The Catholic Morning Show
Katlyn Godwin: From Young Widow to Catholic Convert (+ more) | The Catholic Morning Show - 07/24/2026
Episode Summary
This Friday edition of The Catholic Morning Show brings two powerful stories of faith rebuilt through suffering: young widow Katlyn Godwin on grief, remarriage, and her new book Under the Fig Tree, and author Jeff Lukich on his forty-year journey back to the Catholic Church chronicled in The Long Way Home. Deacon Mark Campbell and Alexia Baker also preview the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time Gospel with Fr. Dan Kirby, deliver Iowa Catholic news, sports, and weather, and mark the feast of St. Charbel Makhlouf. Listeners also get updates on Ragbrai's stop in Dyersville, the wrap-up of the Growing the Faith Tour, and upcoming Catholic community events around Des Moines.
Episode Notes
In This Episode
- Deacon Mark Campbell sits in for Bo Bonner alongside Alexia Baker
- Fr. Dan Kirby (St. John the Apostle, Norwalk) previews the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time Gospel — the parable of the pearl of great price
- Katlyn Godwin, author of Under the Fig Tree: God's Faithfulness in Every Season, shares her journey from young widow to Catholic convert
- Fr. Nick Smith (St. Patrick's, Perry) offers the daily Gospel reflection on the parable of the sower
- Jeff Lukich, author of The Long Way Home: A Catholic Return to Faith, discusses his 40-year journey back to the Catholic Church
- Jeanne Thill previews this weekend's episode of Making It Personal with Bishop William Joensen
- Anne Marie Cox delivers Diocese of Des Moines news
- Mark Amadeo brings the Friday sports update
Guest Highlights
- Katlyn Godwin will sign copies of Under the Fig Tree at Divine Treasures Catholic Book & Gift, 5701 Hickman Rd, Des Moines, Saturday, July 25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. More info: divinetreasuresinc.net
- Learn more about Katlyn and her Desert Stories podcast: katlyngodwin.squarespace.com
- Jeff Lukich's The Long Way Home is available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other booksellers: jefflukich.com
Around the Diocese
- The Pilgrim Mary statue moves tomorrow from the Cathedral to Our Lady of the Americas Parish in Des Moines, where it will remain through August 4
- A sensory-friendly Mass is offered this Sunday at 5 p.m. at St. Boniface Parish in Waukee
- Fr. Tim Fitzgerald and Fr. John Owusu-Agyemang mark their priesthood ordination anniversaries this weekend
Mark Your Calendar
- Forge Hog Roast — Friday, August 1, 6–9 p.m. at Wills Family Orchard, Adel. Details: myforge.org
- Iowa Cubs Faith & Family Day — Sunday, August 2, gates open at noon with a pregame concert from First Encounter, first pitch at 1 p.m. More info: iowacubs.com
- St. Charbel Makhlouf, the "Miracle Monk of Lebanon," is honored as Saint of the Day (feast: July 24)
Growing the Faith Tour Wrap-Up Iowa Catholic Radio closes out its three-night Growing the Faith Tour with Dr. Karlo Broussard, with stops in Spencer, Creston, and Pella.
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