On Catholic Conversations host Stan Ketcik speaks with Dr. Peter Howard about his open letter and campaign to advance Venerable Fulton Sheen’s beatification and canonization. They discuss the approved miracle, the unexpected diocesan delays, and why Sheen’s preaching and daily holy hour are urgently relevant today.

The episode explains how listeners can help—prayer, contacting the Diocese of Peoria, sharing resources—and points to FultonSheenInstitute.com and FultonSheenMovement.com for more information, recordings, and ways to get involved.

Deacon Al Lundy shares the recent loss of his mother-in-law and how her peaceful, faith-filled passing highlighted the Catholic focus on resurrection, hope, and the dignity of dying.

He ties this personal story to the second Sunday of Advent readings (Isaiah, Romans, Matthew), calling listeners to repentance, unity, and bearing good spiritual fruit as they prepare for Christ and make use of the sacraments.

Email your questions to Deacon AL:    [email protected]

Deacon Al reflects on Thanksgiving, family traditions, and the start of Advent, urging listeners to prepare both their homes and hearts for Christ’s coming through worship, repentance, and hope.

Email your questions to Deacon AL:    [email protected]

Deacon Al reflects on the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King through this weekend’s readings from Samuel, Colossians, and Luke, and explains what it means to live under Christ’s rule.

He shares personal moments — a silent retreat, assisting at Cursillo, turning 70, and the funeral of Monsignor Doug Hennessy — drawing connections between grief, joy, and faith.

The episode closes with the gospel scene of the crucifixion and the good thief’s plea, offering a hopeful reminder to place Christ at the center of our lives.

Email your questions to Deacon AL:    [email protected]

Bob Johnston and Lynn examine the apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes, Bernadette’s testimony, the Church’s investigations of miraculous cures, and the ongoing devotion at the grotto.

The episode then explores speculative links between modern physics—particularly M‑theory and hidden dimensions—and reports of near‑death, out‑of‑body experiences to consider scientific frameworks that might help explain apparitions and miracles.

Bob Johnston reads Justin Lee’s "The Death of Halloween" and explores Halloween’s origins in All Saints and All Souls, its links to Samhain, and how commercialization and social change drained the festival of its play, meaning, and communal purpose.

The episode calls Christians to recover a spirit of reverent play and communal memory—reminding listeners why Hallowtide once united the living and the dead and how that sacramental imagination might be restored.

Deacon Al explains how faith requires both God’s grace and our cooperation, using vacation-planning analogies and the readings for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Exodus, 2 Timothy, Luke) to emphasize persistence.

Hear practical encouragement to persevere in prayer, practice obedience, love your neighbor, and make daily choices that prepare you for a deeper relationship with Christ.

Email your questions to Deacon AL:    [email protected]

Bob Johnston and Lynn explore scientific and spiritual perspectives on consciousness, from microtubule and quantum theories to organ-transplant cases, asking whether consciousness is produced by the brain or received from the universe and how this connects to Catholic faith.

They discuss research findings, personal stories, and the implications for identity, the afterlife, and the presence of good and evil in a mysterious, intelligent universe.

Bob Johnston and his wife Lynn discuss recent mass shootings, including the attack at a Catholic parish school, and examine cultural factors the episode links to rising violence—abortion, sexualized youth programming, and debates over gender identity.

The episode explores the idea of spiritual evil influencing society, calls listeners to rely on the sacraments (especially the Eucharist), prayer, and St. Michael’s intercession, and asks for support for Catholic Spirit Radio.

Deacon Al Lundy reflects on faith and preparation this fall — from gardening as a spiritual metaphor to reminders about confession and Advent, plus a station Fall Appeal announcement.

He answers a listener’s question about receiving Communion in the hand versus the mouth, explains the Church’s practice and canon law, and walks through the weekend readings that emphasize gratitude and God’s healing.

Email your questions to Deacon AL:    [email protected]