In this week’s episode, we welcome back fan favorite Father Jason Rocks, Chancellor of the Diocese of Camden and pastor of Holy Eucharist Parish in Cherry Hill, for a thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation on Pope Leo’s encyclical on artificial intelligence, Magnifica Humanitas.

Together, they explore how the Church’s long tradition of Catholic social teaching can help guide the use of emerging technologies in a way that protects human dignity, promotes the common good and keeps people, not machines, at the center of progress. Father Rocks reflects on the encyclical’s warnings about isolation, bias, war, education, transhumanism and the temptation to treat technology as an end in itself, while also emphasizing that AI can be a useful tool when used wisely.

The conversation also touches on everything from the Tower of Babel and the rebuilding of Jerusalem to The Terminator, Robocop, Star Wars, digital photography, education, human creativity and the importance of slowing down in a world that increasingly prizes speed and efficiency.

Listen as the trio consider how Christians can engage AI with hope, caution and responsibility, always asking the deeper question at the heart of the encyclical: Where is humanity going, and how do we make sure technology helps us become more fully human?

Listen to Talking Catholic everywhere podcasts can be found, at https://talking.catholicstarherald.org/talking-catholic, or catch us on Domestic Church Media radio (https://domesticchurchmedia.org) Sundays at 11 AM or Mondays at 4 PM.

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This week, Talking Catholic welcomes Kevin Brennan, Vice President for Communications at Catholic Charities USA, for a conversation about the new People of Hope Museum, a traveling, interactive exhibit designed to share “faith-filled stories of neighbors helping neighbors.”

Housed in a specially outfitted tractor-trailer, the museum brings visitors into the heart of Catholic Charities’ mission through first-person stories from staff and volunteers, a digital poverty simulation, data on poverty in America, and opportunities for visitors to reflect on how they can serve their own neighbors. Kevin shares how the project came together, why Catholic Charities USA chose the format of a mobile museum, and how the exhibit is already inspiring visitors across the country to see both those in need, and those who serve them, with new eyes.

The People of Hope Museum will visit the Diocese of Camden June 15-16 at Church of the Incarnation in Mantua, before continuing to Atlantic City June 18-19 during the Catholic Media Conference. The museum is part of a two-and-a-half-year national tour that will continue through June 2028.

To learn more about the museum, check out: https://peopleofhope.us/ 

Listen to Talking Catholic everywhere podcasts can be found, at https://talking.catholicstarherald.org/talking-catholic, or catch us on Domestic Church Media radio (https://domesticchurchmedia.org) Sundays at 11 AM or Mondays at 4 PM.

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This week, we’re blessed to welcome the Diocese of Camden’s newest priest, Father Nickolas Naticchione, to Talking Catholic.

From his childhood at the Jersey Shore to his years in Catholic school, his formation in the seminary, and his deep love for music and liturgy, Father Nick shares the story of a vocation shaped by faith, family, prayer and the people who helped guide him along the way.

His journey culminated May 16 with his ordination to the priesthood, a joyful moment for Father Nick, his family and the entire Diocese of Camden. In this episode, he reflects on that grace-filled day, the celebration of his First Mass, and the hopes he carries into his priestly ministry.

Read the Catholic Star Herald’s coverage of Father Naticchione’s ordination and First Mass here:
https://catholicstarherald.org/rev-mr-nickolas-naticchione-ordained-to-the-priesthood/
https://catholicstarherald.org/father-naticchione-celebrates-first-mass-in-margate/

You can also watch his ordination Mass here:
https://youtu.be/Pcg4hEmcRgk?si=lgYwpec7cM2bcH9G

Listen to Talking Catholic everywhere podcasts can be found, at https://talking.catholicstarherald.org/talking-catholic, or catch us on Domestic Church Media radio (https://domesticchurchmedia.org) Sundays at 11 AM or Mondays at 4 PM.

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The Catholic Media Conference is coming to Atlantic City, and Talking Catholic is getting ready to welcome Catholic communicators from across the country to South Jersey.

In this special episode, host Jen Mauro and co-hosts Leslie Visco and Lisa Lauria spotlight the upcoming Catholic Media Association annual conference, which will be hosted locally by the Diocese of Camden from June 16-19, 2026, at Harrah’s Atlantic City. The conversation offers a preview of what attendees can expect, including nationally recognized speakers, professional development sessions, networking opportunities, and a chance to experience the energy and hospitality of the Jersey Shore.

Whether you work in diocesan communications, Catholic journalism, parish media, publishing, podcasting, social media, photography, video production or ministry storytelling, the Catholic Media Conference is a chance to sharpen your skills, build relationships and be renewed in the shared mission of communicating the Gospel with clarity, creativity and hope.

