Podcasts about wrentham

Scott Shivers, CSB, from Wrentham, Massachusetts and Durango, Colorado, USAHear more about Scott's experience on this week's episode of Sentinel Watch.

Listener Michelle Working The Wrentham Outlets full 90 Fri, 13 Dec 2024 12:38:54 +0000 zc7M1jcEeNtFtEN4qNvmCv7WRTViOiY7 music Morning MAGIC with David, Sue, & Kendra music Listener Michelle Working The Wrentham Outlets Did you miss anything on Morning Magic? No problem, listen to clips from the show on demand. 2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc. Music False https://player.amperwavepodcasting.com?feed-li

This session shares the Franklin (MA) Town Council Meeting of Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024. 8 members were present in Council Chambers, Frongillo was remote. Quick recap:The Council approved a Farmer-Winery Farmers Market License - Blisspoint LLC d/b/a Blisspoint Meadery to enable them to participate in the Winter Farmers Market at Fairmont Fruit FarmsIn the first of 2 legislative items: Resolution 24-65: FY25 Budget Amendment (Motion to Approve Resolution 24-65 - Majority Vote). This was previewed at last week's Finance Committee meeting. Relatively minor adjustment to the FY 2025 budget (compared to prior years) before setting the tax rate at the next Council meetingThe second item was more of a paperwork item. The Metacomet Health Alliance had been operating under and MOU and with increased State DPH involvement they needed to switch to the IMA format. Resolution 24-66: Authorization for Intermunicipal Agreement with Towns of Wrentham and Norfolk for Shared Public Health Services (Motion to Approve Resolution 24-66 - Majority Vote) Entered Executive Session for contract negotiations, not to return to open meetingLet's listen to the meeting recording which runs over an hour. Audio link -> --------------Franklin TV video -> https://www.youtube.com/live/au24NNBzlCA?si=ogNVB5P13M-xFNiy&t=149The Town Council full agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/nov_13_2024_tc_agenda.pdfMy set of notes in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/11fx7jrHj8y4rJ__8K9XNxv0-_vym5fH7/view?usp=drive_link -------------We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.How can you help?If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighborsIf you don't like something here, please let me knowAnd if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We'll share and show you what and how we do what we doThrough this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot comThe music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.I hope you enjoy!------------------You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

This session of the radio show shares our “Town Council Quarterbacking” with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. We had our conversation via the Zoom Conference Bridge on Thursday, November 14, 2023. • ok, what just happened? • What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?Topics for this sessionThe Council approved a Farmer-Winery Farmers Market License - Blisspoint LLC d/b/a Blisspoint Meadery to enable them to participate in the Winter Farmers Market at Fairmont Fruit FarmsIn the first of 2 legislative items: Resolution 24-65: FY25 Budget Amendment (Motion to Approve Resolution 24-65 - Majority Vote). This was previewed at last week's Finance Committee meeting. Relatively minor adjustment to the FY 2025 budget (compared to prior years) before setting the tax rate at the next Council meetingThe second item was more of a paperwork item. The Metacomet Health Alliance had been operating under an MOU and with increased State DPH involvement they needed to switch to the IMA format. Resolution 24-66: Authorization for Intermunicipal Agreement with Towns of Wrentham and Norfolk for Shared Public Health Services (Motion to Approve Resolution 24-66 - MajorityThe recording runs about 15 minutes. Let's listen to my conversation with Tom as we recap the Council meeting of Wednesday, November 13, 2024--------------Town Council agenda Nov 13, 2024 -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/nov_13_2024_tc_agenda.pdf Franklin TV video is available for replay -> https://www.youtube.com/live/au24NNBzlCA?si=ogNVB5P13M-xFNiy&t=149 My notes captured during the meeting and now in one PDF file -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/11fx7jrHj8y4rJ__8K9XNxv0-_vym5fH7/view?usp=drive_link --------------We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.How can you help?If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighborsIf you don't like something here, please let me knowAnd if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We'll share and show you what and how we do what we doThrough this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot comThe music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.I hope you...

Girls Gone Hallmark is celebrating Christmas in July with a special lineup of fan-favorite movies recommended by the Girls Gone Hallmark Facebook group. Up next is "The Spirit of Christmas." Although it's not technically a Hallmark movie, it has earned a special place in the hearts of Hallmark fans. Will this much-discussed film starring the "hot ghost" bring holiday cheer or leave you cold? Tune in all July to hear your favorite Hallmark podcast duo review some beloved Christmas movies! Have you see "The Spirit of Christmas?" Email us at meganandwendy@gmail.com or let's talk about it in the Girls Gone Hallmark Facebook Group! We Need Your 5-STAR Ratings and Reviews Spotify Podcast listeners: Spotify allows listeners to rate podcast episodes. Once you listen to a podcast for at least 30 seconds, you get the option to rate it between one and five stars. Return to the podcast's main page and tap the star icon. Then, tap submit. News and Notes About "The Spirit of Christmas" The Spirit of Christmas originally premiered on Lifetime in 2015. David Jackson directed "The Spirit of Christmas." David has 73 directing credits including soapy dramas like "Summerland" and "One Tree Hill." He appears to have one Hallmark movie credit on his resume called "Last Vermont Christmas" from 2018. Tracy Andreen wrote "The Spirit of Christmas." Tracy has 32 writing credits, large percentage of which were for Hallmark. Hallmark titles include "Friends and Family Christmas," "Sweeter than Chocolate" and "The Holiday Sitter." Jen Lilley stars as Kate. Once a Hallmark darling, Jen has moved on to Great American Family. She has 64 writing credits and recently reprised her role as Theresa Donovan on "Days of Our Lives" where she has appeared in 430 episodes. Thomas Beaudoin plays hot ghost Daniel. Thomas has 25 acting credits and after this movie he appeared a supporting role in the Hallmark movie "Love on the Slopes." He is fluent in both English and French and has had several French speaking roles. Kati Salowsky plays Lily. Kati has 37 acting credits but has never appeared in a Hallmark project. Her most recent appearance was on the TV series "Good Trouble" in 2022.  "The Spirit of Christmas" was filmed at the Harding Allen Estate in Barre and the Proctor Mansion in Wrentham, MA. No faux snow here. Production had to contend with below freezing temperatures and fuel lines freezing in their work trucks during filming Watch the Trailer for "The Spirit of Christmas"

Today's guest has a passion for the great outdoors and a personal resilience journey. She has become a beacon of hope for many seeking to embrace nature's beauty, irrespective of physical constraints. Her dedication to accessibility in the wilderness has led her to author several acclaimed Easy Walks guidebooks, catering specifically to those with mobility challenges, older walkers, and parents with young kids. Her most recent work, "My Liturgy of Easy Walks," is a memoir and a meditation on adapting to a changed life, filled with insights and strategies for finding hope in a world that can often feel overwhelming. She's a sought-after voice in media, offering her expertise on accessible trails and outdoor experiences, having been profiled by the likes of the Boston Globe and WCVB TV's Chronicle news magazine. Beyond her books, she's a seasoned developmental editor and book coach specializing in non-fiction and topical memoirs, helping others to bring their stories and experiences to the forefront. Please join me in welcoming Marjorie Turner Hollman.  Join us as we explore Marjorie Turner Hollman's remarkable transition from a history major to a noted storyteller and accessibility advocate, delving into her inspiring journey of overcoming adversity and empowering others through her writing and community leadership. In this episode, we discuss:

We begin the program by bringing you four news segments with different guests on the stories we think you need to know about!Mike King with Combat Vets Motorcycle Association 2024 Glen's Run.WBZ NewsRadio's Jay Willet warns of Black Bear Sightings in Wrentham & Ayer!Justin Greene and Minis With A Misson – Event at Senior Center in Newton that features Mini Horses and Mini Donkeys to bring joy to seniors.1 in 3 Massachusetts households facing food insecurity to access nutrition - Today is Stop Food Waste Day-Nearly 40 percent of all food produced in the U.S. goes to waste. Dan spoke with Jennifer Pectol - Program Manager of Food For Free.Ask Alexa to play WBZ NewsRadio on #iHeartRadio

Black bears are coming out of their slumber and looking for some post-hibernation snacks across the Commonwealth. Officials in Wrentham, Mass. are warning residents to avoid leaving food or trash outdoors.

Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced independent educational consultant? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Tracy Sullivan. Tracy, co-founder of College 101 Admissions Consultants, lives in Wrentham, MA with her husband Jim, who is a scientist (very helpful during COVID-19!).   A graduate of Providence College, Tracy built a successful career in both sales and as a serial entrepreneur. A mom of two college graduates, Tracy continues to cheer her kids on as they pursue their own professional dreams. Her daughter Rachel is building a very successful career with a technology company in Boston, while her son Shane is a first year law student at Boston College Law School. For Tracy, college is personal. A firm believer that college literally changed her life and therefore could be life-changing for others, Tracy has worked for the last 8 years to assist friends and family through the admissions process. This struck a bigger vision that set her on her course to turning her passion into her profession as a certified admissions consultant. In her own words, Tracy says, “I love being part of the process. I'm a total college-nerd at heart, so visiting campuses and talking with students about where they're going to school or what their experiences have been like - it's just fun for me!” From Tracy's perspective, a college education is an investment that will pay off for years to come, and it's important as young adults know the value they have given their future selves. The right fit can lead to a transformational experience. As a board and council member with The Providence College National Alumni Association Council (NAAC) for 8 years, Tracy considers her passion for higher-education a deeply ingrained and valuable piece of who she is today. In turn, a valuable way to give back to her alma mater. When she's not in the office, you'll find Tracy hiking, taking in a motivational thought leadership piece, or just watching a good old-fashioned Hallmark mystery movie. Find Tracy at tracy@mycollege101.com.  ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page. ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros. If you're interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to get in touch through our contact page.  

We talked to Kristine from Wrentham who is jumping in a lake for a cause!

We talked to Kristine from Wrentham who is jumping in a lake for a cause!

(00:00) Zolak & Bertrand start the final hour with Albert Breer of SI and MMQB giving his thoughts on how the Patriots are handling their GM process. (15:19) The crew catches McCarthy up to speed on Zo getting exposed for the snow totals in Wrentham. (24:57) We finish up the show with thoughts on the Celtics going into the All-Star break and Joe Mazzulla getting his 100th win. (35:16) Today's Takeaways

Kendra admitted that she has NEVER been to the outlets--- Kittery or Wrentham. So it got us thinking about other popular stores that people haven't been to. And we discovered one woman that has NEVER been inside a TJ Maxx or Marshalls... We need to track her down!

Stockin Stuffers, Pete's Grooms For The Dentist And Buried Treasure in Wrentham

In this week's episode, Paul Macrina joins The Mental Matchup. Paul is from Wrentham, Massachusetts. Growing up, he was on the football and lacrosse team as well as a member of student council. Paul started his own podcast called Smoove Talk Podcast after learning more about young athletes taking their own life. His mission is closely aligned with The Mental Matchup and we are honored to have Paul come on the show this week!

A House committee opens a formal impeachment hearing against President Biden. Mr. Biden goes to Arizona, to honor the late GOP Senator John McCain. Evacuations after a gas main break in Wrentham. 5 minutes of news that will keep you in The Loop.

More and more men are getting Botox injections these days. They've termed the growing beauty trend “Brotox.” WBZ'S Kim Tunnicliffe checked in with a skin care facility south of Boston that has seen its number of male clientele more than double since the pandemic.

The Town of Wrentham is through letting anyone and everyone into Sweatt Beach, limiting access to Wrentham, Plainville, Norfolk, and Franklin residents. WBZ's Suzanne Sausville reports.

Police departments around Massachusetts are being warned about a potentially deadly new trend in fentanyl trafficking. The US Drug Enforcement Agency says the new drug has already hit the streets in the Bay State. WBZ's Kim Tunnicliffe spoke with a local police chief about the situation.

(00:00) Jim McBride has a clarification from Bill Belichick about his Kraft comments on Monday.(14:59) Fred's sickness has now made his tongue black. Scott from Wrentham checks in.(29:24) The FAA grounded all domestic flights due to a computer glitch.CONNECT WITH TOUCHER & RICHhttps://twitter.com/toucherandrichhttps://twitter.com/fredtoucher https://twitter.com/KenGriffeyRuleshttps://www.instagram.com/Toucherandrichofficialhttps://www.instagram.com/fredtoucherhttps://www.twitch.tv/thesportshub https://www.instagram.com/985thesportshubhttps://twitter.com/985thesportshub https://www.facebook.com/985TheSportsHub

Wrentham Police Chief Bill McGrath suggests one way to stop thieves is by investing in a Ring doorbell or security cameras since it could make the home less of a target if cameras are visible. WBZ's Kim Tunnicliffe reports:

GOP candidate for MA State Representative in the 9th Norfolk District, Marcus Vaughn is “beside himself” over an incident that occurred at a local debate over the weekend. Vaughn says he was “harassed” by a member of the Wrentham Democratic Committee who he claims said, “how dare he be a Republican because he's Black.” MA Rep. Shawn Dooley and Marcus Vaughn joined Dan to discuss. The Wrentham Democratic Committee did not responded to our invitation to join.

Our card this week is Mary "Frankie" Harvey, the Jack of Hearts from Massachusetts. In November 1980, 13-year-old Frankie Harvey was shot and left to die in a gravel pit in Wrentham, Massachusetts. The Rhode Island girl had vanished on Thanksgiving and while her family was waiting for her to show back up, police in Massachusetts were trying to figure out who she was. Ballistics testing later showed that her murder was connected to the murder of Frank Cannon in Pawtucket, Rhode Island … but no real investigation involving both cases has been done until now. If you have information about Frank Cannon's 1982 murder, call the Rhode Island cold case tip line at 877-747-6583. Or if you know anything about Frankie Harvey's 1980 murder, please call the Wrentham Police Department at 508-384-2121 or the Massachusetts State Police at 855-627-6583. To learn more about The Deck, visit www.thedeckpodcast.com.  

Mayors across the state urge lawmakers to get back in session and vote on pending bills, Rudy Giuliani faces a grand jury in Georgia and a Wrentham baseball team is Final Four bound. Five minutes of news that will keep you in "The Loop."

Wrentham businessman Chris Doughty is one of two Republicans running for Massachusetts governor. He's never sought political office before, but has been dreaming about it for decades.

Are you a small business owner looking to invest in brand photos for your latest product launch? Are you an influencer looking to build your next course and need new headshots? Or are you recently engaged and looking to book your wedding videographer? Then this episode is for you. This week, I am joined by Sol Arnal, Owner of Sol Arnal Photo & Video, located in Wrentham, MA. Sol Arnal Photography offers an array of Commercial Photo + Video packages for businesses, including Interior Design, Architectural, Brand, Product, and Social Media Content. They also offer Personal Photo + Video, including Family, Maternity, Newborn, Wedding, and Events. During our conversation, Sol shares her passion for helping corporate businesses promote their products for eCommerce and her love for assisting clients in capturing their most significant milestones. Be sure to listen in as Mark and Sol discuss what it's like navigating through different levels of success and why it's okay to change direction in our industry. And don't forget! You can get 20% off your first package through Sol Arnal Photo & Video simply by mentioning Boston's Best. Now that's a deal you won't want to miss! Topics Discussed: Expanding your horizon to find opportunities for growth The importance of efficient time management as a business owner Why reliving moments through video is priceless Not being afraid to change and evolve in your business Connect with Sol Arnal Photography: Website: https://solarnal.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/solarnalphotography/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/solarnal/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonsolesarnal/ Additional Resources: The Knot: https://www.theknot.com/marketplace/sol-arnal-boston-ma-980433 Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sol-arnal-wrentham-3 Contact Sol Arnal Photography: Call: 857-207-6577 Email: solarnalphotography@gmail.com Connect with Mark Condon: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BostonsBestPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bostonsbest_podcast/ About Boston's Best: “Highlighting successful businesses in and around Boston, MA.” Go behind the scenes with financial planner Mark Condon as he asks industry-leading experts to talk about their businesses throughout the state of Massachusetts. Through each episode, Mark finds what sets these different businesses apart from their competition and how they rose above the inevitable challenges they faced along the way to their ultimate success.

Meg is the owner of Crosby's Coffeeshop, an independent coffee shop in Wrentham, Massachusetts serving locally-roasted coffee, baked goods and good vibes. In 2018, Meg and her family were excited to welcome their son Crosby into the world. At a routine appointment, she found herself alone in the doctor's office grappling the news that Crosby's heartbeat had stopped. This would be her fifth miscarriage. Fueled by the motivation to heal and overcome grief, Meg set out to create her own happiness. She quit her corporate job and began looking into her childhood to uncover what brought her joy. Meg found herself reminiscing on the happy times had at her town's community center and refocused her energy into creating a place within her community that was identifiable, where people wanted to go. A place that brings happiness and sparks joy within the community. You can find more about Meg and Crosby's Coffeehouse here: https://cjpr.egnyte.com/fl/W7EyQF4pnL.

We're back after a brief January hiatus, and are ready to take on 2022 by welcoming SO many more small business owners to the podcast! Today we are joined by a special guest! Meaghan Peters is the owner of Crosby's Coffeehouse, located in Wrentham, MA. Meg and Alex were introduced by a mutual friend, and have maintained a long distance friendship throughout COVID and Meg's process of opening Crosby's. Once the podcast launched, Meg became an avid listener of Ashley and Alex's show, often messaging with questions about the topics we covered. We start this episode off by sharing Meg's inspiring story, and then we flip the script! Meg asks Ashley and Alex some burning business questions, and discusses the life and struggles of small business owners in this current climate. According to Meg, "It's one thing to say you want to support small business, and it's another thing to practice it daily."Thank you for listening! Stay tuned for new episodes every other Thursday, and be sure to send your questions and guest requests to coffeeatthebarre@gmail.com. 

