Catholic Chicago

Hosts Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi speak with historian and professor Dr. Edward Gordon about the Covid-19 pandemic.

On November 13th, 3 new auxiliary bishops will be ordained for the Archdiocese of Chicago: Frs. Kevin Birmingham, Jeffery Grob and Robart Lombardo CFR. In this broadcast of Focus on the Liturgy, Timothy Johnston (LTP) and Todd Williamson (ODW) discuss and explore the theology of the Office of Bishop and unpack the richness and symbolic profundity of the Order of Ordination of a Bishop. 

Catholic Conference Hour host Bob Gilligan and his guests talks about what the Clean Energy Jobs Act will look like after incorporating Gov. J.B. Pritzker's principles for clean energy legislation.  They also discuss the historically-low refugee cap of 15,000 set by the federal government for the new federal fiscal year that started October 1 Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi took some time t...

The annual Keep Hope Alive benefit is scheduled virtually this Thursday at 6:30pm.  It's theme this year is "15 years united for Immigrant Justice."  The event supports the Archdiocese of Chicago's Immigration Ministry and it's national Pastoral Migratoria initiative, which has become a role model nationally for immigrant support.  Hosts Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi speak with...

Hosts Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi talk to Dr. Ed Gordon, a member of the Grant Park Monument Commission.  Dr. Gordon talks about recent controversies regarding historic statues in public places and the call to remove some of them.

Corporate partners of Catholic Charities provide vital assistance to our work. They offer wise counsel, encourage their employees to volunteer with us and give invaluable financial support that maintains our life-affirming programs and services. Join Brigid Murphy and Philip Buta as they welcome Mike O’Grady, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Northern Trust to discuss the many ways that Mike...

Lectura y reflexión del Evangelio según San Mateo 22, 1-14, del domingo, 25 de octubre de 2020. Viernes, 23 de octubre de 2020

Election day this year has turned into election season.  Millions of Americans, taking COVID-19 precautions, have already voted by mail or in person.  It’s not uncommon to find waits of 45 minutes or more at early voting stations.   Father Lou Cameli, based at Holy Name Cathedral recently wrote some reflections on the concept of Faithful Citizenship, and the role it plays in th...

With the Chicago Marathon cancelled this year because of COVID-19, Father Michael Bradley ran a marathon of his own on Sunday October 11th through the streets of Edgewater where he lives at St. Gertrude Parish.  Parishioners lined up at the church and on their front doorsteps to cheer him on as he ran by.  This was the 49th Marathon for the 67-year-old priest.  He completed the run...

Now in its 73rd year, Catholic Charities Celebration of Giving is one of the most joyful events to happen at Catholic Charities every holiday season. Last year, 25,000 gifts were provided to those who would otherwise have nothing to open on Christmas morning. This year, many obstacles exist, but the desire is stronger than ever to make this community-building program a success. Join Marie Jochum a...

Host Bob Gilligan speaks with Fr. Mike Bradley, resident priest at St. Gertrude's parish in Chicago and a canon lawyer who works for the Archdiocese's tribunal.  Fr. Mike tells of how he ran a neighborhood version of the Chicago Marathon in his Edgewater neighborhood to raise money for the parish's Heart to Heart Ministry for senior citizens.

Host Bob Gilligan talks to Pat Winn, director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rockford.  Pat talks about his nine years at the helm of the social services agency as he prepares to retire. 

Host Bob Gilligan talks to Chris Ross, a lawyer who works on social policy for Catholic Charities USA.  They discuss the historically-low refugee cap of 15,000 set by the federal government for the new federal fiscal year that started October 1.

Host Bob Gilligan talks to Jennifer Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council.  They discuss what the Clean Energy Jobs Act will look like after incorporating Gov. J.B. Pritzker's principles for clean energy legislation and when we should look for the bill to be pushed in the Illinois Legislature. 

Dr. Jim Rigg and Fr. Greg Sakowicz talk about creative news ways to engage students during the pandemic with representatives from St. Damian School in Oak Forest. Dr. Jim and Fr. Greg also talk about Chicago Catholic Schools that recently won U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Awards with the principal of one of the award winning schools. The Lifelong Journey program explores ways that paren...

Lectura y reflexión del Evangelio según San Mateo 22, 15-21, del domingo, 18 de octubre de 2020. Viernes, 16 de octubre de 2020

Even for many well-intentioned Catholics, it is easy to be seduced by our secular culture which promotes a culture of death more than a culture of life. In today's show, co-hosts Fr. Britto Berchmans and Sandra Labouvie are joined by Mary Jo DiRe and Cecilia Klein, two very active women in Respect Life ministry.  With their great insights, we delve into ways that families can promote a cultur...

On Today’s Fully Alive, co-hosts Dawn Fitzpatrick and Ray Pingoy continue the theme of Wednesday Catechesis by delving further into the reflection on “Original Man” by unpacking the theme of Original Nakedness/Innocence. In the second half of the show, they welcome Mauro Pineda from Immigration Ministries to talk about the event “Keep Hope Alive” on October 29. They also discuss Faithful Citizensh...

Host Clarissa Aljentera speaks with guest Yesenia Maldonado, Director of Social Emotional Learning with the Office of Catholic Schools.  They talk about ways that parents can take care of themselves and their families during the pandemic. 

Through more than 150 programs at over 170 locations, Catholic Charities serves people in need on a one-to-one basis, allocating staffing and resources to ensure that our guests receive assistance, and have access to professional guidance toward a better life. We occasionally are asked to share what we know with economists who also are working to eradicate poverty. The Wilson Sheehan Lab for Econo...

Seven Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools have been recognized this year by the U.S. Department of Education with Blue Ribbon Awards.  The National Blue Ribbon Award is presented to schools based on a school's overall academic excellence or the school's progress in closing student achievement gaps.  Hosts Dr. Jim Rigg and Fr. Greg Sakowicz speak with Mike Kendrick.

The teachers at St. Damian School in Oak Forest are coming up with creative ways to engage their students during the current pandemic.  During music classes, students are learning American Sign Language (ASL) to "sing" the songs.  And the school held a whole day of creative activities to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.  Hosts Dr. Jim Rigg and Fr. Greg Sakowicz speak with principa...

Hosts Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi speak with Dan Protess, the Executive Producer of The Great Chicago Fire, a Chicago Stories original documentary that premieres Friday, October 9th at 8 pm on WTTW.  It explores how Chicagoans faced destruction, rebuilt the city and prepared it for a thriving future.  It also examines the anti-immigrant and anti-Catholic sentiment of the time that...

Hosts Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Mark Teresi speak with Michael Hoffman, Chairman of the Hope and Healing Committee and clergy abuse survivor, and Thomas Tharayil, Director of the Office of Assistance Ministry in the Office for the Protection of Children and Youth.  They discuss the 9th annual Mass for Hope and Healing that is scheduled to premiere on Saturday, October 24, 2020 at 10am.  The...

In Fiscal Year 2018, over 17, 000 reports of abuse were made in the state of Illinois involving seniors and disabled adults. These include numerous types of abuse, neglect, deprivation, confinement, and financial exploitation. Statistics from Catholic Charities Adult Protective Services are part of this statewide tally. Join Marie Jochum and Brigid Murphy as they welcome Bette MacLennan to discuss...