Monica Pugh's Award-Winning Column on Prayer - 07/22/2026

Emily Jaminet: 5 Ways to Keep Christ at the Center of Your Summer (+ more) | The Catholic Morning Show - 07/22/2026

In This Episode Bo Bonner marks the Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene and welcomes two guests: Catholic Mirror columnist Monica Pugh, celebrating a national award, and bestselling author Emily Jaminet, sharing five ways to keep Christ at the center of summer. Monica Pugh: Catholic Mirror "On Prayer" Columnist Wins National Honor Monica Pugh, Director of Faith Formation at St. John the Apostle Parish in Norwalk, joins the show to talk about her "On Prayer" column for the Diocese of Des Moines' Catholic Mirror, which recently earned an honorable mention in the 2026 Catholic Media Awards. Monica shares the story behind this month's column on Saint Mary Magdalene, why she writes with vulnerability about prayer, and why local Catholic media matters. Read her column and subscribe to the Catholic Mirror: https://www.dmdiocese.org/catholic-mirror [https://www.dmdiocese.org/catholic-mirror?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show] Emily Jaminet: 5 Ways to Keep Christ at the Center of Your Summer Sacred Heart Enthronement Network executive director and bestselling author Emily Jaminet returns with practical, family-tested ways to stay close to Christ when summer schedules get hectic: 1. Invest in faith-filled friendships 2. Make Sunday the highlight of the week 3. Rediscover the rhythm of prayer 4. Build relationships through hospitality and service 5. Embrace holy rest Learn more about Emily's ministry: https://www.welcomehisheart.com/ [https://www.welcomehisheart.com/?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show]  Her books and speaking: https://www.emilyjaminet.com/ [https://www.emilyjaminet.com/?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show] Growing the Faith of Iowa Tour: Two Nights Left Catholic apologist Karlo Broussard wraps up his three-city tour with Iowa Catholic Radio: * Tonight, Wednesday, July 22 at 6:30 p.m. — Holy Spirit Parish, Creston (heard on 90.9 FM): "Living Life to the Fullest: A Compass for Human Happiness" * Tomorrow, Thursday, July 23 at 6:30 p.m. — St. Mary's, Pella (heard on 105.3 FM): "Salvation Unveiled: A Catholic Perspective in Dialogue with Protestants" Both events are free. Register:  Creston: https://www.iowacatholicradio.com/karlo-broussard-2026-event-creston [https://www.iowacatholicradio.com/karlo-broussard-2026-event-creston?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show] Pella: https://www.iowacatholicradio.com/karlo-broussard-2026-event-pella [https://www.iowacatholicradio.com/karlo-broussard-2026-event-pella?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show] Win Tickets to the Iowa State Fair Grandstand Iowa Catholic Radio is giving away 15 pairs of tickets (5 per concert) to the 2026 Iowa State Fair Grandstand — winner's choice of Rod Stewart, Alabama, or Josiah Queen. No purchase or donation necessary; must be 18 or older. Enter now through August 9; winners announced August 10 on The Catholic Morning Show. Not affiliated with or sponsored by the Iowa State Fair or the artists. Enter here: https://media.iowacatholicradio.com/iowastatefair2026/ [https://media.iowacatholicradio.com/iowastatefair2026/?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show] Also in This Episode * Saint of the Day: the Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene, "Apostle to the Apostles" * A Gospel reflection from Fr. Nick Smith, pastor of Saint Patrick's, Perry * News with Ayden Pugh: a short-term government funding bill, Tropical Storm Bertha, and Iowa breweries' medal wins at the 2026 U.S. Open Beer Championship (Flix Brewhouse, Confluence Brewing Co., Full Fledged Brewing Co., and Marto Brewing Co. all took gold, while Toppling Goliath Brewing Co. of Decorah earned three golds and ranked 7th nationally) * Sports with Mark Amadeo: Iowa high school softball, the Iowa Cubs, and MLB scores * Diocese of Des Moines news with Anne Marie Cox, including a weekly Byzantine Divine Liturgy every Sunday at 11 a.m. at All Saints Church in Des Moines * A preview of Sunday Dive with Katie Patrizio on the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 13:44-52) ahead of the show's 200th episode: https://www.sundaydive.com/ [https://www.sundaydive.com/?