The Best of the Week

Jaksot

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  Bittersweet Anniversary: Prayers for a Loved One (Family Rosary Across America) 10.09.2026 1min

  Rose from Lawndale, California, called Family Rosary Across America on a bittersweet anniversary: one year since the death of her husband, George. Rose first discovered Relevant Radio on George’s first day of home hospice. Now, she shared the remarkable story of their nearly 45-year marriage and the dates that seemed to weave their lives together. George was born on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the same feast day on which Rose was baptized. They met on All Souls’ Day, and Rose said it was “love at first sight.” “I hit the husband lottery,” she told Father Rocky. George loved God, went to church with her, and served his country in the military. On the anniversary of his death, Rose had just returned from Riverside National Cemetery. Her simple request was for prayers for the man she still loves so deeply. Please join Rose in praying for the repose of George’s soul and for all the faithful departed. The best way to catch Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.
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  Why Daily Mental Prayer is Vital (The Inner Life) 10.09.2026 4min

  We know the Holy Rosary matters. We know the Mass is essential. But is there another kind of prayer that Christians need if they want to grow deeper in the spiritual life? On The Inner Life, Patrick Conley and Fr. Eric Nielsen explored mental prayer, unscripted prayer in which we intentionally lift our hearts and minds to God. Unlike vocal prayers, such as the Hail Mary, Rosary, or the Mass, mental prayer is not scripted. But that doesn’t make vocal prayer less important. As Fr. Eric emphasized, “All prayer should come from the heart.” Mental prayer creates space for a personal encounter with the Lord. Sometimes that means having a conversation with God. Other times, it can mean simply contemplating Him or a truth of the Faith. And in a world overflowing with distractions, setting aside that time is especially important. “We can't just be rushing through the day, you know, saying our rosary and going to bed,” Fr. Eric explained. We need time deliberately set apart to allow the Lord to work in our hearts. He offered a sports analogy: “The Rosary is kind of like, you know, working out in the gym, and the Mass is the game. But mental prayer is the practice.” Just as an athlete practices so he can perform when the game begins, mental prayer prepares us to enter more deeply into the Mass and encounter Jesus there. The best way to catch Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.
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  Are You Keeping Too Much From Your Spouse? (Marriage Unhindered) 10.09.2026 7min

  Sometimes, trying not to hurt your spouse can actually create more distance. On Marriage Unhindered, Doug Hinderer speaks with Ellie, a wife of five years and mother of three, who says she and her husband tend to keep frustrations and criticisms to themselves. They worry their feelings might be unfair or irrational, so they stay quiet. But that silence has a cost. “I don't want to share the bad stuff. I don't really want to share the good stuff either,” Ellie explains. “And then we just start to operate in a coexistence.” Doug encourages Ellie to change the way she views difficult conversations. Instead of seeing criticism as proof that she is a bad spouse, she can see her husband's feedback as an opportunity to love him better. “The only way I can be the best is if I know where I'm kind of messing up,” Doug says. That requires both spouses to communicate gently. Rather than attacking or blaming, Doug recommends explaining how something makes you feel and asking your spouse for a specific change. The goal isn't to prove who is right. It's to help each other become better husbands and wives. Doug also suggests a practical habit for busy couples: a brief “stress-reducing conversation” at the end of the day. Each spouse takes a few minutes to share what went wrong, while the other listens, offers affection, and expresses appreciation. For Ellie and her husband, raising three children makes finding time together difficult. But even a few intentional minutes can keep the day's frustrations from piling up. Marriage isn't strengthened by pretending everything is fine. When spouses create a safe place for honest, charitable communication, even frustrations can become opportunities for deeper intimacy. The best way to catch Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.
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  Did the Heavens Mark the Death of Christ? (The Drew Mariani Show) 10.09.2026 13min

