On February 14, Relevant Radio, talk radio for Catholic life, launched their new mobile app on iOS and Android mobile devices.  I’ve been using this free app for about a week and believe that it really is the best radio media mobile app.

This app makes it really easy to listen to the live broadcast anywhere you are across the world.  You also have easy access to prayer requests, can donate to the station, listen to podcasts of their programs, email the station, use it as an alarm clock, access to their Facebook page, get information about the station, and have direct access to their website.

When you click on the “listen live” button, the stream is faster to listen to then tuning in on the radio.  If you tune in to the station in your car via the app, you’ll able to continue listening as you leave your car.

In tapping on the “prayer request” button, you’ll able to fill out a simple form with what you need from God.  A simple tap on “donate” will take you to an Internet browser where you’ll able to financially support the Relevant Radio station.

Did you miss a program on Relevant Radio, want to re-listen to an hour of one of your favorite programs, or want to share on Facebook or Twitter?  A tap on the familiar RSS Podcasts button will show you a list of the top programs on the station.  Then, tap on the program you want to listen and then another tap on the hour or episode that you want to listen to.  You can also share any of the podcasts via Facebook or Twitter.

Do you like what you hear on the station?  A simple touch of the “Email” icon will allow you to send a general message to the Relevant Radio network.

The app gets even better with a simple swipe to the right of your finger.  Another tap on the “alarm” tab will show you a familiar date and time alarm clock that is similar to the alarm clock feature on the iOS device.

According to the app, if you leave the app opoen, the live stream will start the time you’ve set the alarm for.  If you have the app in the background mode or closed, then an alert will appear at the time the alarm was set for.  Within the “alarm” feature, click on “clock” text for the date, current time, and alarm time.   And don’t forgot to swipe from “off” to “on” to turn the alarm clock on.

Then for the latest updates from the Relevant Radio station, tap on that familiar Facebook button.  For access to their website, email, web support, prayer line, donor line, studio line, or the mailing address for the national headquarters, tap on the “info” button.  An additional feature on the “info” tab will also provide you with contact info on JACApps, the company who helps to create mobile apps for media organizations.

Then to go to the mobile website, a tap on the “website” button will bring you to the website where they have more information on the programs and station.

The app also has four banners that rotate with their logo, the Morning Air weekday air times, the Go Ask Your Father program, the Drew Mariani Show, and the Relevant Radio CateQuiz.  Tapping in these mobile banners will provide you with more information on the top weekday programs.  You can also tap an ad at the top of the app to order Fr. Rocky’s (their executive director) new book, Pray the Memorare.

A feature that I’d like to see added to an update of the app is easy access to the network schedule or text that says what program is “airing now.”

As a Catholic Techie, I encourage you to download this app for free on you Apple iOS or Android mobile devices.  Just go to RelevantRadio.com and enter keyword “App” or go directly to RelevantRadio.com/App.

The iPhone app is compatible with the iPad, iPad Mini, or iPod Touch and requires iOS 4.3 or later.  For Android users, you must have Android 2.2 or higher.

This app review was written as I was listening to Hour 1 of the Drew Mariani Show on Thursday, February 21st.

Read more of our Tech Talk columns.

Copyright 2013 Daniel Smrokowski

Audrey Assad

On January 10, 2012, my parish, Holy Trinity Catholic Parish in Westmont, IL, had Catholic-Christian recording artist, Audrey Assad, come perform a concert for our parish.  Afterwards, I had an opportunity to talk with Audrey Assad about her faith and music ministry.

Daniel: What’s your faith background–Have you always grown up Catholic?

Audrey Assad: “I didn’t grow up Catholic. I grew up Protestant and I became Catholic 5 years ago after studying and learning about the Church and I fell in love with it right away when I really started to learn about it I  fell in love with it in the way that show Jesus to the world and the way that they well pretty much everything about it. Well, I know Catholic Church has its problems just like any other part of the body of Christ but I really believe in and have accepted that its really full expression of truth in this world and I’m so happy to be a part of it and its been a long road but I’m excited to be in it for life.”

Daniel:  Why do you like to perform Catholic-Christian concerts?

Audrey Assad: “Well, I really love music and I’d love to play music since I was really young and I think people really like to hear music it makes them feel you know happy kindof maybe they feel something hopeful you know so I like to be a part of that principle.”

Daniel: What is your inspiration, Music inspiration, and Faith inspiration?

Audrey Assad: “Let’s see, well I really like to write songs about the way I experience. God you know and so sometimes I’ll I think  a lot of my songs come from thinking about how good he is and I also like to think I like to songs about love too I like to write songs about my love relationships like my family and my husband I think those things teach me about my heart and about how God is and so I think I write mostly things about that my relationship with God and my relationship with my family and then with my husband. a lot of songs about love.”

Daniel: How did you get started in music?

Audrey Assad: “Well, I started playing piano when I was 2 years old so I was really young when I started and then I kind of started playing as a hobby throughout my childhood and when I was a teenager and when I was 19 I kind of got to know Jesus really well and for the 1st time in a really personal way and once I did that I felt like he was telling me and calling me that to music and calling me to use it and really work on it and use it as a career and so I started to write songs when I was 19 and I don’t know it kind of kept working until it started to work out for me.”

Daniel: Your last name, Assad, What’s the origin of your last name and your family background?

Audrey Assad: “Well, my dad is from Siria Damascus so my last name is Middle Eastern and my dad lived there did he was about 18 years in the Middle East and game to the U.S. after that and kind of made a life here so I’ve always really loved it. It means lion in Arabic. And I thought that was pretty neat growing up and I really loved it still. So, I’m excited that I get to keep that and perform under it. It’s a great name.”

Daniel: Besides, the concerts that you give are there any other ministries that you’re a part of?  

Audrey Assad: “Well, I do a lot I do lead worship a lot with some friends of mine and there are a couple of ministries one called ADORE that is out of Houston and Lousiana and I do some worship nights with them and then I really like things like Catholic Relief Services so I donate to stuff like that. So I guess leading worship I like to contribute to helping the poor in any way that I can and doing fundraisers and things like that so those are kind of the two ministries maybe two of them that I really like to partner with.”

