If you sponsor Matt or Anna in the 5k...

Your money goes to help Right to Life of Greater Cincinnati purchase time to air this ad on secular television. Make it happen!

In Response to Matt's Top Ten Reasons

10. Is a severe blow to Matt's pride such a bad thing? Humility is a virtue.

9. You are still able to eat from the Dollar Menu with a $5 contribution to Anna's cause.

8. There is nothing wrong with walking. You don't see people running in the March for Life.

7. While Anna may be a rookie at this particular walk, she has been to the March for Life in D.C. twice (see photo).

6. "Pope Benedict" was just trying to make Matt feel better - while he wants Matt to do well, he clearly wants to see Anna win this competition.

5. Anna would totally buy a round of JTMs for her sponsors, as well.

4. Statement from Anna Mitchell: "As a journalist, transparency is of the utmost importance to me. All donations through my page will go directly to Right to Life of Cincinnati, which deserves much more money than I have raised so far."

3. Anna will boast... of the greatness of the Lord, who will help her win this race.

2. Anna's page is much prettier than Matt's.

1. While Anna is thrilled with the generosity of donors thus far, she is determined to break the record for most money raised ever (if one such record exists).

Help Anna get over the $300 mark!!

Rita Heikenfeld's Plant Suggestions for Mary Gardens

Find more at abouteating.com:

ROSES: Roses are the emblem of Mary and she is called the First Rose of Martyrs. The rose was also adopted as the emblem of Mary’s love of God. Here’s a list of appropriate plants, some of which are mentioned in the Bible and some of which are associated with Bible times but not specifically mentioned.

MINT, FENNEL, AND DILL: all tithing herbs but great in cooking

MARY'S BEDSTRAW: a low growing perennial that looks like what might have been put in the manger. My statue of Mary stands on the bedstraw.

DAY LILIES: These are edible, but most lilies represent our Lady for her purity and chastity. White Lilies especially. And Angel Gabriel is often shown holding a lily.

CILANTRO: the seed of this plant, Coriander, is sometimes mentioned as the manna of the Bible.

ROSEMARY: supposedly this herb was named Rosemary because Mary tossed her blue cloak over the bush and the flowers turned blue. This is a piney tasting herb full of antioxidants.

OREGANO/HYSSOP: Moses told the Israelites to dip a branch of hyssop in lamb’s blood to mark their door posts.

FLAX: it has beautiful blue flowers and the linen from the shroud of Turin is supposed to have been made from the stem of this flower.

SNAPDRAGON: another edible flower which is called infant Jesus’ shoes

MARIGOLD: I like Calendula, an edible member of this family and one I use in my homemade spa products. “Mary’s Gold” equates itself also with sunflowers and common marigolds.

ROSE OF SHARON: another edible flower for the Mary Garden. It becomes a nice background bush.

PANSIES: These are called Our Lady’s Delight.

FORGET ME NOTS: These remind us of Mary’s eyes. They’re a beautiful blue.

GARLIC: not fragrant is a sweet sense, but mentioned in the Bible.

THYME: this herb grew wild in the hills of Jerusalem and the area.

COSTMARY: I love this herb – it’s called the Bible herb because folks used to put a leaf in their Bible to keep them awake during long sermons. It has a balsam like aroma.

Top Ten Reasons You Should Sponsor Matt In This Week's 5k Run For Life

10. Because getting beaten by a girl would be a severe blow to Matt's pride.

9. Because if you go and donate just $5.00 right now, all it means is that you have to eat off of the Dollar Menu instead of the Combo Menu.

8. Because Matt's actually running, and Anna is only walking.

7. Because this is Matt's third year in a row running the 5k, and that kind of veteran showing is completely deserving of financial support.

6. Because due to a misunderstanding, a user calling themself "Pope Benedict XVI" donated money in honor of Matt, but it somehow showed up on Anna's page.

5. Because if they weren't free to participants already, Matt would totally buy a round of JTM's for anyone who sponsored him.

4. Because Matt promises that 100% of all money donated through his page will go directly to Right to Life of Greater Cincinnati, and not into his own pocket. No such statement has been released from Anna Mitchell's camp, which indicates a reluctance toward transparency.

3. Because if Anna raises more money than Matt, the sound of her boasting will resound through the halls of Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Center for months to come.

