.png)
Illuminating Catholics
Illuminating Catholics – shedding light to understand the modern church
Welcome to the Illuminating Catholics - podcast of the Diocese of Sioux City. Your hosts are Dawn Prosser, director of Communications for the diocese and Karmen Bower of the Faith Formation Office. We will shed light upon topics of faith in the modern church. Our guests include Catholic clergy, religious sisters and other experts in their fields to help us understand what’s happening in the church today. We will explore issues (even tough ones) and find answers to common questions about Catholicism. Thank you for joining us for today’s Illuminating Catholics – shedding light to understand the modern church. Be sure to subscribe!
We are funded in part by the generous donations to Together as One - Our Diocesan Annual Appeal.
Episodes
54 episodes
Conversation with retired priests and military chaplains Msgr. Seifried and Father Higgins
As we lead up to our observance of Veterans Day on Nov. 11, we had a conversation with two of our diocesan retired priests who also served as military chaplains. Msgr. Ken Seifried, Manson native, served as a U.S. Army chaplain and Father Franc...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 19
•
22:50
Supporting vocations with St. Serra Club of Siouxland and Carroll Area Vocations Ministry
As we prepare for National Vocations Awareness Week Nov. 2 through 8, we interviewed leaders of two groups in the diocese that focus on supporting vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Andrea Bengford of the St. Serra Club of Siouxlan...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 18
•
25:14
Conversation about pregnancy resource centers in Carroll and Sioux City
For Respect Life Month, Prosser and Karmen Bower shine a light on Dawn Grimes of Mary's Choice Family Resource Center in Sioux City and Jason Schwarte of New Creation Pregnancy Resource Center in Carroll. Learn more about the great work of thes...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 17
•
26:52
Called youth conference speaker Braden Johnson
National Catholic speaker Braden Johnson will serve as keynote for the Nov. 2 Called Youth Conference in Granville. He shares his faith journey from attending parties and working in the entertainment industry to an invitation to spend time in a...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 16
•
28:29
Andrea Ault on Cycle Prep for mothers and daughters
The Diocese of Sioux City is offering four Cycle Prep sessions for mothers and their young daughters starting Oct. 22. Andrea Ault, Bishop Garrigan High School alumna, will serve as facilitator for the Cycle Prep sessions. She shares how she le...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 15
•
24:00
Rachel's Vineyard offers healing after abortion
Maybe you've heard of Rachel's Vineyard or read about an upcoming retreat in your parish bulletin, but do you really know what it's about? Stormy Poss of Rachel's Vineyard is our guest, helping us to understand what the retreats entail and how ...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 14
•
27:55
Father Bill Schreiber on catechesis and faith formation
Longtime priest for the Diocese of Sioux City, Fort Dodge native and St. Edmond graduate, Father Bill Schreiber of parishes in Jefferson, Churdan and Grand Junction joins us as we are celebrating Catechetical Sunday this week. Fathe...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 13
•
22:12
Cradled in Glass - docuseries with Savannah Crossfield
Following up from an episode last March, producer Savannah Crossfield of Lucidity Pictures discusses an upcoming 6-part docuseries, Cradled in Glass - the cold, hard t...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 12
•
30:38
Do we still need MLTF with Danbury Principal Molly Petersen
The Msgr. Lafferty Tuition Foundation has been around for many years, providing scholarships for Catholic school parents and Iowa tax benefits for supporters. But do we still need MLTF with ESAs helping so many families? The answer is yes and D...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 11
•
21:51
Women's Gathering keynote Elizabeth Kelly on Love Like a Saint
Elizabeth M. Kelly, award-winning speaker and author is the keynote speaker for the Nov. 15 diocesan Women's Gathering in Fort Dodge, Love Like a Saint, based up on her book of the same name. She contributes content to numerous publications, Re...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 10
•
21:20
Camino experience with Father Cronin
Father Michael Cronin, pastor of St. Rose of Lima in Denison, recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of his priestly ordination by participating in a Camino this summer. He shares the history behind this spiritual and physical journey, why pi...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 9
•
22:31
Human trafficking and caring for victims with Sister Shirley Fineran
