Catholic Momcast: Recent Episodes
Lisa Hendey, Danielle Bean. Allison Gingras
Maria Johnson interviews Lisa Gulino, D. Min, Director of the Peyton Institute For Domestic Church Life.
Dr. Lisa Gulino received her Doctorate in Ministry from the Catholic University of America in Spiritual Formation with emphasis in evangelization and catechesis. She wrote her dissertation on the spiritual and faith formation of the domestic church.
Since 2007 Lisa has served as an adjunct professor at St. Joseph College for both theology and pastoral ministry courses. Her work with the Congregation of Holy Cross began in 2018 as a facilitator and advisor with the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame's STEP Program. And she also serves as a faculty member for the Permanent Diaconate program for the Diocese of Fall River.
Links:
Holy Cross Family Ministries
Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life
Maria Morera Johnson has a heartfelt conversation with her daughter about grandparenting, motherhood, and the impact of the extended family.
In this episode, Maria and her daughter, Vicky, have a heartfelt conversation about the joys of motherhood and grandparenting. They share memories and "mom hacks" that support each other in these beautiful roles.
Links:
Read all articles by Maria Morera Johnson
Maria Johnson welcomes María Ruiz Scaperlanda to Momcast to discuss the upcoming documentary about Blessed Stanley Rother, American Martyr: The Stanley Rother Story.
María Ruiz Scaperlanda is the promoter of the canonization cause for Bl. Stanley Rother. She is also an award-winning Catholic author and journalist whose books have explored the lives of saints, missionaries and other inspiring figures of faith. She is the author of "The Shepherd Who Didn't Run: Blessed Stanley Rother, Martyr from Oklahoma," a widely praised biography of the first American-born priest recognized as a martyr by the Catholic Church. A frequent speaker and commentator, Scaperlanda is known for bringing compelling stories of faith, courage and holiness to a broad audience.
Links:
American Martyr: The Stanley Rother Story
The Shepherd Who Didn't Run: Father Stanley Rother, Martyr from Ohlahoma
Maria Morera Johnson and co-host Kristina Talbot discuss moms making new friends, hobbies, and the spiritual ned for refreshment.
In this episode, Maria and Kristina have a conversation about nurturing themselves through hobbies, spiritual practices, and friendships.
Links:
Read all articles by Kristina Talbot
Maria Morera Johnson and Catholicmom.com contributor Helen Syski share their thoughts (and some hijinks) about summer travel with children.
Helen Syski is co-founder of the Kiss of Mercy Apostolate, a Little Way to heal the world from abortion. A life-long New Englander and Harvard grad, Helen enjoys all four seasons and apple pie with her husband, children, and Labrador retriever. Continue the conversation at AdequateAnthropologist.com.
Links:
- Read all articles by Helen Syski.
Maria Morera Johnson and co-host Kate Taliaferro welcome Sr. Allison Regina Gliot, FSP to discuss her vampire trilogy: In Aeternum and the conclusion of the series, The Dawn We Seek (Pauline Books & Media).
Sister Allison Regina Gliot, FSP, is a member of the Daughters of St. Paul, a community dedicated to evangelization through media. Her work blends a love for fantasy storytelling with her mission to reach Catholic youth where they are, inviting them into deeper faith through powerful narratives.
The Dawn We Seek will be available through Pauline Books & Media beginning July 24, 2026, in print and digital formats.
Links:
- The Dawn We Seek: In Aeternum, Book Three
- About Sister Allison Regina Gliot, FSP
- paulinestore.com
- Read all articles by Kate Taliaferro
In this episode, Maria and Kristina have a conversation about summer plans in a family with a wide spread of ages.
Links:
Kristina Talbot's Original Article: Helping Teens Explore What's Right with Them
Our Ladies Show is an uplifting sketch comedy series that explores inspirational topics with cast members Christin Jezak (Miracle at Manchester, Raising Hope, Jimmy KimmelLive!), Hillary Hawkins (Primal, Nick Jr.'s Play Along, Gulah, Gulah Island), and Sarah Hernandez (Nefarious, Unplanned, House of Payne). The series features 7-episodes with topics that resonate with women of all walks of life. Themes include: holdinggrudges, comparison, beauty, patience, gift giving, the importance of community, and dealing with anxiety.
Links in Show: * www.ourladiesshow.com * https://youtu.be/2VdRHqUr4q4
Maria Johnson and Inés Mersch discuss the fears and then the surrender to trust.
Inés Huber Mersch is a faithful Catholic wife, mother, and grandmother residing in Mobile, Alabama. Her strong attraction to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament led to her being invited to participate in the steering committee that brought Perpetual Adoration to the Archdiocese of Mobile and continues as one of the schedulers. She has also been a guest writer at Catholic Mom.
Links in Show: * Broken By Me by Inés Huber Mersch * Read all articles by Maria Morera Johnson
Maria Morera Johnson and guest Angela Sealana talk about living life as pilgrims.
Angela Sealana is a Missionary of Hope on the staff of Pilgrim Center of Hope, a Catholic evangelization apostolate founded in 1993 in San Antonio, Texas. Since 2010, Angela has coordinated media and communications for the Center, and she serves on their Speaker Team.
Links for this Episode:
- MotherOfHopeConference.com
Maria Morera Johnson and Elizabeth Tomlin talk about military families and the challenges of moving to new duty stations every few years.
Elizabeth Tomlin is the author of Joyful Momentum: Building and Sustaining Vibrant Women's Groups (Ave Maria Press), General Counsel for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, and director of stewardship for the Military Council of Catholic Women, where she previously served as the president and as director of faith formation. Elizabeth is a catechist and speaker, and blogs at JoyfulMomentum.org.
Read all articles by Elizabeth Tomlin.
Maria Morera Johnson, author of A Beautiful Second Act, My Badass Book of Saints, Super Girls and Halo, and Our Lady of Charity: How a Cuban Devotion to Mary Helped Me Grow in Faith and Love writes about all the things that she loves. A cradle Catholic, she struggles with living in the world but not being of it, and blogs about those successes and failures, too.
Links for this Episode:
- Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA
- Read all articles by Elizabeth Tomlin.
- Read all articles by Maria Morera Johnson.
Allison Gingras (ReconciledToYou.com) considers herself a new media evangelist. Authoring The Handy Little Guide to Novenas (OSV), Encountering Signs of Faith (Ave Maria Press) and the Stay Connected Journals for Catholic Women (Our Sunday Visitor), which includes a new title in 2025, Jesus Heals. Allison is Director of Digital Evangelization for Holy Cross Family Ministries.
Maria Morera Johnson, author of A Beautiful Second Act, My Badass Book of Saints, Super Girls and Halo, and Our Lady of Charity: How a Cuban Devotion to Mary Helped Me Grow in Faith and Love writes about all the things that she loves. A cradle Catholic, she struggles with living in the world but not being of it, and blogs about those successes and failures, too.
Links for this Episode:
- Read all articles by Allison Gingras.
- Read all articles by Maria Morera Johnson.
Maria Johnson and Inés Mersch discuss the challenges and graces of committing to a 54-day novena.
- Inés Huber Mersch is a faithful Catholic wife, mother, and grandmother residing in Mobile, Alabama. Her strong attraction to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament led to her being invited to participate in the steering committee that brought Perpetual Adoration to the Archdiocese of Mobile and continues as one of the schedulers. She has also been a guest writer at Catholic Mom.
Links in Show: + Broken By Me by Inés Huber Mersch + Read all articles by Maria Morera Johnson
Maria Johnson and Lisa Hendey discuss the new animated series, Chime Travelers.
In this episode, Maria is joined by Lisa Hendey to talk about her children's series Chime Travelers, now debuting as a fun new animated series. Based on her bestselling books, the series follows twins Patrick and Katie, who travel through time by the sound of church bells to encounter the saints while learning lessons about faith, courage, and everyday challenges.
Developed by Family Theater Productions, the show blends adventure, humor, and heart in this faith-based programming for younger audiences. Lisa shares the long journey from page to screen, her role as a creative consultant, and her hope that this series helps children see that the lives of the saints are not just history but a roadmap for becoming who God created them to be.
Links:
Chime Travelers Website
Family Theater Productions
Lisa Hendey Website
In this episode, Maria and Kristina have a conversation about Kristina's latest article in which she explores focusing upon what our children get right.
Links:
Kristina Talbot's Origianl Article: Helping Teens Explore What's Right with Them
In this episode, we sit down with Jessica Root, Executive Director of House of Mercy, to talk about serving those in need with dignity, the growing demand in her community, and how faith fuels this mission of mercy in action.
Link in Show:
House of Mercy Food Pantry in Manassas VA
Today's guest, Dr. Lisa Gulino, is a lay ecclesial minister with over 30 years' experience in pastoral ministry and teaching in higher education. She has served in Diocesan Ministries for a total of 22 years—Diocese of Fall River and Diocese of Providence. Additionally, she has several years in Parish Ministry.
Lisa received her Doctorate in Ministry from the Catholic University of America in Spiritual Formation with emphasis in evangelization and catechesis. She wrote her dissertation on the spiritual and faith formation of the domestic church.
Since 2007 Lisa has served as an adjunct professor at St. Joseph College for both theology and pastoral ministry courses. Her work with the Congregation of Holy Cross began in 2018 as a facilitator and advisor with the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame's STEP Program. And she also serves as a faculty member for the Permanent Diaconate program for the Diocese of Fall River.
Lisa grew up in Attleboro, Massachusetts in the shadow of our Lady's Mantle as she lived close to Lasalette Shrine and visited often with her family. She is the fifth of six children. She is the proud aunt of 11 nieces and nephews and 14 great nieces and nephews.
Links:
The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life
Links to the Research
Today we're joined by Barbara "Babs" Costello of Brunch with Babs, sharing the kind of wisdom that feels like a hug from your grandma. We talk about her unexpected second act and her sweet new children's book, Did Your Mother Ever Tell You?, a gentle, updated take on the sayings many of us grew up hearing.
Links for this Episode:
- Did Your Mother Ever Tell You?
- Babs Costello, aka @BrunchwithBabs
- brunchwithbabs.com
Maria Morera Johnson, Allison Gingras, and Father Charlie McCoy get together to talk about Easter season films, inspired by an earlier show about Pope Leo's favorite films.
Maria, Allison, and Fr. Charlie brief chat about Pope Leo's favorite movies and launch into a discussion about Esater movies, including a little foray into the land of Veggie tales.
Links for this Episode:
- Pope Leo's Top Four Movie Pics
- Momcast 381: Poep Leo's Favorite Films
Maria Morera Johnson interviews Cathy Daub, co-founder (with husband Andrew) of Team Iron Will, who shares how her family's search for support after their son Will's diagnosis led to a mission of walking alongside and uplifting other families with children with Down syndrome.
In this heartfelt conversation, we sit down with Cathy, founder of Team Iron Will, who shares the story behind a mission born from love, need, and deep faith. After navigating the early days of raising a child with Down syndrome and struggling to find the right resources, Cathy and her family felt called to ensure other families wouldn't have to walk that road alone. Named in honor of their son Will, Team Iron Will exists to accompany, support, and uplift families on a similar journey—offering not just resources, but real hope and community along the way.
Links in Show:
Team Iron Will
Maria Morera Johnson interviews Scott Anthony and discuss the Apostolate of Family consecration at Familyland in Ohio.
The Apostolate for Family Consecration® (AFC℠) founded Catholic Familyland® (CFL℠) over 30 years ago as a place for families like yours to let go and let God be part of your family vacation.
Today, over 1,000 families each year enjoy a Holy Family Fest summer vacation, surrounded by beautiful landscapes, fun activities, dynamic programs, and abundant prayer opportunities.
Links for this Episode:
- Catholic Familyland
- Apostolate for Family Consecration
Maria Morera Johnson and contributor Kristina Talbot discuss the spirit of competition in sports and other activities.
Maria Johnson and Kristina Talbot discuss the spirit of competition in sports and in other activities.
Kristina Talbot is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and native Floridian who loves that her engineer husband enjoys Karaoke, and her four children enjoy carpool line with the music up. Kristina is the owner and founder of ARISE Mental Health Consulting Services and has a ridiculous amount of knowledge about football. You can follow Kristina on Facebook and Instagram @arisemhc.
Links for this Episode:
- Read all articles by Kristina Talbot
Maria Morera Johnson welcomes Pete Burak, author of Man on Purpose (Ave Maria Press).
Pete Burak is a Catholic speaker, author, and Vice President of Renewal Ministries. He's the co-host of The Renewal Podcast and a frequent speaker on discipleship and evangelization. Pete is the author of A Man on Purpose, published by Ave Maria Press, and a husband and father whose own journey deeply informs his ministry.
Links in Show: * Man on Purpose (Ave Maria Press) * Renewal Ministries
In this week's episode we're joined by Beth Knobbe of Catholic Relief Services to dive into Operation Rice Bowl, CRS's annual Lenten program that invites Catholics across the United States to live out the season through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Rooted in a tradition that began in 1975, Operation Rice Bowl equips families and faith communities with resources like daily reflections, "Stories of Hope," meatless recipes and a simple rice bowl to collect alms to deepen our connection to the global Church and support those facing hunger and poverty. Seventy-five percent of donations go to CRS development work around the world, and 25% stays in local dioceses to address needs in our own communities. Join us to learn how your Lenten sacrifices can help change lives in more than 100 countries and right here in the United States.
Link in Episode:
Operation Rice Bowl
Maria Morera Johnson and Inés Mersch have caych up with either on Ash Wednesday.
Inés Huber Mersch is a faithful Catholic wife, mother, and grandmother residing in Mobile, Alabama. Her strong attraction to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament led to her being invited to participate in the steering committee that brought Perpetual Adoration to the Archdiocese of Mobile and continues as one of the schedulers. She has also been a guest writer at Catholic Mom.
Links in Show: * + Broken By Me by Inés Huber Mersch + Read all articles by Maria Morera Johnson
Maria and Allison talk about the ways they have approach Lent in the past, and share their goals for this Lent.
Links for this Episode:
- Read all articles by Allison Gingras
- Read all articles by Maria Morera Johnson
Maria Johnson and Kristina Talbot discuss the changing role of motherhood when parenting children in different age groups. They invite the lister into an intimate conversation about what changes and what stays the same as children grow older, how prayer and the domestic church move within these season, and looking ahead to developing trust in the Lord as the children enter young adulthood and graduation. Kristina offers a heartfelt piece of advice for her younger self,
Kristina Talbot is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and native Floridian who loves that her engineer husband enjoys Karaoke, and her four children enjoy carpool line with the music up. Kristina is the owner and founder of ARISE Mental Health Consulting Services and has a ridiculous amount of knowledge about football. You can follow Kristina on Facebook and Instagram @arisemhc.
Links for this Episode:
- Read all articles by Kristina Talbot
Maria and Allison have an intimate conversation about friendship, including disappointments and encouragement for seeking true friendship.
Links for this Episode:
- The Importance of True and Holy Friendships
- On Christian Friendship
Maria Morera Johnson interviews Meigs Turgeon, Special Assistant to the President at Holy Cross Family Ministries, about the important priest and brothers of the Congregation of Holy Cross.
Meigs Turgeon, Special Assistant to the President, Fr. Fred Jenga, C.S.C., at Holy Cross Family Ministries. Meigs joined HCFM from Austin, Texas where he most recently served as Assistant Director of the Holy Cross Institute at St. Edward's University and Adjunct Professor of Christian Theology. He graduated with a Master of Divinity from Duke University; is an expert in Holy Cross Charism and Spirituality, a prolific writer and speaker on different faith-based topics.
Link in Show: Holy Cross Family Ministries
Maria Morera Johnson and Inés Mersch have a conversation about the post-holidays yearning for peace.
Inés Huber Mersch is a faithful Catholic wife, mother, and grandmother residing in Mobile, Alabama. Her strong attraction to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament led to her being invited to participate in the steering committee that brought Perpetual Adoration to the Archdiocese of Mobile and continues as one of the schedulers. She has also been a guest writer at Catholic Mom.
Links in Show: * + Broken By Me by Inés Huber Mersch + Read all articles by Maria Morera Johnson
Maria, Allison, and Fr. Charlie chat about Pope Leo's favirote movies and their take on It's a Wonderful Life and The Sound of Music. Sta tuned for Part two next month!
Links for this Episode:
- Pope Leo's Top Four Movie Pics
Maria Morera Johnson and Allison Gingras get together for a fun conversation about Christmas.
Maria and Allison chat about Christmas and their family traditions.
Links for this Episode:
- Patrick the Donkey's Story
- Shepherd Roy's Story
- Angel Malak's Story
Maria and seminarian John Paul Pierce have a lovely conversation about his discernment journey. Let us pray for all seminarians in formation.
Links for this Episode:
- USCCB Resources for Vocations
Maria Morera Johnson and Heidi Hess Saxton interview Greg Willits, author of God Doesn't Hate Me After All: Discovering Louis de Montfort's Love of Eternal Wisdom (Sophia Institute Press).
Greg Willits is a Catholic author, media creator, and evangelist. Founder of RosaryArmy.com, along with his wife, Jennifer Greg has written numerous books, including the newly published God Doesn't Hate Me After All, a powerful memoir of faith, healing, and rediscovering God's relentless love. A pioneer in Catholic new media, Greg has produced podcasts, videos, and resources that have helped countless people grow in their spiritual lives. With honesty and humor, he shares the ups and downs of discipleship, inviting others to encounter Christ with authenticity and hope.
Links in Show:· * God Doesn't Hate Me After All: Discovering Louis de Montfort's Love of Eternal Wisdom * Rosary Army Website
Maria and Allison discuss the high hopes they have for Advent, and the reality that it is a time to slow down and wait.
Links for this Episode:
- Catholic Mom Advent Playlist on Spotify
Maria Morera Johnson interviews Gracie Jagla, author of If the Pope Had a Puppy (OSV Kids).
Gracie Jagla is a wife, mother, and award-winning children's book author, with a heart for writing faith-filled stories that draw children (and their families) closer to the love of Jesus. She also writes and hosts the podcast Cuddle Up: Catholic Storytime — a cozy, bi-weekly show where Catholic children's authors (often including Gracie herself) read their stories aloud for families.
Links for this Episode:
- Gracie Jagla's books and more
- If the Pope Had a Puppy
Maria Morera Johnson interviews Catholic Mom contributor Caitrin Bennett, author of the award-winning book, Holier Matrimony (Marian Press).
Caitrin Bennett is a homeschooling mom of 4 young children, and author of the award-winning book Holier Matrimony: Married Saints, Catholic Vows, and Sacramental Grace.
Links for this Episode:
- Holier Matrimony: Married Saints, Catholic Vows, and Sacramental Grace
- Caitrin Bennett at Catholicmom.com
Maria Morera Johnson has a fun conversation with Lisa Hendey about her new book, Jesus Every Day, Jesus Every Way (Loyola Press).
In Jesus Every Day, Jesus Every Way, Lisa Hendey invites readers into ongoing friendship with Jesus that unfolds not only in quiet prayer but in the everyday rhythms of life, from carpools to hospital rooms. This 52-week devotional uses Lectio Divina to help you reflect on Scripture, connect it to your daily experiences, and respond in heartfelt reflection. With relatable stories, cultural touchpoints, and thoughtful prompts, Lisa shows how Jesus is present in both the ordinary and the extraordinary moments of our lives.
Links for this Episode:
- Jesus Every Day, Jesus Every Way: A Weekly Devotional
- Lisa Hendey's Website
Maria Morera Johnson and Allison Gingras discuss the ongoing call to prayer for All Souls during the month of November.
Maria and Allison discuss November as the month we remember and pray for all souls. It's a time to lift up our loved ones who've gone before us and trust in God's mercy to bring them home to heaven.
Links for this Episode:
- Church Pop article: How to Offer a Plenary Indulgence for the Souls in Purgatory
Maria Morera Johnson and Inés Mersch talk about transitions and change in our lives.
Inés Huber Mersch is a faithful Catholic wife, mother, and grandmother residing in Mobile, Alabama. Her strong attraction to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament led to her being invited to participate in the steering committee that brought Perpetual Adoration to the Archdiocese of Mobile and continues as one of the schedulers. She has also been a guest writer at Catholic Mom.
Links in Show: * Broken By Me by Inés Huber Mersch * Read all articles by Maria Morera Johnson
Our Fall 2025 Book Club selection is dear to our hearts! In Real Moms of Real Saints, Colleen Pressprich gets real about every mom's need for a tribe: a community of other women whose bonds of trust run deeper than simple friendship. We need that tribe here on earth, but sometimes we forget about our heavenly tribe! We can draw on the loving motherly examples of women who were moms of saints (and saints-to-be) as diverse as Saint John Bosco, Saint Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio), Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, and Blessed Stanley Rother, among others.
Our Fall 2025 Book Club selection is dear to our hearts! In Real Moms of Real Saints, Colleen Pressprich gets real about every mom's need for a tribe: a community of other women whose bonds of trust run deeper than simple friendship. We need that tribe here on earth, but sometimes we forget about our heavenly tribe! We can draw on the loving motherly examples of women who were moms of saints (and saints-to-be) as diverse as Saint John Bosco, Saint Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio), Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, and Blessed Stanley Rother, among others.
Maria Morera Johnson and Catholicmom.com contributor Alex Resch discuss family-friendly celebrations of Hallowtide.
Maria and Alex have a fun conversation about celebrating Hallowtide by honoring Halloween, All Saints, and All Souls with faith, fun, and meaningful traditions that bring the season's true spirit to life.
Alex Resch is a wife and homeschooling mother to her children and a former middle- and high-school science teacher. Alex loves evangelizing and sharing our beautiful Catholic faith with everyone she meets – especially the children of her parish's Faith Formation program. She is the managing editor of AmazingCatechists.com, and you can visit her at her site, Ora Et Schola, for homeschool tips.
Links for this Episode:
- Read all articles by Alex Resch
- AmazingCatechists.com
- Ora Et Schola
Our Fall 2025 Book Club selection is dear to our hearts! In Real Moms of Real Saints, Colleen Pressprich gets real about every mom's need for a tribe: a community of other women whose bonds of trust run deeper than simple friendship. We need that tribe here on earth, but sometimes we forget about our heavenly tribe! We can draw on the loving motherly examples of women who were moms of saints (and saints-to-be) as diverse as Saint John Bosco, Saint Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio), Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, and Blessed Stanley Rother, among others.
Maria and Allison have a spirited and fun conversation about achieving real work-life balance, where they explore practical tips, faith-filled insights, and personal stories to help you find peace in the juggle.
Links for this Episode:
- Saint Zellie Martin on Work Live Balance
Maria Morera Johnson interviews Father Pinto Paul, C.S.C., the International Director of Holy Cross Family Ministries, about the upcoming Global Rosary for Peace.
On Sunday, September 7, Holy Cross Family Ministries, in partnership with the University of Notre Dame and the Congregation of Holy Cross, hosted the 75th Anniversary of Father Peyton’s Rosary Rally on Bond Quad on the campus of Notre Dame. Families from all over the country gathered to pray together, commemorating this great event!
Harnessing this momentum, Holy Cross Family Ministries and the Congregation of Holy Cross are launching a Global Rosary for Peace at 10:00 AM Eastern Time (4:00 PM Rome Time) on October 22, 2025, the Memorial of Saint John Paul II. Saint John Paul II was famously devoted to the Blessed Mother. In his apostolic letter "On the Most Holy Rosary," released in 2003, the Mysteries of the Light were revealed, and devotion to the Rosary was reawakened.
Father Pinto Paul, C.S.C., serves as the International Director of Holy Cross Family Ministries. In his role, Father Pinto will be representing Family Rosary leadership in the 16 countries outside of the United States that have active ministries serving the spiritual and prayer needs of families.
Links for this Episode:
- Join the Global Rosary for Peace
- Read More About the Global Rosary for Peace
Maria Morera Johnson interviews Melanie Rigney, author of 12 Unforgettable Men of the Gospels (Twenty-Third Publications).
from Melanie's webiste:
Melanie Rigney loves almost nothing better than talking and writing about faith and grace. Her latest book, Unforgettable Women of the Gospels (Twenty-third Publications, January 2024), focuses on eight unnamed women who encountered Jesus in the Gospels and what we can learn from them. A Twenty-third sister company, Creative Communications, recently published a booklet by Melanie, Praying with St. Bernadette of Lourdes: 15 Reflections on Living a Life of Virtue.
Melanie’s other books include Radical Saints: 21 Women for the 21st Century; Woman of Worth: Prayers and Reflections for Women Inspired by the Book of Proverbs; and Menopause Moments: A Journal for Nourishing Your Mind, Body, and Spirit in Midlife. She is best known for her page-a-day devotionals, Sisterhood of Saints and Brotherhood of Saints, and as a regular contributor to Living Faith, Women in the New Evangelization (WINE). She lives in Arlington, Virginia.
Link in Show:· * 12 Unforgettable Men of the Gospels * Unforgettable Women of the Gospels * Melanie Rigney website * The Remorse of Judas -- Almeida Júnior
Maria Morera Johnson interviews Emmy-nominated puppeteer Donna Kimball about the new children's series, Guillermo & Will.
Minno, the global leader in Christian kids’ media, is proud to announce its newest original series, Guillermo & Will which debuts on the streaming platform October 10. Guillermo & Will is a groundbreaking, dual-language puppet show designed to help children engage with God’s world in both English and Spanish.
Created by Emmy-nominated puppeteer Donna Kimball and co-writer Dan Garza, and co-produced with the award-winning Family Theater Productions, Guillermo & Will introduces two lovable puppet friends whose adventures reflect the joy and beauty of cross-cultural friendship. The series combines creative storytelling, a biblical world view, and developmental expertise to help kids see themselves reflected on screen—while learning about God in a personal and relatable way.
Links for this Episode:
- www.gominno.com
Maria Morera Johnson interviews Katie and Tommy McGrady, co-authors of First Reconciliation and Beyond and hosts of Family Mass Prep on the Hallow app.
Katie and Tommy McGrady are a husband-and-wife team passionate about helping families grow in faith. They are the co-authors of First Reconciliation and Beyond, a practical guide that helps children and their parents enter more deeply into the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Katie is a Catholic author, speaker, and radio host whose work inspires Catholics to live joyfully and authentically. Tommy is a high school biology teacher, writer, and speaker who brings humor, clarity, and a love for the Church to his teaching. Together, they host Family Mass Prep on the Hallow app, offering encouragement and insights to help parents and kids dive into the Sunday readings. Drawing on their own experiences as parents, the McGradys bring warmth, wisdom, and relatable stories to their ministry and writing.
Links for this Episode:
- First Reconciliation and Beyond
- Family Mass Prep on Hallow app
Maria Morera Johnson and Allison Gingras welcome podcaster Lindy Wynne of Mamas in Spirit for a lively conversation about faith, joy, and the beauty of our sisterhood.
Lindy Wynne is the founder of Mamas in Spirit, a Catholic women’s ministry, and the host of Mamas in Spirit Podcast, a weekly “mini-retreat in a podcast” where she interviews guests about how God has converted their hearts and transformed their lives.
She holds a Master’s degree in Pastoral Care and Counseling and has served in professional ministry for over sixteen years. Lindy leads retreats and speaks nationally, addressing topics like faith, suffering, adoption, infertility, loss, mental health, and the journey of being rooted in God’s love.
Links for this Episode:
- Mamas in Spirit website
Maria Morera Johnson interviews Megan Harrington, senior producer at Family Theater Productions and producer and executive producer of Broken Mary: The Kevin Matthews Story.
Producer and Executive Producer Megan Harrington is a senior producer at Family Theater Productions. She serves as producer, co-director, and co-writer of the Emmy® and Christopher Award-winning Playing Like a Girl: The House That Rob Built and the award-winning Native Ball: Legacy of a Trailblazer. She is also the producer and co-writer of the Gabriel and Christopher Award-winning PRAY: The Story of Patrick Peyton and The Dating Project, and a producer on the upcoming documentary Broken Mary: The Kevin Matthews Story. Her passion lies in telling authentic and heroic stories that illuminate what is true, good, and beautiful.
“Broken Mary: The Kevin Matthews Story” shows how the Blessed Mother still reaches out to people today, even in a city alley next to a dumpster. Kevin Matthews’ unexpected encounter with a broken statue reveals the timeless power of Mary’s maternal care for the forgotten and spiritually wounded. This resonates with Catholic and non-Catholic audiences alike, who are hungry for modern stories of hope.
Links for this Episode:
- Official Broken Mary: The Kevin Matthews Story Website
Maria Morera Johnson and Heidi Hess Saxton interview Sister Betty Ann MacNeill on the anniversary of the canonization of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton and the updated release of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton: A Spiritual Portrait (Ignatius Press).
Sister Betty Ann McNeil, D.C., is a Daughter of Charity and noted scholar of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and the Vincentian tradition. With degrees in social work and an honorary doctorate from Niagara University, she has published extensively on Elizabeth Seton. Widely recognized as an authority on Seton’s life and spirituality, Sister Betty Ann lectures internationally and continues to preserve and share the legacy of the first American-born saint.
Link in Show:· * Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton: A Spiritual Portrait (Ignatius Press) * 15 Days of Prayer with Elizabeth Ann Seton * A Day of Joy: The 50th Anniversary of Cannonization of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton
Maria Morera Johnson has an animated conversation with actor, producer Christin Jezak, about her new web series, Neighborhood Watch, and the message of loving your neighbor and loving yourself, too.
Christin Jezak is an actor, writer, and producer passionate about creating stories that inspire empathy and connection. She is the creator and producer of the web series Neighborhood Watch, which blends humor and heart to explore themes of community, faith, and human dignity. With a background in theater and film, Christin brings her creative vision to projects that spark meaningful conversation and reflect her commitment to storytelling rooted in hope.
Links for this Episode:
- Neighborhood Watch (Nominated episode 4): https://youtu.be/BBKWuWp-bAU
- Website: https://p2ptheatre.com/neighborhood-watch
Maria Morera Johnson and CatholicMom.com contributor Samantha Stephenson have a discuss habits that help us be present to our children in the midst of demanding chores and duties.
Samantha Stephenson is a Catholic convert, bioethicist, and author of Reclaiming Motherhood from a Culture Gone Mad, the Mama Prays devotional, and the forthcoming books The Bellbind Letters and Grow Where You’re Planted. Samantha homeschools her four children and homesteads with her family on a third of an acre nestled in the heart of Idaho's Snake River Valley. You can find her at www.snstephenson.com.
