Merry Christmas! On this special Christmas Catholic Forum we feature Bishop William Koenig’s annual Christmas message to the people of Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore and present an interview we talk with Boglárka Sztancs, International Relations Coordinator for EWTN Global Services. Boglárka, a native of Hungary, has been living and working in Rome for many years and shares what it is like to experience Advent and Christmas in the Eternal City. Also, we are happy to present some great Christmas music from the Philadelphia Orchestra under the direction of Eugene Ormandy’s The Glourious Sounds of Christmas CD, John Michael Talbot’s The Birth of Jesus CD and John Angotti’s Welcome Home for Christmas CD. You can see videos of Bishop Koenig’s Christmas message and Bob Krebs’ interview with Boglárka Sztancs on the Diocese of WIlmington’s YouTube channel – YouTube.com/DioceseofWilm. Catholic Forum is a production of the Office of Communications of the Diocese of Wilmington. Please like, share and subscribe!
New Communications Director announced for the Diocese of Wilmington
December 24, 2025 — (Wilmington, Delaware) — The Most Reverend William E. Koenig, D.D., Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington, has announced the appointment of Ms. Hannah R. Dell as the new diocesan Director of the Office of Communications. Ms. Dell is replacing Mr. Robert G. Krebs who is retiring after 25 years in the position. Ms. Dell’s appointment is effective January 16, 2025.
A graduate of Mount Saint Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Maryland with a degree in sociology; Ms. Dell has held various key positions with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Since 2012, she has served the Bishops’ Conference as Staff Assistant to the Secretariat of Divine Worship, Membership Services Specialist with the Office of the General Secretary – and most recently- Liaison for Diocesan Communications. It that role, Ms. Dell served as the national point of contact for over 150 diocesan communications offices, supervised editorial strategy and content direction for the USCCB homepage, managed social media operations for USCCB platforms, provided strategic media and logistical support for major events and initiated a continuing video series of interviews with U.S. bishops to strengthen digital evangelization, among others. Ms. Dell also has conversational proficiency in Spanish and basic knowledge of Italian.
“We are excited to welcome Hannah Dell to our diocesan team,” commented Bishop Koenig. “We are blessed to have a Catholic communications professional of Hannah’s caliber joining us in service to the Catholic community in Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore and look forward to the ways that her experience at the USCCB and her service to the Church in the United States will build upon the diocesan communication initiatives that have been so capably led over the last 25 years by her predecessor, Bob Krebs.”
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the Diocese of Wilmington as Communications Director,” Ms. Dell said. “At a time when there is renewed energy and hope across the Church following our Jubilee Year, sparked in part by the bold witness and pastoral vision of Pope Leo, I’m thrilled to help share the stories of how the Catholic faith is alive and growing in the communities of Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore. I look forward to meeting and learning about the people of God in the diocese and working alongside Bishop Koenig and The Dialog staff to amplify the good work and the Good News happening within our parishes, schools, and ministries.”
The Catholic Diocese of Wilmington was established in 1868 and comprises 54 parishes, 20 missions and 29 schools serving the State of Delaware and the nine counties of Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Information about the diocese is available at www.cdow.org.
# # #
Media Contact: Bob Krebs
rkrebs@cdow.org
302-573-3116
Meet Catholic Country Music Singer/Songwriter, Bradley Banning
On this episode of Catholic Forum, after a news update from The Dialog and a song from the CD “Songs of Angels: Christmas Hymns & Carols” from the Robert Shaw Chamber Singers, we meet talented singer, songwriter and performer, Bradley Banning who is bringing the Catholic faith to country music. Bradley tells of his love for country music, his conversion to Catholicism, and how he strives to live his faith in the music industry. As an added bonus – he performs a Christmas song that he wrote with his father and a friend, titled “Christmas on Main.” You can see a video of this interview on the Diocese of Wilmington’s YouTube channel – YouTube.com/DioceseofWilm. Catholic Forum is a production of the Office of Communication of the Diocese of Wilmington. Please like, share and subscribe.
The REAL story of Santa with local author, Mike McGrew
On this episode of Catholic Forum, after a news update from The Dialog, local author and retired school psychologist, Mike McGrew, will discuss his new book, “The Boy Who Would Be Santa.” In this historical fiction picture book, the story of Saint Nicholas is told in his own words. Relatable to children of all ages, this book tells the true story of how kindness and overcoming obstacles can lead to sainthood. You can see a video of this interview on the Diocese of Wilmington’s YouTubd channel, YouTube.com/DioceseofWilm. Catholic Forum is a production of the Office of Communication of the Diocese of Wilmington. Please like, share and subscribe! Santa is watching! 🙂
One of Us: Riley Bransfield
“One of Us” is a brief snapshot of people who support the Catholic church in various ways in the Diocese of Wilmington. We regularly feature people who may be recognizable within their parish or school communities.
Religious Women & Men Greatly Contribute to the Life of the Church
On this episode of Catholic Forum, after a news update from The Dialog, we talk to Sister Ann David Strohminger, OSF, Delegate for Religious for the Diocese of Wilmington. Sister tells us about all the ways that religious women and men are vital contributors to the life of the Church in Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Sister also highlights how the money raised during the Retirement Fund for Religious Collection – held this year on Dec. 13/14 – helps the religious of our diocese to have a more secure retirement. You can see a video of this interview on the Diocese of Wilmington’s YouTube channel. Catholic Forum is a production of the Office of Communications of the Diocese of Wilmington. Please like, share and subscribe!
Celebrate Advent and Christmas through Mary’s eyes
On this episode of Catholic Forum, after a news update from Joe Owens of The Dialog and a cut from the CD “Songs of Angels” by the Robert Shaw Chamber Singers, we talk with Notre Dame professor and author, Catherine Cavadini. Catherine’s new book – with artist, Anastassia Cassady – is titled, “Behold the Wonder: The Coming of Christ Through Mary’s Eyes” and is a beautifully illustrated book of meditations for Advent and Christmas. Learn Lectio Divina and Viseo Divina as you experience the wonder that Our Lady experienced leading up to and during the birth of Jesus. You can see a video of this interview on the Diocese of Wilmington’s YouTube channel – YouTube.com/DioceseofWilm. Catholic Forum is a production of the Diocese of Wilmington’s Office of Communications. Please like, subscribe and share
One of Us: Mary Drost
“One of Us” is a brief snapshot of people who support the Catholic church in various ways in the Diocese of Wilmington. We regularly feature people who may be recognizable within their parish or school communities.
Meet Fr. Joseph Chorpenning, OSFS, writer, scholar and St. Joseph expert
On this episode of Catholic Forum, after a news update from The Dialog, we are honored to introduce Father Joseph F. Chorpenning, an Oblate of St. Francis de Sales priest, author, scholar and teacher. His latest book is titled, “Saint Joseph and the Carmelite Reform of Saint Teresa of Avila: Father, Teacher of Prayer, Intercessor in Every Need” available from Catholic University of America Press. We learn about Father Chorpenning’s early life, his vocational calling, his ministry as an Oblate and how he became an expert on Saint Joseph and the Holy Family. You can see a video of this interview on the Diocese of Wilmington’s YouTube channel – YouTube.com/DioceseofWilm. Catholic Forum is a production of the Office of Communications of the Diocese of Wilmington. Please like, subscribe and share!
U.S. Bishops Issue a “Special Message” on Immigration
U.S. Bishops Issue a “Special Message” on Immigration from Plenary Assembly in Baltimore
The bishops issued a Special Message addressing their concern for the evolving situation impacting immigrants in the United States. It marked the first time in twelve years the USCCB invoked this particularly urgent way of speaking as a body of bishops.