In a special crossover podcast, this week Tara and Jerry sit down with their friends Mike Walsh and Mary McCusker of the Diocese of Camden's Podcast 'Talking Catholic' as they dive into the life of a diocesan communicator. 

Each week the Talking Catholic hosts interview Catholic leaders about what brought them to where they are now and how they are bringing the faith to their communities.

Listen to Talking Catholic: https://talking.catholicstarherald.org/

This week Tara and Jerry sit down to discuss the Diocese of Metuchen's Christmas Initiative 'Light of the World' Keeping Christmas Alive and how the Year of St. Joseph brings us full circle this holy season. 

Join us this Christmas at www.lightingheartsonfire.org/lightoftheworld

This week Tara and Jerry sit down with Rev. Guy Selvester, diocesan director of the Office of Ecumenical & Interfaith Affairs to shed light on the Second Vatican Council's document 'Nostra Aetate' as the Church marks the 55th Anniversary of its declaration on the relation of the Church to non-christian religions.

Rev. Guy Selvester also serves as Pastor at St. Joseph Church in Washington, NJ. 

This week, Tara and Jerry honor the podcast's patroness, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and reflect on how we need renewal during these unique times. 

The Diocese of Metuchen enters a Season of Renewal celebrating the first anniversary of the diocesan consecration to Jesus through Our Lady of Guadalupe.  Find out more at www.lightingheartsonfire.org 

This week Tara and Jerry sit down with Megan Vantslot, who was recently appointed the new diocesan director of Youth and Young Adult Evangelization and ministry. 

Megan Vantlost is a parishioner at Immaculate Conception Parish in Annandale. 

In honor of our pastoral musicians and the upcoming feast of St. Cecilia, Jerry and Tara sit down with Tony Varas, diocesan director of the Office of Worship, and Thom DeLessio the diocesan coordinator for Liturgical Music to discuss the joys and challenges of our pastoral musicians. 

#AmINotHere This week Tara and Jerry sit down to unpack the events of the recent week and reflect on how as Catholics we are called to live faithful citizenship beyond the election.

This week Tara and Jerry sit down with Sr. Anna Palka, SJH of the Sisters of Jesus Our Hope, and Rev. Mauricio Tabera-Vasquez, the diocesan Vocations Recruiter and Chaplain to the Catholic Center at Rutgers University as they share their journey towards a fruitful vocation as we celebrate this National Vocations Awareness Week. 

This week Tara and Jerry sit down with Sara Sharlow of the Office of RCIA to speak about the transformative stories of this year's RCIA candidates and catechumens.

This week, Tara and Jerry open up the latest encyclical from Pope Francis "Fratelli Tutti" and how we can use it as the guide to what seems to be a very busy season for all of us!

After a week off, Tara and Jerry sit down again with Jennifer Ruggiero, Director of the Office of Human Life & Dignity to discuss Respect Life Month and the upcoming 2020 Choices Matter Critical Life Issues Conference Series. 

This week, Tara and Jerry celebrate Catechetical Sunday as they sit down with Carol Mascola, diocesan director of the Office of Discipleship Formation for Children to discuss how the domestic church takes center stage for our own catechesis

This week, Tara and Jerry sit down with Allan Caballero, diocesan director of the Office of Hispanic Evangelization and Pastoral Ministry to discuss the gift of the Hispanic Community to our local Church and upcoming celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month and the Hispanic Heritage Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Francis of Assisi.

National Hispanic Heritage Month is a period from 15 September to 15 October in the United States for recognizing the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States.

This week, Tara and Jerry sit down with David & Dorothy Carollo of the World Apostolate of Fatima USA and of the National Blue Army Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Washington NJ.

The discussion includes reaction to the recent diocesan ordinations celebrated on the shrine grounds, the journey of David and Dorothy from Chicago to the Blue Army, and the reaction to the release of the Fatima Movie. 

More information can be found at www.bluearmy.com

This week, Tara and Jerry discuss the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop's "Civilize Campaign" and challenge each of us to take the pledge to civility in our church and in our discussions on faithful citizenship. 

Civilize It is about making room in your heart for those with whom you disagree. We are called to recognize that each one of us is a beloved child of God and to respond in love to that reality. Civilize It is a non-partisan call to focus on the dignity of all people, even when we disagree, and to put faith in action by bearing witness to a better way forward. 

More Information or to take the pledge: https://www.wearesaltandlight.org/civilize-it

This week, Tara and Jerry sit down with Cristina D'Averso-Collins, diocesan director of the Office of Family Life to talk all things family life! 

This week Tara and Jerry sit down with the Ordinandi as the prepare for their ordination to the priesthood on Saturday, August 22, 2020 at the National Blue Army Shrine in Asbury NJ

Guests include: Deacon David Keyes, Deacon Thomas Lanza, , & Deacon Gilbert Starcher and a special surprise from Deacon Gustavo Rodriguez-Perez

This week, Tara and Jerry sit down with Ellen Ayoub to discuss the diocesan schools plans of reopening for in person and remote learning for the new academic year during an ever changing period of time.

Ellen Ayoub is the secretary for education in the Office of Schools for the Diocese of Metuchen.

This week, Tara and Jerry sit down with Thomas J. Smith, diocesan director of the Office of Stewardship and Development to discuss the spirituality of giving and its mission for the Church during a global pandemic. 

This week, Tara and Jerry sit down with the newlyweds Dan and Lizaine Chedid of St. Peter the Apostle University and Community Parish who open about the road to marriage during a global pandemic. It is definitely more than what you think. 

This week, Tara and Jerry sit down with the Diaconate Ordinandi, Timothy Eck and Jay Alquiros as they share their vocational journey and share their hopes for their mission as they prepare for their ordination to the transitional diaconate.

Timothy Eck, Jay Alquiros will be ordained to the transitional diaconate along with Greg Zannetti and Ariel Bautista Jr. on July 25, 2020 by Bishop James F. Checchio at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen. 

This week, Tara and Jerry upack the importance of language, intention, and connection to a community as keys to the New Evangelization. 

This week, Tara and Jerry sit down with Katie Cerni a local parish communicator to discuss the joys, challenges, and renewal that has taken place over the past few months as parish communicators and bulletin editors enter into their new normal of connecting their communities together. 

Katie Cerni is Bulletin Editor and Webmaster for St. Peter the Apostle University and Community Parish in New Brunswick NJ

This week Tara and Jerry sit down with Allan Caballero, diocesan director of the Office of Hispanic Evangelization and Pastoral Ministry and Sr. Graciela Colon, SCC, Immigration Program Supervisor at Catholic Charities to discuss the impacts that the recent DACA decision has on our local communities and how we are challenged to seek the Gospel message in a new way once again.