  Could the heavens themselves have marked the Death of Jesus? On The Drew Mariani Show, Drew welcomed Father Chris Corbally, S.J., a research astronomer with the Vatican Observatory, to explore the fascinating intersection of Scripture, history, and astronomy surrounding the Crucifixion. Astronomical calculations show that a lunar eclipse occurred on April 3, A.D. 33, one of the dates scholars have proposed for Christ’s Crucifixion. During a lunar eclipse, Earth blocks direct sunlight from reaching the moon, while red light passing through Earth’s atmosphere can give the moon a striking blood-red appearance. That brings to mind St. Peter’s words at Pentecost about the moon being turned to blood before the coming of the day of the Lord. But could an eclipse also explain the mysterious darkness described in the Gospels from noon until 3pm? Father Chris said no. A lunar eclipse would only become visible after sunset, while the darkness mentioned in the Gospel occurred during the afternoon. So, what happened? Father Chris acknowledged that scholars can debate how the Gospel accounts should be understood, but he also left open another possibility: “Why not a miracle? Yeah, God does miracles.” Drew pointed to the extraordinary significance of the timing as well. Jesus died around Passover, when lambs were sacrificed, while Christ Himself was offering His life on the Cross as the true Lamb of God. Astronomy cannot prove the divinity of Christ, and the exact year of the Crucifixion remains debated. But historical evidence and accounts reminds us that the Gospel is rooted in history. Jesus lived, suffered, and died at a real moment in time. And on that day, Scripture tells us, even creation testified that something extraordinary was happening. The best way to catch Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.
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  “Dear God, Please Let Me Hate It” (The Mark Swartzberg Show) 10.09.2026 19min

  Sister Katie Flanagan knew she wanted to be a teacher. Becoming a religious sister? That wasn’t even on her radar. Speaking with Mark on The Mark Swartzberg Show, she recalled how friends first introduced her to the Salesian Sisters, whose charism of loving and educating young people immediately resonated with her. Then, during prayer near the end of college, an unexpected thought entered her mind: “Maybe you're supposed to be a nun.” She resisted. For six years, while teaching, the possibility kept returning in prayer. Eventually, a friend convinced her to visit the Salesian Sisters in New Jersey. On the flight, Sister Katie offered God an unusual prayer: “Dear God, please let me get there and hate it.” She knew God would not call her to a life in which she would be miserable. But when she arrived, joined the sisters for prayer, meals and chores, the opposite happened. “I felt at peace. I felt at home.” Even then, fear remained. After several visits, Sister Katie finally decided to request an application. Weeks later, before daily Mass, she texted the vocations director to say she was ready. Then Mass began. The priest announced that it was January 31 – the Feast of St. John Bosco, founder of the Salesians. “I just started crying,” Sister Katie recalled. “I was like, okay, Lord, this is it.” Her story is a beautiful reminder that discerning God’s call does not always happen instantly. Sometimes He patiently works through our desires, fears and circumstances until we become willing to say yes. The best way to catch Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.
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  Opening Your Eyes to People in Need (The Patrick Madrid Show) 10.09.2026 9min

  Sandra called The Patrick Madrid Show with a simple request for the people listening: Pay attention to the people around you. During an Amtrak trip to Orange County, California, Sandra, who is hearing impaired, struggled to find help or even a seat. Eventually, a young woman moved her belongings and gave Sandra a place to sit. Patrick Madrid turned Sandra’s experience into a reminder for listeners: “Do the right thing and get up and give your seat to somebody like Sandra. Because they need it. They appreciate your help.” But the conversation soon became about something much deeper. Sandra told Patrick that although she is not currently practicing the Catholic Faith, she listens faithfully to Relevant Radio and even supports pledge drives. What keeps her listening? “What I get from Relevant Radio is I get the Christian perspective on life,” she explained. More than that, she appreciates hearing what is right rather than simply what is popular. Sandra had been baptized Catholic and shared that throughout her life, she continued entering Catholic churches to pray. She still turns to St. Anthony when something is lost. What she lacked, she said, was someone to help her find her way back. “The only thing that's missing is someone to show me how to come back to the faith.” Patrick offered exactly that. He arranged to connect Sandra with someone in her area who could help her explore returning to the Church. “I feel like God's grace is moving in a particular way through your phone call,” Patrick told her. Sometimes an ordinary act of kindness can open the door to an extraordinary movement of grace. The best way to catch Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.
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  Is Your Child’s Screen Time Actually Forming Them? (The Tim Glemkowski Show) 10.09.2026 3min

  Parents often ask whether a movie or show is appropriate for their children. But what if simply avoiding objectionable content isn’t enough? On The Tim Glemkowski Show, Tim and his wife Maggie discussed how their family approaches media choices, beginning with a simple priority: limiting screens and encouraging reading. Books give children room to “imagine and create and wonder at the characters they’re encountering,” Maggie explained. When the family does choose movies or shows, they look beyond whether the content is merely harmless. Tim summarized the approach in two steps: “The first step is: Is the content ethical, moral, anti-Christian? Then the second step is: Is it art?” In other words, parents can ask whether a piece of media has purpose. Does it stretch a child’s imagination? Does it communicate something good, beautiful, or meaningful? Or is it simply filling time? Their family has another practical rule: Everyone watches together. That means choosing something that can work for both an 11-year-old and a 3-year-old. More importantly, watching together makes media “more of a relational encounter” rather than an isolated experience on a personal device. For Catholic families navigating a screen-saturated culture, that offers a helpful standard. Don’t just ask whether something is permissible. Ask what it is forming in your children and whether it brings your family together. The best way to catch Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.
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  The Dating Recession (Trending with Timmerie) 10.09.2026 18min

