The Catholic Morning Show

Fr. Mike Mahoney: The Priest Heading Back to the Classroom (+ more) | The Catholic Morning Show - 08/18/2026

Episode Summary

Fr. Mike Mahoney of St. Theresa Parish in Des Moines joins The Catholic Morning Show to explain why he's trading the front of the church for the front of a classroom this fall. Fr. Joseph-Anthony Kress, O.P. previews the 2026 Dominican Rosary Pilgrimage, a day-long celebration of prayer, procession, and Mass expected to draw thousands to Washington, D.C. Hosts Bo Bonner and Deacon Mark Campbell also mark the feast of St. Helena, EWTN's 45th anniversary, and the latest from the Iowa State Fair and the Diocese of Des Moines.

Episode Notes

Back to School with Fr. Mike Mahoney Fr. Mike Mahoney, parochial vicar at St. Theresa Parish in Des Moines, sits down with Bo and Deacon Mark as he enters his third school year at the parish school. Fr. Mahoney talks about welcoming new faculty, building relationships with students in the car line and cafeteria, and his own big change this year: for the first time in a decade, he'll be back in front of a classroom, teaching middle school religion. He also shares advice for students and families heading into a new school year — don't be afraid to be yourself.

The 2026 Dominican Rosary Pilgrimage with Fr. Joseph-Anthony Kress, O.P. Fr. Joseph-Anthony Kress, O.P., Promoter of the Holy Rosary for the Dominican Friars of the Province of St. Joseph, joins the show to preview the fourth annual Dominican Rosary Pilgrimage on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. The free, non-ticketed, day-long event (9 a.m.–9 p.m. ET) includes Eucharistic adoration, confession, a rosary procession through the Basilica, evening Mass, and a closing concert from the Hillbilly Thomists. It's also available via live stream for those who can't travel to D.C. Fr. Joseph-Anthony also explains the Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary and the nine-month novena the Dominicans have been praying in preparation. RSVPs are encouraged (not required) at rosarypilgrimage.org.

Also on Today's Show

• Saint of the Day: St. Helena (Aug. 18), mother of Emperor Constantine and finder of the True Cross
• Daily Gospel Reflection from Fr. Nick Smith, pastor of St. Patrick's Parish in Perry
• News from the Diocese of Des Moines with Anne Marie Cox: the 14-foot Our Lady of Guadalupe display moves from St. Boniface in Waukee to St. Bernard in Osceola this week
• EWTN turned 45 on Saturday, Aug. 15 — the anniversary of its first broadcast from Mother Angelica's monastery garage in 1981
• Relics of St. Bernadette return to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception for veneration Sept. 18–20; no Iowa stop has been announced yet
• Save the date: the Christ Our Life Conference returns to Casey's Center in Des Moines Sept. 26–27, in person or via livestream — tickets at ChristOurLifeIowa.com
• Recaps from the Iowa State Fair, including record Sunday attendance and the Staind concert at the Grandstand
• Iowa Catholic Radio's fall fundraiser kicks off in about six weeks — details coming soon at IowaCatholicRadio.com

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