Conversations with Consequences

On this week's Conversations with Consequences, Dr. Grazie Christie invites Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco to discuss his creative ways of maximizing opportunities for the Faithful to attend Mass given a strict 12-person capacity for outdoor Masses in California. With new research showing that best practices put in place to keep parishioners safe at Mass are working amid the pandemic, Dr. Timothy Flanigan joins with some very uplifting news!

On this week's Conversations with Consequences, Dr. Grazie Christie focuses on the crisis in China as the Communist party is tightening its grip on Hong Kong. Veteran journalist Bill McGurn of the Wall Street Journal joins to share a moving story of his godson, billionaire tycoon Jimmy Lai, who was arrested, and most likely will be placed in prison. We also get a firsthand look at a new mini documentary with Nick Eberstadt of AEI on China's one-child policy--and the detrimental impact of this rule still felt across the country today.

On this week's Conversations with Consequences, Dr. Grazie Christie talks with Professor Chad Pecknold of Catholic University of America about getting kids back to school this Fall. Heritage education expert Jonathan Butcher also joins telling us: "If summer 2020 was the season parents, students, and educators considered the cost of the pandemic, fall will be the time families seek value." Grazie also sheds some light on breaking news this week from the Biden camp, picking Kamala Harris as his running mate--there are many reasons why Catholics should be concerned! Stay tuned til the end for an inspiring homily from Father Roger Landry and tune in every Saturday at 5pm ET on EWTN radio!

On this week's Conversations with Consequences, Dr. Grazie Christie talks with TCA colleague Ashley McGuire about a big win for Catholic schools this week with Maryland Governor Larry Hogan as teacher's unions attempt to prolong and exacerbate getting back into class this fall. We also get a firsthand look at a new movie out this month exploring the story of Fatima with producer Natasha Howes. Dominican Father Thomas Petri also joins to share the wonder of apparitions and why the Blessed Mother reveals herself to us--just when we need her the most. We also hear from Father Roger Landry with an inspiring homily for this Sunday's Gospel. Make sure to tune in every Saturday at 5pm ET on EWTN radio!

On a special edition of Conversations with Consequences, Dr. Grazie Christie and Maureen Ferguson talk with pro-life democratic state senator Katrina Jackson of Louisiana about Planned Parenthood's racist origins plus a recent SCOTUS ruling on legislation authored by Jackson herself. We also go across the pond to Rome visiting with Edward Pentin about his new book, The Next Pope: The Leading Cardinal Candidates. Make sure to tune in every Saturday at 5pm ET on EWTN radio!

On this week's Conversations with Consequences, Dr. Grazie Christie and TCA colleague Maureen Ferguson get a firsthand look at George Weigel's 'The Next Pope: The Office of Peter and a Church in Mission'. Weigel offers a look at challenges the next pontificate might face and how watered-down Catholicism has always lost when it comes to true Church leadership. With many states still in quarantine, Brad Wilcox of the National Marriage Project joins with a look at some uplifting trends with regard to marriage, offering some silver linings to the lonely world of lockdown. Father Roger Landry also offers an inspiring homily for this Sunday's Gospel. Make sure to tune in every Saturday at 5pm ET on EWTN radio!

On this week's Conversations with Consequences, Dr. Grazie Christie and TCA colleague Maureen Ferguson are joined by Montse Alvarado, Executive Director of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, celebrating TWO big wins at the Supreme Court--the Little Sisters of the Poor--and Catholic schools--we also take a look at the upcoming 2020 election and what is at stake when it comes to religious liberty. After a Catholic mission was set ablaze in California and stories of statues of Mary being vandalized, Mary Fiorito of the Ethics and the Public Policy Center also joins with a look at this growing 'cancel culture' and our response as Catholics to this new era of mob-rule. Father Roger Landry also offers an inspiring homily for this Sunday's Mass! Make sure to tune in every Saturday at 5pm ET on EWTN radio!

