Janelle Menz, Iowa Catholic Radio's newly hired Director of Mission Growth, joins the Catholic Morning Show for her first on-air interview. A Dubuque native and Benedictine College graduate, Janelle shares how the station shaped her own faith journey long before she worked there, and how she plans to bring Iowa Catholic Radio's mission beyond the Des Moines metro to parishes and communities statewide. She reflects on "meeting people where they are" as the heart of evangelization — and of her own life of faith.
Deacon Mark Campbell welcomes Janelle Menz, Iowa Catholic Radio's new Director of Mission Growth, for her first appearance on the Catholic Morning Show since joining the team a little over a month and a half ago. Janelle grew up in Dubuque in eastern Iowa, graduated from Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, and moved to central Iowa before a stint back near Benedictine — before most recently returning home to Iowa with her family.
Janelle traces her connection to Iowa Catholic Radio back to her years as a listener, when Fr. John Riccardo's homilies helped carry her through difficult seasons, including job changes. She jumped straight into the deep end in her new role, helping lead the "Growing the Faith" tour featuring Catholic Answers apologist Karlo Broussard through Spencer, Creston, and Pella — an experience she says confirmed how much communities outside Des Moines want the station to show up in person, not just over the airwaves.
As Director of Mission Growth, Janelle's focus is building relationships with parishes and communities throughout the state — from the Iowa Great Lakes region to Mason City to southern Iowa — bringing speakers, events, and a stronger local presence to places Iowa Catholic Radio hasn't been able to reach as consistently. She closes by reflecting on how becoming a wife and mother has deepened her understanding that a fruitful faith life starts with giving ourselves to God rather than simply asking what we get out of it.
Listeners with an event or community interested in connecting with Iowa Catholic Radio can reach Janelle directly at jmenz@iowacatholicradio.com. Watch for her at the Christ Our Life Conference this September (ChristOurLifeIowa.com) and at her home parish, St. Pius X, in Des Moines.
Heard on the Catholic Morning Show, weekdays at 7 a.m. Central on Iowa Catholic Radio. More at IowaCatholicRadio.com.
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