The Family Room

Thomas Clements, author and founder of Zenith Ministries

Thomas Clements shares how God’s hand showed itself in his healing, sobriety, and ongoing recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. The experience of the love of God brought Thomas to found a healing ministry, Zenith Ministries, to serve men and women, ages 18-45, in a mission “to build community, help the hurting find healing, and accompany each other to living life to the full.” God wants to heal those trapped in addiction and lead them to a beautiful life of freedom, which Thomas describes in his e-book, Seven Steps to Overcome Addiction.

Resources

• Services, including mentoring, offered by Zenith Ministries

• Sign up today for the free e-book, Seven Steps to Overcome Addiction

• Zenith Ministries podcast

Key Scripture

• Genesis 1:2-3: “…and the earth was without form or shape, with darkness over the abyss and a mighty wind sweeping over the waters—Then God said: Let there be light, and there was light.”

• John 10:10: “A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”

Brenda Sharman, advocate for inner beauty and modesty

Brenda Sharman encourages us to think about the meaning of true beauty and modest fashion. As a young adult, she was crowned Miss Georgia USA and, having worked as a successful model, she knows the fashion and modeling industry as an insider. She has served the Catholic Church as a leader in the globally-acclaimed apostolate, the Pure Fashion Show.

Brenda gives us a more profound, joyful, and faithful vision of beauty and love in the face of social challenges to be humble and modest that are magnified by current entertainment content (e.g., social media, music, movies). As a wife, mother, and advocate for inner beauty and modesty, she shares tips and wisdom for how to raise sons and daughters mindful of the foundational virtue of humility. What a delight to hear how her husband Steve, God, and Transcendent Beauty acted together to attract Brenda to convert to Catholicism. She shares her love of Our Lady, the rosary, and the saints, who give us messages of hope. A humble heart like that of St. Teresa of Calcutta helps us clothe ourselves with humility (1 Peter 5:5). As Christians, following Christ is truly beautiful and enables us to be the change we want to see in the world.

Resources

• Be inspired by this article, “‘Pure Fashion’ Spurs Rousing Revolution of Modesty,” in The Georgia Bulletin

• Paragraph 2521 in the Catechism of the Catholic Church on modesty

Key Scripture

• 1 Peter 5:5-7: “Likewise, you younger members, be subject to the presbyters. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for: ‘God opposes the proud but bestows favor on the humble.’ So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you.”

Peter Attridge, director of Holy Family Counseling Center

Clinical director of Holy Family Counseling Center, Peter Attridge, joins our co-hosts in an encouraging discussion about communicating, openly and fruitfully, in our families. As the father of three growing girls, Peter shares creative strategies for parenting that are informed, both by his clinical practice, and by personal challenges that we all face which are unique to our times. Peter is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) in the State of Georgia and supervises other professional helpers.

As a “cradle Catholic,” Peter’s Catholic worldview, his relationship with Christ the Redeemer, and his devotion to our Lady inform his parenting and his clinical practice. This episode will inspire you to step back from your fears and communicate with those you love, especially children and young people, in an open and faith-filled way.

“Our Lady of Good Counsel, pray for us!”

Resources

• Learn about the story of the mission and philosophy of Holy Family Counseling Center (HFCC)

• Books, retreats, and resources recommended by the clinicians at HFCC

• Make your own laminated card for your family fridge that gives the child permission to share. In this episode, Peter mentions his creative prompt: “I’m bringing this to you (parent) because I want to tell you something, but I’m afraid that you might not take it well.”

Key Scripture

• Colossians 3: 21: “Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they may not become discouraged.”

Dr. Kevin Vost, PSY. D. - Catholic author, speaker, professor, radio host, and television guest

Dr. Kevin Vost shares about his approach to attaining optimal health and true harmony of mind, body, and spirit within the context of a well-rounded devotional life - which he outlines in his book, You Are That Temple: A Catholic Guide to Health and Holiness. Dr. Vost reflects upon teachings from Scripture and St. Thomas Aquinas on the sacredness of the human body. The book addresses how Scripture instructs us to love and respect our body; developing healthy habits to enable us to love God with our whole self; cultivating moral, intellectual, and theological virtues to make our body a holy temple; avoiding illness through diet and exercise; and how practicing wellness fosters brain health.

Dr. Vost is the author of more than a dozen books with more in press, bringing his knowledge of classical Greco-Roman and medieval scholastic philosophy, modern cognitive psychology, and High Intensity Strength Training to bear on issues of Catholic catechetics, apologetics, saints’ biographies, spiritual growth, and physical fitness. Dr. Vost has presented dozens of talks on all of his books and also leads and speaks during pilgrimages to Ireland. Dr. Vost taught psychology and gerontology at Aquinas College in Nashville, the University of Illinois at Springfield, MacMurray College, and Lincoln Land Community College. He has also served as a Research Review Committee Member for American Mensa and as an Advisory Board Member for the International Association of Resistance Trainers. Dr. Vost obtained his Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology from the Adler School of Professional Psychology in Chicago. He has appeared on EWTN’s The Abundant Life and Women of Grace, The Journey Home with Marcus Grodi, and Bookmark with Doug Keck. He has done several hundred radio interviews and several multi-part series on all of his books and other topics on programs including Catholic Answers Live, Kresta in the Afternoon, Catholic Connection, and many more.

Resources

• You Are That Temple: A Catholic Guide to Health and Holiness by Dr. Kevin Vost is published by Sofia Institute Press.
• Learn more about Dr. Vost at his website.

Scripture

• Mark 12:30: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.”

Laraine Bennett, author and speaker

Laraine Bennett has a B.A. in philosophy from Santa Clara University and an M.A. in philosophy from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She created the brand-new game, Know Thyself! The Game of Temperaments (Sophia Institute Press, 2022) and has written two solo books, The Little Way of Living with Less: Learning to Let Go with the Little Flower (Sophia Institute Press, 2022) and A Year of Grace: 365 Reflections for Caregivers (OSV, 2014). She and her husband Art have co-authored five books: The Temperament God Gave You, The Temperament God Gave Your Spouse, The Temperament God Gave Your Kids, The Emotions God Gave You, and Tuned In: The Power of Pressing Pause and Listening. Art and Laraine are frequent speakers on marriage and family issues, both nationally and internationally. They have four adult children and eight grandchildren.

Resources

• For information about and resources from Laraine and Art Bennett, visit their website

Guests: directors from four Atlanta Catholic pre-schools

Catholic Pre-school Directors Barb Gordon from St. Peter Chanel, Beth Cunningham from Holy Trinity, Theresa Martin from St. Brigid, and Kate Viets from Holy Family discuss the importance of Catholic pre-school as a foundation of learning for our children.

Fr. Robert J. Altier, author and priest of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis in Minnesota

In the amazing book, God’s Plan for Your Marriage: An Exploration of Holy Matrimony from Genesis to the Wedding Feast of the Lamb, inspired by the Holy Spirit and recommended by faithful leaders including Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke and Dr. Bob Schuchts, Fr. Robert Altier gives us a powerful weapon to use in the current battle being waged against marriage. Join us as we discuss this new book with Fr. Altier and experience what Dr. Schuchts describes below:

“In our culture, which champions self-centered and disposable ‘love,’ this book, God’s Plan for Your Marriage, is a breath of fresh air. From beginning to end, it is filled with wisdom. As I read through it, I was awed by Fr. Altier’s insights into Sacred Scripture, the Church’s teaching, and Theology of the Body. As I read through the book, I was deeply challenged and convicted of my own self-centeredness throughout the years of my marriage. This book is desperately needed in our time. Everyone who is married, or planning to marry, needs to read this. It will save them much heartache. This book will also be a source of healing for those who have gone through the pains of divorce or broken relationships. Finally, this book should be required reading for marital therapists and for everyone who helps prepare couples for marriage.” — Bob Schuchts, Founder of the John Paul II Healing Center

Fr. Robert Altier is a priest of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis in Minnesota. He was ordained in 1989 and is currently the parochial vicar at the Church of the Holy Trinity in South St. Paul. Fr. Altier taught the comprehensive, sixty-part catechetical series Beauty, Truth, Goodness: The Fundamentals of Catholicism, which has been aired on eight Catholic television networks throughout North America, Mexico, and Central America. He has been a frequent contributor on Relevant Radio.

