Let Me Be Frank | Bishop Frank Caggiano’s Podcast | Diocese of Bridgeport, CT

All eyes have been on the Vatican for the past couple weeks, appropriately so as we are in the season of Easter. On Let Me Be Frank, Bishop Caggiano reflects on the life of Pope Francis and prays for his soul . He also prays for the College of Cardinals, as they have an historic task ahead of them. What is the task ahead? What is the schedule and program for the cardinals who have gathered in Rome for the conclave, which begins on May 7th? Bishop Frank lays it all out for us, so we know (as much as we can know) what to expect in the weeks to come. By the way, I recently read a beautiful tribute from Fr Raymond de Souza in The Catholic Thing about the liturgical rhythm of Pope Francis’s death and his final days on earth. Fr de Souza pointed out that the past many popes have died “according to a liturgical rhythm”… Francis on Easter Monday, John XXIII on the day after Pentecost, John Paul II on Divine Mercy Sunday, Benedict XVI on the vigil of Mary Mother of God, and Paul VI on the Transfiguration. Please spread the word and tell your friends about Let Me Be Frank! And if you’d like to support the show, you can do that right here. Pax Christi, Steve Lee The other guy on Let Me Be Frank LINKS OTHER SHOWS The Tangent: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpeAxbil8_mgC4Ielq0_MRQ Restless: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1SbvGysG6C0mnQRAVcagkg Daily Gospel Reflections: https://www.youtube.com/@UCDXE8YpRhxNwsAiv_lrgBOg

Happy Easter! He is risen! Nota bene: Bishop Caggiano & I recorded this episode of Let Me Be Frank before the Holy Father passed away. In the next episode, we will certainly reflect on the pontificate, suffering, and death of Pope Francis… and perhaps talk about what lies ahead. In the meantime… did the Easter Bilby (yes, Bilby) visit your house? My guess is... no. Unless you're Australian. On Let Me Be Frank this week, Bishop Caggiano takes us on a voyage around the world to see how Easter is celebrated in Australia, France, Antigua, Greece, Sweden, Mexico, Bermuda, Poland, Philippines, New York, and Italy. Well, you have all of Easter Season (until June 8th) to try some of these traditions out yourself. Bishop Frank also gives a tip for evangelization... and I tell a story of mercy. Pax Christi, Steve Lee The other guy on Let Me Be Frank

You gotta see this… In something brand new for Let Me Be Frank, we recorded the show live in front of an audience at St Mary Church in Greenwich! “What do you want to talk about?” I asked Bishop Caggiano before we started rolling the cameras. “Let’s see what the people in the audience have on their minds,” he smiled. And so this week’s episode is audience questions (and follow ups). We talked about: …why do pastors have term limits? …how do we get families of children in CCD to be more active? …how do we revitalize our Catholic schools? …how can we pray the rosary better? …can you help me forgive someone who continues to hurt me? I’m sure you’ll enjoy this episode… and please join us for the next live audience session on Friday, May 30th at St Rose of Lima in Newtown! Pax Christi, Steve Lee The other guy on Let Me Be Frank LINKS Email List: https://www.veritascatholic.com/ To Support Veritas: https://www.veritascatholic.com/donate Other Shows The Tangent on Veritas: https://www.youtube.com/@thetangentonveritas Daily Reflections: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyCatholicReflections Restless Catholic Young Adults: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1SbvGysG6C0mnQRAVcagkg

This Friday, we’re taking the show on the road to St Mary’s in Greenwich. If you're able to attend on April 11th, please join us at 9:30am as Bishop Frank answers audience questions for a special episode of Let Me Be Frank! Speaking of audience questions… we are diving in to the mailbag this week on Let Me Be Frank. Bishop Frank is on the mend from his 16-day sickness (unprecedented for him, but it gave him a new perspective during Lent), and he is back for a brand new episode. Among the topics... Did you know that God gives each of us two families that work together for our religious formation? What should we call the bishop when we meet him and talk to him in person? Doesn’t Luke calling Jesus Mary’s “first born son” imply there were more children who followed? Is being left-handed… sinister? Plus… after a long pause, he shares a tip for evangelization. Enjoy! LINKS Email List: https://www.veritascatholic.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy9oYx0t7imNDH5nLwSiM8Q Support Veritas: https://www.veritascatholic.com/donate

What is “apologetics”? Chris Check, president of Catholic Answers, joins Bishop Caggiano to answer this question. They also answer questions like: What do Joan of Arc, Catherine of Siena, and Chris Check have in common? Why should you fill your house with good books? Why should you, as Chesterton put it, “let your religion be less of a theory and more of a love affair”? Along the way, Chris talk about his relationship with Fr Paul Check (beloved priest of our diocese), the history of Catholic Answers, and the role of the military in a young man’s formation.

