In this episode, we reflect on the legacy of Pope Francis. We talk about how, during his Pontificate, Pope Francis emphasized joy and, through his example, helped us remember to embody this joy in our daily lives to bring others into the Church. We also acknowledge how God has used Pope Francis to speak to us through his writings and discuss which of these writings most profoundly impacted us, how we can pray for our next Pope, and share what we think will be his lasting legacy. 

Heather’s One Thing - Her Parents

Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Firm Foundation by Cody Carnes (and the Maverick City Music Remix ;))

Michelle’s One Thing - Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington , NC

Other Resources Mentioned: 

• Papal Homily on the Revolution of Tenderness
• Pope Francis’ Surprise TED Talk
• Patris Corde - Apostolic Letter
• Dilexit Nos - Encyclical
• Evangelii Gaudium (Joy of the Gospel) - Apostolic Exhortation 
• List of Cardinals attending the Conclave

Abiding Together Episodes on Pope Francis’ Writings:

• The Joy of the Gospel Study
• Rejoice and Be Glad Study
• The Sacred Heart (three part series)
• C’est la Confiance (two part series)
• Revolution of Tenderness

Journal Questions:

• How have I been blessed by Pope Francis’ pontificate?
• In what ways do I experience the Gospel as Lent without Easter?
• How can I embrace the lessons Pope Francis has taught me throughout his papacy in my life?
• How can I pray for the Church during the conclave?

Discussion Questions:

• How did you receive the news of Pope Francis’ passing?
• How can we live out Pope Francis’ vision of the Church as a field hospital in our own lives?
• Which of Pope Francis’ writings left an impactful impression on you?
• What’s one word you would use to describe Pope Francis’ legacy?

Quote to Ponder:

"Joy adapts and changes, but it always endures, even as a flicker of life born of our personal certainty that, when everything is said and done, we are infinitely loved." (Pope Francis)

Scripture for Lectio:

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13)

Sponsor - Glory: Women’s Conference:

This week’s episode is sponsored by the Glory: Women’s Conference hosted by Steubenville Conferences and our very own Heather Khym! We want to invite you to join Heather, Michelle, and our dear friends Debbie Herbeck, Sarah Kaczmarek, Monica Richards, and Sarah Kroger who will be leading us in worship, this June 6-8 in Steubenville, Ohio as we gather with women across generations and seek God’s presence.

We are just about one month out from the Glory: Women’s Conference and tickets are still available! This is the first one and we want you to be part of it, especially since it’s over Pentecost weekend and we know the Holy Spirit will be showing up in big ways.

The conference schedule will include talks, worship, prayer experiences, and the opportunity to interact with fellow Abiding Together listeners and new friends from all over who will be flying in. Heather and Michelle would absolutely love to meet you. Whether you come with your Abiding Together small group, with a close friend, or on your own, we can’t wait to gather in fellowship with you.

Visit steubenvilleconferences.com/events/glory for more information or to register!

Timestamps: 

00:00 - Glory: Women’s Conference

01:10 - Intro

02:01 - Welcome

04:14 - How We Found Out

07:02 - His Funeral and the Upcoming Conclave

08:30 - A Grace-filled Time

09:54 - Evangelii Gaudium (Joy of the Gospel)

13:36 - The Church as a Field Hospital

15:52 - Revolution of Tenderness

18:26 - The Lord Deeply Cares for Us

19:48 - Dilexit Nos (The Sacred Heart)

20:27 - The Holy Spirit and the Holy Family

21:12 - His Lasting Legacy

26:08 - How Can We Pray?

29:52 - One Things

In this episode, we conclude our Lenten book study by focusing on the epilogue and sharing ideas on how to prepare for the Triduum. During Holy Week, our Lord invites us to join Him on His Paschal journey. We reflect on how He takes on our suffering, sin, and brokenness and brings them to the Father so that death may be destroyed forever. We also talk about the importance of remembering how God has transformed our lives, the call to “be not afraid”, and how our Lord is restoring our deepest identities. You are in our prayers dear friends, and we will see you again in the Easter season!

