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 Sarah Scalfaro, Chris Pierno, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. as they offer their unique perspectives and insights.

Catholic Apostolate Center Catholic Apostolate Center

Prayer Basics

Prayer can certainly seem overwhelming and overly complicated. However, prayer is simply a conversation with God and raising our minds to the things of Heaven. In this episode of On Mission, Chris Pierno, Sarah Scalfaro, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. share how simple prayer can be and how to grow more fruit from prayer.

Read More
Catholic Apostolate Center Catholic Apostolate Center

How to Make a Good Confession

Confession, known as the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, allows us to be forgiven of our sins and bestows on us graces to grow in our spiritual life. In this episode of On Mission, Chris Pierno, Sarah Scalfaro, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. discuss ways that you can prepare and participate in the Sacrament.

Read More
Catholic Apostolate Center Catholic Apostolate Center

How should we prepare for the upcoming Lent?

Lent quickly approaches and many Catholics pick up penances of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, but what exactly should we do? In this episode of On Mission, Chris Pierno, Sarah Scalfaro, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. discuss ways that Catholics can choose what Lenten penances to undertake and what to do when we inevitably fail.

Read More
Catholic Apostolate Center Catholic Apostolate Center

St. Blaise and the Blessing of Throats

On February 3rd every year, Christians flock to their local parish churches to receive a blessing of throats with blessed candles in honor of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr. In this episode of On Mission, Chris Pierno, Sarah Scalfaro, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. discuss who St. Blaise was, what blessings are, and why we receive blessings on his feast day.

Read More
Catholic Apostolate Center Catholic Apostolate Center

Faith, Family, and Food: Italian-American Catholics

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.

Read More
Catholic Apostolate Center Catholic Apostolate Center

The Newest Saints: Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati

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.

Read More
Catholic Apostolate Center Catholic Apostolate Center

Pallottine Charism and Saint Vincent Pallotti

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.

Read More
Catholic Apostolate Center Catholic Apostolate Center

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.

Read More
Catholic Apostolate Center Catholic Apostolate Center

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.

Read More
Catholic Apostolate Center Catholic Apostolate Center

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.

Read More
Catholic Apostolate Center Catholic Apostolate Center

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.

Read More
Catholic Apostolate Center Catholic Apostolate Center

Thanksgiving and Faith Recast

In this episode of On Mission, Kate Fowler, Chris Pierno, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. are joined by Center colleague Sarah Harrigan, Manager of Communications and Special Programs, to discuss the connections between the Thanksgiving holiday and our call to be in thanksgiving in and through the Faith.

Read More
Catholic Apostolate Center Catholic Apostolate Center

Pallottine Fathers and Brothers

In this episode of On Mission, Sarah Harrigan Scalfaro, Chris Pierno, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. discuss the Pallottine Fathers and Brothers, the Society of the Catholic Apostolate, founded St. Vincent Pallotti.

Read More
Catholic Apostolate Center Catholic Apostolate Center

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.

Read More
Catholic Apostolate Center Catholic Apostolate Center

Community Life

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 their experiences living in a faith community while ministering to peers at The Catholic University of America.

Read More
Catholic Apostolate Center Catholic Apostolate Center

On Mission 111: Year of Prayer

In this episode of On Mission, Chris Pierno, Amy Cardin, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C., are joined by Dr. Susan Timoney, Associate Dean for Graduate Ministerial Studies at the Catholic University of America, to discuss the Year of Prayer proclaimed by Pope Francis for 2024 ahead of the Year of Jubilee in 2025.

Read More

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.