On the Air and to the World for 25 Years

I constantly listen to Relevant Radio, and so I am delighted to celebrate its 25th anniversary this year.  Today, December 12, marks the 25th anniversary of when the station received its first license. Since it's the Feast of La Señora de Guadalupe, she is a patroness saint of Relevant Radio.

I've listened at least some of all the programs.  The program I tend to listen to the most is Morning Air.  Typically, I download archived programs and listen during my commutes.  As I head to work in the morning, it's uplifting to hear the exuberant Morning Air jingle begin and then "Wake up, America! It's Morning Air..."  John, Glenn, and Sarah all have a good time hosting the show, and I can feel it papably, in the light-hearted and the profound moments.  One of their regular guests is Mary Hallan FioRito, who offers great commentary on the latest pro-life news.  Another frequent guest is the baseball priest, Father Burke Masters, who offers great perspective on the spiritual life.  They also have guests talk about saints on their feast days and special liturgical occasions.  I like hearing Sarah talk about life as a mom with her multiple children.

The Cale Clarke Show was another favorite of mine, and before his show, I liked listening to Sheila Liaugminas.  It's great whenever either of them makes a guest appearance.

The Inner Life has great content focusing on topics in the spiritual life, like evangelization or the current liturgical season like Advent.

Drew Mariani has a great variety of guests who talk about spiritual topics and also current events from a spiritual perspective.  I appreciate how he hosts a live daily Divine Mercy Chaplet prayer time, with an opportunity for people to call in with prayer requests, which I've done a couple of times. Later in the day, there's the Family Rosary Across America.

Timmerie is very bold in addressing big topics in society today, like human sexuality, and she even had a great segment recently on why the Catholic Church doesn't ordain female priests, in response to the news of the first female Archbishop of Canterbury.  On another recent program, on Thanksgiving Eve, she offered thoughtful commentary on Thanksgiving day in the USA, going back to Thanksgiving celebrations that Spanish expedition parties held.

Patrick Madrid is pretty bold in upholding the faith, too, while also speaking in a pastoral way.

Relevant Radio has also expanded beyond radio with wonderful videos on Eucharistic Encounters, Lenten Lessons on the Mass, and Lenten Lessons on the Sacrament.  They also have a great app, which I use weekly to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet on Friday afternoons.

It was an amazing experience to see Relevant Radio at the National Eucharistic Congress in July 2024.

There's so much to celebrate as Relevant Radio marks its 25th anniversary today.  It has been faithful in living out the Great Commission by using media to catechize the faithful and uphold the Truth, especially as it's realized in our society today.

Congratulations Relevant Radio!  And God's blessings!

Relevant Radio Session at the NEC

A fellow NEC pilgrim photographed me at the Relevant Radio signage in the room for the session.

Here's the Relevant Radio broadcasting booth at the NEC, with Timmerie on air.

Keeping in the Loop and in the Public Square

Throughout my life, I've come to recognize the importance of putting faith into action.  That's why the mission of Catholic Vote resonates with me, because they are focused on helping Catholics put faith into action in the public square since they started 20 years ago.

As part of this work, Catholic Vote hosts the Loopcast program, typically on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 11 AM ET/10 AM CT, live on YouTube.  It has quickly become one of my favorite podcasts, and I listen to it all the time.  Generally speaking, listening to it makes me feel so good about life.  The regular hosts, Erika, Tom, and Josh, always have thoughtful conversations about topics about current events in the USA and in the Roman Catholic Church.  The live program has a chat that's fairly active with many regulars consistently participating.

To highlight the program's content, this past Monday's episode started with a discussion on the Supreme Court's decision to take up the case about birthright citizenship. There was thoughtful discussion about the origins of birthright citizenship and then putting it in the context of the broader immigration discussion. Catholic Vote issued a great document in how to best approach immigration from a Catholic moral perspective.  Then there was a segment on the change in vaccine schedule, and Erika made it clear that from the birth of her first child nearly 20 years ago to the birth of her youngest, there's been quite a change in required vaccines.   From there, the conversation touched on the broader idea of how to promote family life by empowering parents to provide for their children as the highest good in society.  It surfaced again when they shared the announcement that Catholic Vote President Kelsey Reinhardt is now expecting a child.  (They did a full Loopcast program talking with her a few months ago.)  And empowering the family even surfaced when Tom talked about the likelihood that Kei cars will make a comeback.  Kei cars led to a discussion on the Station Wagon that largely disappeared from society because of fuel efficiency standards, and a lament that families who want to have many children have ceased to have the option of a Station Wagon available due to fuel efficiency standards, leaving them compelled to get SUVs to have sufficient space for child car seats.