Heather’s One Thing - Glory: Women’s Gathering (June 6th-8th 2025)

Heather’s Other One Thing - The Pause App from Wild at Heart

Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Peaceful Guitar Playlist from Spotify

Michelle’s One Thing - Everything about Easter (the Liturgy, flowers, decorations…everything!)

Announcement:

We will be taking a two week break for Easter and will see you again on May 5th!

Journal Questions:

• Where do I need the Lord to grow my capacity?
• Where do I still need resurrection?
• What sorrowful places in my life need a reminder of the Lord’s victory?
• Where in my life do I despise or push away or idolize my humanity?

Discussion Questions:

• How can you embrace a kingdom mindset this Holy Week?
• What has been your Jubilee story?
• How do you see your humanity as an obstacle rather than a gift to the world?
• How does the Lord want to personally and individually restore your humanity?

Quote to Ponder:

“There are ways of being crucified that do not involve rough wood and heavy nails, but a love beyond our capacity to love, which means a love that has been given to us by God.” (Catherine Doherty)

Scripture for Lectio:

“The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord, The King of Israel!” Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written: “do not be afraid daughter of Zion; look your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt.”” (John 12:12-15)

Sponsor - Mary Powathil:

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Commissions

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Prints for Sale

A Look at the Icon Design Process

Timestamps: 

00:00 - Mary Powathil

01:25 - Intro

02:18 - Welcome

03:44 - Our Personal Resurrection Stories

05:24 - Do Not Be Afraid

08:10 - Speaking Truth

09:39 - Honor and Honesty

11:09 - Restoration of Our Deepest Identities

13:14 - The Importance of Remembering

15:13 - Humanity

17:11 - An Individual and Unique Love

17:49 - Pray for Priests and Holy Week Services

21:03 - The Tears that Fell

22:49 - One Things

In this episode, we continue our Lenten book study and focus on chapter 9 and the conclusion. We reflect on the goodness of God and why we need not be afraid even when we do not understand what He is doing or how He is working in our lives. We also talk about how the Holy Spirit is like a salve to the wounds in our life, the importance of taking the authority we’ve been given by God, and why hungering and thirsting for God allows us to grow in intimacy with Him.

Heather’s One Thing - Healing Prayers and Renunciations by Dr. Bob Schuchts

Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Mango Salsa Recipe

Michelle’s One Thing - The Way of Love by Marie Miller

Journal Questions:

• How can I make Jubilee a lifestyle?
• How does my heart respond to the unexpected works and movements of the Holy Spirit?
• Where in my life do I need to welcome the Holy Spirit?
• Where does the Lord want to liberate me?

Discussion Questions:

• How can you embrace the spirit of Jubilee and not the letter of Jubilee?
• How will you embrace the sacraments, pilgrimages, and indulgences this year?
• Where in your heart do you feel like you need to be cautious and protective with the Lord?
• What are the things in your life filling you with a false satiation?
• What are the graces you’ve received this Lent?

Quote to Ponder:

“For that reason, the Jubilee 2025 is a highly appropriate time for individuals and communities to enter more deeply into the life of the Holy Spirit.” (Jesus and the Jubilee, John Bergsma, Page 111)

“What are some practical steps to bring jubilee into our hearts? How do we embrace the Spirit of jubilee and not the letter of jubilee? How do we make good use of 2025 and the years following? How do we make jubilee a lifestyle? How do we sustain liberty? There are three simple answers: sacraments, pilgrimages, and indulgences.” (Jesus and the Jubilee, John Bergsma, Page 113)

Scripture for Lectio:

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (2 Corinthians 3:17)

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Timestamps: 

00:00 - West Coast Catholic

01:30 - Intro

02:06 - Welcome

05:20 - Scripture Verse and Guiding Quote

06:20 - The Holy Spirit

08:40 - A Salve to Our Wounds

10:28 - He is Good

12:28 - In the School of the Holy Spirit

14:23 - Sacraments, Pilgrimages, and Indulgences

18:31 - Taking Authority

20:30 - Are We Hungry Enough?

