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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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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The 12 Apostles

In this episode of On Mission, Sarah Harrigan Scalfaro, Chris Pierno, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. are joined by Joe Basalla to discuss who the Twelve Apostles were, the role they served, and their memory in today’s church.

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Young Saints

In this episode of On Mission, Sarah Harrigan Scalfaro and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. are joined by Brian Rhude, Project Coordinator at the Catholic Apostolate Center, to discuss the lives and witness of young saints like Bl. Carlo Acutis, Bl. Pier Giorgio Frasatti, and Bl. Chiara Badano.

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Liturgy of the Hours

In this episode of On Mission, Sarah Harrigan Scalfaro, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. are joined by Ryan Corey and John Cardillo, Summer Associates at the Catholic Apostolate Center, to discuss the Liturgy of the Hours and how to incorporate the prayer of the Church in daily life.

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On Mission 96: Lectio Divina

In this episode of On Mission, Chris Pierno, Kate Fowler, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. discuss Lectio Divina, which is Latin for “Divine Reading”: what it is, how to pray with scripture, and how it can be a time of conversation with God. Lectio Divina is a traditional monastic practice of Biblical and scriptural reading, prayer, and meditation and contemplation with roots pertaining to St. Benedict and the Benedictines. Five steps one could use in Lectio Divina is: 1. Invoke the Holy Spirit to guide this time of prayer, 2. Read the scripture passages, slowly and meditatively, 3. Meditate and listen for the voice of God, 4. Pray and speak to God, 5. Contemplate and spend time in the presence of God.

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On Mission 95: Maintain Prayer Routines During Summer Vacation

In this episode of On Mission, Chris Pierno, Kate Fowler, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. are joined Christian Bordak-Roseman, a graduate of the Catholic University of America and former peer minister, to discuss how one can continue to pray and encounter Christ while on vacation and away from one’s typical routine. Prayer on vacation doesn’t need to be complex. Be sure to invite St. Christopher, the patron Saint of travelers. Some methods of praying away from home is to make Mass a priority, to keep a journal, utilize a prayer app, bring a spiritual book, listen to a religious podcast, spent quiet moments in contemplative prayer and thank God for the day.

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On Mission 87: Pilgrimages

In this episode of On Mission, Alex Cranstoun, Assistant to the Director of Pilgrimages and Communications Specialist at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., joins William Tishuk and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. to discuss Alex’s work at the Basilica, planning pilgrimages to the Shrine, and how pilgrimages are distinct from a vacation or a trip and are an analogy of the pursuit of Heaven on the Earthly journey and are means by which the faithful experience God in a unique way through a departure, travel, a visit to a holy or devotional site, and the return to one’s every day life, having been transformed.

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On Mission 86: Shrines

In this episode of On Mission, Alex Cranstoun, Assistant to the Director of Pilgrimages and Communications Specialist at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., joins William Tishuk and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. to discuss Alex’s work at the Basilica and what role shrines play in popular devotion of the Church’s members and as sacred places, which can hold relics of saints, commemorate famous apparitions, and are where people can encounter Christ and his Church’s redeeming work through the sacraments, particularly, Reconciliation and Eucharist.

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