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show] #IowaCatholicRadio #CatholicMorningShow #CatholicPodcast #EmilyJaminet #SacredHeart #MaryMagdalene #CatholicFaith #KarloBroussard #IowaStateFair #CatholicRadio     Credits: Produced, Edited, and Mixed by Ayden Pugh, Alexia Baker, and Brady Grimm.   ENJOYING THE SHOW? Follow The Catholic Morning Show on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-catholic-morning-show/id1768144792] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/7bwtpBbCmw5xi6wsxOgqOm] so you never miss an episode — and if this one was worth your time, please leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating. It takes ten seconds and it's the single best way to help more people find the show.   🎧 LISTEN LIVE Catch The Catholic Morning Show live, weekday mornings on Iowa Catholic Radio. Listen Live [https://www.iowacatholicradio.com/listen-live] · Program Schedule [https://www.iowacatholicradio.com/program-schedule] · Our Stations [https://www.iowacatholicradio.com/our-stations]   LINKS You can follow us on Facebook, [https://www.facebook.com/iowacatholicradio] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/iacatholicradio/], Youtube, [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ_w8fZ51egdFCWFGRSB4xA] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@iowa.catholic.rad]! More 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://www.iowacatholicradio.com/donate?utm_source=podcast_footnotes&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=cms]   More from Iowa Catholic Radio: * Sunday Dive [https://sundaydive.com/] with Katie Patrizio * Man Up! [https://manup.simplecast.com/] with Joe Stopulos * Catholic Women Now [https://catholicwomennow.simplecast.com/] with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson * The Uncommon Good [https://theuncommongood.simplecast.com/] with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr * Be Not Afraid [https://be-not-afraid.simplecast.com/] with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce Riebe * Be Not Afraid en Español [https://be-not-afraid-in-spanish.simplecast.com/] con el P. Fabián Moncada * Making it Personal [https://making-it-personal-with-bishop-william-joensen.simplecast.com/] with Bishop William Joensen * Faith and Family Finance [https://open.spotify.com/show/4sZQSQlKnvB6mrZa12uSf9] with Gregory Waddle * The Great Men of the Bible [https://greatmen.iowacatholicradio.com/] with Joe Stopulos   Liturgy & Devotions * The Daily Gospel Reflection [https://daily-gospel-reflections-with-fr-nick-smith.simplecast.com/] with Fr. Nick Smith * The Daily Mass from St. Francis of Assisi [https://daily-mass-from-st-francis-of-assisi.simplecast.com/] * The Daily Mass from St. Pius X [https://daily-mass-from-st-pius-x.simplecast.com/] * The Daily Mass from St. Theresa [https://daily-mass-from-st-theresa-catholic-catholic-church.simplecast.com/] * Sunday Mass [https://sunday-mass-from-basilica-of-saint-john.simplecast.com/] from the Basilica of Saint John Want to support your favorite show? 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Emily Jaminet: 5 Ways to Keep Christ at the Center of Your Summer - 07/22/2026