Finally, I would like to thank Audrey Assad for the opportunity to talk with her.  You can find out more about Audrey Assad and her music ministry at audreyassad.com.

Copyright 2012 Daniel Smrokowski

The Catholic Church and Social Media

Social media, though relatively new, has swept into most every part of life, from communicating with friends to corporations, and even local religious organizations.

The video, How I Hate Religion But Love Jesus, has sparked controversy among various Catholics and Christians who have since been posting their responses to this two-minute video.

Social Media can either encourage people to go to church or not to go.

“If people are complaining about church that will pick up and it will make people not want to go to church,” said Ashley Collins, Social Media Coordinator for the Office of Mission and Education and Animation in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Many people decide to go to church because of the community of believers.  However, according to Lisa Hendey, author of The Handbook for Catholic Moms and webmaster of CatholicMom.com, it is through social media that we have the “power to build that, to create connections between people who might feel isolated,” said Hendey.

According to Collins, a church leader should help to encourage their congregation in the hopes of obtaining new members.

Father Shane Johnson, of Thornwood, N.Y., is a philosophy teacher at the Legionaries of Christ.  According to Johnson, social media is not a priority in any of the bishop’s documents.  However, for the past few years, Pope Benedict XVI has been encouraging the use of social media during his messages for World Communications Day.

“Certainly it’s been heartening to see more and more priests on Facebook all the time,” Johnson said.

Johnson has more than 4,000 followers on the Internet and is reaching high school and college students who seem to not be gaining a lot of attention online from the church.

One of the organizations in Chicago that is helping churches to build and sustain their communities is Peter And Paul Ministries.  This nonprofit organization was co-founded by Collins, director of the E-Ministry, and Devin Jones, director of the Faith Formation.  Together Collins and Jones are “trying to reach out to people who don’t understand,” said Collins.

In today’s technologically driven society, many people have access to smart phones.  Since many people are always connected to the Internet, social media is easy to integrate into a person’s life.

While some churches have led faith formations classes and bible studies within the church building, they have used this as a basis to continue the conversations online.  With Peter And Paul Ministries being a service that helps parishes to grow online, they have started to apply this to how parishes are present within the digital world.

From church services streaming online to websites that help people grow in their faith, the church continues to grow their social media presence.  While many families today lead busy lives, people are looking for ways how they can continue to learn about their faith, such as to use “tools like Google+ hangouts to meet, pray, and learn but not disrupt families’ already very busy schedules,” Hendey said.

Those who are interacting with Peter And Paul Ministries on Facebook tend to be males who range between eighteen to twenty years of age, said Collins.

Even the video production work that Rob Kaczmark, production manager for Spirit Juice Studios, does reaches people in their early twenties.

According to Kaczmark, people in their early twenties begin to seriously make decisions regarding their religious beliefs.  Since Kaczmark can relate to this age group, he understands how to create content that will attract this young generation.

Even Hendey, who creates content geared mostly for mothers, reaches a younger audience on Facebook.

“The biggest demographic we are reaching with our Facebook page are men and women ages 18-34, which are probably also the people who are the least likely to be active in parish life,” said Hendey.

While Facebook is a social media website that is rising in users, there are some who question if the church has even developed a social media trend.

Kaczmark, recalling when MySpace was first introduced to the public, said there was “so much apprehension with the church.”

Even though there was once some apprehension with social media and the Church, today people are able to using the Internet for live streaming of services.

Since there are some people who have a difficult time getting out of their house, they can watch services that are streamed on the Internet.

“Social Media allows us to connect with those people who inspire us through their services in a way we would not of been able to before,” Collins said.

Some parishes are using a weekly bulletin to convey messages to their congregations and others have a “parish website, a twitter feed and a Facebook page,” Hendey said. “We are really just getting started with tapping the potential of social media.”

Even though its hard to engage people who go to church, there is a rising number of individuals who are ministering through social media.

“There’s grassroots people who start up these small individual podcasts, individual ministries.  It puts a face on the church and not just [the] church building,” Collins said.

Read more of our Tech Talk columns.

Copyright 2012 Daniel Smrokowski

Matt Maher

On the evening of Thursday, September 27, 2012, Holy Trinity Catholic Parish had sponsored a concert with Matt Maher, a Popular Catholic Music Recording Artist.  The concert took place at the Christian Church of Clarendon Hills in the town of Clarendon Hills, IL.  Since the church where the concert was held was a non-denominational church, it showed Christian unity and Matt even took note of that during the concert.

Matt performed some of his uplifting and inspiring music.  Within his music ministry, he is able to help encourage, inspire, and uplift people as they grow in their faith.  This was the first concert that he started to record live for a live album that he is starting to put together.  Along with Matt on the stage, his band joined him so the music came live within the intimate venue that we were in.  Within the audience, everyone was on there feet and were in engaged with Matt’s music.  A few of the songs that Matt performed include: “Rise Up,” “Alive Again,” “Hold Us Together,” “Your Grace is Enough,” “Turn Around,” “On My Way,” and a few others.

Daniel and Matt

It was a blessing to have the opportunity to hear Matt perform live.  His music and even with how he engaged with his audience in between the songs, is inspiring and uplifting.  Matt’s music is a gift from God and it’s also a blessing how he is able to minister to people about our Catholic-Christian faith.

Catholic and Christian music, like Matt Maher’s music, is the kind of inspiration and uplifting music that we need in our society and Church.

I encourage you all to check out Matt’s music and I’m sure it will encourage, inspire, and uplift your faith journey.  You can find Matt’s music on iTunes or at his website.  To learn more about Matt, you can visit his website at http://mattmahermusic.com

To learn more about Holy Trinity Catholic Parish, check out their website at http://holytrinitywestmont.org

You can learn more about upcoming concerts from our parish and the Heritage of Faith at our parish, you can check out http://heritagespecialevents.org

Copyright 2o12 Daniel Smrokowski

Catholic Young Adults Enjoy A Movie and Faith

Claire Fisher, a Catholic Young Adult, made the 60-mile drive from her home in Kankakee, Ill., to Downers Grove, Ill., to attend an event with other young adults on Wednesday February 15, 2012—a mix of emotions.

