On this episode of The Catholic Morning Show, Dr. Linda Harrington unpacks Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, and what it means for Catholics navigating an age of artificial intelligence. Des Moines seminarian Matthew Johll shares how a summer hospital chaplaincy at St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers shaped his understanding of priestly presence and pastoral care. Plus, Bo Bonner and Deacon Mark Campbell cover the Pope's August prayer intention, a giveaway for Iowa State Fair grandstand tickets, Father Nick Smith's daily Gospel reflection, and the week's Catholic news from Iowa and the Diocese of Des Moines.
Pope Leo XIV's First Encyclical, Explained Bo Bonner and Deacon Mark Campbell open the show reflecting on the Church's commemoration of the Martyrs of the Spanish Civil War and Pope Leo XIV's August prayer intention, "for evangelization in the city." Then Dr. Linda Harrington, Associate Professor of Theology at Briar Cliff University, joins to break down Magnifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence, Pope Leo's first encyclical, and how it builds on the Catholic social teaching tradition first articulated by Pope Leo XIII. Full conversation and class details below.
Seminarian Matthew Johll: A Summer in Hospital Ministry Diocese of Des Moines seminarian Matthew Johll, currently in formation at St. Joseph's Seminary ("Dunwoodie") in Yonkers, New York, shares what he learned during his summer hospital chaplaincy — and how the pastoral experience complements his intellectual formation for the priesthood. Full conversation and details below.
Win Tickets to the Iowa State Fair Grandstand Iowa Catholic Radio is giving away pairs of tickets to three Grandstand concerts at the Iowa State Fair, which runs August 13–23 in Des Moines:
Five pairs of tickets will be given away for each show (15 winners total). No purchase or donation necessary; entrants must be 18 or older. Entries close August 9, with winners announced August 10 on The Catholic Morning Show. Enter and find official rules at IowaCatholicRadio.com.
Iowa Catholic Radio at the State Fair Look for the Iowa Catholic Radio team at their usual spot under the shade trees by the Bill Riley Stage during the fair. The station is also looking for volunteers — email contact@IowaCatholicRadio.com if interested.
Today's Gospel Reflection Father Nick Smith, pastor of St. Patrick's Parish in Perry, reflects on Matthew's account of Jesus walking on water, noting how God's greatest work often comes in our darkest, most exhausted hours.
Diocese of Des Moines News Anne Marie Cox reports that Catholic schools in the diocese are hiring for cafeteria director, music teacher, and science teacher roles (details at dmdiocese.org), and Catholic Charities is forming a "grounding group" to help participants build healthy stress-management and coping skills over an eight-week series. More information at CatholicCharitiesDM.org.
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