Beyond Sunday

In anticipation of the Feast of St. John Paul II, which coincides with the upcoming Sunday, Rakhi and Nicole highlight this great saint’s works, especially his love for the youth and evangelization. On this episode, they walk through the Detroit Model of Evangelization, first defined in Unleash the Gospel, and share how it can be implemented as a way to share the Gospel with our children and beyond.

This episode of Beyond Sunday is brought to you by Assumption University in Windsor, Ontario — one of Canada's most historic Catholic institutes of higher learning tracing its origins to 1857. Learn more about their online Graduate Diploma in Catholic Studies by going to assumptionu.ca or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

(01:10) Nicole and Rakhi discuss some of their favorite fall things and introduce the upcoming Sunday’s Gospel reading and the feast of St. John Paul II. Rakhi talks about how she first encountered the Polish saint prior to her conversion to Catholicism. 

(04:20) They talk about St. John Paul II’s love for the youth and the need to call forth the youth today to live into the life of the Church. They highlight his Theology of the Body and emphasis of the New Evangelization and they discuss the Detroit model of evangelization first defined in Unleash the Gospel. Talking through this model — attract, encounter, grow, witness — they share how we can incorporate it into their evangelization to our children.  

(11:09) They highlight the need to share the joy and act welcoming as we live our lives of faith in order to attract others to it. 

(16:19) Nicole and Rakhi go on to discuss the “encounter” phase of the Detroit model of evangelization and to seek to recognize the different ways the Lord may desire to encounter our children, by paying attention to their differences. They highlight the importance of attending Mass every Sunday as a primary way of facilitating encounters with Christ for our children and encountering him for ourselves, and discuss other places of encounter. 

(19:36) They discuss mountaintop experiences and different spiritualities and preferences that we can invite people into as we share the Gospel. 

(21:59) They note how important Scripture is for the “grow” phase of the Detroit model of evangelization and emphasize how 52 Sundays is a great resource for families seeking to incorporate Scripture into their daily lives. They also highlight how apologetics becomes important as our children grow older and begin to better understand how our  beliefs are often contrary to what the world teaches.  

(25:55) Rakhi discusses the importance of prayer and how to prioritize prayer in the “grow” phase. 

(27:58) They move on to discuss the “witness” phase of this model and what it means to be sent forth as joyful missionary disciples, sharing the joy of a life with Christ with the world. They speak from their own experiences on how they do this and offer encouragement to listeners to do the same, especially with their children. 

This episode of Beyond Sunday is brought to you by Assumption University in Windsor, Ontario — one of Canada's most historic Catholic institutes of higher learning tracing its origins to 1857. Learn more about their online Graduate Diploma in Catholic Studies by going to assumptionu.ca or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

On this episode of Beyond Sunday, Rakhi and Nicole discuss what it means to be clothed in Christ. Using the parable of the wedding feast and passages from Colossians and Ephesians, they highlight how to relate to one another as Christ would and how to resist temptation. They share practical tips for supporting our children in reflecting on their motivations, guarding their minds, and recognizing when they are receiving messages from Christ. 

This episode of Beyond Sunday is sponsored by the PIME Missionaries’ Sponsorships at a Distance Program. This school year, become a PIME Sponsor to give the gift of an education to a student in an isolated mission-country, and break the cycle of poverty for a child, youth, person living with disabilities, or seminarian. See how you can support a student in need at pimeusa.org/52sponsorships.

(2:06) In honor of this week’s reading being the parable of the wedding guests, Rakhi and Nicole talk about wedding memories, including choosing their wedding dresses. 

(4:25) Rakhi says that all of the readings for this weekend stress the inclusivity of God but also that all of us should be clothed appropriately, meaning clothed in Christ. 

(7:18) Rakhi says that Colossians 3:12-17 highlights how we relate to one another as Christ would. 

(8:26) Rakhi asks how we handle bickering with siblings in this light. Nicole shares the steps of acknowledging that we were wronged, making space to go through the motions of apology and forgiveness, and learning to recognize our triggers and how to manage them.