Links for this Episode:
- Website: www.snstephenson.com
- Podcast: Brave New Us
- Read all articles by Samantha Stephenson
Maria Morera Johnson and Father Chris Alar, MIC, author of Understanding the Sacraments: God's Grace Guaranteed!
Fr. Chris Alar, MIC is a Marian Father of the Immaculate Conception and a familiar face to many Catholics through his talks, books, and EWTN’s Living Divine Mercy. Known for his down-to-earth way of breaking down big topics, Fr. Chris has a heart for helping people really understand their faith and experience God’s mercy. His latest book, Understanding the Sacraments: God’s Grace Guaranteed, takes us deeper into the seven sacraments—showing how they’re not just rituals we do, but real encounters with God’s grace that can transform our lives.
Links in Show:· * Understanding the Sacraments: God's Grace Guaranteed! * Explaining the Faith with Father Chris Alar (video) * Explaining the Faith with Father Chris Alar (podcast)
Maria Morera Johnson and Father Charlie McCoy, C.S.C., discuss Bluey, a family-oriented animated series that speaks to the whole family.
Born and raised in the greater Chicago area, Father Charlie McCoy, C.S.C., made his final vows in 2008 and was ordained in 2009. For most of his life in Holy Cross, he has served as a professor and a pastoral resident in a men's hall at the University of Portland in Oregon. Since Father Charlie comes from a lively, close-knit family, and since devotion to the Rosary stretches back generations among his relatives, he feels very blessed to be joining the team at Holy Cross Family Ministries to carry on the legacy of Venerable Patrick Peyton.
Links for this Episode:
- Official Bluey Website
- Read all articles by Maria Morera Johnson
Maria Morera Johnson and Allison Gingras discuss summer serenity and embracing the Rosary.
Maria and Allison discuss the winding down of summer and looking forward to a Fall reset while embracing the beauty of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
Links for this Episode:
- Read all articles by Allison Gingras
- Allison's new book, Jesus Heals
- Read all articles by Maria Morera Johnson
- Maria's new book, A Beautiful Second Act
Maria Morera Johnson interviews Tik Tok influencer Sister Lisa Hezmalhalch, author of A Rome for Restless Hearts.
In A Rome for Restless Hearts, Sr. Lisa takes readers through some of the most common questions and concerns about Catholicism, including the veneration of Mary and the role of women in the Church. With her characteristic wit, Sr. Lisa shares with readers her own questions, misunderstandings, and reluctance about Catholicism, and how she discovered that the Catholic faith was already offering her soul what it was seeking: a deeper relationship with Jesus.
Links in Show: * A Rome for Restless Hearts
Maria Morera Johnson and Inés Mersch talk about tending to our spiritual and physical needs.
Inés Huber Mersch is a faithful Catholic wife, mother, and grandmother residing in Mobile, Alabama. Her strong attraction to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament led to her being invited to participate in the steering committee that brought Perpetual Adoration to the Archdiocese of Mobile and continues as one of the schedulers. She has also been a guest writer at Catholic Mom.
Links in Show: * Broken By Me by Inés Huber Mersch * Read all articles by Maria Morera Johnson
Maria Morera Johnson and contributor Kristina Talbot discuss the joys and challenges of mothering our children through milestones.
Kristina Talbot is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and native Floridian who loves that her engineer husband enjoys Karaoke, and her four children enjoy carpool line with the music up. Kristina is the owner and founder of ARISE Mental Health Consulting Services and has a ridiculous amount of knowledge about football. You can follow Kristina on Facebook and Instagram @arisemhc.
Links for this Episode:
- Read all articles by Kristina Talbot
Maria Morera Johnson and Heidi Hess Saxton talk about using prayer apps as spiritual aids.
Heidi Saxton is co-host of the CatholicMom.com Prayercast, and author of Stories of the Eucharist (OSV) and The Ave Prayer Book for Catholic Mothers (Ave). She is also senior acquisitions editor for Ave Maria Press. She and her husband Craig divide their time between northern Michigan and West Palm Beach, Florida. You can read about her adventures on Life on the Road Less Traveled.
Maria Morera Johnson, author of A Beautiful Second Act:, My Badass Book of Saints, Super Girls and Halo, and Our Lady of Charity: How a Cuban Devotion to Mary Helped Me Grow in Faith and Love writes about all the things that she loves. A cradle Catholic, she struggles with living in the world but not being of it, and blogs about those successes and failures, too.
Link in Show:· Read all articles by Heidi Hess Saxton
Read all articles by Maria Morera Johnson
Maria and Allison take a mid-year check0in for the Jubilee Year of Hope, and introduce the new series on Catholic Mom: A Reason for Our Hope
Links for this Episode:
- A Reason for Our Hope
- Read all articles by Allison Gingras
- Allison's new book, Jesus Heals
- Read all articles by Maria Morera Johnson
- Maria's new book, A Beautiful Second Act
Maria Johnson interviews Liz Lantigua, founder of Good News! Book Fair, and Leslea Wahl, author of A Summer to Treasure.
Good News! Book Fair for an Agenda-Free Alternative Good News! Book Fair started in 2014. They are headquartered in Florida with a second distribution center in Ohio and are now a program of Literacy Advocates USA, a nonprofit organization. Good News! Boof Fair emphasizes how important it is for parents and educators to instill the joy of reading in children and provide fun, wholesome, inspiring books, promoting good entertainment collaborating with Family Theatre Productions and Angel Studios. Good News! Book Fair (GNBF) believes that if we can change the media, we can change the culture. They help parents and educators by curating titles, offering author presentations/book signings, literary programs that make reading fun, fundraising for libraries, and providing a place where anyone can purchase clean reads in an agenda-free environment.
Leslea Wahl Leslea Wahl is an award-winning author of Catholic teen adventurous mysteries. She lives in beautiful Colorado with her family. Leslea believes one way to encourage teens in their faith is through positive messages and Catholic values, embedded in great stories. She is excited to share her reviews of some incredible Catholic books, all of which have received the Catholic Writer’s Guild Seal of Approval. Find her online at LesleaWahl.com.
Read all articles by Leslea Wahl.
Show Notes Links: * www.goodnewsbookfair.com * A Summer to Treasure * Leslea Wahl Books
Maria Morera Johnson is joined by Inés Huber Mersch for a conversation about the Fruits of the Spirit, and how we can cultivate the virtues in our family.
Inés Huber Mersch is a faithful Catholic wife, mother, and grandmother residing in Mobile, Alabama. Her strong attraction to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament led to her being invited to participate in the steering committee that brought Perpetual Adoration to the Archdiocese of Mobile and continues as one of the schedulers. She has also been a guest writer at Catholic Mom.
Links in Show: * Broken By Me by Inés Huber Mersch * Read all articles by Maria Morera Johnson
Maria Morera Johnson and Heidi Hess Saxton talk about the Blessed Mother as a model for our motherhood.
Maria Morera Johnson and Heidi Hess Saxton talk about the Blessed Mother as a model for our motherhood.
Heidi Saxton is co-host of the CatholicMom.com Prayercast, and author of Stories of the Eucharist (OSV) and The Ave Prayer Book for Catholic Mothers (Ave). She is also senior acquisitions editor for Ave Maria Press. She and her husband Craig divide their time between northern Michigan and West Palm Beach, Florida. You can read about her adventures on Life on the Road Less Traveled.
Maria Morera Johnson, author of A Beautiful Second Act:, My Badass Book of Saints, Super Girls and Halo, and Our Lady of Charity: How a Cuban Devotion to Mary Helped Me Grow in Faith and Love writes about all the things that she loves. A cradle Catholic, she struggles with living in the world but not being of it, and blogs about those successes and failures, too.
Link in Show:· Read all articles by Heidi Hess Saxton
Read all articles by Maria Morera Johnson
Maria Morera Johnson interviews musician Cristina Bernal in an intimate conversation about faith, sacrifice, values, and surrendering her gifts to God.
CONTENT WARNING: In this episode, Cristina Bernal shares briefly about exposure to immoral practices in the music industry that led to her awakening in the faith. Caution is recommended, especially when young listeners may be present.
from CristinaBernalMusic.com:
Growing up in the music industry Cristina always knew she wanted to do something big with her gifts and talents. After leaving what would have been her second record deal in 2011, Cristina got involved in leading worship for her young adult community. From there she knew she had a calling to serve the Lord with her gifts and talents. Along with writing and releasing pop music she has served in the worship community since. She has traveled around the United States leading worship for conferences, retreats, parish missions, as well as locally at her home parish.
Cristina signed with Catholic Christian Record label NOVUM RECORDS in July of 2022. She has released a Mass Setting Album and is working on another Album of Worship Music for Mass.
Links for this Show: Novum Records' new song: Back to Your Heart featuring Cristina Bernal
Seeking Pop Stardom, Cristina Bernal Found God Instead
Cristina Bernal Music
Maria and Allison catch up with each other. Life sometimes comes at us in seasons of heavy activity and having strategies for focus and grounding in the faith are essential.
Links for this Episode:
- Read all articles by Allison Gingras
- Allison's new book, Jesus Heals
- Read all articles by Maria Morera Johnson
- Maria's new book, A Beautiful Second Act
Our May 2025 Book Club selection is a book honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary! Kelsey Gillespy, in her new book, Real Life with Mary: Growing in Virtue to Magnify the Lord, encourages moms to grow in friendship with Mary and learn from her how to walk the daily path to holiness.
This book is written for all of us! Kelsey observed during this session that the book is a call to discipleship, a call to fellowship, and a call to sainthood. She acknowledged that when we look at the saints we see all the glamor, and it can seem like sainthood is distant — but over time, God can bring us to sainthood too.
Kelsey and Allison discuss how Mary is close to us because of the grace of God, and that grace can bring us closer to God. Learn more about Mary as a powerful example and mentor as well as someone who's going to nurture us, love us, and want the best for us in our Week 3 Book Club episode.
Maria Morera Johnson and Barb Szyszkiewicz have a lively conversation about cooking with the family, offering some Mom hacks for encouraging young chefs.
Barb Szyszkiewicz, senior editor at CatholicMom.com, is a wife, mom of 3 young adults, and a Secular Franciscan. Barb enjoys writing, cooking, and reading, and is a music minister at her parish. Find her blog at FranciscanMom and her family’s favorite recipes with nutrition information at Cook and Count. Barb is the author of The Handy Little Guide to Prayer and The Handy Little Guide to the Liturgy of the Hours, available from Our Sunday Visitor.
Maria Morera Johnson, author of A Beautiful Second Act: Saints and Soul Sisters who Taught Me to Age with Grace and My Badass Book of Saints. She writes about all the things that she loves. A cradle Catholic, she struggles with living in the world but not being of it, and blogs about those successes and failures, too.
Links for Show: * Read all articles by Barb Szyszkiewicz. * Read all articles by Maria Morera Johnson. * Meatless Friday Recipes
Heidi Saxton is co-host of the CatholicMom.com Prayercast, and author of Stories of the Eucharist (OSV) and The Ave Prayer Book for Catholic Mothers (Ave). She is also senior acquisitions editor for Ave Maria Press. She and her husband Craig divide their time between northern Michigan and West Palm Beach, Florida. You can read about her adventures on Life on the Road Less Traveled.
Maria Morera Johnson, author of A Beautiful Second Act:, My Badass Book of Saints, Super Girls and Halo, and Our Lady of Charity: How a Cuban Devotion to Mary Helped Me Grow in Faith and Love writes about all the things that she loves. A cradle Catholic, she struggles with living in the world but not being of it, and blogs about those successes and failures, too.
Link in Show:· Read all articles by Heidi Hess Saxton
Read all articles by Maria Morera Johnson
Our May 2025 Book Club selection is a book honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary! Kelsey Gillespy, in her new book, Real Life with Mary: Growing in Virtue to Magnify the Lord, encourages moms to grow in friendship with Mary and learn from her how to walk the daily path to holiness.
This book is written for all of us! Kelsey observed during this session that the book is a call to discipleship, a call to fellowship, and a call to sainthood. She acknowledged that when we look at the saints we see all the glamor, and it can seem like sainthood is distant — but over time, God can bring us to sainthood too.
Kelsey and Allison discuss how Mary is close to us because of the grace of God, and that grace can bring us closer to God. Learn more about Mary as a powerful example and mentor as well as someone who's going to nurture us, love us, and want the best for us in our Week 2 Book Club episode.
Maria Morera Johnson and Margaret Dwyer Hogan discuss graduations and the transitions in the home.
Maria Morera Johnson and Margaret Dwyer Hogan have a lively and fun conversation about the different seasons of graduation and launching our children.
Our May 2025 Book Club selection is a book honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary! Kelsey Gillespy, in her new book, Real Life with Mary: Growing in Virtue to Magnify the Lord, encourages moms to grow in friendship with Mary and learn from her how to walk the daily path to holiness.
This book is written for all of us! Kelsey observed during this session that the book is a call to discipleship, a call to fellowship, and a call to sainthood. She acknowledged that when we look at the saints we see all the glamor, and it can seem like sainthood is distant — but over time, God can bring us to sainthood too.
Kelsey and Allison discuss how Mary is close to us because of the grace of God, and that grace can bring us closer to God. Learn more about Mary as a powerful example and mentor as well as someone who's going to nurture us, love us, and want the best for us in our Week 1 Book Club episode.
Maria and Allison have a heartfelt conversation about summer memories and dive into the archives for summer ideas for the family, including some mom hacks for young children.
Links for this episode:
- Read all articles by Allison Gingras
- Allison's new book, Jesus Heals
- Read all articles by Maria Morera Johnson
- Maria's new book, A Beautiful Second Act
Maria Morera Johnson and Inés Huber Mersch discuss ways they integrate tangible expressions of faith in their homes.
Inés Huber Mersch is a faithful Catholic wife, mother, and grandmother residing in Mobile, Alabama. Her strong attraction to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament led to her being invited to participate in the steering committee that brought Perpetual Adoration to the Archdiocese of Mobile and continues as one of the schedulers. She has also been a guest writer at Catholic Mom.
Links in Episode:
- Broken By Me by Inés Mersch - Catholic Momcast 324: Detachment
Maria Morera Johnson interviews Rosemary McGuire Berry, author of Piety and Personality: The Temperaments of the Saints (TAN Books).
Rosemary McGuire Berry is a lifelong Catholic reader, storyteller, writer and traveler who homeschools the younger of her two daughters. When she’s not leading international pilgrimages with her husband and family to visit shrines and saints, she resides with her family in Colorado.
Links for this Show: * TAN Books: Piety and Personality: The Temperaments of the Saints. * Author website: Paths to His Heart: Traveling with the Saints * Free Handout about the Saints & their Temperaments here! * Catholic Posts on Instagram: @rosemary.writer * Weekly articles on Substack - Tea, Talk & Tattered Pages
Maria Morera Johnson interviews CatholicMom.com contributor Roxane B. Salonen, award-winning children’s author and freelance writer, and a radio host, speaker, and podcaster.
Roxane B. Salonen, Fargo, North Dakota (“You betcha!”), is a wife and mother of a literal, mostly-grown handful, an award-winning children’s author and freelance writer, and a radio host, speaker, and podcaster (“Matters of Soul Importance”). Roxane co-authored “What Would Monica Do?” to bring hope to those bearing an all-too-common cross. Her diocesan column, “Sidewalk Stories,” shares insights from her prolife sidewalk ministry. Visit roxanesalonen.com.
Links for this Show: * Read all articles by Roxane Salonen * Matters of Soul Importance Podcast * Sidewalk Stories column * roxanesalonen.com
Maria Morera Johnson and Heidi Hess Saxton talk about their love of the Blessed Mother.
Heidi Saxton is co-host of the CatholicMom.com Prayercast, and author of Stories of the Eucharist (OSV) and The Ave Prayer Book for Catholic Mothers (Ave). She is also senior acquisitions editor for Ave Maria Press. She and her husband Craig divide their time between northern Michigan and West Palm Beach, Florida. You can read about her adventures on Life on the Road Less Traveled.
Maria Morera Johnson, author of A Beautiful Second Act:, My Badass Book of Saints, Super Girls and Halo, and Our Lady of Charity: How a Cuban Devotion to Mary Helped Me Grow in Faith and Love writes about all the things that she loves. A cradle Catholic, she struggles with living in the world but not being of it, and blogs about those successes and failures, too.
Link in Show:· Read all articles by Heidi Hess Saxton
Read all articles by Maria Morera Johnson
Maria Morera Johnson interviews CatholicMom.com contributor Allison Auth, author of Baby and Beyond: Overcoming Those Post-Childbirth Woes (Sophia Institute Press).
Allison Auth lives with her woodworker husband and 5 children in the Denver area, where she homeschools her kids. She is the author of Baby and Beyond: Overcoming Those Post-Childbirth Woes (Sophia Institute Press) and contributes regularly to the Denver Catholic. She is active in her parish and homeschooling communities. Learn more about her work at AllisonAuth.com.
Links for the Show: Read all articles by Allison Auth AllisonAuth.com. Baby and Beyond: Overcoming Those Post-Childbirth Woes (Sophia Institute Press)
Maria Morera Johnson and Allison Gingras discuss how worry shows up in every season of motherhood, from sleepless nights with newborns to the silent prayers for grown kids, and how to find peace and purpose through it all.
Maria and Allison discuss how worry is a constant companion in motherhood. In this heartfelt episode, we explore how anxiety shifts across each season of raising children and how faith, community, and practical wisdom can help us anchor our hearts in peace. Tune in for this reminder that you're never alone on this journey.
Links for this episode: * Read all articles by Allison Gingras * Read all articles by Maria Morera Johnson
Maria Morera Johnson and Heidi Hess Saxton talk about their special prayer devotions and pray for Catholic Momcast and Prayercast listeners.
Heidi Saxton is co-host of the CatholicMom.com Prayercast, and author of Stories of the Eucharist (OSV) and The Ave Prayer Book for Catholic Mothers (Ave). She is also senior acquisitions editor for Ave Maria Press. She and her husband Craig divide their time between northern Michigan and West Palm Beach, Florida. You can read about her adventures on Life on the Road Less Traveled.
Maria Morera Johnson, author of A Beautiful Second Act: My Badass Book of Saints, Super Girls and Halo, and Our Lady of Charity: How a Cuban Devotion to Mary Helped Me Grow in Faith and Love writes about all the things that she loves. A cradle Catholic, she struggles with living in the world but not being of it, and blogs about those successes and failures, too.
Link in Show:· Read all articles by Heidi Hess Saxton
Read all articles by Maria Morera Johnson
David and Mercedes write and speak from a faith perspective as parents of a child with autism. They are available to speak, and have appeared on radio and other media. Visit DavidAndMercedesRizzo.com to learn more. Follow them on Facebook at Autism With The Rizzos. Authors of Praying For Your Special Needs Child, (Word Among Us Press) and Spiritually Able and The Adaptive First Eucharist Preparation Kit (Loyola Press).
Links for this Episode: * DavidAndMercedesRizzo.com * Autism With The Rizzos * Praying For Your Special Needs Child, (Word Among Us Press) * Spiritually Able and The Adaptive First Eucharist Preparation Kit (Loyola Press) * Read all articles by David and Mercedes Rizzo
Maria Morera Johnson interviews CatholicMom.com contributor, Jennifer Thomas.
As a Catholic wife and mom to three children, Jennifer earned her masters degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and recently reverted back to her Catholic faith. Jennifer is an avid stationery enthusiast who enjoys finding unique and beautiful stationery to send to her friends and family. She also enjoys researching ways to instill Catholic traditions within her family while finishing her first book.
Show Links: * Read all articles by Jennifer Thomas * Mourning Glory Podcast
Listen to the podcast playback or watch the video from Week 3 of the Catholic Mom Book Club featuring A Beautiful Second Act by Maria Morera Johnson.
Maria and host Allison Gingras discuss Chapters 9 and 10 of our Book Club selection, chatting about the fascinating women profiled in this book and what we can learn from their successes and their difficulties. You have plenty of time to catch up on the reading if you're just getting started with this beautiful book.
What's the book about? In A Beautiful Second Act, bestselling author Maria Morera Johnson explores the adventure of life’s second half, drawing inspiration from twenty saints and “soul sisters” who faced these challenges with courage.
As advancements in health and medicine extend our lifespan, women of the sandwich generation — those balancing the needs of both children and parents — are experiencing a multitude of challenges as they transition out of the workforce and into the promise of retirement. A Beautiful Second Act: Saints and Soul Sisters Who Taught Me to Be a Badass Age with Grace contains encouragement and wisdom from saints and contemporary soul sisters who experienced similar challenges during their transition to midlife and beyond and offers insight into the aging process.
Chapter after chapter, these inspiring saints and contemporary changemakers from all over the world will help you, too, embrace your second half and the changes it brings to our health, our personal relationships, our responsibilities, our work, and our faith.
Maria Morera Johnson interviews Cheryl Hughes, mom, convert, and author of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen: Convert Maker.
Cheryl C. D. Hughes holds a Ph.D. in historical theology from Durham University in England. Her books include Katharine Drexel: The Riches-to-Rags Story of an American Catholic Saint (2014) and Crossing Boundaries and Confounding Identity: Chinese Women in Literature, Art, and Film (2023). She and her husband live in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Links in Show:
Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen: Convert Maker
Listen to the podcast playback or watch the video from Week 3 of the Catholic Mom Book Club featuring A Beautiful Second Act by Maria Morera Johnson.
Maria and host Allison Gingras discuss Chapters 7 and 8 of our Book Club selection, chatting about the fascinating women profiled in this book and what we can learn from their successes and their difficulties. You have plenty of time to catch up on the reading if you're just getting started with this beautiful book.
What's the book about? In A Beautiful Second Act, bestselling author Maria Morera Johnson explores the adventure of life’s second half, drawing inspiration from twenty saints and “soul sisters” who faced these challenges with courage.
As advancements in health and medicine extend our lifespan, women of the sandwich generation — those balancing the needs of both children and parents — are experiencing a multitude of challenges as they transition out of the workforce and into the promise of retirement. A Beautiful Second Act: Saints and Soul Sisters Who Taught Me to Be a Badass Age with Grace contains encouragement and wisdom from saints and contemporary soul sisters who experienced similar challenges during their transition to midlife and beyond and offers insight into the aging process.
Chapter after chapter, these inspiring saints and contemporary changemakers from all over the world will help you, too, embrace your second half and the changes it brings to our health, our personal relationships, our responsibilities, our work, and our faith.
Maria Johnson interviews Nancy Smith, O.F.S., Director of Holy Cross Retreat House in North Easton, Massachusetts.
from the Holy Cross Retreat House intro:
Launched in 1964 in a converted cow barn, the Retreat House has been a spiritual haven for thousands who have passed through its welcoming doors. It is located in Easton, Massachusetts, adjacent to Stonehill College, also founded by the Congregation of Holy Cross. The Retreat House is operated solely on private donations and retreat fees, and receives no state or federal funding. Among retreat houses in the Boston area and south of Boston, our retreat house has established its “market niche” by emphasizing Cursillo and Matt Talbot programs.
Link in Show: * Holy Cross Retreat House: A Ministry of Congregation of Holy Cross * Nancy Smith, Director
The March 2025 Book Club features Catholic Mom media editor Maria Morera Johnson and her new book, A Beautiful Second Act: Saints and Soul Sisters who Taught Me to Be a Badass Age with Grace, published by Ave Maria Press.
What's the book about? In A Beautiful Second Act, bestselling author Maria Morera Johnson explores the adventure of life’s second half, drawing inspiration from twenty saints and “soul sisters” who faced these challenges with courage.
As advancements in health and medicine extend our lifespan, women of the sandwich generation — those balancing the needs of both children and parents — are experiencing a multitude of challenges as they transition out of the workforce and into the promise of retirement. A Beautiful Second Act: Saints and Soul Sisters Who Taught Me to Be a Badass Age with Grace contains encouragement and wisdom from saints and contemporary soul sisters who experienced similar challenges during their transition to midlife and beyond and offers insight into the aging process.
Where can I get a copy of this book? Ave Maria Press, the publisher, is offering a generous discount on A Beautiful Second Act: use code CATHOLICMOM to save 10% off the purchase price of the book. This offer expires April 27, 2025.
Maria Morera Johnson interviews Catholicmom.com contributor Meg Herriot at the Catholic Mom Contributor retreat.
Meg Herriot is a veterinarian and Third Order Dominican. She enjoys spending time with family, friends, and pets and blogging at All Creatures Great and Crazy about being a veterinarian, mother, wife and most of all a Catholic trying to grow closer to God in a chaotic world.
Link in Show: * Read all articles by Meg Herriot * All Creatures Great and Crazy
The March 2025 Book Club features Catholic Mom media editor Maria Morera Johnson and her new book, A Beautiful Second Act: Saints and Soul Sisters who Taught Me to Be a Badass Age with Grace, published by Ave Maria Press.
What's the book about? In A Beautiful Second Act, bestselling author Maria Morera Johnson explores the adventure of life’s second half, drawing inspiration from twenty saints and “soul sisters” who faced these challenges with courage.
As advancements in health and medicine extend our lifespan, women of the sandwich generation — those balancing the needs of both children and parents — are experiencing a multitude of challenges as they transition out of the workforce and into the promise of retirement. A Beautiful Second Act: Saints and Soul Sisters Who Taught Me to Be a Badass Age with Grace contains encouragement and wisdom from saints and contemporary soul sisters who experienced similar challenges during their transition to midlife and beyond and offers insight into the aging process.
Where can I get a copy of this book? Ave Maria Press, the publisher, is offering a generous discount on A Beautiful Second Act: use code CATHOLICMOM to save 10% off the purchase price of the book. This offer expires April 27, 2025.
Maria Morera Johnson and Barb Szyszkiewicz interview Elizabeth Varga, founder of At Elizabeth's Table, a recipe blog that exolores the intersection of food and the Catholic faith.
Elizabeth Varga is the founder of At Elizabeth’s Table, a plant-based recipe blog that explores the relationship between food and the Catholic faith. With a passion for healthy living, she is a full-time food blogger and food photographer. When not in the kitchen, Elizabeth enjoys drinking coffee, working out, listening to podcasts, and going on long walks. Follow along with her blog at AtElizabethsTable.com.
Links in Show: * AtElizabethsTable.com. * Read all articles by Elizabeth Varga * Meatless Friday Recipes
Maria Morera Johnson interviews Lisa Brenninkmeyer, Founder and Chief Purpose Officer of Walking with Purpose (WWP), a Catholic women's ministry, and the new book for young women, Heart of Vines.
Lisa Brenninkmeyer is the Founder and Chief Purpose Officer of Walking with Purpose (WWP), a Catholic women's ministry. Lisa has authored 19 WWP Bible study courses, two devotionals, BLAZE and Sisters of Strength resources for Catholic tween/teens, and a guided prayer journal, and Heart of Vines for young adults — all of which lead women and young girls to a closer relationship with the Lord.
After hearing story after story of women looking for a safe place to ask questions about faith and needing ways to refuel, Lisa decided to do something to bring change. The result of her holy discontent is Walking with Purpose. Lisa is crazy about women, loves Christ passionately, and thinks the most exciting thing in the world is to connect the former with the latter. Lisa holds a BA in psychology from St. Olaf College and is pursuing her masters degree in Theology from Franciscan University. She and her husband Leo have seven children and five grandchildren and reside in St. Augustine, Florida.
Links in Show: * Heart of Vines: A Book for Young Women in their 20s * Walking with Purpose website
Heidi Hess Saxton and Maria Morera Johnson interview Joan Watson, author of Opening the Holy Doors: Hope-Filled Scripture Reflections from St. Peter's Basilica.
In Opening the Holy Door, scripture teacher and seasoned tour guide Joan Watson takes you on a journey through the sixteen panels of the Jubilee Holy Door. With her knack for storytelling and love for scripture, she invites you to pause, pray, and reflect on the deeper meaning behind these stunning images. Using a blend of scripture and imaginative prayer, Joan helps you see each panel not just as art, but as a doorway into the great story of salvation.
Link in Show:· Opening the Holy Door: Hope-Filled Scripture Reflections from St. Peter's Basilica.
Maria Morera Johnson and Allison Gingras discuss Ash Wednesday and practices for Lent.
Allison and Maria dive into the traditions of Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season, exploring both time-honored devotions and some non-traditional practices that can deepen our faith. Their lively banter mixes humor and heart while sharing stories and dipping intpo the Catholic Mom vault to rediscover articles.
Links in Show: Jump Start Your Lent by Tina Mayeux
Catholic Central: Ash Wednesday
Maria Morera Johnson interviews Meigs Sturgeon, Special Assistant to the President at Holy Cross Family Ministries.
Meet Meigs Sturgeon, Special Assistant to the President, Fr. Fred Jenga, C.S.C., at Holy Cross Family Ministries. Meigs joined HCFM from Austin, Texas where he most recently served as Assistant Director of the Holy Cross Institute at St. Edward’s University and Adjunct Professor of Christian Theology. He graduated with a Master of Divinity from Duke University; is an expert in Holy Cross Charism and Spirituality, a prolific writer and speaker on different faith-based topics.
Link in Show: Holy Cross Family Ministries
Heidi Hess Saxton and Maria Morera Johnson interview Morella Carta, founder of St. Jospeh's Little Stars in Jinga, Uganda.
Morella Carta is the founder of “St. Joseph’s Little Stars” in Jinga, Uganda. Born in Venezuela and educated in New York City, Morella retired from corporate life in order to dedicate her life to service, most recently abused and abandoned children. In three years of operations, StarsUganda has saved the lives of 40 children and supported over 100 children in the community. They were recently granted two acres of property by the Diocese of Jinga, and are in the process of building a self-sustainable community in order to expand the reach of their ministry.
Links for show notes: ·
Day to day donation page: · “Build with us” construction of new house.
Maria Morera Johnson interviews CatholicMom.com contributor Tami Urcia.
Tami is a Western Michigander who spent early adulthood as a missionary in Mexico, studying theology and philosophy, then worked and traveled extensively before finishing her bachelor’s degree in Western Kentucky. She loves finding fun ways to keep her five kiddos occupied and quiet conversation with the hubby. Tami works at Diocesan and does Spanish/English translations and guest blogs.
