How do we care for the marginalized?

June 4, 2021 by Leave a Comment
A Production of the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network.

A new book

Love and Care for the Marginalized, 40 Meditations, Spiritual Outreach Reflections for Catholics by Anne DeSantis is about learning to be kind and loving disciples of Jesus. That’s it. These meditations include a quote, a reflection, a prayer and a call to action. It is not enough to know what we are called to do, but that we act as Christians.

Who is quoted?

Scriptures, saints, and world leaders all have a place in learning to listen, love and care for those in our daily life. This is not about searching for the marginalized, but rather seeing them right in front of you.

What is needed today?

Active, compassionate listening. Treating the people we encounter as Jesus did and would. Caring about others. Living out the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

About Anne and her new book

Learn more about Anne at her website, You can check out her new book, published by Charis Books and now available for purchase!

This week, when you are interrupted, stop what you’re doing and be present, listening with your heart to what the other wants you to hear.

 

 

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Meet Lara Patangan, author of Simple Mercies

May 28, 2021 by 2 Comments
A Production of the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network.

What did you do when you turned 40?

Lara Patangan wanted to mark the milestone with a year of mercy. She decided to embrace the corporal and spiritual works of mercy by doing them all year long. And what began as an experiment of sorts became a turning point in her faith life.

What are works of mercy?

Without writing a theological treatise, it is a set of Corporal (related to the body) and Spiritual (related to the soul) works that the Catholic Church asks us to do in our daily lives. They are based on Matthew 25. Some examples are: feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the imprisoned, bury the dead and comfort the sorrowful.

What did Lara learn?

God is a giver of extravagant mercy and he really, really loves us all. At times, our service to others may seem mundane, but it all matters and makes a difference.

Her book, Simple Mercies: How the Works of Mercy bring Peace and Fulfilment published by Our Sunday Visitor is meant to inspire and encourage others to live out their faith every day by sharing God’s mercy with the people we encounter.

Lara suggests we practice giving one act of mercy towards someone else today and receiving one act of mercy from someone else today.

Follow Lara Patagan on Facebook, Instagram, and go to her website to download a free study guide for her book.

 

 

 

 

 

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Whisper: Finding God in the Everyday

April 23, 2021 by Leave a Comment
A Production of the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network.

Meet Danielle

Danielle Bean is brand manager at CatholicMom.com, an apostolate of Holy Cross Family Ministries. She is creator and host of the Girlfriends podcast and co-host of The Gist on CatholicTV. Danielle is also author of several books including Momnipotent, You Are Enough, and Giving Thanks and Letting Go. She is a retreat leader and a popular speaker on a variety of subjects related to Catholic family life, education, marriage, and motherhood. Danielle has been married to her husband Dan for 26 years and together they have 8 children.

A New Book

Whisper: Finding God in the Everyday by Danielle Bean is from Ascension Press. This book reminds us that God is with us in all that we do each day. This book is not for women only, it speaks to all of those who are on a journey of faith.

Two favorite parts of the book are the scripture verses for each chapter that you can pray with and ponder. There are also prayers included from the rich treasures of our faith, prayers from saints such as Ignatius and Augustine as well as current prayers, such as the Litany of Trust from the Sisiters of Life.

Where you can find Whisper and Danielle

Pre-order Whisper and get the Companion Journal!

DanielleBean.com

Catholicmom.com

Twitter: @DanielleBean

Instagram: @daniellebean

Spend time this week recalling when you have seen God in your life. Write down those times and when we feel alone, go back and be reminded that God is always with you!

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Meet Bishop William Byrne

February 5, 2021 by Leave a Comment
A Production of the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network.

It was an honor and a pleasure to speak with Bishop Byrne about his priesthood, new appointment as Bishop of Springfield, MA and his new book.

Things to know about Bishop Byrne

He grew up in Washington, D.C. , the youngest of 8 children. When he told his parents his parents he wanted to become a priest his mother encouraged him to work first before entering seminary because she didn’t want a son who “was” a priest. He listened to his mom and taught at school for a time. The call to the priesthood remained though and he responded. He was ordained a priest in 1994. In October of 2020 he received a phone call with the news that Pope Francis had appointed him Bishop. He was ordained and installed as the 10th Bishop of Springfield in December 2020 by Cardinal Sean O’Malley.

How did he come to write a book?

