The Family Room (The Quest)
Nobody likes crosses and yet we are asked to take up our cross daily in order to follow Jesus. Father Mitch Pacwa has uncovered a deeper meaning behind carrying that cross and shares it with us in his book, St. Paul on the Power of the Cross. In this interactive study guide, Fr. Pacwa breaks down the importance of suffering as seen through the eyes of St. Paul, who writes, “The word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.” (1 Cor 1:18) Using historical context and Scripture meditations, Fr. Pacwa introduces St. Paul’s theology of the cross, which drives home the importance of embracing our suffering as a way to overcome the power sin has over us.
He further explains how, by the power of the Holy Spirit and the words of Jesus, the priest unites our suffering to Christ’s on the altar. What we personally offer of our own lives at Mass becomes united with His death at that moment. Through Fr. Pacwa’s careful exegesis of Paul’s writings, you will come to understand the power of the cross to transform us when we embrace it rather than run from it.
Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S.J. is a renowned Jesuit Scripture scholar, author, popular EWTN television and radio host, as well as the founder and president of Ignatius Productions. Fr. Pacwa is fluent in twelve languages and has received his Master of Divinity and S.T.B. at Loyola University, magna cum laude, and a Master of Arts and Ph.D. in Old Testament at Vanderbilt University. He has authored over twenty books, including Wheat and Tares: Restoring the Moral Vision of a Scandalized Church.
Resources:
- St. Paul on the Power of the Cross published by Sophia Institute Press
- Other books by Fr. Pacwa available from the EWTN Religious Catalog
- Every Wednesday evening on the TV show EWTN live, Fr. Pacwa interviews various guests seeking to teach and prepare us for evangelization.
Having been saturated in the culture of relativism for decades, there is a growing hunger in the world for truth. Young people clamor for it and are flocking to our churches for answers. At the advent of television, a fiery prelate known for his pithy quotes took advantage of that new technology to get people excited about God. Today, he is well on his way to sainthood, and we know him as the Venerable Fulton J. Sheen. Recognizing this current hunger for truth, Dr. Peter Howard founded The Fulton Sheen Institute to bring back these dynamic truths and help society rediscover a total vision of man according to God's design. They are as relevant today as they were when Sheen spoke them more than 70 years ago.
Through a multitude of live and online events, the Institute’s robust website contains more than 300 talks as well as formation courses, retreats, and dynamic opportunities to engage and transform the modern culture. Their Jubilee Pilgrimage to Guadalupe this August 2025 is selling out quickly, so be sure to check it out.
Dr. Peter Howard is married to Chantal Howard and they have seven beautiful children. Dr. Howard earned his Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical University of St.Thomas Aquinas [Angelicum] in Rome, Italy. Peter is a renowned international Catholic speaker, scholar of Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, author, professor, Catholic theologian, Mariologist, Catholic entrepreneur, and founder of Heroic Families and The Fulton Sheen Institute. Peter has spoken at national, diocesan, and family conferences in the United States and Philippines; the United States Air Force Academy; the Apostolate for Family Consecration; and diocesan and parish retreats. He has been featured on Catholic television and radio programs such as EWTN, Catholic Answers Live, the Patrick Madrid Show, CatholicTV, Shalom World, Radio Maria, and Relevant Radio.
Resources:
- The Fulton Sheen Institute
- Fulton Sheen - Guadalupe Jubilee Immersion Pilgrimage with Dr. Peter Howard and Fr. Jim Blount, SOLT - Aug. 2-9, 2025
- Book: The Woman: Mary as Mediatrix in the Teachings of Fulton J. Sheen
- Fulton Sheen Audio Library
- Fulton Sheen Holy Hour Revolution
You’ve heard all your life that the first and greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Sonja Corbitt, also known as the Bible Evangelista, will help you understand how this concept can heal you from within.
Her book, Love Heals, uses her extensive knowledge of Scripture to draw out the causes of our common weakness and childhood wounds. These wounds create destructive emotional eruptions that can cripple relationships. Sonja calls these eruptions "pop quizzes" because God is calling us to recognize the destructive patterns that keep us stuck in sin and woundedness without knowing why. Love Heals will teach you how to spot these cycles. Sonja’s practical, down-to-earth ways of explaining the power of God’s love will transform your mind, using simple acronyms like her STOP Tool and her free 4-part email course to help heal your heart, soul, mind and body. In Love Heals, Sonja will walk with you, hand in hand, through the process of opening your heart, mind, body, and soul to the healing love of God.
A Carolina native who was raised as a Southern Baptist, Sonja Corbitt attended Mitchell College and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary center in Jackson, Tennessee, before converting to Catholicism. She has since served as director of religious education at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Gallatin, Tennessee, and executive director of Risen Radio in Lebanon,Tennessee. She lives in Tennessee with her husband, Bob, and their two sons.
Resources:
- Love Heals: A Biblical Plan to Restore Our Emotions, Memories, Souls, and Bodies published by Ave Maria Press
- Sonja Corbitt's website
- Sonja Corbitt's podcast The Sacred Healing 12:30 Podcast
Sarah Weikert and Andre White from Pregnancy Aid Clinic (PAC) share the incredible work they are doing to provide help and hope to mothers and fathers. Operating from the Catholic belief in the sanctity of life, PAC compassionately delivers services and programs created to lift up women, men, and families during moments of uncertainty or grief, through a journey designed to reveal their own dignity and claim their own future.
Pregnancy Aid Clinic is a non-profit center that has been providing medical services, patient advocacy, parenting education, and post abortion healing regardless of financial ability, race, age, or religion since 1984. PAC’s care addresses the whole person - mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual - in a compassionate and nonjudgmental way. The clinic offers comprehensive programs for mothers and fathers to navigate from pregnancy to parenthood with a focus on parenting and life skills. They strive to protect children by strengthening families. PAC has clinics in Roswell, Atlanta, and Forest Park.
PAC’s services are free thanks to donations, grants, and committed volunteers who work together to create a support system that makes it possible for mothers and families to choose life. Operating from a Catholic philosophy, they are blessed to have the endorsement of the Archdiocese of Atlanta.
The Fatherhood Program at Pregnancy Aid Clinic is designed to empower men to embrace their roles as fathers, offering them resources, guidance, and a supportive community to help them succeed. Classes geared toward men cover key areas like spirituality, childcare, parenting, career development, and leadership skills. The program equips men to become engaged, responsible fathers who protect and nurture their families while building essential life skills.
Resources:
- Visit PAC's website to learn more about their services and volunteer opportunities or call 404-763-4357.
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus says those who leave everything behind to follow and serve Him will reap innumerable rewards in the present age and eternal life in the age to come. Most know this Scripture promise, but few live it out.
Dr. William Boegel and his wife, Diane, found that God had a plan for their lives only after they let go of their own dreams to follow God’s prophetic nudges. Dr. Will’s early childhood traumatically prepared him to be vulnerable, opening a conduit to God at an early age. He and Diane met over a scrub sink after surgery and, once married, made a commitment to serve God by serving others in the medical mission field.
What they never expected was the supernatural tug to purchase a dilapidated avocado farm in a rural Mayan lake region that has become Opal House, a refuge for medically compromised, impoverished children of Guatemala. There they provide physical, spiritual, and educational nourishment to these children as well as medical and surgical services to the surrounding community. To date, Dr. Will estimates they have performed more than 500 children’s orthopedic surgeries, giving hope of normalcy to these children and their families.
Everyone, including Dr. Will and his board, volunteer their time. All donations go directly to the Guatemalan people through the efforts of Opal House and the many volunteers who visit the farm to help out. Check out their website for volunteer and fundraising opportunities.
Bio: Dr. William Boegel and Diane were married in early 2004. They have always volunteered as medical missionaries and have served in Mexico, Guatemala, Egypt, and Vietnam, performing surgeries for Healing the Children and Operation Serve International. After years of short-term mission trips, they were called by God to make a long-term investment into Guatemalan society for broken and impoverished children. Dr. William Boegel is a Physician of the Foot and Ankle (Podiatrist) and Diane is a Surgical Technologist.
Resources:
Kathleen Conklin always had an apostolic heart and felt called to mission when she was still a young mom. With a degree in Education, she searched for an organization where she could use her skills as an educator as well as find support for her young family. She started a preschool as well as a business, but felt something was missing. After hearing of a new initiative starting up in Texas, Kathleen and her husband made the huge leap of faith and moved their family from Michigan, first with Catholic Kids Net and eventually launching Kids for Jesus (K4J) which ran for 20 years and reached tens of thousands of families across North America.
Motivated by this success and a yearning to see Catholic families thrive, Kathleen and her team have developed First Fruits, whose vision is for communities of young families to live a dynamic Catholic life and support one another. First Fruits has been set up as a two-year program of faith building with small groups meeting six times yearly in order to learn the twelve Guiding Principles which will become the guideposts to help their families grow in virtue. We can no longer give our children a set of rules and expect them to obey and thrive. The internet has leveled the playing field and with First Fruits, each family uncovers the unique story God is writing for their family and discovers the joy of living God’s plan for their lives.
Kathleen Conklin grew up in a Catholic family with five sisters, meeting her non-Catholic husband, Don, at a red light. He was smitten enough to begin attending Mass with her every week and within six months they were married. Within 13 months they had their first child and are now parents of 7 children and 13 grandchildren, having just celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary! Their oldest child, Ronald, is a priest with the Legionaries of Christ.
Resources:
As a previous guest, Jack Beers' insight into the importance of relational mentorship left us wanting to know more.
Everyone agrees 2020 was such a watershed moment that conversations pivoted dramatically, often making relationships more difficult. People started to be controlled by their feelings, unable to cope with the hard decisions life threw at them. Finding help often brought more angst as differing world views offered solutions which were harmful to spiritual growth. Jack believed their ability to grow depended upon access to someone who shared their values and was trained to accompany them with an intensity that would boost their confidence. What he created is The Catholic Mentor, which is not life coaching or therapy or spiritual direction. Rather, it incorporates aspects of each one in a relational format which is based on sound psychology, focusing on both the spiritual and emotional needs of each person.
A critical difference is The Catholic Mentor format gives each client access to their mentor through daily text messages, thereby introducing and reinforcing real-time coping skills. They learn their feelings no longer need to control them and graduate with a newfound confidence in their ability to handle the daily challenges of life. He invites listeners to contact him for a free 30-minute conversation to learn more.
Resources:
- Family Room episode with Jack Beers titled “Don’t Stay Stuck” (aired Feb. 12, 2025)
- The Catholic Mentor
- The 30-Day Rise Challenge
- Find Jack Beers on Linked-In
Few topics cause more confusion than transgenderism. The internet opened doorways to ideologies unheard of when today’s parents were teens, and they feel totally unprepared. Dr. Quentin van Meter helps clear the confusion. As a colleague of Dr. John Money, the psychologist who first attempted to transform an infant boy into a girl after a botched circumcision, Dr. Van Meter explains how prestigious Johns Hopkins University became the unwitting accomplice of Dr. Money’s personal theories on gender identity.
Born to an Orthodox/Ukrainian mother and agnostic father, Quentin was attracted to both Kathy and her love of Catholicism while in college. Married now for 55 years, they are the proud parents of four children and seven grandchildren and attend the Cathedral of Christ the King in Atlanta.
Dr. Van Meter graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1969. He attended the Medical College of Virginia where he received his medical degree in 1973. Dr. Van Meter did his pediatric internship (1973-1974) and his pediatric residency (1974 to 1976) at the Naval Regional Medical Center in Oakland, through the University of California, San Francisco. He completed his pediatric endocrinology fellowship from 1978 to 1980 at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Resources:
- Van Meter Pediatric Endocrinology
- Doctors Protecting Children Declaration - More than 75,000 physicians representing more than 60 countries have signed this declaration to protect children.
- Biological Integrity: Integrating the Mind and Body - A project of the American College of Pediatricians: “Biological Integrity is a reliable medical resource on the topic of gender dysphoria for parents, teens, physicians, schools, and policymakers.”
- American College of Pediatricians
- Legislation Made Simple, a show produced by AM 1160 The Quest that discusses legislation in the Georgia General Assembly in light of Church teachings, featured Dr. Van Meter on three episodes: The Transgender Phenomenon, part 1 (aired April 15, 2023), The Transgender Phenomenon, part 2 (aired April 22, 2023), and How Transgender Interventions Harm Children (aired Jan. 27, 2024).
Atlanta has a vibrant Catholic community, but until recently there was no outlet to pull them together with exciting radio programming that speaks to their Catholic identity in a way that invigorates their faith and encourages them to find kindred spirits. Such a venue, The Morning Quest, was created last September by Atlanta’s locally-owned Catholic radio station, AM 1160 The Quest Atlanta. Co-hosts Allison Dalloul and Josh Harris are the first to admit this gig took them by surprise and is living proof God orchestrates our steps beforehand.
Josh, a professional comedian, brings his quick wit to the show, where his love of comedy is overshadowed only by his zeal for sharing the faith. As a busy single mom raising three children, Allison tempers Josh’s hilarity with a good dose of maternal wisdom. Her easy laugh makes every guest and listener feel at home.
The Morning Quest airs Monday through Friday from 8-9 a.m. Talented local guests discuss important national topics, and local priests step in to share reflections on that day’s Mass readings and saints. They augment their discussions with local news and traffic so those on their daily commute can stay informed.
Josh Harris grew up Jewish, and by his early teens decided to explore the many ways a teen could entertain himself. He knew his quick wit would bring attention, and by the time he was 23, Josh realized his life was a mess. He quickly acknowledges a 12-step program changed his life. Since then, Josh has grown closer to God, even spending 2 years in seminary. Now he joyfully joins Allison every morning on air and continues his career as a professionally-clean comedian.
Allison is one of four girls born into a nominally-Catholic family, and it was her engagement to a non-denominational Christian that propelled her into a deep dive on Catholicism. She spent more than 20 years as the “Lenox Lady,” representing Lenox china here in Atlanta. After a subsequent marriage, divorce, and annulment, Allison lost her job when COVID hit. After a few quick years in the mortgage business, her vibrant personality as a volunteer at The Quest compelled management to invite her to be a co-host of The Morning Quest.
Resources:
- The Morning Quest airs weekdays 8-9 a.m. ET and can be heard on your radio dial at AM 1160. You can also listen live or on demand on The Quest Atlanta website or app.
- Learn more about Josh’s comedy
It’s not every day you meet a modern-day Joan of Arc, but when Dr. Leisa Marie Caron heard the story of Sister Deirdre Byrne, M.D., there was no going back. She wanted to know more about this woman who was a religious sister, an Army colonel, and a double-board-certified surgeon and physician. That was in 2020, and Dr. Leisa Marie Caron, a self-professed "mama bear" who was concerned about the country’s future, decided to look up this incredible woman and meet her in person. Deeply impressed, it was at that meeting where Dr. Leisa asked permission to write a book about this woman who embraced three vocations at once.
The book is called Sister, Soldier, Surgeon: The Life and Courage of Sr. Deirdre Byrne, M.D. With great love and precision, Dr. Leisa Maria paints a beautiful portrait of a woman whose surgeon father encouraged her to take care of others physically while magazines of missionary Sisters overseas challenged her to love them sacrificially. This spunky yet humble Sister will make you laugh and cry as you follow her life through battlefield surgeries and abortion-reversal miracles; a woman who personifies both the modern feminine genius and a living saint.
Dr. Leisa Marie Caron is a lifelong Catholic who met her husband in church, and they have a 22-year-old son. Dr. Dede Byrne credits her lifelong love of both God and others to her parents, who instilled in their children a love of daily Mass and of serving others. Sr. Dede belongs to The Little Workers of the Sacred Heart and while their Mother House is in Italy, she serves in Washington, D.C., where she has a clinic in the basement of the convent. She also mentors local medical students on weekends.
Resources:
- This website is dedicated to Sister Dede’s story, where you can purchase the book, Sister, Soldier, Surgeon: The Life and Courage of Sister Deirdre Byrne, M.D.
- Abortion pill reversal website or call 1-877-558-0333
Every child dreams of becoming a successful adult with good, healthy relationships. Then life collides with dreams and they struggle, often stuck or aimlessly wandering without a rudder. As a young man, Jack Beers saw the incredible difference it made when a priest accompanied him on his spiritual journey. His direct accompaniment, even to the point where the priest’s challenge put an exclamation point on Jack’s level of commitment, solidified Jack’s determination to help others in much the same way.
Still a young father today, Jack’s passionate determination led him to seek out a program through The Catholic Psych Institute to be trained to accompany individuals through the storms of life by integrating sound psychology and authentic Catholic anthropology. This led Jack to create The Catholic Mentor whereby he helps people become the man or woman God created them to be. Jack explains how his program, unlike a spiritual director or life coach, provides daily, one-on-one accompaniment with an intensity that not only helps his clients discover their hidden obstacles, but challenges them to integrate God into their lives in order to eradicate those obstacles. In this way, his clients can achieve true healing in a spiritual, emotional, and physical way.
Jack’s father is Jewish and his mother is Episcopalian, which he jokingly says led him to be a “confused Jew” by his teen years. Enticed to attend a Catholic Mass by a girlfriend at 17, Jack had a supernatural encounter which led him to explore the Catholic Church, finally entering in 2012. He and his wife, Katie, have three children, ages four, two, and a newborn.
Resources:
There are many ways to be counter-cultural, and the Martins are perfect examples. Both Gerry and Mel were raised Catholic in Bombay, India, where Catholics represent less than 2% of the population. The typical birthrate is one or two children, and the Martins just welcomed their seventh child. They met in college where Mel admits she literally stalked Gerry. His parents wanted him to focus on his schoolwork, not Mel, so they dated for nine years before getting married. After graduation, Gerry pursued his dream to be a fashion photographer, and Mel became a teacher.
In 2014 while on vacation, they met a Catholic missionary couple who invited them to a discernment retreat for Family Missions Company, a lay missionary ministry. They’d never heard of Catholic lay missionaries, but this retreat changed their lives. Multiple bizarre events caught their attention and each one, individually, felt God saying “Drop your nets and follow Me.” They’d drifted away from their faith in college and were now the parents of two children, but both became convinced God was calling them to radical faith, asking them to give up everything to follow Him. Even though they faced strong hurdles, God miraculously took care of every need.
Melody (Mel) Martins was born into an active Catholic family who gave her a “beautiful, holy childhood.” Gerry was an only child who participated in Church as an altar boy and member of the choir. Together they and their children serve as lay missionaries through the Family Missions Company. Gerry is also the director of Encounter School of Ministry’s satellite campus based in Augusta, Georgia.
Resources:
- Family Missions Company sends out lay Catholic families and singles to proclaim Jesus Christ and His Gospel to the poor
- Encounter School of Ministry - teaching, equipping, and activating disciples. Authentically Catholic, theologically reviewed, Bishop approved.
- Go! You Are Sent: An Incredible Odyssey of Faith by Genie Summers, co-founder of Family Missions Company
Dave Hancharik was our guest in August 2024 for the episode titled “The Gift of Autism,” where he shared the experience of raising a non-verbal child and how a program called “Spellers” helped give his son, Seth, a voice. In this episode we also have Dave’s wife, Nina, who shares his enthusiasm, pointing out that "Spellers" changed their family’s life, opening up more opportunities with Seth, who is one of 11 children.
Vacations with such a large family can be tricky, and since Nina was a recent convert, she looked for opportunities to learn more about Catholicism. It was this curiosity that led Nina to discover the Catholic tradition of pilgrimages - most often pointing to faraway places. While pilgrimages can be arduous and sacrificial, Nina learned the biggest difference between a pilgrimage and a vacation was that one was for fun while the other helped you grow in your faith. It was their large, blended family that sparked her interest in finding local places of religious interest to visit.
Nina became adept at finding religious places of interest and then scouring for locations nearby where she could help her family fall in love with the rich heritage of their Catholic faith while growing closer as a family. Even today, with five grandchildren, the Hanchariks love taking family pilgrimages.
While Dave shared in his previous episode that he was born Catholic and drifted away, Nina shares that she was born into a Presbyterian family in St. Louis, Missouri. Early in their marriage, Dave joined Nina in the Presbyterian Church and then both studied their way back into the Catholic Church after seven years. Dave and Nina successfully blended their family of 11 children, entering marriage with three young teens as part of Dave’s “upper five” joining Nina’s six children. Today they are the proud grandparents of five.