What's better than a good cup of coffee and good vibes? Knowing that you're supporting a local, woman-owned business! This week, I'm talking with Meaghan Peters, Owner of Crosby's Coffeehouse. Crosby's Coffeehouse is an independent coffee shop located in Wrentham, MA, serving locally roasted coffee, baked goods, and good vibes. Throughout our conversation, Meaghan shares how she went from working in a non-profit organization to building a successful coffee shop during Covid-19. By cultivating a strong community in 2020, during a time when most people found themselves at home, Crosby's Coffeehouse became a catalyst for building friendships and supporting local business. Meaghan also shares how reaching out about a new industry, asking for help when she didn't know where to turn, and putting in the hours during an uncertain time jumpstarted her business. Topics Discussed: What it was like starting a business amidst the Global Pandemic How to lead with humility by asking questions to industry leaders Misconceptions behind building and scaling a small business The deeper meaning behind “Crosby's Coffeehouse” Why it's important to focus on the “wins”, no matter how small Connect with Crosby's Coffeehouse: Website: https://crosbyscoffee.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrosbysCoffeehouse/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crosbyscoffeehouse/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meaghanpeters1/ Additional Resources: RestaurantJi: https://www.restaurantji.com/ma/wrentham/crosbys-coffeehouse-/ Contact Crosby's Coffeehouse: Call: 774-847-9662 Email: crosbyscoffeehouse@gmail.com Address: 48 South St, Wrentham, MA 02093 Connect with Mark Condon: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BostonsBestPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bostonsbest_podcast/ About Boston's Best: “Highlighting successful businesses in and around Boston, MA.” Go behind the scenes with financial planner Mark Condon as he asks industry-leading experts to talk about their businesses throughout the state of Massachusetts. Through each episode, Mark finds what sets these different businesses apart from their competition and how they rose above the inevitable challenges they faced along the way to their ultimate success.

1/27/2022--This week brings a handful of new campaign announcements. Among them, Secretary of the Commonwealth Bill Galvin who confirmed he is seeking his eighth term in office, State Treasurer Deb Goldberg who is running for re-election, labor attorney Shannon Liss-Riordan who announced her bid for Attorney General, and Chris Doughty, a moderate Republican businessman from Wrentham and new entrant into the race for governor of Massachusetts. Jenn, Steve, and Lisa discuss Governor Baker's final State of the Commonwealth address that included plans for a slew of tax breaks. The special guest on today's show is Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. After just over two months in office, she answers questions regarding her major policies thus far, and her plans for the future.

We play every morning at 8:05 am. Today's player was Rob from Wrentham! Was he Supah Smaht today? Think you're Supah Smaht? Sign up here to play! https://wror.com/contests/supah/ All this and more on the ROR Morning Show with Bob Bronson, LBF, and Brian Podcast. Find more great podcasts at bPodStudios…The Place To Be For Podcast Discovery

Howie talks about a news story where a man dressed as a woman went into a bathroom at the Wrentham Mall outlets to take pictures. Can you guess what his excuse for being in there was?

(0:00) Zolak & Bertrand start the third hour by diving into Dont'a Hightower's performance against the Saints, as we go back and forth on whether he's the same guy anymore. (8:37) The guys take calls on the Patriots' personnel decisions and the hole left by Julian Edelman. (24:04) We react to the new billboard Jake in Boston has paid for in Wrentham, MA ahead of Bucs-Patriots, as he calls into the show. (31:28) The crew reacts to the top highlights and soundbites from the 3rd Sunday in the NFL with this edition of “Sounds of Sunday”.

Berkshire Hathaway Home Services is looking to collect up to 1,500 boxes of cereal and is well on their way toward reaching that goal

On this week's episode of the podcast, we have one of Boston's most unique content creators, Ellie Biscoe. Ellie is originally from Wrentham, MA and now a Southie native known for her incredible Antiquing content. With 15K+ followers on TikTok, Ellie has found her following and her calling when it comes to finding these diamonds in the rough. With all this work and this content, she's helped many local antique markets stay afloat post-covid and even has a new project coming to a new bar in Southie! Enjoy, Ellie Biscoe! Follow Ellie's Instagrams: @Biscbro @Biscbro_Finds TikTok: @Biscbro Follow us on Instagram: @NormalGuyLazyEye If you're liking what you're hearing, and want to support this podcast, the best thing you can do is share our podcast. We're growing mostly from word of mouth, so please let your friends and family know about this show! Leaving a 5-star review really helps us get seen on Podcast Apps! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/normalguylazyeye/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/normalguylazyeye/support

On this episode on Real Talk, we talk with the 2020 Captain of the Yale Bulldogs John Dean! Dean was born in Wrentham, Massachusetts, and started every game for the Bulldogs in its Ivy League Championship season. With an Impressive football resume he gives some insight on whats going on within a Division 1 program. https://www.qbvelocity.com/post/real-talk-season-2-with-qbv-5-john-dean-current-captian-defensive-starter-for-the-yale-bulldogs --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/qbvelocity/support

Jen was expecting her first child earlier this year when she began feeling very tired and weak. She was in the 31st week of her pregnancy and thought of nothing but her baby's health. Within two days, doctors located two embolisms, one in Jen's heart and one in her lung, as well as a “mass” in her heart. The “mass” turned out to be angiosarcoma, a very rare form of cancer.Given the seriousness of her diagnosis, Jen started chemotherapy right away and underwent three weeks of treatment before she delivered a healthy baby boy at 37 weeks by c-section.She is currently on a 21-day cycle of chemotherapy. She has also undergone radiation treatments on her heart and lungs.  Her tumors have been responding to therapy and Jen is feeling good. Her son Michael is a happy and healthy 3-month old.Jen teaches history and psychology at King Phillip Regional High School in Wrentham. All her students have been very supportive and have started fundraisers to support Jen and her family.  She loves to cook and travel and has already taken her son on a few road trips.

Bike Karma EP05   1) Beardman Handcrafted Bicycles Interview - Wrentham MA In this Episode I interview the Gang from Beardman Bikes in Wrentham Massachusetts. A custom handcrafted frame and bike building shop that is making some pretty cool looking bikes. Check them out at... http://www.beardmanbicycles.com/     2) Italian Lessons the Hard Way I also own up to my my poor Italian Language skills...     3) Tis the Season for Bicyle Swap Meets ...and talk about why you should go to a Bike Show and/or Swap Meet if there is any one near you this Spring   If you like any segment or episode PLEASE follow, like, share, or even better give a positive review on iTunes, Podbean, Instagram, Tumblr, etc... and share with any bicycle loving friends or people who don't like bicycles but who need to understand why you do.   To see what is mentioned in the podcast check out my...   Bike Karma Instagram Page www.instagram.com/bike_karma/   and/or    Bike Karma Facebook Page www.facebook.com/BikeKarma/   I'll put links and additional materials there...     If you have ideas for the program, a story you want to share, a strongly worded critique, or an original 1985 Muddy Fox T-shirt in XL, please contact me through bikekarmaguy@gmail.com     THANKS VERY MUCH FOR LISTENING!  Bike Karma, The Bicycle Karma Project, The Bicycle Karma Cat are TM Tom Brown, All Rights for the TM and Content are reserved, Theme Music with Permission by the Band Mobjack at Mobjack Music and written and performed by Keller Glass      

Today's topics: Entering religious life Summary of today's show: Karla Goncalves, who has worked in the Catholic Media secretariat of the Archdiocese of Boston, including The Good Catholic Life, for two years is leaving to pursue a new vocation. In September, she will enter the postulancy at Mount St. Mary's Abbey in Wrentham, a cloistered community of Cistercian nuns. Karla talks with Scot Landry and Dom Bettinelli about her journey from her childhood home in Brazil to Framingham with her family to college in Kentucky to the Archdiocese and finally to a calling to a religious vocation. Listen to the show: Today's host(s): Scot Landry and Domenico Bettinelli Today's guest(s): Karla Goncalves Links from today's show:

Summary of today's show: Our usual thursday panel of Scot Landry, Susan Abbott, Gregory Tracy, and Fr. Roger Landry discussed the headlines of the week, including the launch of the Year of Faith both in Rome and in Boston and Fall River; Pope Benedict's homily for the opening Mass; indulgences for the Year of Faith; the Synod for the New Evangelization; Cardinal Seán starting to Tweet daily; religious leaders discussing physician-assisted suicide; and Cardinal Seán's reflection on the assisted-suicide slippery slope. Listen to the show: Watch the show via live video streaming or a recording later: Today's host(s): Scot Landry and Susan Abbott Today's guest(s): Gregory Tracy, managing editor of the Pilot, the newspaper of the Archdiocese of Boston, and Fr. Roger Landry, pastor of St. Bernadette Parish in Fall River Links from today's show: Some of the stories discussed on this show will be available on The Pilot's and The Anchor's websites on Friday morning. Please check those sites for the latest links. Today's topics: Year of Faith, Tweeting Cardinal Sean, Physician-Assisted Suicide 1st segment: Scot Landry welcomed everyone to the show and to the Year of Faith. Cardinal Seán celebrated a Year of Faith opening Mass that was simulcast on WQOM and on BostonCatholicLive.com. Susan and Scot discussed the celebration of the Mass in Rome with the Holy Father and the very crowded Mass in the Pastoral Center with Cardinal Seán. Scot asked Gregory Tracy about his impressions. He said the homily was very engaging as always. He engages first with humors and anecdotes and then gets to the heart of the matter. After the Mass, they gathered in a conference room where Cardinal Seán sent out his first tweet for the Year of Faith in front of a group of journalists. Scot noted that the Cardinal had a tough time typing because his own personal computers are set up with Spanish-language keyboards. Fr. Roger talked about his own preparations and launch of the Year of Faith in his parish. He outlined his plans for his parish over the year. Scot said Cardinal Seán's homily and the entire Mass are available online at . Moving to Pope Benedict's homily at the Mass opening the Year of Faith this morning, Scot quoted: If today the Church proposes a new Year of Faith and a new evangelization, it is not to honour an anniversary, but because there is more need of it, even more than there was fifty years ago! And the reply to be given to this need is the one desired by the Popes, by the Council Fathers and contained in its documents. Even the initiative to create a Pontifical Council for the promotion of the new evangelization, which I thank for its special effort for the Year of Faith, is to be understood in this context. Recent decades have seen the advance of a spiritual “desertification”. In the Council's time it was already possible from a few tragic pages of history to know what a life or a world without God looked like, but now we see it every day around us. This void has spread. But it is in starting from the experience of this desert, from this void, that we can again discover the joy of believing, its vital importance for us, men and women. In the desert we rediscover the value of what is essential for living; thus in today's world there are innumerable signs, often expressed implicitly or negatively, of the thirst for God, for the ultimate meaning of life. And in the desert people of faith are needed who, with their own lives, point out the way to the Promised Land and keep hope alive. Living faith opens the heart to the grace of God which frees us from pessimism. Today, more than ever, evangelizing means witnessing to the new life, transformed by God, and thus showing the path. The first reading spoke to us of the wisdom of the wayfarer (cf. Sir 34:9-13): the journey is a metaphor for life, and the wise wayfarer is one who has learned the art of living, and can share it with his brethren – as happens to pilgrims along the Way of Saint James or similar routes which, not by chance, have again become popular in recent years. How come so many people today feel the need to make these journeys? Is it not because they find there, or at least intuit, the meaning of our existence in the world? This, then, is how we can picture the Year of Faith: a pilgrimage in the deserts of today's world, taking with us only what is necessary: neither staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money, nor two tunics – as the Lord said to those he was sending out on mission (cf. Lk 9:3), but the Gospel and the faith of the Church, of which the Council documents are a luminous expression, as is the Catechism of the Catholic Church, published twenty years ago. Scot said the homily is stark about saying that many of the people we meet each day are in the desert, but it is from the starkness of the desert that we can rediscover the faith. Greg said already at the Second Vatican Council, society was making this transition to the secular desert and now 50 years on we are deep into the desert. Susan was reminded of Pope John Paul's teaching that Christ leads us to the Father through the Holy Father. She also noted he quoted Pope John XXIII: ““What above all concerns the Ecumenical Council is this: that the sacred deposit of Christian doctrine be safeguarded and taught more effectively […] Therefore, the principal purpose of this Council is not the discussion of this or that doctrinal theme.” She said we observe the signs of the times and determine how we authentically and faithfully present the faith. She also noted that he talks about going back to the documents and she always encourages people to read the texts. Fr. Roger said in this homily the Holy Father is bringing us back to the themes of his pontificate. He says the whole mission of the Church is to lead people out of the desert into friendship with Christ. He said many people haven't read the documents of the Second Vatican Council and this is an opportunity to go back and re-read them. Fr. Roger noted that this isn't a year of catechesis, but a year of living by faith. Scot noted that at the same time as the opening of the Year of Faith is a synod of bishops on the New Evangelization. Cardinal Donald Wuerl says that it's like a tsunami of secularism has swept across Europe and beyond. He also talked about the cost of poor catechesis. The cardinal said a “tsunami of secularism” has washed across the world, leaving in its wake a tendency to deny God's existence, or to deny that God's existence is relevant to human thinking and action. Yet, without God “the very understanding of what it means to be human is altered,” he said. A key task of the new evangelization is to help people see that human dignity and human rights flow from the fact that human beings are created in God's image, he said. Susan said she couldn't agree more with the Cardinal that the Catechism has immensely improved catechesis. Susan would add the improvement in understanding of hiw we learn through the social sciences. Scot also noted that the plenary indulgences for the Year of Faith have been given. An indulgence is a remission of the temporal punishment a person is due for sins that have been forgiven. Fr. Roger explained that Purgatory repairs the damage to relationships caused by sin. Indulgences take away that temporal punishment for sin by the merits of Christ. they can be applied to the living or the dead. The indulgences are gained in this circumstance through some specific steps, including making pilgrimages to a local site designated by the bishop, attending parish missions or lectures on Vatican II or the catechism, attending a Mass or Liturgy of the Hours on days designated by the local bishop or renewing baptismal vows where we were baptized; or attending a Mass celebrated by a bishop on the Year of Faith's last day. The other usual conditions for indulgences apply as well. Scot noted the last day of the Year of Christ will be the Feast of Christ the King on which we have the Cheverus Awards at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and that could be one of the biggest Masses ever at the cathedral. 2nd segment: Scot said it was announced today that Cardinal Seán will be tweeting at least daily until November 6 and encouraging everyone to follow him on Twitter. He's hoping that people will retweet his messages on the Year of Faith and physician-assisted suicide. The cardinal says the biggest challenge of Question 2 is that not enough people know about it yet. Scot noted that yesterday his follower count was about 5,090 and today it's up a few hundred more already. Greg explained what twitter is and how it works. He said Twitter is very ephemeral and it's easy to miss one tweet so if the Cardinal writes consistently it will be more easily found. Scot said we don't have to be confrontational in talking to people about this issue. There are plenty of low-impact ways of spreading the message. Fr. Roger said the cost of a failure to act is that someone might die and the benefit of acting might be to help people get the help they need instead of poison from their doctor. He noted some anecdotes from people in his parish who have talked to others about it, describing their own experiences with suicide or terminal illness. Another story in the Pilot this week was an invitation to Cardinal Sean from Greek Orthodox Metropolitan Methodius to gather with representatives from different religious groups—from Salvation Army to Islam— to talk about physician-assisted suicide. Greg was there and said there was a sense that this can't be described as just a Catholic issue. One of the issues on their minds was how to make it clear to their congregations and others that this isn't just a Catholic issue, even though the Catholic Church is on the forefront. Scot said in the Pilot is Cardinal Seán's third reflection on assisted suicide: Slippery slope arguments involve small decisions that lead to undesirable outcomes that never would have been supported at the outset. Often, it is impossible to prove that one small step will have significant negative effects, but common sense allows reasonable people to judge the likelihood that a sequence of events that have happened in one place are likely to happen in another place in a similar way He then points out 7 potential problems downstream: It could lead to increased elder abuse; It could lead to adoption of “quality of life” standards; It could lead to lower quality of care; It could undermine doctor/patient relationship; It could lead to a general devaluing of human life; It could lead to an increase of suicide generally; and It could lead, eventually to euthanasia—like it has in the Netherlands. Scot said people say you can't prove a slippery slope argument empirically. Susan said arguing the slippery slope can make you seem like an extremist. She noted that in the Netherlands they have mobile euthanasia units now. She also said both the American Medical Association and Massachusetts Medical Society oppose this ballot question. Scot said there are also good op-ed columns in the Pilot on this topic as well. Winding up the show, Scot noted the death of Fr. Lawrence Wetterholm at 88 and the appointment of Fr. Bill Schmidt to pastor of both St. Marym, Wrentham, and St. Martha, Plainville from St. Patrick in Stoneham, one of the biggest parishes in the Archdiocese.