On this week's Conversations with Consequences, Dr. Grazie Christie and TCA colleague Maureen Ferguson discuss some big wins from the Supreme Court affecting both Catholic schools and institutions! Archbishop Thomas Wenski also joins Grazie for a round-up of religious freedom issues as he takes the reins as Chairman of the US Bishops' committee on religious liberty. As churches reopened for Mass this past weekend in the U.K., we also chat with Luke Coppen of Catholic News Agency about the impact of the pandemic on Catholic life in Europe. We also discuss a couple of pro-life wins in the House of Commons--stay tuned til the end for a very inspiring homily from Father Roger Landry--and make sure to tune in every Saturday at 5pm ET on EWTN radio!

On this week's Conversations with Consequences, Dr. Grazie Christie and TCA colleague Maureen Ferguson are joined by legal scholar Helen Alvaré with a look at two Supreme Court rulings this week including a big win for Catholic schools across the nation--plus--we hear from Congressman Dan Lipinski, serving the 3rd congressional district of Illinois, about his unwavering pro-life record & his battle with the abortion giant Planned Parenthood. Father Roger Landry also offers an inspiring homily for this special 4th of July episode. Make sure to tune in every Saturday at 5pm ET on EWTN radio...

On this week's Conversations with Consequences, Dr. Grazie Christie and TCA colleague Maureen Ferguson are joined by Jeanne Allen of the Center for Education Reform to discuss the fate of Catholic schools as so many face closures due to the coronavirus pandemic. A longtime advocate for education reform, Jeanne offers some great advice on ways to save our parochial schools. Friend-of-the-show Dr. Mary Jo O'Sullivan also joins to discuss the dangers of surrogacy and Jennifer Lahl of the Center for Bioethics and Culture gives us her take on commercial surrogacy, a growing problem that is becoming legal in many states. Tune in every Saturday at 5pm ET on EWTN radio!

On this week's Conversations with Consequences, Dr. Grazie Christie is joined by TCA colleague Ashley McGuire and Ryan Anderson of the Heritage Foundation with a clear analysis of the recent SCOTUS ruling and why we should be concerned about some very troubling implications. Dr. Alveda King also joins to share what her uncle, the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would've thought of the recent protests and riots amid the tragic death of George Floyd. We also hear from Father Roger Landry and his call for all of us, as Catholics, to be protesting on both knees. Tune in every Saturday at 5pm ET on EWTN radio!

On this week's Conversations with Consequences, Dr. Grazie Christie speaks with Catholic journalist and author Sohrab Ahmari about his own experiences during the protests in New York City and what, we as Catholics, can do to unify. Mary Hasson of the Ethics and Public Policy Center also joins with her thoughts on the role prayer can have during these troubling times. Stay tuned until the end for an inspiring homily from Father Roger Landry and make sure to join us every Saturday at 5pm ET on EWTN radio!

On this week's Conversations with Consequences, Dr. Grazie Christie tackles the issue of human trafficking with Luke de Pulford, founder and visionary behind the ARISE Foundation. With over 40 million people enslaved around the world, Luke sheds light on his greatest ally in fighting modern day slavery: religious sisters--who've been at the helm for years. Grazie also chats with Sister Lynda Dearlove who works directly with those suffering from sexual exploitation in London's East End. Stay tuned 'til the end for a very special homily by Father Roger Landry and join the show every Saturday at 5pm ET on EWTN radio!

On this week's Conversations with Consequences, Dr. Grazie Christie and TCA colleague Maureen Ferguson speak with Meghan Cox Gurdon of the Wall Street Journal about her book, "The Enchanted Hour: The Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud in the Age of Distraction." Shedding light on what families can do together during these days of isolation, Meghan shares some enlightening research on how reading-aloud to your family members--of any age--can be good not only for the soul, but the brain. The children's book critic also shares some must-reads as we approach these summer months. With so many living alone and feeling the impact of the quarantine, TCA colleague Ashley McGuire joins Grazie for a moving chat with former addict Jim Wahlberg of the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation. The trio discuss some alarming statistics on what some health officials are calling 'deaths of despair' and how we, as Catholics, can help bring light into the lives of those suffering around us. Stay tuned 'til the end for a very special homily by Father Roger Landry and join the show every Saturday at 5pm ET on EWTN radio!

