Catholic Chicago

This month Megan sits down with Fr. Filbert Ngwila, a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago who is currently serving as a Chaplain in the U.S. Army and at Edward Hines, Jr. Veterans Administration Hospital. He has also served as a representative of multiple mission causes from his home country of Tanzania for mission appeals. Megan asks about Fr. Filbert's call to the priesthood and to chaplaincy. He shares about his service in the army and why he feels honored to minister with veterans and their families. They also discuss the three missionary organizations in Tanzania for which Fr. Filbert has made mission appeals.

This month Megan talks with John Young, Executive Director of Franciscan Works, a lay-led Catholic organization supporting Liberia Mission, which is a community of love, learning and prayer for poor and orphaned children in Liberia, West Africa. Working together, Franciscan Works and Liberia Mission empower young Liberians to break the cycle of poverty and become faithful future leaders in their families, community and country. Their mission is built upon three pillars: God, Education and Work.

The Sisters of Notre Dame, Sister Tina Petrie and Sister Linda Pelagio, are back with more stories. Sr. Tina recounts her adventures in Papua, New Guinea (“PNG”) and Uganda while being introduced to the locals (including farm animals, snakes and scopions!) Sr. Linda tells the rest of the story of her “journey of faith” and how she got to the United States from the Philippines and how she found her current community.

Our guests today are Sister Tina Petrick, SND and Sister Linda Pelagio, SND - Sisters of Notre Dame. At age 6, Sr. Tina’s mom predicted that she will be a Sister one day, and true enough, found a home with the SNDs and has also gone on Mission trips to both Uganda and Papua, New Guinea. Sr. Linda became blind at age 6 and overcame many hurdles in life. By the grace of God, she also found a home with the SNDs. Listen or watch their stories unfold March 4 and April 4, 2024.

Guests for this program are Richard Zmuda, author of "The Mole of Vatican Council II: The True Story of 'Xavier Rynne'" and Greg Pierce, president and publisher of ACTA Publications.

Guests for this program are Charles "Chuck" Shanabruch, author of "Ed Marciniak's City and Church: A Voice of Conscience" and Greg Pierce, president and publisher of ACTA Publications.

Davide Bonicelli and Patrick Lambert talk about the details of the Downtown Chicago Way of the Cross that will take place on Good Friday

Co-hosts Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi talk with Dr. Edward Gordon about the current status of the Covid-19 pandemic and also the state of the U.S. and world economies

Chicao Catholic editor, Joyce Duriga, talks with the executive director of the Catholic Conference of Illinois about assisted suicide legislation in Illinois

Chicago Catholic editor Joyce Duriga talks with the director of the Office for Life Long Formation, Kevin Foy, about the Remain In Me Eucharistic Program for Parishes.

Co-author, Marcia Lane McGhee, discusses her book “Fat Luther, Slim Pickins”. A fresh look at faith and the Catholic Church from the perspective of Black women navigating relationships, motherhood, careers and a meaningful relationship with Christ and His Church

Deacon James Norman talks with Valerie Jennings, Executive Director of the Tolton Spirituality program about the Tolton Spirituality Center.

David Warren, filmmaker and Valerie Jennings, Executive Director of the Tolton Spirituality Program, talk about the premiere of Tolton Speaks, the movie about the life and challenges of Venerable Fr. Augustus Tolton.

David Warren, filmmaker and Valerie Jennings, Executive Director of the Tolton Spirituality Program, discuss the making of the movie exposes the life and challenges of Venerable Fr. Augustus Tolton.

Catholic Charities recently announced a new Strategic Plan called Vision 2030 to enhance its core programs and deepen its impact in Cook and Lake Counties. Sally Blount, Catholic Charities President and CEO has worked with her Board of Directors over the past four years to create this pathway forward that sharpens the agency’s focus while maintaining its founding mission. Join Sally Blount and Katie Bredemann for a discussion about Vision 2030 on this special edition of The Voice of Charity.

Deacons James Norman, Dave Brencic are joined by Deacon Tom Lambert to discuss mental illness and loneliness.