Summary of today's show: Fr. Tom Foley has embarked on a new phase of his priesthood 26 years after his ordination by becoming an Air Force chaplain. Scot Landry and Fr. Chip Hines talk to Fr. Foley about his decision to answer the “call within a call”, the process of moving from the Archdiocese of Boston to the chaplains corps, and the important service provided by priest chaplains to our men and women serving our country all over the world. Listen to the show: Today's host(s): Scot Landry and Fr. Chip Hines Today's guest(s): Fr. Thomas Foley Links from today's show: Today's topics: Fr. Thomas Foley, Military Chaplain 1st segment: Scot Landry and Fr. Chip Hines talked about how the summer is going for Fr. Chip and his parishes in Wrentham and Plainville. He said his parishes have been offering some summer programs to combat the drop off that many parishes experience in attendance and participation. Fr. Chip said he spends his summer mainly with his parents in Plymouth. Scot said as the show airs he's going to a 20-year college reunion in Pittsburgh. Today's guest, Fr. Tom Foley, left his post as Secretary for Parish Life and Leadership about a month ago to enter the chaplain corps for the US Air Force. 2nd segment: Scot welcomed Fr. Tom to the show. He said Fr. Foley's role as secretary was one of the toughest jobs in the Pastoral Center. He deals with a lot of the materials that eventually end up on the Vicar Generals. Cardinal Seán gave him a few weeks for vacation and retreat before going on to the Air Force. Fr. Roley was secretary for 4 years. He oversaw clergy personnel matters, permanent diaconate, vocations office, Clergy Funds, Regina Cleri and many more. Fr. Foley said each of the offices were staffed by great people so that the work is done by many hands. Much of his work was working with priests. He noted that the staff of the Clergy Funds, caring for the priests' health, have done much to stabilize those funds. He noted the work of Deacon Dan Burns and the formation of permanent deacons. Another office if Pastoral Planning, which is a top priority for the Archdiocese now, but we always have to be planning for the future. His role was to monitor and orchestrate a whole spectrum of the priests. Fr. Chip asked about the fun and edifying memories of his office. Fr. Tom mentioned visits to the three seminaries, engaging with the seminarians, which is a hopeful experience. The quality of the men coming into the seminaries is outstanding. He thinks of the priest appreciation dinner we've had the past three years. No one expected the turnout at that annual dinner, which is not just a fundraiser for the Clergy Funds, but has also become a chance for the people of the archdiocese to pour out their love for their priests. He said no one expected such an outpouring. Scot recalled the priests' convocations. He said there have been at least 3 or maybe more. Fr. Tom said the priests are ordained to serve the people of God and to be there for the people in all times of sadness and joy. But someone has to take care of the priests too, which is the responsibility of the bishop. As Cardinal Sean's helpers, they made it a top priority to visit the priests when they were sick, or to visit the retired priests at home or those living in Regina Cleri retirement home. The purpose is to care for those who are caring for others. The Clergy Services Group includes highly respected priests, both retired and active, to make sure they are available to priests at any time, so as to be present to them to be healthy and strong for the people. Fr. Chip said he had surgery a few years ago and was the recipient of that love and attention while he was recovering at Regina Cleri. Fr. Chip having lunch with the retired priests was a highlight of his stay, especially the stories of the old days. Fr. Tom said the seminarians talk about how much they look forward to visiting Regina Cleri. It's an experience of sharing one generation's wisdom to another. It's truly a home of priests who look out for each other. Scot said Fr. Tom served in parish ministry until 2008. He asked him about the adjustment from parish to administrative work. Fr. Tom said it's an eye-opener, but St. Paul talks about the gifts of administration. It's all about helping the cardinal to lead the Church. They try to be good stewards of the resources of the Church as best they can, to give the best advice to the Cardinal they can. It's a lot of meetings, on the phone, at the desk. There's a lot of detail work. Fr. Chip said much of the sensitive material that comes across Fr. Foley's desk could only be seen by a priest and it must have been difficult to deal with. Scot said Fr. Foley was often one of the leading celebrants at the Pastoral Center's 8:15am Mass, which saw a handful of employees on a constant basis. Fr. Foley said the 12:05 pm Mass is a blessing, which sees so many people come to it, especially from outside the Pastoral Center. But he often found the noontime hour problematic, especially when at meetings. So they started the 8:15 Mass, which mimics parish Masses. It's great to start the day that way. 3rd segment: Scot asked Fr. Foley what led him to ask Cardinal Seán about going to become an Air Force chaplain. Fr. Tom says chaplains speak about the call within the call. Chaplains are ordained and serve in parishes, but at some point they have experienced another call to serve as a military chaplain. Some of his close priest friends are or have been military chaplains. He's been inspired and edified by them. It's natural for priests to have an interest in military chaplaincy because as celibates it's easier for them to pick up at a moment's notice. He said there's a lot of stress of military families, long deployments, many of them are young adults. There is a need for someone to support and care for them. A priest-chaplain is a reminder of home. He's a connection to family and home. Scot asked how many Catholics in the Air Force and priest-chaplains. Fr. Tom said about 25% of the 330,000 active duty members are Catholic, plus any dependents. There are about 250 chaplains in the Air Force of all faiths. There are only 60 Catholic priests on active duty in the Air Force today. That's 60 priests serving over 75,000 airmen plus their families. Scot said he could drive 20 miles in any direction, he could pass 15 Catholic churches in each direction. But in our military some of our service members could go a month or more without access to the sacraments. Fr. Foley said Catholic chaplains are only assigned to the largest bases in the US and take turns being deployed to the combat zones to serve the troops who have been waiting for them. They hear of the great desire of the Catholic service members to see a chaplain. The priests are stretched thin, especially in deployed situations. Fr. Chip said his brother was in the Navy for five years. He met a chaplain on his brother's ship, who told him that there'd never been a Catholic chaplain on their ship and they only get to go to Mass maybe once per month. Fr. Foley said those in the military have the constitutional right to the free exercise of religion and the military is determined they can exercise that right. The chaplains are there to serve primarily their own faith group, but they're also chaplains for everyone in the military and will do everything they can to help them whatever their faith. The chaplains are willing to travel everywhere and work very hard for their people. Scot asked what was the attraction of the Air Force over the other services. Fr. Tom said his friends in other services will listen attentively to his answer. One of his closest friends spent 20 years in the Navy, mainly with the Marine Corps. He ‘s worked closely the past couple of years with priests who have been Air Force chaplains so he got to know it better than the others. Having been ordained 26 years already, he didn't know if he could even be accepted and talking to the Air Force it seemed possible with them. Scot asked him about the process to prepare himself for acceptance. Fr. Foley said he's still finalizing all the details and paperwork. Most the chaplains who enter are in their 30s to 40s. Being over 50 is unusual. He had an age waiver from the Secretary of the Air Force to even apply. He had to travel to an Air Force base in New Jersey to interview with a Wing Chaplain. He had to go before a board. Fill out all kinds of paperwork. It's quite a process and takes several months. This was all after he'd gone to the Cardinal to express his desire to explore it. Fr. Foley said he will go through 4 weeks of officer training. In his first year he will go through 12-week chaplain school. Then he will get his first assignment at a base in the continental United States. From there to any American base in the world, including deployments to any active deployment area. For chaplains the basic commitment is three years. They get fitness reviews every year. Fr. Chip said Fr. Tom looks like he's in great shape and working on all those fitness requirements. Scot said the Archdiocese of Boston sends some of its finest priests to serve in the military and it's a longstanding tradition. It's not easy for an archbishop to send one of his episcopal vicars off to the military instead of putting him in charge of one of our largest parishes. Cardinal Seán recognizes the need in the military and we have to do our fair share. Fr. Tom said Cardinal Cushing had been an Army National Guard chaplain as a young priest and perhaps even continued after he became a bishop. These young men and women are in harm's way. They are all-volunteer and highly trained to go defend our freedom anywhere in the world. If a chaplain can be there to help them, that's the least we can be doing for them. The Church wants to be wherever her people are. The Church is the mission of Jesus. We are missionary by nature and outgoing. In this way, we want to go with our men and women in uniform. Scot asked how Fr. Tom has been prepared for combat situations? Do chaplains get trained with weapons. Fr. Tom said chaplains do not carry a weapon as noncombatants. He said chaplain friends told him that when you're deployed in forward operating areas, you are assigned a bodyguard. They do go wherever the military goes. Fr. Chip talked of a friend deployed in Iraq who said that after the company commander he was the most protected member of the unit. Scot said diocesan priests are usually assigned within an hour's drive of their family. How do you prepare for the transition to be sofa away from family? Fr. Tom said after he got the green light from Cardinal Seán, he shared this with his family, including his brother and sister. He's received lots of love and support and he thinks his nephews are probably proud of him. Wherever the Lord sends us, we never go alone. We hold each other in prayer. Plus today we have means of communication that people never dreamed of in the past. Fr. Tom also said the airplanes fly both ways and people can come and visit. Scot wondered how he expects serving as a base chaplain to be similar to being a parish priest. Fr. Tom said the way a chapel works on an Air Force base is very much like a diocesan parish, with a staff, RCIA, religious education, and the like. Having spent 22 years in a parish that's what he's used to. It's a chapel-based ministry in the Air Force and families are very much used to that. He expects that he will go at least briefly to a base where there's another Catholic priests. Archbishop Broglio of the Military Archdiocese said we are 1-deep, meaning one priest deep on the line. Scot asked the connection to the Archdiocese for Military Services. Fr. Tom said a chaplain is an Air Force officer and reports up that chain of command. He's only able to be a chaplain if he's endorsed by the Archdiocese for Military Services and the priestly faculties are granted by that archbishop. So as far as the Church is concerned, you come under that Archdiocese. This is a Lend-Lease situation, where the archbishop of Boston lends his priests to the archbishop of the military. An important aspect of the chaplain's work is helping the young people who come to faith while in the military.They do a lot of baptisms, receiving into the Church, sacraments of initiation, plus lots of counseling. Fr. Tom said he asks people to pray for peace, for security of our country, for all those who serve our country. Those prayers are a tremendous consolation. Fr. Tom said about 12 or 15 priests of the archdiocese of Boston are currently serving on active duty in the military.

Summary of today's show: Our Thursday panel of Scot Landry, Susan Abbott, Fr. Roger Landry, and Antonio Enrique look at the news headlines of the week, including Cardinal Dolan's declaration of the US as a mission territory; a survey that shows falling confidence in the Church and all organized religion; a slew of new priest assignments; a ministry that cares for ailing priests; new leadership for the Sisters of St. Joseph; and vocations retreats and pro-life boot camps in the Fall River diocese. Listen to the show: Today's host(s): Scot Landry and Susan Abbott Today's guest(s): Antonio Enrique, editor of the Pilot, the newspaper of the Archdiocese of Boston, and Fr. Roger Landry, pastor of St. Bernadette Parish in Fall River Links from today's show: Some of the stories discussed on this show will be available on The Pilot's and The Anchor's websites on Friday morning. Please check those sites for the latest links. Today's topics: US mission territory; low confidence in religion; ministry to priests; pro-life boot camp 1st segment: Scot Landry and Susan Abbott caught up on their week. Scot noted that his young sons, Christian and Dominic, are in the studio today. Dominic is six years old today. The Pilot has returned from its two-week hiatus and there's a lot of news to catch up on plus a provocative piece by Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York. 2nd segment: Scot and Susan welcomed Fr. Roger and Antonio to the show. Scot said Cardinal Dolan wrote a column that called the Archdiocese of New York and all of the United States is a mission territory. “I was raised – as were most of you – to think of the missions as ‘way far away' – and, to be sure, we can never forget our sacred duty to the foreign missions,” the New York archbishop wrote on his “Gospel in the Digital Age” blog. “But, we are a mission territory, too. Every diocese is. And every committed Catholic is a missionary. This is at the heart of what Blessed John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI call the New Evangelization.” Susan said she was reminded of a conversation with an Irish Holy Ghost Father 15 years ago who had just come from Africa. He told her that the US is a mission country needing a second evangelization, which is harder than the first. Susan noted how Cardinal Dolan spoke from the heart and warned that we've taken our Catholic faith for granted. He said we all need the Year of Faith. Cardinal Dolan was referencing a speech by Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia that his archdiocese is a mission territory. Antonio said many Catholics live their faith as if they just happen to be Catholic. He said the religious understanding of life doesn't go very deep anymore and hopefully we renew our focus on passing the faith onto the next generation. Scot quoted from the Cardinal's blog: Because, guess where we're at: We're with the apostles on Pentecost Sunday as we embrace the New Evangelization. No more taking our Catholic faith for granted! No more relaxing in the great things the church has accomplished in the past! Cynicism is replaced by confidence … Hand-wringing by hand-folding … Dullness by dare … Waiting for people to come back replaced by going out to get them … Presuming that people know the richness of their Catholic faith replaced by a realistic admission that they do not … From taking the Church for granted as a “big corporation,” to a tender care for a Church as small and fragile as a tiny mustard seed Jesus spoke about… Keeping our faith to ourselves to letting it shine to others! This is the New Evangelization! The Archdiocese of New York is a mission territory! The whole Church is! Our parishes are! Culture is! The world is! You and I are missionaries! No longer can we coast on the former fame, clout, buildings, numbers, size, money, and accomplishments of the past. As a matter of fact, all of this may have dulled us into taking our faith for granted. No more! We are missionaries. And, it starts inside. Fr. Roger said at the same time as there will be a Synod of Bishops from around the world on the new evangelization in the Vatican in October we'll be launching the Year of Faith for us to re-examine our own faith and re-found it in Christ in our daily life. He said he often talks about the New Evangelization in retreats and talks about the methods of the New Evangelization. Pope Benedict said in a Jubilee Year address that the first method of the New Evangelization is prayer. We need to be praying far more for people to come and experience the fullness of the Lord's love as we have in our own lives. Then we need to be docile to the Holy Spirit, who makes the converts to the faith. We must become more and more united to God. Pope Benedict is asking us to reflect more on our faith. Scot said the Holy Father has called the Year of Faith because of a crisis of faith in the West, as seen in a recent Gallup survey that shows a low in confidence in the Church by Catholics and in organized religion in general. Forty-six percent of Catholics express “a great deal or quite a lot of confidence” in the church and organized religion, compared to 56 percent of Protestants. Overall, 44 percent of Americans expressed that same level of confidence in church/organized religion. The percentage is slightly lower than what Gallup has found in recent years; in 2002, it was 45 percent and in 2007, 46 percent. “This follows a long-term decline in Americans' confidence in religion since the 1970s,” Gallup said. In 1973, 66 percent said they had a high level of confidence in religion. Antonio said it's not very surprising, given all the social unrest in the Sixties and movements to separate people from organized religion. He said maybe it's time to start the New Evangelization because we can see the effects of the last four decades which haven't been fulfilling to people. All the societal decline goes together with this decline in religion and so we can go out and announce the beauty of Christianity and the fulfillment found in God. Scot said a related finding is that American's confidence in other important societal institutions is also at an all-time low, so it's not just the church, but all institutions. Susan said it seems the whole country is in a funk. She said Scripture tells us we must always be ready to give reasons for our hope. (1 Peter 3:15) If we have no hope, where do we go? How do we more forward? The whole spiritual/not religious dichotomy shows the emptiness and loneliness when their is faith without community. She said we see it in our own Archdiocese when the pastoral planning proposal was made and was met by fear and suspicion. Scot said Cardinal Dolan said that cynicism needs to be replaced by confidence. Scot said when he sees that 46% of American Catholics have great confidence in the Church, he would have expected it to be a lot less. Fr. Roger said that number is about double weekly Mass attendance, so we have great reason to hope that there are a lot of people who could be ready to be invited back to Mass. He also noted that many institutions are much lower than the Church (like Congress which was in single digits), even though we really do want 100% to have total confidence in the Church. We are living in an anti-institutional, anti-authoritarian age. Confidence from top to bottom: military, small business, police, church/organized religion, banks, US Supreme Court, public schools, medical system, presidency, television news, newspapers, criminal justice system, organized labor, big business, HMOs, and Congress at the bottom. 3rd segment: This week's benefactor card raffle winner is Fr. Thomas Bouton of Dorchester, MA He wins a “Praying for our Priests” 3 Pack: “Praying for Our Priests” - A Book of prayers for the priesthood An audio CD of the Stations of the Cross and Divine Mercy Chaplet with meditations on the priesthood An audio CD of the Rosary with meditations on the priesthood If you would like to be eligible to win in an upcoming week, please visit . For a one-time $30 donation, you'll receive the Station of the Cross benefactor card and key tag, making you eligible for WQOM's weekly raffle of books, DVDs, CDs and religious items. We'll be announcing the winner each Wednesday during “The Good Catholic Life” program. 4th segment: Scot announced all the recent priestly assignments made in recent weeks: Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., has announced the appointment of Father Rodney J. Copp from pastor at St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Waltham, to pastor at St. Gerard Majella Parish in Canton. The effective date of this action is Aug. 28, 2012. Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., has accepted the request of Father Robert R. Kennedy to resign as pastor at St. Monica-St. Augustine Parish in South Boston. The cardinal has also granted Father Kennedy senior pries/retirement status. The effective date of these actions is July 31,2012. Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., has announced the appointment of Father Thomas J. Powers as pastor at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Lynnfield. This appointment is in addition to Father Powers' assignment as pastor at St. Maria Goretti Parish in Lynnfield. The effective date of this action is Aug. 1,2012. Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., has announced the appointment of Father George C. Hines from pastor at St. Mary Parish in Wrentham and from pastor at St. Martha Parish in Plainville, to pastor at St. Joseph Parish in Medford. The effective date of this action is Aug. 1, 2012. Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., has announced the appointment of Father Frank J. Silva from pastor at Corpus Christi-St. Bernard Parish in Newton, to pastor at St. Margaret Parish in Burlington. The effective date of this action is Sept. 4, 2012. Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., has announced the appointment of Father Robert J. Carr from pastor at St. Benedict Parish in Somerville, to pastor at Holy Trinity Parish in Quincy. The effective date of this action is Oct. 1,2012. Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., has announced the appointment of Very Reverend Thomas F. Nestor, V.F., from pastor at St. Eulalia Parish in Winchester, to pastor at St. Paul Parish in Hingham. The effective date of this action is Aug. 26, 2012. Scot, Susan, and Antonio discussed the priests they know and the affect it will have. Fr. Roger said anytime there's a change in pastors, it's a time for people in those parishes to bond themselves even more to Christ who sends the priests to serve in His name. Scot noted an article in the Pilot this week profiling Fr. Jim Flavin, a priest of the Archdiocese, who has been sent by Cardinal Seán to work at the St. John Vianney Center in Pennsylvania that provides pastoral care to priests and others in religious ministry who require spiritual and psychological care. He said the work he undertakes can restore a priest or a nun to ministry serving thousands of others in some cases. “If I get a priest healthy, that's a thousand people that get a priest, get the Eucharist, and get God in their lives. So, it's good work,” he said. Antonio liked Fr. Flavin's quote on the foolishness of youth which is also the gift of youth, that is that they think they can change the world. Scot thinks another quote relates to pastoral planning in the archdiocese: “We are getting to a point where we just give priests more work. Where there was one parish with four or five priests, now we are giving one priest four or five parishes,” he said. Scot mentioned Fr. Flavin's relationship with Dorchester native and movie actor Mark Wahlberg. Fr. Roger said the work of the Vianney Center is important because of the work they do for clergy who receive unique stresses in their work. How can a priest deal with the stress of hearing upsetting things in confession when they can't reveal it. So having a talented priest can minister to his brother priests, he can understand better than anyone else who isn't a priest. Fr. Roger said there are several centers like St. John Vianney Center around the country. Also in the Pilot is the 20th anniversary of the Archdiocese of Boston Black Catholic Choir. They had a Mass and gala dinner on June 30 at Boston College High School. Susan said it was pointed out in the article that their work is really a ministry of prayer. Scot said it can be difficult to start ministries but it's even harder to keep them going year after year. He said the choir does more than just sing in some churches, but travel all over to sing at conferences and other events as well. The Diocese of Fall River had its Quo Vadis high school vocation retreats days for young men to consider the call to the priesthood or to just be better formed as Catholic men whatever their vocation. They've had one of their largest gatherings this year and already some of the men entering the seminary now have been on previous Quo Vadis Days. Scot referred to another local story about the Sisters of St. Joseph, a local religious order, who have elected a new leadership team. Susan said Sr. Margaret Sullivan, one of the new leaders, used to work in the Pastoral Center and misses her terribly but wishes her well. In her reflections at the end of the liturgy, Sister Rosemary Brennan said, “Each transition of leadership dares us to dream we can co-create a future which ‘moves always towards profound love of God and love of neighbor without distinction.' The passion and enthusiasm we have for being Sisters of St. Joseph and Associates is what impels us to live - knowing that relationship is always at the heart of who we are; and when we find ourselves in situations which test our relationships we will always seek to live in and through our charism - a charism that is our unique gift to our Church and our world.” Also in the Anchor this week is a story about the pro-life boot camp taking place on the campus of Stonehill College in Easton. Fr. Roger said it was founded last year to help young pro-life Catholics to receive real training to be effective agents in the culture of life. Several years ago some members of the youth group wanted to set up a training program for them so they could then train others. The diocesan pro-life apostolate took on the program, sent a couple of young people to a boot camp in Texas, and then set up the first sold-out boot camp in Easton last year. Fr. Roger said he will be participating and a number of other pro-life leaders will be coming from around the country to help. Scot said Jaymie Wolfe has a great column on what she learned from her time serving three months on a grand jury, especially 16 particular findings.