EPISODE NOTES About Emily Jaminet * Executive Director of the Sacred Heart Enthronement Network * Bestselling author of "Secrets of the Sacred Heart" and co-author of "The Friendship Project," "Divine Mercy for Moms," "Pray Fully," and "Our Friend Faustina" * Monthly guest on The Catholic Morning Show 5 Ways to Keep Christ at the Center of Your Summer 1. Invest in faith-filled friendships — try a weekly "Friendship Friday" 2. Make Sunday Mass the highlight of the week, even while traveling 3. Rediscover a daily rhythm of prayer, from the Morning Offering to a family Rosary 4. Build relationships through hospitality and service 5. Embrace holy rest as part of a holy life, not an afterthought Find More From Emily Sacred Heart Enthronement Network: https://www.welcomehisheart.com/ [https://www.welcomehisheart.com/?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show] Books, speaking, and ministry updates: https://www.emilyjaminet.com/ [https://www.emilyjaminet.com/?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show] #CatholicMorningShow #IowaCatholicRadio #EmilyJaminet #SacredHeart #CatholicSummer #HolyRest #CatholicFamily #FaithFilledFriendships Credits: Produced, Edited, and Mixed by Ayden Pugh, Alexia Baker, and Brady Grimm.   ENJOYING THE SHOW? Follow The Catholic Morning Show on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-catholic-morning-show/id1768144792] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/7bwtpBbCmw5xi6wsxOgqOm] so you never miss an episode — and if this one was worth your time, please leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating. It takes ten seconds and it's the single best way to help more people find the show.   🎧 LISTEN LIVE Catch The Catholic Morning Show live, weekday mornings on Iowa Catholic Radio. Listen Live [https://www.iowacatholicradio.com/listen-live] · Program Schedule [https://www.iowacatholicradio.com/program-schedule] · Our Stations [https://www.iowacatholicradio.com/our-stations]   LINKS You can follow us on Facebook, [https://www.facebook.com/iowacatholicradio] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/iacatholicradio/], Youtube, [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ_w8fZ51egdFCWFGRSB4xA] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@iowa.catholic.rad]! More 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://www.iowacatholicradio.com/donate?utm_source=podcast_footnotes&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=cms]   More from Iowa Catholic Radio: * Sunday Dive [https://sundaydive.com/] with Katie Patrizio * Man Up! [https://manup.simplecast.com/] with Joe Stopulos * Catholic Women Now [https://catholicwomennow.simplecast.com/] with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson * The Uncommon Good [https://theuncommongood.simplecast.com/] with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr * Be Not Afraid [https://be-not-afraid.simplecast.com/] with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce Riebe * Be Not Afraid en Español [https://be-not-afraid-in-spanish.simplecast.com/] con el P. Fabián Moncada * Making it Personal [https://making-it-personal-with-bishop-william-joensen.simplecast.com/] with Bishop William Joensen * Faith and Family Finance [https://open.spotify.com/show/4sZQSQlKnvB6mrZa12uSf9] with Gregory Waddle * The Great Men of the Bible [https://greatmen.iowacatholicradio.com/] with Joe Stopulos   Liturgy & Devotions * The Daily Gospel Reflection [https://daily-gospel-reflections-with-fr-nick-smith.simplecast.com/] with Fr. Nick Smith * The Daily Mass from St. Francis of Assisi [https://daily-mass-from-st-francis-of-assisi.simplecast.com/] * The Daily Mass from St. Pius X [https://daily-mass-from-st-pius-x.simplecast.com/] * The Daily Mass from St. Theresa [https://daily-mass-from-st-theresa-catholic-catholic-church.simplecast.com/] * Sunday Mass [https://sunday-mass-from-basilica-of-saint-john.simplecast.com/] from the Basilica of Saint John Want to support your favorite show? Click Here [https://forms.donorsnap.com/form?id=7aa8b1f5-937c-412d-9c60-5eff0f4fca2d]   Iowa Catholic Radio - Connecting People to Christ 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.

