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On today’s broadcast, we’re going to learn a thing or two about Eucharistic miracles. Deacon Steve interviews a young man (Ray Grijalba) who is causing quite a good stir with his popular channel on Youtube.
Tune in and hear what he has to say!
Check out “The Joy of the Faith” on Youtube!
Originally broadcast on 7/26/2020
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On this podcast episode, Deacon Steve Greco is thrilled to have Fr. Donald Calloway as his special guest.
Fr. Calloway has one of the most remarkable conversion stories of faith that you will ever hear from ANYONE, let alone a Catholic priest.
Listen in to this engaging conversation as Fr. Calloway and Deacon Steve shine the spotlight on Our Blessed Mother and God’s Divine Mercy upon ALL of us!
Originally broadcast on 1/12/2020
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Join Deacon Steve Greco as he welcomes Fr. Dave Heney to the program.
In addition to being pastor at St. Bruno Parish in Whittier, CA, he is also the daily host on Relevant Radio’s LIVE afternoon program, “Family Rosary Across America.”
Tune in to hear some fascinating stories prayers being answered amidst our busy drive-time commutes!
Listen, and be sure to SHARE this podcast!
Originally broadcast on 10/27/19
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VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Told that some people think Pope Francis isn’t exactly a fan of the rosary, Jesuit Father Federic Fornos practically shouted, “What?”
“Pope Francis says the rosary is the prayer of his heart. He prays it every day,” said the international director of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, formerly known as the Apostleship of Prayer.
Father Fornos was at the Vatican press office Oct. 15 to launch the latest effort to respond to what he said was Pope Francis’ explicit request that the network help young people learn to pray and love the rosary.
The Click to Pray eRosary is both a free app for Apple and Android and an actual high-tech rosary bracelet that connects to a smartphone using Bluetooth. Making the sign of the cross with the rosary automatically opens the app on the phone, while clicking one of the prayer beads allows the person praying to advance through the prayer texts, music and images on the screen.
Father Joao Chagas, head of the youth office at the Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life, said the app — described on clicktoprayerosary.org — is “a concrete sign of the pope’s desire to enter the lives of young people and help them pray.”
Pope Francis’ big push to get young people to pray the rosary came in the run-up to and the celebration of World Youth Day in Panama in January, Father Fornos said. Hundreds of thousands of rosaries were distributed to the young people taking part.
But the pope has not let up. Speaking to Polish pilgrims at his weekly general audience Oct. 9, Pope Francis reminded them that when Mary appeared to two young women in Gietrzwald, Poland, in 1877, she told them, “Pray the rosary every day” and, the pope said, “she assured them that the graces imparted by this prayer would be salvific and would lead people to happiness in heaven.”
“Remember these words, especially now, in the month of October dedicated to the rosary,” the pope continued. “Through the intercession of Mary, mediator of graces, we ask for peace for the world, wisdom for those who govern and for faith and unity for families.”
Marking the month of the rosary in 2017, Pope Francis tweeted: “The rosary is a synthesis of the mysteries of Christ: we contemplate them with Mary, who allows us to see with her eyes of faith and love.”
But his admonitions to pray the rosary were particularly fervent in October 2018 when the Catholic Church was reeling from accusations about clerical sexual abuse and, particularly, its cover-up.
Pope Francis asked Catholics last year to pray the rosary each day in October, asking Mary to protect the church and make it more aware of its “sins, errors and the abuses committed in the present and the past, and committed to fighting without hesitation so that evil would not prevail.”
Turning to Mary in times of trouble should be as natural as turning to one’s earthly mother when things look grim, he has said.
Celebrating the feast of Mary’s assumption into heaven Aug. 15, Pope Francis told people that the feast is a reminder that, in heaven, “there is a mother who waits for us, and she is our mother. She loves us, she smiles at us and she rescues us with great care.”
“Like every mother, she wants the best for her children and tells us, ‘You are precious in the eyes of God. You were not made for the little gratifications of this world, but for the great joys of heaven,'” he said.
“Let’s allow the Mother of God to take us by the hand,” the pope said. “Every time that we pick up the rosary and pray, we take a step forward toward the great goal of life,” which is to be with God for eternity.
The pope also has let the rosary speak for itself, such as when he went to Rome’s Shrine of Our Lady of Divine Love May 1, 2018. Greeting the crowds gathered outside the shrine’s original little church, the pope said little more than: “Let’s pray together. I’ll see you later, but let’s pray, OK?”
Then he went inside, recited the rosary with a few dozen people and came back outside to recite one more Hail Mary with the crowd and give them his blessing.
In Pope Francis’ descriptions of her, Mary is the ideal disciple: full of faith, willing to take risks and ready to set out at a moment’s notice.