Summary of today's show: The country of South Sudan has been in existence for just about one year and still struggles to provide even basic needs for its people. Last year, Scot Landry interviewed Fr. Peter Loro right after independence and now Fr. Loro has come back and sits down with Scot and Fr. Chip Hines to talk about the progress since independence and the many pastoral needs experienced by one of the poorest countries in the world with a population starving for the sacraments. Listen to the show: Today's host(s): Scot Landry and Fr. Chip Hines Today's guest(s): Fr. Peter Loro Links from today's show: Today's topics: Fr. Peter Loro and South Sudan's first year of independence 1st segment: Scot wished his mom a happy birthday today. Fr. Chip Hines also said he was asked by Cardinal Seán to become the pastor of St. Joseph in Medford. He broke the news to his parishes in Wrentham and Plainville this past weekend. They discussed how a priest says yes to a bishop unless there's a very important reason. Fr. Chip said as hard it is, it's a time of reflection with the people he's leaving. It's difficult because you become family as their priest. Scot noted that St. Joseph's is the parish that Fr. Chip was baptized in. His grandparents and parents were married there. The parish also has a school and Fr. Chip is very interested in working with a parish school. Scot noted his own brother just transferred from one parish to another in the Diocese of Fall River. He asked what's going through Fr. Chip's mind. He said his parish staff is helping him with logistics, pack all his stuff, clean up all his paperwork, see what he needs in his new parish. He will start in his new parish on August 1. Scot said Fr. McLaughlin that Fr. Chip is replacing in Medford was in the parish for 35 years, 25 as pastor. He said perhaps a third or more of the parish have never known a different pastor. Fr. Chip said it's a great opportunity to offer some different or new approaches to being a pastor. Today's guest is Fr. Peter Loro, who will talk about the challenges for the Church in South Sudan, Africa. He was on the show last summer by phone to talk about the country right after its independence from Sudan. He will update us on the first year of the country and the current state of the Church there. 2nd segment: Scot welcomed Fr. Peter Loro of the Archdiocese of Juba to the show. Scot said Fr. Peter has just completed a decree in canon law in Rome. Fr. Peter said he was sent to study in Rome three years ago and completed those studies last month. He'd been invited at the time to come to Boston to participate in the mission appeals in Boston by the Pontifical Mission Society here. Then he will return to South Sudan to take up his new assignment at home. Scot said Fr. Peter will speak at six or seven parishes throughout the Archdiocese. Fr. Peter said the situation in South Sudan is challenging because before independence they went through more than two decades of war with the north. Now that peace has come there have been many challenges. For instance, Juba is filled with displaced people returning to the country from abroad and from the countryside. The Church has been challenged to provide for the spiritual and physical needs for these people. This is why they have turned to the universal Church. Fr. Peter said the Pontifical Mission Society is more than just a charity providing handouts of money and goods. First and foremost, their work is to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to the people. He said behind the donations the people of Boston may give is the intention to bring the Gospel of Jesus. Scot noted most people are familiar with the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, which is just one of four Pontifical Mission Societies. Another is the Society of St. Peter the Apostle. They provided for Fr. Peter's education in canon law in Rome. Fr. Peter said the society has done great work in forming priests. They don't just pay for priests to be educated in Rome, but also continue to assist them when they return to their home dioceses. Whatever donation people can give to this office, they will participate in the formation of young men who will be very useful in supporting the Church in South Sudan. The St. Peter Society is supporting the seminary in Juba which is the lifeblood and future of the Church there. Fr. Chip asked the difference between Sudan and South Sudan and why the need to establish the new country. Fr. Peter said Sudan received independence from the British in 1956. They handed power to the northern Sudanese on whom most of the resources had been concentrated. Given that situation, the people of southern Sudan asked to be given their independence, rather than be forced into a quickie marriage that will break up eventually. Right away, they had their first civil war in opposition to that first decision. That war continued until 1972. Right after that peace agreement, it was abrogated by the northern Sudanese president. From 1972 to 1983, the people of southern Sudan prospered a little and by 1983 they wanted more independence. The people of southern Sudan were second-class citizens. The northern Sudanese are mainly Muslim Arabs versus the Christian Africans. The civil war started in 1983 and lasted until 2005. That peace agreement included a requirement that after 6 years the people of southern Sudan were to be given a choice for independence or unity. That led to a January 2011 referendum on the issue and 98.9% of people voted for separation. They celebrated their independence on July 9, 2011. If you go to Sudan today in the north, it is Islamic. It is a desert climate. In southern Sudan, it is Christian, African, and more temperate climate. They were historically different people forced together artificially by the British empire. The problems were political, religious, and cultural. Fr. Peter said they are bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the south, Ethiopia to the east, Central African Republic to the west. There are nine dioceses in the whole of Sudan, north and south. Now they have seven dioceses in South Sudan, including the Archdiocese of Juba, which is the capital. The majority of the Christians are Catholic, followed by Anglicans. The majority of the people have access to weekly Mass, in cities or villages. In some of the outlying areas, including Fr. Peter's former parish of St. Thomas, the parishes don't have churches. Instead they celebrate Mass outside, often under the trees. Fr. Peter didn't have a rectory when he first went to his parish. They built a grass hut where he lived for three years. He said it was a good shelter, not ramshackle at all. Fr. Chip asked how many baptisms Fr. Peter would do on a general Sunday. Fr. Peter said he had to cover 16 villages in his parish and visited them on a monthly basis. The people would come in the hundreds and he would baptize the children. The people didn't come to the parish center because of the danger of robbers and land mines which made travel dangerous. He said he would anoint so many people his arm would grow tired. He might baptize 100 children at a time. The people are hungry for the sacraments. It isn't easy, but it is rewarding. Fr. Peter said he would stay for a week at a time in the villages. When Fr. Peter isn't in the villages, he has catechists that he has trained. He would bring them together and show them how to teach the faith to the people. Fr. Peter said they have many materials in their native languages, including the Bible. the basic parts of the Catechism have also been translated. Scot asked what kind of money the parish of St. Thomas had and where it came from. Fr. Peter said the people of the parish want to help with the programs of the parish, but they look to him as a provider of the material needs they don't have. They look to the Church to bring in international aid to the village. Fr. Peter said the Church there appealed to the Pontifical Mission Societies to provide a little money to create local projects to rise money. For instance, they built a ferryboat crossing the Nile River to raise money, which among other things helped them build a school. Fr. Peter said it's important to have a school because you have to preach Jesus but also teach them how to preach Jesus to others themselves. Fr. Chip asked how many priests in the Archdiocese. Fr. Peter said there are 54 priests, plus the archbishop. Not all of the priests are in parishes. Some work in institutions, but those who work in parishes are paired together. There is a major seminary for all of South Sudan. While some studies still go on in the seminary in Khartoum in the north, they will have to transfer soon because the northern government treats the students as foreigners who need permits to study there. Fr. Peter said when he was in Juba last September they opened a new parish. The archbishop celebrated the Mass under threes. Fr. Peter said a parish should have a church, a place for the pastor to live, a basic primary school for the children, a health clinic and dispensary. Today, to get malaria medicine, people have to walk sometimes 55 miles to Juba and some die on the road. Fr. Peter said these basic needs would be a huge contribution to the life of the people. Scot asked what people do in south Sudan for jobs. Fr. Peter said most people live on subsistence agriculture. They grow just enough to feed themselves and to buy medicine or pay school tuition comes out of that. Fr. Peter said before the peace agreement, most kids didn't even reach secondary school, whether due to lack of schools or because of insecurity. Now there is the possibility with new roads that people could even get to the towns for university study. Fr. Peter said war had scattered the people from their homes to other African nations or even to the rest of the world. In a way that was a blessing because many people were able to get higher education, even college degrees, while displaced and are now returning to contribute to the country. Fr. Peter said the United Nations is providing some aid through non-governmental organizations, which Fr. Peter said often have selfish ends. He said a number of NGOs did help to provide simple education and healthcare and food and shelter. Scot said the Pontifical Mission Societies help the Church there, but also Catholic Relief Services helps as well. Fr. Peter said CRS has helped southern Sudan for many years. Fr. Peter said they have particularly helped in education, building schools. They also provided healthcare and food and shelter. Other organizations include Aid to the Church in Need. But outside groups always want to manage their programs themselves as opposed to letting the local leaders prioritize their needs. Scot asked Fr. Peter what he thinks the people of the Archdiocese of Boston can help with. Fr. Peter said he hopes to support the pastoral needs of priests to reach the people. He means mobility. They don't have cars in most cases and when they do it's very old. Most walk on foot, which wastes a lot of time. He said people also look to the Church for food, shelter, medical services. All of this takes money and so hopes all of this can be supported. Scot recalled Fr. Paul O'Brien in Lawrence saying that the kids in the local Catholic school do better in school because they care for the whole person and the kids study better because they aren't hungry or aren't sick. Fr. Peter said the people need care for the whole person, the body and soul. Christ came to save us body and soul. Scot said if people wanted to help, the Catholic media secretariat in Boston will help create a website for Fr. Peter at which people can make donations.

Summary of today's show: Fr. Darin Colarusso was an Air Force aviator serving in Korea when he heard God unexpectedly calling him to the priesthood. Now he sits down with Scot Landry and Fr. Chip Hines to talk about that call and what's it been like to transition first to seminary life—at a time when the Church was undergoing great trials—and then into the priesthood and eventually his first pastorate. He says he has discovered the priesthood is the greatest excuse to love every person you meet. Fr. Darin also speaks about the future and his work with the archdiocesan pastoral planning commission and presbyteral council, advising Cardinal Seán on how the Church should organize herself for the next 50 years. Listen to the show: Today's host(s): Scot Landry and Fr. Chip Hines Today's guest(s): Fr. Darin Colarusso, pastor of St. Athanasius Parish, Reading Links from today's show: Today's topics: Pastor Profile: Fr. Darin Colarusso 1st segment: Scot welcomed Fr. Chip Hines as guest co-host for Fr. Matt Williams who is away. They discussed the recent vote in Foxboro that ended an attempt to build a casino in that town. Fr. Chip said that his parishioners were concerned about the casino in a neighboring town that they would have no say over. Scot said in the Pastoral Center today at the noon Mass they celebrated the 20 priests celebrating their 25th anniversary of the priesthood. Scot read their names on the air. Fr. Chip and Scot agreed that 25 years in service is the sweet spot of the priesthood, having served long enough to be well-known and to have plenty of experience. 2nd segment: Scot and Fr. Chip welcomed Fr. Darin Colarusso, who is pastor of St. Athanasius in Reading, which is Fr. Chip's home parish. Scot asked about his background. Fr. Darin said he grew up in Wilmington. His parents grew up in Wilmington. When he was 18, he went to the Air Force Academy. He entered flight training and became a Weapon Systems Officer in the F-4G Wild Weasel and the F-15E Strike Eagle. When he was 30, he ended up in a one -year non-flying assignment in Korea and began to investigate his faith life. He started praying the rosary after learning about Our Lady of Fatima. One day he was praying the rosary asking for God to show him the woman to marry and it came to him to be a priest. Scot asked about growing up in Wilmington. Fr .Darin said he never went to Catholic school until seminary. He alway wanted to be a pilot from when he was 3 years old. He said his mom's friends tell him stories about how he always wanted to fly jets. In high school, he was pretty standard college track, taking honors courses and engaging in athletics. He played golf and track and wrestling. His resume was good for the academy. He said during the Cold War, along as you were medically qualified you got a pilot slot. He washed out of the pilot slot, and ended up as a back-seater or navigator. He said in his second jet the pilot deployed the weapons while he did in his first het. He never employed weapons in combat, but only in training. He also flew in no-fly zones in the Middle East. Meanwhile, he has classmates who were in every major and minor conflict from 1988 to 2008. He was spared by Providence. He also served in Germany and was able to see Europe. He was also assigned to Nevada outside Las Vegas at Nellis Air Force Base. They could fly over the whole northern part of the state and then after hours be able to go into a major metropolitan area. Fr. Chip asked what it was like in Saudi Arabia, and Fr. Darin said it was hotter than Las Vegas. He spent 12 years active duty and 4 years in the academy. He never thought about the priesthood as a child and was never even an altar server. He also talked about the benefit of having come from the suburbs and now serving a suburban parish. Scot brought him back to the moment of hearing the call to the priesthood. Fr. Darin said he was shocked, but didn't realize the level of prayer he'd entered into. He had been praying the rosary on his knees in his room and said the interior voice called him, “I want you to be a priest.” He said he was typical of so many men who should be considering the priesthood, helping out at the parish, reading at Mass, and the like. Chaplains often asked him, but he rejected the notion out of hand. But when he heard the voice, he knew he should test that thought. He knew if God was calling him, he would have to say yes. A few weeks later, he would say to God in prayer that he'd received so many blessings that if he wanted him to be miserable the rest of his life, so be it. From there he went on to his next assignment for the next four years. He didn't apply to the seminary until 1998. He didn't realize he had to leave the military to become a priest. If he'd wanted to be a lawyer or doctor, the military would send him. He thought he could go to the seminary and come back as chaplain. At the time, that wasn't possible and he had to resign his commission. So going to the seminary was an even bigger commission, because even if he left, he would still be out of the military. There is a program now where a man can go from a military assignment to seminary as a chaplain candidate. There are a lot of guys going to the seminary now because of it. Scot asked how his friends in the service reacted. Fr. Chip guessed they were shocked. Fr. Darin said his close friends were close friends, but others would say he shouldn't give up looking for a wife and similar reactions. But by the time he left the service, his friends were supportive. He was in seminary from 2000 to 2006. Scot asked what it was like to hit the books again. Fr. Darin said Fr. Chip once saw him driving in his Jeep Grand Cherokee on the seminary grounds with a contented look on his face. Fr. Chip said at the time, there goes a man contented with his life. Fr. Darin said he was happy to study philosophy and go to Mass every day. Scot said the clergy sex-abuse scandal broke while Fr. Darin was there and asked what it was like in the seminary at the time. Fr. Darin said originally he did have a few reservations about studying for Boston, but wanted to be local after his mother yelled at him for even thinking about going somewhere else. But when the scandal broke, he realized why God had called him. He said you don't want every fighter pilot to be a priest, but you need a few, like you need artists and lawyers and the like in the priesthood. Fr. Darin said he was very conscious of being in a difficult scenario. He had a conversation with an academy classmate about some issues at the parish and his friend reacted that the reason for the issue is because they don't realize that failure is not option. That was their attitude at the seminary, that even if nothing else was left, they still say Mass on a card table. He noted that at the beginning of his time, there were 100 men in the seminary plus the college seminary. At the end, there were 25 men and no college seminary. Fr. Chip recalled being there at the same time and they agreed it was a tough time. Fr. Chip said it affected him every time he drove down Commonwealth and turning onto the chancery grounds and driving past every TV satellite truck and crowds of reporters. They eventually had to block it out and focus on what they were doing. He said the rectors did a good time keeping them focused. Fr. Darin was ordained in class of 2006. In the seminary, he was assigned as a deacon to St. Francis in Dracut nd served under the first he met in the process of applying to the seminary, Fr. Bob Blaney. He also served St. Agnes in Arlington and St. Ann's in Neponset, and he lived at Immaculate Conception in Salem for a summer while working on his hospital rotation. 3rd segment: This week's benefactor card raffle winner is Nancy Fitzsimmons from Duxbury, MA She wins “True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin” by St. Louis de Monfort. If you would like to be eligible to win in an upcoming week, please visit . For a one-time $30 donation, you'll receive the Station of the Cross benefactor card and key tag, making you eligible for WQOM's weekly raffle of books, DVDs, CDs and religious items. We'll be announcing the winner each Wednesday during “The Good Catholic Life” program. 4th segment: After ordination, Fr. Darin went to St. Francis in Braintree with Fr. Kevin Sepe. He was there for several years. Scot said it's a place with a lot of young families and is very active. People still walk to church there and they have inactive and successful parochial school. It was a good assignment because he was absorbing a model for his own priesthood from Fr. Sepe. Fr. Darin said the key lessons from first assignment is just learning how to be a priest. the first and most important lesson for a new priest is that the people do want to have you as their priest. People want you to succeed and they do want to love you. They also know you're new so they help you as well. Even now in his first assignment as pastor, when you're talking about certain topics, he has to keep in mind that people often know what the Church's teaching is and you have to take that into account when talking to them. You still have to be a representative of Christ and the Church. But the people know what you're going to be teaching, so it's about getting others to see the beauty that you've been able to see, say through seminary education and formation. Fr,. Chip said all priests want people to see the same thing they see in the beauty of the Church. It's like finding something wonderful and not wanting to share it. Scot said Fr. Sepe was a great gatherer of priests, bringing them together in his own rectory. Fr. Darin said it's important to recognize there is a cultural shift in the diocese and a lot of priests have worked out the right way to live and Fr. Sepe is one of them. Fr. Sepe is a very fraternal priest who wants the priests to be together. One priest had said that it was unusual for him to watch sports on TV with other priests in the same house, which is not the right way to live. Fr. Darin said, that being said, he lives alone at St. Athanasius, but he's not isolated form others. After 4 years, he was named pastor of St. Athanasius in Reading. Fr. Chip, who is on the personnel board and had called Fr. Darin about the opening. At the end of the first four year assignment, priests are advised to put their names in for pastorships or other assignments. So Fr. Darin got the opening in Reading while Fr. Chip went to his parish in Wrentham. Fr. Darin said the personnel board came up with a slate of priests that they give to the Cardinal, who picks one. Scot said one of Fr. Chip's jobs on the board is to encourage good priests to apply for openings that fit them. Fr. Chip said it was important in his mind to get some good guys to apply for his parents' parish. He said it's tough to get an opening and have no apply for it and then have to find men to offer it to. Scot asked what it was like to make the transition as first-time pastor. Fr. Darin said just as the slate was being decided for St. Athanasius, St. Francis in Dracut opened up. Clearly, if St. Francis had opened up earlier, he would have applied to it, but he said it all worked out as God intended. The transition was hard though, because he had lived in a good house in Braintree with other men and hadn't been interested in leaving the assignment and serve for six or seven years. He said he felt like he needed to learn everything, having never been an altar server. He was scared, but knew that failure was not option. Scot said he would do his best and trust in God. Fr. Darin said while he was still considering the assignment, he stopped at St. Athanasius and went into the church to pray. He knelt before the tabernacle and got the feeling that God said to relax, that He will take care of everything. He felt like it was what he was meant to do. He did like the idea of going to a smaller parish as a starter place for him. Fr. Darin said there are about 1,900 registered parishioners. They have about 600-700 people coming to Mass during the school year. They are a medium-sized parish. They are distinctive for their architecture. The church was built in 1960 and has the shape of what he called a Dorito chip. He said it's like the Air Force Academy architecture and he's very fond of it. The other parish in Reading is St. Agnes and he said they're working on collaboration. Fr. Stephen Rock at St. Agnes is a former Navy chaplain and he said they get along fine despite that. He said one of the joys of serving his parish is how new and different it is. He said the priesthood is the greatest excuse to love every person you meet. As a pastor, versus parochial vicar, the benefit is you come as being sent by the Cardinal and are replied upon to see to the needs of the parish and are expected to move it in a direction of improvement or maintenance if it's going well. That process has been awesome for him. He said it's the right size for one priest. With regard to being on the presbyteral council and the pastoral planning commission, it allows him to make St. Athanasius as a model and example parish for the future of the Archdiocese. Scot asked what it's like to be on a commission charged with helping Cardinal Sean plan for the next 25 to 50 years. He said excellent advice has been that Fr. Darin has an opinion, but it's not the only opinion. He said they are offering a framework that has to be modified for each local situation, which will require input from all kinds of areas within the archdiocese. He sees the dedication of the people throughout the archdiocese, including laypeople who are extremely competent in their fields and serving the Church. Fr. Darin said it's difficult to change the culture and change course. The book is being re-written and there isn't anything historical to fall back on.

