Brewing Faith

Christmas holds a special place in the hearts of Christians around the world.  The Christmas celebrations in our families, churches, and communities reflect and celebrate how the divine love revealed in Jesus Christ continues to become incarnate in our lives today. Join us for Brewing Faith, a podcast sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, where we enter into conversations about the past, present, and future of our Church.  In this third annual Christmas episode, Sister Diane Tomkinson, Sister Nelida Marrero and Sister Maria Anna Dela Paz share Christmas memories and explore how Christmas customs in various cultures invite us to recognize the face of Christ in the diverse faces of our sisters and brothers. Hosted by Sr. Diane Tomkinson, picking up from our previous hosts, Sara Marks and Sr. Marian Leaf.  So, grab a cup of coffee or tea, or whatever you like to brew, and take a listen.

The Our Father, also known as the Lord’s Prayer, is perhaps the most common prayer used across the entire Christian community among the various Christian denominations. Our discussion today, gleaned from various things I’ve read and heard throughout the years, will explore the question: is it only a prayer or is it a way of life for a disciple of Christ? Although I refer to it as a prayer throughout the podcast, my context of understanding is that it is more than just a prayer, it is the very model of true discipleship itself!

So grab your favorite cup of coffee or whatever you like to brew, kick back, and let’s get started.

Singing of the Lord's Prayer at the end downloaded from: Andrea Bocelli - The Lord's Prayer - Live From The Kodak Theatre, USA / 2009 Download

In an article entitled “The Notion of God,” on which this podcast is based; Richard Rohr highlights the anthropologist David Buchdahl’s view of the significance of our Notion of God since (and I quote) “the character of a culture is heavily influenced by the notion of God that predominates within it.” In this podcast, we explore our own understanding of God and how that shapes not only our own life, but impacts the very values and attitudes found in the larger society. So kick back, grab a cup of coffee or whatever you like to brew and let’s get started!

Sexuality is a powerful/passionate force and that power/passion lies within us as humans. Sexuality is connected with God’s life and love. In fact, Fr. Rolhieser says, “sexuality IS God’s energy within us!”  This podcast on sexuality is part two of our February podcast on human nature. I suggest you first listen to that discussion on our nature as both spirit and flesh, since understanding our human nature shapes our understanding of our sexuality. Much of this presentation is pulled from the writings of Fr. Ronald Hohlesier, OMI.  So grab that cup of coffee or whatever you like to brew, kick back, and take a listen!

This podcast is the first of a two-part series entitled "Our Human Nature and Sexuality."  In this edition we focus on human nature, what makes us tick, who we are as human beings, what makes up our nature, and what makes us different from all other creatures.  We'll look at how we understand, manage, and experience our unique nature. So grab a cup of coffee or whatever you like to brew, and take a listen!

Join Sr. Marian Leaf, as she is joined by former Franciscan Volunteer, Sabina Marroquin for this episode of the Brewing Faith Podcast. Together, they dive deeper into the meaning of the Incarnation.  Most people in the world believe in God and most religions help direct their members to seek and serve this God according to their beliefs. Christianity is the only faith in which this God comes as one of us–to seek us out and share in our life. We name that coming 2000 years ago INCARNATION. But would it surprise you to know that our understanding of this Incarnational event has evolved throughout the centuries? Would you be surprised that many theologians and scholars today consider another event as the First Incarnation? Take a listen!

Join Sr. Marian Leaf, a sister of St Francis of Philadelphia, as she follows Sara Marks, in bringing you these Brewing Faith podcasts. Learn about St. Francis and his life of transformation. Did you know that the young Francis dreamed of being a knight--a warrior going off to fight on the battlefields?  Instead he became a peacemaker, who lived in right relationship with others and all of creation! Let’s see how that happened.

In this episode we discuss Franciscan Discernment and the role that discernment plays in lives of young adults seeking meaningful work as well as the role organizations have in assisting with that process. We hear from Natalie, a former Franciscan volunteer with the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, who is now working in Corporate Social Responsibility.  We also talk to Zach, who is the co-founder of a marketing agency, that assists nonprofits in creating sustainable futures.  Grab a cup of coffee or tea, or whatever you like to brew, and take a listen.

The Catholic Church has a long tradition of caring compassionately for the poorest and marginalized of society. It should be no different with the LGBTQ community. Join us as we discuss inclusion of LGBTQ Catholics in our worshiping communities. A big thank you to Alyssa, a self-identifying queer Catholic, who was willing to share her story and offer insights to our listeners!

We are resurrection people living in a Good Friday moment. Jesus met many kind faces on the way to the cross. Who are the people in our lives helping, loving, supporting, and witnessing to goodness during these difficult days? Join us for a special edition of Brewing Faith to consider the pandemic and pray for those helping along the way.