On Mission

Welcome to On Mission, a podcast by the Catholic Apostolate Center. Here you will find feature-length podcast episodes about various topics relevant to living as Catholics in today’s world. Each episode features discussion with Chris Pierno, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. as they offer their unique perspectives and insights.

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Friends Help You Stay Catholic in College

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.

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Social Media Practices for Catholic Ministries and Apostolates

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.

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Basilica Bucket List with Grady Connolly

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.

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Prayerful Parenthood

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.

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Prepared to Accompany: A Practical Instructional Workshop Course

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.

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Finance Councils

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.

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Papal History

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.

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Retreat Experiences and Accompaniment

Retreats are an ancient practice for Catholics to get away from the day-to-day life and allow God to work in their hearts in a deeply intimate way. Brian Rhude, Project Coordinator at the Catholic Apostolate Center and Campus Minister for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, joins this episode of On Mission with Chris Pierno, Sarah Scalfaro, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C.

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Jubilee Year

In this episode of On Mission, Chris Pierno, William Tishuk, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. are joined by Dr. Susan Timoney, STD, Associate Professor of Practice at the Catholic University of America, to discuss the Jubilee Year: Pilgrims of Hope, 2025.

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Families at Mass

In this episode of On Mission, Chris Pierno, Sarah Scalfaro, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. are joined by Krissy Pierno and Kate Fowler to discuss their experiences when bringing their families to Mass.

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Eucharistic Revival: Year of Mission

In this episode of On Mission, Sarah Harrigan Scalfaro, Chris Pierno, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. are joined by Deacon Mark Krejci of the Diocese of Crookston to discuss the third year of the Eucharistic Revival, Year of Mission.

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Working with High School Students

In this episode of On Mission, Sarah Harrigan Scalfaro, Chris Pierno, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. are joined by Christian Bordak-Roseman, a high school theology teacher from the Washington, D.C. area, to discuss his experience accompanying students through high school.

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Catholic Hospitality

In this episode of On Mission, Sarah Harrigan Scalfaro, Chris Pierno, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. are joined by Monica Thom Konschnik, Management Consultant for the Catholic Apostolate Center, to discuss hospitality practices at parishes.

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Living Faith on a Secular Campus

In this episode of On Mission, Sarah Harrigan Scalfaro, Chris Pierno, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. are joined by Meghan Abando, Coordinator of Events and Special Programs, to discuss her experience of living the faith and evangelizing on secular college campuses.

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Marriage Preparation

In this episode of On Mission, Sarah Harrigan Scalfaro, Chris Pierno, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. discuss their experiences preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage and the importance it has to build a fruitful lifetime for the couple.

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On Mission is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.