Let Me Be Frank | Bishop Frank Caggiano’s Podcast | Diocese of Bridgeport, CT

In this episode of 'Let Me Be Frank,' Bishop Frank Caggiano speaks with Dr. John Bergsma about his journey of faith, the importance of teaching scripture, and the challenges faced by young Catholics today. They discuss the significance of Advent, the role of John the Baptist, and the Virgin Mary in salvation history, emphasizing the need for structure and guidance in the modern world. In this conversation, John and Bishop Frank explore the rich theological and historical context surrounding the figures of the Blessed Mother, St. Joseph, and the Magi. They discuss the royal lineage of Mary, her perpetual virginity, and her significant role in the early Church. St. Joseph's humility and rightful kingship are highlighted, along with the Magi's journey and their recognition of Jesus' divinity. The conversation concludes with practical tips for evangelization during the holiday season, emphasizing the importance of sharing personal faith stories with family and friends.

As the weather cools, Bishop Frank’s thoughts turn to… Thanksgiving. Since Thanksgiving’s my favorite holiday, I am always happy to talk about Thanksgiving. Much of what I’d like to talk about is food, but Bishop Frank gets us back on track by asking, “What are you thankful for?”

Our conversation goes from Thanksgiving to Advent, which begins on December 1st. Many people (including me) don’t use Advent adequately as a time to prepare well for Christmas, so Bishop Caggiano offers us some questions to reflect upon throughout Advent… to prepare us for the three-fold coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

And Bishop also asked me, “Where do you see God’s presence actively in your life?”

Enjoy the podcast or watch us on YouTube!

Also… before we head off for Thanksgiving, we are in the midst of our “Thanks for giving” pledge drive. Veritas Catholic Network is listener-supported, so we rely on your support to keep our work of evangelization going. Please partner with us.

Fr. Dave Tomaszycki joins Let Me Be Frank to discuss the book by Ven. Fulton Sheen he compiled On the Demonic. They discuss the Church's teaching on the demonic, what inordinate fear of the demonic looks like, how the devil is able to influence us and how the Lord is much more powerful and protects us! They also discuss Fulton Sheen's three signs of the demonic, how the demonic has attacked the Church throughout history, the weapons against the demonic, and the importance of the Holy Hour!

Bishop Frank Caggiano discusses the Eucharistic Procession in the northern portion of the Diocese of Bridgeport as well as Pope Francis's newest encyclical Dilexit nos

Bishop Frank Caggiano answers some of YOUR listener questions this week! 

Ralph Martin has spent a lifetime literally following where the Lord has called him to go – from New Jersey to South Bend to California to Ann Arbor… to digging ditches in a monastery, to making a promise of celibacy, to actually selling all of his possessions & giving up his pursuit of a doctorate at Princeton… to joblessness and homelessness, to founding a community in Ann Arbor… to where he is now with Renewal Ministries and Sacred Heart Major Seminary.

It’s all documented in his fascinating new memoir, A Life in the Spirit, which Ralph discusses with Bishop Caggiano on this episode of Let Me Be Frank.

He also talks about “divine appointments”, loving the search for the Truth more than the discovery of the Truth, the phenomenon of scandalously flawed people who have done great work for the Lord, and… the value of Korean TV dramas.

Enjoy!

Teresa has over 40 years of experience in television & radio news, and hosts Catholic Connection at 9am every morning on Veritas and the greater EWTN world.

Teresa & Bishop Frank talk about planting seeds of faith in others… finding God through beauty… the frightening state of media & journalism today… and what actually is “news”?

And Teresa tells Bishop about her favorite shrine in Italy… she would know; she regularly leads pilgrimages throughout the country (she’s even written the book on Italy’s shrines & wonders)!

Pope St John Paul II wrote that hearing the kerygma proclaimed should result in a person being “overwhelmed and brought to the decision to entrust himself to Jesus Christ by faith”. Fr John Riccardo wonders… have you been “overwhelmed” by the Gospel? Have made a decision to “entrust” your whole life to Jesus?

Bishop Frank Caggiano talks to Fr John Riccardo, founder of Acts XXIX & the Rescue Project, on this episode of Let Me Be Frank. This is an incredibly insightful conversation with concrete ideas about how to bring healing and transformation to ourselves and to the organizations/parishes/dioceses we are a part of.

Someone recently asked Bishop Caggiano: “How can I become a faithful witness?”

As he reflected on this in the car on the New Jersey Turnpike, Bishop realized there’s no simple answer. The recipe is like minestrone soup – it has many ingredients!

So on today’s Let Me Be Frank, using the many feast days that kick off the month of October as a guide, is Bishop Caggiano’s minestrone soup of faithfully witnessing to the faith.

Buon appetito!

Tim Carney joins Bishop Caggiano and Steve to discuss his new book, "Family Unfriendly". They discuss some of the pitfalls of modern American culture and how families can create strategic plans to make a more family friendly local culture.