Deacon Mark Campbell recaps a grace-filled Christ Our Life Catholic Conference weekend in Des Moines on the Memorial of Saint Wenceslaus, then kicks off Respect Life Month with Donice Cariglino of St. Anthony Parish on defending human dignity from conception to natural death. Author Deacon Tom Bradley shares his new historical novel Dancing Without Applause, a story of faith, family, and Irish-German Catholic tension in early 20th-century Iowa. Plus Joe Stopulus on the conference's teen track, Pope Leo XIV's visit to France and Lourdes, news, sports, and central Iowa weather for Monday, September 28.
Deacon Mark Campbell and Ayden Pugh open the week on the Memorial of Saint Wenceslaus, martyr and "Good King" of Bohemia, with Mass today at 8:15 a.m. at St. Pius X (105.5 FM). Priests of the Diocese of Des Moines are away at a workshop this week, so many parishes will hold Communion services — keep them in your prayers.
Deacon Mark looks back on the ninth Christ Our Life Catholic Conference (September 26–27 in downtown Des Moines): Chris Stefanick's opening talk, Bishop Joseph Espaillat's youth breakout for 500+ high school and college students, Fr. David Michael Moses, Eucharistic adoration with Bishop William Joensen, and at least 40 priests hearing confessions all weekend. Thanks to co-chairs Ellen Miller and Marilyn Lane and their army of volunteers. The conference returns in two years — start planning now at ChristOurLifeIowa.com.
To open Respect Life Month, Donice Cariglino — a parishioner of more than 50 years at St. Anthony Parish on the south side of Des Moines and a longtime first-grade catechist — shares how her daughter helped awaken her pro-life convictions and how the parish's 12-member Respect Life Committee serves "womb to tomb": meals for the Catholic family shelter, sending high schoolers to the March for Life, and walking with a neighbor in need for a full year. St. Anthony's Respect Life Mass is this Saturday, October 3, at the 8:30 a.m. Mass — all are welcome.
Joe Stopulus, host of Man Up on the Iowa Catholic Radio Network, checks in after bringing all seven of his kids to hear Chris Stefanick, raves about the conference's teen track, and previews today's Man Up (9 a.m.): a replay of his Heroic Marriage series interview with Chris Stefanick.
Author and permanent deacon Tom Bradley joins to discuss his new novel, Dancing Without Applause: The Land Remembers, following two central Iowa families — one German, one Irish Catholic — from 1915 to 1962 as Lawrence and Irene grow up, fall in love, and marry amid ethnic friction, poverty, and hard family secrets. It's a follow-up to his debut, Marching Without Applause, on the 1917 Fort Des Moines officers' training camp. Meet Deacon Tom at his book launch Saturday, October 17, at Holy Trinity (10 a.m.–noon and 1–3 p.m.), and find both books at TomBradleyBooks.com or on Amazon.
Iowa Catholic Radio's fall fundraiser, The Harvest Is Abundant, begins tomorrow. Be "one of the twelve" laborers by committing $25 a month — text GIVE to 515-223-1150 or visit IowaCatholicRadio.com. And welcome back, 90.9 KLOX Creston listeners — the station is back on air after a lightning strike, thanks to engineer Greg Richwine.
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