From humble beginnings serving a small Catholic health dispensary in Baltimore, Mercy Health Services has grown over 150 years to a full-service system serving thousands of people each year, continuing with a special effort to serve women and those who are poor. Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty talked with Sister Helen Amos, RSM, chair of t…

In a world where noise seems to reign supreme, what’s the value of silence? How do we make room for silence in our lives? And how can silence help us in our spiritual journey?George Matysek talks about it with Dominican Father Dominic Koester.Father Koester is the associate pastor of Ss. Philip and James in Baltimore and the assistant chaplain for …

Where can you go these days to find movies that lift up human values of goodness, truth and beauty? Look no further than Family Theater Productions, a ministry of the Holy Cross fathers, inspired by the legacy of Venerable Father Patrick Peyton, famous for the axiom, “The family that prays together stays together.” Catholic Review Editor Christophe…

Delegates from all around the world are gathered this month in Rome for the second session of the World Synod of Bishops on Synodality. Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori is among them, participating in the prayerful discussions about how the Holy Spirit moves in the Church and the World. Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty talked with Archb…

Catholics may be in a quandary as they approach the voting booth this season, because there are no candidates who are completely in line with Catholic social teaching and the values the church holds. Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty talks with Jenny Kraska, executive director of the Maryland Catholic Conference, about how Catholics are “hom…

Listeners of Catholic Review Radio get their chance to ask Baltimore Auxiliary Bishop Adam J. Parker whatever questions are on their mind in this first-ever “Ask a Bishop” episode of the program. Bishop Parker was ordained to the priesthood in 2000 by Cardinal William H. Keeler. From 2001 to 2005, he served as associate pastor of three parishes in …

Beginning Oct. 1, Ascension Press offers a 28-day podcast designed to guide listeners through a reading of “Story of a Soul,” the much-loved spiritual autobiography of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. George Matysek talks about the project with one of the hosts of the new podcast, Carmelite Father Michael-Joseph Paris of St. Thérèse. Father Michael-Joseph i…

Earlier this spring, the Sexton’s Lodge Café opened at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore. Blessed by Archbishop William E. Lori in April, the café is envisioned as a place where people from throughout the region can gather for fellowship over free coffee.It is especially geared toward welc…

In June, Archbishop William E. Lori ordained six men to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Baltimore at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen. The year before, he ordained eight to the priesthood, which was the biggest class of new priest in the Baltimore Archdiocese in more than four decades. And in 2022, there were five new priests.George Matysek ta…

Why should parents make the investment in Catholic education? Christ-centered values, excellent academic instruction and safe places to learn are some of the elements highlighted by Gregory Farno chancellor of education for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, and his counterpart on the academic side, Superintendent Dr. Donna Hargens. Catholic Review Edit…

Did you know that Catholics were influential in starting the first parades to commemorate laborers, back in the 1880s? Or that we celebrate a secular Labor Day in September and a Catholic Labor Day May 1 on the feast of St. Joseph the Worker?Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty talks with Bill Droell, author, teacher and longtime editor for the…

The cross and medal of St. Benedict is considered one of the most powerful sacramentals of the Catholic Church. But where did this spiritual object come from, and how did it derive its power?George Matysek talks about it with Benedictine Father Robert Nixon, a monk with the Abbey of the Most Holy Trinity in Western Australia. Father Nixon is the au…

Mark Viviano has covered everything from the Orioles and Ravens to high school sports - breaking the story of the move of the Cleveland Browns to Baltimore in the 1990s. Recently, the five-time winner of Maryland Sportscaster of the Year made the decision to step away from the camera to focus on family, community service and his Catholic faith. He …

Father John Dear has dedicated his life to promoting peace and nonviolence. The internationally known author, activist and teacher of peace and nonviolence has been nominated twice for the Nobel Peace Prize and has worked with St. Teresa of Kolkata, Daniel and Philip Berrigan, Coretta Scott King and many others. A former Jesuit who now serves as a …

Why is communication so important to the church? The Catholic Church dedicates a lot of resources to ensuring that the enduring message of the Gospels is available. Popes and other leaders have said that the church must use all means of communication possible to spread the Word of Jesus. Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty talked with two stal…

In May, Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori announced the final plan for Seek the City to Come, a parish planning initiative designed to strengthen the Catholic Church’s presence in Baltimore City and some neighboring communities in Baltimore County.Under the plan, the number of parishes in those regions will be reduced from 61 to 23, and the numb…

