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When he was a Protestant, Steve Ray believed that Marian apparitions were a trick of the devil designed to draw Catholics away from Jesus. Today, he regularly visits places like Lourdes and Fatima. Steve takes us on a deep dive of how he came to understand these mysteries. Further Reading Our Lady of Knock Was Not Alone Steve Ray’s Talk at Knock 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

Over the past sixteen years, Gallup has tracked Americans’ perceptions of capitalism and socialism. A year ago, research found that about 54% of Americans have a positive view of capitalism, the lowest rating in the history of the poll. But follow up research revealed some interesting points about how Americans define the very idea of capitalism. We talk more about it with Ronald Jelinek. Further Reading “If by ‘capitalism’…” Guest Info Ronald L. Jelinek, Ph.D., is a Professor of Marketing at Providence College. 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

Women from across Michigan are invited to come together for a day rooted in The Heart of Feminine Holiness—to encounter Christ, deepen their faith, and experience the gift of sisterhood in Him. Together, we will reflect on the beauty of the Feminine Genius and the fruits of feminine holiness, as so beautifully affirmed by Pope St. John Paul II. The conference will be held on October 10, 2026, at the Lansing Center in Lansing, Michigan. Sarah Kaczmarek is one of the speakers and she has more. Click Here to Register Guest Info Sarah Kaczmarek serves as an instructor and online facilitator with Encounter Ministries. She holds an MA in counseling and has served in ministry for over 20 years. Before her time at Encounter, she served in a parish as the director of evangelization and youth ministry and the Associate Director of Alpha Catholic. Her deepest desire is for everyone to know the love of the Father and walk in the holiness and wholeness Jesus paid for. 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

The history between the Church and Judaism has been tenuous. But St. Paul reminds us that to Israel belongs the Sonship, the covenants, the patriarchs and more. What does this mean for us today? 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

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus warns the chief priests and elders that “tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of God before you” because the priests did not listen to John’s warnings, while the sinners did. We unpack what the readings have to say to us with Rob Corzine. Guest Info Rob Corzine is the vice-president of programs for the St Paul Center for 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

In American Catholicism, there are few figures whose life, legacy, and work loom so large as that of our newest Blessed, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. Even now, decades after his death, the Church in America continually looks to him as a model of effective evangelization, clear communication, and powerful preaching. Throughout his work, he offered strategies for overcoming adversity and forging a path to peace and serenity. We celebrate our newest blessed with Maria Gallagher. Further Reading Fulton Sheen’s Guide to Joyful Living Guest Info Maria V. Gallagher is an award-winning author, journalist, public speaker, and life coach, and now works to protect the rights of pregnant women, their children, the frail elderly, and people with disabilities. She is the author of the Encounters with Mary Rosary series and Mercy’s Power: Inspiration to Serve the Gospel of Life, all from Marian Press. 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

Fifty-eight years after its promulgation, Humanae Vitae is still a pivotal document and you see its living heartbeat in numerous nations, including in Poland, where Mark Regnerus recently visited. He shares what he saw there. Further Reading Living Humanae Vitae in Poland Guest Info Mark Regnerus is Professor of Sociology at the University of Texas at Austin, and the president of the Austin Institute for the Study of Family and Culture. His research is in the areas of sexual behavior, family, marriage, and religion. Mark is the author of more than forty published articles and book chapters, and three books. He’s the author of many books including Cheap Sex and the Transformation of Men, Marriage, and. He is also the author of Premarital Sex in America: How Young Americans Meet, Mate, and Think about Marrying (Oxford, 2011) and Forbidden Fruit: Sex and Religion in the Lives of American Teenagers (Oxford, 2007). 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