On this week's Conversations with Consequences, Dr. Grazie Christie and Maureen Ferguson speak with former Navy Seal, Congressman Dan Crenshaw, about his recent piece in the Wall Street Journal on opening back up amid this pandemic, given the ever-polarizing political world we are in. The Congressman also shares his thoughts as we mark Memorial Day, and what we might learn from those that have given the ultimate sacrifice. TCA colleague Andrea Picciotti-Bayer also joins in with Dr. Timothy Flanigan as we take a look at the current landscape of the pandemic and best practices for opening back up. The Catholic deacon also sheds light on how best to answer the call of our Catholic faith amid this current crisis. Stay tuned 'til the end for a very special homily by Father Roger Landry and join the show every Saturday at 5pm ET on EWTN radio!

On this week's Conversations with Consequences, Dr. Grazie Christie and Maureen Ferguson speak all things China with Steven Mosher of the Population Research Institute. We discuss violations of religious freedom within the country,the realities of the coronavirus pandemic, and the history of China's one-child policy. Congressman Brad Wenstrup of Ohio also joins with a look at China and current congressional action. We also look at how best to get our churches, schools, and businesses open during this coronavirus pandemic. Marking Foster Care month, we also speak about the beauty of adoption--all on a fast-paced, fun, and insightful new episode! Stay tuned 'til the end for a very special homily by Father Roger Landry and join the show every Saturday at 5pm ET on EWTN radio! Notes: Maureen Ferguson's article: https://thehill.com/opinion/education/496409-catholic-schools-are-at-risk-and-so-are-the-students Steven Mosher's website: https://www.pop.org/ Congressman Brad Wenstrup's website: https://wenstrup.house.gov/

On this week's Conversations with Consequences, Dr. Grazie Christie, Maureen Ferguson, and Ashley McGuire speak with Catholic scholar, author, and biographer George Weigel about the life and legacy of St. John Paul II as we approach his centenary. Carrie Severino of the Judicial Crisis Network also joins with a Supreme Court round-up with arguments heard this week on the Little Sisters of the Poor case, a rare documentary of Justice Clarence Thomas airing this month on PBS, and the relevance of her bestselling book on Justice Brett Kavanaugh--all on an inspiring and thought-provoking new episode. Stay tuned 'til the end for a very special homily by Father Roger Landry and join the show every Saturday at 5pm ET on EWTN radio!

On this week's Conversations with Consequences, Dr. Grazie Christie is joined by TCA colleagues Andrea Picciotti-Bayer and Ashley McGuire to discuss the realities of homeschooling amid this coronavirus pandemic. Anne Schlafly Cori also joins to discuss the new Hulu miniseries that plays fast and loose with her mother's life, Mrs. America. Anne sets the record straight on the amazing work her mother forged in defeating the ERA and how this battle still continues today. With the Little Sisters of the Poor heading back to the Supreme Court in an historic telephonic argument in the age of the coronavirus, Lori Windham, Senior Counsel for the Becket Fund, joins with the latest on the case and how this long battle might ultimately end for the Little Sisters who work selflessly for the elderly and those most in need. Stay tuned til the end for an inspiring homily from Father Roger Landry and make sure to tune in every Saturday at 5pm ET on EWTN radio!

On this week's Conversations with Consequences, Dr. Grazie Christie and Andrea Picciotti-Bayer speak with Philosophy professor Melissa Moschella of The Catholic University of America about her book: To Whom Do Children Belong? Parental Rights, Civic Education and Children’s Autonomy--in light of a recent article in Harvard Magazine that attacks homeschooling, going so far as to call it 'dangerous'. Father Jeffrey Kirby also joins to discuss issues revolving around end-of-life care given the pandemic we are all facing--and the importance of not losing our civility in the midst of this crisis. Father Roger Landry of the National Catholic Register also joins at the end with an inspiring homily for this Sunday's Gospel. Join the show every Saturday at 5pm ET on EWTN radio!

