Hey Everybody! It's Fr. Edward

How can we make room for Our Lady in the midst of a busy Advent? In this conversation, Marge Fenelon shares how the Blessed Mother first touched her life and how she has tried to make Mary better known through her speaking and writing. We talk about whether Advent can be called a Marian season, why it is so easy to overlook Advent, and practical ways to enter more deeply into this time of preparat...

What are some of the strangest Eucharistic miracles in Church history? And why do these extraordinary events continue to fascinate believers and skeptics alike? Author Shaun McAfee joins Fr. Edward Looney to discuss his new book, Compendium of Eucharistic Miracles, published by TAN Books, which explores more than 100 accounts of Eucharistic miracles from around the world. From the famous Eucharist...

What happens when religious sisters who have spent their lives caring for others grow older and find themselves in need of care? And what happens when a religious community approaches the end of its existence? Filmmaker Linda Corley joins Fr. Edward Looney to discuss her new PBS documentary, Walking My Sister Home, which explores the challenges facing aging Catholic sisters and the uncertain futur...

When was the last time you received something exciting in the mail? Not a bill, advertisement, or junk mail, but something that brought you joy? In a world where so much of our communication is digital, Brianna and Kateri are helping bring back the joy of receiving something tangible through The Heavenly Post, a Catholic snail mail club. Each month, subscribers receive an envelope filled with Cath...

There are 94 Catholic basilicas in the United States, and Grady Connolly has visited every single one of them! What began as a fascination with one basilica became a remarkable pilgrimage across the country. In this episode, Grady shares the story of his first basilica visit, how the idea of visiting every American basilica came about, and what he learned along the way. What makes a church a basil...

When Laura Frederickson's eight-year-old son Francisco was diagnosed with a rare form of childhood brain cancer, her life changed forever. In this episode, Laura introduces us to Francisco and shares what happened in the days following his diagnosis. How do you make the most of the time you have with a son who is dying? What role did prayer and the intercession of the saints, especially St. Carlo...

Fr. John Bartunek, LC, spent time on the set of Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ. In this episode, he begins by sharing memories from that experience before turning to a book that has profoundly influenced Fr. Edward's spiritual life and preaching: The Better Part. Why did Fr. Bartunek write The Better Part? How is the book organized, and what makes its reflections on the Gospels so helpful...

October is Respect Life Month, a time when Catholics are invited to reflect on what it truly means to be pro-life—not only in what we believe, but in what we do. Fr. Edward Looney welcomes Deacon Kevin Cummings, a permanent deacon from Kansas who is doing remarkable pro-life work through Deacons of Hope and St. Mary’s Home for Mothers. Deacon Kevin shares his journey to the diaconate, including hi...

A simple shoebox can make an incredible difference in the life of a child. In this episode, Fr. Edward Looney talks with Michele Sagarino of Cross Catholic Outreach about Boxes of Joy, a ministry bringing Christmas gifts—and the love of Christ—to children living in poverty around the world. This year, Boxes of Joy is celebrating an extraordinary milestone: the delivery of its one millionth box! Mi...

What do St. John Paul II, John Wayne, the saints, cowboys, classic novels, Westerns, and even Clint Eastwood have to teach Catholic men? Bear Wozniak joins Fr. Edward Looney to discuss his new book, Men of Grit and Grace: 365 Days with the Saints, Scripture, and the Wisdom of Men. Designed as a daily meditation book specifically for men, it brings together Scripture, Catholic tradition, the saints...

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen will be beatified on September 24, and in this episode Fr. Edward Looney welcomes author and Sheen devotee Allan Smith to help us prepare for this historic moment. Allan shares what is happening in Peoria during Sheen Week and discusses his book The Soul of a Disciple, which helps readers encounter the spirituality and wisdom of Fulton Sheen. He also tells the story of h...

Fr. Charles Kram lived a remarkable priestly life marked by suffering, perseverance, and a deep desire to serve God’s people. In this episode, Fr. Edward Looney talks with Deacon Joe Machacek, who personally knew Fr. Kram and shares memories of his life, illness, vocation, ordination, and ministry. Despite significant physical challenges, Fr. Kram persevered in his call to the priesthood and becam...

Who was Mary Pyle , the American woman remembered as one of Padre Pio’s closest spiritual daughters? Author Susan De Bartoli , whose book Padre Pio’s American Daughter: The Story of Mary Pyle tells her remarkable story, joins Fr. Edward Looney to introduce us to this fascinating—and often overlooked—woman in the life of St. Padre Pio. Born into wealth and raised Protestant, Mary Pyle converted to...

