Talking Catholic

It’s another live recording as we sat in on Theology on Tap, presented by the Diocese of Camden’s Youth, Young Adult and Campus Ministry.

Before a packed house of millennial Catholics, our dear friends of the podcast Sister Agnes and Sister Joseph of The Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal in Atlantic City explored the importance of prayer and communicating with God. They offer fantastic tips on how to embrace a peaceful and directed mindset before beginning prayers. There’s a lot great recommended reading, too.

Recorded at Rocco’s Town House in Hammonton, N.J., on November 29, 2017.

Catholic Charities works tirelessly through their many programs to support individuals and families facing these winter hardships. During this Christmas season, consider supporting Catholic Charities and the good work they do: http://catholiccharitiescamden.org/.

The voice of the Talking Catholic, and might-as-well-be-a-host he's guested so often, Father Robert Sinatra joins us for another seasonal conversation as we chat about Advent and Christmas. He gives Mike & Pete some great tips on how to more fully use the Advent season to properly prepare for Christmas. Perhaps his best tip, less is more, at least for the first two weeks of Advent.

This week's show is stuffed with guests ready to talk about their incredible experience at the National Catholic Youth Conference last week! Co-host Pete Sanchez; Greg Coogan, Director of Youth, Young Adult & Campus Ministries; Jose Rodriguez, Coordinator of Youth Ministry; and Kimberly Pesotski, Youth Minister at Saint Mary of Mount Carmel, Hammonton share with co-host Mike Walsh the highlights and passion of the young church gathered in Indianapolis. Also discussed: tips on how to safely drive and eat at the same time.

During Thanksgiving, Bishop Dennis Sullivan encouraged us to remember the elderly and those with disabilities who are supported by VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services. If you or your loved ones in South Jersey need help in finding the specialized care they need, call the VITALity Help-line at 1-888-26-VITALity or go to http://vitality.camdendiocese.org/.

We welcome Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden, staff members Aruna Malc and Brian Wagner to the program this week to chat disaster response deployments. Both returned home recently after deployments to Texas and Florida, to help those affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, Malc and Wagner share their experiences on the front lines of Catholic Charities' mission; why they feel called to this work, and how it affects their family lives; and their upcoming holiday plans. Also joining Mike and Pete as a third co-host is Mary McCusker, Marketing and Communications Coordinator for Catholic Charities. If you would like to donate to Catholic Charities disaster relief go to http://catholiccharitiescamden.org/ or text CCUSADISASTER to 71777.

[Producer note: We had some technical difficulties with this recording. We did our best to clean up the sound, but it is not as clear as we would like it to be. Our apologies.]

Catholic Potpourri, #2! Our hosts Mike and Pete are joined this week by friends of the show, Father Robert Sinatra, Rod Herrera, and Jose Rodriguez. In this spirited hour, the five discuss Pope Francis’ comments about smartphones at Mass, the upcoming National Catholic Youth Conference, Philly sports, and Apple products.

Bishop Dennis Sullivan welcomes all to join him and singer Debby Boone on December 2nd for her Music and Memories concert at Investors Bank Performing Arts Center in Washington Township, NJ. The concert benefits the South Jersey Scholarship Fund for Catholic Schools. http://www.camdendiocese.org/?event=music-and-memories-with-debby-boone&event_date=2017-12-02

Talking Catholic celebrates it's third consecutive week of "firsts," as we welcome a guest from outside New Jersey, Frank Mercadante, Executive Director of Cultivation Ministries and author of "Engaging A New Generation: A New Vision for Reaching Catholic Teens." Mike and Pete chat with Frank about his life's work in youth ministry; how connecting with millennials is different than Baby Boomers and Gen Xers; his recent visit with priests and parish ministers in South Jersey; and the favorite pastime, home brewing.

¡Tenemos otro podcast ESPECIAL esta semana, lo estamos ofreciendo en dos idiomas! Para nuestros oyentes en inglés, Mike y Pete se sientan con Andrés Arango, Delegado del Obispo para el Ministerio Hispano. Para los oyentes en español, Marianela Núñez, Directora del programa de inscripción de latinos en la oficina de Escuelas Católicas, conduce el programa y se une a Pete y Andrés para la entrevista.

Ambos podcasts discuten el V Encuentro de este fin de semana, que reunirá a los hispanos de South Jersey para un día de reflexión, intercambio de fe y discipulado misionero. También abordan temas como la evangelización, el Papa Francisco, y los regalos que los hispanos aportan a la Iglesia Católica.