Bo Bonner and Deacon Mark Campbell open the school year on the Feast of Saint Bartholomew with Catholic therapist Justin Derry, who breaks down the psychological benefits of confession ahead of a Mercy and Forgiveness men's retreat in Hospers. Alexia Baker returns fresh off eleven days at the Iowa State Fair with her "Where's Alexia" new-foods series, sharing her top picks and a record-breaking fair attendance day. Plus Monday news, Iowa Cubs and MLB sports, central Iowa weather, and a lighthearted look at Darth Vader's unexpected city council cameo.
Bo Bonner and Deacon Mark Campbell open a new week on the Feast of Saint Bartholomew, with Mass today at 7:15 a.m. at Saint Francis of Assisi in West Des Moines (105.5 FM).
Catholic therapist Justin Derry joins the show to unpack the psychological benefits of confession — from grounding ourselves in the objective reality of God's mercy to using the sacrament as a model for reconciling our own relationships. Justin previews his talk at the second annual Mercy and Forgiveness men's retreat, open to any adult man, Saturday, September 19 at Saint Anthony Church in Hospers, beginning at 6:15 a.m. with the rosary, morning prayer, and Mass, followed by talks, adoration, confession, and lunch. More information and registration at Lumen Media.
Alexia Baker recaps eleven days at the Iowa State Fair, where she tried a slice of the nearly 80 new foods and drinks on offer for her "Where's Alexia" series, sharing behind-the-scenes looks at vendors like The Depot's dirty sodas and Campbell's corn dogs. Her top three: the Cajun Cluck and Chaos sandwich, the affogato at the Biscuit Bar, and the peanut butter and jelly corn dog. Catch the full video series and follow along at @iacatholicradio on Instagram and TikTok, and Iowa Catholic Radio on Facebook.
Also in this episode: a look back at Saturday's record-breaking single-day fair attendance of 30,654 people, with final 2026 totals expected to fall just short of 2024's all-time record of 1,182,682 fairgoers; first-day-of-school well-wishes for students across the Des Moines metro (Saint Luke the Evangelist in Ankeny starts Wednesday); and a lighthearted look at a San Diego man dressed as Darth Vader making the rounds at city council meetings to mock surveillance "flock camera" technology.
Listen live weekdays at 7 a.m. Central on Iowa Catholic Radio, or catch up anytime at IowaCatholicRadio.com.
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