In this episode of On Mission, Chris Pierno, Kate Fowler, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. discuss the first sacrament of initiation: Baptism, which is a washing away of Original Sin and a welcoming of the candidate into the family of God, marked by the washing with water, while invoking the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, along with anointing the individual with chrism oil. Baptism, then, brings all of the Baptized into the roles of priest, prophet, and king within Christ’s church. The baptized individual is given godparents to serve as witnesses and guides in the Faith. In scripture, Jesus was baptized by John, a baptism of repentance, and Jesus commissioned his apostles to baptize.

In this episode of On Mission, Jonathan Sitko, Director of Programs at Catholic Apostolate Center, joins Chris Pierno, Kate Fowler, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. to discuss World Youth Day (WYD) and what can be expected in Lisbon, Portugal on August 1 to August 6, 2023. World Youth Day is an international gathering every 2-3 years for Catholic young adults from ages 16-35 and focused around the Mass, prayer, and a personal encounter with Christ and the previous World Youth Day was held in Panama in 2019. The theme for World Youth Day Lisbon 2023 is “Mary arose and went with haste” (LK 1:39). Jonathan Sitko offers virtual resources for those who may not be able to attend World Youth Day Lisbon in person.

In this episode of On Mission, Joe Basalla, a Catholic School Teacher in Cleveland, Ohio, joins Chris Pierno and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. to discuss the life and the legacy of Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI), born April 16, 1927 in Bavaria, Germany. Pope Benedict XVI, known for his profound theological understanding and teaching, departed into eternal life on December 31, 2022. Joe Basalla discusses Ratzinger’s role in developing the teachings of the Second Vatican Council and worked closely with Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II before being elected pope himself.

In this episode of On Mission, Joe Basalla, a Catholic School Teacher in Cleveland, Ohio, joins Chris Pierno and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. to discuss the final Sunday of Lent, the beginning of Holy Week, and the Sunday before Easter, known as Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion. Joe Basalla discusses how Palm Sunday takes place in the Gospels and the experience of the liturgy where the faithful receive palms and take place in a procession, signifying Christ’s triumphant, yet peaceful--as represented by the donkey--arrival to the holy city of Jerusalem where just a few days later, the people will command that Jesus be put to death like a common thief.

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.

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.

In this episode of On Mission, Tom Carani, collaborator with the Center, and William Tishuk, Production Associate with the Center, joins Kate Fowler, Chris Pierno, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. to discuss their experiences of introducing the Catholic Faith, beginning with Baptism, to even their youngest children by incorporating the Faith into everyday family experiences through the rhythms of the Liturgical Year, the Sacraments, Sunday Mass, personal witness, and daily prayers as well as the importance of community support--the village--and the particular witness of the Saints as one raises children.

In this episode of On Mission, Tom Carani, from Catholic Faith Technologies, and Jonathan Sitko, Director of Programs at the Center, joins Kate Fowler, Chris Pierno, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. to discuss Catholic online formation as a tool for individuals, parishes, and dioceses to share the Faith and the Gospel, to provide formation opportunities and courses to earn certifications for anyone all over the globe.

In this episode of On Mission, Deacon Mark Krejci from the Diocese of Crookston, Minnesota joins Kate Fowler, Chris Pierno, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. to discuss practical tips for accompanying friends and loved ones back into the Church.

In this episode of On Mission, Kate Fowler, Chris Pierno, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. are joined by Deacon Mark Krejci from the Diocese of Crookston to discuss missionary discipleship and accompaniment at the diocesan and parish levels.

In this episode of On Mission, as a companion to the Corporal Works of Mercy episode, Kate Fowler, Chris Pierno, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. discuss the Spiritual Works of Mercy and offer some guidance for performing the Spiritual Works of Mercy.

In this episode of On Mission, Kate Fowler, Chris Pierno, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. discuss the Corporal Works of Mercy and how one can perform these acts of mercy amidst their daily lives.

In this episode of On Mission, Center colleague, Sarah Harrigan, Manager of Communications and Special Programs, joins Kate Fowler, Chris Pierno, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. to share about her work on new resources for Advent by the Catholic Apostolate Center.

In this episode of On Mission, Kate Fowler, Chris Pierno, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. are joined again by Center colleague, Monica Thom Konschnik, Director of Administration, to reminisce about the Center’s growth in the past ten years and what has exceeded their expectations.

In this episode of On Mission, Kate Fowler, Chris Pierno, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. are joined again by Center colleague, Monica Thom Konschnik, Director of Administration, to reminisce about the Center’s growth in the past ten years and what has exceeded their expectations.

In this episode of On Mission, Kate Fowler, Chris Pierno, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. are joined by Center colleague, Monica Thom Konschnik, Director of Administration and a member of the Board for the Catholic Volunteer Network, to discuss her experience in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and her work with the Catholic Volunteer Network.