The Gospel description of her visitation to her cousin Elizabeth says, “She set off in haste.”
At the end of a Marian procession and recitation of the rosary in the Vatican Gardens in 2014, Pope Francis said Mary, “the virgin of haste,” is “always ready to come to our aid when we pray to her, when we ask her help, her protection.”
Most high school athletes can only dream of being able to call themselves state champions, but Rosary Academy senior Caylee Santos can already add that title to her resume – times two.
As a freshman, Santos was a member of the Royals 2017 CIF Division III girls basketball state championship team. She was wide-eyed and in unfamiliar territory.
“Freshman year, I was scared,” says Santos. “I had never been in that environment before…and I didn’t really understand the game of basketball back then.”
Santos soaked up the experience, and the Royals climbed back to the top earlier this year, securing their second CIF state title, this time in Division I. Now in more familiar surroundings, Santos understood what it took to be a champion and was ready for the challenge. Winning two state championships in three years is no easy feat, and she credits Rosary basketball head coach Richard Yoon with raising her understanding of the game to a new level.
“He’s taught me so much,” says Santos of Yoon. “When I walked into basketball my freshman year, there was more to basketball than I had learned before. I started understanding [the game] more because of him.”
As a shooting guard for the Royals, the 18-year-old loves the feeling she gets when she sinks a basket and hears the cheers from the bench. Despite her high level of skill, Santos is always looking to improve.
“I think Caylee is sometimes the unsung hero on the team,” says Yoon. “She does all the little things teams need to be successful but are not glamorous to report. She is a lights-out shooter, but more importantly, she takes pride in her defense, which is what coaches want out of their players.”
Her experiences have brought Santos more than just better insight into the game, but a deeper appreciation for how basketball has molded her growth as a person.
I continue [playing] to be a better person,” says Santos. “I don’t just learn basketball. I learn life skills, how to be a better teammate and how to be a leader.”
Off the court, Santos serves as a member of Rosary’s Campus Ministry team, where she helps prepare mass and assists with charity fundraisers. She is also a TA at church and enjoys teaching young kids about God. Both experiences have strengthened her faith.
“I know he’s always with me and that he’s with my team,” says Santos.
The Cerritos resident is planning on playing collegiate basketball alongside studying business and possibly attending graduate school. It was her stepfather who introduced Santos to the game when she was around five years old, and she is grateful for the encouragement she receives from both her parents and stepparents.
“They give me so much support,” says Santos. “Even if I’m down on basketball, they’ll lift me up.”
Gabi Mendoza didn’t know what to make of her father’s suggestion to try golf. But when the then nine-year old got out onto the course, she knew she had found her sport.
“I wasn’t quite sure about it,” says Mendoza. “Then I started playing, and I was like, wow, I really love this sport.”
The Rosary Academy rising senior and three-year varsity golfer has found a connection with her female peers who are as passionate about the game as she is.
“I love how I get to talk with other girls my age,” says the 17-year-old. “You get to meet so many new people, and it’s just really fun.”
Since high school golfers compete both individually and as a team, Mendoza knows that everyone’s effort counts, and she feels honored to represent Rosary each time she approaches the tee.
“As a team, I hope that we can continue playing at a higher level,” says Mendoza. “I think the greatest thing (about representing Rosary) is being able to express who you are and be yourself. Hanging out with the team is really fun, and I like that we can bond and talk to each other.”
Mendoza uses her positive attitude as part of her leadership style to motivate not only herself and but also her teammates.
“Gabi is the sweetest kid,” says Rosary golf head coach, Steve Hiskey. “However, below that exterior is a great competitor. She is always trying to make her game better. She is intense during our inter-squad drills and contests, and she is all about her team and teammates.”
Patience and confidence in her game are two areas the La Mirada resident feels are a continual work in progress.
“Being patient is number one for me,” says Mendoza. “Also, being able to believe in myself and know that I’m capable of playing golf well. I definitely have worked on being more confident within myself. I’ve had trouble with that. In golf, if you hit one bad shot, you can think it’s over. But it’s really not. There’s a long way to go.”
As a Rosary Royal, Mendoza’s faith plays a role in her camaraderie with her teammates and her focus on the course.
“Before each match, we pray together, and that brings us a lot of comfort because we know God is there with us,” says Mendoza. “We don’t ask a lot, but we ask for no injuries, to play safe and have fun.”
Mendoza would like to pursue playing golf at the collegiate level, possibly on the east coast. She is grateful for the support from her parents through the ups and downs that exist within the sport.
“My parents [have] always supported me,” says Mendoza. Whenever I’m not happy with how I’ve played, they know I played to the best of my ability. They are still proud of me, no matter what.”
