On this July 21 episode of The Catholic Morning Show, Bo Bonner and Alexia Baker sit down with Chris Smith, youth ministry coordinator at St. Francis of Assisi in West Des Moines, to talk about building authentic Catholic community for teens through small groups, mentorship, and simple, faithful witness. The show also kicks off Iowa Catholic Radio's Growing the Faith Tour with Catholic apologist Dr. Karlo Broussard and unveils the Iowa State Fair 2026 concert ticket giveaway featuring Rod Stewart, Alabama, and Josiah Queen. Plus, Fr. Nick Smith reflects on today's Gospel, Mark Amadeo brings the Tuesday sports update, and Anne Marie Cox reports on Ragbrai's stop through the Diocese of Des Moines.
Youth Ministry with Chris Smith Chris Smith, Youth Ministry Coordinator at St. Francis of Assisi in West Des Moines, joins the show to unpack what makes youth ministry unique, how small groups help teens grow in faith together, and practical ways lay Catholics can support the next generation. Hear the full conversation in today's Chris Smith interview.
Growing the Faith Tour with Dr. Karlo Broussard Iowa Catholic Radio's evangelization tour rolls through three Iowa parishes this week — free and open to all, pre-registration encouraged:
Register at IowaCatholicRadio.com
Iowa State Fair 2026 Concert Ticket Giveaway Iowa Catholic Radio is giving away 15 pairs of Grandstand tickets (5 pairs per show) for three 2026 Iowa State Fair concerts:
Entry window: July 21 – August 9. Must be 18 or older; one entry per person for the whole contest; no purchase or donation necessary. Winners announced live on-air August 10. Enter at IowaCatholicRadio.com
Mark Your Calendar
Saint of the Day & Gospel Reflection Today the Church remembers St. Lawrence of Brindisi (1559–1619), a Capuchin Franciscan, gifted linguist, and Doctor of the Church, canonized in 1881 by Pope Leo XIII. Fr. Nick Smith, pastor of St. Patrick's in Perry, offers today's Gospel reflection from Matthew 12 on what it means to be joined to Christ's family by doing the Father's will.
A Note on Devotion: Blessed Stanley Rother Bo shares his personal devotion to Blessed Stanley Rother, the first American-born martyr, whose feast falls on July 28. Learn more or request novena prayers at the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine in Oklahoma City.
Also on Today's Show Diocese of Des Moines news with Anne Marie Cox on how parishes across the diocese are welcoming Ragbrai riders this week, plus the Tuesday sports update with Mark Amadeo and the local Iowa forecast.
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