The Catholic Morning Show

Deacon Kurt Heinrich — a permanent deacon of the Diocese of Des Moines and a theology teacher at Dowling Catholic High School — joins Bo Bonner on the feast of Saint Augustine to give listeners the short version of a very long life.

Augustine was born in 354 into a mixed household: a non-believing father and a devout mother. Bright and restless, he pursued the things of the world — wealth, reputation, a teaching career that carried him from his hometown to Rome and then Milan. He entered the Church at thirty-three, baptized by the Bishop of Milan, Ambrose, and what follow...

Shaun McAfee — Catholic author, apologist, and founder of EpicPew — joins Bo Bonner to discuss the Compendium of Eucharistic Miracles: An Encyclopedia of Miraculous Events Confirming the Real Presence (TAN Books), a hardcover volume collecting more than one hundred documented accounts alongside substantial Eucharistic theology.

Shaun explains that Eucharistic miracles were instrumental in his own conversion, and that he has heard the same from dozens of converts over the years — which is why he wanted a book that tells the stories compellingly, arms Catholics with reasons to frequent adoration and receive the Eucharist reverently, and argues for the Real P...

Bo Bonner and Deacon Mark Campbell open Friday on the Memorial of Saint Augustine, one of the four great patriarchs of the Western Church and the saint whose name Pope Leo XIV invokes when he calls himself a son of Augustine. Mass today is at 8 a.m. at Saint Augustine in Milo (105.3 FM).

Deacon Dan Rouse, a permanent deacon of the Archdiocese of Dubuque assigned to the Cedar Rapids Area Central Pastorate, prepares listeners for the Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Matthew 16:21–27. He offers three points on Jesus foretelling his passion: pride pulls our trust away from Go...

Deacon Mark Campbell welcomes Janelle Menz, Iowa Catholic Radio's new Director of Mission Growth, for her first appearance on the Catholic Morning Show since joining the team a little over a month and a half ago. Janelle grew up in Dubuque in eastern Iowa, graduated from Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, and moved to central Iowa before a stint back near Benedictine — before most recently returning home to Iowa with her family.

Janelle traces her connection to Iowa Catholic Radio back to her years as a listener, when Fr. John Riccardo's homilies helped carry her through difficult se...

Bo Bonner and Deacon Mark Campbell open the show on the Memorial of Saint Monica, with Mass today at 8 a.m. at Saint Mary's in Oskaloosa (95.7 FM).

As always on Thursday, Deacon Randy Kiel joins to preview this Sunday's Mass readings (22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time). This week's focus is the first reading, Jeremiah 20:7-9 — the prophet's raw, agonized complaint to God, "You duped me, O Lord" — which Deacon Randy unpacks as a picture of the consuming, purposeful fire of the Holy Spirit at work in a faithful life, even amid mockery and rejection. Full readings at USCC...

Dr. John Huynh, Director of Social Justice for the Diocese of Des Moines, joins Bo Bonner for his monthly segment to explore why Pope Leo XIV keeps returning to the theme of unity — from his inaugural Mass in St. Peter's Square to a recent address at the Communion and Liberation gathering. Dr. Huynh distinguishes unity from uniformity, explaining that the theological model for unity is the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as distinct persons who are perfectly one. Genuine communion, he argues, requires real difference — not sameness masquerading as peace.

Dr. Huynh connects Pope Leo's teaching to C...

Fr. Brian Hughes, a retired priest of the Diocese of Sioux City who studied sacred architecture, joins Bo Bonner and Deacon Mark Campbell to talk about the meaning behind church design. Fr. Hughes's own master's thesis in architectural history at the University of Virginia was titled "Sermons in Stone: The Ecclesiastical Design of William L. Steele," examining the Sioux City architect who designed a number of Catholic churches across northwest Iowa in the early 20th century. Fr. Hughes was drawn to the program at the request of then-Bishop Lawrence Soens, who wanted a priest equipped to guide the diocese's...

