Catholic Momcast

Join author Kelsey Gillespy for the second session of our 4-week Book Club and nurture your spiritual life amid the chaos and beauty of raising littles. We're reading In the Trenches: Finding God Through Parenting Littles by Kelsey Gillespy for our Winter 2024 Book Club! This week, we hosted the second session of our Winter 2024 Book Club! We're reading In the Trenches: Finding God Through Parenting Littles by Kelsey Gillespy.  In our Book Club discussion, Kelsey and her editor Courtney Saponaro joined us to talk about the way God is parenting us through our parenting journey. (Courtney confided that this is probably her favorite section of the book! Do you agree?) They also answered questions about spiritual reading, getting to know God as both Father and Bridegroom, and how moms can heal spiritually after miscarriage.

Rob Kaczmark is an Emmy award-winning filmmaker, producer, and the proud father of two young sons. He's also the CEO and President of Spirit Juice Studios, a company leading the way in the high-quality production of multimedia content for Catholic dioceses, schools, non-profit organizations, religious orders, and other clients across the country and around the world.  Juice Box is an online children’s show and YouTube channel designed to entertain kids and grown-ups while teaching the Catholic faith. We introduce faith-based topics on a level that young children will understand, engage with, enjoy, and (most importantly) remember.  Show Notes Links:  https://www.spiritjuicekids.com/  https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritJuiceKids  https://www.instagram.com/spiritjuicekids/  https://www.facebook.com/spiritjuicekids 

Maria, Allison, and Fr. Charlie chat about Pope Leo's favirote movies and their take on It's a Wonderful Life and The Sound of Music. Sta tuned for Part two next month!   Links for this Episode:  Pope Leo's Top Four Movie Pics

Maria Morera Johnson and Allison Gingras get together for a fun conversation about Christmas. Maria and Allison chat about Christmas and their family traditions.   Links for this Episode:  Patrick the Donkey's Story Shepherd Roy's Story Angel Malak's Story

Maria and seminarian John Paul Pierce have a lovely conversation about his discernment journey. Let us pray for all seminarians in formation.   Links for this Episode:  USCCB Resources for Vocations  

Maria Morera Johnson and Heidi Hess Saxton interview Greg Willits, author of God Doesn't Hate Me After All: Discovering Louis de Montfort's Love of Eternal Wisdom (Sophia Institute Press). Greg Willits is a Catholic author, media creator, and evangelist. Founder of RosaryArmy.com, along with his wife, Jennifer Greg has written numerous books, including the newly published God Doesn't Hate Me After All, a powerful memoir of faith, healing, and rediscovering God's relentless love. A pioneer in Catholic new media, Greg has produced podcasts, videos, and resources that have helped countless people grow in their spiritual lives. With honesty and humor, he shares the ups and downs of discipleship, inviting others to encounter Christ with authenticity and hope.   Links in Show:· God Doesn't Hate Me After All: Discovering Louis de Montfort's Love of Eternal Wisdom Rosary Army Website

Maria and Allison discuss the high hopes they have for Advent, and the reality that it is a time to slow down and wait.   Links for this Episode:  Catholic Mom Advent Playlist on Spotify

Maria Morera Johnson interviews Gracie Jagla, author of  If the Pope Had a Puppy (OSV Kids). Gracie Jagla is a wife, mother, and award-winning children's book author, with a heart for writing faith-filled stories that draw children (and their families) closer to the love of Jesus. She also writes and hosts the podcast Cuddle Up: Catholic Storytime — a cozy, bi-weekly show where Catholic children's authors (often including Gracie herself) read their stories aloud for families.   Links for this Episode:  Gracie Jagla's books and more If the Pope Had a Puppy

Maria Morera Johnson interviews Catholic Mom contributor Caitrin Bennett, author of the award-winning book, Holier Matrimony (Marian Press). Caitrin Bennett is a homeschooling mom of 4 young children, and author of the award-winning book Holier Matrimony: Married Saints, Catholic Vows, and Sacramental Grace.   Links for this Episode:  Holier Matrimony: Married Saints, Catholic Vows, and Sacramental Grace Caitrin Bennett at Catholicmom.com

Maria Morera Johnson has a fun conversation with Lisa Hendey about her new book, Jesus Every Day, Jesus Every Way (Loyola Press). In Jesus Every Day, Jesus Every Way, Lisa Hendey invites readers into ongoing friendship with Jesus that unfolds not only in quiet prayer but in the everyday rhythms of life, from carpools to hospital rooms. This 52-week devotional uses Lectio Divina to help you reflect on Scripture, connect it to your daily experiences, and respond in heartfelt reflection. With relatable stories, cultural touchpoints, and thoughtful prompts, Lisa shows how Jesus is present in both the ordinary and the extraordinary moments of our lives.   Links for this Episode:  Jesus Every Day, Jesus Every Way: A Weekly Devotional Lisa Hendey's Website

Maria Morera Johnson and Allison Gingras discuss the ongoing call to prayer for All Souls during the month of November. Maria and Allison discuss November as the month we remember and pray for all souls. It's a time to lift up our loved ones who've gone before us and trust in God's mercy to bring them home to heaven.   Links for this Episode:  Church Pop article: How to Offer a Plenary Indulgence for the Souls in Purgatory

Our Fall 2025 Book Club selection is dear to our hearts! In Real Moms of Real Saints, Colleen Pressprich gets real about every mom's need for a tribe: a community of other women whose bonds of trust run deeper than simple friendship. We need that tribe here on earth, but sometimes we forget about our heavenly tribe! We can draw on the loving motherly examples of women who were moms of saints (and saints-to-be) as diverse as Saint John Bosco, Saint Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio), Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, and Blessed Stanley Rother, among others.

