Guests for Friday, 3/16/2012

Rita Heikenfeld is online at abouteating.com.

Dan Egan is online at bibletidbits.blogspot.com.

Christina Ries, author of "The Catholic Playbook"


Dave Such and the Louisville Catholic Men's Fellowship is online at cmclouisville.net.

Steven Greydanus is online at decentfilms.com.

Tony Beshara is online at thejobsearchsolution.com.

Fr Greg Friedman is online at franciscanmedia.org.


Lisa Hendey is online at catholicmom.com.


Dr Kevin Vost is online at drvost.com.


Msgr Eugene Morris is online at pcj.edu.

Johnette Benkovic and Fr. Greg Bramlage will keynote the Lenten conference “Living Our Faith to the Fullest” …Saturday March 31st at East Central High School in St. Leon, Indiana. For more information or to register, visit MissionariesOfTheNewEvangelization.us.


Sarah Reinhard, author of "Welcome, Risen Jesus!"


Fr Phillip DeVous is online at acton.org.

Rita Heikenfeld's St Patrick's Day Recipes

CROCKPOT CORNED BEEF &CABBAGE

1 package corned beef brisket with spice & herb packet included - a good spice packet will include caraway. If it doesn’t and you like the flavor it imparts, add a teaspoon of caraway seeds yourself.

1 pound carrots, cut in large pieces
1 large onion, cut in large pieces
1 head cabbage, cored and roughly chopped
3 cups liquid: Can be all apple juice, or a combo of water and apple cider

Spray inside of crockpot. Lay vegetables on bottom. Pour liquid over. Place brisket on top and sprinkle with contents of spice packet. Cook on low 6-8 hours or high 3-4, until meat is fork tender and can be sliced easily.

Corned beef is the same as beef brisket but corned beef is brined with spices usually added in a separate packet, while brisket is not brined.

BEST SODA BREAD WITH CARAWAY

You know how soda breads can be dry? Not this one – it’s nice and moist and incredibly flavorful. Addictive served warm from the oven. It would be perfect alongside the corned beef & cabbage.

2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons sugar
1 stick butter, softened
1/2 generous cup dried fruit: try raisins, currants, cranberries, cherries, whatever!
2 teaspoons caraway seed (optional but very good)
1 cup sour cream (I use natural, not low fat)
Milk
Raw sugar for sprinkling on top (opt but good)

Preheat oven to 375. Mix flour, soda, salt, sugar and butter until mixture is crumbly. Add raisins, caraway and sour cream. Beat gently until blended. Form into mound-shaped circle on sprayed cookie sheet.Bless the dough (this keeps the devils out!). Brush with milk and sprinkle with sugar. Bake 45-55 minutes. Don’t overbake. When toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, bread is done.

Bracket Challenge!

The Son Rise Morning Show issues the following challenge to all listeners: Try, just try, to beat Matt and Anna in March Madness!

Go head to head with the likes of SRMS personalities by clicking http://srmsbc.mayhem.cbssports.com/e

The password is sonrise. Best of luck to you.

Guests for Wednesday, 3/14/2012

Fr Dwight Longenecker is online at dwightlongenecker.com.


To join Liz Lev, Anna Mitchell and Teresa Tomeo on their Rome pilgrimage, visit teresatomeo.com.

Marybeth Hicks is online at marybethhicks.com.


Fr Mark O'Keefe, author of "Deciding to be Christian"


Mike Aquilina is online at fathersofthechurch.com.


Danielle Bean is online at daniellebean.com.


Anthony Buono is online at avemariasingles.com.

Dr Marcellino D'Ambrosio is online at dritaly.com.


Christina Ries, author of "The Catholic Playbook"


Johan Von Parys, author of "Symbols That Surround Us"


Dale Ahlquist is online at chesterton.org.


Paula Westwood is online at createdorder.blogspot.com.

Peter Breen is online at thomasmoresociety.org.