Bo Bonner and Deacon Mark Campbell open Wednesday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time, with Mass today at 5:30 p.m. at Saint Mary's in Greene (89.3 FM). It's also the feast of Our Lady of Częstochowa, the Black Madonna icon with deep roots in Polish Catholicism and a special devotion of Pope John Paul II, who visited the shrine four times during his pontificate.

The hosts pay tribute to country music icon Dolly Parton, who died Tuesday in Nashville at age 80 after a brief battle with cancer. They reflect on her nearly 60-year marriage to Carl D...

Bo Bonner and Deacon Mark Campbell open Tuesday on the Feast of Saint Louis IX, with Mass today at 8:30 a.m. at Saint Anthony in Knoxville (95.7 FM).

Deacon Mark Campbell, drawing on his own vow as a permanent deacon to pray Lauds and Vespers daily, walks through the history and structure of the Liturgy of the Hours — from its roots in the Temple in Jerusalem, through the Benedictine monastic tradition of praying eight times a day, to the streamlined 1970 reform still used today. He and Bo discuss Pope Leo XIV's recent call for families to bring the Li...

Mary Stastny, Iowa Catholic Radio's summer intern for two years running, joins Bo Bonner before packing up for her sophomore year at the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota. Mary walks through her daily work behind the scenes — recording and editing the station's podcasts, editing the daily Masses from Saint Theresa, Saint Pius, and Saint Francis, and serving as assistant producer to Ayden Pugh — and describes how a summer spent recognizing patterns in audio waveforms has sharpened her editing instincts.

A general communications major, Mary shares how her coursework (this year including photography, interpersonal communications, and Intr...

Bo Bonner and Deacon Mark Campbell open a new week on the Feast of Saint Bartholomew, with Mass today at 7:15 a.m. at Saint Francis of Assisi in West Des Moines (105.5 FM).

Catholic therapist Justin Derry joins the show to unpack the psychological benefits of confession — from grounding ourselves in the objective reality of God's mercy to using the sacrament as a model for reconciling our own relationships. Justin previews his talk at the second annual Mercy and Forgiveness men's retreat, open to any adult man, Saturday, September 19 at Saint Anthony Church in Hospers, beginning at 6:15 a.m...

Alexia Baker joins Bo Bonner and Deacon Mark Campbell to recap eleven days at the Iowa State Fair, where she launched a new social media series tasting her way through nearly 80 new foods and drinks for 2026. Alexia's top three picks: the Cajun Cluck and Chaos sandwich, the affogato at the Biscuit Bar, and a peanut butter and jelly corn dog. Along the way, she got behind-the-scenes looks at how vendors like The Depot (dirty sodas) and Campbell's (corn dogs) run their operations, and connected with fairgoers who followed the "Where's Alexia" series throughout the run.

Alexia reflects...

Bo Bonner and Deacon Mark Campbell wrap up a blessed week at the Iowa State Fair on the Memorial of Saint Pius X, patron of the Diocese of Des Moines, with Mass today at 8:30 a.m. at Visitation Parish in Stacyville (89.3 FM).

Making his first appearance on the show, Deacon Dan Rouse of St. Patrick's Parish in Cedar Rapids (Archdiocese of Dubuque) previews this Sunday's Gospel, Matthew 16:13-20 — Peter's declaration that Jesus is the Christ. Drawing on a 2023 pilgrimage to the site of Caesarea Philippi (Banias) in the Holy Land, Deacon Dan unpacks why Jesus chose a fo...

Mark Amadeo — the voice of Dowling Catholic football and Iowa Catholic Radio's Friday morning sports update — joins Bo Bonner and Deacon Mark Campbell to celebrate a double milestone: 50 years of Iowa Catholic Radio (now broadcasting from 105.5 FM as flagship KIHS, plus seven other signals around the state) and Mark's own 45th season calling Dowling football, a run that began in 1981 after Deacon Chuck Dupree handed off the original broadcast.

Mark previews this year's Dowling squad — a stout offensive and defensive line featuring three Division I recruits, all juniors, alongside a wide-open competition at the skill positions after gradua...

