60 Second Reflections » Seize the Day
Friday, September 15, 2017
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Gus talks about how the power of the Rosary helped them get through Hurricane Irma. He shares a story about how he and his wife prayed the Rosary, asking the BVM to turn the storm more inland, not necessarily for it to not hit them and hit other people instead, but because the more a […]
Thursday, September 14, 2017
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Gus talks divorce and the negative effects it can have on good, church-going people. He talks with listeners who’ve gotten divorced and were able to have a good relationship with their ex. Later on, Bob Dunning calls in to give his predictions on some of the biggest college football games this weekend. And, Gus gives some […]
Wednesday, September 13, 2017
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Gus returns LIVE after being off a couple of days because of damage caused by Hurricane Irma, which blazed through the state of Florida over the weekend. Fortunately, Gus and his family came through it fairly unscathed but many others didn’t so we keep them in our prayers. Through Tell Me Something Good, Gus talks […]
Monday September 11th to Tuesday September 12th
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Because of the damaging effects of Hurricane Irma, Seize the Day will be off Monday and Tuesday, September 11th and 12th. Fortunately, damage to Gus’s house was minimal and WILL RETURN LIVE tomorrow, Wednesday, September 13th.
Friday, September 8, 2017
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Gus plays audio from Charlie Rose’s interview with former White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon and his criticism of how Catholic bishops have addressed the immigration issue followed by Cardinal Dolan’s response on Jennifer Fulwiler yesterday. Gus gives his reaction, calling Bannon’s comments ridiculous and then gets listener response. Later, in honor of today’s Feast of […]
Thursday, September 7, 2017
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Gus plays some audio from an exchange yesterday between Sen. Diane Feinstein, Sen. Dick Durbin and Notre Dame Law School Prof. Amy Coney Barrett during the latter’s confirmation hearing for the federal appeals courts based in Cincinnati, Ohio and Chicago, Illinois. Barrett’s Catholic faith was called into question by Feinstein and Durbin. Sen. Durbin challenges […]
Wednesday, September 6, 2017
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Derya Little joins Gus in the Conversion Corner. Derya grew up in Turkey and was raised in the Muslim religion. She talks about her harrowing conversion, which she talks about in detail in her recently published memoir “From Islam to Christ: One Woman’s Path through the Riddles of God.” Later, Gus is joined by Fr. […]
Tuesday, September 5, 2017
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After observing the Labor Day holiday, Gus is back and he starts off talking a little more about the death of Walter Becker, of Steely Dan, which really affected him when he heard about it Sunday afternoon. In fact, he started to tear up. So, he asks listeners about the death of a celebrity that affected […]
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
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Gus welcomed Fr. Roger Morgan, pastor of St. Andrew Catholic Church in Myrtle Beach, SC into the Conversion Corner today. Fr. Morgan was an atheist and became Catholic at 30. Shortly after entering the Church, he felt a call to priesthood and was ordained in 2015. Gus also talked with listeners about cameras at Mass. […]
Tuesday, August 29, 2017
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As we continue to pray for those affected by Hurricane Harvey, Gus asked listeners to share stories of surviving natural disasters. A number of listeners shared their stories of recovering after Hurricane Katrina, which was 12 years ago today. Also, Gus shared the story of San Domenico Catholic School in San Anselmo, CA. They have […]
Monday, August 28, 2017
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Today is the Feast of St. Augustine. Gus keeps a long standing tradition on Seize the Day by sharing with listeners the wisdom of St. Augustine. He uses a daily meditation book, Augustine Day by Day, which his wife gave him in 1991. Here is a link to the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Augustine-Day-Spiritual-Life/dp/1937913481/
Friday, August 25, 2017
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Gus reads a Crisis Magazine article by Deacon John Beagan entitled “What’s Missing in the New Evangelization,” which talks about how there’s not enough talk about the prospect of eternal damnation in the message and that we’re kind of preaching a feel-good message to a group of people who already feel pretty good. Gus takes […]
Thursday, August 24, 2017
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Gus talks about the case of Bremerton High School football coach Joe Kennedy, in Bremerton, Washington, who was dismissed recently over his refusal to stop privately praying on the field after each game. Over the years, players would come and join him. Gus gets listener reaction. Also, Gus reads a letter from a listener named Bob […]
Wednesday, August 23, 2017
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Fr. Dave Dwyer, host of the Busted Halo Show, calls in to clear up some misconceptions and misunderstandings about the seal of confession. Gus recaps his conversation from yesterday about the seal of confession. Australia is trying to pass a law that would require priests to report any of instance of child abuse revealed to them […]
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
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Lawmakers in Australia are trying pass a law that would require priests to report any instance where child abuse revealed to them in the confessional. Gus talks about the teaching on the Sacrament of Confession and explains the Church’s teaching on why the seal of confession can never be broken. He gets listener reaction. Also, […]
Monday, August 21, 2017
