Catholic Connection – May 27, 2024 – Hr 2
Best of “Catholic Connection” with Dr. Matthew Bunson, Johnnette Benkovic Williams and Deacon Steve Greco.
Segment 1 – Pope Francis sits down during an interview with Nora O’Donnell for CBS News
“The last few months have witnessed another flurry of interviews by Pope Francis with secular and Catholic media outlets, the release of several more books on the Pope, and even the publication of a memoir by the Pontiff, under the title, Life, My Story Through History. The media blitz by the Pope — including his freshly aired interview with CBS’ 60 Minutes — is part of a consistent pattern by the modern popes in the use of social communications and media outreach.” Dr. Bunson joins us. (Originally aired May 22, 2024)

Dr. Matthew Bunson is vice president and editorial director of EWTN News. For the past 20 years, Dr. Bunson has been active in the area of Catholic social communications and education, including writing, editing, and teaching on a variety of topics related to Church history, the papacy, the saints and Catholic culture. He is a senior fellow of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology and the author or co-author of over 50 books.
Segment 2 & 3 – Biden Kills Title IX, Launches New War on Women’s Equality
“Biden’s revision of Title IX removes federal protections “on the basis of sex” that have safeguarded women’s rights and enabled female students to excel in education and sports for nearly 52 years. The final Rule reinterprets the meaning of “sex” with the vague, undefined, subjective category of “gender identity,” thus stripping women and girls of vital protections based on sex under civil rights law.” (Originally aired May 7, 2024)

Johnnette Benkovic Williams is the host of EWTN’s radio and television shows, Women of Grace. In addition to her television and radio programs, she is also founder and President of Women of Grace, a Catholic apostolate for women. She is a popular conference speaker, retreat master and seminar presenter, and has written several books on topics including prayer and spirituality, authentic femininity, conversion and the dangers of new age movements.
Segment 4 – Jesus Thirsts: The Miracle of the Eucharist
“An unlikely group of Catholic filmmakers have come together to create a watershed movie that they hope will inspire a movement of faith that returns people to the pews for Mass and deep devotion to the Eucharist. Jesus Thirsts: The Miracle of the Eucharist hits U.S. theaters June 4, 5 and 6 and is executive produced by Deacon Steve Greco, Eduardo Verástegui (Sound of Freedom, Cabrini, Bella) and produced by James Wahlberg (Mother Teresa: No Greater Love) and Tim Moriarty (Mother Teresa: No Greater Love). The film is a cinematic catechesis that explores the Biblical roots of the Mass, scientific aspects of Eucharistic miracles and includes watershed testimonies from men and women transformed by the power of God.” (Originally aired May 17, 2024)

Steve Greco is a permanent deacon and Director of Evangelization and Formation for the Diocese of Orange, California. He serves at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Irvine and is the founder of Spirit Filled Hearts Ministry (www.spiritfilledevents.com), which engages in evangelization and the promotion of spirituality, and supports Catholic missionary efforts in the Philippines and Indonesia. He is co-executive producer of “Jesus Thirsts.”