Candid Catholic Convos

Candid Catholic Convos

by Diocese of Harrisburg

Christianity Religion

Advent Encounters: An Encounter with Mary

Today we're chatting with Amanda Snyder, parishioner at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish and one of the leaders of their An Investment in Motherhood (AIM) group about how her journey through motherhood has led her closer to Mary, and in turn, Jesus. An Investment in Motherhood Group at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish: Aim@steas.net SCRIPTURE: Luke 1:26-38 SAINT SPOTLIGHT: St. Gianna Molla

Advent Encounters: An Encounter with Hope

While the holidays are a joyous time for the church, for many it can be a stark reminder of grief and loss. Dr. Kirsten Tollefson, psychiatrist and program director for Catholic Charities' Labre Mental Health Clinic, joins us to talk about some tangible ways we can lean into hope this season, even if it feels out of reach. SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 64:1 SAINT SPOTLIGHT: St. Jude Thaddeus

Called By Name: Consecrated Life, Modern Witness

Pathways to Purpose is our brand-new video series launching on YouTube in January, and today we're privileged to hear from several of the nuns and sisters who will be featured in this series about their journey, the apostolates they've served, and their advice for young women discerning a call to religious life. SCRIPTURE: John 15:16 SAINT SPOTLIGHT: St. Therese of Liseux

Called By Name: When God Redirects

Have you ever had your life all mapped out only for God to completely reroute your plans? Today we're chatting with Joseph Gonzales, Youth Minister and Development Director for St. John the Baptist Parish in New Freedom, about his big plot twist moment in life that led him to follow God's call much differently than he imagined. SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 16:9 SAINT SPOTLIGHT: St. Francis of Assisi

Called By Name: Preparing for Priesthood

Deacon Drew Heidelbaugh sits down with us to discuss how he discerned his vocation and the mental gymnastics that went along with it. Scripture: John 21:15-17 Saint Spotlight: St. John Vianney

Living the Gospel Out Loud: Catholicism in Pop Culture

Open any social media app and you’ll find Catholics and non catholics alike arguing over whether or not to celebrate this holiday because, unfortunately, it has been long associated with spirituality and the occult. So many people are convinced of Halloween’s pagan origins, and with the abundance of violence, gore, sensuality, occultism, and demonic aspects now associated with Halloween, it’s hard not to. But is Halloween a pagan holiday or is it a hijacked holy day? How does the Catholic church feel about it? And since we’re talking about ghosts, are they even real and is believing in them in accordance with our Catholic faith? Today we're excited to welcome back to the program Father Jonathan Sawicki, pastor at Saint Theresa’s Parish in New Cumberland to talk through the history of this fascinating holiday and find out if it’s all, in fact, just a bunch of hocus pocus. Scripture: John 1:5 Saint Spotlight: St. Lucy

Living the Gospel Out Loud: Catholic Creators on the Rise

Our art and our faith actually can work in concert with one another. Today we're excited to introduce you to James from Saint Joseph Catholic School in Danville and his teacher, Kurt Eck, together known and the duo behind the podcast, Fun Fact Times with James D. What started as a little experiment has grown into two full seasons of episodes with guests ranging from students and teachers to priests and even Bishop Senior. SCRIPTURE: Exodus 35:31-32 SAINT SPOTLIGHT: St. Catherine of Bologna Listen to James' interview with Rachel on Fun Fact Times: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0QGTEIlgGtGSDDg17KqfgM?si=OfnRUzyNQuuuwQVE_heUXA

Living the Gospel Out Loud: Can you be Catholic and Eco-Conscious?

Today we're chatting with Sean Domencic about how our faith calls us to be stewards of creation and some tactile ways we can incorporate change in our daily lives. SCRIPTURE: Psalm 24:1 SAINT SPOTLIGHT: Servant of God Dorothy Day

Living the Gospel Out Loud: Saints & Social Justice

Today we’re chatting with the incomparable Eric Failing. Eric is the executive director of the PA Catholic Conference, the public affairs arm of the Catholic church that advocates and lobbies for Catholic Education, faith & politics, health care, life and dignity, marriage and family, religious liberty and social justice. SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 31:8-9 SAINT SPOTLIGHT: St. Oscar Romero

Returning to the Table: The Gift of Spiritual Communion

We talk a lot about “meeting people where they’re at” – isolation and loneliness is now considered to be an epidemic in this country, especially for those who are elderly, injured or homebound – so how to we remind them they are still part of the body of Christ? Today we’ll be chatting with Sharon Fisher,one of our extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion at Holy Infant Parish in Manchester, about the gift of spiritual communion and why she continues to participate in this ministry. SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 11:26 SAINT SPOTLIGHT: St. Tarsicius

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