The Catholic Morning Show

Launch of Pope Leo Village in Des Moines Ground blessing event and community involvement Six new homes as part of a national initiative (200+ homes) How Habitat for Humanity supports families through: Affordable mortgages Homebuyer education “Sweat equity” participation Opportunities for volunteers of all skill levels History of Habitat for Humanity (founded by Millard & Linda Fuller) Local impact...

Reflection on the Good Shepherd passage from Gospel of John Biblical and historical context of the shepherd image (including King David) How Jesus seeks out the lost and carries them back to the flock The reality of spiritual “brokenness” caused by sin Learning to recognize and follow the voice of Christ The Good Shepherd as a model of mercy, restoration, and intimacy Invitation to deeper trust in...

Christ’s mercy as the Good Shepherd Living faith through acts of service Building strong Catholic families through prayer The importance of community, formation, and discipleship Credits: Produced, Edited, and Mixed by Ayden Pugh, Alexia Baker, and Brady Grimm.   LINKS You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram , and Youtube ! You can also find more information on our website . If you would lik...

Overview of the Serra Club of Des Moines mission Supporting seminarians, priests, and vocations Importance of prayer and community support for clergy Events like priest appreciation and vocation awareness efforts Opportunities for laypeople to get involved Emphasis on sustaining and strengthening the future of the Church Credits: Produced, Edited, and Mixed by Ayden Pugh, Alexia Baker, and Brady G...

Founder of If You Love Me and author of God’s Recipe for a Wonderful Life A personal challenge led to rediscovering the Ten Commandments Reframing commandments as a path to joy and freedom , not restriction Each commandment points toward virtue and right relationships Practical ways to live the commandments daily Encouragement to display and reflect on the commandments regularly Credits: Produced,...

Deacon Randy Kiel – Sunday Readings Reflection Focus on Acts Chapter 2 and St. Peter’s sermon The meaning of being “cut to the heart” as true remorse Call to repentance and conversion Baptism as the beginning of the sacramental life The role of the Holy Spirit in ongoing transformation Invitation to respond personally to God’s Word Credits: Produced, Edited, and Mixed by Ayden Pugh, Alexia Baker,...

Today’s Show: True conversion begins with an honest examination of the heart God’s commandments are a gift designed for human flourishing Supporting vocations is essential to the life of the Church Faith is lived out through action, discipline, and community Credits: Produced, Edited, and Mixed by Ayden Pugh, Alexia Baker, and Brady Grimm.   LINKS You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram , an...

Benedictine Sisters founded in 1874 Charism of perpetual adoration Growth in young people seeking religious life Daily rhythm of prayer and Eucharist Production of altar breads and goods Monastic experience weekend (early May) Opportunities for vocation discernment Links: Benedictine Sisters: https://benedictinesisters.org #ReligiousLife #Vocation #BenedictineSisters #EucharisticAdoration #Catholi...

Celebrating 25 years of Blessman International 100th well recently completed “Saving footsteps” by bringing water closer to villages Hygiene kits program for girls Job creation through local sewing initiatives Golf Fundraiser – July 13 (Grimes, IA) Meal packing events with Meals from the Heartland Mission trip opportunities Links: Blessman International: https://blessmaninternational.org Golf Even...

Blessman International celebrates 25 years of ministry Over 100 wells drilled in South Africa Hygiene kits helping girls stay in school Golf Fundraiser – July 13 (Grimes, IA) Meal packing events with Meals from the Heartland (Week of May 18) Benedictine Sisters’ charism of perpetual adoration Monastic experience weekend (early May) Links: Blessman International: https://blessmaninternational.org G...

A Legacy of Quiet Generosity (Dan Russo) Story of Richard “Dick” Kurka , a humble jeweler from Fairfield, Iowa Lived simply while quietly building significant wealth Donated over $1 million to his parish, seminarian education, and 16+ charities Passion for supporting vocations and ensuring access to the Eucharist A witness to faithful stewardship, humility, and lifelong generosity Reminder: true w...

Mary’s Meals & Race to Feed Kids (Ellen Miller) Learn about Mary’s Meals , feeding over 3 million children daily in developing countries Just $25.20 feeds a child for an entire school year Upcoming Race to Feed Kids – May 9, 2026 (Mother’s Day weekend) Family-friendly 5K event at the Women of Achievement Bridge (Des Moines) Inspired by children who walk miles daily for school and food Direct impac...

