Deacon Mark Campbell: Saint Monica's Hope for Parents of Prodigal Children (+ more) | The Catholic Morning Show - 08/27/2026

Bo Bonner and Deacon Mark Campbell open the show on the Memorial of Saint Monica, with Mass today at 8 a.m. at Saint Mary's in Oskaloosa (95.7 FM). As always on Thursday, Deacon Randy Kiel joins to preview this Sunday's Mass readings (22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time). This week's focus is the first reading, Jeremiah 20:7-9 — the prophet's raw, agonized complaint to God, "You duped me, O Lord" — which Deacon Randy unpacks as a picture of the consuming, purposeful fire of the Holy Spirit at work in a faithful life, even amid mockery and rejection. Full readings at USCCB. Janelle Menz, Iowa Catholic Radio's new Director of Mission Growth, joins for her first on-air appearance. Originally from Dubuque and a graduate of Benedictine College, Janelle shares how Fr. John Riccardo's homilies drew her to the station as a listener, how she landed the new role after moving back to central Iowa, and her vision for connecting Iowa Catholic Radio to communities beyond the Des Moines metro — from the Iowa Great Lakes region to Mason City to southern Iowa. She points to this summer's "Growing the Faith" tour with Catholic Answers apologist Karlo Broussard (stops in Spencer, Creston, and Pella) as a glimpse of what's possible, and invites listeners to reach out at [email protected]. Watch for Janelle at the Christ Our Life Conference in September (ChristOurLifeIowa.com) and at her home parish, St. Pius X, in Des Moines. The hosts also preview a relaunched Iowa Catholic Radio app arriving Monday, September 1 — iOS users will update automatically, while Android users will need to download the new version from the Android app store. The rebuilt app adds a full podcast library, an updated player, a live program schedule, the Sacred Music channel, and an easier-to-find Donate/Give button ahead of the station's fall fundraiser. To close the show, Bo and Deacon Mark discuss why the Church asks the saints to intercede for us rather than praying to God alone, then turn to Saint Monica's own story — 17 years of prayer and tears for her son Augustine's conversion, and the well-known account of the bishop of Milan, St. Ambrose, telling her that "the son of these tears" could not be lost. They reflect on a noticeable shift in the prayer requests Iowa Catholic Radio collected in its prayer box at the Iowa State Fair this year — fewer petitions for a child's return to the faith, and more stories of health struggles and of prayers already being answered — and encourage listeners still carrying that particular grief to remain steadfast in prayer. Prayer requests can be sent any time to [email protected] or by text to (515) 223-1150. Also in this episode: a first-time team member intro; the Iowa Catholic Radio booth's wrap-up notes from the fair; and tonight's Heartland for Kids benefit concert for Mary's Meals, 5:30–8:30 p.m. at Jasper Winery, 2400 George Flagg Parkway in Des Moines, featuring Nashville musicians Phoenix Mendoza, Josh Leo, and Kitty Steadman, with food from the Knights of Columbus and a free-will donation. More at IowaCatholicRadio.com. Forge's evening with former Navy SEAL officer Sam Blair is Monday, September 14 at Smash Park in West Des Moines (doors 7:30 p.m., talk at 8 p.m., tickets $25) — MyForge.org. Listen live weekdays at 7 a.m. Central on Iowa Catholic Radio, or catch up anytime at IowaCatholicRadio.com. #CatholicMorningShow #IowaCatholicRadio #SaintMonica #SaintAugustine #IntercessionOfSaints #JanelleMenz #DowlingCatholic #LittleLeagueWorldSeries #CatholicPodcast #CatholicFaith Credits: Produced, Edited, and Mixed by Ayden Pugh, Alexia Baker, and Brady Grimm. ENJOYING THE SHOW? Follow The Catholic Morning Show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss an episode — and if this one was worth your time, please leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating. It takes ten seconds and it's the single best way to help more people find the show. 🎧 LISTEN LIVE Catch The Catholic Morning Show live, weekday mornings on Iowa Catholic Radio. Listen Live · Program Schedule · Our Stations LINKSYou can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Tiktok! More on our website.If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here! More from Iowa Catholic Radio:Sunday Dive with Katie PatrizioMan Up! with Joe StopulosCatholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie NelsonThe Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud MarrBe Not Afraid with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce RiebeBe Not Afraid en Español con el P. Fabián MoncadaMaking it Personal with Bishop William JoensenFaith and Family Finance with Gregory WaddleThe Great Men of the Bible with Joe Stopulos Liturgy & DevotionsThe Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick SmithThe Daily Mass from St. Francis of AssisiThe Daily Mass from St. Pius XThe Daily Mass from St. TheresaSunday Mass from the Basilica of Saint JohnWant to support your favorite show? Click Here Iowa Catholic Radio - Connecting People to Christ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.