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

JD Flynn, co-founder & editor-in-chief of The Pillar, joins Bishop Caggiano to tell the story of the founding of The Pillar, how being a canon lawyer shapes him as a journalist, the need for (and balancing act of) investigative & faithful Catholic journalism, and why we need to be ever-vigilant against the prowling lion – each of us individually as well as in the Church.

They also discuss the primacy of prayer in ministry and why we shouldn't overestimate the power of social media for evangelization. 

Renowned art historian Liz Lev joins Bishop Caggiano on today’s Let Me Be Frank to talk about beauty and the importance of art. A former Bostonian, Liz has spent 35 years living in Italy leading pilgrimages & tours and teaching art history & architecture.

Liz & Bishop Frank discuss the difference between being a pilgrim and being a tourist… why art is important in today’s utilitarian culture... what Liz wishes the bishops of the world would do to promote beauty and the understanding of beauty… and more.

Sister Mary Grace Walsh, the superintendent of the Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of NY joins Bishop Caggiano to discuss the ins and outs of Catholic Schools. What works? What needs fixing? Most importantly, how can Catholic Schools be an avenue of true evangelization.  

There is a lot going on in the midst of this summer – with the National Eucharistic Congress, the US elections, and more. It’s almost easy to forget that the Synod on Synodality is moving forward in Rome, but it is… and the Instrumentum Laboris was just published, setting the table for the sessions ahead.

On Let Me Be Frank, Bishop Caggiano offers a timely and important discussion on the Synod on Synodality… within the context of the history of synods, what synods are and what they are not, and how they fit into the structure of the Church.

Bishop Caggiano and Steve take it easy this week, reminiscing on past summer activities, why summer is a necessary time for rest, and how to make the most of your summer spiritually! 

You may know that Steve's wife, Roula, battled leukemia just days after Veritas Catholic Network launched. The faith-filled way she suffered was inspiring… and just how the Lord asks all of us to suffer.

“We are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” -Rom 8:17

St Paul also wrote that “we rejoice in our sufferings”… can we really, actually rejoice in our sufferings?

Please listen to and share this short reflection on suffering (and rejoicing in our suffering). We believe that we can all strengthen each other by sharing how God has brought us through difficulties, and we pray this might be helpful to you.

It's finally summer, so Bishop Caggiano takes the time to update his listeners about the big events and plans for the upcoming year. Topics include the Guilds, the Jubilee Year, Catechesis throughout the Diocese, the implementation of the One, dates and speakers for the Bishop's Lecture Series and more! 

Kelly Wahlquist joins Bishop Caggiano to discuss her own faith journey, the amazing testimonies of women in Scripture, her time advocating a unique role for women in the Church and evangelization and much more! 

Deacon Patrick Toole is the Chancellor and Secretary of the Curia in the Diocese of Bridgeport. He joins Bishop Caggiano today to discuss the many evangelical programs and ministries he has participated in and helped design. 

Bishop Caggiano shares some of the impactful moments from the Diocesan Mass of Thanksgiving for the Eucharist as well as the next steps for incorporating the One in the Diocese.