Talking Catholic

Spoiler alert! Pete, Mike, and two of Mike’s Marvel Cinematic Universe-loving pals - Phil Huesser and Jay Rhinehart - spent 2+ hours talking about Avengers: Endgame. It may not be the spiritual content you’ve come to expect from the podcast, but we do talk about pop culture movies A LOT so it seems only appropriate that we join the MCU sheep and do a deep dive into the minutia of Avengers: Endgame.

Also, we’re not kidding, this is a spoiler-filled podcast, so if you haven’t had a chance to watch the movie and you still want to be surprised, don’t listen to this podcast yet. It will be here when you finally see Endgame. (Seriously, what are you waiting for? It's great!)

Don’t worry, we’ll be back to our typical programming before the end of the week :)

Mike and Pete have a perfectly pleasing podcast this week with Kalley Petito, first grade teacher at Saint Margaret’s Elementary School in Woodbury Heights, and author of the new children’s book “Mr. Petito and the Punks,” which teaches kindness through rhyming and alliteration. Mrs. Petito shares the journey of her book, which was first composed 25 years ago on a word processor and is now available on websites like Barnes and Noble & Amazon; her creative inspirations; her unique way of making greeting cards for loved ones; and how her family played an important part in the story.

“Mr. Petito and the Punks" is available at:

Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Petito-Punks-Kalley/dp/1644169266

Barnes & Noble:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mr-petito-and-the-punks-kalley-petito/1130646338

It's Talking Catholic's first dedicated movie review episode, featuring the pro-life film “Unplanned,” currently in theaters. Mike, Pete, and Kim Pesotski, Director of Youth Ministry at Hammonton’s Saint Mary of Mount Carmel Parish, share their thoughts on the film - the true story of Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood leader’s spiritual and professional transformation - and her fight for the Right to Life and helping women facing crisis pregnancies. This powerful and important film opened the eyes and hearts of Kim, Pete and filmgoers across the country. For more information on “Unplanned,” its movie times, and Abby Johnson’s story and mission, visit www.unplannedfilm.com.

This week, Mike and Pete are back in The Vault to welcome Alicia Foreman, a junior at Stockton University, to chat about her path to full communion in the Catholic faith. The Social Work major shares her amazing story of finding Christ through The ROCK ministry at Williamstown High School, and embracing the Church’s teachings. Since her confirmation, she has dedicated herself to being a true missionary disciple, including traveling to Texas as part of the Share the Journey pilgrimage to aid migrants. As Easter approaches, this episode is a true showcase of joy and hope in the faith.

Hey! It’s a full-fledged Talking Catholic podcast for the first time this week!!!! (We hope you’ve been enjoying the Convocation audio, but if not, the last one comes out today.)

We’re back in AC… again. But this time, Mike, Pete and today’s surprise co-host, Donna Ottaviano-Britt are in town to speak with Franciscan Sister of the Renewal local servant Sister Agnes and four of her community’s inaugural Saint Michael’s Missionaries - Connie Boesch, Sandy Martinez, Emma Hilton, and Mariah Wilkins. These incredible young women have been in Atlantic City, working alongside the CFR sisters, since September. The quartet talk at length about how the experience has challenged them, invigorated them, and allowed them to live in community more closely to their faith. It’s a great chat that even Mike and Pete couldn’t screw up (mostly because we invited Donna to join us.) And yeah, we talk about the recent Convocation a little, but we kept it brief :)

To learn more about the Community of Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal, go to: http://franciscansisterscfr.com/

The fifth and final installment of audio from the plenary sessions of the Convocation of Catholic Leaders: The Joy of the Gospel in South Jersey.

This one, from the final plenary session of the Convocation, features a presentation from Chris Lowney, author of the book, Everyone Leads. This book was the roadmap of preparation for the Convocation for every attendee. In his presentation he delved even further into his perspective on how to energize our parishes and our fellow parishioners.

(https://www.amazon.com/Everyone-Leads-Revitalize-Catholic-Church/dp/1442262087)

Afterwards, he sits down for a Q&A with convocation moderator Josh Miller, Co-Founder & Head of Education at Inscape Vocations. (www.inscapevocations.com/).

