Catholic Forum

Mic Carlson and Mark Siegrist of Instruments of Hope discuss the new meditative garden they are building in Grand Rapids, Michigan, leveraging Mic's skills as a sculptor and the profound influence that St. Francis has had upon him.  To learn more about our work, visit our web site, catholicforuminc.org, or share our page on Facebook (facebook.com/catholicforuminc).

While the term "lay religious" may seem like an oxymoron, it is one of several means of referencing men and women who, while not being consecrated religious, seek greater holiness through the  spiritual tradition of communities founded by great saints. Our guests introduce us to the benefits and practices of incorporating the Franciscan, Domincan and Carmelite traditions into their secular lives. To learn more about our work, visit our web site, catholicforuminc.org, or share our page on Facebook (facebook.com/catholicforuminc).

Our guests discuss the valuable role saints play in inspiring later generations toward a holy life, regardless of the wounds or failures of one's personal history. To learn more about our work, visit our web site, catholicforuminc.org, or share our page on Facebook (facebook.com/catholicforuminc).

In a special Catholic Forum Presents edition..., we present well-known author, teacher and speaker Dr. Ralph Martin, who delivered a keynote speech at the national conference of the National Council of Catholic Women in Grand Rapids in September of 2014.  In this excerpt (the second of two), Dr. Martin reflects on why the "new Evangelization is so critical to the Church and to the world. To learn more about our work, visit our web site, catholicforuminc.org, or share our page on Facebook (facebook.com/catholicforuminc).

In a special Catholic Forum Presents edition..., we present well-known author, teacher and speaker Dr. Ralph Martin, who delivered a keynote speech at the national conference of the National Council of Catholic Women in Grand Rapids in September of 2014.  In this excerpt (the first of two), Dr. Martin clarifies what is meant by the term "New Evangelization". To learn more about our work, visit our web site, catholicforuminc.org, or share our page on Facebook (facebook.com/catholicforuminc).

Jim Albright shares his conversion inspired by his son, his experiences of faith and the spiritual companioning of fellow Christians.

The diocesan Director of Faith Formation clarifies what catechesis is and describes its role throughout the life of a Catholic. To learn more about our work, visit our web site, catholicforuminc.org, or share our page on Facebook (facebook.com/catholicforuminc).

Convert from protestantism explains how the Blessed Virgin Mary led him to the Catholic Faith and strengthed his faith in and love of Jesus.

In this special edition of Catholic Forum, we present excrepts from Consience, a talk by Dr. Dennis Marshal, Professor of Theology at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, during its original presentation at Fortnight for Freedom, a pro-life event held from June to July of 2014 at St. Isidore Catholic Church, also in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

State Deputy Bob Fox discusses the role of the Knights of Columbus fraternal organization in the Church

Michigan State Deputy Bob Fox discusses the history and the role of the Knights of Columbus in the Catholic community and the community at large.

Adam Janke shares more about his experiences with the St. Paul Street evangelization ministry.

Adam Janke of the St. Paul Street Evangelization ministry talks about  his journey into his current work and discusses how Catholics can embrace this essential part of Christ's call wherever they are.

The Diocese of Grand Rapids Coordinator of Youth, Young Adult and Family Ministries discusses the local and national preparations for the upcoming World Meeting of Families, which will be hosted in Philadelphia in September of 2015.     To learn more about our work, visit our web site, catholicforuminc.org, or share our page on Facebook (facebook.com/catholicforuminc).

Former participants of Retrouvaille describe how the process saved their marriage and how they have continued to try to pass along the the benefits they experienced through their ongoing participation with the program as a mentor couple.

In this special "Catholic Forum Presents..." episode, we present excerpts from an address given by Leonard Grotenrath as part of the Fortnight For Freedom evenings of prayer that took place at St. Isidore Catholic Church in Grand Rapids in June and July of 2014. Presented as part of St. Isidore Church's Fortnight For Freedom evenings of prayer in the summer of 2014, Leonard Grotenrath's address. The Night Grows Darker Yet offers an erudite and passionate plea to people of faith to fight for and make real the "myth" of religious freedom in America.

Three youth ministers from the diocese of Grand Rapids, MI discuss their journeys to ministry and their roles in assisting young people in their spiritual journeys.

The secretary of the National Council of Catholic Women discusses the organization's upcoming conference.

The Director of Marketing and Public Relations for the Catholic Information Center (CIC) discusses the ministry's history and unique mission in the Diocese of Grand Rapids, Michigan.     To learn more about our work, visit our web site, catholicforuminc.org, or share our page on Facebook (facebook.com/catholicforuminc).

The members of the Schola Sancta Caecilia ensemble discuss how their upbringing and participation in the Latin Mass has blossomed into a CD of songs based on early Church musical styles.     To learn more about our work, visit our web site, catholicforuminc.org, or share our page on Facebook (facebook.com/catholicforuminc).