Talking Catholic

The Catholic Media Conference is coming to Atlantic City, and Talking Catholic is getting ready to welcome Catholic communicators from across the country to South Jersey.In this special episode, host Jen Mauro and co-hosts Leslie Visco and Lisa Lauria spotlight the upcoming Catholic Media Association annual conference, which will be hosted locally by the Diocese of Camden from June 16-19, 2026, at Harrah’s Atlantic City. The conversation offers a preview of what attendees can expect, including nationally recognized speakers, professional development sessions, networking opportunities, and a chance to experience the energy and hospitality of the Jersey Shore.Whether you work in diocesan communications, Catholic journalism, parish media, publishing, podcasting, social media, photography, video production or ministry storytelling, the Catholic Media Conference is a chance to sharpen your skills, build relationships and be renewed in the shared mission of communicating the Gospel with clarity, creativity and hope.Register, spread the word, and come be part of the Catholic media community at the shore: https://www.catholicmediaconference.org.  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

This week on the Talking Catholic, cohosts Kari Janisse and Mike Bress explore the beauty and meaning of the Sacrament of Holy Communion and the important role our Catholic schools and parishes play in preparing children to receive Jesus in the Eucharist.Joining the conversation are first grade teacher, Julianne LaRosa; second grade teacher, Mackenzie McNelia; and advancement director, Jackie Kern from St. Mary School in Williamstown, who share how they help young students grow in faith, understand the significance of the sacrament, and prepare spiritually for their First Holy Communion.The group discusses the different classroom lessons the students participate in throughout the school year to prepare, the experience of the first time the receive the Eucharist, and what it feels like to now be included in this special part of the Catholic faith and Mass.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

On this episode of Talking Catholic, hosts Mike Walsh and Jen Mauro welcome back Michael Canaris and Maureen O'Connell of the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University Chicago to discuss their leadership in the national Catholic Education Network to Enact and Resource Synodality (CENTERS) initiative—an ambitious collaboration helping Catholics across the United States take a more active role in the life and leadership of the Church. Supported by a $10 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. and involving 16 Catholic colleges and universities, CENTERS strengthens listening, dialogue, and shared discernment in the Church by forming pastoral leaders, supporting local projects, hosting regional trainings and national assemblies, and launching the Adsumus Fellowship for emerging ministry leaders. The initiative builds on Pope Francis’ call for a more participatory, missionary Church and invites Catholics at every level to help shape its future together.Canaris and O’Connell reflect on how Catholic higher education is uniquely positioned to accompany the Church’s synodal journey—and how partnerships among universities, dioceses, and lay leaders are already creating new pathways for formation, collaboration, and shared responsibility across the country.Listeners interested in supporting this important work are encouraged to learn more about CENTERS and consider making a contribution to sustain its mission of forming the next generation of Church leaders - https://www.luc.edu/ips/centerssynodality. 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 April marks Autism Awareness Month, the Talking Catholic podcast travels to Ocean City to highlight a powerful example of welcome in action at Saint Damien Parish’s Mass of Welcome and Inclusion.Cohosts Jen Mauro and Mike Walsh are joined by Chris Devaney, who brings nearly 50 years of experience serving special needs individuals, and Nicole Keefer, Executive Director of VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services for the Diocese of Camden. Together, they share how this growing ministry helps individuals with autism, Down syndrome, and other special needs fully participate in parish life—including receiving the sacraments and serving in liturgical roles.The conversation explores how accompaniment, creativity, and a committed parish community have opened doors for families who once felt isolated from church life—and how this model can inspire other parishes to do the same. As Chris notes, the most powerful message families carry home from these celebrations is simple but profound: you are welcome here.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

How can the Church and her people better meet the mental health needs of others?Bishop John Dolan of the Diocese of Phoenix graciously shares his time and insight with cohosts Mike Walsh and Jen Mauro on this deeply moving episode of Talking Catholic.Bishop Dolan, who was instrumental in founding the first diocesan Office of Mental Health Ministry in the United States, has made supporting mental health a key component of his ministry. As a survivor of suicide loss, he discusses how mental health is not simply “mind over matter,” and the critical roles science and faith play.Bishop Dolan will serve as the keynote speaker for the upcoming one-day conference, “From Isolation to Belonging, Mental Health and the Catholic Church.” The program will be held May 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. at the Saint John Neumann Pastoral Center, 146 Metlars Lane, Piscataway. Registration is limited, so those interested in attending are encouraged to register online at www.njconf.com.Read all about the New Jersey Catholic Mental Health Conference. Don’t miss it, register today!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