Resources:
- The Family Room August 7, 2024, episode, “The Gift of Autism”
- Dave’s cell phone: 404-307-2824 and email: david.hancharik@viasat.com
- Nina's pilgrimage planner
- Catholic News Agency article: “Here's how to take a local Catholic pilgrimage in the U.S.”
When you look at a culture, the way women behave will dictate how the men and children respond. That’s a harsh statement, but Dr. Carrie Gress stresses this realization helped form her decision to win back the hearts of women.
Betty Friedan’s 1963 book, The Feminine Mystique, promised women equality with men and liberation from their comfortable concentration camps at home. Through manipulating emotions and maligning motherhood, feminism aimed to make women independent of husbands, children, and faith. Men were portrayed as incompetent and self-absorbed. Sixty years later, with families crumbling, Carrie understood most women didn’t learn this through intellectual reading, but by the propaganda they found flipping through Cosmo magazine or watching The Oprah Winfrey Show. By portraying motherhood as a lost career, a “woman’s right to choose” cemented abortion in the culture, and Carrie understood it was the culture that had to be attacked head on.
As a prolific author, she describes her books as both a diagnoses and remedy to the maladies that plague today’s women. In her recent article for the National Catholic Register, “3 Essentials for Rebuilding a Pro-Life Culture,” Carrie shows how feminism’s corrosive ideology preaches a gospel of discontent to women and shows that real womanhood is what God intended for them all along.
Carrie Gress, Ph.D., is a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and a scholar at the Institute for Human Ecology at The Catholic University of America. She is editor of the online women’s magazine, Theology of Home, and co-author of its book series. Holding a doctorate from The Catholic University of America, she is the author of several books, including The End of Woman: How Smashing the Patriarchy Has Destroyed Us, The Marian Option: God’s Solution to a Civilization in Crisis, and The Anti-Mary Exposed: Rescuing the Culture from Toxic Femininity. She is also co-author with George Weigel of City of Saints: A Pilgrims Guide to John Paul II’s Krakow. Carrie’s work has appeared in numerous publications, and she is a frequent radio and podcast guest, appearing on Fox, BBC, CBC, EWTN, OAN, and Russia Times television. A home-schooling mother of five, she and her family live in Virginia.
Resources:
- Carrie Gress' blog and books
- Online Women’s Magazine: Theology of Home
- National Catholic Register article, “3 Essentials for Rebuilding a Pro-Life Culture"
A self-professed youth group kid who tagged along with his youth-minister mom, Jonah Soucy was able to observe her patient nurturing of those in her charge. Perhaps due to this early exposure, Jonah has a great depth of understanding about how we can develop a meaningful relationship with God. Growing up in the White Mountain range of New Hampshire, Jonah first experienced God through nature, seeing how creation points to the Creator. He continued to pursue God and spent a year before college with NET Ministries, giving over 117 retreats in that time – and falling in love with ministry.
Now a youth minister himself, Jonah discovered how recent generations learned to find God through liturgy or watered-down catechesis. Today’s youth yearn for something deeper – a true relationship with their Creator. What does that look like? Drawing on centuries of Catholic prayer, Jonah’s book, 40 Days, 40 Ways to Pray, offers reflections on 40 prayer methods, along with practical strategies to grow in holiness. The diversity of methods gives everyone a chance to develop their own unique relationship with God. Additionally, the book highlights common challenges faced in prayer, helping you recognize and overcome distractions. Pursuing God should be a lifelong habit. Learning how to hear God and listen to Him takes practice. 40 Days, 40 Ways to Pray is perfect for anyone who desires to deepen their relationship with God.
Currently serving as a youth minister in the Diocese of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh-area contact for Life Teen Ministries, Jonah recently received a Master of Arts in Catechetics and Evangelization from Franciscan University. He lives in the South Hills of Pittsburgh with his wife, Shannon, and their son, Aiden.
Resources:
- 40 Days, 40 Ways to Pray, published by Sophia Institute Press
- NET Ministries
- Life Teen Ministries
Tami and Keith Kiser began dating in high school and found their love of God growing through a teen ministry called Young Life. They attended the same college where they continued to be active in Young Life, participating in their summer camp programs.
This foundation has come full circle today with the Kisers purchasing a former camp, following their heart’s desire to create a retreat within the Blue Ridge Mountains of South Carolina where their guests can hear God through the beauty of nature. They named their property Heart Ridge Retreat and Cultural Center.
With more than 60 acres, including a 5-acre lake, this property affords them the flexibility they need. They have individual rooms available for rent in the lodge or families can rent a cabin for a quiet getaway. Church groups are welcome as well as family reunions or wedding events.
Groups are invited to lead their own program or, because of their extensive retreat experience, the Kisers host several specific retreats each year, including father/son and mother/daughter retreats as well as their highly sought-after Summer Family Camp, held in weekly increments during the summer and expertly facilitated by the staff.
Although located within the corridor of the devastating Hurricane Helene that came through in October 2024, their property remained largely unscathed and all repairs have been completed. Located about 2.5 hours north of Atlanta, this is a beautiful location for a restful family retreat.
Keith Kiser has spent over 25 years as the head of a Catholic school, guiding and instructing not only students, but teachers and parents as well. Tami, besides raising a family, has been involved in planning women conferences and retreats in her diocese; and internationally to thousands of women online. She also is an author and speaker. Together, Tami and Keith are the parents of 10 children and 11 grandchildren.
Resources:
- Heart Ridge Retreat and Cultural Center
- Heart Ridge Summer Family Camp Registration - 2025 theme: “In Search of a Family”
- Facility Rentals
- The Heart Lines Podcast – (can be found where you listen to most podcasts)
- Heart Line Podcasts -- Tami and Keith connect the lines from the head to the heart in these weekly podcasts, often continuing prior conversations or exploring new ones.
- Book: "Smart Martha's Catholic Guide for Busy Mothers" Tami Kiser understands the demands of motherhood. Her "Smart Martha" seminars have helped thousands of women balance their priorities so that they still have ample time for Jesus throughout the day.
Mike McCoy began his football career at Notre Dame University and then played 11 more years for the NFL. Although he was the #1 draft pick for the Green Bay Packers, he’s quick to divulge he was anything but an agile athlete as a child. Overweight and bullied, Mike never felt he measured up.
His father was an alcoholic, and his family lost their home and moved in with his grandparents when Mike was in the third grade. Entrenched in a very Polish Catholic environment, Mike embraced his faith and actively participated as an altar server when Mass was still said in Latin and then spent a year in seminary before deciding he was not called to the priesthood.
In spite of an absentee father, Mike had strong male role models who encouraged him, and it was this background that led Mike to reach out to youth after his NFL career ended. As the founder and president of Mike McCoy Ministries, his passion for empowering youth helps them develop a larger vision for their lives through faith-based messages of hope and encouragement.
Mike McCoy is a native of Erie, Pennsylvania, and a graduate of Cathedral Prep High School. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a BA in Economics where he played football and was a Consensus All-American. He was chosen UPI Lineman of the Year and was sixth in the Heisman Trophy balloting his senior year. He was the #1 draft choice of the Green Bay Packers where he played defensive tackle. He played eleven years in the NFL – seven with Green Bay, two with the Oakland Raiders, and two with the New York Giants. Mike received many awards including the Packers Rookie of the Year, Packers Dodge NFL Man of the Year, Notre Dame Pro Player of the Year, and induction into the Erie Pro Hall of Fame, Cathedral Prep Hall of Fame, and the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. Mike is a recipient of the Harvey Foster Humanitarian Award by the University of Notre Dame Alumni Association and was also inducted into National Polish American Sports Hall of Fame. Mike was also awarded Bronco Nagurski Legends award which recognizes the best of the best of defensive football players in the last 40 years.
Mike served on the Board of Directors of YMCA Camp High Harbour, Camp Hope in Georgia, Pro Athletes Outreach, and Wisconsin Special Olympics. He speaks primarily in Catholic schools across America and abroad. He has also been a speaker for the National Catholic Educators Convention, Catholic Men’s Rallies, Bill Glass Ministries in prisons, and to parents and coaches through the Notre Dame Play Like a Champion program.
Resources:
- Mike McCoy Ministries
- Mike coaches through the Notre Dame-based program, Play Like a Champion
Enthronement to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is the fulfillment of a request Jesus made to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in the 1670s when He said, “I will bless every place in which an image of my Heart is exposed and honored.” Emily Jaminet has taken this promise to heart and founded a ministry to promote enthronement far and wide.
Emily’s love for the Sacred Heart goes back to fond childhood memories of her grandparents’ devotion to the special significance of this request to St. Margaret Mary in the 1600’s. It was later approved by the Church in 1907. She has written two books on the Sacred Heart, Holy Habits from the Sacred Heart, which identifies ten habits and virtues we can learn from Jesus, and Secrets of the Sacred Heart, where Emily highlights twelve ways to claim Jesus’ promises in your life.
This enthronement movement centers on giving your heart and your home to the Lord, making Him the center of your life. Allowing Jesus’ love to penetrate your heart changes you from the inside. Emily shares how the act of enthroning your home has broken down numerous strongholds in those families who have embraced it.
Emily has been married to her husband, John, for 26 years, and they are the parents of seven children. Aside from being surrounded by generations of family devoted to God, Emily has pursued her faith by graduating from the University of Steubenville and spearheading several ministries, including co-founding a ministry called “Inspire the Faith.” Emily has also authored or co-authored six books.
Resources:
- Emily has created the Welcome His Heart website which includes information on the Sacred Heart Enthronement Network and resources to enthrone your parish, home, school, or workplace. Her mission is to “make homes holy again.”
- Inspire the Faith, an apostolate offering books, women’s studies, and a podcast
- Holy Habits from the Sacred Heart: Ten Ways to Build Stronger, More Loving Relationships
- Secrets of the Sacred Heart: Twelve Ways to Claim Jesus’ Promises in Your Life
When native German Uta Trogele realized young people were distancing themselves from one another in favor of electronic relationships, she created an alternative that would be fun and educational at the same time. Having represented Germany in basketball as well as becoming a physical education teacher, Uta understood that physical touch is one of our most basic human needs.
The culture offers counterfeit versions of love and freedom which leave us anxious, overwhelmed, and unfulfilled. Based in part on Pope St. John Paul II’s “Theology of the Body” (TOB), Uta co-founded The Culture Project, which is a team of young adults who counsel students about human dignity and self-worth, emphasizing how living a virtuous life can change the world. These missionary teams give dynamic presentations to middle and high schoolers as well as young adults on the benefits of sexual integrity and healthy living in an online culture.
The success of this project propelled Uta to follow God’s prodding to introduce yet another program, Touch of Dance, to foster self-respect by combining TOB with ballroom dance. Using Christopher West’s study, Freedom to Love, Touch of Dance provides an opportunity to embody key concepts from TOB in a concrete, engaging, and fun format. Hosting a dance night for students where food is served and dance etiquette is explained gives them a confident awareness of their inherent dignity.
Born in Protestant Northern Germany to a devout Catholic family, Uta always felt close to God, even attending Mass throughout her college years. She attended the University of Washington in Seattle and then achieved a Masters of Education in Physical Education and History in 1984 at the University of Gottingen in Gottingen, Germany. Uta and her husband of 38 years love to travel internationally and have lived in several states within America, now living in California. They are the proud parents of a daughter and three grandchildren.
Resources:
- The Culture Project
- To find out more about Uta’s project, Touch of Dance, email her directly at EmailTouchofDance@gmail.com
When we think of leaving a legacy for our grandchildren, lofty goals often take a back burner to simple things like honesty and integrity. Yet, for too many of us, our successes can be undermined by a life filled with unhappiness and regret.
Dr. Andrew Abela saw the chronic discontent all around and sought to create a way to help people see what ancient philosophers saw. Namely, pursuing virtue can change our entire life. Dr. Abela shows us how applying time-honored small steps in everyday life can propel us into a better life story worthy of a lasting legacy.
Superhabits: The Universal System for a Successful Life by Dr. Andrew Abela shows how attaining virtue does not require exhaustive trial and error but rather, steady daily practice, which is available to everyone. He explains how the genius of a thirteenth-century philosopher-monk codified super habits into a veritable human operating system where learning to practice self-discipline in small steps becomes the hallmark to successful transformation. Using current real-life stories, Dr. Abela demonstrates how developing the super habit of virtue can not only transform our own life, but our culture as well.
Dr. Abela is the founding dean of the Busch School of Business at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. His award-winning, widely-cited research on integrity and effectiveness in business has been published in several academic journals and in three books. He speaks to business leaders around the world about cultivating the super habits of success personally and in their organizations. Prior to his academic career, Dr. Abela was a brand manager at Procter & Gamble, management consultant with McKinsey & Company, and Managing Director at the Corporate Executive Board. He holds an MBA from the Institute for Management Development in Switzerland and a Ph.D. from the Darden Business School at the University of Virginia. He and his wife, Kathleen, live in Great Falls, Virginia, and have been blessed with six children and their first grandchild.
Resources:
- Dr. Abela's faculty profile on Catholic University of America website
- Superhabits: The Universal System for a Successful Life, published by Sophia Institute Press
Transgenderism is fundamentally a rejection of what we’ve received as a son or daughter of God. Misguided advocates teach we should be able to create our own identity based on feelings.
Mary Rice Hasson is an attorney who has tackled the tsunami of gender confusion. She co-founded the “Person and Identity Project” (PIP) which aims to equip parents and faith-based institutions with the facts, resources, and expertise to promote an authentic vision of the human person and counter the culture when it comes to gender ideology. PIP experts speak, write, and conduct workshops on gender ideology so that, together, we can change the dialogue around gender. Rather than submitting to a false compassion which tries to coerce us into affirming a false narrative about the human body, PIP helps strengthen parents, pastors, and educators with appropriate language to guide their children and others to confidently affirm the truth.
Mary Rice Hasson was born into a strong Catholic family at a critical time when Church teachings were being discarded. Her parents picked up the slack and educated her in Catholic schools. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame and Notre Dame Law School, Mary is married to Seamus Hasson, and they are parents of seven grown children and grandparents of seven. Mary was diagnosed with M.S. during her sixth pregnancy and then her husband was diagnosed with Parkinson’s two years later. Rather than succumb to pity, they are living witnesses of trusting and surrendering to God. Currently, Mary’s M.S. is under control, and Seamus is wheelchair bound.
Mary Rice Hasson is the Kate O’Beirne Senior Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C. An attorney and policy expert, Mary has been a keynote speaker for the Holy See during the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, addressing education, women and work, caregiving, and gender ideology, and serves as a consultant to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family, Life, and Youth. She speaks frequently at national conferences, universities, and in dioceses across the country and has testified before the U.S. Senate, state legislatures, and the Australian parliament on parents’ rights and transgender issues.
Resources:
- Person and Identity Project (PIP)
- Catholic Women’s Forum: The Catholic Women’s Forum provides a network for Catholic women scholars seeking fellowship and to influence the culture, and offers a forum for Catholic women to share faith, inspiration, and resources.
- Get Out Now: Why You Should Pull Your Child From Public School Before It’s Too Late by Mary Rice Hasson and Theresa Farnan, PhD
Few people think of calling a Catholic priest “Grandpa,” but fewer still know there are more than 20 Eastern rites in the Catholic church, all of which are self-governing churches under the Pope, and most of which permit married priests. Fr. Elias Dorham, pastor of St. John Chrysostom Melkite Catholic Church in Atlanta, gives a short explanation of the differences between the Latin rite and the Eastern rites within the Catholic Church.
Having been married over 30 years and raising 10 children, Father Elias realized in his pastoral ministry that couples rarely create a safe place in their relationship for disagreements, often believing married couples shouldn’t fight. That led him to create a marriage-enrichment program which reframes the experience of conflict, offering couples solid guidelines for healthy marriages with healthy boundaries.
Through this online interactive workshop called “The 7 Principles Workshop,” couples learn that marriage is a place where they live out their witness to Christ, learning to ask for and extend forgiveness as a critical part of their path to Salvation. Partnering with Mount Tabor Counseling Center in Colorado, Fr. Elias facilitates this workshop, walking couples through the principles of effective marriages.
Fr. Elias was raised by his grandparents in a home without religion, and it wasn’t until his days in the Naval Academy that he felt called to explore Christianity. He was baptized Catholic in 1991 and married his wife, Sylvia, shortly after graduation. They have 10 children, ages 30 down to 7 and 3 grandchildren (so far).
His extensive scholastic achievements include a Doctor of Ministry from St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary. He also has an M.A. in Theological Studies from Christendom College, an M.S. in Information Systems Technology from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a B.S. in Political Science from the United States Naval Academy. Prior to ordination, his professional experience encompassed coaching and leadership development across the military, federal/local government, and technology sectors. Areas of particular interest include marriage-related ministry, Sacred Scripture, and liturgical theology.
Resources
- “The Other 23 Catholic Churches (Rites) and Why They Exist”, article from Ascension Press
- St. John Chrysostom Melkite Catholic Church in Atlanta
- Mount Tabor Counseling Center
- Learn more about Jeff’s company, Undivided Life
- The BeatiDudes: a podcast for Christian men seeking to do God’s will while growing together in humor and holiness
- Parenting books by Dr. Ray Guarendi: Discipline That Lasts a Lifetime: The Best Gift You Can Give Your Kids and Raising Upright Kids in an Upside Down World
- Podcast: Parenting Great Kids with Meg Meeker, free on Audible
Dr. John Bruchalski, founder of Divine Mercy Care
Discover compelling insights as former abortionist Dr. John Bruchalski takes us on his journey from abortion to life-affirming medicine. Dr. Bruchalski shares his powerful story of conversion and healing, giving listeners a look into the complexities he faced as a young Ob-Gyn. Once entrenched in the pro-choice medical establishment, Dr. Bruchalski’s transformative experiences - including a pivotal spiritual encounter - led him to found Divine Mercy Care and Tepeyac Ob/Gyn, offering compassionate, pro-life medical care for women and families. Packed with eye-opening, personal stories, this episode sheds light on the impact of faith, the power of mercy, and the healing process for those affected by abortion. Dr. Bruchalski shares candidly, reminding us that grace and redemption are available to all.
Dr. B, as he likes to be called, earned his medical degree from the University of South Alabama College of Medicine in 1987. He completed his Ob/Gyn residency at Eastern Virginia Medical Center and the Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1991. Dr. B received board certification in 1993. He and his wife, Carolyn, are the parents of two grown sons and one granddaughter.
If this episode touched you, please consider rating, following, and sharing our show to help us reach more families with messages of hope and encouragement.
Resources
- Two Patients: My Conversion From Abortion to Life-Affirming Medicine
- Divine Mercy Care, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing pro-life medicine and transforming hearts through heathcare.
- Tepeyac Ob/Gyn, a pro-life obstetrics and gynecology medical practice run by Dr. and Mrs. Bruchalski
- For medical professionals seeking information about life-affirming medicine, contact Dr. Bruchalski at DrJBruchalski@gmail.com
Amelia Bielski, podcast creator
Amelia Bielski, the inspiring creator and host of The Heart That God Gave You podcast, shares her journey of faith, the inspiration behind starting her podcast, and how God uses her unique gifts to reach others. Explore with us the power of storytelling, vulnerability, and how young Catholics are stepping out in faith to make a difference.
Amelia offers wisdom on finding God in the ordinary and encourages us to listen to His voice in our lives, most especially at that crucial transition time after high school. Don’t miss this heartwarming conversation about courage, waiting on God’s promises, and embracing your mission.
Amelia is a Roswell, Georgia, native who became active in the Life Teen program as a parishioner at St. Ann Catholic Church in Marietta, Georgia, and a student at Blessed Trinity Catholic High School. After graduation, Amelia served as a Life Teen leader and missionary each summer while attending Louisiana State University. Upon graduation from LSU, she began her career as a theology teacher at a Catholic girls’ school in New Orleans.
