On Mission

Catholic Apostolate Center
  • 4.9 (11)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

On Mission is a podcast from the Catholic Apostolate Center. Join members of the Catholic Apostolate Center team as they discuss contemporary topics related to the Catholic Church, faith formation, evangelization, Church history, and more!

  1. 2D AGO

    New Year’s Resolutions for Catholics

    Every year, many make resolutions to guide their new year plans. For Catholics, we can make resolutions to help guide our spiritual growth and inform our daily tasks. In this episode of On Mission, Chris Pierno, Sarah Scalfaro, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. discuss ways that Catholics can take advantage of the New Year, 2026. With the dawn of a New Year we have fresh opportunities and a new hope for what we can expect in the months ahead. A key for success is having a plan and managing expectations. If we bite off more than we can chew, we get overwhelmed and don’t make any progress. If we don’t have any idea of how we will accomplish our goals, then we are not any more likely to accomplish them. Some New Year’s resolutions for Catholics may include: attending daily Mass, going to Confession more regularly, daily prayer, and partaking in charity work, to name a few. Listen to this podcast episode to learn more!   Related On Mission episodes: Promoting the Good on Social Media Maintain Prayer Routines During Summer Vacation Corporal Works of Mercy   From the Ad Infinitum blog: Incorporating Liturgical Living into New Year's Resolutions Ring in the Year with Mary More posts about the New Year   Check out the main Saints and Feast Days website Download the App on the App Store or Google Play Follow us: The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify  On Mission is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources and podcasts. Listen to Fr. Frank’s weekly reflections and recent blogcasts.

    24 min

  2. 12/19/2025

    Where Does the Christmas Tree Come From? And Other Traditions

    Have you ever wondered where the Christmas Tree comes from? Or are you wondering what the tradition of the Feast of the Seven Fishes is? In this episode of On Mission, Chris Pierno, Sarah Scalfaro, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. discuss the traditions in our homes that we can so easily take for granted and shares the context and religious symbolism behind the traditions. Every year, we set up Christmas trees, we put up lights, we wrap gifts, and we put out a nativity scene, but do we ever consider where these practices come from? For example, the Christmas tree’s origin comes from St. Boniface who said the tree reminds us of eternal life, the Trinity, and our orientation to live for eternity. These and other traditions have been handed on to us, like the crèche. The crèche is said to have been developed by St. Francis and now finds its way into our living rooms each year. Even St. Peter’s Square in Rome sets up a nativity scene and a Christmas tree. It was Pope St. John Paul II who started the tradition of placing a nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square. And a nativity scene commissioned by St. Vincent Pallotti was in use for a number of years. Listen to this podcast episode to learn more!   View our Advent Resources page   Related On Mission episodes: Christmas Peace The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and the Christmas Season Christmas   From the Ad Infinitum blog: Look Up, Set Out, and Give The Great Light of Christmas More posts about Christmas   Check out the main Saints and Feast Days website Download the App on the App Store or Google Play Follow us: The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify  On Mission is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources and podcasts. Listen to Fr. Frank’s weekly reflections and recent blogcasts.

    36 min

  3. 12/05/2025

    How to Not Get Wrapped Up in Christmas Stress

    Christmas comes with a lot of expectations and obligations. Without managing these expectations and setting some sort of boundaries or limits, we can easily get enveloped in stress. In this episode of On Mission, Chris Pierno, Sarah Scalfaro, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. discuss what we can do to manage the busiest and most joyful time of year: Christmas. There’s a lot for families to do between Thanksgiving and Christmas to prepare to celebrate Christmas in addition to their typical routines. We know that the time of Advent should be one of peaceful waiting, but that still leaves the practical elements of Christmas preparation to take care of. How do we practice self-care to prepare and celebrate Christmas without allowing the stress to overwhelm us? Firstly, we can manage our expectations for what the season will be like and not allow unexpected events to get us upset. Secondly, with all the gift-giving, we can set a reasonable budget and plan to whom we will give gifts for. Third, while all the “to-dos” need to be done, it is, more importantly meant to be enjoyed. You can find Christ in the midst of our to-dos and offer up the duties to him and find more spiritual fulfillment in the midst of Christmas. Listen to this podcast episode to learn more!   View our Advent Resources page Self-Care Resources page   Related On Mission episodes: Christmas Peace The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and the Christmas Season Christmas   From the Ad Infinitum blog: Look Up, Set Out, and Give The Great Light of Christmas More posts about Christmas   Check out the main Saints and Feast Days website Download the App on the App Store or Google Play Follow us: The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify  On Mission is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources and podcasts. Listen to Fr. Frank’s weekly reflections and recent blogcasts.

