S09 E13: This Present Paradise Part 6: An Interview with Claire Dwyer
In this episode, we conclude our six-part Lenten series on the book “This Present Paradise” by Claire Dwyer. Claire joins us as we discuss the hidden way St. Elizabeth of the Trinity chooses us and draws us closer to God. We chat about St. Elizabeth’s delayed canonization and her prophetic messages: the call to love and be loved, the universal call to holiness, and God’s desire for deep intimacy that moves us to union and receptivity to the Holy Spirit. Thank you for joining us on the journey this Lent!
Read More
S09 E12: This Present Paradise Part 5: Let Love In
In this episode, we continue with part five of our six-part Lenten series on the book “This Present Paradise” by Claire Dwyer. We discuss the power of small acts of love that serve as the true measure of feminine strength. We expand on the idea of humility, vulnerability and the hidden life as they relate to the inner cloister. We also chat about our call to spiritual maternity especially in the invitation to pray for priests. We hope you can join us next week for the conclusion of our series as we are joined by Claire Dwyer for our final discussion.
Read More
S09 E11: This Present Paradise Part 4: The World Within
In this episode, we continue with part four of our six-part Lenten series on the book “This Present Paradise” by Claire Dwyer. We discuss our experiences of peace and home felt at ‘thin places’ like monasteries and convents and how God desires for us to experience this within our souls’ inner cloister. We chat about the maturation of love over time in our relationship with God and the helpfulness of a rule of life to anchor our daily decisions in rightly ordered love. We pray that as your journey through this Lent, you may respond to God’s desire for you and experience greater union with him.
Read More
S09 E10: This Present Paradise Part 3: Redeeming and Declaring
In this episode, we dive into part three of our six-part Lenten series on the book “This Present Paradise” by Claire Dwyer. We chat about the importance of silence in a noisy, distracting world and how God is always present to us. We discuss the truth that God knows us by name, that we are always before him, and that He desires to restore what the enemy has stolen. We also talk about St. Elizabeth’s motto of ‘God in me and I in him’ and reflect on our own life mottos. We pray you may live a presence driven life this Lent and we will continue our journey with St. Elizabeth next week!
Read More
S09 E09: This Present Paradise Part 2: Abiding in Family
In this episode, we continue our six-part Lenten series on the book “This Present Paradise” by Claire Dwyer. We discuss the complementarity of vocations to marriage and religious life and our universal vocation to love. We talk about St. Elizabeth’s relationship with the Virgin Mary and the beauty of entrusting ourselves to her in times of waiting or suffering. We also chat about sacred spaces where God makes His presence known to us sacramentally, in nature, in one another and even in the mundane of our everyday lives. We pray this Lent has been a blessing to you and we will continue our discussion next week!
Read More
S09 E08: This Present Paradise Part 1: Dwelling in the Spirit
In this episode, we begin a six-part Lenten series on the book “This Present Paradise” by Claire Dwyer. We discuss the sufferings in the early life of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, the humbling moments of parenthood and surrendering your giftedness to be refined by God and used for his glory. We chat about the “little way” of recognizing the Trinity in our everyday lives and how often our woundedness and our glory lie side by side. We are excited to continue this journey with St. Elizabeth of the Trinity and you next week!
Read More
In the School of the Holy Spirit Part 3: Chapter Three and Conclusion (S07 E22)
In this episode we wrap up Part 3 of our book study on Fr. Jacques Philippe’s book In the School of the Holy Spirit. We discuss how to discern between the voice of the Lord and our own voice or the enemy’s voice. We also talk about practical tools for wielding the sword of truth as well as discernment in vocation, ministry, and life.
Read More
In the School of the Holy Spirit Part 2: Chapter Two (S07 E21)
In this episode we continue the 2nd part of our book study on Fr. Jacques Philippe’s In the School of the Holy Spirit. We discuss the practical elements of fostering an environment where the Holy Spirit can inspire and direct us. We also talk about inviting the Holy Spirit to speak the truth into false narratives we believe and to baptize our thought processes.
Read More
The Return of the Prodigal Son Book Study Part 6: Epilogue: Living the Painting (S07 E11)
In this episode we finish up our 6 part series on the book The Return of the Prodigal Son and talk about “Living the Painting”. We talk about how much of our healing happens in the context of community and relationship. We also discuss the process of bringing home parts of ourselves that live far away from God. Each of us have places that need to be welcomed home and as we heal, we are able to offer a home coming to the lost places in others.