22:44 - Stirring Up Hunger

24:44 - The Price of Liberation

27:40 - Graces Received During Lent

29:09 - One Things

In this episode, we continue our Lenten book study and focus on chapters 7 & 8. We reflect on the many ways Jesus wants to make us whole, by exercising the evil out of our lives, forgiving our sins, and leading us to freedom. We also compare that to what the enemy is trying to do, make us feel alone, scatter the pieces of our heart, and bring us out of communion with each other and with God. Jesus wants to love us into healing and is waiting for our invitation. It is up to us to open the door and allow Jesus to enter ever deeper into our hearts. 

Heather’s One Thing - Authentic Masculinity and Intimacy with Jesus - A Pints with Aquinas Episode w/ John Eldredge (YouTube) (Spotify)

Heather’s Other One Thing - Songs in the Desert Spotify Playlist

Sister Miriam’s One Thing - March Madness

Michelle’s One Thing - She Loved: Resting in the Beauty of Motherhood by Suzanne Bilodeau 

Other Resources Mentioned: 

• Daily Examen
• The Song “When I Forget” by Amanda Cook

Announcement:

It’s not too late to order your copy of “Jesus and the Jubilee” at the St. Paul Center with promo code “ABIDE15” for 15% off. There are also bulk discounts available. 

Journal Questions:

• Have I experienced the revelation of Christ’s identity as the Messiah in a personal way?
• What little parts of my heart has the Lord been restoring this Lent?
• How has God been personally restoring my relationship with Him, exorcising me from evil, and bringing me into relationship with my neighbor?
• Spend time in prayer and meditate on the image of a door with locks on it. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you: What is the name of this lock?

Discussion Questions:

• How has my heart been pierced by this intricate story of salvation?
• What are you feasting on in relation to your fasting this Lent?
• “We all need exorcism.” How do you see this truth in your own heart and life?
• Where can you invite the Holy Spirit into my heart for restoration?

Quote to Ponder:

“Even though he is God in the flesh and could organize his ministry in any way, notice that Jesus chose: (1) relationship with God, (2) exorcism of evil, and (3) relationship with neighbor. Deliverance flows from God, not man.” (Jesus and the Jubilee, John Bergsma, Page 72-73)

Scripture for Lectio:

 “Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matt 18:18)

Sponsor - Heritage Retreat Center:

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Timestamps: 

00:00 - Heritage Retreat Center

01:23 - Intro

02:15 - Welcome

03:26 - Deliverance Comes from the Lord

04:59 - A World at War

07:19 - Back to Nazareth

08:48 - Bringing the Many Parts Together

10:15 - He is Who He Says He is

11:32 - A Continuous Liberation and Invitation

14:09 - The Arrows the Hit Our Soul

16:39 - We All Need Exorcism

19:28 - Feasting on the Holy Spirit

21:29 - The Power of Confession

25:36 - One Things

In this episode, we continue our Lenten book study and focus on chapters 5 & 6. We talk about the original roots of jubilee in the Old Testament, if the Israelites actually observed the jubilee, and how the Dead Sea Scrolls are relevant to jubilee. We also reflect on the importance of prophetic voices, the need to prepare for Sabbath, and why having an open heart allows the Lord to exceed our expectations. 

Heather’s One Thing - Jesus and the Dead Sea Scrolls Video Series with Dr. John Bergsma and Fr. Dave Pivonka

Sister Miriam’s One Thing - How Change Occurs Series Part 1 and Part 2 from Restore the Glory Podcast

Michelle’s One Thing - The House of David (Trailer)

Announcement:

It’s not too late to order your copy of “Jesus and the Jubilee” at the St. Paul Center with promo code “ABIDE15” for 15% off. There are also bulk discounts available. 

Journal Questions:

• What areas are the smallest and weakest in my life that God wants to magnify in the Jubilee?
• What are the laws and rituals of the Catholic Faith that I ignore or overlook?
• How did the Lord design you to rest?
• Where are the parts of my life where I say “this is as good as it’s gonna get?”
• When in my life has God exceeded my expectations?

