Becoming Catholic

Hi, friend. It's OCIA season, and I've been thinking about you a lot. Today I'm popping in with an update on where I've been, a thank you, and the trailer for my new podcast. In this episode: - Moving from the longing season to deep gratitude for receiving the Eucharist at every Mass - Serving with my parish's OCIA and why sharing your gifts is a way to live out your faith - Why I paused this podcast and how I'll show up here going forward - An encouragement for you if you're in OCIA right now, or still questioning - The trailer for Ops and Obedience, my new podcast for faith-led Christian women building businesses Listen to Ops and Obedience Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ops-and-obedience/id6816280299 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1rlc7e9tZUMA8KIutwFcw2?si=4dba05560aba42d4 Come find me on SubstackI write about faith, work, and the work the Lord is doing in our lives over at Many Rooms. I'd love to have you there: https://elizaceci.substack.com Reach out If I can pray for you or serve you in any way, I'd love to hear from you: https://www.elizaceci.com/contact Thank you for being here. I'm praying for you, and I'm so proud of you for saying yes to Jesus.

3F0D6FXtzypYDwP0E43L

It finally happened. In this episode I share (some) of what it's been like to be a Catholic convert. Spoiler, it's been amazing. 10 out of 10 recommend. ;) But it has been a lot to process and I share a little of it with you, here.

Thank you so much for being here with me through this experience. We being with a slight pivot in episode themes in a few weeks with season 2. Can't wait to share more with you. xoxo

HELPFUL LINKS CATECHISM I LOVE https://amzn.to/3XdMBZy Catholic Conversion YouTube playlist https://youtu.be/jmii0zRKP5A?si=N0JbNoSzc_mdbgJK

If you enjoyed this episode please... + Click follow/subscribe

+ leave a kind 5-star review + share with a friend who you think would like this podcast too

CONTACT WWW.ELIZACECI.COM EMAIL: [email protected] DONATE: https://www.elizaceci.com/donate

Thank you for supporting this project! Love, Eliza

Welcome to episode 20 of BECOMING CATHOLIC.

Explore our Lent reading book list: https://www.amazon.com/shop/elizaceci_/list/2AIDQDWH6U0M7?ref_=aipsflist Lent is almost here and I want to share with you about getting ashes on Ash Wednesday - what it means, why it's beautiful and an opportunity for additional graces! AND, yes, all non-Catholics can particiapte fully too. How exciting is that? Let's talk about this wonderful sacramental of the Catholic faith. In this episode... - who can receive ashes on ash wednesday? - what ashes represent and why it's a biblical practice - encouragement for those who feel not a part of the community before being fully confirmed - what I've been doing that's been really effective as an evangelization technique (in a season where I haven't felt very helpful for God's kingdom) - details about sacramentals and why you might want to participate in using them I'll be praying for you this Lent. I hope your lenten devotions bring you ever closer to the Lord. Please use my email linked below if you have specific prayer requests. I'd be happy to pray for you personally

RELATED LINKS

Biblical Roots of Ash Wednesday with Brant Pitre https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vnGEJHg05E&t=1467s Details about Sacramentals https://www.sistersofcarmel.com/sacramentals.php?mc_cid=087bce17d5&mc_eid=9bb2dd653e Sisters of Carmel Newsletter with Sermon https://newsletter.sistersofcarmel.com/2025/02/26/the-power-of-ashes/#ash-wednesday-sermon HOW TO SUPPORT ME

Shop My Amazon Storefront (mostly books!) https://www.amazon.com/shop/elizaceci_ If you enjoy this podcast and would like to give back, please consider offering me a mass for upcoming confirmation! https://mymassrequest.org/request-a-mass/individual-mass You can also make a one-time donation: https://www.elizaceci.com/donate

HELPFUL LINKS

GET YOUR FREE MASS TRACKER AND SPIRITUAL GRACES JOURNAL SHEET https://www.elizaceci.com/free-resources CATECHISM I LOVE https://amzn.to/3XdMBZy Catholic Conversion YouTube playlist https://youtu.be/jmii0zRKP5A?si=N0JbNoSzc_mdbgJK

If you enjoyed this episode please... + Click follow/subscribe

+ leave a kind 5-star review + share with a friend who you think would like this podcast too

CONTACT WWW.ELIZACECI.COM EMAIL: [email protected] DONATE: https://www.elizaceci.com/donate

Thank you for supporting this project! Love, Eliza

Welcome to episode 19 of BECOMING CATHOLIC.

