In this episode of Making It Personal with Bishop William Joensen, Bishop Joensen and Jeanne Thill welcome Major Ryan Doty (Des Moines Police Department; Vice President, Saint Vincent de Paul Council) for an in-depth, personal conversation about service — both as a law-enforcement officer and as a servant of charity in the local Church.

What we cover

Opening reflections from Bishop Joensen (feast of St. Albert the Great; recent bishops’ meeting and National Eucharistic Congress planning; National Catholic Youth Conference).

Major Ryan Doty’s background: growing up in a law-enforcement family, early career in Fort Dodge, and his move to the Des Moines Police Department.

Policing and pastoral presence: wearing the uniform in parish life, community trust, and the responsibilities of officers who “come when called.”

Operational leadership: Major Doty’s role running operations, neighborhood-based service delivery, and the staffing pressures facing modern police departments.

Homelessness and humane responses: how the department balances public safety with compassionate outreach; the importance and positive outcomes of the mobile crisis unit and partnerships with mental-health professionals.

Saint Vincent de Paul Council: Major Doty’s 18+ years on the board; the organization’s evolution from thrift-store funding to holistic pathways out of poverty — education, financial literacy, childcare while clients pursue GED/HSE, and expanded food-pantry locations.

Reentry and immersion programs: local reentry services that have become national models, Polk County kiosk, and support for returning citizens and their families.

Professional development & wider service: FBI National Academy experience (networking among police executives) and work in arena security for the G League — examples of leadership and service beyond the beat.

Thanksgiving and the holiday season: Saint Vincent de Paul’s role during increased need, how donations stay local, and how parishioners can help.

Resources & organizations mentioned

Saint Vincent de Paul Council (local food/clothing pantries, reentry programs and social services)

Des Moines Police Department — mobile crisis unit and neighborhood-based service delivery

FBI National Academy (professional development for police executives)

Iowa Catholic Radio Network & Spirit Catholic Radio Network — where you can hear the show

#MakingItPersonal #BishopJoensen #MajorRyanDoty #SaintVincentDePaul #FaithInAction #CatholicCharity #CommunitySafety #MentalHealth #Reentry #Homelessness #IowaCatholicRadio

Iowa Catholic Radio Network Shows:

• Be Not Afraid with Fr. PJ McManus
• Be Not Afraid in Spanish with Fr. Fabian Moncada
• Catholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson
• Making It Personal with Bishop William Joensen
• Man Up! with Joe Stopulus
• The Catholic Morning Show with Dr. Bo Bonner
• The Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick Smith
• The Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr
• Faith and Family Finance with Gregory Waddle

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In this episode of Making it Personal with Bishop Joensen, Bishop Joensen and Jeanne Thill sit down with Kate Hopping, Campus Minister at St. Albert Catholic Schools in Council Bluffs.

In this conversation, they discuss:

How Kate accompanies students in prayer, formation, and faith development

The role of campus ministry in a Catholic school setting

Building a culture of service, leadership, and community among students

The importance of connecting faith with everyday student life

Upcoming events, spiritual opportunities, and ways families can get involved in school faith life

Tune in to hear how Kate and the St. Albert Catholic Schools community are helping students grow into joyful disciples who live their faith with purpose.

#MakingItPersonal #BishopJoensen #KateHopping #StAlbertCatholicSchools #CampusMinistry #CatholicEducation #FaithFormation #IowaCatholicRadio #SpiritCatholicRadio #CatholicSchools

Iowa Catholic Radio Network Shows:

• Be Not Afraid with Fr. PJ McManus
• Be Not Afraid in Spanish with Fr. Fabian Moncada
• Catholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson
• Making It Personal with Bishop William Joensen
• Man Up! with Joe Stopulus
• The Catholic Morning Show with Dr. Bo Bonner
• The Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick Smith
• The Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr
• Faith and Family Finance with Gregory Waddle

Want to support your favorite show? Click Here

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Making it Personal with Bishop Joensen, Bishop Joensen and Dr. Bud Marr delve into the life, thought, and enduring legacy of St. John Henry Newman, who will be officially named a Doctor of the Church on November 1st, the Solemnity of All Saints.

Guest:

Dr. Bud Marr – Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Mercy College of Health Sciences, Newman scholar, and former associate director of the National Institute for Newman Studies.

In This Episode:

Why Newman’s theology remains vital to understanding faith and conscience today

How Newman bridged the gap between intellect and belief

Reflections on the significance of being named a Doctor of the Church

The impact of Newman’s thought on Catholic education and formation

Referenced Article: Catholic News Agency – Pope to proclaim St. John Henry Newman a Doctor of the Church

Thank you to our sponsors:
The Serra Club of Des Moines and the Serra Club of Council Bluffs for supporting Making it Personal with Bishop Joensen.

