Mark Hart, executive vice president of Life Teen International, is the coauthor of Our Not-Quite-Holy Family with his wife, Melanie. He shares his own family's successes and failures and discusses how family life can be fruitful, joyful, and faithful. He will help you see how every member of your family can strive for holiness in 2021.

Links:

• Our Not Quite Holy Family by Mark and Melanie Hart
• Meet Mark Hart
• Sign Up for Ave Explores: Catholicism Around the World

Catholic artist Jen Norton, author of Surrender All: An Illuminated Journal Retreat through the Stations of the Cross, says praying with sacred art can be an easy, effective, and beautiful way to grow deeper in faith, especially during Lent. Norton also discusses her creative process.

Links:

• Surrender All Book
• Resources for Lent 2021
• Sign Up For Ave Explores: Catholicism Around the World
• Follow Jen Norton on Instagram
• Follow Ave Maria Press on Instagram

Gary Zimak, bestselling author of Give Up Worry for Lent, discusses focusing on making the liturgical season fruitful, healing, and hope-filled by allowing the Holy Spirit to direct our Lenten practice.

Links:

• Lenten Resources from Ave Maria Press
• Get Gary's Books
• Learn More about Ave Explores: Catholicism Around the World

Ann M. Garrido, author of #RulesofEngagement, discusses how to engage online in a healthy, life-giving, and productive way.

Links:

• #Rules Of Engagement
• Meet Ann Garrido
• Sign Up for Ave Explores: Catholicism Around the World

Catholic author Emily Stimpson Chapman discusses how cooking and welcoming people with simplicity and joy is the perfect way to build community, share faith, and grow in relationships with others.

Links:

• Prayer for Peace
• Around the Catholic Table
• Sign Up for Ave Explores: Catholicism Around the World

Karen Barbieri, founder of Pietra Fitness, explains how we can set goals for the new year that focus on faith and fitness. Barbieri helps us recognize that health and holiness go hand in hand.

Links:

• Pietra Fitness
• Sign Up for Ave Explores
• Follow Ave Maria Press on Instagram

Chenele Shaw and Katie Prejean McGrady discuss their favorite Ave Spotlight episodes of the year as they reflect on 2020 through the lens of faith, prayerfulness, and hope.

Links:

• Check Out More Ave Spotlight!
• Follow Ave Maria Press on Instagram

Fr. Joe Laramie, S.J, North American director of the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network, talks about the Year of St. Joseph recently designated by Pope Francis. Laramie says that praying for the Pope's intentions each month is a good practice to incorporate into your spiritual life.

Links:

• Meet Fr. Joe
• Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network
• Follow Ave Maria Press on Instagram

Elissa Tiprigan, founder of Catholic Family Crate, discusses how she creates activities to make feast days and liturgical seasons fun, family-centered, and life-giving. She also shares ways to celebrate Advent and the twelve days of Christmas.

Links:

• Catholic Family Crate
• Follow Catholic Family Crate on Instagram
• Follow Ave Maria Press on Instagram

Geovanne Garcia, an art teacher and youth minister in Dallas, Texas, discusses the significance of Our Lady of Guadalupe for the Mexican people and how participating in celebrations for the feast day deepened her faith as a teen.

Links:

• Follow Our Lady of Lourdes Youth Instagram
• Follow Ave Maria Press on Instagram
• Ave Explores Advent Mini-Series