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January 29, 2015 – Fr. Joseph Fessio and Regina Doman

Ken talks with Ignatius Press founder Fr Joseph Fessio on St Pope Paul VI’s encyclical “On Human Life” (Ignatius Press) and Regina Doman about the 10th anniversary edition of “Angel in the Waters” (Sophia Institute Press) The papal encyclical Humanae Vitae (On Human Life) made headlines worldwide. Many talked about the encyclical when it was issued in 1968, but few actually read it. Why is it perhaps the most controversial document in modern Church history?

This Ignatius Press edition combines Humanae Vitae with commentary by popular and respected Catholic authors Mary Eberstadt, James Hitchcock, and Jennifer Fulwiler in order to address this question and to shed light on the document’s enduring wisdom. On Human Life is available at: www.ignatius.com

Since its first release in 2004, “Angel in the Waters” has been a best-selling, life-transforming children’s book. It has been carried in countless hospital gift shops, pro-life centers, and Catholic book stores. In just ten years, over 130,000 copies have been sold. The 10th Anniversary, hardcover edition is a simple, non-confrontational book that makes young children decidedly pro-life long before they ever hear the word “abortion.” In its mother’s womb, a tiny baby grows, explores the waters, and talks with the angel who is there. A story that will delight all young children, because the journey from conception to birth is their story, too. “Angel in the Waters” is available at: shop.sophiainstitute.com Visit Regina at: www.reginadoman.com

October 21, 2014 – Fr Daniel McCaffrey

The Extraordinary Synod on the Family is now closed. For the past two weeks we have seen a minor media frenzy over the Catholic Church’s Third Synod in modern times. Actually, this one is called “Extraordinary” because it is really preparation for the “Ordinary” Synod to take place in October 2015.

The Working Document to prepare for the Synod just completed had identified three main areas of concern:
How to better preach the Gospel of the Family;
How to pastorally address various situations caused by couples in irregular relationships; and,
How to encourage married couples to be more open to life.

I have not seen commentary on anything but the middle of these three areas of concern, and there has been an abundance of that, with the secular media concluding that cohabitation, same-sex “marriage” and receiving communion by the divorced and remarried were now going to be approved by the Church, or if not approved at least seen as adding something positive to the Catholic community.

In a recent Life Site News interview*, Fr Daniel McCaffrey asked if the Synod Fathers would be dealing with the the virtually universal absence of teaching and preaching on Humanae Vitae–God’s plan for marriage and procreation. For most of his over 50 year priesthood, Father has been preaching and teaching this great encyclical of now Beatified Pope Paul VI. Father McCaffrey has found the laity wonderfully receptive to this teaching, and they often ask, “Why have we not heard this before?”

The Extraordinary Synod is now formally complete, but the dust is anything but settled. What does Father McCaffrey think will be different because of this two week gathering in the Holy City?

Beatification of Pope Paul VI

Pope Paul VIThis Sunday, October 19, Pope Francis will preside over the Beatification of Pope Paul VI, who died in 1978. Pope Paul VI is best known for being the author of Humanae Vitae, the controversial Encyclical on contraception. He contributed greatly to the implementation of the documents of the Second Vatican Council and their directives. Radio Maria US will broadcast a recording of this Celebration at 10:30 AM CDT (11:30 AM EDT). Please join us!

June 24, 2014 – Anne Cherney

Anne and her husband gave it back to God! They gave back to the Creator the decision, power and authority that He gives by way of Natural Family Planning (NFP). AND, God generously reciprocated by giving them 10 beautiful children and 34 born grandchildren–17 of each gender, with an unspecified tie-breaker en-route! Praise the Lord from whom all Supreme Blessings flow.

AND, 90% of this large family gets together a couple times per month because they are all within a 30 mile diameter circle. I can only imagine the fun and vitality that all these cousins enjoy together?

Anne gives Fr John Hardon credit for coining Supernatural Family Planning, as well as the encouragement she needed to pursue her Masters Degree at the John Paul II Institute.

Anne does not condemn NFP. She suggests that SnFP is really a more accurate version of natural child spacing. Why? maybe because God created Nature. God and Nature are synonymous. NFP makes Man synonymous with Nature which suggests that Man is God.