Bracketology 2012: Magisterial Fidelity Edition

Since 2008, I have made it a March tradition to pick my teams in the NCAA men's basketball tournament not according to RPI, nor strength of seed, nor by which mascot would beat the other mascot in a real-life encounter, nor by whether I happen to like their uniform colors (which is what the least informed person in your office pool will do, and still win), but rather by the following criteria:

1. In games between religious schools and nonreligious schools, the religious school is picked.

2. In games between Christian schools and schools with other religious affiliations, the Christian school is picked.

3. In games between Catholic schools and protestant schools, the Catholic school is picked.

4. In games between Catholic schools, the one with the highest degree of fidelity to the Magisterium is picked.

Of course, when it comes down to it, I usually follow these criteria about as closely as some of these schools follow the Magisterium, so cut me some slack. Here are just a few of my predictions:

South, Round 1: Notre Dame vs Xavier

Oh man, the rest of this post probably isn't even going to be interesting. To appreciate the weight of this decision, let's have a bit of a history lesson. Last year, when Xavier faced Marquette early, I had this to say about it as a Cincinnatian:

When a Jesuit institution hires openly dissident faculty, keeps theology profs who routinely deny the priority of Christ, and generally goes about thumbing their nose at basic Christian foundational principles under the guise of “dialogue,” it’s hard to pick a winner when it plays its mirror image in basketball. To quote from one of the greatest basketball movies of all time, Hoosiers: “there's two kinds of dumb: the guy that gets naked and runs out in the snow and barks at the moon, and the guy who does the same thing in my living room. First one don't matter, the second one you're kinda forced to deal with.” Marquette wins.

I cite this to illustrate the magnitude of this decision. Yeah, Xavier actively employs theology professors who believe Jesus' body was probably eaten by wild dogs, and yeah, Notre Dame let Fr. McBrien get tenure. But the HHS mandate being as front of mind as the HHS mandate is, I submit the following commentary from ND philosophy prof Gary Gutting in regard to birth control:

"The bishops’ claim to authority in this matter has been undermined because Catholics have decisively rejected it. The immorality of birth control is no longer a teaching of the Catholic Church. Pope Paul VI meant his 1968 encyclical, “Humanae Vitae,” to settle the issue in the manner of the famous tag, “Roma locuta est, causa finita est.” In fact the issue has been settled by the voice of the Catholic people."

GO MUSKIES

East, Round 1: Vanderbilt vs. Harvard

This is a tough one. Is it possible that Linsanity might have just been the spark that led Harvard to a tournament berth? Given the outspoken evangelical Christian witness of Jeremy Lin, I was tempted to give this one to The Crimson. However, since the game is being played on 3/15 instead of 3/16, I'm going to go with my bias toward the SEC, and the fact that oustanding Old Testament scholar Amy-Jill Levine is on faculty at Vanderbilt, and that friends of mine Peter Breen from the Thomas More Society and Fr Mitch Pacwa are former Commodores. Vandy with a buzzer beater.

South, Round 2: Xavier vs Duke

I think it's safe to say that Duke Divinity is producing more pastors that believe in the authority of the Scriptures than Xavier is. Man, I hate predicting Duke victories. The Blue Devil made me do it.

East, Round 2: Loyola (MD) vs Gonzaga

Another tough one, as two sons of Ignatius battle it out on the hardwood. I know very little about Loyola, and only slightly more about Gonzaga; however, the former head of Gonzaga, Fr. Robert Spitzer, is an intellectual force to be reckoned with like none other. Name another priest who has gone head-to-head in an public debate with Stephen Hawking. Unfortunately, since Fr. Spitzer is no longer in charge there, I have to go by more superficial criteria. When you type "Loyola Maryland Theology" into Google, your first hit is the Loyola Maryland Theology program. When you type "Gonzaga University Theology" into Google, your first hit is Gonzaga Theology on Tap. Advantage Gonzaga.

