Missed last week's show?

If you didn't catch the show last week, well you missed out!

But be sure to TUNE IN today at 4pm www.brcatholicradio.com or if you're a local 1380am WPYR!

This past week we talked about St. Nicholas
and how he became known as Santa Claus.
Read about his history here as well as some
interesting traditions that many cultures
and countries still practice today in his honor.
Did you leave your shoes out on December 5th,

the eve of his feast day?

St. Nicholas

We also talked with one of our resident High School pseudo-interns, Austin! He did an excellent job interviewing a few of his peers and teachers about their thoughts on the New Roman Missal. Most people appreciate the changes, but some are still frustrated by having to change at all. Check in later to listen to the interviews.

We hope you will listen in today to get some great EXAM STUDY TIPS! Among the other fun things we will do!

St. Cecilia

Last week we talked about St. Cecilia and the beautiful statue that depicts her death. What a great example she is of courage and faith! Now, as we begin this new season of the Church, as we adjust to the beautiful changes in the mass, let us, as the young Church, be leaders in courage and faith. May we respond to these changes with eagerness and excitement as our Church transitions.

You guys are beautiful and we are so blessed to be able to minister to you through WPYR!


St. Cecilia, pray for us! 

Thankful!

What a crazy week and a half it's been! AS you can see from our earlier post, Julie and I and about 30 other people from the Diocese of Baton Rouge attended the National Catholic Youth Conference last weekend. How awesome it was to see the strength of the young church alive!

Also last week, 1380WPYR had a very successful radiothon! Thanks to everyone who called in your support for the station. Catholic Community Radio has been such a blessing in my life and I am so thankful that I get to come through the airwaves every Tuesday afternoon! I wouldn't trade it for the world! 

So, this week I've been reflecting, as many of us have, on what I am thankful for in my life. I am thankful for my health and my job. I am thankful for my family and friends. I am thankful especially for my faith and the ability to freely practice what I believe in.

Tell us what you're thankful for and we'll talk about it this week on the show!

Peace,
Kathleen

Region 5 Gathering at NCYC

After a crazy long bus ride from Baton Rouge, we finally arrived in Indianapolis today for the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC)! The fun began with a gathering of Region 5, which includes dioceses in the states of LA, AL, MS, TN, and KY. Cooper Ray led music and we had some excellent emcees, Greg Thompson and Baton Rouge's very own Stephanie Clouatre-Davis. Greg called for us to be open and Stephanie challenged us to be the hands and feet of Christ this weekend.Prayer and community with our region were a great way to ease into a whole new experience of song, dance, prayer, and of course, Catholic community with 21,000 other young Catholics! More updates to come!

Watch us live:
www.ncyc.nfcym.com

Two things I love about being Catholic: service organizations and making pilgrimages!

Kathleen and I had a blast today hanging out on location at Matherne's Supermarket for the St. Vincent de Paul Thanksgiving food drive! We witnessed people generously donating food that they would want at their own Thanksgiving dinner table, from bread to canned goods. Someone even donated a 1995 Toyota Avalon!  We also chatted with the Baton Rouge St. Vincent de Paul President, Michael Acaldo. He challenged listeners to volunteer on the days before and after holidays. He said many volunteers show up for the holidays, but do not necessarily realize how few volunteers come on the days surrounding holidays. Will you volunteer or donate this holiday season? Learn more about St. Vincent de Paul by clicking on their logo! 

                    Thanksgiving Donations!                               St. Vincent de Paul President Michael Acaldo 
                                                                                             places donations in the food truck.          

           More Thanksgiving donations!                              Way Home Show hosts Kathleen & Julie

                                                                                                                        

National Catholic Youth Conference 

Tomorrow night 35 young people (including Kathleen and I) begin our pilgrimage to the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) in Indianapolis, Indiana! NCYC brings together nearly 21,000 young Catholics to celebrate as one universal Church. We are so excited to begin this journey. Kathleen and I will be live broadcasting from the NCYC exhibit hall. Tune in at 2pm on Friday, November 18th as we chat with Catholic teens from across the country.

Want in on the NCYC action? 

Click on the pic below to see 

NCYC LIVE VIDEO STREAMING 

of Keynotes and Group sessions!

Solidarity in Prayer: Penn State and Nebraska

It has been an emotional week for the Penn State community. The Sandusky scandal was brought to light, followed by the firing of  multiple school administrators and coaches, including the beloved head football coach, Joe Paterno. These events brought out mixed reactions from students and fans, from anger to grief. Students expressed their emotions strongly, from a riot in anger over JoePa's firing, to a sorrowful candlelight vigil for the victims of the scandal. Sadly the topic that most people have been discussing was how much did Paterno really know and should he have been fired. Yet the victims of Sandusky's horrific crimes have not been forgotten. They are remembered with remorse and sadness, especially by students. 

In the midst of feeling betrayed by some of their own coaching staff, past and present Penn State football players came together on the field to show solidarity in their program at the Penn State-Nebraska game this past Saturday. The former players lined up and welcomed current players onto the field. 

