Talking Catholic

On this episode of Talking Catholic , hosts Mike Walsh and Jen Mauro welcome back Michael Canaris and Maureen O'Connell of the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University Chicago to discuss their leadership in the national Catholic Education Network to Enact and Resource Synodality (CENTERS) initiative—an ambitious collaboration helping Catholics across the United States take a more act...

As April marks Autism Awareness Month, the Talking Catholic podcast travels to Ocean City to highlight a powerful example of welcome in action at Saint Damien Parish’s Mass of Welcome and Inclusion. Cohosts Jen Mauro and Mike Walsh are joined by Chris Devaney, who brings nearly 50 years of experience serving special needs individuals, and Nicole Keefer, Executive Director of VITALity Catholic Heal...

How can the Church and her people better meet the mental health needs of others? Bishop John Dolan of the Diocese of Phoenix graciously shares his time and insight with cohosts Mike Walsh and Jen Mauro on this deeply moving episode of Talking Catholic. Bishop Dolan, who was instrumental in founding the first diocesan  Office of Mental Health Ministry  in the United States, has made supporting ment...

During the Easter season, the Church celebrates not just a single day, but 50 days of resurrection joy, and what better guide for living that joy than St. Francis of Assisi? On this episode of Talking Catholic , cohosts Mike Walsh and Jen Mauro welcome Fr. Jason Rocks, Chancellor of the Diocese of Camden and pastor of Holy Eucharist Parish, for a conversation on how Catholics can live the Easter s...

As you’ll hear in our intro for this episode, it’s been a busy Lent and Holy Week for us, so we’re taking a short break from recording a new episode, but we wanted to feature last year’s conversation with Jim Dessicino as he opens up his new project Cappella Studio in Atlantic city this Spring - cappellastudio.org .  [Originally released February 24, 2025] This week on  Talking Catholic , we embar...

On this week’s episode of Talking Catholic , host Mike Walsh welcomes leaders from Catholic Charities USA’s Disaster Operations team to reflect on the impact and purpose of the Applied Institute for Disaster Excellence (AIDE), the organization’s national training that prepares Catholic Charities agencies and partners to respond effectively to disasters across the country. Joining the conversation...

Pope Leo recently said that sport is “a shared activity, open to all and salutary for both body and spirit.” That is on full display this week as Talking Catholic takes a field trip to Bishop Eustace Preparatory School to talk with senior Alyce Lehman – a record-breaking swimmer, Stanford University commit, very likely future Olympian, and all-around joyful and spiritual student-athlete. “Before I...

In this week’s episode, cohosts Marianela Nunez and Mike Bress welcome Head of School, Michael McGhee, and Advancement Director, Steve Normane, from  Holy Spirit High School , Absecon, to discuss the school’s newly launched strategic plan and the vision guiding the school’s future. Michael and Steve share how the strategic planning process began, the goals that shaped it, and the strong emphasis o...

On this week’s episode of Talking Catholic, cohosts Mike Walsh and Jen Mauro discuss how delegates from Diocese of Camden and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia traveled to Washington, D.C., to advocate for legislation that promotes human dignity and the protection of religious workers.  As Mike and Jen also were on the trip – led by Bishop Joseph Williams and including 13 parish leaders, clergy and...

On this week’s episode of Talking Catholic, cohosts Marianela Nunez and Mike Bress welcome back Mrs. Jen Marisi, technology and STEM teacher at St. Peter School in Merchantville, to explore the intersection of faith, science, and education. Marisi reflects on her recent trip to the Vatican Observatory in Tucson as part of the Astronomy for Catholics in Ministry and Education program, discusses her...

“Do not bestow your love on the world.” Though it took this charming and spirited young saint years to turn away from worldly pursuits and embrace God’s will, St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows ultimately did so with remarkable zeal. Join Pete and Laurie as they explore the life and adventures of this young Passionist, tracing his inspiring journey from socialite to humble saint. Listen to Talking...

Ever want to know more about the canonization process when it comes to Catholic saints? (Hint: You do!) On this week’s episode of Talking Catholic, archivist Meg Paulino and Camden-based artist Brother Mickey McGrath, OSFS, stop by to discuss Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman. Both recently traveled to the Diocese of Jackson, Miss., for the closing of the diocesan phase of Sister Thea’s canonizati...

We’ve got a double-header episode of Talking Catholic today! First, Jen Mauro and Mike Walsh sit down with their colleague John Kalitz to preview the Diocese of Camden’s upcoming Journal Through Lent program. This daily digital companion will feature short videos and reflection questions designed to help participants encounter Jesus and prepare their hearts for Easter. Learn more and sign up here:...