"Maybe Christianity should become weird again." Reading the works of the early Church fathers has brought countless non-Catholic Christians into the Church and has strengthened so many Catholics who are already in the heart of the Church. David Augustine (who said the quote above on this week's Let Me Be Frank) has compiled and edited The Early Church Fathers Collection for Bishop Barron & Word on Fire. David & Bishop Frank tackle questions like: Who were the Church fathers? What can modern readers take away from each of the Church fathers? Why & how did Tertullian veer off track? ...and somewhere along the way, David suggested we should make Christianity weird again.

Let Me Be Frank is split into two discrete segments today… First… Jesus Christ did not incarnate to write a book. Instead, the Apostles were the plan. Rod Bennett joins us to talk about the 12 Apostles and his book, These Twelve. Rod dispels myths about these men that still linger today, and Bishop Frank takes an important lesson from the conversation. In the second segment, Bishop Frank talks about the health of Pope Francis and then about immigrants... before he gives some reflections and thoughts on Lent. Today’s episode also sees the convergence of accents (Brooklyn vs Southern) and… revisiting online videos of Mongolian rural cooking...

George Cardinal Pell was a faithful, formidable, and fearless prince of the Church who lived a remarkable life… as a seminarian in Rome during Vatican II, as a reformer of Australia’s seminaries, in his years in China (in disguise!), at the Secretariat of the Economy (where he uncovered 1billion euros off the books), and the years spent wrongfully imprisoned before his acquittal and vindication… Tess Livingstone has written a wonderful biography of the rugged and resilient Australian, and she joins Bishop Caggiano to talk about Cardinal Pell (who Bishop also knew!)… I really enjoyed listening to this conversation and learning about His Eminence, who passed away just over two years ago. Also, please allow us to highlight two important (and fun) events coming soon to our area: 1) Mark Schultz concert at Fairfield University on Fri, March 14th to benefit Malta House and 2) March for Life in Hartford on Wed, March 19th LINKS Email List: https://www.veritascatholic.com/ Tess's Book: https://ignatius.com/george-cardinal-pell-gcpbh/ Malta House Event: https://www.maltahouse.org/event/2025-mark-schultz-concert-to-benefit-malta-house CT March: https://marchforlife.org/connecticut/

Sacrosanctum Concilium says "the liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows"... Abbott Jeremy Driscoll, OSB, literally wrote the book on what happens at Mass, and the more we can understand the Mass... the better and more actively we all can worship. Father Abbott also serves as a member of the Dicastery for Divine Worship, having first been appointed by John Paul II, and then renewed by Benedict XVI and then Francis. This is an excellent discussion which just scratches the surface, but Bishop Caggiano asks Father Abbott questions like: What is monastic life like? What is liturgy? What should the homily do? And how should music be during Mass? I'm obviously neither a bishop nor a liturgical expert, but it seems like a few simple elements would really elevate our worship at Mass... distinct periods of silence, use of chant & polyphony, some prayers in Latin, lots of incense, communion at the altar rail, and the priest facing ad orientam...

