Kresta in the Afternoon

The question of gender identity is divisive, controversial and often painful. How should parents respond to sons and daughters desiring to change their gender? Will the Church remain free to teach that we are created Male and Female? What do the sciences say? We’ll explore these questions and more at our annual Familiaris Consortio conference on March 2. Keynote speaker Dr. Paul Hruz and host Joe Jordano have more.

In today’s Gospel, Christ tells us to anoint our head and wash our face when fasting, so that only the Father knows what we are doing. Does this contradict the act of putting ashes on our head? Al discusses this and much more in a special Ash Wednesday commentary.

Before they became Catholic, Dr Dave Anders and his wife had just one thing in common – their contempt for eachother. Today they are extremely happy together – thanks to their embrace of the Church’s teachings. Dave joins us with the story of how the Church saved his marriage – and possibly even his life.

The Book of Leviticus isn’t exactly the most exciting book in the Bible, and it’s one we often find ourselves skimming through or skipping altogether. But it’s in these verses that we find crucial details for the construction and use of the Tabernacle, which in turn deepens our understanding of the Gospel. Gary Anderson joins us with more.

Robin DiAngelo, author of the bestselling White Fragility, recently commented that Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel is a perfect example of the concept of white supremacy, because everyone featured in the Creation of Adam is white. Seeing racism ingrained in a classic work of art is the kind of accusation that results from a belief that all our relationships are governed by who is – or is not – in power. Al responds.

Most people are familiar with John Paul II’s iconic visits to Poland before the fall of the Soviet Union, when he stood as a powerful friend and ally for human rights. But not everyone know about his later visits, when he warned about the allure of shallow materialism and secular human values and reminded the now-free people that true freedom was a task and responsibility. What would JPII have to say to Poland today? We talk with John Sikorski.

Lent is upon us once again. How can we help our kids understand the meaning of this liturgical season? Karen McClelland has lots of ideas for activities and books to help your kids grow in their faith and prepare for Christ’s sacrifice and Resurrection. She joins us.

When, as Christians, we’re asked for the source of one of our beliefs, we often point to the Scriptures. But how do we know this source is reliable? Lydia McGrew joins us with simple, yet concrete answers to the age-old question “Why should I believe what the Bible says about the life and teachings of Jesus?”

When we talk with listeners, one concern rises about the rest: how they can help their kids and grandkids keep the faith into adulthood. The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate has just concluded the Future Families Project, which analyzes data from Catholic adults to see what was different about the faith environment in which they were raised. Dr Greg Popcak joins us with more.

We are in the midst of National Marriage Week, with World Marriage Day being celebrated yesterday. Jason Negri and his wife Samantha have launched a new marriage ministry at Holy Spirit in Brighton and will be welcoming Mike and Alicia Hernon to speak on March 9. All married couples in the area are welcome, and Jason joins us with more.