Today’s show highlights two powerful ways faith is lived out—through global charity and local generosity. Key Themes from Today’s Show: Small acts of love can have a global impact Faith in action: serving others both near and far The importance of generosity, stewardship, and community Living the Gospel through everyday choices Credits: Produced, Edited, and Mixed by Ayden Pugh, Alexia Baker, and...

Tim Glemkowski, Executive Director of Amazing Parish, joins the show to discuss his new white paper Rebuild My Church —a call to rediscover the Church’s mission in a changing world. Drawing inspiration from Saint Francis of Assisi , Tim explains why true renewal isn’t about programs, but about holiness, leadership, and a return to the Gospel. He shares key insights from working with over 1,100 pas...

New Catholic convert Dennis Hogan from Ascension Parish in Boone County shares his powerful journey into the Church following the Easter Vigil. Raised largely secular, Dennis describes how personal reflection, cultural events, and a search for moral grounding led him to explore Catholicism. Inspired by the writings of Saint Augustine , Dennis found a deep intellectual and spiritual home in the Chu...

On this episode of Catholic Morning Show , we explore powerful stories of conversion, renewal, and the mission of the Church today. First, new Catholic convert Dennis Hogan shares his journey into the Church after the Easter Vigil. Coming from a largely secular background, Dennis reflects on the moment that sparked his search for truth, the intellectual depth he discovered in Catholicism, and how...

Chris Massaro , president of Biking for Babies, shares how this unique mission combines faith, physical challenge, and pro-life advocacy to transform hearts and communities. Through cycling pilgrimages and local events, young adults are invited into a deeper encounter with the Gospel of Life while supporting pregnancy centers and maternity homes across the country. Chris explains how the mission f...

Jason Gale, VP of Content and Production for TAN Books, discusses Living the Little Way: Six Keys to the Spirituality of Saint Thérèse by Father Joseph Spence. The conversation explores the depth behind St. Thérèse of Lisieux’s spirituality, moving beyond a surface-level understanding of the “Little Way” to uncover key elements like her devotion to the Holy Face, spiritual childhood, and radical c...

Father Chris Reising joins the Catholic Morning Show to reflect on the Road to Emmaus Gospel for the Third Sunday of Easter. He explores why the disciples failed to recognize Jesus at first and how their eyes were opened in the breaking of the bread. Drawing a powerful connection to the Mass, Father Rising explains how Christ is revealed through both Scripture and the Eucharist, inviting us into a...

On today’s Catholic Morning Show , we reflect on the transforming power of encountering the Risen Christ, dive into the timeless spirituality of St. Thérèse, and explore a dynamic pro-life mission in action. First, Father Chris Rising joins us for a Gospel reflection on the Road to Emmaus, unpacking how the disciples’ encounter with Jesus in the breaking of the bread mirrors the Mass and challenge...

Introduction to Saint Isidore of Seville and his scholarship The symbolic and theological meaning of numbers in Scripture Why numbers in the Bible are intentional and meaningful The concept of “one” as unity and its connection to God Integration of theology, philosophy, and science in early Christianity The Benedictine tradition of study and sacred reading (lectio divina) The importance of intelle...

Definition of sacred places in canon law Churches, chapels, oratories, and cemeteries as sacred spaces How sacred spaces are established through blessing and dedication Differences between canon law and civil law regarding property The faithful’s right to access sacred places for worship Why sacred spaces are protected and not easily altered The role of canon law in ordering the Church’s life towa...

Peter’s sermon in Acts 2 as the first proclamation of the Gospel The three pillars of preaching: Scripture, Spirit, and response The role of the Holy Spirit in conversion and evangelization Over 3,000 conversions as a result of Spirit-led preaching Applying the kerygma in everyday witness and evangelization Easter season as a time of renewed proclamation #Acts2 #Kerygma #HolySpirit #CatholicPreach...

Deacon Randy Kiel unpacks Acts 2 and the power of Spirit-led preaching rooted in Scripture and calling for response A reflection on the kerygma and evangelization during the Easter season Adam Story discusses how canon law defines and protects sacred spaces like churches and cemeteries How sacred spaces serve the faithful and facilitate worship Father Robert Nixon introduces The Mystical Meaning o...

Emily Jaminet returns to discuss the upcoming national consecration of the United States to the Sacred Heart on June 11. Rooted in the revelations to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, this devotion invites Catholics to entrust their hearts, homes, and nation to Christ. Emily outlines a simple path—pray, plan, and prepare—along with five actionable steps to live out the Sacred Heart devotion daily. This...