That’s my version of how it all works. I’m eager to hear what Anne thinks about that–and much more.

May 27, 2014 – Father Habiger

Father Habiger is a Benedictine priest in residence at Benedictine College in Atchison Kansas. Since 2003 he has been a full-time member of NFP Outreach where his focus is primarily upon promoting God’s Plan for Marriage and Spousal Love, which includes counter acting the contraceptive and sterilization culture. He does this through parish missions, NFP parish weekends, Theology of the Body seminars, and consultations with priests and bishops during “clergy days”. Father Matthew has his PhD in Moral Theology from the Catholic University of America. He is very well qualified to address the challenging topic of “conscience”.

If you want to do some homework for today’s program, you can read about conscience in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) beginning with: http://www.usccb.org

1776 “Deep within his conscience man discovers a law which he has not laid upon himself but which he must obey. Its voice, ever calling him to love and to do what is good and to avoid evil, sounds in his heart at the right moment…. For man has in his heart a law inscribed by God…. His conscience is man’s most secret core and his sanctuary. There he is alone with God whose voice echoes in his depths.”

For many people–and clergy are no exception, conscience poses a difficult subject. The CCC says that we must obey our conscience. BUT, we must have a “well-formed” conscience (CCC, 1783), or we will be led astray by the evil one as a consequence of Original Sin.

Conscience poses a very serious challenge for many Catholics in their discernment about sexual morality, particularly in addressing contraception, sterilization, artificial reproductive technologies, and Natural Family Planning.

May 13, 2014 – Damon Owens

The recent canonization of Saint John Paul II has drawn new attention to his “Theology of the Body” and its impact on the Culture of Life. His biographer, George Weigel has said that TotB will impact every teaching of the Creed and it will take decades to fully comprehend its influence on the faith and the faithful.

Damon Owens left an impressive career in the business arena to devote his life to full-time work in marriage and family ministry. He has served as Natural Family Planning and Marriage Preparation Coordinator for the Archdiocese of Newark, founded two non-profit organizations (New Jersey Natural Family Planning Association and Joy-Filled Marriage New Jersey), and led initiatives for various pro-life and pro-family organizations such as the New Jersey Catholic Bishops Conference, The Children First Foundation, and Life Education and Resource Network (L.E.A.R.N.), the largest African-American, pro-life ministry in the country. Damon is a certified speaker and has been lecturing for the Theology of the Body Institute since 2005. In December of 2011, Damon was named the Executive Director of the Theology of the Body Institute. He and his wife, Melanie, have been married for 18 years and have eight children.

Many of our listeners are familiar with the Theology of the Body because of Christopher West’s presentations that have popularized TotB throughout the USA and in dozens of other countries in the short span of 10 years.

Owen will give us a brief summary of the Theology of the Body, the work of the Theology of the Body Institute founded by Christopher West, and this summer’s International Theology of the Body Congress in Philadelphia.

July 30, 2013 – Kim Schnitker

Kim Schnitker (KC) is absolutely passionate about NFP (Natural Family Planning). She will talk to anyone, anywhere about NFP, and claims that 10% of the children in her parish school are from parents that she taught NFP. With Catholic schools closing on a regular basis, maybe KC has the solution for keeping them viable/sustainable.

KC has a great story of conversion to Catholicism and NFP. How does she balance being wife to Ed and mother to six with her avocation for NFP couple recruiting, teaching and speaking? I think you will enjoy hearing her tell her story.

Every year or two the NFP community of teachers and promoters debates a name change for “Natural Family Planning”. Various alternatives have been proposed, like “Fertility Awareness Methods”, but so far none have caught on. KC proposes “Moral Family Planning” = MFP.

July 23, 2013 – Christopher Gawley

Christopher Gawley is a lawyer for Morgan Stanley, a convert to the faith, and a columnist for The Remnant, Online www.remnantnewspaper.com. I’m interviewing him at Noon ET on Tuesday the 23rd because he has written a captivating article in Christian Order, May 2013, p 53-65, titled, “Heroic Parenthood”, which could have been sub-titled, “The upgrade from responsible parenthood and NFP”.

