Catholic Chicago

The May, 2020 broadcast brings spiritual directors Helene Albano and Deacon Jerry Nora to talk with co-hosts Deacons Richard Hudzik and Dave Brencic. The four-way conversation began with thoughts on life during the “shelter-in-place” phenomenon—what signs of hope and life do we see? The discussion then turned to the question of spiritual direction or spiritual companioning. What is it? Who is it for? How do I begin? What does it look like? Is it only for the saintly or the clerics or nuns? Learn how spiritual direction can be an entry point for you to talk with another about how God is active in your life. 

On the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, we celebrate the vocation of religious brothers. Sr. Lovina’s guests Brother John Eustice, CSV and Brother Peter Lamich, CSV talk about their mission and ministries as Clerics of Saint Viator, otherwise known as “Viatorians.” For more information about the Viatorians, visit https://www.viatorians.com/. To find out more about religious brothers, go to: http://religiousbrothers.org/ and to download the guide, click: http://religiousbrothers.org/events/religious-brothers-day/guide/

On today’s program, OHDS Director Ryan Lents speaks to Deacon Tom Lambert, co-chair of the Archdiocesan Commission on Mental Illness, about how COVID-19 is impacting our collective mental health. Visit www.miministry.org for helpful resources. To access counseling virtually, visit Catholic Charities or NAMI Chicago to get connected to a mental health professional.

Next, Ryan, speaks to Old St. Pat’s parishioner Dan Quinn about the ministry of making cloth masks from home in support of healthcare workers, neighbors, and friends. To learn more about this ministry, visit our Virtual Accompaniment Resource page, which includes CDC guidelines/directions for making cloth masks and details about the City of Chicago cloth mask drive taking place through May 16.

Finally, Ryan connects with Luke Sullivan, Arise Chicago’s Religious Organizer, to speak about the vulnerability of workers during COVID-19. Arise Chicago has developed a robust set of resources in English, Spanish, and Polish to help workers know their rights. Arise’s website also includes details on how to support the rights of workers during the crisis.

Conversación con el Diácono Pablo Pérez, director asociado de Kolbe House, ministerio para los encarcelados sobre como han tenido que modificar el ministerio durante esta pandemia. Lectura y reflexión del Evangelio según San Juan 10,1-10, del domingo, 3 de mayo de 2020. Viernes, 1 de mayo de 2020

Fr. Greg Sakowicz interviews Dan Olsen and Sheikh Hassan Aly about the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and overall Catholic-Muslim relations.  

Holy Name Cathedral Rector Fr. Greg Sakowicz and co-host Mark Teresi talk with Fr. John Kartje, Rector/President of Mundelein Seminary/University of Saint Mary of the Lake about the virtual May Crowning thats happening on May 3.  https://usml.edu/event/maycrowning/

Fr. William Grogan the Cardinal's Vicer for Health Care, James Sifuentes Senior Vice President, Mission and Community Development, Saint Anthony Hospital and Katy Donahue, Director of Programs at Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago join our hosts to talk about pandemics, epidemics and the Church.

In our final segment Fr. Wayne Watts of Sts. Joseph and Francis Xavier in Wilmette,  takes some time to talk about his work on the COVID-19 task force for the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Hosts Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi talk to Dr. Edward Gordon, who is an internationally recognized historian, researcher and author.  In today's program Dr. Gordon continues the discussion about the history of the Catholic Church in regards to pandemics and epidemics.

Catholic Charities Office of Latino Affairs continues to expand with positive initiatives that improve the lives of Latino clients in a wide variety of ways. The focus is helping clients with immediate needs and establishing education and professional opportunities for young Latinos as they plan for their future. Join Marie Jochum and Brigid Murphy as they welcome Dr. Cary Rositas-Sheftel, Ph.D, Director of the Office of Latino Affairs to discuss these programs and services that are offered throughout Cook and Lake counties. 

Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi interview Fr. Wayne Watts, Pastor of Sts. Joseph and Francis Xavier in Wilmette.  Fr. Watts is one of the priests in the Archdiocese of Chicago who has been designated to minister to people and families who have been sickened by COVID-19.

Throughout the last two months, Catholic Charities Call Center has received an unprecedented number of calls from people profoundly affected by the pandemic. In this show, Mary Gault, Coordinator in our Family Stabilization Services Department joins co-hosts Marie Jochum and Brigid Murphy to discuss the Call Center activity and the orderly structure that is in place to respond to each call, with assistance as quickly as possible.