Discussion Questions:

• How are you putting the Jubilee into practice?
• How can I prepare my heart and my life for deeper rest?
• When are you tempted to offer something up that the Lord didn’t ask you to offer up?
• Who are the prophetic voices of hope and repentance in your life?

Quote to Ponder:

“Jeremiah decreed that the land would rest seventy years – one for each missed Sabbath year – before the Lord would fulfill his promises, provided Israel repented and had an obedient heart.” (Jesus and the Jubilee, John Bersgma, Page 57)

Scripture for Lectio:

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me. Because the Lord has anointed me to bring good tidings to the afflicted.He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to those who are bound. To proclaim the year of God’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn.” (Isaiah 61:1-2)

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Timestamps: 

00:00 - The Inspired Living

01:00 - Intro

01:52 - Welcome

02:32 - Scripture Verse

03:08 - Our Roots in the Old Testament

05:20 - Did the Jews Practice the Jubilee Year?

06:42 - Times and Places of Grace

08:16 - You Prepare for Sabbath

10:03 - Come Back to Your First Love

12:42 - Settling for Bondage

13:32 - Prophetic Voices

16:14 - The Dead Sea Scrolls

18:45 - Letting Go of Our Expectations

22:17 - One Things

In this episode, we continue our Lenten book study and focus on chapters 3 & 4. We discuss the Ten Commandments, how they teach us to say yes to true freedom, and why our voluntary yes helps us live in deeper communion with God and those around us. We also reflect on finding Eden in our Churches or homes, discovering our golden calves, and the significance of doing our daily duty well.

Heather’s One Thing - Abundance of Grace Prints

Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Vickie, Chris, and Fr. Patrick at Holy Trinity and St. Michael's Parishes in Kewaskum, WI (See the picture on our website here) 

Michelle’s One Thing - The Richest Leprechaun in Ireland by Elise Daniel

Announcement:

It’s not too late to order your copy of “Jesus and the Jubilee” at the St. Paul Center with promo code “ABIDE15” for 15% off. There are also bulk discounts available. 

Journal Questions:

• How is my experience of the Church being broken open and expanded throughout this study?
• Where have I been filling myself with things other than the Lord? Where have I been the unfaithful bride to the Lord?
• How do I rationalize your idols and areas of bondage in daily life?
• Do I allow myself to rest well and rest deeply?

Discussion Questions:

• How can we create a space in our home for people to rest?
• How have you experienced authentic freedom and sanctity in the “no’s” of Christianity and the Commandments?
• What external and internal structures in different areas of your life help to sustain your freedom?
• How are you tempted to replace the honest work of doing your daily duty well with other good things?

Quote to Ponder:

“But they lacked the garden-sanctuary of Eden. The Israelites were going to need a place where God could walk and talk with his children. Also, they had a long journey ahead through the desert to the Promised Land, a land flowing with milk and honey (an image of Eden), so their meeting-place with God had to be portable. Therefore, Moses went back up the mountain to get instructions for the tabernacle. The tabernacle would be a portable Eden, a place of communion and rest.” (Jesus and the Jubilee, John Bergsma, Page 38)

Scripture for Lectio:

“Every fifty years, the Day of Atonement also marked the beginning of the jubilee year. God commanded Moses on the day of atonement you shall send abroad the trumpet throughout all your land. And you shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants; it shall be a jubilee for you, when each of you shall return to his property and each of you shall return to his family.” (Leviticus 25: 9–10)

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Timestamps:

00:00 - Camp Wojtyla

01:32 - Intro

02:24 - Welcome

05:43 - Scripture Verse and Guiding Quote

07:11 - Finding Eden Today

10:18 - True Freedom

15:22 - Enslaved to the Little Things

17:28 - In Right Order

18:37 - Our Golden Caves

20:24 - The Bride that is Unfaithful

21:39 - What We Need for Freedom

23:34 - Doing Our Daily Duty Well

25:05 - Trusting in God’s Provision

28:19 - One Things

In this episode, we continue our Lenten book study and focus on chapters 1 & 2. We reflect on how God originally designed us in the Garden of Eden, how the lies and idols we invite into our lives strip away this identity, and how the Jubilee is a time of restoration. We also dive deep into the biblical significance of the ten plagues, why tearing down our idols is a painful process, and the beauty of hoping for a good not yet seen.