*Note to parents - some of the content discussed regarding human trafficking and sex trafficking may not be suitable for younger listeners. Sister Shirley Fineran, OSF, longtime social work professor is a regular speaker on human tr...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 8
•
25:17
FIRE Foundation facilitates inclusion in Catholic schools
Dr. Ryan Allen of the FIRE Foundation of Northwest Iowa and diocesan Superintendent of Catholic Schools Patty Lansink share what the foundation does to facilitate inclusion in the 15 Catholic school systems in the diocese. Through grants and pr...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 7
•
22:08
Assisting immigrants and refugees - conversation with Welcome program staff
Revathi Vongsiprasom, immigration attorney, and Norma Garza-Ramirez, case manager, of the Welcome program of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Sioux City serve many of the immigrants and refugees in northwest Iowa. They shared the challenges...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 6
•
24:10
Iowa Catholic Radio expands in Diocese of Sioux City
In this episode of Illuminating Catholics, Matt Willkom of Iowa Catholic Radio shares where the station has recently expanded within the Diocese of Sioux City. Learn about Iowa Catholic Radio's local programming and some areas where they look t...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 5
•
29:10
Karmen Bower shares OCIA opportunities
For our 40th episode - Co-host Karmen Bower shares some of the efforts from her office during this busy summer (no rest for faith formation staff) including Catechesis of the Good Shepherd training in Le Mars.The Office of Worship and th...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 4
•
26:47
Mission and witness of faith - Grace Mahaney
Our Faith Formation Office intern, alumna of Benedictine College and Sioux City Bishop Heelan High School, Grace Mahaney was called to participate in mission/service trips while in college. Now that she's earned her degree, she's going to embar...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 3
•
27:09
Artificial Intelligence: 'exciting and fearsome' tool
Pope Francis said artificial intelligence (AI) is an 'exciting and fearsome tool.' Our diocesan director of educational services, Kelly Kohout of the Catholic Schools Office dives into AI in the Catholic school setting. Learn if your students -...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 2
•
27:00
Siouxland Catholic Radio new executive director Tim Swedean and Tony Michaels
Welcome to our second season as we begin the new fiscal year!The new executive director of Siouxland Catholic Radio, Tim Swedean introduces himself and shares his vision for the Sioux City-based Catholic radio station. He was joined on t...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 1
•
28:52
Catholic Relief Services with Briar Cliff alumna Beth Knobbe
We connected with Briar Cliff University alumna Beth Knobbe, senior trainer of presentations and facilitation for Catholic Relief Services in Chicago. Beth shares her appreciation for the Franciscan values she experienced at Briar Cliff. Her wo...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 35
•
29:57
Permanent Diaconate in Diocese of Sioux City
Deacon David Penton, coordinator of the Formation Office for the Permanent Diaconate, shares insights about his own journey to the diaconate, the formation process, what diaconate ministry looks like and more.Learn more at:
•
Season 1
•
Episode 34
•
27:27
Conversation with Office of Faith Formation staff
Karmen Bower, director of the Office of Faith Formation, and her staff of three faith formation coordinators - Danielle Fennessy, Maddie McClarty and Delores Huemiller - share insights about their work in the Diocese of Sioux City. Learn how th...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 33
•
28:28
Conversation with Pulse Life Advocates
In this episode of Illuminating Catholics, podcast hosts Dawn Prosser and Karmen Bower interview Maggie DeWitte, executive director of Pulse Life Advocates. Learn about this non-profit organization's prolife efforts. Find more information about...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 32
•
25:25
Miracle Church Bus explained with Danielle Fennessy
Faith Formation Office Coordinator, Danielle Fennessy, discusses the June 12 Miracle Church Bus trip for students in grades 6 to 8. Students will board busses in Willey and Breda about noon and then will visit the historic Carroll County church...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 31
•
22:31
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd explained; training available
Host Karmen Bower along with Allison Schoonover and Kathy Steffen of Carroll St. John Paul II Parish discuss Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) program. Also, those interested in learning more about CGS or want to implement it in your ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 30
•
28:02
