The Good Catholic Life

Today’s topics: The Joy of the Gospel and Pope Francis on Preaching Summary of today’s show: Homilies and preaching were a surprise component of Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel) last fall, but his practical words of advice and explanation occupy a substantial portion of the document. Fr. Michael Harrington joins Fr. Chip Hines to talk about the importance of homilies, how priests prepare for them, and how regular parishioners can take the same advice to help them get ready for Mass on Sunday and receive a lot more from what they hear and experience. Listen to the show: Subscribe for free in iTunes Today’s host(s): Fr. Chip Hines and Domenico Bettinelli Today’s guest(s): Fr. Michael Harrington, Links from today’s show: Evangelii Gaudium Magnificat Magnifikid Word Among Us Navarre Bible Commentary Word on Fire Homilies.net Catholic Preaching

Today’s topics: Vatican Secretariat of the Economy; Consistory; Benedict’s Resignation Anniversary; Papal Visit?; Episcopal Vicar Summary of today’s show: Our usual Thursday panel of Scot Landry, Susan Abbott, Gregory Tracy, and Fr. Roger Landry consider the headlines of the week, including the historic change at the Vatican when Pope Francis created the new Secretariat of the Economy; the consistory at which 19 new cardinals were created; reflecting on the resignation of Pope-emeritus Benedict one year later; the possibility of a papal visit to Boston; and a new Episcopal Vicar for Boston. Listen to the show: Subscribe for free in iTunes Today’s host(s): Scot Landry and Susan Abbott Today’s guest(s): Gregory Tracy, managing editor of the Pilot, the newspaper of the Archdiocese of Boston, and Fr. Roger Landry, pastor of St. Bernadette Parish in Fall River Links from today’s show: The Anchor The Pilot Some of the stories discussed on this show will be available on The Pilot’s and The Anchor’s websites on Friday morning. Please check those sites for the latest links. “Pope establishes panel, with lay members, to oversee Vatican finances”, Catholic News Service, 2/24/14 “Pope Francis, with retired Pope Benedict present, creates new cardinals”, Catholic News Service, 2/23/14 “Pope asks families to pray for October synod”, Catholic News Service, 2/25/14 “Cardinals outline broad approacheds to family ministry, spokesman says”, Catholic News Service, 2/21/14 “Cardinal: Ignorance about marriage is no reason to change doctrine”, Catholic News Service, 2/26/14 “Pope Benedict’s Resignation One Year Later”, The Anchor, Fr. Roger Landry, 2/28/14 “Mayor to pope: Please come to Boston”, The Boston Globe, 2/21/14

Today’s topics: 2014 Catholic Appeal for the Archdiocese of Boston Summary of today’s show: The annual Catholic Appeal provides the primary means of support to the Central Ministries of the Archdiocese of Boston. Scot Landry and Michael Lavigne are joined by Mary Doorley of the archdiocese’s development office; Andrea Alberti, director of campus ministry at St. Mary High School in Lynn; and Becca Hart, a senior at St. Mary’s, to discuss how the appeal provides support and assistance to parishes and schools, changing lives and transforming the faith of people from cradle to grave. Listen to the show: Subscribe for free in iTunes Today’s host(s): Scot Landry and Michael Lavigne Today’s guest(s): Mary Doorley, VP of Development for the Archdiocese of Boston; Andrea Alberti, Director of Campus Ministry at St. Mary High School in Lynn; and Becca Hart, a senior at St. Mary’s Links from today’s show: Boston Catholic Appeal St. Mary High School, Lynn 2014 Boston Catholic Appeal Video - Forward in Hope

Today’s topics: Eleanor McCullen Summary of today’s show: Eleanor McCullen has become a household name because of her role in the US Supreme Court case McCullen v. Coakley, challenging the constitutionality of Massachusetts’ abortion clinic buffer zone law, but as she tells Scot Landry and Fr. Chris O’Connor, she has a compelling testimony to share, including her work bringing the love of Christ to women contemplating abortion and to men and women incarcerated in Massachusetts prisons. Eleanor also shares her powerful conversion story in which she was convicted that she is—and all of us are—the apple of God’s eye and she set out to live the Gospel. Listen to the show: Subscribe for free in iTunes Today’s host(s): Scot Landry and Fr. Chris O’Connor Today’s guest(s): Links from today’s show: Supreme Court Challenge to Abortion Clinic Buffer Zone: Program #0655 for Friday, January 24, 2014 Pregnancy Help, 617-782-5151 Project Rachel Boston, 508-651-3100 40 Days for Life Eleanor’s phone number: 617-733-2264

Today’s topics: Making the Case for Life Summary of today’s show: Abortion is perhaps the most divisive issue in American life today and Trent Horn joins Fr. Chip Hines and Dom Bettinelli to discuss his new DVD “Making the Case for Life”, in which he shows how we can all talk about abortion, not just with pro-choice activists, but also with those in our families and communities who aren’t themselves pro-life. Listen to the show: Subscribe for free in iTunes Today’s host(s): Fr. Chip Hines and Domenico Bettinelli Today’s guest(s): Trent Horn Links from today’s show: Catholic Answers Buy “Making the Case for Life” at Catholic Answers Justice for All Common Ground Without Compromise

