Each May, we celebrate Older Americans Month, a time to honor those who are farther ahead of us on life's journey. Seniors' wisdom, insight, and experience has become even more invaluable as the world continues to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Producer Gina Christian speaks with Carolyn Truxell, an older Philadelphian who survived a near-fatal bout with the deadly disease, and who emerged from its depths with greater faith -- and more ambitious plans for the future.

Inside CatholicPhilly.com: Senior Strong

For Christians, the road to glory is always through suffering, as Jesus made clear on the cross -- but in the end, the glory is always going to be our hope. Max McGallagher, a seminarian at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, shares with Inside CatholicPhilly.com how the Transfiguration of Christ reminds us to look beyond present sorrow and affliction, and see an eternity filled with joy.

Inside CatholicPhilly.com: Lent 2022 - No Words for the Glory

Jacob Sanz, a seminarian at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, shares with Inside CatholicPhilly.com how the Gospel parable of the barren fig tree reminds us to embrace dying to ourselves, so that we can live in a new way

Inside CatholicPhilly.com: Lent 2022 - Dying for a New Way to Live

Ukrainian history expert Nicholas Rudnytzky of Manor College shares with Gina Christian why Russian president Vladimir Putin's version of the past is not only discredited, but deadly -- not just for Ukraine as a nation, but for the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, and for freedom itself.

Inside CatholicPhilly.com: The Real History of Ukraine

Philip Cheung, a seminarian at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, shares with Inside CatholicPhilly.com how Christ's encounter with the adulterous woman reveals his mercy not only to her, but to all who struggle with both sin and self-righteousness.

Inside CatholicPhilly.com: Lent 2022 - Jesus on Pointing Fingers, Casting Stones

Bernard Ekeagwu, a seminarian at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, shares with Inside CatholicPhilly.com how we are faced each day with a single choice -- one between Jesus, the Son of God who came to save humankind, and Barabbas, the criminal whom Pontius Pilate released to appease the angry crowd calling for Christ's crucifixion. Our decision is revealed by how we live out our calling as Christians.

Inside CatholicPhilly.com: Lent 2022 - Jesus or Barabbas?

Holy Week presents a unique opportunity for Catholics and Christians to reexamine their ongoing relationship with the Jewish community. Professor Philip Cunningham and Professor Adam Gregerman of the Institute for Jewish-Catholic Relations at Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia share with producer Gina Christian how the post-Vatican II dialogue between the two faiths offers reasons for hope, and opportunities for more work to be done.

Inside CatholicPhilly.com: Jews, Catholics and Holy Week

Days after his ordination, Ukrainian Catholic priest Father Volodymyr Radko watched as Russia launched a full-scale invasion against his native Ukraine -- an assault that actually began with Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea. For several weeks, Father Radko was unable to return to his Philadelphia assignment, and now that he has arrived in the U.S., he shares with CatholicPhilly's Matt Gambino and Gina Christian how the war has challenged and shaped his faith.

Inside CatholicPhilly.com: Faith and War in Ukraine

Genocide expert Jeff Benvenuto of Gratz College shares with producer Gina Christian how Russian atrocities in Ukraine are genocidal -- and how the difficulties of prosecution, along with indifference from bystander nations, make genocide a universal risk.

Inside CatholicPhilly.com: Genocide In Ukraine

Gun violence has surged throughout the U.S. in recent years, becoming the largest cause of death for the nation's children in 2020. L.A. and Omar, two youths served by Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, joined their care worker Gary Hill to speak in detail with Gina Christian of CatholicPhilly.com about the real causes of gun violence on the streets of Philadelphia.

Inside CatholicPhilly.com: Youth Speak Out On Gun Violence

Monsignor Kieran Harrington, national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States, shares with Inside CatholicPhilly.com his reflections on visiting Ukraine, where he spent time at Bucha, one of several sites of mass civilian killings by Russian forces. The Pontifical Mission Societies, along with several other Catholic organizations, are bringing both material and spiritual aid to the people of Ukraine amid their immense suffering. (To learn more about the Pontifical Mission Societies and to donate, visit missio.org/helpukraine.)

Inside CatholicPhilly.com: On Mission in Ukraine

As a young man, Father Keith Chylinski never gave priesthood a second thought, focusing instead on a music ministry career. But that quiet call persisted, and after years of priestly ministry, faculty appointments and training in psychology, he is now rector of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, PA. Ahead of the coming academic year, Father Chylinski sat down with producer Gina Christian to talk about his journey, as well as the challenges faced by young men discerning a priestly vocation. (Music by Ikson/IksonMusic.com)

Inside CatholicPhilly.com: From Piano to Priesthood

International concert organist, recording artist and choral conductor Gail Archer has a heart for the music of Ukraine, a country she knows well through her many performances there. Ahead of her latest benefit concert for Ukraine, Gail spoke with Gina Christian of CatholicPhilly about contemporary Ukrainian music and the many "sonic flavors" the organ offers to performers and audiences alike. 

