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Creation Matters. All of creation bears the imprint of the God who brought it into being. And therefore, creation attests to the glory of God as a book of nature in Revelation. Matthew Ramage joins us. Further Reading Why Creation Matters: The Trinitarian Case for Environmental Stewardship Guest Info Matthew J. Ramage, Ph.D., is Professor of Theology at Benedictine College where he is co-director of its Center for Integral Ecology. His research and writing concentrates especially on the theology of Joseph Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI, the wedding of ancient and modern methods of biblical interpretation, the dialogue between faith and science, and stewardship of creation. In addition to his other scholarly and outreach endeavors, Dr. Ramage is author, contributing author, or translator of over thirty books, including Dark Passages of the Bible (CUA Press, 2013), Jesus, Interpreted (CUA Press, 2017), The Experiment of Faith (CUA Press, 2020), From the Dust of the Earth (CUA Press, 2022), The Essential Guide to Ratzinger (OSV, 2025), and Cosmic Covenant (Word on Fire Academic, 2026). When he is not teaching or writing, Dr. Ramage enjoys exploring the great outdoors with his wife and eight children, tending his orchard, and perfecting his craft at the barbecue pit. For more on Dr. Ramage’s work, visit his website www.matthewramage.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com

James Talarico recently claimed that the Bible is “silent” on abortion. This claim exposes an astonishing ignorance of both history and scripture. Marcus has a response. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com

In today’s First Reading, St. Paul writes to the Ephesians about how all of Salvation history, culminating in the Death and resurrection of Jesus, was envisioned by God from the beginning. And so when Paul declares that believers were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, he’s revealing the eternal horizon of the covenantal purposes that were first disclosed through Israel as a nation. Marcus has more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com

Our duty to evangelize is not an option – it is a direct command from God. So why is it so easy to make excuses for not doing it? Cy Kellett joins us with tips for planting seeds and saving souls. Further Reading How to Talk About Jesus with Anyone- Tested Techniques for Planting Seeds and Saving Souls Guest Info Cy Kellett is the host of Catholic Answers Live. He formerly hosted The Bright Side with Cy Kellett on the Immaculate Heart Radio network. For more than a decade Kellett was editor of San Diego’s diocesan newspaper, The Southern Cross. Before that, he taught high school in and then spent several years working with the homeless mentally ill in Massachusetts while living in a Catholic Worker house. Kellett and his wife, Missy, have three children. He’s the co-author with Steve Dawson of How to Talk About Jesus with Anyone- Tested Techniques for Planting Seeds and Saving Souls How to Talk About Jesus with Anyone- Tested Techniques for Planting Seeds and Saving Souls This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com

Under the Levitical law, the priests were obligated to keep a fire perpetually burning on the altar of sacrifice. We discuss the theology of the temple flame with Mark Giszack. Further Reading Perpetual Fire: Temple, Ritual, and Biblical Theology Guest Info Dr Mark Giszcak is Professor of Sacred Scripture at St Paul Seminary, where he also directs the Institute for Catholic Theological Formation. He is the author most recently of Perpetual Fire: Temple, Ritual and Biblical Theology This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com

Should the execution of a terrorist be a public event? History shows that societies that celebrate violence ultimately desensitize their citizens towards further violence and unrest. Marcus shares some thoughts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com

Caring for the old can be exhausting, but it teaches the next generation about sacrifice and the redemptive value of suffering. We talk more about it with Andrea Picciotti-Bayer. Further Reading We Hand On the Faith by Carrying Each Other’s Burdens Guest Info Andrea Picciotti-Bayer is a legal analyst for EWTN News. She also directs the Conscience Project. Follow her on Twitter @bayerpicciotti and visit conscience-project.org. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com

As we see our society move further and further away from its Christian roots, it’s more important than ever for us to preach the radical truth of the Gospel. Even as our politics get more and more extreme, we see the negative effects of a society that lives in these extremes. We talk about the quest for a virtuous center with Thérèse Boudreaux. Guest Info Thérèse Boudreaux is a Catholic journalist. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com

In today’s first reading, St. Paul tells the Galatians that those who belong to Jesus Christ have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires. He is describing the radical transformation that occurs when the Holy Spirit restores our fallen humanity into life in the covenant. Marcus takes a closer look at the readings. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com

