Learn How American Catholics Have Contributed to the Universal Church
Discover the rich tapestry of Catholicism in the United States with this Ave Explores series. Hosted by Katie McGrady and featuring notable guests such as Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan; Kerry Robinson, CEO of Catholic Charities, and Brian Caulfield, vice postulator of the Bl. Micahel McGivney cause; this series delves into the fascinating history of Catholicism in the US and its enduring influence on contemporary society.
Together, we'll uncover the stories of American saints like St. Frances Xavier Cabrini and St. Elizabeth Seton, learn more about pilgrimages—especially the pilgrimages taking place for the Eucharistic Revival—and sacred sites across the nation and contemplate the vital role Catholics play in areas such as education, healthcare, and charitable work.
Join us as we celebrate the vibrant mosaic of Catholicism in the United States, honoring its past, embracing its present, and charting a course for its future.
Teaser: Catholic Hope in the U.S. with Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan
Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, the tenth Archbishop of the Archdiocese of New York, shares his favorite Catholic churches and places in the United States of America and why he is abundantly hopeful for the Church in America today.
Week One: The Places and People of the U.S. Catholic Church with Kevin Schmiesing and Meg Hunter-Kilmer
What places hold significance, and who are the key figures in the narrative of Catholicism in the United States of America? Authors Kevin Schmiesing and Meg Hunter-Kilmer share their insights and expertise on the noteworthy locations and influential figures shaping the Church in the United States today.
Week Two: Our Lady in the Midwest with Fr. Edward Looney and Fr. Nate Wills, CSC
Fr. Edward Looney, author and priest in the Diocese of Green Bay, and Fr. Nate Wills, CSC, chaplain to the University of Notre Dame football team, share the story of Catholicism in the Midwest of the United States, through the lens of Marian devotion and midwestern grit.
Week Three: The Holiness of Bl. Michael McGivney and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton with Brian Caulfield and Amy J. Cattapan
The stories of saints in the United States are diverse and dynamic. The first American-born female saint, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, and the founder and first chaplain of the Knights of Columbus, Bl. Michael McGivney, show us how holiness is found in a unique way.
Week Four: Southern Suffering and Sanctity with Fr. Korey LaVergne and Sr. Mary Michael Fox, OP
Fr. Korey LaVergne, pastor of St. Edward’s Church in Louisiana and Charlene Richard’s home parish, and Sr. Mary Michael Fox, OP, offer profound insights into the vibrant and joyful reality of Catholicism in the southern United States.
Week Five: Catholicism on the California Coast and in the Colorado Mountains with Stephen J. Binz and JoAnn Seaman
In this episode, Stephen J. Binz, a pilgrimage leader to the California Missions, and JoAnn Seaman, director of the Mother Cabrini Shrine in Golden, CO, share the stories of these two remarkable saints and the places where their impact is still felt.
Week Six: Forming Young Minds and Serving Those in Need with Fr. Tim Anastos and Kerry Robinson
The Church in the U.S. seeks to serve. Fr. Tim Anastos, chaplain at the University of Illinois, and Kerry Robinson, CEO of Catholic Charities USA, share how the missions of formation and charity are a significant part of the story of Catholicism in this country.
Week Seven: On Pilgrimage in the U.S. with Timothy P. O'Malley and Chenele Shaw
Catholicism is incarnational and tactile. We exist in reality, and so does our faith. Remembering that is essential to growing in our Catholicism, and Timothy P. O’Malley explains how “matter matters” in the places and spaces we worship. Chenele Shaw, former host of Ave Spotlight, shares the story of the Eucharistic pilgrimages that culminate in Indianapolis for the National Eucharistic Congress this July.