This Sunday's Readings: Why God's Word Never Returns Empty – Deacon Randy Kiel – 07/09/2026

The Catholic Morning Show – 07/09/2026

This Week on The Catholic Morning Show Bo Bonner, Alexia Baker, Brady Grimm, and Ayden Pugh welcome Deacon Mark Campbell into the studio for a full morning of Scripture, prayer, and practical faith formation. Sunday's Readings, Previewed Deacon Randy Kiel joins for his regular Thursday visit to walk through the readings for the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (July 12, 2026) — Isaiah's rain-and-snow prophecy and Saint Paul's letter to the Romans on suffering and glory, and how both point to the fruitfulness of God's Word. Full readings: USCCB – Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time [https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071226.cfm?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show] Pope Leo XIV's July Prayer Intention Bo and Alexia unpack the Holy Father's prayer intention for July 2026, "for respect for human life," and share opera singer Andrea Bocelli's story of a mother who chose life against medical advice. Find the full prayer intention at USCCB – Pope's Monthly Intentions [https://www.usccb.org/prayers/popes-monthly-intentions-2026?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show] or watch the video at Vatican.va [https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/prayers/documents/20260702-popesprayer-luglio.html?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show]. The Eleventh Commandment: Wrapping Up a Ten-Week Series Ed Van Buskirk, founder and president of the Ten Commandments apostolate If U Love Me, joins Bo and Deacon Mark Campbell to close out their multi-week look at the Ten Commandments with a challenge from Matthew 28: go and make disciples. Ed shares practical ways to know, live, and share the Commandments — including the Ten Commandments Sunday parish program and the God's Recipe for School and Family program for kids. Learn more at IfULoveMe.org [https://ifuloveme.org/?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show]. Catch The Catholic Morning Show weekday mornings at 7 AM Central, live or on-demand at IowaCatholicRadio.com [https://iowacatholicradio.com/?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show]. #CatholicPodcast #CatholicMorningShow #TenCommandments #PopeLeoXIV #CatholicRadio #DailyMassReadings #ProLife #CatholicFaith Credits: Produced, Edited, and Mixed by Ayden Pugh, Alexia Baker, and Brady Grimm.   LINKS You can follow us on Facebook, [https://www.facebook.com/iowacatholicradio] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/iacatholicradio/], and Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ_w8fZ51egdFCWFGRSB4xA]! You can also find more information on our website [https://iowacatholicradio.com/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts]. If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here! [https://iowacatholicradio.com/giving-options/]   Iowa Catholic Radio Network Shows: * Be Not Afraid [https://iowacatholicradio.com/be-not-afraid/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce Riebe * Be Not Afraid in Spanish [https://be-not-afraid-in-spanish.simplecast.com/] with Fr. Fabian Moncada * Catholic Women Now [https://iowacatholicradio.com/catholic-women-now/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson * Making It Personal [https://iowacatholicradio.com/making-it-personal/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Bishop William Joensen * Man Up! [https://iowacatholicradio.com/man-up-podcast/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Joe Stopulos * Sunday Dive [https://sundaydive.simplecast.com/] with Katie Patrizio * The Catholic Morning Show [https://the-catholic-morning-show.simplecast.com] with Dr. Bo Bonner * The Daily Gospel Reflection [https://daily-gospel-reflections-with-fr-nick-smith-46ae5480.simplecast.com/] with Fr. Nick Smith * The Uncommon Good [https://iowacatholicradio.com/the-uncommon-good/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr * Faith and Family Finance [https://iowacatholicradio.com/faith-and-family-finance/] with Gregory Waddle Want to support your favorite show? Click Here [https://forms.donorsnap.com/form?id=7aa8b1f5-937c-412d-9c60-5eff0f4fca2d] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This Sunday's Readings: Why God's Word Never Returns Empty – Deacon Randy Kiel – 07/09/2026

