From Searching to Serving: Deacon Eric and Monica Pugh’s Journey of Faith - 01/31/2026

On this episode of Making It Personal, Bishop William Joensen and Jeanne Thill are joined by Deacon Eric and Monica Pugh of St. John the Apostle Parish in Norwalk. Together, they share a moving story of faith, conversion, and God’s providence leading them into deep service within the Church. Eric reflects on being raised Catholic, drifting away from the faith, and later rediscovering the beauty and mystery of the Mass—especially through the Eucharist. Monica, who was not raised Catholic, describes how Catholic radio, Scripture, and the book Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic opened her heart to the truth of the Real Presence and led her into full communion with the Church. The conversation also highlights Eric’s military service, their life as parents of five sons, and the surprising call to the diaconate that eventually became a shared vocation of ministry. Today, Deacon Eric leads a men’s group focused on understanding the Mass, while Monica serves as Director of Faith Formation and continues pursuing spiritual direction and theological study. This inspiring episode is a testament to the power of saying “yes” to God, the centrality of the Eucharist, and the many ways Christ continues to call ordinary people into extraordinary discipleship.   #MakingItPersonal #BishopJoensen #IowaCatholicRadio #CatholicRadio #CatholicFaith #DeaconEricPugh #MonicaPugh #ConversionStory #EucharisticRevival #RealPresence #CatholicMinistry #FaithFormation #MenOfFaith #SerraVocations Listen Live · Program Schedule · Our StationsLINKSYou 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.