Monica Pugh's Award-Winning Column on Prayer - 07/22/2026

EPISODE NOTES About Monica Pugh * Director of Faith Formation, St. John the Apostle Parish, Norwalk, Iowa * Writes the monthly "On Prayer" column for the Catholic Mirror, the Diocese of Des Moines' newspaper * Recently earned an honorable mention in the 2026 Catholic Media Awards from the Catholic Media Association In This Interview * How Anne Marie Cox first invited Monica to write the column for the Jubilee Year * This month's column on Saint Mary Magdalene, inspired by a piece of artwork in a chapel at the University of Mary * Why Monica writes with vulnerability, focusing on the everyday struggles of prayer * The Catholic Mirror's new magazine format and why local Catholic journalism matters Read Monica's Column Subscribe to the Catholic Mirror and read "On Prayer": https://www.dmdiocese.org/catholic-mirror [https://www.dmdiocese.org/catholic-mirror?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show] #CatholicMorningShow #IowaCatholicRadio #CatholicMirror #OnPrayer #CatholicMediaAwards #MaryMagdalene #CatholicFaith Credits: Produced, Edited, and Mixed by Ayden Pugh, Alexia Baker, and Brady Grimm.   ENJOYING THE SHOW? Follow The Catholic Morning Show on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-catholic-morning-show/id1768144792] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/7bwtpBbCmw5xi6wsxOgqOm] so you never miss an episode — and if this one was worth your time, please leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating. It takes ten seconds and it's the single best way to help more people find the show.   🎧 LISTEN LIVE Catch The Catholic Morning Show live, weekday mornings on Iowa Catholic Radio. Listen Live [https://www.iowacatholicradio.com/listen-live] · Program Schedule [https://www.iowacatholicradio.com/program-schedule] · Our Stations [https://www.iowacatholicradio.com/our-stations]   LINKS You can follow us on Facebook, [https://www.facebook.com/iowacatholicradio] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/iacatholicradio/], Youtube, [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ_w8fZ51egdFCWFGRSB4xA] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@iowa.catholic.rad]! More 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://www.iowacatholicradio.com/donate?utm_source=podcast_footnotes&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=cms]   More from Iowa Catholic Radio: * Sunday Dive [https://sundaydive.com/] with Katie Patrizio * Man Up! [https://manup.simplecast.com/] with Joe Stopulos * Catholic Women Now [https://catholicwomennow.simplecast.com/] with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson * The Uncommon Good [https://theuncommongood.simplecast.com/] with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr * Be Not Afraid [https://be-not-afraid.simplecast.com/] with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce Riebe * Be Not Afraid en Español [https://be-not-afraid-in-spanish.simplecast.com/] con el P. Fabián Moncada * Making it Personal [https://making-it-personal-with-bishop-william-joensen.simplecast.com/] with Bishop William Joensen * Faith and Family Finance [https://open.spotify.com/show/4sZQSQlKnvB6mrZa12uSf9] with Gregory Waddle * The Great Men of the Bible [https://greatmen.iowacatholicradio.com/] with Joe Stopulos   Liturgy & Devotions * The Daily Gospel Reflection [https://daily-gospel-reflections-with-fr-nick-smith.simplecast.com/] with Fr. Nick Smith * The Daily Mass from St. Francis of Assisi [https://daily-mass-from-st-francis-of-assisi.simplecast.com/] * The Daily Mass from St. Pius X [https://daily-mass-from-st-pius-x.simplecast.com/] * The Daily Mass from St. Theresa [https://daily-mass-from-st-theresa-catholic-catholic-church.simplecast.com/] * Sunday Mass [https://sunday-mass-from-basilica-of-saint-john.simplecast.com/] from the Basilica of Saint John Want to support your favorite show? Click Here [https://forms.donorsnap.com/form?id=7aa8b1f5-937c-412d-9c60-5eff0f4fca2d]   Iowa Catholic Radio - Connecting People to Christ 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.