On Saturday, April 12th, Kitty Cleveland is coming to St Matthew Parish to help present a conference for women of all ages and stages to refresh their hearts. The theme, inspired by John 4:10 & John 7:37-39 is "A Spiritual Spa", an invitation to be renewed and refreshed in the Living Waters. Kitty joins Bishop Caggiano on Let Me Be Frank to talk about her life as a singer & songwriter, her Broadway dreams giving way to the Lord, and how the Divine Mercy carried her through her life – even when she didn’t realize at the time. This was a fantastic conversation, and the women’s conference promises to be a wonderful event! LINKS WINE: https://catholicvineyard.com/ Kitty's book: https://kittycleveland.com/ Veritas Email List: https://www.veritascatholic.com/

Life, for young adults these days, is full of unique challenges that previous generations didn’t have to navigate. To help, Anna Moreland has co-authored The Young Adult Playbook, drawing on her years of experience teaching college students at Villanova University and her background in theology. Undergraduates, she says, are “overprepared for academics yet underprepared for questions like ‘Who am I?’ and ‘Who do I want to become?’”. She’s our guest this week on Let Me Be Frank, as she talks to Bishop Caggiano about guiding young people through work, leisure, and love. LINKS Veritas Email List: https://www.veritascatholic.com/

It’s just Bishop Caggiano and me this week on Let Me Be Frank, and we’re talking about… well, stuff. There are a few feast days on Bishop’s mind this month: the Presentation of the Lord & Candlemas, Our Lady of Lourdes, and the Chair of St Peter. Our Lady of Lourdes relates to World Day of the Sick, and Bishop Caggiano points out that both days remind us that this life is not going to be easy. On the topic of suffering, may I humbly present to you this short video on suffering we (Veritas) released last year? I’ll also mention that, on Feb 11th, the Order of Malta is hosting a Mass and blessing at St Aloysius for Our Lady of Fatima & World Day of the Sick. We wrap up this week’s discussion with thoughts on Catholic schools and how to make them even more effective for students & families. And then Bishop Caggiano’s tip for evangelization. LINKS Veritas Email List: https://www.veritascatholic.com/

Why should we read Scripture? And how should we read the Bible? And, as the Ethiopian eunuch asked Philip in Acts 8, how can we understand unless someone guides us? A team of Biblical scholars, led by Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch, have put together the Ignatius Study Bible – with notes, context, themes, and more – to help us understand the grand arc of salvation history as the Lord unveils it to us through Scripture. Curtis Mitch, who worked on this project for 21 years, joins Bishop Caggiano on Let Me Be Frank to talk about the Bible and seeing the metanarrative of Scripture.

It’s the first mailbag of 2025! On Let Me Be Frank this week, Bishop Frank answers questions like: …what do think has been the greatest accomplishment of your ministry so far? …can a transgender person be ordained a priest? …how do you choose whose feet to wash on Holy Thursday? And… do you like cheese? Tune in to hear Bishop Frank’s answers to these, and many more, questions!

In this episode of 'Let Me Be Frank,' Bishop Frank Caggiano and Steve Lee discuss their holiday celebrations, reflections on hope, and the significance of the New Year and Epiphany. They delve into the theme of hope in the context of the upcoming Holy Year, the importance of vocational discernment through the 'Called by Name' program, and the role of fasting as a spiritual practice. The conversation also emphasizes the need for evangelization and sharing faith stories with the younger generation. Bishop Frank and Steve explore the significance of sharing biblical stories, the lives of various saints, and the lessons they impart. They delve into the inspiring life of St. André Bessette, the humble miracle worker, and St. Anthony, the father of monasticism, highlighting their sacrifices and devotion. The discussion also covers St. Sebastian's martyrdom and the importance of standing firm in one's faith. Finally, they address the protocols surrounding the Eucharist, emphasizing the responsibilities of both clergy and laypersons in safeguarding this sacred element.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! As the calendar flips to 2025, here’s a practical book that you should definitely buy and use – it’s A Year of Daily Offerings, featuring a short but insightful reflection for you to begin each day. The daily meditations help you offer your day – your works, prayers, sufferings, and joys – to the Lord… getting each new day off on the right foot. Bishop Caggiano talks to the book’s author, Fr James Kubicki SJ, who is a spiritual director for seminarians and retreat director… and also has years of experience working with Lakota Sioux populations in South Dakota. Fr Kubicki tells Bishop Caggiano about what he’s seen in those communities and what he’s learned from them.