Pope John Paul II visited Jordan in the year 2000 and designated 5 pilgrimage sites that carry special spiritual blessings for those who visit all five. Steve Ray is heading there on a pilgrimage, and you can join him! He joins us to talk more about the Biblical significance of the area. Learn more about the trip Guest Info Steve Ray leads pilgrimages to the Holy Land, Rome and other sites. He converted to Catholicism in 1994 and is the author of “Crossing the Tiber,” “Upon this Rock” and other books, including a brand-new study on the Book of Genesis. He’s the host and producer of the Footprints of God DVD series and has been to the Holy Land more than 200 times. He also writes bible studies for Catholic Scripture Study International Visit catholic-convert.com and footprintsofgodpilgrimages.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com

Interest rates in the U.S. have moved up dramatically this year. James Peregoy looks at the latest financial news. Guest Info James Peregoy is co-manager of the Ave Maria Bond Fund and the Ave Maria Undiscovered Fund, and a research analyst responsible for fixed income research and trading functions. He is also responsible for the equity trading functions of the mutual funds. Before joining Schwartz Investment Counsel, Inc. he worked as a consultant at Plante Moran. James holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance and Statistics from Grand Valley State University. He has also earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com

Pope Leo has announced his prayer intention for this month: mental health ministry. As America and the world in general faces a mental health crisis, it’s time to consider the role the faithful can play in helping those who are struggling with mental health. Dr. Greg Popcak joins us. Further Reading Pope’s October prayer intention: ‘For mental health ministry’ Guest Info Dr. Greg Popcak is the founder of CatholicCounselors.com Together with his wife Lisa, he’s the author of over 20 popular books, and the host of More2Life, heard each day at 10am E on EWTN radio. Greg and Lisa are also the founders of the CatholicHOM app that provides couples and parents with the coaching and resources they need to build strong domestic churches. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com

Why do Catholics call Mary the New Eve? This is one of the topics Karlo Broussard will be exploring at next month’s Tapestry of Promise conference in Ann Arbor. He gives us a preview. Learn more about the conference Guest Info Karlo Broussard, DPhil., a native of Southern Louisiana, left a promising musical career to devote himself full-time to the work of Catholic apologetics. As the Director of Apologetics for Catholic Answers, he travels the country and the diocese giving talks on apologetics, biblical studies, theology, and philosophy. Karlo is a regular guest on Catholic Answers Live and frequent contributor to Catholic Answers Magazine Online. He is an online adjunct Professor of Philosophy at Franciscan University of Steubenville as well as an online adjunct Professor of Apologetics at Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Cromwell, Connecticut. Karlo holds a doctorate in philosophy from the Pontifical University St. Patrick’s in Maynooth, Ireland, as well as undergraduate and graduate degrees in theology from Catholic Distance University and the Augustine Institute, and a master’s in philosophy from Holy Apostles College and Seminary. A dynamic and gifted Catholic speaker and author, Karlo is known for communicating with precision of thought, a genuine love for God, and an enthusiasm that inspires. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com

Mike Ditka, who died last week, was known for many things: his sweaters, his moustache, his time as a tight end for the Cowboys, and of course his leadership of the Chicago Bears. But he was also a devout Catholic who had serious thoughts about faith and masculinity. We talk about him with Pete Burak. Further Reading Mike Ditka dies at 86: Bears coach remembered for his deep faith and devotion to church Football Legend ‘Iron Mike’ Ditka Talks Church and Manhood Guest Info Pete Burak is the vice president of Renewal Ministries, an organization dedicated to renewal and evangelization in the Catholic Church, and codirector of Pine Hills Boys Camp. He also served as an EWTN host for coverage of the National Eucharistic Congress. Burak earned a master’s degree in theology from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, Michigan. He writes a monthly syndicated column for the Diocese of Lansing’s Faith magazine and has spoken at conferences throughout the United States and abroad on discipleship and evangelization, including SEEK, the Steubenville Power and Purpose Conference, the Legatus National Summit, and numerous men’s and youth conferences. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com

It's no secret that we are seeing a worldwide collapse of marriage. This change reveals a civilizational downfall – we have systematically abandoned this sacred institution that is responsible for producing the very people upon whom the species, and the culture, depends. Marcus has more. Further Reading The Marriage Crisis Is No Longer Just a Western Problem This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com