On this episode of Catholic Conversations host David Liptak speaks with Mike Bohl and illustrator Nancy Johnson about The First Night of Christmas — a child-centered retelling of Christ’s birth born from family loss, self-publishing challenges, and a mission to give back to anti-trafficking charities.

Later, author Stephen Thomas discusses his novel Catholic Joe, the role of suffering and adoration in spiritual growth, and the call for Catholic men to lead by faith and compassion. The show highlights storytelling, community outreach, and living faith in daily life.

Deacon Al Lundy welcomes listeners to an Advent-themed episode filled with personal Christmas memories, light-hearted anecdotes about decorations (and a mischievous cat), and a preview of upcoming nativity stories.

He reflects on Gaudete Sunday and explains the readings from Isaiah, James, and Matthew — highlighting the signs of the Messiah, John the Baptist’s questions, and Jesus’ reassurance that God comes in love and salvation.

The episode closes with a call to prepare our inner “stable” for Christ’s coming and an invitation for listeners to submit faith questions to the show.

Email your questions to Deacon AL: goodnews@catholicspiritradio.org

On Catholic Conversations host Stan Ketcik speaks with Dr. Peter Howard about his open letter and campaign to advance Venerable Fulton Sheen’s beatification and canonization. They discuss the approved miracle, the unexpected diocesan delays, and why Sheen’s preaching and daily holy hour are urgently relevant today.

The episode explains how listeners can help—prayer, contacting the Diocese of Peoria, sharing resources—and points to FultonSheenInstitute.com and FultonSheenMovement.com for more information, recordings, and ways to get involved.

Deacon Al Lundy shares the recent loss of his mother-in-law and how her peaceful, faith-filled passing highlighted the Catholic focus on resurrection, hope, and the dignity of dying.

He ties this personal story to the second Sunday of Advent readings (Isaiah, Romans, Matthew), calling listeners to repentance, unity, and bearing good spiritual fruit as they prepare for Christ and make use of the sacraments.

Email your questions to Deacon AL: goodnews@catholicspiritradio.org

Deacon Al reflects on Thanksgiving, family traditions, and the start of Advent, urging listeners to prepare both their homes and hearts for Christ’s coming through worship, repentance, and hope.

Email your questions to Deacon AL: goodnews@catholicspiritradio.org

Deacon Al reflects on the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King through this weekend’s readings from Samuel, Colossians, and Luke, and explains what it means to live under Christ’s rule.

He shares personal moments — a silent retreat, assisting at Cursillo, turning 70, and the funeral of Monsignor Doug Hennessy — drawing connections between grief, joy, and faith.

The episode closes with the gospel scene of the crucifixion and the good thief’s plea, offering a hopeful reminder to place Christ at the center of our lives.

Email your questions to Deacon AL: goodnews@catholicspiritradio.org

Bob Johnston and Lynn examine the apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes, Bernadette’s testimony, the Church’s investigations of miraculous cures, and the ongoing devotion at the grotto.

The episode then explores speculative links between modern physics—particularly M‑theory and hidden dimensions—and reports of near‑death, out‑of‑body experiences to consider scientific frameworks that might help explain apparitions and miracles.

Bob Johnston reads Justin Lee’s "The Death of Halloween" and explores Halloween’s origins in All Saints and All Souls, its links to Samhain, and how commercialization and social change drained the festival of its play, meaning, and communal purpose.

The episode calls Christians to recover a spirit of reverent play and communal memory—reminding listeners why Hallowtide once united the living and the dead and how that sacramental imagination might be restored.