Since “NFP Awareness Week” began on Sunday, it seems appropriate to talk about NFP–Natural Family Planning. Now, I realize that some listeners may be perplexed by me and One More Soul being strong promoters of NFP while also providing Guests [like Fr William Gardner, Dr Jay Boyd, and now Christopher Gawley] a platform for questioning NFP. I rationalize this seeming inconsistency as a continuing commitment to (and search for) Truth [CAPITAL “T”=from God]. I advocate NFP and SNFP, that is “SuperNatural Family Planning”–letting God plan family size. It seems hard to argue that a human couple can compete with God in the determination of anything, but especially something as awesome as procreating another human being who will exist for all eternity–infinity!

I have no quarrel with Holy Mother Church’s approval of married couples knowing and using periodic abstinence to avoid conception for just and serious reason. That is what the Church teaches. What we are saying is that letting God decide should be considered as a superior approach to family planning.

“Heroic Parenthood” can be found at www.christianorder.com.

July 19, 2013 – Conjugal Love, Children, Marriage

Joe reflected upon the relationship between Marriage, Conjugal Love, and Children. He read from an excerpt from “Christ in the Home” by Fr. Raoul Plus, SJ to shed further light on this topic.

May 7, 2013 – Anne Cherney

Anne Cherney is the mother of 10 and has her Masters in Theology from the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family. She has written a soon to be published book with the working title Supernatural Family Planning, the Original Method. Anne continues our Quest for a better understanding of the Church’s teaching on “family planning” and our responsibility in that area of life.
Anne is thus our 4th Guest in the recent past to treat the subject of NFP, following Fr William Gardner–pastor for Diocese of Peoria, Dr Jay Boyd–Developmental Psychologist and Catholic blogger from Oregon, and Kim Cole–long-time teacher of the Ovulation Method in Colorado Springs.

March 19, 2013 – Kim Cole

Our Guest on “The Quest for a Culture of Life in America” two weeks ago was Dr Jay Boyd who has blogged about Natural Family Planning (NFP) for over a year at “Philothea on Phire”—–http://philotheaonphire.blogspot.com/. She and some of her blog friends have raised serious questions about the teaching, use, and advocacy of NFP. Those who are deeply committed to NFP did not like much of what she had to say. You may listen to that program at http://radiomaria.us/questforlife/. Based on her blog, Dr Jay has composed a book, Natural Family Planning: Trojan Horse in the Catholic Bedroom?

I and One More Soul have been strong promoters of NFP for well over a decade, so some listeners have expressed surprise and disappointment in my giving Dr Boyd a platform. My response is three fold: 1) I am always looking for the Truth (that comes from God who is love, beauty, goodness and truth); 2) NFP is good, but maybe there is something even better; and 3) our Guest today–Kim Cole–will share her experience of the good fruits of NFP.

Kim has taught the Billings Method of NFP for over 17 years, first in Redding CA, and for the past 10+ years in the Phoenix Diocese. She has taught over 100 couples in a great variety of situations and will attest to the dramatic changes for the better that NFP has caused for these couples.

She and her couples are very blessed to be in the Diocese of Phoenix which requires couples being prepared for marriage to receive a thorough NFP course. Some priests are requiring couples going through RCIA to complete the same course. You will be amazed by her stories and the statistics she can cite for the parish where she has taught for many years.

February 26, 2013

Debut Broadcast: Farewell to Pope Benedict XI and what it means to “put on the armor of God.”

February 21, 2013 – Christopher West

Ken talks with his guest Christopher West about his latest book Fill These Hearts – God, Sex, and the Universal Longing (published by Image) The bestselling author, speaker, and teacher of John Paul II’s Theology of the Body explores the yearning we all have for God and each other. This a book about desire. Not trivial wants or superficial cravings, but the most vital powers of body and soul, sexuality and spirituality that haunt us and compel us on our search for something. Visit his websites: www.christopherwest.com and www.fillthesehearts.org Purchased his book at: www.barnesandnoble.com

June 26, 2012 – William (Bill) Luckey

One More Soul has created a “newspaper” response to the HHS mandate titled “Obey Mandate or Scripture”. You can read it, print it, or order it at http://onemoresoul.com/news-commentary/obey-mandate-or-scripture.html#Order.  The newspaper addresses the following 7 concerns: Religious Freedom, Right of Conscience, Assault on Catholic Church Teachings, Philosophical, Medical, Sociological, and Economic Concerns. Because it addresses the contraception, sterilization and abortion issues that are foundational to the HHS mandate, it will be a valuable teaching tool even if the mandate is not enforced. Please consider it as a resource for study in whatever group you may be part of.

