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Click below to hear today’s edition of “Word to Life.”  Joining me in the studio to discuss the readings for the Fifth Sunday of Easter were two Dominican friars from the Vicariate of Eastern Africa, Fr. Charles Kato, OP, and Fr. Jude Mmassy, OP.  They live and serve in Kenya.  During their segment, they shared much about the life of the Church in Africa.  They stressed especially its youth and its ability to bring peace and stability to society.  Fr. Charles and Fr. Jude concluded their interview with lively exhortations to unity and conversion.

At the end of the show, Fr. Gabriel Gillen, OP, from the Church of St. Catherine of Siena in Manhattan, offered a brief glimpse of the homily he has prepared for this weekend.

“Word to Life” airs live every Friday at 1:00 PM Eastern on The Catholic Channel, Sirius 159 and XM 117.

Word to Life - May 8, 2009 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Click below for today’s discussion of the Mass readings for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, which is also known popularly as Good Shepherd Sunday.  Joining me for the broadcast were Fr. Gabriel Gillen, OP, a parochial vicar at the Church of St. Catherine of Siena here in Manhattan, and Fr. Mike Werkhoven, pastor of St. Paul the Apostle Church in Memphis, TN, and one of the personalities featured on Catholic Cafe.

“Word to Life” airs live every Friday afternoon at 1:00 PM Eastern on The Catholic Channel, Sirius 159 and XM 117.

Word to Life - May 1, 2009 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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It was a great joy and honor to have Fr. Carlos Azpiroz Costa, OP, the Master of the Order, in the studio for today’s broadcast.  Fr. Carlos is in the United States making a fraternal visit to our province.  He was in Washington last weekend for the dedication of the new wing at the House of Studies, and now he is visiting various priories and communities along the East Coast.  Click below to hear Fr. Carlos share his thoughts on the Dominican Order and also on the readings we’ll hear at Mass this Sunday.

Joining Fr. Carlos to discuss the readings was Fr. Brian Mulcahy, OP, the Socius of the Province of St. Joseph.

“Word to Life” airs live every Friday afternoon at 1:00 PM Eastern on The Catholic Channel, Sirius 159 and XM 117.

Word to Life - April 24, 2009 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Click below to enjoy a special Easter edition of “Word to Life.”  Fr. Gabriel Gillen, OP, Fr. Pius Pietrzyk, OP, and Fr. Paul Keller, OP, joined me for a discussion of the three main liturgies of the Easter Triduum.

“Word to Life” airs live every Friday afternoon at 1:00 PM eastern on The Catholic Channel, Sirius 159 and XM 117.

Word to Life - Easter Special Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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On today’s broadcast we prepared for the opening of Holy Week by looking closely at this weekend’s celebration of Passion Sunday, better known as Palm Sunday.

Joining me to discuss the finer points of the mysteries the Church begins to celebrate this Sunday was Fr. Romanus Cessario, OP, author of the recently published The Seven Last Words of Jesus.  Click here to see an earlier post on this book.

“Word to Life” airs live every Friday afternoon at 1:00 PM eastern on The Catholic Channel, Sirius 159 and XM 117.

Word to Life - April 3, 2009 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Click below for today’s broadcast. Joining me on show to discuss the readings for the Fifth Sunday in Lent were Fr. Brian Mulcahy, OP, Fr. James Cuddy, OP, and Fr. Gabriel Gillen, OP.

“Word to Life” airs live every Friday afternoon at 1:00 PM eastern on The Catholic Channel, Sirius 159 and XM 117.

Word to Life - March 27, 2009 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Click below to hear today’s discussion of the readings for the Fourth Sunday of Lent.  Joining me on the show were Fr. John Farren, OP, the Director of Advancement for the Province of St. Joseph, and Fr. Joseph Johnson, rector of the Cathedral of Saint Paul in St. Paul, MN.

“Word to Life” airs live every Friday afternoon at 1:00 PM eastern on The Catholic Channel, Sirius 159 and XM 117.

Word to Life - March 20, 2009 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Click below for today’s broadcast of “Word to Life.”  Joining me to discuss the readings for the Third Sunday of Lent were Fr. James Cuddy, OP, from the Church of St. Louis Bertrand in Louisville, KY, and Fr. Gabriel Gillen, OP, from the Church of St. Catherine of Siena here in Manhattan.