On this week's Conversations with Consequences, Dr. Grazie Christie and Andrea Picciotti-Bayer speak with Catholic author and evangelist Melissa Overmyer about ways to stop worrying and start praying amid this coronavirus pandemic and we discuss Divine Mercy Sunday with the author of the 33 Days Spirituality series with Father Michael Gaitley, Director of Evangelization for the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception and Director of Formation for the Marian Missionaries of Divine Mercy. Stay tuned 'til the end for a very special homily by Father Roger Landry and join the show every Saturday at 5pm ET on EWTN radio!

On this week's Conversations with Consequences, Dr. Grazie Christie and Andrea Picciotti-Bayer speak with Catholic author and evangelist Melissa Overmyer about ways to stop worrying and start praying amid this coronavirus pandemic and we discuss Divine Mercy Sunday with the author of the 33 Days Spirituality series with Father Michael Gaitley, Director of Evangelization for the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception and Director of Formation for the Marian Missionaries of Divine Mercy. Stay tuned 'til the end for a very special homily by Father Roger Landry and join the show every Saturday at 5pm ET on EWTN radio! Notes: https://www.melissaovermyer.com/ https://www.marian.org/marians/details.php?id=428

On a special Holy Saturday episode of Conversations with Consequences, The Catholic Association’s Dr. Grazie Christie and Andrea Picciotti-Bayer discuss the recent news from Australia regarding Cardinal Pell now free just in time for Easter with Helen Alvaré, a Professor of Law at Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University. Mary Rice Hasson of the Catholic Women's Forum also joins with a thoughtful look at the opportunities for growth and advancement during this time of coronavirus quarantine. Stay tuned ‘til the end for a special homily for Easter Sunday with Father Roger Landry and make sure to catch us every Saturday at 5pm ET on EWTN radio!

Dr. Grazie Christie and Andrea Picciotti-Bayer travel across the pond to discuss the latest on the coronavirus crisis with Father Benedict Kiely, Founder of Nasarean.org. Father discusses his own experience in isolation after travel to the States as well as how this virus is impacting the most vulnerable in Africa and the Middle East: the persecuted Christians. Tom Farr of the Religious Freedom Institute also joins with a look at how this pandemic is impacting religious liberty and conscience rights. Tom also discusses the plight of Christians in China where the coronavirus was first detected. Join Conversations with Consequences every Saturday at 5pm ET on EWTN radio! Resources: https://www.nasarean.org/ https://www.ncregister.com/blog/guest-blogger/pro-populo-becoming-a-desert-father-for-the-care-of-souls https://www.religiousfreedominstitute.org/thomas-farr

Dr. Grazie Christie speaks with Alejandro Bermudez, Director of Aci Prensa about Hispanics in the U.S. and their particular needs during this pandemic—and how “la fe” (the faith) strengthens us to face this moment with courage.

Meeting the coronavirus moment, the The Catholic Association’s Dr. Grazie Christie and Andrea Picciotti-Bayer discuss the work of the Little Sisters of the Poor with Sister Constance Veit as they are helping to protect the most vulnerable--the elderly and the infirm from the deadly virus. Author and historian David Reinhard joins with a unique look at protecting the Little Sisters' right to serve and the beauty of Catholic organizations that have helped communities in the face of crises for centuries. We also get a tour of the frontlines with a doctor battling the disease and helping patients in one of the busiest emergency rooms in the country--and our good friend Father Roger Landry offers some spiritual wisdom as we go through the rest of our Lenten journey--with much of the nation in quarantine and unable to attend Mass. Catch us every Saturday 5pm ET on EWTN radio! Show notes: TCA legal brief: https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/19/19-431/137414/20200309092512829_19-431%2019-454%20tsac%20The%20Catholic%20Association%20Foundation%20et%20al..pdf Father Landry on the 4 Virtues: https://www.ncregister.com/blog/fatherlandry/4-virtues-you-need-in-this-time-of-crisis

Dr. Grazie Christie hosts a special episode of Conversations with Consequences devoted to the coronavirus pandemic featuring Dr. Timothy Flanigan, a Catholic deacon and professor of Medicine in the division of infectious diseases at Alpert Medical School of Brown University with a look at the way this virus spreads and his own experience working with infectious diseases including the Ebola virus. Father Thomas Petri, Dean at the Dominican House of Studies, also joins with advice for every Catholic on how to nourish our lives spiritually while many churches are closed and the importance of making a spiritual communion. Join us Saturday at 5pm ET on EWTN radio!

