Ave Explores

Sr. Miriam James Heidland, S.O.L.T., Catholic speaker and author of Loved as I Am, explains that social distancing is an opportunity for us to see that God is inviting us to slow down and be grateful for all the things he has given us. She tells Katie Prejean McGrady that when faced with times of solitude and quiet, we’re called to honestly face our feelings and past hurts.

Links:

• Loved as I Am, by Sr. Miriam James Heidland

Let’s face it: We can all probably use a reboot right now.

As the fight against COVID-19 continues around the world, more people are working at home, kids are attending classes online, we’re watching Mass on TV or the internet, and we could be suffering from the disease, quarantined, or sheltering in place. No doubt you’re mentally drained from the ever-changing crisis.

Ave Maria Press wants to help with a new Ave Explores podcast mini-series that focuses on mental health. Host Katie Prejean McGrady revisits some of our panel of stress, anxiety, and mental health experts to help you cope. Leah Darrow, Roy Petitfils, Tommy Tighe, Scott Weeman, and Sr. Miriam James Heidland, S.O.L.T., will help you end up mentally and spiritually stronger on the other side of the coronavirus pandemic.

Joyce Rupp, author of Jesus: Friend of My Soul, shares how the season of Lent is an invitation to love other people in more intentional ways, just as Jesus loves us. Rupp also relates how the COVID-19 crisis is a chance to be more aware of our common humanity, seeing Christ in each person we encounter.

Sponsored By:

• Ave Maria Press: Get 25% off your entire order, plus free shipping

Links:

• Joyce Rupp

Tommy McGrady and Katie Prejean McGrady, coauthors of Lent: One Day at a Time for Catholic Teens, discuss how young people can fully invest in the season of Lent. McGrady shares how fasting, prayer, and almsgiving can be the foundation of a fruitful spiritual life for teenagers long after Lent is complete.

Sponsored By:

• Ave Maria Press: Get 25% off your entire order, plus free shipping

Links:

• Lent: One Day at a Time for Catholic Teens

Joel Stepanek, author of Chasing Humility: 8 Ways to Shape a Christian Heart, joins Katie Prejean McGrady to discuss how Lent can be fruitful if we pay attention to what God wants us to do with prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Humility is the golden thread that ties together these Lenten practices.

Sponsored By:

• Ave Maria Press: Get 25% off your entire order, plus free shipping

Links:

• Ave Explores

Emily DeArdo, author of Living Memento Mori: My Journey through the Stations of the Cross talks with Katie Prejean McGrady about her battle with cystic fibrosis and how it deeply affects her friendships, family life, and faith. Emily shares how carrying this cross helped her gain new insights into how to walk through any desert, especially the forty days of Lent.

Sponsored By:

• Ave Maria Press: Get 25% off your entire order, plus free shipping

Links:

• Living Memento Mori

Gary Zimak, “worry” expert and author of "Give Up Worry for Lent! 40 Days to Finding Peace in Christ" chats with Katie Prejean McGrady about how to avoid becoming over scrupulous and reassures us that we can’t really ruin the forty days of Lent if we keep our priorities straight.

Sponsored By:

• Ave Maria Press: Get 25% off your entire order, plus free shipping

Links:

• Lenten Resources from Ave Maria Press

Deacon Greg Kandra talks with Katie Prejean McGrady about how the practice up giving up something in Lent actually starts with giving. Kandra also shares insights into the Lenten devotional Daily Devotions for Lent 2020 and what he’s going to focus on doing during Lent this year.

Sponsored By:

• Ave Maria Press: Get 25% off your entire order, plus free shipping

Links:

• The Living Gospel: Daily Devotionals for Lent 2020

Catholic authors and speakers Sr. Miriam James Heidland, S.O.L.T., and Fr. John Burns talk about the basic need everyone has to seek healing. Whether it’s from wounds, slights, or deep and long-lasting trauma, the need for healing is directly tied to living a mentally healthy life. Our conversation explores ways to rest in the healing power of God’s mercy, forgiveness, and love.

Links:

• Ave Explores Resources

Tommy Tighe is a counselor, author, and podcast and TV host, but he would tell you his most important title is husband and father. In this episode, Tighe shares about the struggle of losing a child and how he, his wife, and their four other sons have lived with their grief, maintained their faith. and remained mentally healthy. Tommy also offers insight on how to help those who are struggling with grief, what it means to "feel your feelings," and how faith has been a foundation upon which healing has been found.

Links:

• Ave Explores: Stress, Anxiety, and Mental Health