Jonah McKeown

Jonah McKeown

Jonah McKeown is a staff writer and podcast producer for Catholic News Agency. He holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Missouri School of Journalism and has worked as a writer, as a producer for public radio, and as a videographer. He is based in St. Louis.

Articles by Jonah McKeown

Kringle v. Krampus

Dec 9, 2019 / 00:00 am

JD Flynn interviews his dad about dressing up as Santa; we look into the life of St. Nicholas; CNA Deutsch Editor Christoph Wimmer shares the legend of St. Nicholas' sinister counterpart, Krampus.

Here Comes Emmanuel

Dec 2, 2019 / 00:00 am

A Trappist monk named Emmanuel shares his vocation story and gives us a look at how his community celebrates Advent; the Vatican's lead astronomer gives the real story of the Star of Bethlehem; and we visit the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

Detroit priest faces lawsuit over homily at suicide victim’s funeral

Nov 27, 2019 / 04:00 am

A priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit is facing a lawsuit filed by the parents of a teenager who committed suicide last year.

CNA Newsroom: A Very Catholic Thanksgiving

Nov 25, 2019 / 00:00 am

EWTN’s Father Mitch Pacwa about his annual Thanksgiving hunting trip. Later in this episode, the founder of Whiffletree Farm in Virginia shares the story of his conversion and talks about the Thanksgiving rush; we tell the story of Squanto and Nicholas Black Elk; a retiree in the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens donates and distributes hundreds of turkeys each Thanksgiving, in honor of his dad; and a counselor talks about the relationship between grief and gratitude.

CNA Newsroom: Prepare to Die

Nov 18, 2019 / 00:00 am

What does it mean to have a good death?

CNA Newsroom: We Have Only Done Our Duty

Nov 11, 2019 / 00:00 am

Military chaplains dedicate their lives to service of the men and women in the Armed Forces. This Veteran’s Day, we look at the life of one military chaplain who could one day be named a saint. We ask what it looks like to discern a vocation to be a military chaplain. 

Former Melbourne cathedral workers doubt Pell abuse could have occurred

Nov 6, 2019 / 07:00 am

Two former employees of the cathedral school in Melbourne, Australia are expressing strong doubts about the charges that landed Cardinal George Pell— the most senior member of the hierarchy ever convicted of sexual abuse— in prison.

Minnesota bishop kept admitted child abuser in ministry, did not investigate allegation of abuse

Nov 5, 2019 / 14:05 pm

Depositions of Crookston Bishop Michael Hoeppner were released today, in which the bishop admits that he did not properly address allegation of sexual abuse of a minor by a priest that an alleged victim brought to him in 2011.

CNA Newsroom: A New Queen in St. Augustine

Nov 4, 2019 / 00:00 am

The Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche in St. Augustine will be elevated as a National Shrine next year.

Mother of ‘brain dead’ Michigan teen: 'Allow for him to fight'

Nov 1, 2019 / 15:56 pm

The mother of a Michigan teenager who was recently declared brain dead is asking for prayers and support, after a judge ordered a hospital to continue life support until a Nov. 7 court hearing on her son’s health status.

In opioid-hit west Michigan, Catholic Charities plans to open detox center

Oct 31, 2019 / 07:01 am

Catholic Charities West Michigan has announced plans to build a $4.5 million detox center, expected to serve 700 people a year recovering from drug or alcohol addiction.

Dia de los Muertos about more than the 'bread of the dead,' bishop says

Oct 30, 2019 / 03:00 am

Dia de los Muertos, or “Day of the Dead,” is a primarily Mexican way of celebrating the feast of All Souls’ Day and All Saints’ Day.

CNA Newsroom: Burning Love

Oct 28, 2019 / 00:00 am

This week on CNA Newsroom, we're talking about purgatory. We explore Church teaching on purgatory; purgatory as imagined by the Italian poet Dante; a youth ministry group whose special charism is praying for the dead; and finally we'll visit Rome's famous Museum of the Holy Souls in Purgatory. 

As Hong Kong withdraws extradition bill, Catholic leaders call for inquiry into police tactics

Oct 23, 2019 / 16:00 pm

Amid continued controversy surrounding large-scale political protests in Hong Kong, and fears of a crackdown by the Communist Chinese government, Catholic leaders are echoing protesters’ calls for an independent inquiry into alleged police brutality.

CNA Newsroom: "Borderlands"

Oct 21, 2019 / 00:00 am

The number of Central American and Mexican migrants crossing the southern border into the United States has slowed to a trickle, but in terms of helping families in need, Catholic groups at the border know there is still much to be done.

CNA Newsroom: And You Visited Me

Oct 14, 2019 / 00:00 am

The number of people in prison in the U.S. has grown by a factor of five since the 1970s. An estimated 5 million children have a parent in prison. 

Texas Knights of Columbus work with Mexican Knights to aid migrants

Oct 10, 2019 / 20:01 pm

Following an August announcement from the Knights of Columbus that the group would commit at least $250,000 to aid migrants at the US-Mexico border, the fraternal organization’s Texas leaders are announcing a joint effort with a Mexican council to aid migrants south of the border.

CNA Newsroom: "Let's Stick Together"

Oct 7, 2019 / 00:00 am

During the years 2015-2017, the divorce rate in one Florida county dropped by nearly one-third. This week on the podcast, writer Mary Farrow tells the story of how a coalition of churches helped to make it happen— and whether the model can be replicated in the rest of the country.

Michigan governor axes funding for pregnancy, parenting support

Oct 1, 2019 / 17:34 pm

Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer has line-item vetoed from the state’s budget $700,000 in funding for the Michigan Pregnancy and Parenting Support Services Program, to the consternation of the Michigan Catholic Conference and a pro-life group active in the state.

CNA Newsroom: Newman’s Own

Sep 30, 2019 / 00:00 am

Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman will be canonized October 13. This week on CNA Newsroom, we talk about Newman's life and witness; and the miracle that secured his canonization.