“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.
Carol Ripken: An extraordinary Catholic Educator!
On this episode of Catholic Forum, after a news update from The Dialog, we meet Carol Ripken, Associate Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Wilmington. For 50 years, Carol has been a dedicated Catholic school teacher, administrator, and key member of the Catholic Schools Office team. Carol tells about her extraordinary journey in Catholic education, explains what makes Catholic schools great, and shares her reflections on the future of Catholic schools. You see a video of Carol’s 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.
Pray the Rosary for our young people with the Blue Hen Rosary Cenacle
On this episode of Catholic Forum, after a news update from The Dialog, we talk with Leo Sticinski. Leo tells us about the Blue Hen Rosary Cenacle that takes place each Friday at 5:00 PM in the chapel of Immaculate Conception Church in Elkton, Maryland. All are invited to join in-person or via Zoom and pray 15 decades of the Rosary for the young Catholics at the University of Delaware and throughout the Diocese of Wilmington and beyond. Email bluehenrosary@gmail.com for information. You can see a video of this interview on the Diocese of Wilmington’s YouTube channel, YouTube.com/DioceseofWilm. Please like, share and subscribe.
Experience Incredible Catholic Sites in America with Marion Amberg
On episode of Catholic Forum, after a news update from The Dialog, we learn about the growing phenomenon of faith travel with Marion Amberg, an award-winning journalist and author. She’s written for over 100 publications, ranging from Catholic Digest to Family Motor Coaching to Texas Highways. Her new book it titled, “Incredible Catholic America: Smallest, Tallest, Oldest, Oddest.” What is the smallest chapel? Where is the tallest statue? What sites are right here in Delaware? We find out with Marion Amberg. Catholic Forum is a production of the Office of Communications of the Diocese of Wilmington. Please like, share and subscribe.
One of Us: Sara Smith
“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.
Staying Focused at Mass with Lauren Enriquez
Everyone has experienced distractions during Mass. Imagine how big of a challenge that would be if you have ADHD. On this episode of Catholic Forum, after a news update from The Dialog, we talk with Lauren Enriquez, a communications strategist/consultant and owner of Corbella Communications. Her recent article, “3 Tips for Participating in Mass With ADHD” has gotten a lot of attention. Lauren also comments on the state of the prolife movement and offers suggestions for residents of states that have assisted suicide laws. Please Like, Share and Subscribe! Read Lauren’s article here: https://aleteia.org/2025/08/16/3-tips-for-participating-in-mass-with-adhd/
Catholic Forum is a production of the Office of Communications of the Diocese of Wimington.
Catholic Forum interview with Fr. John Aurilia gets 200,000 views on YouTube
UPDATED November 11, 2025 — (Wilmington, Delaware) — A recent Catholic Forum interview featuring Father John Aurilia, OFM Cap., who early in religious life was a secretary to Saint Padre Pio, has garnered over 200,000 views on the Diocese of Wilmington YouTube channel – www.YouTube.com/DioceseofWilm. The interview debuted on YouTube on Wednesday, September 24th and featured Father Aurilia’s recollections about working for the popular saint, his humility and spirituality.
Father Aurilia, now 85, worked for Saint Padre Pio in 1967 when Padre Pio, the Italian Capuchin friar, priest, stigmatist, and mystic lived in San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy. Father AurilIa now lives and writes at a Franciscan Friary in Wilmington, Delaware and is the author of Dearest Soul: A Spiritual Journey with Padre Pio published by OSV Books.
“In the interview, Father Aurilia unveils a human aspect to Saint Padre Pio that one does not often experience,” said Bob Krebs, communications director for the diocese and long-time host of the Catholic Forum podcast/radio program. “I am sure that the warmth and charm of Father Aurilia also contributed to the immense popularity of the YouTube video.”
The 200,000+ views make it the most watched video on the diocesan YouTube channel that also includes livestreams of Sunday Masses from Wilmington’s Cathedral of Saint Peter, special events, and histories of some of the oldest churches on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The YouTube channel also picked up 2,500 additional subscribers due to the Father Aurilia interview, according to YouTube analytics.
Catholic Forum, which debuted on Wilmington radio in 1939, is the longest-running Catholic talk radio program in the country. It currently airs on WWJZ-AM Relevant Radio 640 every Saturday afternoon at 1:30 and is podcast on Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio and Amazon Music podcasts, as well as YouTube.com/DioceseofWilm. The podcast/program is a production of the Diocese of Wilmington’s Office of Communications.
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.
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Media Contact: Bob Krebs rkrebs@cdow.org 302-573-3116
‘Dilexi Te,’ Pope Leo XIV’s first apostolic exhortation is on love for the poor
One of Us: Clare Louden
“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.
Catholic Cemeteries: a Ministry of Love and Support, with Michele Linder
On this episode of Catholic Forum, after a news update from The Dialog and The Dialog.org, we talk to Ms. Michele Linder, Executive Director of Catholic Cemeteries of the Diocese of Wilmington. Michele and her staff see their work as more than a job, but a ministry to grieving families of all denominations. We learn about the three diocesan cemeteries, why pre-planning is important and more. You can see a video of this interview on the Diocese of Wilmington YouTube channel. Catholic Forum is a production of the Office of Communication of the Diocese of Wilmington. Please like, subscribe and share.