  A new study suggests young adults haven’t given up on marriage. That's the good news. The bad news? Many young adults aren’t dating. On Trending with Timmerie, Timmerie examined the State of Our Union 2026: A Dating Recession, which surveyed more than 5,000 unmarried Americans ages 22-35. Nearly nine out of 10 expect to marry someday, yet only about one-third are actively dating. So, what’s stopping them? Money tops the list, with a majority of those individuals not dating citing finances as an obstacle. Timmerie points to both economic pressures and unrealistic expectations about what dating should look like. A meaningful date doesn’t have to resemble an expensive, perfectly staged social media post. But money isn’t the only problem. About half of those surveyed cited a lack of confidence, and roughly half pointed to bad previous dating experiences. Those struggles, Timmerie argues, can involve genuine wounds and fears. That’s why a Catholic understanding of relationships can offer something important: a clear purpose. Dating isn’t just about romance or finding someone who fits an ideal. The Catholic view of dating involves discerning a potential spouse and building a relationship rooted in friendship, chastity, and ultimately, God. Timmerie contrasts seeing marriage as a “capstone” – something pursued only after education, career, travel, and financial success – with seeing it as a “cornerstone” of adult life. For Catholics, marriage is a vocation, and the Sacrament of Matrimony is ordered toward the unity of the spouses, openness to life, and the formation of children in the Faith. The encouraging news is that young adults still desire marriage. The challenge is helping them move beyond fear, wounds, and unrealistic expectations so they can pursue relationships centered on God and authentic love. The best way to catch Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.
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  Turning to Our Lady for Healing (Family Rosary Across America) 26.08.2026 1min

  Nancy from Chicago called the Family Rosary Across America with prayers for her cousin Jim, who has pancreatic cancer, and for her son, Jacob, on his birthday. Father Rocky remembered Jacob from the Walk to Mary, where his mother helped push him in a wheelchair. Nancy shared the hopeful news that Jacob’s talking is getting better. “We’ve been praying for it,” Father Rocky said. Then came a birthday surprise. Father Rocky sang “Happy Birthday” to Jacob, who thanked him. Even Jacob’s dog, Tenor, joined in. Nancy said Tenor prays the Rosary with them, prompting Father Rocky to joke, “All right, Tenor, wag your tail.” It was a joyful reminder of the love, prayer, and community that unite the Relevant Radio family. The best way to catch Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.
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  The Beauty of Being Chosen in Marriage (Marriage Unhindered) 26.08.2026 5min

  Marriage offers something the human heart deeply desires: to be fully known and still deeply loved. On Marriage Unhindered, Doug Hinderer reflected on the extraordinary promise a husband and wife make to one another. Out of all the people in the world, each spouse says, in effect, “I choose you.” Your spouse comes to know your “strengths, your weaknesses, your dreams, fears, your history,” Doug explained. And after seeing the virtues as well as the flaws, that person can still say, “I’m still here. And I want to be here.” That faithful love came alive when Nikki from Indiana called to share her marriage story. She married her high school sweetheart, Robbie, and the couple eventually faced six difficult years of infertility. Nikki said they remained committed to Catholic teaching while pursuing fertility treatments, even when doing so was difficult. They later pursued adoption, only to have an adoption fall through. In the midst of their struggle, they consecrated their marriage to the Eucharist. Nikki watched Robbie grow into a stronger spiritual leader in their home, particularly through prayer. Then came joyful news: Nikki and Robbie are expecting a baby boy in October. “After six years of trying and praying, we just surrendered finally,” Nikki said. Their story beautifully illustrates Doug’s reflection: marriage is a commitment to keep choosing and loving one another through whatever comes. The best way to catch Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.
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  Should You Bury a St. Joseph Statue to Sell Your House? (The Patrick Madrid Show) 26.08.2026 11min