Mother Antonia Brenner’s vocation story is anything but ordinary. She wasn’t someone who dreamed of becoming a religious sister from childhood. She was married. She was a mother. She experienced divorce. She raised a family and spent years serving others—at one point helping send medical equipment to people in need around the world. And then God led her somewhere almost unimaginable: into a Mexica...

St. James Coffee in Rochester, Minnesota, is more than a place to grab a cup of coffee—it is a creative work of Catholic evangelization. In this episode, Fr. Edward talks with Melissa about her relationship with St. James Coffee, including the amusing story of how she learned to enjoy coffee despite not being much of a coffee drinker when she first began working there. They discuss some of the sho...

What message did Our Lady communicate through her silent apparition at Knock alongside St. Joseph, St. John the Evangelist, and the Lamb of God? Fr. Edward Looney welcomes author Patrick O’Hearn to discuss his latest collaboration with Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC—a beautifully illustrated book about Our Lady of Knock. Patrick shares how he first learned about the apparition and describes the book’s i...

Can a homeschooling family make Catholic movies, bring inspiring stories from history to the screen, and even create its own streaming service? Kathleen, Mary, and Faustina Bowen of Industrious Family Films join Fr. Edward Looney to share how their family transformed a love of faith, history, and storytelling into a growing Catholic film ministry. Fr. Edward recalls how he first discovered their w...

Blessed Stanley Rother refused to abandon his people, even when remaining with them placed his own life in danger. In this episode, Fr. Edward Looney speaks with Ed Jeep, whose family has a fascinating personal connection to the Oklahoma priest and martyr. Ed’s father was a Catholic priest who knew and served alongside Fr. Stanley Rother before later leaving active ministry. That family connection...

Netflix is bringing Little House on the Prairie back to television—but what should longtime fans expect? In this interview, we discuss Netflix's upcoming reboot of Little House on the Prairie, including: Why the series is based on Laura Ingalls Wilder's original books rather than the classic Michael Landon television adaptation. Whether longtime fans are likely to embrace—or reject—the new version...

In 1873, a devastating yellow fever epidemic swept through Shreveport, Louisiana. As thousands fled the city, five Catholic priests made the extraordinary decision to stay behind. One after another, each knowingly entered the fever wards to care for the sick, administer the sacraments, and accompany the dying—fully aware that doing so would almost certainly cost them their own lives. In this episo...

Who was Fr. Ubald Rugirangoga, and why do so many people believe they encountered a saint? In this episode of Hey Everybody! It's Fr. Edward, I speak with Katesy and Amy about the remarkable life and ministry of Fr. Ubald, often called the spiritual father of Rwanda. In our conversation, we discuss: Who Fr. Ubald was and his ministry in Rwanda. Why the Rwandan government feared him and how he esca...

Fr. Edward Looney welcomes Kathy Dempsey to discuss the remarkable life and legacy of Mattie Stepanek, a young poet, peace ambassador, and inspirational figure whose life touched millions. Though Mattie died at just fourteen years old, his message of hope, peace, and love captured the attention of some of the most influential people in America, including Oprah Winfrey, Larry King, and Jimmy Carter...

Why would a Catholic priest buy a school bus and drive it himself? In this episode, Fr. Edward Looney introduces listeners to Fr. Charles R. Carroll, a beloved West Virginia priest whose extraordinary ministry left a lasting impression on generations of Catholics. Fr. Carroll served one parish, six mission churches, a Catholic school, and several mission territories from 1933 until 1980. In places...

Who was Ruth Pakaluk? A wife, mother, Harvard graduate, pro-life leader, and faithful Catholic whose inspiring life is now being examined by the Church as a possible future saint. In this episode, Fr. Edward Looney speaks with Meghan Tallarita, Vice Postulator for the Cause of Ruth Pakaluk, about the remarkable life and legacy of this extraordinary woman. Meghan shares how she became involved with...

Abbot Bradley R. Vanden Branden, O. Praem., was elected the eighth abbot of St. Norbert Abbey in De Pere, WI on January 15, 2026, and received his abbatial blessing on April 18, 2026. In what may be his first longform sit-down interview outside of print media, Abbot Brad joins Fr. Edward for a wide-ranging conversation about his vocational discernment, Norbertine spirituality, and the mission of t...