Theology, Teens, and the Iowa State Fair (+ more) | The Catholic Morning Show - 07/21/2026

Youth Ministry with Chris Smith Chris Smith, Youth Ministry Coordinator at St. Francis of Assisi in West Des Moines, joins the show to unpack what makes youth ministry unique, how small groups help teens grow in faith together, and practical ways lay Catholics can support the next generation. Hear the full conversation in today's Chris Smith interview. Growing the Faith Tour with Dr. Karlo Broussard Iowa Catholic Radio's evangelization tour rolls through three Iowa parishes this week — free and open to all, pre-registration encouraged: * Tonight, Tue., July 21 – 6:30 PM — Sacred Heart Parish, Spencer, IA — "Religion, Why Should I Care?" * Wed., July 22 – 6:30 PM — Holy Spirit Parish, Creston, IA — "Living Life to the Fullest: A Compass for Human Happiness" * Thu., July 23 – 6:30 PM — St. Mary's Parish, Pella, IA — "Salvation Unveiled: A Catholic Perspective in Dialogue with Protestants" Register at IowaCatholicRadio.com [https://www.iowacatholicradio.com/events?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show] Iowa State Fair 2026 Concert Ticket Giveaway Iowa Catholic Radio is giving away 15 pairs of Grandstand tickets (5 pairs per show) for three 2026 Iowa State Fair concerts: * Rod Stewart with special guest Richard Marx — Friday, August 14 * Alabama with special guest Exile — Friday, August 21 * Josiah Queen with special guest Ben Fuller — Sunday, August 23 Entry window: July 21 – August 9. Must be 18 or older; one entry per person for the whole contest; no purchase or donation necessary. Winners announced live on-air August 10. Enter at IowaCatholicRadio.com [https://www.iowacatholicradio.com/?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show] Mark Your Calendar * July 31, 6 PM — Forge Hog Roast (Des Moines young adult/men's event) — myforge.org/events [https://myforge.org/events/?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show] * August 2, 12 PM — Faith and Family Day with the Iowa Cubs * August 7, 11:30 AM — First Friday Mass, St. Gabriel's Chapel * August 13–23 — Iowa State Fair * August 23, 3 PM — Mary's Helping Hands 5th Anniversary Party — maryshelpinghandsiowa.org [https://www.maryshelpinghandsiowa.org/?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show] * September 9, 5 PM — 12th Annual Men's Stag, Country Lane Lodge * September 26–27 — Christ Our Life Conference, Casey's Center, Des Moines — christourlifeiowa.com [https://christourlifeiowa.com/tickets/?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show] Saint of the Day & Gospel Reflection Today the Church remembers St. Lawrence of Brindisi (1559–1619), a Capuchin Franciscan, gifted linguist, and Doctor of the Church, canonized in 1881 by Pope Leo XIII. Fr. Nick Smith, pastor of St. Patrick's in Perry, offers today's Gospel reflection from Matthew 12 on what it means to be joined to Christ's family by doing the Father's will. A Note on Devotion: Blessed Stanley Rother Bo shares his personal devotion to Blessed Stanley Rother, the first American-born martyr, whose feast falls on July 28. Learn more or request novena prayers at the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine [https://rothershrine.org/?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show] in Oklahoma City. Also on Today's Show Diocese of Des Moines news with Anne Marie Cox on how parishes across the diocese are welcoming Ragbrai riders this week, plus the Tuesday sports update with Mark Amadeo and the local Iowa forecast. #CatholicMorningShow #IowaCatholicRadio #CatholicPodcast #GrowingTheFaith #KarloBroussard #IowaStateFair2026 #CatholicYouthMinistry #DailyGospel #SaintOfTheDay #CatholicFaith   Credits: Produced, Edited, and Mixed by Ayden Pugh, Alexia Baker, and Brady Grimm.   ENJOYING THE SHOW? Follow The Catholic Morning Show on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-catholic-morning-show/id1768144792] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/7bwtpBbCmw5xi6wsxOgqOm] so you never miss an episode — and if this one was worth your time, please leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating. It takes ten seconds and it's the single best way to help more people find the show.   