What is the miracle that we receive in the Eucharist - the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord? A new documentary, “Jesus Thirsts: The Miracle of the Eucharist,” looks at the practice of the Catholic faith around the world and devotion to the Real Presence. Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty caught up with Jim Wahlberg, one of the p…

It’s baseball season and time for the MLB All Star Break. An Illinois priest was on his way to Major League Baseball when his life took a detour, and he’s now a priest – and the chaplain for the Chicago Cubs. Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty talked with Father Burke Masters of the Diocese of Joliet about his book, “Grand Slam for God.” Fath…

What does the Church teach about the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist? Research over the last several years has shown that a majority of Catholics don’t believe that the Eucharist is the true Body and Blood of Jesus. One researcher wanted to find out if wording the question more accurately could affect the response. Catholic Review Editor C…

For nearly 20 years, a public health program known as “Safe Streets” has been working to reduce violence and deaths by gunfire in Baltimore City.Focusing on training community members in conflict mediation, Safe Streets operates in some of the most troubled area of the city.Catholic Charities of Baltimore runs four of the city’s 10 Safe Streets sit…

The Archdiocese of Baltimore will reduce the number of parishes in the City of Baltimore from 61 to 23, and the number of worship sites from 59 to 30. The move reflects the change of demographics in the city over several decades and aims to have vibrant, viable parishes focused on evangelizing their neighborhoods. Catholic Review Editor Christopher…

Four groups of pilgrims departed May 18 from the corners of the United States to process with the Eucharist en route to the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. The eastern route, named for Maryland’s own St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, passed through Maryland June 5th through 7th. Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty talked with two of the …

Throughout the centuries, Catholic saints have written countless spiritual classics that have touched hearts and changed lives. But, until now, many of these worked have been inaccessible to modern audiences because they haven’t been translated from Latin.Tan Books has launched a new initiative called TAN Resurrection that is bringing back to life …

When the Benedictine Sisters of Mary, Queen of Apostles, were preparing to reinter the remains of Sister Mary Wilhelmina Lancaster, their foundress, in rural Missouri, they made an amazing discovery.When the sisters exhumed Sister Wilhelmina’s remains this spring four years after her death, the body didn’t seem at all decayed and her religious habi…

Baltimore Auxiliary Bishop Adam J. Parker and Andrew Middleton, director of the archdiocesan Apostleship of the Sea, visited the stranded ship MV Dali May 1 at the site of the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, to bring care packages and visit the crew. Bishop Parker celebrated Mass for some of the Catholic members of the crew, who are all f…

You may have heard of Peking Man, a breakthrough “missing link” in paleontology and the study of human evolution, but did you know that a Catholic priest was integral to that discovery in 1929 in China? Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty talks with Frank and Mary Frost, producers of “Teilhard: Visionary Scientist,” a documentary about Jesuit …

It’s another Books and Authors day on Catholic Review Radio. Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty talks with Eric Clayton about his book, “My Life with the Jedi… The Spirituality of Star Wars,” and discusses how the religious elements of good, evil and redemption play into the epic saga. Managing Editor George Matysek Jr. chats with Elizabeth “…

Millions of people in the world lack even the most basic necessity of life: clean, safe drinking water. Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty talks with Nick Jordan, Founder and CEO of Wells of Life, a ministry that has built or restored more than 1,000 wells in Uganda. Jordan talks about how the work is based on biblical principles and brings w…

The dragon-slaying tale of St. George is most likely mythological. The saint is not. But who was this elusive figure? With the Feast of St. George coming up April 23, George Matysek talks with Hanael Bianchi, a professor of history at Howard Community College, who holds a doctorate in British history from The Catholic University of America. Bianchi…

Matt Maher has been singing and ministering to people around the world for more than 20 years. He remains focused on his Catholic faith and the graces in his life, including as a husband and father. Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty talked Matt in Frederick Maryland about how faith shapes his music, and about the Eucharist as he prepares to …

At the end of last year, a new book by Deacon Frederick “Fritz” Bauerschmidt was named the winner of the Michael Ramsey Prize, one of the world’s most prestigious awards for theological writing. Presented by the Archbishop of Canterbury at a ceremony held in December at Lambeth Palace Library in London, the award recognized Deacon Bauerschmidt for …

The Easter season is full of great feasts such as Divine Mercy Sunday and Pentecost, and rich Scripture readings, including the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus. Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty talked with Father Justin Gough, associate pastor of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, about how the season can help Catholics renew and…

The Serra Club has been promoting religious vocations in the United States and around the world for decades. Today, the local branch of the Serra Club in the Archdiocese of Baltimore is growing and working to support vocations to the priesthood and religious life – while also encouraging men and women of all walks of life to answer the universal ca…