Today's host(s): Scot Landry and Fr. Chip Hines Links from today's show: Today's topics: Pastoral Planning consultations Summary of today's show: Scot Landry and Fr. Chip Hines, the pastor of two parishes in Wrentham and Plainville, discuss the progress of the pastoral planning consultations in the Archdiocese, what the current proposals are, and the rationale behind them. They also discuss this upcoming Sunday's Gospel reading. 1st segment: Scot welcomed Fr. Chip back to the show. Fr. Chip is now pastor of two parishes and he's been busy with his parochial vicar on retreat. They will be discussing the progress of pastoral planning consultations, especially Phase 2, and how it's being accepted in the Archdiocese. 2nd segment: Scot said the Pastoral Planning consultation kicked off formally in this effort to put a recommendation before groups in order to get feedback to refine a final recommendation for Cardinal Sean later this year. It started with a convocation of priests in December, sharing principles. Phase 2 was proposing parish groupings. Phase 3 is sharing it with various interest groups. Scot said back in December heard the principles which is to provide more resources for parishes and help them thrive and grow by banding together. Fr. Chip said he was interested by the proposal because it's a unique way of going about this kind of work they are thinking outside the box. He was already pastoring two parishes so he's on the front line of all this. He thinks there's been a generally positive response from priests. Some may be concerned at what it means exactly, but he thinks the archdiocese is taking those concerns into account. Secondly, people are worried what it means for the jobs of those who work in parishes. Scot said some of what was share in the Phase 1 consultation was that 50 of the 291 parishes already share a pastor with another parish. Msgr. Bill Fay, co-chair of the pastoral planning commission, said it hasn't been done looking at the macro situation of the Archdiocese, looking at the situation of the entire archdiocese. We want to get ahead of the shrinking of the available priests over the next five years. Fr. Chip said he sits on the priest personnel board and when they make new assignments they often consider whether the new pastor can take of more than one parish. That's good, but it's not the culture of planning that Cardinal Seán wants. Scot said Cardinal Seán is trying to make that it ties to the strategic priorities he's put in place, including strengthening parishes as primary communities of faith. Scot said the commission on December 5 said the proposal is not a proposal to close or merge parishes. Scot said that's been often misunderstood in secular media. It's also not a proposal to close churches within parishes or to restructure parishes. It's a proposal to reorganize and regroup parish staffing and how priests are organized to serve parishes. Scot said back in the 1950s parishes had pastors who already served 20 years in parishes, a senior curate, a lot of junior curates, a lot of religious sisters and then a couple of lay employees, like a maintenance man. Now many of the parish staff have become lay professionals. Scot said even if nothing was done, most priests would be pastors of more than one parish in five years. Fr. Chip said the Archdiocese is very big in the numbers of people and the number of resources, including buildings. Scot said the reason for Pastoral Service Teams is it consolidates in order to have one pastor with one team for the collaborative. Fr. Chip said the process will cause some angst, but once we're through it, this will be great for parishes. It's also important to note the increasing professional of parish staff members. They emphasized that this is still a proposal. One of the proposals is the Pastoral Collaborative with a Pastoral Service Team. The collaborative has one pastor, one parochial vicar, one finance council, one pastoral council. The Pastoral Service Teams consolidate services. For example, they can bring together three different DREs and they would become DRE for children, one for teens and one for adults. No one necessarily has to lose their job. This means they can focus on expanding services. It can also helps pastors move beyond the focus on administrative trivia to be free for evangelization. Key questions include how the pastors will be chosen for the new PSTs. Some criticisms have been aired in the media. On the choosing of parish staffs, people are assuming a lot of people losing their jobs, but people will have the opportunity to expand their roles. 3rd segment: Scot said there's no perfect way to group parishes. Fr. Chip emphasized that the proposed groupings are not a done deal. The parishes were grouped by six criteria: Geographic proximity. In addition to being in the same town, they also considered sharing school systems. Combined weekly offertory of $500,000 per year. They're looking for income for mission, not maintenance. Sufficient other income to cover remaining operating expenses. An average of 1,600 Mass attendees per weekend in the pastoral collaborative. 1,600 was chosen as the basis for parish size based on how many a pastor can serve. Current sacramental index and what kinds of sacraments involved. They discussed the unique situation of St. Paul, Cambridge wit ha parish, the Harvard Catholic student center, and the choir school so it serves essentially three different parishes. Another parish recommended as a standalone parish is St. Bonaventure in Plymouth. The town is so big and growing so fast that it makes sense that for current and projected demographics stays as a standalone parish. Most of the groupings are 2s and 3s. Some are as many as four. Eleven parishes are recommended to standalone. Fr. Chip's two parishes are already in the proposed grouping. They will be having meetings in any case to discuss the pastoral planning process, involving as many people as possible. Even in this cluster, they will see a lot of change. They currently have two pastoral councils, two finance councils, and two staffs. Fr. Chip said there will be growing pains. He has two deacons and their roles will continue to evolve. They will have to sit down as a staff and understand how to make this work. They've already changed the Mass schedule so that one priest could do all the Sunday Masses if necessary. They have two 8am Masses and two 4pm Masses. They moved one Mass, cancelled another and tweaked others. A lot of the people at the parish that lost the 4pm Mass went to the other parish and now the moved Mass now has a lot more younger families coming at 5:30. Scot said there is a fear that people will stop going to Mass when you changed the schedule. Fr. Chip said it doesn't look like he's lost people, but just that they're going to different parishes. He does tell them they can put their envelopes for the home parish in the other parish's collection. Change is hard and some are upset, but that's a small group. Most people understand we have to change. Scot said he hopes we all step back despite the changes and see how blessed we are by the number of parishes and churches and priests and deacons and religious. It's awesome we can find a Mass within about 20 minutes in any half hour of the day on Sunday. There are people in other parts of the country who have to drive an hour to get to one possible Sunday Mass. Fr. Chip said he hopes that more people are evangelized and we end up breaking up the collaboratives eventually because they are full of people and priests. 4th segment: Now as we do every week at this time, we will consider the Mass readings for this Sunday, specifically the Gospel reading. This is the last Sunday before the beginning of Lent. When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them. They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Child, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves, “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?” Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk?' But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth” -he said to the paralytic, “I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.” He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.” Scot recalled last week's Gospel in which Jesus cures a leper. Before curing this man, he cures the man's soul by taking away his sins. Jesus is saying if you want to be healed, it's more important to be healed of your sins before seeking healing for your soul. Lent is a good time to clean out that junk from our souls. Fr. Chip said sin paralyzes us and makes us stiff. God wants us to be animated in what we do.We need to look at ourselves and ask what's holding me back, keeping me less inclined from doing something good? Scot said Jesus is surrounded by a large crowd and people who want to see Jesus do some crazy things: Hanging from trees, risking death. In this case, they open the roof and Jesus sees it for the desperate love that it is. Some people responded negatively though. They accuse Jesus of blaspheming even though the fruits of Jesus' ministry were so clear. Jesus wants to cure their blindness that prevents them from seeing how God loves them. Fr. Chip said we still have those among us who are saying those same things. Scot said the leper last week didn't do what Jesus told him and this paralytic does what Jesus told him to do: Pick up your mat and go home.

Today's host(s): Scot Landry Today's guest(s): Mother Maureen, Sr. Evelyn, Sr. Katy, Sr. Janice, and Sr. Evelyn of Mount Saint Mary Abbey, Wrentham, Mass. Links from today's show: Today's topics: Trappist nuns who make world-famous chocolate Summary of today's show: They say it's the best kept secret in New England and along a quiet, tree-lined road in the rural town of Wrentham sits an unassuming monastery of contemplative women who make chocolate beloved around the world. Scot Landry goes on location to Mount Saint Mary's Abbey, where the Trappist nuns support their way of life by making and selling Trappistine Quality Candy (perfect for Christmas gifts!) and practice the Cistercian life of liturgy, labor, and lectio divina. Join us on a rare behind-the-scenes look at life in a place where life moves at a different pace. 1st segment: St. Mary Abbey in Wrentham is the first abbey of Cistercian abbey of nuns in the United States. We are on location in Wrentham to share with you their way of life and show Mother Maureen, Sister Katy and Sister Evelyn join us today. Scot asked Mother Maureen about the origins of the Cistercians. The order was founded in 1098 by Benedictines living in a culture that didn't allow for the full expression of the Benedictine way of life. These monks missed the manual labor as well as the solitude and prayer that comes with less involvement in secular affairs. So they went off into the thick woods of France with the Church's blessing to work the land and find a purer balance of the Benedictine way of life: Liturgy, labor, and lectio divina. This way of life took off like wildfire. Scot said at some point the Cistercians underwent a reform which resulted in the Trappists, formally called the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance. Mother Maureen said the order looked back to its roots which helped it to survive difficult times, including the French revolution. Scot said there are other Cistercians abbeys in the US, including 12 for women. Sr. Katy said there is usually a monastery of nuns located near a monastery of women. The Abbey in Spencer, Mass., was already here and then Cardinal Cushing in 1949 asked for the sisters to come from Ireland to found this monastery. The numbers grew very quickly and they began to make foundations elsewhere. The first was in Iowa and the second in Arizona and third in West Virginia. Scot said they take a vow of stability. They promise to stay in the abbey for the rest of their life. Sr. Katy said the exception is if they make a new foundation, but if they come it's their intention to stay in the community until death. It's a blessing to have that continuation. It's a little bit of heaven because we believe after death we will be together forever. She said they never get bored with one another because they're always changing. Scot said there are 45 nuns in this monastery. Sr. Katy said they're starting to see young women come to visit again. They don't like to take them too young because the life is quite radical and so they would like them to have some maturity. Mother Maureen said about 1/4 of the nuns are from New England and 1/4 from the rest of the United States and since the 1990s they've had many more from overseas, so about 1/4 are from 10 different countries. And if they count the ones in the cemetery, about 1/4 are from New York state. She said there are more monasteries of men than women and there are some countries with Cistercian monasteries for men, but not women, so women who are interested in the monastic spirituality in the life will seek out the community. Scot said when they make a vow of stability to this community, they are leaving behind their country and they are discerning God's will that this community is where they will stay the rest of their days. She said when you have people from a number of cultures living together, it relativizes the culture and brings you to the essence of religious life. Scot asked how the diversity of background adds to the life. Sr. Katy said they are gifted and blessed to have so many cultures involved here. God has a wonderful sense of humor and a wonderful treasure he gives to us not just in accepting the other, but in being accepted and being able to live together. You come for one reason: to live for God. Other reasons can include the life of prayer, the life of work, the life of community, but in the end when everything else falls away, the one thing you have left is God. That is proven when you have so many people from so many cultures. Scot said when you live a life of stability with a very regimented schedule, that might not appeal to someone coming from a busy life. He asked Sr. Evelyn as the novice mistress how she helps seekers to adjust to the life of the abbey. She said when someone does come, most of the time they're very grateful for the simple life and they say to themselves they don't know how they dealt with the old way. Most who come have already started to live a prayer life outside and have had to give up a lot of their activities so when they come they plunge in. After a while, when you have a routine, you start to live within and the adventure is really within. You realize that God is really the adventure, because he's speaking to you in this quiet life. Scot asked Mother Maureen how she discerned her vocation. She said her father gave her the book the by Thomas Merton when she was 15. Her dad loved Dorothy Day, who played a big part in Merton's life. When she finished the book, she realized that it was a mirror of a desire she didn't know she'd had. When she told her dad, he said it wasn't why he gave her the book, but it was too late. It was a seed that grew in her. Scot asked Sr. Katy about her vocation. Her parents were very supportive of what she wanted to do in her life. She'd been in an another order for a number of years before coming to the Trappistines. As a little girl she'd wanted to be a sister, but that got put on the shelf during high school. As she came to graduation she felt God pulling her in this direction. She also tried nursing and entered the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul and was with them for years. That community would often go to a nearby men's monastery for Mass and prayers and felt a growing call for the solitude that was there and the vocation came from deep within and there was nothing to do but follow it. She loved the Daughters of Charity, this was the right move to make. She's never regretted it. Sr. Evelyn is Scottish and came to Canada with no intention of entering a monastery. She got the call as she left Scotland. She desired to love God as much as she could and she went around to all kinds of other active orders, but she had a desire for the contemplative life. The person helping her thought she was too extroverted for contemplative life. The book that really struck her was the book She was told that she should go to America rather than stay in Canada because she didn't speak French. She finally came to the abbey and the day she walked in the door,she knew she was home. Scot asked her how an extrovert can live a life of silence every day. She said the silence was what attracted her because the silence helps her to pray. She's a talker, but what she really loves most is the silence. 2nd segment: Scot said life in the abbey is about Liturgy, Lectio Divina, and Labor. The liturgical life includes seven times of prayer each day. Mother Maureen said St. Benedict loved the phrase from the Psalm, seven times a day I have praised you. The figurative meaning is giving the life wholly in praise. They rise before dawn, at 3:20am, to begin the day with prayer. This is key to Cistercian spirituality, rising in the night to meet with God. All the activities of the community revolve around those hours of prayer, so each part of the day is blessed by liturgical praise. Scot asked the other times during the day they pray the Divine Office. Mother Maureen said Morning Prayer is a 6:30, followed by Mass. They have three little hours and then a solemn evening hour of Vespers and then Compline at 7:15 at which time they go to sleep. All the prayers are in the chapel in community, except the Ninth Hour, at noon, which is prayed wherever they are working. Scot asked Sr. Katy about Lectio. She said Lectio Divina is one of the most important aspects of their life. It includes Scripture reading. It feeds the heart and soul. It's different from reading a book to study or for pleasure. It goes to the heart and it's never finished and can never be replaced by anything else. You carry the word or phrase you receive throughout the day and comes back to you as they day goes on. Some sisters use the readings from daily Mass for Lectio. Not everyone uses the same readings. Scot said his sense is that it's deep, slow, and short reading. Not a chapter in a book, but a paragraph or sentence. Sr. Katy said it's important to read it slowly and several times. A word might catch you or a phrase and it's important to stay with that. Sometimes nothing comes and that's okay too. God can speak in the silence. Scot asked for what they could tell listeners to integrate it into their own prayer lives. She suggested setting aside a particular time of day, perhaps in the morning. Don't feel you need to read something in its entirety, take it slow. Read it over and over again. Try to carry it with you throughout the day. Scot asked Sr. Evelyn why Labor is such important part of the life of a Cistercian nun. She said part of their life is to live by the labor of their hands. They've chosen that they want to live by their labor and take care of their own needs. Different aspects of life have different labors. There is a prayer in work that reveals what's going on in your heart. You are in prayer, you are in one place. When you're in work, it reveals the depth of character, especially when things don't go well. Being able to see work as a gift and to offer your whole heart in your work can amplify the prayer before or after that. Scot asked what forms of labor there are at the abbey. In addition to candy making, there is the office work they do. They have a flock of sheep to care for and groundskeeping and building maintenance. There is plenty of cooking, housework, and taking care of the sick in the infirmary. They have a bindery and a shoe shop as well. Scot asked Mother Maureen if the sisters rotate among the jobs or stay at one job. She said they do try to have a balance of detachment and using people's gifts. Some of the work is more technical so a person who has work like that, like actually cooking or treasurer has to have certain skills. It varies, some keep their jobs longer than others. There is a common good and a personal good and they try their best to balance those. Scot asked Sr. Katy how a woman might want to discern whether this is the way of life for them. Sr. Katy would invite them to a monastic weekend, which they offer twice per year. It gives them an overview and closeup view of the way they live. If the woman and the community feel it might be prudent for them, they invite them back to live in the guest house for about a week. The next step is for them to come inside and live with them for up to six weeks. After that would be acceptance into the order as a postulant. She said she makes clear that their number one work is prayer. They don't work in schools or hospitals. 3rd segment: Scot welcomed Sr. Janice, who oversees the business operations of Trappistine Candy. He said we've learned that labor is one of the ways the nuns grow in their faith. He asked her about the candy business here. She said they make a variety of candy and offer them in various combination. Their bestseller is butternut munch in milk chocolate and dark chocolate. They also make several kinds of fudge. They also make milk and ark chocolate squares. Scot asked what makes it unique. Sr. Janice it's made with love and prayers and when they make it they remember those who supply them with the goods to make it or support them by purchasing it because it supports their life and vocations. People can buy it at the gift store, but they can also purchase it online. Sr. Janice said their candy has gone to every continent, but Antarctica. The bulk of their business is domestic and have many customers who use their candy for gift-giving. Some people from far away have heard about them and found them online and just buy the candy. If people wanted to order the candy, they can go to or call 1-866-549-8929. They sell well more than 1,000 orders at Christmas. Scot said it's obviously well more than 1,000 by the humble look on Sr. Janice's face. Scot asked her what the one thing about she wanted to share about their candy. She said the sisters have a contest to see which state purchases the most candy: It's usually Massachusetts or New York. New York won once, but Massachusetts has carried the pennant for the past 40 years. 4th segment: Scot welcomed Sr. Pamela and she is the new media expert in the abbey. He asked how embracing new media is part of their work. She handles the website and Facebook page for the abbey. She also troubleshoots anything in the monastery as well. They had their first website back in the 1990s, as soon as it was possible. It's been important for their work, not just for vocations, but also for supporting the general Catholic population. They have visitors from all over the world and there's a general hunger among people to find the authentic Christian life. It has helped with vocations. If the website wasn't there they would think the sisters out of touch. She said, if used properly and with discretion, Facebook is a way to evangelize. They use it to reach not just family and friends, but all people interested in their life. She often posts about events and photos. She posts prayer requests, summaries of homilies, and the like. People sometimes submit prayer requests through the Facebook page and through a form on their website. Scot said they also have a Flickr.com page and there are a lot of photos from recent events at the Abbey. Sr. Pamela said they just opened it this summer. As a Mac user she had been using a .Mac account, but since that is closing, she's moved to Flickr. Scot said being able to communicate with the outside world connects what they do here in the community with the universal Church. She said when people do come here to visit they often comment on that connection. Mother Maureen finished by saying that every Christian has a call to reflect the life of Jesus in some way, but no person or group can exhaust the mystery of Jesus. They are called to express the love of Christ in their life of community. Each person's journey in their prayer life is uncharted, but it is all about entering into the heart of Christ and his prayer.