Dr. Ryan Allen, president of the FIRE Foundation of Northwest Iowa (Families for Inclusive Religious Education), joins Bo Bonner to talk about Ignite the Fire's mission to champion the inclusion of students with disabilities in Catholic schools throughout the Diocese of Sioux City. Ryan traces the foundation's roots to the birth of his daughter Sawyer, who was born with Down syndrome nearly 12 years ago without a prenatal diagnosis, and to the small group of Sioux City–area families who began meeting to imagine what inclusive Catholic education could look like.

Ryan breaks down how schools can apply fo...

Bo Bonner and Deacon Mark Campbell open Day 8 of the Iowa State Fair on the Memorial of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, recapping a strong week at the Iowa Catholic Radio booth (roughly 27–28 confessions heard so far, and freshly restocked "Pope on a Stick" fans courtesy of McDonald Imaging Solutions) and previewing tonight's free-stage lineup — Dirty Rotten Scoundrels on the Ann & Bill Riley Stage and 80s band Slaughter on the MidAmerican Stage.

Deacon Randy Kiel returns for his weekly look at Sunday's readings, unpacking Isaiah 22 — the Lord removing the unfaithful steward Shebna and installing Eliakim, who is given "the ke...

Tanner Kalina, author of the new book All Your Heart (Ascension Press), joins Bo Bonner to explore what Scripture and the Catholic theological tradition actually mean by "the heart." Tanner explains that the heart is our "deep place of encounter" with God and, drawing on philosopher Dietrich von Hildebrand — a major influence on Pope Benedict XVI and Pope John Paul II — argues the heart is its own spiritual center of affectivity, standing alongside (not beneath) the intellect and the will.

Tanner and Bo discuss why "follow your heart" has become a hollow cultural slogan, how the intellect, will...

Adam Storey returns to the Catholic Morning Show for his monthly deep dive into canon law, tackling a term that trips up even lifelong Catholics: "juridic person." Adam explains that in church law, communities — not just individuals — can be recognized as "persons" capable of communal rights, duties, and action, a concept that traces back to what the Church, before the 1983 Code of Canon Law, called "moral persons."

He walks through how parishes, dioceses, and seminaries are all juridic persons, and unpacks the key distinction between public and private juridic persons: public juridic persons act explicitly in the name...

Bo Bonner and Deacon Mark Campbell open the show live from the Iowa State Fair, which set a new attendance record for the second day in a row (111,000+ visitors Monday). Today's fair schedule includes a sensory-friendly morning from 8 a.m. to noon — dimmed lights, lowered music, and a calmer pace for guests with sensory sensitivities. Stop by the Iowa Catholic Radio booth near the Ann & Bill Riley Stage for Plinko (with a chance to win a Saint John Eudes tiny saint), Pope-on-a-Stick, and Catholic Answers books.

Deacon Mark and Bo then discuss Pope Leo XIV's recent teaching on...

Emily Jaminet — author, speaker, and co-founder of Inspire the Faith — joins Bo Bonner to talk about spiritual friendship, drawing from her book The Friendship Project: The Catholic Woman's Guide to Making and Keeping Fabulous, Faith-Filled Friends, co-written with Michele Faehnle with a foreword by Fr. Larry Richards (Ave Maria Press). Emily explains why being "well-connected" on social media isn't the same as having true, faith-rooted friendships, and why the saints show us that "saints beget saints."

She shares three practical, doable habits listeners can start this week:

Back to School with Fr. Mike Mahoney Fr. Mike Mahoney, parochial vicar at St. Theresa Parish in Des Moines, sits down with Bo and Deacon Mark as he enters his third school year at the parish school. Fr. Mahoney talks about welcoming new faculty, building relationships with students in the car line and cafeteria, and his own big change this year: for the first time in a decade, he'll be back in front of a classroom, teaching middle school religion. He also shares advice for students and families heading into a new school year — don't be afraid to be yo...

