Patristics expert Mike Aquilina joins Deacon Mark Campbell to unpack his new book The Church Fathers for Our Time and what the early Christians can teach us about culture wars, euthanasia, human dignity, and debates over the Mass. Austin Neil of Above + Beyond Cancer shares how free programs like rowing, cycling, pole walking, and tai chi help cancer survivors in central Iowa heal in mind, body, and spirit. Plus Monday news, NFL and World Series scores, central Iowa weather, and a Dowling Catholic Pancake Breakfast recap on the Memorial of Saint Fulk of Piacenza.
Deacon Mark Campbell, Janelle Manns, and Ayden Pugh open Monday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time on the Memorial of Saint Fulk of Piacenza, the 13th-century bishop remembered as a peacemaker between the rival cities of Piacenza and Pavia. Today's Mass airs at noon from St. Joseph in Mason City (Epiphany Parish) on 89.3 FM.
Janelle recaps the 65th annual Dowling Catholic Pancake Breakfast, complete with pancake trivia (the world's largest pancake was 49 feet across), and the crew swaps pumpkin-carving stories ahead of All Hallows' Eve.
Mike Aquilina, author of more than 70 books on Catholic history, doctrine, and devotion and co-founder of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, joins to discuss The Church Fathers for Our Time (Emmaus Road Publishing). Mike explains why the early Church's "culture wars" over abortion, contraception, and euthanasia were settled with a strong consensus in the first centuries, why the Fathers aimed to be faithful rather than creative, and why losing our sense of the value of suffering puts future generations at risk. He also reminds listeners that the Church has always gathered around the Mass, and has always argued about it, so there was never a perfect "golden age." Get the book at the St. Paul Center, or order it through your local Catholic bookstore.
Fr. Nick Smith, pastor of St. Patrick's in Perry, reflects on today's Gospel, Luke 13:10–17, where Jesus heals a woman bent over for eighteen years on the Sabbath, and why the Lord's Day is a day for setting captives free, works of mercy, and restoration.
Joe Stopulus recaps the sold-out inaugural St. Thomas Classical Academy gala, featuring Bishop James Conley's story of finding faith through the great books, and previews today's Man Up: part two of his conversation with Sam Halligan of Forge on men, work, and what we're called to do on the job. Listen at 9 a.m. across the Iowa Catholic Radio Network, then on demand.
Austin Neil, annual giving and outreach manager for Above + Beyond Cancer, explains how the West Des Moines nonprofit, founded 15 years ago by oncologist Dr. Richard Deming, offers free programs for adult cancer survivors and caregivers: pole walking, Row + Renew, cycling and spin, tai chi, cooking and nutrition classes, and a young adult group. Austin explains that you're a survivor from the moment of diagnosis, and that anyone touched by cancer is welcome, whether newly diagnosed, in treatment, or years past it. The 15th anniversary gala (Thursday, November 12, Hilton Des Moines Downtown) is sold out, but you can join the waitlist. Learn more and find the class calendar at Above + Beyond Cancer.
From the Diocese of Des Moines with Anne Marie Cox: the diocese is hiring a director of youth evangelization; the St. Thomas More Center, home of Catholic Youth Camp, is seeking an executive director, camp director, and facilities director (apply by November 6); and Sts. John and Paul in Altoona, St. Pius X in Urbandale, and St. John the Apostle in Norwalk are looking for music ministry leaders. Details at Diocese of Des Moines Employment.
Upcoming events: the Diocese of Sioux City's Women's Gathering, Saturday, November 14, at St. Edmund Catholic School in Fort Dodge ($30), register at SCDiocese.org; and the 2027 Iowa Catholic Radio Women's Conference with Lisa Cotter and Fr. Dan Rehill, Saturday, January 23, at St. Boniface in Waukee. Seating is limited; register at IowaCatholicRadio.com.
Listen live weekdays at 7 a.m. Central on Iowa Catholic Radio, or catch up anytime at IowaCatholicRadio.com.
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