Resources
- Listen to The Heart That God Gave You on Apple Music and on Spotify
- Wild At Heart by John Eldredge
- Learn more about LifeTeen
- The Visitation - Luke 1: 39-56
Deacon Steve Greco, evangelist, documentary producer
Deacon Steve Greco shares about his powerful documentary, Jesus Thirsts: The Miracle of the Eucharist, which embarks on a global journey to rediscover and revive the transformative power of the Eucharist. Engaging in dialogues with notable Catholic figures, the film explores the biblical origins of the Eucharist and shares personal stories of individuals whose lives have been transformed. Jesus Thirsts makes it unmistakably clear the Eucharist is not merely a symbol, but is indeed Jesus Christ Himself. Hear about the extraordinary fruits of the film, which is helping to reignite the faith of Catholics everywhere. With his contagious enthusiasm and remarkable stories of healing and faith restoration, Deacon Greco also shares his incredible faith journey starting from a “cradle Catholic” to becoming a leading figure in evangelization, his passion for the Eucharist, and his ministry’s impact. He stresses how God is calling all of us to return to Him, especially through the transformative power of the Eucharist, and how placing Christ at the center of our lives and marriages can transform everything.
Deacon Steve Greco admits that while born Catholic, he was largely a cultural Catholic until a co-worker introduced him to the power of the Holy Spirit in his 20s. Married to Mary Ann for 52 years, they have three children and four grandchildren. Shortly after leaving corporate life and moving to the Los Angeles area, Deacon Greco was invited to study for the diaconate and has been a Deacon for 17 years. He and his wife are actively involved in evangelization through their Spirit Filled Hearts ministry.
Resources
- Host a screening of Jesus Thirsts: The Miracle of the Eucharist through November 30, 2024
- I Thirst conference: a one-day event, developed by Deacon Greco when he served as Director of Evangelization for the Diocese of Orange, California, which teaches people how to become evangelists for the Eucharist
- Spirit Filled Hearts Ministry
- To reach Deacon Greco about hosting a couple’s Retreat: SteveLGreco@gmail.com
- Books by Deacon Steve Greco
Anna Sonoda, LCSW, psychotherapist
Anna Sonoda, licensed clinical social worker and author of Duck, Duck, Groom: Understanding How a Child Becomes a Target, first appeared on The Family Room in December 2022, and her insights about the grooming process have continued to resonate. In this episode, Anna returns to discuss her latest project, Duck, Duck, Groom: A Guided Journal, a workbook designed to help survivors of childhood sexual abuse process their experiences and begin the journey toward healing.
The hosts reflect on their initial conversation with Anna and how her message of hope and empowerment for parents still holds significant value. The conversation dives into how grooming operates, its stages, and how parents can intervene to protect their children. Anna also shares success stories from her work across the country and offers advice on spotting the grooming process early, ensuring parents understand the steps they can take to safeguard their children. She provides thoughtful guidance on addressing the often-overlooked aspect of adult survivors dealing with past trauma.
Anna Sonoda is a graduate of Emory University, where she double majored in Anthropology and French Studies. Anna earned her Master’s degree in Social Work in 2006 at the University of Georgia School of Social Work. She received her clinical license in 2009. Anna’s clinical experiences include counseling convicted sexual offenders, residential mental health, outpatient anger management and domestic violence treatment, and dual diagnosis in both residential and outpatient settings. Her counseling experience was enhanced after she became a mother, where she saw firsthand that grooming is where adults must focus their attention. She wrote Duck Duck Groom: Understanding How a Child Becomes a Target for concerned parents and adults working with children. She educates individuals, groups, and agencies in order to protect children. Anna is the mother of five children, ages 5-15, and resides in Atlanta, Georgia.
Resources
- Learn more about Anna Sonoda’s work, her books, and past appearances at her website
- Family Room December 21, 2022 episode “Duck Duck Groom “ with Anna Sonoda
If you found this episode helpful, please remember to rate, follow, share, and review The Family Room wherever you listen to podcasts!
Will Henry, teenage entrepreneur
Enjoy this incredible opportunity to sit down with 16-year-old Will Henry, the inspiring founder of Rings of the Lord. Will shares his faith journey, his entrepreneurial venture creating handmade rosaries, and how God has guided him to combine his love of business and devotion to the Blessed Mother. He reveals the history behind the Irish Penal Rosary, explains how his business helps deepen others’ prayer lives, and encourages listeners to say yes to God’s call, just as Mary did. Join us for an uplifting conversation about faith, perseverance, and the power of the rosary in today’s world.
Tune in to hear about Will’s journey and how his faith continues to inspire those around him. You won’t want to miss his wisdom on trusting in God’s plan, no matter your age, and how he’s using his business to fight spiritual battles, one rosary at a time.
Resources
- Rings of the Lord
- History of The Irish Penal Rosary
- The Battle of Lepanto - Learn about the historical significance of this naval battle and the role of the rosary in securing victory.
- Father Donald Calloway’s book, Champions of the Rosary - a key source of inspiration for Will’s work.
Read more about Will’s journey in this featured National Catholic Register Article,16-year-old Builds Rosary Business to Spread Devotion
Pierce Benefield
Dive into the powerful journey of faith with Pierce Benefield. At just 28 years old, Pierce made an inspiring conversion to Catholicism, sharing the steps that led him from a life of Protestantism and Calvinism to embracing the richness of the Catholic Church. His story is filled with both intellectual discovery and deeply personal moments of spiritual awakening. Pierce talks about how his theological studies, unexpected Facebook discussions, and profound experiences with the Eucharist and the saints led him to his final decision. Join us as we explore his conversion process, the key challenges he faced, and the incredible way God used both Scripture and tradition to guide his path.
Tune in to hear Pierce reflect on how prayer, the Church Fathers, and even a surprising moment at Mass solidified his faith. Whether you’re curious about conversion stories, theology, or the real power of charity and prayer, this episode is filled with encouragement and wisdom.
Thanks for joining us in The Family Room! If Pierce’s story resonated with you or sparked some questions, be sure to share the episode with a friend and leave us a review. Your support helps us continue to spread hope, truth, and wisdom centered on faith. Make sure to follow us for more uplifting episodes!
Resources
- RCIA Program at Christ the King parish
- Information on the Church Fathers from Catholic Answers
- St. Patrick’s Breastplate Prayer
Jamie & Andy Oreffice, founders of Catholic Adopt Project
Jamie and Andy Oreffice are a couple on a mission - both were successful career people when they decided Jamie would leave the working world to raise a family. Two children later, they moved to Georgia and stumbled upon a strong Catholic community of people who loved living their faith. Their story is not unlike many in that they were born Catholic, but were picking and choosing what they wanted to believe rather than following what the Church perennially taught. One choice was their decision to limit their number of children. Later, God opened their hearts to adoption, and they now have two more children.
Adopting is a daunting process which can take over six years, and they realized that without a strong support system, adoption can be filled with roadblocks. Their ministry, Catholics Adopt Project, came from their desire to create a community whereby couples could find the support they crave when seeking to adopt. Rather than trying to reinvent the wheel, the Catholic Adopt Project gathers resources to assist families with their adoption process.
Andy’s career spans the corporate and entrepreneurial world where he successfully managed companies and now consults part-time and works on their new ministry. Jamie traveled the world as a technology consultant, designing large networks. After retiring from the business world, she continued to apply her management skills through volunteer positions as a director of admissions at her children’s school as well as sitting on the boards of a foster care review board in Arizona, and an adoption agency, and an acting school. Their four children are ages 28, 25, 16, and 13.
Resources
- Catholics Adopt Project
- AdoptTogether - a non-profit, crowdfunding platform that bridges the gap between families who want to adopt and the children who need loving homes.
Kevin Matthews, iconic radio personality, husband, dad, grandad and author
Many people don’t understand Our Blessed Mother, but few can deny the power of a mother’s love. Kevin Matthews stumbled upon a broken statue of Mary in a filthy dumpster, and it changed his life.
Introduced to radio in college, Kevin was hooked after subbing for a friend on the student-run station. He stuck with it and became a three-time Radio Hall of Fame nominee while working at AM 1000 Loop Radio in Chicago.
Understanding we are all broken, Kevin shares a touching story about finding this broken statue of Mary and deciding to keep her broken because it echoed his own brokenness.
On a dare from a priest, Kevin stepped into a role of presenting Mary’s statue at talks, asking people to “take Mary to the broken” – anywhere that broken people could be touched by her. People would write about miracles they received and Kevin’s first book, Broken Mary, was born.
In his book, Mary’s Roadie, Kevin shares his travels on the road, using Mary’s broken statue to draw broken people to God.
Kevin Matthews is one of the most recognized radio personalities in broadcasting, having been named to the all-time list of Top Twenty Radio Personalities. He will soon be inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame.
Kevin is married to Deborah, and they have two grown children and four grandchildren.
Resources
- Catholic Speakers – https://catholicspeakers.com/
- Catholic Speakers – Kevin Matthews’ page
- Book: Mary’s Roadie: My Travels With Mary, the Mother of Jesus
- Book: Broken Mary: A Journey of Hope
Tracy Winsor, wife, mother, grandmother, and ministry founder
Few things will knock the wind out of your sails like a cancer diagnosis – except maybe a terminal cancer diagnosis. Tracy Winsor had been thoroughly content raising six sons and managing a highly-acclaimed non-profit when she received the diagnosis of stage-four metastatic breast cancer in 2022.
Your whole world stops at moments like these as you want desperately to find that it’s not true. Tracy shares how a priest’s statement during Confession became the key to a profound change in how she saw her diagnosis. As she says, you can become so desperate looking for an angel that you miss God.
Instead, she stresses that in difficult moments, focus on God, not what you think you need from God. With incredible humor, listen as Tracy lays out some of the powerful answers that have helped her reframe the hard stuff, taking the focus off death so that she can truly learn to live the best life she can, for however long God allows her to live it.
Tracy was the straggler in a family of four with her older siblings already in their mid-teens when she was born. As a result, she was raised as an only child with mom and grandma teaching her how to embrace her Catholic faith. Tracy graduated from Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL, with a double major in Psychology and English. She later earned her Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. Aside from their six sons, Tracy and John recently added their sixth grandchild. They also have two babies in heaven.
Resources
- Be Not Afraid – www.BeNotAfraid.net - Extensive information for those interested in learning about prenatal diagnoses and trauma-informed-care.
- The Family Room – Be Not Afraid! which aired July 17, 2024
- If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of The Boat by John Ortberg. This book was mentioned by Tracy as instrumental in her journey.
Cassie Everts, wife, mom, author, and speaker
The loss of a child through miscarriage or stillbirth is devastating. Yet it’s one of the few forbidden topics still prevalent today. What do you say to someone in this situation? How do you help them grieve?
Cassie Everts lost her first child just one year after her wedding. Two more miscarriages quickly followed and although Cassie and her husband had a deep and loving relationship with one another and God, they learned that surrender was a process. They also learned men and women grieve differently.
As their pain lessened, God placed it on their hearts to consider adoption. After a 3-year process, their first two sons came to them via Ghana. Surprisingly, not long after, Cassie became pregnant and four more children were born within a handful of years.
Cassie describes the fruits of this journey in the book she co-wrote, Heaven’s Nursery: Miscarriage, Stillbirth and Infant Loss in the Lives of the Saints & Today’s Parents. Listen as Cassie reveals touching lessons which became her roadmap for others.
Cassie and her husband are the parents of five children in heaven and six at home. She was raised Catholic, attended Catholic elementary and high schools, and holds undergraduate degrees in Theology and Communication Arts from Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio. She is a contributing writer at many Catholic publications, including CatholicMom.com. Before becoming a full-time mom, she was a radio producer in Catholic radio for nine years.
Resources
- Book: Nursery of Heaven: Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss In the Lives of the Saints and Today’s Parents, published by Sophia Press.
- Blog: Everyday Ann – Living the Ordinary; Seeing the Extraordinary Cassie writes about faith, marriage, motherhood, infertility, and adoption.
- Articles at Catholic Mom
After getting a DUI in college, Jeff Schiefelbein chose to create rather than complain when God gave him a 20-year vision. That vision helped Jeff launch “Carpool,” the nation’s largest college safe-ride program and the first of many successful businesses.
Although a cradle Catholic who never wandered, lukewarm catechesis made Jeff yearn for something deeper. In his late 20’s he realized that everything removed from God and without substance felt shallow and unsatisfying. He wanted more.
That thirst for God drove Jeff to illuminate principles he discovered were universal. They worked for all humans in all relationships. He realized that if you create a culture where adults are given dignity and respect, working towards a shared vision without losing accountability, magic can happen. Encouraging people to live out these principles at home can become transformational to families, not just businesses.
This became the bedrock of Undivided Life, a strategy and culture consulting firm which uses Catholic Social Teachings to achieve healthy growth and workplace excellence in every culture. An Undivided Life is a counter-cultural life.
Biography
Jeff has received numerous accolades for his business prowess. Most notably, the National Points of Light Award in 2002 and the Texas A&M University Distinguished Young Alumni Award. His companies have also appeared dozens of times on prestigious lists.
Jeff earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Texas A&M University. He serves on several nonprofit boards, including The Highlands School and The Catholic Foundation.
Jeff co-hosts a live Catholic radio show on the Guadalupe Radio Network, and a weekly podcast called the BeatiDUDES. He lives in Coppell, Texas, with his wife Amanda and their seven kids.
Resources
- Catholic Speakers Organization: www.CatholicSpeakers.com
- Contact Jeff through Catholic Speakers: https://catholicspeakers.com/profiles/jeff-schiefelbein-undivided-life
- The BeatiDUDES Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtjzmqtBTNaZpzTEhiJPYFw – A religiously funny weekly podcast for Christian men seeking fraternity.
- Undivided Life – www.Undivided.Life – “The executives down the hall.”
David Hancharik, engineer, husband, father, ministry leader
David and Nina Hancharik are parents to eleven children, ages 34 to 2. Their autistic son, Seth, caused a watershed moment in their parenting as David readily admits, “Autism is a monumental challenge.” Though challenging, David insists God never makes mistakes, believing a major reason these kids have challenges is because God has chosen them to be part of our own sanctification process. Universally, people mistake nonverbal behavior as a lack of comprehension, but it’s becoming clear they don’t lack language; they lack speech. A communication method called “Spelling to Communicate,” or S2C, was developed whereby nonverbal students are taught to spell using a letter board. After learning this process for one week at age 7, Seth came home writing stories and working with 4-digit numbers. His parents suddenly realized they’d been raising a very bright child who was trapped in his body. Now 16, Seth communicates using a keyboard.
David Hancharik grew up in rural Bucks County, Pennsylvania, as one of five children in a Catholic family. Although he enjoyed being Catholic, in college he drifted away from Catholicism. He and his wife, Nina, were Presbyterian, but both were interested in theology and studied their way back into the Church. David has been an engineer in the satellite engineering industry for 40 years and credits Nina with maintaining a beautiful domestic church where every family vacation is a pilgrimage of some sort! David leads the Disabilities Apostolate at St. Monica’s Church in Duluth, Georgia.
Resources
- SPELLERS, the movie, is about young adults who have learned to communicate with the S2C method. Showing Saturday, August 10, 2024, in Duluth, GA, at St. Monica Catholic Church pizza, popcorn, and movie night, 5-8:30 p.m. Register for free food provided by the Knights of Columbus
- David Hancharik: (cell) 404-307-2824 - Email: david.hancharik@viasat.com
- Book: Underestimated: An Autism Miracle by J.B. & Jamison Handley
- TV Series: Underestimated: The Heroic Rise of Nonspeaking Spellers. Season One adventure streaming weekly on Vimeo OTT.
- International Association for Spelling as Communication (I-ASC)
- The Highwire Episode featuring J.B. and Jamie Handley
Bart Schuchts, founder of “Church On Fire” ministry, speaker, retreat presenter
The mission of the Holy Spirit is to take the spark of our Baptism and infuse us with an energy best described as a burning fire. Most of us ignore this mission until a personal crisis draws us to the flame. Born the sixth of seven children in what he jokes was the “perfect” Catholic family, Bart Schuchts admits he blindly followed his siblings through the process of receiving the sacraments, oblivious to their power. By college he walked away from God while pursuing his dream of playing in the NFL. After the dream crashed, Bart had a powerful encounter with God who declared “I am your Father.” The Lord asked him to help equip the Church through a move of the Holy Spirit, but he still wandered in ecumenical circles. Then in 2010, Bart started “Church On Fire,” a retreat ministry committed to transforming God’s Church through the fire of the Holy Spirit.
Bart Schuchts has also been associated with the John Paul II Healing Center since its inception. Bart has conducted over 200 life-transforming events across the U.S .and has been in ministry across the body of Christ for over 30 years. Bart is married to Brooke, and they have four children: Hannah, Gabrielle, Kailey, and Joshua.
Resources
- Church On Fire: https://churchonfire.live/
- Church On Fire Retreat at Our Lady of the Mountains in Jasper, Georgia (https://www.olmjasper.org/): Thursday and Friday evenings, August 8 and 9, 6-8 p.m., and Saturday, August 10, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. - $80 for the weekend; Thursday & Friday only - $50; Saturday only - $40 (Scroll down on home page for events and to register.)
- John Paul II Healing Center: https://jpiihealingcenter.org/ The JPII Healing Center’s mission is to embody the teachings of St. John Paul II by bringing restoration & healing into the lives of those seeking a deeper intimacy with Jesus Christ.
Mike and Alicia Hernon, parents of 10 children and co-founders of The Messy Family Project
Mike and Alicia Hernon share their joyful wisdom borne from the experience of parenting ten children and creating resources to empower moms and dads to embrace their calling. Hear discussions on four key principles of parenting, parenting as a team, the role of grandparents, and the importance of “family culture.” As Mike and Alicia say, “We serve messy families! We believe that being a good parent starts with being a great spouse. But being a good parent or even a great spouse is hard, messy work. And we’re not meant to do it alone! So, join us on this journey, because we believe that not only is marriage and family life a path to holiness, but it’s an incredible adventure!”
Resources
- Find a unique variety of resources offered through The Messy Family Project website including family retreats, The Family Board Room course, free resources, blogs, and podcasts.
- Join in on The Messy Family Project “Play and Pray Challenge” in June 2023 culminating on June 16, the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Tracy Winsor, wife, mother, grandmother, and ministry co-founder
The joy of a pregnancy can dissolve when parents are told prenatal testing may have uncovered a genetic defect. While these tests are meant to screen rather than diagnose, they become a defining moment for parents. Tracy Winsor was one of those mothers and it changed her life forever. Not because of despair, but because it became the catalyst for a unique ministry called “Be Not Afraid,” which she co-founded with Sandy Buck in 2008.
Increasingly, the medical community recommended terminating these pregnancies, giving parents little time to think. If they wanted to allow God to decide the length and quality of their child’s life, resources were literally nonexistent. “Be Not Afraid” was their response. Tracy explains, “These parents think they have a medical crisis that requires a medical solution. We respond with trauma-informed care.” This care teaches parents how to advocate for their child.
In 2023 “Be Not Afraid” realized the need was greater than their reach and developed curriculum to teach other organizations how to provide their service of care to parents. To date, a dozen organizations have taken their training.
Raised by her mother and grandmother, Tracy always had a Catholic identity. The mother of six boys and two babies in heaven, Tracy is expecting her sixth grandchild shortly. Using her undergrad degree in Public Administration, Tracy was able to secure a seat at the table to advocate for these babies and their parents.
Resources
- Visit Be Not Afraid’s website for extensive information about prenatal diagnoses and trauma-informed-care.
- Be Not Afraid on Instagram
- Article: “Be Not Afraid’s training program expands support for families facing prenatal diagnoses”, posted on Live Action’s website
- If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of The Boat by John Ortberg. This book was mentioned by Tracy as instrumental in her journey.
Nick Bernhard, husband, father, and ministry leader
Today’s culture portrays fathers as either tyrannical or weak, resulting in many young men throwing up their hands, unwilling to tackle conflicting expectations. It’s understandable, but we’ve come to realize that weak men create weak families. Lacking a strong father figure, Nick Bernhard admits that although he went to Catholic schools, he didn’t grow up Catholic. The culture called, and he followed.
The birth of his first child caused Nick to begin responding to nudges of the Holy Spirit through his wife, Catherine. Her return to the Church was his first step, drawing him gently toward God. By taking advantage of opportunities for spiritual growth, Nick realized men need to step into their role as leaders of their family, saying, “If you can get to the men, you can get to the families.”
Nick and Catherine now lead the Holy Family Ministry created to bring families together and build community through social and spiritual events. Listen as Nick explains the ministry and the importance of strong fathers who lead their families with vulnerability and humility.