Fr. Mike Mahoney serves as parochial vicar at St. Theresa Parish, 1230 Merle Hay Road in Des Moines, where he assists with both the sacramental and administrative life of the parish and its school. On this episode, he explains what a parochial vicar does day-to-day, how he gets to know students and staff each year — including new faculty joining the building this fall — and what's changing for him personally: for the first time since entering the priesthood, he'll be teaching a class of his own, middle school religion, alongside his regular parish duties.

Fr. Mahoney also reflects on how...

Fr. Joseph-Anthony Kress, O.P. joins the show to talk about the 2026 Dominican Rosary Pilgrimage, taking place Saturday, September 26 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Now in its fourth year, the free, non-ticketed event runs roughly 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and includes preaching on the Rosary, confessions and Eucharistic adoration, a rosary procession carrying a statue of Our Lady through the Basilica, an evening Mass, and a closing concert by the Hillbilly Thomists, a bluegrass band made up of Dominican friars. Last year's pilgrimage drew roughly 4,000 pilgrims; organizers are...

On this Monday, August 17 episode of The Catholic Morning Show, hosts Bo Bonner and Deacon Mark Campbell bring listeners two conversations full of practical takeaways for Iowa Catholics, plus a full round of news, sports, and weather.

Heidi Probasco – Sioux City's Bishop's Dinner Returns Heidi Probasco, Director of Stewardship and Development for the Diocese of Sioux City, announces the return of the Bishop's Dinner for Catholic Schools after a four-year absence. This year's theme, "Rooted in Faith – Forming Saints and Scholars," celebrates the diocese's Catholic schools and roughly 6,300 students they serve.

Mollie Muntefering, Coordinator of Liturgy and Music, and Deacon Phil Paladino of St. Mary Parish in Waverly talk with Bo Bonner about turning big spiritual moments — like the Christ Our Life Conference — into lasting habits of parish life.

They discuss:

Heidi Probasco, Director of Stewardship and Development for the Diocese of Sioux City, talks with Bo Bonner and Deacon Mark Campbell about the return of the Bishop's Dinner for Catholic Schools after a four-year absence.

This year's theme, "Rooted in Faith – Forming Saints and Scholars," reflects the diocese's mission to build strong foundations for its roughly 6,300 Catholic school students. New Bishop John E. Keehner, installed earlier this year, will deliver his first keynote address at the event — a chance for parishioners across the diocese to meet him personally.

Event details:

In This Episode Bo Bonner and Deacon Mark Campbell bring you the feast of St. Maximilian Kolbe, a Sunday Gospel preview, an EWTN milestone, two feature interviews, and a full rundown of upcoming Iowa Catholic Radio events.

Sunday Gospel Preview Fr. Mike Mahoney, parochial vicar at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Parish in Des Moines, previews the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time and the Gospel account of the Canaanite woman's persistent faith (Matthew 15:21-28). Read this Sunday's full readings at USCCB.org.

EWTN Turns 45 August 15 marks 45 years since Mother Angelica launched EWTN on the...

Fr. Mike Mahoney returns to The Catholic Morning Show to walk through this Sunday's Gospel, Matthew 15:21-28, in which a Canaanite woman begs Jesus to heal her daughter and is initially rebuffed by the disciples for not being part of "the lost sheep of the house of Israel." Fr. Mahoney highlights her humility, she approaches Christ acknowledging her own unworthiness, and her persistence, she keeps asking even after being turned away, as the two virtues that ultimately move Jesus to say, "Woman, great is your faith." He closes with an invitation to bring that same humility and perseverance to...

Bo Bonner talks with author Maria Ruiz Scaperlanda about Blessed Stanley Rother ahead of the new documentary American Martyr: The Stanley Rother Story, narrated by Martin Sheen and releasing in theaters August 25 and 26, 2026. Scaperlanda, whose biography The Shepherd Who Didn't Run helped bring Rother's story to national attention after his 2017 beatification, reflects on being part of the film and appearing in the drone footage of the crowd at the 2023 dedication of the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine in Oklahoma City. The two discuss Rother's path from a seminarian who once failed Latin to a fluent speaker of Tz'utujil, the unwritten...

