Catholic Spirit Radio

Deacon Al Lundy welcomes listeners to Good News on Catholic Spirit Radio, announces the station’s 15th anniversary open house, and offers a brief Lenten reflection focused on prayer, almsgiving, and fasting. The episode reviews the third Sunday of Lent readings (Exodus, Romans, and the Gospel of John), highlighting the theme of water, baptism, and spiritual thirst through the story of the Woman at...

Host Stan Ketcik interviews the founder and longtime volunteers about the origins and growth of Catholic Spirit Radio, from a small low-power station to a 16-station network inspired by Mother Angelica. Bishops’ greetings, listener support, and the role of dedicated volunteers are highlighted throughout the episode. The episode also outlines anniversary events, fundraising efforts, volunteer oppor...

Host David Liptak interviews Susan Tassone, EWTN’s all-time best-selling author, about her decades of research on purgatory and Saint Faustina. They discuss practical ways to help the Holy Souls—Masses, Rosary, adoration, fasting—and the spiritual power of confession and the Eucharist. Tassone explains Faustina’s teachings on suffering, mercy, and the passion of Christ, and offers guidance for obs...

Deacon Al shares personal stories—from backyard wildlife and a fussy nightstand build to a new bicuspid aortic valve diagnosis and possible TAVR procedure—while reflecting on trust in God during illness. He also highlights the surge of RCIA converts, explains the Second Sunday of Lent readings (Abraham, Paul to Timothy, the Transfiguration), and invites listeners to encounter Christ through the sa...

Bob Johnston and his wife Lynn discuss R.R. Reno’s First Things article arguing that renewed Christian influence—rooted in church, family, and moral teaching—can help restore national solidarity, civic virtue, and a culture of freedom. The episode explores themes like original sin, divine providence, the limits of political power, parental authority in education, and the distinction between Christ...

Deacon Al walks through the First Sunday of Lent readings—Genesis, Romans, and Matthew—explaining original sin, concupiscence, and how Jesus resists temptation by holding to Scripture. He offers practical Lenten advice on confession, perseverance, and attending Holy Week services, and points listeners to Catholic Spirit Radio resources and parish Vigil Masses to deepen faith during Lent. Email you...

Host Stan Ketcik speaks with attorney Robert Porter about wills, trusts, powers of attorney, probate, and estate taxes, explaining practical steps to protect your family and assets. The episode highlights planning for children, blended families, special needs trusts, ways to avoid probate, and a free MyCatholicWill resource offered through Catholic Spirit Radio. https://mycatholicwill.com/catholic...

On this episode of Catholic Conversations, Stan Ketcik talks with Sister Jean and Father Don about the life and cause for sainthood of Venerable Teresa (Mother) Dudzik— her immigration from Poland to Chicago, founding the Franciscan Sisters, her work serving the elderly and poor, and the hardships she endured. They also discuss a reported healing attributed to her intercession, how the Vatican inv...

Deacon Al celebrates the Vatican approval of Fulton J. Sheen's beatification, shares a local miracle story, and guides listeners into the start of Lent with practical reflections on fasting, abstinence, and choosing a Christ-centered life. He reviews the weekend readings (Sirach, 1 Corinthians, Matthew), offers reflections on free will and repentance, and invites teens and listeners to engage with...

Deacon Al recounts a humorous parish chili contest where his brisket chili won the trophy, shares parish news and invites community events to be submitted to Catholic Spirit Radio. He then reflects on the fifth Sunday readings (Isaiah, 1 Corinthians, Matthew), explaining how Christians are called to be the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world," and encourages teens to live their faith e...

Bob Johnston examines why Western societies tend to lean left, tracing the shift to a managerial class that runs large corporations and government agencies. He explains how ESG, DEI, and similar projects bind managers together, create endless reforms, and shape culture and policy. The episode explores implications for families, faith, and politics, and asks what must change for citizens and leader...

Host Theresa Chambers interviews Melissa Ohden, an abortion survivor and founder of the Abortion Survivors Network, about her saline-abortion survival, healing journey, conversion to the Catholic faith, and the Network’s support, advocacy, and educational work. They discuss abortion failures, abortion-pill reversal, resources for survivors and families, and how listeners can help through prayer, e...