Catholic family counselor Dr. Gregory Popcak of EWTN radio's More to Life joins the Catholic Association’s Dr. Grazie Christie and Andrea Picciotti-Bayer in a new episode of Conversations with Consequences. Dr. Popcak discusses mental illness and what our Catholic response should be including issues revolving around depression, pornography addiction, the opioid crisis, and much more! Catch us every Saturday 5pm ET on EWTN radio!

Kathryn Jean Lopez, Editor-at-Large of the National Review, joins the Catholic Association’s Dr. Grazie Christie and Andrea Picciotti-Bayer in a new episode of Conversations with Consequences. Foster care advocate and adoptive mother of 4 children Kelly Rosati also joins in this special edition on foster care within the United States. We look at the Christian ethos of adoption, the role the opioid crisis is having on the system, and we discuss the fate of faith-based adoption agencies with many having to shutter their doors--this--and much more! Catch us LIVE every Saturday 5pm ET on EWTN radio!

Vice President of Appellate Advocacy and Senior Counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom, John Bursch, joins the Catholic Association’s Dr. Grazie Christie, Andrea Picciotti-Bayer, and Ashley McGuire in a new episode of Conversations with Consequences. John shares a thought-provoking analysis of the most important Supreme Court cases coming this term including a Louisiana abortion law that could signal a major turning point in the long movement against abortion in America, gender identity, potential threats to the seal of confession, and more! Tune in every Saturday at 5pm ET on EWTN radio!

Ambassador of International Religious Freedom, Sam Brownback joins The Catholic Association’s Dr. Grazie Christie, Andrea Picciotti-Bayer, and Maureen Ferguson in a new episode of Conversations with Consequences. Ambassador Brownback delves into issues of religious freedom around the world including the strict religious guidelines now in-effect in China, the Abrahamic Faith Initiative, and what his office is doing for the plight of persecuted Christians everywhere. The ambassador also touches upon the new International Religious Freedom Alliance and the 27 countries taking part in the newly formed collective. Join The Catholic Association every week--tune in Saturdays at 5pm ET on EWTN radio!

Mary Hasson of the Ethics and Public Policy Center joins the Catholic Association’s Dr. Grazie Christie, Andrea Picciotti-Bayer, and Ashley McGuire in a new episode of Conversations with Consequences. Mary breaks down the real threat of gender ideology within public schools and why it's time to Get Out Now! Mary also shares her important work bringing Catholic women and thought leaders together spearheading the Catholic Women's Forum. and she gives some insight on what we might expect from the much anticipated McCarrick report. Tune in every Saturday at 5pm ET on EWTN radio!

Congressman Chris Smith, representing New Jersey's 4th congressional district joins the Catholic Association’s Dr. Grazie Christie, Andrea Picciotti-Bayer, and Maureen Ferguson in a new episode of Conversations with Consequences. The congressman shares his longtime record defending the rights of the unborn and the recent Human Trafficking summit, marking 20 years of his own Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000. Father Roger Landry also joins with an inspiring homily for this Sunday's readings. Tune in LIVE at 5pm ET on EWTN radio.

George Weigel, Distinguished Fellow at Washington, DC’s Ethics and Public Policy Center joins the Catholic Association’s Dr. Grazie Christie and Andrea Picciotti-Bayer in this inaugural episode of Conversations with Consequences. The three discuss Cardinal George Pell’s upcoming appeal to Australia’s high court, Cardinal Sarah’s book on priestly celibacy, the Oscar-nominated film “The Two Popes” and advice for Catholics in 2020. Father Roger Landry ends the show sharing a beautiful homily on the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord. Join us every Saturday at 5pm ET on the EWTN Global Catholic Radio Network.