Sunday's Readings, July 12, 2026 – Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time * First Reading (Isaiah 55:10-11): God's Word, like rain and snow, never returns to Him without accomplishing its purpose — a foreshadowing of Jesus as the Bread of Life. * Second Reading (Romans 8:18-23): Saint Paul reflects on his own suffering and reminds us that present hardships are nothing compared to the glory to come, even as creation itself groans in "labor pains," awaiting new life rather than death. Deacon Randy connects both readings to the hope Catholics carry into Mass each week. Full text of Sunday's readings: USCCB – Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time [https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071226.cfm?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show] #SundayReadings #CatholicMass #DeaconRandyKiel #CatholicMorningShow #WordOfGod #CatholicPodcast   Credits: Produced, Edited, and Mixed by Ayden Pugh, Alexia Baker, and Brady Grimm.   LINKS You can follow us on Facebook, [https://www.facebook.com/iowacatholicradio] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/iacatholicradio/], and Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ_w8fZ51egdFCWFGRSB4xA]! You can also find more information on our website [https://iowacatholicradio.com/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts]. If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here! [https://iowacatholicradio.com/giving-options/]   Iowa Catholic Radio Network Shows: * Be Not Afraid [https://iowacatholicradio.com/be-not-afraid/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce Riebe * Be Not Afraid in Spanish [https://be-not-afraid-in-spanish.simplecast.com/] with Fr. Fabian Moncada * Catholic Women Now [https://iowacatholicradio.com/catholic-women-now/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson * Making It Personal [https://iowacatholicradio.com/making-it-personal/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Bishop William Joensen * Man Up! [https://iowacatholicradio.com/man-up-podcast/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Joe Stopulos * Sunday Dive [https://sundaydive.simplecast.com/] with Katie Patrizio * The Catholic Morning Show [https://the-catholic-morning-show.simplecast.com] with Dr. Bo Bonner * The Daily Gospel Reflection [https://daily-gospel-reflections-with-fr-nick-smith-46ae5480.simplecast.com/] with Fr. Nick Smith * The Uncommon Good [https://iowacatholicradio.com/the-uncommon-good/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr * Faith and Family Finance [https://iowacatholicradio.com/faith-and-family-finance/] with Gregory Waddle Want to support your favorite show? Click Here [https://forms.donorsnap.com/form?id=7aa8b1f5-937c-412d-9c60-5eff0f4fca2d] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Pope Leo XIV's July Prayer Intention: Praying for Respect for Human Life – 07/09/2026

The Pope's Prayer Intention for July 2026 Each month, Pope Leo XIV releases a prayer intention through the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network, inviting Catholics worldwide to pray together on a specific theme. For July 2026, the intention is for the respect and protection of human life in all its stages, recognizing it as a gift from God. Bo and Alexia walk through highlights of the Pope's recorded prayer, including his call to welcome life unconditionally and defend those who have no voice. * Full intention: USCCB – Pope's Monthly Intentions [https://www.usccb.org/prayers/popes-monthly-intentions-2026?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show] * Prayer video: Vatican.va [https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/prayers/documents/20260702-popesprayer-luglio.html?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show] Andrea Bocelli's Pro-Life Story Alexia shares the story of opera singer Andrea Bocelli, who was born with congenital glaucoma and became fully blind at age 12 after a soccer accident. While pregnant with Andrea, his mother was advised by doctors to abort him due to appendicitis complications and fears he'd be born with a disability — advice she refused. Fragility and the "Magnificence of Humanity" Bo connects the Pope's prayer intention to themes in his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas ("The Magnificence of the Human Person"), noting how human fragility and our need for one another are, in the Pope's words, part of the magnificence of being human rather than a flaw to overcome. #PopeLeoXIV #ProLife #RespectLife #PrayerIntention #AndreaBocelli #CatholicMorningShow #CatholicPodcast #MagnificaHumanitas Credits: Produced, Edited, and Mixed by Ayden Pugh, Alexia Baker, and Brady Grimm.   