RED-C Roundup

183 Malachy Fallon: Xavier Society for the Blind

On Wednesday, September 23, host Judy Comeaux spoke with Malachy Fallon, Executive Director of the Xavier Society for the Blind in New York. The Xavier Society for the Blind provides religious, spiritual, and inspirational reading materials in braille and audio to blind and visually impaired individuals. Malachy talked about the history of the organization, as well as what they do to bring resources of the Catholic Faith to the blind population. One example of what they do is transcribe books for small children into braille. Check out Xavier Society for the Blind’s website here. 

182 Sharing Our Faith in Professional Settings: Dr. Roger Martinez, Jessica Lennerton, and Dr. Micah Green

This episode was a roundtable discussion about sharing our faith in professional settings! On Wednesday, September 16, former President of the Texas A&M University Catholic Faculty and Staff Network Dr. Roger Martinez, current President Jessica Lennerton, and President of the Christian Faculty Network Dr. Micah Green talked about sharing the faith in a professional setting. Tune in for a great conversation!

181 Fr. Timothy Vaverek: Journey to the Priesthood

On Wednesday, September 9, host Gene Wilhelm spoke with Fr. Timothy Vaverek about his journey and discernment to the priesthood. Fr. Timothy is the pastor at St. Mary’s Church of the Assumption in West, Texas. In the first part of the show, Gene talked about saints of the day, Saint Peter Claver, a Jesuit from Barcelona who ministered on slave ships in Cartagena, Columbia, and blessed Frédéric Ozanam, an equal rights advocate who founded the Conference of Charity, later known as the Society of St. Vincent De Paul. In the second part of the show, Fr. Timothy shared his journey through discernment to the priesthood. Fr. Timothy got his undergrad in physics from Texas State in San Marcos, then pursued his graduate degree in theology. The Bishop asked him to complete his degree in theology in Rome, where he specialized in Dogmatics – the study of Church teaching. You’ll enjoy the way that Fr. Timothy takes very high theological concepts and connects them to the daily demands of living the Christian  life. And remember, when choosing between the values of heaven and the values of earth, always round up!

180 Dr. Michael Foley: Patristics

On Wednesday, September 2, host Deacon Mike Beauvais talked with Dr. Michael Foley, Professor of Patristics at Baylor University, and author of multiple books including Drinking With the Saints: The Sinner’s Guide to a Holy Happy Hour. In the first part of the show, Deacon Mike talked about our two upcoming benefit dinners for KEDC and KYAR where Dr. Foley will be the guest speaker. You can register for the KEDC Benefit Dinner here! In the second part of the show, Dr. Foley brought together his twin studies of mixology (the art of making cocktails) and patristics (the study of the Church Fathers). He gave us the background on his bestseller Drinking with the Saints and provided some superb insights into St. Augustine’s Confessions, which he helped edit for a new edition not too many years back. Listen to the episode now!

179 Patricia Hefti: 40 Days for Life Prayer Vigil

On Wednesday, August 26, host Judy Comeaux spoke with Patricia Hefti, leader of the 40 Days for Life Prayer Vigil. In the first part of the show, Judy talked about St. Monica, who prayed for 21 years for the conversion of her husband and son, the son who later became St. Augustine. In the second half of the show, Patricia Hefti talked about the 40 Days for Life Prayer Vigil and the beauty of 40 Days for Life and its mission. The 40 Days for Life Prayer Vigil is a peaceful sidewalk protest, where Christians pray and fast in an effort to put an end to abortion. This year’s prayer vigil will be from September 23-November 1 in College Station on Texas Avenue in front of Torchy’s Tacos. Patricia and her husband have volunteered for 40 Days for Life since 2013. Patricia felt called in December 2018 to organize the first 40 Days for Life prayer vigil in 6 years, which took place in Fall of 2019. The pro-life message is vital in putting an end to abortion, and this 40 Days for Life Prayer Vigil will help do just that! Go to 40daysforlife.com to learn more and to sign up for the College Station Prayer Vigil!

 

177 CT: Life Story and Military Experience

On Wednesday, August 12, host Gene Wilhelm spoke with former special operative “CT” about his life story and military experience which showcases the power of prayer during times of adversity. In the first part of the show, Gene talked about Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, protégé of St. Francis de Sales and founder of the Sisters of the Visitation. In the second half of the show, Gene began his conversation with “CT” by talking about his time in the Army Reserve, but desiring move to active duty, while also attending Texas A&M University. “CT" eventually did transition to the active Army and achieved his goal of becoming a Special Forces soldier, one of America’s elite “Green Berets.”  Now a veteran, he is currently part of Team Red White and Blue, a non-profit whose mission is to enrich the lives of America’s veterans by connecting them to their local community through physical and social activity, while helping with mental health as well. He talked about the significant impact Team Red White and Blue had on his life during his transition out of the military and back into his family and civilian life. Though it is designed for veterans, anyone is welcome to be a part of Red White and Blue, and you can find out more at teamrwb.org, or you can download the app by searching for "team rwb” in your app store. Remember, when choosing between the values of heaven and the values of earth, always round up!

176 Dr. Robert J. Matava: The Christendom Project

On Wednesday August 5, Deacon Mike Beauvais spoke with Dr. Robert J. Matava, an Associate Professor and Dean of the Graduate School of Theology at Christendom College in Front Royal, Virginia, about the Christendom Project, a great opportunity for students at different universities to gain a new appreciation for their faith while working toward a potential degree in theology at Christendom. Christendom is a small, Catholic, liberal arts college in the Shenandoah River Valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. Dr. Matava said what makes Christendom College unique is “its dedication to the Catholic Faith and educating people in accordance with the Magisterium.” The Christendom project is designed specifically for undergraduate students at public or private universities. Students can take livestream courses from anywhere in the country. These are for-credit courses requiring class work and payment of tuition per credit hour. Dr. Matava said the Christendom project is intended to educate young adult Catholics on their faith as much as they are educated in their regular degree plan (math science, English, etc.). He discussed the importance of young adults learning their faith at a higher level so that when they go out into the world, they continue to live out their Catholic Faith. Check out more about the Christendom project here. 

175 Fr. Paul-Michael Piega: Called to the Priesthood

On Wednesday, July 29, Pam Marvin invited Fr. Paul-Michael Piega on the show to talk about his journey to the priesthood. Fr. Paul-Michael is a Texas A&M graduate and is one of two new associate pastors at St. Mary’s Catholic Center in College Station. The first part of the show, Pam talked about St. Martha, as the day's Gospel reading was from Matthew where Lazarus died and Martha boldly said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died!” In the second half of the show, Fr. Paul told his story about becoming a priest. He talked about what a powerful impact St. Mary’s Catholic Center had on him when he was a student at Texas A&M and how God used his time here to discern his vocation to the priesthood.