2. Because Matt's donor page exhibits a much greater sensitivity to principles of design and functionality than Anna's page does.

1. Because right now, Anna Mitchell has raised $245.00, while Matt has raised a meager $70.00, and that's just plain embarrassing.

Help Matt save just a little bit of face now.

Guests for Thursday, 5/7/2009

Anthony Buono blogs at 6stonejars.com.

William Murchison, author of "Mortal Follies: Episcopalians and the Crisis of Mainline Christianity"


Barry Michaels is online at barrymichaels.wordpress.com.


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

Fr Rob Jack is online at revrobjack.com.

Tammy Bundy is online at tammybundy.com.


Rita Heikenfeld is online at abouteating.com.

Dan Egan is online at bibletidbits.blogspot.com.

Marybeth Hicks is online at marybethhicks.com.


Fr Phillip DeVous is online at acton.org.

Stephanie Mann, author of "Supremacy and Survival"


Andy Schmitt is online at prolifeinvestor.com.
You can sign up for this weekend's 5k Run for Life benefitting Right to Life of Greater Cincinnati at 5krun4life.org.
And you can help Matt in his quest to raise more money than Anna here.

Pray for Deacon Shawn Landenwitch as he prepares for ordination to the priesthood!
Find out more at cincinnativocations.org.

Today's news...

ND Response releases its schedule for protesting Notre Dame's commencement.

President Obama will not hold a public ceremony on the National Day of Prayer tomorrow.

The Vatican swears in new members of the Swiss Guard today.

More people are needed to donate to Anna's cause for the upcoming 5K for Cincinnati RTL.

5k Run for Life Donation Status Update

Right now, here's the score:

Anna Mitchell: $125.00
Matt Swaim: $45.00

Help us out! I (Matt) am looking pretty bad here- and if Anna beats me, it's not likely that I'll hear the end of it anytime soon. Plus, your donation goes to support Right to Life of Greater Cincinnati, an absolutely wonderful organization.

Did I mention we're on Facebook?

The Son Rise Morning Show's Facebook fan page has some features that you already see here on the blog, such as a listing of the day's guests. But in addition to that, group members will also find:

-Pictures of regular guests (what's that Dan Egan guy look like, anyway?)

-Depictions of the day's Saint (such as St. John the Evangelist before the Latin Gate)

-Profiles of other fans of the Son Rise Morning show, with whom you can chat and interact (even Anna Mitchell...)

-Links to other fan pages of other EWTN programs (Such as Raymond Arroyo's "The World Over")

Speaking of Raymond Arroyo, right now he has about 112 members in his Facebook group, and we've got just under a hundred- join up today, and get us up to speed! You can link directly to our Facebook fan page here.

Guests for Tuesday, 5/6/2009

Paula Westwood and Right to Life of Greater Cincinnati are online at affirminglife.org.

Bill Donaghy is online at twistedmystics.blogspot.com and missionmoment.org.

Tammy Bundy is online at TammyBundy.com.


Rich Leonardi is online at richleonardi.blogspot.com.

Mike Aquilina is online at fathersofthechurch.com.


Deacon James Keating and Creighton's Institute for Priestly Formation are online here.


Anthony Buono blogs at 6stonejars.com.

Fr Phillip DeVous and the Acton Institute are online at acton.org.

Jim Beckman, author of "God Help Me!"


Dave Bathon is online at crossroadswalk.org.

Marybeth Hicks is online at marybethhicks.com.


Steve Gajdosik and the Catholic Radio Association are online at catholicradioassociation.org.

Barry Michaels is online at barrymichaelsbooks.com.

Today's news...

The students of ND Response get official permission to protest during Notre Dame's commencement on May 17th.

Pope Benedict meets with the Pontifical Council on Social Sciences... check out his address and the address of Mary Ann Glendon.

After review, two parishes in the Diocese of Cleveland will no longer close within the year.

Send out your SOS

Listen to the song, and think "Original Solitude" and John Paul II. If you have trouble envisioning it, head over to Twisted Mystics and read Bill Donaghy's thoughts as you sing along.

Anna and Matt in Competition

Son Rise Morning Show Producer Matt Swaim and News Director Anna Mitchell are holding a friendly competition in relation to this weekend's 5k Run for Life, which benefits Right to Life of Greater Cincinnati (as represented weekly by the omnipresent Paula Westwood, our eye in the pro-life sky).