Resources

• God’s Plan for Your Marriage: An Exploration of Holy Matrimony from Genesis to the Wedding Feast of the Lamb by Fr. Robert J. Altier is published by Sofia Institute Press.
• The catechetical series, Beauty, Truth, Goodness: The Fundamentals of Catholicism, is available from the EWTN Religious Catalogue.
• Fr. Altier is chairman of the board of the Holy Family Catholic Adoption Agency, a truly Catholic adoption agency working to end abortion through adoption.
• Fr. Altier is the spiritual director of Catholic Parents Online, which seeks to ensure, promote, and defend authentic Catholic teaching in schools and the wider community.
• Fr. Altier wrote a popular examination of conscience that may be purchased in both English and Spanish from Leaflet Missal Online.
• Fr. Altier is president of Help the Helpless, an organization that raises funds to support handicapped orphans in India and the poorest of the poor in Ecuador.

Bob and Karen Botte, parishioners of St. Oliver Plunkett Catholic Church in Snellville, Georgia

Bob and Karen Botte are blessed with four children, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. As cradle Catholics raised in loving homes, their own marriage seemed destined for “a lovely magic carpet ride” as Bob describes. Join us as the Bottes share their candid marriage journey and how the practical program “Retrouvaille” has helped them and many other couples rediscover the blessings of marriage and the keys to rebuilding a loving relationship.

Resources

• Upcoming Retrouvaille weekend in Atlanta: September 30-October 2. Register via the Retrouvaille site: www.helpourmarriage.org or contact the Atlanta registration volunteers: Andy and Lilly at 770-912-4743 or e-mail atlanta@retrouvaille.org
• The Retrouvaille Program is for married couples facing difficult challenges in their relationship. It’s a Christian marriage program, Catholic in origin, that helps couples of all faiths or no faith background restore their marriage and rebuild a loving relationship. Retrouvaille is primarily a practical program to improve communication, build stronger marriages, and help couples reconnect. Presenters are not trained marriage counselors, but rather couples sharing their personal stories of marital struggles and the tools they used to rediscover their love. For general information about Retrouvaille or additional Retrouvaille events in the United States and internationally, visit www.helpourmarriage.org
• To contact Bob and Karen Botte, e-mail them at: retrobobandkaren@gmail.com

Mike and Laurie Carlton, parishioners at St. Peter Chanel in Roswell, Georgia

Mike and Laurie Carlton share with us over a decade of experience in parish-based support for marriage. The Carltons know what it means to hit a wall in your marriage. Helping couples who may have become hopeless is a passion for Mike and Laurie. They each give personal witness to the sources of inspiration that brought them to focus on meeting each other’s deepest needs and to living a simple, vibrant faith in their marriage and family of eight. The Carlton’s story bears witness to the power of the sacramental graces of marriage.

Resources

• The 5 love Languages website

• Learn more about Helen Berry Andelin and Fascinating Womanhood

• The Temperament God Gave You: The Classic Key to Knowing Yourself, Getting Along with others, and Growing Closer to God by Art and Laraine Bennett

• A wealth of resources for creating parish-based faith formation at FORMED by the Augustine Institute

Key Scripture

• Ephesians 5:2: “…and live in love, as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma.”

• Ephesians 6:10: “…draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power.”

Dan and Stephanie Burke testify to the real and ongoing spiritual warfare involved in living a Christian marriage. Their apostolate involves marriage retreats and other live and online resources that explore what it means to live a vibrant spiritual life in Christ. In this episode of The Family Room, we open ourselves, in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, to cast our nets into the deep waters of the discernment of spirits in ourselves and in our relationships. To know the Voice of God is to experience true freedom.

Resources

• Burke’s website

• Upcoming events, hosted virtually and in-person

• Recommended books, including those by Dan Burke

• Subscribe and receive podcasts to Divine Intimacy Radio

Key Scripture

• Who Are You?, for beautiful, healing Scripture verses

Dr. Ralph Martin discusses his book, A Church in Crisis: Pathways Forward, his journey of faith, and how the Word of God in Sacred Scripture enlivens his life, vocations, and works of mission and evangelization. Dr. Martin shares about his personal relationship with Christ and leads us to want to spend more time with our Lord who, in Word and Sacrament, helps us through troublesome times. We also hear a beautiful story about Ralph and Anne Martin’s baby granddaughter, Maggie, who helps us feel the profound Love of God.

Resources

• Dr. Ralph Martin’s book, A Church in Crisis: Pathways Forward, is available on Renewal Ministries’ website.

• The Choices We Face began in 1985 and is currently the longest-running Catholic television program in the world.

• Dr. Martin points us to Dei Verbum to encourage our love of Christ and His Church in His Word.

Key Scripture

John 17; 1 Corinthians 6; Galatians 5; Ephesians 5; Romans 1; Revelation 21

Join us in The Family Room for a quick-witted and energetic conversation about apologetics that will likely change your ideas about how to defend the Catholic faith. John Martignoni’s broadcasts and new book, Blue Collar Apologetics, give us four strategies and simple rules of engagement to help bring our loved ones back to the faith, to engage “Bible-only” Christians, and to evangelize in friendship any person of good will. John tells us how he came to found The Bible Christian Society in 1996 - what a story!

Resources

• The Bible Christian Society: https://www.biblechristiansociety.com/about_us

• John Martignoni’s book, Blue Collar Apologetics: How to Explain and Defend Catholic Teaching Using Common Sense, Simple Logic, and the Bible: https://www.ewtnreligiouscatalogue.com/blue-collar-apologetics-book/p/BKEPUB81135

• Contact link to have John speak at an event: https://catholicspeakers.com/profiles/john-martignoni

• Link to season one of Blue Collar Apologetics on EWTN television: https://ondemand.ewtn.com/Home/Series/catalog/video/en/blue-collar-apologetics

Key Scripture

Colossians 4:6: “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” https://bible.usccb.org/bible/colossians/0

Katie Warner, Catholic author and speaker

The daily walk of faith with her husband and children is what matters most to Catholic author and speaker, Katie Warner. Katie shares how the Holy Spirit has surprised her, guided her, and taught her the value of living an intentional faith. One of her favorite quotes, from St. Francis de Sales, is, “God takes pleasure to see you take your little steps.” Start today with a new spiritual motto or see the links below for resources on Katie’s website.

Resources

• Listening for God: Silence Practice for Little Ones by Katie Warner, illustrated by Amy Rodriguez: http://katiewarner.com/product/listening-for-god

• Head and Heart: Becoming Spiritual Leaders for Your Family by Katie Warner: http://katiewarner.com/product/head-heart-becoming-spiritual-leaders-for-your-family

• A Spouse Who Prays: A Guide to Praying for Your Spouse and Your Marriage by Katie Warner: http://katiewarner.com/product/a-spouse-who-prays

• Katie’s website: http://katiewarner.com/

• Recommended books and tools for building a Catholic culture at home: https://www.amazon.com/shop/influencer-3fdea609

• “7 Steps to Designing a Family Mission” by Katie Warner: http://katiewarner.com/?s=family+mission

Key Scripture:

Galatians 6:9: “Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up.” https://bible.usccb.org/bible/galatians/6

Dr. Bob Schuchts, Founder of the John Paul II Healing Center

Dr. Bob Schuchts shares his personal journey through early family tragedy, trauma, and divorce to a powerful encounter with Christ, marital healing, and true devotion. Dr. Schuchts gives us practical ways to pray with, and for, our spouses, including a couples’ meditation on the “Our Father.” He gives us real examples from his own personal, marital, and family struggles and growth. This episode concludes with a beautiful meditation on marriage and the Mass.

