catholicradio – CATHOLIC AND CHOCOLATE

For the past couple of years, I’ve been bugging my husband about returning to Rome for a vacation. However, lately, it’s really been aching me.

Thankfully, we have been to Italy twice – 2006 and 2008. Both experiences helped us to see a little bit more of Italy. Stops in Venice, Orvieto, Assisi, San Gimignano, Pisa, Siena, Chianti, Florence, Castel Gandolfo, and of course, Rome.

Since I was little, I have had a love for all things Italian. My favorite food has always been Italian and to clarify I’m American-Mexican. My family still to this day likes to joke with me on how this makes no sense. I can’t deny what it is I have passion for. How do you fake it?

When we traveled to Rome in 2006 for a pilgrimage, everything catapult to whole new level of love. I felt a strong connection to the culture, food, art, and spirit. Needless to say, my Catholic faith grew because it was visibly all around. Not like back home!

When we went back to Italy in 2008, I went with deeper appreciation, although I was still recovering from CDiff, so I couldn’t fully embrace due to stomach issues.

It’s now been 9 years and lately, I feel like I have some restlessness these days about traveling back.

As we know, the political times are not good. Talks of war between the U.S. and North Korea are heightened everyday. My husband feels now isn’t the time to go and when I share about that with others, some say, is it ever the right time?

It makes me sad. How beautiful and diverse our world is created by our Father God to seek and learn from. To grow with our neighbor, to share in prosperity of brotherhood, and to reap joy in our differences. But yet, North Korea has a different outlook and now all the world waits to see what will happen next. I know I’m not the only one who is praying for this threat to end.

But aside from this, my love for Italy is going a bit bonkers these days. I live in an area where there isn’t much culture. There isn’t much variety. For whatever reason, it just isn’t here. I would love more self owned bakeries, coffee shops, restaurants that serve more than bar food, gelato shops instead of yogurt (please I’m so done with yogurt spots around here), and entertainment spots. I try not to get me down, but when you want your heart to be filled with something, 2nd place doesn’t fill the void.

I always say, “if I ever win the lottery”… I would open up a bakery that provides international treats and best Italian coffee. Name I won’t share. However, I would make sure to hire the appropriate pastry chef who can bake pastries from all over the world.

Question: What do you do when your heart yearns so much for something, but can’t be fulfilled?

I think I need to start praying to our Lord more intently and asking Him to replace this because it’s a bit consuming sometimes.

Until we can get to Rome, I’ll continue listening to my favorite Italian Radio http://studiodelta.radio.it/ , buy cappuccinos pretending they taste like Rome, dine at Italian restaurants who somewhat serve like Italy, view images off of Instagram, and try new recipes.

Viva Roma!

This song is by Mario Venuti – Veramente

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It’s been about five years since I first started listening to Catholic talk shows.

My husband and I got a subscription to Sirius XM radio in our cars and I signed us up for home internet too. At first the reason was being able to listen to a variety of music with no interruptions. I love music so I felt I hit the jackpot.

However, soon, I came across the Catholic Channel. I thought whoa it’s a station that’s Catholic?! I had listened to KLOVE in the past so I was thinking it might be playing music by Catholic artists only, but soon I realized it had nothing to do with that. I tuned in one day and heard Lino Rulli. The tone right away struck me because it wasn’t what I expected. He had a bright strong voice, not the quiet monotone voice we are used to hearing with Catholic speakers. Well, at least in my experience. He also had a co-host who was laughing and sharing jokes that I kept checking to see if I had it on the right channel. As I continued to give it another shot each day, I found myself addicted to the format. First and foremost, funny, relatable, thought provoking, and entertaining.

Each day, they would cover a topic such as confession, marriage, hot topics in the Church, and educate by way of quizzes and contests. I would find myself laughing out loud and couldn’t wait to hear more the next day.

I then began listening to the channel all day. Even now, I turn it on and leave it at a high volume so I can hear throughout the house. The other programs such as Busted Halo, Gus Lloyd became my favorites too. They not only cover serious topics but allow the listeners to relax to not so serious information.

My favorite time to listen is when they are live at the Vatican for reasons such as Easter, changing of the Pope which in this last case was Pope Francis.

Truthfully, it puts EWTN to shame. I wish the two would partner up somehow or follow the Catholic Channel format. It would give life to EWTN.

There are podcasts of the show so seek them out if you don’t have Sirius radio.

If you first listen and set a judgment right away, trash the thought, and give them a listen again. I promise, they will change your opinion.

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Rome…veramente!

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