Ave Explores

Brenda Noriega reverted to Catholicism when she moved to the United States from Mexico. She discusses how to end division and create unity and build community within our local parishes and throughout the world.

Links:

• Learn More about Maryknoll

J.D. Flynn, cofounder and editor-in-chief of Pillar Catholic, discusses how the Church in America is responding to divisions caused by the sex abuse crisis, opposition to Pope Francis, politics, and online forums.

Links:

• The Pillar Catholic News

Malcolm Hart, director of the Center for Evangelization for the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, discusses how the Church in Australia is addressing increased secularization and rejection of the faith.

Links:

• The Catholic Church in Australia

Cardinal Wilfred Fox Napier, O.F.M., archbishop of Durban in South Africa, discusses the Church's global diversity, which is rooted in love of Jesus Christ. Napier, who went to seminary in Ireland, also talks about the early days of his priesthood during apartheid in South Africa and eventually voting in the conclaves that elected Popes Benedict XVI and Francis.

Links:

• Follow Cardinal Napier on Twitter

Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran, authors of bestselling Messages series for Advent and Lent and the award-winning [ital] Rebuilt, discuss how to celebrate the entire Christmas season and stay connected as a parish community.

Links:

• Church of the Nativity

Heidemarie Petersen, owner of Reliquary Supply, says that charity means little if it isn't rooted in your heart. She practices charity personally and through her Catholic small business, giving to other organizations and hiring people from marginalized and oppressed communities.

Links:

• Reliquary Supply

Kelly Wahlquist, founder of WINE: Women in the New Evangelization, says that joy is ultimately rooted in peace. She offers encouragement on ways to maintain joy during Advent in the time of coronavirus.

Links:

• Meet Kelly

Most Rev. William Wack, bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee, reflects on spending the Advent season anticipating the birth of Jesus with a joyful, hopeful, and generous heart.

Links:

• Follow Bishop Bill on Instagram

Justina Kopp explains how she grew in faithfulness and hope while pregnant with her now-four-year-old quadruplets. Kopp says that although hope may feel different in light of the pandemic and the social unrest in the country this year, it is still valuable to look for the light that only Christ brings.

Links:

• Follow Justina on Instagram

Author Lisa M. Hendey discusses writing children’s books about the lives of the saints and shares advice on how to talk with kids about becoming holy in their everyday lives.

Links:

• Ave Explores: The Saints