She decided to make the long trek because there had been no young adult ministry events available within the Kankakee area that she was aware of. Although nervous about what to expect, Fisher had come to realize that by attending the event in Downers Grove she might be able to talk to others her age about her faith and in turn feel a connection with people she had not met before.

Soon on Wednesday Fisher joined about thirty young adults in their 20s and 30s who flocked to Another Round Bar and Grill, located at 5141 Main St., Downers Grove. The event was the monthly “Films, Food, Fun, & Fellowship” sponsored by St. Scholastica Catholic Parish in Woodridge, Ill.
According to Corinne Steagall, coordinator for the Southeast DuPage Young Adult events, the organizers were excited to offer young adults the opportunity to come together to watch a Christian film and have faith-led discussion afterwards.

“We find that having it at a bar or place that serves food tends to work out better for this age group,” Steagall said.

“It is about meeting new people and getting more involved in the church but by baby steps,” Steagall said. “So maybe they don’t know what we’re doing but there’s a bigger picture here what we’re trying to accomplish.”

Jerry Christensen, a deacon at St. Scholastica Catholic Parish, oversees the Southeast DuPage Young Adults group. This group serves young adults throughout the Diocese of Joliet. Christensen, despite his senior citizen status, relates to young adults and enjoys organizing events for them.

“My interests and activities are different than people my age and more in sync with the younger people,” said Christensen.

In August 2011, Christensen and Steagall held a leadership meeting to choose 10 movies that “we thought would generate a good discussion after,” Christensen said.

The film they chose for the month of February was “Fireproof” — a movie about Caleb Holt, a fictional captain at a fire station in Albany, Ga. While he is at work, Captain Holt lives by the saying, “Never leave your partner behind.” At home, he approaches his marriage differently. The movie begins with Holt and his wife, Catherine, having many arguments about their marriage. As they enter into the beginnings of what could lead to divorce, Holt attempts to rekindle the love in his marriage by embarking on a 40-day journey to discover Christ’s love. Hence the title of the movie: Is it possible to fireproof your marriage?

In the darkened backroom of the Downers Grove pub, complete with two large screens and a private bar, the film, Fireproof, presented the themes of marriage, divorce, and love.

Carlos Santana, a Catholic Young Adult, has been part of the Southeast DuPage Young Adult ministry group for the past two years. Santana said he came to the fellowship because he wanted to meet people within his faith community and because he enjoys a good movie.

Participants had the opportunity to “learn different points of view … and it’s an atmosphere that’s conducive to live discussion versus being in a room or being in a church … [where] people are afraid to share opinions,” Santana said.

With beer and food in hand, attendees discussed the concept of sacrificial love and the symbolism of the 40-day journey.

“I thought the movie did generate a good discussion,” Christensen later recalled.

In addition to coming together as young adults to eat, drink, watch a movie, and have discussion, some, like Fisher, attended the event because they had an interest in starting a Young Adult Ministry group in their area. Since graduating from college in May 2011, Fisher said she had lost the young adult faith community that served her in college, but Wednesday’s event met her need for fellowshipping with like-minded Catholic believers and also reinforced the need to continue to seek out making such Catholic connections.

“I’ve realized that in order to feel that same connection with my faith that I did at school, I will need to seek out young adult faith sharing environments,” Fisher said.

Copyright 2012 Daniel Smrokowski

Nicole Noverini

The school children, dressed in their Sunday best, sang songs of joy and love, witnessing an important milestone in their teacher’s life. Nicole Noverini, then known as Ms. Lagattuta, walked down the center aisle to make her declaration before God at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Westmont, Ill.

For their teacher Nicole Noverini, having her students at her wedding was a lesson. Since the fifth-grade curriculum included sacraments, she wanted to have her community witness the Marriage Sacrament showing her students the importance faith plays in life.

She stood there 2 years and 8 months ago with husband-to-be Donald Noverini, at the altar to begin their marriage.

Today Nicole Noverini’s and her husband are still married and she is the principle/principal at Holy Trinity, where she is beloved by a new crop of students and also by their parents for her commitment to the students and education.

One of her top priorities as an educator is providing an “excellent academic environment,” said Pam Simon, the Youth Minister at Holy Trinity Catholic Parish, whose daughter was one of Noverini’s students.

Noverini’s commitment to teaching is blending academics with religious instruction.

“My youngest daughter had her last year and loved her. She got a lot out of Mrs. Noverini’s class,” Simon added. “She’s an excellent educator and inspires the kids to learn. So far she has taken that inspirational educator quality and made the transition to administrating the school as well.”

“When you look at academics there are certain skills that students may use more or less of,” Noverini said. Noverini said she provides her student opportunities to grow closer with God and to “know that God is always their for them.”

Noverini’s passion for teaching is rooted in her days growing up in a devout Catholic family, parishioners of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Itasca, Ill., part of the Catholic Diocese of Joliet. Through her high school years at St. Viator Catholic High School, in Arlington Heights, Ill., Noverini was on a determined academic track. She also participated in sports, growing in her self-esteem and furthering friendships, she recalled.

At St. Viator’s, she had many opportunities that would eventually assist her in her future career. One of those opportunities she had was in her faith development was as a retreat leader.

Her classmates were not the only ones who witnessed her leadership. Even her sister, Emily Lagattuta, said Noverini is “a natural leader.”

Within her family, she learned about her faith and “the role God plays in my life,” Noverini said, crediting her family with teaching her to have a prayer life and importance of attending mass.

From 2005 to 2009, Noverini was hired for a job in her home diocese working as a religion teacher at Holy Trinity.

Noverini’s faith upbringing and her four years of teaching at Holy Trinity School had prepared her well as an administrator for her faculty. Since her faculty comes from various backgrounds, just as their students, she encourages them to grow professionally and in their faith, and to translate this to their students.

Noverini believes this is a great comfort to the students to have their teachers share their own faith growth.

Noverini believes her vocation in life is to teach children. Recently blessed to become a mother, Noverini showed she was called to show children the importance of faith, love, and family. When she became a mother Noverini discovered she wasn’t feeling just sympathy with her students but rather “it’s empathy that I can feel what other parents are feeling,” Noverini said.