Links in Show: Read all articles by Tami Urcia.
Looking for faith-filled ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day? Maria Johnson and Allison Gingras have a fun conversation about love languages and romantic love, and being God's beloved. And you get a peek at A Beautiful Second Act (Ave Maria Press), which will be featured in the March Catholic Mom Book Club. Love isn’t just for one day—it’s a call we live daily as Catholic moms.
Links Discussed in Show: * Simple Ways to Connect with Your Spouse This Valentine's Day * Love: Scriptures to Pray This Valentine's Day * St.Valentine's Day Prepares Us to Love
Heidi Hess Saxton and Maria Morera Johnson discuss the transitions in the second half of life and how praying with the saints accompanies us in that change.
Maria Morera Johnson is an award-winning author, speaker, and digital missionary passionate about encouraging women to embrace the beauty and purpose of midlife and beyond. Her books, including A Beautiful Second Act and My Badass Book of Saints, inspire readers to deepen their faith and live with boldness and joy. A lifelong educator and storyteller, Maria brings humor, wisdom, and a deep love for her Catholic faith to her writing, speaking engagements, and podcast
Links for the Show: * A Beautiful Second Act * Maria's author page * Read all articles by Maria Morera Johnson
Maria Morera Johnson interviews Catholic Mom contributor Kimberly Novak, author of Bella's Beautiful Miracle.
Kimberly Novak is a wife, mother, author, and spiritual director. Her passion for inspiring and motivating those on a spiritual journey has bloomed into various ministries. Kimberly’s mission is to enhance each journey by guiding others where the light of strength is…God’s love. Find out more about Kimberly’s life and work at KimberlyNovak.com. Additionally, Kimberly welcomes prayer requests at A Little God Time.
Links in Show: * Author of Bella's Beautiful Miracle, A Caterpillar's Journey * www.kimberlynovak.com * www.outofthechrysalis.com * Read all articles by Kimberly Novak.
Maria Morera Johnson, and guest Inés Huber Mersch sit down for a chat about the busy-ness of our lives and living for God's will in our lives.
Links for Today's Show: * The Grace of Yes by Lisa Hendey
Maria Morera Johnson and Allison Gingras open up about their personal journeys as caregivers, sharing the joys, struggles, and unexpected graces they’ve encountered while caring for their loved ones. Drawing inspiration from articles in the Catholic Mom archives, they explore practical tips, spiritual insights, and the unique challenges that come with this loving responsibility.
Links in Show: * The Seven Sorrows Rosary for Caregivers by Barb Szyszkiewicz * Mom, Grandmother, Caregiver: It's Not Easy by Amanda Lauer * Better than Self-Care by Kate Moreland
Maria Morera Johnson and CatholicMom.com contributor Karen Estep talk about the joys and challenges of snow days.
Karen Estep is a Catholic speaker and writer who brings wisdom and humor to her reflections on faith, life, and the unexpected moments in between. Today's conversation reminisces about snow days, eating snow cream, and avoiding cabin fever.
Links in Show: - Instagram: Stand, Kneel, Now What? - Stand, Kneel, Now What Podcast on Spotify - Read all articles by Karen Estep
Maria Morera Johnson and Heidi Hess Saxton welcome Beth Sri, co-author of The Good, the Messy, and the beautiful: The Joys and Struggles of Real Married Life.
Beth Sri is a Catholic speaker, author, and mentor passionate about helping women embrace the joys (and chaos) of marriage and motherhood. She and her husband, Dr. Edward Sri, co-authored The Good, the Messy, and the Beautiful: The Joys and Struggles of Real Married Life. They live in Colorado with their eight kids—where Beth balances writing, leading retreats, cooking Italian meals, and cheering on her kids at soccer games. She’s also on the board for Life-Giving Wounds, supporting adult children of divorce.
Maria Johnson and Allison Gingras talk about resolutions and anti-resolutions, sprinkling a little wisdom in the mix.
Maria Johnson and Allison Gingras catch up after the holidays and have a good laugh about resolutions and the efficacy of setting goals instead.
Links in the Show: * Style Savvy: Rethinking Resolutions by Lisa Hess * Strings Attached by Amanda Lawrence * Failed Resolutions by Sarah Reinhard
Fr. Edward Looney was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Green Bay June 6, 2015, and currently serves as Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawano, WI and Priest Celebrant of St. Martin of Tours Parish, Cecil, WI.
Links for the Show: * Link to Praying with the Church Through Advent * Fr. Edward Looney Books
In this episode of the Catholic Momcast, hosts Maria Johnson, Victoria Hassan, and Stephen Driscoll welcome relationship coach Dana Nygaard to discuss navigating dating for young people. Dana shares practical advice rooted in faith, emphasizing the importance of self-worth, clear boundaries, and open communication. Together, they explore how parents can guide their children through the challenges of modern dating with grace and wisdom.
Links in Show: * https://clarityplease.com/ * https://www.dananygaard.com/ * https://www.christiancomfortcounseling.com/
In this episode, Maria Johnson and Allison Gingras catch up on their Advent experiences and recap some recent Advent articles by contributors.
Links in Show: Slow Down and Embrace the Advent Season by Tina Mayeaux
Prepare for Rest This Season: It CAN Happen by MaryBeth Eberhard
A Declaration of Hope by Kathryn Pasker Ineck
Maria Morera Johnson and Heidi Hess Saxton welcome Jaymie Stuart Wolfe, author of Born to Do This: 30 Days with Joan of Arc.
Jaymie Wolfe is a veteran editor and author, and Joan of Arc fan girl! Her latest book, Born to Do This: 30 Days with Joan of Arc, is available through Ave Maria Press.
Links for the Show: * Link to Jaymie’s Born to Do This: 30 Days with Joan of Arc * Pray the St Joan of Arc Novena with the Pray app
In this episode, Maria Johnson is joined by Catholic Mom contributor, Charlene Rack, for a lovely conversation with Rebecca and Stephen Grabill, authors of The Joy of Advent.
Links in Show: The Joy of Advent
Rebecca Grabill website
Review by Charlene Rack: The Joy of Advent
Maria Morera Johnson and Heidi Hess Saxton welcome Shannon Schmidt, co-author of Fat Luther, Slim Pickin's.
excerpt from the author profile at Ave Maria Press
Shannon Wimp Schmidt is the content director of the ecumenical youth ministry collaboration TENx10, coauthor of Fat Luther, Slim Pickin’s: A Black Catholic Celebration of Faith, Tradition, and Diversity, cohost of the Plaid Skirts and Basic Black podcast, and a founding member of Catholics United for Black Lives.
Links for the Show: * Fat Luther, Slim Pickin’s * Plaid Skirts and Basic Black podcast
Catch up on the Week 3 video with author Julianne Stanz for the Fall 2024 Book Club: Braving the Thin Places: Celtic Wisdom to Create a Space for Grace.
Our Book Club selection for Fall 2024 is Braving the Thin Places: Celtic Wisdom to Create a Space for Grace by Julianne Stanz, published by Loyola Press.
Special Book Club offer! Use promo code BRAVING to receive 30% off the cover price of Braving the Thin Places when you purchase your copy direct from the publisher. Does not include shipping and handling. This coupon code expires November 20, 2024.
Bonus Links: Visit Julianne's website, JulianneStanz.com
Follow Julianne on X: @juliannestanz
Follow Julianne on Instagram: @juliannestanz
Join Catholic Mom team members Maria Johnson, Barb Szyszkiewicz, Allison Gingras, and Victoria Hassan for a round robin conversation about Advent traditions and practices.
Links in Show: * Advent sweatshirt from Catholic artist Nichole Lanthier on Etsy * Kelly Guest article: "Prepare for Advent Prayer: Now is the time!" * Barb Szyszkiewicz book review, "3 Books to Buy Before Advent" * Advent Playlist * Follow CatholicMomCommunity on Instagram for Snap Advent
Catch up on the Week 2 video with author Julianne Stanz for the Fall 2024 Book Club: Braving the Thin Places: Celtic Wisdom to Create a Space for Grace.
Our Book Club selection for Fall 2024 is Braving the Thin Places: Celtic Wisdom to Create a Space for Grace by Julianne Stanz, published by Loyola Press.
This week, author Julianne Stanz and our own Allison Gingras discuss the concept of a "crossing the threshold" and how that relates to our relationship with God, prayer, sharing faith with our children, four ways to combat despair, and the importance of encouraging others by calling them toward the light of Jesus.
Special Book Club offer! Use promo code BRAVING to receive 30% off the cover price of Braving the Thin Places when you purchase your copy direct from the publisher. Does not include shipping and handling. This coupon code expires November 20, 2024.
Bonus Links: Visit Julianne's website, JulianneStanz.com
Follow Julianne on X: @juliannestanz
Follow Julianne on Instagram: @juliannestanz
Mary Clare Hallman serves as the Diocesan Secretary for Parish Life in the Diocese of Scranton, bringing a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to fostering vibrant parish communities. With a background rooted in both pastoral ministry and organizational leadership, Mary Clare oversees a wide range of initiatives designed to support parish vitality, enhance liturgical and sacramental life, and strengthen ministries within the diocese.
excerpt from the Diocese of Scranton website:
The Catholic Church dedicates the month of October to the Holy Rosary. This year, this month takes on added significance because parishes in the Diocese of Scranton are participating in a Rosary Crusade, leading up to a large Rosary Rally that will take place on Nov. 16, 2024, at the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Scranton.
The Rosary Crusade, which is now underway, will look different in each parish. Some will celebrate Mass or schedule a special Holy Hour for the intention of an increase in family prayer. Others will have parishioners gather more often to recite the rosary – or ask families to sign a pledge card to recite the rosary as a family.... The Rosary Rally planned for Nov. 16 is being held to commemorate the first Rosary Rally held by Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C., in the United States seventy-five years ago. That 1949 rally was held in Scranton and brought together 50,000 people. Father Peyton devoted his priestly life to spreading devotion to Mary and encouraging family prayer, especially the rosary. He used radio, television, and film, and 540 Rosary Rallies worldwide to accomplish his mission.
Links for the Show: * Diocese of Scranton Rosary Rally * Diocese to Host Rosary Rally on 75th Anniversary * Fr. Patrick Peyton * Letter from the Bishop
Maria Johnson welcomes contributor Sherry Hayes-Peirce for an enlightening conversation about the Camino of Santiago and the power of pilgrimage.
Catholic Mom contributor Sherry Hayes-Peirce shares her experience of walking the Way of St. James, also known as the Camino of Santiago de Compostela, a 9th century walking pilgrimage to the city of Compostela where the remains St. James, son of Zebedee, are believed to be. Many routes leading to Compostela exist, originating in France, Portugal, or within Spain.
Sherry Hayes-Peirce is a Catholic social media strategist, blogger, conference speaker, podcast guest and contributing author of the Ave Prayer Book for Catholic Mothers. She serves as Digital Engagement Coordinator for American Martyrs Catholic Community in Manhattan Beach, CA. Sherry has a devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and is grateful to be a digital disciple of Christ.
Read all articles by Sherry Hayes-Peirce.
Show Notes: * Walk In A Relaxed Manner: Life Lessons from the Camino by Joyce Rupp * The Way, My Way: A Camino Memoir by Bill Bennett * Movie: "The Way" starring Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez * Instagram: church_social_tips * Facebook: Sherry Sheridan Hayes-Peirce
Heidi and Maria have a lively discussion about miracles and unexpected answers to prayers.
Links in Episode:
The Hidden Life of Angels by Heidi Hess Saxton
Pre-Order Maria Johnson's new book, A Beautiful Second Act
Our Book Club selection for Fall 2024 is Braving the Thin Places: Celtic Wisdom to Create a Space for Grace by Julianne Stanz, published by Loyola Press.
This week, author Julianne Stanz and our own Allison Gingras discuss the concept of a "thin place" and how that relates to our spiritual life, as well as what nourishes us as women and how being together is valuable to us. It's important to remember that there is no perfect balance.
Special Book Club offer! Use promo code BRAVING to receive 30% off the cover price of Braving the Thin Places when you purchase your copy direct from the publisher. Does not include shipping and handling. This coupon code expires November 20, 2024.
Bonus Links: Visit Julianne's website, JulianneStanz.com
Follow Julianne on X: @juliannestanz
Follow Julianne on Instagram: @juliannestanz
Maria Morera Johnson and Heidi Hess Saxton David G. Bonagura, Jr. about his new book, Jerome's Tears (Sophia Institute Press).
from our guest's website:
David G. Bonagura, Jr. is an adjunct professor of classical languages at St. Joseph's Seminary, New York, and adjunct professor of theology at Catholic Distance University. He serves as Religion Editor of The University Bookman, the flagship publication of the Russell Kirk Center. He is the 2023-2024 Cardinal Newman Society Fellow for Eucharistic Education.
He is the author of Steadfast in Faith: Catholicism and the Challenges of Secularism (Cluny Media, 2019) and Staying With the Church: Trusting God's Plan of Salvation (Scepter Publishers, 2021). He is the translator of Jerome's Tears: Letters to Friends in Mourning (Sophia Institute Press, October 2023).
Links in Episode:
- David G. Bonagura, Jr. website
- David G. Bonagura, Jr. books
Maria Johnson and Barb Szyszkiewicz welcome Gretchen and Bill O'Brien from Room Two Productions, for a lively conversation about sound editing, music, and Fr. Patrick Peyton.
Room 2 Productions helps Catholic Mom bring our stories to life through expert podcast production, audio storytelling, and digital media services. They offer personalized support from concept development to final editing, dedicated to the technical details so the Catholic Mom team can focus on great content from our guests.
Links in Show:
- RoomTwoProductions.com
- YouTube: William R O'Brien
- Spotify: William R O'Brien
- Amazon Music: William R O'Brien
Maria Johnson is joined by Andrew MacDonald, Director of Mission Advancement for Holy Cross Family Ministries, to interview Chris and Michael Flood, co-founders of Family Rosary Rallies.
Chris and Michael Flood are co-founders of FamilyRosaryRallies.org.
Links for the Show: * Family Rosary Rallies * Fr. Patrick Peyton * Rallies * Instagram-- Family Rosary Rallies
Maria Johnson and Catholic Mom contributor, Kristina Talbot interview the mother and son filmmakers behind the powerful film about Boys Town, Blue Baby.
Matters Media announces the new feature documentary film BLUE BABY that follows eight boys through Fr. Edward J. Flanagan’s Boys Town, a prison alternative established in Omaha, Nebraska in 1917. With unprecedented access, filmmakers take the audience inside Boys Town to a world that challenges what people have believed about problem behavior for thousands of years. This is a film that goes beyond the heart of a Catholic priest, and into the real-world impact of what he created. BLUE BABY will be available starting October 9. We need your help to get the word out via your network of influence.
About the filmmakers:
Josh and Lisa Sabey are the filmmakers behind American Tragedy, The Basement Talks, Blue Baby, and Going Sane. Their film American Tragedy won best documentary at the prestigious Boston Film Festival where it was one of three films screened opening night. (The other two were Terrence Malick’s USA premiere of A Hidden Life and Taika Waititi’s Jo Jo Rabbit.) Their latest film, The Basement Talks, debuted on Prime Video, Apple TV, and PBS World.
Links in Show: Watch the trailer here:
Maria Morera Johnson and Heidi Hess Saxton discuss praying the Seven Sorrows of Mary.
Pray the Seven Sorrows of Mary Learn about this powerful devotion to the Seven Sorrows of Mary and pray the mysteries along with meditations from the Family Rosary team.
Heidi Saxton is co-host of the CatholicMom.com Prayercast, and author of Stories of the Eucharist (OSV) and The Ave Prayer Book for Catholic Mothers (Ave). She and her husband Craig divide their time between northern Michigan and West Palm Beach, Florida. You can read about her adventures on Life on the Road Less Traveled.
Maria Morera Johnson, author of My Badass Book of Saints, Super Girls and Halo, and Our Lady of Charity: How a Cuban Devotion to Mary Helped Me Grow in Faith and Love writes about all the things that she loves. A cradle Catholic, she struggles with living in the world but not being of it, and blogs about those successes and failures, too.
Maria Johnson and Barb Szyszkiewicz are joined by Catholic Mom contributor and author, Karen Estep, for a fun conversation about Fall memories and traditions.
Barb Szyszkiewicz, senior editor at CatholicMom.com, is a wife, mom of 3 young adults, and a Secular Franciscan. Barb enjoys writing, cooking, and reading, and is a music minister at her parish. Find her blog at FranciscanMom and her family’s favorite recipes with nutrition information at Cook and Count. Barb is the author of The Handy Little Guide to Prayer and The Handy Little Guide to the Liturgy of the Hours, available from Our Sunday Visitor.
Karen Estep is the host of the podcast Stand, Kneel, Now What? In coming home to the Catholic faith as an adult she hopes to share her love of the Church on a daily basis. Karen has been shown many graces through the Sacraments even through all of her blunders. She hopes to help other adults navigate their faith journey as well.
Maria Morera Johnson, author of My Badass Book of Saints, Super Girls and Halos, and Our Lady of Charity: How a Cuban Devotion to Mary Helped Me Grow in Faith and Love writes about all the things that she loves. A cradle Catholic, she struggles with living in the world but not being of it, and blogs about those successes and failures, too.
Links for Show: * Read all articles by Barb Szyszkiewicz. * Read all articles by Karen Estep. * Read all articles by Maria Morera Johnson.
Maria Johnson and Barb Szyszkiewicz welcome Catholic Mom contributor Kathryn Swegart for a lively conversation in our series show-casing our contributors.
Kathryn Griffin Swegart is an award-winning author of Catholic books for children. Kathryn and her husband raised three children on a small farm in rural Maine. She is a professed member of the Secular Franciscan Order and contributor to Magnificat. Visit her website at KathrynSwegart.com.
Links in Show: * Read all articles by Kathryn Swegart. * KathrynSwegart.com * Magnificat Magazine
Maria Morera Johnson interviews authors Leslea Wahl and Antony Kolenc about their newly released anthology, Shadows: Visible and Invisible.
Shadows: Visible & Invisible is a collection of short stories by 7 different authors, Leslea Wahl, Carolyn Astfalk, Corinna Turner, Antony B. Kolenc, Theresa Linden, Marie Keiser, T. M. Gaouette. and is centered around the All Hallowtide Triduum of All Hallows’ Eve, All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. These fictional stories are meant to help teens learn more about the history of these important days on the Church calendar through engaging tales.
Links in Show: Shadows: Visible & Invisible
Goodreads: Shadows: Visible &Invisible
Tour-wide Giveaway: (US Winners Only)
Catholic Mom contributor, Katie Fitzgerald, reviews Shadows: Visible & Invisible
Maria Morera Johnson interviews Catholicmom.com contributor, Janelle Peregoy, Associate Director in the Office of Family Life & Spirituality at the Diocese of San Diego for an important discussion on separation and divorce.
Janelle Peregoy, M.Div, is an Associate Director in the Office of Family Life & Spirituality at the Diocese of San Diego. So yes, she has found one of the few positions where it is professionally acceptable to contemplate the spirituality of potty training. A Pope Francis bobble-head sits on her desk for inspiration. See more from Janelle on her blog, Faithfully Irreverent.
Besides Catholic Mom, Janelle’s writing has been featured in Grotto Network and America Magazine.
Links for the Show: * Faithfully Irreverent, Janelle’s blog * Separated or Divorced?, Diocese of San Diego * Read all articles by Janelle Peregoy.
Maria Morera Johnson and Heidi Hess Saxton discuss praying for others as a beautiful act of love.
Heidi Saxton is co-host of the CatholicMom.com Prayercast, and author of Stories of the Eucharist (OSV) and The Ave Prayer Book for Catholic Mothers (Ave). She is also senior acquisitions editor for Ave Maria Press. She and her husband Craig divide their time between northern Michigan and West Palm Beach, Florida. You can read about her adventures on Life on the Road Less Traveled.
Maria Morera Johnson, author of My Badass Book of Saints, Super Girls and Halo, and Our Lady of Charity: How a Cuban Devotion to Mary Helped Me Grow in Faith and Love writes about all the things that she loves. A cradle Catholic, she struggles with living in the world but not being of it, and blogs about those successes and failures, too.
Links in Episode:
- Read all articles by Heidi Hess Saxton.
- Books by Heidi Hess Saxton
- Stories of the Eucharist (OSV)
- Read all articles by Maria Morera Johnson.
- Books by Maria Johnson
Maria Morera Johnson and Barb Szyszkiewicz welcome Catholicmom.com contributor Rebecca Martin, author of Love in the Eternal City.
Rebecca W. Martin, a trade book Acquisitions Editor for Our Sunday Visitor and Assistant Editor at Chrism Press, lives in Michigan with her husband and too many cats. A perpetually professed Lay Dominican, Rebecca serves as editor for Veritas, a quarterly Lay Dominican publication. Her children’s book Meet Sister Mary Margaret will release in fall 2023 from OSV Kids.
Links in the Show: * Love in the Eternal City * Meet Sister Mary Margaret * Read all articles by Rebecca W. Martin.
Maria Morera Johnson and Margaret Dwyer Hogan welcome Catholicmom.com contributor, Deanna Bartalini, editor of the Sunday Gospel Activities, host of Not Lukewarm Podcast, and a spiritual director.
Deanna G. Bartalini, M.Ed.; M.P.A., is a certified spiritual director, writer, speaker and content creator. She is the founder of the LiveNotLukewarm.com online community, a place to inform, engage and inspire your Catholic faith through live, interactive faith studies. Her weekly Not Lukewarm Podcast gives you tips and tools to live out your faith in your daily life.
Links for the Show: Read all articles by Deanna Bartalini.
LiveNotLukewarm.com
Not Lukewarm Podcast
Sunday Gospel Activities
Instagram -- @DeannaBartalini
This summer, we're excited to bring you a family-friendly book club cohosted by our own Allison Gingras and a longtime friend of Catholic Mom, Colleen Pressprich. We’ll be featuring both Marian Consecration for Families with Young Children and Colleen's newest offering, God the Father’s Love: A Journey Through Scripture for Catholic Families. And we'll be praying together to consecrate our families to Jesus through Mary as we explore these books each week.
God the Father’s Love: A Journey Through Scripture for Catholic Families uses Scripture to invite and encourage children to learn more about God and to feel free to talk to God and about Him. Each day's illustrated entry focuses on one aspect of God's love, offering a Scripture passage emphasizing God's love and a brief reflection bridging the gap between Scripture and our own lives. Daily conversation starters and a brief prayer complete each entry.
Marian Consecration for Families with Young Children enables families with children ages 3 to 7 understand and grow in their faith and in Marian devotion. Daily entries include inviting art, questions to discuss together, and reflections about the lives of Jesus and Mary. Prayers and Scripture readings are interspersed throughout this book. We've scheduled this Book Club to conclude in time for you to begin a Consecration ending on September 15.
You may remember the Catholic Mom Marian Consecration we offered online a few years ago. We’ll be running that concurrently with the family consecration for those who do not have children at home or whose families may not yet feel ready to explore this devotion. You'll find that information and daily posts on our social media beginning August 13, concluding with the Consecration prayer on September 15, the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows.
Maria Morera Johnson and Bayleigh Marquis welcome Catholicmom.com contributor, Karen Estep, for a lively conversation about motherhood.
Karen Estep is the host of the podcast Stand, Kneel, Now What? In coming home to the Catholic faith as an adult she hopes to share her love of the Church on a daily basis. Karen has been shown many graces through the Sacraments even through all of her blunders. She hopes to help other adults navigate their faith journey as well.
Links for this Show: * Read all articles by Karen Estep * Stand, Kneel, Now What?
This summer, we're excited to bring you a family-friendly book club cohosted by our own Allison Gingras and a longtime friend of Catholic Mom, Colleen Pressprich. We’ll be featuring both Marian Consecration for Families with Young Children and Colleen's newest offering, God the Father’s Love: A Journey Through Scripture for Catholic Families. And we'll be praying together to consecrate our families to Jesus through Mary as we explore these books each week.
God the Father’s Love: A Journey Through Scripture for Catholic Families uses Scripture to invite and encourage children to learn more about God and to feel free to talk to God and about Him. Each day's illustrated entry focuses on one aspect of God's love, offering a Scripture passage emphasizing God's love and a brief reflection bridging the gap between Scripture and our own lives. Daily conversation starters and a brief prayer complete each entry.
Marian Consecration for Families with Young Children enables families with children ages 3 to 7 understand and grow in their faith and in Marian devotion. Daily entries include inviting art, questions to discuss together, and reflections about the lives of Jesus and Mary. Prayers and Scripture readings are interspersed throughout this book. We've scheduled this Book Club to conclude in time for you to begin a Consecration ending on September 15.
You may remember the Catholic Mom Marian Consecration we offered online a few years ago. We’ll be running that concurrently with the family consecration for those who do not have children at home or whose families may not yet feel ready to explore this devotion. You'll find that information and daily posts on our social media beginning August 13, concluding with the Consecration prayer on September 15, the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows.
Meet the Catholic moms who work behind the scenes at Catholicmom.com: Allison Gingras, Margaret Dwyer Hogan, Barb Szyszkiewicz, Bayleigh Marquis, victoria Hassan, and Maria Morera Johnson.
In this special 300th episode of Catholic Momcast, we meet the women who work to bring over 140 contributors, podcast guests, and special events to our readers and listeners. Join us in our celebration!
Link for this Show: Who We Are
Maria Morera Johnson and Gabriella Ribeiro discuss novenas with Allison Gingras, author of The Handy Little Guide to Novenas.
Allison Gingras (ReconciledToYou.com) considers herself a new media evangelist. Authoring The Handy Little Guide to Novenas (OSV), Encountering Signs of Faith (Ave Maria Press) and the Stay Connected Journals for Catholic Women (Our Sunday Visitor), which includes a new title in 2025, Jesus Heals. Allison is Director of Digital Evangelization for Holy Cross Family Ministries.
Links in Episode:
- The Handy Little Guide to Novenas (OSV)
- Allison's author page
- Read all articles by Allison Gingras.
A Catholic Mom Book Club for the Whole Family This summer, we're excited to bring you a family-friendly book club cohosted by our own Allison Gingras and a longtime friend of Catholic Mom, Colleen Pressprich. We’ll be featuring both Marian Consecration for Families with Young Children and Colleen's newest offering, God the Father’s Love: A Journey Through Scripture for Catholic Families. And we'll be praying together to consecrate our families to Jesus through Mary as we explore these books each week.
God the Father’s Love: A Journey Through Scripture for Catholic Families uses Scripture to invite and encourage children to learn more about God and to feel free to talk to God and about Him. Each day's illustrated entry focuses on one aspect of God's love, offering a Scripture passage emphasizing God's love and a brief reflection bridging the gap between Scripture and our own lives. Daily conversation starters and a brief prayer complete each entry.
Marian Consecration for Families with Young Children enables families with children ages 3 to 7 understand and grow in their faith and in Marian devotion. Daily entries include inviting art, questions to discuss together, and reflections about the lives of Jesus and Mary. Prayers and Scripture readings are interspersed throughout this book. We've scheduled this Book Club to conclude in time for you to begin a Consecration ending on September 15.
You may remember the Catholic Mom Marian Consecration we offered online a few years ago. We’ll be running that concurrently with the family consecration for those who do not have children at home or whose families may not yet feel ready to explore this devotion. You'll find that information and daily posts on our social media beginning August 13, concluding with the Consecration prayer on September 15, the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows.
Maria Johnson interviews Ann Koshute, co-founder and Executive Director of Springs in the Desert, a Catholic infertility ministry.
Ann Koshute holds a Master of Theological Studies from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family. She is co-founder and Executive Director of Springs in the Desert, a Catholic infertility ministry. She and her husband Keith are Byzantine Catholics, who married in 2011 and live in Central Pennsylvania.
Links in Show: * Springs in the Desert * Facebook – Springs in the Desert * Instagram - @springsinthedesert_ * The Springs in the Desert Podcast, found wherever you like to listen
A Catholic Mom Book Club for the Whole Family This summer, we're excited to bring you a family-friendly book club cohosted by our own Allison Gingras and a longtime friend of Catholic Mom, Colleen Pressprich. We’ll be featuring both Marian Consecration for Families with Young Children and Colleen's newest offering, God the Father’s Love: A Journey Through Scripture for Catholic Families. And we'll be praying together to consecrate our families to Jesus through Mary as we explore these books each week.
God the Father’s Love: A Journey Through Scripture for Catholic Families uses Scripture to invite and encourage children to learn more about God and to feel free to talk to God and about Him. Each day's illustrated entry focuses on one aspect of God's love, offering a Scripture passage emphasizing God's love and a brief reflection bridging the gap between Scripture and our own lives. Daily conversation starters and a brief prayer complete each entry.
Marian Consecration for Families with Young Children enables families with children ages 3 to 7 understand and grow in their faith and in Marian devotion. Daily entries include inviting art, questions to discuss together, and reflections about the lives of Jesus and Mary. Prayers and Scripture readings are interspersed throughout this book. We've scheduled this Book Club to conclude in time for you to begin a Consecration ending on September 15.
You may remember the Catholic Mom Marian Consecration we offered online a few years ago. We’ll be running that concurrently with the family consecration for those who do not have children at home or whose families may not yet feel ready to explore this devotion. You'll find that information and daily posts on our social media beginning August 13, concluding with the Consecration prayer on September 15, the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows.
Maria Morera Johnson interviews Catholicmom.com contributors Amy J. Cattapan and Sherry Hayes-Peirce from the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis.
A.J. Cattapan, DM, Ed.D., is an award-winning author, speaker, and teacher. Her YA novel Angelhood and her middle grade book Seven Riddles to Nowhere have won multiple awards. She is also the author of Sweet Jesus, Is It June Yet?, a book on combatting teacher burnout (Ave Maria Press). Follow her at AJCattapan.com.
Read all articles by Amy j. Cattapan
A Saint Squad for Teachers: 45 Heavenly Friends to Carry You through the School Year
Sherry Hayes-Peirce is a Catholic social media strategist, blogger, conference speaker, podcast guest and contributing author of the Ave Prayer Book for Catholic Mothers. She serves as Digital Engagement Coordinator for American Martyrs Catholic Community in Manhattan Beach, CA. Sherry has a devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and is grateful to be a digital disciple of Christ.
Read all articles by Sherry Hayes-Peirce.
