Talking Catholic

International trips for high school students can be a formative time, full of opportunities to explore the world and expand their education with real world experiences. On today’s episode, co-hosts Marianela Nunez and Michael Bress are joined by French teacher, Giovina Hans-DaGruz, from Paul VI High School, and world languages teacher, Joya Oasin, from Camden Catholic High School, to learn more th...

This week’s episode is a true celebration as we welcome to the show the Most Reverend Dennis J. Sullivan, D.D., the 8th Bishop of Camden, in honor of his 20th anniversary of episcopal consecration. Join hosts Mike Walsh and Jen Mauro as they engage in a heartfelt conversation with Bishop Sullivan about his journey from his early days as a priest in the Archdiocese of New York, where he later serve...

Episode 400 is here, but we're not celebrating that milestone—we're marking a historic moment in the Diocese of Camden as this week we warmly welcome our first coadjutor bishop, and future 9th bishop, Most Reverend Joseph A. Williams.  To guide us through the traditions and spiritual significance of these events, Fr. Jason Rocks, the diocesan chancellor, will join us on The Vault. He’ll sh...

With another school year upon us… fall sports are back! On today’s episode, cohosts Mike Bress and Pete Sanchez welcome back Catholic Star Herald sports writer, Mark Zimmaro, to talk about the high school fall sports landscape, as well as Mark embarking on his latest adventure… teaching.    Throughout the podcast, the group discusses the potential breakout stars and teams for all of the fall sport...

For this month's episode, Laurie and Pete change things up by discussing not one, but four saints, with one thing in common: their intense love for the Eucharist.  In this time of Eucharistic revival, be inspired by the fervor of these holy witnesses:  St. Tarcisius, St. Peter Julian Eymard, Blessed Imelda Lambertini and Blessed Carlo Acutis.     Listen to Talking Saints with Laurie Power and...

We welcome back to the show, Nicole Keefer, now the newly minted executive director of VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services. This is her first visit since she took on the new role leading one of largest and most consequential ministries of the Diocese of Camden, overseeing a department that provides healthcare-related support throughout South Jersey. We discuss her new role, her decades of experi...

For many of us, summer memories include the fun of Vacation Bible School, a week where young children and dedicated volunteers embrace the joyful intersection of faith and fun. Kari Janisse and Mike Walsh welcome two long-time VBS experts on to the show today to highlight their recent successes leading weeks of these ministries, Julie LaRosa and Laurie Power.  The duo give a lot of great tips on h...

It’s another summer restaurant review and Catholic entrepreneur showcase! Kari Janisse and Mike Walsh traveled down to Wildwood Crest at the height of the summer beach season to chat with Deb John who operates Royal Grill with her husband and executive chef Phil John. Also joining us for this show is Notre Dame de la Mer pastor Fr. Cadmus Mazzarella and Kari’s husband Phil and son JP. The group sa...

Only a few weeks removed from the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, we’ve invited four Diocese of Camden pilgrims on to the podcast to reflect on their journey. Joining us this week are  Evelyn Cuttino, Holy Eucharist Parish, Cherry Hill Laurie Power, award winning host of Talking Saints Sister Cecilia Nanni, FMIJ Judy Marino, Catholic Community of Christ our Light, Cherry Hill Our gu...

Mike welcomes Catholic Charities of South Jersey Executive Director Maria Elena Hallion, PhD., on to the show this week to chat about taking over the reigns of the social service organization that serves tens of thousands of clients throughout the year. We discuss the work of Catholic Charities, her path to leadership of the organization, her spirituality, and how her years in academia were great...

"Saints Joachim and Anne were part of a long chain of people who had transmitted their faith and love for God, expressed in the warmth and love of family life, down to Mary..."  - Pope Francis   Though not mentioned in the Bible, Saints Joachim and Anne are revered as the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary and grandparents of Jesus.  On this month's episode of Talking Saints, Pete and Laurie share...

STEAL AN IDEA ALERT. Mike and Jen headed down the shore (adjacent) this week to chat with a group of young folks who have helped develop an event every parish should be using!!! The Dream On Youth Festival set for July 19 at Saint Katharine Drexel Church, Egg Harbor Township is a brilliant youth-focused event that even in its inaugural year is getting a ton of attention - all from the minds of you...

As you may have heard, Mike Walsh was recently at the Catholic Media Association’s annual conference. While there he took the opportunity to actually meet new people. His efforts were abundantly rewarded and he brought two members of that bounty on the podcast this week to showcase the incredible talent of the current crop of young Catholic professionals. Joining him this week are 29-year-old Mont...