Maria Morera Johnson and Inés Mersch talk about transitions and change in our lives. Inés Huber Mersch is a faithful Catholic wife, mother, and grandmother residing in Mobile, Alabama. Her strong attraction to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament led to her being invited to participate in the steering committee that brought Perpetual Adoration to the Archdiocese of Mobile and continues as one of the schedulers. She has also been a guest writer at Catholic Mom. Links in Show: Broken By Me by Inés Huber Mersch Read all articles by Maria Morera Johnson

Our Fall 2025 Book Club selection is dear to our hearts! In Real Moms of Real Saints, Colleen Pressprich gets real about every mom's need for a tribe: a community of other women whose bonds of trust run deeper than simple friendship. We need that tribe here on earth, but sometimes we forget about our heavenly tribe! We can draw on the loving motherly examples of women who were moms of saints (and saints-to-be) as diverse as Saint John Bosco, Saint Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio), Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, and Blessed Stanley Rother, among others.

Maria Morera Johnson and Catholicmom.com contributor Alex Resch discuss family-friendly celebrations of Hallowtide. Maria and Alex have a fun conversation about celebrating Hallowtide by honoring Halloween, All Saints, and All Souls with faith, fun, and meaningful traditions that bring the season's true spirit to life. Alex Resch is a wife and homeschooling mother to her children and a former middle- and high-school science teacher. Alex loves evangelizing and sharing our beautiful Catholic faith with everyone she meets – especially the children of her parish's Faith Formation program. She is the managing editor of AmazingCatechists.com, and you can visit her at her site, Ora Et Schola, for homeschool tips.    Links for this Episode:  Read all articles by Alex Resch AmazingCatechists.com Ora Et Schola

Our Fall 2025 Book Club selection is dear to our hearts! In Real Moms of Real Saints, Colleen Pressprich gets real about every mom's need for a tribe: a community of other women whose bonds of trust run deeper than simple friendship. We need that tribe here on earth, but sometimes we forget about our heavenly tribe! We can draw on the loving motherly examples of women who were moms of saints (and saints-to-be) as diverse as Saint John Bosco, Saint Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio), Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, and Blessed Stanley Rother, among others.

Maria and Allison have a spirited and fun conversation about achieving real work-life balance, where they explore practical tips, faith-filled insights, and personal stories to help you find peace in the juggle.   Links for this Episode:  Saint Zellie Martin on Work Live Balance

Maria Morera Johnson interviews Father Pinto Paul, C.S.C., the International Director of Holy Cross Family Ministries, about the upcoming Global Rosary for Peace. On Sunday, September 7, Holy Cross Family Ministries, in partnership with the University of Notre Dame and the Congregation of Holy Cross, hosted the 75th Anniversary of Father Peyton's Rosary Rally on Bond Quad on the campus of Notre Dame. Families from all over the country gathered to pray together, commemorating this great event! Harnessing this momentum, Holy Cross Family Ministries and the Congregation of Holy Cross are launching a Global Rosary for Peace at 10:00 AM Eastern Time (4:00 PM Rome Time) on October 22, 2025, the Memorial of Saint John Paul II. Saint John Paul II was famously devoted to the Blessed Mother. In his apostolic letter "On the Most Holy Rosary," released in 2003, the Mysteries of the Light were revealed, and devotion to the Rosary was reawakened.  Father Pinto Paul, C.S.C., serves as the International Director of Holy Cross Family Ministries. In his role, Father Pinto will be representing Family Rosary leadership in the 16 countries outside of the United States that have active ministries serving the spiritual and prayer needs of families.   Links for this Episode:  Join the Global Rosary for Peace Read More About the Global Rosary for Peace

Maria Morera Johnson interviews Melanie Rigney, author of 12 Unforgettable Men of the Gospels (Twenty-Third Publications).   from Melanie's webiste: Melanie Rigney loves almost nothing better than talking and writing about faith and grace. Her latest book, Unforgettable Women of the Gospels (Twenty-third Publications, January 2024), focuses on eight unnamed women who encountered Jesus in the Gospels and what we can learn from them. A Twenty-third sister company, Creative Communications, recently published a booklet by Melanie, Praying with St. Bernadette of Lourdes: 15 Reflections on Living a Life of Virtue. Melanie's other books include Radical Saints: 21 Women for the 21st Century; Woman of Worth: Prayers and Reflections for Women Inspired by the Book of Proverbs; and Menopause Moments: A Journal for Nourishing Your Mind, Body, and Spirit in Midlife. She is best known for her page-a-day devotionals, Sisterhood of Saints and Brotherhood of Saints, and as a regular contributor to Living Faith, Women in the New Evangelization (WINE). She lives in Arlington, Virginia.   Link in Show:· 12 Unforgettable Men of the Gospels Unforgettable Women of the Gospels Melanie Rigney website The Remorse of Judas -- Almeida Júnior

Maria Morera Johnson interviews Emmy-nominated puppeteer Donna Kimball about the new children's series, Guillermo & Will. Minno, the global leader in Christian kids' media, is proud to announce its newest original series, Guillermo & Will which debuts on the streaming platform October 10. Guillermo & Will is a groundbreaking, dual-language puppet show designed to help children engage with God's world in both English and Spanish. Created by Emmy-nominated puppeteer Donna Kimball and co-writer Dan Garza, and co-produced with the award-winning Family Theater Productions, Guillermo & Will introduces two lovable puppet friends whose adventures reflect the joy and beauty of cross-cultural friendship. The series combines creative storytelling, a biblical world view, and developmental expertise to help kids see themselves reflected on screen—while learning about God in a personal and relatable way. Links for this Episode:  www.gominno.com