What a crazy week on The Catholic Guy Show! To recap:

- Lino and Fr. Rob get a new producer named Scott, who is married with two kiddos, according to our friends at twitter.com/linorullidotnet. Work has been nutso busy this week, so I haven't got a chance to hear much of Scott, except for yesterday when Fr. Rob was "lashing out" at him for asking a more educated question than the priest did (Which Wine Bar did you go to, as opposed to Fr. Rob asking if Lino went to McDonalds on a date).

Scott has prior radio experience, which should certainly help him keep up with Lino and Fr. Rob. Scott, we pray for your sanity and wish you the best!

- Fr. Jim Chern is going on a pilgrimage...we think. Fr. Jim is adamant that he's going, but Fr. Rob and Lino have a side bet they made on-air Monday where Fr. Rob gets $100 or so if Fr. Jim drops out. Personally, I think a bet like that is ridiculous and just makes everyone look mean, so I really hope Fr. Jim goes on the trip. It will be good for Fr. Jim and the listeners to hang out for a week.

You can find out more about the pilgrimage at www.catholictraveler.com.

We should be thankful that God has allowed Fr. Jim to go in the pilgrimage. Being the chaplain on a college campus is probably one of the more time-consuming jobs a priest can have, especially when you're the only one. The kids need Fr. Jim more than radio show listeners, and the fact that he is so devoted to them speaks volumes about the integrity he has.

- As far as other news goes, it's about time for our annual predictions for 2012! Over the next few days, we'll recap what we got right and wrong in 2011, and we'll offer some predictions for 2012. It should hopefully be a good year, and I pray to God we don't lose any other staff members!

You gotta admit (once you get over your jealousy) that The Catholic Guy Pilgrimages sound awesome!
While Lino and the crew were gone and we were listening to “Best ofs” I was waiting with bated breath for them to get to Vatican Radio. Not because I wanted the listeners’ trip to be over (well maybe I did because I was just a wee bit envious) but actually because I knew the Vatican Radio broadcasts would be fantastic! I was not disappointed.
I was able to listen to a good bit of the Live (to tape) broadcasts and scooped up the podcasts this week as soon as Ryan said they were available. I think the three podcasts from this week are among some of my favorites.
If you haven’t downloaded those three podcasts, what are you waiting for? Think of what you are missing! Dinner with Lino, On the bus with Lino and Fr. Rob, an exclusive Fr. Rob homiliy, a visit from Mama Rulli in studio and the Retention Game, starring “Jeff?”
So for those of us who were not on the Pilgrimage, Lino has given us the best he could. (Hey Oh) After all, he’s a “lover,” a “sharer,” and a “giver” to quote Fr. Timmy.

Wanna go to Greece and Turkey with Lino Rulli, Maureen McMurray, Lou Ruggieri and Fr. Rob Keighron? Here's your chance!

On Thursday, Lino announced that the dates for the next pilgrimage had been set: April 29-May 8, the week after Easter. Here's where things are a little different than last time. On the last trip, Lino had no clue how many people would be coming along. So he just announced it and let people sign up, thinking it could take weeks.

The trip sold out in one day! So with this trip, instead of making it first come, first serve, interested persons should visit thecatholictraveler.com tomorrow (Monday, Sept. 13) and sign up from Noon east to Midnight east. When you sign up at the site, your name is entered into the system, and the travel company will select 40 people (and their guest) at random.

Note that you don't win a free trip. You merely win the right to pay for the trip, which is about $3,400 per person for a double occupancy room (I'm thinking that means that you and your spouse will pay $7200 combined on the trip, something I and my future bride will be unable to do). The reason Lino is doing this is because if he had announced it, then people driving or working or listening to the overnight show would be unable to sign up in time. So this lottery system seems like the most fair thing around.

The full itenerary is available at http://thecatholictraveler.com/, and from the looks of things, it sounds like a fun trip. The best part about the trip? The crew gets back May 8, giving them six days of rest before they head to Harrisburg for Allicia and I's wedding!!!

So if you are able to go on the pilgrimage, Monday is the ONLY day you can enter. Clear your schedule if you'd like to meet Lino!