American Catholic History

In the 1620s, a native American community in what would become Texas were evangelized by a mysterious lady in blue. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell the story of how a Spanish nun, Mary of Agreda, miraculously visited the Jumanos without leaving her Spanish monastery 5,000 miles away. The post The Apparition of The Lady in Blue appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Catholics have had a tremendous impact on American food from the beginning. Tom and Noëlle Crowe explore a handful of these contributions, from wine and cheese at the California missions to Cajun and creole food in Louisiana to the Filet-o-Fish in McDonalds to muskrat dinners in the midwest and more The post American Catholic Food appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The Maronite Shine of Our Lady of Lebanon in Ohio is a place of pilgrimage for Maronite Catholics throughout the US. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us the history of the shrine and of Maronites in the US, including the near-miraculous acquisition of the land on which is is built. The post Maronite Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon appeared first on StarQuest Media.

St. Mary's Catholic Church in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, originally built on a barge in 1782, is the oldest church in the state. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us that despite its small congregation, it has historical significance and ties to international and church politics. The church has faced challenges throughout the years but has persevered and is still standing in Plum Bayou. St. Mary's Church is a symbol of perseverance and houses the grave of a potential saint. The post Old St. Mary, Pine Bluff, Arkansas appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Mother Catherine Spalding helped found the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in Kentucky in 1813. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us how she spent 45 years leading and building the order and was responsible for dozens of schools, orphanages, infirmaries, and homes for the poor, leading her to be named one of the most influential women in Kentucky history. The post Mother Catherine Spalding appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Bob Newhart is one of the most influential and beloved comedians of the last 60 years, who set records with his comedy albums and TV shows. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us how Newhart attributes both his 60-year marriage and successful career, in part, to his Catholic faith. The post Bob Newhart appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Andy Warhol is one of the most recognizable 20th century artists who was also known for his hedonist lifestyle. Tom and Noëlle Crowe discuss how he was also a Catholic who prayed and attended church regularly. How can we reconcile this contradiction to understand the real Warhol? The post Andy Warhol appeared first on StarQuest Media.

When the USS Franklin was bombed on March 19, 1945, Fr. Joseph O'Callahan, the chaplain aboard, sprang into action. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us that not only did he administer sacraments, but he also led damage control actions that helped save the ship, leading to his being awarded the Medal of Honor. The post Fr. Joseph O’Callahan, SJ, Savior of the Franklin appeared first on StarQuest Media.

In 1916, three brave Sisters of St. Joseph were arrested for teaching black children. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us how, with Bishop Michael Curley of St. Augustine by their side, they fought the law and won! Discover their inspiring battle against segregation in Florida. The post Catholics Fight Segregation in Florida appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Joseph Warren Revere, grandson of Paul Revere, lived a life of military adventure, raised the American flag in California, and helped found the US Naval Academy. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us how he converted to Catholicism during the Civil War and was devout the rest of his days. The post Joseph Warren Revere appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Joseph Barbera was one half of the powerhouse animation duo of Hanna-Barbera. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us how Joseph's Catholic schooldays got him started in cartooning and how his crowning achievement was a return to his Catholic roots. The post Joseph Barbera appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The Forrest Gump of early 19th-century US Catholics? Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us about this priest who seemed to know every important US Catholic of his time and yet is almost unheard of. So why was Fr. Samuel Cooper so important? The post Samuel Sutherland Cooper appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Mother Mary Lange founded the first religious order of black women in the US. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us how this woman of faith lived a life of service and patience, dedicated to spreading the Gospel, which may lead to her canonization. The post Mother Mary Lange, OSP appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Fr. Henry Duranquet, SJ, was called Apostle of the Tombs because of his decades ministering to convicts in New York’s prisons, including the prison known as “The Tombs.” Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us how his patient Christlike work won over thousands of souls for Christ, including the most notorious killers. The post Fr. Henry Duranquet, SJ, Apostle to the Tombs appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Buffalo Bill Cody was a hard-living cowboy and one of the most famous people of his day, spreading the legend of the “Wild West" around the world, even meeting the Pope. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us how in the end Bill found Christ and His Church. The post Buffalo Bill Cody appeared first on StarQuest Media.

As 2022 ends, Tom and Noëlle Crowe change things up to review the year's episodes, talk about what astounded them, discuss some of their Conversations, reveal what's been going on in their lives, and chat about what they have in mind for the future of the show. The post 2022 Year in Review appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The oldest shrine in the US dedicated to the Blessed Mother is St. Augustine's Our Lady of La Leche shrine. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us how this devotion to the physical aspects of Mary's motherhood of Jesus came to be in Florida and the unusual honor it has received from Pope Francis. The post National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Bishop Benedict Flaget may be the most important bishop in the US' early history who isn't named Carroll. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us about his humble decades of service as both a priest and a bishop on the wild frontiers of the US and why he should have a cause for canonization opened. The post Bishop Benedict Joseph Flaget appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Louisville, Kentucky, 1855. Election day turned into a violent massacre as Know Nothings attacked Catholics to prevent them from voting. Tom and Noëlle Crowe give us the background on the fear and hatred that led to death and destruction on the Ohio River and the aftermath. The post Bloody Monday in Louisville appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Edgar Allan Poe, the master of the macabre, was not Catholic, but much of his writing was filled with Catholic sensibilities, and even explicitly Catholic theology. Tom and Noëlle Crowe discuss Poe's mysterious links to Catholicism, including his late in life Jesuit friendships. The post Edgar Allan Poe and the Blessed Mother appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Father Mulcahy was one of the most important priests ever on network TV. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us how this humble fictional military chaplain on the wildly successful MASH gave an example of dedicated service and faith that touched the hearts of millions. The post Father Mulcahy, MASH appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The Franciscan friar St. Junipero Serra is called the Father of California. Tom and Noëlle Crowe reveal his single-minded devotion to evangelization and missionary work and improving the lives of the native people throughout California. The post St. Junipero Serra appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Doc Holliday was a real Old West character, a dentist, a gambler, and a gunslinger. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us that he was also a Catholic who converted on his deathbed, in part due to the influence of his beloved cousin, a religious sister. The post Doc Holliday appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The little Catholic church of St. Mary's in Fairfax Station, Virginia, played an important role in the Civil War as a hospital for wounded soldiers. Tom and Noëlle Crowe also tell us about Red Cross founder Clara Barton's care of the soldiers there. The post St. Mary of Sorrows, Clara Barton, and the Red Cross appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Ven. Nelson Baker was a Catholic priest whose radical trust in Our Lady of Victory helped him serve orphans, mothers, and children for decades. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us about the turning points in his life that led to the City of Charity in Lackawanna, New York. The post Venerable Nelson Baker appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Why does a very old Catholic parish in Kentucky have the complete relics of two Roman martyrs? Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell the fascinating story of the relics of St. Bonosa and St. Magnus, an Italian Cistercian abbey, Pope St. Leo XIII, and St. Martin parish in Louisville. The post Roman Martyrs in a Kentucky Catholic Church appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Tha man who wrote Tom Sawyer would seem an unlikely author of a book about Joan of Arc. Tom and Noëlle Crowe explain how Mark Twain, this anti-Christian, even anti-Catholic, author, became not just interested in a Catholic saint's life, but an ardent fan. The post Mark Twain and Joan of Arc appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Fr. Francis Sampson was chaplain with the 101st Airborne who jumped over France on D-Day, 1944. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us of the selfless exploits of this Catholic priest who some believe should have received the Medal of Honor for his actions. The post Fr. Francis Sampson, Paratrooper Padre appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Capt. Andre Cailloux was a black free man and a hero of the Civil War. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us how this Catholic family man joined the Union Army as one of its first black officers and became a hero that inspired generations with his patriotism and bravery. The post Andre Cailloux appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Maria von Trapp's life inspired the film The Sound of Music, but as Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us, her life was so much more exciting and inspiring and faith-filled than even Hollywood could make it. The post Maria von Trapp appeared first on StarQuest Media.

In 1846, the bishops of the USA named the Blessed Mother under her title of Immaculate Conception as Patroness of the USA. Tom and Noëlle Crowe relate how devotion to Mary played a key role in the New World from 1492 and how that devotion led her patronage. The post Immaculate Conception, Patroness of the USA appeared first on StarQuest Media.

AA has been a blessing in the lives in many thousands and Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us how Sr. Ignatia Gavin was at the root of its founding and how her compassion led to changed attitudes and true care and treatment for those suffering from alcoholism. The post Sr. Ignatia and Alcoholics Anonymous appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Patricia Neal was a Hollywood star who nevertheless encountered trouble and tragedy in her life through infidelity, abortion, and illness. But as Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us, she eventually found faith, forgiveness, and redemption in the Catholic faith to bring peace to her life. The post Patricia Neal appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Gary Cooper was one of the biggest stars in Hollywood and lived a life reflective of that status, including some moral failings. But Tom and Noëlle tell us that eventually Cooper began to live up to the heroes he portrayed in his films and even experienced a profound Catholic conversion. The post Gary Cooper appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The first Mass celebrated in America may have been celebrated in Eastertide in Florida in 1513. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell the story of Ponce de Leon's expedition to the unexplored land, which first brought Catholicism to these shores centuries before independence. The post America’s First Mass, Florida, 1513 appeared first on StarQuest Media.

While the current Major League record holder for most home runs in a season has an asterisk in the book, Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us that Roger Maris, the previous record holder, was also subjected to controversy over his record. But this quiet man of faith should not be doubted for his accomplishment. The post Roger Maris appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Jean Cheverus was the first bishop of Boston and as Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us he was beloved throughout his diocese, by both Catholics and Protestants alike. By the time he moved on in 1823, the Catholic community in Boston had grown in faith, numbers, and impact on city. The post Jean Louis Cheverus appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Daniel Barber was a man of integrity who followed where the truth led him. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us how Barber, an early 19th-century Episcopalian priest, discovered the truth of the Catholic Church, which led not just to his conversion, but to his whole family's as well. The post Daniel Barber appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Jack Kerouac is known as one of the founder of the Beat Generation and is infamous for his debauched lifestyle, but as Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us, Kerouac saw himself as a Catholic writer who after much wandering, found himself, like St. Augustine, eventually coming home to his Catholic faith. The post Jack Kerouac appeared first on StarQuest Media.

John Boyle O'Reilly was a soldier, a convict, a poet, and a journalist who left a lasting impact in the United States. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us how this Irishman escaped from an Australian penal colony and ended up in Boston as a champion of civil rights and editor of The Boston Pilot, the oldest continuously published Catholic newspaper in the US. The post John Boyle O’Reilly appeared first on StarQuest Media.

When Catholics arrived in Maryland in 1634, they arrived on two ship, The Ark and The Dove. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us the story of how the Maryland colony was founded as a safe haven for Catholics and their journey aboard those ships to St. Clement Island, where the colonists' first Mass was offered. The post The Ark and The Dove appeared first on StarQuest Media.

John von Neumann was one of the most brilliant minds of the 20th century, and as Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us, at the end of his life that brilliance led him to the Catholic faith. Von Neumann had a hand in some of the biggest events and advances of the last 80 years, but his towering intellect led him back to God. The post John von Neumann appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The Josephites began as a missionary order to serve black Catholics in postbellum America. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us about the roots of the order in England, their difficulties in dealing with racism within and outside the Church, and how they established parishes, schools, and other institutes over the past 150 years. The post The Josephites appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The construction of the Washington Monument in the 19th century was hampered by many delays and problems. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us that one of the strangest controversies surrounded a stone donated to the project by Pope Pius IX and the anti-Catholic conspiracy theories that resulted. The post The Pope’s Stone appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Claude McKay was a Jamaica-born African-American poet who spent much of his life fighting against racism and in the creativity of the Harlem Renaissance. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us how his atheistic socialism gave way to a Catholic faith through the Catholic Worker Movement and friendship with Dorothy Day. The post Claude McKay appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Bishop Frederic Baraga was once known as the Snowshoe Priest for his drive to travel in any season throughout Michigan to serve his flock. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell the story of this saintly bishop of the mid-19th century and his dedication to the native tribes with whom he shared his love for Christ. The post Ven. Frederic Baraga appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Mother Teresa was one of just a few people to be made an honorary US citizen, and Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us how this modern saint gave her truly Christ-like witness to divine love and the dignity of every life to all Americans--including the the most influential and powerful--on several occasions. The post Mother Teresa in America appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The recent death of Sidney Poitier gave Tom and Noëlle Crowe an excuse to go back and look at this award-winning movie and the book it is based on, including the back story of how it was made; the dedication and sacrifice of those who made it; and the real-life nuns who inspired this story of faith and humanity. The post Lilies of the Field: The Back Story appeared first on StarQuest Media.

St. John Neumann was the first male American saint. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tells us how this diminutive priest took a leap of faith by coming to the US from Europe to be a priest for His people. He eventually became bishop of Philadelphia, and along the way gained a reputation for holiness in bringing Christ through word and deed. The post St. John Neumann appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The first women's religious community in the US was the Carmel of Port Tobacco, Maryland, and Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us about the Catholic families behind the founding, how they overcame anti-Catholic discrimination, and the restoration that preserved the sacred place. The post The Carmelites of Port Tobacco appeared first on StarQuest Media.