Wake Up!

Wake Up! 4/29/2026: Archdiocesan News | ECHO Community | St. Catherine of Siena

We're joined by Sarah McDonald, Communications Director of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, updates us on news and Clarion Herald stories. Brian Butler, executive director of ECHO Community, updates us on upcoming retreats and gatherings. Dr. Tom Neal, Chief of Evangelization and Mission Engagement of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee with Catholic 101 segment on St. Catherine of Siena: what can we learn from her?

Wake Up! 4/28/2026: Tower of Jesus Completion | Family Life | St. Vincent de Paul

We're joined by Mauricio Cortés Sierra, lead architect for the Tower of Jesus Christ and the cross terminal at the Sagrada Família in Barcelona, Spain. He talked about Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Barcelona's Sagrada Familia on June 10 and the completion of the tower. Erin Franco, Catholic wife and mother, talks family life and provides tips. Sunnie Johnson-Lain, CEO of SVDP BR, updates us on ways we can help the community.

Wake Up! 4/27/2026: Hotel Hope | Teens and Chores | Theology Lessons

We're joined by Sr. Mary Lou Specha, executive director of Hotel Hope in New Orleans, Alan Migliorato, founder of Adventure Catholic, talks about teens and chores. Dr. David Whidden, Fran U Theology Professor, joins us for a theology lesson.

Wake Up! 4/24/2026: CMA NOLA Guild | Grandparents' Role | Biloxi Diocese

We're joined by Steve Ray, Catholic convert and pilgrimage leader, talks about the role of grandparents to their grandchildren. Dr. Jerussa Aita-Levy, Pediatric ER Physician at LSU and Emmanual Levy, first year medical student at LSU will talk about the CMA NOLA Guild. Terry Dickson, communications director of the Diocese of Biloxi and editor of the Gulf Pine Catholic newspaper, talks about diocesan events and news.

Wake Up! 4/23/2026: Marriage Retreats | Catholic Charities | Meals for the Family

We're joined by Stephanie Sterling, executive director of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Baton Rouge, talks about an initiative to raise awareness of what they do in our local communities. David Dawson Jr., Catholic husband and father, talks about getting into the habit of preparing meals for the delight of our family rather than just to get it done. Jason Angelette, director of Faith and Marriage for the Willwoods Community, talks about upcoming retreats.

Wake Up! 4/22/2026: Red Robichaux | The Art of Living | Why is Easter 50 Days?

We're joined by Danny Fitzpatrick, Catholic author and member of the SL9 Art Society, talks about his new book of short stories called Red Robichaux and Other Southern Moralists. Dr. Scott Hefelfinger, associate professor at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology and Director of Content Development, talks about the Augustine Institute’s “The Art of Living”. Dr. Luke Arredondo, Executive Director of the St. Brendan Center for Evangelization and Spirituality in the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee with Catholic 101 segment. He answers the question: Why is Easter 50 days?

Wake Up! 4/21/2026: Engaged Encounter | Louisiana Orphan Train Museum | First Communion

We're joined by Jonathan and Winslow Brandenburg, Local Coordinators for Catholic Engaged Encounter Baton Rouge, talk about an upcoming retreat. Martha Aubert, board president of Louisiana Orphan Train Museum, in Opelousas and James Douget, board member, talk about the history and museum and hits Catholic roots. Adriana Gonzalez, producer of the upcoming docudrama, “That They May Be One” coming to theatres nationwide for a special two-day event talks about the film and explores the urgent call to Christian unity in today’s divided world. Sr. Anne Joan Flanagan, Daughter of St. Paul, talks about First Communion gifts at Pauline Books and Media.

Wake Up! 4/20/2026: 365 Catholic Singles Community | St. Michael the Archangel | Blind Spot

We're joined by Fr. Peregrine Fletcher. He joins us to talk about his new children's book he illustrated called Saint Michael the Archangel Through the Ages. Deacon Charlie Echeverry, author of Blind Spot: The Evangelizing Power of Latino Culture, talks about the Hispanic culture’s deep Catholic devotion and roots. Bethany Kline, founder of 365 Catholic Singles Community, talks about their newsletter and Catholic Singles for the National Eucharistic Congress St. Cabrini launch at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche in St. Augustine Florida.

Wake Up! 4/15/2026: Clarion Herald | Parish Leadership Tips | Feasting vs. Fasting

We're joined by Sarah McDonald, communications director of the Archdiocese of New Orleans with updates. Tim Glemkowski is the executive director of Amazing Parish, talks about a leadership manifesto for parishes and parish leaders. Dr. Tom Neal, chief of evangelization and mission engagement of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee with Catholic 101 segment: How do we shift from discipline of fasting to discipline of feasting?

Wake Up! 4/14/2026: Mass Guide Books | Catholic Schools | Women's Healthcare

We're joined by Jill Grabert, new assistant superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Baton Rouge, joins us. Vince Liberto, Louisiana parish relationship manager, talks about his new mass guide books. Allison Daigle, CEO of Woman’s New Life Clinic, updates us.