The third installment of audio from the plenary sessions of the Convocation of Catholic Leaders: The Joy of the Gospel in South Jersey.

This one, from the afternoon session of Day 2, features a talk from Cardinal Joseph Tobin, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Newark. Cardinal Tobin offers his personal reflection on why Pope Francis gave us the challenge of becoming Missionary Disciples.

(https://www.rcan.org/)

Afterwards, Cardinal Tobin sits down with for a Q&A with convocation moderator Josh Miller, Co-Founder & Head of Education at Inscape Vocations. (www.inscapevocations.com/).

Finally, Kathy & Mike O'Callaghan, from Saint Peter's Parish in Merchantville offer an emotional witness talk about how their faith remained an important element of their family, even when faced with very dark times.

The fourth installment of audio from the plenary sessions of the Convocation of Catholic Leaders: The Joy of the Gospel in South Jersey.

This one, from the afternoon session of Day 3, features a talk from Dr. Carolyn Woo, Distinguished President’s Fellow for Global Development at Purdue University and former President & CEO of Catholic Relief Services. In her talk, "Rise and Shine," Dr. Woo focuses on how parishes play a part to make God real, act as both messenger and message, constitute his body on earth, and pass on the faith to the next generation.

(https://www.purdue.edu/research/staff/biographies.php?id=122)

Afterwards, Kevin Hickey & Dr. Vincent Mancuso from Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden and Estrellita Martinez of the Vineland Catholic Millennial Ministry sit down with for a Q&A with convocation moderator Josh Miller, Co-Founder & Head of Education at Inscape Vocations. (www.inscapevocations.com/).

Finally, Saint Joachim parishioner Magali Rodriguez a DREAMER spoke to the attendees about her life as an immigrant to the U.S., brought across the border as a baby and how she has grown up as an American, and what her and her fellow DREAMERS offer to this country.

The second installment of audio from the plenary sessions of the Convocation of Catholic Leaders: The Joy of the Gospel in South Jersey.

http://convocation.camdendiocese.org

This one, from the morning session of Day 2 - featuring a presentation by Hosfmann Ospino, PhD, an Associate Professor of Theology and Religious Education at Boston College, School of Theology and Ministry. Dr. Ospino's talk helps us to define the roadmap for Catholic evangelization in the 21st century.

(https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/schools/stm/faculty/faculty-directory/hosffman-ospino.html)

Afterwards, Dr. Ospino sits down for a Q&A with convocation moderator Josh Miller, Co-Founder & Head of Education at Inscape Vocations. (www.inscapevocations.com/), and fellow panelists Andres Arango, Claudia Trani-Melgar, and Sister Ann Kateri.

Finally, Millet LoCasale of Saint Katherine Drexel Parish in Absecon comes to the stage to offer a powerful witness of her Catholic journey.

Each day this week, we will be releasing the audio from each of the five plenaries featured at the recent Convocation of Catholic Leaders: The Joy of the Gospel in South Jersey.

On Day 1, emcees Donna Ottaviano-Britt and Deacon Anthony Cioe laid out the upcoming four-day conference, explaining why Bishop Dennis Sullivan made the decision to model this convocation after the national convocation of the same name and topic held in July of 2017.

After that Julianne Stanz, Director of Discipleship and Leadership Development for the Diocese of Green Bay, and one of the emcees at the national convocation, comes to the stage to to offer how "becoming a vibrant parish community is the result of small, intentional steps initiated at the parish leadership level but also accepted by each disciple personally. If our people are renewed, our parishes will be renewed." (https://www.gbdioc.org/office-of-discipleship-formation/)

After her presentation, she sits down for a Q&A with convocation moderator Josh Miller, Co-Founder & Head of Education at Inscape Vocations. (https://www.inscapevocations.com/)

The plenary finishes up with a powerful witness talk from Derek Longcrier from the Parish of Saint Monica in Atlantic City.

(http://www.accatholic.org/)

Check back tomorrow for the next plenary!