The family is the domestic church and the foundation of society. It is where future generations are born, educated, and formed, and where vocations to the priesthood and religious life most often take root. So, how can we help our families grow in holiness and happiness? The Diocese of Lansing has kicked off a Year of the Family to help explore these mysteries. Bishop Earl Boyea joins us. Click Here to learn more about the Year of the Family Guest Info Bishop Earl Boyea has been the Bishop of Lansing, Michigan since 2008. He has also served on the Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations at the USCCB and as the Episcopal Moderator of the United States Association of Consecrated Virgins, and on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Catholic Conference. 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

William Faulkner was a Nobel-laureate author whose life can tell us a lot about evangelizing the culture. He was brought up in a Christian household and, although he did not profess an explicit Christian worldview as an adult, it still formed a bedrock in his life. Marcus looks at his life and how we can evangelize the culture by learning the language of the culture. 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

Fulton Sheen was famous for his love of the Eucharist, and once observed “the greatest love story of all time is contained in a tiny white host.” Christianity presents a claim that no other religion would dare to say: the God we worship doesn’t merely send laws or prophets; he takes on our very nature. Marcus has more on how the Eucharist connects us to the divine Love of God. 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

Like his hero St. Paul, Fulton Sheen never shied away form using the technology of the day to spread the Gospel. And if he were still preaching today, he’d surely use social media to “go viral.” We look back at some of his most “meme-worthy” moments with Jack Figge. Further Reading The would-be viral moments of (soon-to-be-Blessed) Archbishop Fulton Sheen Follow Jack on X Guest Info Jack Figge is a young Catholic journalist pursuing an MBA at Benedictine College, with a BA in political science and theology. He is also a writer for the Pillar. 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

Fulton Sheen is well-known for his extensive writings and teachings, but one contribution that is sometimes overlooked is his refutation of Communism. We’ll look at the book with Paul Kengor. Further Reading A Pope, a President and a Bishop: John Paul II, Ronald Reagan and Fulton Sheen Communism and the Conscience of the West Guest Info Paul Kengor is Editor of The American Spectator. Dr. Kengor is also a professor of political science at Grove City College, a senior academic fellow at the Center for Vision & Values, and the author of over a dozen books, including A Pope and a President: John Paul II, Ronald Reagan, and the Extraordinary Untold Story of the 20th Century, The Politically Incorrect Guide to Communism, and Dupes: How America’s Adversaries Have Manipulated Progressives for a Century. 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

On December 9 we commemorate the anniversary of Fulton J Sheen’s death. He had a tremendous influence on Marcus’ return to the Church, primarily through his book Life is Worth Living. Marcus shares the story. Click Here to watch episodes of Life is Worth Living 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 his book Freedom Under God, Fulton Sheen writes “Liberty is not the right to do whatever I please, nor is liberty the necessity of doing whatever the dictator dictates; rather liberty is the right to do what I ought.” Marcus shares some thoughts. Further Reading Freedom Under God 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

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness month. Virtually all of us know someone who has been touched by this tragedy. Grief is coupled by confusion, shame and guilt. But there is hope. Deacon Ed Shoener joins us to talk more. Further Reading When a Loved One Dies by Suicide: Comfort, Hope, and Healing for Grieving Catholics Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, call the Suicide Hotline at 988. Guest Info Deacon Ed Shoener was ordained a permanent deacon in 2004 and serves at St. Peter’s Cathedral in the Diocese of Scranton. He is a founding member of the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers, the Catholic Institute of Mental Health Ministry at the University of San Diego, and the Scranton Mental Health Ministry. He serves on the boards of the Council on Mental Illness, National Catholic Partnership on Disability, and Pathways to Promise. He earned a graduate certificate in spiritual direction from the Aquinas Institute of Theology. Shoener is president of Shoener Environmental Consulting. He has a bachelor of science degree in environmental research management from Penn State University, where he also earned a master’s degree in environmental protection control. Shoener’s family and friends founded The Katie Foundation after his daughter, Kathleen, died by suicide in 2016. The obituary he wrote for her went viral. The Shoeners live in Scranton, Pennsylvania. 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