(11:19) Nicole says the more we stay close to Christ, pray, reflect on our day, and reconsider our actions and motivations, the more we’ll be able to hear him call us to live differently. 

(12:08) Rakhi says we must strive to practice clothing ourselves with humility, which means considering how our words or actions might impact someone else. 

(14:51) Nicole discusses the Ephesians 6 passage on clothing ourselves in Christ to resist evil and temptation. She says we need to ensure we consume the right things that will inspire us to live a Christlike life. For children, we need to help them understand that some things can look exciting and appealing but are not good for us. 

(17:07) Rakhi emphasizes that we can only resist temptation through the power of the Holy Spirit and by building a community around us to support this goal. We also need to consider what fruit tempting things might bear.

(18:10) Rakhi says we need to support our children in guarding their minds and help them recognize what a message from Christ looks like – that it doesn’t condemn, it convicts. 

(18:59) Nicole says if we really want to be clothed in Christ we have to be open to receiving that invitation, even if we don’t want to face it. 

(22:00) Rakhi says that recognizing what needs to change is the first step and that we must give ourselves grace and pray for protection.

(23:08) Nicole says the challenge this week is for children to do the 52Sundays.com Liturgy Link activity of looking at what garment the priest is wearing and considering the connection to being clothed in Christ. Rakhi says to also share your wedding album with your kids.

This episode of Beyond Sunday is sponsored by the PIME Missionaries’ Sponsorships at a Distance Program. This school year, become a PIME Sponsor to give the gift of an education to a student in an isolated mission-country, and break the cycle of poverty for a child, youth, person living with disabilities, or seminarian. See how you can support a student in need at pimeusa.org/52sponsorships.

On this episode of Beyond Sunday, Rakhi and Nicole discuss how to be fruitful as a family as we strive to live virtuously. They dig into how to be fruitful in the areas of labor, leisure, and love and how to identify when what we are doing is bearing good fruit – and when it’s not. They share daily exercises for reflection to build a practice of aligning ourselves with the fruits of the spirit. 

This episode of Beyond Sunday is sponsored by the PIME Missionaries’ Sponsorships at a Distance Program. This school year, become a PIME Sponsor to give the gift of an education to a student in an isolated mission-country, and break the cycle of poverty for a child, youth, person living with disabilities, or seminarian. See how you can support a student in need at pimeusa.org/52sponsorships.

(1:44) Rakhi and Nicole discuss their favorite fruits. 

(3:24) Rakhi shares this week’s gospel from Matthew 21:43 and asks what it means to be fruitful as a family in the kingdom of God.

(4:51) Rakhi shares the other scripture for the weekend, Philippians 4:6-9, tying it to the concept of bearing good fruit. 

(6:24) Nicole discusses the concept of showing excellence in living in virtue and how to be fruitful in our labor, leisure, and love. 

(8:44) Rakhi and Nicole discuss being fruitful in our labor and say that we labor with love because we labor for the love of Jesus. 

(10:19) The hosts discuss being fruitful in our leisure. Rakhi says that leisure should be restorative, which involves discernment about what we are doing and consuming in our leisure time.

(13:35) They discuss being fruitful in our love as we look for the fruits of the spirit. Rakhi says that we are responsible for our reactions and for looking at what God is rooting out of us when we have unloving reactions to difficult situations.

(15:48) Nicole suggests using a lens of looking for the fruit and ending the day with a reflection of where the fruits of your labor, leisure, and love were that day.

(16:57) Nicole shares that the challenge of the week is to try the Family Examen from 52sundays.com to reflect together.

This episode of Beyond Sunday is sponsored by the PIME Missionaries’ Sponsorships at a Distance Program. This school year, become a PIME Sponsor to give the gift of an education to a student in an isolated mission-country, and break the cycle of poverty for a child, youth, person living with disabilities, or seminarian. See how you can support a student in need at pimeusa.org/52sponsorships.

On this episode of Beyond Sunday, Nicole and Rakhi discuss how to discern when to say yes, when to say no, and how to change course when necessary. They share that being clear about our motivations can help us to know when the Lord is calling us to change due to new circumstances and encourage us to get clear on our explanations for the decisions we make. 

