Heidi Schlumpf

During a "Civilize It" webinar sponsored by the U.S. bishops, three prelates urged Catholics to engage in the political process, but also to remember that neither party supports Catholic teaching in its entirety

Calls for fuller participation of women in church leadership have been heard throughout the multi-year synod process. Now, as the process has moved into its next phase, the call for expanded roles for women continues.

If Israel invades Rafah, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed, nearly 1 million displaced Palestinians will have few or no safe places to go, said a Catholic Relief Services official who recently visited there.

Listen: Heidi, Father Daniel and David talk about media they've been consuming lately, as well as a recent Supreme Court case that might affect care for the homeless. Then Heidi interviews Sr. Elizabeth Johnson.

In a new book of meditations on God and the Earth, feminist theologian Elizabeth Johnson explores an image of God as lover of creation and concludes that, yes, you will see your pet in heaven. 

Feminist theologian Susan Ross was honored with Loyola University Chicago's Living Tradition Award, which recognizes an emeritus faculty member who exemplifies the integration of Catholic thought into their work.

Pope Francis' representative to the United States, Cardinal Christophe Pierre, warned against "a polarized mentality" at the upcoming eucharistic revival, during a speech at Loyola University April 11.

Listen: Heidi, Father Daniel and David look at the recent "prayer" event for Donald Trump at Mar-A-Lago, and Heidi and Daniel teach David some things about basketball. Also, Bruce Morrill on the Eucharistic Congress.

Parish "Walking with Moms in Need" groups help women who are facing difficulties with pregnancy or parenting, but critics say the program is mere window dressing.

Listen: Heidi, Father Dan and David talk about the 2024 election race, Super Tuesday and President Biden's State of the Union address; they discuss Church Militant; and Heidi interviews Michael O'Loughlin of Outreach.

Sociologist Tricia Bruce, just named as a consultor for the General Secretariat of the Synod, sees an important role for the social sciences in the synod process.

Action, community and spirituality all help address the sense of doom that young people feel about the future because of climate change.

Listen: Heidi, Father Dan and David talk about fallout from court rulings on IVF and Texas AG's attack on Annunciation House.  

"Part of the problem with just seeing people in jumpsuits who are robbed of their voice is that you can't imagine them as people who are loved and love," a judge said at a Chicago event on criminal justice reform. 

Listen: Heidi, Father Daniel and David talk about the "He Gets Us" and "Hallow" Super Bowl ads; cardinals' meeting with women; and recent discussion on priestly celibacy. Heidi also discusses Lent with Sr. Joyce Rupp.

Following in the Super Bowl footsteps of the "He Gets Us" campaign, a commercial for the Hallow app during this year's big game will feature a prayer led by Catholic actors Jonathan Roumie and Mark Wahlberg.

Catholic media — especially diocesan papers that provide local coverage and often serve as the vehicle for a bishop's regular column — are not exempt from the larger forces affecting journalism, experts say. 

Listen: Heidi, Fr. Daniel and David talk about the defamation suit against Donald Trump and about the role of journalism in Catholic life. Plus, Heidi interviews Ansel Augustine about the synod and experiences of Black Catholics.

The right-wing lobbying organization CatholicVote.org has endorsed former President Donald Trump in the Republican presidential primary. The choice, according to CatholicVote President Brian Burch, is a "no-brainer."

Listen: Father Daniel, Heidi and David discuss the Iowa caucus and the Vatican document on blessing same-sex couples, and Heidi interviews political scientist and friend of the show Steven P. Millies.