Talking Catholic

We have another SPECIAL podcast this week, we are offering it in two languages! For our English listeners, Mike and Pete sit down with Andres Arango, Bishop's Delegate for Hispanic Ministry. For Spanish listeners, Marianela Nunez, Catholic Schools Office field consultant for the Latino enrollment program, takes the co-host chair and joins Pete and Andres for the interview.

Both podcasts discuss this weekend's V Encuentro, which will bring together South Jersey Hispanics for day of reflection, faith sharing, and missionary discipleship. Both podcasts also touch on evangelization, Pope Francis, and what gifts Hispanics bring to the Catholic Church.

It’s our first recording before a live audience! Domestic Church Media founder and local Catholic radio pioneer Jim Manfredonia and DCM’s Director of Community Relations & co-host Gabriella Furmato presented “Miracles in the Media: From Fake News to Catholic Media” to a great crowd at the October 17th Theology on Tap event at Tir Na Nog in Cherry Hill. They explained the nature of DCM’s apostolate, their own faith journey, and the importance of being a trusted source of the Good News in today’s fractured media landscape. Our own Mike Walsh emceed the event on behalf of the Diocese of Camden’s Youth, Young Adult & Campus Ministries. To learn more about Domestic Church Media and their many shows, go to https://domesticchurchmedia.org/.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness month and our guests this week are Jeffrey DeCristofaro and Lisa Incollingo, two of the hardworking and dedicated attorneys of the Camden Center for Law and Social Justice. Experts on domestic violence, as well as immigration, they spend the hour explaining the assistance abuse victims have at their disposal and how domestic violence is far more pervasive than many people realize. For more information, visit www.cclsj.org

Alison Filion, Director of Catholic Campus Ministry at Stockton University, is this week's guest on Talking Catholic. The South Jersey native has a good time with Mike and Pete, discussing her return home, her first months on the job at Stockton, and how her faith and family life have prepared her to assist young college students. The hour also includes a shared love of all things French-Canadian, and the dangers of recording podcasts in the morning (at least when night-owl Mike is the co-host).

Talking Catholic makes its way to Hammonton, NJ, this week, to visit Kimberly Pesotski, Youth Director at Saint Mary of Mount Carmel Parish. The engaging and enlightening discussion between Kim, Mike and Pete centered on her role in sharing the faith with the young church; the importance of discernment in the spiritual life; modeling good spirituality for young people, and their favorite things about the Autumn season.

Deputy Chief David J. Harkins of the Gloucester Township Police Department is Mike and Pete's guest this week on Talking Catholic. Chief Harkins discusses the upcoming Blue Mass for Law Enforcement and First Responders on September 29, speaks about his own faith journey to becoming a permanent deacon, and how police are responding to the heroin crisis locally and nationally.

It's Catholic potpourri this week on Talking Catholic as we discuss a wide range of topics including the opening week of Catholic Schools, Catholic Social teaching, hurricanes, vanity vs. humiity, great spiritual movies and nuns with chainsaws.

Joining Mike and Pete are guests Maria D'Antonio, Communications Coordinator & Web Content Manager (and fan of the podcast!); Rod Herrera, Director of Child and Youth Protection; Mary McCusker, Marketing and Communications Coordinator with Catholic Charities; and Bill Watson, Director of Curriculum and Assessment for Catholic Schools.

Recently, we’ve been getting a lot of questions about the newest residents of the Diocese of Camden, the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal who have opened a convent in Atlantic City adjacent to Saint Michael’s Church. So instead of answering these questions ourselves, the sisters joined us on the podcast from their convent! We talked about their individual vocation stories, the mission of their community, the day in the life of the sisters, and what they hope to accomplish in Atlantic City. It’s a great conversation with Sister Agnes, Sister Ann Kateri, Sister Joseph and Sister Chiara! To learn even more about the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal, go to http://franciscansisterscfr.com/.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, Mary McCusker, Marketing & Communications Coordinator for Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden, sits down with Mike and Pete to discuss Catholic Charities' efforts to help those affected in Texas. If you would like to assist in the relief effort, visit www.catholiccharitiescamden.org/hurricane-harvey-relief, text CCUSADISASTER to 71777, or call 1-800-919-9338.

Jose Rodriguez, Jr., recently-named Coordinator of Hispanic, Youth and Young Adult Ministries for the Diocese of Camden, joins Mike and Pete in the vault this week to discuss his duties in bringing the faith to South Jersey's youth. This packed podcast also includes the three reflecting on prayer, silence, and last week's Summer in the City youth initiative.