JP2 Morning Crew

Standing for Life: Roger Lopez's Battle Against San Diego's Sidewalk Restrictions

In this episode of JP2 Morning Crew, hosts Brandon Clark and Paul Jonah sit down with Roger Lopez, a dedicated sidewalk counselor in San Diego, who shares his experiences and the ongoing battle for free speech rights outside abortion clinics.

From Addiction to Faith: David Abraham's Inspiring Journey

In this episode of JP2 Morning Crew, hosts Brandon Clark and Rob Goodale welcome David Abraham, a parishioner at Saint Margaret's Church in Oceanside and the Grand Knight of their Knights of Columbus Council. David shares his compelling story of battling alcohol addiction, surviving being hit by two cars, and finding his way back to the Catholic faith through unexpected avenues like martial arts.

Serving with Love: Mark Anderson's Faith Journey and Ministry at Saint Patrick's

In this episode of JP2 Morning Crew, hosts Brandon Clark and Rob Goodale welcome Mark Anderson, the manager of the Soup Kitchen at Saint Patrick's Church in Carlsbad. Mark shares his inspiring journey of faith, which began in a devout Catholic family and evolved through various stages, including exploring different faiths and returning to Catholicism as a dedicated volunteer.

The Blessed Monstrance Tour: Fostering Vocations Through Prayer

Welcome to another episode of the "JP2 Morning Crew" on JP2 Catholic Radio! In today's show, hosts Brandon Clark and Eddie Madueno discuss the significance of prayer, devotion, and fostering vocations with special guests Diana Pacheco and Valerie Cavazos.
Introduction and Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary: Eddie shares his devotion to the Rosary, highlighting the feast day of the Queenship of Mary and inviting listeners to pray the Rosary regularly.
Meet Our Guests: Diana Pacheco and Valerie Cavazos from the Serra Club join the show. They discuss their efforts in promoting religious vocations and supporting priests, inspired by their patron, St. Junipero Serra, the Apostle of California.
The Blessed Monstrance Tour: Diana and Valerie introduce a special monstrance, blessed by Pope St. John Paul II, currently touring parishes in the San Diego Diocese to encourage prayers for vocations. They explain the history of this monstrance, its significance, and the blessings it brings.
Fostering Vocations: The guests discuss the importance of fostering religious vocations in the modern world, the impact of adoration, and the unique opportunity for the faithful to engage in prayer before this holy relic.
Upcoming Events and Opportunities: Information on the monstrance's tour schedule, including stops in Oceanside, Escondido, Mission, and more, allowing listeners to participate in this special time of adoration and prayer.
Closing Thoughts: Diana and Valerie encourage everyone to embrace this chance to deepen their faith and support the mission of promoting vocations. Eddie and Brandon express their excitement about the upcoming events and invite listeners to join in prayer.
Don't miss the next episode, where we'll hear from Mark Anderson about his work at Saint Patrick's Church Soup Kitchen and his involvement in other parish ministries.

From Pakistan to Carlsbad: The Journey of Father Azam Mansha

This engaging episode provides a deep dive into the life and ministry of Father Azam Mansha, showcasing his inspiring journey from Pakistan to Carlsbad and his continued dedication to serving those in need both locally and globally.

Finding True Happiness: A Conversation with Dr. John Sottosanti

In this episode of JP2 Morning Crew, Brandon Clark is joined by Father Ed Horning and special guest Dr. John Sottosanti, a surgeon, scientist, entrepreneur, educator, and author of the Amazon bestseller Mortal Adhesions: A Surgeon Battles the Seven Deadly Sins to Find Faith, Happiness, and Inner Peace. The discussion centers around the concept of happiness, the importance of faith, and how true joy is found in a relationship with God.

From Judaism to Catholicism: A Journey of Faith and Radical Trust

In this episode of JP2 Morning Crew, hosts Brandon Clark and Father Ed Horning welcome special guest Ken Kopelson, the author of "Sent Out: How My Journey as God’s Errand Boy Totally Changed My Life." Ken shares his incredible spiritual journey from his Jewish roots to becoming a Protestant, and eventually embracing Catholicism.
Ken details the powerful experiences that led him to a deeper relationship with God, including his remarkable mission trips and his eventual conversion to Catholicism. He also discusses the profound impact of the Eucharist on his life, the importance of listening to the Holy Spirit, and his radical trust in God’s guidance.
Throughout the conversation, Ken's story highlights the beauty of surrendering to God's will, and Father Horning reflects on the significance of the Bread of Life discourse from John 6 in the context of Ken's journey. The episode concludes with insights on how listeners can grow in their own spiritual journeys by trusting in God's plan and being open to the movements of the Holy Spirit.
Listeners are encouraged to explore Ken’s book, available on Amazon, to dive deeper into his inspiring testimony.
 