Resources

1. John Paul II Healing Center: Transformation in the Heart of the Church: https://jpiihealingcenter.org/

2. Dr. Schuchts’ book, Be Devoted: Restoring Friendship, Passion, and Communion in Your Marriage: https://jpiihealingcenter.org/product/be-devoted-dr-bob-schuchts/

3. Restore the Glory podcast: https://www.restoretheglorypodcast.com/

4. Upcoming events at the JPII Healing Center: https://jpiihealingcenter.org/events/

Key Scripture

1. Genesis 2:24: “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one body.” https://bible.usccb.org/bible/genesis/2

2. Colossians 2: 6-7: “So, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him, rooted in him and built upon him and established in the faith as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” https://bible.usccb.org/bible/colossians/0

Dr. Edward Sri, husband, father, theologian, and author

Dr. Sri discusses his new book on the virtues, The Art of Living: The Cardinal Virtues and the Freedom to Love. Dr. Sri shares personal examples of the three ways we grow in virtue to live and love well in our marriages and families.

Resources

• The Art of Living: The Cardinal Virtues and the Freedom to Love is available through Dr. Sri’s website, along with his many uplifting books and videos: https://edwardsri.com/books/
• Dr. Sri’s weekly podcast, “All Things Catholic”
• From the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1803, “A virtue is an habitual and firm disposition to do the good.”

Scripture

• Ephesians, chapter 6
• Matthew, chapter 6: 25-25
• Romans 8:28

Mary Ann McNeil and Liz Youngs of PATH, Post Abortion Treatment and Healing

Mary Ann McNeil founded PATH, Post Abortion Treatment and Healing, almost 30 years ago in response to the sorrow and suffering she witnessed in friends who had abortions. She and many volunteers, including Program Director Liz Youngs, have ministered to hundreds of people through retreats and Bible studies specifically designed to offer hope and healing to post-abortive women and those who grieve the loss of abortion including the fathers and siblings of those lost to abortion.

Resources

• PATH: Post Abortion Treatment and Healing, a program of PAC — To learn more, register for a Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat, or find volunteer opportunities, visit: https://www.HealingAfterAbortion.org or call 404-717-5557.
• Rachel’s Vineyard Retreats. Upcoming retreat dates are October 7-9, 2022 and January 6-8, 2023
• Save One Bible Study
• Silent No More Awareness Campaign
• Equal Rights Institute (ERI), Josh Brahm, President, equips pro-life advocates to think clearly, reason honestly, and argue persuasively
• Information about the abortion pill reversal (APR) and finding a doctor who can prescribe it, or call 1-877-558-0333
• Pregnancy Aid Clinic

Scripture

• Matthew 5:14-16: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”
• Psalm 34:19: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, saves those whose spirit is crushed.”
• Jeremiah 29:11-14: “For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord—plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope. When you call me, and come and pray to me, I will listen to you. When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me,says the Lord—and I will change your lot; I will gather you together from all the nations and all the places to which I have banished you, says the Lord—and bring you back to the place from which I have exiled you.”
• 2 Cor 5:17-19: “So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come. And all this is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting their trespasses against them and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.”
• 2 Cor 1:3-4: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and God of all encouragement, who encourages us in our every affliction, so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God.”

Marc Greenberg, Jewish convert to Catholicism

Marc Greenberg shares his beautiful story of conversion that begins as the beloved great-grandson of a Russian Orthodox Jewish immigrant and is completed upon meeting his Catholic American wife and surrendering to the love of Jesus. Marc shares the ways that God continues to weave his Jewish heritage into his ministries as a Catholic husband and parishioner ­– from teaching Christians the beauty of Seder suppers to surrendering to God’s love in pre-Cana classes. Marc encourages us to point ourselves to Jesus, seek after God, and surrender our will to His.

Resources

• Tefillin/Phylacteries: small square leather boxes containing Hebrew texts on vellum worn by Jewish men at morning prayer as a reminder to keep the law. The boxes are strapped to the left arm and to the forehead of Jewish men during weekday morning prayers with leather straps according to interpretation of the instructions from Deuteronomy 6:8 and 11:18. Jesus refers to the potential of hypocrisy of the teachers and Pharisees when He says, “All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.” (Matthew 23:5)
• Seder meal; the Passover meal. The instructions were given by the Lord to Moses and Aaron in Egypt (see Exodus 12). Jesus’ Last Supper (Holy Thursday) was the Jewish Passover meal, a Seder, celebrated according to Jewish custom.

Scripture

• The Shema: A daily prayer in the ancient Israelite tradition from Deuteronomy 6:4-5 – “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone! Therefore, you shall love the Lord, your God, with your whole heart, and with your whole being, and with your whole strength.”
• In John 3:30 John the Baptist points to Jesus – “He must increase; I must decrease.”
• Psalm 139 is a beautiful expression of how God knows us!
• Philippians 2:10-11 – “At the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Cathy Schneider, Right to Life Coordinator at St. Brigid Catholic Church in Johns Creek, Georgia

Cathy Schneider, wife, mother, nurse, and Right to Life Coordinator at St. Brigid, offers insight and inspiration drawn from years of meeting expecting moms and couples at abortion clinics and providing them hope and encouragement as they walk into parenthood. Her compassion and love are contagious, and her practical ministry and service are inspiring. Join us to learn what you can do to serve moms and couples who have been led to believe that abortion is their only choice.

Resources

• To contact Cathy Schneider or be put on her weekly e-mail distribution list to receive information on how you can help with everything from baby showers to car replacement programs: respectlife.saintbrigid@gmail.com
• Talking Points on Dobbs Case from Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director, Priests for Life
• 2363 campaign: Tools to educate others and motivate friends and family to fight for our children
• Life-changing encounters on the sidewalk
• Save The 1: 100% pro-life charity whose mission is to educate everyone on why all pre-born children should be protected by law and accepted by society, without exception and without compromise
• Pro-life Minutes on AM 1160 The Quest
• Archbishop Hartmayer’s statement following overturning Roe v Wade
• Archdiocese of Atlanta Walking With Moms in Need ministry
• Archdiocese of Atlanta parishes with Walking with Moms in Need ministries:
  • Christ the King Cathedral, Buckhead
  • Holy Spirit, Atlanta
  • Holy Trinity, Peachtree City
  • Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Carrolton
  • Sacred Heart, Hartwell
  • St. Benedict, Johns Creek
  • St. Brendan, Cumming
  • St. Brigid, Johns Creek
  • St. Francis of Assisi, Blairsville
  • St. John Neumann, Lilburn
  • St. Joseph, Marietta
  • St. Joseph, Athens
  • St. Jude, Sandy Springs
  • St. Lawrence, Lawrenceville
  • St. Mary’s Mission, Elberton
  • St. Michael the Archangel, Woodstock
  • St. Paul the Apostle, Cleveland
  • Transfiguration, Marietta
• Ways to help Walking with Moms in Need ministry at St. Brigid Catholic Church.

Scripture

• Deuteronomy 30:19 - “I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live.”

Susan Milani, Parishioner of St. Catherine of Siena in Kennesaw, Georgia

Raised in a very Jewish home in Charleston, South Carolina, Susan is the only child of immigrant parents, a Polish Jewish survivor of the Auschwitz concentration camp, and a German Jewish escapee from East Germany. Through beautiful experiences and people Susan encountered from a young age, God wooed her into the Catholic Church. Susan lives her faith out loud in practical and winsome ways that draws others to Jesus and the Catholic Church. Her witness encourages us to step into opportunities to evangelize in our everyday lives.

