Catholic Chicago

Holy Name Cathedral Rector Fr. Greg Sakowicz gets into the Lenten spirit by talking with two men who are in charge of fish fries at local parishes. Fr. Greg keeps the Lenten theme going by visiting with Brian Brach of the Radio-TV office about Lenten reflections that are available via social media. Marie Jochum and Michael Bare of Catholic Charities visit with Alessandro DiSanto, an active member of Catholic Charities Junior Board and co-founder of Hallow, currently the most popular Catholic app in the nation. Focus on the Liturgy co-hosts Todd Williamson and Timothy Johnston engage in a timely discussion on the theology and spirituality that guide us during Lent. Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi invite Mark Schmeltzer into the studio to discuss Mercy Home for Boys and Girls’ annual March for Kids. And Fr. Greg and Mark talk with Josh Goralski, founder and CEO of Unlocking Communities.

Catholic Conference of Illinois Executive Director Bob Gilligan talks with Bishop David Malloy of the Diocese of Rockford who recently became Chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on International Justice and Peace. Next, Bob visits with Anthony Holter, executive director of Empower Illinois, the scholarship-granting organization in charge of most of the Tax Credit Scholarships granted to students attending Catholic schools throughout the state. Catholic Charities career experts Mitch Siegel and Jacqueline Small join Voice of Charity co-hosts Marie Jochum and Michael Bare to discuss how Catholic Charities assists veterans who are pursuing new job opportunities. On the Way co-hosts Beth White and Jenn Delvaux welcome guests into the studio to talk about their work with Catholic Relief Services. Beth and Jenn also visit with Juan Pablo Padilla and Maria Aranda from the Young Adult Engagement team. And Built on the Rock co-hosts Fr. Britto Berchmans and Sandy Labouvie interview a married couple about faith and family.  

Holy Name Cathedral Rector Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Catholic Schools superintendent Dr. Jim Rigg discuss the upcoming Annual African American heritage prayer service with Shaka Rawls, Dr. Denise Spells and Felicia Horton.  Fr. Greg and Dr. Jim also talk to a nationally recognized teacher from St. Hilary School. 

Voice of Charity co-hosts Marie Jochum and Michael Bare welcome Debra Davis and Toyia Baker into the studio to discuss clothing programs at Catholic Charities.  Clarissa Aljentera sits down with Todd Williamson and Wendy Silhavey to discuss the spiritual journey of RCIA catechumens during Lent.

Fr. Greg and Mark Teresi wrap up the broadcast week with the importance of archives in the parishes, and the 2020 Annual Catholic Appeal.

On today’s program, Ryan Lents and Corinne Woodruff from the Office of Human Dignity and Solidarity welcome Michael Rabbitt to speak about his experience with promoting racial justice in his parish and throughout the archdiocese. He will be presenting “Lynching in America: Confronting the Legacy of Racial Terror” at 7pm on Thursday, February 27 – Click here for more info. He will also be presenting at a screening of the documentary “True Justice: Bryan Stevenson’s Fight for Equality” on Tuesday, March 3 at 6pm – Click here to RSVP. Ryan and Corinne also speak to Krisanne Valliancourt Murphy, the Executive Director of Catholic Mobilizing Network. CMN works to end the use of the death penalty and transform the US. criminal justice system from punitive to restorative. They recently developed a study guide companion to the film “Just Mercy”, which is currently out in theatres nationwide. Access the study guide here.

Holy Name Cathedral Rector Fr. Greg Sakowicz and his Planning and Development Assistant Mark Teresi interview the publisher of ACTA Publications, Greg Pierce.  Fr. Greg and Mark also have the pleasure of speaking with Helen Reichert Lambin, author of “An A-Z Guide to Letting Go." 