Although her mother played volleyball at the collegiate level, Sophia Lambros still feels her path to the sport was unexpected.
“I really enjoyed playing soccer…but as I got older, I realized it wasn’t for me,” says Lambros. “I was only doing it because it was what I started with. So I started venturing into other options. My mom guided me towards volleyball, and I just found a passion in it.”
The rising senior at Rosary Academy may not have played the sport for as long as her peers, but as a setter and three-year varsity player for the Royals, Lambros is making strides in her game.
“Some of the biggest challenges that I’ve faced is being a player who didn’t start when she was 10 years old,” says Lambros. “I’ve had to work twice as hard as other players to get where I am now, in a shorter amount of time. But it definitely has been worth every second.”
Serving as captain last season made a large impact on the 17-year-old’s confidence level and leadership skills.
“The sport has definitely boosted my confidence,” says Lambros. “Being able to play a sport where communication is so key has pushed me to become more confident and outgoing. Being able to learn how to support others when they’re down is beneficial to every aspect of my life.”
Rosary volleyball head coach Filip Tomicic refers to Lambros as a “one of a kind” in her skill level and contribution to the team.
“The ability that Sophia possesses is something that we as coaches do not see often,” says Tomicic. “However, what makes her truly special is not just her God-given ability, but her hard work and leadership both on and off the court.”
Off the court, Lambros volunteers her time at the Boys & Girls Club in her city of Fullerton. As a triplet with two brothers at Servite High School, family is important, and she spends as much time with them as possible. Looking ahead to after graduation, Lambros has made a verbal commitment to play volleyball for Boston College, where she is likely to study business.
Her grandmother on her father’s side was one of Lambros’ first role models and a large influence in her decision to attend Rosary. As a result, her faith has become a key component of her game.
“I think [prayer] is a great way to start and end our practices, to know that we’re blessed…to be able to represent our school,” says Lambros. “Being able to ‘bookend’ everything we do with that aspect of faith reminds us what is really important and how lucky and blessed we are to be playing the sport that we’re passionate about.”
When Lanie Adamsen’s parents enrolled her in a local softball league at the age of five, they were hoping their daughter would have some fun out on the field. Thirteen years later, the Rosary Academy senior still loves the sport and feels it is an honor to represent her high school alongside her friends.
“I like being able to grow together as a team with my teammates,” says Adamsen. “I’ve gotten close with so many people the past couple of years. We all grow as one.”
Adamsen is a right-handed pitcher and serves as a captain for the Royals. The 18-year-old works to set a good example for her teammates and is often the first player on the field and the last one to leave.
“Lanie has spent her four years at Rosary earning the title of leader,” says Rosary softball head coach, Tom Tice. “Her teammates are drawn to her spirit and enthusiasm, and they follow her lead on the field. She is tough, smart and tenacious. She has truly maximized her academic and athletic talents, and she has gained the respect of everyone in the Rosary community.”
Being a pitcher has been the focal point of many memorable softball experiences for Adamsen, including her first high school win and first Trinity League win, both occurring her sophomore year. But while being on the mound may allow the four-year varsity player some degree of control during a game, she also has to battle the mental side of the sport when things go awry.
“I get in my head really easily if a pitch isn’t working,” says Adamsen. “But if something isn’t going my way, I try to worry about it after the game. I can’t let it get to me right then and there.”
A dual sport athlete, Adamsen also plays volleyball for the Royals. The middle blocker position keeps her moving and jumping on the court, strengthening her core for the rigors of the softball season.
When she is not focused on athletics or academics, the Yorba Linda resident enjoys assisting her younger sister’s travel softball and soccer teams. She also serves on her school campus as a member of Rosary’s chapter of the American Sign Language Honor Society (ASLHS).
Her commitment and dedication as a student athlete have earned Adamsen the opportunity to play softball for Marymount California University in Palos Verdes. In addition to pitching for the Mariners, Adamsen plans to study business and marketing.
Adamsen’s role models include her parents and former Royal and current Duke University sophomore pitcher, Amelia Wiercioch, all of whom have supported and pushed her to be her best. And win or lose, her faith helps keep her grounded.
“I know God has a path for me, and he will lead me to that path,” says Adamsen. “He is always by my side.”
The winter season stretched almost into spring for the Rosary girls’ basketball team, and the Royals were in full bloom in the end, winning the CIF-State Division I title on March 8 in Sacramento.
It was the culmination of a long and historic season for Rosary, and for the Trinity League as a whole.
Before getting into specifics, here’s a quick rundown of the league’s biggest accomplishments.
*The JSerra girls’ soccer team won their third straight CIF-SS Division I title and then backed that up with their second consecutive Division I Regional championship.