    26 min

  4. 11/21/2025

    Advent Preparations

    With Advent upcoming, we can make the most of the liturgical season as a means to prepare for the celebrations of Christmas. In this episode of On Mission, Chris Pierno, Sarah Scalfaro, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. discuss how we can use Advent as a means to spiritually and practically prepare for Christmas. Christmas quickly approaches and with it Advent. With the fast-paced nature of the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, Advent can simply pass by. But if we intentionally use the four weeks of Advent, we can find more spiritual fulfillment when Christmas arrives. Advent is often considered the little Lent. What Lent like practices can we incorporate into our Advent observances? For example, we can emphasize more charitable works within our communities, we can fast, and we can take up certain prayer practices to help us pave the way for the Lord.   View our Advent Resources page   Related On Mission episodes: Feasts of Advent Advent Resources Advent   From the Ad Infinitum blog: A Light in Darkness Beyond a Twinkle More posts about the Advent   Check out the main Saints and Feast Days website Download the App on the App Store or Google Play   Follow us: The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify  On Mission is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources and podcasts. Listen to Fr. Frank’s weekly reflections and recent blogcasts.

    23 min

  5. 11/07/2025

    Works of Mercy at Thanksgiving

    Thanksgiving quickly approaches and many look to engage in more acts of charity, like working in a food panty or visiting sick families members. What are some concrete ways we can live the Catholic works of mercy this Thanksgiving? In this episode of On Mission, Chris Pierno, Sarah Scalfaro, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. discuss how we can live out the works of mercy at the Thanksgiving table and beyond. Over Thanksgiving, we have particular opportunities to put the works of mercy into practice. For example, we can engage in ministries that help feed the hungry, visit the sick, or prison ministry. Even around the dinner table we can accompany others by counseling the doubtful, praying for the living and the dead, and forgiving injuries that other family members or friends may have caused us.   ​The Catechism tells us that “When we attend to the needs of those in want, we give them what is theirs, not ours. More than performing works of mercy, we are paying a debt of justice" (CCC 2446). As Catholics, we are called by the Church to exercise the virtue of justice and give others what they are due through works of mercy. This is lived out through the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.   Mercy is the unmerited, unwarranted love which is poured out regardless of whether or not it is accepted. This love is perfected and continuously given to humanity through God, who is love. All of salvation history is the story of God showering mercy on humanity even in the face of rejection, and showing that there are no limits to the mercy offered–to the point of sending His only begotten Son to die on the cross for us. This mercy which is “endless” and “inexhaustible”, as St. Faustina describes, invites us to not only receive the fullness of it, but to allow mercy to overflow out of us and into others. When we receive God’s mercy, the only response we can have is to share it with others, and this is done through the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.   Related On Mission episodes: Thanksgiving and Faith Spiritual Works of Mercy Corporal Works of Mercy   From the Ad Infinitum blog: Women of Faith Living Divine Mercy More posts about the Works of Mercy   Check out the main Saints and Feast Days website Download the App on the App Store or Google Play Follow us: The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify  On Mission is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources and podcasts. Listen to Fr. Frank’s weekly reflections and recent blogcasts.