Nick was born in 1990, and his father committed suicide when he was 18 months old. His mother remarried when he was three, and his stepfather introduced him to Catholicism, although it was not practiced in the home. Nick has been married to his wife, Catherine, for 12 years and they have 5 children, ages 11 down to 2. They’ve moved several times, most recently from central Missouri to the mountains of north Georgia. Nick is co-chair of the Pastoral Council at their parish, Our Lady of the Mountains, in Jasper, Georgia, and works full-time as a project engineer in the construction chemical industry.
Resources
- The Holy Family Ministry at Our Lady of the Mountains. Each month the ministry offers family-centered events designed to build community. For more information, visit the website or email OLMHolyFamily@OLMJasper.org
- Bart Schuchts, founder of Church on Fire, August 8-10, 2024, at Our Lady of the Mountains, for a weekend filled with encountering our Heavenly Father’s love through the fire of The Holy Spirit.
- That Man is You! honestly addresses the pressures and temptations that men face in our modern culture, especially those relating to their roles as husbands and fathers. Visit the website for more information and to find a program at parishes throughout the United States.
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.
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.”
Fr. Greg Markey, Head Chaplain at Thomas Aquinas College
The Camino de Santiago, or “Way of St. James,” is an extensive network of ancient pilgrim routes stretching across Europe and coming together at his tomb in Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Begun in the year 814, original pilgrims started from their homes, creating this network of pathways to Santiago. Making his journey in gratitude for ten years as a priest, Fr. Greg Markey deliberately wore his collar to spark conversation as he walked 500 miles from France to Santiago. Meeting fellow pilgrims, Father discovered most were at a crossroads in life. Often compelling, he began writing stories and sending them back to his parishioners from local internet cafés along the route.
Once home, he discovered his stories had been shared far and wide. Eventually a publisher convinced him to write a book of the stories along with lessons he learned on the Camino. Now in its second printing, Father Markey believes Discovering the Camino de Santiago has been popular because it’s the story of everyday people hearing God speak to them through a priest.
The youngest of 11 children from a close-knit Catholic family, Father Markey graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1991 with a degree in Political Science and two minors: one in Philosophy and one in Math. He began his seminary training at St. John Fischer for the Diocese of Bridgeport, Connecticut, and then graduated from Mount St. Mary’s in Emmitsburg, Maryland, with a Masters in Divinity. Celebrating his 25th anniversary in 2024, he was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Bridgeport in 1999. Father Markey is currently the Head Chaplain at Thomas Aquinas College in Northfield, Massachusetts.
Resources
Bear Woznick, EWTN host, world-champion surfer, certified Ninja black belt
Many men today find it difficult to pinpoint what being a father means. Nobody gave them an instruction manual when they were young, so their definitions are all over the map. Bear Woznick beautifully ties together both Biblical virtues and common-sense guideposts to help men navigate the choppy waters of manhood in his book, 12 Rules for Manliness. With Bear’s classic masculine spirituality, today he calls out fathers as the point of the spear in our culture today.
Challenging men to find the breach our culture’s walls, Bear makes no bones about the need for men to step into the breach, even when it’s difficult. As Bear says, “The breaches in our walls go right through our family room.” Listen up as he explains why men need to be dangerous again - not by being opinionated, but by becoming the light on the hill to lead their families and communities to safety.
Bear Woznick is a world-champion surfer, certified ninja black belt, and sought-after speaker. He is the host of EWTN’s The Bear Woznick Adventure and a motorcycle-based, immersive reality-show series called Long Road Home.
A Benedictine oblate, Bear is the author of several books and, along with his wife, Cindy, navigate “Spirit of Adventure Ministries” where men can join Bear in his Man Cave and learn more about his “School of Manliness” which is a 3-year course for fathers and sons. Wives can join Cindy in her Momma Bears’ hangout.
Resources
- Join other men in the Man Cave and the three-year School of Manliness. Also access Cindy’s Mamma Bear group.
- EWTN’s Long Ride Home Series
- The Bear Woznick Adventure on Apple Podcasts
- Bear’s books, 12 Rules for Manliness: Where Have All the Cowboys Gone, Deep Adventure: The Way of Heroic Virtue, and A Surfer’s Guide to the Soul, published by Sophia Institute Press
PennyKay Hoeflinger, abuse survivor and advocate
Born into a poor family in rural Wyoming, PennyKay Hoeflinger was raped by a fellow student when she was only 6. Dismissed by authority figures, her life eventually spiraled into addiction, witchcraft, and human trafficking.
In 1987 a traveling pastor at a truck stop helped rescue PennyKay. Seeking food, she visited his mobile chapel where he knew that if PennyKay left, she would be lost forever. He quickly mobilized hundreds of hidden prayer warriors and, in hindsight, Miss Penny readily admits that “Jesus Christ decided it was time for me to come out of that world and shed that skin.”
Since then, PennyKay has lived her life to save others from trafficking. Teaming up with her friend, Sylvia Dorham, they have co-written several books and travel the country educating families and communities about human trafficking. Their goal is to make people aware of how trafficking affects everyone, knowing education is the key to making it unthinkable.
PennyKay’s background and experience:
- Founder & President, Coffee House Farm, LLC
- Active Member (and Parliamentarian) in Daughters of the American Revolution
- Shepherd University – B.A. in Psychology
- Kaplan University – M.S. Business/Healthcare
- Masters in Psychology – Applied Psychology
Resources
- National Human Trafficking Resource Hotline: 888-3737-888
- Avoiding the Octopus: A Family Guide to Standing Strong Against Human Trafficking
- A First Responders Guide to Human Trafficking: What You Might See and What You Should Do
- The Children of The Poor
Dr. Helen Hoffner, college professor and Catholic author
Few people consider thanking a Catholic as they go about their daily activities, but the achievements and discoveries credited to ordinary Catholics are quite a story. For example, did you know the Mayo Clinic began in a convent after a tornado? Or, that you might not be drinking coffee today had it not been for the endorsement of this energizing drink by Pope Clement in the 16th century?
Dr. Helen Hoffner does an amazing job of digging into the Catholic origins of many things we take for granted: hospitals, pretzels, and insulin are just a few she discovered while writing her book, Catholicism Everywhere: From Hail Mary Passes to Cappuccinos - How the Catholic Faith Is Infused in Culture.
Similarly, intrigued by her mother’s collection of rosaries, Dr. Hoffner co-wrote a book with her mom that she likens to an antique road show, explaining variations on the rosary. A third book, Catholic Traditions and Treasures, helps explain the history behind many Catholic traditions such as burying a statue of St. Joseph when selling a house.
Helen Hoffner earned her doctorate at Widener University, her master’s at Temple University, and a bachelor’s degree at West Chester University. She also studied theology at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. Since 1999, Dr. Hoffner has been a professor at Holy Family University where she chairs doctoral dissertation committees and teaches graduate and undergraduate courses. She has been a teacher in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and is a member of the Cardinal O’Hara High School Hall of Fame and the Domestic Schools Advisory Board of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
Resources
Mark Houck, pro-life activist arrested by the FBI
Nothing can prepare you when the FBI descends on your home in a predawn raid, terrifying your wife and seven young children. A civil complaint against him was dismissed days earlier, so Mark Houck couldn’t comprehend the ruckus coming from his front porch. Surely this was a mistake.
Mark was active in the pro-life community for decades, standing peacefully outside a local abortion clinic while offering women a better choice. It was important that his children learn firsthand how they could serve God through this ministry, so when his oldest turned 12, he joined his dad on the sidewalk every week. October 2021 changed everything. Mark’s son had been going to the clinic for several months when a seasoned Planned Parenthood volunteer approached the boy, whispering ugly comments in his ear. Mark repeatedly requested he back away, but he wouldn’t. What ensued over the next two years was Mark’s personal invitation to martyrdom when he refused to plea bargain. His rosary became his anchor as he walked to Calvary, unanimously acquitted of all charges in 2023.
Mark received his undergraduate degree in Human Resources Management and his Master’s in Education from Holy Family University in Pennsylvania, where he also excelled in football, achieving All American status. In 2004 he began a men’s ministry whose goal was to help men grow in virtue and leadership. In its tenth year, The Kings Men continues to help shape Catholic men to be better husbands, fathers and leaders. Mark and his wife, Ryan, home school their children, and Mark recently campaigned for State Representative in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
Resources
Kristen Van Uden Theriault, author, editor, media spokesperson
Kristen Theriault’s family lived their Catholic identity for centuries, but after seeing a culture shift in Catholic education, Kristen desired to keep rich Catholic heritage alive. That included her undergraduate project interviewing Catholics who survived communism, preserving their stories before they became lost. This project became Kristen’s first book, When the Sickle Swings: Stories of Catholics who Survived Communist Oppression.
Entering the international import/export trade after graduation, Kristen soon pivoted into the Catholic book world as the media spokesperson for Sophia Institute Press, where she now pursues her dream of showcasing Catholic heritage to the world.
When Angel Studios called asking for a companion book to their movie on Mother Cabrini, Kristen was a natural. Gathering Mother’s written words, Kristen mined Mother’s letters and retreat notes, pulling out gold nuggets and organizing them thematically into 52 weekly devotionals, each with a separate theme.
Released simultaneously with the movie, her book The Mother Cabrini Companion fills in the blanks the movie left out, showcasing a woman whose love for God allowed her to topple obstacles on behalf of the forgotten immigrants of her time.
Resources
Dr. DiAnn Ecret - PhD, MSN, RN, MA cert
By early high school, DiAnn Ecret dreamed of becoming a missionary nurse, and it was at a Catholic nursing school and hospital that her formative years in the medical field seamlessly flowed from the moral tradition that all life is sacred, from conception through natural death.
Following the Nuremburg Trials and Syphilis Study at Tuskegee, Alabama, America helped develop “Principalism” which stressed the dignity and autonomy of every human being. As a result, the Catholic and secular medical positions were effectively synonymous, both honoring the sanctity of life and importance of truthful disclosure to patients.
By the early 1990s DiAnn found herself at a crossroads, or what she calls “the dark night” of her nursing career. Faced with an upsetting ethical choice, she resigned at the end of that shift and began a personal search which would help answer the bioethical questions looming on the horizon.
Listen as DiAnn explains how her search caused her to understand the dangerous trajectory of current secular medical ethics, highlighting the stark contrasts between Catholic and secular bioethics today.
DiAnn graduated from Our Lady of Lourdes School of Nursing in 1987 and has 38 years of combined adult, pediatric, and neonatal critical care nursing experience, nursing management, and nursing education experience. Currently, DiAnn teaches full time as an Associate Professor of Nursing at Ave Maria University and works as a nurse ethicist at the National Catholic Bioethics Center. She also volunteers providing ethics consultations services for ‘Be Not Afraid’ and volunteers as a guest lecturer for The Nurse Residency Program Naples Comprehensive Health (NCH) care in Southwest Florida.
Resources
- National Catholic Bioethics Center: “Dedicated to Upholding the Dignity of the Human Person in Health Care and Biomedical Research since 1972.” Email: consults@ncbcenter.org for consultation requests, questions regarding the Church’s teaching on bioethical issues, guidance in moral decision making, or other matters to be directed to an NCBC ethicist. Please allow up to 3 days for a response. In emergency situations, an NCBC ethicist is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by calling 215-877-2660 (only for imminent, end-of-life questions.) NCBC ethicists do not provide legal or medical advice.
- Be Not Afraid: a private, non-profit organization supporting parents carrying to term following a prenatal diagnosis.
Daniel Fitzpatrick, husband, father, teacher, and author
Drawing from the rich cultural heritage of his Louisiana hometown, Daniel Fitzpatrick saw a stark contrast between the rhythmic nature of Catholic life in New Orleans and the hustle-bustle of other cities. In New Orleans, time followed the liturgical seasons of the Church. In other places, each Sunday felt the same, often fostering a sense of obligation and melancholy.
Wanting to highlight the essence of Catholic life as the source of our contentment, Dan set out to discover why Sunday lost its meaning for the majority of Catholics. Going back to Church Fathers like Augustine and Aquinas gave him the clues necessary to adapt his own thinking about how we can capture the importance of the Sabbath, cementing Sunday as the proper anchor to our week.
In his book, Restoring the Lord’s Day: How Reclaiming Sunday Can Revive Our Human Nature, Dan lays out five ways we can reorder our Sunday activities in order to restore the Sabbath’s holiness and learn to live each day in restful surrender to God.
Daniel Fitzpatrick lives in New Orleans with his wife and four children, and he teaches English at Jesuit High School of New Orleans.
Resources
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Restoring the Lord’s Day: How Reclaiming Sunday Can Revive Our Human Nature
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Another novel by Daniel Fitzpatrick: Only the Lover Sings
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Daniel’s verse translation of The Divine Comedy was published in 2021 in honor of the 700th anniversary of Dante’s death.
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Daniel Fitzpatrick is also the editor of Joie de Vivre, a journal of art, culture, and letters for South Louisiana.
James Flanagan – Exec. Dir., Catholic World Mission
It’s often only in hindsight that we understand how God equips us for our perfect mission. As Executive Director of Catholic World Mission (CWM), James Flanagan recounts how he was required to write daily goals in the Army, never understanding why he’d always list working for a Catholic non-profit some day. Now he knows.
By building relationships with local Bishops and Archbishops, CWM connects with local priests and nuns who understand the needs of their communities, helping them develop local solutions to local problems. Through this model, they are able to build bridges to communities in need all over the world, sifting through more than 500 potential projects each year.
Basing their choices on the three pillars of evangelization, education, and dignified living, CWM’s main goal is to alleviate suffering, illuminate the mind, and ignite the Spirit. Having joined CWM in 2023, one of James’ main goals is to help restore mission trips, broadening the ways that people can participate in CWM’s growing mission field.
James Flanagan is a devout Catholic with over 12 years of leadership and success in communications as well as various nonprofit recognitions. He served close to nine years in the Army where he had the honor to lead many successful teams in countries throughout the Middle East and Asia. James later worked in Senior and Executive corporate communications roles for Fortune 250 companies with an emphasis on Corporate Social Responsibility. He holds a BBA from the University of Georgia and a JD from the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law. James and his wife, pediatrician Dr. Elaine Flanagan, are expecting their third child and attend Mary Our Queen parish in suburban Atlanta.
Resources
Jennifer Thomas, writer, speaker, and podcaster
After losing both parents within a year to cancer, Jennifer Thomas admits she wasn’t on best terms with God. Her first Mother’s Day as a Mom was also her first Mother’s Day without a Mom.
No two people grieve the same, and Jennifer shares a unique tool which started her journey to healing. After God softened her heart, she met Andrea Bear at a workshop of The Catholic Writers Guild. Drawn by their joint love of writing, joint grief became their greatest bond as Andrea also lost her mom.
With strong encouragement, within a year they had the outline for their successful show, “The Mourning Glory Podcast,” which began airing in the fall of 2023. Their goal is to let people know they are not alone in their suffering by inviting guests to share what grief looked like for them and how God helped turn their own mourning into glory.
Jennifer Thomas is a Catholic wife and mom who recently reverted back to the faith. In addition to being a contributing writer for Catholicmom.com, she is a stationary enthusiast who enjoys sending meaningful letters to her friends and family. She also enjoys researching ways to instill Catholic traditions within her family while finishing her first book about her journey.
Resources
- Jennifer Thomas
- Mourning Glory Podcast
- Andrea Bear
- Grieving Daughter’s Club – Fictional Book by Andrea Bear
Carrie Huebner, CFCP, PA-C
Often those drawn into medicine choose it because they desire to help others navigate a difficult road they traveled themselves. Carrie Huebner was inspired by her own infertility journey to teach others a more natural approach to reproductive health.
A cradle Catholic, Carrie’s faith lay dormant until her first post-graduate degree. She moved to Atlanta where she met her future husband, a new convert, who encouraged her reversion, including a newfound appreciation for the Church’s teaching on sexuality.
Early in their marriage Carrie and Rick struggled with infertility and found success through the Creighton Method. Four children later they felt called to teach others about the beauty of the woman’s body and how couples can achieve pregnancy by working with it; not against it.
Although a home-school mom with a career in physical therapy, Carrie felt God leading her to branch out further, allowing her to fulfill a deep desire to treat the entire person; not just their symptoms.
Now the mother of five, Carrie currently works as an orthopedic surgical PA and is excited to be offering family, integrative, and restorative reproductive medicine through her Santa Casa Center.
About Carrie Huebner, CFCP, PA-C: University of FL – Bachelor of Science in Health Science and Masters in Physical Therapy Emory School of Medicine – Physician Assistant Program, PA-C, awarded the Georgia Physician Assistant Association Scholarship and graduated with top honors. Inducted into the Pi Alpha Honor Society. George Washington University – Master’s degree in Integrative Medicine Certified Fertility Care Practitioner (CFCP) for the Creighton Model of Fertility Care and NaPro Technology Medical Consultant
Resources
- Carrie Huebner is the founder of Santa Casa Center - Treating ages 18 and up, the Santa Casa Center offers traditional family medicine, integrative medicine, fertility awareness & family planning, hormone replacement, and so much more! Telemedicine now allows Carrie to practice in five states (GA, FL, AL, LA, and WI).
Dale Ahlquist, author, co-founder of the first Chesterton Academy
In his book, Localism: Coming Home to Catholic Social Teaching, Dale Ahlquist gathers 12 of the finest thinkers in Christianity today who offer concrete solutions to society’s ills, pointing to the success of localism through the family and local community as the cure.
Civilization starts with the family and thrives by investing in our community. Industrialization and technology have consolidated commerce so that today we shop globally from our phones. As a result, centralization has crippled small towns and businesses. We no longer know our neighbors. Dale Ahlquist set out to highlight the misunderstood Catholic social teaching of “subsidiarity,” renaming it “localism.” Basically, the concept means you should be in control of those things which most affect you rather than giving control to a centralized source.
Raised Baptist and the father of six children, Dale Ahlquist’s road to Catholicism was paved by G.K. Chesterton. Having authored or edited more than 20 books on the man, Ahlquist founded the Society of G.K. Chesterton and was invited by EWTN to host a series called The Apostle of Common Sense. Not content with writing and talking about Chesterton, Ahlquist wanted to teach this man’s common sense philosophy to our youth. He co-founded the first Chesterton Academy, capitalizing on the rigors of an integrated classical curriculum that teaches students how to be what Ahlquist calls “complete thinkers.” Chesterton Academy currently has more than 70 schools around the world, including one right here in Atlanta.
Resources
Carolyn and Sean Loub
It’s not unusual for Catholic moms to consider the priesthood for their boys, but Carolyn Loub admits she didn’t pray for a priestly vocation. As a matter of fact, when their third son left a note for his parents saying he’d discerned a call to the priesthood, they were shocked. Carolyn felt they hadn’t done anything special to encourage his vocation, saying, “I didn’t think I was a mom who raised a future priest. It’s a God thing.”
Their son, Sean, candidly shares how his first nudge came while he was a young altar server watching the gestures of the priest. His prayer life was nominal until high school when he felt the Holy Spirit drawing him into a deeper relationship. Close friends invited him to a Latin Mass and, although reluctant, he fell in love with the reverent liturgy, eventually asking God to give him clear signs if the priesthood was his vocation. God gave Sean the assurances he needed, and he applied to and was accepted by the Institute of Christ The King Sovereign Priest. Sean graduates high school in the spring of 2024 and will begin his candidacy as an Oblate with the Institute in the fall of 2024.
Sean is an incredibly gifted young man, serving as the President of both his school’s Student Council and Students for Life. He is also captain of the school’s tennis team and enjoys playing pickleball.
Sean is also a member of the “Men of St. Joseph” as well as the “Knights of the Holy Temple” at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish. He is also an altar server.
Carolyn Loub has sung in the choir since she was a child and is a former home blogger and interior designer who has taken her life up a notch since becoming a “pickleball fanatic” – designing a line of pickleball apparel under the name “The Pickle Chicks.”
Resources
- Institute of Christ The King Sovereign Priest
- The Holy Bread of Eternal Life by Peter Kwasniewski
Sister Mary Ann Fatula, author
As one of eight children, Sister Mary Ann Fatula felt drawn to the Mass at a young age, never missing a day since receiving her First Holy Communion at age seven. Now 81 and retired, Sister Fatula declares herself a mere youth among the other Dominican nuns she cares for at their nursing home.