  You may have heard the advice before: If your house won’t sell, bury a St. Joseph statue in the yard. But is this a genuine Catholic devotion or simply superstition? On The Patrick Madrid Show, listener Andrea shared that her brother buried a St. Joseph statue while trying to sell his home. Remarkably, two offers soon arrived. Andrea believed in the power of prayer and St. Joseph’s intercession, but wondered where sincere devotion ends and superstition begins. Patrick explained that Catholics have a rich tradition of sacramentals, including sacred images, rosaries, blessed candles, and holy water. Properly understood, these practices direct our hearts toward God. The problem arises when a religious object is treated as though it has magical power or guarantees a particular result. Patrick then shared his own St. Joseph story. Years ago, he and his wife, Nancy, struggled to sell their small California home as their growing family desperately needed more room. Someone suggested burying a St. Joseph statue upside down in their yard. They decided against it. “We wanted to sell our house, but we didn't want to succumb to what we felt to be a superstition,” Patrick explained. Instead, the Madrid family began a novena to St. Joseph. On the final day of the novena, their realtor called: They had received an offer. They accepted it and finally sold the house. Could St. Joseph have interceded for them? Patrick believes so. His recommendation for Catholics facing a similar situation is simple: Rather than relying on a formula or treating a statue as a guarantee, sincerely ask St. Joseph to pray for you. The power is not in a buried object but in God, who hears our prayers and the intercession of His saints. The best way to catch Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.
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  The Unseen Effects of Reading (The Drew Mariani Show) 26.08.2026 7min

  With endless texts, headlines, emails, and short-form videos competing for our attention, sitting down with a book can feel increasingly difficult. On The Drew Mariani Show, Drew and Dr. Jeff Gardner explore what we may be losing when we stop reading. Drew points out that reading requires something our digital habits often discourage: patience and concentration. That matters spiritually, too. “Our faith requires attention. Scripture requires attention. Prayer requires attention,” Drew said. “You can't understand Augustine or Aquinas in 30 seconds.” Dr. Gardner agrees that declining reading and shrinking attention spans can reinforce one another. Without time for reflection, he warns, we can become more likely to make snap judgments instead of carefully considering what is true. He connects this problem to the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus challenges the Pharisees to look beyond external observances and consider what comes from the heart. That habit of deeper reflection matters because our attention shapes our actions. Dr. Gardner explains that when the deep thinking associated with reading decreases, people can become more emotionally impulsive. Nowhere else is this more apparent than on the internet. Reading, then, isn't merely about finishing more books. It can train us to slow down, wrestle with difficult ideas, and resist the temptation to react instantly. And in the spiritual life, learning to pay attention can help us focus on listening to God. The best way to catch Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.
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  When Military Service Meets the Priesthood (The Mark Swartzberg Show) 26.08.2026 21min

  What does priestly ministry look like when your parishioners are jumping from airplanes, training for combat, and deploying around the world? On The Mark Swartzberg Show, Mark explored that question with Fr. Mike Metz, a Catholic priest and U.S. Army chaplain serving at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Fr. Metz told Mark that military life pushes soldiers to confront their limits – and sometimes life’s deepest questions. Young soldiers preparing for dangerous training or deployment face realities most people their age rarely consider. That can produce a remarkable spiritual seriousness. Fr. Metz encounters soldiers who realize, “I want to get my life in order and I want to be prepared for whatever comes next.” Mark asked how that reality shapes Fr. Metz’s priesthood. His answer was simple: Be available. Whether soldiers are rigging parachutes, training at the range, preparing for deployment, or coming to Confession, Fr. Metz tries to meet them where they are. Some know he is a Catholic priest; others simply see a chaplain. But, he explained, “Everybody that I interact with, I get to love with the priestly heart of Jesus.” That availability is especially important because military life rarely fits neatly into a parish schedule. Fr. Metz described his task as helping “normalize the abnormal,” ensuring deployments and lengthy training exercises don’t unnecessarily separate Catholics from the sacraments. Mark then asked about one extraordinary example: the day Fr. Metz celebrated all seven sacraments. He baptized children, heard Confessions, celebrated Mass, confirmed a soldier, convalidated his marriage, and anointed a cancer patient, all through the Holy Orders he had already received. It was an extraordinary day revealing that wherever God calls His people, He provides the grace to follow Him. The best way to catch Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.
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  Pope Leo Calls Young Catholics to Keep Their Hearts Open to Christ (The Tim Glemkowski Show) 26.08.2026 5min

