Eric Meyer returns to Morning Light with a unique new series that looks at how our Catholic faith permeates our culture in ways you may be unaware of! Today's topic: ‘CULTURAL STUFF THAT SOUNDS A LOT LIKE LENT’ as Eric covers the following...

• Dry January

• Positivity

• Discipline

• Capuccinos - the real history if you are giving up coffee.

• Beer - the real history if you give up cold ones for Lent.

• Pretzels - why are they shaped like that?

Morning Light continues our annual series - FOCUS in February - where each week, we will talk with a missionary from one of our Idaho universities or a member of the FOCUS staff. Joining us this morning - Cooper Dow, FOCUS missionary at Idaho State University in Pocatello. Cooper grew up in Colorado as an atheist but an encounter with Jesus led him to the Catholic Church and ultimately to FOCUS.  He and his wife have been at ISU for over two years - learn more about his ministry at: https://focus.org/missionaries/cooper-and-emily-dow  

     During our weekly "Passionately Pro-Life" segment, Morning Light visits with Terri Marcroft, Executive Director of Unplanned Good Inc., to talk about adoption legislation at the Idaho Capitol and three bills that are progressing. She is also the author of two pro-life books and tells us more about them. To learn more, please visit her website: UnplannedGood.org 

     Salt & Light Catholic Radio now presents “Jesus the Bridegroom” as Sister Beverly from Marymount Hermitage shares more about this divine love story between Christ and His bride - the Church.  Based on the book by Dr. Brant Pitre, Sister Beverly helps us see the entire history of salvation - from Mount Sinai to Mount Calvary.  Today’s episode asks initial questions for reflection, offers suggestions for prayer, and introduces us to this second book from Dr. Pitre, as we begin a new teaching series for this season of Lent.

To learn more about the ministry work of Sister Beverly, please visit the website: www.Marymount-Hermitage.org 

     Morning Light welcomes back Dcn. Scott Pearhill, Editor of the Idaho Catholic Register, to walk us through the latest issue hot off the press. This paper is 20 pages that spotlights Catholic Schools Week, the Idaho Catholic Men's Conference and Hispanic Women's Conference. Also, a touching tribute to Dcn. Rick Bonney, who passed away January 26th after an eight-year battle with cancer. To subscribe to the ICR, visit: https://www.catholicidaho.org/communications 

     Morning Light presents "Catholic Book Club" with today's guest: Aurelio Porfiri, composer, conductor, writer and educator. His music is published in Italy, France, USA, China and Germany. He has published more than 60 books, found on Amazon, and his music can be heard on Spotify. Today, he is here to talk about “Cardinal Zen’s Lenten Reflections.” Joseph Cardinal Zen of Hong Kong explains how to make this your most fruitful Lent ever.

John Vitz from Angelus Music joins Morning Light today to host our weekly "Sacred Music" segment.  As Lent draws near, John talks about Sorrow for Sin and the Mercy of Christ.

The first song is called RECONCILIATION.  It's a spoken prayer that is enhanced by the music to express the emotions of the penitent.  https://vimeo.com/907198890 

The last song is from "A Mass For Peace in the Third Millennium", the KYRIE, as we ask for Jesus to have mercy on us.  https://vimeo.com/200634144 

     Jay Wonacott, Director of Marriage & Family Life for the Diocese of Boise, joins Morning Light today to continue his series on the paragraphs in the Catechism pertaining to marriage, specifically CCC #1638 this morning.  Also, it is National Marriage Week (Feb. 7-14).

     Morning Light talks with Alberto Jaramillo, Coordinator of Campus Ministry with Bronco Catholic.  Fr. Nathan is the Vocations Director for the Diocese of Boise and we might immediately think that he is all vocations to the priesthood.  But as we find out today, Father also tries to play matchmaker with the young adults at Boise State University.  Find out how the vocation of marriage is also promoted at St. Paul's Student Center.

       Morning Light visits with Kevan Grant, the new Principal at St. Mary's Catholic School in Boise. What are some distinguishing features about the school? What sets it apart from the other area schools? Are there any upcoming events at St. Mary's?  Tune in and get ALL of the details!