Deacon Mark Campbell sits down with Fr. Reed Flood and Megan Schultz to talk all things World Youth Day 2027, set for August 3-8, 2027, in Seoul, South Korea. Fr. Flood shares memories of his own World Youth Day pilgrimage to Krakow, Poland, in 2016 as a Diocese of Des Moines seminarian, including a "Days in the Diocese" homestay in Warsaw and a visit to the Divine Mercy Shrine. Schultz outlines the Diocese of Des Moines pilgrimage group's plans, including a multi-day stay in Uijeongbu, South Korea, ahead of the main event, and confirms the diocese's registration deadline of August 31, 2026, for pilgrims...

In This Episode

About the Guests

Event Highlights

About the Guest

Key Highlights

Today on the Show Bo Bonner and Deacon Mark Campbell open on the Memorial of St. Jane Frances de Chantal before turning to two feature conversations: a monthly evangelization check-in with the Diocese of Des Moines and a national interview on the countdown to Archbishop Fulton Sheen's beatification.

Msgr. Roger Landry: 75,000 Rosaries for Fulton Sheen's Beatification Msgr. Roger Landry, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies USA and the current successor to Archbishop Fulton Sheen in that role, joins Deacon Mark Campbell to explain the World Mission Rosary — the five-decade, five-color rosary Sheen designed in 1951 to unite Ca...

About the Guest Msgr. Roger Landry is the National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies USA (TPMS-USA) and the current successor to Archbishop Fulton Sheen, who served as the organization's fifth national director from 1950 to 1966.

The World Mission Rosary Sheen designed the multicolored World Mission Rosary in 1951 — green for Africa, blue for Oceania and the Pacific, white for Europe, red for the Americas, and yellow for Asia — as a way for American Catholics to pray for missionaries on every continent. Ahead of Sheen's beatification, the Pontifical Mission Societies are asking parishes, religious communities, and individuals nationwide to hand...

About the Guest John Gaffney is the Director of Evangelization and Mission for the Diocese of Des Moines and a monthly guest on The Catholic Morning Show. Learn more about the diocese's evangelization efforts at dmdiocese.org.

Three Lessons from Mary on Evangelization

Remembering Fr. Guillermo Treviño Father Rudy Juarez, pastor of St. Anthony Parish in Davenport, joins the show to honor the life of the late Father Guillermo Treviño, who has been posthumously nominated for the Catholic Extension Society's 2026–2027 Lumen Christi Award — the organization's highest honor. Father Juarez shares stories of Fr. Treviño's tireless ministry to young people, the poor, and the marginalized across the Diocese of Davenport before his death in October 2025. Read more on The Catholic Messenger and see the full list of nominees at Catholic Extension Society.

Two Cohorts, One Calling: Permanent Diaconate Update...

Father Rudy Juarez talks with Bo Bonner about the life and legacy of Father Guillermo Treviño, a priest of the Diocese of Davenport who has been posthumously nominated for the 2026–2027 Lumen Christi Award — the Catholic Extension Society's highest honor, presented annually since 1978 to those who "radiate and reveal the light of Christ" in the communities they serve.

In this conversation:

Deacon Jim Houston sits down with Bo Bonner and Deacon Mark Campbell — himself a graduate of diaconate formation — to talk about the vocation of the permanent deacon and what's changing in the Diocese of Des Moines.

What Deacon Jim covers:

Deacon Mark Campbell hosts today's show in place of Bo Bonner, opening on the Feast of Saint Lawrence and a look ahead to the Iowa State Fair, which runs August 13–23 in Des Moines.

Christ Our Life Conference — Free Teen & Young Adult Track: Carrie Seberger, a member of the Christ Our Life planning committee, joins the show to preview the FREE High School & College Track at the Christ Our Life Catholic Conference, happening Saturday, September 26 from 12:30–5:45 PM at Casey's Center in Des Moines (part of the full conference weekend, September 26–27). Admission is free for ages 23 and under and includes...