Their ideas of how to build a strong society have led them to adamantly support Donald Trump.  They constantly talk about "This is what I voted for", even to the point of acknowledging how great it is that President Trump is bold.  I haven't found myself that enthusiastic about Donald Trump as a whole, but I agree with the hosts about how he had the right ideas on many issues, especially the reality of two genders.

The three hosts also have so much fun on the show, even at times when they have divergent views on a topic, and the anecdotes they share in the Good News segment and the Twilight Zone segment.  Tom actually started the podcast back in 2022, and it's amazing to see what it's become.  Indeed, it's a great tool that encourages me to understand how to put the principles of faith into action in the public square.

This program is something that I wish had been available to me back in middle school when my faith flourished and led me to shape my stance on sociopolitical issues, the point in my life when I started leaning toward the Republican Party.  Sensing that candidates like John Kerry wouldn't uphold the Church's teachings on abortion and marriage, I favored George W. Bush.  It's sometimes jarring when the hosts on the Loopcast criticize George W. Bush, even though their points have merit, especially when they say he was convinced to launch wars in the Middle East that weren't entirely moral and only supported the military-industrial complex.  They also indicate President Bush was actually weak on the issues of life and marriage, making statements on the campaign trail that never resulted in much action when he was in office.  Often they talk about neo-conservatives, especially Josh, which is something I don't understand too much because I was rather young at the time when neoconservatives held sway in politics.

Of course, as much as they favor Donald Trump, they are also quick to criticize him, especially for his support for IVF.  They also expressed concerns about how he is implementing tariff policies, which led Erika to express deflating enthusiasm for President Trump.

With all that said, generally speaking, the Loopcast makes me feel so much better about life, especially because of the way the hosts adamantly speak about the Church's teachings and how they should apply in life.  Sometimes, they take a step back from the latest headlines and consider broad topics, like on the program the day before Thanksgiving Day, on how to dialogue with those who disagree with these viewpoints.  They also had great conversations back on My 23 with guests attending the Courage on Fire Gala in Nashville--and all three hosts were together, when normally, they're in different locations.

The show has a great sense of community with the hosts and the live chat.  I felt it especially in the wake of Charlie Kirk's assassination.  The episode on September 12 was a good opportunity to commiserate and process the tragedy.  It's also wonderful to experience a sense of community when it comes to religious holidays like the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.  On September 3, I mentioned the anniversary of the Treaty of Paris 1783, and the three hosts started talking about it when they saw how much it was mentioned in the chat.

I even got a mention from Tom.  I sent an email about when I sat by US Representative Rosa DeLauro on Amtrak Acela First Class.  When Erika mentioned her in the Twilight Zone segment during a June episode, as Erika lives in Representative DeLauro's district based in New Haven, CT, Tom jumped in to share about my email.  (You can go directly to that part of the episode and watch for about 3 minutes, until Erika switches to a topic about New York's government.)

That's one instance of the many good times on the Loopcast.  In fact, whenever I tune in to the Loopcast, I'm so confident that the content will be great that I usually hit the Like button on YouTube before the episode even starts.

Tom, Erika, and Josh have done well in shaping such a great tool of Catholic Vote.  

A Big Congratulations to Catholic Vote on your 20th Anniversary.

I look forward to going forward alongside you to uphold the Truths of faith and the teachings of Holy Mother Church in our society.

21 for Illinois at 207: Pope Leo XIV

Happy Birthday Illinois!

As we party like it's 1818 all over again, I shine the spotlight on one of the most prominent native sons of Illinois who has now wound up at the Vatican: Pope Leo XIV (#1).

He was born Robert Prevost at Mercy Hospital (#2) in Chicago.  He grew up in Dolton (#3) at a home (#4) on 141st Place.  He attended St. Mary of the Assumption Church (#5) in nearby Riverdale (#6), which is now part of Christ our Savior Parish (#7) in South Holland (#8).

He had teaching roles at Mendel Catholic Prep High School (#9) and St. Rita of Cascia High School (#10).

For a time, he served in leadership roles in the Augustinian Province of "Mother of Good Counsel" in Olympia Fields, IL (#11).

He greatly enjoys Aurelio's Pizza (#12).  In the two years before his election as Pope, he went to the Homewood Aurelio's (#13) with a group.  The room where he ate now has a special display for him, including a Pope's chair, (#14) and the restaurant serves Poperoni pizza (#15), featuring his favorite topping, pepperoni.

By the way, as an aside, I have to note the wonderful viewing platform (#16) near Aurelio's in Homewood, which is a great place to watch the trains pass.

The Archdiocese of Chicago hosted a special celebration for Pope Leo XIV (#17) at Guaranteed Rate Field on Saturday, June 14, 2025.  Among the performers was the Leo High School Choir (#18), who made it to the finals of America's Got Talent.  On June 14, they sang, "Every Praise is to Our God".