Susan and her husband Bob are parishioners of St. Catherine of Siena in Kennesaw, GA ,and own the Lazy Labrador Coffee House in downtown Kennesaw where they offer God’s love to all who enter.

Scripture

• Jeremiah 1:5: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born, I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you.”

Dr. Greg Popcak, co-founder of CatholicHÔM and Catholic Counselors and co-host of More2Life

Dr. Greg Popcak shares meaningful and practical ways for family members to draw closer to one another by living out their faith in their everyday home lives, starting with forming a deep, personal relationship with Christ. As a real, personal encounter with Jesus, The Eucharist should change everything, Greg notes, especially how we live and love each other as families. Greg discusses how the CatholicHom program teaches families to bring the grace of the Eucharist home and make the faith its center. Greg takes us through a model of family spirituality called the Liturgy of Domestic Church Life and provides ideas on how to live out our Baptismal priestly, prophetic, and kingly missions through three main areas: Christian relationship, family rituals, and reaching out. Greg calls the Eucharist the super-food we need to consume to fulfill our mission as a family. God puts us in families with particular gifts, and when we connect everything to Eucharistic grace, we put ourselves on the path to be healthy, happy, and holy. It’s about meeting the Lord, inviting Him to be the most important member of your family, and being more intentional about walking with Christ all day long. Having presented the Liturgy of Domestic Church Life model to family ministers in 30+ countries on 5 continents, Greg notes that it works with all types of families - from those who identify with the Cleavers to those who mirror the Simpsons - including families that have experienced divorce and single-parent, fostering, grandparenting, or step families.

Dr. Greg Popcak. Ph.D., MSW, LISW-S, is also the Founder and Executive Director of the Pastoral Solutions Institute, the author of almost 20 popular books and programs integrating solid Catholic theology and counseling psychology, and an expert on the practical applications of Pope John Paul the Great’s Theology of the Body. He is the Chair of the Marriage and Family Studies program at Holy Apostles College and Seminary and serves as an adjunct professor of both psychology and graduate theology at Franciscan University. Dr. Greg Popcak and Lisa Popcak were honored to be the Vatican’s choice to present the opening keynote on the Liturgy of Domestic Church Life model at the 2022 World Meeting of Families in Rome.

Resources

• Register for the family track at the Eucharistic Congress in Atlanta June 18, 2022, hosted by Dr. Greg and Lisa Popcak: CatholicFamilyAtlanta.com
• Digital platform (website and app) dedicated to providing information and resources to help Catholic families encounter Christ more meaningfully at home, to love like Christ, and draw closer to each other by living the Liturgy of Domestic Church Life: CatholicHÔM (Catholic Households on Mission)
• Pastoral tele-counseling practice serving Catholic individuals, couples, and families worldwide: CatholicCounselors.com
• Original research and professional training in support of Catholic family spirituality and well-being: Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life
• Books:
  • BeDADitudes - 8 Ways to Be an Awesome Dad: showing how the Beatitudes can be viewed as a practical guide to understanding the love of God and applying that love to being a better father.
  • How Our Family Prays Each Day: a read-aloud book for children ages 4 to 8 that emphasizes the importance of praying and spending time with God each day.
  • Discovering God Together - The Catholic Guide to Raising Faithful Kids: how you can transform your family, creating for it a joyful place where each member experiences life as a gift from God.

Scripture

• Luke 10:38-42 - “[Jesus] entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary [who] sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”

Fr. Larry Richards, pastor of St. Joseph Church/Bread of Life Community in Erie, PA

A gifted and captivating preacher, retreat master, and author, Father Larry Richards discusses the importance of knowing Jesus Christ by having a heart-felt relationship with Him and sharing that love of Christ with the world. Essential elements of an intimate relationship with Our Lord are daily committed prayer time, which must entail listening to God, and spending time with His Word. Fr. Larry also shares practical ways to be daily in Christ’s presence with a simple 5-point method.

Ordained to the priesthood in 1989 for the Diocese of Erie, Fr. Larry Richards serves as pastor of St. Joseph Church/Bread of Life Community in Erie. He is also the Founder of the Divine Mercy Encounter Retreat Program for the Diocese of Erie. Fr. Larry Richards is the founder and president of The Reason for our Hope Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to ‘spreading the Good News’ by educating others about Jesus Christ.

Resources

• “Be a Man! Becoming the Man God Created You To Be” - published by Ignatius Press
• “Surrender! The Life Changing Power of Doing God’s Will” - published by Our Sunday Visitor.
• The Reason for our Hope Foundation

Key Scripture

• Psalm 46:11: “Be still and know that I am God.”
• Mark 1:11: “And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
• Ephesians 6:15: “And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
• John 15:15: “I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.”
• Galatians 2:19-20: “For through the law I died to the law, that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ; yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me.”

Jordan Burke, Content Coordinator with Avila Institute

Jordan Burke shares his powerful and personal story of overcoming a pornography addiction to bring truth and healing to others. Jordan shares how all kinds of addictions can result from using things to seek consolation and comfort instead of turning to God. He explains how an addiction is a type of self-medicating to overcome pain and inebriation to avoid a deep wound. As an adolescent, Jordan had a computer with unlimited Internet access and warns that pornography wasn’t something he sought out but happened to stumble upon and that’s when the hooks sunk in. Jordan also discusses in understandable terms the physiological and neurobiological components of addictions that can make them especially strong and addictive with just one encounter, impacting one’s reasoning and cognitive development. Jordan’s story of healing culminates in a beautiful moment of the right form of intimacy, leading to experiencing the deep love and touch of God Who wants to enter into our pain and order our relationships and lives correctly. Through his experience and research, Jordan shares five practical steps to help overcome an addiction.

After spending a little over half a decade protecting and serving Birmingham, Alabama, as a police officer, Jordan felt called to serve others in a different way by helping people avoid falling into pornography addiction and to free themselves from addictions. Through developing his own company, he found creating YouTube videos to be one of his many natural talents, ultimately leading him to discover his passion for all things digital media. Since 2014, he has continued to develop these passions and callings and now enjoys putting his talents to use serving others through the Avila Institute. He resides in South Alabama with his beautiful daughter.

Resources

• Free digital downloads available on Jordan’s websites: www.DoTheHarderThing.com

• Christian treatment and healing for those damaged by pornography and other forms of sexual addiction: Bethesda Workshops

• Software accountability tools designed to help you and those you love live free from pornography: Covenant Eyes

• Education, training, encouragement, and resources to break free from pornography, heal relationships, and to assist parents in preventing and responding to pornography exposure which is so devastating in the lives of our children: Integrity Restored

• Blogs, podcasts, and videos for spiritual direction through an apostolate of the Avila Foundation.

• Spiritual education and formation from the Avila Institute

Scripture References

• Romans 1:28 - “And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God handed them over to their undiscerning mind to do what is improper.”

• Luke 22:31-32 - “Simon, Simon, behold Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed that your own faith may not fail; and once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers.”

• Luke 22:60-61 - “But Peter said, “My friend, I do not know what you are talking about.” Just as he was saying this, the cock crowed, and the Lord turned and looked at Peter; and Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.”

• John 21:17 - “[Jesus] said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” [Jesus] said to him, “Feed my sheep.”

• Hebrews 12:4 - “In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.”

• 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 - “For, although we are in the flesh, we do not battle according to the flesh, for the weapons of our battle are not of flesh but are enormously powerful, capable of destroying fortresses. We destroy arguments and every pretension raising itself against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive in obedience to Christ…”

Melissa Foley, founder of the healing ministry Loved Already, shares some conversation tools in a lively discussion about how we can speak life, healing, and restoration in Christ into our relationships. Part two of a two-part series.

