RED-C Roundup

194 Alyssa Trutter: Crucial Conversations

On Wednesday, December 16, in the first part of the show, Pam Marvin talked about St. John of the Cross, who is well-known for his writing, The Dark Night of the Soul. He spoke a lot about maintaining your faith despite the dark and tumultuous times you face in life. He reminds us to run to the cross, not away from it! In the second half of the show, Alyssa Trutter, co-founder of Ablaze Ministries and currently serving in Waco, joined to talk with Pam about the book, Crucial Conversations. Alyssa runs the youth ministry at St. Louis in Waco, and helps run the campus ministry at Bishop Louis Reicher. Pam and Alyssa discussed the importance of crucial conversations and how to be prepared for them and navigate through them. They even covered discerning through when it is appropriate to have those crucial conversations (depending on who it is you’re talking to, the situation you’re in, etc.) You can check out the book, Crucial Conversations here. Listen to the episode to learn how to have effective and beneficial crucial conversations, and remember to go and love your neighbor! 

193 Joe Cerami: Soldier, Professor, Catholic

On Wednesday, December 9, the Feast  of Our Lady of Guadalupe, host Gene Wilhelm spoke first with Catholic author and return guest, Anthony DeStefano about his new book, The Grumpy Old Ox. DeStefano said he wants his children’s books to also have applicable messages for the adults who are more than likely reading to the young children. And indeed, they do! Check out the book here. In the second half of the show, Gene talked with Joe Cerami, originally  from Brooklyn, but currently a resident of Bryan/College Station, about his interesting life history. He grew up in a strong Catholic family and attended a Catholic school in his early years, then Brooklyn Tech High School, followed by an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. He had a thirty-year career in the Army until his retirement as a colonel. Along the way he married, raised his children, received a Master’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin and, finally, earned a Ph.D. from the Penn State School of Public Affairs. Dr. Cerami talked about his military experience, life in general, and the role his  Catholic Faith played in it all.

192 Frank Cronin: Journey Back to the Catholic Church

On Wednesday, December 2, host Deacon Mike Beauvais talked with Frank Cronin, a revert to the Catholic Faith, a regular writer for the National Catholic Register, and author of The World According to God. In the first part of the show, Deacon Mike talked about St. Nicholas, who’s best-known story concerns his charity toward a poor man who was unable to provide dowries for his three daughters of marriageable age. Listen in to hear more about this story! In the second half of the show, Frank Cronin joined to talk about his conversion story, and his book, The World According to God. Frank was raised in a loosely-Catholic family, and as he got older, he switched to Atheism, then Evangelical Protestantism, and eventually, with the help of Scott Hahn’s Rome Sweet Home, and further research, found his way back to the Catholic Church. Listen to this episode for a great conversation, and remember when considering the many ways in which you might share your time, talent, and treasure with God, always round up!

191 Karlo Broussard: Purgatory Is for Real: Good News About the Afterlife for Those Who Aren’t Perfect Yet

On Wednesday, November 25, host Judy Comeaux talked with Karlo Broussard from Catholic Answers Live about his book, Purgatory is for Real: Good News About the Afterlife for Those Who Aren’t Perfect Yet. The Saint of the Day was St. Catherine of Alexandria, a martyr for the Faith who converted to Christianity after receiving a vision. She is known as one of the “14 Holy Helpers”, a group of Roman Catholic Saints that are venerated for their powerful intercessory qualities. In the second part of the show, Karlo Broussard joined the show to talk about his book, Purgatory is for Real. According to Catholic Answers, purgatory is a “place or condition of temporal punishment for those who, departing this life in God’s grace, are not entirely free from venial faults, or have not fully paid the satisfaction due to their transgressions.” Revelation 21:27 says, “and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life,” meaning that no sin, no imperfections can ever enter into Heaven, so a period of purification is necessary. Karlo said Purgatory is the number one searched term on the Catholic Answers Website. Purgatory is indeed an infallible teaching of the Catholic Faith, and Karlo gives several references for the proof of the existence of purgatory. Listen to this episode to get a clearer understanding of purgatory, and even learn where it is referenced in Scripture!

190 Jay Toups: Hope in the Storm

On Wednesday, November 18, host Pam Marvin spoke with Jay Toups about having “hope in the storm”, hope in the culture and hope in the family. In the first half of the show, the Saint of the Day was St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, who was devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Listen in to hear more about her story! In the second half of the show, Pam visited with Jay Toups about having “hope in the storm”, especially in these difficult days we are facing. Jay has a large Twitter presence where he shares his Faith boldly; find him on Twitter at @Rmrcorp. Jay shared the story about how he experienced second and third degree burns on his legs, and throughout his recovery and downtime was inspired to write a book, The Storm: A Time of Mercy, Choices and Hope. He and his family also experienced a real-life storm through Hurricane Katrina in which they went through losses and many trials, but God provided them with everything they needed as a family. Jay’s faith is strong and his hope is solid; it is evident in his voice and this discussion. Listen to the episode to be completely inspired and motivated to have hope in the storm, no matter what that storm is. Now go, and love your neighbor!

189 Dr. Joseph Hollcraft: The Power of Intercessory Prayer

On Wednesday, November 11, host Gene Wilhelm talked with Dr. Joseph Hollcraft, about his new book from Sophia Institute Press, Unleashing the Power of Intercessory Prayer. If you have ever wondered if your prayers for family and friend really makes a difference then you need to read this book. The book will help you cooperate with Our Lord in his saving mission by asking for his grace for others.  Dr. Hollcraft had a massive transformation in his relationship with God and his love for the Catholic Faith when he became a student at Franciscan University and he said some of what you find in his book is a reflection of his time spent at Steubenville. He talked about his experience teaching and his journey toward writing this book. He also covered the significance of intercessory prayer and quoted excerpts from scripture that help us understand it as a very biblical practice. Tune into this great conversation! And remember, when choosing between the values of heaven and the values of earth, always round up!

188 Dr. Francis Beckwith: Faith & Laws

On Wednesday November 4, Deacon Mike talked with Dr. Francis Beckwith, Professor of Philosophy in Church State Studies at Baylor University, where he also serves as the Associate Director of the graduate program in philosophy, and he is also an affiliate professor of political science. Dr. Beckwith is also a “revert” to the Catholic Faith, and spoke a little bit about his journey back. The major things that brought him back to the Church was his belief in the Eucharist, penance, Apostolic Succession and the Catholic view of grace. Then he and Deacon Mike discussed politics and law through the lens of our Catholic Faith. One of Dr. Francis’s arguments is that religious people cannot simply rely on the law, we have to actually make public arguments as to why our views are reasonable. Listen to this episode for a great conversation, and remember when considering the many ways in which you might share your time, talent, and treasure with God, always round up!

187 Terrie Lipscomb: The Holy Souls in Purgatory

On Wednesday October 28, in the first part of the show Judy talked about the Feast of St. Jude Thaddeus who was a martyr, and is the patron saint of hopeless or desperate causes. In the second part of the show, Judy talked with Terrie Lipscomb about the Holy souls in Purgatory, and the importance of praying for them. They had a great discussion about their shared love and devotion to praying for the souls in purgatory. Terrie talked about St. Bridget, who was told by Jesus that when we free a soul, He is freed Himself, and He will reward us who are praying for the faithful in due time when we need those prayers as if we had helped him. Listen to this deep, informative conversation to learn some things you might not know about the souls in purgatory!