The Catholic Morning Show
FULL SHOW | The Catholic Morning Show - 10/30/2026
Episode Summary
Prepare for All Saints Day, All Souls Day, and Halloween with a Catholic look at Allhallowtide, plus Fr. Max Carson's Sunday Gospel reflection on the Beatitudes and the universal call to holiness. Belle Marasco of Iowa Catholic Radio explains Catholic legacy giving and how listeners can write a legal will online for free in about 20 minutes through MyCatholicWill. Also: St. Marcellus the Centurion, Bo Bonner's parish mission in Alaska, a November prayer list for the faithful departed, and a Making It Personal preview with Bishop William Joensen.
Episode Notes
It's the Friday before All Saints Day, and Bo Bonner and Deacon Mark Campbell walk through the three-day "triduum" of All Hallows' Eve, All Saints, and All Souls, a season the Church uses to point us toward heaven and remind us to pray for the dead.
In this episode:
- Sunday Gospel Reflection – Solemnity of All Saints (Matthew 5:1–12a): Fr. Max Carson (Diocese of Des Moines; St. Albert Catholic Schools and St. Peter's Parish, Council Bluffs) explains that "blessed" in the Beatitudes points to a deep, God-given happiness, not a mood that depends on circumstances. Every baptized Christian is called to be a saint, and finding joy even in suffering is a sign we're already living the life of heaven. He closes with a blessing for listeners. Read Sunday's readings
- Legacy Giving & a Free Catholic Will: Belle Marasco, Director of Business & Development at Iowa Catholic Radio, shares how ICR carried her faith as a single mom of five, and how the network has grown from three signals to eight in about three years. She explains monthly giving, one-time gifts, the upcoming fall fundraiser, and legacy giving through a will or estate plan. Iowa Catholic Radio has partnered with MyCatholicWill so listeners can create a legal will online for free (normally about $180) in roughly 15–20 minutes.
- All Hallows' Eve, All Saints & All Souls Explained: Bo and Deacon Mark discuss how the liturgical year (not the "consumer calendar") gives the year its meaning, why "Ordinary Time" means ordered time moving toward a goal, why Halloween is a vigil like Christmas Eve, and how the Church's funeral rites (vigil, funeral Mass, burial) mirror this same three-day pattern of hope.
- Pray for Your Deceased Loved Ones in November: Starting Monday, November 2, the Catholic Morning Show will pray for the faithful departed at approximately 7:30 a.m. every weekday through Friday, November 20. Submit names under Contact > Prayer Requests: Submit a name
- Saint of the Day – St. Marcellus the Centurion: A Roman centurion martyred at Tangier after throwing down his arms and refusing to take part in pagan sacrifices for the emperor's birthday.
- Making It Personal Preview: Jeanne Thill previews this week's conversation with Bishop William Joensen and Deacon Tom Bradley about his novel Dancing Without Applause. Airs Saturday at 8:00 a.m. and Sunday at 11:00 a.m. on Iowa Catholic Radio, and on podcast.
- Bo in Alaska: Bo recaps his four-talk parish mission at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Eagle River, near Anchorage, covering leadership, the Church in the digital age and AI, and resting in God. Listening from Alaska? Text 515-223-1150 and say hello.
- Sports: Dowling Catholic (8-1, No. 2 seed) hosts Bettendorf (6-3) in the Class 5A first round tonight at Drake Stadium. Pregame 6:30 p.m., kickoff 7:00 p.m., live on the Iowa Catholic Radio Network. DCHS Football on ICR Plus: Wisconsin at Iowa, Oklahoma State at Iowa State, and the Iowa Wild vs. Charlotte Checkers at Casey's Center tonight and Sunday.
- Reminder: Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, November 1, at 2:00 a.m. Fall back an hour, and don't be late (or early!) for All Saints Mass.
Listen live anytime at IowaCatholicRadio.com or on the free Iowa Catholic Radio app. Support this listener-supported ministry: Donate
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