In the dark days of the reign of Herod, the descendants of King David lived under the radar in humility even as they awaited the imminent arrival of the Messiah. A (probably young) man named Joseph lived in the town of Nazareth and would become the earthly father of Jesus - the child of Mary & the Holy Spirit. Mike Aquilina has written a book that places us in Nazareth, Jerusalem, and the region to see what day-to-day life was life among David’s descendants. Mike and Bishop Caggiano talk about St Joseph and His World on Let Me Be Frank… detailing Joseph’s four interactions with angels, his silence, the 1000-mile flight to Egypt, his life as a carpenter in Nazareth, and much more. As the Feast of the Holy Family approaches, this is a fascinating conversation about Joseph and his relationship with Mary & Jesus.

We are joined this week by Fr Brian Gannon, who is the executive director of Courage International. Courage International, through its 280 chapters around the world, provides accompaniment and support for people with same-sex attraction who desire to live in fidelity with the Church's teachings. Fr Gannon is also the pastor of St Theresa Church, which recently opened a classical school, so he spends some time talking about classical education as well. Enjoy this weeks episode of Let Me Be Frank!

We caught up on some current events today, including: …the appointment of 21 new cardinals …the re-opening of Notre Dame in Paris …the fall of the Assad regime in Syria Bishop Caggiano also did a deeper dive on the upcoming Jubilee Year, plus his tip for evangelization and a reflection for the third week of Advent. Keep sending in your questions and suggestions!

In this episode of Let Me Be Frank, Bishop Frank Caggiano and Steve Lee reflect on their Thanksgiving experiences, discuss the significance of Advent and the Novena to the Immaculate Conception, and emphasize the importance of listening in evangelization. They explore the biblical meanings of the numbers 12 and 40, the rules surrounding the bread and wine used in Mass, and Bishop Frank shares what he would ask Pontius Pilate. In this engaging conversation, Bishop Frank answers more listener questions, ranging from the significance of Easter to the historical context of the Coptic Church and the authorship of the Gospels. They delve into the symbolism of the sign of the cross, the reasons behind Jesus' crucifixion, and the traditions surrounding the chalice veil during Mass. Their discussion culminates in Bishop Frank's reflection for the second week of Advent.

In this episode of 'Let Me Be Frank,' Bishop Frank Caggiano speaks with Dr. John Bergsma about his journey of faith, the importance of teaching scripture, and the challenges faced by young Catholics today. They discuss the significance of Advent, the role of John the Baptist, and the Virgin Mary in salvation history, emphasizing the need for structure and guidance in the modern world. In this conversation, John and Bishop Frank explore the rich theological and historical context surrounding the figures of the Blessed Mother, St. Joseph, and the Magi. They discuss the royal lineage of Mary, her perpetual virginity, and her significant role in the early Church. St. Joseph's humility and rightful kingship are highlighted, along with the Magi's journey and their recognition of Jesus' divinity. The conversation concludes with practical tips for evangelization during the holiday season, emphasizing the importance of sharing personal faith stories with family and friends.

As the weather cools, Bishop Frank’s thoughts turn to… Thanksgiving. Since Thanksgiving’s my favorite holiday, I am always happy to talk about Thanksgiving. Much of what I’d like to talk about is food, but Bishop Frank gets us back on track by asking, “What are you thankful for?” Our conversation goes from Thanksgiving to Advent, which begins on December 1st. Many people (including me) don’t use Advent adequately as a time to prepare well for Christmas, so Bishop Caggiano offers us some questions to reflect upon throughout Advent… to prepare us for the three-fold coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ. And Bishop also asked me, “Where do you see God’s presence actively in your life?” Enjoy the podcast or watch us on YouTube! Also… before we head off for Thanksgiving, we are in the midst of our “Thanks for giving” pledge drive. Veritas Catholic Network is listener-supported, so we rely on your support to keep our work of evangelization going. Please partner with us.

Fr. Dave Tomaszycki joins Let Me Be Frank to discuss the book by Ven. Fulton Sheen he compiled On the Demonic. They discuss the Church's teaching on the demonic, what inordinate fear of the demonic looks like, how the devil is able to influence us and how the Lord is much more powerful and protects us! They also discuss Fulton Sheen's three signs of the demonic, how the demonic has attacked the Church throughout history, the weapons against the demonic, and the importance of the Holy Hour!

Bishop Frank Caggiano discusses the Eucharistic Procession in the northern portion of the Diocese of Bridgeport as well as Pope Francis's newest encyclical Dilexit nos

Bishop Frank Caggiano answers some of YOUR listener questions this week!

