Deacons Pod

Maryknoll Fr. James Kroeger, a longtime missionary and author, speaks with the Paulist Deacon Affiliates in this episode of Deacons Pod.

Fr. Kroeger, who was a missionary in Asia for more than five decades, shares details about his life and ministry, and reflects on the 60th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council.

Ordained a priest in 1975, he is the author of many articles as well as multiple titles from Faith Alive Books including "A Joyful Journey with Pope Francis: Exploring Twelve Pivotal Documents" and "Exploring Vatican II Treasures: Actors, Events, Insights."

His new book is "Living in Joyful Hope: Insights, Models, Challenges."

Maryknoll is the Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America

In this "Year In Review" episode of Deacons Pod, the Paulist Deacon Affiliates comment on the highs and lows of 2025 for them personally and in their ministries.

"Through it all, I have seen the hand of God," reflects Deacon Patrick Ouellette.

The deacons also chat about which of our 2025 episodes and guests resonated with them.

In this special Advent episode of Deacons Pod, the Paulist Deacon Affiliates welcome two guests: Maggi Van Dorn, host and producer of America Media's Hark! podcast, and Shemaiah Gonzalez, author of the new book "Undaunted Joy: The Revolutionary Act of Cultivating Delight."

The deacons speak with Maggi about three of the Christmas carols featured in this Advent's new season of "Hark!," including "Coventry Carol," "Angels We Have Heard on High," and "The First Noel."

Maggi also was a guest on Deacons Pod in December, 2024.

The deacons chat with Shemaiah about the importance of prayer and more. She also shares her Advent poem "Out of Sight."

Bishop Daniel Turley, O.S.A., is our guest on this special episode of Deacons Pod.

Like Pope Leo XIV, he is a Chicago native, a member of the Midwest Augustinians, and served for decades as a missionary in Peru.

In this conversation with the Paulist Deacon Affiliates, Bishop Turley shares memories of Pope Leo and speaks about the pope's gift for listening.

He also provides insights into the Augustinian charism and what it might mean for the Church in the coming years.

Bishop Turley was bishop of the Diocese of Chulucanas in Peru from 2000 to 2020 (and coadjutor bishop from 1996 to 2000). During his time as bishop, he faced death threats after standing in solidarity with people who were endangered by the actions of mining companies.

Bishop Turley returned to Chicago in 2020 and, this year, became rector of the National Shrine of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini in the city's Lincoln Park neighborhood.

How does the Church welcome people and express hospitality?

How does the Church live out Catholic social teaching?

Are our parishes in "maintenance mode" or "mission mode"?

These are some of the important questions that Sr. Donna Ciangio, O.P., discusses with the Paulist Deacon Affiliates in this episode of Deacons Pod.

Sr. Donna has served since 2018 as Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Newark in New Jersey.

One of the Sisters of Saint Dominic of Caldwell, she has extensive experience in the areas of parish vitality and pastoral direction, congregational and leadership development, faith formation, Small Christian Communities, and more.

Sr. Donna previously served with RENEW International.

Colleen Dulle, author of the compelling new book "Struck Down, Not Destroyed: Keeping the Faith as a Vatican Reporter," is our guest on this episode of Deacons Pod hosted by the Paulist Deacon Affiliates.

Colleen is the Vatican correspondent for America Media where she co-hosts the "Inside the Vatican" podcast.

In "Struck Down, Not Destroyed," Colleen shares her personal faith journey and how, at times, her job reporting on the Church has strained that faith. In each chapter, she revisits a recent church crisis and details how, despite feelings of betrayal and hurt, she managed to stay Catholic.

In this episode of Deacons Pod, three of the Paulist Deacon Affiliates take note of some of the things happening in the United States, including the federal government shutdown; the demolition of the White House's East Wing; the banishment of the Pentagon press corps; and more.

They also report on happenings in their own ministries and reflect on some of the topics in our recent episodes.

In this special episode of Deacons Pod, Deacon Patrick Murphy-Racey and Deacon Mark Asselin remember their moms, Sheila Murphy and Julienne Asselin, who both passed away earlier this year.

Deacon Patrick and Deacon Mark share details about their moms' lives and how they each died.

The deacons also reflect on how their faith has sustained them over the past year.

In this thought-provoking episode of Deacons Pod, the Paulist Deacon Affiliates speak with esteemed Catholic speaker and broadcaster Gloria Purvis.

On Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at 6 p.m. Eastern, Gloria will deliver the 2025 Gallagher Talk at the Catholic Information Center, a Paulist Fathers ministry in Grand Rapids, MI, on the topic "The Role of Compassion in a Divided World."

Those interested in the Gallagher Talk may register to attend online or in-person.

The host of "The Gloria Purvis Podcast" from America Media, Gloria recently began a new role at Providence College in Rhode Island as a special advisor for Integral Human Development and Dignity.

She also is a senior fellow at Georgetown University’s Initiative for Catholic Social Thought and Public Life and serves as a board member of Catholic Charities USA.

The Gallagher Talk at the Catholic Information Center in Grand Rapids is named after Paulist Fr. Joseph Gallagher (1923 - 2007).

In this special episode of Deacons Pod, the Paulist Deacon Affiliates discuss "the friendship recession" – the possible change in the way adults today experience and maintain friendships, notably due to workplace changes sparked by the COVID pandemic.

During their conversation, the deacons consider how "the friendship recession" differs between men and women, as well as the role of friendships in the spiritual life and in parish life.

Two recent articles in the secular media inspired this episode. The first was an August 11 column at Fast Company by Mark Crowley called "No one has office friends anymore. Why that’s bad news for employers: How to combat the ‘friendship recession.'"
The second article was a May 25 piece in the New York Times by Sam Graham-Felsen called "Where Have All My Deep Male Friendships Gone?"