Talking Catholic

Laurie Power and Pete Sanchez share the life of Saint Rita of Cascia, a 15th century Italian widow and Augustinian nun, and now Saint of the Catholic Church. This Saint known as "The Precious Pearl" is a shining example of how we are called to live a life of faith and peace, in wherever we are at in our lives.

Saint Rita of Cascia, Patroness of Impossible Causes, pray for us!!

As the Diocese of Camden’s Catholic Strong Campaign continues to roll out, Mike and Pete travel to the Church of the Holy Family in Sewell, N.J., to speak with its pastor, Father John Picinic, about this initiative to strengthen South Jersey’s Catholic faith communities. In the pastor’s office, the three have a lively chat about Catholic Strong’s benefits to individual parishes and the diocese, its challenges, and his journey from growing up in the shadow of Shea Stadium (as a Yankees fan) to shepherding in Phillies country.

http://www.southjerseycatholicstrong.com/

#CatholicStrong

“Love you and the Lord.” These were the inspiring words of the one and only Priscilla Frederick, track and field coach at Paul VI High School, and 2016 Olympian, during her visit to The Vault this week. The authentic and ever-positive young woman leads a joy-filled conversation with Mike and Pete, to discuss her own accomplishments in track and field, the importance of living a life grounded in the Lord, and her passions, which, appropriately as this was recorded shortly after May the 4th, include Star Wars.

We are very pleased to have the pastor of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Haddon Heights, NJ on the podcast this week, Fr. Joseph Byerley. He is one of the Camden Diocese’s many priests celebrating a significant anniversary of their ordination to the priesthood. In his case, 25 years!

Fr. Byerley chats with Mike and Pete about how his pastoral techniques have evolved since his days as a young priest, advice for seminarians soon to be ordained and to men discerning a vocation, the importance of prayer, the longevity of good advice, the sacredness of nature, oh… and The Walking Dead.

On the feast of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla, Laurie Power and Pete Sanchez share the inspiring life of the 20th century mother, wife, and pediatrician. Her Catholic faith and love of her family are models for all seeking to live a life for God. Saint Gianna Beretta Molla, patron Saint of unborn children, physicians, and mothers, pray for us!

We always like chatting with our friends from VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services and today we sit down with two of our favorites, Executive Director Deacon Jerry Jablonowski and Anne Marie Pirillo, Manager, Parish Based Senior Social Programs. In addition to talking about the incredible (and expanding) work of VITALity, we also discuss their April 28 event in Ventnor, NJ, "FOLLOWING THE WAY OF ST. JAMES ON THE ROAD OF LIFE," a special day of prayer, fitness and fellowship that was inspired by El Camino de Santiago (The Way of Saint James).

http://vitality.camdendiocese.org/?event=following-th-eway-of-st-james-on-the-road-of-life&event_date=2018-04-28

James Andrews, Director of the diocese's Office of Black Catholic Ministries and Cultural Diversity, and Coordinator for the Racial Justice Commission, steps into the studio this week with Mike and Pete. The engaging Mr. Andrews shares with the hosts his faith background, his work with South Jersey's Black Catholics, and the upcoming Afternoon of Jazz his office is sponsoring this weekend. For more info, visit http://www.camdendiocese.org/?event=afternoon-of-jazz-2018&event_date=2018-04-22.

This week Mike and Pete are joined by Clare McNamee, Director of Campus Ministry at Paul VI High School; and Father Michael Romano, diocesan Director of Vocations and the Bishop's Priest Secretary, to talk about the upcoming annual iRace 4 Vocations event. The free faithraiser to benefit vocations includes a Mass, confession, food, family entertainment and a 5K Race/ 1 mile walk that has become a spirited tradition for people of all ages in the past seven years of its existence, and has contributed to the growing conversation on vocations in South Jersey. McNamee and Father Romano joyfully share with our hosts the history of the IRACE; the importance of discerning God's call for our lives, be it religious, married, single, or priesthood; and how to tune out the world's noise, to clearly hear the voice of God.

https://camdenpriest.org/irace4vocations/

We're in Ocean City, NJ, this week chatting with Katie Waldow, Director of Youth Ministry at Saint Damien Parish. While it may not be summer yet at the seaside resort, Katie's sunny demeanor, youthful energy and deep spirituality keep Mike and Pete in great spirits, worthy of a mid-July day. The three talk about the benefits and challenges of engaging the young church in a shore town that see's it's population swell from a few 1,000 in the winter to 100,000 in the summer. We also chat about her work in women's ministries and the benefits of a vegan lifestyle.

Mike and Pete are on the road again this week, as they head to Stockton University's Catholic Campus Ministry Center. The hosts chat with three college students, Gabi Marigliano, Victoria Mitchell, and Dom Villanueva, who share their recent experiences working with Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, and building a culture of encounter with migrants and refugees, as part of the Diocese of Camden's #sharejourney campaign. Alison Filion, Director of Stockton's Catholic Campus Ministry, sits in as well, for a rich and informative hour.