The Ave Prayer Book for Catholic Mothers
Maria Morera Johnson and Heidi Hess Saxton have an animated conversation about their experiences at the 2024 Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis.
Links in Episode:
- Heidi's Author Page - Stories of the Eucharist - Maria's Author Page
Maria Morera Johnson Interviews Chris A. Sariego, PR & Marketing Director at Family Theater Productions, at the Catholic Media Conference in Atlanta.
Chris Sariego is the award-winning PR & Marketing Director at Family Theater Productions. Over a 30-year career, Chris developed deep experience in documentaries, feature films, and TV production, as well as in positions as a PR, communications, and marketing director. Previously, Chris was PR & Marketing Director for St. Vincent de Paul of Los Angeles, a Catholic charity serving the poor and homeless of Southern California, where he won a Gabriel Award for a documentary on the Society. Chris was also co-chair of the National St. Vincent de Paul Communications Task Force, implementing best practices at the charity nationwide. At Family Theater Productions, Chris is part of a team winning Gabriel and Christopher Awards for PRAY: THE STORY OF PATRICK PEYTON and an Emmy® for The House That Rob Built. At Vermont PBS, he won two Emmys and was nominated for a third for his documentary work as a producer, writer, and director. Chris has a B.A. in Journalism from St. Michael’s College in Vermont and early in his career worked as a journalist. He is married with several children.
Links in Show: * Family Theater Productions * Holy Cross Family Ministries
Maria Morera Johnson and Heidi Hess Saxton have an intimate conversation about faith and prayer around St. Catherine of Siena's writings, particularly on the subject of light.
Links in Episode:
- Heidi's Author Page - Stories of the Eucharist - Maria's Author Page
Marie Miller is an accomplished singer/songwriter whose music has played on both Christian and pop radio through the years. Among her accomplishments, she has played for Pope Francis, opened for the Backstreet Boys, and toured with Five For Fighting. Her new album The Way of Love dropped on May 31st. The album includes a total of five songs. Four songs are written by Marie with the addition of her own folk-pop rendition of the classic Take Lord Receive that will help listeners surrender to God with a joyful spirit. The title song of the album, The Way of Love, was Inspired by the little French nun, St. Thérèse of Lisieux’s theology of the Little Way. Links in Show: * Marie Miller Music * Marie Miller -- The Way of Love
Maria Morera Johnson interviews Cecilia Cicone, award-winning author of Jesus in Space: A True Story That's Out of This World, from the floor of the Catholic Media Conference in Atlanta.
Cecilia Cicone is the award-winning author of Jesus in Space: A True Story That's Out of This World, the true story of astronaut Tom Jones and his journey into space with the Blessed Sacrament, participating in a Communion service in space! Cecilia earned a degree from the Catholic University of America and currently works in ministry in Northwest Indiana.
Links in Show: * Jesus in Space: A True Story That's Out of This World by Cecilia Cicone * Cecilia Cicone's website
Maria Morera Johnson and Heidi Hess Saxton interview Inés Huber Mersch, a faithful Catholic wife, mother, and grandmother in love with the Lord and sharing her joy.
Inés Huber Mersch is a faithful Catholic wife, mother, and grandmother residing in Mobile, Alabama. Her strong attraction to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament led to her being invited to participate in the steering committee that brought Perpetual Adoration to the Archdiocese of Mobile and continues as one of the schedulers. She has also been a guest writer at Catholic Mom.
Maria Morera Johnson interviews Paulina Kuzik, international editor for OSV, about her work as a journalist from the floor of the Catholic Media Conference in Atlanta.
Paulina Guzik, is an award-winning journalist and a professor at the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Krakow. she is currently the international editor for Our Sunday Visitor (OSV).
Links in Show Notes: * Paulina's recent articles
Maria Morera Johnson interviews Catholic Mom contributor Sr. Margaret Kerry, FSP, about vocations, writing for Catholic Mom, and praying through her painting.
A Daughter of St. Paul for 50 years, Sr. Margaret continues to pursue new ways to proclaim the Gospel: sharing the Pauline Charism with the laity, writing books (St. Anthony of Padua: Fire & Light; Strength in Darkness: John of the Cross; Prayers for the New Evangelization), and through direct evangelization. She is available for workshops on the Vocation & Mission of the Laity, Media Literacy, and The New Evangelization.
Links in Show: * Read all articles by Sr. Margaret. * Sr. Margaret's Art on Pinterest * St. Anthony of Padua: Fire & Light * Strength in Darkness: John of the Cross * Prayers for the New Evangelization
Theoni Bell has been fascinated with Our Lady of Champion for a decade. Her historical fiction novel The Woman in the Trees: a novel about America's first approved Marian apparition was published in 2021 by TAN Books. In 2024, Theoni was added as a “witness” to the Libellus requesting permission from the Vatican to initiate the cause for the canonization of the seer Adele Brise. Theoni has spent years sifting through archival documents and corresponding with members of the shrine staff, historians in Belgium, and descendants of the community in which the apparition took place. She collects the stories of people who have experienced miracles — even minor ones — through Our Lady of Champion’s intercession, in hopes that these will draw people to the shrine to encounter Our Lady there.
This whole venture started in 2013 with two answered petitions after a visit to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion.
Theoni also writes and speaks about baby loss. Her baby loss picture book Jellybean: a baby’s journey to God came out April 2024 from Holy Heroes. She sells baby loss memorial prayer cards and prints on Etsy.
Theoni has a master's in international journalism and studied religion and culture in 9 countries. She came to Catholicism in college. She writes from Houston where she lives with her husband and three children, never forgetting to ask aid from their four children in heaven.
Links in Show: * www.theonibell.com * Jellybean: A Baby's Journey to God – Holy Heroes * www.holyheroes.com/loss * www.etsy.com/shop/visionsofthegoodhelp
Additional Resources for Families: * Miraculous - a boy catalogues the miracles in his community while dealing with the loss of a newborn sibling. * A Whale of the Wild - a girl whale anticipates the birth of her sibling and it is stillborn. She flees with her baby sister to lay her to rest in the burial place of her ancestors. * The Woman in the Trees - a Belgian girl loses her sister while immigrating to Wisconsin with her family and learns to lean on the faith against the harshness of pioneer life and the grief and bitterness of her mother. (Strange enough, I wrote this book before I lost Sloane, but the death of this sibling is the main struggle of my characters and they eventually integrate it into the faith with the help of the apparition seer. God definitely prepared me for this huge loss.) * Sursum Corda - Eileen Tully Ministry for grieving mothers * Red Bird Ministries - large national organization with retreats, conferences, online talks, support groups, and more. Laypeople and clergy have started Red Bird groups in their own parishes.
Maria Morera Johnson and Heidi Hess Saxton interview Emily Jaminet, author of The Secrets of the Sacred Heart.
Emily Jaminet is a Catholic author, speaker, radio personality, wife, and mother of seven children and Executive Director of the Sacred Heart Enthronement Network (www.welcomeHisHeart.com) and co-founder of www.InspiretheFaith.com.
She co-authored the award-winning book, Divine Mercy for Moms and The Friendship Project, PrayFully, and Our Friend Faustina and her most recent book is The Secrets of the Sacred Heart. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Columbus Catholic Women’s Conference and The John Paul II Preschool and writes on a regular basis for www.catholicmom.com and www.Diocean.com.
Michele Faehnle and her recently started a Podcast called Inspired by Faith which is also aired on St.Gabriel Radio.
Links in Episode:
- Emily Jaminet website - Holy Habits from the Sacred Heart and other books
Hosts Maria Morera Johnson, Sarah Reinhard, and Barb Szyszkiewicz make an exciting announcement about Lisa Hendey's new role as Catholic Mom Ambassador, and then go all fan-girl.
Lisa Hendey founded Catholic Mom in 1999 when she discovered there were few resources for Catholic Moms on the internet. She created a website where she could post activities to help other moms with small children who were looking for resources, too. Eventually, it grew into a kind of crowd-sourced resource, where Lisa invited other moms to share their strategies and resources, and the beautiful Catholic Mom Contributors team was born. Lisa envisioned not just a great place to gather resources and create community, but also a space for Catholic women writers to practice their craft while providing both practical and spiritual resources for moms and families.
In 2017, Holy Cross Family Ministries acquired CatholicMom.com, and it gave this beautiful platform a wider audience and a stronger reach to provide spiritual support to Catholic moms and families. You might also see that we have dads and religious sisters and priests writing for us, too. We so very much love and appreciate the 140 Catholic Mom contributors that make up our writing team!
Lisa has taken on a new role as Catholic Mom Ambassador, and we thought we’d do a little retrospective as a big thank you to Lisa for first of all, founding this awesome resource, but also, from the bottom of our hearts, for being a true Catholic Mom to us all, walking this faith journey of our vocation as mothers through all the seasons with littles, teenagers and young adults, and for many of us, into the golden age of being grandmothers. Thank you Lisa, and God bless you in your new role!
Links for Today Show: * Lisa Hendey website * Lisa Hendey's articles at Catholic Mom
Maria Morera Johnson and Heidi Hess Saxton interview Oscar Delgado, actor, producer, and philanthropist, at the red carpet premiere of Jesus Thirsts: The Miracle of the Eucharist.
Oscar Delgado is a distinguished Hollywood producer, philanthropist, and former NBC war correspondent whose career showcases a commitment to storytelling and humanitarian causes. Beginning with NBC News, Delgado rose from Mexico City Bureau Chief to Latin American Bureau Chief, eventually serving as Senior War Producer/Correspondent. His fearless reporting from conflict zones provided audiences with in-depth insights into critical global situations.
Transitioning to film production, Delgado has made significant contributions as the associate producer of the acclaimed docudrama "Love and Mercy: Purgatory." His role as the producer of "St. Michael—Meet the Angel" further exemplifies his dedication to content with deep spiritual and cultural significance.
Delgado is a committed philanthropist, supporting various charitable initiatives including the magnificent Adoration Chapel at Saint Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church that houses the world’s largest Eucharistic Monstrance in Chicago, featured in the film, Jesus Thirsts. His advisory role on the Cause for canonization of Venerable Fulton Sheen highlights his dedication to advancing Sheen's legacy and potential sainthood.
Links in Episode:
- Jesus Thirsts: The Miracle of the Eucharist - The Largest Eucharistic Monstrance in the World
Maria Morera Johnson and Heidi Hess Saxton interview Deacon Steve Greco, permanent deacon of the Dioces of Orange at the red carpet premiere of Jesus Thirsts: The Miracle of the Eucharist.
Deacon Steve Greco is a permanent deacon of the Diocese of Orange and Director of Evangelization and Faith Formation for the Diocese of Orange. He is founder of Spirit Filled Hearts Ministry, and host of Empowered by the Spirit, and a key contributor to the film, Jesus, Thirsts. Welcome Deacon Steve!
Links in Episode: - Jesus Thirsts: The Miracle of the Eucharist
Maria Morera Johnson and Heidi Hess Saxton interview Tim Moriarty, actor and founder of Castletown Media, at the red carpet premiere of Jesus Thirsts: The Miracle of the Eucharist.
Tim Moriarty, founder of Castletown Media, earned his Master’s degree in Philosophy from Boston College and a Master of Fine Arts in Acting from Louisiana State University. Tim’s acting career includes roles in popular television shows such as Blue Bloods, House of Cards, and Manifest. As the executive director of Castletown Media, he has produced nearly a dozen Catholic documentary films and TV series. Notable works include The Field Afar: The Life of Fr. Vincent Capodanno, Heart of a Missionary, Enduring Faith: The Story of Native American Catholics, and Mother Teresa: No Greater Love. Tim, alongside his wife Maria, resides in Seattle, WA, with their two children.
Links in Episode: - Jesus Thirsts: The Miracle of the Eucharist - Tim Moriarty - Castletown Media
Maria Johnson sits down with Liz Lantigua, founder of Good News! Book Fair, a wonderful alternative to the conventional book fairs in schools today. Good News! Book Fair for an Agenda-Free Alternative Good News! Book Fair started in 2014. They are headquartered in Florida with a second distribution center in Ohio and are now a program of Literacy Advocates USA, a nonprofit organization. Good News! Boof Fair emphasizes how important it is for parents and educators to instill the joy of reading in children and provide fun, wholesome, inspiring books, promoting good entertainment collaborating with Family Theatre Productions and Angel Studios. Good News! Book Fair (GNBF) believes that if we can change the media, we can change the culture. They help parents and educators by curating titles, offering author presentations/book signings, literary programs that make reading fun, fundraising for libraries, and providing a place where anyone can purchase clean reads in an agenda-free environment.
Show Notes Links: * www.goodnewsbookfair.com
Maria Johnson welcomes podcaster Katie Ruvi, host of “Is This for Kids?” for an important conversation about internet safety for our children.
Katie Ruvi is a Catholic convert, a wife and mother of five. She lives in Indiana where she makes a couple of podcasts and is hopefully making the world better a little at a time. Welcome Katie – and we’re going to breakthrough to find out what these couple of podcasts are.
“Is THIS For Kids?” Is a podcast to help parents navigate digital media while raising digital natives. We are trying to help parents know what’s out there and how they can guide their children through an ever-changing culture and media landscape without fear or judgement…or fear of judgement! Welcome to the show, Katie.
Links in Show:
- @mrsruvi on social media
- The podcast is @itfkpodcast on Instagram
- isthisforkids.com
We love to hear from you with feedback, questions & ideas for future podcast topics. Email us at editor@catholicmom.com or send us a voicemail or connect on social media.
Lisa Hendey and Maria Morera Johnson sit down with Erica Tighe Campbell to chat about her new book Living the Seasons: Simple Ways to Celebrate the Beauty of Your Faith throughout the Year. Erica Tighe Campbell educates readers of all ages and stages – from kids to single young adults to grandparents – on Church seasons and Saints. She also offers beautiful photography and imaginative activities for any skill level.
Erica Tighe Campbell is the owner and artist behind Be A Heart, a popular Christian modern lifestyle brand. Her new book is Living the Seasons: Simple Ways to Celebrate the Beauty of Your Faith Throughout the Year.
Show Notes Links: Erica Tighe Campbell Social Media
- Website: ericatcampbell.com
- Instagram: @ericatighecampbell
Be a Heart Social Media
- Website: beaheart.com
- Instagram: @beaheartdesign
- Facebook: @beaheartdesign
- TikTok: @beaheartdesign
Lisa Hendey sits down with noted children’s author Katie Warner to discuss her latest projects for families.
Katie Warner is a Catholic homeschooling mother of five and bestselling children's book author with a graduate degree in theology. You can find her many children's books and free resources for Catholic children at FirstFaithTreasury.com.
One Holy Marriage: The Story of Saints Louis and Zelie Martin - Uncover the beauty of the Sacrament of Marriage through the quiet, virtuous lives of Saints Louis and Zélie Martin, the first married saints in history to be canonized together.
Sister Clare Gets Ready for Prayer - Explore a cloistered monastery together and a day in the life of a Dominican nun, the most creative way to introduce your little one to the joy of vocation and the gift of the religious life!
Show Notes Links: * FirstFaithTreasury.com * KatieWarner.com * Instagram.com/katiewarnercatholic * Facebook.com/catholickatieonline
Heidi Hess Saxton and Maria Morera Johnson welcome Mike Aquilina, author of St. Joseph and His World(Scepter Press).
Mike Aquilina is a Catholic author and journalist working in the area of Church history, especially patristics. He is executive vice-president of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. On this the Solemnity of St. Joseph, we asked him to talk with us about his book, St. Joseph and His World (Scepter Press)
Links in Show: * St Joseph and His World
Lisa Hendey and Maria Morera Johnson welcome journalist and mother Stephanie Clary for a conversation on caring for our natural world and our families. Stephanie Clary is the environment editor at the National Catholic Reporter.
EarthBeat is the faith and environment project of the National Catholic Reporter. Their content includes news, opinions, and essays where ecological concern and moral conviction meet. While they primarily cover the Catholic Church and spaces where Catholics engage the world today, EarthBeat also includes coverage of other faith traditions and ecumenical and interfaith efforts for environmental and climate justice.
Show Notes Links: * Earthbeat: https://www.ncronline.org/earthbeat * Instagram: @stephanieclaryncr
Lisa Hendey and Barb Szyszkiewicz talk storytelling with novelist Amanda Lauer, author of the newly published novel A Faith Such as Heaven Intended, the fifth installment in Lauer’s young adult Civil War series.
An avid reader and history buff since childhood, Amanda Lauer is the author of the award-winning Heaven Intended Civil War series, and the time-travel novels, Anything But Groovy and Royal & Ancient. Amanda and her husband John have been married 43 years, have four married children, and eight precious grandchildren.
Show Notes Links: * Amanda Lauer - https://amandalauer.com/ * Amanda Lauer at Catholic Mom - https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/amanda-lauer * Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/amandalauerauthor/ * Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090820185794 * Twitter - https://twitter.com/amandalauer23
Heidi Hess Saxton and Maria Morera Johnson welcome Theresa Kiser, author of Arthur the Clumsy Altar Server (OSV).
Theresa Kiser is a children’s book author in South Carolina. She is the author of the “Arthur the Clumsy Altar Server” series (OSV). Her debut picture book is A Little Catholic’s Book of Liturgical Colors (Holy Heroes, 2019). Her award-winning fantasy series The Manakor Chronicles is for readers ages 10-14 and includes The Firebrand Legacy (Saint Pancratius Press, 2015) and Death Dragon’s Kiss (Saint Pancratius Press, 2017).
Links in Show: Arthur the Clumsy Altar Server
Seven Sorrows of Mary Rosary
Lisa Hendey welcomes to the podcast Emmy-nominated actress, producer, and New York Times bestselling author Roma Downey.
Roma Downey joins us today to discuss her wonderful new project The Baxters, launching very soon on Amazon Prime. Based on the worldwide best-selling book series by Karen Kingsbury,
The Baxters: Based on the worldwide best-selling book series by Karen Kingsbury, The Baxters is a riveting family drama that follows Elizabeth and John Baxter and their five adult children. Season One of The Baxters centers on Elizabeth and John’s daughter, Kari, who learns the shocking truth that her professor husband, Tim, has been secretly having an affair with one of his college students. As her relationship is tested, Kari must seek comfort in her faith and family to discover if love is truly a choice and if her marriage can be redeemed. In this deeply moving faith-based journey, The Baxters must come together as a family to work through the challenges of life.
Show Notes Links: * The Baxters at Amazon Prime * Preview Clip of The Baxters
Join author Kelsey Gillespy for the final session of our 4-week Book Club and nurture your spiritual life amid the chaos and beauty of raising littles.
We're reading In the Trenches: Finding God Through Parenting Littles by Kelsey Gillespy for our Winter 2024 Book Club!
This week, we hosted the final session of our Winter 2024 Book Club! We're reading In the Trenches: Finding God Through Parenting Littles by Kelsey Gillespy.
In our Book Club discussion, Kelsey, acquisitions editor Sr. Allison Gliot, FSP, and editor Courtney Saponaro joined us to talk about part 4 of this book, "You Can Have It All (Without Waiting Until They're Older)." Sister Allison shared what made this book a choice for publication, and then the discussion turned to moms' yearning for spiritual growth during a time when they're very busy seeing to their families' needs, and our human temptation to try to avoid what is hard, even though Jesus instructed us to take up our cross—daily.
Heidi and Maria have an intimate conversation about their memories of the Easter Vigil, and practices for Holy Week as they lead up to Easter.
Links for this Episode: The Ave Prayer Intentions Journal
Pre-order Heidi's new book: Stories of the Eucharist: A Family Treasury of Saints and Seekers
Sign up for Maria's newsletter and get some exciting news coming up soon!
Lisa Hendey is joined by guests Lisa Brenninkmeyer and Laura Phelps to discuss their new "Hope for Right Now" podcast from Walking with Purpose.
Lisa Brenninkmeyer is Founder and CEO of Walking with Purpose, ap apostolate that develops and delivers Catholic Bible studies for adult women, young women, and girls. Laura Phelps is a Catholic author, speaker, and Content Creation Manager for Walking with Purpose.
About “Hope for Right Now”: In a world where levels of despair are rising, we need more than mindfulness or positive affirmations - we need a lifeline we can count on. The "Hope for Right Now" podcast from Walking with Purpose dives into Scripture, connects God's word with everyday life, and teaches us how to become women grounded in hope.
Show Notes Links: * Hope for Right Now * Apple Podcast: Hope for Right Now: A Walking with a Purpose Podcast * Spotify: Hope for Right Now: A Walking with a Purpose Podcast
Heidi Hess Saxton and Maria Morera Johnson discuss the story of Heidi's conversion to Catholicism and the first time she received the sacraments, 30 years ago at the Easter Vigil.
Cohosts Lisa Hendey and Maria Morera Johnson catch up with “Cabrini” producer Leo Severino to learn all about this new release from Angel Studios. Leo Severino is a 20-year Hollywood veteran and a founding partner of Metanoia Films. Angel Studios will release “Cabrini” exclusively in theaters nationwide Friday, March 8
About Cabrini: From Alejandro Monteverde, award-winning director of 𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘍𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘰𝘮, comes the powerful epic of Francesca Cabrini, an Italian immigrant who arrives in New York City in 1889 and is greeted by disease, crime, and impoverished children. Cabrini sets off on a daring mission to convince the hostile mayor to secure housing and healthcare for society's most vulnerable. With broken English and poor health, Cabrini builds an empire of hope unlike anything the world had ever seen.
When Italian immigrant Francesca Cabrini steps foot in America in 1889, she is greeted by disease, crime, and impoverished children living in New York's slums. Armed with a fearless spirit and a compassionate heart, Cabrini sets off on a daring mission to convince the hostile mayor to secure housing and healthcare for society's most vulnerable. Despite broken English and poor health, Cabrini leverages her entrepreneurial mind to build an empire of hope unlike anything the world had ever seen.
Show Notes Links: * Official Trailer: https://youtu.be/lihCRaOj0Lg?si=V09gHAH81-I1xQk9
Join author Kelsey Gillespy for the third session of our 4-week Book Club and nurture your spiritual life amid the chaos and beauty of raising littles.
We're reading In the Trenches: Finding God Through Parenting Littles by Kelsey Gillespy for our Winter 2024 Book Club!
This week, we hosted the second session of our Winter 2024 Book Club! We're reading In the Trenches: Finding God Through Parenting Littles by Kelsey Gillespy.
In our Book Club discussion, Kelsey and her editor Courtney Saponaro joined us to talk about part 3 of this book, "Who Are You?" Beginning by focusing on moms' tendency to focus so deeply on others that their sense of self disappears, Kelsey affirms that God wants us to continue, as mothers, to live as the person He has made us to be.
Lisa Hendey and Maria Johnson sit down with Celeste Behe to discuss the St. Monica Ministry, an apostolate of prayer and support for families of those no longer practicing the faith.
Lisa Hendey and Maria Johnson sit down with Celeste Behe to discuss the St. Monica Ministry, a dedicated community and prayer network offering support to the families and friends of fallen-away Catholics. It is a rapidly-growing apostolate, with subscribers in forty U.S. states, as well as in Spain, South Africa, Malta, Trinidad and Tobago, the Philippines, Nova Scotia, Ireland, Australia, and Canada.
Show Notes Links: * CelesteBehe.com * www.instagram.com/stmonicaministry/ * www.facebook.com/stmonicaministry/
Heidi Hess Saxton and Maria Morera Johnson welcome Marge Steinhage Fenelon, author of Behold Your Mother: Marian Stations of the Cross (OSV)
Marge Steinhage Fenelon is an award-winning and best-selling author, international speaker, certified spiritual mentor, and Professional Life Coach. She has written several books on Marian devotion and Catholic spirituality. As a life coach, she is passionate about helping others grow personally and spiritually. Her podcast, Simply Holy, airs on many popular podcast platforms.
Links in Show:Behold Your Mother: Marian Stations of the Cross (OSV) Our Lady, Undoer of Knots: A Living Novena (Ave Maria Press)
Join author Kelsey Gillespy for the second session of our 4-week Book Club and nurture your spiritual life amid the chaos and beauty of raising littles.
We're reading In the Trenches: Finding God Through Parenting Littles by Kelsey Gillespy for our Winter 2024 Book Club!
This week, we hosted the second session of our Winter 2024 Book Club! We're reading In the Trenches: Finding God Through Parenting Littles by Kelsey Gillespy.
In our Book Club discussion, Kelsey and her editor Courtney Saponaro joined us to talk about the way God is parenting us through our parenting journey. (Courtney confided that this is probably her favorite section of the book! Do you agree?) They also answered questions about spiritual reading, getting to know God as both Father and Bridegroom, and how moms can heal spiritually after miscarriage.
Rob Kaczmark is an Emmy award-winning filmmaker, producer, and the proud father of two young sons. He's also the CEO and President of Spirit Juice Studios, a company leading the way in the high-quality production of multimedia content for Catholic dioceses, schools, non-profit organizations, religious orders, and other clients across the country and around the world.
Juice Box is an online children’s show and YouTube channel designed to entertain kids and grown-ups while teaching the Catholic faith. We introduce faith-based topics on a level that young children will understand, engage with, enjoy, and (most importantly) remember.
Show Notes Links: * https://www.spiritjuicekids.com/ * https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritJuiceKids * https://www.instagram.com/spiritjuicekids/ * https://www.facebook.com/spiritjuicekids
CatholicMom Prayercast hosts Heidi Hess Saxton and Maria Morera Johnson discuss Lenten practices on this upcoming Ash Wednesday.
Heidi and Maria discuss the Lenten practice of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
Links for Show: The Ave Prayer Book for Catholic Mothers edited by Heidi Hess Saxton
- Heidi's author page
- Maria's author page
Lisa Hendey and Maria Morera Johnson share a conversation with Br. Paul Bednarczyk, C.S.C., Superior General of the Congregation of Holy Cross, on the upcoming Global Rosary for World Peace.
Br. Paul Bednarczyk, C.S.C., the Superior General of the Congregation of Holy Cross, invites the Catholic Mom community and their families to join Holy Cross ministry centers around the world on five continents in 18 countries, to pray for world peace on the First Friday in Lent, February 16.
Links in Show: Holy Cross Family Ministries Pray for Peace
A World at Prayer Is a World at Peace By Fr. Willy Raymond, C.S.C.
We're reading In the Trenches: Finding God Through Parenting Littles by Kelsey Gillespy for our Winter 2024 Book Club!
In our Book Club discussion, Kelsey and her editor Courtney Saponaro joined us to talk about how, just by being moms, we get to live the call of Jesus. We get to put flesh and bone onto the works that He's called us to do.
Kelsey reminded us that our kids are not there to distract us from God, but to bring us closer to God.
We chatted about why the book begins with the topic of loneliness, the influence of social media on moms, and the works of mercy. And we talked quite a bit about sleep, because sometimes that's what a mom needs most!
Join the CatholicMom Team, Lisa Hendey, Maria Johnson, Barb Szyszkiewicz, and Allison Gingras to celebrate a virtual baby shower for Bayleigh Marquis and all expectant mothers.
This week, we gather our entire Catholic Mom team to talk about babies, advice for new mothers, and of course, to celebrate with Bayleigh and precious Baby M. We’ll offer some sage advice from our Catholic Mom contributors and give Bayleigh an opportunity to share a little bit of her journey to motherhood.
Hosts Maria Morera Johnson and Heidi Hess Saxton welcome Margaret H. (Peggy) Hartshorn, Ph.D., currently Chairman of the Board of Heartbeat International,
Margaret H. (Peggy) Hartshorn, Ph.D., currently Chairman of the Board of Heartbeat International, has served on the Board for 30 years, and served as Heartbeat’s President for 23 years (1993-2015). She is the author of The Love Approach: 4 Proven Steps to Transforming Relationships in Your Family, Church, and Community.
In August 2023, Dr. Hartshorn was recognized by the USCCB, and presented with the “People of Life” Award. Today, Peggy travels and speaks extensively, sharing her hands-on experience with pregnancy help ministries as they develop programs on abortion recovery and alternatives, sexual integrity, and adoption. She has been married to Michael Hartshorn for 47 years. They have two adopted children and five grandchildren.
Links in Show * Heartbeat International * The Love Approach: 4 Proven Steps to Transforming Relationships in Your Family, Church, and Community
Join Lisa Hendey and Barb Szyszkiewicz for a spirit-filled conversation with Catholic Mom contributor Maria Gallagher as we discover her new book Mercy's Power: Inspiration to Serve the Gospel of Life. Mercy’s Power is a down-to-earth guide for living out the Gospel of Life, as popularized by Pope St. John Paul II.
Maria Gallagher is the author of two books published by Marian Press, Joyful Encounters with Mary and Mercy's Power. She is also an advocate for women, children, and families and makes her home in Pennsylvania's Susquehanna Valley.
Show Notes Links:
- Maria Gallagher on Facebook
- Twitter: @mariaevitale
- Instagram: @mariavgallagher
- Website: www.MariaVGallagher.com
- Maria Gallagher at Catholic Mom
- Chevrolet “A Holiday to Remember”
Margaret Dwyer Hogan is currently Consultant to Fr Pinto, International Director of Try Prayer International 2024 and Developer of Rosary Curriculum for Peyton Guilds around the world hope to launch this year in 17 countries! Heidi, Maria, and Margaret discuss the importance of prayer, recalling Ven Patrick Peyton's assurance that “A world at prayer is a world at peace.” Join the Holy Cross Family Ministries family around the world in praying A Family Novena Celebrating Venerable Patrick Peyton's Birth. Show Note Links: * Family Rosary -- A Family Novena Celebrating Venerable Patrick Peyton's Birth * Praying with Families Around the World * International Try Prayer! It Works! Contest * CatholicMom Prayercast with Fr. David Marcham #2
Join us as we welcome in the new year! This week, we gather our entire Catholic Mom team for a look at our prayers, hopes, and dreams for 2024. From discussing New Year’s resolutions to sharing why we do or don’t set goals at this time of the year, we invite you to consider what you hope for the future in your spiritual, personal, and family lives.
Show Notes Links: * Daily Gospel Reflections at Catholic Mom * Surrender Novena
Sam Fatzinger is the author of A Catholic Guide to Spending Less and Living More, (Ave Maria Press), and for the Mothers Prayer Book she contributed "When Money is Tight: Novena to the Infant Jesus of Prague".