What does Catholic life look like on a secular college campus—and how does God meet young adults right where they are? On this episode of Talking Catholic , hosts Kari Janisse and Mike Walsh begin with a conversation with Fr. Thomas Piro, newly ordained priest and parochial vicar at Saint Bridget University Parish, about his first months accompanying students at Rowan University’s Newman House. Fr...

On this week’s episode of Talking Catholic , hosts Kari Janisse and Mike Walsh welcome national pro-life speaker Jannique Stewart for a powerful and candid conversation following her recent presentation at Rowan University titled “Abortion: Is it a black and white moral issue, or is there a gray area?” Drawing from science, personal testimony, and years of experience speaking to high school and co...

How does the Church continue to engage the youth of today? By meeting them where they are at! So says Tim Poole and Jeff Siedlecki of Live Vertical ( https://www.livevertical.org/ ), as they stop by Talking Catholic to explain how this grassroots, nationwide ministry evangelizes high school students through Adoration, conversation, working with campus ministers – and so much more. Tim and Jeff sit...

Roman soldier, courageous witness and fearless martyr, St. Sebastian kicks off a new year of Talking Saints with Pete and Laurie.  On this episode, you'll learn how this third century Christian boldly defied the Roman emperor to remain loyal to Christ and why he  became the patron saint of athletes and protection against the plague.  Listen to Talking Saints with Laurie Power and Pete Sanchez...

How is a school like an organism? Or human body? What role does the administration play in the health of a school vs. the students themselves? This week, cohosts Pete Sanchez and Mike Bress sit down with Camden Catholic High School ’s new president, James Hozier to explore these questions and more. Hozier starts by sharing his journey to the new role, from studying science (hence the organism ques...

New Year's resolutions: You either love ‘em or hate ‘em.  This week, Deacon Dean Johnson stops by Talking Catholic to take some of the pressure off by suggesting we ground our New Year goals in faith. Want to stress less? Turn to Saint Teresa of Ávila, who said: “Let nothing perturb you, nothing frighten you. All things pass. God does not change. Patience achieves everything.”  Looking to exer...

On this week’s episode of Talking Catholic , we bring together some hosts and some communications colleagues to recap what we loved about 2025 and what we’re looking forward to in 2026. Enjoy this chat with Mike Walsh, Maria Toci D’Antonio, Jennifer Mauro, Mike Bress, Pete Sanchez and Andrea Herrera.  Listen to Talking Catholic everywhere podcasts are found or at talking.catholicstarherald.org/tal...

After a time of intense persecution, with a steady hand and fervent faith, Pope St. Sylvester led the Church out of the catacombs into a time of great flourishing. On this episode of Talking Saints, Pete and Laurie dive into the facts and legends surrounding this early 4th century saint who laid the foundations for the Christian Rome that we know today.   Listen to Talking Saints with Laurie Power...

On this week’s episode of Talking Catholic , cohosts Marianela Nuñez and Mike Bress step into the Advent and Christmas spirit with a visit to St. Peter School in Merchantville, where they sit down with music and religion teacher - and choir director - Sarah Duvall Pearson. Ms. Pearson shares her journey to becoming a full-time educator at St. Peter, her deep love for teaching music (especially Cat...

It’s a full triumvirate of Mikes on this week’s episode of Talking Catholic as hosts Michael Bress and Michael Walsh welcome Michael Chambers , President of Paul VI High School, in Haddonfield, NJ. Mr. Chambers – the longest current serving president of any Catholic high school in the Diocese of Camden – reflects on his more than 30 years at Paul VI as a student, parent, teacher, and administrator...

Catholic Star Herald fan-favorite columnist Deacon Dean Johnson steps into the co-host chair on this week’s episode of Talking Catholic ! He’s joined by Deacons Barry Steele and Doug R. Stetser , newly ordained this fall, for a thoughtful and hope-filled conversation on Advent. “We prepare for Christmas… but what are we doing to prepare for eternity?” Deacon Barry reflects, as the trio dives into...

This week on Talking Catholic , we welcome a long overdue guest: Robin Strough, Director of the Office of Child and Youth Protection for the Diocese of Camden. Robin joins us to share important updates from her department and to explain her mission — ensuring that every child entrusted to the Diocese is protected, supported, and surrounded by a safe environment. She also walks us through how the D...