We’re in the midst of Advent. Right now, your listeners are probably trying to balance daily life while preparing for Christmas. The “consumer side” of Christmas often makes it really tough to keep focused on our spiritual preparation. Our American Catholic Radio lineup offers a chance for listeners stop and take a breath, say a prayer and meet some interesting people who will stimulate their Advent waiting.

Producer Judy Zarick brings us two “Living Faith” interviews to inspire our Advent days. Andrew Cunningham, a junior at Duke University, spent a summer in service with the Missionaries of Charity in India, New York and Kenya. He found that his expectations had to change and his encounters demanded the flexibility of faith. The result was an enriching spiritual journey. Dominican Sister Elaine LaBell has a knitting ministry in Otisville, Michigan, which involves parishioners in an outreach that is both creative and healing.

Producer John Feister concludes a three-week exploration of Catholics and the Bible. He talks with Kimberly Hahn, author, lecturer and Bible study leader, who will help listeners connect with the Bible on a practical level. Scripture professor and author Edward Sri explores the Christmas stories as found in the Gospels. He helps us hear them in a fresh way.

May you, your staff and your listeners discover Christ present in this holy season!

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:

Blessed Charles de Foucauld

Andrew Cunningham, a junior at Duke University, and his friend Caitlin McKane spent a summer in service with the Missionaries of Charity.

Would vocations increase if priests could marry? Is it true that Eastern Catholic priests do marry? Is being a medium to the spirit world considered a valid gift? Must Catholics support labor unions?

The O Antiphons

Kimberly Hahn talks about the Bible in the life of Catholics and about her new book series on the topic.

Highlights from this episode include:

St. Juan Diego

Sister Elaine LaBell brings God’s presence to her knitting ministry in Otisville, Michigan. This ministry connects the women who do the knitting, and the knitted items are given to others who are prayed for.

Why was Jesus called ‘Son of David’? Was Jesus disrespectful to his mother? Can only certain people come to God?

The Christmas Crib

In the spirit of the season, Servant author Ted Sri talks about the Nativity story in the Gospels and how we can reconnect with a sense of surprise at the Nativity story.