Heather’s One Thing - The Festival of Praise at Franciscan University and the song Fall Like Rain

Heather’s Other One Thing - Ascension’s Holy Bible – The Great Adventure Catholic Bible, Second Edition Premium

Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Those who live in Lafayette and attended an event at the University of Louisiana 

Sister Miriam’s Other One Thing - Jean Valjean: Bought with a Price (a scene from the 1998 Les Miserables with Liam Neesen)

Michelle’s One Thing - Her recent trip with family to the Dominican Republic

Jesus and the Jubilee Reading Schedule:

• March 10th: Chapters 1 & 2
• March 17th: Chapters 3 & 4
• March 24th: Chapters 5 & 6
• March 31st: Chapters 7 & 8
• April 7th: Chapter 9 & Conclusion
• April 14th: Epilogue and Preparing for the Triduum and Easter

Announcement:

It’s not too late to order your copy of “Jesus and the Jubilee” at the St. Paul Center with promo code “ABIDE15” for 15% off. There are also bulk discounts available. 

Journal Questions:

• How can I embrace freedom, family, and fullness this Lent?
• What is the Lord inviting me to this Lent? What gift is He trying to give me?
• What does the Holy Spirit want to co-create with me this Lent?
• What idols do I sense the Lord destroying in my life?

Discussion Questions:

• How are you approaching a Jubilee Lent differently?
• What is taking up more room in your life than it needs to?
• How do you see Lent as a season of hardship versus a season of restoration?
• How can you press into prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to open yourself up to freedom this Lent?

Quotes to Ponder:

“The Story of the biblical jubilee does not begin with Leviticus 25, the first chapter where the institution is mentioned. The jubilee is at its heart an act of restoration, which means it recreates and reestablishes a situation that existed beforehand. And what is that situation? It’s the Good Creation!” (Jesus and the Jubilee, John Bergsma, Page 9)

Scripture for Lectio:

“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31)

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Timestamps: 

00:00 - Into the Deep

01:34 - Intro

02:27  - Welcome

04:30 - Back to the Garden

08:38 - Our Need for Jubilee

10:22 - What is Taking Up Room in Our Hearts?

12:10 - Approaching Lent Differently

14:19 - Five Identities

16:10 - Restoring what was Lost

18:31 - A Glimpse into Full Restoration

20:41 - Self-Reliance vs Communion

22:38 - The Ten Plagues

24:26 - Spiritual Slavery

25:53 - God is Trying to Help You

27:30 - Continual Conversion

28:30 - Hope and Patience

31:35 - One Things

In this episode, we begin our Lenten book study “Jesus and the Jubilee” and welcome the author, Dr. John Bergsma, to the podcast! Dr. Bergsma shares his powerful conversion story during the Great Jubilee Year in 2000 and why he felt called to write a book about this Jubilee Year of Hope. We also reflect on this Jubilee year as a time of abundant grace, why Reconciliation is the Sacrament of Jubilee, and how we can engage the virtue of hope this Lenten season. 

Heather’s One Thing - Fathering Sons by Dominic Polito 

Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Floriani (Chants of Deliverance CD) (Spotify)

Michelle’s One Thing - Jesus and the Jubilee

Dr. Bergsma’s One Thing - Dr. Scott Hahn’s meditations on “The Seven Last Words of Christ”. (Sign up to be sent a weekly video reflection during Lent)

Announcement:

It’s not too late to order your copy of “Jesus and the Jubilee” at the St. Paul Center with promo code “ABIDE15” for 15% off. There are also bulk discounts available. 

Journal Questions:

• How does the Lord want to invite me more deeply into the Jubilee Year?
• What am I seeking freedom from this Lent?
• How can I approach Lent with a spirit of hope?
• What do I need to repent of this Lent?

