Last March, a news story reported that Pope Benedict was given an iPod Nano as a gift from the staff of Vatican Radio. The story related that the iPod had been loaded with some of the pope’s favorite classical music as well as Vatican Radio programming in Italian, English and, of course, German. I’m really hoping the pope makes use of the gift. The Church seems to have a cautious approach in this area. Wisely, the popes in recent years have encouraged us to make use of the new means of communications, while also pointing out the dangers that can come with new technology and how it is used or misused. Catholic radio is certainly a tried and true “old” technology—along with our podcasting and other Web incarnations of Catholic radio. American Catholic Radio explores technology and mass media with three guest interviews:

Producer John Feister talks with the Vatican’s own webmaster, Sister Judith Zoebelein, to discuss the workings of the Church’s official ventures onto the Internet.

Judy Zarick visits with Camilo Macario, who helped establish computer labs in his home town in Guatemala.

Judy also interviews filmmaker Leo Severino, one of the producers of the movie Bella, which won the coveted People's Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival in 2006. He’ll tell us about his journey of faith and about producing movies that can change lives and hearts.

Earlier this summer, I took part in the annual National Film Retreat in Los Angeles. While my friends tease me that it’s a good excuse to spend a couple of days watching movies, I am reminded each year how much my media ministry shares in a wonderful “incarnational” gift from God to change hearts through the tools of art and technology. That is our mission in Catholic radio as well. May we use it with the guidance of God’s Spirit!

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. Monica and St. Augustine of Hippo

Camilo Macario gives back to his community by establishing computer labs in his hometown in Guatemala.

Is it acceptable to pray the rosary aloud during Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament? Why are Catholic funerals not held on Sundays? What is the role of brothers in the Church?

The Assumption of Mary

The Vatican’s webmaster talks about how the Internet is a powerful communications tool for the worldwide Church.

Highlights from this episode include:

Isaac Thomas Hecker

Leo Severino, one of the producers of Bella, which won the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival in 2006, talks about his journey of faith.

Isn’t surrogate motherhood against Church teaching? Should my children go to confession each time they take something that isn’t theirs? May Anointing of the Sick be administered after death?

The Queenship of Mary

Dr. Owen Phelps, author of The Secret of Wealth, speaks with us about true wealth that is gained through sharing our abundance with others.