George Floyd’s autopsy report indicated that he was positive for COVID-19. Prof. Craig Ford and Chanelle Robinson reflect on the intersecting issues of race, police subjugation and the pandemic his murder raises in light of resources from Catholic social teaching and scripture. They highlight the relevance of Catholic commitments to the dignity of work, a preferential option for the poor, and solidarity for the shared challenges we face today, offering practical suggestions for listeners and signs of hope alike.

Karen Kiefer and Dan Cellucci (CEO for The Catholic Leadership Institute) discuss the future of the Catholic parish by unpacking trends and talking about generational and cultural shifts. They address declining vocations, leadership and the increase in multi-cultural parishes and share examples of creative ministry in the backdrop of the Pandemic. Dan also shares what makes a parish effective by highlighting some parishes ‘make-overs’  and presents opportunities and projects that are out there for parishes to take advantage of in the future. For those working or participation in parish life, this is a must-listen!

In this series we are speaking to young Catholic innovators who are taking up the mission of revitalizing the Church. These twenty and thirty-something men and women have identified challenges that the Church is facing and have devised creative, forward-thinking solutions that are bringing vitality and energy to the Faith. At a time when many young people are questioning their commitment to institutional religion, these young folks are working hard to ensure that the Church is stronger than ever for future generations.

Our guests are twin brothers, Marcellino and Anthony D’Ambrosio. Both brothers come from a youth ministry background, but after seeing the need for creative revival in the Church, they founded Sherwood Fellows, a creative agency dedicated to Catholic renewal, and Catholic Creatives, a movement of Catholic designers, filmmakers, photographers, creative thinkers, artists, entrepreneurs, and others working to bring the gospel to the world in fresh, and beautiful ways.

In this series we are speaking to young Catholic innovators who are taking up the mission of revitalizing the Church. These twenty and thirty-something men and women have identified challenges that the Church is facing and have devised creative, forward-thinking solutions that are bringing vitality and energy to the Faith. At a time when many young people are questioning their commitment to institutional religion, these young folks are working hard to ensure that the Church is stronger than ever for future generations.

Our guest today is Molly Burhans, at 30 years old Molly is one of the leading women innovators in the Catholic Church and in the environmental movement at large. She is the founder of an organization called “Goodlands” which aims to help Catholic communities around the world use their properties for good. Molly was recently named one of the united Nations young champions of the earth she was the only person selected from North America, and the only winner to represent a religious organization.

Our guest today is Gretchen Crowe.  Gretchen is the editor-in-chief of Our Sunday Visitor Newsweekly, which is the only weekly Catholic newspaper in the United States. In addition to planning and editing the print publication, Gretchen oversees all digital content on OSVNews.com and Our Sunday Visitor’s social media platforms and is a member of the Catholic Press Association.  In 2015, Gretchen got a big surprise while reporting on Pope Francis’ trip - her husband proposed to her at the end of the canonization Mass for St. Junipero Serra.  Gretchen and her husband Michael have one child and one on the way.

In 2017, Gretchen wrote her first book, Why the Rosary? Why Now? published by Our Sunday Visitor.  Her second book, available this October, is a devotional called, “Praying the Rosary with St. John Paul II.” If anyone can speak to the power of praying the Rosary this Lent, it’s our guest today.

Karen Kiefer reflects on how desperately our world needs God's message of love and mercy made present in the Christ Child. 

Karen Kiefer reflects on Mary's "yes" to God and on Fr. J. Donald Monan, S.J., who said "yes" to God by accepting the presidency of Boston College in 1972.