LINKS You can follow us on Facebook, [https://www.facebook.com/iowacatholicradio] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/iacatholicradio/], and Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ_w8fZ51egdFCWFGRSB4xA]! You can also find more information on our website [https://iowacatholicradio.com/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts]. If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here! [https://iowacatholicradio.com/giving-options/]   Iowa Catholic Radio Network Shows: * Be Not Afraid [https://iowacatholicradio.com/be-not-afraid/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce Riebe * Be Not Afraid in Spanish [https://be-not-afraid-in-spanish.simplecast.com/] with Fr. Fabian Moncada * Catholic Women Now [https://iowacatholicradio.com/catholic-women-now/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson * Making It Personal [https://iowacatholicradio.com/making-it-personal/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Bishop William Joensen * Man Up! [https://iowacatholicradio.com/man-up-podcast/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Joe Stopulos * Sunday Dive [https://sundaydive.simplecast.com/] with Katie Patrizio * The Catholic Morning Show [https://the-catholic-morning-show.simplecast.com] with Dr. Bo Bonner * The Daily Gospel Reflection [https://daily-gospel-reflections-with-fr-nick-smith-46ae5480.simplecast.com/] with Fr. Nick Smith * The Uncommon Good [https://iowacatholicradio.com/the-uncommon-good/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr * Faith and Family Finance [https://iowacatholicradio.com/faith-and-family-finance/] with Gregory Waddle Want to support your favorite show? Click Here [https://forms.donorsnap.com/form?id=7aa8b1f5-937c-412d-9c60-5eff0f4fca2d] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Eleventh Commandment: Ed Van Buskirk Wraps Up the Ten Commandments Series – 07/09/2026

Closing Out the Ten Commandments Series Ed Van Buskirk, founder and president of If U Love Me, joins Bo Bonner and Deacon Mark Campbell to wrap up a ten-week series on the Ten Commandments with a call to action drawn from Matthew 28:19-20: go and make disciples, teaching others what Jesus has commanded. Practical Steps Ed Recommends: * Test yourself: can you recite the Ten Commandments from memory? * Display the Commandments at home, at work, or on a dorm wall * Pray the Praying the Ten Commandments prayer [https://ifuloveme.org/blog/how-to-pray-the-commandments?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show] daily * Give a Ten Commandments image as a housewarming or wedding gift * Bring Ten Commandments Sunday [https://ifuloveme.org/ten-commandments-sunday?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show] to your parish About If U Love Me Founded in 2018 by Ed Van Buskirk in the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, with the support of Bishop James V. Johnston Jr., If U Love Me is a nonprofit Catholic apostolate dedicated to restoring the truth and wisdom of the Ten Commandments. Ed is also the author of the God's Recipe for a Wonderful Life video study and podcast series, and creator of God's Recipe for School and Family [https://ifuloveme.org/for-your-family?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show], a program that teaches the Commandments to children and their families. Learn more or book Ed to speak at IfULoveMe.org [https://ifuloveme.org/?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show]. #TenCommandments #EleventhCommandment #EdVanBuskirk #IfULoveMe #CatholicFaith #GreatCommission #CatholicMorningShow #CatholicPodcast Credits: Produced, Edited, and Mixed by Ayden Pugh, Alexia Baker, and Brady Grimm.   LINKS You can follow us on Facebook, [https://www.facebook.com/iowacatholicradio] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/iacatholicradio/], and Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ_w8fZ51egdFCWFGRSB4xA]! You can also find more information on our website [https://iowacatholicradio.com/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts]. If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here! [https://iowacatholicradio.com/giving-options/]   Iowa Catholic Radio Network Shows: * Be Not Afraid [https://iowacatholicradio.com/be-not-afraid/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce Riebe * Be Not Afraid in Spanish [https://be-not-afraid-in-spanish.simplecast.com/] with Fr. Fabian Moncada * Catholic Women Now [https://iowacatholicradio.com/catholic-women-now/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson * Making It Personal [https://iowacatholicradio.com/making-it-personal/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Bishop William Joensen * Man Up! [https://iowacatholicradio.com/man-up-podcast/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Joe Stopulos * Sunday Dive [https://sundaydive.simplecast.com/] with Katie Patrizio * The Catholic Morning Show [https://the-catholic-morning-show.simplecast.com] with Dr. Bo Bonner * The Daily Gospel Reflection [https://daily-gospel-reflections-with-fr-nick-smith-46ae5480.simplecast.com/] with Fr. Nick Smith * The Uncommon Good [https://iowacatholicradio.com/the-uncommon-good/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr * Faith and Family Finance [https://iowacatholicradio.com/faith-and-family-finance/] with Gregory Waddle Want to support your favorite show? Click Here [https://forms.donorsnap.com/form?id=7aa8b1f5-937c-412d-9c60-5eff0f4fca2d] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Catholic Morning Show – 07/08/2026