  On The Tim Glemkowski Show, Tim Glemkowski reflected on Pope Leo XIV’s growing ability to offer Catholics memorable words that call the heart toward Christ. Tim compared the Holy Father’s approach to St. John Paul II, whose writings – including his famous Letter to Artists – continue to shape Catholic life. While today’s constant stream of information can make lasting words harder to find, Tim believes Pope Leo possesses a similar gift for memorable expressions of timeless truths. Speaking to young people at the Rimini Meeting on August 22nd, Pope Leo recalled Pope Benedict XVI’s beautiful description of the human heart as “an open window to infinity.” Pope Leo encouraged young people to keep that window open and follow their deepest desires for beauty, goodness, and life. For Tim, the message echoed St. John Paul II’s remarkable ability to speak to the human heart and call it upward toward God. Pope Leo continued that Christ-centered preaching during his Sunday Angelus, reflecting on Jesus’ question to the Apostles: “Who do you say that I am?” Peter responds with his great profession of faith: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Tim explained that this proclamation of Jesus Christ, the kerygma, remains at the very heart of the Church’s mission. We may know intellectually that Jesus is Lord, but Christ continually invites each of us to answer that question personally: Who do you say that I am? The best way to catch Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.
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  What Can Learning An Instrument Teach Us About Our Conscience? (The Inner Life) 26.08.2026 2min

  After attending a recital featuring young local musicians, Deacon Patrick Conley opened The Inner Life with a fitting question for guest, Fr. Rob Kroll, S.J.: What can learning an instrument teach us about examining our conscience? Fr. Kroll offered the image of a boy sitting at a piano for the first time. With no training, the child might happily strike any of the 88 keys in any order. He is technically “free” to play whatever he wants, but the result is more likely to be noise than music. Compare that with a trained pianist. After years of practice, the musician follows music theory, observes the notes written by the composer, and respects the proper tempo and dynamics. Those apparent “rules” do not destroy the pianist’s freedom. Instead, they allow him to create something beautiful. Fr. Kroll explained that our consciences work in a similar way. The world often presents freedom as the ability to do whatever we want, whenever we want, especially according to how we feel in the moment. But God’s commandments are not arbitrary restrictions keeping us from happiness. They teach us how to live according to the purpose for which He created us. When we choose behaviors or attitudes contrary to God’s will, Fr. Kroll said, we are often left unsettled, disturbed, and unhappy. A well-formed conscience helps us recognize those wrong notes and return to harmony with God. Like a pianist learning to play beautiful music, we form our consciences so that we can use our freedom well. True freedom is not found in playing any note we please, but in learning to make something beautiful of the life God has given us. The best way to catch Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.
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  A Mother Asks for Healing and a Home (Family Rosary Across America) 19.08.2026 2min

  Loretta from Los Angeles called in to the Family Rosary Across America carrying three heavy intentions: healing for her sister, healing for her 12-year-old son, and a home after nine months of homelessness. Her sister, a cancer survivor, is now facing another serious health crisis. At the same time, her son is dealing with swollen lymph nodes. And Loretta, exhausted from sleeping in cars, asked God for something simple: a small home with a yard. Father Rocky turned her requests into a prayer of confident trust, asking St. Joseph to intercede for her family and help provide a home. “We’re gonna pray for your sister. We’re gonna pray for your son,” Father Rocky said. “And we pray that St. Joseph move you to the top of the list.” The best way to catch Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.
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  The Strength It Takes to Ask for Forgiveness (The Inner Life) 19.08.2026 3min

  On The Inner Life with Deacon Patrick Conley, caller Tom from Milwaukee shared a powerful lesson about meekness, forgiveness, and what can happen when we make room for God’s grace. For years, tension had been building between Tom’s family and their neighbors. His neighbor's children frequently came over, conflicts arose, and resentment grew. Tom and his wife prayed about the situation, but the anger remained. Then his wife suggested something unexpected: They should go next door and ask forgiveness for whatever part they had played in the conflict. Tom was reluctant. From his perspective, the problems were entirely the neighbors’ fault. Still, he went. “I can’t explain it outside of God’s mercy, grace,” Tom recalled. “That second, everything changed.” The neighbors hugged, they invited Tom and his wife to dinner, and Tom said his anger toward the woman disappeared. Patrick pointed out that this is precisely why meekness should never be confused with weakness. It takes an immense amount of strength, he said, to approach someone against whom you have a long list of grievances and simply say, “Forgive me.” Sometimes, winning the argument isn’t what heals a relationship. Humility, forgiveness, and God’s grace can accomplish what resentment never will. The best way to catch Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.
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  How Do You Find a Good Spouse? (Marriage Unhindered) 19.08.2026 16min