Today's host(s): Scot Landry and Fr. Chip Hines Today's guest(s): Sister Bridget Haase, OSU, spirituality coordinator of The Boston Home, and a former missionary to Appalachia , by Sister Bridget Haase Today's topics: The amazing 50 years of ministry of Sr. Bridget Haase, OSU Summary of today's show: Ursuline Sr. Bridget Haase sits down with Scot and Fr. Chip and, in her charming New Orleans accent, shows them why she's known as a master storyteller, as she weaves stories of her 50 years in religious life, from Appalachia to the Sudan to Boston, where she now serves The Boston Home and is co-host of a weekly radio show with her brother, Fr. Albert. 1st segment: Scot welcomed Fr. Chip back to the show and noted that Fr. Chip has a new assignment as pastor of two parishes. He is still pastor of St. Mary in Wrentham and is now pastor of St. Martha in Plainville as well. He is grateful to the Cardinal for his confidence in him. Scot noted that Martha and Mary in Scripture had two personalities (the sisters, of course), and asked if they had two personalities as parishes. Fr. Chip admitted that St. Mary is named after Our Lady and the people probably wouldn't like to re-dedicate the parish. 2nd segment: Scot welcomed Sr. Bridget to the show. She is celebrating 52 years of religious life as an Ursuline nun and in January she will celebrate 50 years after her final profession. Sister was born and raised in New Orleans, but she says people always think she has a Boston accent. She said when you love New Orleans, she'll love you right back. Plus everybody is family. If you see a neighbor in the store, you'll call them Aunt or Uncle and you'll go up and give them a kiss. When she was 4 years old, she went to Ursuline Academy in junior kindergarten and she met her first nun. At first she was scared by the nun's habit, but then she was so kind to her that she stayed at the academy throughout schooling and then entered the order after graduation. She first experienced the calling to the religious life during a mandatory retreat in her senior year. She remembers coming into a conference room where there was a huge crucifix and hearing a talk by a priest. He called the girls to attention and asked them what they've done for Jesus, what are they doing for him, and what will they do for him. The first two answers were “nothing” and on the third, her heart opened and heard a question in her heart asking her to be a nun. She agreed and she became an Ursuline. There was never any doubt in her after that point. She received a college degree at the College of New Rochelle and began teaching. She was assigned to first grade in Kirkwood, Missouri. There were 40 children and not even room for a desk. That was in 1965. It was an experience in which she saw the children as a gift from God. It was very hard, but it all worked out. Fr. Chip asked her if she misses it and she said she misses it terribly. Before she dies, she has a plan to go into first grade classes and be Sister Storyteller and tell stories of Catholic values. Scot asked Sr. Bridget was led her to serve in Appalachia in eastern Kentucky. She's discovered that God comes in surprises and disguises and He always has something up the Divine Sleeve. She was watching a program with Charles Kuralt on Christmas in Appalachia. She had the same experience like with the Cross: “Would you go there?” So she went to her superiors. She did the research on where she would go and then for two summers she went to Bible camps. After that she asked to go full-time. Many people had never even seen a Catholic before, but they were welcoming. Sr. Bridget and another sister ended up living in a small shed heated by a coal stove with an outhouse. No electricity, no indoor plumbing. But everybody lived that way. They lived next door to a gentleman, Bird Bradley, who became a spiritual mentor. One day she came home from school and found he had lined the outhouse with squirrel skin fur from squirrels he'd trapped. He said it was to keep them warm in the outhouse on cold days. Another time, he was sitting under a tree and Sister asked him if he ever got lonely. He looked shocked and said, “When a man has a stout chair, a good chew of tobacco, and knows that he has God on his side, how can a man be lonely?” When we are in touch and focused on God, how can we be lonely. Years later, as she was preparing to go to another mission, she asked him what she would do if he died while she was gone. He said, “Don't go crying. I'll be setting purty up on top of the hill. But look here” and touched his arm “this is where I live now, but when I die I will be in a new house and there will always be room for you there.” Sr. Bridget in her five years in Appalachia came to know that we are all of us children of God. After Appalachia, Sister served in Sudan and Senegal and Mexico. Sister said she's learned that God cares for us, but we absolutely have to care for one another. Sometimes we are God's answer to someone else's prayer. We have to do the little things with great loves. Nothing is inconsequential, everything matters. Everybody she meets reflects God, whether in Boston or Senegal or Sudan or Appalachia. You don't have to go somewhere else to find God, He is all around us in everyone we meet. Fr. Chip asked her how she came to Boston. Sister said she had a dream in which she had a bus ticket and didn't know where it was going to. She later realized that she wanted to be near her mother in her last years. Her mother was living in New Hampshire with her sister and so she asked her superior to live with the Ursuline community in Boston. They had a wonderful 4 years together until her mother began the long journey of Alzheimers. Scot noted the Ursuline sisters were among the first religious orders in Boston. The first convent was in Charlestown, and was burned down in anti-Catholic riots. They later opened a convent near Boston Common and then in Dedham. 3rd segment: Scot said Sr. Bridget has a weekly radio show with her brother, Albert, who is a Franciscan priest. It's called “Spirit and Life” and it's on the Relevant Radio network. Relevant Radio approached them as the first brother/sister priest/nun radio show. They've had about 96 shows so far. They take spiritual issues from our Catholic faith and ask what it means for the 21st century. They start each show with 5 minutes of chat they call “Bayou Banter”. They then talk 26 minutes with no commercials. It airs on Saturday and repeats throughout the weekend. The full schedule is on the Relevant Radio website and you can listen online. Scot said he first heard about Sister Bridget when he saw her book “Generous Faith: Stories to Inspire Abundant Living”, from which all the royalties go to the care of the elderly sisters of her order. She decided before she had 50 years of vows that she wanted to thank God for everything people have given her life because they way they lived inspired her. So she decided to tell their stories. She tells the stories of her mother's Alzheimer's and her father's suicide. She told one of the stories from the book. She was feeling down and out one time and decided to make a retreat at the Genesis Retreat Center in Westfield, Mass. She had planned everything she wanted God to do for her on the retreat. She took the train and then buses to Springfield. She's sitting on the bus and encountered a homeless man. She tried to look inconspicuous because she didn't want an encounter with him. He got up and offered her a peppermint from his pocket. She refused nicely, but felt bad about it. As she was getting off the bus, she heard him yell at her, “Miss, you're looking good, real good.” She got off the bus with a dance in her step and a song in her heart. That homeless man cared for her. It's a witness that God never abandons us. The power of being noticed and receiving a word of encouragement. If we live in the moment, in divine care, and in the eyes of other people (the book's three divisions), we have abundant living, knowing we are blessed by God. Jesus came that we might have life and have it in the full. Not material abundance necessarily. Fr. Chip asked who inspires her now. Sister Bridget said the Boston Home where she is spirituality coordinator. There are 96 residents, adults paralyzed with degenerative neurological disease, ages 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s. Some have only very little mobility, in motorized chairs, moving only by sipping and blowing into a straw or with a single-finger of mobility. She's learned to live in the moment and in the day. All we have is this day and this moment and our attitude is everything. She doesn't find it depressing there because she's always learning about courage and the power of the human spirit. Sister said she remembers Karen, who has since died, who came to her every day for six years and always said the same thing. She was totally paralyzed, but she would always say with great difficulty, “God is so good.” She almost died with those words on her lips. Scot said so many of us can talk an encyclopedia about God, but this one simple sentence sums up everything: “God is so good.” Sister said we have it all in our heads, but it has gotten to our heart. But Karen's disease took all that from her head and all she had was in her heart. One of the residents came to her and he had a terrible cold. He asked her to wipe his nose. When she finished, he said he was sorry to have to ask. She asked, “Would you have done it for me?” and he said, “In a heartbeat.” That's the washing of the feet. 4th segment: Now as we do each week at this time, we will hear the Gospel reading for this coming Sunday's Mass and then consider its meaning for us. The Pharisees went off and plotted how they might entrap Jesus in speech. They sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. And you are not concerned with anyone's opinion, for you do not regard a person's status. Tell us, then, what is your opinion: Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?” Knowing their malice, Jesus said, “Why are you testing me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin that pays the census tax.” Then they handed him the Roman coin. He said to them, “Whose image is this and whose inscription?” They replied, “Caesar's.” At that he said to them, “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” Scot said this is one of the more memorable images of Jesus, evading the verbal traps set by the Pharisees. If Jesus had answered yes or no, he would have offended some group, but he transcended the situation. Sister said people sometimes mix up the message, that if only we follow God we will be promised material abundance. Scot said Jesus was very blunt and direct, calling the Pharisees hypocrites and calling out their real motives. Fr. Chip said the genius of Jesus is being able to turn a yes or no question back on them. We could preach this one Gospel passage our whole lives. Scot said we have responsibilities to be a good neighbor and citizen, but we also have to be a good member of the Church. We need to do both, although our duty to God comes first. We need to understand what we need to return to God. If we're a success, we need to remember that everything is a gift, a grace, and a blessing. Sister said we don't do good, but that God does good through us. To God be the glory. give to God what belongs to God and that is everything you do and desire. Give your heart to God first. Scot said it's not a fundraising pitch; it's not about money. Give your heart, mind, soul and life back to God. Sister said sometimes we have to ask ourselves, to reflect on what belongs to God in our own lives. Scot noted that sometimes the word is render and now it is re-pay. Fr. Chip said we can't really re-pay to Jesus what we owe him, so we try. How do we re-pay to God? Go to Mass. Jesus told us to celebrate the Mass in community. Then celebrate it with your all. Bring all your cares and worries and offer them to him, then give him praise and worship. Fr. Chip said we should give of ourselves to the parish, the people you're in community with. We start with Mass and then are sent forward into the world to bring it to other people.

