Articles by Jonah McKeown
Laudato si': Atlanta archdiocese’s sustainability efforts 5 years on
May 22, 2020 / 15:58 pmSusan Varlamoff, a retired biologist and parishioner at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, was in 2015 serving as director of the Office of Environmental Sciences at the University of Georgia, when she heard that Pope Francis was working on an encyclical on the environment.
NIH head Francis Collins wins Templeton Prize for witness to faith and science
May 20, 2020 / 10:10 amA scientist on the front lines of developing a vaccine for COVID-19 today was selected as the recipient of this year’s Templeton Prize, an award recognizing his contributions to insight about religion through his work as a scientist.
Notre Dame to start fall semester early as colleges weigh in-person options
May 19, 2020 / 23:47 pmThe University of Notre Dame announced this week that students will return to campus in the fall, with the semester starting two weeks earlier than usual and no fall break in order to complete the semester by Thanksgiving.
JPII, who were you?
May 18, 2020 / 00:00 amBiographer George Weigel and a former Swiss Guard detail the legacy of St. John Paul II. An Italian mountaineer talks about the years he spent skiing and hiking with St. John Paul II. Then, we share the story of the time an Iowa farmer invited the pope to visit his state— and the pope did!
Coloradans gather final round of signatures for late-term abortion ban
May 15, 2020 / 10:01 amA coalition of volunteers in Colorado hopes to gather enough signatures in the next two weeks on a petition to put a late-term abortion ban on the November ballot – an effort complicated by restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic.
Saint Paul-Minneapolis priests adapt to bring sacraments to COVID-19 patients
May 13, 2020 / 16:42 pmThe Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis has assembled a team of 30 priests ready to administer last rites— confession, communion, and anointing of the sick— to COVID-19 patients.
Pilgrims’ (Perilous) Progress
May 11, 2020 / 00:00 amA group travels to the Holy Land as the coronavirus reaches pandemic levels; a proposal gone wrong on the Camino de Santiago; and a life-changing accident on a pro-life pilgrimage across the United States.
Data contradicts Harvard professor's assertions about homeschooling
May 7, 2020 / 16:29 pmA Notre Dame sociologist is using data to challenge a Harvard Law professor’s assertions that homeschooling is “dangerous”, and detrimental to society.
Saintly Superheroes
May 4, 2020 / 00:00 amNearly four decades ago, Marvel produced several religious-themed comic books, including a comic about the life of Pope St. John Paul II. We criss-cross the globe to bring you the story of how— and why— one of the world's biggest comic book companies decided to bring the stories of three beloved saints to the world.
Hunger in 'wine country' - How one Napa Valley Catholic school is helping needy families
May 2, 2020 / 06:00 amA small Catholic school in Napa, California is drawing on community support to run a weekly food pantry for its families and neighbors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vancouver archbishop donates to coronavirus vaccine research
Apr 28, 2020 / 16:17 pmArchbishop Michael Miller of Vancouver has announced that he is donating to the University of British Columbia’s research toward a COVID-19 vaccine.
Amid coronavirus, 'food deserts' thinly stretch aid groups
Apr 28, 2020 / 02:01 amThe coronavirus pandemic has heightened the problem of food insecurity in many areas of the US already classified as “food deserts”— swaths of the country where people lack access to affordable, nutritious food.
City of Angels
Apr 27, 2020 / 00:00 amRome correspondent Courtney Mares takes us on a deep dive into the history of Our Lady of Loreto. Producer Jonah McKeown asks how the largest city in California came to be entrusted to the protection of the angels.
Boston archdiocese assembles teams of priests to anoint coronavirus patients
Apr 26, 2020 / 13:01 pmThe Archdiocese of Boston has assembled groups of priests — living together in strategic locations close to hospitals— to administer the anointing of the sick to COVID-19 patients.
Arrested Catholic lawyer warns of Chinese repression in Hong Kong
Apr 24, 2020 / 14:32 pmA Catholic lawyer says his arrest last Saturday is part of mainland China’s wide-ranging efforts to tighten control over Hong Kong.
Franciscan University to cover fall 2020 tuition costs for incoming students
Apr 23, 2020 / 18:00 pmFranciscan University of Steubenville will be covering tuition costs for all incoming freshmen and transfer students in fall 2020 in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Death Row and the Back Row
Apr 20, 2020 / 00:00 amBishop Richard Stika tells the story of the time St. John Paul II intervened in the life of a man on death row in Missouri. Then, author and photographer Chris Arnade travels the US to share the stories and faces of 'Back Row America.'
Advocates lament exclusion of those with criminal records from business loan program
Apr 19, 2020 / 14:01 pmAfter receiving more than 1.6 million applications, a key part of the US government’s economic response to the coronavirus pandemic, known as the Paycheck Protection Program, ran out of money Thursday and will no longer be accepting new applications.
St. Camillus de Lellis: Patron saint of hospitals, nurses, and the sick
Apr 18, 2020 / 11:00 amSt. Camillus de Lellis turned from a life as a soldier and gambler to become a priest and the founder of an order dedicated to caring for the sick. He is now the patron saint of hospitals, nurses, and the sick.
Waiting for Conversion
Apr 16, 2020 / 00:00 amJD Flynn interviews his mother about her conversion. Then, many RCIA candidates and catechumens are waiting much longer than they anticipated for their sacraments because of the coronavirus pandemic. We talk with a couple people who were affected by the delays.