The Catholic Morning Show

Dr. Robert Shaffern: The Fisherman Who Became the First Pope (+ more) | The Catholic Morning Show - 07/31/2026

Episode Summary

On this Catholic Morning Show, historian Dr. Robert Shaffern reveals the human side of St. Peter ahead of his new biography Peter of Galilee, while TAN Books' Jason Gale unpacks a rediscovered classic on devotion to the nine choirs of angels. Father Mike Mahoney previews the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Gospel on the multiplication of the loaves, and listeners get the latest Iowa Catholic news, sports, and weather on the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Plus, hear about Bishop William Joensen's national writing award, the Forge Hog Roast, and how to win tickets to the Iowa State Fair grandstand.

Episode Notes

Sunday Gospel Preview Alexia Baker sits down with Fr. Mike Mahoney for a look ahead to the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time — the multiplication of the loaves and fishes — and what it means to find true satisfaction in Christ alone.

Devotion to the Nine Choirs of Angels Jason Gale, VP of Content and Production at TAN Books, joins the show to discuss the newly translated Devotion to the Nine Choirs of Holy Angels by Rev. Henri-Marie Boudon — a rediscovered spiritual classic on why Catholics should cultivate devotion to the full angelic hierarchy, not just their guardian angel. Learn more and get the book: https://tanbooks.com/products/books/devotion-to-the-nine-choirs-of-holy-angels-12-reasons-for-veneration/

Peter of Galilee Historian Dr. Robert Shaffern of the University of Scranton talks about his new book, Peter of Galilee: Shepherd of the Early Church (Angelico Press), which reimagines the first Pope as the working fisherman he once was. Learn more: https://angelicopress.com/

Diocese & Award News Anne Marie Cox brings the latest from the Diocese of Des Moines, including news that Bishop William Joensen took First Place in the Bishop's Column category of the 2026 Catholic Media Association awards for his columns in the Catholic Mirror. Support the Catholic Mirror: https://www.dmdiocese.org/giving/diocesan-special-collections/catholic-mirror

Coming Up on Making It Personal Jeanne Thill previews this weekend's Making It Personal with Bishop Joensen (8 a.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday), featuring a conversation on the traveling Our Lady of Guadalupe pilgrimage statue currently at Saint Ambrose.

This Weekend: The Forge Hog Roast Friday, July 31, 6–9 p.m. at Wills Family Orchard (33130 Panther Creek Rd, Adel, IA). $15 entry at the door; drinks available for purchase. A couples' night of live music, roasted hog, and fellowship for the men of the Des Moines area and their significant others. Details: https://myforge.org/event/the-forge-hog-roast/

Looking Ahead

 

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