Tranquility, transformation, and transcendence is what Mary K. Doyle insists you will find when strolling through the 72 poems and photos inspired by the natural treasures found in three Chicago suburban public gardens--Cantigny Park in Wheaton, The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, and Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe. Joining us for this segment is Mary K. Doyle

One of Catholic Charities’ Signature Events is coming up on Saturday, April 20: The Art of Caring. It is hosted by Catholic Charities Women’s Board, Lake County Services, a group of dynamic ladies who have been committed to the work of Catholic Charities for more than three decades. Join Katie Bredemann as she welcomes Carolyn Milligan, Patty Charhut, Gina Zisook, and Sondra Adam to preview this special event and discuss the Welcome Home Project, a Women’s Board program that directly helps vulnerable people as they strive for greater self-sufficiency.

Award-winning author and Chicago native Meg Kissinger is going to be the Keynote Speaker at the 2024 LOSS Blossoms of Hope Brunch on April 28. On this special edition of The Voice of Charity, Meg joins Katie Bredemann to discuss that upcoming event, plus her recent book, “While You Were Out: An Intimate Family Portrait of Mental Illness in an Era of Silence,” and her ground-breaking work travelling the United States reporting on America’s mental health system for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, Timothy Johnston and Todd Williamson explore the journey that is Lent. Moving through the season, they unpack the theology of the season, it’s rites and rituals. They discuss Lent’s focus on renewal of Baptism at Easter and how we prepare for that through our Lenten observances.

What is a vocation? A vocation is, essentially, an occupation. In a religious context, a vocation implies someone has had a divine call to live a religious life. Through the Sacrament of Baptism, we all have one calling in our lives: holiness. This means following Jesus to the best of our abilities. However, holiness will look different depending on one’s specific vocation. It’s important to listen and recognize the signs that determine how one answers and finds a place in life. Joining us for this segment is Vocations Director, Fr. Timothy Monahan

Part 1: St. Joseph Parish in north suburban Libertyville is a vibrant faith community whose stated vision is: “Through Our Baptism and Eucharist, we are called to love as Christ loves and serve as Christ serves.” On our program today, we have 2 groups of parishioners to tell us about 2 of the many wonderful ministries offered by St. Joseph parish. Up first we have Renee Zorc, Liz Kennedy, and Abby Daniels to tell us about SOUP FOR THE SOUL. Part 2: The Bed Ministry of St. Joseph parish in north suburban Libertyville is dedicated to building, assembling and delivering beds to children in need in the community. Joining us for this segment to talk about the Bed Ministry is Dan Palmieri, Dan Harris, and Anna Roeser.

Chicago Catholic editor Joyce Duriga interviews Jesus "Chuy" DeLeon about Fired Up Friday's at the Blessed Sacrament Youth Center in North Lawndale.

Respect Life:

Executive Director of the Catholic Conference of Illinois, Bob Gilligan, joins Raymund Pingoy and Victor Vallejo in a conversation about a recent Illinois Senate Bill that introduces Physician Assisted Suicide. If this SB 3499 (Physician Assisted Suicide) is to pass, it will certainly add to a culture of death here in our state. Learn about this bill and how we can start standing up against it.

CRS Rice Bowl

Join Raymund Pingoy and Danielle Bodette as they talk about the wonderful gift of what CRS - Rice Bowl brings as a global and local community movement. During our journey through Lent, we have a great opportunity through the Catholic Relief Services - Rice Bowl, to live out our faith in solidarity with our brothers and sisters around the world. Learn more through: https://crsricebowl.org or through our Archdiocese of Chicago's OHDS CRS Rice Bowl website: https://pvm.archchicago.org/human-dignity-solidarity/catholic-relief-services/crs-rice-bowl

Chicago Catholics will have an opportunity to learn about and be in the presence of an object of reverence that, in one writer’s words, “has been a focal point of veneration…attracting pilgrims and believers seeking spiritual solace.” The skull relic of Saint Jean de Brebeuf, which you’d normally find in an Ontario shrine, will be at the Church of the Holy Family located at 1080 West Roosevelt Road on March 1, 2024. Fr. Eric Immel, S.J., is traveling with the relic across North America. His mission ios to educate the faithful about the sain[‘ts mortal remains and their connection to the Jesuit priest who was canonized in 1930. Joining us on the program this morning via Zoom from Nebraska is Fr. Eric Immel.