It's Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week of Ordinary Time, and host Bo Bonner is joined by Alexia Baker, Ayden Pugh, and Brady Grimm for a full morning of Catholic news, faith, and conversation on Iowa Catholic Radio. Summer Curiosity & Evangelization – John Gaffney John Gaffney, Team Director for Adult Evangelization and Leadership Formation for the Diocese of Des Moines, shares how the relaxed rhythms of summer — picnics, ball games, vacations, family gatherings — open hearts to curiosity about God. He offers three practical ways to accompany someone curious about the Catholic faith: invite them to Mass, grab coffee and answer their questions, and connect them with your pastor or deacon. Newly Ordained: Father Thomas Kollasch Father Thomas Kollasch, originally of Divine Mercy Parish in Bancroft, Iowa, was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Sioux City on June 27 at the Cathedral of the Epiphany by Bishop John E. Keehner. He shares what it's like to celebrate Mass and hear confessions for the first time, his formation journey from the University of Iowa and Winona, Minnesota, to the Pontifical North American College in Rome, and how listeners can foster vocations — including praying the St. Francis prayer for new priests. Also on Today's Show * Saint of the Day: St. Kilian, missionary bishop and martyr, patron of Würzburg, Germany * Gospel Reflection: Fr. Nick Smith, pastor of St. Patrick's in Perry, on Matthew 10 and the calling of the Twelve Apostles * Sunday Dive Preview: Katie Patrizio on Matthew 13:1–23 and why Jesus taught in parables — listen live Wednesdays at 8 AM or anytime at SundayDive.com [https://sundaydive.com/?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show] * Deacon Mark Campbell reflects on nearly eight years of diaconal ministry and why everyone should attend an ordination Upcoming Events * Growing the Faith Tour with Dr. Karlo Broussard (Catholic Answers apologist) — three free evenings of talks starting at 6:30 PM: July 21 at Sacred Heart Parish, Spencer; July 22 at Holy Spirit Parish, Creston; July 23 at St. Mary's, Pella. Free, but pre-registration is requested at IowaCatholicRadio.com [https://iowacatholicradio.com/?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show] * Christ Our Life Catholic Conference — September 26–27, in person or livestream; tickets at ChristOurLifeIowa.com [https://christourlifeiowa.com/?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show] Listen to The Catholic Morning Show weekdays at 7 AM Central on the Iowa Catholic Radio Network or at IowaCatholicRadio.com [https://iowacatholicradio.com/?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show] #CatholicPodcast #CatholicRadio #Evangelization #Priesthood #Ordination #CatholicFaith #IowaCatholicRadio #Vocations #CatholicMorningShow Credits: Produced, Edited, and Mixed by Ayden Pugh, Alexia Baker, and Brady Grimm.   LINKS You can follow us on Facebook, [https://www.facebook.com/iowacatholicradio] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/iacatholicradio/], and Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ_w8fZ51egdFCWFGRSB4xA]! You can also find more information on our website [https://iowacatholicradio.com/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts]. If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here! [https://iowacatholicradio.com/giving-options/]   Iowa Catholic Radio Network Shows: * Be Not Afraid [https://iowacatholicradio.com/be-not-afraid/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce Riebe * Be Not Afraid in Spanish [https://be-not-afraid-in-spanish.simplecast.com/] with Fr. Fabian Moncada * Catholic Women Now [https://iowacatholicradio.com/catholic-women-now/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson * Making It Personal [https://iowacatholicradio.com/making-it-personal/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Bishop William Joensen * Man Up! [https://iowacatholicradio.com/man-up-podcast/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Joe Stopulos * Sunday Dive [https://sundaydive.simplecast.com/] with Katie Patrizio * The Catholic Morning Show [https://the-catholic-morning-show.simplecast.com] with Dr. Bo Bonner * The Daily Gospel Reflection [https://daily-gospel-reflections-with-fr-nick-smith-46ae5480.simplecast.com/] with Fr. Nick Smith * The Uncommon Good [https://iowacatholicradio.com/the-uncommon-good/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr * Faith and Family Finance [https://iowacatholicradio.com/faith-and-family-finance/] with Gregory Waddle Want to support your favorite show? Click Here [https://forms.donorsnap.com/form?id=7aa8b1f5-937c-412d-9c60-5eff0f4fca2d] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.