Father Christopher Pollard, Pastor of St. John the Beloved parish in McLean, VA joins Dr. Grazie Christie and Andrea Picciotti-Bayer to discuss the traditional Latin Mass; it's beauty and reverence, and its growing popularity. Father Roger Landry also offers a moving homily for this upcoming Sunday Mass on this week's Conversations with Consequences.

Dr. Grazie Christie and Andrea Picciotti-Bayer are joined by the illustrious Mary Hallan FioRito --an attorney, public speaker, and commentator on issues involving women’s leadership in the Catholic Church. We delve into the extraordinary life of Cardinal Francis George as Mary remembers him. We round out the hour with a moving homily from Father Roger Landry. https://shalomworld.org/show/glorious-lives https://eppc.org/author/mary_fiorito/ https://www.ncregister.com/blog/fatherlandry/what-is-the-purpose-of-a-catholic-homily

[Please note: This is a replay of one of our most popular episodes from last July. Enjoy!] Public education in America is in a sorry state; maybe it's time to "Get Out Now." The greatest threat to our children is not poor academic performance but the push for ideological conformity in the classroom. Promoting gender ideology, kicking God out of the classroom, and encouraging a victim mentality are pillars of today's "progressive" curriculum for public school students in America. Parents can't opt their children out. Even teachers feel compelled to go along. What is the answer? Mary Hasson, the Ethics and Public Policy Center's Kate O'Beirne Fellow, and Theresa Farnan, Phd. in philosophy, argue that the best answer is to GET OUT NOW! These two delightful women join TCA colleagues Dr. Grazie Christie, Ashley McGuire and Andrea Picciotti-Bayer to discuss the exhaustively researched new book "Get Out Now: Why You Should Pull Your Child from Public School Before It's Too Late." This is an important podcast for all parents and people interested in America's future. Maybe public schools can be fixed, but not soon enough for today's children. Helpful links: www.eppc.org www.amazon.com/Get-Out-Now-Shoul…&s=gateway&sr=8-1 www.usccb.org/bible/readings/010620.cfm

Your hosts Dr. Grazie Christie and Andrea Picciotti-Bayer are joined by Michele Burke Bowe, who tells them all about how Holy Family Hospital in Jesus’ hometown of Bethlehem is helping poor families, and especially pregnant mothers and babies, in Palestine. This year there have been nearly 5,000 babies safely delivered at the hospital. Michele is president of the Holy Family Hospital of Bethlehem Foundation. Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem is a Catholic teaching hospital with a state-of-the-art maternity and neonatal critical care center serving poor and at-risk women, infants, and children throughout the West Bank of Palestine, and is supported by the Order of Malta. Shownotes: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/122919.cfm https://birthplaceofhope.org/

Your hosts Dr. Grazie Christie and Andrea Picciotti-Bayer discuss their favorite Advent and Christmas traditions with Father Christopher Pollard, who is pastor of St. John the Beloved parish in McLean, VA. They discuss German Christmas traditions that Father experienced growing up with two parents who were converts to the faith; Grazie’s Christmas experiences growing up in Cuba, Mexico, and the United States; Andrea talks about her experience of Christmas traditions in Colombia; Lessons and Carols, which comes from the Church of England tradition; the Jesse Tree; and more. Subscribe to the show on any podcast app! Shownotes: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/122219.cfm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Ma%C3%B1anitas https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/activities/view.cfm?id=545 http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/advent/festival-of-lessons-and-carols.cfm

Your hosts Dr. Grazie Christie and Andrea Picciotti-Bayer are joined by human trafficking expert Laura Bramon to talk about a Catholic vision of sexuality; healing from the violence of human trafficking; efforts to legalize prostitution around the world; sex slavery and trafficking as it is used by genocidal aggressors (in this case ISIS over the Yazidis); agency and freedom in relation to sexuality; runaway and homeless youth; and more. Laura is Senior Program Manager for Child Protection and Education at World Vision, a global Christian relief, development, and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families, and communities in over 100 countries. Shownotes: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/121519.cfm https://www.worldvision.org/

