Catholic Momcast

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   

Maria Morera Johnson interviews Katie and Tommy McGrady, co-authors of First Reconciliation and Beyond and hosts of Family Mass Prep on the Hallow app.  Katie and Tommy McGrady are a husband-and-wife team passionate about helping families grow in faith. They are the co-authors of First Reconciliation and Beyond, a practical guide that helps children and their parents enter more deeply into the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Katie is a Catholic author, speaker, and radio host whose work inspires Catholics to live joyfully and authentically. Tommy is a high school biology teacher, writer, and speaker who brings humor, clarity, and a love for the Church to his teaching. Together, they host Family Mass Prep on the Hallow app, offering encouragement and insights to help parents and kids dive into the Sunday readings. Drawing on their own experiences as parents, the McGradys bring warmth, wisdom, and relatable stories to their ministry and writing. Links for this Episode:  First Reconciliation and Beyond Family Mass Prep on Hallow app

Maria Morera Johnson and Allison Gingras welcome podcaster Lindy Wynne of Mamas in Spirit for a lively conversation about faith, joy, and the beauty of our sisterhood. Lindy Wynne is the founder of Mamas in Spirit, a Catholic women's ministry, and the host of Mamas in Spirit Podcast, a weekly "mini-retreat in a podcast" where she interviews guests about how God has converted their hearts and transformed their lives. She holds a Master's degree in Pastoral Care and Counseling and has served in professional ministry for over sixteen years. Lindy leads retreats and speaks nationally, addressing topics like faith, suffering, adoption, infertility, loss, mental health, and the journey of being rooted in God's love. Links for this Episode:  Mamas in Spirit website  

Maria Morera Johnson interviews Megan Harrington, senior producer at Family Theater Productions and producer and executive producer of Broken Mary: The Kevin Matthews Story. Producer and Executive Producer Megan Harrington is a senior producer at Family Theater Productions. She serves as producer, co-director, and co-writer of the Emmy® and Christopher Award-winning Playing Like a Girl: The House That Rob Built and the award-winning Native Ball: Legacy of a Trailblazer. She is also the producer and co-writer of the Gabriel and Christopher Award-winning PRAY: The Story of Patrick Peyton and The Dating Project, and a producer on the upcoming documentary Broken Mary: The Kevin Matthews Story. Her passion lies in telling authentic and heroic stories that illuminate what is true, good, and beautiful. "Broken Mary: The Kevin Matthews Story" shows how the Blessed Mother still reaches out to people today, even in a city alley next to a dumpster. Kevin Matthews' unexpected encounter with a broken statue reveals the timeless power of Mary's maternal care for the forgotten and spiritually wounded. This resonates with Catholic and non-Catholic audiences alike, who are hungry for modern stories of hope.   Links for this Episode:  Official Broken Mary: The Kevin Matthews Story Website

Maria Morera Johnson and Heidi Hess Saxton interview Sister Betty Ann MacNeill on the anniversary of the canonization of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton and the updated release of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton: A Spiritual Portrait (Ignatius Press).     Sister Betty Ann McNeil, D.C., is a Daughter of Charity and noted scholar of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and the Vincentian tradition. With degrees in social work and an honorary doctorate from Niagara University, she has published extensively on Elizabeth Seton. Widely recognized as an authority on Seton's life and spirituality, Sister Betty Ann lectures internationally and continues to preserve and share the legacy of the first American-born saint. Link in Show:· Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton: A Spiritual Portrait (Ignatius Press) 15 Days of Prayer with Elizabeth Ann Seton A Day of Joy: The 50th Anniversary of Cannonization of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

  Maria Morera Johnson has an animated conversation with actor, producer Christin Jezak, about her new web series, Neighborhood Watch, and the message of loving your neighbor and loving yourself, too. Christin Jezak is an actor, writer, and producer passionate about creating stories that inspire empathy and connection. She is the creator and producer of the web series Neighborhood Watch, which blends humor and heart to explore themes of community, faith, and human dignity. With a background in theater and film, Christin brings her creative vision to projects that spark meaningful conversation and reflect her commitment to storytelling rooted in hope.   Links for this Episode:  Neighborhood Watch (Nominated episode 4): https://youtu.be/BBKWuWp-bAU Website: https://p2ptheatre.com/neighborhood-watch

Maria Morera Johnson and CatholicMom.com contributor Samantha Stephenson have a discuss habits that help us be present to our children in the midst of demanding chores and duties. Samantha Stephenson is a Catholic convert, bioethicist, and author of Reclaiming Motherhood from a Culture Gone Mad, the Mama Prays devotional, and the forthcoming books The Bellbind Letters and Grow Where You're Planted. Samantha homeschools her four children and homesteads with her family on a third of an acre nestled in the heart of Idaho's Snake River Valley. You can find her at www.snstephenson.com.    Links for this Episode:  Website: www.snstephenson.com Podcast: Brave New Us Read all articles by Samantha Stephenson

Maria Morera Johnson and Father Chris Alar, MIC, author of  Understanding the Sacraments: God's Grace Guaranteed! Fr. Chris Alar, MIC is a Marian Father of the Immaculate Conception and a familiar face to many Catholics through his talks, books, and EWTN's Living Divine Mercy. Known for his down-to-earth way of breaking down big topics, Fr. Chris has a heart for helping people really understand their faith and experience God's mercy. His latest book, Understanding the Sacraments: God's Grace Guaranteed, takes us deeper into the seven sacraments—showing how they're not just rituals we do, but real encounters with God's grace that can transform our lives.   Links in Show:· Understanding the Sacraments: God's Grace Guaranteed! Explaining the Faith with Father Chris Alar (video) Explaining the Faith with Father Chris Alar (podcast)  

Maria Morera Johnson and Father Charlie McCoy, C.S.C., discuss Bluey, a family-oriented animated series that speaks to the whole family. Born and raised in the greater Chicago area, Father Charlie McCoy, C.S.C., made his final vows in 2008 and was ordained in 2009. For most of his life in Holy Cross, he has served as a professor and a pastoral resident in a men's hall at the University of Portland in Oregon. Since Father Charlie comes from a lively, close-knit family, and since devotion to the Rosary stretches back generations among his relatives, he feels very blessed to be joining the team at Holy Cross Family Ministries to carry on the legacy of Venerable Patrick Peyton.   Links for this Episode:  Official Bluey Website Read all articles by Maria Morera Johnson  

Maria Morera Johnson and Allison Gingras discuss summer serenity and embracing the Rosary. Maria and Allison discuss the winding down of summer and looking forward to a Fall reset while embracing the beauty of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary,   Links for this Episode:  Read all articles by Allison Gingras Allison's new book, Jesus Heals Read all articles by Maria Morera Johnson Maria's new book, A Beautiful Second Act