Ave Maria in the Afternoon Full Hours

Segment 1: Pope Leo: There is no replacement for Sunday Mass (2 segments) In his General Audience yesterday, Pope Leo urged Catholics to prioritize attending Sunday Mass, warning that active participation in the Eucharist cannot be replaced by virtual gatherings. We talk more about this and other Church news with Matthew Bunson. Segment 2: Blessed Michael McGivney still cares for his flock (2 segm...

Segment 1: “Become the couple other couples want to become.” (2 segments) Matt Brooks is the founder of The Marriage Group, a growing ministry that now reaches hundreds of couples around the world and helps them to “Become the couple other couples want to become.” He joins us to talk more about his work. Segment 2: When kids “cut off” their parents (2 segments) There’s been a growing trend over th...

Segment 1: Texas’s plan to include religious texts in public education On June 26, the Texas State Board of Education approved a required reading list for the state’s 5.4 million public school students. Alongside classic literature, students will encounter selections from Scripture: Jonah and David and Goliath in the early grades, building later to Job and the Sermon on the Mount. We talk about it...

Segment 1: What is a Word? (2 segments) In a post-truth, relativistic era, we can barely agree on what words mean anymore. Furthermore, we can barely agree what a word even is. We explore the nature of language and truth with Steven Rummelsburg. Segment 2: Florida Lawsuit reignites school choice debate (2 segments) The state of Florida is threatening to pull over a billion dollars of school choice...

Segment 1: Don’t “over-pathologize” your kids There is a tendency in modern parenting to “over-pathologize” our kids. When issues arise, parents quickly try to resolve the problem with diagnoses and medications. But many times, this is not the best course of treatment. Dr Greg Popcak has more. Segment 2: Robin Williams: The Tears of a Clown Today is the anniversary of the death of Robin Williams,...

Segment 1: The Greatest in Heaven’s Kingdom In today’s reading from the Gospel of Matthew, the disciples ask Jesus who will be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus’ response is key for all of us who want to follow Him. Marcus has more. Segment 2: Protest Planned Parenthood on Thursday The Oakland County Board of Commissioners will vote this Thursday, August 13th to give $1.5 million in fun...

Segment 1: Confronting the Opioid Crisis (2 segments) Deaths from opioid overdoses hit record highs in 2021 and 2022, and are now on the decline. But there is still much work to be done. Mike Vasquez has devoted his life to confronting the opioid crisis on a mental, physical, and spiritual front and he joins us with more. Segment 2: “Stand Firm, Be Strong” – Answering the Call of Catholic Manhood...

Segment 1: The Gift of the Diaconate Today’s feast of St Lawrence is a great opportunity to remember this amazing martyr, and to reflect on the role deacons play in the Church. Marcus has more. Segment 2: Are Data Centers worth the cost? (2 segments) As artificial intelligence drives a rapid expansion of energy-hungry data centers across the United States, Catholic environmental advocates are urgi...

Segment 1: Jesus walks on Water (2 segments) In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus walks across the stormy waters to His disciples. We unpack the Sunday readings with Rob Corzine Segment 2: The Politics of Faith during the Cold War (2 segments) How did Roman Catholics shift from being perceived as un-American to emerging as the standard-bearers for political liberty and economic prosperity? We look at th...

Segment 1: Self-Denial in Caesarea Philippi When Jesus revealed Himself as the Messiah to the disciples, he was in the region of Caesarea Phillip. This area was named in honor of Caesar as an act of veneration towards him, so Jesus chose this place to show that his Kingdom would supersede. But if we want to follow Him, we must deny ourselves. Marcus has more on this and today’s readings. Segment 2...

Segment 1: Cash for Baptisms? (2 segments) An investor in Germany is offering families 500 euros for every child they have baptized. The local diocese has acknowledged the donorʼs intentions but stressed that, from the Churchʼs point of view, there is no financial barrier to baptism in the first place. We talk more about this and other Church news with Matthew Bunson. Segment 2: Confronting the Lo...

Segment 1: God’s Throne reigns over all In today’s First Reading, Daniel describes a vision which proves to be a foreshadowing of the Transfiguration. His vision shows that the Kingdom of God will always reign above earthly kingdoms. Marcus has more. Segment 2: “Half a league, half a league, half a league onward!” Today is the birthday of Alfred Lord Tennyson. His “Charge of the Light Brigade” hig...

Segment 1: The Latest Attack on Christian Ministries There is a troubling pattern emerging of government officials in America’s bluest states punishing religious organizations and individuals for simply living their faith. We talk about it with Andrea Picciotti-Bayer. Segment 2: The Simple Encounter that brought Alec Guinness to the Faith Today is the anniversary of Alec Guinness’ death. Behind th...