Discussion Questions:

• What is your current understanding of the Jubilee?
• How have you experienced interior miracles from the Lord?
• What stuck out to you from Dr. Bergsma’s statement: “The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a perpetual Jubilee”?
• What is a miracle you want to pray for this Lent?

Quote to Ponder:

“I’m convinced in my heart that the proper response to the announcement of Jubilee 2025 should be joy, hope, and excitement. Lived well, this Jubilee Year can be a moment of miracle and grace for all of us, a kind of yearlong spiritual Christmas season in which we daily awake to open the gifts of grace that God our Father so lovingly gives us.” (Dr. John Bergsma)

Scripture for Lectio:

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good tidings to the afflicted; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.” (Isaiah 61:1-4)

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Timestamps: 

00:00 - CORDA

01:34 - Intro

02:26 - Welcome

04:55 - Dr. Bergsma’s Conversion Story

12:58 - The Jubilee Year of Hope is a Time of Grace

16:07 - St. Pope John Paul II

17:35 - The Inspiration to Write Jesus and the Jubilee

21:29 - Why the Jubilee Year is a Personal Experience

28:16 - Reconciliation is the Sacrament of Jubilee 

31:38 - Engaging the Virtue of Hope

37:38 - Hope in Prayer

40:12 - One Things 

In this episode, we talk about spiritual mentorship and being formed in Jesus. We reflect on the spiritual mentors who have journeyed with us and share stories about the lessons that have shaped who we are today.  We also talk about why comparison crushes our ability to receive, our calling to make disciples of all nations, and how the daily witness of our lives is an answer to this call.

Heather’s One Thing - Fix You (Live from the O2 Arena) by Jacob Collier and Chris Martin

Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Dr. Christin McIntyre on the Restore the Glory Podcast and her lectures on Thomistic Psychology (Part 1) (Part 2)

Michelle’s One Thing - Dr. Mary Lou and Chris O’Grady and letting us use their beach home

Announcement:

Join us for our Lenten Study beginning March 5th, 2025 as we journey through “Jesus and the Jubilee: The Biblical Roots of the Year of God’s Favor“ by Dr. John Bergsma. We look forward to sitting at the feet of a leading scholar as we unpack what the Lord has in store for us in the year of Jubilee.

Order your copy at the St. Paul Center with promo code “ABIDE15” for 15% off. There are also bulk discounts available. The St. Paul Center just restocked their inventory so they have plenty of books for you to order!

Journal Questions:

• Who has mentored me throughout my life?
• Who have I mentored throughout my life?
• How have I failed to acknowledge the humanity of my mentors?
• What intentional “yeses” can I give to mentoring or being mentored in this season?

Discussion Questions:

• What were the practical ways that you were able to receive mentorship in your life?
• What parts of the Face of God did my mentors reveal to me despite their own brokenness?
• How have your peers mentored you in different seasons?
• Who can you help discover & release their gifts to the world?

Quote to Ponder:

“Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he listens to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.”  (Pope Paul VI, On Evangelization in the Modern World)

Scripture for Lectio:

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:14-15)

Sponsor - Hallow:

This episode is sponsored by Hallow, the #1 prayer app in the world with over 10,000 prayers, meditations, and music to help you find peace and grow closer to God. Hallow's annual Pray40 challenge for Lent is a powerful way to dive deeper into the three pillars of Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. This year's Pray40 is called The Way and focuses on the writings of St. Josemaría Escrivá and the story of Servant of God Takashi Nagai. You can join Sr. Miriam as well as other Christian voices like Jonathan Roumie, Fr. Mike Schmitz, Mark Wahlberg, actor Chris Pratt, and more for this 40-day journey to the cross. As we meditate on the lives of those who follow Christ, we’ll see that despite the noise and distraction of today, Jesus died on the cross so that we might know His love and, ultimately, eternal life. We need only to follow His Way. 

