Catholic Messenger Conversations

In October, the Catholic Church in U.S. marks Respect Life Month. Christie Schaefer, executive director of The Woman’s Choice Center in Bettendorf, discusses her organization’s efforts to do just that by helping women in the Quad Cities facing unexpected or unsupported pregnancies. The center offers medical care, mental health counseling and material support. The staff works with mothers who choos...

This podcast episode contains mature subject matter that may not be suitable for all listeners Internationally known Theology of the Body speaker and author Christopher West is our guest this month.  He and award-winning musician Mike Mangione will lead a multimedia event, Made for More: Visions of the Promised Land, Nov. 12, 2026 at Our Lady of Victory Parish in Davenport. In anticipation of...

Keri Walter, a former engineer, switched gears later in life to become a math and science teacher. She now serves at Assumption Catholic High School in Davenport. With the start of the school year upon us, Walter talks about her personal faith journey. Raised in a Catholic family, the loss of her grandfather and other challenges caused her and other family members to spend time away from the pract...

Sister Lynn Mousel, CHM is a member of the leadership team for the Congregation of the Humility of Mary, a women’s religious order based in Davenport. She is also a child psychiatrist. Sister Lynn discusses the history and mission of her order, how she discovered her vocation to religious life and what it has been like to integrate her Catholic faith into her career as a medical doctor. She also r...

We discuss some of the recent events covered in The Catholic Messenger such as Father Alfonso Pizano’s ordination. We also talk about an upcoming profile of Marlene Franz, an employee of Regina High School who is retiring after almost 58 years. We then cover the pilgrimage The Messenger is sponsoring to the Fulton Sheen Museum and St. Mary Cathedral in Peoria, where the famous archbishop is buried...

If you could ask Bishop Dennis Walsh one question, what would it be? In this episode, the bishop tackles questions submitted by lay people from around the diocese. Third graders asked about some difficult theological matters. Adults asked about current events and how to apply the faith in real world situations. Teens also chimed in with topics that concern them. Sit back and enjoy this fascinating...

Trevor Pullinger, faith formation director and catechesis coordinator for the Davenport Diocese, gives us his take on some hot topics in the Church such as how parents can teach the faith to their kids and how to evangelize friends or family who have stopped practicing Catholicism. He talks about his own journey going from being a single student discerning a call to the priesthood to a married man...

Bishop Dennis Walsh returns as our guest. In this episode, we discuss the NCAA tournament, the bishop’s trip to Cedar Rapids recently to accompany immigrants at check ins with the U.S. Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the events of Holy Week and the jump in the number of new Catholics joining the church both locally and internationally. With recording taking place the day after S...

In an episode recorded on Ash Wednesday, Ann Schwickerath, executive director of Project Renewal, discusses the work the charity does in Davenport, Iowa. Founded by Sister Concetta Bendicente and Father Marv Mottet over 50 years ago, Project Renewal serves children in all grades K-12 with afterschool programs, which include academic tutoring. The offerings are free of charge. They are provided by...

Sister Anthony Worrell, OSF, a member of the Franciscan Sisters of Christ the Divine Teacher, joins us just in time for Catholic Schools Week. She talks about her vocation, her work teaching religion at Assumption Catholic High School in Davenport, and the spirituality of St. Francis. Renew Our Hearts, copyright 2019 by Joe Mattingly. All rights reserved. Published by NS Publications, 2325 James S...

Bishop Dennis Walsh discusses attending the U.S. Bishop’s plenary assembly in November and the special message on immigration they issued. He also talks about his first time attending the National Catholic Youth Conference and what it’s like to be a bishop during the Christmas season. He closes be sharing some of the traditions he has at Christmastime. Renew Our Hearts, copyright 2019 by Joe Matti...

The St. Martin de Porres Society at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. President Thomas Mason IV discusses the history and mission of the organization. Members strive to share Black Catholic cultural differences and contributions, evangelize and live out the challenge to model their patron, a man known as the saint of universal brotherhood. The inter...

Bishop Thomas Hennen, a former priest for the Davenport Diocese, stops by to discuss his September 29, 2025 ordination as a bishop and installation as the head of the Diocese of Baker in Oregon. The Ottumwa native is currently the youngest bishop overseeing a diocese in the United States. He celebrated Masses of Thanksgiving during his recent visit. Renew Our Hearts, copyright 2019 by Joe Mattingl...

In the latest Catholic Messenger Conversations podcast, Father Jason Crossen, the new diocesan Vicar General and Cathedral rector, talks about life as a Fighting Bee, board game nights with fellow priests, and his friendship with Bishop-elect Thom Hennen. Renew Our Hearts, copyright 2019 by Joe Mattingly. All rights reserved. Published by NS Publications, 2325 James St., #11, Coralville, IA 52241....

