Talking Catholic

“We need to be there for them.” Such were the sentiments of Steven Martin, a Vietnam War veteran, as he discussed the importance of welcoming fellow servicemen and women into the Catholic War Veterans Post 1578, based in Bridgeton. Martin and Father Matthew Weber, chaplain of the Catholic War Veterans Post, Deacon Charles Dillin, Sam Pace and Albert Siedlecki talk about the Post, their military se...

This week we're joined by two great members of VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services, Christine Willard, Director of Senior Ministry, and Nicole Keefer, Director of Parish Nursing and a wellness nurse in the Diocese of Camden. These two tornados of energy chat with us about the importance of their ministries to people in need, which can be of any age, but with a special concern for seniors. It’s a...

November 5-11 is National Vocation Awareness Week and to chat about it, Mike sat down with two of his favorite young priests and vocation directors, Fr. Adam Cichoski and Fr. Joshua Nevitt from the Diocese of Camden. The duo tag team the vocations process in South Jersey, with Fr. Josh as the defacto promoter/recruiter and Fr. Adam as the seminarian discernment steward. We discuss their work AND t...

In the Catholic Church, All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day begin the month of November, with the following weeks dedicated to praying for and remembering those who have passed away. Father Jason Rocks, chancellor for the Diocese of Camden, joins hosts Mike Walsh and Jen Mauro this week to discuss how to let the Church’s saints be true companions in our daily lives and how purgatory is an opportuni...

Early childhood education, especially at the preschool level, has become increasingly important for families. To that point, the preschool programs across South Jersey Catholic Schools has seen an increase in enrollment. But, how do you pick the right program for your child?   On the show this week, hosts Marianela Nunez and Mike Bress were joined by Teresa Casanas, Dual-language Pre-K Leader/Teac...

On today’s episode Kari and Mike welcome to the show renowned speaker and author Jason Evert. He was in South Jersey for a few days giving talks on Chastity to high schoolers and Dating 101 to college students. The trio have a great chat about his ministry, where he got his start, his philosophy on successfully engaging with young people, and how he remains so prolific. To learn more about Jason a...

“Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential.” On today's Talking Saints, hosts Laurie and Pete unpack the life of “Good Pope John.” Having been elected at the age of 76, many thought he would be a transitional pope, but John XXIII's short, yet impactful papacy, proves that we can be God's instruments at any age. Po...

It’s time for part two of a recent Eucharistic Revival retreat held for the parish teams in the Diocese of Camden. We begin with a chat with Donna Ottaviano-Britt and Andres Arango about the Eucharistic Revival retreat and its benefit to the faithful, and then we hear from Msgr. Joseph Malagreca, pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Brooklyn, N.Y., offers his perspective on the Eucharist, specifically r...

Today we sit in on part one of a recent Eucharistic Revival retreat held for the parish teams in the Diocese of Camden. After introductions by Donna Ottaviano-Britt and Andres Arango, Msgr. Joseph Malagreca, pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Brooklyn, N.Y., offers his perspective on the Eucharist, its nature and its value to us as Catholics. Part two of his presentation will be released in next week’...

“If we are faithful to God, we will lack nothing”   Many might know Saint Vincent de Paul as the namesake of a charitable organization that reaches across the globe, but just who was this man, and why is he associated with outreach to the needy? In the latest Talking Saints, hosts Laurie and Pete reveal the faithful witness of this 17th century French Catholic priest, who not only was a friend to...

This week’s Talking Catholic podcast is packed with action, as cohosts Mike Bress and Jen Mauro are joined by fan-favorite Mark Zimmaro.   Mark is well-known in South Jersey’s Catholic schools as the sports correspondent for the Catholic Star Herald. From sports photos and articles on students, teams and coaches to Athletes of the Month features and breaking game news on social media, Mark has his...

This week Talking Catholic goes international, as Jen Mauro and guest cohost EmmaLee Italia talk to author and filmmaker Robert Orlando and Father Andrew Dalton, LC, about Orlando’s new documentary film and book, “The Shroud Face to Face.” First, Jen and EmmaLee, contributing editor at The Monitor Magazine, reunite over having worked together in Catholic journalism for years in the Diocese of Tren...

It’s blessed episode this week as we enjoy chatting with three Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Infant Jesus, Sr. Dianna Higgins, Sr. Michele De Gregorio, and Sr. Cecilia Nanni Costa. The three discuss with Kari and Mike the charisms of their community, their own vocation journey, and their work in South Jersey and around the world. To learn more about the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the...