🎧 LISTEN LIVE Catch The Catholic Morning Show live, weekday mornings on Iowa Catholic Radio. Listen Live [https://www.iowacatholicradio.com/listen-live] · Program Schedule [https://www.iowacatholicradio.com/program-schedule] · Our Stations [https://www.iowacatholicradio.com/our-stations]   LINKS You can follow us on Facebook, [https://www.facebook.com/iowacatholicradio] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/iacatholicradio/], Youtube, [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ_w8fZ51egdFCWFGRSB4xA] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@iowa.catholic.rad]! More 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://www.iowacatholicradio.com/donate?utm_source=podcast_footnotes&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=cms]   More from Iowa Catholic Radio: * Sunday Dive [https://sundaydive.com/] with Katie Patrizio * Man Up! [https://manup.simplecast.com/] with Joe Stopulos * Catholic Women Now [https://catholicwomennow.simplecast.com/] with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson * The Uncommon Good [https://theuncommongood.simplecast.com/] with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr * Be Not Afraid [https://be-not-afraid.simplecast.com/] with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce Riebe * Be Not Afraid en Español [https://be-not-afraid-in-spanish.simplecast.com/] con el P. Fabián Moncada * Making it Personal [https://making-it-personal-with-bishop-william-joensen.simplecast.com/] with Bishop William Joensen * Faith and Family Finance [https://open.spotify.com/show/4sZQSQlKnvB6mrZa12uSf9] with Gregory Waddle * The Great Men of the Bible [https://greatmen.iowacatholicradio.com/] with Joe Stopulos   Liturgy & Devotions * The Daily Gospel Reflection [https://daily-gospel-reflections-with-fr-nick-smith.simplecast.com/] with Fr. Nick Smith * The Daily Mass from St. Francis of Assisi [https://daily-mass-from-st-francis-of-assisi.simplecast.com/] * The Daily Mass from St. Pius X [https://daily-mass-from-st-pius-x.simplecast.com/] * The Daily Mass from St. Theresa [https://daily-mass-from-st-theresa-catholic-catholic-church.simplecast.com/] * Sunday Mass [https://sunday-mass-from-basilica-of-saint-john.simplecast.com/] from the Basilica of Saint John Want to support your favorite show? Click Here [https://forms.donorsnap.com/form?id=7aa8b1f5-937c-412d-9c60-5eff0f4fca2d]   Iowa Catholic Radio - Connecting People to Christ 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.

Chris Smith: You Don't Need a Theology Degree to Reach Teens - 07/21/2026

Meet Chris Smith Chris Smith is the Youth Ministry Coordinator at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in West Des Moines, now a year into the role. He leads EDGE (grades 6–8) and FISH — Fellowship in Spirit with Him (grades 9–12) — the parish's two youth ministry programs. What Makes Youth Ministry Different Chris explains why youth ministry is intentionally tailored to teens: giving them a say in the topics and hard questions they want to talk through, building small groups where they can be honest with each other, and helping every teen know they are loved by Jesus and not alone in their faith. From a Youth Group in Altoona to Leading His Own Chris traces his own calling back to his home parish youth group at Ss. John and Paul in Altoona, where he first found a sense of belonging in high school. An internship at St. Cecilia Parish in Ames while attending Iowa State University confirmed his call to youth ministry full-time. This Summer's Fun (and a Pickleball Tournament) Beyond small groups and discussion nights, this summer at St. Francis has included games and a first-ever pickleball tournament for the teens — building community and a little friendly competition before the school year picks back up. How Lay Catholics Can Help Chris's biggest ask for parishioners, whether or not they have teens of their own: consider becoming an adult small-group leader, and pray for youth ministries everywhere, including through the intercession of St. John Bosco. He also makes the case that a steady, authentic witness — even just a warm greeting — can speak louder to teens than any polished talk. Connect with St. Francis of Assisi Youth Ministry Learn more about EDGE and FISH at St. Francis of Assisi's Youth Ministry page [https://saintfrancischurch.org/formation/youth-ministry/?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show] or contact Chris directly at csmith@saintfrancischurch.org [csmith@saintfrancischurch.org]. #CatholicYouthMinistry #YouthMinistry #CatholicTeens #StFrancisOfAssisi #WestDesMoines #IowaCatholicRadio #EDGEyouthministry #CatholicPodcast #FaithFormation   Credits: Produced, Edited, and Mixed by Ayden Pugh, Alexia Baker, and Brady Grimm.   ENJOYING THE SHOW? Follow The Catholic Morning Show on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-catholic-morning-show/id1768144792] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/7bwtpBbCmw5xi6wsxOgqOm] so you never miss an episode — and if this one was worth your time, please leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating. 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