Resources

• All are welcome to attend the Virtual Catholic Conference on Healing and Forgiveness, October 8-10. https://go.virtualcatholicconference.com/Healing2021
• Melissa Foley’s healing ministry, Loved Already: https://lovedalready.com/
• From Melissa’s blog: “My Worth in God,” https://lovedalready.com/my-worth-in-god/
• Key Scripture: Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:24; Matthew 3:17; Psalm 18:19; Romans 12:2; https://bible.usccb.org/bible
• On being made in the imago Dei: Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger and the International Theological Commission (2000-2002). Communion and stewardship: Human persons created in the image of God. https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/cti_documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20040723_communion-stewardship_en.html#_edn1

Melissa Foley, founder of the healing ministry Loved Already, joins us in The Family Room in a lively conversation that inspires us to consider our identity in Christ as beloved sons and daughters of a providing Father. Part one of a two-part series.

Resources:

• All are welcome to attend the Virtual Catholic Conference on Healing and Forgiveness, October 8-10. https://go.virtualcatholicconference.com/Healing2021
• Melissa Foley’s healing ministry, Loved Already: https://LovedAlready.com/
• From Melissa’s blog: “Who am I?” https://LovedAlready.com/identity-impact/
• Key Scripture from Luke 11:11, What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/11
• From the Catechism of the Catholic Church: “God, infinitely perfect and blessed in himself, in a plan of sheer goodness freely created man to make him share in his own blessed life. … In his Son and through him, he invites men to become, in the Holy Spirit, his adopted children and thus heirs of his blessed life” (CCC, paragraph 1).

It is too easy in our times to get stuck in the many divisive and destructive social, cultural, and political realities. In this banter episode, our co-hosts ponder and discuss the Lord’s inheritance of blessings across the generations in our families. Each of us is uniquely gifted by God to fulfill a deeply happy and productive life. How have your parents, grandparents, and significant mentors helped build virtues and God’s Kingship in you and your life? Pondering our spiritual inheritance, we can enact the verses in Psalm 16:5-6, “Lord, my portion and my cup, you have made my destiny secure. Pleasant places were measured out for me; fair to me indeed is my inheritance.”

Key Scripture

• Psalm 16: 5-6: “Lord, my portion and my cup, you have made my destiny secure. Pleasant places were measured out for me; fair to me indeed is my inheritance.”

• Proverbs 22: 6: “Train the young in the way they should go; even when old, they will not swerve from it.”

Brenda Sharman encourages us to think about the meaning of true beauty and modest fashion. As a young adult, she was crowned Miss Georgia USA and, having worked as a successful model, she knows the fashion and modeling industry as an insider. She has served the Catholic Church as a leader in the globally-acclaimed apostolate, the Pure Fashion Show.

Brenda gives us a more profound, joyful, and faithful vision of beauty and love in the face of social challenges to be humble and modest that are magnified by current entertainment content (e.g., social media, music, movies). As a wife, mother, and advocate for inner beauty and modesty, she shares tips and wisdom for how to raise sons and daughters mindful of the foundational virtue of humility. What a delight to hear how her husband Steve, God, and Transcendent Beauty acted together to attract Brenda to convert to Catholicism. She shares her love of Our Lady, the rosary, and the saints, who give us messages of hope. A humble heart like that of St. Teresa of Calcutta helps us clothe ourselves with humility (1 Peter 5:5). As Christians, following Christ is truly beautiful and enables us to be the change we want to see in the world.

Resources

• Be inspired by this article, “‘Pure Fashion’ Spurs Rousing Revolution of Modesty,” in The Georgia Bulletin

• Paragraph 2521 in the Catechism of the Catholic Church on modesty

Key Scripture

• 1 Peter 5:5-7: “Likewise, you younger members, be subject to the presbyters. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for: ‘God opposes the proud but bestows favor on the humble.’ So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you.”

Husband, father, and grandfather, Tom McCabe shares the challenges and freedom inherent in the Christian vision of forgiveness. Tom is the founder of Emmiwell, a research-driven, collaborative, and education initiative that helps people cultivate freer, more meaningful lives at the service of Christ and others. For the past 30 years, Tom has been a teacher, writer, and entrepreneur serving in Church and non-Church circles. He has been working with countless people through spiritual direction, mentoring, and life coaching to help people live happier and holier lives. In this episode, Tom reflects on moments in his own life when it was difficult to forgive.

Resources

• Sign up online for Tom’s Freedom Through Forgiveness course

Key Scripture

• Luke 6: 37: “Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven”

Our co-hosts are joined by Dave Savage, production manager for 1160 AM The Quest, to reflect upon the rich spiritual nourishment given to us by the guests on The Family Room. We revisit themes of healing in marriages and in families, of the Light of Christ in prayer, and the life-giving truth that woundedness and suffering do not have to be the final word. Pull up a chair and taste and see the goodness of the Lord!

Resources

• Mari inspires us to reflect on Terry Polakovic’s book, Women of Hope: Doctors of the Church

• For Lent, John is in a Bible study based on Dr. Sri’s book, Into His Likeness: Be Transformed into a Disciple of Christ

Key Scripture

• Colossians 2: 6-7: “So, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him, rooted in him and built upon him and established in faith as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”

• Philippians 4: 9: “Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you.”

Clinical director of Holy Family Counseling Center, Peter Attridge, joins our co-hosts in an encouraging discussion about communicating, openly and fruitfully, in our families. As the father of three growing girls, Peter shares creative strategies for parenting that are informed, both by his clinical practice, and by personal challenges that we all face which are unique to our times. Peter is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) in the State of Georgia and supervises other professional helpers.

As a “cradle Catholic,” Peter’s Catholic worldview, his relationship with Christ the Redeemer, and his devotion to our Lady inform his parenting and his clinical practice. This episode will inspire you to step back from your fears and communicate with those you love, especially children and young people, in an open and faith-filled way.

“Our Lady of Good Counsel, pray for us!”

Resources

• Learn about the story of the mission and philosophy of Holy Family Counseling Center (HFCC)

• Books, retreats, and resources recommended by the clinicians at HFCC

• Make your own laminated card for your family fridge that gives the child permission to share. In this episode, Peter mentions his creative prompt: “I’m bringing this to you (parent) because I want to tell you something, but I’m afraid that you might not take it well.”

Key Scripture

• Colossians 3: 21: “Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they may not become discouraged.”

Inspired fiction writer, Robert W. Ross, comes into The Family Room with his wife, Rachel, and his daughter, Autumn, both of whom support his writing in unique ways. Robert left behind a lucrative career in information technology to answer God’s call to write. His family forms a creative team with him to bring these marvelous books into being. Fans around the world receive connection and inspiration. As a Catholic, Robert does not write “Catholic fiction.” At the same time, Robert’s vocation to writing comes from God, and the stories will take you out of this world! Creating authentic characters that appeal to fans of many walks of life is part of Robert’s vocation as a writer. Robert’s “yes” to God is bearing fruit that will last.

Resources

• Enjoy connecting with Robert W. Ross’s books and characters on his Patreon page

• Robert’s print and audiobook series on Amazon

• Robert’s Facebook page

• One Heart that Beats for Two, by Robert W. Ross, released at the end of 2021

Key Scripture

• Romans 8:28, “We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”

• The Rosses have been listening to Fr. Mike Schmitz’s The Bible in a Year podcast

Christopher West returns to The Family Room to discuss the first book from the Theology of the Body Institute Press, God is Beauty: A Retreat on the Gospel and Art. In 1962, Karol Wojtyla (St. Pope John Paul II) delivered this retreat to a group of artists. It is now available to us for the first time in English. When we open our hearts in faith, we allow God’s beauty to flow through us. The human body is meant to be an instrument of the Divine Beauty. Christopher and our co-hosts ponder how the teachings in this retreat inspire both love of God and the fulfillment of our deepest longings.