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At mass this past weekend, Gus was singing along in his hymnal to “Taste And See,” when he noticed all the masculine pronouns had been removed and replaced with neutral one, which caused him to stop singing. He admits he’s not a fan of changes like that. He asks listeners what they think. And, it’s […]
Friday, August 18, 2017
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Gus reads an opinion piece by Catholic writer Ryan Bomberger, which talks about how, in this climate of perceived rampant racism, Planned Parenthood kills more African American than white supremacists and compares the mass coverage a few hundred white supremacists in Charlottesville, Virginia received compared to the lack of coverage the March for Life gets, which […]
Thursday, August 17, 2017
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Joseph Pearce, senior editor with the Augustine Institute and noted Catholic author, joins Gus to talk about his former life as a white supremacist and his radical conversion to the Catholic faith. Joseph wrote a piece, in the wake of the events in Charlottesville this past weekend, that appeared yesterday in the National Catholic Register […]
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
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A recent CBS News report that talked about how the country of Iceland touting that they’ve eliminated Down’s Syndrome. Turns out, it’s being done through abortion. Gus condemns this practice and how it’s being presented as something positive. He asks if you can perpetuate an evil in order to attain a good. Later, Catholic Creatives […]
Tuesday, August 15, 2017
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Today is the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary so Gus gives today the title of Mother’s Day. He talks about Mary’s role in the Church and how and why the Catholic Church venerates her. Then, Gus talks with listeners about their relationship with the Blessed Virgin Mary. We hear from a few […]
Monday, August 14, 2017
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Gus opens up the floor to a couple of interesting discussion topics. First, he talks about the “dark arts” and asks listeners if they’ve ever dabbled in Ouija Boards, Tarot cards, palm readings, etc. Also, Gus talks about this past Sunday’s homily, where Jesus walks on water, and he asks listeners to call in and share what […]
Tuesday, August 8, 2017
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Due to unforeseen circumstances, like a bolt of lightning directly striking Gus’ house yesterday afternoon, we were unable to bring you a live Seize the Day today. We are working hard behind the scenes to get Gus back up on the air as soon as possible so be listening! In place of the live show, […]
Monday, August 7, 2017
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Gus is back LIVE today after spend a week in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina where he and his wife spent considerable time on the beach and visited with their eldest son Patrick. Also, Gus visited an auto parts store yesterday, to buy wiper blades for his youngest son, and he noticed an air freshener for sale […]
Monday, July 31st to August 4th, 2017
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Seize the Day is on vacation July 31st to August 4th, but that doesn’t mean you have to tune out. Listen to some of our best moments from the past couple of months all this week. Gus will return live on Monday, August 7th.
Friday, July 25, 2017
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Did you know that the mass has only been said in the local vernacular regularly for 48 years? Before that, it was said, almost universally, in Latin and that was the norm for at least 1,000 years, if not more. The Latin mass is still around and available in many dioceses here in the United […]
Thursday, July 27, 2017
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The homily at mass is not THE most important part of mass, but it is important nonetheless. Gus talks about when priests and deacons incorporate personal stories into their homilies. It’s not always well-received. Gus asks listeners their thoughts on when the homilist incorporates personal stories into his homily. Also, it’s National Natural Family Planning Awareness Week […]
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
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Deacon Tom Dubois, executive director of the National Association of Diaconate Directors calls in to shed some light on the permanent diaconate. Gus frequently gets emails from listeners expressing interest in the permanent diaconate but aren’t really sure what it all entails. Deacon Tom tells Gus and our listeners his story, his discernment process and what […]
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
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After five years of being his producer, Gus finally invites Scooterman, aka Scott Shea (pictured below), to be his co-host for a day on Seize the Day. Scooterman sits down in the Conversion Corner and tells Gus and the listeners his reversion story. He’s a cradle Catholic who fell away when he was a teenager […]
Monday, July 24, 2017
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Yesterday’s Gospel was taken from Matthew 13 where Jesus tells the gathered crowd a series of parables. Gus says his priest gave a terrific homily and asks listeners what their homily was like and whether or not they received any “spiritual nuggets.” And it wouldn’t be a Monday on Seize the Day with a Tell […]
Friday, July 21, 2017
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Gus sums up a recent Religion News Service article he read entitled “Catholicism’s Two-Party System,” which talks about how the liberal versus conservative cold war, which permeates American society, has also crept into our Church. Gus asks listeners if they believe that. And, it’s Friday so that means we take some time for prayer on […]
Thursday, July 20, 2017
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Gus resumes yesterday’s extremely hot topic of how we dress at mass. After the show, Gus was inundated with emails about the topic and opinions were pretty well mixed. Gus again takes it to the listeners and gets their thoughts on dressing up or dressing down for mass.