Your hosts Dr. Grazie Christie and Andrea Picciotti-Bayer are joined by Father Charles Trullols and Emma Boyle, who both work with the Catholic Information Center in Washington D.C., a chapel and bookstore dedicated to Catholic formation and located in the heart of the city. Father Trullols is both the director and spiritual director of the center, and Emma is director of operations at the Leonine Forum, one of CIC’s projects that aims to reach young professionals in a number of major cities around the country with educational events and pilgrimages. Shownotes: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/120819.cfm https://www.amazon.com/Last-Homily-Conversations-Arne-Panula/dp/1949013014 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9Ik6XbKJnw&feature=share https://leonineforum.org/ https://cicdc.org/ https://cicdc.org/donate/ Twitter: @CICDC

Your host Dr. Grazie Christie is joined by two amazing guests for this episode in the series “The Church on the Ground: Going Forward in Joy.” In this series we examine the ways that Catholics are putting their faith into action and making a difference “on the ground.” Malena Legarre tells Dr. Christie about her"Brothers of the Streets”(Hermanos de la Calle) initiative at St. Agnes Parish in Key Biscayne, Florida, which aims to give kids an opportunity to serve and pray with the homeless and the addicted. Dr. Christie also speaks with Genaro Poulat, who along with his wife helps with the “Marriage Covenant” retreats at St. Agnes, which has the goal of bringing couples closer together and closer to the Church. Shownotes: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/120119.cfm http://hermanosdelacalle.org/ http://www.stakb.org/ http://www.stakb.org/church/CatholicChurch.php?op=Covenant_Retreat

Your hosts Dr. Grazie Christie and Andrea Picciotti-Bayer are joined by Dr. Matthew Bunson, a senior contributor to EWTN and widely respected scholar, teacher, and commentator. They discuss the recent Synod on the Amazon, as well as the fall meeting of the US Catholic Bishops and what happened at the meeting. Dr. Bunson explains to our hosts what a synod is; the reasons why the Synod on the Amazon was called in the first place; priestly celibacy and questions about the possibility of married priests in the Amazon, and the next steps after the Synod; evangelization and the importance of not turning the Church into an “NGO;” moving the modern ecological movement into a Catholic ethos; the election of Archbishop Jose Gomez as President of the US bishops; and more. Helpful links: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/112419.cfm https://www.ewtn.com/special-event/amazon-synod-13871 https://twitter.com/MattBunson?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/i-just-wanted-to-be-a-priest-archbishop-gomez-elected-president-of-usccb-93833 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/amazon-synod-document-calls-for-married-priests-and-increased-roll-for-women-20862

Your hosts Grazie Christie, Ashley McGuire, and Andrea Picciotti-Bayer this week are joined by Luke Goodrich, Vice President and Senior Council at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, a religious freedom legal advocacy group— a.k.a. “God’s ACLU.” Luke is the author of the new book “Free to Believe: The Battle Over Religious Liberty in America.” Discussion topics include definitions of religious freedom based on Church teaching; religious freedom as a philosophical and Scriptural issue; religious freedom as a value coming from God; secular and philosophical arguments for religious freedom; the similarities and differences between religious freedom arguments against same-sex marriage and against racial discrimination; the freedom of Catholic hospitals to operate; and more. Helpful links: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/111719.cfm https://www.becketlaw.org/ https://www.lukegoodrich.com https://www.amazon.com/Free-Believe-Religious-Liberty-America/dp/0525652906

This week on the podcast, your hosts Dr. Grazie Christie and Andrea Picciotti-Bayer interview distinguished guest Mary Hasson, who is the Kate O’Beirne Fellow in Catholic Studies at the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C., and director the Catholic Women’s Forum. The ladies are also joined by Beth Pearce, the mother of a transgender child, who has startling insight into how the transgender movement operates. This week discussion points include: attempts to alter the legal definition of “sex;” gender stereotypes; mental health, anxiety and suicide rates among young people; Beth’s observance of her daughter getting hormone therapy at Planned Parenthood; the recent parental rights case involving a child in Texas; and more. Shownotes: https://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/111019.cfm https://catholicherald.co.uk/magazine/the-supreme-court-gender-dysphoria-and-the-plight-of-parents/ https://www.kelseycoalition.org/ https://genderresourceguide.com/ https://eppc.org/ https://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/r-g-g-r-harris-funeral-homes-inc-v-equal-opportunity-employment-commission/