When the current Penn State team went on the field to pray, something remarkable happened. From across the field, the Nebraska team made their way over to pray with Penn State. The stadium erupted with applause and a Nebraska assistant coach led the players in prayer. Now I have never witnessed two college teams pray together before a game, so what happened next I certainly had never seen. The stadium was silent...God moved in the SILENCE. What a great moment for this community after such a week of struggle. Although it is only a moment, sometimes that is all our God needs to bring healing. I know there will still be grief and anger, and this uphill journey is just beginning for those involved. Yet silence is such a powerful reminder that God is indeed present and with us.

I invite you to keep the victims and the Penn State community in your prayers. Pray that they may be moved to find God in both the chaos, and the silence.

Click on the Picture to watch Penn State-Nebraska
Prayer from a fan's view:
 

Click on the picture to watch the prayer on the field:

Seeing through new lenses

Sad because you missed the show today?  

Fear not! We have lots of great links, stories and info!

Kathleen and I got to visit with Fr. Bob Konopa today. Fr. Bob told us about how he received his calling to be a Franciscan Friar later in life at age 30, after he had been an accountant for 10 years. A native of Wisconsin, Fr. Bob shared some memories of growing up in a small town, including going to school in a one-room schoolhouse! 

Fr. Bob's concept for his book developed from his understanding of how God sees us is oftentimes different from how we see ourselves. He shared with us a story of when he was a small child at school in that one-room schoolhouse and he was asked to read an eye chart. Fr. Bob learned he needed eyeglasses. He said that when he put on his glasses, it was like seeing things for the first time.

God You Must Have Me Confused with Someone Else is full of stories and life lessons from Fr. Bob. We were honored to have him on the Way Home Show.

Book announcement
Book sales and signing locations
Buy the book online


News & Media:

• The Diocese of Baton Rouge celebrated it's 50th Anniversary with mass at the River Center. 

•  Lafayette Habitat for Humanity dedicates its first "Green Home"

• St. Vincent de Paul's Pharmacy for those in need.

• Kat and I were joined by high school student Austin Wendt on the show today to discuss upcoming movies including Paranormal Activity 3, Puss in Boots, In Time, and the Mighty Macs. For more info, check out the Catholic Commentator movie reviews here.

All Hallow's Eve, All Saints, and All Souls Days

Better late than never- our post for last week's All Saint's Day Show:

My my what a busy week it has been already!
If you missed the show last week, we discussed All Hallow's Eve, All Saints, and All Souls Days!

One hot topic was the fun and popular costumes we saw this weekend. Although Angry Birds didn't make the top 5 costumes that most consumers wore, it was still certainly a popular choice, along with Lady Gaga, the Green Lantern, and Nikki Minaj.

Angry Birds among top costumes for Halloween

  
And just for fun, as promised, the All Saints Day Word Search!

We also chatted with Sr. Keri Burke who recently just took final vows to become a sister of the Marinates of the Holy Cross. If you are interested in learning more about vocations, check out our very own Baton Rouge Vocations website or facebook page!
 
News/Media:
Christian Relic found by Israeli Archeologists.
YouTube will be launching 100 TV channels online. 

Respect Life Events and World Youth Day Service Organizations

Listened to the show yesterday? We were joined by Ms. Shannon Baldridge, Diocesan Respect Life Coordinator, to discuss the Respect Life events happening in our diocese! Check them out:

Join us this Sunday for the Bishop's Respect Life Mass!
Are you a Junior or Senior in high school? Check out the Pro-Life Oratory Contest for a chance to win a paid trip to the March for Life!
40 Days for Life is still happening in Baton Rouge, come pray with us!
 
Here are the links to the service organizations that were represented at World Youth Day. Check them out!

Carmelites of Covington

Catholic Charities Baton Rouge

Catholic Community Radio

Catholic Relief Services

Crossroads Ministry

Invisible Children

Louisiana Right to Life Federation

Louisiana Special Olympics   

Magnolia School

March for Life Trip Baton Rouge

Missionaries of Charity Baton Rouge

Operation Christmas Child

Pregnancy Problem Center Baton Rouge

Prison Ministry Baton Rouge

Sisters of St Joseph 

St. Vincent de Paul

Droves of young people on pilgrimage at World Youth Day 2011: New Roads

World Youth Day

If you missed World Youth Day this Sunday, you missed an awesome time!

Here is what the diocesan website has to say about the event:

"World Youth Day celebrates 26 years!  World Youth Day was established by Pope John Paul II in 1985.  In Baton Rouge, the pilgrimage walk is held in a different parish each year. WYD in the Diocese of Baton Rouge is unique in its venue program where the youth from across the diocese perform skits and music, offer prayers, and give witnesses about their faith. Another valued tradition is the 12’x20’ wooden cross procession from venue to venue as a symbol of the Catholic faith that speaks to the community as youth of the diocese, numbering over 1,200 last year, process down the streets."

This year it was held at St. Mary's Catholic Church in New Roads. The theme was "I Refuse, I Choose". Hundreds of youth gathered to celebrate mass, join in prayer and worship and stand as a witness to their faith. 


We walked through the street of New Roads as a very physical representation of the young Church. Thanks to all those who were involved in this beautiful day!