On the final day of Iowa Catholic Radio's 2026 Fall Fundraiser, Msgr. Larry Beeson shares how Blessed Fulton Sheen's radio broadcasts shaped his 66 years as a priest and recalls meeting Sheen in person. Fr. PJ McManus reflects on how Catholic Answers cassette tapes sparked his vocation and why "saints make saints," and Brian Egan welcomes Dr. Dora Jung as the new Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Sioux City. It's Max Out the Match Friday, and every listener gift helps Catholic radio keep connecting people to Christ across Iowa.
The Harvest is Abundant! Support Iowa Catholic Radio's 2026 Fall Fundraiser: https://www.iowacatholicradio.com/giving-options— or text GIVE to 515-223-1150.
Max Out the Match Friday: every gift is triple matched until 10:00 a.m. CT on Friday, October 2, 2026. A $25/month gift becomes $100/month.
It's the final day of live programming for "The Harvest is Abundant," and Deacon Mark Campbell welcomes guests who show how Catholic radio forms priests, families, and whole communities, as Iowa Catholic Radio begins its 22nd year.
IN THIS EPISODE
- Msgr. Larry Beeson, a priest for 66 years and Iowa Catholic Radio's chaplain in its early days, remembers listening to Fulton Sheen's "The Catholic Hour" as a child, meeting Sheen in Council Bluffs, and how Sheen's gift for making profound truths understandable shaped his vocation.
- Fr. PJ McManus, Vicar for Evangelization for the Diocese of Des Moines, explains how Catholic Answers recordings played on a Dowling Catholic maintenance crew in 1997 influenced his faith and vocation, and why "saints make saints."
- Msgr. Beeson and Fr. PJ discuss how evangelization has changed: the decline of a "check the box" Catholic culture, why parishes should reach everyone in their territory, and why Catholic radio is an easy first step back to the faith.
- Brian Egan welcomes Dr. Dora Jung, new Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Sioux City, who shared her path from practicing law in Mexico to Catholic education, her focus on equipping teachers, and how you can volunteer at your local Catholic school.
HOW TO GIVE
- Online: https://www.iowacatholicradio.com/giving-options
- Text: GIVE to 515-223-1150
- Call: 515-223-1150
- Be one of 12 new monthly donors at $25/month, less than a dollar a day.
- Share the mission: send a group text or social post telling friends why Iowa Catholic Radio matters to you.
EVENTS & LOGISTICS
- Mass today, Friday, October 2, at 11:30 a.m. CT: St. Gabriel the Archangel Chapel, Iowa Catholic Radio Studios, 1355 50th Street, Suite 500, West Des Moines (between Vita Family Care and Innervisions Healthcare).
- Tonight: Dowling Catholic High School homecoming football on the Iowa Catholic Radio Network.
- Bishop's Dinner for Catholic Schools (Diocese of Sioux City): Sunday, October 11, 2026, Marriott Riverfront, South Sioux City, Nebraska. Info and tickets: https://www.scdiocese.org/bishops-dinner
- Up next on the drive: Jeanne Thill hosts the 9 a.m. hour with Bishop William Joensen and longtime listener Jeff Perry.
Listen live anytime on the Iowa Catholic Radio app or at IowaCatholicRadio.com: https://www.iowacatholicradio.com/
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