Sam gives insight into keeping finances in perspective during the holiday season, when the temptation is strong to over-spend and so many Catholics stress out about how to make ends meet during this time. Show Note Links: * Ave Maria Press link to The Ave Prayerbook for Catholic Mothers * Ave Maria Press link to A Catholic Guide to Spending Less and Living More, * Link to EWTN.com’s “Novena to the Infant Jesus of Prague.”
Join Lisa Hendey, Maria Johnson, Barb Szyszkiewicz, Allison Gingras, and Bayleigh Marquis for an early Christmas celebration at Catholic Momcast.
Join us for an early Christmas celebration! This week, we gather our entire Catholic Mom team for a joyful look at the Christmas season and our favorite family traditions. For a bonus, tune into the video recording of this conversation to catch our festive Christmas attire and “meet” us face to face.
Show Notes Links:
- Christmas articles at Catholic Mom
- Cookie Exchange: Mrs. Wagner’s Cookies by Barb Szyszkiewicz
- Cookie Exchange: Oreo Cookie Balls by Meg Matenaer
- Cookie Exchange: Classic Italian Biscotti by Kate Taliaferro
- Cookie Exchange: No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls by Jen Frost
Progressive Dinner:
Progressive Dinner: New England Gluten-Free Grown-Up Cocktail by Allison Gingras
Progressive Dinner: Granma’s Rolls by Barb Szyszkiewicz
Progressive Dinner: Creamy Roasted Mushroom Soup by Lisa Schmidt
Progressive Dinner: Tuna Macaroni Salad by Sally Hagarty
Progressive Dinner: Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Scallions by Barbara Stein
Progressive Dinner: Chicken, Broccoli and Ziti by Lauri Nienaber
Progressive Dinner: One-Bowl Chocolate Cake by Carolyn Astfalk
Lisa Hendey and Maria Johnson enjoy a conversation about storytelling with Anthony Barone Kolenc, the author of Murder at Penwood Manor. In this fifth book in The Harwood Mysteries, Xan, Christina, and Lucy must solve a murder and make life-changing decisions of their own before an innocent man is executed for the crime.
Antony Barone Kolenc is the author of The Harwood Mysteries, an inspirational medieval fiction series for youth that has won more than a dozen book awards. He is also the host of the radio show and podcast, The Shepherd’s Pie. He is a retired Air Force officer, and he currently teaches at Ave Maria School of Law.
Show Notes Links: * http://www.antonykolenc.com/ * https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-shepherds-pie * CatholicTeenBooks.com
It's the season for all the Christmas movies and specials. In this episode of Prayercast, Heidi Hess Saxton and Maria Morera Johnson welcome Fr. Randy Mattox, a priest from the Archdiocese of Atlanta, and quite an active presence for evangelization for the Great American Community.
Fr. Randy shares his conversion story and his devotion to the Blessed Mother. He also shares about his fun experience doing a cameo in a Christmas movie, and the wonderful work he does with evangelization on his social media as well as video spots for the Great American Community.
Links in Show:
Fr. Randy Mattox -- Instagram
The Engagement Plot
Great American Community
Maria Morera Johnson and Lisa Hendey sit down with Fr. David Michael Moses, the creator of the Pilgrim Rosary project.
About Pilgrim Rosary: Initiate the journey by praying with the Rosary (you become its Founder), then pass it on to a friend (a Pilgrim), then watch as your trackable Rosary journeys the globe, passed from one Pilgrim to another. Founders and Pilgrims can then check back to see their Rosaries travel around the world!
Fr. David Michael Moses is 29 years old and grew up in Houston, Texas. He started college when he was just 14 and was ordained a Priest in 2019 at the age of 25.
Show Notes Links:
- Pilgrim Rosary
- Fr. David Michael Moses
Lisa Hendey and Allison Gingras interview Scott Weeman, founder of Catholic in Recovery; recorded live at the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress.
Scott Weeman is a marriage and family therapist and founder/executive director of Catholic in Recovery, a nonprofit organization that serves individuals and families impacted by addiction. He is the author of, "The Twelve Steps and the Sacraments" and recently the editor and compiler of, "The Catholic in Recovery Workbook". He received a Masters in Clinical Counseling and has appeared on EWTN's The Journey Home and Women of Grace and is a regular guest on Catholic Answers Live. His work has been featured on Aleteia and Patheos. Scott lives in San Diego, California, with his family.
Show Note Links: * https://catholicinrecovery.com/ * The Catholic in Recovery Workbook
Heidi Hess Saxton and Maria Morera Johnson welcome CatholicMom.com founder, Lisa Hendey, for an engaging conversation on praying through the season of Advent. We share our experiences trying to slow down and "do Advent right" but we realize the idyllic and the reality are rarely the same. Lisa gives the best advice: be you.
You can also read about Janky Advent in Fat Luther, Slim Pickin’s: A Black Catholic Celebration of Faith, Tradition, and Diversity by Marcia Lane-McGee and Shannon Wimp Schmidt.
Pray with us as Lisa leads us in a prayer from O Radiant Dawn. God bless you as we enter this beautiful season of Advent.
Links in this Episode: * LisaHendey.com * O Radiant Dawn: 5-Minute Prayers Around the Advent Wreath
Lisa Hendey, Maria Johnson, Bayleigh Marquis, Allison Gingras and Barb Szyszkiewicz come together live for a special “Sound-seeing Pilgrimage” to the Father Peyton Center, the home of Holy Cross Family Ministries.
Join our entire Catholic Mom team for a special “Sound-seeing Pilgrimage” to the Father Peyton Center, the home of Holy Cross Family Ministries. Lisa Hendey, Maria Johnson, Bayleigh Marquis, Allison Gingras and Barb Szyszkiewicz visit the Chapel, the Museum of Family Prayer, and the Faith Gallery. We conclude our tour at the gravesite of Venerable Patrick Peyton, CSC. Father Peyton, pray for us!
Show Notes Links: * Holy Cross Family Ministries * Museum of Family Prayer * Venerable Patrick Peyton, CSC
Lisa Hendey welcomes Journey to Bethlehem Director and Writer Adam Anders and his wife and co-writer Nikki for a fun conversation about the feature film.
Journey to Bethlehem—A young woman carrying an unimaginable responsibility. A young man torn between love and honor. A jealous king who will stop at nothing to keep his crown. This live-action Christmas musical adventure for the entire family, weaves classic Christmas melodies with humor, faith and new pop songs in a retelling of the greatest story ever told, the story of Mary and Joseph and the birth of Jesus. A unique new entry into the collection of holiday classic movies, this epic Christmas musical is unlike any before it.
ADAM ANDERS is a four-time Grammy nominee and two-time People’s Choice Award winner. For many years, he served as the executive music producer of “Glee” and recently re-teamed with “Glee” co-creator Ryan Murphy to produce Netflix’s feature film “The Prom.” His company, Anders Media Inc., produces film and television content for global audiences. He has sold over 100 million records and worked with artists ranging from the Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus to Andy Grammar and Ceelo Green. His music has been heard in such film productions as High School Musical, The Wedding Planner, Captain Underpants, and Rock of Ages. His many other credits include executive producing the television shows “Perfect Harmony,” starring Bradley Whitford for NBC and the international hit teen musical “Kally’s Mashup,” which he created based on his own life; he is also credited with executive producing the faith-based FOX live television event “The Passion,” starring Tyler Perry, which generated the No. 1 soundtrack on Billboard. Anders is represented by John Frankenheimer and Scott Edel from Loeb & Loeb.
NIKKI ANDERS is a singer and songwriter who was the founding member of the multi-platinum Christian group AVALON. She previously has penned songs for film and TV, including Glee, Kally's Mashup, The Young Victoria, and High School Musical, as well as for artists ranging from Sheryl Crow to Selena Gomez. She also starred in the reality show “The Glee Project” and served as its music mentor.
Show Notes Links: * Official Website for Journey to Bethlehem - https://www.journeytobethlehemmovie.com/ * Official Trailer for Journey to Bethlehem - https://youtu.be/EFXcEWalXBI?si=6OalO5qCfud6buLD
Hosts Heidi Hess Saxton and Maria Morera Johnson talk with Debra Kelsey-Davis and Kelly Johnson, authors of The Caregiver’s Companion: A Christ-Centered Journal to Nourish Your Soul.
Debra Kelsey-Davis and Kelly Johnson are the co-founders of “Nourish for Caregivers,” a Catholic support organization for adult caregivers, and the authors of The Caregiver’s Companion: A Christ-Centered Journal to Nourish Your Soul.
Debra Kelsey-Davis is caregiver for her aging parents, a registered nurse, and the cofounder of both Nourish for Caregivers and Sagacity.Care. Kelly Johnson is the adult faith formation director at St. Mary of Gostyn Catholic Parish in Downers Grove, Illinois, and the cofounder of Nourish for Caregivers. She was an advertising executive until her then-five-year-old son developed a brain tumor and she cared for him during his illness. Show Note Links: * Nourish for Caregivers * The Caregivers Companion: A Christ-Centered Journal to Nourish Your Soul * Facebook group: “Catholic Caregivers”
Lisa Hendey and Barb Szyszkiewicz enjoy a conversation on the “spirituality of messiness” at the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Religious Education Congress with Sr. Julia Walsh, FSPA, author of the forthcoming spiritual biography For Love of the Broken Body: A Spiritual Memoir (April 2024).
Julia Walsh is a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration and part of her congregation’s formation team, serving women who are discerning their vocation. She co-founded The Fireplace, an intentional community and house of hospitality on Chicago’s southside that offers spiritual support to seekers, artists, and activists. She has a MA in Pastoral Studies from Catholic Theological Union and is a spiritual director and secondary teacher. As a creative writer, educator, and retreat presenter she is passionate about exploring the intersection of creativity, spirituality, activism, and community life. Sister Julia’s work can be found in publications such as America, Living Faith Catholic Devotional, National Catholic Reporter, Living City, The Christian Century, Chicago Sun-Times, and St. Anthony Messenger. She hosts the Messy Jesus Business blog and podcast and is on Twitter and Instagram as @JuliaFSPA. A lover of the outdoors, she sometimes can be found studying wildflowers near Elgin, Iowa, her hometown.
Show Notes Links: * Messy Jesus Business * Instagram and Twitter - @JuliaFSPA * For Love of the Broken Body: A Spiritual Memoir
Lisa Hendey and Maria Morera Johnson welcome Catholic Mom Contributor Rebecca W. Martin for a conversation about her adorable new children’s book Meet Sister Mary Margaret.
Meet Sister Mary Margaret is a colorful, engaging children's picture book that introduces kids and families to the beautiful lives and vocations of women religious!
Rebecca W. Martin is a Lay Dominican, editor, and author. She serves as acquisitions editor for Our Sunday Visitor, and freelances with Chrism Press. Rebecca lives in Michigan with her husband and too many cats.
Show Notes Links:
Instagram @rebecca.w.martin
Rebeccawmartin.com
Lisa Hendey hosts special guest and foster mother Kathleen Paydo for a conversation about family life and her book Fostering Love: A Glimpse into Foster Care.
Fostering Love: A Glimpse into Foster Care focused is on helping foster children see the experience of foster care as a chapter in their lives where they begin to heal from trauma and losses, grow surrounded by a loving family, find their God-given talents, and gain positive momentum.
Kathleen Paydo is a registered nurse, a member of the Catholic Writers Guild, and a member of the National Foster Parent Association. Paydo and her husband Ron along with their four biological children have welcomed 170 foster children into their home for most of their thirty-five year marriage.
Show Notes Links: * Facebook/Instagram: kathleenpaydollc * Twitter/X: @paydokathleen * kathleenpaydo.com
Hosts Maria Johnson and Heidi Saxton welcome Sarah Christmyer, general editor of the Living the Word Catholic Women’s Bible from Ave Maria Press.
Sarah Christmyer is a Catholic author, Bible teacher, and speaker with a special love for lectio divina and journaling as ways to draw close to Christ in Scripture. She is general editor of the Living the Word Catholic Women’s Bible from Ave Maria Press, as well as the co-developer and founding editor of The Great Adventure Catholic Bible study program and author or co-author of more than a dozen books and Bible studies. Her book Becoming Women of the Word pairs lessons from women of the Old Testament with women she has known to explore “How to Answer God’s Call with Purpose and Joy.” Sarah serves as an adjunct faculty member at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia and as a board member of the Malvern Retreat House in Malvern, PA. She blogs at ComeIntoTheWord.com.
Links in Episode: * NEW Podcast How to Love and Live the Word of God! * Blog * Books * Instagram
Lisa Hendey and Bayleigh Marquis are joined by Catholic Mom contributor Susan Ciancio for a conversation about how we can embrace and teach a culture of life in our homes and in society.
The Culture of Life Studies Program is a pre-K-12 Catholic, pro-life education program that supplements regular school curricula and that teaches students the value and dignity of all people—born and preborn. We offer standalone lessons on topics such as the sanctity of life, marriage, euthanasia, the preborn baby, caring for others, and many lessons on saints that range from one day to four weeks and that are easily integrated into a school, a homeschool, or a CCE lesson plan.
Susan Ciancio is a freelance editor who serves as the director and executive editor of American Life League’s Culture of Life Studies Program and is executive editor of ALL’s Celebrate Life Magazine.
Show Notes Links: * Susan Ciancio at Catholic Mom: https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/susan-ciancio * CLSP website: all.org/clsp * CLSP essay contest page: prolifeessay.com
Maria Johnson, Barb Szyszkiewicz, and Lisa Hendey chat about all things food in this fun episode about cooking as a chore, a hobby, a health tool, and a lifelong learning project.
CatholicMom team members Maria Johnson, Barb Szyszkiewicz, and Lisa Hendey share their adventures in the kitchen in this lively chat about all things food. Listen to this fun episode about cooking as a chore, a hobby, a health tool, and a lifelong learning project.
Show Notes Links: * Meatless Fridays at Catholic Mom * Plan to Eat * Barb’s recipe website: CookAndCount
Maria Johnson and Heidi Saxton welcome Peter Le, author of My Life of Grace.
Peter Le has indeed lived a life of grace. He suffered polio as a child in the midst of warn torn Vietnam. As an immigrant to the United States in the 1980s, suffered again the trails of emigrating from his home and finding his way in a new country. Then in 2018 he discovered he had thyroid cancer, and thus began a new wave of great physical suffering. In his book, My Life of Grace, he shares the consolation he found despite his pain.
Links in Show: * My Life of Grace (the Ave Maria Press cite includes the download to the Our Lady of Lavang Novena and a prayer card)
Lisa Hendey sits down with Fr. Tom Gibbons, CSP, at the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Religious Education Congress to chat about his work with Paulist Productions.
In addition to his work as Vice President of Paulist Productions, Fr. Tom serves at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Los Angeles, California.
Paulist Productions was founded over 50 years ago to create thought provoking entertainment that explores the human condition, and has produced award-winning documentaries, feature films, television, and TV movies addressing pressing social issues and important moral questions. Paulist has provided programming for Paramount, Warner Bros., CBS, ABC, A&E, the History Channel, Hallmark Hall of Fame, and UPtv. In a time of rapid change and declining options for family viewing, Paulist is dedicated to developing positive programming with meaningful content. The HUMANITAS Prize, one of screenwriting's most prestigious awards, was founded by Paulist Productions.
Show Notes Link: Paulist Productions - https://www.paulistproductions.org/
hollywoodpriest.com
serrastatues.com
Lisa Hendey and Maria Johnson chat with longtime friends of Catholic Mom Lisa Henley Jones and Shelly Henley Kelly from Of Sound Mind and Spirit podcast.
Lisa Hendey and Maria Johnson chat with longtime friends of Catholic Mom Lisa Henley Jones and Shelly Henley Kelly. Shelly and Lisa are two sisters on a journey of faith. On their podcast, Of Sound Mind and Spirit, they discuss why faith is important and how they can live it in areas of parenting, community, mid-life, service, and marriage. They’re not perfect, and don’t have all the answers. But they invite you to walk with them as they explore ways to better know and grow in their faith – together.
Lisa Henley Jones is a wife, mom, and native Texan. Together with her sister Shelly, Lisa shared about her life as influenced by her faith at their website and on their podcast, Of Sound Mind and Spirit. For fun, Lisa enjoys reading, walking, cheering on her teen daughter at soccer games and wearing the college colors of her young adult kids.
Shelly Henley Kelly is a wife, mother of three, and native Texan who writes and records with her sister on "Of Sound Mind and Spirit. When not writing or recording, Shelly can be found keeping the scorebook at her son’s baseball games, diving deep into historical research, or hiding with a good book in between games.
Show Notes Links: * https://soundmindandspirit.com/ * https://www.podpage.com/soundmindandspirit/ * Instagram @SoundMindandSpirit * Facebook.com/SoundMindandSpirit * Twitter @SoundMindSpirit * Pinterest pinterest.com/soundmindspirit/ * Young Adult podcast mentioned: Holy Spontaneity
Maria Johnson and Heidi Saxton welcome Rebecca Frech, author of Teaching in Your Tiara.
Rebecca Frech is a contributing writer to The Ave Prayer Book for Catholic Mothers and the author of the homeschool classic Teaching in Your Tiara.
Links in Show: * Teaching in Your Tiara * Can We Friends * The Ave Prayer Book for Catholic Mothers
Lisa Hendey shares a conversation with Shari Rigby, the talented director behind the new Great American Pure Flix film Divine Influencer.
Divine Influencer Synopsis: When an entitled influencer loses everything, she must humbly trust God to understand what the meaning of true influence is. Desperate, she takes a job at a homeless shelter only so she has a place to lay her head and quickly realizes the joy and purpose that comes from serving others.
Growing up in North Dakota, Shari Rigby dreamed of being an entertainer. For Shari, success in print modeling came at a young age and quickly evolved into commercial work & film. She has been credited with eight films, and an assortment of print awards.
Show Notes Links:
- Divine Influencer at Great American Pure Flix
CatholicMom.com founder Lisa Hendey is joined by Maria Johnson and Bayleigh Marquis for a fun conversation about the Labor Day holiday weekend and fall plans.
Lisa Hendey, Maria Morera Johnson and Bayleigh Marquis chat about the unofficial end of Summer, getting back to school and routines, and the mental reset that comes following Labor Day.
A sidebar about pens in our conversation leads us to a very important question: what is YOUR favorite pen/school supply?
Links in Show: * CatholicMom Prayercast with Fr Fred Jenga #1 * The Ave Prayer Book for Catholic Mothers
CatholicMom Prayercast hosts Heidi Hess Saxton and Maria Morera Johnson have an intimate conversation about Heidi's prayer journey.
Heidi Hess Saxton is senior acquisitions editor for Ave Maria Press, and editor of The Ave Prayer Book for Catholic Mothers. She and her husband Craig live in northern Michigan with their Chiweenie Gretta in a cabin in the woods. You can read more of their adventures on “Life on the Road Less Traveled.”
Maria Morera Johnson, author of My Badass Book of Saints, Super Girls and Halo, and Our Lady of Charity: How a Cuban Devotion to Mary Helped Me Grow in Faith and Love writes about all the things that she loves. A cradle Catholic, she struggles with living in the world but not being of it, and blogs about those successes and failures, too.
Links in Show Notes: * Father Dolindo Ruotolo Surrender Novena * Heidi Hess Saxton books * Read all articles by Heidi Hess Saxton. * Maria Morera Johnson books * Read all articles by Maria Morera Johnson
CatholicMom.com founder Lisa Hendey invites contributors Andrea Bear and Jennifer Thomas, hosts of Mourning Glory Podcast, for an important conversation about mourning, loss, and faith.
Lisa Hendey is joined by two of our Catholic Mom contributors, Andrea Bear and Jennifer Thomas, to discuss their beautiful new Mourning Glory Podcast. This podcast is aimed at helping listeners to navigate grief from a Catholic/Christian perspective. Host Andrea Bear and Jennifer Thomas share their journeys while drawing on faith. Combined with mental health tools and heavenly wisdom this podcast hopes to help listeners know they are not alone.
Andrea Bear writes for faith-based websites such as Catholicmom.com, queenofpeacemedia.com, and last year completed her first novel Grieving Daughters’ Club, loosely based off her experience with loss. She is a high school history teacher and has a fondness for St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. You can visit her website at http://www.andreabearauthor.com
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. You can find her at http://www.jenniferjthomas.com/
Show Notes Links: * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085419196537 * Instagram: @morningglorypodcast * Mourning Glory Podcast
CatholicMom.com founder Lisa Hendey and co-host Maria Morera Johnson welcome Cassie Schmidt from Ascension Press for an informative discussion on Ascension's groundbreaking Family Leave policy.
Cassie Schmidt is the Senior HR Manager on Ascension’s fantastic People & Culture team. She’s blessed to have spent the last 7 1/2 years cultivating a people-focused culture and creating policies with purpose. When not working, Cassie, her husband, Michael, and their two children, Lola and Eli, enjoy spending time at the lake or hitting the trails in any one of the many beautiful Wisconsin state parks.
Links for This Episode: * Press release on Ascension’s Pro-Life Leave Policies: ascensionpress.com/FamilyLeave * Press Kit with Ascension’s Leave Templates and Images * Facebook: @AscensionPress * Twitter: @AscensionPress * Instagram: @CatholicFaithFormation
CatholicMom editor Maria Morera Johnson and contributor Heidi Hess Saxton welcome Fr David Marcham, Vice Postulator of the cause for canonization of the founder of Holy Cross Family Ministries, Venerable Patrick Peyton.
Reverend David S. Marcham is the Vice Postulator for the Cause of Venerable Patrick Peyton, and Director of the Father Peyton Guild, whose members pray for Father Peyton’s beatification and spread his message of the importance of Family Prayer. Prior to becoming a seminarian, Father David was a physical therapist and clinical instructor, serving hospital inpatients and outpatients throughout the greater Boston area for eleven years. In 1998 he heard the call to priesthood and was ordained in the Archdiocese of Boston in 2005. Father David grew up in Quincy, MA, and has fond memories of playing soccer, tennis and running track. You’re never without a friend when Father David is around, as he welcomes everyone into his circle with a smile on his face!
Links For the Show: * Fr. David Marcham Bio and World at Prayer blog * Fr. Patrick Peyton biography * Holy Cross Family Ministries
Catholic Mom's Lisa Hendey and Barb Szyszkiewicz welcome author and podcaster Dr. Leonard J. DeLorenzo, recorded live at the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress in Anaheim, California.
Leonard J. DeLorenzo, PhD, serves in the McGrath Institute for Church Life and teaches theology at the University of Notre Dame. Two of DeLorenzo's recent publications include "Turn to the Lord: Forming Disciples for Lifelong Conversion" (Liturgical Press) and "Our Faithful Departed: Where They Are and Why It Matters" (Ave Maria). DeLorenzo is the creator and host of the popular radio show and podcast "Church Life Today" and speaks internationally on character formation, discernment, the biblical imagination, and the spiritualities of the saints for dioceses, parishes, schools, and other conferences.
Show Note Links: * Church Life Today Podcast * Turn to the Lord: Forming Disciples for Lifelong Conversion * Our Faithful Departed: Where They Are and Why It Matters
CatholicMom's Allison Gingras and Bayleigh Marquis welcome Heather Khym of Abiding Together Podcast at the LA Religious Education Congress in Anaheim, CA.
Heather Khym is the cohost of the internationally popular Abiding Together Podcast. She and her husband, Jake, are the cofounders of Life Restoration Ministries, where she serves as director of vision and ministry of the British Columbia-based apostolate. She has more than twenty-five years of experience as a speaker and retreat leader, offering workshops and conferences in the United States and Canada. She attended Franciscan University of Steubenville, studying theology and catechetics. Heather is passionate about evangelization, discipleship, and creating an environment for people to have a personal encounter with God. She lives with her husband and three teenage children in British Columbia, Canada.
Show Note Links: * https://instagram.com/heatherkhym * Abide: A Pathway to Transformative Healing and Intimacy with Jesus * Abiding Together Podcast * Life Restoration
CatholicMom editor Maria Morera Johnson and contributor Heidi Hess Saxton welcome Fr Fred Jenga, President of Holy Cross Family Ministries, to a new podcast on prayer.
In this inaugural episode of CatholicMom Prayercast, co-hosts Maria Johnson and Heidi Saxton welcome the President of Holy Cross Family Ministries, Father Fred Jenga. Fr. Fred shares his love of the Blessed Mother, the joy of singing as a form of prayer, and how prayer sustained him during a difficult time. As a spin-off of Catholic Momcast, we'll be sharing prayer stories, such as Fr. Fred's, to encourage you in your prayer journey. And of course, we'll be praying with you, and for you.
Father Jenga is a priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross. The first Peyton Prayer Guild Chapters for children were formed under Father Jenga’s leadership. He developed a program that brought children in schools and parishes together to learn the Rosary, pray for their families and learn about the life of Father Patrick Peyton. This program has grown and now thousands of children are participating.
Father Jenga was born in Uganda, where he grew up on the banks of the River Nile and Lake Victoria, in the Ugandan district of Jinja. Father Jenga speaks several languages, including his ethnic language, Lusoga, as well as Luganda, Rutooro, Swahili, and Kinyarwanda.
Links For the Show: * Fr. Fred Jenga, C.S.C. biography * Greetings from the New President of Holy Cross Family Ministries * Fr. Patrick Peyton biography * Holy Cross Family Ministries
Catholicmom.com founder Lisa Hendey and Bayleigh Marquis welcome Fr. Michael White, author of Rebuilt live from the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress in Anaheim, California.
Rev. Michael White is a priest of the Archdiocese of Baltimore and pastor of Church of the Nativity in Timonium, Maryland. He is an award winning, best-selling co-author of the several books including, "Rebuilt", "Tools for Rebuilding", and "Seriously God? Making Sense of Life Not Making Sense". His publications have earned hundreds of thousands in combined sales and been translated into seven languages. Fr. Michael has spoken at diocesan gatherings and church conferences nationally and internationally.
Show Notes Links: * Rebuilt: Awakening the Faithful, Reaching the Lost, and Making Church Matter * Seriously God? Making Sense of Life Not Making Sense * www.rebuiltparish.com * www.churchnativity.com
CatholicMom.com's Maria Morera Johnson and contributor Karen Estep have a fun and moving conversation with author of In the Trenches, Kelsey Gillespy.
Catholicmom.com contributor Karen Estep is a wife and mom of two. She was confirmed, along with her husband, at the Easter Vigil in 2022, at 36 years young. Karen teaches Middle School English Language Development. Coming into the Catholic Church has solidified Karen's Christian faith and has helped her find her true calling from God. She hopes to help readers find their calling as well!
When Kelsey Gillespy became a mom, she was an ESPN Academic All-American and an award-winning writer. But after having her first child, she discovered that motherhood was the hardest thing she had ever done. Now—nine years and five babies later—she has found that being a mom can be beautiful and fulfilling, albeit a little (okay, very) messy and chaotic. At any given moment, Kelsey can be found homeschooling her herd of children, exercising, or laughing out loud. Her book, In the Trenches: Finding God Through Raising Littles is published by Pauline Books and Media.
Links in Shownotes: * In the Trenches: Finding God Through Raising Littles by Kelsey Gillespy * Karen Estep articles at Catholicmom.com
Catholic Momcast host Maria Morera Johnson welcomes catholicmom.com contributor, Michelle Nott, for a discussion on traveling with young children.
Michelle Nott is a homemaker and mom to one saint, and five kids ages 6 and under. When she manages to find free time, she enjoys reading books, baking, running, and writing for her blog, RaisingSmallThingsWithGreatLove.com. She is still learning how to navigate motherhood and survives on coffee and constant prayers for patience.
Links in Show: * RaisingSmallThingsWithGreatLove.com. * Catholicmom.com article: Traveling with Kids: What Parents Need Most
Bayleigh Marquis welcomes Alanna Murray, the founder of the modest swimwear line, By Alanna Maria just in time for summer fun.
Alanna Murray recognized a need for swimwear that makes women feel comfortable while enjoying pool and beach season. Alanna jumped into the solution, creating her own swimwear collection, By Alanna Maria.
Show Note Links: * https://byalannamaria.com/collections/swimsuit-collection * Instagram: @_byalanna_
Catholicmom.com's Allison Gingras and Barb Szyszkiewicz discuss the Eucharistic Revival with author Tim O'Malley from the floor of the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress in Anaheim, CA.
Timothy P. O'Malley, Ph.D. is Director of Education at the McGrath Institute for Church Life and Academic Director of the Notre Dame Center for Liturgy. He teaches and researches in liturgical-sacramental theology, catechesis, and marriage/family. He is the author of nine books related to the Eucharist, marriage, and the sacraments.
Links in the Show: * Becoming Eucharistic People * McGrath Institute for Church Life * Church Life Journal * Timothy P. O'Malley | Ave Maria Press * twitter @timothypomalley
Allison Gingras and Bayleigh Westerlund interview Ana Barraza, an international bilingual speaker and Special Education teacher with certifications in Digital Evangelization and Catholic Digital Entrepreneurship. Ana is the creator of Catholicus, a Catholic entrepreneurship to facilitating the encounter with Jesus and persons with disAbilities. Her website and social media are her contribution to adaptive catechesis and evangelization.
More about this week's guest: Follow Ana on Twitter: @Catholicusinfo
Follow Ana on Instagram: @catholicus.info
Follow Ana on LinkedIn
Learn about Catholicus on Facebook
Catholicus YouTube Channel
Catholicmom.com founder, Lisa Hendey, and co-host Bayleigh Westerlund welcome Joel Stepanek, VP of Parish Services for LifeTeen International from the floor of the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress in Anaheim, CA.
Joel is Vice President of Parish Services for LifeTeen International guiding several teams that support Catholic parishes in creating and sustaining vibrant youth ministries that form passionate Catholic evangelists/disciples. He is a sought-after speaker who has traveled across the world speaking to groups of all sizes, ages, and vocations. An author of several books, including, "Chasing Humility: 8 Ways to Shape a Christian Heart", he co-authored, "The 99", an evangelization program from Ascension Press. Joel holds a Masters degree in Religious Education and in Organizational Leadership. Joel is married and has 3 children.
Show Note Links: * Chasing Humility: 8 Ways to Shape a Christian Heart * The 99 * LifeTeen
Catholicmom.com founder Lisa Hendey welcomes CM contributor Sherry Hayes-Peirce and Cynthia Jones-Campbell from the floor of the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress in Anaheim, California.
