Candid Catholic Convos

Today we're welcoming some very special guests to help put the Christmas season into perspective for us. SCRIPTURE: Matthew 2:13-15 SAINT SPOTLIGHT: The Holy Innocents

Bishop Senior and Michael Parks are back to talk about all the events and initiatives we can look forward to in 2026 at the Diocese of Harrisburg.

With Christmas just around the corner, Bishop Senior joins WHP580's Michael Parks for our annual holiday episode.

Today we're joined by Father Bill Forrey of Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Harrisburg, Father Kevin Key of Saint Joan of Arc Parish in Hershey and Father Stephen Logue of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Lancaster to discuss the themes of Advent: Hope, Peace and Joy. SCRIPTURE: 1 Thessalonians 5:6 SAINT SPOTLIGHT: Saint Joseph

Today we're chatting with Amanda Snyder, parishioner at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish and one of the leaders of their An Investment in Motherhood (AIM) group about how her journey through motherhood has led her closer to Mary, and in turn, Jesus. An Investment in Motherhood Group at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish: Aim@steas.net SCRIPTURE: Luke 1:26-38 SAINT SPOTLIGHT: St. Gianna Molla

While the holidays are a joyous time for the church, for many it can be a stark reminder of grief and loss. Dr. Kirsten Tollefson, psychiatrist and program director for Catholic Charities' Labre Mental Health Clinic, joins us to talk about some tangible ways we can lean into hope this season, even if it feels out of reach. SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 64:1 SAINT SPOTLIGHT: St. Jude Thaddeus

Pathways to Purpose is our brand-new video series launching on YouTube in January, and today we're privileged to hear from several of the nuns and sisters who will be featured in this series about their journey, the apostolates they've served, and their advice for young women discerning a call to religious life. SCRIPTURE: John 15:16 SAINT SPOTLIGHT: St. Therese of Liseux

Have you ever had your life all mapped out only for God to completely reroute your plans? Today we're chatting with Joseph Gonzales, Youth Minister and Development Director for St. John the Baptist Parish in New Freedom, about his big plot twist moment in life that led him to follow God's call much differently than he imagined. SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 16:9 SAINT SPOTLIGHT: St. Francis of Assisi

Deacon Drew Heidelbaugh sits down with us to discuss how he discerned his vocation and the mental gymnastics that went along with it. Scripture: John 21:15-17 Saint Spotlight: St. John Vianney

Open any social media app and you’ll find Catholics and non catholics alike arguing over whether or not to celebrate this holiday because, unfortunately, it has been long associated with spirituality and the occult. So many people are convinced of Halloween’s pagan origins, and with the abundance of violence, gore, sensuality, occultism, and demonic aspects now associated with Halloween, it’s hard...

Our art and our faith actually can work in concert with one another. Today we're excited to introduce you to James from Saint Joseph Catholic School in Danville and his teacher, Kurt Eck, together known and the duo behind the podcast, Fun Fact Times with James D. What started as a little experiment has grown into two full seasons of episodes with guests ranging from students and teachers to priest...

Today we're chatting with Sean Domencic about how our faith calls us to be stewards of creation and some tactile ways we can incorporate change in our daily lives. SCRIPTURE: Psalm 24:1 SAINT SPOTLIGHT: Servant of God Dorothy Day

Today we’re chatting with the incomparable Eric Failing. Eric is the executive director of the PA Catholic Conference, the public affairs arm of the Catholic church that advocates and lobbies for Catholic Education, faith & politics, health care, life and dignity, marriage and family, religious liberty and social justice. SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 31:8-9 SAINT SPOTLIGHT: St. Oscar Romero

We talk a lot about “meeting people where they’re at” – isolation and loneliness is now considered to be an epidemic in this country, especially for those who are elderly, injured or homebound – so how to we remind them they are still part of the body of Christ? Today we’ll be chatting with Sharon Fisher,one of our extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion at Holy Infant Parish in Manchester, abou...

Today we’re joined by the newly ordained Father Andrew St. Denis. Father St. Denis attended St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia for his formation, graduated from Lancaster Catholic High school and later Bloomsburg University with a degree in business administration and finance. He currently serves as the pastoral vicar at St. Joseph Parish in York and Chaplain at York Catholic middle and...

Today on our show, we’re chatting with Dr. John Rossi about his reversion experience, what second chances mean in the eyes of God, and why we shouldn’t be afraid to come home even if we’ve spent a long time away. Scripture Verse: 1 John 1:9 Saint Spotlight: St. Thomas Aquinas

Today we’re joined by Deacon Scott Root. Deacon Root is a permanent deacon in our Diocese who holds a masters in Pastoral Studies in the Diaconate Formation Program from Pontifical College Josephium, a Catechist certification from Franciscan university of Steubenville, a master Catechist Certification from our Diocese, and he’s the senior theology teacher at Trinity High School. He’s also a husban...

In the spirit of the upcoming school year that will be here before we know it, today Father Matt Cannon, pastor at St. Paul the Apostle church in Annville, joins us to discuss the unique and sacrificial opportunity presented to us in Catholic Education, how to be adaptable in our faith throughout the changing seasons, and how we can strengthen the domestic church at home all year long.

Visiting the imprisoned is one of the seven Corporal Works of Mercy, given to us by Jesus in Matthew 25:31-37. In this teaching, Jesus calls us to consider how we would treat others if they were Him in disguise. “I was in prison and you visited me.” Today, we're chatting with Father Matthew Morelli, pastor at St. Anthony of Padua Parish and chaplain at Lancaster County prison to talk about this un...

Mary Magdalene is the most famous woman in Christianity, second only to Jesus' mother; she's also the most hotly contested figure in the New Testament. Mary Magdalene, the patron saint of outcasts, embodies uncertainty and has captivated Christians for centuries. But why? Today, we sit down with Sr. Geralyn Schmidt of the Sisters of Christian Charity to unpack some of the misconceptions of this my...

Our service members are asked to do and see things that many of us civilians can't even fathom. I will never know the full extent of what my husband saw or did overseas, but I do know that it rocked his faith. So how can we minister to those who are called to sacrifice for the rest of us, who come home with injuries that are sometimes invisible, who no longer see the intersection of faith and patr...

Nature has always been a tool for healing, but we can also use it as a tool to get closer to God. Avid hiker, outdoor aficionado and spiritual director Chris Wood joins me today to chat about all they ways we can experience and appreciate God’s presence in nature with just a few simple shifts.

We’re picking up right where we left off last week with our deep dive into the Mass as Deacon Scott Root is back to unpack what’s happening from the sign of peace to the end of the service, why it’s all important, and how to truly engage with this celebration so we can feel more connected to Christ whether this is your first time or your hundredth time attending.

Whether you've sat through hundreds, haven't been in a while or have never been at all, as part of our Back to Basics series, today we're diving deep into the heart of Catholic Worship with a full exploration of the Mass. Deacon Scott Root, senior theology teacher at Trinity High School, is sitting down with us to unpack what's really happening at the altar, why every part of the Mass is important...

Sometimes, God isn’t subtle – you just have to be paying attention and willing to pivot. Today I’m excited to introduce you to one of our transitional deacons soon to be ordained a priest in just a few weeks, Deacon Clark Stiteler, about his frying pan moment that led him to the priesthood.