A prolific writer, Sister Fatula’s book, The Wonders of the Mass and the Eucharist: Insights of the Saints, will give you a greater understanding of the Communion of Saints through the profound and tender writings of 10 saints who also loved the Mass. These saints will teach you about the immeasurable graces the Lord gives you at Mass and through the Eucharist. You will hear that when Jesus comes down onto the altar, He brings all of heaven with Him, opening up to us the many profound mysteries invisibly taking place at each Mass. Through Sister Fatula’s eyes of faith, you will never experience Mass the same way again.
Sr. Mary Ann Fatula, O.P., received her PhD in Systematic Theology at Catholic University of America and then was a professor of theology at Ohio Dominican for over 30 years.
Resources
Books by Sister Mary Ann Fatula:
- The Wonders of the Mass and the Eucharist: Insights of the Saints
- Drawing Close to the Holy Spirit: Keys to a Transformed Life and Joyful Heart
- Catherine of Siena’s Way (Way of the Christian Mystics)
- Holy Spirit: Unbounded Gift of Joy
- Thomas Aquinas: Preacher & Friend
- Heaven’s Splendor: And the Gifts That Await You There
Co-hosts of The Family Room, Mari Cleveland from St. Jude and Craig Wesemeyer from St. Peter Chanel, talk with Marci Nunnery from the Cathedral of Christ the King who shares about the beauty of the rosary.
Dr. Paul Chaloux, moral theologian and author
Dr. Paul Chaloux just completed the third book in his trilogy on the three great mysteries of life: suffering, death, and love. His latest, called Heaven’s Currency: A Study of Love, builds upon the first two: Why All People Suffer and Dying Without Fear. Combined, all three show us how love is Heaven’s true currency.
Listen as Dr. Chaloux explains how understanding eternity relies on our ability to stop focusing on the here and-now by understanding that God permits suffering and even death as gateways to love. Suffering is not a punishment, but a vehicle.
With a PhD in Moral Theology, Dr. Chaloux draws on not only textbook knowledge but from first-person suffering, including his own diagnosis of early-onset Parkinson’s disease. Theologically rich and emotionally powerful, Dr. Chaloux can help you understand why Heaven’s currency really is love.
Dr. Paul Chaloux earned a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Virginia and worked for IBM as an engineer, manager, and strategist for over 33 years. In 2014, Dr. Chaloux earned an MA in Religious Education from Fordham University and in 2020 earned a PhD in Moral Theology from the Catholic University of America. Dr. Chaloux has been married for more than 35 years and has four grown children and three grandchildren. He teaches theology at Catholic University as well as religion classes at his parish in suburban D.C.
Resources
- Dr. Paul Chaloux’s trilogy, published by Sophia Institute Press: Why All People Suffer: How a Loving God Uses Suffering to Perfect Us, Dying Without Fear, and Heaven’s Currency: A Study of Love
- Dr. Chaloux’s website
Mary Jane Zuzolo, author
Most Catholics would recognize the sixth Station of the Cross, Christ’s face imprinted on Veronica’s veil. This sacred relic is kept safely in the Vatican, but few know about the Holy Face Devotion which was approved by Pope Leo XIII in 1895. Mary Jane Zuzolo shares from her book, Unveiling the Sixth Station of the Cross: Reparation to the Holy Face, Mother of All Devotions, about many miracles attributed to Veronica’s veil, which has generated more miracles than the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes.
Hear Mary Jane’s engaging recount of her family’s deeper faith journey and discovery of her ancestor, a Carmelite nun from the 1800s to whom Christ shared messages of the Holy Face Devotion. The devotion makes reparation for the rejection of God, particularly against the first three Commandments. Reparation through this Devotion is meant to help alleviate the real suffering these sacrileges present against God, thereby renewing the Image of God on the souls of those who make reparation.
Resources
Clarence Burkholder and Brian Lee from St. Paul Street Evangelization
The word evangelization often evokes negative emotions in people, but St. Paul Street Evangelization offers a friendly and safe approach to sharing the Gospel and planting seeds which can have lasting effects on people. Hear how two experienced evangelists trained in this approach, Clarence Burkholder, the Atlanta Team Leader covering colleges and universities in a 4-state area, and Brian Lee, the National Director of Evangelization Teams, share heartwarming stories of how God has used them to bring total strangers into the Catholic Church — often years later.
Clarence and Brian also share four steps - listen, befriend, proclaim, and invite - that are sure to help would-be evangelists be successful. Discover how to evangelize by focusing on the other person’s story first in order to understand them, building a bridge that leads to answering questions to clarify misunderstandings and encouraging them to investigate Catholicism further.
Resources
- St. Paul Street Evangelization - Their mission is to train, equip, and mobilize Catholic evangelists to become a bridge between the streets and the parish, offering dialogue which helps strangers move past their roadblocks to Catholicism.
- Learn the art of evangelization at your own pace
- To receive Clarence Burkholder’s daily bulletin, contact him at cnkburk@gmail.com with your name and email address.
Dr. Patrick Fagan, director of MARRI at The Catholic University of America
As a clinical psychologist, Dr. Patrick Fagan likened his role to that of a priest due to the personal access he has to peoples’ deepest secrets. Early in his career, his life was forever changed when he learned that federally-funded programs often worked to undermine family stability rather than strengthen it. Hear how Dr. Fagan, determined to help shed light on the problem, pursued his doctorate and transitioned his career over to Public Policy, hoping to influence legislation on Capitol Hill by showing that strong families are critical to a thriving country.
Resources
- MARRI: Marriage and Religion Research Institute
- Marripedia: An online social science encyclopedia that synthesizes and translates the work of social scientists into concise, issue-specific entries that are intelligible to the lay reader.
- FORGE – The Fight for Family. Course: “Fathers and Sons: Conversations on Sex Ed, Marriage, and Masculinity.” The course has an emphasis on fathers and sons but is valuable for parents of both sexes. First module is FREE.
Beth Von Arx, former teacher and homeschooling mother of nine
After interviewing John Paul Von Arx about his wildly successful song,”He’s Different,” which aired on our December 27, 2023, episode, it became clear that there was another celebrity in the family, John Paul’s mother, Beth Von Arx.
Beth and her husband, Joe, raised their nine children with the primary goal to help each member get to Heaven, and, initially, homeschooling was not part of their plan. As a former teacher, Beth remembers sitting in the teacher’s lounge echoing the common opinion that homeschooled kids were destined to be socially backward. Nine homeschooled children later, Beth shares that it’s the best decision they ever made because homeschooling gave them – and not the culture – the joy of becoming their children’s biggest influencers.
Beth stresses how homeschooling gives parents the pleasure of discovering each child’s gifts in a natural way and allows each child to blossom into the person they were always meant to be without the overwhelming peer pressure to conform to the culture. Beth’s humor as she describes the controlled chaos while simultaneously homeschooling nine children will give you hope. Her creativity will put wind in your sails, giving you the encouragement you need to step into the crazy but eternally-rewarding world of homeschooling.
Resources
- A book that influenced Beth: A Landscape with Dragons: The Battle for Your Child’s Mind by Michael D. O’Brien, published by Ignatius Press
Joelle Maryn, writer, producer, speaker, actress
Joelle Maryn’s adult life seemed like a dream, but being a successful model, actress and the creator of a high-end cosmetic line didn’t compensate for the fact that her whole life burned to the ground when she was only six. Her family home was destroyed in a fire which killed her only sibling and destroyed the emotional stability of her parents, who couldn’t cope with their own grief. Joelle literally lost everything that night.
Joelle felt abandoned by God and pursued a life which would bring her glamour and fame in Hollywood. She succeeded beyond her wildest dreams, but a mountaintop moment on Rodeo Drive drove home how empty her life was. God captured Joelle’s heart in a very personal way in 2012. She responded by devoting herself to ministry. Her book, Master of the Pieces, is not simply an autobiography but a roadmap to healing for those struggling to overcome the pain of their past.
Resources
- Master of the Pieces - a #1 new release and the #2 best seller on Amazon for “self-help” books
- Joelle’s website which offers an inspirational monthly newsletter.
Joe and Nicole McGivney
Just days after Christmas in 2020, Joe McGivney’s mind became trapped in the hallucinations of alcohol-induced Korsakoff psychosis, also called “wet brain.” After decades of chronic drinking and being a high-functioning alcoholic, Joe had hit rock bottom after COVID-19 provided the perfect storm to take his drinking to the next dangerous level. Within weeks of Joe’s diagnosis, his family was shaken to their core as Joe, incapacitated and violent, had to be monitored 24/7 in a locked psych ward. Joe’s family was told that he would never recover and would need to be institutionalized for the rest of his life. Hear the amazing story as Joe and his wife, Nicole, share how their journey took them from the pits of despair over a life of addiction to the miracle that brought Joe back to his family and, ultimately, to God. Joe’s experience includes an interesting link between his healing and many intercessory prayers, including those to his distant relative, Blessed Michael McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus. Joe’s story of redemption has been chronicled in You’re A Miracle: My Story of Alcoholism, Miraculous Healing and God’s Infinite Power and Love, a book that The Family Room host John Gordon admits finishing in one sitting, unable to put it down.
Resources
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
- 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
Vince Frese, author, creator of the Recovering from Divorce Program
Vince Frese, co-author of Divorced. Catholic. Now What? and creator of DivorcedCatholic.com, shares about his journey to truth and healing amid his recovery from a divorce. Vince describes a key moment when, once he learned how he needed to give himself totally (not just a piece) to God and surrender, the doors were thrown open and opportunities for healing and growth resulted. A key he shares to recovering from divorce: get as much Jesus in your life as possible. Vince stresses that, as Catholics, we have a great direct route through Mass and the Eucharist, which is foundational to the healing process. Vince also shares practical tips such as focusing on things you can control to help move forward on the road to recovery. He describes tools and resources he provides to share what he has learned with others and guide divorced Catholics to recovery and abundant life by helping them more fully learn and live their faith.
Resources
- DivorcedCatholic.com - online and in-person programs and workshops, books, blogs, daily inspirations
Co-hosts Mari, John, and Craig and Production Manager Dave Savage
In this 100th episode of The Family Room, co-hosts Mari, John, and Craig field questions from The Quest’s Production Manager, Dave Savage, to reminisce about how the show started and where it has been plus look ahead with excitement to shows in the new year.
John Paul Von Arx, musician, Coordinator of Worship at Franciscan University
John Paul Von Arx is passionate about raising awareness of people with Down Syndrome and showing the beauty of their lives. John Paul’s music video for his original song “He’s Different” is about his youngest brother, Sam, who has Down Syndrome, and tells the story of how Sam is different than he is in all the best ways – in how he sees life with joy and simplicity and loves people unconditionally. John Paul wants to bring hope to parents expecting a baby with Down Syndrome and express his solidarity with families of people with special needs. Far too often, there is a stigma surrounding people with special needs, and John Paul wants to combat and eliminate it and show their dignity to the world.
John Paul Von Arx started playing guitar when he was 11 and writing his own music at 15, which was also when he and his siblings started a family band. To this day, he has a love for performing covers of oldies that his family used to play. After high school, he traveled the country on tour with two bands as their lead guitar player and made lifelong friends and gained valuable live performance experience. After being on the road for four years, he decided to finish his undergraduate studies and raised the funds to finance his debut album, “Break Through,” via a Kickstarter campaign. Soon after beginning the recording process, however, tragedy struck his family with the passing of his brother Max. Above all else, this loss forced him to find answers for purpose in the midst of pain. With the grace of God and the support of his community, he began to fully embrace pursuing a music career without reservation. Since the release of his first album, he has played acoustic and full-band shows for a variety of audiences all over the United States and Europe. He also leads worship for conferences and parish events and serves as the Coordinator of Worship at Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, where he lives with his wife, Sarah, and their daughter.
Resources
- John Paul Von Arx’s website and original song, “He’s Different”
- Franciscan University website
Dr. Ray Guarendi, father of ten, clinical psychologist, author, TV/radio show host
With wit and wisdom, Dr. Ray Guarendi shares from his book, Standing Strong: Good Discipline Makes Great Teens, which gives parents the tools they need not only to navigate the teen years but also to enjoy them. Dr. Ray offers practical approaches such as simple house rules that lead to success, consequences to curb nasty talk, ways to monitor your child’s use of technology, and a strategy to motivate underachievers. Dr. Ray provides parents with strategies to becoming stronger parents with calm, loving resolve while learning how to foster quality time with your teens and have real fun together.
Dr. Ray is a Catholic father of ten, clinical psychologist, author, professional speaker, and host of the radio show, “The Dr. Is In,” and the EWTN television series, “Living Right With Dr. Ray.” Dr. Ray has given over 3,000 talks on various topics including parenting, marriage, family, and the Catholic faith. He captivates audiences with his compelling humor-laced presentations providing practical advice and proven techniques.
Resources
- Standing Strong: Good Discipline Makes Great Teens by Dr. Ray Guarendi, published by EWTN Publishing Inc.
- Dr. Ray’s website
- Dr. Ray’s radio show, The Dr. Is In
- Dr. Ray’s TV show, Living Right With Dr. Ray
Dr. Allen Hunt, author and Senior Advisor at Dynamic Catholic
Dr. Allen Hunt shares ideas from The Fourth Quarter of Your Life: Embracing What Matters Most, which he co-authored with Matthew Kelly, Founder of Dynamic Catholic. This practical guide contains ideas that many will wish they had been exposed to earlier in life, even those who are not yet in their fourth quarter. Hunt shares the importance of developing intentionality, which is the key to living based on proven life principles and establishing meaning and direction for your life. In sharing how to develop the clarity necessary to make good decisions to learning to say no, Hunt reminds us that it is never too early to think seriously about what matters most.
Dr. Allen Hunt was an ambitious young man working for a prestigious management consulting firm on Wall Street whose life changed when he heard the Holy Spirit whisper in his ear, “Allen, when are you going to stop serving yourself and start serving me?” And that is what he did. God’s path led him from a PhD in New Testament and Ancient Studies at Yale University before ultimately culminating in his dream job as the senior pastor of a mega-church in Atlanta, one of the largest Methodist congregations in the Unites States. His search for truth and a deeper relationship with Christ Jesus brought him to another life-changing decision: he would step down from his senior pastor position and convert to Catholicism. He now partners with Matthew Kelly and serves as the Senior Advisor at Dynamic Catholic.
Resources
- The Fourth Quarter of Your Life: Embracing What Matters Most, published by Wellspring.
- Dynamic Catholic, whose mission is to re-energize the Catholic Church in America by developing world-class resources that inspire people to rediscover the genius of Catholicism.
- Additional books by Dr. Allen Hunt: Confessions of a Mega Church Pastor: How I Discovered the Hidden Treasures of the Catholic Church, Everybody Needs to Forgive Somebody, Life’s Greatest Lesson: What I’ve Learned from the Happiest People I Know, The 21 Undeniable Secrets of Marriage: Taking Your Relationship to the Next Level.
John Martignoni, author and TV and radio host
Popular apologist John Martignoni discusses his book, A Blue Collar Answer to Protestantism, which uses common sense, simple logic, and the Bible for his plain yet provocative analysis of individual Protestant doctrines and dogmas. Using concise, candid, power-packed arguments from Scripture, history, and rational thinking, Martignoni’s treasure trove of apologetics shows how Protestantism as a whole and in its individual parts is illogical and lacking in both common sense and biblical sense. Martignoni also shares reasons why the Catholic Church is indisputably the Church that Jesus founded, which beliefs are essential to authentic Christianity, and how to prove that Jesus is really present in the Holy Eucharist.
Resources
- John Martignoni’s book, A Blue Collar Answer to Protestantism, published by EWTN Publishing, Inc.
- John Martignoni’s website, Bible Christian Society, with free apologetics resources for Catholics
- Contact John Martignoni to speak at an event
Fr. Timothy M. Gallagher, author, speaker, spiritual director, and retreat leader
Fr. Timothy M. Gallagher has been referred to as “America’s preeminent writer on Ignatian spiritual direction and discernment.” Fr. Gallagher shares wisdom from his book, Discernment of Spirits in Marriage: Ignatian Wisdom for Husbands and Wives, to help couples apply St. Ignatius of Loyola’s Rules for Discernment to their role as a husband or a wife. In this book, Fr. Gallagher aims to free couples from discouragement and assist them in finding peace in their spiritual lives and in their marriage. His book helps couples determine what is of God and what is not and discover ways in which God strengthens husbands and wives who seek to grow spiritually.
Timothy M. Gallagher OVM was ordained to the priesthood in 1979 as a member of the Congregation of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary. He is an author of many bestselling books on the theology and spirituality of Ignatius of Loyola as well as other themes of the spiritual life and has also published articles in Catholic periodicals. He appears frequently on Catholic television and records many podcasts, radio interviews, series on YouTube, and virtual events
He served for twelve years in formation of seminarians, for ten years as provincial superior of his Catholic religious congregation, the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, and since 2000, has been dedicated to a ministry of writing, public speaking, retreats, digital events, and spiritual direction.
Resources
- Fr. Timothy M. Gallagher’s book Discernment of Spirits in Marriage: Ignatian Wisdom for Husbands and Wives, published by Sophia Institute Press
- Fr. Gallagher’s website
Stephen Auth, missionary, author, and business executive
Stephen Auth describes with humor and humility how, in the midst of a long career on Wall Street, he has a conversion experience in 2002 that leads to an incredible missionary journey, one that involves taking on what he describes as “mission impossible” projects. Following where he feels God is calling him, Stephen starts a New York City street mission that is all about transforming and bringing Catholics back to the faith. Stephen shares that he has seen how the Lord transforms us and our faith by the experiences we have when we work hand in hand with Him. Stephen’s book, The Missionary of Wall Street, includes riveting and often funny stories of how he and his group of missionaries - ordinary Catholics from the financial sector - work shoulder-to-shoulder with Christ, feeling God’s grace, as they evangelize their wary New York neighbors.
Stephen Auth has had a long career on Wall Street and since 2000 has been with Federated Investors, where he serves as executive vice president and a chief investment officer of Federated Global Equities. Steve is a frequent guest on CNBC, Fox Business News, and Bloomberg TV, and is a long-standing participant in Barron’s annual investment outlook panel. He earned his undergraduate degree at Princeton University, where he graduated summa cum laude, and his graduate degree at Harvard Business School, where he was a Baker Scholar. Steve is a member of the Regnum Christi movement and sits on the national board of the Lumen Institute, which he helped found in New York. He has participated in missions in Mexico, and with his wife, Evelyn, has led the New York City street mission for ten years. Steve and Evelyn have two wonderful sons, Richard and Michael Auth.
Resources
- Stephen Auth’s Missionary of Wall Street website
- Stephen Auth’s book, The Missionary of Wall Street: From Managing Money to Saving Souls on the Streets of New York, published by Sophia Institute Press
- Steve and Evelyn Auth developed a spiritual tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art called “Pilgrimage to the Museum: Man’s Search for God through Art and Time”, published by Sophia Institute Press
Sr. Mary Josefa from The Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, and Elizabeth Pham, mother and author
Join us for a lively discussion with two guests sharing God’s joy and hope through fun and beautiful children’s books. Sr. Mary Josefa of the Eucharist, a cloistered nun, gives a glimpse into the joy-filled lives of religious sisters, brought alive for children with heartwarming illustrations and captivating verse in the book Brides of Christ by The Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles. Sr. Mary Josefa discusses how the book also helps de-mystify the religious life for parents to better understand how it can be a wonderful calling that overflows with joy. She shares that though the lives religious sisters lead may seem mysterious to others, their lives of prayer and sacrifice and the graces from that go beyond the cloistered walls to spill over to the world. We are reminded that the more united we are to Christ, the more we experience real, abiding joy.
We also hear from Elizabeth Pham, a mother of six (soon to be seven) children, who shares what lead her to write The World Waits, a portrayal of all of humanity’s longing for Jesus (both in the past, current, and future) through beautiful illustrations evoking a sense of joyful anticipation. Mostly targeted for younger children, it is also a book for all ages to enjoy, as Elizabeth shares how her favorite children’s books also draw in her older children and speak to her as a parent. In this book, perfect for Advent, with picture references from Noah’s Ark to the Star of Bethlehem to the tabernacle on the altar, we are reminded of God’s hand in all of history, guiding us through the darkness and on toward the light. We see how we wait for Jesus’ coming at Christmas each year, we wait for His coming in the Blessed Sacrament during Mass, we wait for His coming at the end of time, and we wait for His coming into our hearts in all seasons and situations.
