Ave Maria in the Afternoon

St. Mary Student Parish in Ann Arbor will reportedly host an “LGBT Yoga” retreat soon. What is a loving, faithful response when Church officials misrepresent what the Church teaches? Marcus discusses. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com

We all know people who are bearing the cross of addiction, but there is hope. Keaton Douglas joins Marcus to take your stories and questions. Resources mentioned in this Interview iThirst Initiative The Road to Hope: Responding to the Crisis of Addiction Freedom Coaching Catholic in Recovery Al-Anon The Twelve Steps and the Sacraments This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this wit...

Addiction is much more than a psychological or physical problem – it is a spiritual problem, because in our addictions we create an altar for a false god. Dr Greg Popcak joins us with advice for confronting this problem. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com

On November 18, 1302, Pope Boniface VIII issued the papal bull Unum Sanctam, which laid down dogmatic propositions on the unity of the Catholic Church. We talk about what it says and what it means for us today with Dr. Harry Schnitker. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com

In today’s spiritual marketplace, many are chasing fire like Prometheus—stealing symbols, rituals, and experiences—while refusing the Cross. Rob Sexton experienced this himself, spending nearly two decades exploring crystals, psychedelics, Eastern mystics, and more. He shares his story. Further Reading Prometheus or the Cross: The Cost of Real Spirituality This is a public episode. If you would li...

The slogan “America First” has a long and tangled history. It’s been revived in recent years, and is being taken as far as “America Only” as voters feel their country’s policies have served everyone except themselves. What does Catholic Social Teaching have to say about this approach? The answer may surprise you – Marcus discusses. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with o...

Dr Randall Smith has heard from his college students that they are living in an environment where there is casual sex, but no casual dating. What does this mean? He joins us. Further Reading Casual Sex, No Casual Dating, No Courtship This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com

Feeling overwhelmed? Want to be Revived in Christ? The REVIV3 app helps you face life’s challenges and grow in your spiritual journey. Karam Bahnam and Melissa Khalil join us. Learn more about Reviv3 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com

Another Church year is already coming to a close and this Sunday we will celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King. At times of such political and cultural upheaval, it’s a blessing to have this reminder that Christ remains on the Throne, holding primacy over all. Doug Keck joins us. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes...

We have been fed a lie that history is random and meaningless. We talk with Joseph Stuart about the role religion has played in history and how the West lost sight on God. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com

The University of Notre Dame has updated its staff values, which no longer include “acceptance and support for the University’s Catholic mission.” The school says the change is “an expression of how we seek to advance Notre Dame’s mission as a global, Catholic research university.” Sadly, it’s just another example of a Catholic institution trying to shape itself to fit the world’s mold. We talk mo...

Somewhere along the way, our culture lost sight of the most basic truth – that Jesus Christ is the lord over history. Thinkers like Christopher Dawson have been champions of this truth. Marcus has more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com

The Book of Acts is widely recognized as a sequel to Luke’s Gospel. It picks up where the Gospel left off and is addressed to Theophilus. And as it chronicles the days of the early Church, it reminds us that the first Christians were – of course – Jews. Angela Costley joins us to offer a Hebrew Catholic’s perspective on the Book of Acts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this...

As we near the end of the Church year, our readings at Mass are focusing on the end of life and resurrection of the body. Rob Corzine joins us. (Please note – due to a miscommunication, the readings discussed in this segment are not for this Sunday. We apologize for the mixup.) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit...

Religious revivals have been intertwined with American history since the beginning, often linked with other social movements of the time. And now, there are signs of a Christian revival in, of all places, Silicon Valley. We look at the trend and the connection between religion and technology with Dan Churchwell. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or...

For the first time since its founding, the US Mint has ceased production of the penny, citing increased production costs and other factors. What does this mean for consumers? And since the production cost of a nickel far exceeds its face value, is it next on the chopping block? Dr. Robert Whaples joins us. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get ac...

On November 14, 1889, a young journalist named Nellie Bly set off on a voyage to circumnavigate the world in less than 80 days, following in the footsteps of Jules Verne’s Phileas Fogg. At the time, limitations in technology made the world feel much bigger than it does today. And today we’ve lost much of our sense of wonder for the world around us. Marcus has more. This is a public episode. If you...

Liturgy is God’s gift to man. It brings to earth a glimmer of the peace, warmth, and liveliness of eternity, engaging all the senses: sight, touch, taste, smell, and sound. Sacred music, then, should immerse us―however imperfectly―in the atmosphere of heaven. Yet how often does the sound of the liturgy leave us feeling empty, or distracted? Peter Carter, director of the Catholic Sacred Music Proje...

The USCCB has concluded its annual Fall Assembly. Matthew Bunson reports from Baltimore. Further Reading U.S. bishops pass directive forbidding transgender surgeries at Catholic hospitals Sister Mary Michael, last of Mother Angelica’s founding nuns, dies at 94 America’s bishops express opposition to indiscriminate mass deportations Bishop Rhoades elected USCCB secretary, 6 committee leaders electe...

It was a regular day at the office for Protestant pastor Sam Nunnally when he made a startling discovery – the early Church was undeniably Charismatic, and undeniably Catholic! He joins us to share his story. Further Reading Sam’s website Journeys Home 3 – Pentecostals and Charismatics This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episode...

Throughout history, battles have been fought that changed the course of Civilization. Michael Greaney has compiled a list battles that most affected Church history. He joins us today with a look at the Battle of Manzikert, fought in 1071. Further Reading Ten Battles Every Catholic Should Know This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus...

Benjamin Franklin famously declared that nothing in life is certain except for death and taxes. It’s an appropriate quote for our modern day, when our overabundance of choice makes it feel like nothing is certain at all. Marcus has more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com

There was a time when, during an emergency or medical crisis, a priest would be called in addition to police or paramedics. But times have changed, and according to research by the National Catholic Register, priests report they are rarely called to the scene of emergencies. What brought about this shift? Marcus has more. Further Reading ‘Someone Call a Priest’: Sacraments at Time of Crisis Are No...

As a young man, Tyler Blanski lived by the bold American proverb “If you’re going to be a bear, be a grizzly.” He chased adventure, dreamed big, and lived passionately. But after marriage, kids, and settling into suburban life, he found himself wondering, Am I still the grizzly—or have I become a teddy bear? Sound familiar? What if the life you’re living—the diapers, deadlines, and dog walks—is ex...

Leah Sharibu is a young Nigerian girl who was kidnapped by Boko Haram militants in February 2018. Nearly eight years later, she is still in captivity, because she has refused to renounce her Christian faith. Andrea Picciott-Bayer has more on her story. Further Reading Nigerian schoolgirl Leah Sharibu still captive 7 years later: When will the horrors end? This is a public episode. If you would lik...