Lent Reading List Ideas: https://www.amazon.com/shop/elizaceci_/list/2AIDQDWH6U0M7?ref_=aipsflist Whether this is your first or 30th Lent I hope this episode will be helpful for you. :) 40 days can feel like a lot if you're unprepared. In this episode we talk about what a plan for lent can look like - whether it's detailed or simple - as long as it brings you closer to God. I share my entire detailed plan that you can easily borrow from and create something that works best for you.

In this episode you'll learn...

• a brief overview of Lent
• the 3 pillars of Lent - prayer, fasting, and almsgiving
• how to create a foundational 'why' for your Lent to be fruitful
• is alms just about donating money? or is there more to it?
• AND, more...

RELATED LINKSRestore Lent Devotional I'm using: https://amzn.to/3QBr2xq

Shop My Amazon Storefront (mostly books!) https://www.amazon.com/shop/elizaceci_ If you enjoy this podcast and would like to give back, please consider offering me a mass for upcoming confirmation! https://mymassrequest.org/request-a-mass/individual-mass You can also make a one-time donation: https://www.elizaceci.com/donate

HELPFUL LINKS GET YOUR FREE MASS TRACKER & SPIRITUAL GRACES JOURNAL SHEET https://www.elizaceci.com/free-resources A FREE LIST OF WORLDLY + UNBIBLICAL PRACTICES TO AVOID AS A BELIEVER https://www.elizaceci.com/free-resources CATECHISM I LOVE https://amzn.to/3XdMBZy

If you enjoyed this episode please... + Click follow/subscribe

+ leave a kind 5-star review + share with a friend who you think would like this podcast too

CONTACT WWW.ELIZACECI.COM EMAIL: [email protected] DONATE: https://www.elizaceci.com/donate

Thank you for supporting this project! Love, Eliza

Welcome to episode 18 of BECOMING CATHOLIC.

Get your free mass tracker and graces journal sheet: https://www.elizaceci.com/free-resources Did you know Catholics have obligations? In this week's episode we look at what are called the Precepts of the Church and how if you're willing to submit to them that's a really good indicator of your faith!

• What are your obligations as a faithful Catholic? What are you saying yes to?

• Can you / will you commit? [panic sets in] but what if... I forget or get sick or can't do something?

• the importance of obligation and the joy of obedience

• plus, additional resources to support you I hope this episode blesses you!

RELATED LINKS

📖 Daily Roman Missal https://amzn.to/40OxS7m

📕 12 steps to holiness and salvation https://amzn.to/4hENIcd

📆 More info about holy days of obligation + a google calendary so you know when they are automatically https://www.omvusa.org/blog/catholic-holy-days-of-obligation/ 👩‍💻 Helpful list of Rights and duties of Catholics https://waterloocatholics.org/rights-duties-of-catholics Doing Fridays like a Catholic YT video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cQ0BGyWysA

📖 My favorite Catechism https://amzn.to/3WNnn3d

HELPFUL LINKS A FREE LIST OF WORLDLY + UNBIBLICAL PRACTICES TO AVOID AS A BELIEVER https://www.elizaceci.com/free-resources Helpful Catholic Questions Answered YouTube playlist https://youtu.be/jmii0zRKP5A?si=N0JbNoSzc_mdbgJK

If this podcast has been helpful I'd be so grateful if you'd consider donating $10 to keep us going. Thank you! https://www.elizaceci.com/donate

If you enjoyed this episode please... + Click follow/subscribe

+ leave a kind 5-star review + share with a friend who you think would like this podcast too

CONTACT WWW.ELIZACECI.COM EMAIL: [email protected] DONATE: https://www.elizaceci.com/donate

Thank you for supporting this project! Love, Eliza

Welcome to episode 17 of BECOMING CATHOLIC. Mass Tracker + Monthly Graces FREE DOWNLOAD: https://www.elizaceci.com/free-resources

Resource list for this episode: https://www.amazon.com/shop/elizaceci_/list/1DX7CTET4QEH5?ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ons_mixed_d Are we really (finally) becoming Catholic! The clouds are parting and the sun is shining on you (us) and I want to talk about it. In this episode we talk about...