Your hosts Dr. Grazie Christie and Ashley McGuire are joined by Dr. Brad Wilcox, a distinguished researcher who writes on marriage, parenthood, and cohabitation, and the ways that marriage, gender, and culture influence the quality and stability of family life in the United States and around the world. They discuss the importance of fatherhood in the life of children; the benefits of growing up in an intact family, and of marriage (and marrying early!); ways to lower the divorce rate; cohabitation; and more. Dr. W. Bradford Wilcox is Director of the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia, Professor of Sociology at the University of Virginia, and Senior Fellow at the Institute for Family Studies. Helpful links: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/110319.cfm https://ifstudies.org/ https://ifstudies.org/blog/conservatives-happier-at-home-worried-for-the-nation https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2019/october-web-only/marriage-how-baptists-catholics-helped-florida-couples.html https://twitter.com/WilcoxNMP

The Catholic Association's “legal eagle” Andrea Picciotti-Bayer recently joined Dr. Tim Uhl, Superintendent of Montana Catholic Schools, to discuss the Espinoza Supreme Court case, which has the potential to overturn all state Blaine amendments. This case could affect funding for Catholic schools nationwide. Dr. Uhl Kindly gave us permission to post Andrea’s full conversation about this important case. Listen to Dr. Uhl’s full podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-164-catholic-school-matters-radio-hour-oct-30-2019/id1158967390?i=1000455468593 Other notes: https://tduhl.wordpress.com/2019/10/30/espinoza-case-on-the-catholic-school-matters-radio-hour/ https://catholicherald.co.uk/magazine/a-chance-to-end-discrimination-against-catholic-schools/

Father Benedict Kiely, a champion of Christians in the Middle East, has been trying to get a visa to visit Syria for several years. The situation for Christians and minorities in the Holy Land is “even more complicated than you realize,” he tells our hosts Dr. Grazie Christie and Andrea Picciotti-Bayer. Father Kiely reminds us that Christianity in the West came from the Holy Land in the East, and gives us his insight into the lives of Christians in war-torn Syria and the rest of the region. Helpful links: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/102719.cfm https://www.nasarean.org/ https://www.thecatholicassociation.org/podcasts

Your hosts Grazie and Andrea discuss religious freedom with Dr. Tom Farr and Ismail Royer of the Religious Freedom Institute. They discuss religious freedom in the United States from the perspective of the Catholic Church, particularly Vatican II and Dignitatis Humanae, and how Catholics are working to defend religious freedom in the world today. Helpful links: www.religiousfreedominstitute.org/ http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decl_19651207_dignitatis-humanae_en.html

Your hosts Dr. Grazie Christie and Andrea Picciotti-Bayer are joined by Father Juan Vélez, a priest of the prelature of Opus Dei and author of “Passion for Truth, the Life of John Henry Newman.” Father Vélez is an expert on the soon-to-be saint John Henry Cardinal Newman, the famous British convert from Anglicanism whose canonization is coming up Oct. 13. Vélez, Grazie and Andrea discuss, among many other things, Newman’s writings on conscience and Newman as an example of a virtuous life. Links: https://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/101319.cfm https://www.amazon.com/Passion-Truth-Life-Henry-Newman/dp/0895558718

Your hosts Dr. Grazie Christie and Andrea Picciotti-Bayer sit down with Mallory Millett, a former actress and widely published author whose sister, Kate, was instrumental in the feminist movement of the 1960s. Also joining is Dr. Carrie Gress, whose new book "The Anti-Mary Exposed" is a fascinating look at what feminism has wrought on our society— not least of which, our guests say, is a loss of true beauty. Links: https://www.tanbooks.com/index.php/the-anti-mary-exposed-2515.html https://archives.frontpagemag.com/fpm/marxist-feminisms-ruined-lives-mallory-millett/