Resources
- Brides of Christ, by The Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, with Jamey Toner, published by Sophia Institute Press
- Information on The Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles and their gift shop featuring music CDs recorded by the Benedictines of Mary, greeting cards, and more.
- The World Waits by Elizabeth Pham, published by Sophia Institute Press
- A Storybook of Saints, by Elizabeth Pham, published by Sophia Institute Press
- Elizabeth Pham’s blog Degrees in Idealism
Phil Nagel, CEO and Founder of firstPro and parishioner of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Atlanta
Phil Nagel shares his compelling story of hope and redemption due to God’s love and faithfulness.
Phil and his wife founded firstPRO, a full service, independent staffing and recruitment firm.
John Bursch, VP, Appellate Advocacy for Alliance Defending Freedom
John Bursch shares points from his timely and incisive book, Loving God’s Children: The Church and Gender Ideology. John helps explain what the Catholic Church teaches about the human person and why modern culture’s embrace of “gender ideology” is not only wrong but terribly dangerous for parents and families, female athletes, medical professionals, and especially those experiencing gender confusion. John’s book provides straightforward reasons to defend the Church’s teaching on human sexuality and ways to develop virtue and courage to withstand the rising persecution of those who promote and defend the Church’s teachings. It covers a range of topics including how to approach the use of pronouns in the workplace, ways to accompany those struggling with gender confusion, and how to respond to practical questions with factual information and authentic spiritual guidance.
John Bursch serves as Vice President of Appellate Advocacy for Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), the largest public-interest law firm in the world defending religious liberty, free speech, parental rights, marriage and family, and the right to life. John has argued twelve cases in the U.S. Supreme Court, including cases defending the Catholic Church’s teachings on marriage and sexuality. John speaks frequently to groups — both religious and secular — about topics including marriage, human sexuality, the right to life, and religious liberty.
Resources
- John Bursch’s book, Loving God’s Children: The Church and Gender Ideology, published by Sophia Institute Press
- Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) website
Andrew Laubacher, Executive Director of Humanality, speaker, and musician
Humanality is a non-profit corporation that exists to help people live more meaningful lives through a limited use of technology. Andrew Laubacher shares about the ambitious road ahead of the organization whose goal is to help people find a right relationship with technology: one that serves and points to engagement with the real world and one another, rather than distract from it. As studies are starting to show just how destructive technology use has been for people, families, and the young in particular, Humanality wants to encourage a better way, a more human way, by helping people live in the modern age, utilize the tools offered by technology, and discover how to master our devices rather than be a slave to them.
Andrew Laubacher (known as ALOB) is a songwriter, worship leader, and speaker based in Southern California. After straying from the Lord in high school, he was brought back into relationship with God through youth conferences, powerful prayer experiences, and the witnesses of many influential people in his life. After graduating from Franciscan University in Steubenville, he began to pursue ministry full-time. His heart for worship and his belief that God is always at work in our lives shine through in his music. He released his first EP, Living Water, and followed that with a full-length record, No Match for Love. He tours the U.S. and abroad sharing his music, praying with communities, and helping people embrace the miraculous, healing, matchless love of God.
Resources
- Humanality website
- Information on booking Andrew Laubacher (ALOB)
Mary Beth Bracy, consecrated virgin, writer, and speaker
In celebration of the feast day of St. Thérèse of Lisieux (October 1), Mary Beth Bracy shares commentary on two beloved books about this great saint and Doctor of the Church. From I Would Like to Travel the World by Guy Gaucher, bishop emeritus of Bayeux and Lisieux, Mary Beth relates fascinating modern-day healings obtained through St. Thérèse’s intercession. Gaucher’s book shows how St. Thérèse lived one of the most faithfully and universally apostolic lives in the history of the Church and encourages readers to imitate the spiritual childhood of “the greatest saint of modern times.” Mary Beth also shares about I Believe in Love by Fr. Jean D’Elbee, a spiritual classic on the teaching of St. Thérèse of Lisieux as a set of meditations, covering topics including having confidence in God even amid sufferings, how to love our crosses, and what we must cherish in our souls to learn to love as Jesus loves.
Mary Beth Bracy is a consecrated virgin of the Diocese of Ogdensburg, New York. She is a writer who is blessed to research, publish, and speak extensively on various aspects of Catholic spirituality.
Resources
- Mary Beth Bracy’s The Little Way website and blog
- Mary Beth Bracy’s books include Behold the Lamb, Bread of Life, and The Little Way of Healing Love Through the Passion of Jesus: The Stations of the Cross with St. Thérèse of Lisieux. She is also co-author of the book Stories of the Eucharist.
- I Would Like to Travel the World: Thérèse of Lisieux: Miracle-Worker, Doctor, and Missionary by Guy Gaucher, bishop emeritus of Bayeux and Lisieux, published by Sophia Institute Press
- I Believe in Love: A Personal Retreat Based on the Teaching of St. Thérèse of Lisieux by Fr. Jean D’Elbee, published by Sophia Institute Press
Betsy Orr, board president of Heritage
Betsy Orr shares about the vision of Heritage, located in Taliaferro County, Georgia, and how her own faith journey led her to this ministry of creating a sacred place to seek, find, and renew faith. Heritage is rebuilding a community of faith and restoring the first Catholic settlement in Georgia into an entire Catholic district, which includes: Locust Grove Cemetery, the oldest Catholic cemetery in Georgia, established in 1790; the Church of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, built by the first Catholic congregation in Georgia; The Retreat, a 200-acre retreat center with cottage accommodations, prayer and fellowship spaces, walking trails, and sacred art; and The Farm, a working farm that provides food and programming for the Retreat. With its mission to provide a welcoming Catholic environment that serves communities through beauty, peace, and historical connection, Heritage is opening its arms to invite guests to impactful experiences with the opportunity to explore and deepen life’s most meaningful relationships.
Resources
- Heritage website
- Heritage is planning many exciting events and retreats for the remainder of 2023 and throughout 2024, including their official grand opening in April 2024, Dr. Scott Hahn in May 2024, and The Family Room retreat with co-hosts Craig, John, and Mari in November 2024.
Co-hosts Craig, John, and Mari
The Holy Spirit leads the conversation as Craig, John, and Mari share what’s currently on their hearts.
Teresa Mull, author, editor, conservative journalist
Teresa Mull talks about her book, Woke-Proof Your Life, and shares easy and practical ways that the silenced majority, who feel overmatched, can stand up for themselves and restore America’s values and culture. Teresa gives concrete advice to traditional-minded Americans who are looking to regain their peace of mind, health, and happiness and re-steer our country toward the future we envisioned for ourselves and our families before progressive activists turned every aspect of our lives into some radical, sociopolitical cause. Teresa discusses points from her book such as: the actual definition of woke; tips on growing in faith, educating children, and cultivating community; how to avoid “toxic empathy,” and tenants to focus on when you feel trapped in the maze of woke culture.
Teresa Mull was blessed to grow up in her ancestral home in the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania. She received a degree in Comparative Literature from the University of Dallas and interned for Laura Ingraham and at The American Spectator magazine in Washington, DC. Teresa traded the fast-paced lifestyle of our nation’s capital for the mountains of Idaho before returning to her roots and her coal-mining hometown, all while continuing to grow her career in conservative journalism. Teresa’s writing has appeared in The New York Times, Baltimore Sun, Miami Herald, New York Post, Fairbanks Daily News Miner, American Conservative, and many other publications.
Resources
- Teresa Mull’s book, Woke-Proof Your Life
- Teresa is currently an assistant editor of The Spectator World
- Teresa is also a policy advisor for education at The Heartland Institute
Dr. Ian Murphy, writer and speaker
Ian Murphy’s book The Road to Self -Awareness: A Therapy Book for Christians provides a comprehensive approach to true healing, not cheap gimmicks masquerading as inner peace. Unsatisfied with the typical “self-help” books that limit their scope to mere problem-solving, symptom management, or pain alleviation, Ian set out to demonstrate through his own broken quest for well-being that there is a path to true betterment — one that recognizes and celebrates a person’s inherent dignity as someone made in the image and likeness of God. Ian shares his story that is both authentic and amusing, a journey into total and lasting healing that can be replicated by anyone who feels trapped in self-doubt or anxiety, toxic messages or addictions, lethargy or misspent energy.
Dr. Ian Murphy experienced a stirring journey into Christianity out of agnosticism. His subsequent ministry to reach other skeptics with the Gospel unexpectedly rocketed to public attention when his valedictorian speech about Jesus made headlines nationwide, inspiring a Congressional Law from the desk of Senator Arlen Specter. This momentum landed Ian into the position of head pastor at a Baptist church in Texas, where his ministry remained centered until his decision to enter the Catholic Church. Shifting career direction, he became a professor of theology, most recently at Divine Mercy University. Ian currently works as a full-time Catholic writer and speaker and resides near Charleston, South Carolina, with his wife, Rachel.
Resources
- Dr. Ian Murphy’s website
- Dr. Murphy’s book, The Road to Self-Awareness: A Therapy Book for Christians published by Sophia Institute Press
- Dr. Murphy’s autobiography, Dying to Live: From Agnostic to Baptist to Catholic (which includes a foreword by Dr. Scott Hahn), published by Ignatius Press
Bear Woznick, author, adventurer, Benedictine Oblate, husband, father, man of God
Bear Woznick shares points from his book, 12 Rules for Manliness – Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?, to unveil what is deep in every man’s heart: a call to live the heroic way. Bear explains how the cowboys of old were, in many ways, the models of manliness. They were perceptive, decisive, and lived by a personal creed - and they knew how to make a stand. Bear discusses the importance of men having a plan that helps them learn how to develop a proper personal creed. He also shares how to avoid being a drifter but, rather, to seek God’s purpose for your life.
Bear’s amazing biography is filled with “eMANgelization” projects and tons of adventure, including pedaling his bicycle from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean, holding the very rare NINJA blackbelt, and being a two-time Masters World Tandem Surfing Champ and an inductee into the Catholic Sports Faith Hall of Fame.
Resources
- Support the Maui fire victims
- Bear’s book, 12 Rules for Manliness, published by Sophia Institute Press
- Visit Bear’s website for information on The Man Cave, the School of Manliness, Momma Bears, his books, and booking speaking engagements.
- Bear is the host of the reality TV show, Long Ride Home with Bear Woznick, distributed worldwide on EWTN and Armed Forces Network, and EWTN’s The Bear Woznick Adventure radio show heard by millions each week on over 500 radio stations in nearly all 50 states.
- Bear is also the host of the daily “Ocean Sunrise Catechism” seen on YouTube.
Teresa Tomeo, talk show host, author, and journalist
Teresa Tomeo shares laughs and lessons from her book Everything’s Coming Up Rosie: 10 Things My Feisty Italian-American Mom Taught Me About Living A Godly Life. Through unforgettable “Rosieisms” from Teresa’s mother, a “street-smart theologian” from Jersey City, you’ll come to appreciate the value of your sufferings, big or small, and how they can help you and your loved ones live a sensible, well-grounded, godly life. Teresa shares how Rosie’s life, example, and practical advice will help you cultivate virtue in your life as you learn about: how “go ride your bike!” relates to health (and it’s not what you think), ways to always see the glass as half full, a bit of wisdom that Tomeo learned from both her mother and the Rolling Stones, how round-trip guilt trips can be a good thing, and why you should listen to your mother and “keep smiling.”
Join Teresa Tomeo for her WINE (Women in the New Evangelization) online book study Sept 5-Oct 10 when the book selection will be Everything’s Coming up Rosie. Sign up via Catholic Vineyard and receive the book, a prayer card, a journal, and access to live and recorded sessions.
Teresa Tomeo is an author, syndicated Catholic talk show host, and motivational speaker with more than 30 years of experience in TV, radio, and newspaper, 20 of which were as a secular reporter/anchor in the Detroit market. In 2000, Teresa left the secular media to start her own speaking and communications company, Teresa Tomeo Communications, LLC. Teresa appears frequently on the EWTN Global Catholic Television Network and is also a correspondent for EWTN News In Depth.
Resources
- Teresa Tomeo’s website
- Teresa Tomeo’s book Everything’s Coming Up Rosie: 10 Things My Feisty Italian-American Mom Taught Me About Living A Godly Life, published by Sophia Institute Press
- Teresa Tomeo is the host of Catholic Connection, a co-production of Ave Maria Radio and the EWTN Global Radio Network.
- Teresa Tomeo co-hosts the EWTN television series, The Catholic View for Women.
- As a deacon’s wife, Teresa also writes a column for Our Sunday Visitor’s The Deacon magazine.
- In 2019, Teresa opened her own Italy travel consultation company, T’s Italy.
Dr. Peter Kwasniewski, Thomistic theologian, liturgical scholar, and choral composer
Dr. Peter Kwasniewski shares concepts from his book, Treasuring the Goods of Marriage in a Throwaway Society, including the nobility of marriage, the “pulsating heart of marriage” and why it is critical to marriage and family, ways parents can teach their children about authentic sexuality, and how to combat what sometimes feels like overwhelming forces attacking marriage. Dr. Kwasniewski also discusses how the nuptial vow has ties to the Old Testament and to Mary’s Fiat: “Be it done unto me according to thy word.”
Biography: Dr. Peter Kwasniewski earned an M.A. and a Ph.D. in Philosophy from The Catholic University of America. After teaching philosophy and theology at the International Theological Institute in Austria and music for the Franciscan University of Steubenville’s Austrian Program, he joined the founding team of Wyoming Catholic College in Lander, Wyoming, where he served as the first Director of Admissions and Assistant Academic Dean, directed the Choir and Schola, and taught, over time, all of the theology courses and most of the philosophy and fine arts courses. In 2018 he pursued a career as a freelance author, public speaker, editor, publisher, and composer, with the intention of dedicating his life to the articulation and defense of Catholic Tradition in all its dimensions. Over the past twenty years, Kwasniewski has published over 1,300 articles on sacramental and liturgical theology, the aesthetics of music, Thomistic thought, and the social doctrine of the Church. He has written or edited twenty books. Many of his approximately 150 musical works have been performed in liturgical settings and in concert. Kwasniewski has also worked with The Aquinas Institute that is editing and publishing the Opera Omnia of the Angelic Doctor in some 60 volumes. He is a Fellow of the Albertus Magnus Center for Scholastic Studies and a Senior Fellow of the St. Paul Center in Steubenville.
Resources
- Dr. Peter Kwasniewski’s website
- Dr. Peter Kwasniewski’s book Treasuring the Goods of Marriage in a Throwaway Society published by Sophia Institute Press
- Dr. Peter Kwasniewski writes regularly for New Liturgical Movement, OnePeterFive, LifeSite News, Rorate Caeli, The Remnant, Catholic Family News, and The Latin Mass Magazine
Anthony DeStefano, author, television host, and activist
Anthony DeStefano believes that as more and more people today struggle with depression and loneliness, self-help programs need to be less about “self-help” and more about “God’s help.” God, after all, is the Author of life; He knows what will make us happy — and what won’t. Anthony shares about breaking out of self-delusion and taking small, practical steps to transform your life from head to soul. He discusses ways that people who feel overwhelmed by life can immediately take control of their lives. He also shares how to set goals in a way that is both humanly effective and spiritually intelligent and three things that are most important when it comes to goal setting and taking action.
Anthony DeStefano is the bestselling author of over twenty-five Christian books for adults and children. His books have been published in eighteen different countries and twelve different languages and have been endorsed by The National Day of Prayer committee as well as many prominent religious leaders and mainstream celebrities. He has appeared on the 700 Club, Fox and Friends, CNN, Huckabee, and hundreds of other national and local media shows. He has also been the host of two television series on Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), as well as a frequent guest on that network. A Knight of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Anthony is an avid pilot and lives in New Jersey with his wife, Jordan.
Resources
- Anthony DeStefano’s website
- Anthony DeStefano’s book 30 Days to Your New Life: A Guide to Transforming Yourself from Head to Soul, published by Sophia Institute Press
- Anthony DeStefano’s additional bestselling Christian books for adults including A Travel Guide to Heaven, and Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To and his bestselling books for children including The Donkey That No One Could Ride and Little Star
John Edwards, host of Just a Guy in the Pew podcast
John Edwards has known firsthand many of the struggles men go through. He struggled with addiction, went to jail, and almost lost his marriage. As John says: “It wasn’t until I felt the presence of Jesus as I walked out of a jail cell that I realized how much I wanted to change and how I could only do that with His help.” When John came back to Jesus, he struggled to find other men to support him in his walk with Christ. He founded Pew Ministries to help parishes start men’s groups where guys can find the support they need to become the men they’re meant to be. He stresses how parishes need to put boots on the ground to save our families from all the attacks of our secular society. John’s ministry focuses on helping men grow in Christ to fill those boots to become the husbands, fathers, and leaders God calls them to be. John shares about his experiences while challenging us to acknowledge who we are and whose we are.
Resources
- Just a Guy in the Pew website
- The Catholic Cafe podcast, hosted by Deacon Jeff Drzycimski
Dr. Ian Murphy, writer and speaker
Dr. Ian Murphy experienced a stirring journey into Christianity out of agnosticism. His subsequent ministry to reach other skeptics with the Gospel unexpectedly rocketed to public attention when his valedictorian speech about Jesus made headlines nationwide, inspiring a Congressional Law from the desk of Senator Arlen Specter. This momentum landed Ian into the position of head pastor at a Baptist church in Texas, where his ministry remained centered until his decision to enter the Catholic Church. Shifting career direction, he became a professor of theology, most recently at Divine Mercy University. His autobiography entitled Dying to Live: From Agnostic to Baptist to Catholic, which includes a foreword by Dr. Scott Hahn, was published by Ignatius Press. His second book is a 2023 offering from Sophia Institute Press entitled The Road to Self-Awareness: A Therapy Book for Christians. Ian currently works as a full-time Catholic writer and speaker and resides near Charleston, South Carolina, with his wife, Rachel.
Resources
- Dr. Ian Murphy’s website
Peter Herbeck, Executive Vice President and Director of Missions for Renewal Ministries
Peter Herbeck, co-author with his wife, Debbie, of the book Lessons From the School of Love: Cultivating a Christ-Centered Marriage, shares key lessons that he and his wife of 37 years have learned to build up their marriage and family to become more Christ-centered. Peter addresses topics including how to give God permission in our marriages and families, the sacrificial nature of true love, having the will to change, asking for and extending forgiveness, helping children encounter Christ (“parents are the pastors”), Christian marriage as “a supernatural thing,” and remaining strong amid Satan’s attacks on marriage and the family.
For more than thirty years, Peter Herbeck has been actively involved in evangelization and Catholic renewal throughout the US, Canada, Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe. Peter oversees the work of lay mission teams throughout the world who work to equip Catholic lay people, bishops, priests, and religious to respond to Blessed Pope John Paul II’s call for a new evangelization. Peter and Debbie have four children and eleven grandchildren. They reside in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Resources
- Renewal Ministries website
- Renewal Ministries’ popular YouTube channel
- Co-host Peter Herbeck’s weekly television show, The Choices We Face
- Peter Herbeck’s daily radio show Fire on the Earth
- Crossing the Goal, the popular show broadcast weekly on EWTN that uses a sports-show format to encourage men to get into spiritual shape
- Peter Herbeck’s book When the Spirit Comes in Power
- Peter and Debbie Herbeck’s book When the Spirit Speaks: Touched by God’s Word
- Request Peter Herbeck to speak at an event
Dr. Paul Vitz, American psychologist, Senior Scholar/Professor, and author
Dr. Paul Vitz discusses the profound effect a father has on the mental and spiritual health of a family, a topic he has been studying since the 1980s and especially in the 90s when his work turned to personality theory and Christianity and to the psychological importance of fathers. The latter culminated in a book titled Faith of the Fatherless: The Psychology of Atheism on what Vitz claims are the psychological factors which produce atheism. Dr. Vitz also shares points from a webinar he presented for Legatus entitled “The Father’s Important Impact on the Family” in which he examined the emotional and behavioral effects of a father’s absence, positive effects of his presence, special effects of bad fathers on religion of children, effects of substitute fathers, and an understanding of a father’s enduring impact.