Wednesday, July 19, 2017
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Gus talks about dress codes at mass and whether or not it’s an invitation to get dressed up or we should just be happy people are coming and not be mindful of what they wear. If you feel that there should be a dress standard, are you being judgmental? Gus takes it to listeners and […]
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
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Gus reads the controversial report on U.S. Catholicism, written by Jesuit priest Fr. Antonio Spadaro (pictured below) and Marcello Figueroa for the Italian Jesuit publication La Civiltà Cattolica, entitled “A Suprising Ecumenism.” Afterwards, Gus gives his take on the article and then gets listener reaction. Later, Gus talks about mass and how people can, at times, struggle […]
Friday, July 14, 2017
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The Catholic Church has faced political, social and philosophical threat since its beginning so Gus talks with listeners about some of the greatest threats to the Catholic faith today. Later, Bryan Mercier (pictured below) Catholic speaker and writer, sits down with Gus in the Conversion Corner. Bryan is a Catholic revert. Check out his conversion story […]
Thursday, July 13, 2017
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Fr. Doug Grandon calls in, from the Netherlands, to sit down with Gus in the Conversion Corner and share his conversion and vocation story. Fr. Grandon is in the Netherlands with 13 FOCUS students, and some nuns from the Nashville Dominicans, on a missionary trip. Also, Gus talks about a recent opinion piece written by […]
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
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In honor of St. Benedict’s feast day, Gus gives a Benedictine twist to Bible Roulette where he gives out each of St. Benedict’s 12 Steps of Humility, from his Rule of St. Benedict, to callers. Also, in keeping with the feast day, Gus talks with listeners about their favorite religious order, since St. Benedict is […]
Friday, July 7, 2017
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Gus talks about a real-life conundrum he heard about recently. A man’s wife passed away and wanted to be cremated with her ashes scattered over the ocean. Not long after her death, the widower had a conversion experience and became Catholic. The Catholic Church condones cremation but the ashes may not be scattered Now, he’s […]
Thursday, July 6, 2017
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Today Gus shared Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of June – to pray for those who are distant from the faith. Click here to watch the video from the Vatican on this. In light of that, Gus asked listeners to share the story of how they found the Catholic Channel and where they […]
Wednesday, July 5, 2017
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Fr. Richard Rojas sits down with Gus in the Conversion Corner. Fr. Richard grew up Presbyterian and eventually became an Anglican priest. It was in the latter church that he discovered his affinity for the Catholic faith. Check out his recent appearance on the Coming Home Network here. Also, Gus talks a little about Charlie […]
Friday, June 30, 2017
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Gus starts this morning leading into a long weekend with a Catholic true or false quiz and gives away some items that he brought home from his recent pilgrimage to Fatima. For Friday prayer time, we prayed an Intentional Rosary. This is where a listener’s special intention is included with each Hail Mary of a […]
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
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Gus talks with people who’ve endured, or are currently enduring, cancer treatment and, later, talks with listeners who’ve surpassed, or know someone who has, a critical health diagnosis through faith, hope and attitude. Also, Gus goes over the Supreme Court’s decision to hear case on religious objections to same-sex marriage. The Supreme Court agreed on Monday […]
Monday, June 26, 2017
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Unfortunately for Gus, he’s being going to a lot of funerals lately so it’s given him reason to think what he would like the liturgy to be for his, including readings and songs. He invites listeners to call in and share their funeral plans. And, it wouldn’t be a Monday on Seize the Day without a […]
Friday, June 23, 2017
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Gus jumps into Friday prayer time right off the bat this morning, praying for the needs of all his listeners. Trent Horn, an apologist with Catholic Answers, called in to talk about his new book, Why We’re Catholic: Our Reasons for Faith, Hope and Love. You can get a copy of the book here. Gus […]
Thursday, June 22, 2017
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Gus gives an update on David Daleiden, the man behind the undercover Planned Parenthood videos which show high-ranking PPFA official bartering for the sale of fetal organs and tissue, which is illegal. A The San Francisco Superior Court dismissed 14 felony counts against Daleiden and the Center for Medical Progress, which had been filed by […]
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
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Gus plays the clip of his on-air flub yesterday, during the Prayer to St. Michael, and laughs incessantly for about two minutes. He invites listeners to call in and he quizzes them on mass prayers. He starts a prayer that we either hear or say at every Sunday mass and asks the caller to finish […]
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
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Gus shared the story of a federal judge ruling that a large white Latin cross in a park in Pensacola, FL had to be taken down. Gus then asked listeners if they thought Satan was behind this. Find the story here. Gus then spoke with Daniel Mattson, author of Why I Don’t Call Myself Gay. […]
Monday, June 19, 2017
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Gus reads an email from a listener who happens to be a mechanic who says he discovered Seize the Day from a customer who left it on in his car. Inspired by that, Gus asks listeners if there’s a particular app or Web site or other resource that helps them in their faith and how […]
Friday, June 16, 2017
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Canon lawyer Jacqueline Rapp calls in today to answer divorce, remarriage and, especially, annulment questions from listeners. Also, Father’s Day is this Sunday so Gus invites listeners to call in an brag on their dads, husbands, sons; anyone in their lives who’s a dad. And, it’s Friday and that means Prayer Time on Seize the […]
Thursday, June 15, 2017
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Gus talks about the shooting yesterday in Washington D.C., at practice for a Congressional baseball games, which left Rep. Steve Scalise in critical condition and talks with listeners about if this was just an isolated incident or if this is endemic of a bigger societal problem. Later, Fr. Timothy Reid, a convert from the Methodist faith, […]
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
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Well, we’re one week away from the official start of summer and family vacations will be starting soon so Gus asks listeners where they go to mass on vacation and do they give to that church’s collection? Later, Gus talks about some sad news out of England that the rate of selective abortions for parents of […]