Noverini’s family has been a source of inspiration for her throughout her faith and professional life, she says. Her parents were together for more than 30 years, showing the importance of love and to always work to be the “best we can be,” Noverini said.

Noverini’s says faith plays a role into the decisions she makes not only for her students but also in her own life. And while teaching is serious business, she also makes time for enjoying a few laughs with her sisters.

“We love to make each other laugh and find the humor in tense situations,” said Lagattuta.

In Noverini’s marriage and birth of her son, she has built up a faith community of believers. One of those community members is Cherisse Lagattuta, mother of Noverini.

“We spend time together playing, working, relaxing, and going to church,” Cherisse said.

Just as Noverini has been apparently been a source of inspiration and motivation to her students, it was the Catholic schoolteachers –when she was a child—who motivated her to be the person she is today, she says.

“I could just tell that there was something special about that environment,” Noverini said.

Copyright 2012 Daniel Smrokowski

My name is Daniel Smrokowski.  I was born in Long Beach, California and was born 3 and 1/3 months premature.  Due to being born so early, I was diagnosed with learning disabilities (LD).  At the age of 4, we moved to the west suburbs of Chicago, where we continue to reside.  I have grown up as a cradle Catholic and for pre-school through 3rd grade, I attended our local Catholic Parish School, Holy Trinity School.  During my 3rd grade year, my teacher had talked with my parents about how I may need some extra help and so around this time I was tested and eventually diagnosed with learning disabilities.  For about 17 or 18 years of my life, my parents were happily married– my mom grew up in the Lutheran faith and my dad grew up as a cradle Catholic and then as they brought me, and my two younger sisters into the world, my mom converted to the Catholic faith.  About 3 or 4 years ago, a sad event happened in my family: my mom divorced my dad.  Now, that some time has passed, it is still sad in our family, but we are trying to get through life as best as we can through prayer and one thing that has remained the same and has helped us is the community of believers within our Catholic faith and some good friends in our parish.  I go into greater detail about the community of believers and why I value spirituality, in an article that was published on CatholicMom.com.   For about 17 years or so that we have lived in the west suburbs of Chicago, we have been parishioners of Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Parish, and continue to attend Mass and ever since our parish has had an Eucharistic Adoration chapel that is open all day and night, my dad has encouraged us to spend time in the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

I first got involved in advocating for people, like myself, with intellectual disabilities, back in the beginning of March 2009.  This is when I attended a two day beginner “Global Messenger” training.  The Global Messenger program is a part of the Athlete Leadership Programs of the Special Olympics and provides Special Olympics athletes with the opportunity to lead and particularly in the Global Messenger program that I am a part of, we are asked to give speeches and presentations to various community groups.  One of the first groups I have spoken to was a group of about 100 high school students.  Another time I spoke to about 800 people which was to the Knights of Columbus Illinois banquet, where many Bishops were also in attendance, including Cardinal Francis George, who was seated to the right of me as I was giving a thank you presentation to the Knights of Columbus in Illinois.  Then, there were other smaller and medium sized groups I have spoken to such as the high school students that are a part of our youth ministry at our parish and some school children at our parish school.  I have a regular PowerPoint presentation that I use as a backdrop to my speeches that has become well-known within the Special Olympics Illinois staff community.  If any of your readers would like to have me speak to your church or school group, I am available to speak via Skype video conference call. If you are not in the west suburbs of Chicago, you can find out how to contact me for speaking engagements by visiting my website.

Since the beginning of January 2010, I have produced the Special Chronicles Podcast, in which I share my Special Olympics message and share with listeners the importance of respecting those of us with intellectual disabilities, along with providing people with information relating to the Special Olympics and about intellectual or physical disabilities in an inspiring and entertaining format.   On my blog, “Dan’s Journal: Thoughts To Share”, I’ll post about any topics of interest to me or that I’d like to promote.

Another effort that I am active in on a weekly basis during the academic year, is that I am an on-air personality and Station Director for WRBC: The Blaze, the college student-run radio station at Roosevelt University in Chicago.  I have been actively involved with the campus radio station from February 2009 when WRBC The Blaze came back on air via an internet college radio station capacity.  From Fall 2009 to Spring 2011, I have hosted and produced a radio show called, “RU Inspired?”, where I feature various inspirational, Christian-Catholic music, along with offering brief meditational reflections by St. Josemaria Escriva, and spreading the Good News of our Catholic-Christian faith in an inspiring and entertaining way that even those who may not be Catholic or Christian and happen to tune in may still be inspired and uplifted.  Anyone throughout the world can listen to WRBC.FM college radio and in particular the Special Chronicles program, which his syndicated on the WRBC The Blaze.  As of the time of this article goes to print, the “RU Inspired?” show is currently on hiatus until further notice.  With that being said you can still listen to archived episodes with the podcast edition.

You can find links to everything that I am involved in (the Special Chronicles Podcast, RUInspired Radio Show, my blogs, contact information, media appearances, published writings (including my writings here at CatholicMom.com and on SQPN.com), photos I’ve taken, videos I’ve produced, as well as a page of recommended links) by going to http://dan.specialchronicles.com/.

I would sum up my mission by sharing with the world the importance of respecting and accepting those of us with intellectual disabilities.  Also, I would say that my mission is to help in the New Evangelization of our Catholic Faith by spreading the Good News through my college radio show.

One of the obstacles in creating a cultural respect for people with disabilities, such as removing the word “retard(ed)”, most commonly referred to as the “R-Word,” would be that someone may say that this takes away our right of freedom of speech.  In response to this I would say that campaigns such as “Spread the Word to End the Word” are not exclusively about ending the r-word, but is to spread a greater awareness of respect and the promote the New R-Word which is respect.   I strongly believe that this is important for everyone, and especially as Catholics, that we need to promote and be a fan of respect, acceptance, unity, friendship and inclusion.   For more information about Spread the Word to End the Word, everyone is encouraged to visit and the pledge to promote the new r-word by going to http://r-word.org/.

