Candidates for high office today openly court our vote along religious lines, boasting of their religious affiliations and sharing their personal faith. The teaching of the U.S. bishops challenges Catholic politicians and voters to go deeper. They have highlighted “seven key themes” in their statement, “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship.” Looking ahead to the November elections, in our next two shows we examine “the call to family, community and participation” and “the dignity of work and the rights of workers.” Through the elections, we’ll have a great lineup of guests who know these values from life—living their faith and exploring how their faith can result in practical action. It’s that kind of response we ask our political candidates to ponder as they seek our vote this November.

Father 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. Margaret Clitheroe was a courageous saint from 16th-century England. She and her family lived in what proved to be a dangerous time to be Catholic. Her choice to remain faithful resulted in her imprisonment and martyrdom.

Greg and Jennifer Willits started RosaryArmy.com, have a podcast that is family oriented and will soon have a program on “The Catholic Channel” on Sirius Satellite Radio (also home to American Catholic Radio). They were instrumental in furthering the ministry of SQPN, an organization specializing in the production of audio and video programs faithful to the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.

Father Hilarion Kistner responds to questions:
• Why does Jesus say the present generation will not pass away before certain events take place?
• Is there a difference between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven?
• Was Jesus angry with the money changers because they were gambling in the Temple?
• Why was Jesus baptized by John the Baptist?

In observance of the Year of St. Paul, Father Norman Langenbrunner explores Paul’s attitude toward the role of women and charges that Paul is sexist. Father Norm notes that in the saint’s missionary work, Paul had positive relationships in ministry with women in his community.

Susan Vogt is a 30-year educator in the area of family life for the Catholic Church. She has designed and led marriage-preparation and -enrichment programs, and worked as a family counselor and teacher of marriage courses on the high-school and college level. Currently a freelance speaker, author and relationship coach in the areas of marriage, parenting and spirituality, she’s been an adviser to the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Marriage and Family. In this segment, Susan speaks with producer John Feister about how those values are part of the bishops’ call to “Faithful Citizenship.”

Highlights from this episode include:

Cesar Chavez is another personality featured in the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults. He was a labor organizer whose Catholic faith inspired him to better the lives and livelihood of America’s farm workers.

Ana Ashby is doing a summer internship with Interfaith Worker Justice in Minnesota. The network of people of faith calls upon our religious values in order to educate, organize and mobilize the U.S. religious community on issues and campaigns that will improve wages, benefits and conditions for workers, and, in particular, give voice to low-wage workers.

Father Greg Friedman responds to questions:
• How can I help my divorced-and-remarried sister return to the pracitce of our faith?
• Does attending a Sunday wedding fulfill the Sunday obligation?

In observance of the Year of St. Paul, Father Norman Langenbrunner turns to the Acts of the Apostles and St. Luke’s account of what this great saint was like before his conversion. Father Norm talks about Paul’s persecution of the Church, and how his encounter with Christ worked a dramatic change in him.

Dominican Sister Mary Priniski, executive director of the Labor Guild in the Archdiocese of Boston, is a long-time advocate for the rights of workers, and now helps both employees and employers come to the table to seek justice in the workplace.