This episode of Beyond Sunday is sponsored by the PIME Missionaries’ Sponsorships at a Distance Program. This school year, become a PIME Sponsor to give the gift of an education to a student in an isolated mission-country, and break the cycle of poverty for a child, youth, person living with disabilities, or seminarian. See how you can support a student in need at pimeusa.org/52sponsorships.

(1:40) Rakhi discusses the feast days in October and the hosts share stories about animals and their pets in light of the Feast of St. Francis. 

(6:43) Rakhi says the topic this week is how we sometimes agree to things without considering our capacity for them and then feel we can’t change our minds.

(9:18) Rakhi and Nicole discuss the idea of letting your yes mean yes and no mean no. 

(11:28) Nicole says that we should be in ongoing discernment about house rules and commitments, considering when we should shift our way of thinking.

(13:30) Rakhi says that we can model to our children how to be a person of integrity when we change our minds due to new circumstances or information, being open to how the Lord is moving. She says we also need to consider our motivations and work on silencing our people pleasing tendencies.

(15:40) The hosts discuss being able to explain why we make the decisions we make.

(18:45) Rakhi says we need to know how to explain how our family does things differently from other families. 

(23:41) Nicole says the challenges this week are to bless your pets and to take time during the week to consider what is working for your family, what your call is as a family, and where you might need to change course. 

This episode of Beyond Sunday is sponsored by the PIME Missionaries’ Sponsorships at a Distance Program. This school year, become a PIME Sponsor to give the gift of an education to a student in an isolated mission-country, and break the cycle of poverty for a child, youth, person living with disabilities, or seminarian. See how you can support a student in need at pimeusa.org/52sponsorships.

On this episode of Beyond Sunday, Nicole and Rakhi welcome guest Fr. Craig Giera to discuss how to bring the topic of vocation to the priesthood into family conversations. They discuss when and how to bring the topic into ongoing dialogue and how to encourage your children to consider their vocations in general.

This episode of Beyond Sunday is sponsored by the PIME Missionaries’ Sponsorships at a Distance Program. This school year, become a PIME Sponsor to give the gift of an education to a student in an isolated mission-country, and break the cycle of poverty for a child, youth, person living with disabilities, or seminarian. See how you can support a student in need at pimeusa.org/52sponsorships.

(1:26) Nicole introduces guest Fr. Craig Giera, Director of Priestly Vocations for the Archdiocese of Detroit, in honor of the upcoming Priesthood Sunday and asks him rapid fire questions.

(7:36) Rakhi says that they will discuss how family life can foster a call to the priestly vocation.

(9:58) Fr. Craig says that conversations about a vocation to the priesthood can start early and shares his path toward considering the vocation for himself.

(12:00) Fr. Craig shares that it was helpful that his mom encouraged him toward the priesthood. 

(14:34) Fr. Craig shares the stories he’s heard from men that foreshadowed a call to the priesthood. 

(16:03) Fr. Craig says that there is no one way to come to the Lord or to your vocation. 

(17:04) Rakhi asks for his advice on discerning a call to diosecan priesthood vs. a religious order, and he shares the differences between the options.

(19:00) Nicole says that we need to have an ongoing, broader dialogue with kids about their future based on the gifts God has given them.

(20:25) Rakhi suggests incorporating the language of vocation into conversation, as we are all called to one.

(20:45) Fr. Craig encourages parents, especially moms, to pray over their children.

(21:45) Fr. Craig says that he can be contacted and resources accessed at detroitpriestlyvocations.com.

(22:38) Nicole says that the challenge of the week is for parents to consider if the priesthood has been part of our family conversations about what children want to be when they grow up and to pray for the vocations of each of their children.

This episode of Beyond Sunday is sponsored by the PIME Missionaries’ Sponsorships at a Distance Program. This school year, become a PIME Sponsor to give the gift of an education to a student in an isolated mission-country, and break the cycle of poverty for a child, youth, person living with disabilities, or seminarian. See how you can support a student in need at pimeusa.org/52sponsorships.

