On The Patrick Madrid Show, Jessica from California, (not Catholic yet but going through RCIA), asks Patrick if she can get a blessing from a priest during Communion even though she’s not Catholic. Patrick's response? Yes! 🙌



Basically, he explains that anyone, Catholic or not, can receive a blessing from a priest. It's not like there’s a "Catholics only" line for blessings! Even priests walking down the street get hit with, "Hey, Father! Can I get a blessing?" And they’re happy to give one! 😇



When it comes to Communion, this whole "arms-crossed-over-your-chest-for-a-blessing" thing is pretty new (like the last 30 years or so), but it’s totally fine. You can either receive Communion if you’re a Catholic in a state of grace OR just get a nice priestly blessing if you're not quite there yet. 🙏



We're praying for you on your faith journey, Jessica! 





The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

On The Patrick Madrid Show, Jessica from California, (not Catholic yet but going through RCIA), asks Patrick if she can get a blessing from a priest during Communion even though she’s not Catholic. Patrick's response? Yes! 🙌
 
Basically, he explains that anyone, Catholic or not, can receive a blessing from a priest. It's not like there’s a "Catholics only" line for blessings! Even priests walking down the street get hit with, "Hey, Father! Can I get a blessing?" And they’re happy to give one! 😇
 
When it comes to Communion, this whole "arms-crossed-over-your-chest-for-a-blessing" thing is pretty new (like the last 30 years or so), but it’s totally fine. You can either receive Communion if you’re a Catholic in a state of grace OR just get a nice priestly blessing if you're not quite there yet. 🙏
 
We're praying for you on your faith journey, Jessica! 
 
 
The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out <a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

The Best of the Week

"I’m Not Catholic; Can I Still Receive a Blessing During Communion?" (The Patrick Madrid Show)

Alright, let’s get real: wokeism is like that annoying house guest who shows up uninvited and somehow manages to take over your entire house! In this episode of The Drew Mariani Show, Drew chats with Noelle Mering, author of Awake, Not Woke, and they talk about how this woke ideology is sneaking into everything. When we say everything, we mean schools, hospitals, and even our homes. 😳



You need to hear about some crazy news stories: like, get this, a surgeon in Texas who’s in hot water for allegedly exposing info about kids getting gender transition surgeries. Plus, there’s a whole town in California suing the state because schools aren’t allowed to tell parents if their kid is dealing with gender dysphoria. Wait, WHAT?! 🤔 Yeah, that’s where we’re at, y’all.



So what’s wokeism, really? Well, it’s not just some trendy buzzword. Noelle describes it as “utopian atheism” mixed with identity politics and a never-ending sexual revolution. Translation? It's all about breaking down boundaries and rejecting traditional values, like gender, marriage, and even basic human biology. It’s not just about “being aware” or “kind”'; it’s like a cult that keeps escalating. We’re talking people identifying as animals (yep, there are furries showing up at schools, and word has it, some even asked for litter boxes—no joke!). 🐱🚨



Here’s the thing: people are waking up to how bonkers this all is. 🙌 More and more folks are starting to see through the craziness, but at the same time, a lot of younger people are getting swept into it through social media, schools, and, let’s be honest, the culture at large. So, we’re in this weird spot where some are getting wise to the dangers, but others are falling deeper into it. Kinda scary, right?



Now you’re probably wondering, how do we as Catholics handle this without losing our minds? 🤔 Noelle says that we gotta respond with truth AND love. It’s tempting to get all riled up (trust me, we're with you), but we need to remember that some of the people caught up in this are true victims. They’ve been manipulated, their pain or confusion taken advantage of, and they need our compassion. 💔 But! That doesn’t mean we just sit back and let the crazy train keep rolling. We have to speak up, especially when it comes to protecting kids. We do it without becoming hostile or hateful.



Noelle said it best: we can’t fight fire with fire. We need to speak the truth in love. Because, at the end of the day, we know what’s true: God created us male and female, and no amount of woke rhetoric can change that. We’re not just fighting an ideology; we’re fighting for souls. 🙏



So yeah, this episode is basically a call to arms, but in the most Catholic way possible. Lead with love. Speak the truth. And never forget that God’s got this. 