I feel a strong connection with the pro-life movement.  One of the main reasons is because I have been told from my mom who told me that her doctors had advised her to have an abortion when I was about to be born.  Thankfully, she chose life and I was born.  Since I was born so early, I had to deal with a lot of medical and developmental problems and had a lot of scars due to my premature birth.  I also was in an incubator where the doctors had to keep a close watch on me.  My parents had a local Catholic priest come to the hospital and baptized me in the hospital since I was in the hospital for about 3 months after being born.   Since I was given the chance to live and have grown up as a cradle Catholic, I strongly believe in being pro-life and that every human being–this especially includes all of us who may be different and are diagnosed with an intellectual disability–need to be given the chance to live.  Everyone needs to respect life.  I firmly believe that it is vitally important to respect life and to stand firm in being pro-life.

I am in my 4^th year at Roosevelt University in Chicago, IL, which is a private higher education institution that is dedicated to living social justice.   The coursework that I am pursuing is journalism.  I am currently studying journalism and am almost done with the general education requirements and then will be able to fully concentrate on journalism.  So, far I have taken an introduction to journalism course, a media writing course, and am currently taking an essential multimedia skills course and news broadcasting course this fall 2010 semester.  My goals are to work in some form of media.  I am really enjoying Radio and Podcasting aspects of journalism and in particular I would love to someday work in Catholic Media– perhaps at a radio station.   Some of the joys of handling my schoolwork and online apostolates would be all the encouragement and feedback that I receive from listeners to the podcast and radio show.  Many have told me how inspiring, informational and entertaining the Special Chronicles Podcast is, as well as similar comments about the RUInspired college radio show.  It is truly a blessing and joy to hear that people find the podcast and radio show inspiring and entertaining–this is the motivation that keeps me to continue the online apostates that I produce.  As for some of the joys of handling my schoolwork, the coursework that I am taking helps me to learn more about the journalism field and world issues helps me to discover more about the world and the media field that I am interested in.

Some challenges would be time and how to accomplish everything that I am involved in.  It is sometimes how to keep track of everything from schoolwork and the podcast and radio show, but I do my best and try to often pray to Jesus and often will ask St. Josemaria Escriva for guidance and will pray to.

There are many people who inspire me.  In Catholic New Media, Fr. Roderick Vonhogen(from SQPN.com) and all the podcasters from the Star Quest Production Network help to inspire me to continue to produce the Special Chronicles Podcast as well as to produce the college radio show.  In my family, my parents inspire me to keep living my faith and to do my best in anything that I do.   In my prayer life, St. Josemaria Escriva inspires me to find God in daily life.

In closing, I would like to share with your readers to help promote the new r-word, which his respect and to tell people that the word “retard(ed)” hurts all of us with intellectual disabilities, our families and friends.  I also would like say that you can do anything that you set your mind to.  Also, to spread the Good News of our Catholic faith in any way that you feel called to do and to listen to God’s calling for what he is calling you to do in your life.   Be a fan of respect, acceptance, unity, friendship, and inclusion.

Take Care and God Bless.

Copyright 2011 Daniel Smrokowski

In Episode #27 of the Special Chronicles Podcast, Dan featured an awesome inspiring interview with Leticia Velasquez, the author of the new book called A Special Mother is Born: Parents share how God called them to the extraordinary vocation of parenting a special needs child.  Leticia shares with us how she first came  up with the idea to write the book; how she came up with the title, A Special Mother is Born; what the book is about; why she decided to write the book; what the process was like to write and edit together all the contributors of this book; her inspiration for writing the book; how God has called her to the  extraordinary vocation of  parenting a special needs child; what readers and you the listener can look forward to about the book; what readers can learn from this book; Leticia share with us about her organization called K.I.D.S. (Keep Infants with Down Syndrome) and why she co-founded this and the importance of its mission; where listeners can find Leticia online as well as more information about the book and where you can purchase the book. You can listen to the interview at www.specialchronicles.com or in iTunes.

For Special Chronicles Podcast Listeners and CatholicMom.com Readers:  Do you like uplifting, encouraging and inspiring Catholic Music?  Would you like a chance to win some free Catholic Rock Music?  For the next three weeks, I am having a contest for listeners to the Special Chronicles Podcast and extending it to CatholicMom.com Readers.  This contest offers you a chance to win a CD of 3 songs from The Jacob’s Well Experience, Catholic Rock Band.  On episode #27 of the Special Chronicles Podcast and starting at the 1 hour and 20 minute and 49 second mark, you can listen as I describe the details about this contest.  Basically, to enter you must be in the United States and call the Special Chronicles Podcast Voicemail Feedback line at 630-384-9137 with some feedback about the podcast.  The deadline is November 19, 2011.

Copyright 2011 Daniel Smrokowski

Daniel: Introduce yourself to our readers–your faith background, where you grew up, job, career, family.

Kyle Prohaska: My name is Kyle Prohaska and I’m a 22 year-old filmmaker from Ransomville, NY.  It’s a really small town of less than 1200 north of the Buffalo/Niagara area.  I grew up in a small non-denominational Bible church just a short drive away from my home.  When it comes to my faith, I had always subscribed to the Christian side of things, but it wasn’t a reality in my life until God transformed my heart at an event in 2005.  Before that it was just lip service or a show, but after that it became something real.  I’m Blessed in this day and age to have grown up with both my parents in the home.  Both of my parents have had a strong work ethic for as long as I remember and I can see how God used them to implant some qualities of theirs into me early.  When I look back at where I grew up, who I was around, the kind of parents I had, etc. all I see is the hand of God and grace.

Daniel: How did you get started with the film Standing Firm?

Kyle Prohaska: I had been working on staff at my church for a little over a year as Director of Media Production.  This was a great opportunity to have for me as I was only 18 at the time and thrilled to be involved in a ministry full-time.  I had dropped out of college (was going for engineering) because I just didn’t feel I had made the proper decision.  Filmmaking was always on the radar but because of a lack of opportunities where I live in that area or funds to give it a shot, I had put it on the back burner and decided to use my gifts and talents in the film arena at my church instead.  God was Blessing that on a weekly basis but one day an elder of my church walked into my office with Flywheel and Facing The Giants, and everything changed from that moment on.  I had always thought I could maybe do a film on a small scale with limited budget, but after watching those films, God really gave me a kick up the backside to show me just how possible this was.  There in my hand were two practical examples, and right then I knew it would be possible.  The rest is history.

