Talking Catholic

As the annual FaithFull food drive kicks off across the diocese this weekend, our hosts travel to Atlantic City to speak with a true gentleman, Joe Viecelli of Catholic Charities. Our guest shares his experiences of 15 years in onsite service management in Atlantic City, serving poor and needy individuals and families from all over Atlantic County, and fostering relationships with them over the years. As well, Joe, Mike, and Pete talk facial hair, baseball, and their love of music.

Learn more about the April 7, 2019 FaithFULL food drive here: https://www.camdendiocese.org/faithfull/

Almost a week removed from the historic Convocation of Catholic Leaders: The Joy of the Gospel in South Jersey, Mike and Pete once again sit down this week with Donna Ottaviano-Britt, Director of Missionary Discipleship and the driving force behind four fantastic days in Atlantic City (which took 18 months of preparation). The three recap the presentations, workshops, meditations, music, and yes, the joy present among the 800 attendees. Of course, that was the easy part, now the real work is about to begin as local parishes work to create a culture of encounter and missionary discipleship throughout South Jersey.

Mike and Pete are on the road this week, spending the next few days with 800 of their friends at the Convocation of Catholic Leaders: the Joy of the Gospel in South Jersey. On location at Harrah’s Conference Center in Atlantic City, our hosts speak with Betsy Fenwick, part of the parish delegation from Atlantic City’s Parish of Saint Monica; and returning guest Jessica Gettings, from Saint Katharine Drexel Parish in Egg Harbor Township. The four share their experiences of the gathering so far, what they will bring back to their parishes after the week is over, and the importance of knowing, and sharing, your story.

This week, Mike and Pete chat with the new Director of the Diocese of Camden Life & Justice Ministries office, Matthew Davis. Returning to work in his native South Jersey, he shares stories of his time teaching in the Dominican Republic, his previous work overseeing the pastoral care of ethnic communities and immigrant Catholics that included supporting their full participation into the greater Church, his plans for bringing his ministry to the diocese, and we may also touch on his preference of action movies.

As spring creeps ever closer, Mike and Pete have a sunny chat with Mariann Gilbride, the new Director of Development for the Diocese of Camden. After fighting through conflicting reviews by Mike and Pete about the new Captain Marvel movie, Mariann gets the two MCU lemmings back on course with a great conversation about her journey back to the diocesan offices after time spent in the Diocese of Trenton, insight into the House of Charity- Bishop’s Annual Appeal campaign, and how the generosity of donors helping to build up the Church of South Jersey. We also explore the fact that being a Catholic fundraiser is very much a spiritual ministry. Mariann is one of the good ones, folks!

If the saying is true that “a good laugh is a good thing,” then the Senior Ministry of Merchantville’s Saint Peter Parish has a great thing going. In one of funniest programs in Talking Catholic’s 110-episode history, Mike and Pete sit down at the Senior Center with Director Bobbie Bradley and its delightful residents. In front of a live, captive, and boisterous audience, Mike, Pete, Bobbie, and guests discuss the family atmosphere at the center, which is open five days a week for seniors, and wisdom gained from lives well-lived.

https://www.saintpetermerchantville.com/senior-ministry

Fr. Rob, Mike and Pete may have set a new record for most digressions in a podcast, however, if you can navigate all the twists and turns of this Mardi Grad-influenced conversation, your soul may reap the rewards.

On Fat Tuesday, Mike and Pete traveled down to Saint Padre Pio in Vineland and its Pastor, the venerable Talking Catholic chaplain, Father Robert Sinatra. Amid donuts and chocolate, the three discuss these next 40 Days of Lent and how prayer, fasting, and almsgiving can bring us into a deeper relationship with Jesus as we prepare for Easter. Other items of note: big Scrabble words are used, like “concupiscence,” or “ verisimilitude”; Father Rob educates Mike and Pete on the Liturgy of the Hours; and the trio talks Philly Baseball, and superheroes.

Sweets. Chocolate. That second cup of coffee in the morning. As Lent begins next week, there are many ways Catholics around the world sacrifice during this season of conversion, to better grow in purity and enlightenment. Gary Zimak, noted author, has another idea: Give up Worry for Lent. The South Jersey resident shares with Mike and Pete the way to let go of anxiety, and find everlasting peace and comfort in God. To learn more about Gary and his book, visit his website: www.followingthetruth.com.

Joseph Campo, Executive Producer of the fantastic documentary film “Outcasts,” joins Pete and special co-host Kari Janisse, Coordinator of Youth and Young Adult Ministries at Our Lady Of Peace Parish in Williamstown, where this conversation took place, to talk about his new film, which chronicles the work of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. Years in the making, his work takes viewers to those on the margins of society in such places as Harlem, Newark, Ireland, and Honduras, and the Friars’ putting the Gospel message to action, as lights shining in the darkness. This illuminating chat about faith, cinematography, and the creative process, which also included young adults Kate Creel and Kim Pacis, preceded a screening of “Outcasts” at Our Lady of Peace. Don’t worry, Mike Walsh lovers: mainly behind the scenes for this one, he does occasionally chime in.

To learn more about Outcasts go to: http://www.outcaststhemovie.com/,

This week we sit in on a presentation on the recent “Share the Journey” pilgrimage, offered through Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden, with student pilgrims from Rowan University's Catholic Campus Ministry. Earlier this year, 14 missionary disciples- including college students from Rowan, Stockton University, and Rutgers-Camden traveled to a humanitarian respite center in McAllen, Texas, meeting and providing aid to migrants along the U.S,/Mexico border. You will hear these young people share their powerful experiences living out the Gospel, and going to the margins of society.