Talking Catholic

This is one of our most emotional podcasts yet. Less than 24 hours before we recorded, our co-host Marianela Nunez and guest Marybeth Peabody, both from the South Jersey Catholic Schools office, were crossing the border back and forth from Texas to Mexico, bringing food and water to South and Central American refugees, as part of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden's’ 11th Share the Journey solidarity pilgrimage. Joined by co-host Mike Walsh and Catholic Charities' Mary McCusker, they discuss the first-hand encounters and experiences that they faced on their journey, which was informative, heartbreaking, uplifting, and everything in between.

To learn more about the solidarity pilgrimages, go to - https://catholiccharitiescamden.org/stj/

Do you know a young man who has, or might have, a calling to the priesthood? Perhaps they don’t know the first steps of formally discerning a vocation. This week hosts Kari Janisse and Mike Walsh get you ALL the answers when they sit down in The Vault with Fr. Adam Cichoski, the new director of vocations for the Diocese of Camden.

Fr. Cichoski (Ch-hess-key), a young priest himself, goes into deep, honest and joyful detail of his own discernment, and what a young man needs to know before starting the process that leads to seminary and, God-willing, the priesthood.

But even more useful than what this podcast can provide, beginning on October 20th, the Office of Vocations will be hosting monthly discernment meetings for any young man between the ages of 16-35 to discuss a vocation to the priesthood. To learn more about discernment groups go to: https://camdenpriest.org/discernmentgroup/

Also, follow our seminarians on social media at:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CamdenPriest/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/camdenpriest/

Listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, SoundCloud, Alexa or at http://www.camdendiocese.org/talkingcatholic

Exactly one week after Catholic Charities’ 16th annual Justice for All Awards Dinner, Talking Catholic ventured out of The Vault to CC’s headquarters in Camden to chat with some of the minds behind the dinner and a few folks who spoke from the main stage. We discuss everything from behind-the-scenes event planning, to their experiences at the US/Mexico border, and in a strange left turn, their favorite animated TV shows.

Please make sure you listen to the end to hear Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle’s remarks to the people of the Camden Diocese as he accepts the Saint John Neumann award for his work with Caritas Internationalis.

Today’s hosts, Mary McCusker and Mike Walsh, are joined by Kevin Hickey, CC’s Executive Director; Samantha Astley, Volunteer Coordinator; and Jose Sanchez, Program Director.

With Respect Life Month kicking off this October, Kari Janisse, Coordinator of Youth Ministry at Williamstown’s Our Lady of Peace Parish, joins the show with her friend and former youth group member, Catalina “Cat” Morales. They share with Mike and Pete their experiences working to promote the sanctity of life, the sobering statistics on abortion, and how to help pregnant women and their children.

For more information on Respect Life Month, visit http://www.usccb.org/about/pro-life-activities/respect-life-program/

Want to become a better husband or a better father?  Want to become a better son or a better co-worker? Want to encounter Christ and be anchored to Him?

In the Vault this week are two distinguished gentlemen who can help you with all of these: Deacon Anthony Cioe, of Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Turnersville, and Anthony Scafidi, Coordinator of Junior Youth Ministry at Blackwood’s Our Lady of Hope Parish, both on the planning committee for the upcoming, 2nd annual Man Up South Jersey men’s spirituality conference, to be held on Nov. 9 at Paul VI Conference Center, Haddon Heights. 

Mike, Pete and our guests discuss why it’s important for men to come together in the faith, and the exciting things to come in November. 

The ManUp Conference is open to all ages; for more information and to register, go to www.manupsouthjersey.com

Listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, SoundCloud or at http://www.camdendiocese.org/talkingcatholic

As the 18th annual Camden Diocese Blue Mass for law enforcement and first responders approaches next week, Deputy Chief David Harkins of the Gloucester Township Police Department returns to the show, along with Captain April Herrington and Lieutenant Bill Walsh, both of the Voorhees Police Department. The three veteran officers speak with Mike and Pete about their careers in public safety, as well as the beauty and importance of the Blue Mass. 

The Blue Mass takes place next Friday, September 27. 10:30 a.m., at Saint Agnes Church (Our Lady of Hope Parish) in Blackwood and will be celebrated by Bishop Dennis Sullivan.  All are welcome to attend.

This week we sit down with two of the Camden Diocese Catholic Renewal's joyful leaders: Father René Canales, Bishop’s Delegate for the Catholic Renewal, and Vicar for Hispanics at Our Lady of Hope Parish in Blackwood; and Rebekah Hardy, Renewal speaker and Campus Minister at Glassboro’s Rowan University.

Need a break from the everyday hustle-and-bustle? Feeling lethargic in your spiritual life? Come to the Camden Diocese Catholic Renewal in Wildwood from Oct. 11- 13, and find refreshment and strength for the journey in growing closer to God, through the intercession of the Holy Spirit and the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The spirited discussion among includes reflections on their own personal graces from the weekend, now in its 31st year, and what’s in store for this year - which includes two of our favorite words: sunrise rosary.

For more information, visit https://camdendiocesecatholicrenewal.org/, or go to the Renewal’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/www.CamdenDioceseCatholicRenewal.org/

On the eve of the first day of school for 2019, classrooms were in order, plans for the year nailed down, and two teachers from South Jersey Catholic Schools join Mike, Pete and guest co-host Mary Beth Peabody to talk about life in the classroom, what led them to their vocation, ways they engage students and why they love their jobs. The duo could not have been better matched.

 

Meet Cathy O’Brien, veteran language arts teacher at Christ the King Regional School in Haddonfield, who shares her love of literature – and maybe a few yoga poses – with fifth and sixth graders.

 

Meet Andrew Staub, recent graduate of the Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) program through Saint Joseph’s University, who returns to Gloucester Catholic High School as a full-time chemistry and physical science teacher. His youthful exuberance is a hallmark of his ability to engage students and manage a classroom.

 

Cathy and Andrew represent hundreds of their fellow colleagues in South Jersey Catholic Schools who bring knowledge, inquiry, laughter and faith to school every day.

http://southjerseycatholicschools.org

Instantly recognizable with her blue and white sari and ear-to-ear smile, Saint Teresa of Calcutta captivated the world with her work to the poor, sick, and disadvantaged, as foundress of the Missionaries of Charity. As the Catholic Church marks her feast day, Laurie and Pete unfold the narrative of this remarkable woman- her early life, her work in India, and trusting God even through “a painful night” of the soul.

It’s the return of the unofficial co-host of Talking Catholic, Fr. Robert Sinatra! The pastor of Vineland’s Saint Padre Pio Parish joins us this week to talk specifically about the Eucharist, in light of the Pew Research Center report earlier this month that found a majority of Catholics do not understand the nature of the Eucharist as the true body and blood of Christ.

It’s a truly enlightening conversation with Fr. Sinatra who offers a spotlight on the power of the Eucharist, how it is very much the essence of our Catholic faith, and what we can do to keep it front & center in our lives.

In the podcast we also note a Father Michael Schmitz video that offers some enlightenment on the nature of the Mass. We couldn’t find the specific video in question, but here’s one from Fr. Schmitz you may find interesting that details all the parts of the Mass and explains there underlying importance:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCtZmLrFkqk

Of course, we couldn’t have Fr. Sinatra on without a little baseball, toys from our youth, and superhero talk, so we tacked on a few minutes of our usual nerdy conversation about our favorite topics at the end of the podcast.