Read More
The Return of the Prodigal Son Book Study Part 5: Becoming the Father (S07 E10)
In this episode, we continue with Part 5 of our book study on The Return of the Prodigal Son and discuss “Becoming the Father”. Many of us have heard the invitation to live as daughters and sons of God, but most of us haven’t heard the invitation to become the father/mother. We will always be children of God, but we are simultaneously invited to mature into becoming a spiritual mother and father, providing, comforting, nurturing others in selfless ways. We also discuss how God wants to heal our idea of who He is and the places we didn’t get what we need so that we can be a more pure example of His love for others.
Read More
The Return of the Prodigal Son Book Study Part 4: The Father (S07 E09)
In this episode, we continue with Part 4 of our book study on The Return of the Prodigal Son and talk about God the Father. We discuss the failure of earthly and spiritual fathers and how God wants to restore our understanding of His fatherhood. We also talk about the mercy of the Father, the invitation to receive His blessing, and how the Father's heart burns for us to come home to Him.
Read More
The Return of the Prodigal Son Book Study Part 3: The Elder Son (S07 E08)
In this episode we continue with Part 3, "The Elder Son", from our book study on The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen. We discuss how the elder son is also lost and in need of a homecoming because in his heart, he too is far away from the father. The struggles of the elder son are within all of us when we compare, feel like we are owed something, consider ourselves worthy because of our religious actions or adherence to the rules, and when we resist the loving embrace of God the Father.
Read More
The Return of the Prodigal Son Book Study Part 2: The Younger Son (S07 E07)
In this episode we continue with Part 2 of our book study on The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen. We talk about the places within ourselves that, like the younger son, are living in a distant land, far from the love of God the Father. We discuss how often we search for unconditional love outside of God and are left heartbroken. We long to hear His voice speak healing to our souls that we are His beloved on whom His favor rests.
Read More
The Return of the Prodigal Son Book Study Part 1: The Story of Two Sons and Their Father (S07 E06)
In this episode, we kick off our 6-part Lenten book study on The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen, beginning with the Prologue and Introduction. We chat about our identity as children of God, the mercy of the Father, and how God uses art and beauty to speak to us. We explore the idea of home and a homecoming, which speaks of our deep desire for heaven. We also talk about how often fear and self protection keeps us from experiencing the healing love of the Father.
Read More
S06 E16: The Good News (Advent Series: Part 4)
In this episode, the fourth part of our Advent series, we interview our friend Sarah Kaczmarek. Sarah is the Assistant Director of Alpha Catholic USA, as well as the Pastoral Director of Encounter School of Ministry. We chat about the call we have as Catholics to share the Good News of the Gospel and the stumbling blocks we often run into. We also discuss how essential it is to be an authentic witness and how to grow in having the Father's heart for the lost.
Read More
S06 E15: He’s in the Waiting (Advent Series: Part 3)
In this episode, the third part of our Advent series, we interview our friend Beth Davis from Blessed is She. We talk about the theme of having hope in seasons of waiting, trusting God when we can't see what He's up to, and being transformed by the renewal of our minds.
Read More
S06 E14: Making Room for Others (Advent Series: Part 2)
In the second part of our Advent series, we interview Ennie Hickman, our good friend and founder of Del Rey Collective. We talk in depth about what it means to actually love our neighbor and how to make “room at the inn” for strangers and people in the periphery of our lives. We also talk about hospitality and making our hearts ready for guests before making our homes ready.
Read More
S06 E13: The Light Shines in the Darkness (Advent Series: Part 1)
In this episode we have a fascinating interview with Fr. Justin Brady, priest and exorcist. We talk about the battle between the light and the dark and how the enemy attempts to keep us far from God. We often forget that God has won the battle and has given us all that we need through the sacrifice of Jesus and the ministry of the Church to overcome darkness in our lives and experience healing and peace.
Read More
S06 E10: We Are Family: The Holy Spirit
In this episode we wrap up our 3-part series on the Trinity with the Holy Spirit. We talk about how the Holy Spirit is the love between the Father and the Son and is our Advocate and Comforter. We are invited into a dynamic relationship with the Person of the Holy Spirit, Who desires to empower, strengthen, guide, and comfort us in personal ways. We also chat about the invitation to let go of our misconceptions about who the Holy Spirit is so we can experience who He really is. When we give Him full access, like Mary did, we grow in sensitivity to His movements and can operate in the power of God in new ways.
Read More
S06 E09: We Are Family: Jesus
In this episode we talk about Jesus Christ as the one who brings us into intimacy with the Father. We find in him the one to whom our hearts belong, who brings healing and restores hearts. We talk about who Jesus is to us and how to grow in relationship with him.
Read More