For details about Gail’s Sept. 11 benefit concert for Ukraine, visit catholicphilly.com/2022/08/news/events/acclaimed-organist-performs-benefit-concert-for-ukraine/

To donate in advance of the concert, visit the Caritas campaign page at caritas.us/project/relief-for-ukraine-and-refugees-in-poland-1.

To support humanitarian aid to Ukraine, visit the website of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia at https://ukrarcheparchy.us/

For more information about Gail and her music, visit her website at http://www.gailarcher.com/index.html

Inside CatholicPhilly.com: Gail Archer and a Song for Ukraine

La Voz de Dios en las Voces de Nuestros Pueblos es un ministerio radial en español, dinámico e interactivo, que promueve la fe católica a través del diálogo, música y oración.

La Voz de Dios en las Voces de Nuestros Pueblos: Abril 16, 2023

If we have millions of Facebook friends, why do we still feel so lonely? In this week's podcast, editor Matt Gambino and producer Gina Christian explore how social media shapes our sense of community and spirituality.

Inside Catholic Philly.com (May 7, 2018): Social media and loneliness

In the age of the selfie, how can the church reach "real people"? We asked Father Thomas Dailey, O.S.F.S., an expert on social media and the new evangelization, to share his thoughts on the relationship between the actual self, the virtual self and the Gospel. Father Dailey is the John Cardinal Foley Chair of Homiletics & Social Communications at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary (Wynnewood, Pennsylvania), and has written and lectured extensively on church communications in the age of cyberspace. He offers a message of both hope and challenge to editor Matt Gambino and producer Gina Christian.

Inside Catholic Philly.com (June 13, 2018): Selfie Spirituality

What is fake news? We've heard a lot about it, but do we know exactly what it is and how to spot it? Editor Matt Gambino and producer Gina Christian explore this issue with Father Thomas Dailey, OSFS, a specialist in church communications. Father Dailey describes how fake news, propaganda, sponsored content, and advocacy journalism intersect in today's media.

Inside Catholic Philly.com (June 22, 2018): What exactly is fake news?

Is God on the gridiron? Can we find the Lord at the 50-yard line? Sports are a major part of the human experience, whether we're on the field or watching the Sunday game from the comfort of our couch. Father Frank Berna of La Salle University shares with producer Gina Christian how athletes and fans alike can encounter the divine through sports -- and how we can transfer our game-time enthusiasm to Sunday worship.

Inside Catholic Philly.com (October 9, 2018): If Mass were like an Eagles game

What is "the church"? Is it a building, an organization, or something you "do" on Sunday? Father Thomas Dailey, OSFS shares with editor Matt Gambino and producer Gina Christian the many meanings of this one little word, and why knowing who "the people of God" are is key to understanding what we mean by "church."

Inside CatholicPhilly.com (November 2, 2018): What is the church?

How do we move from online networks to human communities? How do we make friends in person, and not just online? These are the questions that Pope Francis has asked the Catholic Church to consider while preparing for World Communications Day 2019. Father Thomas Dailey, OSFS shares how we can use the gift of modern media to build authentic connections among each other.

Inside Catholic Philly.com (November 12, 2018) - From Online to Human Communities

How does faith in Christ influence the way we interact with each other when we're online? Social media platforms present real challenges to -- and opportunities for -- authentic, respectful communication. Father Thomas Dailey, OSFS, shares his thoughts with editor Matt Gambino and producer Gina Christian on how to be a true Facebook friend, both on and offline.

Inside Catholic Philly.com (November 30, 2018): How to act like Jesus online

Father Matt Guckin sits down with editor Matt Gambino and producer Gina Christian for a heart-to-heart conversation on the need for taking time out. A popular podcaster who directs Catholic mission and identity in Philadelphia's Catholic schools, Father Matt will embark on a six-month sabbatical in 2019. He shares his plans for studying the life of St. Junipero Serra while living at one of the California missions founded by the saint. Father Matt also offers several ways you can regroup, even in the midst of daily life.

Sabbath Rest: An Interview with Father Matt Guckin

With so many people talking (and shouting) online and in person, is anyone actually listening? Drawing on over 40 years of missionary experience in Peru, Father Arthur Purcaro, OSA shares his insights on how listening can lead us to discover God in others -- and in ourselves.

Inside Catholic Philly.com (January 3, 2019) - Listening

Can you be in love with the Lord while you're angry at the world? Many Christians are engaged in a spiritual battle with the wrong enemy. Father Thomas Dailey shares how St. Francis de Sales focused on gentleness as a sign of God's presence in the soul. Having lived during a time of intense conflict between Catholics and Protestants, this saint knew the importance of true kindness and humility in everyday life.

