism. Bishop Trevor speaks about his ecumenical ministry at the University and his passion for global mission. Noting that racism impacts our faith and daily lives, he also reflects on how to struggle with the sin of racism. 

Sally Blount recently assumed the role of President and CEO of Catholic Charities.  She visited with Marie Jochum and Brigid Murphy on the Voice of Charity radio program.  Two newly appointed bishops were guests on our Catholic Chicago program.  First up was the new bishop of Peoria, Coadjutor Bishop Louis Tylka who talked with Fr. Greg Sakowicz, Rector of Holy Name Cathedral.  Next, Fr. Greg talked with the newly-installed bishop of Belleville, Michael McGovern.  

In recent months, we have found ourselves living through an unfamilair reality that seems to have settled in far longer than any of us could ever have expected. In this episode, hosts Fr. Britto Berchmans and Sandra Labouvie encourage listeners to be intentional about employing some of the positive lessons learnt during this difficult time. Rather than focussing on returning to what we once were, let us return to what we should have been all along.

Fr. Robin Ryan, CP, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago joins host Beth White for this segment.  Fr. Robin, who has taught Christology for years, has developed a book to help readers connect head knowledge of Jesus with heart knowledge. His newest book, “Gazing on His Face: A Christ-Centered Spirituality,” will be available through Paulist Press later this fall. The book starts with reflecting on our friendship with Christ and uses different titles of Christ to help us get to know who Jesus is in Scripture, Tradition, and in our own lives. While waiting for his newest book, you may consider a more dense, but .timely book, “God and the Mystery of Human Suffering: A Theological Conversation Across the Ages” 

We cannot give what we do not have and continuing to grow in our relationship with Jesus is a focus of this show. Joshua Danis joins Beth White for this segment.  Joshua is the National Director of Alpha in the Catholic Context. Josh has written a book, “Living the Fruit of the Spirit: How God’s Grace Can Transform Your World,” out of his experience of having people encounter Jesus. Written prior to the pandemic, this book, which is available through Word Among Us Press, focuses on the ways in which we can grow in the fruits of the spirit so that we can attract and witness to the Gospel with our lives. By reflecting on love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, we can all grow in these fruits throughout our journey. To get your copy of the book visit The Word Among Us.

Catholic Charities recently released updated statistics showing, among other things that our nine food pantries are currently serving an average of 1400 households per week. Join Marie Jochum and Guest Host Brigid Murphy as they welcome Mike Waters and Claudia Andrade to discuss how Catholic Charities regional offices are creatively working with staff, volunteers, parishes and food vendors to ensure that these increased needs are met, while following all COVID-19 safety protocols.  

Lectura y reflexión del Evangelio según San Mateo 15, 21-28, del domingo, 16 de agosto de 2020. Viernes, 14 de agosto de 2020

Host Bob Gilligan speaks with Tony Cube of the USCCB's Justice for Immigrants Campaign, about the federal government's recent changes to DACA after losing an effort to rescind the program following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling.  Following that conversation, Bob talks with  Alex Jones, co-founder and CEO of the Hallow Catholic meditation and prayer app, about the origin of the app and how it just reached the status of #1 Catholic app.