Sherry Hayes-Peirce is a Catholic influencer, who shares her faith through social media. She is a monthly contributing writer for Catholicmom.com and the Hawaii Catholic Herald. She is a presenter in person and online speaking about topics related to digital evangelization, grief, race relations as a member of the ADLA Task Force on Racism and coordinates "The Journey of Saints Exhibition" to exemplify intercession of the saints with life challenges.
Cynthia Jones-Campbell serves various ministries at her home parish, Padre Serra Parish in Camarillo, CA. She serves on the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Task Force on Racism.
Links for the Show: * on Twitter @Churchsocialtip * on Instagram @Church_Social_Tips * allmaybeonela.org * HallowApp.org
Catholic Momcast host Allison Gingras welcomes artist Jen Norton from the floor of the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress in Anaheim, California.
Jen creates artwork that celebrates the joy of her Catholic faith. The process of painting helps her connect more deeply with her prayer life. Her current work is focused on representing ancient faith traditions in a colorful, folk-style way, suitable for both liturgy and home.
Show Note Links: * https://twitter.com/nortonstudio https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/jen-norton * https://www.instagram.com/jennortonart/ * https://www.jennortonartstudio.com * https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/jen-norton * https://www.zazzle.com/store/jennortonartstudio/collections
Catholicmom.com host Allison Gingras is joined by Bayleigh Westerlund for an interesting discussion on the intersection of faith and psychology with Dr.l Robert Wicks, author of Riding the Dragon.
Dr. Robert J. Wicks is a clinical psychologist and writer about the intersection of spirituality and psychology. He received spiritual mentoring from both Henri Nouwen and Flavian Burns (Thomas Merton's final Abbot), has spoken on resilience in 20 countries as well as at Harvard, Yale, the Mayo Clinic, and on Capitol Hill, and has published over 60 books including, "Do You Have a Moment?" (Paulist Press) and "Let's Look Together" (Orbis).
Show Note Links: * Do You Have a Moment? * Let's Look Together * Author page at Ave Maria Press
Fr. Goyo Hidalgo is a priest in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, a singer-songwriter, and a social media evangelist.
A native of La Villa de Don Fadrique, a small town near Toledo, Spain, he attended minor seminary as a youth to become a priest, but left after six years. He earned master’s degrees in English and Spanish linguistics from Complutense University of Madrid in 1996, after which he traveled to other countries to teach Spanish and English. He eventually became a middle and high school teacher in the Los Angeles, California, area and released two albums of Catholic music in Spanish and English.
Hidalgo underwent a radical reversion to the faith of his youth after watching the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005 and hearing his famous words: “Do not be afraid.”
Hidalgo earned a master of divinity degree from St. John’s seminary in Camarillo, California, and was ordained to the priesthood in 2016
Show Note Links: * From Prodigal to Priest * On Twitter @FrGoyo * On Instagram @FrGoyo
Lisa Hendey and Bayleigh Westerlund welcome Crystal Marchand, from Project YM from the floor of the Los Angeles Religious Ed Congress in Anaheim, CA.
Crystal is the Director of Engagement at ProjectYM, where she gets to spend her days accompanying Catholic youth ministers. She is married to the love of her life and best friend, Michael Marchand, who also happens to be her boss. She loves board games, the outdoors, crafting, and most of all, her 4 beautiful children - Noah, Ruth, Esther, and Abigail!
Show Note Links: * projectym.com * thrive.rs * triviafundraiser.com * Instagram -- musicalmomo4
Lisa Hendey and Barb Szyszkiewicz welcome Fr Casey Cole to the Momcast in another special episode from the Religious Education Congress in Anaheim, California.
Fr. Casey Cole, OFM is a Franciscan priest serving as the chaplain to three schools in central Georgia. He is the author of three books, "Called: What Happens After Saying Yes to God"," Let Go: Seven Stumbling Blocks to Christian Discipleship", and "The Way of Beatitude: Living Radical Hope in a World of Division and Despair". Fr. Casey is best known for his online evangelization, Breaking in the Habit, where he created content for YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and podcasts.
Show Note Links: * Breaking in the Habit * Breaking in the Habit Youtube * The Bleacher Brothers Tour * Twitter - @CaseyOFM * Instagram - @CaseyOFM
CatholicMom.com team members Maria Johnson, Barb Szyszkiewicz, and Bayleigh Westerlund share their thoughts on celebrating Mother's Day.
Momcast co-hosts Maria Johnson, Allison Gingras, and Barb Szyszkiewicz share their feelings about spring cleaning with lots of laughs and some practical advice.
Momcast co-hosts Maria, Allison, and Barb have fun in a round table episode discussing spring cleaning, company clean vs. family clean, and some insight into spiritual cleaning, too.
Links for the show: * Maria Morera Johnson: Books, Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram * Allison Gingras: Books, Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram * Barb Szyszkiewicz: Books, Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
Allison Gingras and Bayleigh Westerlund welcome catechist and creator of Kids' Liturgy show, Heidi Witte, in this series from the Los Angeles Religious Education Conference.
Heidi Witte and her husband Mark create free Children's Liturgy of the Word episodes on the Kids' Liturgy YouTube Channel. She has served as a catechist, a Catholic schoolteacher, and cantor. Heidi also holds a Master's in Elementary Education and works as an editor for Pflaum Publishing Group.
Show Note Links: * Instagram -- @kidsliturgy * linktree.com/kidsliturgy * https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfg9euOFfmsu-xX7S2tCcNA * facebook.com/kidsliturgy
Lisa Hendey and Allison Gingras welcome Catholic Mom contributor and author of A Sacred Look, Sister Nancy Usselmann from the floor of the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress.
Sr. Nancy is the Director of the Pauline Center for Media Studies and a Media Literacy Education Specialist. She is a theologian, national speaker, blogger, film reviewer, and author of a theology of popular culture called, A Sacred Look: Becoming Cultural Mystics. Sr Nancy has degrees in Communications Arts and a Masters in Theology and the Arts from Fuller Theological Seminary and is currently working on her D.Min. at Catholic University of America. She has extensive experience in the creative aspects of social media, print media, radio and video production as well as in marketing, advertising, retail management and administration.
Links in the Show: * Sr. Nancy bio * A Sacred Look: Becoming Cultural Mystics * #medianuns * @srnancy on social media
Lisa Hendey and Allison Gingras welcome Fr. Peter Pomposello from the Archdiocese of the Military for a wonderful conversation about both military and priestly vocations from the floor of the LA Religious Education Congress.
An encouraging word from Fr. Pomposello: To ALL CATHOLIC MOMS: Do Not Be Afraid! If Our Lord is calling your son to the priesthood, it is for him to set the world on fire with the Holy Spirit! 🔥 In his ministry, your son will know JOY beyond anything this world could offer, even through his own share of suffering. Please God, may he be called to serve God and Country as a Army Chaplain. #sacramentsforthetroops
Links in the Show: Archdiocese of the Military Vocations
#FrUncleSam on Social Media
Allison Gingras and Maria Morera Johnson unpack St. John Paul II's 1986 Angelus address in Australia, encouraging the faith to be Easter People.
ON Nov 30, 1986, Pope St. JOHN PAUL II during the Angelus in Adelaide, Australia offered the following words of encouragement, inspiration, and catechesis, “
“We do not pretend that life is all beauty. We are aware of darkness and sin, of poverty and pain. But we know Jesus has conquered sin and passed through his own pain to the glory of the Resurrection. And we live in the light of his Paschal Mystery - the mystery of his Death and Resurrection. “We are an Easter People and Alleluia is our song!”. We are not looking for a shallow joy but rather a joy that comes from faith, that grows through unselfish love, that respects the “fundamental duty of love of neighbour, without which it would be unbecoming to speak of Joy”. We realize that joy is demanding; it demands unselfishness; it demands a readiness to say with Mary: “Be it done unto me according to thy word”.
Link in the Show: Entire Angelus Address
Catholic Mom founder Lisa Hendey continues the series from the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress with special guest author Carolyn Woo, the Keynote speaker.
Dr. Carolyn Woo coordinated and facilitated the Vatican Dialogues for Energy Transition in 2018, 2019 and 2021. She is a board member of National Catholic Education Association, Our Sunday Visitor, Our Sunday Visitor Institute, Holy Cross Family Ministries and Give Us This Day. Carolyn served as CEO and President of Catholic Relief Services from 2012 to 2016. Carolyn received her Bachelor, Master, and Doctorate degrees from Purdue University. She is the author of two books, "Working for a Better World", and "Rising: Learning from Women's Leadership in Catholic Ministries". Carolyn is married and has two sons.
Show Note Links: * Rising: Learning from Women’s Leadership in Catholic Ministries on amazon * Working for a Better World on amazon
Lisa Hendey and Allison Gingras welcome the cast of Catholic Central, Nicholas Vicinanzo and Gabby Estey, in a fun Momcast episode from the floor of the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress.
Nick Vicinanzo, a New Hampshire native, attended Franciscan University of Steubenville. He has acted professionally in New York and Rhode Island and is a cradle Catholic from a large family of ten boys and two girls.
Originally from Sacramento, CA, Gabby Estey ended up in LA to attend the University of Southern California and has been in town ever since. When she’s not hosting Catholic Central, you can find her planning her next international trip or trying a new restaurant. She is still on a mission to discover the best cupcake in Los Angeles and will happily take recommendations.
Show Note Links: * Catholic Central | EnterForming* Insights on All Things Catholic
This episode from the Catholic Marketing Network in Schaumberg, Illinois features Catholic Mom founder Lisa Hendey, with Allison Gingras and special guest Kelly Johnson, author of Nourish for Caregivers.
Kelly Johnson is Director of Adult Faith Formation at St. Mary of Gostyn Catholic Church in Downers Grove IL., active in parish and diocesan faith formation. It is in this position that Kelly met Deb and together they created Nourish for Caregivers, a curriculum to meet the practical, emotional and spiritual needs of family caregivers. It is from this perspective of sharing the hope and healing of Christ, that A Caregiver’s Companion, published by Ave Maria Press, was created.
Show Note Links: * The Caregiver’s Companion: A Christ-Centered Journal to Nourish Your Soul * Nourish for Caregivers * Nourish for Caregivers Facebook Community
Lisa Hendey and Allison Gingras are joined by Julianne Stanz, Director of Discipleship and Parish Life for the Diocese of Green Bay, Wisconsin, as part of a series from the floor of the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress in Anaheim, California.
Storyteller, encourager and author, Julianne Stanz is the Director of Discipleship and Parish Life for the Diocese of Green Bay, Wisconsin and is a consultant to the USCCB Committee on Catechesis and Evangelization. Julianne has been profoundly influenced by her life growing up in Ireland. She is the author of the books "Braving the Thin Places" and "Start with Jesus: How everyday disciples will renew the Church" published by Loyola Press.
Show Note Links: * Www.juliannestanz.com * Www.loyolapress.com * @JulianneStanz
Catholic Mom founder Lisa Hendey and Allison Gingras continue the series from the Catholic Marketing Network in Schaumber, Illinois with Kelly Mantoan, author of Better than OK: Finding Joy as a Special Needs Parent.
Kelly Mantoan is the author of Better than OK; Finding Joy As a Special Needs Parent and is the founder of Accepting the Gift, a ministry that provides resources and support to Catholic Special needs parents. She blogs at This Ain’t the Lyceum.
Show Note Links: * Amazon- Better Than OK: Finding Joy as a Special Needs Parent https://a.co/d/7RPBnBN * acceptingthegift.org * thisaintthelyceum.org
Kelly Wahlquist, author, speaker, and founder of WINE: Women in the New Evangelization, and author and educator Alyssa Bormes join Maria Johnson in an episode recorded at the Catholic Marketing Network in Schaumburg, Illinois.
Kelly Wahlquist an inspiring Catholic author and speaker is the founder of WINE: Women In the New Evangelization and the Director for the Archbishop Flynn Catechetical Institute. She is the author of Created to Relate and creator and editor of Walk in Her Sandals, Gaze Upon Jesus, and Called By Name.
Alyssa Bormes is an educator at Chesterton Academy and at the Archbishop Flynn Catechetical Institute and the author of the Catechism of Hockey and the orchestor of the new WINE The Mother of Jesus is Wonderfully Real.
LINKS IN THE SHOW: * WINE: Women in the New Evangelization * The Mother of Jesus is Wonderfully Real * Walking with Mary Scripture Study * Called by Name * Kelly Wahlquist - Facebook * Alyssa Bormes - Facebook
Lisa, Allison, and Maria respond to a listener's question about mid-life changes in an intimate and honest conversation.
Links for this episode: * Maria Morera Johnson: Books, Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram * Allison Gingras: Books, Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram * Lisa Hendey: Books, Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
Lisa Hendey and Maria Morera Johnson share a conversation with author, editor and friend of Catholic Mom Heidi Hess Saxton. Heidi Saxton is senior acquisitions editor at Ave Maria Press, and author of The Ave Prayer Book for Catholic Mothers. She and her husband Craig have two grown children by foster-adoption and have recently downsized into their “cabin in the woods” in East Jordan, Michigan. She blogs at “Life on the Road Less Traveled” at heidisaxton.com.
Show Notes Links:
- The Ave Prayer Book for Catholic Mothers
- Living the Word Catholic Women’s Bible
- How Our Family Prays Each Day
Lisa Hendey and Maria Morera Johnson share a conversation with Robert Fernandez, founder of Herald Entertainment and creator of the Brother Francis series, and a writer, director, and producer. Robert shares how a deep spiritual experience led him to the work of creating family-friendly entertainment that’s innovating and fun.
Show Notes Links:
Herald Entertainment
Brother Francis
Lisa Hendey and Maria Morera Johnson share a conversation with Sarah Christmyer, Catholic author, speaker, and general editor of Living the Word Catholic Women’s Bible as well as host of the Living the Word Bible podcast.
Sarah Christmyer is author or co-author of more than a dozen bible studies and books, including the book Becoming Women of the Word: How to Answer God’s Call with Purpose and Joy. She blogs at ComeIntoTheWord.com.
Show Notes Links: * Blog, website: ComeIntotheWord.com * Living the Word Bible: AveMariaPress.com/living-the-word * Living the Word Bible Podcast: https://www.avemariapress.com/living-the-word-bible-podcast * Instagram community: @LivingtheWordBible
Join Catholic Mom podcasters Lisa Hendey and Maria Morera Johnson for a conversation about reading and books with Catholic Mom contributor Leslea Wahl in this episode from the Catholic Marketing Network in Schaumberg, Illinois.
Leslea is the author of several award-winning Catholic teen mysteries and a brand-new picture book. She is one of the founding members of CatholicTeenBooks.com. In recent years, Leslea has become an avid reviewer of faith-based fiction offering families book suggestions that can help strengthen faith.
Show Notes Links: * Leslea Wahl articles at CatholicMom.com * LesleaWahl.com * Catholic Teen Books * Leslea Wahl books at Amazon
Join Catholic Mom Founder Lisa Hendey as she discusses the spirituality of the sea and our homes with Noelle Merring, the author of Theology of Home III: At the Sea.Noelle is a Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and an editor at TheologyofHome.com. She is the author of Awake, Not Woke: A Christian Response to the Cult of Progressive Ideology and the Theology of Home book series. She is a wife and mother of six in California.
Links for this episode: * Theology of Home III: At the Sea * TheologyofHome.com
Elizabeth Tomlin wrote Joyful Momentum to help parishes start or liven up their parish women’s groups. The book is written as a faith study that can be used for personal study or in a group. Tomlin is an author and international speaker, as well as the General Counsel for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, and a CatholicMom contributor. She’s an Army wife, and mother of three children.
Links mentioned in this podcast: * www.joyfulmomentum.org * www.mccw.org * On Becoming a College Mom (catholicmom.com)
Podcast hosts Barb Szyszkiewicz, Allison Gingras, Maria Morera Johnson, and Lisa Hendey discuss cherished childhood memories and family traditions and offer a bit of Mom advice for new mothers on what matters most to us in celebrating sanely and spiritually.
Links for this episode: * 2022 Catholic Mom Christmas Gift Guide * Christmas Articles at Catholic Mom * Barb Szyszkiewicz: Books, Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram * Maria Morera Johnson: Books, Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram * Allison Gingras: Books, Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram * Lisa Hendey: Books, Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
Our Fall 2022 Catholic Mom Book Club features Encountering Signs of Faith: My Unexpected Journey with Sacramentals, the Saints, and the Abundant Grace of God.
Purchase our Book Club selection
Ave Maria Press, the publisher, is offering Catholic Mom readers a special Book Club price: use coupon code SACREDSIGNS for 25 percent off. The code expires December 31, 2022.
Marge Fenelon shares her love of the Blessed Mother , her newest book, America’s Mary: The Story of Our Lady of Good Help, and the international apostolic movement, Schoenstatt.
Links from today's show: * margefenelon.com * My Queen, My Mother: A Living Novena * America’s Mary: The Story of Our Lady of Good Help * Schoenstatt.com
Our Fall 2022 Catholic Mom Book Club features Encountering Signs of Faith: My Unexpected Journey with Sacramentals, the Saints, and the Abundant Grace of God.
Purchase our Book Club selection
Ave Maria Press, the publisher, is offering Catholic Mom readers a special Book Club price: use coupon code SACREDSIGNS for 25 percent off. The code expires December 31, 2022.
Our Fall 2022 Catholic Mom Book Club features Encountering Signs of Faith: My Unexpected Journey with Sacramentals, the Saints, and the Abundant Grace of God.
Purchase our Book Club selection
Ave Maria Press, the publisher, is offering Catholic Mom readers a special Book Club price: use coupon code SACREDSIGNS for 25 percent off. The code expires December 31, 2022.
Today’s episode is part of a series recorded live at the Catholic Market Network conference in Schaumburg, Illinois. Author Susan Bellavance joins Lisa Hendey and Maria Johnson to discuss writing children's stories with a catechetical twist.
Links for this episode: * Susan Joy Bellavance's website * The Light of Christmas Morning
Our Fall 2022 Catholic Mom Book Club features Encountering Signs of Faith: My Unexpected Journey with Sacramentals, the Saints, and the Abundant Grace of God.
Purchase our Book Club selection
Ave Maria Press, the publisher, is offering Catholic Mom readers a special Book Club price: use coupon code SACREDSIGNS for 25 percent off. The code expires December 31, 2022.
About the Book: Why do we kneel and bow during Mass? Do Catholics believe the bread and wine really become the Body and Blood of Christ? Why can’t the preacher pick his own Scripture readings? What are those secret prayers the priest is whispering at the altar? The Catholic Mass is full of symbolism, ritual, and tradition, which means there’s a lot to understand! Have questions? You’re not alone. Welcome to Mass Class! Paulist Father Dave Dwyer has been answering questions like these for years as host of The Busted Halo Show on SiriusXM. The show’s popular Mass Class segment has helped thousands of inquisitive callers understand the “why” behind the rituals that fill our churches every Sunday. Based entirely on questions from the show over many years, this book conveys the real-life concern, joyful discovery, and practical guidance callers experience when they talk with Father Dave each weeknight.
Show Notes Links:
- Mass Class: Your Questions Answered
- Busted Halo
- Fr. Dave Dwyer: Twitter, Instagram
In today's episode, recorded live at the Catholic Marketing Network, Lisa Hendey and Allison Gingras welcome Karen Ullo. Karen is the award-winning author of two novels, Jennifer the Damned and Cinder Allia. She is a founding editor of Chrism Press and former managing editor of the Catholic literary journal Dappled Things. You can find her on the web at www.karenullo.com.
Links:
- Chrism Press
- www.karenullo.com
- Articles by Karen Ullo at CatholicMom.com
In today's episode, recorded live at the Catholic Marketing Network, Lisa Hendey and Allison Gingras welcome Sr. Estelle Cole who serves as Marketing and Sales Representative at Paraclete Press to discuss the joy of children's literature. Sr. Estelle offers a sampling of the many beautiful new books being offered by Paraclete.
Links:
- Paraclete Press
- Children's Books at Paraclete Press
In today's episode, recorded live at the Catholic Marketing Network, Lisa Hendey and Maria Johnson welcome Marcia Lane-McGee, the co-author of Fat Luther, Slim Pickin’s: A Black Catholic Celebration of Faith, Tradition, and Diversity. Marcia Lane-McGee is the cohost of the Plaid Skirts and Basic Black podcast and a family teacher at Mooseheart Child City and School. She is a founding member, executive board member, and secretary of Catholics United for Black Lives and an executive board member and the vice president of New Wave Feminists.
Links:
Fat Luther, Slim Pickin’s: A Black Catholic Celebration of Faith, Tradition, and Diversity
Plaid Skirts and Basic Black podcast
Lisa Hendey, Maria Johnson and Allison Gingras talk about all things Advent, inspired by Lisa’s new devotional 5-Minute Prayers Around the Advent Wreath (Ave Maria Press). From family traditions to moments when we feel like we’re falling short, we’re keeping it real about why Advent matters and how to make time for this sacred season.
Show Notes Links:
Advent Resources at Catholic Mom
5-Minute Prayers Around the Advent Wreath
Free Advent Wreath resources at Ave Maria Press
Lisa Hendey welcomes brother and sister team Paul Mitchell and Katie Broussard are both parents and former Catholic school educators who deeply value teaching children about their faith. Paul (author) and Katie (illustrator) are the creators of the award-winning picture books Audacious Ignatius, a lighthearted yet theologically rich introduction to the life of St. Ignatius, and Sorin Starts a School: The Foundation of Notre Dame.
Show Notes Links:
Audacious Ignatius
Sorin Starts a School
The Examen Book
https://katiebroussard.com/
https://paulmitchell.blog
Allison Gingras takes the reins of this episode with guests Patti Maguire Armstrong and Roxane Beauclair Salonen to discuss navigating the sometimes muddy waters of having loved ones away from the Catholic faith, the subject of their brand-new book What Would Monica Do?
Show Notes Links:
Patti Maguire Armstrong’s website: http://www.pattimaguirearmstrong.com
Roxane B. Salonen’s website: https://roxanesalonen.com/
Where to purchase book: What Would Monica Do? (Ascension)
Lisa Hendey and Maria Morera Johnson catch up with Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers in another of our LIVE podcasts recorded at the Catholic Marketing Network. Deacon Harold shares about his latest books and his new project, Christian Marketing Solution.
Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers is an internationally renowned speaker and author. He holds degrees from the University of Notre Dame and the University of Dallas. Deacon Harold is an award-winning author who has written five books, including Our Life of Service: The Handbook for Catholic Deacons.
Show Notes Links:
-
Books by Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers
-
Christian Marketing Solution
Lisa Hendey shares a conversation with novelist and Catholic Mom contributor Andrea Bear about her new work of fiction Grieving Daughters Club.
Andrea Bear believes that learning life lessons are easier to digest when presented in the form of a story. Feeling the call to write about her grief journey after losing her mother to brain cancer in 2018, she created the Grieving Daughters’ Club to share the experiences some face after loss, tucking a little bit of herself and her lessons into each character. She is already working on the second book of a three-part series. In addition, she is a journalist for HERLIFE Magazine, contributing writer for www.catholicmom.com, and queenofpedia.com She is also a high school history teacher in Stockton, California. When she’s not writing or teaching she is shuffling one of her three daughters to volleyball practice or relaxing at a local Lodi vineyard with her husband. To read more about her work check out her website at www.andreabearauthor.com.
Show Notes Links:
Grieving Daughters Club
Andrea Bear – Facebook, Instagram
Lisa Hendey and Maria Morera Johnson are joined by Catholic Mom contributor Deanna Bartalini for a conversation about our popular Sunday Gospel Activities and how these are being used around the world by families, classrooms and parishes.
Sunday Gospel Activities at CatholicMom.com
LiveNotLukewarm.com
Spiritual Direction by Deanna Bartalini
Amazing Catechists
Lisa Hendey and Allison Gingras enjoy a spirit-filled conversation about the grace of sacramentals and the launch of Allison’s brand new book Encountering Signs of Faith: My Unexpected Journey with Sacramentals, the Saints, and the Abundant Grace of God.
Show Notes Links:
Encountering Signs of Faith: My Unexpected Journey with Sacramentals, the Saints, and the Abundant Grace of God.
Catholic Mom Book Club Newsletter: https://bit.ly/CMBookNews
Lisa Hendey and Allison Gingras are joined by Amy Cattapan, DM, Ed.D. to discuss education, writing, and more!
Amy J. Cattapan, DM, Ed.D., is an award-winning author, speaker, and teacher. Her novels Angelhood and Seven Riddles to Nowhere have won multiple awards. She is also the author of Sweet Jesus, Is It June Yet?, a book on combatting teacher burnout (Ave Maria Press). Follow her at www.ajcattapan.com.
Show Note Links:
- Amy Cattapan Articles at CatholicMom.com
- www.ajcattapan.com
- Amy Cattapan Books at Amazon
Lisa Hendey is joined by Dr. Gregory and Lisa Popcak of Pastoral Solutions. The Popcaks serve as co-founders of the Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life and the creators of CatholicHÔM. On this episode, they share all about the new CatholicHÔM app and what the “Liturgy of Domestic Church Life” really means for today’s families.
Show Notes:
CatholicHOM.com - CatholicHÔM stands for Catholic Households on Mission. What’s the mission? To help each other love like Christ. CatholicHÔM is the first-ever digital platform dedicated to helping Catholic families encounter Christ more meaningfully at home and draw closer to each other by living the Liturgy of Domestic Church Life.
The CatholicHOM app (in the Google Play and Apple stores)
Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life PeytonFamilyInstitute.org
How Our Family Prays Each Day: A Read-Aloud Story for Catholic Families - Author: Gregory K. Popcak, Illustrated by: Jacob Flores-Popcak
Lisa Hendey is joined by Dr. Gregory and Lisa Popcak of Pastoral Solutions. The Popcaks serve as co-founders of the Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life and the creators of CatholicHÔM. On this episode, they share all about the new CatholicHÔM app and what the “Liturgy of Domestic Church Life” really means for today’s families.
Show Notes:
CatholicHOM.com - CatholicHÔM stands for Catholic Households on Mission. What’s the mission? To help each other love like Christ. CatholicHÔM is the first-ever digital platform dedicated to helping Catholic families encounter Christ more meaningfully at home and draw closer to each other by living the Liturgy of Domestic Church Life.
The CatholicHOM app (in the Google Play and Apple stores)
Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life PeytonFamilyInstitute.org
How Our Family Prays Each Day: A Read-Aloud Story for Catholic Families - Author: Gregory K. Popcak, Illustrated by: Jacob Flores-Popcak
Catholic Mom team members Allison Gingras, Maria Morera Johnson, Barb Szyszkiewicz, and Lisa Hendey get together to mark 200 episodes of the Catholic Momcast! We take a walk down memory lane, remember our favorite episodes, and dream about what’s yet to come for the show.
Show Notes:
- Past episodes of Catholic Momcast
-
Encountering Signs of Faith by Allison Gingras
-
Maria’s Badass Saints podcast
- Girlfriends Community
The Catholic Momcast hits the road at the Catholic Marketing Network as Catholic Mom Founder Lisa Hendey and Social Media and Digital Specialist Allison Gingras speak with award-winning children's author Cathy Gilmore.
Anticipating upcoming wedding anniversaries and remembering precious past celebrations, Catholic Mom founder Lisa Hendey and Hispanic Editor Maria Morera Johnson discuss how we celebrate anniversaries—our own, and our loved ones-- with joy.
Catholic Mom Founder Lisa Hendey is joined by Melissa Dee. Melissa is the executive producer and head writer for the radio theater podcast, Saints Alive. She also works as a pediatric nurse and loves her role as a Mom. You can almost always find her with a cup of coffee in hand and saint book by her side.
With recent news impacting societal trends, Catholic Mom founder Lisa Hendey and Social Media and Digital Specialist Allison Gingras discuss how they turn to and engage with social media for informed perspectives and to share own thoughts and feelings.
New opportunities can be exciting times for us personally and can also stretch us. As we talk about Maria Morera Johnson's new role at Catholic Mom as our Hispanic Editor, we discuss how our faith can be critical to helping us fully embrace new doors that open in our lives.
Lisa Hendey and Allison Gingras share news of a transition at CatholicMom.com and the Catholic Momcast and discuss how we find grace in moments of transition.
Mentioned in this episode:
Litany of Trust from the Sisters of Life
This week, Allison Gingras and Danielle Bean discuss ways to keep practicing (and maybe even enhancing!) your faith while on vacation. They share ideas for praying on the go, finding and attending Mass in a new location, and modeling for our kids the importance of prayer wherever we go.
Mentioned in this episode:
Allison's upcoming book from Ave Maria Press, Encountering Signs of Faith: My Unexpected Journey With Sacramentals, the Saints, and the Abundant Grace of God.
Allison's recent Catholic Mom Hangout about bringing Jesus on vacation
MassTimes.org, a handy resource for finding Mass, confession and adoration when you are away from home
My Queen, My Mother: A Living Novena, written by Catholic Mom contributor Marge Fenelon
This week, Danielle Bean and Lisa Hendey look ahead to the summer season and share some ideas for ways to make the most of the weeks to come.
What are your personal goals for the summer season? In what ways does your family routine or your personal routine shift when the days get long and hot?
We discuss ideas for ways to grow personally, professionally, and spiritually this summer, but we also encourage you to slow down and enjoy the sights, sounds, and tastes of summertime this year.
Here is the GoodReads reading list Lisa Hendey mentions in this week's episode.
How about you? What are your plans for the summer and how will you share your goals and ideas with your family? We love to hear from you! Leave us a comment or send us an email at editor@catholicmom.com
This week, Danielle Bean chats with children's book author Lorelei Savaryn about creating fiction for kids. Lorelei's books are not expresslyCatholic, but many of the themes they take on are influenced by her Catholic faith. Lorelei discusses why fiction is so important and formative for kids and shares idea for encouraging your kids to read as well as tips for monitoring what your kids are reading.
Here are some of the resources mentioned in the show:
Lorelei Savaryn's website
Lorelei Savaryn on Twitter
Lorelei Savaryn on Instagram
A great resource for kids' book reviews and recommendations: The Butterfly Bookshop
Join us for this fun and inspiring conversation!
Danielle Bean and Allison Gingras discuss the Sacrament of Confession. This sacrament is one that many of us have a complicated relationship with. Do you love it or dread it?