Segment 1: Oh woman, great is your faith! In today’s Gospel, Jesus meets a woman whose daughter is possessed by a demon. Marcus takes a closer look at their exchange. Segment 2: The Real Migrant Crisis in Ceuta The images circled the globe and generated debate, memes and disinformation. Tens of thousands of young men flooded the Spanish African city of Ceuta on the Moroccan coast. It was presented...

Segment 1: How can parents reclaim their authority? Dr. Greg Popcak has identified three styles of parenting: Permissive, Authoritarian, and Authoritative. When it comes to discipline, most parents swing between the permissive and authoritarian approaches. Greg joins us to talk about how to exercise our authority as parents in an effective and loving way. Segment 2: The National Debt as a Moral Cr...

Segment 1: Trust Him to keep forming us in His image” In today’s Gospel, the Pharisees ask Jesus why His disciples have broken from following the Mosaic Law. Jesus’ answer is instructive for all of us. We are defined by what comes out of our heart. Are our actions the ones of someone who is formed in Jesus’ image? Marcus has more. Segment 2: Celebrate the Assumption at Assumption Grotto The Solemn...

Segment 1: St. John Vianney, the Universal Patron of Priests Tomorrow is the Feast of St John Vianney, known as the patron saint of all priests. Matthew Bunson joins us with a look at Vianney’s life and why all priests can look to him. Segment 2: Inviting Catholics to “Come Home” Catholics Come Home, Inc. is an independent, non-profit Catholic apostolate that creates effective and compassionate me...

Segment 1: Focus on Jesus, even in the storms In today’s Gospel, we read of how the disciples were out in their boat when a massive storm arose. They suddenly saw Jesus walking across the water toward him, and Peter tried to walk out to him. As long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he was able to stay above the waves – but when he was distracted, he began to sink. The same goes for our lives – whe...

Segment 1: Jesus Feeds the 5000 (2 segments) This Sunday’s Gospel features one of Jesus’ most well-known miracles: the Feeding of the 5000. We unpack the readings with Rob Corzine. Segment 2: Unveiling the Truth of Sin and Sanctity with C. S. Lewis (2 segments) In his timeless work The Screwtape Letters, CS Lewis exposes how subtle distractions, small compromises, spiritual pride, and misplaced fe...

Segment 1: He set an AI trap – and his students fell for it A professor teaching summer classes at Alcorn State University this year suspected his students were using Artificial Intelligence in their essays - so he set a trap. In an essay prompt he included a hidden set of instructions, asking for a random, nonsensical reference to the nation of Madagascar. Any student who submitted the prompt to...

Segment 1: Are Excommunications inconsistent? (2 segments) The schism of the traditionalist Priestly Society of St. Pius X (SSPX), and its aftermath, has highlighted how the unity in the Church that Leo XIV set as the primary goal of his pontificate is still far from being achieved. And as the Vatican signs off on the ordination of state-approved Chinese bishops, many are left asking why followers...

Segment 1: Shaped by the Potter In today’s First Reading, Jeremiah discusses how we are clay in the potter’s hand and should allow ourselves to be shaped by Him. The God who fashioned humanity from the earth continues to shape his covenant people throughout salvation history. Marcus has more. Segment 2: Washtenaw County Funds Planned Parenthood? On August 5, the Washtenaw County Board of Commissio...

Segment 1: US Case Law Draws Distinctions on Public-School Teachers’ Free Speech Sarah Morse is an American teacher working at a high school in Scotland. When her students asked her what she thinks about abortion, she said she opposes it as a Catholic but they were free to have their own opinions. She was fired a few hours later. Morse’s case unfolded under British employment law, but the question...

Segment 1: Give Martha a Break! Today we celebrate the Feast of Martha, Mary and Lazarus. We read in the Gospels how Mary sat at Jesus’ feet during His visit, while Martha labored to make sure everything was perfect. Martha often gets a bad rap for this, but if we understand her obligations as a hostess under the Mosaic law, we can understand her in a different Segment 2: Walking Together in Faith...

Segment 1: Grief Reobserved: Sage Marriage Advice from Peter Kreeft Dr. Peter Kreeft recently lost his wife Maria, to whom he was married for 63 years. Shortly after her death, he was asked what advice he had for young married couples, and his response has gone viral. Even in the midst of his grief, he was able to deliver a reflection full of love, wisdom and even humor. Marcus looks at his commen...