Lourdes, France is one of the holiest sites in the world, welcoming people of all faith traditions who want to see where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette 18 times in 1858. Join Katie Bredemann as she welcomes Fr. Wayne Watts, Noreen Russo, Pam Davis, and Jacque Anderson to discuss their experiences together in Lourdes last summer, and the plans for the 2024 trip, as Fr. Wayne continues a 30-year tradition of leading Chicago pilgrims to serve in, and experience Lourdes.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website says Lent is a 40 day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. It's a period of preparation to celebrate the Lord's Resurrection at Easter. During Lent, we seek the Lord in prayer by reading Sacred Scripture; we serve by giving alms; and we practice self-control through fasting. We are called not only to abstain from luxuries during Lent, but to a true inner conversion of heart as we seek to follow Christ's will more faithfully. We recall the waters of baptism in which we were also baptized into Christ's death, died to sin and evil, and began new life in Christ. Joining us for today’s program to talk about the liturgies of Lent is Todd Williamson, Director of the Office for Divine Worship.

Host Beth White first spends time talking to the Director of Divine Worship, Todd Williamson, about the Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA) and then Beth has a conversation with the Director of the Global Mission Office, Megan Mio, about World Mission.

Host Bob Gilligan, Executive Director of the Catholic Conference of Illinois, speaks with Bobby Sylvester with Empower Illinois about the status of Tax Credit Scholarships in Illinois. Bob also speaks with Jeanette Malafa about the issue of assisted suicide.

Deacon Richard Hudzik, Director of Ongoing Formation for the Permanent Diaconate discusses the baptismal call and how to effectively live daily as Priest, Prophet and King.

Chicago Catholic editor, Joyce Duriga, spends time talking with Deacon John Vidmar about the Buckets of Hope Ministry.

Co-hosts Ray Pingoy and Cindy Cramer speak with teens who will be participating as leaders at this year's Catholic Youth Climate Summit.

Sister Connie Bach, PHJC (Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ) returns to Dare to Love to share more of her vocation story, takeaways from the Leadership Collaborative gathering of women religious under 65 in Chicago that she attended with Sister Lovina, and the importance of making the voiceless count. Father Adam provides a history of World Day of Consecrated Life (WDCL) and his experience of the Synodal process.

In this broadcast, hosts Timothy Johnston and Todd Williamson discuss the Lenten period of Purification and Enlightenment for those who are part of the RICA Process – the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. They talk about the periods of conversion, the Rites that are celebrated, and in particular they discuss the Rites of Election: the diocesan celebrations for those who will be baptized, confirmed and receive the Eucharist at this year’s Easter Vigil.

This month Megan talks with Srs. Teresa Quintero, Adriana Galay and Revelina Santiago, who are members of the missionary Congregation of the Sisters of Jesus Good Shepherd. They seek to communicate Jesus Christ as the Way, Truth and Life to the world. They share in the pastoral mission of Christ, building up Christian communities in communion with the Pastors of the Church, and in collaboration with those who are dedicated to pastoral care. Srs. Teresa and Revelina are Pastoral Associates at Mary, Mother of Martyrs Parish in Des Plaines and Sr. Adriana is Pastoral Associate at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe also in Des Plaines.

We are now into the Month of February, which of course is Black History Month. Black History Month is a time to honor the contributions and legacy of African Americans across U.S. history and society—from activists and civil rights pioneers such as Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Marcus Garvey, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and Rosa Parks to leaders in industry, politics, science, culture and more. According to History dot com, the Black History Month 2024 theme, “African Americans and the Arts,” explores the key influence that African Americans have had in the fields of "visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music, architecture, culinary and other forms of cultural expression." In honor of this theme, our guest today is author, artist, and old friend, Andrew Lyke.

Fr. Louis J. Cameli and Michele Sotak join co-hosts Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi to talk about how to best prepare for Lent, and the connection between faith and fitness.