Also present was a group of students from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy who did a mock conclave (#19).

The emcee of the event was Chuck Swirsky (#20), an announcer for the Chicago Bulls and a Holy Name Cathedral parishioner.

At the event, Pope Leo XIV gave his first address to a US audience (#21), which was an incredible experience to witness, and say, "I was there".  (You can read more about my attendance at the June 14, my visit to the sites of his life in the South Suburbs, and some of my thoughts on Pope Leo XIV in general in this post I made on his birthday.)

Here's Pope Leo XIV as his address is broadcast in Guaranteed Rate Field.

Yes, celebrating Illinois's Statehood on its birthday touch has extra exuberance as we celebrate Robert Prevost's journey to the Chair of St. Peter as Pope Leo XIV, and marvel at the places that shaped him that are here in Illinois.

Follow-up: Oak Park Farmers' Market

As I celebrate 33 years in Oak Park during this Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend, I know that the Oak Park Farmers' Market is one of many reasons for me to celebrate.  Since it concluded its 50th Season on October 25, it's fitting to follow-up from my previous post from September.

I enjoyed more of the bake sales, including the OPRFHS Female Cross-Country Team, since I've had former students on that team over the years, including this year.  The bake sales were a great way to support many organizations in the community, all the way up to the final day, when it was the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory.

Each week, I continued to see at least one person I know at the Market.  I'm not sure if I've noticed that in previous seasons, so I was glad it happened this year, and I could appreciate the community dimension of the market.

For many years, I liked going to the market to buy a pumpkin that I carved for All Saints Eve.

As we headed deep into autumn, it was delightful to buy from an abundant variety of apples, especially at Walter Skibbe's stand.

Other produce I enjoyed from the market included zucchini, cucumbers, and tomatoes.

I cut up and cooked a zucchini in the crockpot with a roast.

Toward the end of the season, I made sure to stock up on microwaveable popcorn.

One week, Mom and I went, and I made a point to linger for at least a couple of minutes to enjoy the folk band's music.

For the final day, I got in line to enjoy stone soup, a representation of the abundance at the market.

Indeed, throughout the weeks of the market, there was a bounty of farm goods and savoring of community connections.

Well done, Farmers' Market.  Congratulations on, and thanks for, this wonderful 50th Season.  I look forward to shopping again in May.

Besides my lunch, here on the table is a snapshot of what Mom and I bought at the Oak Park Farmers' Market one week. 

Dear 1036 Clarence: The Delights of Where I Began

Dearly Beloved 1036 Clarence,

I am overjoyed to once again celebrate the anniversary of the day my family came to you.

I still consider you the place where I came into existence.

It has been a joy to bring others to experience you.

When it was time for Thanksgiving Break week 15 years ago, I came home with my longtime roommate Zach, who spent the night.  For sure, I was overjoyed to be coming back home to you.  With each step of the journey, starting with the South Shore Line ride to the Blue Line ride to the walk from the Oak Park Avenue Station, it was special to feel the anticipation build because it would be a whole new type of homecoming as Zach accompanied me.  Once home, we had a nice meal, and we were able to really relax after a week with a large workload.

My other friends followed in making their visits, Richard, Tyler, Roy, and Matthew.  It was also memorable when Roy came to stay with Rogenique during the New Year's Holiday 2022 after we three attended Heather and Zach's wedding.

Over the course of the years, as the seasons passed and I was in different stages of life, I rejoiced in how you held such special meaning.

I'm glad to say that my special experiences have continued.  As is my custom, when I go to Ascension Church, I park right by you and walk there.  As I left RE class one evening earlier this month, I reached Avila where I parked her.  I saw Jim, one of the neighbors, emerge and say he was looking for the aurora borealis. I looked toward the west, and I was amazed to see a red glow in the night sky.

The color red reminds me of the vibrant red color of the tree out in front every autumn.  First, the leaves would change and then a red carpet would appear on the ground around it.  When I marked the 15th anniversary of my Confirmation in 2020, the red color suited my mood in celebrating the marvelous work of the Holy Spirit in my life, and the joy of God's presence.

I felt God's presence manifest in so many special ways inside of you.

That's why I continue to be convinced that I'm not just lucky, I'm blessed!

Truly you shall not fade into the background but remain deep in my heart as that dearly beloved place.

We remain connected:

All my relations.

God's blessings,

Paul

Lord God, I come before you with a heart filled with joyful Thanksgiving for the gift of 1036 Clarence Avenue.  The joy transcends those years and continues to stir my heart. It continues to be a gift that keeps on giving, an impact that outlasts Mom and Dad's decision for our family to live in you 33 years ago.  I am grateful for their decision.  And I bless, praise, and magnify You, O God, the Source of all Goodness. Amen.