Dr. Paul Vitz is an American psychologist and a Senior Scholar/Professor in the Institute for the Psychological Sciences at Divine Mercy University in Sterling, Virginia. He is Emeritus Professor of psychology at New York University where he taught for many years. Dr. Vitz’s teaching and research is focused on the integration of Christian theology, especially Catholic anthropology, with psychology. This requires breaking from the modern secularism and post-modern relativism prevalent today. Dr. Vitz’s career changed markedly in the mid-seventies with his conversion from atheism to Christianity and later, in 1979, to Catholicism.
Resources
- Dr. Paul Vitz’s book Faith of the Fatherless: The Psychology of Atheism published by Ignatius Press
- Dr. Paul Vitz’s first book, Psychology as Religion: The Cult of Self-Worship, critiqued humanistic psychology for its radical individualism, neglect of interpersonal relationships, and its assumption that self-actualization was the meaning of life for everyone.
- In the early 1980s, Dr. Vitz was involved in the national controversy over neglect of religion, especially Christianity, in public school textbooks. He authored Censorship: Evidence of Bias in our Children’s Textbooks.
- Dr. Vitz is an editor, with two colleagues, of the book A Catholic Christian Meta-Model of the Person: Integration with Psychology & Mental Health Practice. This book has been given an Expanded Reason Award, from the Benedict XVI Foundation, Rome, and from the University Francisco de Vitoria, Madrid.
- Dr. Vitz is editor of The Complementarity of Women and Men: Philosophy, Theology, Psychology, and Art published by The Catholic University of America Press
Fr. Robert Sirico, author; President Emeritus of Acton Institute
In The Economics of the Parables, Fr. Sirico pulls back the veil of modernity to reveal the timeless economic wisdom of the parables. Thirteen central stories including “The Laborers in the Vineyard,” “The Rich Fool,” “The Five Talents,” and “The Faithful Steward”serve as his guide, revealing practical lessons in caring for the poor, stewarding wealth, distributing inheritances, navigating income disparities, and resolving family tensions.
Rev. Robert A. Sirico is president emeritus and the co-founder of the Acton Institute. In that capacity, he lectures at colleges, universities, and business organizations throughout the U.S. and abroad. His writings on religious, political, economic, and social matters are published in a variety of journals. Fr. Sirico is often called upon by members of the broadcast media for statements regarding economics, civil rights, and issues of religious concern. Fr. Sirico received his Master of Divinity degree from the Catholic University of America following undergraduate study at the University of Southern California and the University of London. During his studies and early ministry, he experienced a growing concern over the lack of training religious studies students receive in fundamental economic principles, leaving them poorly equipped to understand and address today’s social problems. As a result of these concerns, Fr. Sirico co-founded the Acton Institute with Kris Alan Mauren in 1990. In April of 1999, Fr. Sirico was awarded an honorary doctorate in Christian Ethics from the Franciscan University of Steubenville, and in May of 2001, Universidad Francisco Marroquin awarded him an honorary doctorate in Social Sciences. He is a member of the prestigious Mont Pèlerin Society, the American Academy of Religion, and the Philadelphia Society, and is on the Board of Advisors of the Civic Institute in Prague. Father Sirico also served on the Michigan Civil Rights Commission from 1994 to 1998. His pastoral ministry has included a chaplaincy to AIDS patients at the National Institutes of Health. He is the Pastor Emeritus of Sacred Heart of Jesus parish in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Resources
- Acton University website
- Audio podcast of Fr. Sirico’s lecture on The Economics of the Parables
- Fr. Sirico’s book, The Economics of the Parables
Fr. John Bartunek, LC, author of The Better Part
In this third segment of “Ask a Priest,” Fr. John Bartunek, author of The Better Part: A Christ-Centered Resource for Personal Prayer, outlines five essential elements for Christian discipleship and digs deeply into the third element: Learning More about our Faith! Fr. Bartunek also answers listeners questions on a variety of topics. Join us for this enlightening conversation, and e-mail us questions of your own to: TheFamilyRoom@TheQuestAtlanta.com
Five Essential Elements: 1. Prayer and Sacraments 2. Mission 3. Learning More about our Faith 4. Growing in Virtue 5. Fellowship and Relationships
Mari Cleveland from St. Jude the Apostle and John Gordon and Craig Wesemeyer from St. Peter Chanel
Craig, John, and Mari, co-hosts of The Family Room, talk about the Holy Spirit including the gifts of the Holy Spirit, an honest look at how the Holy Spirit works in our lives, what it’s like to be obedient to Him, and what prompts us not to be obedient to Him.
Fr. John Riccardo, host of Christ is the Answer & ACTS XXIX Exec. Dir., & Mary Guilfoyle, The Rescue Project lead
Fr. John Riccardo and Mary Guilfoyle, Fr. John’s co-host on their newest podcast, You Were Born for This, discuss ACTS XXIX’s new offering, The Rescue Project. The Rescue Project team passionately believes that the most urgent task is the compelling proclamation of the gospel, one that not only shares it in an attractive – and concentrated – way, but that also offers people a way of seeing reality, and of making sense of the world, history, and life that is vastly different from the story our modern culture tells. Until this happens, the Christian faith is often experienced as a mere set of rules and disciplines, and simply going to Church isn’t likely to lead a person to embark on the great adventure that is following Jesus and continuing His mission of the rescuing of this world. The Rescue Project is an experience of the Gospel surrounded by food, conversation, and prayer. It seeks to proclaim the Gospel in a compelling and attractive way over eight weeks in a small group format. This experience is imbued with beauty, authentic humanity, and accompaniment, and it can be offered in any setting, including your home!
Fr. John Riccardo, missionary and ACTS XXIX Executive Director, was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit in 1996. In 2019, after 23 years in parish ministry, he founded ACTS XXIX to proclaim the gospel in an attractive and compelling way and to equip clergy and lay leaders for the age in which God has chosen us to live. Fr. John is a graduate of the University of Michigan, the Gregorian University, and the Pope John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family.
Mary Guilfoyle, missionary and The Rescue Project lead, is a wife, mother, and grandmother. She is a former parish Director of Evangelization and Discipleship and has equipped more than 100 parishes in prayerfully discerning how to best care for those in the pews and reach the fallen away and the lost. Mary is passionate about helping disciples form small group communities in order to live more authentically human lives. Mary is a graduate of Washburn University.
Resources
- Visit The Rescue Project website for more information and free materials.
- Attend a special live Rescue Project event offered by Fr. John, Mary, Acts XXIX, and the Archdiocese of Atlanta and sponsored by The Quest - Your Atlanta Catholic Radio - on September 9, 2023, at the Cobb Galleria. Tickets are $50 for the day-long event and include meals. Click here for more information and to register.
- ACTS XXIX is a Catholic apostolate based in Detroit, Michigan, founded in 2019 by Fr. John Riccardo. A 501(c)3, ACTS XXIX is comprised of missionaries of hope called by God to renew and transform the Church. The team does this primarily through four missions: The Rescue Project, reviving and equipping clergy, leadership immersives, and leveraging media and events.
Tom Hoopes, author, Vice President for College Relations and writer in residence at Benedictine College
Tom Hoopes shares about his new podcast, The Extraordinary Story, drawn from his personal faith journey and lifelong fascination with the person of Jesus. He speaks of the importance of faith, community, and scholarship, the motto of Benedictine College (Kansas) and a grounding factor in his life. In The Extraordinary Story podcast, Tom draws on his skills as a journalist and storyteller to help listeners find answers in Jesus in unexpected ways and encourages them to practice telling the story of Jesus themselves. The podcast is both a revelatory teaching and a tool for evangelization.
Tom Hoopes is also author of The Rosary of Saint John Paul II, The Fatima Family Handbook, and What Pope Francis Really Said. A former reporter in the Washington, D.C., area, he served as press secretary of the U.S. House Ways & Means Committee Chairman and spent 10 years as executive editor of the National Catholic Register newspaper and Faith & Family magazine. He writes for the National Catholic Register and Aleteia. His work frequently appears in Catholic publications such as Catholic Digest. He lives in Atchison, Kansas, with his wife, April, and their nine children.
Resources
- The Extraordinary Story, a podcast about the life of Christ, written and hosted by Tom Hoopes
- Books by Tom Hoopes: The Rosary of Saint John Paul II, The Fatima Family Handbook, and What Pope Francis Really Said.
- Books on the Life of Christ: Life of Christ by Rev. Fulton Sheen, The Public Life of Our Lord Jesus Christ by Rev. Alban Goodier, The Case for Jesus by Dr. Brant Pitre
Fr. John Bartunek, LC, author of The Better Part
In this second segment of “Ask a Priest,” Fr. John Bartunek, author of The Better Part: A Christ-Centered Resource for Personal Prayer, outlines five essential elements for Christian discipleship and digs deeply into the second element: Mission! Fr. Bartunek also answers listeners questions on a variety of topics. Join us for this enlightening conversation, and e-mail us questions of your own to: TheFamilyRoom@TheQuestAtlanta.com
Five Essential Elements: 1. Prayer and Sacraments 2. Mission 3. Learning more about our Faith 4. Growing in Virtue 5. Fellowship & Relationships
Joe Sikorra, therapist, Stillpoint Family Resources
Joe Sikorra shares the moving story of how his family found joy after their hopes and dreams were shattered by the rare, fatal, neurological illness of their two sons. He recounts the way he and his wife received the courage and the support they needed to give their children abundant, fulfilling lives in spite of their gradual decline.
What initially seemed to be a tragedy for Joe’s family became a story of human triumph, an outcome made possible by the compassion and mercy of God. Their example can help those facing unexpected losses and challenges to believe that by placing their trust in Providence, they, too, can overcome hardships with the most powerful force on earth — God’s love.
Joe Sikorra is a marriage and family therapist at Stillpoint Family Resources in Southern California. Joe is also an author, speaker, television and radio personality, and podcast host of Always Forward. He is most well-known for integrating faith, Scripture, and psychology. He’s lived, walked, and worked with those who find themselves in the most bleak and dire of circumstances. The Sikorra story has been optioned for a feature length film and Joe’s book, Defying Gravity, published by Ignatius Press, has captured the #1 spot for new releases on Christian social issues. Joe and his wife, Lori, have been married for 30 years and have a son with special needs.
Resources
- Defying Gravity, published by Ignatius Press
- Always Forward, weekly podcast that looks at everyday struggles and focuses on solutions based on evidence-based psychology and Scripture
- The Whole World is Going Crazy but You Don’t Have To, book by Joe Sikorra offering scriptural and psychological healing
Fr. Dan Reehil, Pastor of St. Catherine of Siena parish in Columbia, Tenn.
Fr. Dan Reehil shares his beautiful and miraculous journey from Wall Street to parish priest. After a long and successful career in global trade and finance in New York City, a pilgrimage to Medjugorje led to a miraculous conversion. Jesus’ proclamation in Matthew 19:26, “with God, all things are possible!” comes to life as we hear Fr. Dan’s incredible faith story and how God entered into his life and drew Fr. Dan personally and persistently into the deepest relationship with Him as a Catholic priest and exorcist. Prepare to be inspired by the opportunity to grow in faith by understanding the importance of docility, obedience, and radical Christianity. Fr. Dan’s insights gained from his work as an exorcist will arm you to be “battle ready” to overcome attacks of the evil one and take back what rightfully belongs to God.
In addition to being pastor of St. Catherine of Siena parish in Columbia, Tenn, Fr. Dan Reehil is Dean of the South and the exorcist of the Diocese of Nashville. He also hosts a radio show/podcast called “Battle Ready” which airs daily on Radio Maria at 9 a.m. (CT) and is available as podcast via all streaming platforms.
Resources
Tom Peterson, Catholic evangelist, network television producer, and author
Tom Peterson shares his thoughts from 25 years of evangelization and over 100 interviews with converts and “reverts” to the Catholic faith. Hear practical suggestions and encouragement for us to pray every day to lead someone closer to Christ. Learn about the importance of the virtue of humility when evangelizing, and the simple, yet impactful, phrase, “Forget about me; I love you!” and how it can be a powerful tool when evangelizing family members.
Tom Peterson is the founder of two media apostolates: Virtue Media which creates and broadcasts sanctity of life media messages and the popular Catholics Come Home EWTN television series which airs on Sunday nights at 8:30 p.m. (ET) and also creates messages which air in ten languages, helping to bring souls home to Jesus and the Catholic Church.
Resources
- Catholics Come Home website
- Virtue Media website
- Good Confession website
- Fr. Doug Lorig’s In Her Hands website
- Catholics Come Home Evangomercials™
- Tom Peterson’s books: The Will Power Advantage: Building Habits for Lasting Happiness, One Moment Can Change a Soul, Epic: The Story of Jesus’ Holy Catholic Church (children’s book), Catholics Come Home: God’s Extraordinary Plan for Your Life, Santa’s Priority (children’s book) - available on Catholics Come Home
Conor Gallagher, CEO of TAN Books and father of 15 children
Conor Gallagher shares how he uses what he learned in business to manage and lead, along with his wife Ashley, a family of 15 children. Conor earned his Masters in Philosophy and Juris Doctorate from The Catholic University of America. He is CEO of TAN Books, a successful publishing business that has been in the Gallagher family for four generations. He shares how his marriage to Ashley and their 15 children are the things he values most and what offers the greatest challenges and rewards in his life.
Listen in and learn how elements of a solid business plan apply to the business of raising a family of any size, including having a family mission statement, core values (hint: they are virtues), and key success metrics that help ensure the mission is accomplished.
Discover what fuels the Gallaghers’ “family business,” how and why the family chose a patron saint, their family beatitudes, and how the rosary, even if not always elegant, plays a key role. (Conor and Ashley have their children on a path to petition the intercession of the Blessed Mother 1,354,150 times in their lives!) Conor also shares about the principle of “plungerability” and “no scorekeeping” and why they promote peace in the family.
Resources
Mike and Alicia Hernon, parents of 10 children and co-founders of The Messy Family Project
Mike and Alicia Hernon share their joyful wisdom borne from the experience of parenting ten children and creating resources to empower moms and dads to embrace their calling. Hear discussions on four key principles of parenting, parenting as a team, the role of grandparents, and the importance of “family culture.” As Mike and Alicia say, “We serve messy families! We believe that being a good parent starts with being a great spouse. But being a good parent or even a great spouse is hard, messy work. And we’re not meant to do it alone! So, join us on this journey, because we believe that not only is marriage and family life a path to holiness, but it’s an incredible adventure!”
Resources
- Find a unique variety of resources offered through The Messy Family Project website including family retreats, The Family Board Room course, free resources, blogs, and podcasts.
- Join in on The Messy Family Project “Play and Pray Challenge” in June 2023 culminating on June 16, the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Hosts Mari Cleveland from St. Jude the Apostle and John Gordon and Craig Wesemeyer from St. Peter Chanel
Craig, John, and Mari, hosts of The Family Room, share their own faith journeys - how they seek God and find Him in unusual ways. Join them as they get personal about how they developed a personal relationship with Christ and how they continue to seek and grow in Him. Their conversation encourages us to find ways in which we can share a relationship with Jesus with those around us, especially our children and grandchildren.
Caroline Camick, speaker and parishioner of Holy Cross Catholic Church
After ten years of infertility, Caroline and her husband, Paul, opened their hearts to “Open Adoption” and God showed up in beautiful ways! Caroline shares their faithful journey - from following the Church’s teachings as they faced infertility to God’s perfect timing and plan to increase their family in ways beyond what they could have hoped for or imagined.
Caroline and Paul have both been teachers and coaches, and Caroline is currently an artist and muralist. They are members of Holy Cross Catholic Church and serve in a variety of ministries. God is also using Caroline to share the hope and joy found in open adoptions through numerous speaking engagements. To reach Caroline with questions or invitations to speak, please contact her at c_camick@comcast.net.
Patrick and Sarah Metts, trained counselors
Patrick and Sarah Metts offer their personal insights and professional suggestions for protecting, sustaining, and growing marriages. Their practical tools and real-life experiences are encouraging and easily implementable and can be accessed via their new online resource or live through a variety of offerings.
Patrick is a Licensed Professional Counselor and has a Master’s in Marriage and Family Studies from the John Paul II Institute in Valencia, Spain. He currently works as the Associate Director of the Office of Evangelization and Discipleship in the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Patrick also helps with the Tribunal as an expert witness for some of the annulment cases that need a psychological evaluation. Additionally, Patrick has created an online marriage resource called restorecatholicmarriage.com for couples seeking to grow, strengthen, and heal their relationship. Sarah also is trained as a counselor and now homeschools their sons, ages 13 and 9. She has written articles for Catholic Exchange and Catholic News Agency and has just finished her first historical fiction novel. Patrick and Sarah have been married for 15 years as of June 2023.
Resources
- Learn more about Patrick and Sarah’s marriage initiative, RESTORE. RESTORE offers couples the opportunity to strengthen and improve their relationship through various online opportunities, parish-based workshops/retreats, coaching, and counseling. To contact Patrick and Sarah at RESTORE, email them at: support@restorecatholicmarriage.com
- To contact Patrick about ministries and services offered through the Archdiocese of Atlanta, please email him at: pmetts@archatl.com.
Prayer for Families – Pope St. John Paul II Lord God, from You every family in Heaven and on earth takes its name. Grant that Your grace may guide the thoughts and actions of husbands and wives for the good of their families and of all the families in the world. Grant that the young may find in the family solid support for their human dignity and for their growth in truth and love. Grant that love, strengthened by the grace of the sacrament of marriage, may prove mightier than all the weaknesses and trials through which our families sometimes pass. We ask this of You, Who is life, truth, and love with the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Albino Aragno, Director of Cenacolo in the Americas, and two members of the community
Hear incredible stories of how addictions have been overcome and lives have been resurrected through loving service in the Cenacolo Community. At Cenacolo, Albino Aragno and additional members of the community experienced the rediscovery of the joy of faith, the beauty of life, and the growth of true freedom.
To learn more about Cenacolo, including how to apply, serve, or donate, visit hopereborn.org
History and Overview of Cenacolo: On July 16, 1983, the day the Church remembers Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Sister Elvira Petrozzi, known today as Mother Elvira, started the Community. It was a response of God’s tenderness to the cry of desperation of so many young people who were lost, deceived, and disappointed. They were seeking the true meaning of life in the false light of the world. A place was born that welcomes life in loving service. Over the years this loving service has become a source of hope and resurrection for many people lost in the world of darkness, who are sad, marginalized, desperate, drugged. They are freely welcomed and are offered true friendship, discipline, and fraternal sharing. “Ora et Labora” – prayer and work; these are the pillars through which people rediscover respect, order, hope, dignity, peace, and the joy of being alive. The community lifestyle of faith, sharing, and service drew many young volunteers, lay people, families, brothers (including some priests), and consecrated sisters who dedicate themselves full-time to the service of Mother Elvira’s work and vision. The Cenacolo Community has been recognized by the Church, at the Pontifical Council for the Laity, as the International Private Association of the Faithful. Currently there are 72 houses present in 20 countries of the world.
Fr. John Bartunek, LC, author of The Better Part: A Christ-Centered Resource for Personal Prayer
In this first segment of “Ask a Priest,” Fr. Bartunek outlines five essential elements for Christian discipleship and digs deeply into the first element: Leveraging prayer to overcome strongholds. Join us for this enlightening conversation, and e-mail us questions of your own to: thefamilyroom@thequestatlanta.com
Five Essential Elements: 1. Prayer and Sacraments 2. Mission 3. Learning more about our Faith 4. Growing in Virtue 5. Fellowship & Relationships
Mari Cleveland from St. Jude and John Gordon, Craig Wesemeyer, and Jeff Showalter from St. Peter Chanel
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.”
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”
Jackie Mulligan, Chief Eucharistic Officer and foundress of Reform Wellness
Jackie Mulligan shares her personal, Holy-Spirit led journey to found a Christ-centered functional health and holistic wellness ministry. Taking up her older sister’s challenge to practice a DAILY holy hour, Jackie found her life, her career, and her vision transformed, and as she discovered “wholeness and holiness are for everyone.” Join us for this beautiful conversation in which Jackie encourages us to practice obedience, simplicity, and consistency as we rely on peace, faith, and trust in the Lord.
Resources
- Reform’s highly-recommended foundational twelve-week online class: Reform Online. This class offers education and best practices through their nine wellness pillars: faith, nutrition, sleep, stress management, functional movement, play, community, personal growth, and space. Through Reform Online you’ll reclaim your health and identity in Christ. Use the code HOLYFAMILY for a discount on two or more Reform Online registrations. You can register here.
