Jesuitical

We're unpacking the pope's controversial comments about having children or pets.To listen to the full conversation, go to https://www.patreon.com/americamedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why was Jesus always feasting, eating and drinking? What makes the table a place of sacred encounter? And how are you supposed to learn how to cook on a budget? Lidia Bastianich is a best-selling cookbook author, an Emmy award-winning public television host, restaurateur and the owner of a flourishing food and entertainment business. She’s also someone who has overcome extraordinary odds in her life. Born in the Istrian peninsula, her family fell behind the Iron Curtain when it became Yugoslavia. Her family crossed the border into Italy, living in a refugee camp in Trieste before being relocated permanently in the United States by Catholic Charities. In her new PBS special, “Lidia Celebrates America: Overcoming the Odds,” she tells the stories—and shares the table with—other resilient Americans with inspiring stories. Links from the show:“Lidia Celebrates America: Overcoming The Odds.”Come to Italy with Jesuitical!Italian Bishop Gives Children Harsh News: There Is No Santa ClausWine at Communion, the sign of peace, holy water fonts: Will these parts of the Mass ever come back?What’s on Tap?2016 Bastianich Plus White WineTequila for Kevin, our studio manager’s, birthday Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jesus said the poor will always be with us, but that doesn’t mean we can’t end homelessness. And this week’s guest, Rosanne Haggerty, is dedicated to doing just that. Rosanne is the president and C.E.O. of Community Solutions, which develops innovative, data-driven strategies to end homelessness and strengthen communities. We ask Rosanne how Catholic social teaching informs her work and to break down some common misconceptions about homelessness in the United States.In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone’s vaccination status and the Archdiocese of Cincinnati’s bold parish restructuring plan.Finally, Friday morning is your last chance to enter your name in a drawing for a signed copy of Michael O’Loughlin’s new book, Hidden Mercy, by becoming a member of our Patreon community.Links from the show:Join the Jesuitical Podcast on Pilgrimage in Italy!San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone reveals he is not vaccinated against Covid-19Archdiocese of Cincinnati to reduce 208 parishes to 57 ‘families of parishes’Learn more about Community Solutions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In public, the Catholic Church and L.G.B.T. activists were constantly clashing in the 1980s and ’90s over the treatment of gay and lesbians in the church and the institution’s role in responding to the H.I.V./AIDS epidemic. But behind the headlines, there were stories of Catholics responding with compassion and heroism in the face of fear and stigma. Michael J. O’Loughlin, national correspondent for America, joins Zac and Ashley to discuss his new book, Hidden Mercy: AIDS, Catholics, and the Untold Stories of Compassion in the Face of Fear. Links from the show:Hidden MercyHow the Catholic Worker Movement inspired one couple to open their doors to people with AIDSHark! The Stories Behind Our Favorite Christmas Carols Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robert McCarthy is a 25 year old Catholic law student who ran for public office in a local election in Nassau County on Long Island, N.Y. He lost, but learned a lot about local politics, vocation, and himself along the way. To listen to the full conversation, go to patreon.com/americamedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“No child is going to be abandoned twice.” That is the mission of Mustard Seed Communities, a nonprofit founded by Monsignor Gregory Ramkissoon to serve some of the most vulnerable people on earth: children and adults in low-income countries with severe mental or physical disabilities. What began as a small home for a handful of children who were left to fend for themselves on the streets of Kingston, Jamaica, is now a network of communities providing 600 children and adults with shelter, education, health care and training in Jamaica, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Zimbabwe and Malawi.We ask Monsignor Gregory what inspired his ministry, about the ethics of “mission trips” and how working with people the world has discarded has shaped his understanding of God.You can find out more about Mustard Seed Communities—and support their incredible work this Giving Tuesday—here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unless you are a saint (and maybe even if you are one), there is probably someone in your life, whether a relative on Facebook or a person you’ve never actually met on Twitter, who makes you think...less than charitable thoughts. While self-righteous take-downs of your political opponents can feel good in the moment, they are unlikely to change anyone’s mind—and probably aren’t great for your own emotional well-being either.Our guest this week, Kirsten Powers, shows another way forward. A political commentator for places like Fox News and CNN, Kirsten has been at the center of our toxic national discourse for years, and in her new book, Saving Grace, she provides hard-earned wisdom for dealing with people across political and cultural divides.In Signs of the Times, the debate over the bishops’ document on the Eucharist ends in a whimper, our friend and colleague Michael O’Loughlin gets a letter from Pope Francis and Zac and Ashley discuss an increasingly popular practice in Italy: “de-baptism.”Thanks to everyone who is supporting Jesuitical on Patreon. We have a new bonus episode dropping for you soon! If you’re not yet a member of our Patreon community, sign up here today.Links from the show: Debate over the Eucharist and pro-choice politicians ends in a whimper at bishops’ meeting Pope Francis thanks America’s Michael J. O’Loughlin for reporting on Catholic responses to H.I.V./AIDS In Catholic Italy, ‘de-baptism’ is gaining popularity Saving Grace: Speak your truth, stay centered and learn to coexist with people who drive you nuts What’s on tapMargaritas on the rocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s bishops week on Jesuitical! Ashley and Zac unpack several stories surrounding U.S. bishops in the news: Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles, Bishop John Stowe of Lexington, Ky., Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco, and Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago.That all leads into a conversation with Bishop Frank Caggiano of Bridgeport Connecticut, who unpacks his understanding of what Pope Francis is after in calling for a “synod on synods,” and more broadly, what it means to have a church that listens. Links from the show:  Archbishop Gomez: The church must confront ‘woke’ social justice movements that aim to ‘cancel’ Christian beliefs Interview: Archbishop Cordileone on Biden, Pelosi, abortion and Pope Francis ‘The Church Must Be Political’ Cardinal Cupich: Pope Francis’ Latin Mass reforms are necessary to secure Vatican II’s legacy What’s on tap? Southern Comfort Manhattans   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ashley and Zac chat with Father Jim McDermott about Netflix’s ‘Midnight Mass.’ To listen to the full conversation, sign up to support Jesuitical on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/americamedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You might know Ross Douthat as the token conservative at The New York Times, or the Catholic critic of Pope Francis. But in his new book, The Deep Places: A Memoir of Illness and Discovery, you’ll see a different side of Ross: a father and husband suffering with an incredibly painful chronic disease, looking for relief—and answers. We talk to Ross about how his experience of chronic Lyme disease affected his faith, what it taught him about the suffering in our society that is often out of sight and how friends and you can best accompany a loved one who is sick or in pain. In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss President Joe Biden’s meeting with Pope Francis, and share the pope’s prayer intention for the month of November.Want more Jesuitical? Join our Patreon community to get bonus episodes!Links from the show: Biden says Pope Francis told him to ‘keep receiving Communion’ Leaked draft of bishops’ document on Communion lacks explicit reference to pro-choice politicians Burned out, overworked or depressed? Pope Francis is praying for you. The Deep Places: A Memoir of Illness and Discovery What’s on tap?Pumpkinhead Ale from Shipyard Brewing Company Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices