In this moving episode of Making It Personal with Bishop William Joensen, Bishop Joensen and Jeanne Thill welcome Dr. Cheryl Fournier and Dorothy Miller to reflect on the remarkable life of Sr. Pat Sherer, whose ministry transformed countless lives.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• The story of Sr. Pat Shearer’s call to missionary service and how it unfolded through refugee ministry in Des Moines
• Her decades-long work accompanying Vietnamese, Hmong, Lao, Sudanese, and other refugee communities
• How Sr. Pat embodied the Gospel through personal relationships, advocacy, and “radical hospitality”
• The challenges of meeting both the material and spiritual needs of refugees
• The deep impact she had on parishes like St. Ambrose Cathedral and the broader diocesan community
• Personal memories of her joy, energy, and unwavering trust in God
• Her final days, marked by peace, prayer, and a life fully given in service

Sr. Pat’s ministry went far beyond logistics—she offered dignity, belonging, and faith to those seeking a new life. Her legacy continues in the lives she touched and the community she helped build.

Funeral Mass:
Held at St. Ambrose Cathedral in Des Moines, where many gathered—especially from the refugee community—to honor her life.

Heard on:
Iowa Catholic Radio Network
Spirit Catholic Radio Network

#MakingItPersonal #BishopJoensen #SrPatShearer #RefugeeMinistry #CatholicFaith #RadicalHospitality #CatholicSocialTeaching #FaithInAction #IowaCatholicRadio #SpiritCatholicRadio

Iowa Catholic Radio Network Shows:

• Be Not Afraid with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce Riebe
• Be Not Afraid in Spanish with Fr. Fabian Moncada
• Catholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson
• Making It Personal with Bishop William Joensen
• Man Up! with Joe Stopulus
• Sunday Dive with Katie Patrizio
• The Catholic Morning Show with Dr. Bo Bonner
• The Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick Smith
• The Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr
• Faith and Family Finance with Gregory Waddle

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On this episode of Making It Personal with Bishop William Joensen, Bishop Joensen and co-host Jeanne Thill sit down with Fr. Robert Spitzer, Jesuit priest and President of the Magis Institute. Broadcasting during Holy Saturday, the conversation reflects on the Paschal Mystery while diving into one of today’s most urgent cultural topics: artificial intelligence.

Fr. Spitzer shares why so many young people are disaffiliating from faith—often because of misconceptions about science—and explains how the Magis Institute is responding with the new Magis AI app, a tool designed to provide clear, faithful, and intellectually rigorous answers grounded in Catholic teaching and sound science.

The discussion highlights:

• The relationship between faith and science
• Common misconceptions driving youth away from belief
• The limits and dangers of secular AI
• How Magis AI offers truth-centered, interactive learning
• Why AI cannot replicate human consciousness, morality, or the soul

As the Church celebrates the hope of Easter, this episode offers a powerful reminder that truth, reason, and faith work together—and that new tools can help lead people back to Christ.

Learn more about the Magis Institute: https://www.magiscenter.com/
Download Magis AI: https://www.magiscenter.com/magisai

#MakingItPersonal #BishopJoensen #FrRobertSpitzer #MagisInstitute #CatholicAI #FaithAndScience #CatholicRadio #PaschalMystery #EasterHope #CatholicFaith

Iowa Catholic Radio Network Shows:

• Be Not Afraid with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce Riebe
• Be Not Afraid in Spanish with Fr. Fabian Moncada
• Catholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson
• Making It Personal with Bishop William Joensen
• Man Up! with Joe Stopulus
• Sunday Dive with Katie Patrizio
• The Catholic Morning Show with Dr. Bo Bonner
• The Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick Smith
• The Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr
• Faith and Family Finance with Gregory Waddle

Want to support your favorite show? Click Here

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On this episode of Making It Personal, Bishop William Joensen and Jeanne Thill welcome Bishop Robert Pipta, Bishop of the Eparchy of Parma, for a rich conversation about the Byzantine Catholic presence in Iowa.

Bishop Pipta shares his personal vocation story — from growing up in a Byzantine Catholic family of Slovak heritage in California to his unexpected appointment as bishop — and reflects on the strength of faith passed on through family and parish life.

The discussion explores:

The history and identity of the Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic Church

What distinguishes the Byzantine Rite from the Roman Rite

The meaning of being in full communion with the Pope while preserving Eastern liturgical traditions

The Church “breathing with two lungs” — East and West

The new Byzantine Catholic outreach in Iowa

Listeners will also hear about the missionary efforts of Fr. Bruce Riebe, who now serves the growing Byzantine Catholic community in Iowa through the St. Andrew of Crete outreach.

Whether you are simply curious about the Divine Liturgy or discerning a deeper appreciation for the richness of Catholic tradition, this episode offers a beautiful reminder that the universal Church is broader, deeper, and more diverse than many realize — yet fully united in communion.

#MakingItPersonal #IowaCatholicRadio #BishopJoensen #CatholicRadio #BishopRobertPipta #ByzantineCatholic #EparchyOfParma #DivineLiturgy #EasternCatholic #ChurchUnity #TwoLungs #CatholicTradition

Iowa Catholic Radio Network Shows:

• Be Not Afraid with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce Riebe
• Be Not Afraid in Spanish with Fr. Fabian Moncada
• Catholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson
• Making It Personal with Bishop William Joensen
• Man Up! with Joe Stopulus
• Sunday Dive with Katie Patrizio
• The Catholic Morning Show with Dr. Bo Bonner
• The Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick Smith
• The Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr
• Faith and Family Finance with Gregory Waddle

Want to support your favorite show? Click Here

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of Making It Personal, Bishop William Joensen and Jeanne Thill are joined by Maggie DeWitte, Executive Director of Pulse Life Advocates, for an in-depth conversation about current pro-life efforts in Iowa and across the nation.

Maggie reflects on her experience accompanying Iowa youth to the national March for Life, highlighting the energy of young participants and the importance of continuing education and witness for the dignity of human life.

The discussion also explores major legislative initiatives in Iowa, including proposals addressing abortion-pill safety regulations and efforts to legally recognize life at conception. Maggie explains the growing medical concerns surrounding chemical abortions and why advocates are seeking stronger safeguards for women and unborn children.

The conversation turns toward prayerful action during Lent, including participation in the international 40 Days for Life campaign, sidewalk advocacy training, and ongoing parish involvement in supporting mothers and families facing difficult pregnancies.

Looking ahead, Maggie also previews the organization’s upcoming fall gala featuring actor Jim Caviezel, known for his roles in The Passion of the Christ and Sound of Freedom.

This episode offers listeners a timely look at how faith, public policy, prayer, and personal witness work together to advance a culture of life.

Learn more about Pulse Life Advocates:
https://pulseforlife.org

Find local 40 Days for Life campaigns:
https://www.40daysforlife.com

#MakingItPersonal #IowaCatholicRadio #BishopJoensen #CatholicRadio #MaggieDeWitte #PulseLifeAdvocates #ProLife #CultureOfLife #40DaysForLife #CatholicAdvocacy #FaithInAction #Lent

Iowa Catholic Radio Network Shows:

• Be Not Afraid with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce Riebe
• Be Not Afraid in Spanish with Fr. Fabian Moncada
• Catholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson
• Making It Personal with Bishop William Joensen
• Man Up! with Joe Stopulus
• Sunday Dive with Katie Patrizio
• The Catholic Morning Show with Dr. Bo Bonner
• The Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick Smith
• The Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr
• Faith and Family Finance with Gregory Waddle

Want to support your favorite show? Click Here

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.