South, Round 3: Baylor vs Duke

Here I feel more comfortable. Even though Baylor is in the Calvinist tradition, and Duke in the Wesleyan, I'm confident that the Bears have a far more heralded set of solidly Catholic faculty on staff, among them notable convert Francis Beckwith. Plus, who ever feels good about advancing Duke in their bracket? Not this guy.

West, Round 3: St Louis vs Davidson

When a "Jesuit Tradition" school meets a "Presbyterian Tradition" school coming down the road, does the topic of religion even come up? Doubtful. Nevertheless, I'm going with St. Louis on this one, because the Jesuit tradition is more conniving than the Presbyterian one.

Midwest Round 3: St Mary's vs Belmont

St. Mary's theology department is off the table on this one. Belmont is one of the premier training facilities for the production of Contemporary Christian Music, which is about 20% great and about 80% stuff you hope your atheist and agnostic friends never hear because they'll mock you for it for the rest of your life. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus.

Midwest Round 3: Creighton vs Temple

Temple's got a great location in the heart of Philly. I had the chance to walk through part of the Baptist tradition university when I was there for the premiere of The Mighty Macs, a movie about women's NCAA basketball. But this is the men's tournament, so I'm going with the Jesuits at Creighton. Thanks for the memories, Owls.

East Round 3: Gonzaga vs St Bonaventure

A Jesuit and a Franciscan walk onto a basketball court. Just before the jump ball, the Franciscan says, "be of peace, brother; you take the first possession." The Jesuit then grabs the ball, knocks the Franciscan supine, and dunks on him. Gonzaga wins again.

East Round 3: Vanderbilt vs Syracuse

A few years back, Syracuse changed their mascot from the religiously charged "Orangemen" to simply "The Orange." I predict the savvy folks at Vanderbilt will see that as a sign of weakness, despite the intellectual prowess of longtime professor and Catholic intellectual powerhouse Michael Novak. Which will bum me out. Commodores get fouled for the last minute and a half before going home victors.

West Round 4: St. Louis vs Marquette

Another Jesuit vs Jesuit smackdown. Here, we simply turn to the comments of coach Rick Majeris. Perhaps some of you will remember when then-Archbishop-of-St.-Louis Raymond Burke called on the University of St. Louis to discipline him for his outspoken remarks in support of abortion and embryonic stem cell research. Besides, what's a Billiken?

Midwest Round 4: St Mary's vs Creighton

At this point, I admit my own personal bias. Because of the Pope Paul VI Institute at Creighton University, my wife and I gave birth to our first son just before Christmas. Call me sappy, but I'm giving this one to Creighton.

East Round 4: Gonzaga vs Vanderbilt

The legacy of Fr Robert Spitzer vs the legacy of Fr Mitch Pacwa? I flipped a coin. Vanderbilt won.

Semifinals: Baylor vs Marquette

Why does my gut always tell me that Baptists are more faithful to their tradition than Jesuits? Ugh. Baylor, do your victory dance.

Semifinals: Creighton vs Vanderbilt

Have I mentioned how cute my kid is?

National Championship: Creighton vs Baylor


Congratulations, Creighton, on your NCAA Championship efforts.

Guests for Tuesday, 3/13/2012

Kevin Lowry is online at gratefulconvert.com.


Brandon Vogt is online at thethinveil.net.


John Martoccia's film "Vito Bonifacci" can be ordered at vitobonifacci.com.

Rebecca Taylor is online at marymeetsdolly.com.

Michael Hesemann, co-author of "My Brother the Pope"


Kevin Schmiesing is online at catholichistory.net.

Paula Westwood blogs at createdorder.blogspot.com.

Send your questions for Catholic counselor Kevin Prendergast to sonrise@sacredheartradio.com.

Peter Breen is online at thomasmoresociety.org.

Brian Shields is online at lumen.tv.

