Catholic Chicago

As one of the largest human services organizations in the Midwest, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago assists hundreds of immigrants and refugees each year, accompanying them on their journey to becoming as self-sufficient as possible. Join Katie Bredemann as she welcomes Nancy Gavilanes, Director of Catholic Charities Immigration & Naturalization Services to discuss how Catholic...

From numerous food distributions, to helping clients with benefits assistance, and care coordination with other Catholic Charities programs, including immigration services, Catholic Charities West Regional office has found new, innovative ways to continue to respond to client needs throughout the pandemic. Join Katie Bredemann as she welcomes Michael J. Waters, Director of Catholic Charities West...

Hosts:  Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi.  Dr. Edward Gordon joins our hosts to give an update on where things stand in the Covid-19 pandemic and to continue his discussion on The Age of Faith:  The History of the Church in the Middle Ages.

Hosts:  Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi.  Segment I:  Fr. Robert Cook, O.F.M. Conv., Pastor of Mary Mother of God parish, talks about St. Francis of Assisi.  Segment II:  Fr. David Simonetti, Pastor of Christ Our Light parish, talks about the importance of pets in our families, and of the popular "blessing of pets" events that occur during the Feast of St. Francis of Ass...

Hosts:  Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi.  Today our hosts spend the hour talking with 3 current seminarians, Conrad Espino, Josh Jones, and Daniel Garcia, who are in the midst of their "Spirituality Year" of dicernment.

A Special Holy Mass of Prayer, Gratitude, and Remembrance for All First Responders and for All Loved Ones Affected Through Violence at Christ Our Light Catholic Church in Chicago.  Guests:  Fr. David Simonetti and Officer Eric Davis.

Eugene Giudice, author of Reflections During a Pandemic:  Thought While Sheltering in Place, joins us for the first half to reflect on "Laying Sod for the Future". 

In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, cohosts Timothy Johnston (LTP) and Todd Williamson (ODW) are joined by Danielle Noe, Editor at Liturgy Training Publications (LTP), as they discuss the topic of Liturgical Ministries. During the second half of the show, they specifically address the Guide Books, published by LTP. These manuals are recently revised by LTP and they include such manuals as G...

Catholic Charities Behavioral Health Services department has seen a significant increase in the number of people seeking assistance over the past year, with the pandemic creating anxiety, fear and uncertainty worldwide. Join Katie Bredemann as she welcomes Hector Rivera, Senior Department of the Youth Counseling Department, and Michel Lopez-Tinoco, Clinical Manager, Youth & Family Therapeutic...

Megan interviews Fr. Alphonse Twizerimana, a priest of the Diocese of Ruhengeri, Rwanda who currently lives at St. Josephat Parish in Chicago while he studies for a PhD in educational leadership at DePaul University. He is the former director of a boarding school in Rwanda and shares about his experience as a missionary and educator prior to his arrival. Megan asks about how he understands the rel...

Several months ago we interviewed Joe and Elisabeth McCormick who come from very different backgrounds. Their story reminds us that God can intertwine our lives even though we come from distant lands or differing cultures. In His eyes these differences do not matter. If Faith unites us, all other differences melt away. Just like this couple, we can help each other grow in our faith. 

Today Jennifer Delvaux hosts a discussion on Evangelization, Engagement, and Parish renewal. She is joined by Michelle Farrell, Evangelization Lead at Immaculate Conception – St. Joseph, and Mike Bentley, Evangelization Lead at St. Catherine of Alexandria. The three discuss the importance of engaging individuals as leaders led by the Holy Spirit as part of evangelization and parish renewal. Michel...

While all of Catholic Charities programs and services are life-affirming, the Roseland Adolescent Parenting Program is especially designed to support unborn children, and children up to age 3, along with their mothers. RAPP helps young women grow in their skills as competent, educated mothers, which helps them fulfill their goals of happier, more stable lives. Join Katie Bredemann as she welcomes...

Hispanic Heritage Month Announcement -- Members of a cultural celebration committee will announce the theme and the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from mid-September thru mid-October, talk about the cultural significance of this celebration and what some schools are doing in observance.  Guests:  Erika Gallardo, Maria (Cooky) Perez-Eraci.

Auxiliary Bishop Mark Bartosic and Fr. Sergio Mena recently blessed a mural painted by student artists at Our Lady of Charity School.  Over the summer, six middle school students and the National Museum of Mexican Art artist M. Zayuri Pacheco painted the mural inside one of the school's hallways of holy people of God.  Guest:  Frank Zarate.

 Greg Richmond, superintendent of Chicago Catholic schools, talks about school enrollment and the beginning of the school year.  

Todd Williamson, the director of the Office for Divine Worship, joins us to talk about a couple of upcoming Archdiocesan celebrations.

For the past 16 years, Fr. Medard Laz, founding pastor of Holy Family Parish in Inverness, has organized an annual fundraiser to help build homes, schools and hospital additions in Haiti.  The fundraisers, in partnership with the nonprofit FOOD FOR THE POOR, took place in person throughout the Northwest suburbs until the COVID-19 pandemic.  This year's fundraiser will take place virtuall...

Every summer parishoners at St. Agnes of Bohemia set up Mass for their neighbors on their blocks in Little Village. The opportunity is a time of witness, prayer and community outreach. We speak with pastor Fr. Don Nevins who shares with us the experience and transformative nature of doing what Jesus asks us to do in going out to be witness. 

All are cordially invited to join Team Catholic Charities in the 2021 AIDS Walk/Run on October 2nd. It is easier than ever to participate this year. HIV/AIDS continue to affect the lives of 45,000 people in Illinois, and 90% of the proceeds raised from our team participation will go directly towards Catholic Charities programs and services that support people struggling with these debilitating con...

Join Deacons Richard Hudzik and Dave Brencic in their conversation with two deacons who were ordained for the Archdiocese in September of 2020. The two new deacons were Deacon Ed Schipp, assigned to Mary, Seat of Wisdom Parish, and Deacon Chris Parker, assigned to St. Barnabas Parish. The conversation seeks to understand what the “fresh eyes” of a new deacon might see, whether they were surprised...

Today’s guest is Sister Stephanie Baliga, F.E. from the Franciscans of the Eucharist of Chicago ( http://www.franciscansoftheeucharistofchicago.com/ ) who talks about how she found this community, her community’s mission, charism, ministries, and updates on their construction/development project. Sr. Stephanie tells the story about how she became the first to establish a world record running on th...

Today Dawn and Ray welcome Todd Scribner from the USCCB’s department of Migration and Refugee Service to discuss the upcoming  National Migration Week. On the second half of the show, MaryClare Birmingham from Kolbe house shares about jail ministry at the Archdiocese. And finally, Catherine Baranko from the Tabor Life Institute discusses the upcoming Culture of Life Benefit Concert at the Ath...

For 91 years, Catholic Charities headquarters at 721 N. LaSalle Street was the site of St. Vincent’s Orphanage, a loving home for children, and unwed mothers run by the Daughters of Charity. Catholic Charities Post-Adoption Services continues to receive inquiries regularly from adults who were adopted from St. Vincent’s, as more and more people become interested in their ancestry. Join Katie Brede...

The Sheil Catholic Center at Northwestern University serves the student and surrounding communities.  Guests:  Fr. Bradley Zamora; Mary Deeley.