suffering Archives

Speaker Forum- Rise and Walk Conference 2025

June 26, 2026 by radioadmin Leave a Comment

Speaker Forum

In this dynamic panel discussion moderated by Bishop Toups, Catholic leaders and lay speakers share profound insights on living the Gospel authentically, navigating family struggles, and the power of spiritual discernment. The conversation centers on the “squeezed” moments of life—how our true nature as Christians is revealed during times of suffering and pressure.

Key Discussion Points

The “Squeezed” Analogy: Bishop Toups poses a vital question: When life “squeezes” you through suffering or stress, what comes out? Is it the “scent of the Gospel” or something that repels others?
Authentic Witness in the Home: Janice Charbonnet reflects on how children don’t need perfect parents; they need to see parents who respond to suffering with faith, prayer, and a strong sacramental marriage.
The Power of “Normalcy”: Sister Briege McKenna shares humorous stories from her travels, emphasizing that joy, common sense, and being “normal” are often more effective tools for evangelization than formal preaching.
Transform or Remove: Carol Razza introduces a powerful prayer for difficult relationships and situations: “Lord, transform this person/situation, or remove it.” This prayer acknowledges God’s sovereignty in bringing about the best outcome for all involved.
Practical Discernment: The panel discusses how to hear God’s voice—whether through the “illumination” of silence in Adoration or the persistent guidance of the Holy Spirit in daily decisions.

Memorable Quotes

“Perfection is not the goal… what’s more important is how Mom and Dad are responding [to suffering] through the lens of faith.” — Janice Charbonnet

“If you love Jesus and if you have a good sense of humor and common sense, it’s amazing what Jesus can do.” — Sister Briege McKenna

“Take people where they are and bring them along. Love them where they are.” — Bishop Toups

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Filed Under: Magnificat Ministry Podcast, Rise & Walk Conference, Shows, Talks Tagged With: Adoration, authentic witness, Carol Razza, Catholic parenting, Catholic speakers, Christian Podcast, Evangelization, faith in hard times, Holy Spirit, joy, living the Gospel, Magnificat Ministry Podcast, panel discussion, prayer, sacramental marriage, Speaker Forum, spiritual discernment, suffering, Ultimate Christian Podcast Network

Habits of Freedom; Holy Indifference

November 25, 2022 by Deanna Bartalini Leave a Comment

We are continuing our series of Habits of Freedom: 5 Ignatian Tools for Calming Your Mind and Resting in the Lord by Christopher S. Collins, SJ.

God often calls us out of our usual to get our attention. In the scripture, we see him call people to the desert, recall the Israelites in the desert after leaving Egypt and Jesus there for 40 days before he begins his public ministry.

He also uses suffering to draw us closer to him. The desert, suffering – both are ways that we turn and rely more fully on God than in other times.

St. Ignatius teaches us to have a “holy indifference” in that no matter our circumstances, we choose to turn to God.

Discernment

Discernment is an ongoing and daily process. It asks us to look each day at where we have been, what we have done, and where we have encountered God. This is our Examen. A time to reflect on our day, with the help of the Holy Spirit and ask for help for the next day.

Allow your life to be disrupted

Fr. Collins makes this point about how we can be disposed to receive grace: “putting my self into unknown, uncertain, somewhat insecure circumstances has a way of disposing me to receive something greater that I could have expected.” (pg. 10)

It is good to allow our lives to be disrupted for, with and by God. “Allow ourselves to be displaced, decentered. To be opened up to something different. And then to allow the Holy Spirit to move, to act, to allow the Word of God to be spoken and heard by me, by us.” (pg.15)

This week, take some quiet time to think about a time when your life was disrupted. What happened? How was the situation resolved? Where was God in it? What did you learn?

Would you like to banish the lies that hold you back from freedom in Christ? Receive a free guide from me to help!

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Filed Under: Not LukeWarm Podcast Tagged With: desert, discernment, freedom, God, Ignatian, suffering

All Things New: Breaking the Cycle & Raising a Joyful Family

June 18, 2021 by Deanna Bartalini Leave a Comment

A new Book by Erin McCole Cupp

It is always a pleasure to talk to people I have gotten to know from their writing and social media. I’ve read Erin’s blog and known her work for some time. I was excited to learn about her new book, All Things New: Breaking the Cycle & Raising a Joyful Family published by Our Sunday Visitor.

What is the book about?

Through the framework of the Greatest Commandments and the Beatitudes, Erin tells us how we can have a joyful life, even when our own childhood was less than ideal. She draws on her own and other people’s experiences to show how it’s possible.

Erin wants readers to know that they have the freedom to choose a different path and that it’s possible to break the cycle of abuse and dysfunction.