Earlier this year, some 40,000 people came to Anaheim, California, for the biggest annual gathering of Catholics in the United States. The Los Angeles Religious Education Congress features dynamic speakers and workshops about our faith and practice, musical concerts and liturgies featuring the diversity of our Catholic worship. Among that vast crowd was our own executive producer, John Feister. He was on the lookout for great interviews for American Catholic Radio’s “Exploring Our Faith” segment. You’ll be hearing those interviews in the weeks ahead, beginning this month with Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony. Cardinal Mahony will be talking about a social issue important to his home diocese and to Catholics around our country—immigration reform. John will also visit with Franciscan Father Albert Haase, who spent time in contemporary China and who is a popular author of books on the spiritual life.

Franciscan Radio Producer Judy Zarick also knows a great story when she sees one. We’re featuring two great interviews: Louis Astorino, a Catholic architect chosen to design and build the Chapel of the Holy Spirit in Rome, Italy, will tell us how this professional assignment became a source of profound grace and wisdom; and Eric Groth, a youth minister and producer who founded a ministry called Outside da Box, which makes short films to help teens get to know Jesus better and learn more about being Catholic.

Our Franciscan Radio team welcomes Matt Wielgos as producer and coordinator of our radio efforts. Matt brings to our team wide experience in producing Catholic radio. In the weeks ahead, Matt will be producing American Catholic Radio as well as our other offerings to Catholic stations around the country. He looks forward to forging a relationship with our Catholic broadcast partners and helping meet the needs of your listeners. Let us know how we can be of service in this ministry!

Fr. Greg Friedman, O.F.M.

Use the links below to preview the shows or download them in MP3 format for broadcast.

Highlights from this episode include:

St. Catherine of Siena

Louis Astorino, architect, was selected to design and build the Chapel of the Holy Spirit in Rome, Italy. It was a professional experience that became a source of profound grace and wisdom.

What is the role of the papacy in the Catholic tradition? What is the meaning and origin of the word Mass? Is chewing gum in Church impolite, and does it break the pre-Communion fast?

The Alleluia

Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony discusses the immigration issue.

Highlights from this episode include:

Bishop James E. Walsh, M.M.

Eric Groth, president and executive producer of Outside da Box. Its mission is to create short films to help teens know, love and serve Jesus Christ. They produce print and visual resources for youth ministry.

Is cohabitation before marriage a mortal sin? Can I be denied a Church wedding because of cohabitation? Would a vasectomy restrict me from receiving the Eucharist?

The Blessing and Sprinkling of Water

Franciscan Father Albert Haase talks about living in China.