The title for this blog is taken from Acts 1:8, "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses... to the end of the earth." This blog is about the witness of faith through the power of the Holy Spirit in the world today. The above photo is of the friars on the Sea of Galilee recording video reflections.
Fr. Mark talks to Sr. Annamarie Mix at the Museum of St. Maximilian Kolbe located in Niepokalanów monastery in central Poland. Tour this fascinating museum and and discuss the life of St. Maximilian Kolbe.
Emily Albrecht from the pro-life organization Equal Rights Institute speaks about the ministry of reaching young people and changing hearts about abortion.
Rome Boys is a Catholic Show with Tony the Theologian (Cradle Catholic), Chris the Entrepreneur (Convert) and Joe the Farmer (Revert) as your hosts. They take a topic and discuss it from three different perspectives. Tony has a BA and MA in Theology and taught Theology for 11 years. Chris has had success in a variety of jobs throughout his career. (Gold's Gym, UPS, Nursing Home Admin, etc..) He teaches RCIA and has been a DRE/Youth Minister. Joe has farmed most of his life, teaches CCD/RCIA, is our tech guy and is a natural comedian. Tony is married with 7 children. Chris is married with 6 children. Joe is married with 5 children.
Rhonda Gruenewald is the founder of Vocation Ministry. She has trained thousands of priests and laity, representing over 4,000 parishes and 50 schools in over 50 dioceses on how to create a culture of vocations so that men and women can more easily answer God’s call.
An in depth conversation with Catholic filmmaker and Christendom College student, John Paul Gutschke. Fr. Mark asks about his latest work and his philosophy of communication through film.
Fr. Barry Braum recently served as retreat master for the MFVA friars annual community retreat. He talks about the relationship between Scripture and the Eucharist, the subject matter of the retreat.
Fr. Braum was ordained a priest in the French diocese of Frejus-Toulon. Following his ordination Fr. Braum served as a retreat director in Long Island NY at the Eucharistic Retreat Center in the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception. While living there he directed Eucharistic retreats for priests, religious communities and the laity. In addition to these silent retreats he has also given many Eucharistic parish missions across Europe, Australia, Africa and throughout the United States. Fr. Braum is currently working on his doctoral dissertation through the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, while also serving as chaplain to the Tyburn convent in London. Prior to entering seminary, Fr. Braum studied and worked as an artist and graphic designer with a focus on oil, acrylic and digital mediums.
Sr. Mary Anthony of the Sister Servants of the Eternal Word talks to us about humility and Jesus, the model of humility.
Ashley Piche is the executive director of of Creatio, an organization that helps people encounter the beauty of creation and the Creator through service to the poor, mission trips, outdoor adventure and care for creation. Prior to joining Creatio, she led a 15-year career in education working to ensure that children in high poverty neighborhoods – specifically in Washington, DC and rural Colorado - have access to high-quality educational opportunities. She also talks to us about her conversion to Catholicism.
Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers, international speaker and bestselling author, talks to Fr. Mark about his new book, “Our Life of Service: The Handbook for Catholic Deacons,” providing the spiritual and practical support for Catholic Deacons in the world today.
Sr. Briege McKenna, O.S.C was born in Ireland and
entered the Sisters of St. Clare at the age of fifteen. Following her
final vows and after suffering for more than three years with rheumatoid
arthritis, she was transferred to her community in Tampa, Florida with
the hope that the Florida sunshine would relieve her suffering. At the
age of twenty-four, she was miraculously and instantaneously healed
during the celebration of the Eucharist and some time later received, in
prayer, the gift of healing for which she has become so widely known.
In 1974, again during prayer, she was given a deep spiritual insight
into the mystery of the call to priesthood. Since then, bishops and
priests in many parts of the world have invited her to speak and
minister at their retreats and conferences. Sr. Briege ministered to
priests in collaboration with Fr. Kevin Scallon, CM for over forty-two
years until his death in June 2018. She now continues with this
ministry.
Fr. Stu Long, is the boxer-turned-priest, portrayed in the new film starring Mark Wahlberg and Mel Gibson. Fr. Mark speaks with Fr. Bart Tollenson, a brother priest of Fr. Stu in the Diocese of Helena, MT, and Fr. Stu’s younger sister, Amy Tisdale.
Marco Saccaggi is the Southeast Coordinator for Communion & Liberation, an ecclesial movement in the Catholic Church founded by Fr. Luigi Giussani.
Deacon Jim Vargas is president and CEO of Father Joe’s Villages, the largest homeless services provider in San Diego.
Iwo Bender is Journalist, Historian, and EWTN's Regional Manager of Central and Eastern Europe. He talks to us about the Ukrainian Crisis from a Polish Perspective.
Sr. Paesie, a French nun, founded the Kizito Family (a community of Catholic nuns) after 30 years as a Missionary of Charity. She lives in Cite Soleil in Port-au-Prince, Haiti running orphanages, schools, and Catechism centers serving about 2,000 children who live in extreme poverty in the largest slum area of the northern hemisphere.
If you wish to make a donation for the Kizito Family:
Online: https://www.kizitofamily.org/
By mail:
Make check payable to: Kizito Family Haiti-USA Inc.
Mail to:
Kizito Family Haiti-USA Inc.
408 S. Eagle Road #103,
Eagle, ID 83616
Have you encountered a particularly difficult situation and struggled to trust Jesus? Sister Faustina Maria Pia of the Sisters of Life talks to us about this very situation, from discerning her religious vocation to growing in her spiritual life. She composed the Litany of Trust, a powerful prayer for clarity and open dialogue with Jesus.
Fr. Sebastian White, O.P., currently serves as editor-in-chief of Magnificat magazine. He talks to us about this monthly publication that is a spiritual companion and guide to so many. He also talks to us about his conversion to Roman Catholicism, his vocation as a Dominican Friar, and much more!
Rachel Ullmann is the executive director of the Given Institute, an organization dedicated to activating the gifts of young adult women for the Catholic Church and the world. She talks to us about her background as well as inspiring and equipping the next generation of female leaders.
Joelle Maryn is an award-winning, actress, speaker, and TV host. She had a major reversion back to the Catholic faith and now engages in faith-based, inspirational, and family-friendly films and TV shows to lead others closer to Christ. Her new short film, “Fully Known,” tackles one of the greatest worldwide crises of our time - spiritual amnesia. Inspired by actual events, a woman challenged by life choices discovers her true calling and identity in a story of faith and redemption.
Patrick Flanagan is a retired military officer and current government contractor with the Department of Defense who has also done charity work in Afghanistan. He gives us an overview and brief modern history of radical Islam in the Middle East and superpower involvement.
Sissel Anderson shares the story of how her parents returned to the Catholic Church with all their children converting. Sissel now works for the Guadalupe Radio Network hosting a pair of radio programs. She and Fr. Mark discuss a range of topics including conversion, discipleship, and even film & media.