Bo Bonner sits down with Maria Benes, director of pilgrimages for the National Eucharistic Congress, to recap the historic 2026 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and its journey from St. Augustine to Philadelphia in honor of America's 250th birthday. Then Tonia Martin, director of operations for Mary's Helping Hands, shares how the West Des Moines nonprofit grew from a garage start-up into a lifeline for thousands of Iowa families in just five years. Plus, get the details on Iowa Catholic Radio's upcoming Growing the Faith Tour featuring Catholic Answers apologist Karlo Broussard.
Maria Benes: The 2026 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage Comes Home Maria Benes, director of pilgrimages for the National Eucharistic Congress, joins the show fresh off the completion of the 2026 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, which wrapped up July 5 in Philadelphia after months on the road up the Eastern Seaboard. Timed to America's 250th anniversary, the pilgrimage began at the Our Lady of La Leche Shrine in St. Augustine, Florida — near the site of the first documented Mass in the United States — and continued through historic stops including a Eucharistic procession along Boston's Freedom Trail and a special blessing of the nation near the Washington Monument over Corpus Christi weekend. Maria explains how the pilgrimage grew out of the National Eucharistic Revival and the 2024 National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, shares a moving story of encounter from the road, and previews what's next as the Church looks toward the next National Eucharistic Congress in 2029. Pope Leo XIV even sent a video address ahead of the closing Mass. Young adults ages 19–29 interested in applying to be a "perpetual pilgrim" for a future route can find details at the link below.
Tonia Martin: Mary's Helping Hands Marks Five Years of Service Tonia Martin, director of operations for Mary's Helping Hands, joins the show to celebrate the West Des Moines nonprofit's fifth anniversary. Started by two Sacred Heart moms with a garage full of gently-used baby items, the organization now provides maternity clothing, baby clothing (newborn through 2T), and monthly essentials like diapers and wipes to families across the Des Moines area during a child's first two years of life. Tonia shares a beautiful story about a client named Brooklyn and invites the community to a 5th Anniversary Open House.
Coming Up: Growing the Faith Tour with Karlo Broussard Iowa Catholic Radio invites you to the Growing the Faith Tour, a special three-night speaker series with Catholic Answers apologist Karlo Broussard exploring faith, happiness, and salvation.
All three events are free; pre-registration is requested.
Listen to The Catholic Morning Show weekdays at 7 a.m. Central on the Catholic Radio Network, IowaCatholicRadio.com, or the Iowa Catholic Radio app.
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