Daniel: What was the process for creating the film, Standing Firm, from idea to distribution?

Kyle Prohaska: Well from the get go I knew we wouldn’t have a lot of things some filmmakers might have.  I had also never made a film before and although I was confident with a camera, editing footage, color-correction, graphics, web, etc. I knew it wasn’t going to mean a hill of beans when it came to making something feature-length.  This project was going to stretch me in more ways than one, but I knew trusting God was going to be key.  Kevin and I wrote the script over about a years time and immediately I began researching the equipment and things we would need to make it happen.  Scraping the money together was a challenge but not too long after the idea struck did we really dive in to get things moving.

Daniel: How did Praise Pictures begin?

Kyle Prohaska: When the reality of making a movie came into being, a company needed to be started.  I wanted something catchy and something easy to remember.  I can’t remember how the name was chosen, but I think we just made a list of different names with “pictures” or “studios” next to it that had a Christian flavor, and this one just seem to fit.  From the very start I had always hoped that the company would branch out and do other things as well (which has now happened) and become a driving force in the Christian filmmaking arena if possible.  God knew what he was doing, and I’m thankful everyday for his hand on this company and what it sets out to accomplish.

Daniel: What are some of the challenges of producing and distributing a movie with Christian themes?

Kyle Prohaska: I would say one of the major challenges is distribution.  It’s a hard market out there, and finding a way to get your movie on the shelf is a challenge.  Almost everyone in town turned down the film, and only at the very last minute did we finally find someone who was willing to take the film to stores, but again God knew what he was doing and that deal ended up being very good for us.  Unfortunately there’s been a boom in Christian filmmaking since Facing The Giants came along.  Countless people have dove into this arena and have tried their hand at it.  This is a good thing don’t get me wrong, but the market is beginning to crowd quickly, and the competition more stiff.  Also, buyers in the Christian market are very touchy on what they support (and rightfully so!), but it can make it tough for some people who aren’t aware of these things to make a film and try and get support.  Luckily I had studied these things as much as possible beforehand and really tried to make something that would be family friendly and universally supportive.  Christian themes or not, making a film is never easy and selling it is even harder.

Daniel: What are some of the joys and successes of producing and distributing a movie with Christian themes?

Kyle Prohaska: The greatest joy is seeing God use the film in the lives of people.  Getting emails or messages from folks who are impacted by the movie trumps any recognition or pats on the back I might receive.  I also need to remember to cheer on my team and those who without giving of themselves freely (most of this film was volunteers don’t forget) then the movie wouldn’t exist.  God is using the film for His Glory and for that I’m thankful.

Daniel: What messages did you want to send with this film, Standing Firm?

Kyle Prohaska: Suffering is an issue gravely misunderstood in the church and by the world.  It’s the justification for so many attacks against God and his existence or holiness.  I think overall the message we wanted to communicate was God’s sovereignty in this world.  God should be the one we turn to in our suffering, because only he will give the kind of comfort we need and look for.  I don’t believe in chance or coincidence, and the more I read the Bible the less I see it present.  God’s hand is over all things.  There’s no “oops” with him and no surprises.  We need to a be a Romans 8:28 church, a church that believes God is who he says he is, and does what he says he will do.

Daniel: How had the film, Standing Firm, been received by audiences?

Kyle Prohaska: I was nervous like anybody else would be.  Just as a man I know I’m fallible, and the film no doubt had it’s issues.  Even if most people don’t see some of them, I cringe at every one.  But, again God calmed my nerves when it finally released because the response has been very positive.  Viewers take hold of the story and characters and relate to it on a level I had hoped for.  Almost everyone who sees it sees themselves in one character or another, which was a goal early on.  I wanted this film to be real and relatable so it could impact many, not just one age group or gender.  Praise God for his faithfulness!

Daniel: How can Catholic/Christian families support this film and others like it?

Kyle Prohaska: Buying it is the greatest way to support us.  I hope that doesn’t sound too “televangelist” if you catch my drift!  It’s a simple fact of life; we do need people to buy the film.  If we want to see more Christian movies, we need to support the ones out there.  We spend money on so many things that are useless and wasteful.  I buy lots of Christian movies whenever I’m able, because I know there’s a ton of other guys out there like me who’re trying to do this for real, and need all the support they can get.  Help us out if you feel led.

Daniel: Who inspired you to complete this film, Standing Firm?

Kyle Prohaska: As I had mentioned before Sherwood Pictures was the main inspiration, like they are for so many others.  I just saw a handful of God-fearing and driven individuals who sought the face of the Lord in everything, and became useful for the Kingdom.  That above all is our goal isn’t it?  It doesn’t have to be with filmmaking it can be anything.  I’m thankful for the inspiration God brought through that church and their endeavors.

Daniel: What advice can you give to others looking to produce films for the Lord with Christian themes?

Kyle Prohaska: Seek the Lord, not what you want.  It’s easy to see others making Christian movies and go “Oh!  That looks like a great thing to be doing!”  Rest assured it’s fun, but that isn’t the goal here.  Far too many in life see the work of others and think if they could just do things that way or go do what they’re doing, they’ll be useful for the Kingdom of God.  Again, what are you going to do for God?  Your very life is in his hands, so what is it you’re going to go out and do for him?  Be sure that this is something God has called you to, because it’s easy to fool yourself.  Seek to write the stories he wants you to produce, not what you think would be cool or effective from a marketing standpoint.  Is the Gospel in your film?  Is Christ present or hidden behind some sort of mask?  Is the truth presented biblically?  God is the greatest storyteller there ever was, trust Him not Hollywood to help make your filmmaking effective.  Also, filmmaking is no picnic all the time, and will take it’s toll on you.  Count the cost, and keep your walk with the Lord strong, or you’ll fail…miserably.

Daniel: What are your plans for the future?

Kyle Prohaska: Well I would like to do another film, but we’ll see what God has in store.  2011 seems like it’ll be a building year for the company as I seek out what God might have me do.  One major lesson learned the past few years just in my own life is to seek the Lord on everything, and forget about what I want.  I can’t take my next breath without his Grace, so how pompous is it of me to assume I’m going to “do something” for Him?  What does God need from me?  Absolutely nothing, I’m privileged just to take part in what he has set forth.  I go at my future that way from now on, and God appears to be Blessing that effort.

