Answering the Call: The Emergency Pastoral Response Team with Deacons Robb Stark and Eric Pugh - 04/27/2026

The Catholic Morning Show · Apr 27, 2026 · 11m

What the Emergency Pastoral Response Team is and who is involved

Origins of the team following the Greenfield tornado

Structure: priests and deacons trained for crisis response

How and when the team is “activated” by diocesan leadership

Real examples of recent activations (including Ankeny incident)

The team’s focus on spiritual care, not physical disaster recovery

Importance of presence, listening, and prayer in traumatic situations

Collaboration with counselors and emergency personnel

How visible signs (clerical collars, vests) help people seek support

The role of military experience in…