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Episode 240: How Thomas Merton Introduced Marc Aronoff to the Mystical Writings of St. Catherine of Genoa

November 27th, 2023  |  42 mins 28 secs

book interview, saints

Marc Aronoff found himself at the Abbey of Gethsemani to conduct research about Thomas Merton. As he read Merton's journals, he discovered one sentence about St. Catherine of Genoa and that led Marc Aronoff on a life changing discovery of St. Catherine of Genoa. In this interview, Marc introduces listeners to the life and writings of St. Catherine of Genoa and Thomas Merton.

Episode 239: Thankful for 2023, Mary's Intercession, and Podcast Guests and Listeners

November 20th, 2023  |  29 mins 51 secs

fr. edward monologue

This week, Fr. Edward Looney shares what he is grateful for in 2023 as we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving. He shares about his change in ministry, the power of Mary's intercession, his experience in England, and finally a review of some of his favorite episodes from 2023. Who knows, maybe this will become an annual Thanksgiving Week tradition.

Episode 238: What We Can Learn from the Popes Over the Course of a Year with Fr. Jeffrey Kirby, STD

November 13th, 2023  |  33 mins 40 secs

book interview

There have been 266 popes throughout the history of the Catholic Church, beginning with St. Peter and up through today with Pope Francis. Fr. Kirby has authored a 365 day devotional on the papacy and the writings of the Holy Fathers. There is a lot the popes can teach us. Read, reflect, pray, and learn from the wisdom of the pontiffs with the help of Fr. Jeffrey Kirby. In this conversation with Fr. Edward Looney, you will learn from Fr. Kirby about the Avignon Papacy, what the popes have taught us about Mary, who he believes is an overlooked pope, and so much more.

Episode 237: Acknowledging and Healing the Father Wound Within Us with Bob Kroll

November 6th, 2023  |  41 mins 48 secs

book interview

Bob Kroll has written a new book that will help set many people on a journey of healing. Many people have a father wound because of absent fathers, neglectful fathers, abusive fathers, vice-ridden fathers, and the list goes on. Through our own prayer and spirituality we are able to identify how we are wounded and in response then seek healing from God. Bob Kroll joins. Fr. Edward Looney in a discussion about healing our father wounds especially through Eucharistic adoration and Bob's 13 steps.

Episode 236: Saints Who Were Devoted to Saints with Kimberly Begg

November 1st, 2023  |  36 mins

book interview, saints

I've marveled over saints and their devotion to Mary. But saints and their devotion to other saints has been inspiring to me too. I'm grateful for Kimberly Begg's new book Unbreakable: Saints Who Inspired Saints to Moral Courage. In a conversation fitting for All Saints Day, allow the witness of the saints and their devotion to inspire you.

Episode 235: Mary's Town Productions Is Asking Mother Mary to Wrap Her Mantle Around Hollywood

October 23rd, 2023  |  35 mins 10 secs

rosary

Dave and Michael have been lifelong friends. In recent years, this friendship led them to pray for the culture and conversion of Hollywood. This has since been formalized with Mary's Town Productions and the rosary prayed over Zoom twice a week. Learn more about their apostolate of prayer, why it's needed, and the fruit they have seen in this week's How They Love Mary episode.

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Episode 234: A Book on Purgatory for Children (Susan Tassone) and the Theology Behind It (Fr. Mark Latcovich)

October 16th, 2023  |  56 mins 27 secs

book interview, children's books

In this two-part interview, Fr. Edward Looney first speaks with best-selling author Susan Tassone about her new children's book about Purgatory titled New Friends: Now and Forever. In the second part, Fr. Mark Latcovich helps us understand the theology that lies underneath Tassone's story. A timely interview as we prepare for the month of the Holy Souls beginning in November.

Episode 233: Roma Downey Leaves Messages in the Moon

October 10th, 2023  |  23 mins 27 secs

book interview, celebrity

When Roma Downey was a child, she was told to leave a message in the moon for those she loved. This little sentiment has stayed with her ever since and in this interview with Fr. Edward Looney she shares about her new children's book "A Message in the Moon."

