The Catholic Morning Show

Karmen Bower, director of faith formation for the Diocese of Sioux City, joins Deacon Mark Campbell to talk about the growing number of people entering the Catholic Church. A Polk City native who was baptized at Our Lady's Immaculate Heart in Ankeny and studied theology and philosophy at Benedictine College, Karmen says Catholic resources have exploded in the last 15 years, and podcasts, video, an...

Chris Magruder, founder and executive producer of The Veil Removed and co-host of Catholic Women Now, joins Deacon Mark Campbell to tell the story behind one of the most-watched Catholic short films of the past decade. In 2014, after a radio conversation about a woman who had seen the veil lifted at Mass, Chris attended Mass and prayed during the elevation of the host: Lord, if everyone could see...

Deacon Mark Campbell, Ayden Pugh, and in-studio guest Jason open Tuesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time on the Memorial of Pope Saint Evaristus, the early pope credited with dividing Rome into parishes. Today's Mass is at 6 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas in Indianola. Deacon Mark and Jason, a lifelong Cubs fan, talk about the public witness of faith in this year's MLB postseason, from Brewers...

Austin Neal, annual giving and outreach manager for Above + Beyond Cancer, returns to talk with Deacon Mark Campbell about life after a cancer diagnosis. Founded in 2011 by Des Moines oncologist Dr. Richard Deming, Above + Beyond Cancer is a cancer survivorship program offering free classes and community for patients, survivors, and caregivers, with plans to expand statewide. Austin walks through...

Mike Aquilina, author of more than 70 books on Catholic history, doctrine, and devotion and co-founder, with Scott Hahn, of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, joins Deacon Mark Campbell to talk about his new book, The Church Fathers for Our Time (Emmaus Road Publishing). Mike explains that the Gospel has always been a countercultural message. The early Christians were persecuted and often...

Deacon Mark Campbell, Janelle Manns, and Ayden Pugh open Monday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time on the Memorial of Saint Fulk of Piacenza, the 13th-century bishop remembered as a peacemaker between the rival cities of Piacenza and Pavia. Today's Mass airs at noon from St. Joseph in Mason City (Epiphany Parish) on 89.3 FM. Janelle recaps the 65th annual Dowling Catholic Pancake Breakfast, co...

Fr. Dan Kirby of St. John the Apostle Parish in Norwalk previews this Sunday's readings for the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, the greatest commandment: love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. He explains why the first commandment still applies today, how possessions, pleasure, and politics can become our idols, and how the Mass, prayer, Scripture, the sacraments, and good...

Allison Franz and Tonia Martin of Mary's Helping Hands join Deacon Mark Campbell to preview the annual Born to Run 5K and 1-mile fun run, a timed race and family-friendly morning that supports moms, dads, and caregivers of young children across central Iowa. Race details: Saturday, November 14, at 9 a.m. at Confluence Brewing Company, 1235 Thomas Beck Rd., Des Moines. The 5K and 1-mile fun run sta...

Bishop Andrew Cozzens of the Diocese of Crookston, Minnesota, who chaired the historic 10th National Eucharistic Congress in 2024, the first in more than 80 years, joins Deacon Mark Campbell following the announcement that the 11th National Eucharistic Congress will return to Indianapolis in July 2029. Bishop Cozzens shares why the decision was a difficult one: organizers seriously considered othe...

Deacon Mark Campbell, Brian Egan, and Ayden Pugh close out the week on Friday of the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time, the Memorial of Saint John of Capistrano, the Franciscan preacher and patron saint of judges. Today's Mass is at 8:15 a.m. at St. John the Apostle in Norwalk. Fr. Dan Kirby of St. John the Apostle Parish in Norwalk previews this Sunday's readings for the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordi...

Forty-seven years after St. John Paul II celebrated Mass on a hillside at Living History Farms, Fr. Greg Leach, a retired priest of the Diocese of Des Moines, shares his story. Fr. Leach discusses: His assignment that day: as a seminarian, he rehearsed carrying the papal staff up and down the steps, until a Vatican master of ceremonies placed him directly behind the Pope, landing him in photos he...

Deacon Mark Campbell welcomes Very Rev. David Esquiliano, rector of the Cathedral of the Epiphany, pastor of Cathedral Parish, and judicial vicar of the Diocese of Sioux City. Fr. Esquiliano discusses: What "Very Reverend" means: a title that comes with certain offices in the Church, like cathedral rector and judicial vicar, not personal merit His vocation story: growing up in a parish in southern...