• the shift that happens in conversion from heaviness to joy and 'all is as it should be'
• how to ready yourself for what's to come
• my FAVORITE book for all believers about being saved aka conversion
• AND, more...

RELATED LINKS

Catholic Conversion YouTube playlist https://youtu.be/jmii0zRKP5A?si=N0JbNoSzc_mdbgJK

Conversion - Spiritual Insights into an Essential Encounter with God (BOOK) https://amzn.to/42eOzeI The 12 Steps to Holiness and Salvation (BOOK) https://amzn.to/4fZUY0g HELPFUL LINKS A FREE LIST OF WORLDLY + UNBIBLICAL PRACTICES TO AVOID AS A BELIEVER https://www.elizaceci.com/free-resources CATECHISM I LOVE https://amzn.to/3XdMBZy Bibles

If you enjoyed this episode please... + Click follow/subscribe

+ leave a kind 5-star review + share with a friend who you think would like this podcast too

CONTACT WWW.ELIZACECI.COM EMAIL: [email protected] DONATE: https://www.elizaceci.com/donate

Thank you for supporting this project! Love, Eliza

Welcome to episode 16 of BECOMING CATHOLIC. If you're enjoying this podcast, I'd be so grateful if you'd consider donating to keep us going: https://www.elizaceci.com/donate Conversion is hard! Does anyone talk about that? I promised in this project I'd share what it's been like for me and in this episode I share what I've been thinking about and experiencing lately - including spiritual attack, paring down prayers to the basics (what this looks like for me), 2 things I'm really loving about Catholics, and more... If you're feeling overwhelmed in your conversion I hope the practices and suggestions I share will be helpful to you.

RELATED LINKS

Father Ripperger Deliverance Prayers book https://amzn.to/3XhzJA5 The Holy Rosary by St Alphonsus Liguori https://amzn.to/4i19qrs List of Aspirations https://www.fisheaters.com/prayers.html#last Memento Mori Advent devotional https://amzn.to/4hU6CvX St. Therese Sacrifice Little Things article: https://fatima.org/make-sacrifices-of-little-things/

HELPFUL LINKS A FREE LIST OF WORLDLY + UNBIBLICAL PRACTICES TO AVOID AS A BELIEVER https://www.elizaceci.com/free-resources CATECHISM I LOVE https://amzn.to/3XdMBZy Catholic Conversion YouTube playlist https://youtu.be/jmii0zRKP5A?si=N0JbNoSzc_mdbgJK

If you enjoyed this episode please... + Click follow/subscribe

+ leave a kind 5-star review + share with a friend who you think would like this podcast too

CONTACT WWW.ELIZACECI.COM EMAIL: [email protected] DONATE: https://www.elizaceci.com/donate

Thank you for supporting this project! Love, Eliza

Welcome to episode 15 of BECOMING CATHOLIC. Pray the Novena for Hurricanes with us: https://www.praymorenovenas.com/novena-for-hurricanes Prayer is a lot more powerful than people would like to believe. You might just be the answer to someone's prayer in their lives - as a child, a friend, a helpful hand when it was really needed. I've seen God bless the people in my life through answered prayers many, many times. Today I want to encourage you to start praying consistently - for you, your family and closest friends, and for your community. We all need prayer SO much right now. Will you join me in doing the 'novena for hurricanes'? Click the link above for the daily prayers, land et's come together in prayer. This community can change lives through prayer! Let's cultivate and live out love for our neighbor. Things we talk about this episode: - if you've stopped praying consistently, some suggestions on how to start up again (that's simple and effective) - Catholic virtue or charity and living our love for our neighbor - what if God seems to answer your prayers for others but not your own? - a reminder to offer masses for all circumstances - let's offer masses for those effected by these hurricanes! - information about praying the novena for hurricanes, join me in praying day 1 together If you have a prayer request send it to me and I'll add you to my prayer wall - everyone in this community IS prayed for.