It’s summertime, which can only mean it’s time for a Kari Janisse classic episode, on the road and eating! This time she and Mike Walsh visit with local Catholic entrepreneur Anthony Bongiovanni, owner of Lena’s Water Ice & Custard in Lindenwold, NJ. They discuss his path into the food service world and his dedication to high-quality treats. This episode is also a bit of a crossover with special g...

Summer is officially here, and that can only mean one thing: It’s time for a “Talking Catholic” hostful episode!   With co-host Mike Walsh away at the Catholic Media Association Conference in Atlanta, the “TC” crew busted into the vault and got into the recording equipment. Join hosts Kari Janisse, Mike Bress, Marianela Nunez, Jen Mauro and Peter G. Sánchez of “Talking Saints” fame as they discuss...

We welcome back Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Rector Fr. Adam Cichoski this week to chat about his role this year as padrino - a great honor from Camden’s Puerto Rican community - of the Parada San Juan Bautista in Camden, NJ, what life has been like as rector of the bishop’s church for the past two years, and his devotion to World War II and Korean War Army Chaplain Fr. Emil Kapaun, who...

Human beings are built for stories – and have been since the time of the greatest of all faith storytellers: Jesus.   He told stories that were able to draw in diverse crowds with different points of view. In a similar way, every person’s story – every witness – is the most important thing one can share with another person.   Join hosts Mike Walsh and Jen Mauro on this week’s episode of “Talking C...

“O Lord, you have been our refuge in all generations.” Bishop, evangelist, and saint, Boniface, the “Apostle of Germany,” is the subject of the latest Talking Saints on his feast day, June 5. Hosts Laurie and Pete unravel the life of this 8thcentury Benedictine monk, who reformed the Church and converted thousands across Europe, and could have quite possibly started the tradition of the Christmas...

The intersection of science in faith is often thought to be contentious, however, for Catholic scientists it’s actually considered a fertile ground for discussion and support. Joining us this week is the president of the Society of Catholic Scientists, Stephen Barr, Ph. D. The professor emeritus of physics at the University of Delaware is a founding member of the society that now boasts more than...

It’s been a festive May for the Catholic faithful of South Jersey. In addition to ordaining two transitional deacons and a new priest, the Diocese of Camden has been blessed with its first coadjutor bishop! On May 21, Pope Francis appointed Bishop Joseph Williams as coadjutor bishop of the diocese who will succeed Bishop Dennis Sullivan when he retires on his 80th birthday, March 17, 2025. But wha...

Co-hosts Marianela Nunez and Mike Bress took the podcast on the road this week to the Port-O-Call Hotel in Ocean City to talk with Catholics School principals at their annual end-of-the-year retreat, which included an extra special surprise guest… the world famous Phillie Phanatic! Patti Paulsen, Holy Angels Catholic School, Woodbury; Elizabeth Mariani, Sacred Heart School, Camden; and Tom Iacovon...

Jubilee 2025 is fast approaching (it will open on Christmas Eve 2024). The jubilee is a great religious event that takes place every 25 years and features the opening of Holy Doors, pilgrimages, a focus on reconciliation, and a commitment to serve God with joy. In preparation for the jubilee year, Pope Francis marked 2024 as a Year of Prayer and published a pastoral resource called “Teach us to Pr...

The spring sports season is in full swing for elementary and high schools across the Diocese of Camden, which means it is time to check in with Catholic Star Herald sports reporter Mark Zimmaro.   Co-hosts Jen Mauro and Mike Bress join forces once again to talk with Mark about team outlooks across various spring sports including baseball, softball, track and field, and boys and girls lacrosse. The...

It’s a “two-for-one” special on today’s Talking Saints, as Laurie and Pete explore the lives and examples of Saints Philip and James, apostles and martyrs of Jesus.  Learn why they share a feast on May 3; how Philip’s curiosity led to a crucial Church teaching; and why James is known as “the Less.”    Saints Philip and James, pray for us! Listen to Talking Saints with Laurie Power and Pete Sanchez...

It’s another laughter-filled episode of Talking Catholic, as co-hosts Jen Mauro and Mike Walsh welcome a new guest to the show: Deacon Dean Johnson, who serves in Church of the Holy Family, Sewell.   First, Deacon Dean shares what he learned during his time in the diaconate program – both educationally and spiritually. “The more I got to know about the Church, the more I fell in love with her,” he...