For nearly 20 years, the Catholic Charities of South Jersey Annual Dinner has served the dual purpose of honoring the extraordinary service performed by individuals who demonstrate commitment to social justice and the needs of the poor, while also raising funds that allow Catholic Charities to provide direct assistance to those they serve. We invited the leaders of this great event onto the podcas...

For most colleges around the country, it’s time for students to head back to campus. Once they get there, where can Catholics and those looking for the Faith go to find a welcoming community? On many campuses, they need not look further than their local Newman House or Catholic Campus Ministry. On today’s episode, Kari welcomes her colleague from Stockton University’s Catholic Campus Ministry, Bri...

“Lord, increase my sufferings, and with them increase Your love in my heart.”   These are the words that Saint Rose of Lima lived and died by, as a 17th century virgin and mystic.  In the latest Talking Saints, Laurie and Pete share this woman’s life of prayer, penance, and charity, and the lessons we all can learn today from her complete devotion to God. Listen to Talking Saints with Laurie Power...

Earlier this month, a contingent of pilgrims - that included all eight of the Diocese of Camden’s seminarians, as well as vocations directors Fr. Adam Cichoski and Fr. Josh Nevitt - took part in the World Youth Day activities in Lisbon Portugal, which included a stop in Fatima. Along with the vocations directors, seminarians Deacon Ricardo Cruz, Nickolas Naticchione and Tom Piro join us this week...

We’re guest free this week, so Jen and Mike sit down for a quick one to give a roundup up from the Catholicverse - including what our seminarians are up to as they attend World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal; the upcoming Wedding of the Sea events in our shore, and now river, communities; a recent Vietnamese traditional diaconate ordination; and a little reminder that there’s a lot of great Catholi...

Fr. Jason Rocks - chancellor of the Diocese of Camden and pastor of Holy Eucharist Parish in Cherry Hill, NJ - returns again! It’s his third visit to The Vault and he again doesn’t disappoint as Jen and Mike grill him on what a chancellor does, the recent slate of new cardinals, and what we can expect to see in the upcoming Synod meetings. Listen to Talking Catholic everywhere podcasts can be foun...

“The shepherd cannot run at the first sign of danger.” From a farm boy in 1940s Oklahoma to becoming the first American-born martyr, Blessed Stanley Rother lived a life of heroic, faithful, and generous witness in service to the Lord.  In today’s Talking Saints, hosts Laurie and Pete share the inspiring story of this diocesan priest turned missionary, on the doorstep to sainthood, and the heart he...

There is a misconception that schools are completely shut down during the summer months. On this week’s episode, co-hosts Marianela Nunez and Michael Bress talk with Patricia Mancuso, principal at St. Mary School in Williamstown, and Elizabeth Martino, principal at Our Lady of Hope Regional School in Blackwood about this false rumor and much more :) Our light-hearted but informative conversation s...

The temperature is on the rise and vacations are in full swing, but as you will find out on the latest Talking Catholic podcast, the work at the Diocese of Camden does not stop!   Hosts Jen Mauro and Mike Bress sit down with the Diocese’s Pastoral Department to discuss how the summer has been going so far, and what activities, retreat opportunities and spiritual encounters are in store for South J...

“The glory of God is man fully alive.”   Today, on the feast of this Doctor of Unity, hosts Laurie and Pete reflect on the life and teachings of Saint Iranaeus, a 2nd century Bishop and defender of the faith.  The two trace his connection to Saint John the Apostle, and discuss his response to the rampant heresy in his time.   Saint Iranaeus, Patron of those working for Christian unity, pray for us...

We were on the road recently and pulled together an impromptu podcast recording with our Jersey cousins while attending the Catholic Media Associations’ annual conference in Baltimore. Joining Jen and Mike on this episode are: - Maria Margiotta, Director of Communications, Archdiocese of Newark - Gerry Wutkowski, Assistant Director of Communications & Public Relations, Diocese of Metuchen - Mary K...

In the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the United States became home to many refugees from the Eastern European country. On today’s show, we speak with Alexander Polokh, who brought his family to the U.S. shortly after the invasion, and in just a year, knowing zero English, has become nearly fluent and a caseworker for Catholic Charities of South Jersey. Along with his colleague and boss,...