Resources

• A beautiful video and information on the book, God is Beauty: A Retreat on the Gospel and Art

• Theology of the Body Institute

Key Scripture

• Matthew 11:5-6: “…the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”

• Mark 7:34, “then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, ‘Ephphatha!’ (that is, ‘Be opened!’)”

• Romans 1, Christopher invites us to meditate on Chapter 1 of Saint Paul’s Letter to the Romans

Married for nearly 20 years and parents of three children ranging in age from 8 to 15, Becky and Chris Eldredge know the challenges facing families trying to find time to pray and discern God’s will amid busy lives. In this episode, Becky, an Ignatian-trained spiritual director and retreat leader, reflects on her own journey of faith, including how and when a “lived practice” of the Catholic faith became a reality for her.

Prayer is a passion for Becky who inspires us to prayerfully read the Scriptures, the Living Word of God; God’s Word “reads our hearts,” she says. Becky’s eight-year-old daughter, Mary, enjoys leading a simple, family-friendly version of the Ignatian examen prayer. As is the case in our human relationships, spending time together with God in prayer is how we grow in love.

After many years of leading others closer to God as a spiritual director, Becky assures us that wherever we are in our prayer life, “God’s got more for us.” Discerning how God is moving in our lives helps us see that God cares about every facet of our lives, not just our spiritual lives.

Resources

• Becky’s website

• Guided Audio Reflection: Examen for Couples

• Discerning as a Couple

• Four Ways the Examen Helps Discernment as a Couple

• Five Ways the Examen Can Play a Role in Marriage

• Praying the Examen as a Family

• Yearly Check-In for Couples

• Living Intentionally: OnDemand Virtual Retreat on Inviting God into Your Planning & Goal-Setting

• Becky’s book on prayer within a busy life, Busy Lives & Restless Souls: How Prayer Can Help You Find the Missing Peace in Your Life

• Creating a Spiritual Plan

• Space & Place of Prayer

• We Are Christ’s Presence 3 Minute Retreat (Being Christ’s Presence in the World through Marriage)

• Family Life: Concrete Gestures of Holiness

Key Scripture

• Prayerfully read: Psalm 46

• Luke 11: 1, “He was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.”

Sara Sullivan and Kristine Bruce met by phone one day in 2021 to discuss Kristine’s apostolic initiative called “Praying for Our Prodigals.” In the conversation, they shared their love of prayer, especially praying the holy rosary for special intentions. This episode is about how efficacious our prayers and redemptive sufferings are for those we love who are away in some way from the Faith. Sara is an adult convert to Catholicism. (She was 33 the first time she celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation and made her First Holy Communion. She was baptized as an infant in a Methodist church.) Sara shares some of her conversion story, and Kristine shares the providential way God put the “Praying for our Prodigals” apostolate on her heart, and then, out into this hurting world, a world so in need of prayer, self-sacrifice, and God’s merciful graces. Fasting is touched on in a beautiful way.

Resources

• Join Kristine Bruce and others in praying the rosary every Wednesday for prodigals

• The rosary is a spiritual weapon. Read Father Calloway’s book, Champions of the Rosary: The History and Heroes of a Spiritual Weapon

• What are the steps to becoming Catholic? Sara entered Mother Church through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). The USCCB webpage, Christian Initiative of Adults is excellent.

• Delve into the power of fasting with this blog post from The Catholic Gentleman

Key Scripture

• Psalm 16:11, “You will show me the path to life, abounding joy in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever.”

Christopher and Wendy West, parents to five children, have been called to a special mission within the Church. They share the gift of St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. Christopher West shares how the Theology of the Body radically changed his life in the early 1990s. The deepest hungers and desires of our hearts are placed in us by God to lead us to Him now and to an eternal wedding feast. Yes, Christopher tells us, “God wants to marry us.”

In this episode, we take a deep dive into questions such as: What does it mean to be human? Was the Incarnation God’s “plan B?” How do I talk to and pray with my children and grandchildren in a way that upholds God’s creating the human person male and female? What does it mean to have a body and that the body is for the Lord, as St. Paul exhorts? Theology of the Body is for everybody, a gift of the Fire of Divine Love.

Resources

• Revised edition of Christopher West’s Theology of the Body for Beginners: A Basic Introduction to St. John Paul II’s Sexual Revolution

• Studies, courses, and events from the Theology of the Body Institute

• Christopher and Wendy West answer questions about faith, life, love, and sexuality, in light of John Paul II’s Theology of the Body on the Ask Christopher West podcast

• For K-12 Theology of the Body Curricula, Christopher recommends Ruah Woods Press

• St. John Paul II’s “Letter to Families”, a perennial inspiration to all persons

• To know more about overflowing with God’s Wine, read Father Cantalamessa’s Sober Intoxication of the Spirit: Filled with the Fullness of God

Key Scripture

• Ephesians, chapters 5 and 6: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ephesians/0

• 1 Corinthians 6:20, “For you have been purchased at a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body.”

Ordained in 2001, Father Martin Connor, L.C., has turned his attention to having life-giving (not death-dealing) conversations with young adults about the total and unconditional gift of self that is true love. In his books and podcasts, Father Martin interviews young people who yearn for the deeper, lasting relationships that truly satisfy our hearts. He does not shy away from the troubling waters of our times, like the hook-up culture, cohabitation (which predicts relational dissatisfaction and divorce), and pornography use. Healthy dating involves slowing down and introspection. Spiritual direction, self-assessment, and support from family and friends help us all love others as Christ loves us. The resources below will help you start those conversations that lead to authentic love and dating for the noble purpose of married life.

Resources

• Father Martin’s Wired to Love podcast

• The book Reclaiming Love: Connecting the Head and the Heart, by Father Martin and more tools to reclaim authe ntic love

• Visit the Wired To Love web site

Key Scripture

• Gen 1:26: “Then God said: Let us make human beings in our image, after our likeness.”

There is a sense that all Christians are called to consecrate every aspect family, work, leisure) of their lives to Christ and be conduits of grace, love, and mercy in a world both fallen and redeemed. Heather Triggs, a consecrated woman of the DeSales Secular Institute, gives testimony to the providential love and care of God the Father in her life, as she has come to discern, over a number of years, this vocation to “be the leaven in the world for Jesus.” (See the DeSales Secular Institute in the resources.)

Steeped in the wisdom and spirituality of St. Francis de Sales, these consecrated women share a rule of life and vows (poverty, chastity, obedience), and they live in the world. They live the consecrated life espoused to Christ Jesus, bringing His salvation and compassion into daily life. The mission of the Church is evangelization, and this vocation beautifully fulfills the Church’s mission!

Resources

• DeSales Secular Institute

• Delve into the Church’s teaching on the consecrated life: Vita Consecrata

• Inspiring books recommended in this episode are The Fulfillment of All Desire and Introduction to the Devout Life

Key Scripture

• Mt 17:4: “Lord, it is good that we are here.”

• Jn 1:3: “All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be.”

Whether you have been married for decades or want to find the husband or wife who will fulfill the desires of your heart, you will find hope and encouragement about marriage as well as vocational discernment in this episode. Our co-hosts, Mari, Craig, and John, each share stories about courtship and dating, the wedding day, the role of marriage prep, and the challenges faced by both individuals and the couples themselves. What if you are discerning a vocation to the priesthood or religious life? Vocational discernment is also discussed. God’s light and providence come into play in our hosts’ stories, as does being open to God through prayer and the sacraments.

Resources

• In paragraph 1603 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church: “…God himself is the author of marriage. The vocation to marriage is written in the very nature of man and woman as they came from the hand of the Creator.”