Ralph Martin has spent a lifetime literally following where the Lord has called him to go – from New Jersey to South Bend to California to Ann Arbor… to digging ditches in a monastery, to making a promise of celibacy, to actually selling all of his possessions & giving up his pursuit of a doctorate at Princeton… to joblessness and homelessness, to founding a community in Ann Arbor… to where he is now with Renewal Ministries and Sacred Heart Major Seminary. It’s all documented in his fascinating new memoir, A Life in the Spirit, which Ralph discusses with Bishop Caggiano on this episode of Let Me Be Frank. He also talks about “divine appointments”, loving the search for the Truth more than the discovery of the Truth, the phenomenon of scandalously flawed people who have done great work for the Lord, and… the value of Korean TV dramas. Enjoy!

Teresa has over 40 years of experience in television & radio news, and hosts Catholic Connection at 9am every morning on Veritas and the greater EWTN world. Teresa & Bishop Frank talk about planting seeds of faith in others… finding God through beauty… the frightening state of media & journalism today… and what actually is “news”? And Teresa tells Bishop about her favorite shrine in Italy… she would know; she regularly leads pilgrimages throughout the country (she’s even written the book on Italy’s shrines & wonders)!

Pope St John Paul II wrote that hearing the kerygma proclaimed should result in a person being “overwhelmed and brought to the decision to entrust himself to Jesus Christ by faith”. Fr John Riccardo wonders… have you been “overwhelmed” by the Gospel? Have made a decision to “entrust” your whole life to Jesus? Bishop Frank Caggiano talks to Fr John Riccardo, founder of Acts XXIX & the Rescue Project, on this episode of Let Me Be Frank. This is an incredibly insightful conversation with concrete ideas about how to bring healing and transformation to ourselves and to the organizations/parishes/dioceses we are a part of.

Someone recently asked Bishop Caggiano: “How can I become a faithful witness?” As he reflected on this in the car on the New Jersey Turnpike, Bishop realized there’s no simple answer. The recipe is like minestrone soup – it has many ingredients! So on today’s Let Me Be Frank, using the many feast days that kick off the month of October as a guide, is Bishop Caggiano’s minestrone soup of faithfully witnessing to the faith. Buon appetito!

Tim Carney joins Bishop Caggiano and Steve to discuss his new book, "Family Unfriendly". They discuss some of the pitfalls of modern American culture and how families can create strategic plans to make a more family friendly local culture.

It’s our great pleasure to re-present to you this Let Me Be Frank episode from last December. Paul Kengor is a historian & professor at Grove City College, and he spoke with Bishop Caggiano about the unique and remarkable relationship between Pope St. John Paul II and Ronald Reagan. You'll learn about President Reagan’s deep interest in Our Lady of Fatima, the ties between the assassination attempts on both men, and their roles in fighting Soviet Communism.

Fr. Robert Spitzer joins Bishop Frank Caggiano to give a version of the presentation on Eucharistic Miracles he gave the National Eucharistic Congress. He also goes into the various physical and metaphysical proofs for the Existence of God!

Bishop Caggiano kicks off this week’s Let Me Be Frank by talking about how Catholic should approach the voting booth this November, the horrors of nuclear war, and St Gregory the Great’s feast day. Then he and Steve dip back into the mailbag. Bishop answers a lot of questions about the name of God, using the Lord’s name in vain, the plagues beset upon Pharoah & the Egyptians, his favorite color, and much more. You’ll also hear why Bishop Frank thinks Steve's soccer team needs an extra blessing…

JD Flynn, co-founder & editor-in-chief of The Pillar, joins Bishop Caggiano to tell the story of the founding of The Pillar, how being a canon lawyer shapes him as a journalist, the need for (and balancing act of) investigative & faithful Catholic journalism, and why we need to be ever-vigilant against the prowling lion – each of us individually as well as in the Church. They also discuss the primacy of prayer in ministry and why we shouldn't overestimate the power of social media for evangelization.

