Talking Catholic

During the Easter season, the Church celebrates not just a single day, but 50 days of resurrection joy, and what better guide for living that joy than St. Francis of Assisi?On this episode of Talking Catholic, cohosts Mike Walsh and Jen Mauro welcome Fr. Jason Rocks, Chancellor of the Diocese of Camden and pastor of Holy Eucharist Parish, for a conversation on how Catholics can live the Easter season more intentionally; and how the witness of St. Francis still speaks powerfully to the Church today.Father Rocks reflects on the meaning of the 50 days of Easter as a time to continue walking with the risen Christ through prayer, Scripture, Eucharist, and community life. He also explores what made St. Francis such a transformative figure, not simply his poverty or love of nature, but the fact that “Jesus was the reality he lived by.” That same call, he explains, remains at the heart of the Christian life today.The conversation also touches on listening as a spiritual practice, recognizing “threshold moments” for evangelization, finding holiness in ordinary work, and responding to God’s grace in everyday life. Whether you’re looking for practical ways to deepen your Easter faith or fresh inspiration from Franciscan spirituality, this episode offers encouragement to become a light of Christ in the world right where you are.Listen to Talking Catholic everywhere podcasts can be found, at https://talking.catholicstarherald.org/talking-catholic, or catch us on Domestic Church Media radio (https://domesticchurchmedia.org) Sundays at 11 AM or Mondays at 4 PM.Follow us using our @TalkingCatholic handle on Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | X

As you’ll hear in our intro for this episode, it’s been a busy Lent and Holy Week for us, so we’re taking a short break from recording a new episode, but we wanted to feature last year’s conversation with Jim Dessicino as he opens up his new project Cappella Studio in Atlantic city this Spring - cappellastudio.org. [Originally released February 24, 2025] This week on Talking Catholic, we embark on an audio sacred art tour! Sculptor and art expert Jim Dessicino joins hosts Mike Walsh and Jen Mauro to explore the profound connection between artwork, beauty, and faith.A parish catechetical leader at the Parish of Saint Monica in Atlantic City, Dessicino is one of the few non-Italian to have led tours of Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Closer to home, he also guides visitors through the historic Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Church in Atlantic City.Join us as Dessicino takes listeners on a captivating journey through sacred art, uncovering its pivotal role in Church history, faith, and the pursuit of truth and goodness. Don’t miss this enlightening episodeListen to Talking Catholic everywhere podcasts can be found, at https://talking.catholicstarherald.org/talking-catholic, or catch us on Domestic Church Media radio (https://domesticchurchmedia.org) Sundays at 11 AM or Mondays at 4 PM.Listen to Talking Catholic everywhere podcasts are found or at talking.catholicstarherald.org/talking-catholic. And, catch us on Domestic Church Media Radio Sundays at 11 AM | Mondays at 4 PM: domesticchurchmedia.orgFollow us using our @TalkingCatholic handle on Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | X

On this week’s episode of Talking Catholic, host Mike Walsh welcomes leaders from Catholic Charities USA’s Disaster Operations team to reflect on the impact and purpose of the Applied Institute for Disaster Excellence (AIDE), the organization’s national training that prepares Catholic Charities agencies and partners to respond effectively to disasters across the country.Joining the conversation are Jennifer L. Dyer, Director of Capacity Building; Melissa Hruska, Director of Disaster Case Management; Abby Qualliotine, Senior Manager of Outreach and Support; and Daniel Altenau, Director of Communications and Disaster Services for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh. Together, they explore how AIDE equips participants with practical skills in preparedness, response, recovery, and communications—while also strengthening relationships across the Catholic Charities network.The group also discusses new presentations offered this year on disaster communications and the ethical use of artificial intelligence, as well as the hands-on tabletop exercises that help participants apply what they’ve learned in real-world scenarios. Throughout the conversation, they reflect on the deeply spiritual foundation of disaster response work and how the Gospel call of Matthew 25 continues to guide Catholic Charities’ mission to serve those most vulnerable in times of crisis.Listen to Talking Catholic everywhere podcasts are found or at talking.catholicstarherald.org/talking-catholic. And, catch us on Domestic Church Media Radio Sundays at 11 AM | Mondays at 4 PM: domesticchurchmedia.orgFollow us using our @TalkingCatholic handle on Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | X

Pope Leo recently said that sport is “a shared activity, open to all and salutary for both body and spirit.”That is on full display this week as Talking Catholic takes a field trip to Bishop Eustace Preparatory School to talk with senior Alyce Lehman – a record-breaking swimmer, Stanford University commit, very likely future Olympian, and all-around joyful and spiritual student-athlete.“Before I race, I’m like, ‘God, I’m going to leave this up to you – whatever is in your will is going to happen. I know you will help me, and I have to do my part,’” says Alyce, one of New Jersey’s top swimmers who recently won her first state title. “I think having that mentality has helped me to do well – and knowing that God is with me and that he still loves me no matter how the results come out.”Join co-hosts Mike Bress and Jen Mauro as they not only welcome Alyce, but ace sports reporter Mark Zimmaro, too! Tune in as this fab foursome talk faith, swimming, sports and more. Plus, Alyce’s joy is contagious – we dare you not to have a smile the whole way through!Listen to Talking Catholic everywhere podcasts are found or at talking.catholicstarherald.org/talking-catholic. And, catch us on Domestic Church Media Radio Sundays at 11 AM | Mondays at 4 PM: domesticchurchmedia.orgFollow us using our @TalkingCatholic handle on Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | X

In this week’s episode, cohosts Marianela Nunez and Mike Bress welcome Head of School, Michael McGhee, and Advancement Director, Steve Normane, from Holy Spirit High School, Absecon, to discuss the school’s newly launched strategic plan and the vision guiding the school’s future.Michael and Steve share how the strategic planning process began, the goals that shaped it, and the strong emphasis on creating a student-focused roadmap for the years ahead. They also talk about the collaborative effort behind the plan, highlighting the important role played by the school’s board, faculty, and wider community in bringing the vision to life.Beyond the strategic plan, the conversation also turns to the season of Lent and how the Holy Spirit community has been marking it through prayer, service, and reflection. From meaningful school-wide activities to opportunities for students to grow in faith, Michael and Steve offer a glimpse into how the school integrates Catholic identity into daily life.Listen to Talking Catholic everywhere podcasts are found or at talking.catholicstarherald.org/talking-catholic. And, catch us on Domestic Church Media Radio Sundays at 11 AM | Mondays at 4 PM: domesticchurchmedia.orgFollow us using our @TalkingCatholic handle on Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | X