Talking Catholic

A full-circle day for Talking Catholic! Almost two years ago, our dynamic guest, Dr. Vincent Mancuso, was inspired by one of the first Talking Catholic podcast episodes Mike & Pete recorded, which put him on a journey towards fulfilling one of his many roles now: Coordinator of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden, Inc.'s English Learning Center, where he volunteers, coordinates, oversees, and teaches ESL (English as a Second Language) classes for refugee clients.

Listen to Vinnie’s insightful and fascinating experiences, roles, and insights as a program volunteer – and, as a stay-at-home dad, earning his Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology, remaining an active parishioner and a true missionary disciple. This, and so much more, is how he became a Catholic Charities USA Volunteer of the Year Finalist (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obxwKAs0hGs)!

On this month's Talking Saints, Laurie Power and Pete Sanchez reflect on the life and legacy of Saint Thomas More, a 16th century lawyer and Lord Chancellor to England’s King Henry VIII who put God above all things, at the cost of his own life. In addition to his relationship with the King, our hosts delve into More’s love for his wife and children, his skills as a theologian and writer, and how close More came to joining a Carthusian monastery at a young age.

Saint Thomas More, patron saint of lawyers, adopted children, and civil servants, pray for us!

As picking season begins in Hammonton, the Blueberry Capital of the World, let’s not forget those who make it possible for all those delicious pies, muffins, and milkshakes. This week, Mike and Pete sit down with Father Yvans Jazon, Administrator of Collingswood’s Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish to talk about this weekend’s Haitian Farmworkers Mass, an evening of welcome and appreciation for the men and women who spend the hot summer months working in Hammonton’s fields for the blueberries on our picnic tables.

Father Jazon shares stories of his upbringing in Haiti, his ministry to Haitians in South Jersey, and the community’s ever-present joy and faith.

Join Father Jazon and the farmworkers this Friday, June 21, 6 p.m., for a Haitian Creole/English-language liturgy and celebration at Columbia Fruit Farms, 220 Columbia Road, Hammonton.

https://www.camdendiocese.org/event/welcome-mass-and-reception-for-farm-workers-2019/?event_date=2019-06-21

With the Diocese of Camden's inaugural Soccer Cup taking place this Saturday, June 15 at Saint Augustine Prep in Richland, Mike and Pete discuss all things fútbol with three of the day’s organizers: Marianela Nunez, Field Director of Latino Enrollment in the diocesan Office of Catholic Schools; Claudia Trani-Melgar, Communications and Outreach Coordinator for Saint Clare of Assisi Parish, Swedesboro; and Jose Rodriguez, diocesan Coordinator for Youth, Young Adult, and Hispanic Ministries. This lively hour has the three sharing the genesis of this event, which will bring men, women, and parish communities together for some fun competition and fellowship. Orange slices, team colors, and social media stars are also discussed. For more info on the Soccer Cup, go to https://www.camdendiocese.org/camden-dioceses-first-ever-soccer-cup-june-15/. As well, It’s a big day for the podcast, as the show was also video-recorded, so look out for that possibly up soon.

It’s a first for Talking Catholic, as Mike and Pete, in the Vault, as we Facetime this episode with Donna Ottaviano-Britt, diocesan Director of Missionary Discipleship, in the comfort of her Ocean City home. As the Catholic Church this weekend prepares to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, the birthday of the Church, Ottaviano-Britt shares with our hosts the campaign spreading across South Jersey this weekend to “Paint the Diocese Red.” Through prayer, street evangelization, holy kites, and cookies, faith communities filled with the Holy Spirit will share the Good News with all.

For more information on what the Diocese of Camden’s parishes have in store for this weekend, read her excellent story at https://catholicstarherald.org/convocation-delegates-have-plans-for-pentecost/

We're talking Catholic schools, but for this episode we brought in two heavy hitters - Mary Boyle, retiring Superintendent of Catholic Schools, and Bill Watson, Director of Curriculum and Assessment for Catholic Schools, who is tasked with the formidable job of filling her substantial shoes as he takes on the mantle of superintendent.

Mike and Pete are also joined by guest co-host Mary Beth Peabody, Communications and Marketing Manager for the diocese’s Office of Catholic Schools.

Ms. Boyle chats about her long career, upcoming retirement at the end of the summer, and passing the baton to Dr. Watson. We also discuss the connections (familial and professional) Mary has made throughout her nearly 20 year tenure in the schools office, the joys and challenges of working in Catholic Schools, and their plans for the summer.

It's a Talking Saints episode!

Faith. Heroism. Political Intrigue. The life of Saint Joan of Arc is still a compelling one, almost 600 years after her death. Laurie Power and Pete Sanchez unpack the journey of “The Maid of Orleans” 5th century from peasant girl, to mystic, to heroine of France, to saint. Also popping in is Father Jon Thomas, Pastor of the Parish of Saint Monica in Atlantic City, who shares his thoughts on this unique saint.

It's Memorial Day Weekend, so we're rolling out the Summer Kickoff show! Pete and Mike discuss all things under the sun with a few of our favorite guests and co-hosts: Maria D’Antonio, Communications Coordinator & Web Content Manager for the diocesan Office of Communications; Mary McCusker, Marketing and Communications Coordinator for Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden; as well as Marianela Nunez, Field Consultant for Latino Enrollment and Mary Beth Peabody, Communications and Marketing Manager both of the Camden Diocese Office of Schools.  A lot is covered in the hour: favorite shore spots along the Jersey coast and the Dominican Republic; summer reading; and the meaning and origin of the term “Shoobies.”

This week, Talking Catholic holds its first-ever “MaryCast,” as the complete hour is devoted to Our Blessed Mother.  With Mike on assignment, Pete is joined by guest co-host Kim Pesotski, Youth Director of Saint Mary of Mount Carmel Parish, Hammonton, and Father Tim Byerley, Pastor of Merchantville’s Saint Peter Parish to speak on the Mother of Jesus: her fiat to God, her role in salvation history, and how praying the rosary can change the world.  Mary Our Mother, pray for us!

We're back to our normal programming and celebrating National Nurses Week by saluting the hardworking women and men providing support to individuals and families, in a myriad of ways, through times of physical and/or mental hardship.  Joining Mike & Pete this week are two valued members of VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services - and RN's themselves - Nicole Keefer, Director of Parish Nursing, and Rosemary Love, RN Care Coordinator.  The two dedicated professionals share how they got involved in their current vocations, how faith plays a role in healing, and give a few tips on staying happy and healthy. (Mike and Pete were taking notes.)