Today on Kresta - June 24, 2009

Talking about the "things that matter most" on June 24
Guest Hosts: Bruce and Kris McGregor

3:00 – The Year of the Priesthood: A Theological and Testimonial Look
Pope Benedict XVI opened the “Year for Priests” this week in St. Peter’s Basilica. Benedict stressed that priests need to be “present, identifiable and recognizable – for their judgment of faith, personal virtues and attire – in the fields of culture and of charity which have always been at the heart of the Church’s mission.” The Vatican’s intention for the “Year for Priests” is to rebuild strong priestly spiritual identities, noting that “priests are important not only for what they do, but also for who they are.” Fr. Richard Gabuzda is Executive Director of The Institute for Priestly Formation and will join us to discuss the year of the priest, the spirituality of the priest in today’s world, formation, and more.

3:40 – The Effect of Divorce on Children
After months of speculation, it's now official: Jon and Kate Gosselin – of “Jon and Kate Plus 8” fame - have filed for divorce. That development was followed by a heavily-promoted episode of the couple's reality series in which the couple said they would separate. We use this opportunity to discuss the effect of divorce on children – especially when there are 8 of them. Dr. Ray Guarendi is our guest.

4:00 – “The Stoning of Soraya M”
As the movie industry prepares to roll out its summer blockbusters, a sobering, controversial film from Steve McEveety explores the gripping story of an Iranian woman who is victimized by her husband. The movie is based on real events and is adapted from the book of the same name by the French-Iranian journalist Freidoune Sahebjam, played by Jim Caveziel. In the aftermath of the Iranian revolution, a husband grows tired of his young wife, who has borne him two sons and two daughters. Under Islamic law, a man may have up to four wives – but he’s also obligated to care and provide for each of them properly. Interested in a potential child bride and unable to afford the added expense of a second wife, the husband maneuvers his wife into tending house for a recent widower. Then he falsely accuses her of infidelity, after blackmailing other male village elders, including the mullah – the town’s religious leader - into colluding in his lie. Steve McEveety joins us.

4:20 – 30 Ways in 30 Days to Save Your Family
In her new book, 30 Ways in 30 Days to Save Your Family, author Rebecca Hagelin lays out 30 simple and concrete actions that parents can implement-one day at a time-to reconnect with their children and restore peace in their home. As a mother of three, a syndicated columnist, and specialist on family, culture, and media issues, Rebecca understands the frustration parents feel. She designed this book with working parents and busy families in mind. Moms and dads can read a chapter at soccer practice or while waiting in carpool and come away with practical solutions to common parenting problems that can easily be put to use. She joins us.

5:00 – All Things Guy / All Things Girl
All Things Girl and All Things Guy are two books in the new, groundbreaking book series for "tweenaged" boys and girls by best selling Catholic author and speaker Teresa Tomeo along with the women behind the Runway to Reality Apostolate: Molly Miller and Monica Cops. They are unlike anything found in the marketplace as they bring Faith to the real world in which young people live. They provide a positive introduction for tweens seeking to live out Christian virtues in the twenty-first century. Teresa Tomeo is with us.

5:40 – The Year of the Priesthood / St. John Vianney
“Faithfulness of Christ, faithfulness of priests” is the theme for this “Year of the Priest”. The year also marks the 150th anniversary of the death of St. John Vianney, known as the “Curé of Ars.” The prefect for the Congregation for the Clergy, Cardinal Claudio Hummes, is encouraging local dioceses and parishes to plan events that will “celebrate and show appreciation for priests.” As a key contribution to the celebration, a new theatrical drama VIANNEY will launch a worldwide tour with a premiere in Houston, Texas. The play focuses on the question, “What is a priest?” and tells the story of St. John Vianney, whose exemplary life was so remarkable that the Pope has named him the patron of this jubilee year, and will, at the close of the year, declare him the patron of all the priests of the world. The VIANNEY drama, starring actor and film director Leonardo Defilippis, will appropriately open on August 4, Vianney’s feast day, and the 150th anniversary of his death. We talk with Leonardo.