Register, spread the word, and come be part of the Catholic media community at the shore: https://www.catholicmediaconference.org.  

Listen to Talking Catholic everywhere podcasts can be found, at https://talking.catholicstarherald.org/talking-catholic, or catch us on Domestic Church Media radio (https://domesticchurchmedia.org) Sundays at 11 AM or Mondays at 4 PM.

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This week on the Talking Catholic, cohosts Kari Janisse and Mike Bress explore the beauty and meaning of the Sacrament of Holy Communion and the important role our Catholic schools and parishes play in preparing children to receive Jesus in the Eucharist.

Joining the conversation are first grade teacher, Julianne LaRosa; second grade teacher, Mackenzie McNelia; and advancement director, Jackie Kern from St. Mary School in Williamstown, who share how they help young students grow in faith, understand the significance of the sacrament, and prepare spiritually for their First Holy Communion.

The group discusses the different classroom lessons the students participate in throughout the school year to prepare, the experience of the first time the receive the Eucharist, and what it feels like to now be included in this special part of the Catholic faith and Mass.

Listen to Talking Catholic everywhere podcasts can be found, at https://talking.catholicstarherald.org/talking-catholic, or catch us on Domestic Church Media radio (https://domesticchurchmedia.org) Sundays at 11 AM or Mondays at 4 PM.

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On this episode of Talking Catholic, hosts Mike Walsh and Jen Mauro welcome back Michael Canaris and Maureen O'Connell of the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University Chicago to discuss their leadership in the national Catholic Education Network to Enact and Resource Synodality (CENTERS) initiative—an ambitious collaboration helping Catholics across the United States take a more active role in the life and leadership of the Church. 

Supported by a $10 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. and involving 16 Catholic colleges and universities, CENTERS strengthens listening, dialogue, and shared discernment in the Church by forming pastoral leaders, supporting local projects, hosting regional trainings and national assemblies, and launching the Adsumus Fellowship for emerging ministry leaders. The initiative builds on Pope Francis’ call for a more participatory, missionary Church and invites Catholics at every level to help shape its future together.

Canaris and O’Connell reflect on how Catholic higher education is uniquely positioned to accompany the Church’s synodal journey—and how partnerships among universities, dioceses, and lay leaders are already creating new pathways for formation, collaboration, and shared responsibility across the country.

Listeners interested in supporting this important work are encouraged to learn more about CENTERS and consider making a contribution to sustain its mission of forming the next generation of Church leaders - https://www.luc.edu/ips/centerssynodality. 

Listen to Talking Catholic everywhere podcasts can be found, at https://talking.catholicstarherald.org/talking-catholic, or catch us on Domestic Church Media radio (https://domesticchurchmedia.org) Sundays at 11 AM or Mondays at 4 PM.

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As April marks Autism Awareness Month, the Talking Catholic podcast travels to Ocean City to highlight a powerful example of welcome in action at Saint Damien Parish’s Mass of Welcome and Inclusion.

Cohosts Jen Mauro and Mike Walsh are joined by Chris Devaney, who brings nearly 50 years of experience serving special needs individuals, and Nicole Keefer, Executive Director of VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services for the Diocese of Camden. Together, they share how this growing ministry helps individuals with autism, Down syndrome, and other special needs fully participate in parish life—including receiving the sacraments and serving in liturgical roles.

The conversation explores how accompaniment, creativity, and a committed parish community have opened doors for families who once felt isolated from church life—and how this model can inspire other parishes to do the same. As Chris notes, the most powerful message families carry home from these celebrations is simple but profound: you are welcome here.

Listen to Talking Catholic everywhere podcasts can be found, at https://talking.catholicstarherald.org/talking-catholic, or catch us on Domestic Church Media radio (https://domesticchurchmedia.org) Sundays at 11 AM or Mondays at 4 PM.

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How can the Church and her people better meet the mental health needs of others?

Bishop John Dolan of the Diocese of Phoenix graciously shares his time and insight with cohosts Mike Walsh and Jen Mauro on this deeply moving episode of Talking Catholic.

Bishop Dolan, who was instrumental in founding the first diocesan Office of Mental Health Ministry in the United States, has made supporting mental health a key component of his ministry. As a survivor of suicide loss, he discusses how mental health is not simply “mind over matter,” and the critical roles science and faith play.

Bishop Dolan will serve as the keynote speaker for the upcoming one-day conference, “From Isolation to Belonging, Mental Health and the Catholic Church.” The program will be held May 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. at the Saint John Neumann Pastoral Center, 146 Metlars Lane, Piscataway. Registration is limited, so those interested in attending are encouraged to register online at www.njconf.com.