Joyful, Joyful, we adore You, Lord.

Thanksgiving Thoughts 2025

I'm stirred profoundly in the heart on this Thanksgiving Day because there's so much about this celebration that touches what is most valuable.  As I read the words of President Washington's and President Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamations, I notice a major theme of language that calls the people of the USA to recognize the goodness and blessings around us.

I think about all my travels this year, and how I've been able to connect in new ways with this wonderful country, especially while onboard Amtrak.  One place I went for the first time was Boston, in a region that has contributed so much to the story of the USA, particularly with the way that the colony of Plymouth has figured so prominently into the narrative of the Thanksgiving celebration.

Yet there was a Thanksgiving celebration that happened on these shores long before 1620.  When Spanish settlers founded St. Augustine, Florida, the first permanent European settlement in North America, they celebrated Mass.  At its heart is the Eucharist from a Greek word for Thanksgiving.  In that light, I see strong spiritual overtones in this holiday that is a regular part of my life.  Every time I attend Mass, I think of what I'm thankful for and use it as an opportunity to offer those thanksgivings to God, to uplift my spirits in all circumstances.

One person who helped foster devotion to the Eucharist was St. Carlo Acutis.  He was so devout, going to Mass on a daily basis. He even created a website showcasing Eucharistic miracles throughout the world.  It was a joyful day when he was canonized on September 7.  His story resonates so much with me for many reasons, including that we were born in the same calendar year.

In recent years, I've felt drawn to and embraced the power of what is uplifting.  One great recent example was this past Friday morning. I woke up feeling tired, and then I saw an email from Relevant Radio about the upcoming live audience with Pope Leo XIV at the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis, which was livestreamed.

As I tuned in, I felt so uplifted hearing this conversation between 5 teens selected for the honor of asking Pope Leo XIV a question and the wonderful insights Pope Leo offered them, which spoke to me.  And I thought of what an honor it was for those teens to have such an incredible opportunity with the first US-born Pope.

God is truly alive, at work to bring us Abundant Life in all our circumstances.  So all the time, we constantly have reason to give thanks.

Word on Fire, Ablaze for 25 Years

Today is Bishop Robert Barron's birthday.  It's particularly special to celebrate him as this year marks the 25th anniversary of Word on Fire, the organization he founded.

I watched a mini-documentary about Word on Fire's origins that was released on October 1, the Feast of St. Therese of Lisieux, who is a patron of the organization.  Cardinal George heard the call of Pope St. John Paul II to launch a new evangelization.  He recognized the gifts of then-Father Barron, and tapped him to spearhead the work of the New Evangelization.

Something Bishop Barron said in recent months speaks to the nature of Word on Fire.  He says that the Church should move beyond functions inside church buildings and go out to where people are.  He started by broadcasting homilies on the radio.  Now, Word on Fire has become a huge media-driven organization,  providing stellar resources to proclaim the faith in print and oline.  One great example, among the many books from Word on Fire, is the one on the Eucharist.  Its YouTube channel lots of great content.  There's also the Word on Fire program with stimulating discussions.   Bishop Barron hosts interviews with many people to talk about principles of faith.  One I recently listened to was with Rabbi Soloveichik, a fellow member of a presidential committee on religious freedom.  And he offers a weekly homily, which deeply emphasizes the truths of faith and how they should impact us.  He offer makes a remark saying, "Fellow sinners", noting that there are times when we don't live up to the call of living faithfully.  He also draws principles from the readings that summons us to strive deeply for what matters most in life, like loving as willing the good of the other.  He has a truly gifted mind, and this occasions gives us so much to celebrate.

It's a ministry that continues the call of Pope St. John Paul II and Cardinal George.  IT's great that Bishop Barron is visionary in launching a Word on Fire Order that will continue this work into the future, so the Church can continue to answer the call to boldly proclaim the faith.

I saw Bishop Barron speak in person at the National Eucharistic Congress before 50000 people inside Lucas Oil Stadium on July 20, 2024.  When he came out on the stage, people spontaneously gave him a standing ovation.  After a powerful talk on what chastity, obedience, and poverty for all of us, he intended to quote St. Catherine of Siena's attributed statement, "Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire."  Instead, he slipped, and said "...you will set the Word on Fire".

Perhaps that slip speaks to the impact of how Word on Fire has helped people to be who God meant them to be and set the world on fire.

Happy Birthday Bishop Barron!

Congratulations and God's Blessing to Word on Fire!

Bishop Barron at the 10th National Eucharistic Congress