Today’s topics: Cardinals advise Pope; Pope renews Passport; Confession; Pope on Marriage; Bishop Deeley; Episcopal Vicar; Pilgrimages Summary of today’s show: Our usual Thursday panel of Scot Landry, Susan Abbott, Gregory Tracy, and Fr. Roger Landry discussed the news headlines of the week, including recommendations from the Council of Cardinals to Pope Francis; the Pope renews his Argentine passport; Pope Francis talking about confession and addressing engaged couples; and the importance of pilgrimage. Listen to the show: Subscribe for free in iTunes Today’s host(s): Scot Landry and Susan Abbott Today’s guest(s): Gregory Tracy, managing editor of the Pilot, the newspaper of the Archdiocese of Boston, and Fr. Roger Landry, pastor of St. Bernadette Parish in Fall River The Anchor The Pilot Some of the stories discussed on this show will be available on The Pilot’s and The Anchor’s websites on Friday morning. Please check those sites for the latest links. “Cardinals give pope recommendations on Vatican bank, financial affairs”, Catholic News Service, 2/19/14 “Pope renews Argentine passport, identity card”, Catholic News Service, 2/18/14 “Go directly to confession, don’t wait, pope says at audience”, Catholic News Service, 2/19/14 “Pope to engaged couples: After ‘I do,’ comes ‘may I, thank you, sorry’”, Catholic News Service, 2/14/14 “Episcopal Vicar named for Boston Archdiocese’s North Region”, The Pilot, 2/14/14 “Journeying To and With Jesus, The Anchor, February 21, 2014”, Fr. Roger Landry, CatholicPreaching.com

Today’s topics: The Father of the Family Summary of today’s show: Becoming a good father isn’t just a trick of biology and it’s not just about biological fathers, according to Clayton Barbeau, author of the classic book “The Father of the Family”. He joins Scot Landry and Fr. Matt Williams to discuss how Christ calls men to be more than just bosses and breadwinners, but as loving husbands and gentle fathers, teachers, witnesses, and models of holiness. Fatherhood is about taking responsibility for another, a definition that includes spiritual fathers in the priesthood. Listen to the show: Subscribe for free in iTunes Today’s host(s): Scot Landry and Fr. Matt Williams Today’s guest(s): Clayton Barbeau, author of “The Father of the Family” Links from today’s show: The Father of the Family

Today’s topics: Fr. Thomas Stegman, SJ Summary of today’s show: On location at St. John’s Seminary, Scot Landry and Fr. Chris O’Connor welcome Fr. Thomas Stegman, a Jesuit on the faculty of Boston College’s School of Theology and Ministry, to discuss his background growing up in Nebraska, how he came to his vocation, the ministry of the Society of Jesus (i.e. the Jesuits), the School of Theology and Ministry (formerly the Weston School of Theology), and the first Jesuit pope. Fr. Stegman also talks about the importance of Scriptures and how the Bible springs up from the Church. Listen to the show: Subscribe for free in iTunes Today’s host(s): Scot Landry and Fr. Chris O’Connor Today’s guest(s): Fr. Thomas Stegman, SJ Links from today’s show: Fr. Thomas D. Stegman, SJ Boston College School of Theology and Ministry

Today’s topics: 101 Tips for a Happier Marriage Summary of today’s show: On Valentine’s Day, it’s appropriate to look at the book “101 Tips for a Happier Marriage”, by Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse and Betsy Kerekes. They join Fr. Chip Hines and Dom Bettinelli to discuss the book’s tips that offer simple ways for couples to grow closer, including the favorites from both perspectives of the married man and the celibate. Listen to the show: Subscribe for free in iTunes Today’s host(s): Fr. Chip Hines and Domenico Bettinelli Today’s guest(s): Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse and Betsy Kerekes Links from today’s show: Ruth Instutute “Cohen: Celebrate love by decades”, Boston Herald, 2/14/14 101 Tips for a Happier Marriage: Simple Ways for Couples to Grow Closer to God and to Each Other

Today’s topics: Catholic bioethics in the news Summary of today’s show: MC Sullivan returned for her regular visit to discuss with Scot Landry and Fr. Matt Williams bioethical and medical issues in the news from a Catholic perspective, including recent cases of pregnant women declared brain dead being kept on medical support equipment; palliative sedation to relieve extreme suffering by making patients unconscious and unaware; the Catholic ethical perspective on organ donation; and the issue of pediatric assent. But first, they discussed yesterday’s 1-year anniversary of the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and where they were when they heard the news. Listen to the show: Subscribe for free in iTunes Today’s host(s): Scot Landry and Fr. Matt Williams Today’s guest(s): M.C. Sullivan, Director of Bioethics for Covenant Health Systems Links from today’s show: Office for the New Evangelization of Youth and Young Adults Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services “The Strange Case Of Marlise Munoz And John Peter Smith Hospital”, NPR, 1/28/14 “Brain-dead Canadian woman dies after son’s birth”, CNN, 2/12/14