Talking Catholic

As the 18th annual Camden Diocese Blue Mass for law enforcement and first responders approaches next week, Deputy Chief David Harkins of the Gloucester Township Police Department returns to the show, along with Captain April Herrington and Lieutenant Bill Walsh, both of the Voorhees Police Department. The three veteran officers speak with Mike and Pete about their careers in public safety, as well...

This week we sit down with two of the Camden Diocese Catholic Renewal's joyful leaders: Father René Canales, Bishop’s Delegate for the Catholic Renewal, and Vicar for Hispanics at Our Lady of Hope Parish in Blackwood; and Rebekah Hardy, Renewal speaker and Campus Minister at Glassboro’s Rowan University. Need a break from the everyday hustle-and-bustle? Feeling lethargic in your spiritual life? Co...

On the eve of the first day of school for 2019, classrooms were in order, plans for the year nailed down, and two teachers from South Jersey Catholic Schools join Mike, Pete and guest co-host Mary Beth Peabody to talk about life in the classroom, what led them to their vocation, ways they engage students and why they love their jobs. The duo could not have been better matched.   Meet Cathy O’Brien...

Instantly recognizable with her blue and white sari and ear-to-ear smile, Saint Teresa of Calcutta captivated the world with her work to the poor, sick, and disadvantaged, as foundress of the Missionaries of Charity. As the Catholic Church marks her feast day, Laurie and Pete unfold the narrative of this remarkable woman- her early life, her work in India, and trusting God even through “a painful...

It’s the return of the unofficial co-host of Talking Catholic, Fr. Robert Sinatra! The pastor of Vineland’s Saint Padre Pio Parish joins us this week to talk specifically about the Eucharist, in light of the Pew Research Center report earlier this month that found a majority of Catholics do not understand the nature of the Eucharist as the true body and blood of Christ. It’s a truly enlightening c...

This week we chat with youth and leaders involved with the week-long Summer in the City experience: Greg Coogan, Diocesan Director of youth ministry; Alicia Foreman, a member of Stockton University’s Catholic Campus Ministry; Mary Gardner, student at Camden Catholic High School; Juliana Campasso, a parishioner of Saint Joseph, Somers Point; Richard Price, of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Galloway To...

This week, Mike and Pete pack their bug spray and canteens for a trip to the Roosevelt Scout Reservation in Elmer, to speak with leaders and youth of Catholic Scouting in South Jersey.  The fun conversation featured insights from the panel on the duties of a scout, how scouting makes one self-reliant, and finding God in nature. Joining the hosts are Father Paul Harte, Chaplain of the Catholic Scou...

“Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:13  These were the opening words of the papal decree announcing the beatification of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, a fitting statement for a 20th century martyr of the church.  On his feast day, Laurie and Pete unpack the life of this friar, evangelist and soldier for Christ who made the ultimate sacrifice for...

Mike and Pete continue their Summer Down the Shore series this week, (after an upcoming events rundown with our award-winning Talking Saints co-host Laurie Power). The duo venture out to Ocean City, and chat again with Katie Waldow, Director of Youth Ministry at Saint Damien Parish.  The delightful guest shares the fun of Vacation Bible School, the formation of her parish’s nascent young adult min...

Mike and Pete continue their summer at the shore, as they travel to Atlantic City and the Parish of Saint Monica to speak with organizers of the upcoming Wedding of the Sea Mass and festival. Joyce Ruffolo, festival coordinator; Jim Persenda, liturgy coordinator; and Becky Woods, marketing specialist, share the exciting details for the August 15 celebration, held on the Feast of the Assumption. Th...

Mike and Pete go down the shore this week, as they travel to Ocean City to soak up the sun, eat boardwalk pizza and fries, and have a nice chat with Cecilia Gallelli-Keyes, co-owner/front office manager of the Tahiti Inn. Just 50 yards from the beach and boardwalk, we chat about the family-owned and operated getaway, Cecilia regales us with stories of growing up in South Philly, her strong family...

In his five-plus years as a left winger for the NHL’s Calgary Flames, Johnny Gaudreau, a product of Gloucester Catholic High School, has established himself as one of the league’s stars. This week, Mike, Pete, and guest co-host John Kalitz (digital media manager for the Diocese of Camden & NHL expert), and Gloucester Catholic’s Cara Buckland sit down with “Johnny Hockey” at Dunlop’s Bar and Grill...

Fundraising professionals, like the Diocese of Camden’s Associate Director of Development Katie Comerford, are a rare breed. It takes a special kind of person to make a career out of serving the Church by helping people to understand the importance of their donations, whether weekly collections, annual giving opportunities and/or long-term giving plans. Mike and Pete sit down with Katie to discuss...

