In our upcoming American Catholic Radio (ACR) programs, segment producer Judy Zarick continues to fill in for regular host Father Greg Friedman. During this frenzied election year, applying our faith in the voting booth is essential, our bishops remind us. ACR program #08-23 addresses political and social responsibility from a modern Catholic standpoint. In “Exploring Our Faith,” executive producer John Feister speaks with Marianist Father Jim Heft, who shares how to integrate our Catholic faith with the issues of the day. In our “Living Faith” segment, Judy Zarick talks to Clark Massey, a modern-day St. Francis who gave up success in the eyes of the world to live with the poor. His perspective helps us understand how we might affect change in our own communities. On a similar note, our “Saint of the Day” segment shares the story of a man who walked away from a successful legal career to help the less fortunate.

In program #08-24, John Feister speaks with Dominican Father Timothy Radcliffe about the point of being Christian. Judy Zarick introduces us to Delpha Moran Barrera, an incredible woman who has had a powerful impact on the world through her work with the National Council of Catholic Women. We meet two examples of strong Catholic women in other ACR segments: “Saint of the Day” shares the story of Mother Joseph of the Sacred Heart, who left the comfort of family and friends and gave of herself completely in service of Christ; in “Minute Meditation,” Barbara Beckwith offers insights from the life of St. Joan of Arc, God’s warrior. Finally, with the Pauline year starting June 29, Sulpician Father Ron Witherup on “Bible Break” takes a look at the sufferings of St. Paul.

Matt Wielgos, producer, American Catholic Radio

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

Highlights from this episode include:

St. Alphonsus Liguori gave up a successful law career to preach the gospel message of Jesus Christ. Founder of the Redemptorist Order, he struggled with temptation and darkness, but endured in faith and was declared a saint and Doctor of the Church.

Clark Massey, founder of A Simple House, tells us about his ministry that serves project and Section 8 neighborhoods in southeast Washington, D.C., by using “friendship evangelization.” Clark and a few other full-time volunteers live in a house in the neighborhood and shares life with those around them.

Franciscan Father Hilarion Kistner answers questions:
• Why did Christ refer to himself as a stumbling block?
• On Good Friday, how could Jesus promise the good thief that he would be with him in paradise that same day?
• Does the Church believe in so-called “Bible codes”?

Dr. Sarah Melcher of Xavier University looks at the Old Testament Book of Isaiah (chapter 30) and God’s promise to rescue the poor and oppressed.

The bishops of the United States have issued a statement to Catholics about forming their faith properly before making political decisions. In “Exploring our Faith,” John Feister talks with Marianist Father Jim Heft, president of the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies at the University of Southern California, about how religion impacts society and culture today, and how we can navigate the complex issues before us.

Highlights from this episode include:

Mother Joseph of the Sacred Heart is featured in the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults as a woman who shared her life and her faith with those less fortunate. She left the comfort of family and friends, moved to a new place with a new language to learn and gave of herself completely.

Since 1961, Delpha Moran Barrera from Corpus Christi, Texas, has been involved with the National Council of Catholic Women, which works to support, empower and educate Catholic women about spirituality, leadership and service. She’s still going strong.

Franciscan Father Greg Friedman helps us understand:
• What is God’s attitude toward our prayer?
• What is the significance of devotion to the Infant of Prague?

Sulpician Father Ronald Witherup explores the sufferings of St. Paul and how he used them to advance the gospel and its embrace by those in communities under his pastoral care.

Dominican Father Timothy Radcliffe shares insights from his newest book, What’s the Point of Being Christian? In this first of a two-part interview, Father Radcliffe explains how faith can enlighten every part of our lives and how happiness comes on the journey even through pain and sacrifice.