Renowned art historian Liz Lev joins Bishop Caggiano on today’s Let Me Be Frank to talk about beauty and the importance of art. A former Bostonian, Liz has spent 35 years living in Italy leading pilgrimages & tours and teaching art history & architecture. Liz & Bishop Frank discuss the difference between being a pilgrim and being a tourist… why art is important in today’s utilitarian culture... what Liz wishes the bishops of the world would do to promote beauty and the understanding of beauty… and more.

Sister Mary Grace Walsh, the superintendent of the Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of NY joins Bishop Caggiano to discuss the ins and outs of Catholic Schools. What works? What needs fixing? Most importantly, how can Catholic Schools be an avenue of true evangelization.

There is a lot going on in the midst of this summer – with the National Eucharistic Congress, the US elections, and more. It’s almost easy to forget that the Synod on Synodality is moving forward in Rome, but it is… and the Instrumentum Laboris was just published, setting the table for the sessions ahead. On Let Me Be Frank, Bishop Caggiano offers a timely and important discussion on the Synod on Synodality… within the context of the history of synods, what synods are and what they are not, and how they fit into the structure of the Church.

Bishop Caggiano and Steve take it easy this week, reminiscing on past summer activities, why summer is a necessary time for rest, and how to make the most of your summer spiritually!

You may know that Steve's wife, Roula, battled leukemia just days after Veritas Catholic Network launched. The faith-filled way she suffered was inspiring… and just how the Lord asks all of us to suffer. “We are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” -Rom 8:17 St Paul also wrote that “we rejoice in our sufferings”… can we really, actually rejoice in our sufferings? Please listen to and share this short reflection on suffering (and rejoicing in our suffering). We believe that we can all strengthen each other by sharing how God has brought us through difficulties, and we pray this might be helpful to you.

It's finally summer, so Bishop Caggiano takes the time to update his listeners about the big events and plans for the upcoming year. Topics include the Guilds, the Jubilee Year, Catechesis throughout the Diocese, the implementation of the One, dates and speakers for the Bishop's Lecture Series and more!

Kelly Wahlquist joins Bishop Caggiano to discuss her own faith journey, the amazing testimonies of women in Scripture, her time advocating a unique role for women in the Church and evangelization and much more!

Deacon Patrick Toole is the Chancellor and Secretary of the Curia in the Diocese of Bridgeport. He joins Bishop Caggiano today to discuss the many evangelical programs and ministries he has participated in and helped design.

Bishop Caggiano shares some of the impactful moments from the Diocesan Mass of Thanksgiving for the Eucharist as well as the next steps for incorporating the One in the Diocese.

Bishop Caggiano answers YOUR listener questions. He makes the distinction between murder and killing, explains why nuclear war can NEVER be just, discusses meeting Bishop Augustine from Nigeria (who has lent two of his priests to our diocese), sports, the Eucharist and more! OTHER VERITAS SHOWS The Tangent Restless The Frontline with Joe & Joe Daily Gospel Reflections

Bishop Caggiano discusses the MANY Grace filled moments that occurred during the Eucharistic Procession throughout the Diocese of Bridgeport. He also shares news about how the Diocese will be building off the Eucharistic Renewal in the coming months!

After discussing the past weekend at Franciscan University of Steubenville, Bishop Caggiano shares the powerful lessons of proper Eucharistic participation. He talks about why the Eucharist is vital for the Catholic, what differentiates it from Baptism sacramentally, what it means to be in full communion with the Church, why one shouldn't receive the Eucharist in a state of mortal sin, and more!

Theresa and Peter Martin join Bishop Caggiano to discuss their recent (and first time!) english translation of Pope St. John Paul II's Rule of Life for Married Couples! The Rule can be purchased Here

Bishop Caggiano announces and explains the DETAILS of The One - diving into the details of his three year plan!

Has Bishop Frank ever had to kick someone out of Mass? …that’s one of the questions he answers on this mailbag episode of Let Me Be Frank. He also answers questions about the Old Testament, New Testament, the Mass, and more.

Bishop Frank Caggiano discusses the most recent document released by the DDF, Dignitas Infinita, and the Diocese's newest Instruction, Wonderfully Made in God's Image and Likeness: A Pastoral Response to Gender Discordance. SHOWNOTES - the Bishop's Instruction will be published next week. Dignitas Infinita