The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

Alright, let’s get real: wokeism is like that annoying house guest who shows up uninvited and somehow manages to take over your entire house! In this episode of The Drew Mariani Show, Drew chats with Noelle Mering, author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Awake-Not-Woke-Christian-Progressive/dp/1505118425">Awake, Not Woke</a>, and they talk about how this woke ideology is sneaking into everything. When we say everything, we mean schools, hospitals, and even our homes. 😳
 
You need to hear about some crazy news stories: like, get this, a surgeon in Texas who’s in hot water for allegedly exposing info about kids getting gender transition surgeries. Plus, there’s a whole town in California suing the state because schools aren’t allowed to tell parents if their kid is dealing with gender dysphoria. Wait, WHAT?! 🤔 Yeah, that’s where we’re at, y’all.
 
So what’s wokeism, really? Well, it’s not just some trendy buzzword. Noelle describes it as “utopian atheism” mixed with identity politics and a never-ending sexual revolution. Translation? It's all about breaking down boundaries and rejecting traditional values, like gender, marriage, and even basic human biology. It’s not just about “being aware” or “kind”'; it’s like a cult that keeps escalating. We’re talking people identifying as animals (yep, there are furries showing up at schools, and word has it, some even asked for litter boxes—no joke!). 🐱🚨
 
Here’s the thing: people are waking up to how bonkers this all is. 🙌 More and more folks are starting to see through the craziness, but at the same time, a lot of younger people are getting swept into it through social media, schools, and, let’s be honest, the culture at large. So, we’re in this weird spot where some are getting wise to the dangers, but others are falling deeper into it. Kinda scary, right?
 
Now you’re probably wondering, how do we as Catholics handle this without losing our minds? 🤔 Noelle says that we gotta respond with truth AND love. It’s tempting to get all riled up (trust me, we're with you), but we need to remember that some of the people caught up in this are true victims. They’ve been manipulated, their pain or confusion taken advantage of, and they need our compassion. 💔 But! That doesn’t mean we just sit back and let the crazy train keep rolling. We have to speak up, especially when it comes to protecting kids. We do it without becoming hostile or hateful.
 
Noelle said it best: we can’t fight fire with fire. We need to speak the truth in love. Because, at the end of the day, we know what’s true: God created us male and female, and no amount of woke rhetoric can change that. We’re not just fighting an ideology; we’re fighting for souls. 🙏
 
So yeah, this episode is basically a call to arms, but in the most Catholic way possible. Lead with love. Speak the truth. And never forget that God’s got this. 
 
 
 
The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out <a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

The Dangers of Wokeism (The Drew Mariani Show)

Catherine from Indiana calls into The Patrick Madrid Show, facing some serious phone drama with her 15-year-old son. Her son argues: “Everyone else has a smartphone, why not me?” and “I’m almost 18; shouldn’t I start learning how to use one now?” Typical teenager logic, right?



Patrick gets it, but he breaks down the big differences between 15 and 18. Even a couple of years make a big maturity difference. He warns that having a smartphone doesn’t enhance social life; it actually stunts it. Instead of meeting friends face-to-face, they’ll just text or DM all day. Patrick’s not anti-texting, but he’s all about the real connection. 💬



Then, Patrick brings up the porn issue. He bluntly reminds Catherine that once her son has a smartphone, access to pornography is practically inevitable. It’s a constant battle, and sadly, even the most tech-savvy kids find ways to dodge restrictions. Catherine admits they’ve already had this issue; her son has been sneaking around the filters. 



Patrick’s advice? Hold the line.  “There’s no benefit whatsoever to giving a 15-year-old a smartphone,” he says. It's like giving a device that drains time, weakens attention spans, and pours in bad ideologies, all contrary to the Catholic faith. 



He acknowledges the pressure: the other kids have phones, but hey, Patrick reminds Catherine, “You’re responsible for his soul, not theirs.” Tough love, but it's what being a parent is all about, right? 



He even adds a cheeky little note: there are plenty of adults who still can't handle smartphones (many 25-year-olds have a TikTok addiction 😅). So, stand firm, Catherine!



For parents looking for alternatives, Patrick recommends Charity Mobile, a Catholic, pro-life phone company that donates 5% of your bill to a charity of your choice. They’ve got the high-end phones if needed, but also simpler phones that make it harder to stumble into trouble online.



At the end of the day, it’s all about protecting your kid’s soul, even if it means a little friction now.





The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

Catherine from Indiana calls into The Patrick Madrid Show, facing some serious phone drama with her 15-year-old son. Her son argues: “Everyone else has a smartphone, why not me?” and “I’m almost 18; shouldn’t I start learning how to use one now?” Typical teenager logic, right?
 
