Inauguration Reflections, Casa Hogar Updates, and Handel’s Messiah Story

Jack Socha hosts a “reporter’s notebook” episode of Connecting the Diocese, reflecting on the pre-inauguration and inauguration, including excerpts from Jesuit Fr. Leo O’Donovan’s invocation and comments from Bishop William P. Callahan on faith, life, evangelization, and hope. The program features updates from Monsignor Joseph Hirsch at Casa Hogar Juan Pablo Segundo in Peru, with interviews of boys describing pandemic life and a 17-year-old student balancing studies, breadmaking, and music at Mass. Soscia shares and reacts to a vintage Christmas Eve radio drama about George Frideric Handel’s lost faith and inspiration to compose Messiah, then connects its music to grief and a national COVID-19 memorial, including Bishop Callahan’s Easter Vigil candle reflection. The episode concludes with Bishop Callahan’s remarks on youth and Amanda Gorman’s inaugural poem.

00:00 Opening Prayer

02:16 Patriotism and Wisdom

03:56 Lord's Prayer

04:32 Church and Human Dignity

07:06 St Patrick Blessing

08:31 Host Update

10:43 Between Christmas and Lent

12:27 Mission Visit Peru

14:43 Handel Loses Faith

17:07 A Mysterious Stranger

19:00 Bridge Confrontation

20:02 Home for Christmas

20:41 A Desperate Letter

21:17 The Messiah Manuscript

22:24 Music Returns

23:41 Nativity In Scripture

29:48 Four Weeks Of Fever

31:11 Thanksgiving At The Altar

35:25 COVID Candle Memorial

37:15 Trumpet Shall Sound

49:13 Show Wrap And Tease

49:26 Casa Hogar Update

51:27 Bishop On Youth

52:18 Amanda Gorman Poem

57:52 Light And Farewell