“Word to Life” airs live every Friday afternoon at 1:00 PM eastern on The Catholic Channel, Sirius 159 and XM 117.

Word to Life - March 13, 2009 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Tune in below to hear today’s discussion of the readings for the Second Sunday of Lent.  Joining me on the show were Br. James Brent, OP, a deacon at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, DC, and Fr. Sean Connor, pastor of the Church of St. Ann in Neponset, MA.

“Word to Life” airs live every Friday afternoon at 1:00 PM eastern on The Catholic Channel, Sirius 159 and XM 117.

Word to Life - March 6, 2009 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Joining me on the show today to help us prepare for the First Sunday of Lent were Fr. Pius Pietrzyk, OP, the parochial vicar of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Zanesville, OH, and Fr. Paul Keller, OP, a professor of theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville and president of the Society for Catholic Liturgy.

Word to Life - February 27, 2009 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Click below for video of today’s broadcast.

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Joining me for today’s discussion of the readings for the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time were Fr. Dominic Legge, OP, a professor of theology at Providence College, and Fr. Gabriel Gillen, an associate pastor at the Church of St. Catherine of Siena here in New York City.

“Word to Life” airs live on Friday afternoons at 1:00 PM eastern on The Catholic Channel, Sirius 159 and XM 117.

Word to Life - February 20, 2009 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Click below to hear today’s episode of “Word to Life.”  Joining me on the show were Fr. James Sullivan, OP, pastor of St. Dominic’s Church in Youngstown, OH, and Fr. James Cuddy, OP, associate pastor of St. Louis Bertrand Church in Louisville, KY.

“Word to Life” airs live every Friday afternoon at 1:00 PM eastern on The Catholic Channel, Sirius 159 and XM 117.

Word to Life - February 13, 2009 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Click below for today’s edition of “Word to Life.”  Joining me on the show were Fr. John Farren, OP, Director of Advancement for the Province of St. Joseph, and Fr. Gabriel Gillen, OP, associate pastor of the Church of St. Catherine of Siena here in New York city.  We discussed the readings for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

“Word to Life” is broadcast live every Friday afternoon at 1:00 Eastern on The Catholic Channel, Sirius 159 and XM 117.

Word to Life - February 6, 2009 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Click below for a glimpse inside The Catholic Channel’s studio.

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Click below to hear today’s edition of “Word to Life,” during which I discussed the readings for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time with Fr. James Cuddy, OP, of the Church of St. Louis Bertrand in Louisville, KY, and Fr. Francis Belanger, OP, chaplain of Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH.

“Word to Life” is broadcast live every Friday afternoon at 1:00 PM Eastern on The Catholic Channel, Sirius 159 and XM 117.

Word to Life - January 30, 2009 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Listen in as I discuss the readings for this weekend’s Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul with Br. Bruno Shah, OP, a deacon finishing his priestly formation at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, and Fr. Gabriel Gillen, OP, an associate pastor at the Church of St. Catherine of Siena here in New York.

Word to Life - January 23, 2009 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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It was good to be back in the studio today.  After a few weeks away, I was beginning to miss it.

Joining me on today’s show were Nathaniel Peters and Amanda Shaw, assistant editors of First Things.  They offered our listeners a behind-the-scenes view of the life and work of Fr. Richard John Neuhaus, founder and editor of First Things, who passed away late last week.  Perhaps America’s most influential Catholic convert, Fr. Neuhaus set the standard for public policy debate from the perspective of faith.  Fr. Neuhaus will be sorely missed not only for his wit and wisdom, but also for the fatherly care he showed his friends, especially his young friends, like Nathaniel and Amanda.

At the end of the show I spoke briefly to Fr. Bryce Sibley, pastor of St. Anne Church in Mamou, LA.  Fr. Sibley updated us on his recent move to St. Anne’s, and he shared the homily he’s prepared for this weekend.

Listen below and enjoy!

Word to Life - January 16, 2009 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Fr. Gabriel Gillen, OP, from St. Catherine of Siena Church here in New York City, discusses the readings for the Baptism of the Lord with Fr. James Cuddy, OP, from St. Louis Bertrand Church in Louisville, KY.

Word to Life - January 9, 2009 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Listen in to today’s show to hear my guests and I discuss the readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent.