Matt and Anna's competition doesn't have to do with who crosses the finish line first, but who can raise the most money for RTL in their name. Your job: to go to Matt's or Anna's personal page and click on the donate buttons. Any donation, small or large, is most welcome.

Right to Life began in Cincinnati, and RTL of Greater Cincinnati is a fantastic organization, entirely worthy of your support. Paula and the crew's goal is to educate us about life issues, and they do a great job of just that, keeping our Sacred Heart Radio family informed of everything from stem cells to euthanasia, and are responsible for things like the great pro-life billboards you see around town. We hope that you'll head to either Matt's or Anna's page and donate today to help them continue their great work.

ND Response Video

Guests for Cinco de Mayo

Dan Turnwald and the Knights of Columbus are online at kofc.org.

Rich Leonardi runs the blog Ten Reasons.

Barry Michaels is online at barrymichaels.wordpress.com.


Help the Franciscan Daughters of Mary in their "Diaper Drive" for the month of May- find out how to reach them here.

Bill Donaghy is online at missionmoment.org and twistedmystics.blogspot.com.

Kevin Schmiesing is online at catholichistory.net.

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

Tom Colyandro's article on discernment is up at Catholic Exchange.


Register for this week's Carenet anniversary gala by calling (859) 282-9878.

Mike Aquilina is online at fathersofthechurch.com.


William Murchison, author of "Mortal Follies"

Fr Rob Jack on TV today

Fr. Rob Jack informs us that he'll be part of a panel discussion today on Local 12 at either 6 or 11, talking about heaven, hell, and other things of eternal importance. Apparently a rabbi and an atheist also take part in the discussion. Tune in and support Fr. Rob!

Today's news...

Here's the full-story from the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion and Public Life poll on the Notre Dame-Obama controversy.

Scranton Bishop Joseph Martino criticizes King's College for inviting Senator Bob Casey to speak at graduation.


The pope discusses his upcoming Holy Land visit and the ordination of priests during yesterday's Regina Coeli address.

Guests for Monday, 5/4/2009

Kevin Schmiesing is online at catholichistory.net.

Steven Greydanus is online at decentfilms.com.

Barry Michaels blogs at barrymichaels.wordpress.com.
His books are at barrymichaelsbooks.com.


Michael Walsh is online at www.yomichael.com.

Dr. Jack Wilke is online at lifeissues.org.


Fr. James Kubicki and the Apostleship of Prayer are online at apostleshipofprayer.org.

Steve Gajdosik and the Catholic Radio Association are online at catholicradioassociation.org.

Rich Leonardi is online at richleonardi.blogspot.com.

Dan Turnwald and the Knights of Columbus are online at kofc.org.

For information on Steve Binz's talks this week in the Cincinnati area, or to register, call Tanya at 513-421-3131.


Please continue to pray for Deacon Dave Endres as he prepares for his upcoming ordination to the priesthood! Find out more at cincinnativocations.org.

Dr Mike Gable and the Mission Office for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati can be reached by calling 513-421-3131.

News today...

Notre Dame announces that there will be no Laetare Medal winner this year, but former recipient John Noonan will speak in the "spirit" of the award.

Pope Benedict meets with the president of Columbia.

The man who tried to kill Pope John Paul II says he has embraced the Catholic faith.

Guests for the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker

Dan Egan is online at bibletidbits.blogspot.com.

Rita Heikenfeld is online at abouteating.com.

Fr Rob Jack is online at revrobjack.com.

For more information on the Carenet banquet, call (859) 282-9878.

Steven Greydanus is online at decentfilms.com.

Msgr Eugene Morris has a website: fathermorris.net.

Fr Greg Friedman is online at franciscanradio.org.

Fr Cedric Pisegna is online at frcedric.org.


Michael Walsh is online at yomichael.com.

Find Mother Seraphina and the Franciscan Daughters of Mary here.

Tom Coylandro's article on discernment for Catholic Exchange is online here.


Fr James Kubicki and the Apostleship of Prayer are online at apostleshipofprayer.org.

Cheryl Dickow is online in a number of places: bezalelbooks.com and CatholicExchange.com.