Dr. John Huynh, Director of Social Justice for the Diocese of Des Moines and Catholic Charities, returns to The Catholic Morning Show to discuss his national Catholic Media Award recognition for his Catholic Mirror column, Theology 101. He shares how ordinary moments — car rides, parking lots, quiet drives without music — become reflections on hope, faith, and God's presence in daily life, drawing on Charles Péguy's image of hope as the "smallest sister" of faith and charity. Huynh also opens up about his father's story of fleeing Vietnam and how it shapes his writing on hope amid suffering.
About This Conversation Dr. John Huynh joins the show monthly, but this time Bo Bonner has extra reason to celebrate: Huynh's Catholic Mirror column, Theology 101, was recognized in the 2026 Catholic Media Association awards. As Director of Social Justice for the Diocese of Des Moines and Catholic Charities, Huynh brings both academic training and everyday accessibility to his writing on faith.
Theology 101: Finding God in the Ordinary Huynh explains that most of his column ideas come from the mundane moments of life — commuting, waiting for his kids, even sitting in silence. One recognized piece reflected on hope through the lens of Charles Péguy's poem "The Portal of the Mystery of Hope," which pictures hope as the "smallest sister" walking between her two older sisters, Faith and Charity. Another drew on G.K. Chesterton to unpack what it really means to "stay with Jesus." Huynh also shares how his father's story of fleeing Vietnam shaped his understanding of hope as something that can pull a person out of despair.
A National Catholic Media Award Huynh's Catholic Mirror column earned recognition in the Newspaper Division of the 2026 Catholic Media Association awards — a national honor for the bi-monthly Diocese of Des Moines magazine.
Where to Find More Read Huynh's columns and explore more social justice resources, articles, and videos at DMDiocese.org. An invitation to subscribe to the Catholic Mirror is coming soon from Bishop William M. Joensen.
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