First, Dr. David Franks, a professor of theology at St. John’s Seminary in Boston, shares his thoughts on the special significance Christmas possesses for marriage and family life.  This is a topic in which Dr. Franks is well versed.  He and his wife, Angela, chair the Marriage Initiative sponsored by the Catholic Bishops of Massachusetts, which seeks to promote and defend traditional marriage among Catholics and in the public square.  Together they also host “The Future Depends on Love,” a series on marriage and family broadcast on CatholicTV.

Then toward the end of the show, Fr. Joseph Johnson, rector of the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul, MN, joins me to outline the homily he’s prepared for this last Sunday before Christmas.  As always, Fr. Johnson gives us much to think and pray about.

Enjoy!

Word to Life - December 19, 2008 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Joining me on today’s show to discuss the readings for Gaudete Sunday were Fr. Gabriel Gillen, OP, of the Church of St. Catherine of Siena here in New York City, and Fr. Pius Pietrzyk, OP, of the Church of St. Thomas Aquinas in Zanesville, Ohio.  

Enjoy!  And don’t forget . . . Rejoice!

Word to Life - December 12 2008 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Click below to hear my conversation with Fr. Thomas Joseph White, OP, and Fr. Gabriel Gillen, OP, about the scripture readings for the Second Sunday of Advent. Both guests gave great insights into the mysteries of this shortest of liturgical seasons.  They also suggested several ways of entering deeply into the peculiar rhythm of Advent prayer.

Word to Life - December 5, 2008 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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The topic of today’s show was this weekend’s celebration of the Solemnity of Christ the King.  Listen in as I discuss the history and lessons of Sunday’s feast with Fr. James Cuddy, OP, from the Church of St. Louis Bertrand in Louisville, KY, and Fr. Dominic Legge, OP, from Providence College in Rhode Island.

Also, welcome to all of our new XM listeners!  Since the merger with Sirius, you can now tune in to The Catholic Channel on XM 117.  

Word to Life - November 21, 2008 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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As we approach the end of the liturgical year—there are just two Sundays left before Advent!—this weekend’s readings turn our attention to the last things: life, death, heaven, and hell.  The Church’s meditation at this time of year is not meant to instill fear in our hearts, but rather strength in our souls to prepare and fortify ourselves for judgment.  The King will return in glory, and we will render to him an account of our lives.

As children of the light by baptism, as St. Paul calls us, we live and move in the brightness of day, not the shades of night.  The end, therefore, will not sneak up on us as a thief lurking in the darkness.  Instead, we will know the signs announcing the end of life and the end of the world, and living in the truth and love of Christ is all the preparation we need to endure these mysteries well.  God asks no more.  He provides nothing else.  His divine truth and love, lived freely in the Church, are our anchors in this life and our lifelines into the next—to Him.

Joining me on today’s show were Fr. Gabriel Gillen, OP, from St. Catherine of Siena Church here in New York City, and Fr. James Cuddy, OP, from St. Louis Bertrand Church in Louisville, KY.  Looking ahead to this Sunday’s readings, we focused specifically on the Gospel, in which we hear the “Parable of the Talents,” the last of the Lord’s parables and a preface to his teachings on the final judgment.  Both Fr. Gillen and Fr. Cuddy had excellent insights into the parable’s core meaning.  We extended the parable’s application to everything from the current financial crisis to preaching the Gospel in our families.

Listen and enjoy!

Word to Life - November 14, 2008 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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This afternoon I had the pleasure of discussing Sunday’s readings with Sr. Marie Pappas, a Resurrection Sister and one of the assistant superintendents of schools for the Archdiocese of New York.  Sr. Marie has her own show on The Catholic Channel, “Pathways of Learning,” which airs Tuesdays at 1:00 PM.  Listen below to hear Sr. Marie share her insights into this weekend’s readings, as well as tell the story of her congregation’s foundation.  As she explains, the Sisters of the Resurrection remains the only congregation in the Church co-founded by a mother and daughter.

I also spoke with Fr. Pius Pietrzyk, OP, from the Church of St. Thomas Aquinas in Zanesville, OH.  Fr. Pius shared with us the main points of his Sunday homily, which include this gem: loving neighbor and making ourselves lovable for neighbor are two sides of the same coin.  In both cases, love is given on our neighbor’s terms, not ours.