Deacon Randy Kiel of Christ the King Parish, Des Moines, joins Deacon Mark Campbell to prepare for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Deacon Randy discusses: Exodus 22:20-26: God reminds Israel that they were once foreigners in Egypt, and that he rescued them so they could lead others to him Why "molest" here means deeply wounding another person's soul, and why God's "wrath" sounds like a parent pu...

It's Thankful Thursday on the memorial of St. John Paul II. Deacon Mark Campbell and Brian Egan reflect on gratitude in the midst of life's storms, share what they're thankful for, and remember the Pope who came to Iowa. In this episode: Sunday readings preview with Deacon Randy Kiel (Christ the King Parish, Des Moines) — In Exodus, God reminds his people where they came from and calls them to pro...

Katie Patrizio, director of faith formation at Saint Francis of Assisi in West Des Moines and host of Sunday Dive, joins Deacon Mark Campbell to talk about the growing number of people entering the Church through OCIA, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. Nearly every pastor and OCIA leader she talks with says this year's group is the biggest yet, and most inquirers at her parish are young...

Fr. Travis Crotty, vocations director for the Diocese of Sioux City, joins Deacon Mark Campbell from his new assignment as parochial administrator of St. Patrick Parish in Estherville, Holy Family Parish in Emmetsburg, and Immaculate Conception Parish in Graettinger. With Fr. Crotty and Fr. Shane Deman, the diocese's director of seminarians, both now leading parishes, the vocations office has adde...

Deacon Mark Campbell, Brian Regan, and Ayden Pugh open Wednesday of the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time on the Memorial of Saint Ursula and Companions, early martyrs venerated at Cologne. Today's Mass is at 8:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart in Melcher with Fr. Hoffman, who Deacon Mark crossed paths with last night as his group made a pilgrimage to Saint Francis of Assisi in West Des Moines, marking 800...

Deacon Mark Campbell welcomes Msgr. James Shea, president of the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, since 2009 and a priest of the Diocese of Bismarck. Msgr. Shea discusses: What's new on campus: 65 tuition-free scholarships, including the Nursing, Accounting, and Elementary Education Academies; the annual Day of Service, North Dakota's largest one-day volunteer event; and construction...

Bo Bonner talks with Elyse Risovi, a Dowling Catholic High School senior and member of the Student Philanthropy Council who serves on this year's Pancake Breakfast committee. Elise discusses: What the Pancake Breakfast is and how ticket sales support Dowling Catholic clubs and activities Her four years helping with the event, including last year dressed as a pancake How much work goes on behind th...

Bo Bonner and Deacon Mark Campbell, with producer Brian Egan, open the show on the memorial of St. Paul of the Cross, founder of the Passionists. In this episode: Msgr. James Shea — University of Mary — The president of the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, shares what's driving growth on campus: 65 tuition-free scholarships, including the Nursing, Accounting, and Elementary Education...

For Respect Life Month, Maria Campbell joins her husband, Deacon Mark Campbell, for a heartfelt conversation about miscarriage, stillbirth, and how the Church can accompany grieving families. As many as one in five known pregnancies ends in miscarriage, yet few parents know what to expect or what options they have. Maria shares her own story, two miscarriages in 2002 and 2003 and a stillbirth at 2...

Deacon Mark Campbell and Brian Regan open Monday of the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time on the Memorial of Saints John de Brébeuf, Isaac Jogues, and Companions, the French Jesuit missionaries martyred in North America between 1642 and 1649. Deacon Mark begins by leading prayer for Fr. Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, a Redemptorist priest and pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Guayaquil,...

Bo Bonner talks with Danny Akright, director of communications for Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity, about the Pope Leo Village build. Bishop William Joensen blessed the site in April, and walls for six new affordable homes go up on Tuesday in Des Moines' River Bend neighborhood. Danny discusses: How one anonymous donor, inspired by the start of Pope Leo XIV's papacy, launched Pope Leo Vill...

The St. Thomas More Center in Panora is home to Catholic Youth Camp, but its mission of forming missionary disciples runs year-round. Gigi Wilwerding, the center's first full-time retreat coordinator, joins Deacon Mark Campbell to talk about the retreats it hosts on campus and brings to parishes. Gigi discusses: What "retreat life" means, and why stepping away from the phone is a skill young peopl...

Deacon Mark Campbell welcomes Deacon David Penton of Divine Mercy Catholic Parish, based in Algona and spanning seven churches across Kossuth County and West Bend. Deacon Dave also serves as Coordinator of Formation for the Office of the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of Sioux City, after years of teaching high school theology. Preparing for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (October 18), he ex...