  Doug Hinderer has some practical advice for singles looking for their spouse: Don’t just ask yourself whether you’re attracted to someone. Pay attention to the qualities that could make them a good spouse. On Marriage Unhindered, Doug shares three signs from relationship researcher Dr. John Gottman. Does the person take a genuine interest in you, asking questions and listening to your answers? Do they treat people well even when there is nothing to gain from it? And are they reliable? Do they do what they say they will do? Doug adds another essential quality: virtue. Look for someone who is not only striving to be a good person but recognizes that growth is lifelong. Marriage will offer countless opportunities to change, mature, sacrifice, and become more virtuous. And for Catholics, there is another crucial consideration: being aligned in the Faith. Sharing a commitment to God can provide a strong foundation for building a life and family together. But how do you actually get to know someone? Doug recommends moving beyond small talk with questions such as: What sparks your curiosity? What are your hobbies? Who do you surround yourself with? What do you spend most of your time thinking about? Perhaps the most revealing question is: “What does a life well-lived look like to you?” The answer can reveal someone’s values, hopes, and vision for the future – and whether that future might be one you could build together. The best way to catch Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.
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  How Catholic Parents Can Keep the Faith Alive at Home (The Patrick Madrid Show) 19.08.2026 14min

  When Omar from Hollister, California, called The Patrick Madrid Show, he had a concern familiar to many Catholic parents. He and his wife are raising two young children, hoping for more, and trying to put the Faith first, but few members of their extended family still practice. Sometimes, Omar admitted, it gets lonely. Patrick encouraged him to see his family as a light in the darkness. Even a single candle can illuminate a pitch-black room. In the same way, a Catholic family faithfully living its beliefs can become a quiet witness to relatives who have drifted away. That witness begins at home. Patrick recommended prominently displaying a crucifix and images of the Sacred Heart and Immaculate Heart, praying the Rosary as a family, attending Mass, receiving the sacraments, and letting children see that Catholicism shapes everyday life. “It’s the meat and potatoes,” Patrick explained. Faith is formed through the basic things done faithfully again and again. For Omar, that also means remembering his responsibility as a father. “God is first,” Patrick told him, followed by his wife and children. Rather than worrying that he is thinking too much about raising them well, Patrick encouraged him to keep seeking God’s guidance. That responsibility also includes protecting their innocence. When relatives or situations could expose young children to scandal or subjects they are not ready to understand, parents can prudently establish boundaries while continuing to love their family. “You’re a young patriarch,” Patrick told Omar. “You’re at the beginning of this lifelong adventure.” The years with young children will pass quickly. Patrick’s encouragement was simple: fill those years with prayer, the sacraments, Catholic life, and a visible love for Jesus. “Grab it and don’t let go of it.” The best way to catch Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.
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  When Is It Time to Stop Fighting Infertility? (Trending with Timmerie) 19.08.2026 17min

  For Catholic couples struggling with infertility, being “open to life” can raise a painful question: How far should they go to have a child? On Trending with Timmerie, Daniel and Bethany Maiola shared how infertility unexpectedly became part of their marriage. After about a year of trying to conceive, they began seeking medical answers through NaPro Technology. Over the next five or six years, they underwent tests, surgeries, and treatments, ultimately receiving the frustrating diagnosis of “unexplained infertility.” Eventually, the emotional toll began affecting their marriage. “There was a lot of grief, there was a lot of anger, and there was not a lot of peace,” Daniel said. Through spiritual direction and prayer, their perspective began to change. Daniel came to recognize that even the profound desire for a child cannot ultimately satisfy the human heart. “Children are not the greatest good in our life. It’s Christ alone.” That surrender did not mean rejecting openness to life. Instead, Bethany discovered that openness cannot be measured simply by the number of children a couple has. “The generosity is not less because of the results of being open to life,” she explained. For couples considering morally permissible fertility treatments, Bethany emphasized that there is no universal point at which they must stop. Medical interventions can carry physical, emotional, financial, and marital costs, all of which can factor into prayerful discernment. The same applies to adoption. It is a beautiful vocation, but not an obligation for every infertile couple. For the Maiolas, infertility eventually led them toward adoption and other forms of spiritual fruitfulness, including hospitality, service, and ministry. Their journey offers hope to couples carrying this cross: A marriage can remain profoundly open to God’s gift of life even when biological children do not come. Faithfulness is not measured by results, but by loving surrender to God’s will. The best way to catch Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.