Co-hosts Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi have a discussion about ecumenism and the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity with Susan Pudelek, Dan Olsen, Dr. Jon Nilson, and Dr. Robert Cathey.

Co-hosts Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi spend time talking with Frank Casella with the Chicago Southland Men's Conference.

The National Shrine of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini is a shrine in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, honoring the Roman Catholic saint who ministered there, Frances Xavier Cabrini. It was originally part of the now-demolished Columbus Hospital, which she founded in 1905, and where she died in 1917. In this episode of Chicago Catholic: Beyond the Headlines, Chicago Catholic editor Joyce Duriga talks with Fr. Ramil Fajardo about the shrine.

Deacons James Norman, Dave Brencic and Richard Hudzik take a look back at the year 2023 and talk about what highlights stood out for them, and discuss their hopes for 2024.

Catholic Charities’ Diaper Depot continues to expand in Cook and Lake counties, through a variety of initiatives that affirm young families in need.

Join Katie Bredemann as she welcomes Lisa Roti, Tom Powers, Don Rosanova, and Sarah Holmes to discuss recent events they have been a part of, in support of the Diaper Depot, and describe the network of community partners working with Catholic Charities to increase awareness of this problem among vulnerable families, in Illinois and across the nation.

Catholic Charities Behavioral Health Services have expanded over the years to offer individuals, couples, and families counseling programs that address a wide variety of mental health concerns. Last year, Catholic Charities assisted 2,400 adults and children as they journeyed toward healing and wellness. Join Katie Bredemann as she welcomes two longtime Catholic Charities leaders, Pam Davis and Hector Rivera, both Directors in Behavioral Health Services to discuss how Catholic Charities counseling programs continue to meet clients where they are and accompany them toward a brighter future.

Last year, Catholic Charities New Hope Apartments program assisted 900 individuals with case management and rapid rehousing, plus additional support such as employment services, childcare, counseling, substance abuse treatment, and more as they work towards greater self-sufficiency. Join Katie Bredemann as she welcomes Camille Richardson, Director, New Hope Apartments, Chicago and Deloise Crosby, Director, New Hope Apartments, South Suburban Cook to discuss how this program accompanies Chicagoans through difficult times and onto a brighter future.

As Catholic Charities continues to fulfill its mission in 2024, we pause on this edition of The Voice of Charity to look back on key events, and program developments that shaped our work over the past twelve months. Join Katie Bredemann as she welcomes Melissa Lucas, Director of Program Initiatives to discuss how Catholic Charities responded to significant challenges in 2023, always putting the needs of clients at the forefront of all we do in Cook and Lake counties.

Catholic Charities LOSS program offers a safe, non-judgmental environment where survivors of suicide can find community, direction, and resources for healing, wherever they are in the grieving process. Join Katie Bredemann as she welcomes Fr. Charles T. Rubey, Catholic Charities Associate Administrator and Founder of LOSS, Deborah Major, LOSS Program Director and Emily Tegenkamp, LOSS Program Coordinator to discuss recent program developments and resources for anyone who may be struggling this winter.

Co-hosts Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi talk with Larry Campbell, Philip Bradley and Elfriede Wedam about the newest developments at Non-violence Works

This month Megan talks with Fr. Maciej Fleszar, a Polish diocesan priest who now ministers in the Archdiocese of Brazzaville in the Republic of Congo. He shares how he discovered his vocation to missionary life in Africa. Megan asks about life in Congo as well as his ministry with the community at St. John Paul II Parish. Fr. Maciej describes the challenges and ongoing projects at his parish. And Megan inquires about the Advent reflections Fr. Maciej is offering to Chicago area parishes during his visit.

For the 16th consecutive year, the Gibson’s Restaurant Group is generously providing a gourmet luncheon to hundreds of Catholic Charities clients this winter, in support of them and our organization. Join Katie Bredemann as she welcomes Kevin Arnold, Director of Training and Development for the Gibson’s Restaurant Group to preview the 2024 event and discuss how this wonderful New Year’s tradition has evolved through the years.