What is love? We all use the term in a lot of different ways. “I love pizza.” “I love listening to jazz music.” “I love my kids.” “I love my wife.” But do we mean the same thing when we use the same word? Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty talks with Andrew Buonapane – an assistant director for Marriage and Family Life in the US Conference of…

The Oscars will be broadcast March 10. As Hollywood folks deck out in their finest outfits and prepare their acceptance speeches, we wanted to get the viewpoints of two catholic film critics on trends at the movies and their takes on the nominees. Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty and guest co-host Ann Augherton of the Arlington Catholic Her…

The Oscars will be broadcast March 10. As Hollywood folks deck out in their finest outfits and prepare their acceptance speeches, we wanted to get the viewpoints of two catholic film critics on trends at the movies and their takes on the nominees. Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty and guest co-host Ann Augherton of the Arlington Catholic Her…

In advance of the March 11 Maryland March for Life in Annapolis, the Catholic Review talks with Erin Younkins about the many ways Catholics in the Archdiocese of Baltimore are supporting a culture of life. Younkins shares the latest news on efforts to legalize physician-assisted suicide in Maryland and the upcoming vote on a constitutional amendmen…

Based on the life and work of the first American citizen to become a saint, “Cabrini” takes viewers into the world of turn-of-the-century New York as Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini takes on the work of ministering to poor immigrants, especially from her homeland of Italy. Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty talked with Leo Severino, one of the …

To better understand the social, spiritual and cultural realities of the people of El Salvador and to better serve people of Salvadoran descent in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Lia Garcia and Father Austin Murphy were part of a recent pastoral visit to the Central American nation Jan. 25-30. Garcia is the director of Hispanic ministry for the Archd…

Catholic Charities USA supports a network of more than 160 agencies across the country that provide food, job training, housing and other assistance to those in need. Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty talked with Kerry Robinson, president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, about how Catholic agencies fill the gaps in social services all arou…

Blessed Jerzy Popiełuszko was one of the most remarkable and heroic figures of the 20th Century. A humble priest and prophet of nonviolence, Blessed Jerzy inspired his fellow Poles to stand up for truth and resist Communist oppression in Cold War-era Poland. Judith Kelly, author of “Just Call me Jerzy,” joins us in this encore episode of Catholic R…

Catholic schools provide a Christ-centered education, at a value compared to other private school options. Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty talks with new Archdiocese of Baltimore Chancellor of Education Greg Farno about his plans to focus on strategic planning, financial resources, developing leaders and recruiting faculty and students in …

“The Chronicles of Narnia” by C.S. Lewis is one of the most beloved children’s series of all time. In this encore episode of Catholic Review Radio, we talk about the significance of Lewis’ imaginative world and the spiritual benefit Lewis’ stories have on children and adults alike. Our guest is Leonard DeLorenzo, editor of “Chronicles of Transforma…

January is Braille Literacy Month, and that’s a good time to highlight the work of the Xavier Society for the Blind, which provides catechetical resources and other Catholic reading material to those who are blind or have low-vision concerns. Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty talked Malachy Fallon, executive director of the Xavier Society fo…

Humanitarian crises all over the world have a profound impact on millions of people every day, but only some of the affected regions make it into the news and public consciousness. Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty talked with Caroline Brennan, emergency communications director for Catholic Relief Services about the urgent crisis in the Holy…

It has been a year of ups and downs for the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty talked with Archbishop William E. Lori about vocations, the Eucharistic Revival Project, the archdiocese’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization, the environment and more for our year-end review, and a look ahead to 2024.…

What is the meaning of the Incarnation and the significance of Christians? Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty talked with Father Tyler Kline about how we take the message of Christmas and apply it to our lives every day, not just during the Christmas season.Catholic Review Media

A Ray of Light in Darkness – the Heroic Story of the Ulma Family on Exhibit at the St. John Paul II ShrineDuring World War II, Hitler made it forbidden and punishable by death for anyone who harbored those of Jewish descent. In southeastern Poland, a Catholic family – Josef, Wiktoria and their seven children of the Ulma family – were executed for h…

The Rebuilt Parish phenomenon or movement began about 10 years ago with the publication of “Rebuilt” by Father Michael White and Tom Corcoran of Church of the Nativity in Timonium, Md. Since then, Rebuilt Parish has expanded to workbooks, podcasts and more, engaging with hundreds of parishes across the nation. Now, the pair has published a new book…