Key Scripture

• Proverbs 31:30: “Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting; the woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

• Psalm 37:4: “Find your delight in the Lord who will give you your heart’s desire.”

• Ephesians 5:28: “So [also] husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.”

Business consultant and coach, Randy Hain, has us on the edge of our seats sharing his journey into the Catholic Church. The Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist comes to life in Randy’s story. God, family, and work (and in that order!) are sources of grace and wisdom for this husband, father, successful businessman, and author of eight books. Randy and Sandra Hain have two sons, Alex and Ryan. Randy gives us a glimpse into his son’s being diagnosed with autism, inspiration from his wife to convert, and practical ideas for daily and family prayer.

Resources

• Randy Hain’s latest book, Essential Wisdom for Leaders of Every Generation, and information about his other books

• Randy Hain is Founder and President of Serviam Partners and Co-founder of Integrated Catholic Life

• Randy recommends nurturing daily prayer with The Way by St. Josemaria Escriva and In Conversation with God by Fr. Francis Fernandez

Key Scripture

• John 6:51: “I am the living bread that comes down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”

Thomas Clements shares how God’s hand showed itself in his healing, sobriety, and ongoing recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. The experience of the love of God brought Thomas to found a healing ministry, Zenith Ministries, to serve men and women, ages 18-45, in a mission “to build community, help the hurting find healing, and accompany each other to living life to the full.” God wants to heal those trapped in addiction and lead them to a beautiful life of freedom, which Thomas describes in his e-book, Seven Steps to Overcome Addiction.

Resources

• Services, including mentoring, offered by Zenith Ministries

• Sign up today for the free e-book, Seven Steps to Overcome Addiction

• Zenith Ministries podcast

Key Scripture

• Genesis 1:2-3: “…and the earth was without form or shape, with darkness over the abyss and a mighty wind sweeping over the waters—Then God said: Let there be light, and there was light.”

• John 10:10: “A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”

Mike and Laurie Carlton, parishioners at St. Peter Chanel in Roswell, Georgia, share with us over a decade of experience in parish-based support for marriage. The Carltons know what it means to hit a wall in your marriage. Helping couples who may have become hopeless is a passion for Mike and Laurie. They each give personal witness to the sources of inspiration that brought them to focus on meeting each other’s deepest needs and to living a simple, vibrant faith in their marriage and family of eight. The Carlton’s story bears witness to the power of the sacramental graces of marriage.

Resources

• The 5 love Languages website

• Learn more about Helen Berry Andelin and Fascinating Womanhood

• The Temperament God Gave You: The Classic Key to Knowing Yourself, Getting Along with others, and Growing Closer to God by Art and Laraine Bennett

• A wealth of resources for creating parish-based faith formation at FORMED by the Augustine Institute

Key Scripture

• Ephesians 5:2: “…and live in love, as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma.”

• Ephesians 6:10: “…draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power.”

Dan and Stephanie Burke testify to the real and ongoing spiritual warfare involved in living a Christian marriage. Their apostolate involves marriage retreats and other live and online resources that explore what it means to live a vibrant spiritual life in Christ. In this episode of The Family Room, we open ourselves, in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, to cast our nets into the deep waters of the discernment of spirits in ourselves and in our relationships. To know the Voice of God is to experience true freedom.

Resources

• Burke’s website

• Upcoming events, hosted virtually and in-person

• Recommended books, including those by Dan Burke

• Subscribe and receive podcasts to Divine Intimacy Radio

Key Scripture

• Who Are You?, for beautiful, healing Scripture verses

Our guests this week share their vocation stories, their musical gifts, and their love of the Lord. Father John Klein, LC, is a songwriter and began his musical apostolate as a street evangelist. Making music is a means for Emily Roman, CRC, to live a vibrant, consecrated religious life. Both Father John and Emily serve youth and families and record music and music videos with the Regnum Christi Music Collective.

Resources

• The music and story of the Regnum Christi Music Collective

• Website and spirituality of Father John’s congregation of priests, the Legionaries of Christ (LC)

• Fr. John and Emily are both part of the ecclesial family of Regnum Christi. Information on the Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi (CRC)

Key Scripture

• Psalm 98:4: “Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth; break into song; sing praise.”

Co-hosts Craig, John, and Mari personally reflect on two previous fall episodes with guests Dr. Edward Sri (September 8, 2021) and Dr. Bob Schuchts (October 20, 2021). In this week’s episode, our co-hosts speak in a down-to-earth way about how they take to heart the wisdom and truth presented by our guests. The journey of faith is personal and relational: Pull up a chair in The Family Room to re-visit opposing vice with virtue and being devoted to God and one another.

Resources

• The Art of Living: The Cardinal Virtues and the Freedom to Love is available through Dr. Sri’s website, along with his many uplifting books and videos: https://edwardsri.com/books/

• Schuchts’ book, Be Devoted: Restoring Friendship, Passion and Communion in your Marriage: https://jpiihealingcenter.org/product/be-devoted-dr-bob-schuchts/

• From the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part Three, “Life in Christ,” Article 7, paragraph 1805, “Four virtues play a pivotal role and accordingly are called “cardinal”; all the others are grouped around them. They are: prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance.” https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM

• A link to The Litany of Humility: https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/litany-of-humility-245

Key Scripture

• Matthew 6: 25-34: “…do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.”

• Philippians 4: 4-7: “Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.”

Dr. Ralph Martin discusses his book, A Church in Crisis: Pathways Forward, his journey of faith, and how the Word of God in Sacred Scripture enlivens his life, vocations, and works of mission and evangelization. Dr. Martin shares about his personal relationship with Christ and leads us to want to spend more time with our Lord who, in Word and Sacrament, helps us through troublesome times. We also hear a beautiful story about Ralph and Anne Martin’s baby granddaughter, Maggie, who helps us feel the profound Love of God.

Resources

• Dr. Ralph Martin’s book, A Church in Crisis: Pathways Forward, is available on Renewal Ministries’ website.

• The Choices We Face began in 1985 and is currently the longest-running Catholic television program in the world.

• Dr. Martin points us to Dei Verbum to encourage our love of Christ and His Church in His Word.

Key Scripture

John 17; 1 Corinthians 6; Galatians 5; Ephesians 5; Romans 1; Revelation 21

For Dr. Bill Thierfelder, the warmth, affection, and love of his family of 12 bears fruit for God’s Kingdom here and now. We learn about the founding of the only Catholic college between Virginia and Florida, Belmont Abbey College (near Charlotte, North Carolina), and Dr. Thierfelder recounts how the Holy Spirit called him to become President of the college. He also reveals his personal love for the Blessed Mother, explains three, unchanging pillars of our Catholic faith (in a way that is easy to share), and gives a memorable example of peak performance on both human and spiritual levels. Above all, Dr. Thierfelder shares an inspiring glimpse into married life with his wife, Mary.

Resources

• Dr. Bill Thierfelder’s book, Less Than a Minute to Go: The Secret to World-Class Performance in Sport, Business and Everyday Life https://lessthanaminutetogo.com/book-summary/

• More information on Dr. Thierfelder and Belmont Abbey College: https://belmontabbeycollege.edu/about-us/college-leadership/dr-william-k-thierfelder/

Key Scripture

1 Thessalonians 5:18: “In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1thessalonians/0

Join us in The Family Room for a quick-witted and energetic conversation about apologetics that will likely change your ideas about how to defend the Catholic faith. John Martignoni’s broadcasts and new book, Blue Collar Apologetics, give us four strategies and simple rules of engagement to help bring our loved ones back to the faith, to engage “Bible-only” Christians, and to evangelize in friendship any person of good will. John tells us how he came to found The Bible Christian Society in 1996 - what a story!