*The Servite wrestling team won two CIF-SS team titles, their first Masters Championship in school history and then sent a school-record eight individuals to the CIF-State meet.
*The Mater Dei boys’ basketball team lost its top four scorers to graduation after last season and didn’t win the Trinity League title outright for the first time ever, but still grinded their way to the CIF Southern California Regionals Open Division championship game.
*The Orange Lutheran girls’ water polo team was also playing their best at the end, capping the season with an upset victory against top-seeded Laguna Beach in the SoCal Regional Championship game.
There were other impressive postseason runs, such as the Mater Dei boys’ soccer team barely missing out on their first Trinity League title, and then advancing to the CIF-SS Division I semifinals, or the thrilling overtime win by the Santa Margarita boys’ basketball team over Chino Hills to win the CIF-SS Division 1 title.
Rosary’s state title was clearly the most remarkable feat of the winter season, however.
The Royals finished second to Mater Dei in the Trinity League and went 0-3 in the CIF-SS Open Division pool-play round, dropping them into Division I for the state playoffs. Rosary then got hot and won five straight games in the tournament, capped by 75-58 win against Bishop O’Dowd of Oakland in the championship game.
Rosary coach Richard Yoon, who led the Royals to a Division III state title in 2017, told reporters that his players never stopped believing in themselves.
“The obstacles this team has conquered, it’s a tribute to them,” he said.
The biggest obstacle for the JSerra girls’ soccer team was Santa Margarita, which twice played the Lions to a scoreless tie during Trinity League play before finishing a game behind in the standings.
JSerra marched through the CIF-SS playoffs behind high-scoring striker Isabella D’Aquila, but then D’Aquila headed off to Spain to train with the U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team and the Lions had to forge on without their leading scorer.
They didn’t skip a beat, however, winning all three regional games by multiple goals.
Marcos Magana (126 pounds), Josh Medina (132), Teddy Okada (138), Neil Carter (170) and Tristen Wilson (195) won individual CIF-SS Central Division wrestling titles for Servite.
Wilson went on to place fourth at state, Medina was seventh and Okada and Valor Buck (152) placed eighth for the Friars, whose 11th place finish in Bakersfield was tops in Orange County and the highest in program history.
Heading into the season, it was clear the Mater Dei boys’ basketball team was facing a rebuilding year. The Monarchs did quick work of reaching a competitive level, and should be an even tougher force next season with their top seven scorers eligible to return.
When Lauren Vasquez began high school at Rosary Academy, she thought the extent her sports participation would be on the school’s cheer team. But the Royals track and field coaches had other ideas. After convincing her to attend tryouts, Vasquez found herself as one of the program’s key athletes in the triple jump, long jump and 4 x 400 meter relay events.
Vasquez unintentionally was following in her older sister’s footsteps, as Brianna Vasquez competed in the 400-meter event and the 4 x 400 relay for the Royals. Now a senior, Vasquez enjoys both the differences and similarities in being a cheerleader and a track and field athlete.
“Every meet, whether I’m doing a jump or the relay, I always have people there cheering me on,” says Vasquez, “and the friendships and bonds I’ve made with all of those girls, I’m going to miss that.”
In her final year as a Royal, Vasquez hopes to achieve personal records in each of her events, including breaking the school’s triple jump record. Her biggest obstacle is her own mind and the moments she lets self-doubt creep in.
“I over think a lot, and that stops my progress,” says the 17-year-old. “When you over think and don’t just let yourself jump, you get mind blocks. If I get that, I tell myself to jump and remember everything I’ve learned in practice.”
As a track and field jumper who competes individually for a team, Vasquez has learned plenty about patience and teamwork.
“Lauren brings years of experience, leadership and energy to the track program, and her positive attitude radiates throughout the team,” says Rosary track and field coach, Laura Hamann. “Due to her determination and drive, she is one of our top jumpers and is a great role model for the freshmen and sophomores. We are excited to see what else she will accomplish her senior year.”
Outside of athletics, Vasquez is active in serving the Rosary campus community through a number of organizations. She is the Social Chair for ASB, the president of the PAL – Peer Assistance Leadership chapter on campus, a Rosary Ambassador, a member of Campus Ministry, and a member of the Let It Be and Make a Wish clubs.
Vasquez would like to compete in track at the collegiate level if the opportunity presents itself, and is looking forward to studying kinesiology in preparation to become a physical therapist. The Yorba Linda resident has learned from her father that, “through hard work, you can achieve anything,” and that prayer can be the best way to calm an anxious spirit.
“Because I get nervous before my competitions…I find that when I pray more, I feel calmer, and I do better,” says Vasquez. “Even through the ups and downs I’ve had in cheer and track, God has always been there.”
