The Quest Atlanta Catholic Radio

Program #773 Why So Many Religions

Series: Year of Faith #5 of 6

Description: Instruction on the Catechism of the Catholic Church and other topics critical to those seeking answers to life’s greatest questions

Are worry & anxiety constant companions? We'll help you quiet the noise & find your calm. Dr. Greg and Lisa will help you solve your problems with relevant, relatable and achievable tools and solutions straight from the genius of the Theology of the Body. It is the life you were meant to live! To make a telecounseling appoint with Dr. Greg or one of his associates, call 800-274-4658.

Guest: Jacob Popcak

Jacob Popcak, M.A., L.P.C. is a counseling associate of the Pastoral Solutions Institute. Jacob holds a Masters in Arts for Counseling from Franciscan University of Steubenville. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor, and has received advanced training in marriage therapy from the Gottman Institute, training in counseling for depression and anxiety disorders (Beck Institute, CBT for Depression and Anxiety), and holds certifications in both Christian Counseling (Franciscan University of Steubenville) and treating online addictions (Zur Institute). Prior to joining PSI, Jacob served as a therapist in a variety of outpatient counseling settings where he practiced intensive therapy with individuals, couples, children, trauma patients, and families suffering a variety of emotional and relational problems. He has spoken across the country about Pope Saint John Paul II’s Theology of the Body and has trained at the Theology of the Body Institute (TOB 1-3). He is the former co-host of the Son Rise Morning Show on EWTN, where, in addition to hosting and interviewing newsmakers both in the Church and around the world, he presented practical meditations on the gospels. He is a published author has contributed writings on the intersections of faith, psychology, and art/beauty to multiple publications, including Our Sunday Visitor Press.

Resource: Pastoral Solutions Institute

Website:

https://catholiccounselors.com/

Good morning! On today’s show, Matt Swaim and Anna Mitchell welcome Stephanie Mann to discuss a poem about the Trinity by the late John Keble. Other guests include Dr. Gabriel Martinez from Ave Maria University with more thoughts on a Catholic approach to economics, and Kevin  Schmiesing with This Week in Catholic History. Plus news, weather, sports, and more…

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Prayer of St. John of the Cross

O Blessed Jesus,
give me stillness of soul in You.
Let Your mighty calmness reign in me.
Rule me, O King of Gentleness,
King of Peace.

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Full list of guests

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

June 6th, 2026 - Debbie Georgianni and Adam Blai dive into the mailbag to answer questions sent in by listeners just like you.

In this third season of Kimberly Hahn's Women's Bible Study, we begin the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary. In this first episode, Kimberly Hahn will unpack the biblical background of the first Sorrowful Mystery: Our Lord's Agony in the Garden.

Dr. Matthew Petrusek

Welcome back to the Word on Fire Show. I’m Matthew Petrusek, senior director of the Word on Fire Institute and the host of the Word on Fire Show. Thank you for joining us. A wave of fresh converts has entered the Catholic Church in the United States, Australia, and parts of Europe. The evidence for this surge is far from anecdotal; even secular media outlets that are historically inclined to downplay positive stories about Catholicism widely reported packed sanctuaries this past Easter, the day those who have been preparing to enter the Catholic Church typically receive their first sacraments. This is welcome news for a Church that has grown accustomed to a half-century narrative of religious disaffiliation and cultural decline. So what’s behind this uptick in conversions? What factors are leading young people—and young men in particular—to buck the trend of secularization and become Catholic? What is happening both in the world and within the Church that is making the faith become so attractive? Perhaps most importantly, what can and should Catholics, clergy and laity alike, do to both continue the momentum and help new converts to stick with faith? Here to offer his insights on what’s driving this new growth and why, now more than ever, we should double our efforts to proclaim Christ in the culture is Bishop Robert Barron.

00:00 | Introduction
01:16 | Bishop Barron’s recent confirmation season
03:12 | Recent growth in Catholicism
05:50 | What cultural factors are contributing to these numbers?
18:52 | The liturgy and the Mass in evangelization
23:06 | A renewal of mysticism in the Church
24:28 | Is “modernizing” the Church necessary for growth?
25:55 | Evangelical efforts to support
30:00 | How we maintain momentum without perpetuating a trend
30:57 | Advice for new converts
32:04 | Listener question: Should I baptize my kids before myself?
34:10 | Join the Word on Fire Institute

Together, with Fr. Mike, we examine the question of when the liturgy is celebrated. The Catechism states that there is a word that marks Christian prayer, and that word is “today.” Fr. Mike emphasizes that our liturgy and worship happens “today,” not in the past and not in the future, but right now in this present moment. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1163-1167.

This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB.

For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy

Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

As we read about Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, Fr. Mike breaks down Jesus' interactions with his disciples and the Sadducees and his reaction to the widow's offering. We learn that a life rooted in Jesus is a life that bears good fruit. Today we read Mark 11-12 and Psalm 67.

For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear.

Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Support The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)

Join Dan and Stephanie Burke as they talk with Fr. Gregory Pine on how to train the tongue and grow in virtue that focuses on the positive instead of the negativity that comes from gossip!

Resources:

• Training the Tongue - Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P.
• Godsplaining - website
• Spiritual Warfare and Discernment of Spirits - video series
• Discernment of Spirits for Beginners - Dr. Mary Ruth Hackett & Dan Burke
• Into the Deep - video series
• Finding Peace in the Storm - Dan Burke
• Into the Deep – Dan Burke
• Spiritual Warfare and the Discernment of Spirits - Dan Burke
• The Contemplative Rosary - Dan Burke and Connie Rossini
• A Catholic Guide to Mindfulness - Susan Brinkmann OCDS
• SpiritualDirection.com/Events - website
• Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation
• EWTN Religious Catalogue – online