Kresta in the Afternoon

After a tragedy, it is natural for people to turn to God. And the Catholic community in Uvlade is there to greet them and mourn with them. Fr. Matthew DeLeon of Sacred Heart Parish in Uvalde joins us.

Stephanie Gager has lived in Uvalde, Texas for more than 40 years and her children attended Robb Elementary school. She joins us with a report of how the community is responding to yesterday’s tragedy.

Archbishop Cordileone has been accused of “politicizing” the Eucharist by barring House Speaker Pelosi from receiving Communion. Yesterday, Pelosi told MSNBC that she comes from a pro-life background and “respects” the opinion, but does not respect forcing it on others. What does it mean to live as a Catholic in Public life? Jason Negri joins us.

As Ukrainian Orthodox parishes affiliated with the Orthodox patriarch in Moscow defect to an autonomous Ukrainian Church, an upcoming summit of the Moscow-aligned Ukrainian Orthodox Church may give voice to a growing body of support for a definitive break from Russia. Dan Philpott explains what’s going on.

Nineteen children and two teachers were murdered yesterday at Robb Elementary in Texas by an 18-year-old gunman. Across America, people of all creeds, races, backgrounds and beliefs reacted with horror. And this universal response tells us something about reality. Al discusses.

In the last few centuries, a new focus has been given to the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the work of our redemption. Is she a co-redemptrix, or does this title place her on equal level with Christ? Dr. Robert Fastiggi joins us with a review of how Church leaders have approached the issue.

“This is your cross, and I am not going to take it away from you. I will be with you, and I will help you, but it is yours to carry.” Christy Wilkens heard Jesus speak those words after she prayed for her son Oscar’s healing in her parish adoration chapel one bright September day. Almost a year later she would find herself in Lourdes, France, seeking a miracle. And while her son did improve, that was not the only healing that occurred. She tells the story.

In his book Jesus Christ and the Life of the Mind, Mark Noll examines how the Christianity that was preached by the apostles can supply the motives for guidance and learning. How did the first Christians introduce the concept of Jesus to a mostly polytheistic world? What makes Jesus so unique? Al discusses.

Christ has established the Church on earth and with its rich array of sacraments, prayers and teachings it is fertile ground for profound Christian conversion. But no true conversion is purely spiritual. It must bear fruit in our daily lives. Fr. Robert Spitzer returns with a further look at moral transformation, drawing from everything from the Writings of Ignatius to Modern Psychology.

In one of his letters to early Christians, the apostle Paul wrote, "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone" And in Ephesians 4:15 he instructs us to "speak the Truth in love." But the art of charitable, effective rhetoric has been lost for many Christians. We talk with Dr. Jim Beitler about the work of some of Christianity's greatest communicators and the truths they hold for us today.