Daniel: Any final thoughts you’d like to share with our readers.

Kyle Prohaska: I just want to thank anybody who supports us or plans to after reading this.  Also thanks to CatholicMom.com for this interview!  We don’t have marketing money to throw around so to get these kinds of interviews and press is an incredible Blessing.  Getting the film out to the masses has taken a lot of work and we’re barely even scratched the surface.  I hope in 2011 that more and more find this little film from Western New York, and share it with their family and friends.

Also if you have a Facebook, please become a fan of the film at http://www.facebook.com/standingfirm.  Be sure to visit the Share tab on the page as well), and if you have a church that might be willing to show the film, we have screening kits available on our website at http://www.praisepictures.com.  You can get a license to show the film for a year, and even charge for admission if you wish to use it as a fundraiser!  Many churches have taken advantage and many lives have been impacted for Christ!

Thanks again for your support, God Bless you!

Related Links:

• Praise Pictures – Order Standing Firm
• Standing Firm on Facebook
• Special Chronicles Podcast featuring a Review of Standing Firm

Standing Firm Trailer:

Video Link

Copyright 2010 Daniel Smrokowski

After preparing for Christ’s birth during these past four weeks of Advent, Christmas is finally here and our Lord Jesus Christ is born today. This is the time that many families gather and celebrate the true meaning of the Christmas season. As the secular society is all worn out and tired from the Christmas festivities, we know that the joy of Christmas begins today, December 25th.

For my family it has been hard to gather the past few years because about 3-4 years ago, a terrible event occurred: my mom divorced my dad.

Now I don’t want to put the blame on one person and as is the case with many children of separated parents, it is a struggle that we have to suffer. I try not to let this stress me out, but it especially saddens me during this time of the year– a time that brings joy and happiness to people across the world. It’s still hard to write or speak about this family struggle because even after a few years, it still saddens me. How could this happen?

As I pray, this has been on my mind. I still feel like there is a possibility that my parents could still get back together. But, seeing my mom happy with someone else and my dad now meeting someone else, I’m not sure if they are ever going to get back together. I do know that anything is possible with God if we just believe and that the power of prayer can go a long way. From my dad’s viewpoint, when my mom left my dad got really hurt, as everyone in our family did in their own unique ways. As for my mom, she may have lost trust in the commitment. This brings tears because I visually recall my mom saying a while ago when she and my dad were still married that a divorce would never happen in our family. So then one asks oneself how could someone break a commitment.

Another thing I struggle with is that in the eyes of our Catholic Church, they are still married:. So then why is the faith commitment of marriage and the societal commitment of marriage two different commitments?

I pray that God will help us to deal with our struggles and to stand firm in prayer. Have a blessed Christmas season.

Take Care and God Bless,
Daniel

Copyright 2010 Daniel Smrokowski

Spirituality is a value that I find to be very inspirational through all avenues of my life—from college to tough family times.   It brings me to grow closer to God.  Spirituality encourages me to believe in knowing that there is a greater power out there.  To be brought up with such a faith-system as Catholicism, I’ve been shown how to value spirituality through recognizing, respecting, and connecting with a higher power.  For example, I am able to believe, through spirituality there is one God.

Spirituality gives me comfort in saying that you cannot control everything and you most certainly cannot control the universe is a comforting thought.  The notion that I could inspire youth through spirituality moves me.  Another idea that encourages me is that this value brings you a community of spiritual believers and within the community you are not alone—there is a support system that is automatically provided and is able to act immediately when things are not going right—similar to Fireman and other Emergency Rescue personnel.  An example of this that I believe clearly shows the support system is in the film Fireproof: “Never Leave Your Partner Behind”, of which one could make many comparisons between that quoted theme—from marriage partners to coworkers to working on a project with others.  I truly believe that Christian films can help enhance and inspire many people of all walks of faith—and perhaps even able to evangelize through our Catholic faith.

Most recently, I have personally witnessed this support system that was directly inside my spiritual community of believers.  It all started around November 2007 to early December 2007 when it felt like a major earthquake just broke through my family.  My mom divorced my dad.  This is, as am sure with all people of broken families, was an extremely sad and terrible family tragedy that broke the hearts of everyone in my family—from my mom to my dad to my two sisters to myself to my grandma, aunts, uncles, cousins, and even close friends—each in their own unique and personal way.  This happened towards the end of my senior year—just months after my 21-year old cousin died of Leukemia.  To this day it’s still hard, but by finding therapeutic techniques like journaling, writing, and sharing this with friends and family, it helped to loose some of the tension.  I even began really stressing out and at times of my senior year I felt a little “depressed” like everyone was out to get me—but I know now by reflecting on my very recent past that it was crazy from an outsider’s view, but this was my unique way of reacting to this terrible family break up.  Since seeing this Christian film that was just released on DVD, Fireproof, I wish that my parents could of both seen it and things would work out.  I do know now that through this spirituality value that “with God all things are truly possible.”

About two to three months following the immediate family crash of this drastic divorce; it was the support system within my local Catholic Church, particularly the youth ministry, who came to the rushing aide to support my family and I through this time of family crisis.  Our founding leader and youth minister, Dr. Pamela, came to my two sisters and myself to console us and offer her help.  I very visually recall after one of our weekly evening youth ministry meetings, she took my two sisters and myself to Baker’s Square.    Dr. Pamela is also a long family friend, so that made it easier to talk to her.  During our delicious time with her, she discussed with us about what had happened.  We also talked about life in general, so it wouldn’t feel depressing.   The main reason for her calling the three of us to have this meeting was because she wanted us to go and talk to this one particular priest who was a marriage counselor—his name was Rev. Robert R. Rorich, M.A., and M.DIV, who has a practice in family/marriage therapy and certificate from Northwestern University and is located at the De Paul Center in Lemont, Illinois.  My 14-year old sister, mom, dad, and myself took the advice from Dr. Pamela, our humble youth minister and close family friend, to go talk to Father Bob.  As far as I am aware, my other sister has not talked to anyone nor seen a family therapeutic counselor.  In addition to Dr. Pamela, Father Bob has also given me a clearer picture of this support system that is provided, and very much apparent, through this faith-driven value that we call spirituality and is brought out through our Catholicism faith.  If I had not been brought up with this value of spirituality, and most importantly, if I had not taken it upon myself to grow more in depth, in these transitioning years, then I would not of been able to get through this family tragedy of divorce that my mom brought upon us all—for I might of even done something so drastic that I do not, nor most firm spiritual seekers, want to think about.

