Bo Bonner and Deacon Mark Campbell lead listeners in praying for Pope Leo XIV as he undergoes lung surgery in Rome, sharing simple ways Catholics can unite in prayer, sacrifice, and care for the sick. Creator Brian E. Lau previews Blood of the Baptist, a multimedia graphic novel and original soundtrack on the life and martyrdom of John the Baptist, and Jeff Hoemann of Sleep in Heavenly Peace explains how volunteers have built 4,500 beds for Des Moines kids sleeping on the floor. It's news, sports, and weather for Tuesday, October 13, plus upcoming Catholic events across Iowa.
Bo Bonner and Deacon Mark Campbell open Tuesday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time, with Mass today at 12:05 p.m. at Holy Family Parish in New Hampton (89.3 FM). Deacon Mark also marks his baptismal anniversary, and today's saint of the day is Saint Lubentius, the priest educated by Saint Martin of Tours and Saint Maximinus of Trier.
With Pope Leo XIV undergoing surgery today at Rome's Gemelli Hospital to remove an early-stage growth from his lung, Bo and Deacon Mark offer practical ways to pray for the Holy Father: offer your daily rosary for him (and invite family or coworkers to join), attend an extra daily Mass (find one near you at MassTimes.org), make a small sacrifice or fast, unite your own sufferings with his, and extend that prayer outward by visiting someone who is sick or homebound.
Brian E. Lau, creator of Blood of the Baptist, joins Bo to preview his historical-fiction graphic novel on the life and death of John the Baptist, told through the eyes of a displaced rebel and a tormented soldier. The project pairs the book with a story-driven pull-out poster and an original soundtrack featuring Reina Özbay (Abigail in The Chosen), Grammy and Dove Award-winning artists, and priest-drummer Fr. Hyacinth, with Catholic Answers apologist Jimmy Akin serving as biblical and historical consultant. Brian shares why John's humility, suffering, and hope speak to today's world, and how backing the Kickstarter pre-orders the book and helps finish production. Back the project on Kickstarter and learn more at BloodOfTheBaptist.com.
Jeff Hoemann, president of the Des Moines chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, shares how a single bed built in 2012 grew into a national movement of more than 420 chapters, and how the Des Moines chapter has built 4,500 beds for local children since 2018. Jeff, who first heard about the ministry at a Knights of Columbus meeting, explains why a good night's sleep matters so much for kids at school and how you can volunteer at a build, donate, or apply for a bed. Visit the Sleep in Heavenly Peace Des Moines chapter page to sign up, and drop off new twin sheets, pillows, and bedding at Integrity Printing, 1923 NW 92nd Ct, Clive.
Upcoming events on the Iowa Catholic Radio events page: a Women's Healing Retreat in Altoona and the Water for Life Gala (Saturday, October 17); the Catholic Medical Association's Saint Luke feast day Mass and dinner with Dr. Matthew Breuninger (October 18); Tap Into Faith in Ankeny (October 25); a Halloween Treat the Street (October 31); and the Mary's Helping Hands 5K fun run, sponsored by Confluence Brewing Company (Saturday, November 14).
Also in this episode: a lighthearted look at a wild NFL weekend in the NFC East, where the Cowboys and Eagles both lost and the Giants and Commanders finished in a tie; a 51-yard field goal by Dowling Catholic's kicker against Waukee; and a shoutout to Iowa's high school cross country runners.
Listen live weekdays at 7 a.m. Central on Iowa Catholic Radio, or catch up anytime at IowaCatholicRadio.com.
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