In light of the upcoming Sunday’s Gospel reading, on this episode of Beyond Sunday, Nicole and Rakhi focus on how we can cultivate a culture of forgiveness and reconciliation in our families. They highlight how to properly enter into reconciliation and how to surrender our wounds to Jesus when we have been wronged, but reconciliation hasn’t yet taken place. 

This episode of Beyond Sunday is sponsored by the PIME Missionaries’ Sponsorships at a Distance Program. This school year, become a PIME Sponsor to give the gift of an education to a student in an isolated mission-country, and break the cycle of poverty for a child, youth, person living with disabilities, or seminarian. See how you can support a student in need at pimeusa.org/52sponsorships.

(1:17) Rakhi and Nicole shout out this week’s saint(s), St. Andrew Kim Taegon and Companions, and Nicole mentions this week’s 52 Sundays entry features her beef bulgogi recipe. 

(03:48) They continue to unpack the theme of forgiveness and how our families can become schools of mercy and forgiveness.

(08:05) They acknowledge how there will be seasons where it’s tiring to experience conflict over the same things repeatedly with our children.

(09:59) Rakhi proposes a three-step process to forgiveness which involves repenting, repairing, and reconciling. 

(14:19) Nicole highlights the value of practicing gratitude and how doing so can help move us from places of unforgiveness toward reconciliation.  

(16:39) They discuss what to do when we don’t receive an apology after being wronged and encourage the hard work of surrendering such situations to the Lord, in order to let go of hurt and resentment in our hearts. 

(19:47) Rakhi reminds listeners that mercy is a gift of the Spirit and encourages us to beg for this gift in prayer, not relying purely on our own willpower to live mercifully. 

(20:14) Nicole mentions the family challenge for this week that can be found on 52sundays.com, which calls families to surrender those situations where they have been wronged to the Lord. 

This episode of Beyond Sunday is sponsored by the PIME Missionaries’ Sponsorships at a Distance Program. This school year, become a PIME Sponsor to give the gift of an education to a student in an isolated mission-country, and break the cycle of poverty for a child, youth, person living with disabilities, or seminarian. See how you can support a student in need at pimeusa.org/52sponsorships.

On this episode, Rakhi and Nicole discuss conflict resolution as a spiritual work of mercy. They share how to teach children to discern if an injustice has occurred, manage their physical responses to conflict, apologize with intention, and learn to forgive. 

This episode of Beyond Sunday is sponsored by the PIME Missionaries’ Sponsorships at a Distance Program. This school year, become a PIME Sponsor to give the gift of an education to a student in an isolated mission-country, and break the cycle of poverty for a child, youth, person living with disabilities, or seminarian. See how you can support a student in need at pimeusa.org/52sponsorships.

(1:34) Rakhi and Nicole discuss special birthday traditions in light of Mary’s birthday on September 8.

(8:05) The hosts discuss how they celebrate Mary’s birthday in their households.

(10:06) Rakhi brings up dealing with conflict in families and forgiveness, which she and Nicole tie to the Gospel this week, Matthew 18. 

(11:29) Rakhi says that conflict resolution is a spiritual work of mercy. 

(12:47) Nicole says that the first step is discerning if an injustice has actually occurred. 

(14:18) Rakhi says that forgiveness doesn’t mean saying that what the other person did was ok. Nicole shares how she helps her children learn to apologize and forgive.

(18:30) Rakhi discusses helping children to know when to involve an adult to get help and how to manage their physical responses to conflict. 

(20:35) Rakhi says that modeling conflict resolution is the best teacher, especially with a spouse. 

(21:58) Nicole shares how the children’s show Bluey models speaking up when we feel wronged in a loving and effective way. 

(23:00) Rakhi encourages teaching our children to assume the best about other people. 

(24:07) Nicole says the challenge of the week is to practice saying you’re sorry and being intentional about it. 

This episode of Beyond Sunday is sponsored by the PIME Missionaries’ Sponsorships at a Distance Program. This school year, become a PIME Sponsor to give the gift of an education to a student in an isolated mission-country, and break the cycle of poverty for a child, youth, person living with disabilities, or seminarian. See how you can support a student in need at pimeusa.org/52sponsorships.