Bishop Byrne’s book, 5 Things with Father Bill: Hope, Humor, and Help for the Soul , published by Loyola Press came out of a video series he did when he was in the Washington D.C. diocese. The series is on YouTube; the videos are short, but have meaningful content.

The book is similar, 50 short chapter, no more than a few pages each with topic ranging from dogs to blessing to gifts to every day life. After a short introduction, Bishop Byrne gives 5 things that can do, pray, think, change that will help in your faith life. All very relatable and helpful.

This was a fun interview and I hope you enjoy it. Follow Bishop Byrne on Instagram. 

For our challenge this week consider writing your own list of 5 things about your faith that you are passionate about. I’ll share mine in the next episode.

Sign up for my scripture reflection or monthly newsletter and get a sample chapter of my bible study.

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Becoming Holy, One Virtue at a Time

January 3, 2020 by Leave a Comment
A Production of the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network.

Deep down, I think we all long for holiness – yet it seems unattainable or at least, very difficult. But Sara Estabrooks has given us guidance in the form of a new bible study that is part of the series of the Stay Connected Journals published by Our Sunday Visitor.

Sara and I spoke about how she came to study the virtues and the impact it has on her daily life. She began studying about virtues after her marriage when she realized that marriage did not automatically make her holy. She then read The Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales and realized that while she intellectually understood the virtues, she was not necessarily practicing them in her daily life. Her study takes a look at the 3 theological virtues – faith, hope and love, and the 4 cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, temperance and fortitude.grow in virtue

The cardinal virtues are the basis for all the virtues in life and help us become holy because we are all called to be holy! Sara also talked about how we don’t get the virtue and then we are done. We are called to continuously grow in each virtue so that we embrace our call to holiness.

The book itself has 7 chapters and each chapter can easily be done with a small group in an hour and a half, making it ideal for group study. If you preorder, Sara has some beautiful prints you can download as her gift to you.

If you are looking for a bible study to start the year with, take a look at Becoming Holy, One Virtue at a Time!

You can learn more about Sara and her work at To Jesus, Sincerely, Facebook and Instagram.

You can order her book and get your pre-order gifts here.

the not lukewarm challenge

 

 

Choose a virtue this week and focus on practicing it each day.

 

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Don’t Forget to Say Thank You by Lindsay Schlegel 

December 13, 2019 by Leave a Comment
A Production of the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network.

A book review and interview with Lindsay Schlegel, author of Don’t Forget to Say Thank You: And Other Parenting Lessons That Brought Me Closer to God. 

I’m sure many of us can say “don’t forget” is a common refrain we say to ourselves and others, parents or not. Our vocation is holinessLindsay Schlegel talks about how she came to realize that the things she was repeatably saying to her children were probably many of the same things God was or could be saying to her. This book brings home that point that often, in the spiritual life, we are very much like the children or people in our lives who need reminding to do what needs to be done. Of course, we often fail to see our own flaws while being quick to see others. As I read the book and then talked with Lindsay all of that was refreshed in mind. In fact, I often tell people when I speak, either in person or on this podcast, that what I am saying to you is what I need to hear for myself!

What is our Vocation?

Lindsay brings out the point that God calls us to holiness through our vocation. And our vocation is not the same as our job or career. Our vocation is how we live out our life. Marriage, parenthood, ministry – are all examples of a vocation. Our vocation is our path to holiness and becoming holy is a life-long process. I love Lindsay’s comment, “Be the hands and feet you need to be.” That is really the path to holiness, isn’t it?

Learn more about the book and Lindsay

This would be a great book for moms. Each chapter is short and concise, with a prayer, questions for reflection and a saint to call on for that particular topic. And while I read the book in order, each chapter is self-contained so you could read whatever chapter matched the area in need of support for you at that moment.

You can order the book at Ave Maris Press. There is also a free guide to download for book groups. You can learn more about Lindsay on her website, and follow her on Facebook or Instagram.

 

the not lukewarm challengeThis week, let’s mind our manners! No matter if we are rushed or tired or overworked – do your best to be your best. Good manners cost us nothing but can go a long way in helping other people enjoy our presence, even if it’s just those minutes checking out at the supermarket or grabbing your to-go order at a restaurant. People are often starved for kindness and appreciation, so spread some cheer, no matter what season and mind your manners!

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