    28 min

  6. 10/24/2025

    Affirming Your Faith on Vacation

    We’ve all been there: we are traveling and someone notices that we are Christian and/or Catholic and they start a conversation with us. What do we do when strangers ask us about our Catholic Faith when in public? Whenever we travel and embrace our Catholic faith, we may find ourselves publicly witnessing Christ and could turn into moments of evangelization with those whom we encounter. In this episode of On Mission, Chris Pierno, Sarah Scalfaro, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. are joined by William Tishuk, Production Coordinator at Catholic Apostolate Center, to discuss how we can live the Faith on vacation and be ready to answer questions about Catholicism while we travel. The Faith does not take a vacation, even if we are away from home traveling to Disney, the beach, or other countries. When we are intentional with practicing the Faith, we find ourselves attending Mass in new parishes or having faith-based conversations with people we may not know. We can embrace these seemingly random events as moments God has purposely put in our way to help other people to know him better. Never be shy to pray before eating at a restaurant, or reading a Christian book in the airport, or even showing explicit kindness to strangers because we never know how God will use our actions to bring about a greater world.   Related On Mission episodes: Prayerful Parenthood Prayer, Work, and Life Balance Maintain Prayer Routines During Summer Vacation   From the Ad Infinitum blog: Vacation and Faith Refreshers Making the Most of Summer with Your Church More posts about Summer and Vacation   Check out the main Saints and Feast Days website Download the App on the App Store or Google Play Follow us: The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify  On Mission is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources and podcasts. Listen to Fr. Frank’s weekly reflections and recent blogcasts.

    30 min

  7. 10/10/2025

    Showing Hospitality to Priests

    Offering hospitality is a great way to show appreciation and be welcoming to the priests in your life. In this episode of On Mission, Chris Pierno, Sarah Scalfaro, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. are joined by William Tishuk, Production Coordinator at Catholic Apostolate Center, to discuss what are some methods people can use to help their priests feel more welcomed and a part of the larger community. Our priests do so much to take care of us and we can show our gratitude by inviting them over for dinner, remembering their ordination anniversaries, and collaborating in the ministries they are a part of. We as Christians are all journeying to Heaven together and our priests are part of our family of faith. Incorporating priests in our family life helps them feel a part of the larger community. If there are priests from other countries, then we can recognize that they may feel home sick at times. These moments are excellent opportunities to cook a meal for them to eat in the rectory during the busy times of the year. When we remember that priests and laity are all children of the Heavenly Father, we can collaborate with them more effectively and treat them as extended members of our family.   Related On Mission episodes: Catholic Hospitality Priestly Ministry Beyond the Parish Spiritual Fatherhood   From the Ad Infinitum blog: National Vocation Awareness Week: Vocational Discernment More posts about Priesthood   Check out the main Saints and Feast Days website Download the App on the App Store or Google Play Follow us: The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify  On Mission is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources and podcasts. Listen to Fr. Frank’s weekly reflections and recent blogcasts.

    29 min

  8. 09/26/2025

    Faith, Family, and Food: Italian-American Catholics

    Italian-American immigrants have shaped cultural Catholicism in the United States for generations. These families embraced their traditions and practices inherited from Italy to create a distinct home life that blends faith with family life and excellent cuisine as common touch stones. In this episode of On Mission, Chris Pierno, Sarah Scalfaro, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. to share how their families practice Catholicism and the particular traditions that Italian-American Catholics have in common. Italian-American Catholics are notable for their close-knit families where the Faith pervades all aspects of the family culture and the larger community’s culture. Common practices include Sunday dinners, devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, devotions to the Saints, and sacred art within and around the home. Chris, Sarah, and Fr. Frank share personal reflections on their upbringings in Italian-American Catholic households.   Browse Saints from Italy on the Saints and Feast Day site   Related On Mission episodes: Papal History Catholic Hospitality Saint Vincent Pallotti   From the Ad Infinitum blog: Summertime is a Time for Processions   Check out the main Saints and Feast Days website Download the App on the App Store or Google Play   Follow us: The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify  On Mission is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources and podcasts. Listen to Fr. Frank’s weekly reflections and recent blogcasts.

    42 min
See All (163)

4.9
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

On Mission is a podcast from the Catholic Apostolate Center. Join members of the Catholic Apostolate Center team as they discuss contemporary topics related to the Catholic Church, faith formation, evangelization, Church history, and more!

Information

  • Creator
    Catholic Apostolate Center
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    163
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    On Mission

You Might Also Like