Talking Catholic

This week we sit down with the energetic and passionate Eustace Mita, founder of the men's spirituality conference, Man Up Philly. With more than a decade of the day-long annual conference under his belt, he's helping to bring the conference to our side of the river with Man Up South Jersey. Eustace chats with Mike and Pete about how the conference began, why it's so important, and how men will become better husband, fathers, sons and community members with the tips they'll pick up at the conference.

To learn more about Man Up South Jersey and to register for the Nov. 10th event, go to http://manupsouthjersey.com/.

The day before she was honored at Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden, Inc.'s Justice for All dinner, Sr. Norma Pimentel, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, sat down with Mike and Pete for an engaging talk on her work working with immigrants leaving federal custody having crossed the U.S./Mexico border, its joys, and its struggles. Joining her for the show were Kevin Hickey, Executive Director of Catholic Charities Camden; and local program directors Jose Sanchez and Luisa Medrano who went to the Texas/Mexico border as pilgrims to assist Sister Norma.

Brenda Quinn, the Director of the Collegium Center for Faith and Culture, sits in with Mike and Pete this week for the podcast. This wonderful hour has the three wax eloquent on the Center’s role in engaging the faithful through its various activities, and Brenda shares her story on a life in service to the Lord. In addition, Mike and her share their love of science.

Almost 90 years ago, Jesus appeared to a humble Polish nun, bringing his message of Divine Mercy and instructing her to share it with the world. Today, Saint Faustina Kowalska is remembered as a nun, mystic, and messenger of Jesus’ call for all to be doers of mercy, bringing peace, love, and joy to all. On her feast day today, Laurie and Pete unpack the life of this remarkable woman, and of the Divine Mercy image that continues to bring others closer to Christ.

Sister Mary Cronin, Coordinator of Prison Ministry for Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden, Inc., sits down in the Vault this week with Mike and Pete to discuss her ministry to the incarcerated throughout South Jersey. The Sister of Mercy also praised the good work of Prison Ministry volunteers, and her own faith journey which has led her down South, to New England, and back to South Jersey.

On this week’s Talking Catholic, Mike and Pete are under the weather, and call upon Laurie Power, friend of the show and co-host of Talking Saints, to carry the show (when she could get a word in edgewise in the midst of Mike's cold medicine-induced ramblings). The spirited Director of Evangelization and Discipleship at Christ the Redeemer, Atco covered for the two regulars perfectly, sharing thoughts about her new position, her favorite season, and other church topics.

As Bishop Sullivan Sullivan decrees the new Camden Diocese Shrine of Saint Padre Pio in Vineland today, Laurie and Pete look at the life of this revered saint on his feast day. The Capuchin Friar best remembered for his deep faith, contemplative nature, and for bearing the stigmata, the wounds of Christ. The two hosts try to answer the question: How can understanding his life and suffering, bring us closer to the Cross?

How can one find peace amidst the daily noise of life, and how can prayer help? The answer to this question, and other insightful topics, are covered in this week’s episode with Deborah Smaldore, Director of Religious Education at Saint Rose of Lima Parish in Haddon Heights. With Mike and Pete, Smaldore shares best practices of growing the faith in students during her nine years at the parish, and encountering Jesus in her own life. Note: The interview with Deborah Smaldore starts off around the 20-minute mark, after a long bit of banter and news that will never happen again. [Producers note: Pete was in a baseball mood today and Mike had an opinion on everything.]

In our increasingly secularized world, men often have a difficult time living their faith to the fullest.

To help men counteract this modern phenomena, on November 10th, we will be hosting a men’s spirituality conference called Man Up South Jersey.

This one-day event will give men the tools to better embrace their faith.

Open to men of all ages, the conference will feature powerful speakers, Eucharistic adoration, and tips on creating prayer groups. Priests will be available throughout the day for the sacrament of reconciliation.

To register or to learn more please go to: http://manupsouthjersey.com/

Every two years, the Diocese of Camden makes a pilgrimage to Washington, D.C.’s beautiful Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, to pray to and receive graces from Mary, Mother of God, the Patroness of the United States and the Catholic community of South Jersey. As the diocesan community prepares for its next pilgrimage next month, Father James Bartoloma, Chancellor for the Diocese of Camden and Director of its Marian Commission, steps into the vault with Mike and Pete this week to talk about the joyous day. Father Bartoloma guides us through the shrine’s history, as it seeks to reflect God’s beauty through its representations of the diverse traditions of the global Catholic community through its side chapels and icons, and its newly-constructed Trinity Dome. For more information on the upcoming Oct. 13 pilgrimage, visit www.camdendiocese.org, contact your parish office, or call 856-939-1769.