Episode 232: Amanda Lauer Shares About Her Life as a Writer

October 4th, 2023  |  29 mins 2 secs

book interview

Amanda Lauer, the author of the new book Royal & Ancient, shares with Fr. Looney about her life as an author and what it all entails. She shares how she gets her inspiration and researches for her novels. If you are an aspiring author, allow Amanda to impart her wisdom with you through this interview.

Episode 231: Bear Woznick Believes Men Need To Be Men Again

September 26th, 2023  |  35 mins 35 secs

book interview

In this interview, Fr. Edward Looney speaks with Bear Woznick, a surfer, martial artist, author, and radio personality who has a quest to help men be men and deepen a masculine spirituality. He shares about the themes and takeaways from his new book with Sophia Institute Press, "12 Rules for Manliness Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?"

Episode 230: How Our Lady (of La Vang and Lourdes) Helped Peter "Graceman" Le to Find Hope and Purpose in Suffering

September 11th, 2023  |  47 mins 35 secs

book interview

Peter "Graceman" Le has underwent suffering throughout his life, most recently with cancer. Yet while suffering he has relied on God for hope, purpose, and grace in the midst of it. He has a strong devotion to Our Lady of LaVang and has been a pilgrim to Lourdes. Ave Maria Press editor Heidi Hess Saxton met Peter Le and knew his story needed to be shared. In this episode meet Peter Le and hear his inspiring story.

Episode 229: Why Silence is Important in the Spiritual Life and How to Foster It with Fr. Basil Nortz, O.R.C. 

September 5th, 2023  |  30 mins 26 secs

book interview

Fr. Basil Nortz has authored a book "On Holy Silence" wherein he offers a practical guide for recollection in part inspired by Sr. Marie-Aimee de Jesus. In this episode, Fr. Basil reflects on how silence was a part of the life of Our Lady, who is depicted on the cover, the benefits of silence, and the different types of silence that exist, including the silence of imagination.

Episode 228: Let St. Augustine Teach You the Language of Prayer with Sarah McLaughlin

August 28th, 2023  |  35 mins 4 secs

book interview

St. Augustine is a doctor of the Church and his conversion to Catholicism was after years of prayers by his mother St. Monica. St. Augustine went on to write many works of magnificent theology including "The Confessions" and "City of God." Sarah McLaughlin has combed the writings of St. Augustine and collected his various prayers, teaching us the language of prayer. Learn from Sarah McLaughlin in this episode about the significance of St. Augustine, why she became fascinated by his writings, and what he can teach us about prayer.

Episode 227: The Next Iconic Faith and Sports Film on the Big Screen--The Hill with Rickey Hill and Jeff Celentano

August 25th, 2023  |  18 mins 36 secs

movies

Rickey Hill was born with a degenerative spinal issue. He dreamed of playing baseball, despite all the odds stacked against him, including his Pastor father being adamantly opposed. The new movie "The Hill" is a biopic on Rickey Hill's life and how he never stopped dreaming and accomplished his goals. Meet Rickey Hill and Director Jeff Celentano in this interview with Fr. Edward Looney about Rickey's backstory, why it took almost 20 years to make the film, and Rickey and Jeff's hopes for audience takeaways.

Episode 226: Kate Sydnor Helps Parents and Kids say Goodnight to Jesus

August 21st, 2023  |  24 mins 45 secs

book interview

Kate Sydnor has authored a new Catholic board book, ideal for bedtime routines, teaching the language of prayer to children and conveying the importance of saying Good Night to Jesus while thanking God for family and blessings. Learn why Kate wrote the board book and how you can incorporate it into your family's bedtime ritual.

Episode 225: Why We Need to Wake Up and Fight Woke Culture with Teresa Mull

August 14th, 2023  |  37 mins 38 secs

book interview

Teresa Mull wants to help us woke-proof our life with her new book from Sophia Institute Press. In this conversation, Teresa explains what the woke movement is all about, how we can live surrounded by it, and the role our faith has in combatting and correcting it.