Listen and enjoy!

Word to Life - October 24, 2008 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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On today’s “Word to Life” I discussed this Sunday’s readings with Fr. James Cuddy, OP, and Fr. Sean Connor.  Fr. Cuddy, a Dominican priest at the Church of St. Louis Bertrand in Louisville, KY, focused on how Isaiah’s “Song of the Vineyard” in the First Reading foreshadows Christ’s “Parable of the Wicked Tenants” in the Gospel. God’s tenacious love for his creation, explains Fr. Cuddy, is the key to understanding both readings.

Fr. Connor, pastor of St. Ann’s Church in Neponset, MA, highlighted the unflappable courage of the landlord’s son.  In obedience, he willingly entered the vineyard fully aware of his impending death.  Christ meant the chief priests and elders to see his own predicament in this parable.  It worked.  Centuries later, the parable still strikes to the heart.

Click below for the audio of today’s show.

Word to Life - October 3, 2008 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Joining me on today’s show were Angelo Matera, the editor and publisher of Godspy.com, and Fr. Dominic Legge, OP, a professor of theology at Providence College.  

With Angelo the topic of conversation was this weekend’s “Parable of the Two Sons” and the lessons it teaches concerning God’s mercy and Christian conversion. Later in the show Fr. Legge focused on the Second Reading from Philippians 2, which contains that famous hymn to Christ–”Though he was in the form of God . . .”  Fr. Legge explained how proper exegesis of the hymn can uncover facts about early Christian belief much more interesting–and much truer–than anything found in something like The Da Vinci Code.

Click below for the full audio.

Word to Life - September 26, 2008 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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On this week’s show I chatted with Fr. Luke Sweeney, Vocation Director for the Archdiocese of New York, and Deacon Vincent Druding, a fourth-year theologian at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, about the readings for this Sunday’s Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.  Before speaking of the feast itself, Fr. Sweeney and Deacon Druding shared stories of Pope Benedict’s visit to the seminary this past April.  Deacon Druding can be seen in the photo below.  He’s the one bowing before Pope Benedict.  

At the end of the show I spoke with Fr. Thomas Joseph White, OP, about what he’ll be preaching on this weekend.  As always, Fr. Thomas Joseph takes us right to the heart of the mystery.  His words are few but profound.  Our student brothers are blessed to have him teaching at the House of Studies in Washington.

Enjoy the show!

Word to Life - September 12, 2008 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Fr. John Farren, OP, the Director of Advancement for the Province, discusses the readings for the Solemnity of the Assumption and the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time with Angelo Matera, the editor of Godspy.com.

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Fr. Gabriel Gillen, OP, discusses the readings for the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time with Fr. Jonathan Kalisch, OP.

Word to Life - August 8, 2008 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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A priest, Buzz Aldrin, and the members of Black Sabbath (sans Ozzie) walk into a studio . . .

Sounds like the beginning of a bad joke, right?  Well, sometimes reality is stranger than fiction.  This very scenario unfolded earlier today at the studio as I arrived for this afternoon’s show.  Walking through the Sirius lobby, you can run into just about anyone.  It’s the new areopagus.  And in the middle of it all is The Catholic Channel.  

On this afternoon’s show Br. Jerome Zeiler, OP, joined me to discuss the readings for the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary time: Isaiah 55:1-3; Romans 8:35, 37-39; and Matthew 14:13-21.  We examined the theme of divine providence that emerges from all three readings, and we tried to understand this mystery in light of the evil we sometimes suffer.  Tune in . . . I think we may have given Christopher Hitchens a run for his money.

In the show’s last segment I spoke with Fr. Chad Partain, the pastor of St. Paul the Apostle Church in Mansura, Louisiana.  Fr. Partain gave us an update on his parish’s new shrine to St. Philomena, and he also shared with us some thoughts for this Sunday’s homily.

Word to Life - August 1, 2008 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Fr. Aquinas Guilbeau, OP, discusses the readings for the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time with Fr. Thomas Joseph White, OP, and Fr. Bryce Sibley.

Tune in to “Word to Life” every Friday at 1:00 PM on Sirius 159, The Catholic Channel.

Word to Life - July 11, 2008 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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