Get 3 months free of Hallow at hallow.com/abide

Timestamps: 

00:00 - Hallow

01:23 - Intro

02:15 - Welcome

03:26 - The Loss of a Mentor

05:20 - Receiving and Giving

06:40 - Scripture Verse and Guiding Quote

07:16 - Michelle’s Mentors

11:26 - Sister’s Mentors

15:02 - Heather’s Mentors

18:04 - Sitting at Each Other’s Feet

18:50 - St. Pope John Paul II

19:47 - The Next Generation

22:06 - Spiritual and Biological Grandparents

25:04 - We are Called to Disciple

26:36 - Where You are Standing is Holy Ground

28:13 - Giving Our Yes to Jesus

30:56 - Speaking Blessings

32:10 - One Things

In this episode, we celebrate eight years of abiding together with you! We want to celebrate what God has done and is doing in not only our lives, but also in yours. We reflect on why we started the podcast and how our hearts still echo with a desire to help women grow closer to our Lord through communion with others. We share why we surrender the podcast to the Holy Spirit, how we’ve navigated supporting each other through different seasons of life, and what our hopes are for the future of the podcast. Most of all, we want to thank you for how you’ve received our vulnerability, your openness to us and the Lord, and your steadfastness in journeying with us along the way.

Heather’s One Thing - Jubilee Spotify Playlist

Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Our very first episode - Coffee, Unity, and Companionship

Michelle’s One Thing - Our listeners! We are so grateful for you!

Announcement:

Join us for our Lenten Study beginning March 5th, 2025 as we journey through “Jesus and the Jubilee: The Biblical Roots of the Year of God’s Favor“ by Dr. John Bergsma. We look forward to sitting at the feet of a leading scholar as we unpack what the Lord has in store for us in the year of Jubilee.

Order your copy at the St. Paul Center with promo code “ABIDE15” for 15% off. There are also bulk discounts available. While “Jesus and the Jubilee” is currently backordered, the St. Paul Center expects a new shipment of books later this week and plans to fulfill your orders by late February.

Journal Questions:

• Have I experienced friendships and relationships that have been anointed by the Lord?
• How can I steward my relationships, gifts, time, and opportunities well?
• When have I seen the difference between success and fruitfulness?

Discussion Questions:

• When did you first start listening to the podcast?
• Do you have a favorite episode, season, series, or study? How did it bless you?
• What areas of your life can you surrender to the Lord to give growth?

Quote to Ponder:

"To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything He has given us - and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is a grace, for it brings with it immense graces from Him. Gratitude therefore takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new wonder and to praise of the goodness of God. For the grateful person knows that God is good, not by hearsay but by experience. And that is what makes all the difference." (Thomas Merton)

Scripture for Lectio:

"Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, 'Thus far the Lord has helped us.'" (1 Samuel 7:12)

Sponsor - The Little Rose Shop:

Discover the beauty of integrating faith into your everyday life with The Little Rose Shop. Our Morning Offering Prayer Mug the perfect companion for your morning routine, allowing you to start each day with a heartfelt prayer, focusing your thoughts on Christ. Plus, explore our Quiet Books collection, including the Mass Quiet Book, Rosary Quiet Book, the Where is Jesus Quiet Book, and Wrapped in Mary’s Mantle Quiet Book. These engaging books are designed for babies and toddlers, making it easy to introduce them to the wonders of faith in a quiet and interactive way—perfect for adoration or Mass. As a special treat for Abiding Together listeners, use promo code ABIDING15 for an exclusive 15% discount at checkout. Enrich your spiritual journey and bring the joy of faith into your home with The Little Rose Shop.

Timestamps:

00:00 - The Little Rose Shop

01:17 - Intro

02:09 - Lenten Book Announcement

02:54 - Welcome

04:40 - Guiding Quote and Scripture Verse

05:53 - Born Out of Friendship

09:19 - Surrendering Everything Back

10:39 - Honest Conversations

12:05 - Stewarding Well

15:22 - Thankfulness

18:23 - Hearing from Listeners

20:35 - A Collaboration

22:47 - Your Starting Point

24:26 - Hope for the Future

28:29 - One Things

31:12  - Lenten Book Study Reminder