Christendom College Professor of Economics William (Bill) Luckey wrote two articles on page 20 of the newspaper. He will by my Guest on the Quest for a Culture of Life in America on Today, at Noon Eastern Time. We will be talking about the Catholic Church view of economics, including private ownership, living wage, economic justice, and the economics of health care–winners and losers.

May 22, 2012 – Dr. Charles Kenney

Steve Koob’s Guest for this program is Dr. Charles Kenney, PhD, founder and president of “The Right Brain People”.  He was our Guest on the Quest two weeks ago when he described how he has used his research on the brain (left side reasoning, right side emotioning) to help over 400 of America’s most successful companies market their image and products.  He has also applied these same skills to help the pro-life movement convince abortion vulnerable women to choose life.  He is fascinating!

Steve and Dr. Kenny talk about the HHS Mandate requiring all health insurance to cover contraception, sterilization and abortion.  They delve into the now fully “evolved” same sex “marriage” issue. Dr. Kenny also discusses his ideas for effectively confronting both of these threats to a well ordered society and a Culture of Life.

December 13, 2011 – John-Henry Westen

 Steve Koob’s guest on this program  is John-Henry Westen, Founder and President of Life Site News, the premier source for news about the life issues.  They will be talking especially about the problem of Catholic politicians who support legalized abortion and how the Pope deals with problem bishops.

December 6, 2011 – Fr. Matthew Habiger

Steve Koob talks with Fr. Matthew Habiger, priest, theology professor, and active member of NFP Outreach, about the repercussions and spiritual harms of Catholics using and prescribing contraception, and the problems that arise when Catholic doctors and clergy ignore the contraception issue.

November 3, 2011 – Marcel LeJeune

Ken talks with Marcel LeJeune about his book Set Free to Love – Lives Changed by the Theology of the Body (published by Servant Books) Marcel tells you the stories of lives transformed by Pope John Paul II’s teaching on the Theology of the Body.  Here you will find stories from Catholics in all walks of life – college students, married persons, and clergy. Each reveals how following teachings of the Theology of the Body brought about extraordinary change. If you are interested in writing to Marcel, find out more about his speaking engagements, or if you want to contact him to speak to your group, please visit www.TheCatholicEvangelist.com  His book can be purchased at http://catalog.americancatholic.org/Product.aspx?ProductCode=T16940

August 9, 2011 – Sheila St. John

Steve Koob talks with Sheila St. John, co-founder of the California Association of Natural Family Planning, about her work educating others about Natural Family Planning, from her experiences with conferences and clergy to starting the organization.

May 5, 2011 – John Paul II, a Pope for Mary I

This is the first in a two part series in which John Paul II and his relationship with Mary is discussed.

April 25, 2011 – Fr. Daniel McCaffrey

Steve Koob talks with Fr. Daniel McCaffrey, former military chaplain and founder of NFP Outreach, about his role and experience in educating Catholics about Natural Family Planning and Church Teaching.

September 28, 2010 – Dr. David Harnisch

Steve Koob talks with Dr. David Harnisch, obstetrician and gynecologist at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, about Natural Family Planning, Orthodox Catholic medicine and gynecology, and faithful adherence to Church teaching in our secular world.

July 6, 2010 – Dr. and Sr. Hanna Klaus

Steve Koob talks with Dr. and Sr. Hanna Klaus, of the Natural Family Planning Center of Washington, D.C., about Natural Family Planning–specifically the Billings Ovulation Method–her experience working with teens in the TeenSTAR program, and the development of youth into adults.  Dr. and Sr. Hanna Klaus also discusses the contested truth about abstinence programs.