Talking Catholic

Mr. Kevin Hickey, executive director of the Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden, and a trustee of Catholic Charities USA, joins Mike and Pete this week to discuss the upcoming Justice for All Dinner and the work of Catholic Charities in South Jersey. Last year, Catholic Charities served more than 33,000 people through its myriad of programs. We hope you can join Kevin and this year's JFA honoree, Cardinal Joseph Tobin, Archbishop of Newark, N.J. at the October 11 event in Atlantic City. To learn more go to - http://catholiccharitiescamden.org/jfa2017.

This week we have two of the finest journalists in South Jersey join us as we welcome Carl Peters, Managing Editor of the Catholic Star Herald, and Jim McBride, the paper’s beloved photographer and living diocesan Wikipedia page. We talk with the both of them about how they got their start in journalism, how the diocese and the newspaper industry have changed over the years, and how much a good staff makes all the difference when it comes to getting the job done. Read and see more from both of them at http://catholicstarherald.org.

We talk pilgrimages this week with Father Robert Hughes, Vicar General of the Diocese of Camden, and arguably one of the most traveled Catholics in South Jersey. Since his days as a wee lad in high school, he has been taking part in or leading dozens of pilgrimages, both in the U.S. and internationally. On the podcast this week, he schools Mike and Pete about the spiritual nature of pilgrimages, as well as the logistics of taking part in a pilgrimage. If you would like to join one of Fr. Hughes' pilgrimages, check out http://www.pilgrimages.com/frhughes/.

Fr. David Rivera joins us this week to discuss what it’s like to minister in one of the most diverse and widespread parishes in Southern New Jersey, the Parish of the Holy Cross, which includes the city of Bridgeton and most of the surrounding county. We also touch on his background in moral theology and how a kid from urban Camden, New Jersey adjusted to life in the very rural area he now calls home.

This week we have an in depth chat about the Knights of Columbus, as Mike and Pete welcome their Brother Knight into the vault: Andy Lipenta, past State Deputy and newly-appointed Vice Supreme Master for New Jersey and New York. In between discussing the global order's dedication to service to God, country, and the community, they talk about the great work of the Knights locally and internationally, how the organization fosters a sense of brotherhood for Catholic gentlemen, and why the color corps members in their tuxes, chapeau's and swords may be the toughest of the lot (hint: it get's hot in that outfit on a sunny summer day.) If you're interested in becoming a Knight and finding a council near you, go to http://kofc.org/.

Are there ever "dog days of summer" down the shore? Mike and Pete set out to answer that question this week, in their conversation with Father Jon Thomas, Pastor of Atlantic City's Parish of Saint Monica. The energetic young priest and our hosts also shoot the summer breeze on Atlantic City's revitalization; the upcoming Wedding of the Sea celebration in Atlantic City; the recent Convocation of Catholic Leaders, and beach reads.

It's a special episode this week as we recap the Convocation of Catholic Leaders that was held July 1-4 in Orlando. Joining Mike and Pete are delegates to the Convocation, Father Kevin Mohan, Laurie Power, Michael Jordan Laskey and Michael Chambers. In all, 3,500 delegates from around the country came together to share their stories, best practices and energy of evangelization. You can check out the video archive of the convocation here: http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/get-involved/meetings-and-events/convocation-2017/convocation-2017-live-stream.cfm

Have you ever considered fundraising to be a spiritual endeavor? If you haven't then you've never met this week's guest, the dean of fundraising in South Jersey, Jim Lanahan. As director of development he is the chief fundraiser for the Diocese of Camden. However, what makes Jim truly unique is the level of spirituality he brings to his job. He is a natural born evangelizer.

This week, it's a first for Talking Catholic, as Mike and Pete are graced with the presence of a religious sister, Sister Dianna Higgins, a Franciscan Missionary of the Infant Jesus. Sister Dianna, a teacher at Paul VI High School and facilitator of a monthly women's discernment group, discusses where youth and young adults are today, and how they can best understand God's call for their lives. As well, she provides insight into an upcoming initiative for South Jersey's young adults on spiritual direction.

Have you ever wondered how a Catholic Mass or special service is created? Today we sit down with Stephen Obarski, Director of the Office of Worship and Christian Initiation for the Diocese of Camden, to discuss his role in developing Masses and incorporating changes from the Vatican to the rubrics of these liturgies. We also talk a little bit about the other hat he wears, as an archivist for the diocese.