- Learn more about Reform: Reform Event Calendar and Reform In the News
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
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Free digital downloads available on Jordan’s websites: www.DoTheHarderThing.com
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Christian treatment and healing for those damaged by pornography and other forms of sexual addiction: Bethesda Workshops
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Software accountability tools designed to help you and those you love live free from pornography: Covenant Eyes
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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
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Blogs, podcasts, and videos for spiritual direction through an apostolate of the Avila Foundation.
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Spiritual education and formation from the Avila Institute
Scripture References
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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.”
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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.”
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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.”
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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.”
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Hebrews 12:4 - “In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.”
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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…”
Ben Baron, Janice Givens, and John Henry Spann talk about The Quest’s new show for young adults
Ben Baron, Janice Givens, and John Henry Spann - all from the Archdiocese of Atlanta - talk about The Quest’s new locally-produced show for young adults, by young adults, and with young adults called Honest To God! Each Saturday from 4 p.m.-5 p.m. and streaming anytime via YouTube and anywhere you get your podcasts, you can join an energetic and Holy Spirit filled panel of Catholic young adults while they discuss anything from Disney Movies to finding Mr. or Miss Right! To offer show ideas, inquire about being a panelist, or learn more, reach out to them at: youngadults@thequestatlanta.com. You can also find information about Honest To God on The Quest website.
Guests: Catholic school parents from Archdiocese of Atlanta
Are you curious about why you should send your children to Catholic school? Listen in as numerous parents share their experiences with a variety of types of Catholic schools. We even get to hear from a recent graduate about how her Catholic school experiences are making a difference in her life during her college journey.
Craig, John, and Mari share some of their favorite interviews of 2022
Join John, Craig, and Mari as they comment on some of their favorite interviews of 2022. Relive the fun and recall the wisdom of The Family Room guests!
Co-hosts Craig, John, and Mari with surprise guest, The Quest’s producer, Dave Savage
Craig, John, and Mari share intimately about what God did in their lives in 2022 and how He informed how they walk into 2023. Surprise guest, our producer Dave, shares his thoughts as well!
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
- 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
Evan Lemoine discusses the impact of Saint John Paul II’s Theology of the Body
Evan Lemoine discusses the impact Saint John Paul II’s Theology of the Body had on his life and the lives of those that he and his wife minister to throughout Latin America. During a time when identity, sexuality, and happiness are hot topics, the wisdom and prescient teaching of Saint John Paul II provide clarity and hope.
Resources
- http://www.amaralmaximo.com
- Good News About Sex and Marriage by Christopher West
Scripture
“Find your delight in the LORD who will give you your heart’s desire.” Psalm 37:4
Evan Lemoine
Evan Lemoine, born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, an expert on John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, was drawn to Mexico in 2004 to discern a possible vocation to the consecrated life. As a missionary there, he began to teach the Theology of the Body full time around the country and throughout the Spanish-speaking world. After 8 years of vocational discernment, he found his call to marriage, and boarded a plane to Philadelphia to continue his formation in the Theology of the Body Institute, and there, in the Philadelphia Airport, met his wife, María Fernanda Gómez Solórzano. Both Evan and his wife shared the calling to dedicate their lives to studying and spreading the Theology of the Body throughout the world, and together founded the Amar al Máximo Institute in 2013.
Evan has been studying the Theology of the Body since 2002, when this deep and transformative teaching on human love and sexuality changed his life forever. He is a graduate in the Masters Program on Marriage and Family in the John Paul II Institute in Mexico City, where he was later a post-grad professor. He is also a graduate from the Theology of the Body Institute in Philadelphia, where he has specialized on the vision and teachings of John Paul II. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts from Louisiana State University with a Minor in Psychology, and a Masters in Humanities from the Anahuac University in Mexico City. He has worked for the past 14 years working with youth and adults in Mexico and throughout the Spanish-speaking world, having given thousands of conferences and courses in local, regional and national events. He was a keynote speaker for the Spanish track at the past two Theology of the Body Congresses. He has given the Spanish track alongside Christopher West on several occasions with the COR Project. He is presently teaching an online Theology of the Body course in Spanish through the University of Dallas and is the founder and main Speaker of the Theology of the Body Specialization Program in Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico. He has a compelling ability to reach the heart of his audiences and bring the elevated teachings of John Paul II down to Earth and apply them to the daily life of both youth and adults. He is not only bilingual (Spanish and English) but also bi-cultural, thanks to his upbringing in Louisiana and his 14 years living in Mexico.
Jason Evert, apologist, speaker, and author
Jason Evert has spoken to more than one million people about the virtue of chastity. He is a best-selling author of more than ten books, including “Theology of the Body for Teens,” and “How to Find Your Soulmate without Losing Your Soul.” Jason earned a master’s degree in theology, as well as undergraduate degrees in counseling and theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville. He is a frequent guest on radio programs and his television appearances include Fox News, the BBC, MSNBC, and EWTN. Jason and his wife Crystalina live in Denver with their children.
Anna is a clinical social worker in practice since 2006 in the Atlanta area.
She has worked in several different settings including residential mental health, private practice, and substance abuse work. In particular, her clinical experience as a cognitive behavioral therapist with convicted sexual offenders propelled her to pen her debut book, Duck Duck Groom: Understanding How a Child Becomes a Target.
As a clinician, Anna saw firsthand, not only why but more importantly, how families and children are groomed. Grooming, the obligatory process of building trust to earn access to a potential victim, is intentional, gradual, and observable. This revelation was only fully understood after Anna had a family of her own.
As the mother to five children, Anna witnessed her own children in setting after setting where she had to evaluate the potential risks of adults and minors. Her book, Duck Duck Groom, is the manual for parents of young children who want to learn how to protect them from a potential groomer.
Anna Sonoda now provides consultation for individuals, communities, and agencies exploring how to handle grooming proactively in order to interrupt the process and protect our most vulnerable, our children.
Favorite Prayer: St Patrick’s Breastplate (Abbreviated Extracts)
Resources
- Find additional resources here, including signs of abuse www.duckduckgroom.com
Questions for Caregivers
In addition to completing a background check, reference checks and follow through, and basic information, such as address, school, phone number, social security number, and date of birth, use the questions below to get you started in your in-person interview of the candidate. You may not need all questions, but directly addressing these topics will strengthen your decision when hiring caregivers.
- What draws you to work with children?
- What are your strengths in working with children?
- What are your biggest challenges when working with children?
- What situations are most difficult?
- How do you discipline a misbehaving child?
- How do you handle your device when in the presence of children?
- Photo or video taking and sharing?
- Are children permitted to use or watch along with you on your device?
- How would you handle a child who shares they are being abused by a family member or friend?
- How do you handle private spaces for bathing or toileting?
- What is your expectation when washing, dressing, or toileting my child?
- How would you handle a child who is touching themselves on their genitals in your presence?
- What are your thoughts about having guests over while you’re babysitting? Share with me a circumstance where you’ve had to withhold information from a child’s parent?
- Tell me about any circumstance where you had a secret with a child you cared for?
- Please describe a time when babysitting did not go well. Why?
- Looking back, what could you have done to improve the outcome?
Source: Duck Duck Groom: Understanding How a Child Becomes a Target
Fr. John Bartunek, LC, S.Th.D
Fr. John Bartunek received his BA in History from Stanford University in 1990. He comes from an evangelical Christian background and became a member of the Catholic Church in 1991.
After college he worked as a high school history teacher, drama director, and baseball coach. He then spent a year as a professional actor in Chicago before entering the religious Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ in 1993. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 2003 and earned his doctorate in moral theology in 2010. He has taught moral theology at various ecclesiastical institutions at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.
He provided spiritual support on the set of Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ while researching the 2005 Catholic best seller, Inside the Passion, the only authorized, behind-the-scenes explanation of the film.
Fr. John has contributed news commentary regarding religious issues on NBC, CNN, Fox, and the BBC. He also served as the English-language press liaison for the Vatican¹s 2005 Synod of Bishops on the Eucharist.
His most widely known books are “The Better Part: A Christ-Centered Resource for Personal Prayer” and “60 Days to Becoming a Missionary Disciple“.
In 2016 he published a series of meditation books delving into the spiritual values behind the natural world: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter Meditations. A compilation of his many online answers to questions about the spiritual life was published in book form called, Answers: Catholic Advice for Your Spiritual Questions. Dynamic Catholic approached him to write a book on prayer in 2017 called, A Quiet Place: How Daily Prayer Can Change Your Life.
His most recent book is Spiritual But Not Religious; The Search for Meaning in a Material World.
He has also written three Regnum Christi Essays: “Sharpening Your Tongue: An RC Essay on Charity in Our Words”, “What Is Regnum Christi? An RC Essay the Statutes of the Regnum Christi Federation and the Rule of Life for Lay Members”, and “Our Formation Pathway: An RC Essay on Integral Formation and the Journey to Christian Maturity.”
His series of Do-It-Yourself online Catholic Retreat Guides are available in multiple formats at RCSpirituality.org.
Fr. John currently resides in Atlanta, where he is serving as a member of the Legionary Territorial Council.
Quoted from: Fr. John Bartunek’s Bio
Join John, Craig and Mari as they get personal while reflecting on Advent and Christmas!
Kathy Powell, a passionate nonprofit and faith-based communications professional
Join us as we speak with Kathy Powell on how to walk through grief with Jesus. Kathy shares her personal story of miscarriage and the healing ways to address grief. Kathy, a big-picture thinker, lives in Roswell, Georgia, with her husband Kent and three children. When not brainstorming up new ways to push Becky out of her comfort zone, Kathy spends her free time reminding her kids to use their inside voices, cooking without recipes, and walking with families who have lost a child due to miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss.
Join Kathy for Praying with Jesus During Advent: Receiving Light in the Darkness a live virtual Evening of Reflection on Thursday, December 1.
If you like the Examen of a Day of Crisis, we invite you to visit the Guided Audio Ignatian Prayer Library (beckyeldredge.com/guided-audio), made possible through the Ignatian Media Lab, a program of the Jesuit Conference of the US & Canada. With over 30 guided audio prayers, including an extended recording of Kathy’s Examen of the Day of Crisis (Beldredge98 – Examen-of-a-day-of-crisis). This is a free resource for your personal prayer and one you can share with others.
More from Kathy & Becky Eldredge, LLC / Ignatian Ministries:
- Article by Kathy on CatholicMom.com: Grieving a Miscarriage with Christ: https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/grieving-a-miscarriage-with-christ
- Praying When Its Hard: Series on the Into the Deep Blog: beckyeldredge.com/tag/praying-when-its-hard/
- Women and Men for Others: Using My Pain to Serve Grieving Families - More of Kathy’s story posted on the Into the Deep blog: beckyeldredge.com/women-and-men-fo…ers-all-embrace/
- Prayer resources from Becky Eldredge: beckyeldredge.com/Resources/
All Embrace, Inc is a local Atlanta organization that serves families who have lost a child due to miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death. Visit https://www.facebook.com/allembrace for more information.
Lisa Wheeler, president of Carmel Communications
Lisa Wheeler talks about living out the Gospel message through foster parenting and adoption.
Resources
- Springs of Love: Our mission is to encourage, educate, and equip Catholics to discern and live out the call to foster and adopt.
Lisa Wheeler talks about living out the Gospel message through foster parenting and adoption.
Becky Eldredge, Ignatian-trained spiritual director
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
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Becky’s website
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Guided Audio Reflection: Examen for Couples
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Praying the Examen as a Family
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Living Intentionally: OnDemand Virtual Retreat on Inviting God into Your Planning & Goal-Setting
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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
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Creating a Spiritual Plan
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We Are Christ’s Presence 3 Minute Retreat (Being Christ’s Presence in the World through Marriage)
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Family Life: Concrete Gestures of Holiness
Key Scripture
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Prayerfully read: Psalm 46
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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.”
Heather Triggs of the DeSales Secular Institute
There is a sense that all Christians are called to consecrate every aspect of their lives (family, work, leisure) 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
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Delve into the Church’s teaching on the consecrated life: Vita Consecrata
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Inspiring books recommended in this episode are The Fulfillment of All Desire and Introduction to the Devout Life
Key Scripture
Randy Hain, 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
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Randy Hain’s latest book, Essential Wisdom for Leaders of Every Generation, and information about his other books
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Randy Hain is Founder and President of Serviam Partners and Co-founder of Integrated Catholic Life
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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, 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
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Services, including mentoring, offered by Zenith Ministries
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Sign up today for the free e-book, Seven Steps to Overcome Addiction
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Zenith Ministries podcast
Key Scripture
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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.”
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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
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Be inspired by this article, “‘Pure Fashion’ Spurs Rousing Revolution of Modesty,” in The Georgia Bulletin
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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
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Learn about the story of the mission and philosophy of Holy Family Counseling Center (HFCC)
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Books, retreats, and resources recommended by the clinicians at HFCC
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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
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The 5 love Languages website
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Learn more about Helen Berry Andelin and Fascinating Womanhood
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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
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A wealth of resources for creating parish-based faith formation at FORMED by the Augustine Institute
Key Scripture
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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.”
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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
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Recommended books, including those by Dan Burke
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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
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Dr. Ralph Martin’s book, A Church in Crisis: Pathways Forward, is available on Renewal Ministries’ website.
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The Choices We Face began in 1985 and is currently the longest-running Catholic television program in the world.
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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
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The Bible Christian Society: https://www.biblechristiansociety.com/about_us
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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
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Contact link to have John speak at an event: https://catholicspeakers.com/profiles/john-martignoni
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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
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Listening for God: Silence Practice for Little Ones by Katie Warner, illustrated by Amy Rodriguez: http://katiewarner.com/product/listening-for-god
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Head and Heart: Becoming Spiritual Leaders for Your Family by Katie Warner: http://katiewarner.com/product/head-heart-becoming-spiritual-leaders-for-your-family
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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
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Katie’s website: http://katiewarner.com/
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Recommended books and tools for building a Catholic culture at home: https://www.amazon.com/shop/influencer-3fdea609
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“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
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John Paul II Healing Center: Transformation in the Heart of the Church: https://jpiihealingcenter.org/
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Dr. Schuchts’ book, Be Devoted: Restoring Friendship, Passion, and Communion in Your Marriage: https://jpiihealingcenter.org/product/be-devoted-dr-bob-schuchts/
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Restore the Glory podcast: https://www.restoretheglorypodcast.com/
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Upcoming events at the JPII Healing Center: https://jpiihealingcenter.org/events/
Key Scripture
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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
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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
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Free digital downloads available on Jordan’s websites: www.DoTheHarderThing.com
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Christian treatment and healing for those damaged by pornography and other forms of sexual addiction: Bethesda Workshops
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Software accountability tools designed to help you and those you love live free from pornography: Covenant Eyes
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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
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Blogs, podcasts, and videos for spiritual direction through an apostolate of the Avila Foundation.
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Spiritual education and formation from the Avila Institute
Scripture References
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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.”
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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.”
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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.”
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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.”
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Hebrews 12:4 - “In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.”
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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
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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.”
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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
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Be inspired by this article, “‘Pure Fashion’ Spurs Rousing Revolution of Modesty,” in The Georgia Bulletin
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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
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Mari inspires us to reflect on Terry Polakovic’s book, Women of Hope: Doctors of the Church
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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
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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.”
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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
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Learn about the story of the mission and philosophy of Holy Family Counseling Center (HFCC)
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Books, retreats, and resources recommended by the clinicians at HFCC
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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
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Enjoy connecting with Robert W. Ross’s books and characters on his Patreon page
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Robert’s print and audiobook series on Amazon
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Robert’s Facebook page
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One Heart that Beats for Two, by Robert W. Ross, released at the end of 2021
Key Scripture
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Romans 8:28, “We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”
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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
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A beautiful video and information on the book, God is Beauty: A Retreat on the Gospel and Art
Key Scripture
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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.”
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Mark 7:34, “then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, ‘Ephphatha!’ (that is, ‘Be opened!’)”
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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
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Becky’s website
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Guided Audio Reflection: Examen for Couples
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Praying the Examen as a Family
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Living Intentionally: OnDemand Virtual Retreat on Inviting God into Your Planning & Goal-Setting
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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
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Creating a Spiritual Plan
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We Are Christ’s Presence 3 Minute Retreat (Being Christ’s Presence in the World through Marriage)
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Family Life: Concrete Gestures of Holiness
Key Scripture
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Prayerfully read: Psalm 46
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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
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Join Kristine Bruce and others in praying the rosary every Wednesday for prodigals
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The rosary is a spiritual weapon. Read Father Calloway’s book, Champions of the Rosary: The History and Heroes of a Spiritual Weapon
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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.
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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
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Revised edition of Christopher West’s Theology of the Body for Beginners: A Basic Introduction to St. John Paul II’s Sexual Revolution
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Studies, courses, and events from the Theology of the Body Institute
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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
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For K-12 Theology of the Body Curricula, Christopher recommends Ruah Woods Press
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St. John Paul II’s “Letter to Families”, a perennial inspiration to all persons
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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
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Ephesians, chapters 5 and 6: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ephesians/0
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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
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Father Martin’s Wired to Love podcast
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The book Reclaiming Love: Connecting the Head and the Heart, by Father Martin and more tools to reclaim authe ntic love
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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
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Delve into the Church’s teaching on the consecrated life: Vita Consecrata
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Inspiring books recommended in this episode are The Fulfillment of All Desire and Introduction to the Devout Life
Key Scripture
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
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Proverbs 31:30: “Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting; the woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”
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Psalm 37:4: “Find your delight in the Lord who will give you your heart’s desire.”
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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
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Randy Hain’s latest book, Essential Wisdom for Leaders of Every Generation, and information about his other books
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Randy Hain is Founder and President of Serviam Partners and Co-founder of Integrated Catholic Life
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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
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Services, including mentoring, offered by Zenith Ministries
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Sign up today for the free e-book, Seven Steps to Overcome Addiction
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Zenith Ministries podcast
Key Scripture
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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.”
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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
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The 5 love Languages website
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Learn more about Helen Berry Andelin and Fascinating Womanhood
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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
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A wealth of resources for creating parish-based faith formation at FORMED by the Augustine Institute
Key Scripture
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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.”
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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
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Recommended books, including those by Dan Burke
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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
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The music and story of the Regnum Christi Music Collective
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Website and spirituality of Father John’s congregation of priests, the Legionaries of Christ (LC)
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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
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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/
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Schuchts’ book, Be Devoted: Restoring Friendship, Passion and Communion in your Marriage: https://jpiihealingcenter.org/product/be-devoted-dr-bob-schuchts/
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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
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A link to The Litany of Humility: https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/litany-of-humility-245
Key Scripture
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Matthew 6: 25-34: “…do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.”
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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
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Dr. Ralph Martin’s book, A Church in Crisis: Pathways Forward, is available on Renewal Ministries’ website.
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The Choices We Face began in 1985 and is currently the longest-running Catholic television program in the world.
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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
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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/
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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
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The Bible Christian Society: https://www.biblechristiansociety.com/about_us
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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
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Contact link to have John speak at an event: https://catholicspeakers.com/profiles/john-martignoni
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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
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Listening for God: Silence Practice for Little Ones by Katie Warner, illustrated by Amy Rodriguez: http://katiewarner.com/product/listening-for-god
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Head and Heart: Becoming Spiritual Leaders for Your Family by Katie Warner: http://katiewarner.com/product/head-heart-becoming-spiritual-leaders-for-your-family
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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
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Katie’s website: http://katiewarner.com/
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Recommended books and tools for building a Catholic culture at home: https://www.amazon.com/shop/influencer-3fdea609
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“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
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Key Scripture: Ephesians, chapters 5 and 6.
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Chapter 3 of Genesis: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/genesis/3
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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
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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
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John Paul II Healing Center: Transformation in the Heart of the Church: https://jpiihealingcenter.org/
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Dr. Schuchts’ book, Be Devoted: Restoring Friendship, Passion, and Communion in Your Marriage: https://jpiihealingcenter.org/product/be-devoted-dr-bob-schuchts/
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Restore the Glory podcast: https://www.restoretheglorypodcast.com/
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Upcoming events at the JPII Healing Center: https://jpiihealingcenter.org/events/
Key Scripture
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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
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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
- 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).
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