RELATED LINKS

Pray More Novenas: https://www.praymorenovenas.com/novena-for-hurricanes St. Therese Sacrifice Little Things article: https://fatima.org/make-sacrifices-of-little-things/ Offering masses for hurricane victims here: https://mymassrequest.org/ OR https://www.shrineofdivinemercy.org/mass

HELPFUL LINKS A FREE LIST OF WORLDLY + UNBIBLICAL PRACTICES TO AVOID AS A BELIEVER https://www.elizaceci.com/free-resources CATECHISM I LOVE https://amzn.to/3XdMBZy Catholic Conversion YouTube playlist https://youtu.be/jmii0zRKP5A?si=N0JbNoSzc_mdbgJK

If you enjoyed this episode please... + Click follow/subscribe

+ leave a kind 5-star review + share with a friend who you think would like this podcast too

CONTACT WWW.ELIZACECI.COM EMAIL: [email protected] DONATE: https://www.elizaceci.com/donate

Thank you for supporting this project! Love, Eliza

If you're enjoying these episodes would you consider donating to keep our episodes going? https://www.elizaceci.com/donate thank you! In this episode, we talk about...

• why new converts desire tradition (and why some Protestants rebuke it)
• what does it mean when we say the tradition of the catholic church
• is it actually hard to submit to church teachings? if so, what can we do to soften our hearts? I share my experience...

RELATED LINKS

Conservative Catholic Priests NYT article - https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/10/us/catholic-priests-conservative-politics.html

HELPFUL LINKS A FREE LIST OF WORLDLY + UNBIBLICAL PRACTICES TO AVOID AS A BELIEVER https://www.elizaceci.com/free-resources CATECHISM I LOVE https://amzn.to/3XdMBZy Catholic Conversion YouTube playlist https://youtu.be/jmii0zRKP5A?si=N0JbNoSzc_mdbgJK

If you enjoyed this episode please... + Click follow/subscribe

+ leave a kind 5-star review + share with a friend who you think would like this podcast too

CONTACT WWW.ELIZACECI.COM EMAIL: [email protected] DONATE: https://www.elizaceci.com/donate

Thank you for supporting this project! Love, Eliza

Welcome to episode 13 of BECOMING CATHOLIC. We have a scripture memory community launching this November. Join the email list to be the first to know all the details: https://www.elizaceci.com/free-resources There's nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9) AND nothing will be wasted - both of these are true. In this week's episode, we do a tiny Bible study and some mental prayer to show the Lord your burdens, struggles, sorrows, fears, worries, doubts - any and all of it - and ask Him to take care of you, to love you, and... to do it FOR you. Scriptures we talk about: JOHN 6:5-13 and MATTHEW 11:28-30 (and PSALM 56:8)

RELATED LINKS

Nell O'Leary's Retreat presentation https://praymoreretreat.org/the-healing-jesus-desires-for-you-healing-2024/ Pray More Novenas Healing Retreat: https://praymoreretreat.org/2024-healing-retreat/ St. Therese Sacrifice Little Things article: https://fatima.org/make-sacrifices-of-little-things/

HELPFUL LINKS A FREE LIST OF WORLDLY + UNBIBLICAL PRACTICES TO AVOID AS A BELIEVER https://www.elizaceci.com/free-resources CATECHISM I LOVE https://amzn.to/3XdMBZy Catholic Conversion YouTube playlist https://youtu.be/jmii0zRKP5A?si=N0JbNoSzc_mdbgJK

If you enjoyed this episode please... + Click follow/subscribe

+ leave a kind 5-star review + share with a friend who you think would like this podcast too

CONTACT WWW.ELIZACECI.COM EMAIL: [email protected] DONATE: https://www.elizaceci.com/donate

Thank you for supporting this project! Love, Eliza