Respect Life Radio

Fr. Doug Grandon: (Part 1 of 2) Understanding the scandal in the Catholic Church

"This is a worldwide problem with men who have disordered sexual preferences and we didn't screen them out. We are now — since the Dallas Charter, we are doing a good job here — but men who fail to live up to what the Church teaches and the Church that hasn't policed them," said Fr. Doug Grandon in this first of a two-part interview by Deacon Geoff Bennett on Respect Life Radio.

Deacon Martinez: RISE ministry to serve victims of sexual assault

Deacon Ernest Martinez, a Denver police officer, describes the launch of the RISE ministry to help victims of rape that are facilitated by alcohol and drugs. RISE stands for: Recognize, Intervene, Speak Up and Empower. "The recognition is that alcohol and drugs are the most commonly used method to facilitate sexual assault...," said Deacon Martinez. "We want to bring the awareness piece, from a faith-based perspective, to take what's currently out there and broaden it and preach the Gospel throughout the entire process and accompany — not only just victims — but try to be proactive on it."

 

Lynn Grandon: Gospel of Life Conference addresses sexual revolution

The Gospel of Life Conference 2018 will feature "amazing speakers that will target some of the really incredible and interesting issues and topics related to" the encyclical Humanae Vitae "and what has happened in our society since its publication" in 1968 by Pope Paul VI, said Lynn Grandon, program director of the Office of Respect Life at Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of Denver. For a full line-up of speakers, and to register for the conference on Oct. 20, 2018, go to gospeloflifeco.org.

 

Lynn Grandon: the joyful mission of the Respect Life Office

Offering age-appropriate presentations, the Respect Life Office helps educate young people to understand the meaning of "authentic love," according to Lynn Grandon, program director of the Office of Respect Life at Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of Denver. The office also presents and promotes public events throughout the year, including 40 Days for Life in the spring and fall, Prayer in the Square at various locations every first Saturday, the annual Day of Remembrance for aborted children, the annual Gospel of Life conference on Oct. 20, 2018, and the annual Celebrate Life rally on Jan. 12, 2019. For more, go to RespectLifeDenver.org.

Deacon Steve Stemper: Charitable giving to build up the kingdom of God

The Catholic Foundation of Northern Colorado is "a stand-alone entity that inspires and facilitiates charitable giving for the long-term benefit of our donors and the Church, with the ultimate goal of building up the kingdom of God," said Deacon Steve Stemper, the president and CEO of the foundation, which in "2017 issued over 500 grants to over 200 organizations, totalling nearly $11 million."

 

Sara Alkayali: Christ is central at Frassati Catholic Academy

"Everything that we do is rooted in us as Catholics and rooted in Christ," said Sara Alkayali, principal of Frassati Catholic Academy in Thornton. Colo., which opened in the 2017-18 school year. "The most important reason to send your child to a Catholic school is because you're formed in the faith. You're there where Christ is put central."

Elías Moo: Catholic schools can be the beacon of truth for the world

Elías Moo, Superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Denver, describes his vision for affirming and renewing the mission of Catholic schools. Moo's parents saw Catholic education — for him and his siblings — as a way to be "truly liberated to be able to experience a formation that would allow us to be free to love God, to serve God, to serve the church."

Mark Sanders: Faith and the treatment of addictions

Enabling behaviors and boundary issues are a big challenge for families when a member is struggling with addiction, according to Mark Sanders of St. Raphael Counseling, speaking on Respect Life Radio, hosted by Deacon Geoff Bennett. "I love the fact that I can utilize faith in the practice that I do at St. Raphael's," said Sanders. "I have always had the sense that addictions really talk about the sense of a God-shaped hole in us."

Jenny Kraska: Advocacy requires strength in numbers

Jenny Kraska, executive director of the Colorado Catholic Conference, discusses ways to be effective in advocating for Catholic public policy positions at the Colorado state legislature. Go to http://http://cocatholicconference.org for more. Kraska was interviewed by Deacon Geoff Bennett of Catholic Charities.

Deacon Alan Rastrelli, M.D.: Sacred space at the end of life

Deacon Alan Rastrelli, M.D., discusses end-of-life care and related issues in this episode of Respect Life Radio, hosted by Deacon Geoff Bennett of Catholic Charities.