Inside Catholic Philly.com (January 10, 2019): Church militant or church belligerent?

When it's time for the homily at Mass, do you find yourself flipping through the bulletin, or even dozing off? The homily is much more than a lecture to endure so you can receive communion. Father Thomas Dailey, OSFS shares the real purpose of the homily (hint: it's not to drum up money for the collection), and what makes for preaching that brings the Word of God alive in the hearts of the faithful.

Inside Catholic Philly.com (January 16, 2019): Homilies and what to do about them

If we are all made in the image and likeness of God, why do we so often close our hearts to those whose skin color differs from our own? God is relational, and invites all to enter into communion with him and with one another. Father Arthur Purcaro, O.S.A. of Villanova University shares his insights on how love conquers racism, reflecting on the U.S. bishops' pastoral letter "Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love."

Inside Catholic Philly.com (January 21, 2019): Love conquers racism

Pope Francis has observed that the internet can both connect us to others and entrap us in a web of self-isolation. Father Thomas Dailey, O.S.F.S., shares his thoughts with producer Gina Christian and editor Matt Gambino on how we can create real communities through social media -- without becoming ensnared in false identities and shallow relationships.

Inside Catholic Philly.com (February 8, 2019): From social webs to real communities

Lent is a time of prayer and fasting that opens our hearts to the beauty of love. Forty Days for Life, a global grassroots movement, does just that through its peaceful, compassionate witness to the rights of the unborn. Tom Stevens (president of the Pro Life Union of Greater Philadelphia) and Steve Bozza (director of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's Office for Life and Family) share how this ministry can be part of a Lenten journey to renewed life for all.

Inside Catholic Philly.com (March 1, 2019): Lent and Forty Days for Life

For decades, Catholics have placed the Rice Bowl, a small cardboard box for alms, in their homes during Lent. Sponsored by Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the outreach does much more than collect spare change for the hungry. Anne Ayella of CRS describes how the Rice Bowl initiative radically connects individuals across the globe in a shared journey towards sustenance and solidarity.

Inside Catholic Philly.com (March 19, 2019): Rice Bowl - Sharing the World's Table

Like any good gardener, Jesus looks for a harvest. When he cursed a barren fig tree, Christ reminded us that time is short, and that we miss out on true growth by choosing to stagnate in sin. Seminarian Steven DiMassimo from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania shares how we can move from frustration to freedom and fruitfulness.

Inside Catholic Philly.com (March 22, 2019): The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

In the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's new Arise podcast series, Father Richard Owens, O.F.M. Cap., Father Eric Banecker, and Gina Christian present the truth, beauty, and goodness of the Catholic faith to Catholics, fellow Christians, and all those who seek something more. Tucker Brown, a seminarian at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, shares how God called him from the medical field to the priesthood, and from healing bodies to healing souls destined for eternal life. (Music by Johnny Markin, taken from the "Instrumental Acoustic Hymns Project," owned by Essential Christian under the imprint Elevation, with an arrangement copyrighted by Music Services. For more information on the Arise Project, visit archphila.org/arise.)

The Arise Podcast: From Doctor to Priest

In the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's new Arise podcast series, Father Richard Owens, O.F.M. Cap., Father Eric Banecker, and Gina Christian present the truth, beauty, and goodness of the Catholic faith to Catholics, fellow Christians, and all those who seek something more. Renowned Bible teacher, author and speaker Jeff Cavins shares with the Arise team why it's vital to create a "culture of Scripture" in order to face not only a pandemic and a time of social unrest, but life itself.
(Music by Johnny Markin, taken from the "Instrumental Acoustic Hymns Project," owned by Essential Christian under the imprint Elevation, with an arrangement copyrighted by Music Services. For more information on the Arise Project, visit archphila.org/arise.)

The Arise Podcast: Jeff Cavins and Creating a "Culture of Scripture"

Until the mid-eighteenth century, persons with disabilities were rarely provided with any formal education. Today, special education is a well-developed field that is gradually focusing more on what students can, rather than can't, do. Dr. Danielle Heeney, the new director of special education for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, shares with producer Gina Christian why her field is ultimately based on the essence of Christ's teachings, which stress "honoring, valuing and treating every life with dignity and respect.”

Inside CatholicPhilly.com: Special Education and the "Essence" of Christ's Teachings

Inside CatholicPhilly.com dives into matters of faith with a view from the pew, where the people of God are. Editor Matt Gambino, producer Gina Christian, and their guests discuss the Catholic take on everything from Mass to #MeToo, based on CatholicPhilly.com's award-winning news coverage and commentary.

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