Resources

• The Bible Christian Society: https://www.biblechristiansociety.com/about_us

• John Martignoni’s book, Blue Collar Apologetics: How to Explain and Defend Catholic Teaching Using Common Sense, Simple Logic, and the Bible: https://www.ewtnreligiouscatalogue.com/blue-collar-apologetics-book/p/BKEPUB81135

• Contact link to have John speak at an event: https://catholicspeakers.com/profiles/john-martignoni

• Link to season one of Blue Collar Apologetics on EWTN television: https://ondemand.ewtn.com/Home/Series/catalog/video/en/blue-collar-apologetics

Key Scripture

Colossians 4:6: “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” https://bible.usccb.org/bible/colossians/0

The daily walk of faith with her husband and children is what matters most to Catholic author and speaker, Katie Warner. Katie shares how the Holy Spirit has surprised her, guided her, and taught her the value of living an intentional faith. One of her favorite quotes, from St. Francis de Sales, is, “God takes pleasure to see you take your little steps.” Start today with a new spiritual motto or see the links below for resources on Katie’s website.

Resources

• Listening for God: Silence Practice for Little Ones by Katie Warner, illustrated by Amy Rodriguez: http://katiewarner.com/product/listening-for-god

• Head and Heart: Becoming Spiritual Leaders for Your Family by Katie Warner: http://katiewarner.com/product/head-heart-becoming-spiritual-leaders-for-your-family

• A Spouse Who Prays: A Guide to Praying for Your Spouse and Your Marriage by Katie Warner: http://katiewarner.com/product/a-spouse-who-prays

• Katie’s website: http://katiewarner.com/

• Recommended books and tools for building a Catholic culture at home: https://www.amazon.com/shop/influencer-3fdea609

• “7 Steps to Designing a Family Mission” by Katie Warner: http://katiewarner.com/?s=family+mission

Key Scripture:

Galatians 6:9: “Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up.” https://bible.usccb.org/bible/galatians/6

In this episode, our hosts explore a topic close to each of their hearts: men as the spiritual leaders of the family. We fight a spiritual battle, with spiritual resources, knowing our Triune God goes before us. Mari, Craig, and John revisit chapter 3 of Genesis highlighting man’s unique role as defender of the Faith.

Resources

• Key Scripture: Ephesians, chapters 5 and 6.

• Chapter 3 of Genesis: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/genesis/3

• Dr. Meg Meeker’s book, Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters: 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know https://www.ignatius.com/Strong-Fathers-Strong-Daughters-P2203.aspx

• From CCC (Catechism of the Catholic Church) paragraph 1666: The Christian home is the place where children receive the first proclamation of the faith. For this reason the family home is rightly called “the domestic church,” a community of grace and prayer, a school of human virtues and of Christian charity.

Dr. Bob Schuchts, Founder of the John Paul II Healing Center in Tallahassee, Florida, comes in to The Family Room to share his personal journey through early family tragedy, trauma, and divorce to a powerful encounter with Christ, marital healing, and true devotion. Dr. Schuchts gives us practical ways to pray with, and for, our spouses, including a couples’ meditation on the “Our Father.” He gives us real examples from his own personal, marital, and family struggles and growth. This episode concludes with a beautiful meditation on marriage and the Mass.

Resources

1. John Paul II Healing Center: Transformation in the Heart of the Church: https://jpiihealingcenter.org/

2. Dr. Schuchts’ book, Be Devoted: Restoring Friendship, Passion, and Communion in Your Marriage: https://jpiihealingcenter.org/product/be-devoted-dr-bob-schuchts/

3. Restore the Glory podcast: https://www.restoretheglorypodcast.com/

4. Upcoming events at the JPII Healing Center: https://jpiihealingcenter.org/events/

Key Scripture

1. Genesis 2:24: “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one body.” https://bible.usccb.org/bible/genesis/2

2. Colossians 2: 6-7: “So, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him, rooted in him and built upon him and established in the faith as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” https://bible.usccb.org/bible/colossians/0

Melissa Foley, founder of the healing ministry Loved Already, shares some conversation tools in a lively discussion about how we can speak life, healing, and restoration in Christ into our relationships. Part two of a two-part series.

Resources

1. All are welcome to attend the Virtual Catholic Conference on Healing and Forgiveness, October 8-10. https://go.virtualcatholicconference.com/Healing2021
2. Melissa Foley’s healing ministry, Loved Already: https://lovedalready.com/
3. From Melissa’s blog: “My Worth in God,” https://lovedalready.com/my-worth-in-god/
4. Key Scripture: Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:24; Matthew 3:17; Psalm 18:19; Romans 12:2; https://bible.usccb.org/bible
5. On being made in the imago Dei: Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger and the International Theological Commission (2000-2002). Communion and stewardship: Human persons created in the image of God. https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/cti_documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20040723_communion-stewardship_en.html#_edn1

Melissa Foley, founder of the healing ministry Loved Already, joins us in The Family Room in a lively conversation that inspires us to consider our identity in Christ as beloved sons and daughters of a providing Father. Part one of a two-part series.

Resources:

• All are welcome to attend the Virtual Catholic Conference on Healing and Forgiveness, October 8-10. https://go.virtualcatholicconference.com/Healing2021
• Melissa Foley’s healing ministry, Loved Already: https://LovedAlready.com/
• From Melissa’s blog: “Who am I?” https://LovedAlready.com/identity-impact/
• Key Scripture from Luke 11:11, What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/11
• From the Catechism of the Catholic Church: “God, infinitely perfect and blessed in himself, in a plan of sheer goodness freely created man to make him share in his own blessed life. … In his Son and through him, he invites men to become, in the Holy Spirit, his adopted children and thus heirs of his blessed life” (CCC, paragraph 1).

In this episode, our hosts explore a topic close to each of their hearts: men as the spiritual leaders of the family. We fight a spiritual battle, with spiritual resources, knowing our Triune God goes before us. Mari, Craig, and John revisit chapter 3 of Genesis highlighting man’s unique role as defender of the Faith.

Resources:

• Key Scripture: Ephesians, chapters 5 and 6.
• Chapter 3 of Genesis: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/genesis/3
• Dr. Meg Meeker’s book, Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters: 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know https://www.ignatius.com/Strong-Fathers-Strong-Daughters-P2203.aspx
• From CCC (Catechism of the Catholic Church) paragraph 1666:
  • The Christian home is the place where children receive the first proclamation of the faith. For this reason the family home is rightly called “the domestic church,” a community of grace and prayer, a school of human virtues and of Christian charity.

Very Rev. Daniel Ketter, JCL, the Judicial Vicar of the Metropolitan Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, provides encouragement and hope to couples who want to keep improving their marital relationship. In a lively and informal discussion, Father Ketter identifies four strategies to keep your marriage off his desk.

Resources:

• Father Ketter is reading “Impossible” Marriages Redeemed by Leila Miller https://www.leilamiller.net/impossiblemarriagesredeemedpdf
• “Tools for Building a Domestic Church” https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/vocations/parents/tools-for-building-a-domestic-church
• Contraception https://www.usccb.org/prolife/contraception
• Key Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 5:1-12
• The Memorare: Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

Dr. Edward Sri, husband, father, and theologian, discusses his new book on the virtues, The Art of Living: The Cardinal Virtues and the Freedom to Love. Dr. Sri shares personal examples of the three ways we grow in virtue to live and love well in our marriages and families.

Resources:

• The Art of Living: The Cardinal Virtues and the Freedom to Love is available through Dr. Sri’s website, along with his many uplifting books and videos: https://edwardsri.com/books/
• Dr. Sri’s weekly podcast, “All Things Catholic” https://edwardsri.com/all-things-catholic/
• Key Scripture: Ephesians, chapter 6; Matthew, chapter 6: 25-25; Romans 8:28
• From the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1803, “A virtue is an habitual and firm disposition to do the good.” http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s1c1a7.htm