Allison shares the beautiful and inspiring story of ways confession has changed her life. Danielle shares what it was like receiving this sacrament for the first time years ago as a young child.
They both discuss how we can prepare to receive this sacrament, what you should do if you have not been in a very long time, and some ideas for ways to make regular confession a habit.
How about you? What ideas or stories do you have to share about this sacrament? We would love to hear from you in the comments or by email. Connect with us at editor@catholicmom.com
This week, Danielle Bean talks with Kailash Duraiswami and Michael Distefano, co-founders of Fidei.email. Fedei.email is an email provider that does not read your email, sell your data, analyze your data, show you ads, or tell advertisers about your content. It is a company that respects your privacy.
Fidei.email has set out to help Catholics navigate the internet intentionally, by providing value-aligned software products. Most fundamentally, Fidei.email helps Catholics communicate safely online via email. More importantly, Fidei Email aims to show that Catholics can and should be at the forefront of innovation.
Danielle chats with Kailash and Michael about their conversion stories, their background in technology, and why they think Catholics should be especially discerning users of email and social media.
One eye-opening documentary that shares content to related today's topic is The Social Dilemma, available from Netflix.
Check out Fidei.email for more information on this unique service for families and the Church.
Join hosts Danielle Bean and Allison Gingras for a discussion about Mother's day -- the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Do you have a complicated relationship with this Hallmark holiday? Maybe you have a conflicted relationship with your own mother, maybe you long to have a child but cannot, or you have a wound in your own experience of motherhood. For some women, this day, that is meant to be a joyful celebration of motherhood, is sometimes more emotionally complicated.
Allison and Danielle share thoughts about ways to enjoy this day, set realistic expectations, and communicate about your needs to your husband and family.
We would love to hear your thoughts and ideas about celebrating Mother's Day? What was your best mother's day? What was your worst? What are your plans for this year? Leave your comments here or email us at editor@catholicmom.com
Our guest this week is Maria Gallagher, a pro-life activist and author of Joyful Encounters With Mary: A Woman's Guide to Living the mysteries of the Rosary.
Maria sits down with Danielle Bean to discuss ways to grow in our relationship with Mary. she shares ideas for praying the Rosary and a personal story of calling and connection with Our Lady.
Join us for this enlightening and inspiring conversation. Send your thoughts and questions to us at ediotr@catholicmom.com
Join Danielle Bean and Allison Gingras for a fun conversation all about ways to freshen up, de-clutter and clean up our living spaces, work spaces, and even our digital spaces this spring. They share ideas for cleaning out long-neglected closets and basements, but also ways to organize emails and keep track of digital files.
Join us for an inspiring discussion and send us your feedback at editor@catholicmom.com
We wish you and your family a Blessed Holy Week and an Easter filled with joy. We are taking this week off, but we will be back next week with an all-new episode of the Catholic Momcast. See you then. God bless you!
Join Allison Gingras and Danielle Bean for a conversation about ways to find peace, even in a world at war and filled with chaos. The two discuss the importance of discerning how and when you will watch the news as well as health and spiritual practices that combat anxiety and help us to remain calm.
How about you? In what ways do you find peace in the world today?
Steve Kerekes joins the Catholic Momcast this week for a conversation with Danielle Bean about faith formation, conversion, and the devotional practice of wearing a brown scapular.
Steve shares his story of personal conversion as a young person years ago and describes how he went on to found his company Scapulars.com
How about you? Do you wear a brown scapular? What would you like to know about the history and devotion to this practice? Join us for an inspiring and encouraging conversation.
Katie Broussard and Paul Mitchell are a dynamic sibling duo who together produce beautiful Catholic books for kids. This week, they sit down with host Danielle Bean to discuss their newest project: Sorin Starts a School.
This book tells the story of Fr. Sorin, a priest with the Congregation of Holy Cross. who founded the University of Notre Dame.
The charming illustrations will draw you in, and the beautiful text will teach you the story and inspire important conversations with you and your kids.
Find the book.
Explore Katie's website.
Check out Audacious Ignatius, another children's book by Paul Mitchell and Katie Broussard.
This week, Danielle Bean and Allison Gingras discuss the three basic tenets of Lent -- prayer, fasting, and almsgiving -- and share ideas for ways to practice each of these during the season of Lent.
We share some ideas from readers at Catholic Mom and our social media accounts as well. How about you? How is your Lent going? In hat ways are you and your family observing this liturgical season this year?
You can send us your questions and feedback at editor@catholicmom.com
Lisa Hendey and Danielle Bean discuss volunteering at any age. How do you decide what God might be calling you to do to love and serve people in your community? How can we discern how our time is best spent?
What about moms of little kids? Are there ways to give of your time, even when life is very busy? How can we balance it all? Danielle an Lisa discuss these ideas and more as they share their own experiences balancing volunteer work with other obligations through the years.
How about you? What kind of volunteer work do you do? In what ways do you think God might be calling you to try something new? Join us for a great conversation and share your ideas in the comments!
This week, Danielle Bean sits down with Tsh Oxenreider, author of Bitter and Sweet: A Journey Into Easter. Tsh shares about how she and her family observe the Liturgical seasons, especially Lent, now that she and her family are recent converts to Catholicism.
How do you decide what to "do" or "give up" for Lent? How can you know if you are doing the right things or if your plan is enough? Tsh shares some of her own experiences as well as teachings of the Church, just in time to get us all ready for Lent this year!
Learn more about Tsh Oxenreider and her work at her website, TshOxenreider.com.
This week, Danielle Bean and Allison Gingras talk about using social media during Lent. Many people opt to give up their social media accounts for Lent, but for those that do not, we share some ideas for ways to use social media to share your faith and pray with and for others.
How about you? Will you be sharing on social media this Lent? Tell us your ideas for inspiring and encouraging others online. Leave a comment here or email us at editor@catholicmom.com
This week, Danielle Bean chats with Rebecca Martin and Mary Beth Giltner about a new project they have created together, The Catholic Wedding Planner.
What makes a Catholic wedding different? What things have changed in the age of a pandemic? But, even more importantly, what things have stayed the same?
We discuss ideas for keeping your wedding plans in budget while still making plans for a memorable day with friends and family.
How about you? What was your wedding like, or do you have plans for a wedding for a child or other loved one in the coming year? Share your ideas with us in the comments or send us an email at editor@catholicmom.com.
Do you ever expect great and romantic things to happen on Valentine's Day and wind up feeling disappointed?
Danielle Bean and Lisa Hendey talk abut special days, like Valentine's Day , birthdays, and anniversaries, and the sometimes complicated relationship we women have with them. They discuss a realistic approach to these kinds of holidays, including open communication with your husband, understanding your temperament and personality, and knowing that it is perfectly OK to ask for what you want.
How about you? Do you ever struggle in this way? What helps you enjoy these special days and make sure a celebration of love doesn't turn bitter?
This week, Danielle Bean sits down with Mary Beth Iduh from Catholic Relief Services where she manages Changing the Way We Care, an initiative that helps families stay together, in spite of poverty and other challenging circumstances.
Research from earlier this year found that more than 1 million children have lost at least one parent to the pandemic and unfortunately, in large part due to poverty, many parents feel they have no choice but to send their children to an orphanage – where sadly they are often at risk for abuse or neglect. A striking stat your listeners might not know is at least 80% of children currently living in orphanages actually have at least one living parent.
Mary Beth shares what CRS is doing to help these families stay together and how they plan to expand this work across the globe.
Go here to learn more about Changing the Way We Care. Send us your feedback in the comments and at editor@catholicmom.com
This week, Allison Gingras sits down with children's book author Katie Warner to talk about children's literature and the ways that books can encourage kids' faith.
Katie' newest book is The Tiny Seed. Through charming illustrations and a beautiful, scriptural storyline, The Tiny Seed reveals the deep truth of our God-given uniqueness, and the incredible process your children will undergo as they grow into the person God wants them to be.
Learn more about Katie warner and all of her work at KatieWarner.com. Follow Katie on Instagram!
Join us for this encouraging and inspiring conversation.
Our special guest this week is Miles Foley, general manager and director of 5 Stones, a creative agency, warehouse, and customer service team that supports Catholic organizations.
Miles sits down with Danielle Bean to discuss the importance of small Catholic businesses and creators and the ways that Cedar House, as part of the work at 5 Stones, is supporting their efforts.
There is so much negativity in the world today, but Miles really encourages us to focus on the good and positive things that are happening in the Church. You will come away inspired to do good work yourself to further God's Kingdom on earth, as well as hopeful for the future of the Church.
Our guests this week are Annie Tarr and Sarah O'Brien, hosts of Laughs and Littles, a podcast for mothers looking for friendship, parenting encouragement, and a lot of laughs! They are both mothers (all together they have 7 children) and converts to the Catholic faith, both from California, and they first met in the midwest while our husbands were graduate students studying Theology at Notre Dame.
These two joy-filled friends sit down with Danielle Bean to discuss the importance of friendships for moms, some of the challenges to modern day friendships, and how we can go about finding and keeping the friends we need.
Join us for an enlightening and inspiring discussion, and then share your thoughts and questions in the comments, by email or connect with us on social media. You can contact us at editor@catholicmom.com
Do you make New Year resolutions? In this week's episode, Danielle Bean and Allison Gingras discuss the start of a new year and some goals they have for 2022 in their work, family, friendships, and personal lives.
How about you? What are your new plans for a new year? We would love to hear from you. Send us an email at editor@catholicmom.com or connect with us on social media.
We are taking a couple of weeks off as we celebrate Christmas and the New Year. We'll be back with a new episode next week. God bless you and Happy New Year!
We are taking a couple of weeks off as we celebrate Christmas and the New Year. We'll be back with a new episode in January. God bless you and Merry Christmas!
Lisa Hendey and Danielle Bean discuss some of the ways that the holiday season can be stressful and even sorrowful for many people. Those who are grieving, suffering in the family relationships, or dealing with financial difficulty can find this time of year especially challenging. It doesn't help when every media message seems to be telling us to rejoice and be glad this time of year.
Lisa shares some of the ways she is dealing with complicated feelings this first season after losing her mom, and Danielle shares some of the ways she is working through some big changes in her family right now.
Join us for an encouraging look at a tricky topic. And then share your feedback! Connect with us on social media or send us an email at editor!catholicmom.com. We love hearing from you!
This week Danielle Bean and Lisa Hendey share about all the saint feast days we can celebrate during Advent. Which ones do you and your family enjoy celebrating?
Here is the Saint Lucy Bread recipe from Karen Edmisten
Here is the link to Lisa's Advent book, O Radiant Dawn
We also mention Catholic Icing as a great resource for Advent celebrations.
How about you? What kinds of feasts, big and small, will you and your family enjoy this Advent season? Send us your feedback at editor@catholicmom.com
This week Danielle Bean and Allison Gingras discuss the newly-launched season of Advent. In what simple ways does your family observe this season?
We share ideas for simple ways to add more prayer, quiet, and sacrifice to the days leading up to Christmas. In our secular culture of noise and busyness, this can be a challenging task!
One way to add more Advent (not Christmas!) music to your driving, chores, and daily routines is with the Catholic Mom Advent playlist. It's free to download and we hope you will enjoy it. Also, check out our Instagram (Instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) for our #CMsnapAdvent photo challenge.
We are taking a break from the podcast this week as we celebrate with family, but we will be back next week with an all new episode for you. In the meantime, know that we are praying for you and wishing you a Blessed Thanksgiving with your family. God bless you!
This week we sit down with fiction author Antony Kolenc to talk about the importance of fiction for Catholic teens and tweens. Antony is a law professor, podcaster, speaker, and author of the award-winning series, The Harwood Mysteries, a medieval historical fiction series for teens from Loyola Press.
Learn more about Antony Kolenc's work at his website.
Listen to Antony's podcast, The Shepherd's Pie.
Thanks so much for listening to this week's episode of the Catholic Momcast! Send any questions or feedback to us at editor@catholicmom.com
This week, Lisa Hendey and Danielle Bean talk about the recent time change and how changes in daylight can affect your mood and energy levels this time of year.
Are you feeling tired and low energy? Are you struggling to set goals and follow through on commitments? Danielle and Lisa discuss how this kind of feeling, especially after a busy time, can be normal, but it's important to not get "stuck" in those feelings of no motivation.
One book Lisa recommends is Stop Self-Sabotage by Judy Ho.
How about you? How do you find your motivation when life has you feeling tired or discouraged? Share in the comments or send us an email at editor@catholicmom.com
Our guest this week is Barbara Lee, author of God Isn't Finished With Me Yet and the newly-released Answering God's Call: a Scripture-Based Journey for Older Adults.
Danielle Bean chats with Barbara about how she came to focus on ministry with older adults and the inspiration for her newest book. Barbara shares stories from the Bible that encourage us all to know that God has a plan for every one of us, even as we grow older and may be "counted out" by society. Her book contains so many Scriptural examples of older people answering God's call, from all walks of life and all kinds of circumstances.
We would love to hear from you! Let us know what questions you have or what topics you would like to see covered here on the podcast. Leave a comment, send us an email at editor@catholicmom.com or connect with us on social media.
Do you have a spiritual director? This week, Allison Gingras and Danielle Bean discuss the basics about spiritual direction? What is it? How do you do it? How do you find a spiritual director? And why should you consider it?
Allison shares her varied experiences of spiritual direction and Danielle shares about some of the ways that friends and spouses and even the teachings of the saints can offer us a form of spiritual direction as well.
Join us for an interesting discussions, and then be sure to share your thoughts in the comments. Or send us an email at editor@catholicmom.com.
This week Danielle Bean and Lisa Hendey discuss ways we can encourage our kids. As parents, we have so many opportunities to help our kids discover their gifts and strengths and learn how best to use them in the world.
Lisa shares lessons she learned from her own mom and the ways her mother supported her work at Catholic Mom through the years. Danielle discusses large family dynamics and the powerful role parental support and expectations can play in helping our kids thrive.
Join us for an enlightening discussion, and then share your thoughts with us! You can comment here or on social media, or send us an email at editor@catholicmom.com
This week's guest is Shannon Wendt, founder and CEO of Chews Life, a small business that creates Rosaries, jewelry, and other prayer aids for moms and their babies.
Shannon share about how she came to found this business, why moms need the Rosary, and what can make it easier to pray throughout our busy days. Join us for an encouraging conversation!
This week our guest is Joellyn Ciciarelli, president of Loyola Press. Joellyn shares about two books she has written for children, Leo's Gift and Meredith's Gift.
Joellyn chats with Danielle Bean about how to help kids discover their gifts and learn to adapt when life changes and things do not go as we originally planned. These charming books for grade school children will make great gifts for nieces, nephews, grandchildren and Godchildren this Advent and Christmas season.
Joellyn also shares about Wanderlight, an adventure-driven, faith-filled Catholic video game that helps kids grow in their faith.
Join us for an enlightening and inspiring conversation!
Join Allison Gingras and Danielle Bean for fun discussion about homemaking. What does homemaking mean to you? What parts of cleaning, organizing, de-cluttering, meal planning or decorating do you enjoy? What parts would you -- or do you-- outsource to others?
We discuss ways to share the load in splitting up chores in a family as well as ways to manage those tasks that sometimes overwhelm us. Finally, we talk about the idea of "entertaining" and what it means to be a good host. In what ways might we practice "Scruffy Hospitality" and be better at welcoming others into our homes?
In this reprised episode of the Catholic Momcast, Danielle Bean and Lisa Hendey sit down with Sarah Christmyer, author of Becoming Women of the Word: How to Answer God's Call With Purpose and Joy. In her book, Sarah looks at women of the Bible and shares their stories, interwoven with stories of the women in her family history. A beautiful and inspiring read!
Share your thoughts and questions with us, right here in the comments or by email. You can contact us at editor@catholicmom.com
Allison Gingras and Danielle Bean have an enlightening and encouraging conversation about how we can better empower ourselves as parents keep videos, movies, computers, and smart phones from controlling our lives.
It's not easy, but there are some tricks they share, and they also offer some solutions for parents worried about how their kids are spending time online. Danielle discusses Canopy, a new tool that can block explicit content in real time.
Allison shares about curating her feeds on social media to protect herself from negativity and they both talk about monitoring use and having important conversations with teens with regard to their use of cell phones and social media.
Join us for an enlightening conversation! Then share your comments or questions here in the comments or email us editor@catholicmom.com
Danielle Bean and Lisa Hendey discuss making plans for the future, as inspired by Lisa'a recent experience in losing her mother and visiting with her father.
This may not be a topic we love to talk about, but making sure our families are prepared to make decisions for us as we age and to make choices about our burial arrangements and other personal affairs after we die, is an act of great love.
Lisa explains how this topic is actually one that inspires her with a great deal of hope and joy and a loving way to take care of our families even after we are gone from this world.
How about you? In what ways do you discuss these topics with your loved ones and what are you doing to prepare for the future?
This week, Danielle Bean and Allison Gingras chat about the back-to-school season. This is a time of year that can be extra stressful, as many families are going through changes.
Whether you have little kids starting kindergarten for the first time, or big kids leaving home for college, there are many ways we as moms need to adapt and care for our children in new ways.
Many of us have mixed feelings as we watch our children grow and change. It helps to talk with one another about it and to look for the positive parts of parenting newly-independent children and young adults.
How about you? What has the back-to-school season been like for you this year? Send us an email at editor@catholicmom.com or connect with us on social media.
This week, children's book author Jennifer sharpe joins Danielle Bean for a discussion of how to not just survive but THRIVE with kids at Mass.
Jennifer's unique, award-winning book is My First Interactive Mass Book from Ascension. This hands-on book helps kids learn more about the church, the Mass and their Catholic faith, all while keeping little hands busy.
Jennifer shares ideas abut ways to use the book as well as tips for managing even unruly children at Mass. We also discuss ways that parish communities can be more welcoming to families with young children.
Join us and be sure to share your thoughts and ideas in the comments.
This week, Lisa Hendey and Danielle Bean talk about the importance of grandparents and the pivotal role they are called to play in their grandchildren's lives.
Lisa shares about how she recently became a grandmother and they joy this sweet little girl is already bringing to her life. They also shares thoughts on what opportunities we have as grandparents to be a good role model and source of encouragement for the next generation. Lisa shares some tips readers have offered her on Facebook recently, and they discuss the fact that traditions do not have to be fancy or complicated to be deeply meaningful.
Join us for this inspiring conversation and then let us know your thoughts too. You can send us questions, feedback, or ideas for future topics at editor@catholicmom.com.
Allison Gingras and Danielle Bean share ideas about making your home a "domestic church." What does that mean, and what is the value and importance of Catholic "stuff" like statues, pictures, medals, crucifixes, and holy water?
Some links to some of the favorites they mention:
The Catholic Company
Smith Catholic Art
Brightly Hued
That Catholic Design
How about you? In what ways is your home a Catholic space that inspires thoughts of God, Mary, and the saints? What are some of your favorite pieces, old or new? We love to hear from you!
Our special guest this week is illustrator and graphic designer Ted Schluenderfritz. Ted is the illustrator for the book, Portrait of the Son, which we featured in last week's podcast interview with author Josephine Nobisso.
But today, Ted is sharing about a new initiative he and his family have begun: 5 Sparrows is a website chock-full of creative tools, games, reflections, and puzzles to help encourage Catholic kids in their faith.
Ted shares how he and his family came to build the site together and the hopes he has that it can be a real gift to families. The website is free to use, but you can sign up to support with a monthly membership if you like. Check out 5 Sparrows and share it with your kids, grandkids, and students. More to come in the months ahead!
This week our special guest is children's book author Josephine Nobisso. Josephine chats with Danielle Bean about beauty and truth and ways we can use children's literature to reach young people's hearts and build them up in their faith.
Josephine shares about working with illustrator Ted Schluenderfritz and their new project together, Portrait of the Son.
To learn more, check out Josephine's author page on Amazon to learn more, or visit her publishing website, Gingerbread House Books.
This week, our guest is Barb Szyszkiewicz, author of The Handy Little Guide to Prayer. Barb chats with Danielle Bean about what prayer is and why it is important.
Barb and Danielle discuss ways to make prayer a regular part of your everyday routines and share ideas for new ways to pray and encouragement for those who struggle with prayer.
The Handy Little Guide to Prayer is an excellent resource that can support you in your daily prayer life and inspire you to pray more, but it is also a handy toll for evangelization. Keeping some copies in your bag or in your car for handing out to others is a great, no-too-pushy way to encourage others in their prayer lives.
And ... bonus content! Barb has put together a Spotify playlist to accompany The Handy Little Guide to Prayer. You might enjoy praying as you listen to the beautiful and inspiring music she has gathered here.
What's in your book bag this summer? This week, Danielle Bean and Allison Gingras discuss what recent books they have read or are reading so far this summer along with suggestions for non-fiction, fiction, and spiritual reading.
Also, we share ideas for ways to make more time for reading, as well as ways to encourage kids to read even when school is out for the summer.
How about you? What are you reading this summer? We would love to hear from you with your ideas and questions. Send us an email at editor@catholicmom.com.
Our guests this week are Greg and Lisa Popcak, co-directors of the Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life.
Greg and Lisa share about the founding of the Institute and the good work it is doing to help support families in raising kids in the Faith.
We discuss the idea of the "Liturgy of the Domestic Church," what that means and some easy ways we can implement it in our homes and families as we raise our kids to love their Catholic faith.
Join us for an enlightening and helpful conversation!
Join Lisa Hendey and Danielle Bean for a discussion of how moms can make room for fitness in their everyday lives. Lisa shares ways that even very normal activities, like cleaning, waking, or caring for small children can "count" as daily exercise. The important thing is to keep moving!
Some tools we mention:
Silver Sneakers
Peloton app
How about you? How do you make room for physical fitness in your life? How do you find time and motivation to keep moving? we would love to hear from you! Send us an email with your ideas, feedback, and questions: editor@catholicmom.com
What are your family's plans for fun this summer? Vacation? Relaxation? A break from typical routines? Danielle Bean and Allison Gingras share some ideas from their own family plans for fun this summer,as well as some things they have enjoyed in the past, when all their kids were younger.
Having fun together as a family does not have to overwhelm moms with work or break the budget. We discuss how sometimes the simplest of ideas make the most lasting memories.
How about you? Let us know what your plans are for fun this summer as well as any tips you have for vacationing or road tripping with your family. We love to hear from you! Email. us at editor@catholicmom.com or connect with us on social media.
We are going to the movies! This week, Danielle Bean and Lisa Hendey share some movies they have enjoyed recently, along with some that they are looking forward to seeing this season.
Here are our picks:
For family movies, Danielle recommends Yesterday, and Lisa recommends Finding Ohana.
For girls' night movies, we recommend Always be My Maybe, Our Friend, and The House That Rob Built.
For date nights, we recommend News of the World, Minari, The Woman in the Window, Fear of Rain, and The Father.
Some review sites we use are Kids in Mind, Screen It, and Common Sense Media.
How about you? How do you and your family pick which movies to watch? How do you decide which movies are appropriate for your kids? What kinds of movies do you enjoy yourself, as a couple, or as a family?
Send us your ideas, questions, and feedback at editor@catholicmom.com.
This week, Allison Gingras and Danielle Bean take inspiration from Catholic Mom contributor Mary Lou Rosien's recent article about practicing the faith and passing it on to your kids.
Mary Lou uses the word PRACTICE to share eight ways parents can share the faith with their kids. Danielle and Allison discuss each of these, adding their own ideas and sharing experiences as Catholic parents themselves.
We hope that you will join us for this inspirational episode of the Catholic Momcast! Send us your questions, feedback and topics for future shows at editor@catholicmom.com.
This week, Lisa Hendey and Danielle Bean discuss the idea of "beginning again." We all have moments in life where our regular routines and commitments get interrupted and then, after a time, we need to come back to our old ways and assess which things we want to pick up again.
Lisa shares about the process of doing this after being away and mourning the recent loss of her mother. After a time of grieving, it can be good to get back to old routines, but also good to decide which ones are most worthy of our time and energy.
Danielle discusses what this process has been like for her and her family after being locked down with Covid for some time. We all need to discern what we will begin again, and what, perhaps, we are OK with leaving behind.
How about you? What has this process been like for you? How have you been "beginning again" this spring? Send us your feedback, comments, and questions by email at editor@catholicmom.com.
How can we make Scripture part of our everyday experiences? Danielle Bean and Allison Gingras share ideas and resources for ways to make Bible study a daily habit as well as creative ideas for praying with Scripture.
Some resources they share include:
Stay Connected journals
The Better Part series by Fr. John Bartunek
Courageous Virtue
Ave Catholic Notetaking Bible
WINE: Women in the New Evangelization
Join us for a fun and inspiring conversation, and then be sure to share your thoughts and ideas as well.
Danielle Bean sits down with Catholic Mom contributor Erin McCole Cupp, author of the upcoming new book, All Things New: Breaking the Cycle and Raising a Joyful Family.
Erin shares about her own difficult upbringing and how overcoming the wounds of her past has been a help to her as she learns to parent her own children.
Please join us for a moving and insightful conversation. And share your own thoughts and questions in the comments. We would love to hear from you!
Allison Gingras and Danielle Bean share ideas about gardening and how outdoor spaces can be beautiful places to connect with God.
An especially lovely way to celebrate the month of Mary would be to create a Mary Garden. Allison and Danielle talk about praying with Mary in the garden, different ways to plant a Mary garden, and introduce a fun new way to celebrate gardens while honoring Mary: The annual Mary Garden Contest hosted by Family Rosary.
How about you? Do you plant a garden, either flowers or vegetables? How will you pray outdoors this season? Join us for a fun conversation and share your thoughts in the comments!
Our guest this week is Sam Fatzinger, co-author with her husband Rob Fatzinger, of the new book A Catholic Guide to Spending Less and Living More: Advice from a Debt-Free Family of 16. Sam chats with Danielle Bean about what it was like to write this book with Rob and what motivated them to share financial advice with other Catholic families.
Together, they discuss ways to save money, how to have kids goto college without taking on debt, and the benefits of living within your means, even as a very large family. Tune in for an inspiring show and learn more about how you can take baby steps toward financial freedom, no matter your family size!
Danielle Bean and Lisa Hendey discuss reading spiritual classics. Working from a list of must-read Catholic classics, they discuss the fact that the way we read spiritual works can shift and change as our lives change and we grow older.
Sometimes, we need to be a bit discerning when reading spiritual books, as some of the advice may not apply to our modern lives. How do we strike a balance between challenging ourselves and not setting unreasonable expectations for ourselves? Are there books you read when you were younger that you might consider picking up again?
Join us for this enlightening conversation! and then please join us by sharing your thoughts and questions in the comments or by email. You can always reach us at editor@catholicmom.com.
This week we are chatting with Sarah Christmyer, a Catholic author, Bible teacher, and speaker with a special love for lectio divina and journaling as ways to draw close to Christ in Scripture. Sarah's latest book is Becoming Women of the Word: How to Answer God’s Call with Purpose and Joy (Ave Maria Press). Sarah blogs at ComeIntoTheWord.com.
Sarah comes on the show today to share more about the Ave Catholic Notetaking Bible. She and Danielle Bean discuss ways to begin with Bible study, some ideas for using a notetaking Bible, and how we can incorporate more Scripture into our everyday routines.
Please join us for this inspiring conversation! And be sure to enter our giveaway for your chance to win a free copy of the Catholic Notetaking Bible.
Our guest this week is Maureen O'Brien, author of What Was Lost: Seeking Refuge in the Psalms. Maureen shares with host Danielle Bean how she came to write this book which chronicles a very hard and difficult time in her life.
Maureen O'Brien was facing divorce, cancer, and a major personal injury when she began the daily practice of praying with the Psalms. She shares the ways in which this prayer practice brought her peace, hope, and healing in ways she never expected. Join us for this inspiring conversation!
If you have feedback or a question for the Catholic Momcast, please email us at editor@catholicmom.com We love to hear from you!
He is risen! He is truly risen!
The long days of Lent are over, and it is time to celebrate and rejoice. This week, Danielle Bean and Allison Gingras share some thoughts on ways that we can change our spiritual practices from Lenten penance to Easter joy.
What good habits did you establish during Lent that you will want to hold onto through Easter? What prayers and practices will you be using in your family's celebration of Easter?
We love hearing from you. Please send your feedback to us at editor@catholicmom.com
Wishing you and your family a Blessed Easter from all of us at Catholic Mom. God bless you and we will see you next week!
Danielle Bean and Lisa Hendey talk about getting enough rest -- why is this important and how can we take better care of ourselves when it comes to getting the rest we need?
Lisa shares some ideas she is learning while reading Keep Sharp: Build a Better Brain at Any Age by Sanjay Gupta. We also mention some stats on how people sleep and discuss some ways to cope when you have trouble sleeping or your nights are interrupted by the needs of others.
Finally, we discuss how prayer can be a helpful sleep tool and ways that we can grow closer to God when we find ourselves lying awake at night or feeling perpetually exhausted.
How about you? What helps you get the rest you need? Do you have a bedtime routine or other habits that help you sleep? How do you model caring for yourself in this basic way for your children? And finally, how do you cope when you are feeling tired?
Send us your feedback at editor@catholicmom.com or connect with us on social media.We always love to hear from you!
Are you feeling the winter blahs? Does it feel like this Lent has gone on forever? This week, Allison Gingras and Danielle Bean share some simple ideas for ways you can boost your mood.
They discuss some easy ways to add a bit of color, joy and beauty to your everyday living spaces, as well as enliven your spiritual life. Tune in for fun conversation, and then share your thoughts. You can always email us at editor@catholicmom.com. We love hearing from you!
Danielle Bean and Lisa Hendey host a conversation about ways we can learn to trust in God. How can we grow in trust?
This is one of the hardest things we ever need to do -- let go of control and let God work in our lives.Turning over our lives to God and praying those words "Thy will be done," can a serious challenge, especially when we suffer through hard times.
One prayer we recommend is the Litany of Trust from the Sisters of Life.
What helps you remember to trust God? In what ways does growing in trust help us find peace? How can we teach our children the importance of trusting in God and set a good example for them?
Join us for an honest and inspiring discussion!
This week, our guest on the Catholic Momcast is Nicole O'Leary. Nicole sits down with Danielle Bean for a discussion of the Mass with a special focus on ways we can grow in our understanding of it and love for it during the season of Lent.
