Bo Bonner and Deacon Mark Campbell broadcast from the Iowa State Fair on a sensory-friendly morning, then dig into Pope Leo XIV's teaching on sacred liturgy and the ars celebrandi ahead of a major liturgical formation conference. Katie Patrizio previews Sunday's Gospel on Peter and the keys of the kingdom, and author Emily Jaminet joins to share three practical habits for building faith-filled spiritual friendship as families head back to school. It's news, sports, and weather for Wednesday, August 19, plus everything happening at the Iowa Catholic Radio booth at the fair.
Bo Bonner and Deacon Mark Campbell open the show live from the Iowa State Fair, which set a new attendance record for the second day in a row (111,000+ visitors Monday). Today's fair schedule includes a sensory-friendly morning from 8 a.m. to noon — dimmed lights, lowered music, and a calmer pace for guests with sensory sensitivities. Stop by the Iowa Catholic Radio booth near the Ann & Bill Riley Stage for Plinko (with a chance to win a Saint John Eudes tiny saint), Pope-on-a-Stick, and Catholic Answers books.
Deacon Mark and Bo then discuss Pope Leo XIV's recent teaching on the liturgy, including his catechesis on Vatican II's Sacrosanctum Concilium and his letter to the liturgical formation conference at Mount Angel Abbey in Oregon (running August 14–19). They talk through the ars celebrandi ("the art of celebrating"), why faithfulness to the church's rubrics unifies rather than flattens worship, and how the liturgy forms us for life in a distracted, modern world.
Katie Patrizio of Sunday Dive stops by to preview this Sunday's Gospel, Matthew 16:13–20 — Peter's confession of faith and Jesus handing him the keys of the kingdom — unpacking the biblical significance of the "rock" and the keys of the Davidic chief steward. Catch the full episode of Sunday Dive at SundayDive.com or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Author and speaker Emily Jaminet joins the show to talk about her book The Friendship Project (co-written with Michele Faehnle, foreword by Fr. Larry Richards, Ave Maria Press), sharing three practical ways to cultivate spiritual friendship: greet someone new after Mass, practice a weekly "Friendship Friday" of intentional outreach and prayer for friends, and actually pray together in the moment rather than just promising to pray. Learn more at EmilyJaminet.com, find the book at Ave Maria Press, and check out free videos at InspireTheFaith.com.
Also in this episode: a Caitlin Clark Foundation book vending machine arrives at UI Stead Family Children's Hospital; a new report on Des Moines millennial homeownership; Iowa Cubs drop game one of a six-game road trip at Toledo (game two tonight, first pitch 5:30 p.m.); and Dowling Catholic's 50th football broadcast season kicks off Friday, August 28 at 7 p.m. against Valley at Valley Stadium in West Des Moines, live on the Iowa Catholic Radio Network. Full local weather for the Des Moines metro included.
Listen live weekdays at 7 a.m. Central on Iowa Catholic Radio, or catch up anytime at IowaCatholicRadio.com.
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