In light of Labor Day, on this episode, Nicole and Rakhi discuss the different forms of labor that we engage in daily, including parenthood and employment, and how we can make all of it an offering to God. They discuss how to be intentional in teaching and modeling to our children the dignity of work while also acknowledging the challenges we face. They remind us that even small labors are important in the eyes of God. 

Does your bank make you feel like you belong there? At Alliance Catholic Credit Union, you are a member of a financial institution that serves the Catholic community, providing you with an opportunity to align your banking with your Catholic identity. You receive all the products and services you need to manage your money, and your membership helps support Catholic schools, parishes and organizations. It's time to put your money where your faith is. Visit Alliancecatholic.com to get started today. Service. Community. Catholic. Alliance Catholic Credit Union, federally insured by the NCUA.

(1:38) Rakhi and Nicole discuss Labor Day weekend and their own (childbirth) labor experiences.

(5:22) Nicole shares that Romans 12:1-2 is how she strives to pray and live. 

(6:45) Rakhi says that our labor and sacrifice are not limited to our employment or physical labor but to the work we do to be transformed in discerning the will of God, making our whole lives an offering. 

(8:10) The hosts discuss the types of labor in our daily lives. Nicole brings up the labors of parenthood.

(10:00) Nicole says to be thankful for the gift of parenthood but to also acknowledge the importance of the many small things we do. Rakhi says nothing goes unnoticed by God. 

(12:00) Nicole brings up the challenges and labors of working parenthood.  

(14:00) Rakhi says to look at what fruit you are bearing at work and at home. Nicole says to be intentional about being present in the moment with both work and home life, including a “coming home from work” transition routine. 

(17:30) Rakhi discusses the importance of creating order and determining priorities in a family. Nicole discusses the dignity of work and finding ways for children to contribute in a meaningful way.  

(19:30) Rakhi says that we can teach our children that our work is not always about making money but some is a contribution to humanity and to God. 

(20:53) Rakhi suggests that as we prepare children for the workplace we let them know that they are also allowed to be respected and fairly compensated.

(21:57) Nicole says the challenge of the week is to spend time in prayer about your own work and discern what God is asking in your labor. Also take time to pray for people looking for work.

Does your bank make you feel like you belong there? At Alliance Catholic Credit Union, you are a member of a financial institution that serves the Catholic community, providing you with an opportunity to align your banking with your Catholic identity. You receive all the products and services you need to manage your money, and your membership helps support Catholic schools, parishes and organizations. It's time to put your money where your faith is. Visit Alliancecatholic.com to get started today. Service. Community. Catholic. Alliance Catholic Credit Union, federally insured by the NCUA.

On this episode, Nicole and Rakhi discuss how to manage when family members, especially our children, fall away from or are resistant to the faith. Under the guidance of St. Monica, they give encouragement to guard against despair, to provide loving support as the loved one finds their own expression of faith, and to let go of control and resentment. 

Does your bank make you feel like you belong there? At Alliance Catholic Credit Union, you are a member of a financial institution that serves the Catholic community, providing you with an opportunity to align your banking with your Catholic identity. You receive all the products and services you need to manage your money, and your membership helps support Catholic schools, parishes and organizations. It's time to put your money where your faith is. Visit Alliancecatholic.com to get started today. Service. Community. Catholic. Alliance Catholic Credit Union, federally insured by the NCUA.

(1:33) Rakhi and Nicole discuss their favorite prayers for their children.

(3:20) The hosts discuss the upcoming Memorial of St. Monica, mother of St. Augustine, who is a patroness for parents as they worry about their children.

(5:00) Rakhi says we can’t force our children to believe but we can create an environment where the Holy Spirit can work.

(6:18) Rakhi says that when children reject pieces or all of the faith, it can feel like a rejection of us. 

(7:50) Nicole brings up how we remain invitational and support our children who have fallen away or are resistant. Rakhi says we must first guard against despair.