Patrick gets it, but he breaks down the big differences between 15 and 18. Even a couple of years make a big maturity difference. He warns that having a smartphone doesn’t enhance social life; it actually stunts it. Instead of meeting friends face-to-face, they’ll just text or DM all day. Patrick’s not anti-texting, but he’s all about the real connection. 💬
 
Then, Patrick brings up the porn issue. He bluntly reminds Catherine that once her son has a smartphone, access to pornography is practically inevitable. It’s a constant battle, and sadly, even the most tech-savvy kids find ways to dodge restrictions. Catherine admits they’ve already had this issue; her son has been sneaking around the filters. 
 
Patrick’s advice? Hold the line.  “There’s no benefit whatsoever to giving a 15-year-old a smartphone,” he says. It's like giving a device that drains time, weakens attention spans, and pours in bad ideologies, all contrary to the Catholic faith. 
 
He acknowledges the pressure: the other kids have phones, but hey, Patrick reminds Catherine, “You’re responsible for his soul, not theirs.” Tough love, but it's what being a parent is all about, right? 
 
He even adds a cheeky little note: there are plenty of adults who still can't handle smartphones (many 25-year-olds have a TikTok addiction 😅). So, stand firm, Catherine!
 
For parents looking for alternatives, Patrick recommends <a href="https://www.charitymobile.com/">Charity Mobile</a>, a Catholic, pro-life phone company that donates 5% of your bill to a charity of your choice. They’ve got the high-end phones if needed, but also simpler phones that make it harder to stumble into trouble online.
 
At the end of the day, it’s all about protecting your kid’s soul, even if it means a little friction now.
 
 
The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out <a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

"Should I Let My Teen Son Have a Smart Phone?" (The Patrick Madrid Show)

Hear The Family Rosary Across America at the Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, where the Blessed Mother herself appeared 165 years ago! Get this: it’s also the place where prayers literally stopped the Peshtigo fire!  Our Lady asked Sr. Adele to "gather the children in this wild area and teach them what they need to know for their salvation."🌧️🔥



Fr. Rocky and Maggie took some great prayer intentions there!



Carl, a 13-year-old, came up and prayed for the end of domestic abuse and for Ukraine.  He even got Fr. Rocky to talk about his trip to Poland, where millions of Ukrainians have found refuge. Carl’s got a big heart. 🙌



Next up, Bennett (10 years old, future diplomat?) stole the show by praying for the souls in purgatoryand for people thinking about becoming priests and nuns. When Fr. Rocky asked how many souls are in purgatory, Bennett just shrugged like, "Who knows?!" 😂 



Also, in a shocking twist, Bennett confessed he's not a Packers fan! WHAAAT?!  In Green Bay territory? Now that’s brave.



Fr. Rocky gave us a great reminder: praying for the souls in purgatory is good to do because they can’t pray for themselves. Once they’re in heaven, they’ll pray for you! 



It was an awesome night of community, laughter, and deep faith, where even the youngest among us showed us what it means to have a heart for others. 💖 Keep sending in your prayer intentions, and don’t forget, miracles happen when we pray together. ✨🙏





The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

Hear The Family Rosary Across America at the <a href="https://championshrine.org/">Shrine of Our Lady of Champion</a>, where the Blessed Mother herself appeared 165 years ago! Get this: it’s also the place where prayers literally stopped the Peshtigo fire!  Our Lady asked Sr. Adele to "gather the children in this wild area and teach them what they need to know for their salvation."🌧️🔥
 
Fr. Rocky and Maggie took some great prayer intentions there!
 
Carl, a 13-year-old, came up and prayed for the end of domestic abuse and for Ukraine.  He even got Fr. Rocky to talk about his trip to Poland, where millions of Ukrainians have found refuge. Carl’s got a big heart. 🙌
 
Next up, Bennett (10 years old, future diplomat?) stole the show by praying for the souls in purgatory and for people thinking about becoming priests and nuns. When Fr. Rocky asked how many souls are in purgatory, Bennett just shrugged like, "Who knows?!" 😂 
 
Also, in a shocking twist, Bennett confessed he's not a Packers fan! WHAAAT?!  In Green Bay territory? Now that’s brave.
 
Fr. Rocky gave us a great reminder: praying for the souls in purgatory is good to do because they can’t pray for themselves. Once they’re in heaven, they’ll pray for you! 
 
It was an awesome night of community, laughter, and deep faith, where even the youngest among us showed us what it means to have a heart for others. 💖 Keep sending in your prayer intentions, and don’t forget, miracles happen when we pray together. ✨🙏
 
 
The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out <a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here.</a>

"I’m Not Catholic; Can I Still Receive a Blessing During Communion?" (The Patrick Madrid Show)

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