Tune in to hear more about:
The significance of the Portiuncula indulgence on August 2nd.
Ken’s early life in Judaism and his spiritual awakening.
The divine calling that led Ken to become God’s "errand boy."
Ken’s miraculous experiences while spreading the message of Jesus.
The role of the Eucharist in Ken's conversion to Catholicism.
Practical tips for discerning God's voice and following His guidance.
Don't miss this episode packed with faith-filled inspiration and practical wisdom!

A Joyful Journey: Deacon Cruz Pleitez Shares His Faith and Life Story

Segment 1: Parenthood and Its Joys
Discussion on Parenthood: Brandon and Rob discuss the joys and challenges of parenthood, drawing from their personal experiences.
Prayer by Deacon Cruz Pleitez: Deacon Cruz opens with a heartfelt prayer for guidance and blessings.
 
Segment 2: Deacon Cruz Pleitez’s Early Life and Faith Journey
Introduction to Deacon Cruz: Shares his upbringing in El Salvador, his early work experiences, and his initial introduction to the Catholic faith.
Challenges and Joys of Childhood: Reflects on his joyful yet challenging childhood, including his work and education.
 
Segment 3: Moving to the United States and Meeting His Wife
Transition to the US: Deacon Cruz talks about his move to California, his education, and career ambitions.
Meeting His Wife: Shares the story of meeting his wife, her influence on his faith, and their journey together, including their service in the Catholic Church.
 
Segment 4: The Call to the Diaconate
Invitation to Diaconate: Discusses his involvement in his local parish and the eventual invitation to join the diaconate program.
Emphasis on Obedience: Highlights the importance of obedience in his life and spiritual journey.
 
Segment 5: Catholic Gift Shop
The Gift Shop Story: Rob shares his personal experience discovering Deacon Cruz’s gift shop.
Deacon Cruz’s Perspective: Describes how acquiring the gift shop was a blessing and a means to serve the community, offering spiritual guidance and support.
 
Conclusion:
Final Thoughts: Brandon and Rob reflect on the conversation, emphasizing the joy and dedication in Deacon Cruz’s story.

Navigating Faith-Based Investing with Bud Leedom

Bud Leedom's Background:
Bud shares his journey from an astronomy major to the financial sector.
Establishment of his investment management firm focusing on San Diego-based companies.
 
Faith-Based Investing:
Discussion on the importance of aligning investments with Catholic values.
Challenges of modern investing due to political and social mandates.
Importance of researching companies to ensure they match Catholic values.
 
Examples of Faith-Based Companies:
Mention of Chick-fil-A and In-N-Out as examples of companies holding strong to their values despite potential financial loss.
Discussion on the influence of the Catholic community in supporting value-aligned businesses.
 
Resources for Faith-Based Investing:
Mention of Ave Maria Mutual Funds and Aquinas Catholic Value Fund.
Importance of thorough research and understanding of company backgrounds and values.
 
Risk Management and Diversification:
Bud explains the importance of diversification in managing investment risk.
Cautionary tales of investing in single assets and the importance of trustworthy management.
Personal Experiences and Ethical Investing:
Bud shares experiences with companies that have questionable backgrounds.
Emphasis on the need for due diligence in understanding both companies and investment managers.
 
Mission and Values in Investing:
Importance of aligning investment practices with personal and client values.
Bud’s approach to getting to know clients and sharing mutual values.

Exploring Theology of the Body with Deacon Keith Esshaki

Deacon Keith Esshaki's Background:
Born in Iraq in 1962 and moved to the United States at 16.
Ordained as a permanent Deacon in 2006 and serves the Chaldean Church.
Shares personal journey and how he was drawn to Theology of the Body.
Introduction to Theology of the Body:
 
Explanation of Theology of the Body as presented by St. John Paul II.
Discussion on how the body reveals truths about God and the human person.
 
Personal Insights:
Deacon Keith shares his personal experiences and struggles with understanding the conjugal act and teaching it to his children.
His discovery of Theology of the Body through Catholic Answers and Jason Everts' chastity talks.
 
Theology of the Body Framework:
Overview of St. John Paul II's use of phenomenology to understand human experiences.
Explanation of the three states of the human body: original man, historical man, and eschatological man.
 
Cycles of Theology of the Body:
Breakdown of the six cycles of Theology of the Body addresses.
Use of Genesis and the Sermon on the Mount as foundational texts.
Emphasis on love as God loves, avoiding lustful objectification in relationships.
 
Practical Application:
Deacon Keith emphasizes loving as God loves and treating each other with pure love.
Encourages listeners to understand and live out Theology of the Body in their lives.