What really happens at Mass? The pandemic forced many of to come to terms with some ways we have been taking the Mass for granted. How can we show greater reverence for Jesus' real presence in the Eucharist and the great gift that the Holy Mass is, even if we are not able to attend in person?
Nicole shares from her personal experiences as well as her work at Family Rosary. You will find a wonderful variety of Lenten resources and inspiration at the Family Rosary website.
How about you? How has your appreciation of the Mass changed, especially in light of events in the past year? We love to hear from you! Please email us at editor@catholicmom.com or connect with us on social media.
This week on the Catholic Momcast, our special guest is Alex Dee, digital content creator and manager at Family Rosary with Holy Cross Family Ministries.
Alex shares thoughts about observing Lent for the first time as a dad, as well as ways to establish habits of prayer in your family. Lent is the perfect time to work on making family prayer a habit and Alex shares about some of the very real challenges many of face when trying to do that.
Finally, we discuss the Family Rosary theme of "At the Foot of the Cross," and what that can mean for our experience of Lent this year. Check out all of the Lenten resources and inspiration available at FamilyRosary.org.
Do you have feedback to share, or an idea for a future topic we can discuss here on the podcast? Please let us know! You can email us at editor@catholicmom.com or connect on social media. We love to hear from you!
How are you planning to observe Lent in your family this year? This week, Danielle Bean and Allison Gingras share ideas for observing Lent together with your family. They discuss how family traditions and practices change as children grow older as well as ways to make Lent a meaningful season in your marriage.
Allison shares about a recent video conversation she had about using social media to evangelize during Lent. You can see that video here.
How is Lent going to be different for you this year? We would love to hear from you with feedback, ideas or questions for future episodes of the Catholic Momcast. You can email us at editor@catholicmom.com leave a comment here, or connect with us on social media.
This week Lisa Hendey and Danielle Bean are taking on all the negativity in the world and Church today and recommending a powerful dose of positivity instead.
How might your relationships benefit from a focus on the positive? As a wife, and as a mother, do you have a bad habit of focuses on the negative? Building up and encouraging the people we love is an important kind of"super power" we have as women in our homes and families. Danielle and Lisa share ideas for ways to spread more positive ideas and words in a way that will bless the world.
This week, Allison Gingras and Danielle Bean share some ideas for celebrating Valentine's Day as a couple and as a family.
Is Valentine's Day important to you? What do you and your husband usually do to celebrate? How might this year look different in terms of going out or having a special date night?
We share some fun ideas for in-house date nights as well some other ways to enjoy the day celebrating love in your family, in your neighborhood, at your kids' school and in your parish.
Who might benefit from you remembering them with a special treat this year? Spread the love!
We love hearing from you, so please get in touch with any feedback you have for today's show, or ideas you have for future topics here on the Catholic Momcast. Connect on social media or send us an email at editor@catholicmom.com.
This week, Lisa Hendey and Danielle Bean talk about ways that parish communities can stay connected with one another, even when many people are attending Mass online.
Lisa shares about how her parish is currently closed, but she still participates in a women's group on Zoom. Online connections have their limitations, but they have advantages as well -- like being able to attend events from your own home.
One idea they discussed was the importance of reaching out to older people who might be part of your parish community and may not have the experience or skills needed to connect via Zoom. Are there ways you can support their connection? Or could you and your kids write notes or make cards to send them through the mail?
Danielle shares how one family delivered cinnamon rolls to her house during the shutdown and that it was a very kind and thoughtful gesture that meant a lot. What could you do to connect to others in meaningful ways? Sometimes just a phone call can make a big difference in how someone feels connected to your community. Let others know you are thinking of them! It can be a great example to set for your children as well.
Our guest this week is Emily Jaminet, author of Secrets of the Sacred Heart: Twelve Ways to Claim Jesus' Promises in Your Life.
Emily shares with us about the Secrets of the Sacred Heart Book Club she is hosting at Catholic Mom. It's not too late to join us!
She also shares about her devotion to the Sacred Heart and ways it has blessed her home and family. The book also shares stories from others as well as giving greater detail about the promises Jesus makes to those who practice devotion to his Sacred Heart.
Please join us for this great conversation that is sure to inspire you. And let us know what thoughts or questions you have for us here at the Catholic Momcast. We love hearing from you! Send us an email at editor@catholicmom.com or connect with us on social media.
This week, Allison Gingras and Danielle Bean take inspiration from the book Holy Hacks: Everyday Ways to Live Your Faith and Get to Heaven, written by Catholic Mom contributor Patti Maguire Armstrong. Patti's book is chock full of small ideas for ways to practice virtue and grow in holiness that can move you closer to God every minute of every day.
We discuss Patti's book and share some "holy hacks" of our own. Then we share some more "everyday" hacks in the areas of health, housework, parenting, marriage, and productivity. Tune in and get inspired!
How about you? What small things do you do to make life holier and healthier and more enjoyable? What "life hacks" might you share with your fellow Catholic moms? We would love to hear from you! Send your feedback and questions to us at editor@catholicmom.com or connect with us on social media!
Are you setting goals in the new year? This week, Lisa Hendey, Allison Gingras, and Danielle Bean sit down to talk about goals (not necessarily resolutions) they have in the new year. They each share some goals in the areas of spirituality, health, relationships, and work. We hope we can inspire and encourage you in your goals for 2021 as well!
Let us know what your hopes and dreams are in this new year. Send us an email at editor@catholicmom.com or connect with us on social media. We would love to hear from you!
Danielle Bean sits down with Nicole O'Leary, mission coordinator for Family Rosary, to talk about Mary. Nicole shares thoughts about Mary as our mother and what we can learn from her openness to God's will.
Especially during the season of Advent, in what ways are we called to imitate Mary's Yes to God, and how can our obedience yield great fruit in our lives? Join us for this encouraging and inspiring conversation!
Danielle Bean and Lisa Hendey discuss some of the ways thatChristmas will look different this year, with fewer family gatherings and school events, and with some businesses and churches closed. They share ideas for ways to enjoy simple celebrations this year and still make the holidays meaningful for ourselves and our families.
Lisa also shares about her new book for children, I'm a Saint in the Making. It would make a lovely gift for a child, Godchild, grandchild, niece or nephew this Christmas!
We also talk about music to listen to during Advent and recommend the Catholic Mom Advent playlist on Spotify. Check it out!
Join Allison Gingras and Danielle Bean for a fun conversation about all things Advent. In what ways will your Advent season look different this year? In what ways will it be the same?
We share ideas for ways to add more time for quiet and prayer during the days of December and we have a funny (maybe even heated?) conversation about the controversial song Mary Did you Know?
And this year we are sharing an inspiring playlist we at Catholic Mom made just for Advent. Check it out here!
This week, Allison Gingras and our guest Kelly Sakmar take on the tough topic of pregnancy and infant loss. Both women share from their hearts about their own experiences with loss and discuss ways to find peace and healing in grief. Some resources they talk about include:
Be Not Afraid, a private non-profit organization which provides comprehensive case management to parents carrying to term following a prenatal diagnosis.
Mommy to a Little Saint, a Facebook support group
Here is a link to the stained glass image of Jacob wrestling with God that Kelly mentions.
Kelly Sakmar describes herself: as a beloved daughter of the risen Lord. Devoted wife. Catholic Mom to two sweet girls & one precious saint. Professional organizer to busy families. Learn more & connect at www.clutter-less.com.
Thank you for being part of this special episode of the Catholic Momcast. Please be in touch with us and let us know how we can support and encourage you in your Catholic motherhood. Send us an email at editor@catholicmom.com
This week, Allison Gingras and Danielle Bean share a lively conversation with Bishop-elect William (Bill) Byrne. Bishop-elect Byrne has served as the pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Potomac, Maryland since 2015. He will be installed to his recent appointment by Pope Francis to serve as the Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield, Massachusetts, in December 2020.
We chat with him about his new book, 5 Things with Father Bill: Hope, Humor and Help for the Soul.
Check out his Youtube channel as well: 5 Things with Fr. Bill
This week, Matt Archbold joins us on the Catholic Momcast to talk about his newest book American Antigone, a novel that looks at the issues of life as we experience them in the United States today. This is a creative work that can inform and inspire readers of all ages to think clearly about political and moral topics and the real ways they touch our lives and shape the future of our nation.
Matt chats with Danielle Bean about how he came to write the book, what that process was like, and the importance of talking with our kids about life issues in real ways.
This week, Fr. Willy Raymond, CSC, joins us for an inspiring conversation about Holy Cross Family Ministries founder, Venerable Patrick Peyton and his dedication to family prayer and especially the Rosary.
We talk about Fr. Peyton's cause for sainthood, his famous Rosary Rallies, and the global work he did to promote families praying together.
Fr. Willy also shares about PRAY, a newly-released documentary about the life of Fr. Patrick Peyton and the hopes we have for it to inspire families to pray together.
Join us for this fun conversation!
This week our guest is author and speaker and fellow podcaster Pat Gohn. Pat sits down with Danielle Bean to talk about some of her favorite saints and how the Rosary has become a peace-inspiring habit for her in her life.
Pat also shares some ideas for ways to make the Rosary real for kids, teaching them about the mysteries of the Rosary and about the power of intercessory prayer. Pat inspires us all to grow closer to Jesus through Mary, our heavenly mother.
Thanks for being part of today's show! Please share your questions and feedback with us any time. Connect on social media or send us an email at editor@catholicmom.com
Our guest this week is Gretchen Crowe. Gretchen is editorial director for periodicals at OSV, where she oversees the publication of Our Sunday Visitor, the only national Catholic weekly newspaper in the United States. Her books are Why the Rosary, Why Now? and Praying the Rosary with St. John Paul II.
Gretchen sits down with Danielle Bean to discuss St. John Paul II's approach to the Rosary and what we can learn from it. She also shares ideas for making the daily Rosary a habit and for introducing young children to praying the Rosary. Join us for an enlightening discussion!
All through the month of October, the month of the Rosary, we will be featuring stories about saints and the Rosary here on the Catholic Momcast.
On this week's show, Fr. Jim Phalan, CSC, returns to the podcast with Danielle Bean. Together, they discuss the story of St. Bernadette and how Mary helped prepare Bernadette for her FirstCommunion, and how she "homeschools" us through the Rosary.
Look for more stories from saints and more Rosary inspiration in the coming weeks!
This week, Allison Gingras and Danielle Bean walk through some of the CatholicMom content they have been enjoying lately. From the Sunday Gospel Activities to the Daily Gospel Reflections, from the blog posts on parenting, marriage, spirituality, work, and friendship, there are so many new and old things at CatholicMom that are designed to encourage and support you in your vocation to motherhood.
CatholicMom also offers many daily and weekly resources through social media, especially on our Facebook page with weekly hangouts and webinars and on Instagram. We would love to connect with you there!
Please also send us your feedback for this episode and let us know what topics you would like to see in future podcasts. You can email us at editor@catholicmom.com. Thanks for being part of today's show!
Allison Gingras and Danielle Bean take on the topic of making prayer a daily habit. Do you struggle with this? What can help us establish good prayer habits and stick with them?
Finding time for personal prayer can be challenging for a busy mom. How can we set ourselves up for success, and what tools help to make daily prayer a reality?
Danielle recommends some books she has been enjoying recently:
The Better Part by Fr. John Bartunek and many books from Fr. Jacques Philippe. Allison shares about ways she likes to use the Hallow app as a support for daily prayer.
How about you? How has your personal prayer life changed over the years, or since becoming a mom? what challenges do you face when trying to make prayer a daily habit? Send us your feedback at editor@catholicmom.com or connect with us on social media!
This week, Allison Gingras and Danielle Bean talk about why getting a good night's sleep is important -- and how you can go about getting the rest you need.
We all know about staying up too late watching Netflix or reading a good book, only to regret it the next morning when the alarm rings. We also know about using cups of coffee or Diet Cokes to get us through our busy and stressful days. But is there a better way? Is there a way to better prioritize getting the rest you need -- even if you are a busy mom with little kids who need you day and night?
Allison and Danielle share their experiences with sleep, napping , staying up late, and going to bed early. They share ideas for getting the rest you need along with encouragement that we can and should prioritize caring for ourselves in this very basic way.
How about you? Do you have a bedtime? What helps you relax and get the rest you need? Send us an email or voicemail with your feedback on this topic, or others we have taken up here on the Catholic Momcast. We would love to hear from you!
Join Allison Gingras and Danielle Bean for a fun conversation about meal planning from two people who are NOT expert meal planners in any way. Let's talk about what meal planning looks like in the real world!
Together, they share ideas for budget-friendly, time-saving nutritious meals that your family will actually eat.
One of many resources mentioned is the recipe blog of CatholicMom Barb Szyszkiewicz, FranciscanMom.com
And Danielle shares a Google doc with links to many recipes she enjoys: Everyday Dinners
How about you? Do you like to plan meals for your family, or is this a challenge for you? We would love to hear your perspectives in the comments. Let us know what you think!
Join Allison Gingras and Danielle Bean for a fun conversation about meal planning from two people who are NOT expert meal planners in any way. Let's talk about what meal planning looks like in the real world!
Together, they share ideas for budget-friendly, time-saving nutritious meals that your family will actually eat.
One of many resources mentioned is the recipe blog of CatholicMom Barb Szyszkiewicz, FranciscanMom.com
And Danielle shares a Google doc with links to many recipes she enjoys: Everyday Dinners
How about you? Do you like to plan meals for your family, or is this a challenge for you? We would love to hear your perspectives in the comments. Let us know what you think!
Join Allison Gingras and Danielle Bean for a fun conversation about meal planning from two people who are NOT expert meal planners in any way. Let's talk about what meal planning looks like in the real world!
Together, they share ideas for budget-friendly, time-saving nutritious meals that your family will actually eat.
One of many resources mentioned is the recipe blog of CatholicMom Barb Szyszkiewicz, FranciscanMom.com
And Danielle shares a Google doc with links to many recipes she enjoys: Everyday Dinners
How about you? Do you like to plan meals for your family, or is this a challenge for you? We would love to hear your perspectives in the comments. Let us know what you think!
This week, Allison shares the story of how she came to adopt her daughter, Faith, from China years ago. She walks us through the moment when she and her husband first considered the idea of adoption, to the years of prayer and research that ultimately led them to find an agency that matched them with Faith, the little girl they were waiting for and who was waiting for them!
There were many trials and struggles along the way, but each step brought them closer to God and taught them to grow in trust.
The inspiring quotation Allison shares from St. Faustina is from this passage in her diary:
January 14, 1937. Today, Jesus entered my room wearing a bright robe and girded with a golden belt, His whole figure resplendent with great majesty. He said, My daughter, why are you giving in to thoughts of fear? I answered, "O Lord, You know why." And He said, Why? "This work frightens me. You know that I am incapable of carrying it out." And He said, Why? "You see very well that I am not in good health, that I have no education, that I have no money, that I am an abyss of misery, that I fear contacts with people. Jesus, I desire only You. You can release me from this." And the Lord said to me, My daughter, what you have said is true. You are very miserable, and it pleased Me to carry out this work of mercy precisely through you who are nothing but misery itself. Do not fear; I will not leave you alone. Do whatever you can in this matter; I will accomplish everything that is lacking in you. You know what is within your power to do; do that. The Lord looked into the depth of my being with great kindness; I thought I would die for joy under that gaze. The Lord disappeared, and joy, strength and power to act remained in my soul. But I was surprised that the Lord did not want to release me and that He is not changing anything He has once said. And despite all these joys, there is always a shadow of sorrow. I see that love and sorrow go hand in hand. (Diary, 881)
Thank you for being part of today's show. We love to hear from you! Please send us your feedback at editor@catholicmom.com or connect with us through social media.
Are you struggling to say goodbye to a big kid who is leaving for college, starting a new job, getting married, or otherwise beginning a life of their own?
Allison Gingras and Danielle Bean talk about the "Goodbye Season" that many parents go through this time of year.
This year is extra challenging for some, and maybe not a "goodbye" at all, because of complications of Covid. Allison shares how her oldest sons are still at home these days, but she is still being called to "let go" of control in their lives in various ways.
Danielle shares how some of her kids are going back to school and the ways that shifts in the family dynamic present new challenges, blessings, and opportunities.
Both women discuss their approach to a new stage of family life where we may find ourselves called to new work and new ways to live out our vocations as Catholic mothers.
Join us for this enlightening conversation! Let us know what this season looks like in your home and family. What unique joys and challenges are you facing these days? We love to hear from you! Send us an email at editor@catholicmom.com or connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
In this week's show, Lisa Hendey and Danielle Bean share thoughts and ideas about prayer journaling. Lisa shares her system that incorporates a regular planner in her daily prayer time, and Danielle shares some simple ways she has used different methods of journaling in daily prayer.
They also share ideas for ways to schedule and plan for an organized fall season. Some resources they recommend:
168 Hours with Laura Vanderkam
Catholic Mothers Planner from Ascension
Liturgical Academic Year Planner from Blessed Is She
How about you? How do you incorporate journaling in your daily prayer life? Or what resources do you use to keep yourself inspired and organized through busy times in family life?
We love to hear from you! Send us your feedback at editor@catholicmom.com or connect with us on social media.
This week, Allison Gingras and Danielle Bean are talking about habits -- how to break bad ones and establish good ones. easier said than done!
They share ideas for ways to set goals and achieve them in your prayer life, personal relationships, work, and health. Some of the tips they cover:
1) Power of writing down your goals
2) Holding yourself accountable
3) Ways to make good habits "easy" and bad habits "hard"
4) Celebrating small achievements
5) Setting realistic goals
6) Book recommendations and more!
Join us for an encouraging, enlightening discussion and then let us know what you think! We always love to hear from listeners with your feedback on tis topic or ideas for what you would like to see on a future show. Email us at editor@catholicmom.com or reach out on social media.
This week we are sharing a recent session from our series of FB Live Q&As with Fr. Jim Phalan, CSC. In recent weeks, we have been focusing on the topic of trust. Specifically, how can we move break bad habits of worrying, overcome anxiety, and grow closer to God, especially during this time of Covid19 and rampant uncertainty?
Danielle Bean chats with Fr. Jim Phalan, CSC, national director of Family Rosary, about some prayer practices that can help us grow in trust and practical ways we can all grow closer to God by letting go of worry and learning to trust in God.
join us for this inspiring conversation. And let us know what future topics you might like to see in our Ask a Priest FB Live series with Fr. Jim. Send us an email at editor@catholicmom.com or leave a comment right here. We look froward to hearing from you!
We all know that regular exercise can improve your mood and overall health, but finding the time and motivation to do it can be a real challenge. This week, Allison Gingras and Danielle Bean discuss do-able strategies for adding more movement to your days.
Allison shares about using the app Noom with great results. Danielle shares what helps her put on her running shoes regularly. How about you? How are you and your family staying active and healthy this summer?
Send feedback for this episode or your ideas for future show topics to us at editor@catholicmom.com
Lisa Hendey and Danielle Bean discuss some of the common frustrations we are all experiencing with daily back and forth, opening and closing, due to Covid19.
Taking on a question from listener Alyson, we share thoughts on going back to school and how parents can discern the best plan of action for themselves and their kids this school year.
We discuss how can we find peace during times of uncertainty and share some prayer practices that help us through challenging times. One book Danielle especially recommends is Searching for and Maintaining Peace by Fr. Jacques Philippe.
How about you? Let us know what is going on in your world and how CatholicMom can be a source of support to you, through Covid and beyond. Send us an email at editor@catholicmom.com or connect with us on social media. We would love to hear from you!
Allison Gingras and Danielle Bean discuss changes in our summer plans and activities during this season when many of our regular camps, sports, and other events are cancelled. How are you enjoying an old-fashioned summer? In what ways are you and your family making the most of the season, despite the disappointment of things being different this year?
Many of us are also looking for ways to eep our families active during the summer months and not just plugged into television and video games. Allison shares some ways she is doing that and how she has been finding personal success in fitness using the Noom app.
Danielle shares some ideas for structuring daily routines and assigning chores during the summer season as well.
We would love to hear from you! How are you and your family doing this summer? What goals do you have and how are you and your kids managing in the face of changes and cancellations? Email us at editor@catholicmom.com or connect with us on social media and let us know!
This week, we are having some downtime and taking this week off from producing a new episode of the podcast.
We don’t want to neglect you, though, so we thought we would share a re-run of one of our most popular episodes, Grown Up Friendships #047, where Allison Gingras and Danielle Bean talk about the sometimes-sticky topic of grown up friendships. Some of you might have even missed this one the first time around as it first published over a year ago. So sit back in your summertime hammock, relax and and enjoy. We’ll be back next week with a new show for you.
Send us your feedback and ideas for future shows. We love to hear from you! Email us at editor@catholicmom.com or connect on social media.
Lisa Hendey and Danielle Bean discuss ways that Catholics are beginning to go back to Mass, along with some ideas for those who may not yet be ready or able to return.
What Mass options do you have n your diocese? What procedures are in place, and how does that affect the ways you are able to pray with your parish community?
Lisa shares honestly about some of her own struggles in getting back to Mass, and Danielle discusses the fact that she has not yet been back and what that has been like for her and her family.
Please join our discussion. We love to hear from you! Let us know what going back to Mass looks like for you and your family, or other topics you would like to see on the podcast. Leave a comment here or email us at editor@catholicmom.com
Our guest this week is Cathy Gilmore, founder of Virtue Works Media. Cathy sits down with Danielle Bean to share about her newest project, Virtue Heroes.
From her website:
"Tiny Virtue Heroes are pretend friends who turn children’s imagination into a sacred training space, a spiritual dojo, in which everyday habits are powered with God’s grace to become real life super-powers! These animal and insect characters are friendly sidekicks, who introduce kids to Virtue Heroes from the Bible and from the Virtue Mission Regions of the world. Tiny Virtue Heroes help children, during both play time and “pray time,” to build character, conscience and faith that smiles!"
Find out more and meet the characters at VirtueHeroes.com
Join us for a fun show where Allison Gingras, Danielle bean, and Lisa Hendey look back over the first 100 episodes of the Catholic Momcast, sharing favorite moments and memories. We also take a look ahead at the next 100 shows and offer ideas for where we might go from here.
What has been your favorite episode of the Catholic Momcast? What topics would you like to see in the future? Send us your feedback and your ideas at editor@catholicmom.com.
Danielle Bean and Allison Gingras have a fun and inspiring conversation about ways to celebrate Father's Day this year. They share ideas for socially-disctanced gatherings as well as ways to recognize our priests and others who have played fatherly roles in our lives.
Here are some Prayers for All Priests we mentioned in the show.
How about you? How are you planning to celebrate Father's day this year? How can we make an effort to be more supportive of the good fathers in our lives?
We love to hear from you! Let us know what topics you might like to see on future shows or what questions you have. Email us at editor@catholicmom.com
Lisa Hendey and Danielle Bean take a question from listener Elizabeth who is wondering about balancing work, rest, recreation, and feeling like she's doing "enough" while caring for a baby.
They discuss housework schedules and the ways your attitude toward these things can change as your family changes and grows. They talk about the temptation to always be working to "earn" God's love or acceptance, something we can never do.
We love to hear from you with feedback, questions & ideas for future podcast topics. Email us at editor@catholicmom.com or send us a voicemail or connect on social media.
Danielle Bean chats with Jacquelyn Youst, owner of the Pennsylvania Academy of Protocol, about ways we can all be considerate of others and stay safe in a time of global pandemic.
What basic rules of manners have changed? What things should we keep in mind as we learn news of communicating and interaction in public spaces? How can we consider the needs of others and enhance our relationships with others in our own homes, in our workplaces, in the supermarket, and at church?
Jacquelyn shares some of her vast experience as a "manners guru" and helps us understand some basic principles for social interaction in a time of Covid19.
Allison Gingras and Danielle Bean discuss the popular concept of "self care" for women. What does it mean? How do you do it? What if you wouldn't really enjoy or can't really afford a "spa day"? What are some basic ways we can learn to care for ourselves and support our general peace, health, and wellbeing that truly make up what "self care" really is?
Allison and Danielle share ideas about how eating well and exercising, sticking to a budget, and staying on top of everyday chores are some rather unglamorous and yet effective ways to care for yourself.
What are your thoughts about self care? And how are you holding up during this time of quarantine? Let us know how you are doing! We love to hear from you with feedback, questions & ideas for future podcast topics. Email us at editor@catholicmom.com or send us a voicemail or connect on social media.
Danielle Bean and Lisa Hendey talk about having time to dig deep and clear out clutter during this time of quarantine.
How do you make decisions about what to keep and what to give away? What are some of the emotional obstacles to getting rid of things from your kids that are no longer needed? What are some of the blessings and joys that can come from cleaning out and clearing up space in your home?
Let us know what spaces you are clearing out in your home! We want to know about your de-cluttering success stories.
Also, how about you? How are you holding up during this time of quarantine? Let us know how you are doing! We love to hear from you with feedback, questions & ideas for future podcast topics. Email us at editor@catholicmom.com or send us a voicemail or connect on social media.
Danielle Bean sits down tie author Allison Gingras to discuss the newest in her series of books, Stay Connected. This newest title is Seeking Peace: A Spiritual Journey From Worry to Trust.
Allison shares about prayer practices that can help during times of anxiety as well ways to find meaningful friendships with other women who share your faith. The two hosts also discuss what we mean when we say "hold onto God's promises."
Allison Gingras' website is Reconciled to You.
How about you? How are you holding up during this time of quarantine? Let us know how you are doing! We love to hear from you with feedback, questions & ideas for future podcast topics. Email us at editor@catholicmom.com or send us a voicemail or connect on social media.
Danielle Bean sits down with Fr. Jim Phalan, CSC, director of Family Rosary, to talk about devotion to Mary for the month of May. What is the history of honoring Mary in May? Why is this fitting?
In the discussion, Fr. Jim shares Gerard Manley Hopkins' beautiful poem about Mary, The May Magnificat. He also refers to Bishop Robert Barron's video about the poem.
We also discuss Divine Mercy and our upcoming series of events:
Go here for more information about the CatholicMom Days of Mercy webinar series.
How about you? How are you holding up during this time of quarantine? Let us know how you are doing! We love to hear from you with feedback, questions & ideas for future podcast topics. Email us at editor@catholicmom.com or send us a voicemail or connect on social media.
How are you doing in this Easter season of joy? In what ways does it feel different from past years because of Covid-19? Danielle Bean and Lisa Hendey talk about the change from Lenten penances to Easter celebrations. In what ways can we celebrate Easter but still continue some of the good spiritual progress we made during the 40 days of Lent?
We also discuss Divine Mercy and our upcoming series of events:
Go here for more information about the CatholicMom Days of Mercy webinar series.
How about you? How are you holding up during this time? Let us know how you are doing! We love to hear from you with feedback, questions & ideas for future podcast topics. Email us at editor@catholicmom.com or send us a voicemail or connect on social media.
Danielle Bean and Allison Gingras discuss ways to keep on celebrating the joyful season of Easter, despite the fact that we are still dealing with quarantine in the face of the corona virus threat.
How can we be creative in celebrating and connecting with loved ones? What are some fun ideas and crafts we can do with big kids and little kids to make the season special?
Two ideas shared on the podcast are Resurrection cookies and Easter Bread.
How about you? How are you holding up during this time? Let us know how you are doing! We love to hear from you with feedback, questions & ideas for future podcast topics. Email us at editor@catholicmom.com or send us a voicemail or connect on social media.
Danielle Bean and Lisa Hendey discuss ways to stay healthy and active, even during times of stress and social isolation. They chat about their mutual love for the Peloton app and Lisa's recent article at CatholicSeniors.com, on a similar topic.
They discuss the problem of emotional eating and some ways to make sure we are not being too demanding of ourselves, but also doing our best to take care of our physical and mental health during this time.
How about you? How are you holding up during this time? Let us know how you are doing! We love to hear from you with feedback, questions & ideas for future podcast topics. Email us at editor@catholicmom.com or send us a voicemail or connect on social media.
Allison Gingras and Danielle Bean discuss trusting in the goodness of God, even during difficult times. How can we keep on "choosing the better part" and leaning on God during this unusual time of quarantine? What are some ways we can "sit at the feet of Jesus" even when there is so much stress and anxiety in the world? Allison and Danielle share some prayer practices and habits that are keeping them focused on their relationship with God during this time of Covid19 and social isolation.
Let us know how you are doing! We love to hear from you with feedback, questions & ideas for future podcast topics. Email us at editor@catholicmom.com or send us a voicemail or connect on social media.
Danielle Bean interviews children's book author Gracie Jagla about her new book, God the Father and the Best Day Ever.
Gracie shares about how she was inspired to write the book and her hopes for the resource it can be for parents, teachers, and kids of all ages.
We love to hear from you with feedback, questions & ideas for future podcast topics. Email us at editor@catholicmom.com or send us a voicemail or connect on social media.
Lisa Hendey and Danielle Bean take on the Corona virus ... How can we stay healthy and calm in the face of so much change, scary news, and uncertainty these days? Let's talk about it! Lisa shares about her mom and dad, and some innovative ways she is staying in touch with them during their quarantine. Danielle shares some ideas for ways we can connect with family members and each out to others and be supportive to our neighbors during this unusual time.
How are you holding up? We love to hear from you with feedback, questions & ideas for future podcast topics. Email us at editor@catholicmom.com or send us a voicemail or connect on social media.
Danielle Bean and Allison Gingras discuss the importance of forgiveness, especially during the season of Lent.
Do you struggle to forgive? Even small tags? What can you do when forgiving is very hard to do? What kinds of prayer help? What about the sacraments? Why is it important that we forgive, anyway? Join us for an inspiring conversation!
We love to hear from you with feedback, questions & ideas for future podcast topics. Email us at editor@catholicmom.com or send us a voicemail or connect on social media.
This week, Lisa Hendey and Danielle Bean chat about Danielle's new book, Giving Thanks and Letting Go: Reflections on the Gift of Motherhood.
In this book, Danielle shares from the heart abut a new stage of family life - one in which her children grow up and become young adults, going to college, getting jobs, and getting married. Lisa and Danielle talk abut the unique challenges and joys of this sacred season of parenting.
We love to hear from you with feedback, questions & ideas for future podcast topics. Email us at editor@catholicmom.com or send us a voicemail or connect on social media.