Our conversation with Bishop Dennis Walsh focuses on Life Teen summer camp, Theology on Tap and the Catechetical Leader Summit – three different but energizing opportunities to engage youth and adults in our Catholic faith. Renew Our Hearts, copyright 2019 by Joe Mattingly. All rights reserved. Published by NS Publications, 2325 James St., #11, Coralville, IA 52241.Email: nspinfo@newmansingers.com...

Bishop Dennis Walsh recently received an unexpected call from the Vatican’s representative to the United States. One of the diocese’s priests had been chosen to become a bishop. Bishop Walsh shares his reaction and advice to the Bishop-elect. Renew Our Hearts, copyright 2019 by Joe Mattingly. All rights reserved. Published by NS Publications, 2325 James St., #11, Coralville, IA 52241.Email: nspinf...

Fr. Thom Hennen shares the scoop about the Question Box column he loves to write – along with his duties as pastor of Sacred Heart Cathedral and diocesan vicar general! Renew Our Hearts, copyright 2019 by Joe Mattingly. All rights reserved. Published by NS Publications, 2325 James St., #11, Coralville, IA 52241.Email: nspinfo@newmansingers.com. Voice/text: 319-331-8812.For rights and reprint infor...

Bishop Dennis Walsh talks about his impressions of newly elected Pope Leo XIV, whom he met in ‘Baby Bishops’ School! Renew Our Hearts, copyright 2019 by Joe Mattingly. All rights reserved. Published by NS Publications, 2325 James St., #11, Coralville, IA 52241.Email: nspinfo@newmansingers.com. Voice/text: 319-331-8812.For rights and reprint information, contact the publisher. Recorded at Holy Moun...

Our conversation with Bishop Dennis Walsh focuses on his message to the faithful (particularly priests) gathered for this year’s Chrism Mass. He explains the spirituality of Viva Memoria (the living memory of Jesus Christ). Renew Our Hearts, copyright 2019 by Joe Mattingly. All rights reserved. Published by NS Publications, 2325 James St., #11, Coralville, IA 52241.Email: nspinfo@newmansingers.com...

Bishop Dennis Walsh focuses on parish planning, preparing individuals on the journey to become members of the Catholic Church and Bishop’s personal experience of pilgrimage Renew Our Hearts, copyright 2019 by Joe Mattingly. All rights reserved. Published by NS Publications, 2325 James St., #11, Coralville, IA 52241. Email: nspinfo@newmansingers.com. Voice/text: 319-331-8812. For rights and reprint...

Prepare for Lent with great advice from our Bishop! Renew Our Hearts, copyright 2019 by Joe Mattingly. All rights reserved. Published by NS Publications, 2325 James St., #11, Coralville, IA 52241.Email: nspinfo@newmansingers.com. Voice/text: 319-331-8812.For rights and reprint information, contact the publisher. Recorded at Holy Mountain Studios, Coralville, IA. You can hear all our podcasts on yo...

Oh, the places our bishop goes! Bonding with bishops on retreat, celebrating Mass with inmates in Fort Madison and listening to immigrants’ testimonies in Iowa City. Renew Our Hearts, copyright 2019 by Joe Mattingly. All rights reserved. Published by NS Publications, 2325 James St., #11, Coralville, IA 52241.Email: nspinfo@newmansingers.com. Voice/text: 319-331-8812.For rights and reprint informat...

Our new bishop has unique experiences to share of Christmas past and what Christmas might be like in Iowa. Renew Our Hearts, copyright 2019 by Joe Mattingly. All rights reserved. Published by NS Publications, 2325 James St., #11, Coralville, IA 52241. Email: nspinfo@newmansingers.com. Voice/text: 319-331-8812. For rights and reprint information, contact the publisher. Recorded at Holy Mountain Stu...

Bishop Walsh shares his thoughts from his first meeting as a member of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Renew Our Hearts, copyright 2019 by Joe Mattingly. All rights reserved. Published by NS Publications, 2325 James St., #11, Coralville, IA 52241. Email: nspinfo@newmansingers.com. Voice/text: 319-331-8812. For rights and reprint information, contact the publisher. Recorded at Holy Mountai...

Bishop Dennis Walsh talks with Barb Arland-Fye about his new role as 10th Bishop of the Diocese of Davenport. Renew Our Hearts, copyright 2019 by Joe Mattingly. All rights reserved. Published by NS Publications, 2325 James St., #11, Coralville, IA 52241.Email: nspinfo@newmansingers.com. Voice/text: 319-331-8812.For rights and reprint information, contact the publisher. Recorded at Holy Mountain St...