Lino Rulli, host of the afternoon drive radio show “The Catholic Guy” on SiriusXM satellite radio, has been selected to be the 2019 McCarthy Resident by the Eugene J. McCarthy Center for Public Policy and Civic Engagement at St. John’s University in Collegeville.
Highlights of the residency, which brings Rulli to Collegeville Feb. 18-21, include live broadcasts of his radio show from campus and a special joint event with St. John’s University Campus Ministry at Brother Willie’s Pub on Feb. 20. Rulli will be interviewed by Kari-Shane Davis Zimmerman, an associate professor of theology at SJU and the College of St. Benedict. The public is invited to this event.
“Lino was chosen for this residency partly due to his special connection with St. John’s University as an alumnus of both the undergraduate school and School of Theology,” said Sabrina Gilchrist, program coordinator for the McCarthy Center. “In addition, his work done as a prominent, Catholic media figure is very unique and will engage many different segments of the community at the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University.”
A native of St. Paul, Minnesota who now lives in New York, Rulli earned a bachelor’s degree in communications in 1993 and a master’s degree in theology in 1995, both from St. John’s.
From 1998 to 2004, he was both executive producer and host of the religious comedy television series “Generation Cross.” As host, he received two back-to-back Emmy awards, making him the first person since Bishop Fulton Sheen to win an Emmy for Catholic broadcasting.
In addition to his success in media broadcasting, Rulli has written two books, “Sinner: The Catholic Guy’s Funny, Feeble Attempts to Be a Faithful Catholic” in 2011, and “Saint: Why I Should Be Canonized Right Away” in 2013.
During residency, he will participate in a number of other events. Through visits to classes, cafeterias, practices and public programs, he will engage with a wide spectrum of the campus community, Gilchrist said.
The Eugene J. McCarthy Center for Public Policy and Civic Engagement, created in honor of the late senator, a St. John’s graduate, aims to foster dialogue and involvement regarding politics, values and public policy and facilitate opportunities for creative and integrated learning through programming and experiential learning on and off campus. The McCarthy Residency showcases the work and skills of someone who has a distinguished career in public service, policy or politics.
“The primary purpose of the residency is to give students extended access to someone with real knowledge and wisdom about policy, civic engagement and public life,” Gilchrist said.
“Having Lino Rulli as part of our McCarthy Residency also honors the deep connection Sen. Eugene McCarthy had to his faith and Benedictine values,” she said.
Where are his books available for sale? Thank you.