In this community of believers, I have found that the community will not judge you, but is rather here to help you.  Another added bonus is that you have the same Christian beliefs as everyone else who shares in this value of spirituality.  Similar to many Christians, this spirituality value has given me a mindset that allows me to never give up.  A clear example that I can recall is when I lose the physical energy and struggle to complete a task or cannot go any further physically, then it is faith that I turn to—moreover, its God that I can always turn to.  For its He, the Almighty One, who never gives up on me.  For it is God who provides me with the willpower to continue and get the task done when I physically cannot.  It is also because of this value of spirituality that I am able to turn to spiritual direction for advice and help when things go awry.  I also use turn to on occasion the Holy Bible for advice such as the following biblical verse taken from Matthew 19:26, “With God all things are possible.”  For it is God who can help you face your giants—your fears, and it is Him who can help you recognize, respect, and connect to that Higher Power or influence that only He brings and automatically gives you.

Spirituality also gives me the ability to pray and appreciate the act and art of praying.  When I need help, when life get hard, or when there is no one near to talk to or lean on, then I know that I always know forevermore that I can resort to prayer to help guide me in the right direction and get me through whatever conflict arises on my path of life—may it be petite or grand.  Another humorous example is sometimes when I am swimming in a 4X50 freestyle at my Special Olympics swim team practice, a good teammate friend and I try to beat each other, for competition—usually when I swim against him he is faster than me, but I quietly pray to God and ask him to give me the strength to do my best—and “lord and behold” I touch the wall just microseconds before him.  I believe that God has helped me here.  As you can see through my personal, yet relevant thoughts, spirituality shapes the person of who I am today.  In my daily doings, thinking, acting, reacting to, taking photos of, writing, and most all else, is done with this value of spirituality in mind.  The core reason that I am able to live life can be related back to this spirituous value.  I may not know everything there is to know about Catholicism, but I do know that there is a higher reason to live.  I know that in everything that I do there is always a larger reason for it—that with God, all things are truly possible—if we just believe!

Copyright 2010 Daniel Smrokowski

Daniel Smrokowski joins us today as a new member of the family of contributors hear at CatholicMom.com.  I recently had the pleasure of meeting Daniel in person and am continually amazed by his commitment to his faith and to Catholic New Media.  I’m so glad that Daniel is able to share his writing her on CatholicMom.com!  Visit him at http://www.dansmrokowski.com/ and subscribe to his wonderful Special Chronicles podcast at http://specialchronicles.com.

Soon after the Saturday evening Mass at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, children, teens and adults began filing into a carpeted gymnasium filled with anticipation.

As they waited for the concert to begin, members of the visiting Catholic “acoustic humor rock band” known as Popple made finishing touches—tweaking the sound system and fine-tuning their instruments. Finally, at about 8 p.m., the band approached the stage and the guitars, ukulele and kazoos piped up. And the crowd shouted, clapped and sang along.

This marked the beginning of the hour and a half concert Saturday, March 13, at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, at 2900 E. Main St., St. Charles, Ill.

About 250 people, ranging from three weeks old to at least age 70, flocked to the church to hear the Popple concert from 8 to 9:30 p.m.

According to Joe Weyers, Middle School Youth Minister at St. John, the Popple concert was publicized to the entire parish and other churches in the community.  The concert was sponsored and promoted by the middle school leadership team called SHOUTeam, which stands for Spiritual Holy Outgoing Youths Together.

Saturday’s venue was a usual one for Popple, according to Kyle Heimann, Popple’s guitarist, ukuleler and self-described kazooateer.

“We play music for retreats, rallies, youth groups, family groups, concerts,” he said.

And according to Dan Harms, Popple’s guitarist, their music and their band is their ministry.

“We’re not just limited to playing music,” Harms said. “A lot of times we’ll give keynote talks and travel around and give workshops and different talks to youth groups and diocesan groups. But primarily the basics of it is music and that was kind of the catalyst for us to get into our full-time ministry of Popple.”

According to Heimann, mixed in with their music and performance is “a combination of serious stuff and goofy stuff.”

“And we have some fun,” Heimann said.

Patrick O’Reilly, who is a member of the SHOUTeam, said he decided to come to the Popple concert because the band sounded good to him and he wanted to “hang out with some friends and listen to their music and have a good time.”

At 8:00 p.m., the music began as Harms and Heimann approached the stage and started the concert with their first song.

“We’re going to get started at the very beginning with the very first song ever,” Harms announced.

Then he and Heimann began to sing, “This is the first song. …”

Harms and Heimann continued with the song, “I’ve got a feeling,” which led into the next song that introduces the band called “P-O-P-P-L-E.”  As they sang and played, cheers and applause filled the gym.

Directly following the classic, “In the jungle,” Popple sang their original song “Heist” a song about a bank robbery. Then they sang a song about an old, popular video game called “Contra.”

Preparing for one final song, Harms clutched a ukulele and said, “I wrote kind of for my little dog.”

Then Heimann piped in, “I was looking for my kazoo, it’s in my pocket,” he said as laughter erupted and somebody from the audience shouted out, “that’s funny.”

They concluded the concert with an original song called, “Puppy Dog.”

As the final song finished, Harms said, “God bless you guys.”

Christine O’Reilly, had said what she hoped to take from the Popple Concert was to “learn some new music, listen to music, and have a good time with my family.”

In the end, O’Reilly said the concert was really good and “the music was wonderful.”

“The two guys in the band—they were awesome, they were hysterically funny.  Their music talent is unbelievable.”

“I loved the fact that the one guy was shoeless,” she added. “Well, he had shoes on before and after but not during. I just thought that was pretty funny.”

Copyright 2010 Daniel Smrokowski