Fr Dwight Longenecker is online at dwightlongenecker.com.


Fr Andrew Small is online at onefamilyinmission.org.

Danielle Bean is online at faithandfamilylive.com.

Guests for Monday, 3/12/2012

Kevin Schmiesing is online at catholichistory.net.

Tony Beshara is online at thejobsearchsolution.com.

Celia Wolf-Devine, author of "A New Companion to Prayer"


Anne Costa, author of "Lord, I Hurt!"


Teresa Tomeo is online at teresatomeo.com.


Kate Wicker, author of "Weightless"


Kevin Lowry is online at gratefulconvert.com.


Fr Andrew Small is online at onefamilyinmission.org.

Mary Eberstadt, author of "Adam and Eve after The Pill"


Steven Greydanus is online at decentfilms.com.

Msgr Eugene Morris is online at pcj.edu.

Anthony Buono is online at avemariasingles.com.

Rebecca Taylor is online at marymeetsdolly.com.

Guests for Friday, 3/9/2012

Rita Heikenfeld is online at abouteating.com.

Dan Egan is online at bibletidbits.blogspot.com.

Fr Juan Velez, author of "Passion for Truth: The Life of John Henry Newman"


Katherine Becker, author of "The Dating Fast"


Steven Greydanus is online at decentfilms.com.

Tony Beshara is online at thejobsearchsolution.com.

Fr Greg Friedman is online at franciscanmedia.org.


Lisa Hendey is online at catholicmom.com.


Stephanie Mann blogs at supremacyandsurvival.com.


Pat Gohn is online at patgohn.com.

For info on the Sharonville 40 Days for Life campaign, visit 40daysforlife.com/sharonville.

Dr Kevin Collins is online at coachisright.com.

Kathryn Mulderink, author of "The Way of the Cross for Children"

Rita Heikenfeld's Mujadara

We ate this often when growing up. A great vegetarian dish forLent

1 cup brown lentils
1 cup Rice
3-1/2 cups water
5 large onions
Salt, pepper and cumin to taste (start with a teaspoon of cumin and go from there)

Slice onions. Film a big skillet with olive oil and add onions. You’ll have a lot of onions but as they cook, they lose their bulk. Saute over medium high heat until onions are caramelized – they will get very dark brown. This will take some time. Meanwhile, pour lentils into water. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to a simmer. Cover,and cook until tender, about 20 minutes or so. Add rice, cumin and salt and pepper. Cover, and simmer 20 minutes or until rice is done. Stir in as many onions as you like into the rice lentil mixture. Keep some out for garnish on top.

To serve: We always top with homemade yogurt (Laban). If you like, sprinkle on some chopped hot peppers. You can also serve hummus and flat bread alongside.

Tips from Rita’s Kitchen:

Lentils are high in protein and a great substitute for meat. They range in color and variety from olive green to brown. Lentils lose moisture as they get older and can take longer to cook than fresher ones. They are low in fat and high in fiber.
Lentils are a good source of iron, zinc, potassium and folate.

Guests for Thursday, 3/8/2012

Msgr Eugene Morris is online at pcj.edu.

Mike Aquilina is online at fathersofthechurch.com.


Dr Marcellino D'Ambrosio is online at dritaly.com.


Send your questions for Catholic counselor Kevin Prendergast to sonrise@sacredheartradio.com.

Donna Marie Cooper O'Boyle, author of "Bringing Lent Home with Mother Teresa"


Dr Arthur Kunath is online at stedmundcampion.org.

Rita Heikenfeld is online at abouteating.com.

Dan Egan is online at bibletidbits.blogspot.com.

Mark Hart is online at lifeteen.com.


Marybeth Hicks is online at marybethhicks.com.

For information on upcoming showings of "Vito Bonafacci," visit parklandtheatre.com.

Michael Hesemen, co-author of "My Brother the Pope"


Lisa Hendey is online at catholicmom.com.