(9:50) Rakhi says that it’s ok to let your children know you are disappointed if they go another way with their faith but it’s important to still make them feel welcome and loved.

(11:54) Rakhi notes that some rejection of the family structure is a normal part of development and creating your own identity. She says others may be better representations of Christ in those moments.

(14:58) Nicole cautions against long monologues or lectures when children are resistant to faith activities.

(15:55) Rakhi suggests asking about why your child may be resistant so as to not make assumptions and be able to help them create their own relationship and expression of their lived faith.

(17:13) Nicole recounts a quote from a bishop who shared that Mass is not the only way that some family members can participate in the life of the Church and have a relationship with Jesus.

(22:35) Rakhi acknowledges that we desire to control out of the goodness of our hearts to minimize pain and suffering for our children. Nicole says that St. Monica let go of her desire to do things a certain way to let her son find his way.

(23:55) Rakhi encourages befriending St. Monica if you are experiencing family members stepping away from the faith. Nicole says the weekly challenge is to call to mind someone who is distant from the faith and pray for them, and Rakhi says to offer up your resentment and let it go.

Does your bank make you feel like you belong there? At Alliance Catholic Credit Union, you are a member of a financial institution that serves the Catholic community, providing you with an opportunity to align your banking with your Catholic identity. You receive all the products and services you need to manage your money, and your membership helps support Catholic schools, parishes and organizations. It's time to put your money where your faith is. Visit Alliancecatholic.com to get started today. Service. Community. Catholic. Alliance Catholic Credit Union, federally insured by the NCUA.

On this episode, Nicole and Rakhi discuss how to prepare your family to live their lives in a way that exemplifies your family faith culture, especially in the busy back to school season. They share approaches to navigating the common decisions you may face and how to align your choices with the goal of preparing your family to be witnesses in the world.

Does your bank make you feel like you belong there? At Alliance Catholic Credit Union, you are a member of a financial institution that serves the Catholic community, providing you with an opportunity to align your banking with your Catholic identity. You receive all the products and services you need to manage your money, and your membership helps support Catholic schools, parishes and organizations. It's time to put your money where your faith is. Visit Alliancecatholic.com to get started today. Service. Community. Catholic. Alliance Catholic Credit Union, federally insured by the NCUA.

(1:35) Rakhi and Nicole discuss back to school preparations.

(4:21) Nicole says they will be discussing traditions and how we live our lives in the busyness of the school year. 

(6:00) Nicole says that how we live and join ourselves to the community of Christ is an intentional decision to exercise in our families. Rakhi says there is a temptation to be culturally Catholic but that we are called to make the decision to commit ourselves to following Jesus and create a family culture that sets us apart. 

(7:18) Nicole shares a metaphor of a family dinner with nonnegotiables and extra side dishes to think about the ways we can set up our family faith culture.

(10:25) Rakhi discusses how the analogy of the meal, or family faith culture, prepares us to be witnesses in the world. 

(12:10) Rakhi shares her thoughts on giving kids confidence to live their faith traditions even around other friends, as a part of growing as disciples.

(14:50) Rakhi and Nicole discuss the small decisions we make in raising children informed by our faith and family culture. 

(18:27) They discuss what we do when our family culture doesn’t match another family’s culture in areas such as technology use and dating.

(24:08) Rakhi brings up what to do when we’re asked to participate in things that are not necessarily aligned with Catholic teaching.

(26:39) Rakhi discusses the idea of branding as a Catholic family and how others might know that you believe in Christ based on your decisions.

(28:06) Nicole says the challenge this week is to have a conversation with your spouse about what your family culture is right now and what steps to make this school year to align with that.

Does your bank make you feel like you belong there? At Alliance Catholic Credit Union, you are a member of a financial institution that serves the Catholic community, providing you with an opportunity to align your banking with your Catholic identity. You receive all the products and services you need to manage your money, and your membership helps support Catholic schools, parishes and organizations. It's time to put your money where your faith is. Visit Alliancecatholic.com to get started today. Service. Community. Catholic. Alliance Catholic Credit Union, federally insured by the NCUA.