Who is Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati? Faithful son and brother, amiable friend, avid mountaineer, social activist, and devotee of the Blessed Sacrament. Saint John Paul II called him “The Man of Eight Beatitudes.” He has been a patron of World Youth Day. Our hosts Laurie and Pete unpack the short but powerful life of this 20th century man of Turin, Italy, and discuss how even 94 years since his pa...

Ever wonder how Talking Saints co-host Laurie Power and the Diocese of Camden's Director of Discipleship & Leadership Donna Ottaviano-Britt stay so well versed in Catholic theology? Well they school Mike and Pete on this week’s podcast. Donna dropped in about 13 minutes after we’d already started recording, but sheesh, what luck! It’s possible there may have been one or two digressions, such as th...

A full-circle day for Talking Catholic! Almost two years ago, our dynamic guest, Dr. Vincent Mancuso, was inspired by one of the first Talking Catholic podcast episodes Mike & Pete recorded, which put him on a journey towards fulfilling one of his many roles now: Coordinator of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden, Inc.'s English Learning Center, where he volunteers, coordinates, oversees, and te...

On this month's Talking Saints, Laurie Power and Pete Sanchez reflect on the life and legacy of Saint Thomas More, a 16th century lawyer and Lord Chancellor to England’s King Henry VIII who put God above all things, at the cost of his own life. In addition to his relationship with the King, our hosts delve into More’s love for his wife and children, his skills as a theologian and writer, and how c...

As picking season begins in Hammonton, the Blueberry Capital of the World, let’s not forget those who make it possible for all those delicious pies, muffins, and milkshakes. This week, Mike and Pete sit down with Father Yvans Jazon, Administrator of Collingswood’s Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish to talk about this weekend’s Haitian Farmworkers Mass, an evening of welcome and appreciation for the m...

With the Diocese of Camden's inaugural Soccer Cup taking place this Saturday, June 15 at Saint Augustine Prep in Richland, Mike and Pete discuss all things fútbol with three of the day’s organizers: Marianela Nunez, Field Director of Latino Enrollment in the diocesan Office of Catholic Schools; Claudia Trani-Melgar, Communications and Outreach Coordinator for Saint Clare of Assisi Parish, Swedesbo...

It’s a first for Talking Catholic, as Mike and Pete, in the Vault, as we Facetime this episode with Donna Ottaviano-Britt, diocesan Director of Missionary Discipleship, in the comfort of her Ocean City home. As the Catholic Church this weekend prepares to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, the birthday of the Church, Ottaviano-Britt shares with our hosts the campaign spreading across South Jersey t...

We're talking Catholic schools, but for this episode we brought in two heavy hitters - Mary Boyle, retiring Superintendent of Catholic Schools, and Bill Watson, Director of Curriculum and Assessment for Catholic Schools, who is tasked with the formidable job of filling her substantial shoes as he takes on the mantle of superintendent. Mike and Pete are also joined by guest co-host Mary Beth Peabod...

It's a Talking Saints episode! Faith. Heroism. Political Intrigue. The life of Saint Joan of Arc is still a compelling one, almost 600 years after her death. Laurie Power and Pete Sanchez unpack the journey of “The Maid of Orleans” 5th century from peasant girl, to mystic, to heroine of France, to saint. Also popping in is Father Jon Thomas, Pastor of the Parish of Saint Monica in Atlantic City, w...

It's Memorial Day Weekend, so we're rolling out the Summer Kickoff show! Pete and Mike discuss all things under the sun with a few of our favorite guests and co-hosts: Maria D’Antonio, Communications Coordinator & Web Content Manager for the diocesan Office of Communications; Mary McCusker, Marketing and Communications Coordinator for Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden; as well as Marianela Nun...

This week, Talking Catholic holds its first-ever “MaryCast,” as the complete hour is devoted to Our Blessed Mother.  With Mike on assignment, Pete is joined by guest co-host Kim Pesotski, Youth Director of Saint Mary of Mount Carmel Parish, Hammonton, and Father Tim Byerley, Pastor of Merchantville’s Saint Peter Parish to speak on the Mother of Jesus: her fiat to God, her role in salvation history...

We're back to our normal programming and celebrating National Nurses Week by saluting the hardworking women and men providing support to individuals and families, in a myriad of ways, through times of physical and/or mental hardship.  Joining Mike & Pete this week are two valued members of VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services - and RN's themselves - Nicole Keefer, Director of Parish Nursing, and...