**Today's host(s):** Scot Landry  **Today's guest(s):** Jim and Terry Orcutt, founders of My Brother's Keeper, and Jack Shaughnessy Sr. of Shaughnessy and Ahern Hauling and Rigging * [My Brother's Keeper](http://www.mybrotherskeeper.org/) * ["As it celebrates it's 20th year, My Brother's Keeper bids farewell to founders," by Vicki-Ann Downing, Brockton Enterprise (6/9/08)](http://www.wickedlocal.com/easton/news/x902824572/As-it-celebrates-its-20th-year-My-Brother-s-Keeper-bids-farewell-to-founders) * ["College students learn to give of selves," by Michael Quinlan, Patriot Ledger (12/11/99)](College students learn to give of selves) * ["The hard lives of the needy made easier," by Beverly Beckham, Boston Herald (9/11/98)](http://www.mybrotherskeeper.org/News_and_Press_Full_Stories.htm#needy) **Today's topics:** My Brother's Keeper, a volunteer ministry providing assistance in southeastern Massachusetts **Summary of today's show:** **1st segment:** Scot said the corporal works of mercy and the spiritual works of mercy are essential elements of our faith. He is inspired by ministries that integrate the corporal and spiritual works together. One such ministry is My Brother's Keeper in the Brockton and Easton area. Scot welcomed Jim and Terry Orcutt and Jack Shaughnessy to the show. Jack had asked Scot on our first show to have Jim and Terry on the show. Jack said it's an extraordinary all-volunteer ministry. Most of the volunteers are students at local Catholic high schools and colleges. Jack had read about a young woman at Stonehill College who was assigned to My Brother's Keeper as part of her social service requirement and she spent two weeks there. Part of My Brother's Keeper's ministry delivers household furniture to people who often have none at all. They give furniture that is secondhand but looks like new to people who are often living in small apartments in the poorer parts of Brockton and who are sleeping on the floors of their apartments because they can't afford anything more than rent. When they deliver the furniture, the people are often so very grateful, but Jim tells them, "Don't thank us. We're only the delivery people." They then give the recipients a small crucifix for their home. The young woman after spending two weeks there literally had her whole life turned around. Scot asked how the idea for My Brother's Keeper came about. Terry said she and Jim had lived a Cursillo retreat weekend in the late 80s and after that weekend, they saw a movie about a mom who lost her job and struggled to find a place to live and ended up having to give up her daughter to foster care. They were so touched by it that they wanted to do something. They saw the empty bedroom their grown son had just vacated and thought that this was all the woman needed. So they made a covenant with the Lord that they would do what He asked of them. Jim said the promise said to God that they wanted to bring their love and hope to people, but they didn't know what to do and they asked him to guide them. They had a desire and a willingness, but that isn't getting the job done without action. At the time they were both working in low-paying jobs in a rented house. They made up flyers on 8.5x11 paper with "We collect things for homeless people." They started to get calls from people who had material to donate and they would pick them up with their car and store them in their cellar. Their philosophy is that if you work for the Lord you should take your work seriously, but not yourself. They had to laugh at themselves because they eventually realized they had no one to give the material to, so they looked up homeless shelters and started making contacts in the area. He finally had someone tell him that she had an apartment but no furniture and that's how they started.  There's a danger of over-thinking things. Jim said he tells t heir college student volunteers that there's only three things that we need for God to do great things through us: A desire to serve God and people in his name; a willingness to prioritize that desire; and to act. The ministry has grown overtime and God has provided as they grew. When they started they had an '85 Cavalier with roof racks, their cellar, and Jim and Terry. God provided "sufficient unto their needs." In the past 23 years they've been in several locations, but now they're in a state-of-the-art, 15,000-square-foot, brand-new building built in 2002 with private funds adjacent to Stonehill College; a fleet of five trucks; a staff of 6; and 2,000 volunteers, 450 of whom are student volunteers. Most of the student volunteers come from private schools and upper-middle class and affluent homes.  One of Jim's own grandkids who just graduated high school has never seen the kind of conditions some of their recipients live in: peeling paint, cockroaches, garbage in the driveway, cramped triple-decker apartments. They spend a great deal of time with experiential learning. Sometimes the kids ask how the adults spend so much time on the students. Jim says its because this generation will be the leaders of society in 20 years and they want to be able to make the decisions about the poor from their experiences, not just academics or intellectual exercises. Terry said it's often devastating for the students to walk into some of these homes for the first time; to see them with not a single piece of furniture. They often talk about how their bedrooms at home are bigger than the whole apartment and how sad it is that the little kids are running around indoors in the winter with coats on because there is no heat and the ovens are open to keep them warm. They see how excited the kids get over a new bed or having a refrigerator full of food. The students get to know the people that are served and become friends with them. They realize that they are ordinary people just like them. Terry said there all types of people who call for help; battered women, men who've lost jobs. She had one woman who called and said they had nothing in their apartment. In talking with her, she heard that all they had was a small mattress on the floor. They itemized a list of all they would need. In the middle of the call, they got cut off and she never called Terry back. Terry got very concerned so they loaded up the truck with everything. The woman was overwhelmed that they came anyway. When Jim plugged in the fridge it didn't work and he apologized and said they would bring another, but the woman said she had been too embarrassed to tell them that she didn't have electricity. Jim asked her how she was eating. She said the man who lived upstairs would run a cord down the stairs and she borrowed a microwave and that's how she fed her children. So Jim and Terry called the electric company and arranged to have her bill taken care of. The woman called and said to Terry that the night before they came with her furniture, their electricity was disconnected and she took her girls out onto the porch and all they had to eat was an apple. She cut the apple in quarters, gave them all a piece, and taught them to sing Alleluia to the Lord. And when the truck came the next morning, she told the kids that the Lord heard their prayer. Scot said to Jack that we often think of poverty as something over in Africa or somewhere else. While Jack had a hard upbringing himself, was he shocked to see the depths of poverty we have in cities like Brockton? Jack said he is shocked and dismayed to see how close it is to us. Jack said he attended Boston College high School and there he learned how to become a man for others. It is mandatory today for all their students to get involved in ministries such as My Brother's Keeper. Jack said even towns that are considered to be affluent have dozens of deliveries from My Brother's Keeper. **2nd segment:** Scot said to Jim that he was moved earlier this week to read on their website their policies. * My Brother's Keeper shall have no prerequisites for service. No one seeking assistance shall be required to justify their need or provide any information, e.g., an income statement. * Each person that we have the privilege of serving will be presented a crucifix as a gift for their home, and the following message shall be conveyed: * "We're just the delivery people, this is the person who sent you the furniture." * If the crucifix is declined for a stated religious reason, e.g., "No thank you, I'm Jewish," our reply should be: "No problem ... whoever your God is ... that's who sent you the furniture." * All My Brother's Keeper vehicles shall be unmarked so as to protect the privacy and dignity of those whom we are given the privilege of serving. Jim said all of their policies emanated from situations that came about that they knew would come up again. The policies give them a consistent way of dealing with the situation. Jim said they aren't trained ministers and so these policies come from their experience in the mission. The mission of the organization is the reason why it exists. He said too often you see many organizations with long, involved mission statements that even the president of the organization would have trouble repeating to you. The mission has to be memorable such that everyone knows what it is. The mission of My Brother's Keeper emanates from Jim and Terry's promise to God: "My Brother's Keeper is a ministry of volunteers whose mission is to bring the love and hope of Jesus Christ to those it serves." It occurred to them to figure out who they should be serving, but it dawned on them that in all the Gospel miracles Jesus never once asked a question of the people before he healed or otherwise served them. So they resolved to do it like Jesus did. From that came the policy of no prerequisites for service; no questions asked. It's the most controversial policy for new volunteers. They get questions about whether people take advantage of that. Jim said there's no system that can't be circumvented. But that's the good news: Because of the mission. Keep your eye on the ball. They exist to bring love and hope of Jesus Christ to those they serve. Who needs their mission more than the guy who would sell a kitchen set for $25 to buy drugs? If the price of giving the guy a crucifix and telling him that God loves him is the cost of a cheap kitchen set that they never run out of, then that's a cheap price. Jesus said you don't send a doctor for well people, but for sick people. This becomes the policy people embrace the most and that they love. Jim is constantly inspired by the faith of the people he serves. He saw it growing up, watching his mother serving the elderly lady who lived downstairs from them who had nothing. Jim said they recently served a grandmother who was living in a furnished room. Her daughter had gone to prison for dealing drugs so she went to court to ask for custody of her two grandchildren. The judge said she had to get an apartment and she got one in a bad area. She contacted My Brother's Keeper and they outfitted her completely. When he gave her the crucifix and told her, "This is the person who sent you the furniture," she said to him, "Oh yes, he's always been very good to me." Jim thought about it all the way home. What would he be saying if he'd had to sleep on the floor for a month with his two grandchildren. He'd be asking God why he'd forsaken him. Three months later, Jim heard she'd moved to a new apartment and she need a full bed. Jim brought her the bed and while he was there a neighbor told him what had happened to the old bed. Tw months after the first delivery, a young girl with a new baby had moved from shelter into the apartment above her. The girl had nothing so the woman gave her the bed. Scot noted a brochure from My Brother's Keeper that says, "We carry furniture and food. We deliver hope." Some of the other policies of My Brother's Keeper are that they don't take any state of federal funding so they can continue to give people the crucifix as part of the ministry. They don't sell anything or take any money for services. "My Brother's Keeper shall not accumulate money beyond what is necessary to ensure its ability to meet the annual operating expenses of the ministry. All surplus funds must be spent promptly on goods and services for those we serve for Christ or as part of the tithing program. Each day of service at My Brother's Keeper shall begin and end in community prayer— i.e., intentions of those we serve as well as those we serve with, a stating of the mission, and the Our Father to help us remain focused on our mission and mindful of the privilege of service. All staff, volunteers, and visitors will be invited to participate." Terry remains going on a delivery to a single dad with three girls and he needed furniture. On the way to the delivery, they'd received a call from a guy who wanted to put signs on all the trucks to label who they are. They showed up to the house and all the neighborhood kids gathered round to see what was going on. While they were doing this delivery they realized it wasn't a good idea to put their name on the trucks because it would embarrass the kids for everyone to know they are receiving charity. Scot said to Jack that they receive donations of furniture, but it has to be in very good shape because this is a gift from Jesus. Jack said the reason is because they want to treat every person with dignity and love and respect. The furniture must look like new. **3rd segment:** Scot asked how they deliver food to the hungry and the Christmas program. Jim said they have basic services in addition to the furniture. They pick up furniture in about 35 towns and deliver in 25 of them. They deliver the food mainly in the greater Brockton area. They do about 1,000 furniture deliveries per year and about 3,500 food deliveries. They give out a great food order worth about $117, including the normal staples, fresh milk, juice, eggs, meats, and fresh vegetables. It probably covers at least a week's supply. The main component of the ministry is the delivery. They are going to people who have no way of getting the furniture or food. They serve many elderly, veterans, single moms without a car. They started in 1988 and incorporated in 1990. In that year they started a Christmas program because they were hearing from people who needed assistance at Christmas and for one reason or another couldn't meet the requirements of similar programs elsewhere. The first year they provided gifts and food for 14 families in Brockton. Every year that has grown in both the people served and the people who volunteer. Last year, they provided all-new gifts and food to 2,774 families in 74 towns. And every gift and package was delivered to each home by their volunteers. Under the operating policies, it is integral and important to them  that whatever service they provide, it is done in such a way that the recipient understands that what they are receiving is not coming from My Brother's Keeper, but from Jesus Christ. With the furniture, they provide the crucifix with the message: "This is the man who sent it." In every food box, there is a picture of Jesus Christ, which is deliberately shaded so he could be white, black, Hispanic or Asian, and the message says, "I hear your prayers. I have not forgotten you." At Christmas, they print 50,000 small tags, each with a child's name and each with picture of the Nativity scene that says, Happy Birthday, Jesus." Every one will understand that what they receive comes from God. Scot asked Terry how they manage Christmas gifts to more than 10,000 children and adults. Terry said the 2,000 volunteers actually "shop" for the gifts within the facility among items that have been donated, and MBK also buys what they need. They also have many parishes that have giving trees and they donate the gifts to them. Volunteers distribute the gifts with their own cards. It is very organized and very spirit-filled. The night after Thanksgiving, at 7pm they have a Mass with more  than 700 people at MBK's facility. Then they set up the facility as Santa's Workshop. She said they start each day in prayer and end it in prayer. At Christmas the closing prayer is around 8pm and they read Noel Henry's "Alleluia to the Lord", they shut off all the lights, and start their prayer while gazing on a Nativity scene.  Jim said the Christmas season is amazing for what it provides to both those they serve and the volunteers. He said parents are looking for meaningful opportunities to show their children how to serve God and hear what he's calling us to do. Grandparents, parents, and children of all ages come together to serve wrapping presents together as family. No one got more excited than the kids. Each volunteer family is given a particular recipient family to shop for, with specific genders and ages. A teenage girl can get gifts for a teenage girl. They feel needed and like that they have a specific contribution to make to someone. The student who Jack talked about said she couldn't believe that growing up in Easton, she didn't know such poverty was right next door to her. She received what parents all want our kids to have: a deep appreciation for how fortunate they are. He said he tells the student volunteers that the only difference between them and the people they're serving is the family they were born into.  Scot read the My Brother's Keeper prayer: >Lord... >When I have food, Help me to remember the hungry. >When I lie in my bed, Help me to remember those who sleep on the floor. >When I have a warm home, Help me to remember the homeless. >When I have work, Help me to remember those without jobs. >When I experience the joy of giving to my children, >Help me to remember the agony of those who must watch their children go without. >By remembering, Help me to destroy my indifference and arouse my compassion. >Make me concerned enough to act in your name, to help those who cry out to you for that which I so often take for granted. Jack said it is a magnificent summation of the mission of My Brother's Keeper. He said people may not realize the actual joy of the person who gets involved with the mission by giving their time, talent, or treasure. God loves a cheerful giver and  there's no limit to the blessings God will give to a cheerful giver. Scot said we can never outdo God's generosity in return.  **4th segment:** It's time to announce the winner of the weekly **WQOM Benefactor Raffle**. Our prize this week is a series of 5 CD's from the Mary Foundation: * Seven Secrets of the Eucharist by Vinny Flynn; * The Mass Explained by Fr. Larry Richards; * Marriage and the Eucharist by Christopher West; * The Eucharist Explained by Richard May; and * The Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet on CD   and two boxes of Chocolate Butter Nut Munch – one milk chocolate and one dark chocolate -- made by the Nuns of Mount Saint Mary's Abbey in Wrentham, MA. This week's winner is **Kristin & Doug Seed from Salem, NH.** Congratulations Kristin and Doug! If you would like to be eligible to win in an upcoming week, please visit [WQOM.org](http://www.WQOM.org). For a one-time $30 donation, you'll receive the Station of the Cross benefactor card and key tag, making you eligible for WQOM's weekly raffle of books, DVDs, CDs and religious items. We'll be announcing the winner each Wednesday during “The Good Catholic Life” program. **5th segment:** Scot asked Jim the best way for people to get involved. Jim said individuals, schools, parishes, organizations, and companies can find out more by coming down to the facility and see. Contact them at 508-238-5712 and let them know you're interested about learning more and arrange to come down as an individual or group for a tour of the facility or discuss the various volunteer opportunities. If you're not able to come down, visit the website and see the many ways to be involved, even if you can't be present physically. Most importantly, pray for them for God's guidance first and foremost and for God to continue to bless them. Serving people goes beyond obligation or responsibility. It is a privilege. Since the Book of Samuel, God has asked "Who can I send?" and when he gives the answer, he sees you. Terry said there families that have been recipients of assistance who now give back either through donations or working on the various deliveries. Jack has been a financial assist to My Brother's Keeper. He said it's an all-volunteer organization and much of the facility is built with contributions from volunteers. Everything they do advances Christ's work on earth. When you get involved, you are moved.

**Today's host(s):** Scot Landry and Fr. Matt Williams **Today's guest(s):** Fr. Chip Hines, Pastor of St. Mary Parish, Wrentham, and co-host of CatholicTV's "Spotlight" * [St. Thomas More](http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14689c.htm) * [St. John Fisher](http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08462b.htm) **Today's topics:** St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher **Summary of today's show:** Scot, Fr. Matt, and Fr. Chip Hines commemorate the feast day of St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher by discussing their martyrdom, especially in light of the movie of More's life, "A Man for All Seasons." They also discuss how More shows Catholics today how to be authentic witness with regard to politics and public life. **1st segment:** Scot welcomes Fr. Matt back to the show. Fr. Matt is preparing a young adult retreat this weekend at St. Thecla's in Billerica called "Life is Good in the Holy Spirit." The young adults always come back strengthened in their faith. There are specific talks that build up to praying for the release of the Holy Spirit in a new way in their life. They also have Adoration, Mass, Confession, small group discussion, and plenty of fellowship. There are about 12 different team members running the weekend.  On today's show, this is the feast of St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher, Catholics who were beheaded for standing up for the Catholic faith against King Henry VIII, who was leading the Church of England away from the Church. Thomas More is one of Scot's favorite saints. Fr. Matt said they help us to understand what it's like to live as a Catholic in this world. Scot said the 1966 movie "A Man for All Seasons" is a good way to enter into the life of St. Thomas More. **2nd segment:** Scot welcomes Fr. Chip back to the show. He's been very busy at St. Mary in Wrentham with preparations for parish activities throughout the summer. With regard to the movie "A Man for All Seasons", Fr. Chip said that it's in his top-five movies of all time. It's a classic and there's nothing bad you can say about this movie. It's engaging with great performances.  Scot said St. Thomas More was being pressured by King Henry VIII to accede to his wishes, to say that he was the supreme head of the church in England, and not the Pope. Many other leaders in England knuckled under to the pressure, but St. Thomas More resisted because of his faith. He is a model of courage under adversity. Fr. Chip said if you want to show this value to somebody, this movie is a perfect example. Thomas More did not waver in the end.  Fr. Chip said he did not become heroic overnight, but throughout his whole life, while this movie gives a snippet of that. It's a great image of what it means to be a Catholic in public life..  The movie starts a few years before he became chancellor of England. He was a tremendous intellect and a lawyer. Fr. Matt said he loved his family and was a devoted father. He was deeply faith-filled and wasn't afraid to let that affect his professional life. He was a judge who had a reputation for efficiency in adjudicating cases. Fr. Chip said he was known for his honesty as well. He couldn't be bribed. Leading a heroic Catholic life, you need to be true to yourself and your faith and to God. He was a prolific writer as well.  Fr. Chip said being a good father figure was important to him. He even insisted that his daughters receive a good classical education. He was born in 1477 and died on July 6, 1535, beheaded at the order of King Henry VIII. St. John Fisher was martyred on June 22, 1535. He was a bishop, the only one who did not sign the oath that King Henry VIII was demanding. They were beatified on the same day and canonized on the same day. They are heroes for standing up for their faith in the face of intense pressure. **3rd segment:** Scot said "A Man for All Seasons" was one of the first movies on virtue and courage he'd seen. Fr. Chip said the movie opens with a scene of a message being brought to St. Thomas More. It's beautifully filmed so the viewer feels like they're on the river. It sets the scene for what's coming up. When you think about our lives today with instant communication, this was like the instant message of the 14th century. Fr. Chip said it's a fun movie as well as having a great message. It won Best Movie and Best Actor at the Oscars in 1966. In this first scene, Thomas More is asked to visit with Cardinal Wolsey, the chancellor of England at the time. Wolsey wanted to ask More how he can help the king have an heir. The king had already had a dispensation from the Pope to marry his cousin, but she did not produce a son so he wanted to divorce her to marry another woman. The cardinal was presented with the problem of trying to satisfy the king's demand which was in conflict with Church teaching. Thomas More was clear that this wasn't their business, but was up to the Holy Father. There is a character called Richard Rich, a young man who wanted desperately to receive a position in the law with Thomas More. He eventually succeeded Thomas More as chancellor. Fr. Matt said the character is fascinating. More can see his strengths and weaknesses, how he could be tempted in greed or lust for power and seduced by his own intellect. More tried to encourage him into a field where he could be safe from such temptations and where he could live virtuously. Ultimately, Rich ends up joining More's nemesis, Cromwell, and tells the lie that becomes the false evidence that convicts More of being disloyal to the throne. Scot said More sensed Rich's potential as well as the danger of keeping him around, yet he still tried to mentor him and help him find his true vocation. Scot compared it to how Jesus knew Judas would betray him, yet kept him close and tried to form him so He could forgive him. More loved Rich loved him like a second father to the young man.  Fr. Chip said in the actor's performance you can see More's love and respect for Rich and how he saw the danger in his path. You see people like this in your own life, people who are traveling on a bad path and won't respond to your prompting to go another direction. Fr. Matt said More was really being a friend to him. So often we hear that people will go along with what someone wants to do because that's being their friend, when friendship considers what's really good for him.  It invites us to consider how important it is to be a good friend and to mentor, especially young people, in the faith, to help them discover the gifts that they have and encourage them in that direction. And not to be afraid to say that we don't think this is not a good direction, speaking in love. Fast-forwarding in the movie, upon Wolsey's death, the king appoints Thomas More as his new chancellor. The heat on the chancellor to find a way for the king to divorce his wife and re-marry is turned up on Thomas. He tries to stay as distant from it as possible, until Henry comes to visit him. Fr. Chip said Henry is trying to use his friendship with More to convince him of the need to accede to the king's desire. That unwavering faith in what the Church says is pretty adamant and strong in his personality and shown well through the actor's performance. It becomes a battle of the wills and More isn't the one to blink. He's very careful not to say something that will result him in being beheaded. King Henry knows that in all of England, Thomas More is respected for his integrity and honesty. And it's because of that reputation that the king wants More's support so that the people will be have confidence that the king is doing the right thing. The queen, Catherine, is not unpopular so the king wanted to win their support first. More was between an all-powerful king as well as his well-meaning family who did not understand his strong stance, on the one hand, and his unwavering commitment to truth, integrity, and his faith on the other. All these years later, More retains the respect of people and is known for his honesty. Fr. Matt said he is authentic which happens when the outward appearance matches up with the who I am in the interior life.  Catholics are called to be witnesses by the way we live our lives with authenticity and integrity. You can take away many things from a man, but you can't take away his witness. He can give it away, however. It takes great courage to live that witness. **4th segment:**  It's time to announce the winner of the weekly **WQOM Benefactor Raffle**. Our prize this week is a copy of the 2 audio CD set [How Mary & the Rosary Can Change Your Life](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1932927131/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=pilo0e-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=1932927131), by Marcellino D'Ambrosio.    This week's winner is **Brian & Marcia Kean from West Roxbury, Mass**. Congratulations Brian and Marcia! If you would like to be eligible to win in an upcoming week, please visit [WQOM.org](http://www.WQOM.org). For a one-time $30 donation, you'll receive the Station of the Cross benefactor card and key tag, making you eligible for WQOM's weekly raffle of books, DVDs, CDs and religious items. We'll be announcing the winner each Wednesday during “The Good Catholic Life” program. **5th segment:** Scot said More talks in the movie about the important role of conscience: When leaders forsake their private conscience in their public duties, they lead their countries on a short route to chaos. Fr. Matt said the conscience is the place where the Lord speaks to the soul and the Lord informs the conscience to make decisions in light of God's plan for how He made the world to be. We need to have informed consciences when it comes to moral issues. It's not just our conscience, but an informed conscience. The Church's teachings are formed in rationality. Fr. Chip said people in public life today will say, I'm personally opposed, but I can't impose my conscience on someone else. But they're not imposing. The conscience is informed by the truth, so why wouldn't you spread the truth as opposed to spreading a lie. Scot said the Holy Father has said that if your conscience rooted in the truth is not heeded, then someone else's conscience is being imposed on you. Private conscience is rooted and based on principles. St. Thomas More is saying that a government official needs to have a well-rooted private conscience in order to lead and do their public duties. If they're not rooted and instead put their fingers in the wind to do what's popular, he says they are leading their country by a short route to chaos. Public officials aren't elected just to vote on what the majority of their constituents want, but are elected because of their proper judgment and formation. We elect them in order to trust them to get into the details that we can't in the rest of society and apply their good judgment, virtue, and values. Fr. Chip said our system of government has turned into a system of polls and where people want us to go this day. To find corruption, all you have to see is three speakers of the House in the Mass. Legislature in a row convicted of felonies. What's wrong with this picture? We keep sending the same sorts of people back to office and get the same result. Scot said we, as voters, have allowed our system of government to be dumbed down. Politicians legislate by polls, because we as voters have allowed them to. There is a lot less expected of candidates in races, probably because we're a soundbite media and because the voters have stopped demanding substance. Voters need to reward people for taking ethical stands, even if we disagree with them because we want people of true value and principle in office even if we agree with them only 80% or 90% of the time. Fr. Matt said it reflects the lack of appreciation by voters for virtuous leadership. Politicians are a reflection of ourselves as a country. If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything. It takes courage to consistently stand for something. Thomas More was a man of authenticity. The king went to Thomas More because the people were watching him and saw him as a man if integrity. His lack of support hindered the king's goals. Fr. Chip said voters have to decide if the current system is what we want for the future. He'd rather stand with someone who stood for something rather than someone wavering in the wind. Scot said More had a discussion with his future son-in-law, who pleaded with More to circumvent the law in order to fix the ills he saw in society. More asked him if he would cut down every law in England to get at the "devil" and the son-in-law said he would. And More said, And when the last law is cut down and the devil turns on you at last, where will you hide? This country is planted thick with laws and if you cut them down, do you think you'd stand upright in the winds that would buffet you? "Yes, I'd give the devil the benefit of the law for my own safety's sake." Scot said most elected officials respect that we have a system of laws and if you don't like the way things are, you change the law through the legislature and normal protocols. But recent examples of the undermining of the law include same-sex marriage in Massachusetts where the law was not changed legislatively, but through the courts and the voters weren't given a chance to vote on it. Also, when Mass. voters have passed tax reforms in referenda, they were ignored. And when the Defense of Marriage Act was passed nationally, President Obama instructed the Justice Department not to advocate to defend the law. There might be times when we're on the side where the law doesn't benefit us and if we encourage people on our side to ignore the rule of law, it's to our own peril. It's troubling when laws get circumvented either through the judiciary overstepping their bounds or the executive not enforcing the laws. Fr. Chip said it's also troubling when those in power change the rules to stay in power and people who wish to serve can't beat them in elections so keep having the same people over and over again. We have a judiciary that constantly oversteps its bounds and the Founding Fathers put the checks and balances in place for a reason. We see those checks and balances break down in the past decade and cowardice in the legislature, where they wouldn't stand up and let the people be heard. Thomas More would not have stood for that. Fr. Matt said it also speaks of the need for a new evangelization. The Church has to continue to find ways to help people whose hearts have grown cold in the faith. People are being more evangelized by the gospel of the culture than the Gospel of the Jesus Christ. It calls for the Church to reclaim her prophetic role of teaching, preaching, witnessing and evangelizing.  Scot said in the state of New York the legalization of gay marriage is before the state legislature and Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York has spoken up on the Church's views and many folks have been attacking him from all sides. He has spoken the truth with courage and joviality and certainly it can't be comfortable for anyone to read headlines calling him a bigot. Scot said there's no one better at articulating the Church's teachings in the public sphere with the right tone and emphasis. Yet he still takes a beating in the press. **6th segment:** In the end, Thomas More is martyred. Fr. Matt said the word comes from Greek and it means "witness." They are witnesses by the shedding of their blood. They are willing to die for their belief in Christ. More was willing to die rather than compromise his faith in the Lord or be a false witness. Fr. Matt said it shows that faith is messy. St. Paul was a real men dealing with persecution, but we can forget that with a cursory reading of his letters. It's not easy to live for Christ in the world. Fr. Chip said we have a sanitized idea of Christianity. We see saints with halos in pictures and think everything is great, but we forget that they struggled heroically for the faith. Maybe we don't talk about it enough. People who show heroic witness need to be exalted. Scot said Americans of today don't often encounter persecution for our faith, but there are martyrs around the world all the time. Just this year, there have been martyrs in Pakistan, Ivory Coast, Iraq, Egypt, Indonesia, and more.  Fr. Chip he hears people say they couldn't make it to Mass because the parking lot was full, yet people in Latin America will walk miles to go to Sunday Mass, even if they can once per month. Previous generations of American Catholics have suffered white martyrdom, which is suffering for the faith, but not physical violence. Fr. Matt said we endure martyrdom because we love Jesus, He's worth dying for or even just losing our reputations. We need to pray for courage to live our faith intentionally. And my witness has an overflowing effect on other people because others see us living our faith. Scot said St. Thomas was able to have this courage because he was a man of prayer. Fr. Chip said Thomas' final words were, "I was the king's good servant, but God's first." We need to remember that in our own lives. To be in service to God first. More even forgave the executioner and told him to do his duty.

