Candid Catholic Convos

Candid Catholic Convos

by Diocese of Harrisburg

Christianity Religion

Saint Patrick: The Man, The Myth, The Legend, The Saint - feat. Fr. Brommer

Few Catholic saints are as celebrated in the secular world as Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Everything turns green and those who may not be Irish in heritage become Irish at heart, celebrating the lore, leprechauns, and luck associated with the holiday. Saint Patrick is truly the man, the myth and the legend – so much so that some even forget he’s a saint, and why that title was bestowed upon him. So what makes him so memorable? Father Brommer, pastor of the Cathedral Parish of Saint Patrick here in Harrisburg and director of our office of Divine Worship joins me today to unpack what’s truth, what’s fiction, and how this legendary Saint became the patron of our Diocese.

Faithful Citizenship - feat. Eric Failing, PA Catholic Conference

For better or worse, election season is around the corner, and to help us wade through the waters of indecision is Eric Failing, Executive Director of the PA Catholic Conference and host of the "Faith, Elections and Citizenship; Forming Consciences of Faithful Citizenship, a call to political responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States" event happening April 8th at the Diocesan Center. Today we're discussing whether or not our votes actually count, educating ourselves as Catholics on how we are called to participate in politics, and tactful ways to navigate differences of opinion during these divided times. Register here: www.hbgdiocese.org/citizenship

What It Means to Evangelize - feat. Deacon Gregory Amarante and Dr. Jim Gregory

70% of Catholics are afraid to share their faith or to participate in evangelization. So what are we as Catholics called to do? How can we make the process of evangelization not weird and uncomfortable for both us and whomever we’re speaking to? Deacon Gregory Amarante from our Catholic Life and Evangelization Team and Dr. Jim Gregory, director of religious education for St. Columba Parish and school are here to to walk us through the reality of what evangelization is and isn’t, what our responsibility is as Catholics, and how we can apply it to our every day lives.

St. Joseph, a Model of Living Well - feat. Jon Leonetti

Where are we supposed to look for a good example of what it means to live well? Where are we supposed to look for a model so we can in turn be an example for our children? What does that even look like, anyway? Today we’re chatting with Jon Leonetti, a nationally known Catholic speaker, best-selling author, radio host and keynote speaker for this year’s Diocesan Men’s Conference, about using Saint Joseph as a model for our livelihood, our love life, and our big V vocations. Jon's Website: https://www.jonleonetti.com Register for the Men's Conference: https://www.hbgdiocese.org/event/mens-conference/

Growing Pains: Healing for Adult Children from Divorce - feat. Bethany Meola, Life Giving Wounds

More than 1 million children a year experience their parents's divorce or separation, and those children eventually grow up to become adults who's chances of experiencing a divorce themselves increase by 40%. Today we’re chatting with Bethany Meola, a wife, mother, author and co-founder of Life Giving Wounds, about the long lasting impact divorce and separation can have on children, and where adult children of divorce can find healing. Life Giving Wounds: https://www.lifegivingwounds.org Retreat April 12-`14 https://www.hbgdiocese.org/event/life-giving-wounds-retreat/

Fish Frydays: A Catholic and Community Tradition - feat. Fr. Jonathan Sawicki

In just 10 short days, we will begin the season of Lent – honestly it feels like Christmas was yesterday – and with that, comes meatless Fridays. Enter the local parish fish fry. This generations old practice has been a staple in Catholic communities dating back to prohibition when they were used to disguise speakeasies to keep the bars from going under financially and even further overseas. Just like at Christmas or Thanksgiving or birthdays or any given Tuesday, food is celebratory, it’s traditional, it brings us together. Friday Fish Frys are no different. But why fish? Why Fridays? And why did it change from no meat on every Friday to just no meat on Fridays during Lent? Today we’re welcoming back Father Jonathan Sawicki, pastor at St. Theresa’s church in New Cumberland to share with us the rich history of this tradition, why fish is the main dish, and how strong this ministry of Friday Fish Frys still is today.

Culture, Identity and Outreach - feat. Deacon Armando Torres

We’re each different, fearfully and wonderfully made, with a purpose that is specific to us. But sometimes, it’s difficult to recognize and appreciate our differences for what they are. The reality is we’re all more alike than you think. Today we're joined Deacon Armando Torres, our director of Cultural Identity and Outreach, to talk about the different apostolates as well as our new outreach programs to serve all the people of our diverse and vibrant Diocese.

Pro-Life: A Complete Look

We’ve talked about this topic a lot on Candid Catholic Convos, so today we dug deep into the archives and compiled a compendium – like a best of episode - all on the topic of pro-life just for you. The first segment is from Episode 37 with Samantha Povlock, CEO and Editor in Chief of FemCatholic with what mainstream would call a radical reframe of the term feminism and how that incorporates with our Catholic beliefs. The next segments is from episode 11 with Dr Anne Marie Manning and Dr Naomi Whittaker about what an abortion is and isn’t, and it also features advice for those in a season of an unexpected pregnancy or uncertainty or who are questioning their decision to utilize the abortion pill. The third segment is from episode 33 and it’s all about pro-life policy making and the ways Eric Failing and the PA Catholic Conference are advocating not just for the unborn, but for a whole life which is especially important this election year.

Introducing Young Catholic Professionals - feat. Brian Lynch and Dominic Biacchi

This week’s episode was recorded in September 2023 with Brian Lynch and Dominic Biacchi from our newly formed Diocesan Young Catholic Professionals Networking Organization, and we’re bringing it back today because of some pretty amazing updates – If you’re an adult in your 20s or 30s, mark your calendars for January 26 from 7 to 9pm because Young Catholic Professionals South Central PA is hosting a FREE Launch party at the Capitol Building. Join us for a fun night of networking, filled with drinks, appetizers, and dessert, meet other young professionals who are excited about integrating their faith into the workplace, and a special greeting from Bishop Senior to kick-off of our YCP South Central PA Chapter! For more info and details on how to register, visit www.youngcatholicprofessionals.org/chapter/south-central-pa

The Secret to Making Wellness Resolutions that Stick - feat. Erin McCole Cupp

If you have lofty goals for 2024, especially if they center around health and wellness like more than half the population, you're going to want to really lean into this episode, because today we're chatting with Erin McCole Cupp, an author and expert on Theology of the Body, about the theology of moving your body to honor God, managing disordered eating, and committing to true overall wellness of the mind, body and spirit.

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