Voice of Charity co-hosts Marie Jochum and Michael Bare welcome Jalisa Blue and Nancy Morrison into the studio to discuss Adult Day Care Centers. Ryan Lents and Corinne Woodruff from the Office of Human Dignity and Solidarity talk with Michael Rabbitt about his efforts to promote racial justice in his parish and throughout the archdiocese. On Dare to Love, Sr. Lovina Pammit visits with Sr. Joan McGlinchey, Vicar for Religious for the Archdiocese of Chicago.  And Deacons Richard Hudzik and Dave Brencic visit with Deacon Bob Puhala, the Director of the Institute for Diaconal Studies at St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

Holy Name Cathedral Rector Fr. Greg Sakowicz and his Planning and Development Assistant Mark Teresi interview three guests about Mary Seat of Wisdom in Park Ridge and that parish’s partnership with a priest from Zambia to establish a parish in the harsh wilderness of Africa. Voice of Charity co-hosts Marie Jochum and Michael Bare visit with Lakisha Dykes and Mary Johnson, two members of the Catholic Charities Mobile Outreach Program. And Catholic Chicago host Mark Teresi talks with Chicago Catholic Schools Superintendent Dr. Jim Rigg and Big Shoulders Fund CEO Josh Hale about an historic agreement that will help ensure the continuing mission of 30 schools for the next ten years.

Catholic Conference of Illinois Executive Director Bob Gilligan talks with Jill Rauh from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops about an initiative for the 2020 election year. Bob Gilligan also interviews State Representative La Shawn Ford about a bill that would limit the use of solitary confinement in state prisons. Voice of Charity co-hosts Marie Jochum and Michael Bare and their guests discuss how Catholic Charities benefits from the First Look for Charity preview night at the Chicago Auto Show. Focus on the Liturgy co-hosts Timothy Johnston and Todd Williamson explore the Introductory Rites of the Catholic Mass. And Catholic Chicago host Mark Teresi visits with Patrice Touhy and Phil Loftus about their efforts to promote vocations.

Dr. Jim Rigg and Mark Teresi celebrated Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy and Fenwick High School on Catholic Schools Today.  The Voice of Charity program welcomed a couple of “lobby heroes” who talked about the importance of the first point of contact for the clients, visitors, employees and volunteers who walk through the doors at Catholic Charities.  The Office for Evangelization and Missionary Discipleship discussed “discernment” and reaching non-Catholics who enter our parishes and our lives.  Megan Mio of the Missions Office talked to Deacon Michael Neba from Cameroon on Mission Matters Live.

Voice of Charity co-hosts Michael Bare and Noreen Russo welcome guests into the studio to discuss the importance of D’Vine Affair to the Catholic Charities Self-Sufficiency Programs. Clarissa Aljentera, Senior Coordinator of Children’s Ministry for the Archdiocese of Chicago, visits with Eric Wandrey, Senior Coordinator of Young Adult Engagement, about School of the Spirit. Holy Name Cathedral Rector Fr. Greg Sakowicz and his Planning and Development Assistant Mark Teresi co-host a program that focuses on Christian Unity. Following that conversation, Fr. Greg and Mark visit with Mike O’Loughlin, national correspondent for America Magazine and the host of the new podcast, "Plague: Untold Stories of AIDS and the Catholic Church."

In Catholic Chicago’s annual year-in-review program, Holy Name Cathedral Rector Fr. Greg Sakowicz interviews Dawn Fitzpatrick, Senior Coordinator in the Office of Human Dignity and Solidarity, about upcoming respect-life activities. Fr. Greg talks with the acting Administrator, President and CEO of Catholic Charities, Kathleen Donahue, about helping the needy during the winter months. And Fr. Greg finishes the year-in-review program by visiting with Catholic Schools Superintendent Dr. Jim Rigg and Fr. Jason Malave, the Cardinal’s Delegate for Renew My Church. On Dare to Love, Sr. Lovina Pammit visits with Sister Connie Bock. Finally, Deacons Richard Hudzik and Dave Brencic talk with Deacon Don Maiers about foster care for children.