RED-C Roundup

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.

174 Gail Peterson: Simplifying Your Life

On Wednesday July 22, Judy Comeaux talked with Gail Peterson about simplicity. In the first part of the show, Judy talked about St. Mary Magdalene as today is her feast day. Mary Magdalene was a Jewish woman who traveled with Jesus, and was a witness to the crucifixion and its aftermath. She is even sometimes referred to as an apostle to the apostles. Judy also spoke with Allison Sullivan in the first half of the show about a GoFundMe account to help those in the Bryan College Station area with electric bills they are behind on. You can help out here! In the second half of the show, Gail Peterson talked about practicing simplicity in our lives, using St. Francis of Assisi as an example for that lifestyle. Gail and Judy discussed not only physical things like junk in your house, but other things like mental health, physical fitness, and digital simplicity. They talked about not holding onto all these extra things that God wants us to let go of in order to simplify our lives and grow in holiness. A few points made were: 1) know yourself (what works for someone else might not work for you); 2) if you have something in your life that is consistently bothering you or causing you unnecessary stress, it could point to some other aspect of your situation that you need to let go of; and 3) the importance of self-care. Trust us when we say, you will love this episode about simplifying your life! We know there is bound to be something in this episode for everyone!

173 Fr. Greg Gerhart: Dos & Don'ts of Dating

On Wednesday, July 15, Pam Marvin talked with the newly assigned Vocations Director for the Diocese of Austin, Fr. Greg Gerhart, about dating. In the first part of the show, Megan Silas, Pam’s co-host on the new podcast, Shoulder to Shoulder, talked about St. Bonaventure, a Franciscan priest who united the pastoral and practical aspects of life with the doctrines of the Church in an appealing way. In the second half of the show, Fr. Greg spoke about the dos and don’ts of dating. Fr. Greg said we should treat dating as a means to an end, and that end is marriage. He went through the 5 stages you would go through to get married: 1) being single 2) dating 3) courting 4) engaged 5) married. Listen to this episode (whatever your state in life) for some beautiful insight on dating and marriage from Fr. Greg! Now, go and love your neighbor!

172 Fr. Augustine Ariwaodo: Journey to the Priesthood

On Wednesday, July 8, Gene Wilhelm talked with Fr. Augustine Ariwaodo from St. Peter’s Catholic Center at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, about his life and path to the priesthood. Fr. Augustine is originally from Nigeria, came to the US in 2008, and was ordained to the priesthood in 2013. In this episode he told the eventful story about how God called him to become a priest. His journey took some surprising twists and turns that allowed him to grow in his faith and ultimately grow in holiness!

171 Robin Waters: Becoming Catholic...& Becoming a Deacon

On Wednesday, June 24, Judy Comeaux talked with Robin Waters, RED-C Catholic Radio’s station director for KYAR 98.3 FM in Waco,Texas. Robin talked about his journey to the Catholic Faith, his faith in God that has strengthened him through his life experiences, and his calling to the diaconate. He was raised in a loosely Baptist home and started to learn about the Catholic Faith through his then girlfriend, and now wife, Carolyn. Although he didn’t see many differences between Catholicism and Protestantism at first, once Robin and Carolyn were engaged, he decided to join the Church despite his questions and was received at the Easter Vigil of 1982. Robin spoke candidly about his oldest son's 10-year battle with leukemia and eventual death. He now sees God was working in his family’s life the whole time. God willing, Robin will be ordained to the diaconate in 2022! Listen to the episode to hear Robin’s beautiful faith story and be inspired by his strong trust and hope in Our Lord!

170 Megan Silas: New Podcast!

On Wednesday, June 17, Pam Marvin and Megan Silas talked about their new podcast, Shoulder to Shoulder, a brand new show that talks about building healthy and holy relationships, and much more! In the first part of the show, Pam talked about the Feast of the Sacred Heart, which is coming up on June 19^th! Pam shared her beautiful devotion to the Sacred Heart and the blessings it can bring. The Shoulder to Shoulder podcast was born out of the friendship and shared love for Christ of its hosts, Pam Marvin and Megan Silas. The conversations on Shoulder to Shoulder seek to dive deep into the ways we grow in holy friendship with the Lord and each other so that we can continue to build Christ’s Kingdom today. Listen to the episode to hear more about the new podcast from Megan and Pam!