Italian-American immigrants have shaped cultural Catholicism in the United States for generations. These families embraced their traditions and practices inherited from Italy to create a distinct home life that blends faith with family life and excellent cuisine as common touch stones. In this episode of On Mission, Chris Pierno, Sarah Scalfaro, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. to share how their families practice Catholicism and the particular traditions that Italian-American Catholics have in common.

St. Carlo Acutis and St. Pier Giorgio Frassati are now canonized Saints and their simple, yet profound witness provides the Church, and in particular its younger members, inspiration to grow in holiness and draw others to Christ through their personal example. Brian Rhude, Project Coordinator at the Catholic Apostolate Center, joins this episode of On Mission with Chris Pierno, Sarah Scalfaro, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. to share what what the canonizations of Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati mean for the Church.

St. Vincent Pallotti founded the Union of Catholic Apostolate and the later developed Pallottine Fathers and Brothers to encourage collaboration between clergy, religious, and lay people to evangelize in every day life. Connor Combs and Sebastian Fernandez, Summer Associates at the Catholic Apostolate Center, join this episode of On Mission with Chris Pierno, Sarah Scalfaro, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. to share what they’ve learned about St. Vincent Pallotti and the Pallottine charism.

College provides young adults opportunities to explore the larger world and get to know new people and experience new things. With that, many students drift away from the Catholic Faith while in school. However, a group of peers to hold each other accountable and provide motivation to grow in relationship with Jesus can help students thrive in college and go deeper in their faith. Connor Combs and Sebastian Fernandez, Summer Associates at the Catholic Apostolate Center, join this episode of On Mission with Chris Pierno, Sarah Scalfaro, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. to share how friends and accountability helped them remain and grow in their Catholic faith while studying in college.

Social media is a powerful tool for Catholic ministries and evangelizers to spread the message of the Gospel, build community, and dialogue with others. Ministries, apostolates, and non-profits must keep in mind that serves the purpose of drawing people into a deeper, more personal relationship with Jesus in and through the Church, most particularly through the Sacraments. Grady Connolly, founder of Social Thomist, joins this episode of On Mission with Chris Pierno, Sarah Scalfaro, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. to share how ministries can employ social media for Christ and his Church.

Basilicas are churches in the Catholic Church that receive the honorific title by the pope. There are four major basilicas in Rome and the others worldwide are minor basilicas. Grady Connolly, founder of Social Thomist, joins this episode of On Mission with Chris Pierno, Sarah Scalfaro, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. to share his experiences taking pilgrimages around the United States to visit all 93 minor basilicas.

Parents experience shifts in their prayer routines after welcoming children into the world. As single people, one can experience long stretches of time without interruption to say their prayers. After welcoming a child, a parent needs to adjust. Meg Ferguson, Curriculum Coordinator at the Catholic Apostolate Center, joins this episode of On Mission with Chris Pierno and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. to share her journey to adapting her prayer life to being a parent and developing a more personal and intimate relationship with God in the process.

Accompaniment allows people of faith to mutually assist each other’s spiritual growth and provides a pathway for less experienced people to learn and grow through an intentional relationship. The Catholic Apostolate Center recently developed an online course that equips people with the basics and how-to of accompaniment. Meg Ferguson, Curriculum Coordinator at the Catholic Apostolate Center, joins this episode of On Mission with Chris Pierno and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. to share her inspiration and development of the virtual Accompaniment Course.

Finance Councils in parishes are an advisory group of parishioners who can provide the pastor with financial advice and guidance for operating the parish. Kathy McKinless, of the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia, joins this episode of On Mission with Chris Pierno, Sarah Scalfaro, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. to share her experience in the finance field and within dioceses and parishes.

The Pope as the leader of the Catholic Church finds it's origins the New Testament when Jesus chose Peter as the first pope. Through history, there have been various ways to choose the pope. A conclave is the current form of electing a new pope where cardinals assemble and cast their votes. In this episode of On Mission, Chris Pierno, Amy Cardin, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C., are joined by Fr. Conrad Murphy, Chaplain at the University of Maryland Catholic Student Center and host of the Habemus Papam podcast, to discuss the history and role of the pope from St. Peter to Pope Francis.

For the Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. reflects on the size of our faith.

For the Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. reflects on living our lives for Christ.

For the Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. reflects on what we owe God.

For the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. reflects on the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross for us.

For the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. reflects on giving ourselves fully as a disciple of Christ.

For the Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. reflects on selflessly serving Christ.

For the Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time, Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. reflects on striving for Christ.

For the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. reflects on living our life of faith with zeal.

For the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. reflects on our being prepared every day to receive Christ in our lives.

For the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. reflects on what is truly important in life.

Laughter and joy are typical characteristics of those who are close to Christ and experience the love of the Holy Spirit. We are called to witness Christ’s joy and love in our lives. By being joyful and sowing laughter, we can help bring people closer to Christ and serve the Lord through that. This blogcast explores “Serve the Lord with Laughter" from the Ad Infinitum blog, written by Kate Fowler and read by Sarah Scalfaro.

Love is present around us as long as we open our eyes to enjoy and revel in it. Despite life’s set backs, we experiences God’s love in the midst of our suffering, we just need to be open to receiving the Gift of Jesus’ love. This blogcast explores “Love All Around" from the Ad Infinitum blog, written and read by Brian Rhude.

Eucharist is the source a summit of our Catholic Faith. Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist. We who know this are called to spread devotion to the Eucharist in our daily lives. This blogcast explores “Being a Eucharistic Missionary" from the Ad Infinitum blog, written by Patrick Laorden and read by Meghan Abando.

Eucharistic processions have been a tradition in the Catholic Church for countless years. Recently, the Church in the United States celebrated the National Eucharistic Congress, which culminated four national Eucharistic processions and pilgrimage routes. This blogcast explores “Pilgrimage and the Eucharist as Food for the Journey" from the Ad Infinitum blog, written and read by Fatima Monterrubio Cruess.

Discernment is a prayerful process by which we come to understand God’s will in our lives for a particular decision. This blogcast explores “Discernment: Day to Day and Lifelong" from the Ad Infinitum blog, written by Christian Bordak-Roseman and read by Meg Ferguson.

Suffering is present in our days manifesting itself in small, daily sufferings or in larger more profound experiences such as chronic illness. With the grace Christ offers us through his passion, death, and resurrection, suffering takes on a new, sanctifying meaning whereby we . This blogcast explores “The Guarantee of Suffering" from the Ad Infinitum blog, written and read by Brian Rhude.

This blogcast explores “Saints Louis and Zelie: Helping Your Spouse Get to Heaven” written by Annie Harton and read by Fatima Monterrubio Cruess.

This blogcast explores “Everything Is Yours" written and read by Brian Rhude.

This blogcast explores “Prepare Yourself for Temptation" written by Fr. Yaroslav Drahan, SAC and read by Tom Carani.

This blogcast explores “Summertime is a Time for Processions” written by ​Pat Fricchione and read by Amy Cardin.