Deacon Al warns against viral videos and internet hoaxes claiming radical changes by the Pope, urging listeners to check official sources and remain grounded in Church teaching. He explains how misleading content can be persuasive and dangerous. Then he walks through the readings for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time—Zephaniah, 1 Corinthians, and the Beatitudes from Matthew—showing how Jesus’ tea...

Retired Circuit Court Judge Don Bernardi joins David Liptak on Catholic Conversations to explain how judicial philosophy, historical context, and legal procedure shaped Roe v. Wade and its eventual overturning in Dobbs. The episode examines why Roe relied on inferred rights, the absence of trial evidence on when life begins, the role of amicus briefs, and how Dobbs returned the issue to state legi...

Host Stan Ketick talks with Monsignor Jason Gray about the campaign to honor Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, recent progress toward beatification and possible miracles under investigation. The episode covers Sheen’s life and media ministry, plans for the Fulton Sheen Experience in Peoria, how to visit or support the cause, and the devotional legacy he leaves for today’s Catholics. https://www.celebrat...

Deacon Al opens with a heartfelt apology for a previous on-air personal opinion and announces the removal of last week’s episode, then leads a prayer for the potential beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. He reflects on this Sunday’s readings from Isaiah, Psalm 27, Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, and Matthew, emphasizing the theme of spiritual journey, Christ as our light, unity in...

On Catholic Conversations, host Stan Ketick speaks with Patty Kaczor, a retired hospice nurse and Secular Franciscan who taught herself to play a ten‑string harp and now volunteers to play for hospice patients. They discuss how music, prayer, and compassionate presence bring comfort during the end of life. The episode covers the hospice experience versus palliative care, practical advice for famil...

Host Bob Johnston and his wife Lynn discuss Ryan Newhouse’s "America’s Affordability Crisis," exploring how decades of policy choices—immigration, corporate managerial culture, and misplaced metrics like GDP—have left many young Americans unable to afford homes, marriage, or stable family life. They connect this governing crisis to the health of churches and communities, arguing leaders must prior...

Host Bob Johnston and his wife Lynn reflect on William Butler Yeats’ poem "The Second Coming" and what a waning Christian influence means for Western civilization. They connect Yeats’ warning to recent social unrest, cultural polarization, and the erosion of civility seen during the Christmas season. The episode explores the need for a countercultural return to Christian values, practical ways to...

Deacon Al Lundy reflects on this weekend’s readings (Isaiah, Acts, and Luke) and explains why Jesus—though sinless—was baptized, how baptism prepares us for a life with Christ, and how the Trinity is revealed at the Jordan. He shares personal stories from parish life (a 99‑year‑old’s funeral and longtime friends), news about parish dalmatics and Curcio retreats, and an invitation to consider bapti...

On this episode of Catholic Conversations host David Liptak speaks with Mike Bohl and illustrator Nancy Johnson about The First Night of Christmas — a child-centered retelling of Christ’s birth born from family loss, self-publishing challenges, and a mission to give back to anti-trafficking charities. Later, author Stephen Thomas discusses his novel Catholic Joe, the role of suffering and adoratio...

Deacon Al Lundy welcomes listeners to an Advent-themed episode filled with personal Christmas memories, light-hearted anecdotes about decorations (and a mischievous cat), and a preview of upcoming nativity stories. He reflects on Gaudete Sunday and explains the readings from Isaiah, James, and Matthew — highlighting the signs of the Messiah, John the Baptist’s questions, and Jesus’ reassurance tha...

On Catholic Conversations host Stan Ketcik speaks with Dr. Peter Howard about his open letter and campaign to advance Venerable Fulton Sheen’s beatification and canonization. They discuss the approved miracle, the unexpected diocesan delays, and why Sheen’s preaching and daily holy hour are urgently relevant today. The episode explains how listeners can help—prayer, contacting the Diocese of Peori...

Deacon Al Lundy shares the recent loss of his mother-in-law and how her peaceful, faith-filled passing highlighted the Catholic focus on resurrection, hope, and the dignity of dying. He ties this personal story to the second Sunday of Advent readings (Isaiah, Romans, Matthew), calling listeners to repentance, unity, and bearing good spiritual fruit as they prepare for Christ and make use of the sa...

Deacon Al reflects on Thanksgiving, family traditions, and the start of Advent, urging listeners to prepare both their homes and hearts for Christ’s coming through worship, repentance, and hope. Email your questions to Deacon AL:     goodnews@catholicspiritradio.org