**Today's host(s):** Scot Landry and Fr. Matt Williams**Today's guest(s):** Charlie Cox, star of the new film "There Be Dragons"; Fr. Chip Hines, Pastor of St. Mary, Wrentham, and co-host of CatholicTV's *Spotlight*; and Dr. Karen Bohlin, head of the Montrose School in Medfield, Massachusetts* ["There Be Dragons" official website](http://therebedragonsmovie.com/)* ["There Be Dragons" on IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1316616/)* [Roland Joffe, director](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0423646/)* [Charlie Cox as "Josemaria Escriva"](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0423646/)* ["There Be Dragons" website for resources to promote & discuss](http://dragonsresources.com/)* [St. Josemaria Escriva](http://www.josemariaescriva.info/)* [Opus Dei](http://www.opusdei.us/)* [*Spotlight,* the movie review show on CatholicTV](http://www.catholictv.com/catholic-movies.aspx)* Photos from the film: Courtesy of Mount Santa Fe**Today's topics:** The new film "There Be Dragons" and its depiction of moments from the life of St. Josemaria Escriva**A summary of today's show:** Scot interviews actor Charlie Cox, who portrays St. Josemaria Escriva in the new film "There Be Dragons" and then discusses with Fr. Matt Williams, Fr. Chip Hines, and Karen Bohlin the themes of the "dragons" in our lives: Unforgiveness, selfishness, doubt, isolation, as well as the example of consistent virtue and heroism by Josemaria.**1st segment:** Scot tells Fr. Matt Williams that this is the 40th broadcast of The Good Catholic Life. Today they discussed the new movie "There Be Dragons" which has strong Catholic themes. Fr. Matt said movies are important because they help us understand culture and life situations of different people. Scot said Cardinal Seán saw a screening of the movie a few months ago and asked the movie company to get in touch with Scot to do an episode of The Good Catholic Life on it. Fr. Matt said he had a sneak peek of the movie last July at a conference in Philadelphia.During today's show, Scot gave away tickets for the movie, general passes for any showing at any theatre as well as tickets to a special premiere in Framingham tomorrow night.**2nd segment:** Scot welcomes Fr. Chip Hines, who co-hosts a move review show on CatholicTV. He also welcomed Karen Bohlin, who is hosting several showings of the movie so her students can see it. Montrose school's mission and vision are inspired by the life of St. Josemaria and the whole school community are excited by it. Karen said it will be relevant to young people because many of themes are applicable to today's culture and society. Also, because it focuses on the early lives of the protagonists and the life decisions they have to make.There Be Dragons is an epic action-adventure romance set during the turmoil of the Spanish Civil War. The story traces the lives of two young men, Josemaria Escriva (Charlie Cox) and Manolo Torres (Wes Bentley), childhood friends who are separated by the political upheaval of pre-war Spain to find themselves on opposite sides as war erupts. Choosing peace, Josemaria becomes a priest and struggles to spread reconciliation by founding the movement Opus Dei (work of God).Manolo chooses war and becomes a spy for the fascists. He becomes obsessed with a beautiful Hungarian revolutionary, Ildiko, who has joined the militia in pursuit of passion and purpose. But when Ildiko rejects him out of love for the courageous militia leader Oriol, Manolo's jealousy leads him down a path of betrayal.As personal and national battles rage, the characters' lives collide and their deepest struggles are illuminated through the fateful choices they make. Each will struggle to find the power of forgiveness over the forces tearing their lives and friendship apart.Scot played an interview with Charlie Cox that was taped earlier. Scot asked him what interested him in playing the role. He said he'd not heard of St. Josemaria before getting the script from his agent. What attracted him to the film the most was the director Roland Joffe, who directed The Mission and The Killing Fields. He was struck that Joffe was a kindhearted and generous man. Scot asked him what he did to prepare for the role as a priest who is now a saint in the Church. A few weeks before going to Buenos Aires where the movie was shot, he flew to Barcelona, Spain, where he met a historian and an Opus Dei priest to visit the places in his life, his birthplace, the seminary he attended, and then on a retreat where they talked about Josemaria and spent time living the life of a priest who would be on retreat. Walking in a cassock was one of the trickier things to learn. They spent a lot of time in meditation and prayer, praying the Rosary and doing the Way of the Cross. They helped him to become familiar with the man and his time in which he lived.Much of the film takes place during the Spanish Civil War. What does Charlie hope that people will see in his portrayal of Josemaria? He said there's no one moment in the film or even in Josemaria's life in general where you can say, "This man should be canonized." The power of the film and his life is that his life is filled with consistently selfless decisions. It's the way he faced the adversity and dealt with it that make Josemaria and extraordinary human being. What the film tries to show is that the time of the civil war was a time of confusion, anger, hatred and fear. It is a country torn apart. At one point the character of Manolo says, "I don't know who I'm fighting anymore." There was a time when the hatred was aimed at the Church and priests in particular, and to be known as a priest in Madrid would invite being shot. Charlie hopes people will see how Josemaria dealt with that time, not engaging in hatred and taking a side, but instead spread a message of love, forgiveness, and peace. Scot said there is a time for us today when we have to make "dragon" decisions. What message can we take away in the year 2011? Charlie said because it's so hard to tell a story about the Spanish Civil War, what you end up with is messy hate-fueled conflict, which is what war ends up being anyway. So the Spanish Civil War can be substituted for any conflict. In the movie, you see two characters: one makes consistently selfish, fear-based decisions for his life and the other who recognizes the temptation to make those decisions selfishly and angrily, but chooses to not do that. Scot said he takes away that there is a little bit of Josemaria in each of us and a little bit of Manolo in us. Charlie said that is exactly it: we should see a little bit of them in each of us and ask ourselves who we want to be.Scot said it is unlike typical saint movies, but it much more epic in scope. Charlie said his hope is that the film reaches everyone, who sees the story of a man who had an incredible journey and an incredible life who made a series of decisions that led to his canonization after his death. He expects the majority of the evidence to be Christians and Catholics, but there is a story and a message here for everyone regardless of religious beliefs. Even if you don't learn anything from the way he is portrayed, it is still a great story to be told and to be entertaining.Scot said there are many resources the production company built for good family conversations and good parish discussions. What are Charlie's hopes for what the movie will lead to for people? He said he thinks that Josemaria was asking for people to look inwards. Rather than look at the world and point out all the things that are wrong and all the things making you miserable, instead look inside and see if we're engaging in self-centered fear. Or are we looking to serve others and love God. Even in his life today, it's easy to feel like the victim and become miserable and depressed, but what Josemaria says is that in those moments, see what you're contributing to the world and to others and see what you might give to them.In the film, Josemaria says to his early followers: "Before trying to change the world, think about changing yourself." It's hard to do. Scot said it can lead to peace. Charlie added that if everyone lived like that, think about the kind of world we've be living in.**3rd segment:** Back live, Scot asks Karen and Chip about the interview. Karen said those who have seen the movie already, including the school's chaplain who knew St. Josemaria, say that Charlie's portrayal of him is very authentic. Fr. Chip said Charlie's face is very expressive in this performance and does a very good job. Much of acting is done through the face. Fr. Chip said one of the scenes that was well done was a birthday party and when Josemaria gets his new shoes, you see the authentic joy and the humanity of the saint comes through. Charlie Cox was able to convey the holiness and the humanity of the person.Scot said it's good to see holiness and sanctity as achievable by living in a very human way. Fr. Matt said right from the beginning when Manolo and Josemaria were just eight years old, you see how Josemaria was a boy just like us. The movie's tagline is that every saint has a past and future and you can see that in this portrayal of Josemaria. Fr. Matt said the great teaching is on the life of virtue. What we see is this life of selfless decisions.Karen said character is not just good behavior. It's about striving everyday to do everything with greater love and affection, not just to beef up a resume, but to serve others and God. They teach this in their school, that students should do everything they do with their utmost. Josemaria knows heartbreak from childhood and carries his demons with him through the movie and there's no sense that he meets God and all that goes away. She said in many ways the movie is more artistic than a traditional action drama.Fr. Matt said it's a great point that holiness and sanctity doers not remove us from the turmoil of daily life. Do the dragons of the past shape who we are or do we acknowledge them and name them and love God and move forward in holiness and sanctity.Fr. Chip said it's a key point that saints are regular people and Josemaria was certainly a regular guy. This search for holiness is everyone's quest and everyone's journey. He remarked how people often at funerals say that if they didn't have faith, they don't know how they would get through this. Some people are always looking for big giants signs, but their faith sometimes fades quickly. But the people who live a quiet solid faith often remain steadfast throughout life.Karen said she liked the way Josemaria was so loyal to Manolo throughout life. He stays in touch and reaches out to him in the most difficult moments in life. Even though Manolo rejects him, he is hurt, but says he will always be there for him. Josemaria is also a very real son and brother to his family. He evinces a love for freedom, but he also preaches forgiveness. He has an immense capacity to remain faithful to Christ's call to forgive your enemies. Joffe is taken by the those who can forgive and love under difficult circumstances.**4th segment:** It's time to announce the winner of this week's **WQOM Benefactor Raffle**. Our prize this week is a set of passes to the movie "There Be Dragons."  This week's winner is **Frank Lawrence from Warwick, RI**. Congratulations to Frank!  If you would like to be eligible to win in an upcoming week, please visit [WQOM.org](http://www.WQOM.org). For a one-time $30 donation, you'll receive the Station of the Cross benefactor card and key tag, making you eligible for our weekly raffle of books, DVDs, CDs and religious items. We'll be announcing the winner each Wednesday during “The Good Catholic Life” program.**5th segment:** Scot asked Fr. Chip what he thought of the character of Manolo. He said it's someone you're rooting for to change himself. You can see the good Josemaria is striving for an achieving, while Manolo makes bad decisions at every turn. The actor portrayed it well. Seeing it on film, makes one think about his own life, the decisions we make, and whether we can change. Manolo never thought he could change. Scot said that everytime something bad happened to him, it just added on to the grimness he was showing.Karen said Manolo is wounded from childhood because he is never loved by his father. While he has wealth and material means, while Josemaria doesn't, he envies Josemaria's relationship with his father. He makes bad decisions as an adult, and while his conscience struggles, he doesn't see away back from the consequences. She thinks he's riddled with fear and the pursuit of happiness through power and conquest, but it doesn't satisfy.Scot said theme of the effect of fathers on sons is important here. Fr. Matt said he thinks of the scene where Josemaria's baby sister had died and he is angry at God. His father, who is in tears, embraces his son in love. There are no platitudes. It is symbolic of how Josemaria became a father to Manolo.Roland Joffe says the theme of the movie is reconciliation and how it sets us free before it sets free those we forgive. Karen said the producers have released testimonials from people who had seen the movie in Spain. One couple had been on the brink of divorce, and after the movie they sat in the theatre in tears and said the dragons were not in themselves. They agreed to not divorce after all. Another young woman had been unable to forgive her mother for a betrayal and after seeing the movie she was able to let go of the poison of the bitterness she had held against her mother. Even Joffe himself was able to reconcile with his mother as well.Scot said every character in the films deals with whether to forgive or keep themselves in their miserable state. Other dragons in the movie are selfishness, doubt, and isolation. Fr. Chip said another theme is every father in the movie through their relationships with their children helps or hinders the characters' ability to have a relationship with God our Father. Fr. Matt said forgiveness is a grace. To err is human but to forgive is divine. When people massacre your family or colleagues or priests, we cannot forgive in our humanness, but it must come from God. We must manifest faith in love to everyone, even if they're wrong. No one is free of human weakness.One of Scot's lines from the movie: "The only thing that is unforgivable is unforgiveness." The movie makes you think about the people in your life that you need to forgive, the dragons that hold you back from being the best person you can be.Scot said another theme is heroism and one of the reasons Josemaria is so inspiring in this movie. Karen said that before being heroic you must grapple with doubt. In the movie, characters wrestle with doubt about God or self or others, but what's heroic is to be reach out in faith to God. Josemaria risks his life to bring the sacraments to the people. While churches are being destroyed and priests being killed, he is hiding and celebrating underground Masses. Fr. Chip said that is one of the best scenes in the movie. Karen said Josemaria's call to his vocation is heroic.Fr. Chip said that while it's not a vocation story, it can inspire vocations because it shows the priesthood in a heroic life. Once can find the heroism of everyday life in how priests serve every day. Fr. Matt said it's doing little things with great love. Bl John Paul called Josemaria the saint of the ordinary. Josemaria shows us that that virtuous life is a happy life. Fr. Chip said the movie is re-energizing for the priestly life.That will conclude today's presentation of The Good Catholic Life. For recordings and photos of today's show and all previous shows, please visit our website: TheGoodCatholicLife.com. You can also download the app for your iPhone or Android device at WQOM.org to listen to the show wherever you may be. We thank our guests Father Chip Hines and Dr. Karen Bohlin. For our co-host, Father Matt Williams, our Production team of Rick Heil, Anna Johnson, Justin Bell, Dom Bettinelli, and George Martell, this is Scot Landry saying thank YOU for listening, God bless you and have a wonderful evening!