Tune in on the Iowa Catholic Radio Network and the Spirit Catholic Radio Network for this enlightening conversation on the faith and intellect of one of the Church’s greatest modern thinkers.

#StJohnHenryNewman #DoctorOfTheChurch #CatholicFaith #NewmanScholar #FaithAndReason #CatholicEducation #BishopJoensen #MakingItPersonal #IowaCatholicRadio #SpiritCatholicRadio #BudMarr #MercyCollege

Iowa Catholic Radio Network Shows:

• Be Not Afraid with Fr. PJ McManus
• Be Not Afraid in Spanish with Fr. Fabian Moncada
• Catholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson
• Making It Personal with Bishop William Joensen
• Man Up! with Joe Stopulus
• The Catholic Morning Show with Dr. Bo Bonner
• The Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick Smith
• The Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr
• Faith and Family Finance with Gregory Waddle

Want to support your favorite show? Click Here

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this inspiring episode of Making it Personal with Bishop Joensen, Bishop Joensen welcomes Fr. Sylvester Okoh, BCC, for a thoughtful conversation about hospital chaplaincy and Catholic ministry in healthcare.

Meet Our Guest: Fr. Sylvester Okoh, BCC – Catholic Priest Chaplain at UnityPoint Hospitals in Des Moines and newly appointed liaison for NACC members in Iowa.

What We Discuss:

The daily life of a hospital chaplain and the spiritual care they provide

Fr. Okoh’s new role with the National Association for Catholic Chaplains

Supporting patients, families, and healthcare staff through faith

Resources: Learn more about the National Association for Catholic Chaplains at https://www.nacc.org/about/

Tune in on the Iowa Catholic Radio Network or the Spirit Catholic Radio Network to hear this heartfelt conversation about faith, service, and the power of presence in times of need.

#CatholicFaith #HospitalChaplaincy #SpiritualCare #FrSylvesterOkoh #BishopJoensen #MakingItPersonal #IowaCatholic #NACC #CatholicMinistry #FaithInAction

Iowa Catholic Radio Network Shows:

• Be Not Afraid with Fr. PJ McManus
• Be Not Afraid in Spanish with Fr. Fabian Moncada
• Catholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson
• Making It Personal with Bishop William Joensen
• Man Up! with Joe Stopulus
• The Catholic Morning Show with Dr. Bo Bonner
• The Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick Smith
• The Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr
• Faith and Family Finance with Gregory Waddle

Want to support your favorite show? Click Here

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Together, they reflect on the beauty of living out the faith in everyday moments — from supporting their parish family to growing together in prayer and service. Their quiet witness is a powerful reminder that holiness is not reserved for the extraordinary, but is cultivated in the ordinary rhythms of marriage, community, and love of neighbor.

Bishop Joensen and Jeanne Thill guide this thoughtful conversation on what it means to live the Catholic faith authentically — rooted in gratitude, stewardship, and personal encounter with Christ.

Tune in for an uplifting and personal discussion that celebrates the heart of parish life and the vocation of lay discipleship.

#MakingItPersonal #BishopJoensen #IowaCatholicRadio #SpiritCatholicRadio #CatholicLife #FaithInAction #CatholicCommunity #MarriageAndFaith #ParishLife #CatholicWitness #LivingTheFaith #CatholicRadio #GriswoldIA #FaithAndFamily #CatholicMarriage

Iowa Catholic Radio Network Shows:

• Be Not Afraid with Fr. PJ McManus
• Be Not Afraid in Spanish with Fr. Fabian Moncada
• Catholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson
• Making It Personal with Bishop William Joensen
• Man Up! with Joe Stopulus
• The Catholic Morning Show with Dr. Bo Bonner
• The Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick Smith
• The Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr
• Faith and Family Finance with Gregory Waddle

Want to support your favorite show? Click Here

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Learn more about his work at https://www.discernment.institute/

Iowa Catholic Radio Network Shows:

• Be Not Afraid with Fr. PJ McManus
• Be Not Afraid in Spanish with Fr. Fabian Moncada
• Catholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson
• Making It Personal with Bishop William Joensen
• Man Up! with Joe Stopulus
• The Catholic Morning Show with Dr. Bo Bonner
• The Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick Smith
• The Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr
• Faith and Family Finance with Gregory Waddle

Want to support your favorite show? Click Here

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.