Read all about the New Jersey Catholic Mental Health Conference. Don’t miss it, register today!

Listen to Talking Catholic everywhere podcasts can be found, at https://talking.catholicstarherald.org/talking-catholic, or catch us on Domestic Church Media radio (https://domesticchurchmedia.org) Sundays at 11 AM or Mondays at 4 PM.

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During the Easter season, the Church celebrates not just a single day, but 50 days of resurrection joy, and what better guide for living that joy than St. Francis of Assisi?

On this episode of Talking Catholic, cohosts Mike Walsh and Jen Mauro welcome Fr. Jason Rocks, Chancellor of the Diocese of Camden and pastor of Holy Eucharist Parish, for a conversation on how Catholics can live the Easter season more intentionally; and how the witness of St. Francis still speaks powerfully to the Church today.

Father Rocks reflects on the meaning of the 50 days of Easter as a time to continue walking with the risen Christ through prayer, Scripture, Eucharist, and community life. He also explores what made St. Francis such a transformative figure, not simply his poverty or love of nature, but the fact that “Jesus was the reality he lived by.” That same call, he explains, remains at the heart of the Christian life today.

The conversation also touches on listening as a spiritual practice, recognizing “threshold moments” for evangelization, finding holiness in ordinary work, and responding to God’s grace in everyday life. Whether you’re looking for practical ways to deepen your Easter faith or fresh inspiration from Franciscan spirituality, this episode offers encouragement to become a light of Christ in the world right where you are.

Listen to Talking Catholic everywhere podcasts can be found, at https://talking.catholicstarherald.org/talking-catholic, or catch us on Domestic Church Media radio (https://domesticchurchmedia.org) Sundays at 11 AM or Mondays at 4 PM.

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As you’ll hear in our intro for this episode, it’s been a busy Lent and Holy Week for us, so we’re taking a short break from recording a new episode, but we wanted to feature last year’s conversation with Jim Dessicino as he opens up his new project Cappella Studio in Atlantic city this Spring - cappellastudio.org. 

[Originally released February 24, 2025] This week on Talking Catholic, we embark on an audio sacred art tour! Sculptor and art expert Jim Dessicino joins hosts Mike Walsh and Jen Mauro to explore the profound connection between artwork, beauty, and faith.

A parish catechetical leader at the Parish of Saint Monica in Atlantic City, Dessicino is one of the few non-Italian to have led tours of Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Closer to home, he also guides visitors through the historic Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Church in Atlantic City.

Join us as Dessicino takes listeners on a captivating journey through sacred art, uncovering its pivotal role in Church history, faith, and the pursuit of truth and goodness. Don’t miss this enlightening episode

Listen to Talking Catholic everywhere podcasts can be found, at https://talking.catholicstarherald.org/talking-catholic, or catch us on Domestic Church Media radio (https://domesticchurchmedia.org) Sundays at 11 AM or Mondays at 4 PM.

Listen to Talking Catholic everywhere podcasts are found or at talking.catholicstarherald.org/talking-catholic. And, catch us on Domestic Church Media Radio Sundays at 11 AM | Mondays at 4 PM: domesticchurchmedia.org

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On this week’s episode of Talking Catholic, host Mike Walsh welcomes leaders from Catholic Charities USA’s Disaster Operations team to reflect on the impact and purpose of the Applied Institute for Disaster Excellence (AIDE), the organization’s national training that prepares Catholic Charities agencies and partners to respond effectively to disasters across the country.

Joining the conversation are Jennifer L. Dyer, Director of Capacity Building; Melissa Hruska, Director of Disaster Case Management; Abby Qualliotine, Senior Manager of Outreach and Support; and Daniel Altenau, Director of Communications and Disaster Services for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh. Together, they explore how AIDE equips participants with practical skills in preparedness, response, recovery, and communications—while also strengthening relationships across the Catholic Charities network.

The group also discusses new presentations offered this year on disaster communications and the ethical use of artificial intelligence, as well as the hands-on tabletop exercises that help participants apply what they’ve learned in real-world scenarios. Throughout the conversation, they reflect on the deeply spiritual foundation of disaster response work and how the Gospel call of Matthew 25 continues to guide Catholic Charities’ mission to serve those most vulnerable in times of crisis.

Listen to Talking Catholic everywhere podcasts are found or at talking.catholicstarherald.org/talking-catholic. And, catch us on Domestic Church Media Radio Sundays at 11 AM | Mondays at 4 PM: domesticchurchmedia.org

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